with Mr. Richard Carew, a gentleman commoner of ChristChurch, (then only fourteen years old (3), and yet of three years standing,) in the presence of several of the nobility, and particularly of his two uncles, the Earls of Warwick and Leicester. Mr. Carew has modestly observed, that he was selected to engage in this literary contest, "from a wrong-conceived opinion touching his sufficiency." This gentleman was afterward the author of a topographical work of great merit, entitled "The survey "of Cornwall," in the dedication of which to Sir Walter Raleigh, he subscribes himself, "your lordship's poore kins66 man." He is praised by his contemporaries as one who not only lived up to the dignity of his ancestors, but excelled them all in the ornaments of virtue. A Scotch poet, who celebrates him for his singular skill in history, for his poetry and knowledge of the laws, calls him another Livy, another Maro, another Papinian (4). MR. (3) "Robert Devereux, Earl of Essex, when he was but sixteen years old, ❝took the degree of Master of Arts at Cambridge, for which he kept his public acts, the pregnancy of his genius then appearing to great advantage." Birch's Memoirs, &c. Vol. 1. p. 74. (4) He published a translation of several cantos of Tasso's "La Geru"salemme liberata;" under the title of "Godfrey of Bulloigne, or the "Recovery E MR. CAMDEN, who has been already mentioned, even in the most early dawn of his life, discovered the bent of his natural genius toward the study of antiquities. He says of himself, that, when a boy, he could neither hear nor see any thing of an antique appearance, without more than an ordinary attention and notice. While he was in the university, all his vacant hours were devoted to his favourite science. This propensity of nature was seconded by the importunity of his friends, and received very great encouragement from persons of the highest rank, and from none more than Mr. Philip Sidney. MR. SIDNEY pursued his studies for some time at Cambridge, and probably at Trinity College, where he had an opportunity of cultivating and improving that friendship, which he had already contracted with Mr. Fulke Greville his relation, and his companion at school. Ir has been justly remarked, that the interval between the age of sixteen and one and twenty years, a period at which "Recovery of Hierusalem: an heroical Poem, written in Italian by Seig. "Torquato Tasso, and translated by R. C. Esquire: and now the first part, "containing five cantos, imprinted in both languages." He died in 1620. which the cares of a common education cease, or are much relaxed, is that precise season of life, which requires all the attention of the most vigilant, and all the address of the wisest governours. With Mr. Sidney it did not pass away neglected, and destitute of improvement. The rose was not cankered in the bud: the precious years of his youth were not wasted in riot and dishonour, in vicious or profligate pursuits. "He cultivated not one art, or one science, but the whole circle of arts and sciences: his 66 capacious and comprehensive mind aspiring to pre"eminence in every part of knowledge attainable by human genius and industry."-" Such," says Fuller, "was "his appetite for learning, that he could never be fed fast "enough therewith, and so quick and strong his digestion, "that he soon turned it into wholesome nourishment, and "thrived healthfully thereon." He acquired a complete knowledge of the Latin and Greek languages. Nothing could equal the diligence with which this young student explored the stores of ancient literature, which had been recently imported into Europe. Hence at a more advanced season of his life, he was highly esteemed by the universities abroad and at home. His thirst after knowledge was insatiable: every invention was communicated to him; every discovery was encouraged and rewarded by him: "Soldiers honoured him, and were so honoured by him, "that no man thought he marched under the true banner "of Mars, that had not obtained his approbation (5). "There was not a cunning painter, a skilful engineer, an “excellent musician, or any other artificer of extraordinary "fame, that did not make himself known to this famous 'spirit, and found him his true friend without hire (6).” HAVING inured himself to habits of regularity, under the care and vigilance of his academical instructors, he " put "off his gown," and left the university with an intention to travel; not for the purpose of gazing upon fine paintings and statues; of surveying sumptuous palaces and stately temples; but from a desire to enlarge his mind, and to secure to himself a dignity of character; "to obtain a knowledge of the affairs, manners, laws, and learning "of other nations, that he might become the more serviceable to his own." In those days when travelling was considered as one of the principal causes of corrupt morals, 66 a wise (5) He inherited a desire of military fame from his father, who, by his personal bravery, acquired the honour distinguished among the Romans by the term, opima spolia, having with his own hand killed in battle James MacConnell, the principal leader of the Scots. (6) "Sir Fulke Greville's Life of Sir Philip Sidney," p. 39. |