By a letter of his, Amfterdam, December 26, 1658, to Sir Edward Walker, at Bruffels (from whence his autograph and feal is taken) he does not appear then to have even been a Knight, for it is only indorsed, Mr. Davidfon's letter; it was to request payment of Sir Edward (whofe portrait and autograph is in the laft volume) of 1280 guilders, that was borrowed upon a diamond ring and hat-band, which was to have been redeemed within fix months, but that it was thirty-two months paft.

Sir KENELM DIGBY,

Son of Sir Everard Digby, one of the principal confpirators in the Gunpowder-Plot, by Mary, daughter of William Mulho, Efq. was born, in 1603, at Gothurit, in Buckinghamshire. After his father's execution (1606) he was taken from his mother, to be brought up in the Proteftant religion. In 1618, he was fent to Oxford, where he became much admired for his great and univerfal genius. In 1622, he went on his travels, and made the tour of France, Spain, and Italy; and, on his return, the year following, was knighted.

He was a Gentleman of the Bed Chamber to Charles I. a Commiffioner of the Navy, a Governor of the Trinity-Houfe, and, in 1628, Admiral of the fleet going to the Levant. In this latter employ, he gained great reputation for his brave conduct at Algiers, where he refcued many English flaves, and by attacking the Venetian fleet in the Bay of Scandaroom. In 1636, he (then in France) reconciled himself to the Church of Rome; and two years after (in England) was einployed, by the Queen, to obtain contributions for the King, from his Roman Catholic fubjects: the which made him obnoxious to the Parliament, who, on the civil war breaking out, imprifoned him; but did release him soon after, at the request of Maria de Medicis; when he retired to France, where he published feveral of his Philofophical Works. In 1655, he returned to England, with a defign, as is fuppofed, of reconciling the Papifts to Cromwell; however, it is certain, while he continued here, he lived in great favour with him; for, in a letter of his, from Paris, the year after, to Secretary Thurloe, he says, "My obligations to his Highness are fo great-I make it my business every where, to have all the world take notice, how highly I efteem myself obliged, and how paffionate I am for his fervice, honor, and interefts, even to the exposing of my life," &c.

Soon after the Restoration, he returned with the Queen Mother, to whom he was Chancellor; and, on the inftitution of the Royal Society, was chofen one of the Council.

He used, as it were, to keep a literary fociety at his houfe in CoventGarden; where he died of the stone, 1665.

E

Sir

Sir WILLIAM DUGDALE.

This great and industrious antiquary was born at Shuftoke, in Warwickshire, 1605, and educated in the free-fchool at Coventry.

In 1625, he bought the manor of Blythe, in the place he was born; and here it was (by the perfuafion of feveral gentlemen of taste and learning) that he began his admirable work, of the description of his native county. In 1638, the Earl Marshall (Arundel) made him Purfuivant at Arms Extraordinary, and afterwards Rouge-Croix Pursuivant in Ordinary. He attended Charles I. at Edge-hill battle, and afterwards at Oxford, where he was made Master of Arts (1644) and Chefter Herald. On the furrender of Oxford to the Parliament, he went to London, where he compounded for his eftate for 1681.

At the Restoration, he was advanced to the office of Norroy King of Arms; in 1676-7, to Garter Principal King of Arms; and the year following was knighted. He died, in the 81ft year of his age, 1685-6.

He left forty-three volumes of MSS. behind him, chiefly in his own hand-writing, which are preferved at Oxford; his printed works are well known.

Sir JOHN GLYNNE,

Third fon of Sir Will. Glynne, by Jane, daughter of John Griffith, Efq. was born, 1602, at Glynn Livon, in Carnarvon, educated at Weft minfter-school and Oxford, and ftudied the law in Lincoln's-Inn. He became an eminent Counsellor, a Bencher, Steward of Westminster, Recorder of London, and, in 1640, twice a Member of Parliament for Westminster. In Parliament he was "next to Pym, the most active manager against the Earl of Strafford; and, after the civil war commenced, was rewarded with the place of Clerk of the Petty-Bag (worth 1000l. per ann.) when he figned the Proteftation, took the Covenant, and became one of the Affembly of Divines: but, in 1647, having moved in Parliament (in favour of the conftitution) for the difbanding the army, was impeached of high-treason, and fent to the Tower; but foon after, fubmitting to the rifing power, was released, and appointed one of the Commiffioners for treating with the King, in the Isle of Wight; and the year following made a Serjeant at Law. He would have no concern in the trial of the King; yet afterwards became one of Cromwell's Council, Chief Juftice of the Upper Bench (1655) and one of his House of Lords.

On the eve of the Restoration, he published "Arguments he hat used to prevail on Cromwell to be King, which he afferted to be the best, the most ancient, and legal form of Government:" and being then in Parliament for

Carnarvon,