3

BROOK; but Giles was born in London by the testimony of THOMAS FULLER in his 'Worthies.'1 His informant was the Rev. JOHN RAMSEY of 'Rougham in Norfolk' who married the widow of our Poet.2 It is to be regretted that his birth-date was not given by FULLER. CHALMERS' conjecture of 1588 seems improbable, as in the present volume will be found his 'Canto' upon the death of Elizabeth, originally published in 1603, that is, in such case, when he was in his 14th or 15thyear. I do not forget that at the same age, if not younger, Milton put forth "the shooting of the infant oak which in later times was to overshadow the forest"

-as Dr SYMMONS with unwonted vivacity describes his translations from the Psalms. But while these Psalms owe perhaps their choicest epithets and most vivid touches to Sylvester ('du-Bartas') the 'Canto' is strictly original and altogether too prodigious a production for

1 Vol. II. 82 (edt. 1811 by Nichols).

2 Fuller and after him his editors, and even Willmott, misspell this excellent man's name 'Rainsey.' It is RAMSEY, as appears by a volume of his 'Sermons,' of ripe learning and rare quaintness and memorableness of thinking and style-which is in my library, viz : 'Præterita or a Summary of several Sermons: the greater part preached many years past in several places, and upon sundry occasions. By JOHN RAMSEY, Minister of East Rudham in the County of Norfolk,' 1650 (4°). The 'Registers' of his Church and Parish are all gone till within a century of the present time; and hence no memorial of him remains there. I have not met with another copy of his 'Præterita.' In his Epistle Dedicatory to Duport, he describes it as a 'second mite into the Churches Treasury: the common gazophylacium of the Press.'

3 Biog. Dict. sub nomine.

The reader can turn to the 'Canto' and

a mere youth. judge for himself.

Our first new fact-and a valuable one-we are able to add here viz: that his mother's name was JOAN SHEAFE of CRANBROOK, Kent, daughter of one of the wealthy clothiers of the place. The 'Register' shews that the marriage of this 'fair lady' with GILES FLETCHER Senr., took place on 16th January, 1580 (o.s.) that is 1581.1

It is to be noted that Anthony a-Wood gives a place of honour to the son of Thomas Sheafe of Cranbrook, viz: Dr Thomas Sheafe, who lies in the Chapel of St George's, Windsor. In all probability this dignitary was brother of Joan, mother of our two poets.2

FULLER further states that at an early age he was sent to 'Westminster' School, and that he was elected from it to Trinity College, Cambridge. On this WILLMOTT-than whom few have been more painstaking, as none had keener insight, or finer poetic sympathies, or a more unerring taste-remarks:

1 I must heartily acknowledge the ungrudging labour of Mr WILLIAM TARBUTT of CRANBROOK, in aiding my Fletcher-researches. Painstaking, persevering and intelligent, without pretence, Mr TARBUTT is an enthusiast in all that honours his native town. We trust he will one day expand his occasional Lectures, and give us a 'History' of it. Mr TARBUTT's investigations have yielded me important contributions to the Memoir of PHINEAS FLETCHER and the Family generally.

2 Athenæ Oxon: by Bliss, sub nomine: his censure of another related SHEAFE for leaving his money to 'laymen' and not the Church, is mere abuse, and utterly unwarranted.

"This is the relation of Fuller; but I am unable to reconcile it with the declaration of GILES FLETCHER himself. In the dedication of 'Christ's Victorie' to Dr NEVILLE, he speaks, with all the ardour of a young and noble heart, of the kindness he had experienced from that excellent man. He mentions his having reached down 'as it were out of heaven, a benefit of that nature and price, than which he could wish none (only heaven itself excepted) either more fruitful and contenting for the time that is now present, or more comfortable and encouraging for the time that is already past, or more hopeful and promising for the time that is yet to come.' And further on, he expressly states that he was placed in Trinity College by Dr Neville's 'only favour, most freely, without either any means from others, or any desert in himself.' This praise could not have been consistent with truth, if Fletcher had obtained his election from Westminster School; and a careful examination of the Register-Book enables me to add that he was not upon the Foundation." 1

This is decisive; and yet no one will bear hard on dear FULLER, with such a mass of material to assort. I can testify, after following him in many recondite and special lines of inquiry, that his general accuracy is not less amazing than his immense industry.

1 Lives of the English Sacred Poets: by Robert Aris Willmott. 2nd edition, 2 vols. 12mo, 1839: Vol I. p. 64. This is preferable here to the first edition, as it corrects previous errors, and is fuller : but the first edition is preferable in other respects, as will appear.

The patronage of Dr NEVILLE must have been welltimed; for through the paternal responsibilities incurred as executor of his Bishop-brother, the Family were enduring at the period, painful hardships as an extant Letter elsewhere to be used-gives pathetic evidence.1 It is probable that the Fletchers of Liversedge, Yorkshire, held places of trust in the service of the lordly house of the Nevilles there.2

That the 'Canto' of young Master GILES found so prominent a place in so prominent a volume as 'Sorrowe's Joy' wherein the 'wisest Fool' (King JAMES) was welcomed by nearly all the University singers,' including PHINEAS FLETCHER-would seem to argue premature recognition. And yet very slender are the records of him even in his own College-renowned Trinity. Cooper's ATHENÆ CANTABRIGIENSES strangely fails us altogether, though already covering the years of GILES' attendance.3 Wood's ATHENÆ designates him 'batchelour of divinity of Trinity College,' and adds with rare feeling for him "equally beloved of the muses and graces."4 Does the mention of the 'Graces' point to his personal beauty? If so-it recalls the 'comeliness'

1 See our Memoir of Phineas as before: and Bond's 'Preface' to Dr Fletcher's book on Russia, pp. cxxv-vi.

2 See Memorial-Introduction to Poems of Giles Fletcher, LL.D., in Misc. of F. W. L., as before, pp. 8-10.

Vol. I., 1500-85: Vol. II., 1586-1609. Are we never to get Vol. III.?

4 Fasti (by Bliss) I. 190, 191.

and noble presence of his uncle (Bishop FLETCHER) that so 'took' Elizabeth.

We are enabled to add to his TRINITY dates. In the Scholars' Admission Book is the following entry in his own handwriting, under 'April 12th, 1605.'

Ægidius Fletcherus, Discipulus juratus.'

His name also occurs among the B.A. scholars in the Senior Bursar's Book for 1606. He is there shewn to have received two quarterly payments of 3s. 4d. The book for 1605 is missing, as is that for 1607; but in 1608 his name appears as a B.A. scholar, and he receives four quarterly payments of 3s. 4d. In 1614-5, in the Senior Bursar's Book, are these two entries: Item, Paid to Mr Fletcher for a quarter's allowance, at 3s. 4d. the weeke from St. Ladie day to Midsomer for Mr Gardiner—xliijs. iiijd.: 1615. Item, Spent in carring [sic] of letters gratulatory to the King and Prince to Grenwiche by my selfe1 and Mr Fletcher, man and horse, 5 days, vl. xviijs.: 1617. Finally, in the Conclusion Book is this: January 24th. Mr Fletcher and Mr Kinaston added to Catechise to those already appointed.

1 This Bursar ('myselfe') was a Thomas Fortho. With reference to the last entry it may be well to explain that Fellows who wished to qualify themselves for College preachers had to expound the Catechism a certain number of times in Chapel. Under the old statutes the College Preachers had certain privileges with regard to livings which they were allowed to hold with their Fellowship.