THE
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS.

"A practical mathematician, who has quickness to seize a hint, and sagacity to apply it, might avail himself greatly of these scantlings. It is extremely probable, that Savery took from the Marquis the hint of the Steam Engine, for raising water with a power made by fire, which invention alone would entitle the author to immortality."—Granger's Biog. Hist. vol. v. p. 278.

"Here it may not be amiss to recommend to the attention of every mechanic the little work entitled a 'Century of Inventions,' by the Marquis of Worcester, which, on account of the seeming improbability of discovering many things mentioned therein, has been too much neglected; but when it is considered that some of the contrivances apparently not the least abstruse, have, by close application been found to answer all that the Marquis says of them, and that the first hint of that most powerful machine, the Steam Engine, is given in that work, it is unnecessary to enlarge on the utility of it."—Trans. of the Society of Arts, vol. iii. p. 6.

L O N D O N:
PRINTED BY C. ROWORTH, BELL YARD,
TEMPLE BAR.

THE
CENTURY OF INVENTIONS
OF THE
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER.
FROM THE ORIGINAL MS.
WITH
HISTORICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES AND
A BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR.

BY
CHARLES F. PARTINGTON,

AUTHOR OF A DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNT OF THE STEAM ENGINE,
AND LECTURER AT THE
LONDON, RUSSEL, SURREY, AND METROPOLITAN INSTITUTIONS,
MECHANICS' INSTITUTE, &c. &c.

LONDON:
JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE-STREET.
MDCCCXXV.

TO
DOCTOR GEORGE BIRKBECK,
PRESIDENT OF THE LONDON MECHANICS' INSTITUTION
AND OF THE CHEMICAL AND METEOROLOGICAL
SOCIETIES, FOUNDER AND PATRON OF THE
GLASGOW MECHANICS' INSTITUTE,
&c. &c. &c.

Dear Sir,

As a connecting link in the History of the Steam Engine, I know that your attention has been directed to the Marquis of Worcester's Century of Inventions, and that its merits were duly appreciated by you at a very early period of Life.—That these Illustrations of one of the most valuable scientific productions of the seventeenth century, may deserve your favourable notice, and prove an acceptable present to the extensive class of Readers which your patriotic exertions are now so rapidly adding to the Scientific World, is the sincere wish of,

Dear Sir,
Your faithful and obliged
humble Servant,
Charles F. Partington.

London Institution,
Feb. 6th, 1825.

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
OF
E D W A R D
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER.

BIOGRAPHICAL MEMOIR
OF
E D W A R D
MARQUIS OF WORCESTER.

There are few persons who have suffered more from party zeal, or gained less from historic candour, than the noble subject of the following brief memoir. Indeed no regular biographer has yet appeared to do justice to his zealous exertions in the cause of his unfortunate but misguided master, or his still more patriotic efforts for the advancement of scientific knowledge. All, however, who have in any shape alluded, either to the political principles, religious tenets, or scientific acquirements of the Marquis of Worcester, appear to have been guided rather by a spirit of fanatic intolerance, or a wish to clear King Charles from the heavy responsibility which attached to instructions given under his own hand and seal, when the Marquis was employed in Ireland. These then appear to have been the concurring causes, that have so long withheld from the noble Author the veneration his memory so justly merits; and we now proceed to follow him through his short but active career in public life.

Edward, sixth earl and second Marquis of Worcester, was born at Ragland near Monmouth; and his family, who had long been distinguished for the most devoted loyalty, possessed the largest landed estate of any nobleman attached to the British court. His grandfather Edward, fourth Earl of Worcester, enjoyed in a most distinguished degree the favour of Queen Elizabeth, and her successor King James. In 1593, he was instituted Knight of the Garter, and received a pension of fifteen hundred pounds per annum for life. Sandford describes him as "a great favourer of learning and good literature:" he died in the 79th year of his age, at Worcester House, in the Strand; and was buried in Ragland church.

Henry, the fifth earl, and father of the Marquis, succeeded to the title and estates in 1628: the family revenue derived from those in Monmouthshire alone, at this period amounting to upwards of twenty-thousand pounds per annum. In 1642, the year in which he was created Marquis of Worcester, he raised and supported an army of 1500 foot, and near 500 horse-soldiers, which were placed under the command of his son Lord Herbert, the subject of this Memoir.

During the civil commotions, Charles made several visits to Ragland castle, where he was entertained with the greatest magnificence,[1] and on those occasions particularly distinguished the young Lord Herbert. On an open rupture taking place between the King and Parliament, his Majesty invested Lord Herbert with the command of a large body of troops then raising in his native country, and an opportunity was soon offered for calling his military talents into action. Prince Rupert, shortly after the battle of Marston Moor, directed his attention towards the Marches of Wales, which awakening the jealousy of the Parliamentary General Massey, he by a feigned counter-movement surprised the city of Monmouth, which had always been considered as the key of South Wales, and thus threw the inhabitants of Ragland into the greatest confusion and alarm.

On the first intelligence of the fall of Monmouth reaching the Marquis, he despatched Lord Herbert with a considerable body of forces, who joining a troop of cavaliers from Godridge, lodged themselves undiscovered behind a rising ground near that city. A party of about forty men, who volunteered for the occasion, were headed by Lord Herbert, and proceeded to reconnoitre the town. Having climbed an earthen redoubt which had been thrown up by the Parliamentary forces, they passed the ditch and fell upon the guard, who were immediately put to the sword, and a few seconds more sufficed for breaking the port-chain and forcing an entry for the horse, who, having by this time joined their brave comrades, entered the town at full gallop; surrounding the main guard, the whole of whom they took prisoners. The result of this brilliant and chivalrous enterprise was the capture of Colonel Broughton, four captains, as many lieutenants and ensigns, the committee, all the private soldiers, and a considerable quantity of arms and ammunition.

So signal a display of bravery and devotedness to the royal cause in the young cavalier procured from his Majesty the warmest commendations; and in the month of January, 1644, he had the honour to receive his first commission to negotiate with the Irish Catholics; while at the same time he was recommended by the king to the Earl of Ormonde, as one whose loyalty might be relied upon. With regard to his Lordship's fitness for this appointment, there can be but one opinion: educated among Catholics, and as such not likely to excite the same suspicions as would naturally attach to any negotiation with their avowed enemy, the Earl of Ormonde, and possessing considerable influence at the court of Rome, he seemed peculiarly qualified to fill the office of mediator; and having become popular with the people at home by his known liberality and patriotism, the appointment was not likely to excite much dissatisfaction on the part of the Puritans.

The deranged state of his Majesty's affairs, which were now growing desperate from the continued advantages of the rebels in Ireland, and his still more violent and fanatic subjects at home, rendered it necessary that some sacrifices should be made to conciliate the Irish Catholics; as he would thus procure a powerful and efficient force to aid him against the Covenanters. In proof of his anxiety on this subject, there were no less than eight letters written by the king himself, beside those of his secretaries, pressing for a speedy adjustment of the differences that had so long agitated the sister kingdom.

The first commission under the great seal was dated the sixth of January, and furnished the Marquis with full power to levy any number of men in Ireland or elsewhere; to make governors of forts, &c.; and to receive the king's rents. Upon the twelfth of March following, the Marquis received another commission, equally as extensive as the preceding; a copy of which is preserved by Rushworth, in his Collections, which we here subjoin.

"Charles R.

"Charles, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c., to our trusty and well beloved cousin, Edward Earl of Glamorgan, greeting. We, reposing great and especial trust and confidence in your approved wisdom and fidelity, do by these presents, as firmly as under our Great Seal, to all intents and purposes, authorise, and give you power to treat and conclude with the confederate Roman Catholics in our kingdom of Ireland, if upon necessity any be to be conscended unto, wherein our lieutenant (the Earl of Ormonde) cannot so well be seen in, as also not fit for us at present publicly to own. Therefore we charge you to proceed according to this our warrant with all possible secrecy; and for whatsoever you shall engage yourself, upon such valuable considerations as you in your judgment shall deem fit, we promise, upon the word of a king and a Christian, to ratify and perform, the same that shall be granted by you and under your hand and seal; the said confederate Catholics having by their supplies testified their zeal to our service: and this shall be in each particular to you a sufficient warrant.

"Given at our Court at Oxford, under our Signet and Royal Signature, the twelfth of March, in the twentieth year of our reign, sixteen hundred and forty-five."[2]

Who, it may be asked after perusing this document, will be hardy enough to pronounce with Hume that "the king was incapable of dissimulation?" especially when coupled with his Majesty's subsequent declaration to both Houses of Parliament; in which he expressly says, that the Marquis, having made an offer to raise forces in Ireland and conduct them into England for his service, had a commission to that purpose; "but then," adds the king, "it was to that purpose only, and not to treat of any thing else without the privity and direction of the Lord Lieutenant."

What degree of credit ought to be given to the latter part of his Majesty's declaration, is pretty plainly shewn by the following letter to the papal legate, which fully accords with the instrument we have just quoted of the twelfth of March:

Sir,

Hearing of your resolution for Ireland, we do not doubt but things will go well, and that the good intentions began by means of the last pope, will be accomplished by the present, by your means in our kingdoms of Ireland and England, you joining with our dear cousin the Earl of Glamorgan; with whom whatever you shall resolve we shall think ourselves obliged to, and perform it at his return. His great merits oblige us to this confidence, which we repose in him above all, having known him above twenty years; during which time, he hath always signally advanced himself in our good esteem, and by all kind of means carried the prize above all our subjects. This being joined to the consideration of his blood, you may well judge of the passion which we have particularly for him, and that nothing shall be wanting on our part to perfect what he shall oblige himself to in our name, in consideration of the favours received by your means. Confide therefore in him: but in the meanwhile, according to the directions we have given him, how important it is that the affair should be kept secret, there is no occasion to persuade you, since you see that the necessity of the thing requires it. This is the first letter which we have ever wrote immediately to any Minister of State of the Pope, hoping it will not be the last; but that after the said earl and you shall have concerted your measures, we shall openly shew ourself, as we have assured him.

Your Friend,
Charles R.

From our Court at Oxford,
30th April, 1645.

The earl's negotiation had hitherto gone on prosperously, and there was good reason to suppose that he would shortly have brought the rebels to a complete concurrence with his Majesty's views, when a most unexpected accident disconcerted the whole of his schemes. An attempt having been made by the Irish upon Kilkenny about the end of October, 1645, in which the titular Archbishop of Tuam had a command; the rebels were beaten and the prelate killed, in whose baggage was found a copy of the treaty which his Lordship had entered into with the confederate Catholics and the pope's nuncio. Of this discovery immediate information was furnished to the Parliament, then sitting, which had invariably expressed the greatest aversion to any concession being made to the Catholics; and the matter became so public, that the Lords Ormonde and Digby found it necessary to do something towards the vindication of his Majesty's honour, and to preserve appearances with the Parliament.

The council having met on the twenty-sixth, Lord Digby appeared at the board, and accusing the Earl of Glamorgan of high treason, moved that he should be immediately committed to the castle. On the following day he was examined by a committee of the council, when he exonerated his Majesty, and requested that the whole blame of the matter might be attributed to him; as he had consulted with no one on the subject, but the parties with whom he had made the agreement.[3]

When the intelligence of his lordship's imprisonment reached Kilkenny, where the supreme council then held their sittings, the Catholics were thrown into the greatest confusion, and some insisted on an immediate recourse to arms for his enlargement. These proceedings, however, were soon stayed by the friends of the Earl of Ormonde, and his lordship was shortly afterwards released on bail. As soon as this was effected he repaired to Kilkenny, in order to expedite the embarkation of a force amounting to about three thousand men, which had been raised for the relief of Chester; and, had there been a sufficient co-operation on the part of the general council, they might have sailed time enough to have afforded the most essential service to the royal cause; but after repeated delays on their part, intelligence was brought of the loss of that important city; and the Marquis, finding that his further stay in Ireland was attended with considerable hazard to his own life, without any commensurate benefit to his Majesty, resolved on embarking for France, where he was soon after joined by the exiled queen.

Immediately after his lordship's departure for the continent, the parliamentary forces under Sir Thomas Fairfax appeared before Ragland; and being refused admission by the venerable old Marquis, their hostile approaches were carried on with great vigour, in spite of repeated sallies from the fortress. The gallant veteran, however, finding the garrison, which at first consisted of only 800 men, reduced to less than half that number, surrendered on honourable terms on the 17th August. Notwithstanding the pledge given by Sir Thomas Fairfax, the conditions of capitulation were most disgracefully violated, and the Marquis was committed to the custody of the Black Rod, where he languished till the December following; when he expired in the eighty-fifth year of his age, and was buried in St. George's Chapel at Windsor.

In the mean time the fortifications of Ragland were destroyed, and all the timber in the parks was cut down, and sold by the committee of sequestrations. The lead alone that covered the castle was sold for 6,000 pounds, and the loss to the family in the house and woods, has been estimated at not less than 100,000 pounds!

From the destruction of Ragland castle by the Parliamentary forces, till the beginning of 1654, the earl's name scarcely occurs in the political history of those times; but about that period, we find him attached to the suit of Charles II., who then resided at the court of France: and in the following year he was dispatched by the exiled monarch to London, for the purpose of procuring private intelligence and supplies of money, of which the king was in the greatest need. He was, however, speedily discovered and committed a close prisoner to the Tower, where he remained in captivity for several years.

Some idea of the state of indigence to which the Marquis was now reduced may be formed from a perusal of the following Letter, directed to the celebrated Colonel Copley, who was, it appears, one of the noble Author's supporters.

"Dear Friend,

"I knowe not with what face to desire a curtesie from you, since I have not yet payed you the five pownds, and the mayne businesse soe long protracted, whereby my reallity and kindnesse should with thankefullnesse appeare; for though the least I intende you is to make up the somme allready promised, to a thousand pownds yearly, or a share ammounting to farr more, (which to nominate before the perfection of the woorke were but an individuum vagum, and therefore I deferre it, and vpon noe other score,) yet, in this interim, my disapointments are soe great, as that I am forced to begge, if you could possible, eyther to helpe me with tenne pownds to this bearer, or to make vse of the coache, and to goe to Mr. Clerke, and if he could this daye helpe me to fifty pownds, then to paye yourself the five pownds I owe you out of them. Eyther of these will infinitely oblige me. The alderman has taken three days time to consider of it. Pardon the great troubles I give you, which I doubt not but in time to deserve by really appearing

"Your most thankful friend
Worcester.

28th of March, 1656.
"To my honored friend
Collonell Christopher Coppley,
These."

On the king's restoration, the Marquis of Worcester was one of the first to congratulate his Majesty on the happy event, though the situation of the unfortunate nobleman was little bettered by the change; indeed it appeared but as the signal for new persecutions, as one of the earliest public acts of that ungrateful monarch may be characterized as an invidious attempt to set aside the just claims of his earliest and best friend.

In 1660 the House of Lords appointed a committee to consider of the validity of a patent granted to the Marquis of Worcester in prejudice to the Peers, upon the first intimation of which his Lordship sent a messenger to the committee then sitting, stating his willingness to surrender it, and it was shortly afterwards presented to the House by his son Lord Herbert.

In 1663 appeared the first edition of the noble Author's Century of Inventions, and on the 3d of April in the same year, a bill was brought in for granting to him and his successors the whole of the profits that might arise from the use of an engine, described in the last article in the Century.[4]

Of the merits of the Century of Inventions as a literary composition but little can with justice be said; whether, however, as a scientific production, it deserves the character that has been given of it by men more celebrated for their literary attainments, than for scientific knowledge, the reader, after a perusal of the work, will readily determine.[5]

The Marquis likewise published a work entitled "An Exact and true Definition of the most stupendous Water-commanding Engine, invented by the Right Honourable (and deservedly to be praised and admired) Edward Somerset Lord Marquis of Worcester, and by his Lordship himself presented to his most excellent Majesty Charles II., our most gracious Sovereign." This was published in a small quarto volume consisting of only twenty-two pages, and is now become extremely rare.

His lordship survived the publication of this work but two years; as he died in retirement near London upon the third of April 1667. His remains were conveyed with funeral solemnity to the cemetery of the Beaufort family in Ragland church; where he was interred on Friday the nineteenth of the same month, near the body of his grandfather, Edward Earl of Worcester. The coffin was placed in an arched stone vault, with the following inscription on a brass plate:

"Depositum Illustrissimi Principis Edwardi Marchionis et Comitis Wigorniæ, Comitis de Glamorgan, Baronis Herbert de Raglan, Chepstow et Gower, nec non serenissimo nuper Domino Regi Carolo primo, Southwalliæ locum tenentis: qui obiit apud Lond. tertio die Aprilis, An. Dom. MDCLXVII."

ORIGINAL LETTERS
AND
OFFICIAL PAPERS,
ILLUSTRATIVE OF THE PRECEDING MEMOIR.

The manuscripts from whence the annexed documents have been selected, are now in the possession of his Grace the Duke of Beaufort; and the Editor would be wanting in justice to another distinguished member of the same noble family, did he omit to acknowledge the great kindness which he has received from Lord Granville Somerset, who has materially assisted the Editor in illustrating the labours of his very ingenious ancestor.

Glamorgan

I heerewth send you the rest of my dispatches for Ireland, whether I praye hasten, time beeing most considerable. I am sensible of the dangers yu will undergoe, and ye greate trouble and expences you must be at, not being able to assiste yw who have already spent aboue a Million of Crowns in my service, neither can I saye more then I well remembr to have spoke and written to you that allready words could not expresse your merits nor my gratitude: and that next to my wife and children I was most bound to take care of you. whereof I have besides others particularly assured yor Cosin Biron as a person deare unto you. What I can further thinke at this pn̄t is to send yw the Blue Ribben, and a Warrant for the Title of Duke of Somerset both wch accept and make vse of at your discretion, and if you should deferre ye publishing of either for a whyle to avoyde envye, and my being importuned by others yet I promise yor Antiquitie for ye one and your Pattent for ye other shall beare Date with the Warrants. And rest assured, if God should crosse me wth your miscarrying I will treate your Sonne as myne owne, and that yu labour for a deare freind as well as a thankefull Master when tyme shall afforde meanes to acknowledge, how much I am

Yor most assured reall constant
and thankfull freind
Charles R.

Oxford Feb. 12, 1644.

Oxford this seconde of January 1644 Severall Heades whereupon you our Right trusty and right welbeloved Cosen Edward Earle of Glamorgan may securely proceede in execution of our Commands.

First you may ingage yr estate, interest and creditt that we will most really and punctually performe any our promises to the Irish, and as it is necessary to conclude a Peace suddainely, soe whatsoever shall be consented unto by our Lieutenant the Marquis of Ormond, We will dye a thousand deaths rather than disannull or breake it, and if vpon necessity any thing be to be condescended unto, and yet the Lord Marquis not willing to be seene therein, as not fitt for us at the present publickely to owne, doe you endeavour to supply the same.

If for the encouragement of the Lord Marquis of Ormond you see it needefull to have the Guarter sent him, or any further favour demonstrated from vs vnto him, we will cause the same to be performed.

If for the advantage of our service you see fitt to promise any titles, even to the Titles of Earles in eyther of our Kingdomes, vpon notice from you we will cause the same to be performed.

For the Maintenance of our Army vnder yr Com~aund we are gratiously pleased to allowe the Delinquentes estates where you overcome, to be disposed by you, as alsoe any our revenues in the sayd places, Customes or other, our profitts, woods and the like wth the contributions.

Whatever Townes or places of importance you shall thinke fitt to possesse you shall place Com~aunders and Governours therein at yr pleasure.

Whatever Order we shall sende you (wch you are only to obey) We give you leave to impart the same to yr Counsill at Warr and if they and you approve not thereof We give you leave to replye, and soe farr shall we be from taking it as a disobedience, that we com~aunde the same.

At yr returne we will accept of some officers vpon yr recom~endation, to the ende noe obstacle or delay may be in the execution of yr desires in order to our service, and our com~aunds in that behalfe.

At yr Returne you shall have ye Com~aund of South Wales, Herefordshire, and Glocester-shire of the Welsh-side returned to you in as ample manner as before.

In yr abscence we will not give creditt or countenance to any thing, wch may be preiudiciall to yr Father, you, or yours

C. R.

Herbert

I wonder, you are not yet gone for Ireland; but since you have stayed all this time, I hope these will ouertake you, whereby you will the more see the great trust and confidence I repose in your integrity, of which I have had soe long and soe good experience; commanding yow to deale with all ingenuity and freedome with our Lieutenant of Ireland the Marquis of Ormond, and on the word of a King and a Christian I will make good any thing, which our Lieutenant shall be induced unto upon your persuasion: and if you find it fitting, you may privately shew him these, which I intend not as obligatory to him, but to myselfe, and for both your encouragements and warrantise, in whom I repose my cheefest hopes, not having in all my Kingdomes two such subjects; whose endeauours joining, I am confident to be soone drawen out of the mire, I am now enforced to wallow in; and then shall I shew my thankfullnesse to you both, and as you have neuer failed mee, soe shall I neuer faile you, but in all things shew how much I am

Oxforde the 12th
of March 1644.

Herbert

I am confident that this honest trusty bearer will give you good satisfaction why I have not in euerie thing done as you desired, the wante of Confidence in you beeing so farre from beeing ye cause thereof that I am euery daye more and more confirmed in the trust that I have of you, for beleeve me it is not in the power of any to make you suffer in my opinion by ill Offices, but of this and diuers other things I have given so full Instructions that I will saye no more, but that I am

Yor most assured constant freind
Charles R.

Oxford 26 Feb. 1645.

Glamorgan

I am glad to heare that you are gone to Ireland and assure yu that as my selfe is nowyse dishartened by our late misfortune so neither this Country; for I could not have expected more from them, then theye have now freely undertaken though I had come hether absolute Victorious wch makes me hope well of ye neighbouring Sheeres. So that (by ye grace of God) I hope shortly to recover my late losse with aduantage if such succours come to me from that Kingdome wch I have reason to expect, but the circumstance of time is that of the greatest consequence, beeing that which is cheefliest and earnestliest recommended you by

Your most assured reall constant
freind
Charles R.

Hereford 23 June 1645.

Glamorgan

I have no time nor do you expect that I should make unnecessary repetitions to you wherefore referring you to Digby for business this is onlie to giue you assurance of my constant freindship to you which considering the generall Defection of common honesty is in a sorte requisite howbeit I knowe yu cannot be but confident of my making good all instructions and promises to you

Yr most assured constant freind
Charles R.

Oxford 5 Aprile 1646

Henriette Marie R

Nous henriette Marie de bourbon Regne de la grande Bretagne auons par l'ordre du Roy notre tres honoré Seigneur et Mary fait deliurer es mains de notre tres cher et bien amé cousin Edouard Somerset Comte et Marquis d Worcester un collier de Rubis contenant dix gros Rubis et cent soixante perles enchassées et confilées en or entre les dits Rubis comme aussy deux gros diamans l'un appellé Sancy et l'autre le Portugal, confessans qu'outre les tres grandes depenses faites par luy, pour le dit Roy notre tres honore Seigneur, il nous a encore fourny trois cens soixante et dix mil liures tournois outre les tres grands seruices qu'a ce present mesme il nous fait qui sont au moins d'egale consequence, au regard de quoy nous faisons scauoir que le dit collier et Diamans sont totalement pour en disposer par luy soit par uente on engagement, sans que nous, ou aucun en notre nom puisse en faire aucune demande, Rechercher ou troubler aucune personne qui achetera ou prestera argent sur les dits Joyaux cy dessus nommez en temoignage de quoy nous auons Signé et fait mettre notre Séel Royal a cette presente a notre Cour a St Germain en Laye ce Jourdhuy 20 May mil six cens quarente huiet.

L. S.
(The Royal Arms.)

To the Kinges most Exelent Mai^{tie} The humble Petition of all the Deputy Lieutenants Justices of the Peace the Knights & Burgises for Parliamt setting for the Countie of Monmouth & indeede of all the Gentry & Comonalty Freehoulders and other inhabitence within the said Countie nemine contradicente but una voce most humbly

Sheweth

That whereas ye Right honble our very good Lord the now Earle and Marquisse of Worcester after about twenty yeares absence comforteth and honoureth us wth his prsence to ye great sattisfaction of all your Majties most loyall & devoted subjects, Wee become most humble petitionrs to your Gratious and most sacred Majtie that you wilbe pleased to incuredge his Exelency to make his cheife residance heer, which by longe and suffitient experience wee well know will much conduce to your Majties intherest, and seruice, and to the good and great sattisfaction not onely of this but of all ye adjacent Counties, his Lordsp having always been a disinterested Governor and freind to us all, as most espetially a most faithfull zealouse and powerfull promoter of seruices to ye Crowne, yett with care and sweetnesse euer shewed towards your Majties Loyall subjects, and nowayes partiall to those of his owne perswation and religion, where ever his Excelency hath had command looking but vpon his kings intherest and ye peoples justifiable pretentions neither can his greatest enimies make appeare ye least profe to ye contrary.

May itt therefore please your most Excelent Majtie vpon this our most humble petition suplycatg to Joyne his Lordspp with his most deseruing sonne, the Lord Herbert, in the Liuetenancie of this Countie, and wee esteeme it wille soe far from derogateing from my Lord his Sonne who we must honr that it wilbe an adit~on of coumfort and honr to his Lordspp to have his beloued father Joyned with him, as his Grandfather was with his Father the Lord Privie Seale, that wise and stout Privie counsellor: his Lordspps great grandfather and predecessor neither doe wee looke with lesse awfullnesse and respect vpon our now Lord Marquisse of Worcester, if he reside amonghst us in a poore Grange of his then whilst he dwelt in his most sumptuous Castle of Ragland, like a Prince attended, esteemeing his now pouertie in respect of his then opulancie, but as a badge of Loyaltie, and as readilie and cheerfully shall wee obey his commands who our harts attend, as much as then, if Impowerd by your Gratious Majtie to bee our Joynt Lord Lieutenant which honr and power wee most humbly begg may be againe conferred upon his Excelency.

And wee shall euer pray, &c.

May it please yr Grace

The obiections yow were pleased to make against the owning and subscribing ye Letter to his Matie were as I humbly conceaue yr Graces resolution not to trouble ye King for any money businesse euen in your owne behalfe much lesse in an others, and secondly that as for Creations you had absolutely promised his Matie you would not importune him againe, to the furst I answeare that this is to save the Kings Coffirs, since certainely if eyther honor or conscience should take place his Matie ought to saue me harmelesse from the six thousand pound Confest and proued to be ye Crownes Debt, soe happyly now vpon his Head by your Graces noe lesse prudent and valerous then dutyfull endeauours blest by Devine Prouidence neuer intending the ruine of his best deseruing subiects, and ye only promoting of his ribells, which the child unborne may rue if not timely preuented, and as a wise Privye-Counsillor yr Graces part is to minde his Matie soe of, as not totally to disharten I will not say disgust his good subiects well desarueing yet that as far as loyalty and Religion will giue them leaue, and I am sory his Matie should bedd a diew to workes of superergation and loue in his subiects and most Certinely they are not his best Councellers who aduise him to it, and yr Grace will be most Commendable in douing the Contrery, and at long running the King will loue you best for it, soe that this obiection of yr Grace I humbly conceave to be totally solued.

As for the seconde yr Graces promise not to speake for any more Creations be pleased to vnderstand it rightly, and you are noe motioner of this, you doe but lay before him my reasonable Petition therein, such as indeed my Lord Chancellor was pleased to thinke soe fitting as he once vndertook it for me, and I am confident will thanke yr Grace for reuiuing of it and in my Conscience soe will ye King too in graunting of it, for I cannot haue soe meane a thought of his Matie but that against the hayre he hath binne forced to bistow honoure to the highest degree upon five member men and vpon irth as subscribed to his father of happy memory his death, and that he will thinke mutch to countinance him who only assisted his late Ma'ie to flye from theyr compulsion of him to agree to such acts as would have lefet him selfe our now Gratious King ye sucessior of a title of a King of three Kingdoms but to the substance of noe one of them. It was I furnished his Matie with money to goe (to) Theobalds to goe to Yorke when the then Marquis of Hambleton refused to pay three hundered pound for his Matie at Theobalds only to deliuer him to the Parliament, as he had donne the Earle of Strafford, and to * * * the * * * Parliament, It was I carried him money to sett vp his standard at Yorke, and procured my father to giue the then sr John Byron five thousand pound to rayse the first Regiment of Horse, and kept a table for aboue twenty Officers at Yorke, which I vnderhand sent thether to keepe them from takeing Conditions from ye Parliament, and soe were ready to accept his. It was I vittled the towre of London & gaue fiue and twenty hundred pound to ye then Lieutenant sr John Byron my Cosin Germain by my first wifes side. It was I raysed most of the Menne at Edgehill fight, and after I was betrayed at when soe many Gentlemen of Quality were taken and of twenty fiue thousand men first & last by me raysed Eight thousand men disperssed by the Contriuance of such as called themselues ye Kings good subiects, and some of them rewarded for it, they were my men weekely payed without takeing a farthing contribution because the country tottered, who tooke in the forest of Deane, Goodredge Castle, Monmouth, Chepstowe, Carlyon and Cardiff from ye Parliament forces, in wch and ye Garrison of Ragland I can bring profe of aboue an hundered and fifty thousand pounds expended, and in ready Money first & last to ye Kings owne Purse aboue as much more, and of aboue thirty five thousand Pounds Receaued by my father and me Comunely Armes in forty—forty two—and forty three I have not now fiue and twenty hundered and that clogged well, twenty thousand Pounds Crying Debts that keepe me not only from a competent maintenance but euen from sleepe, I speake not heare of aboue three hundered thowsands pounds which it hath cost ye Noblemen Knights and Gentlmen which ridd in my Life Guarde for ther comporting they makeing amongst them aboue three-score thousand Pownds yearly of Land of inheretance and I vpon my interest with seauen Countys had begune an Engagement of above three hundered thousand Pounds yearly land of inhiretance against my returne with men from beyonde the sea in which endeauours my charges have beine vast, besides hazard by sea euen of shipwracke and by Land of deadly encounters, I doe not trouble yr Lop with, but all this being true to a tittle as vpon my word and honour dearer to me then my life I advouche it, I cannot doubt but yr Grace will call for a peane to signe ye Letter, and if you please sende this together with it, and rest assured that if the King refuse my request I will neuer importune you more, nor euer sett my foote into his Maties Court againe vnlesse expressly comanded by him for his seruice, otherwise I will only heartyly pray for him but neuer hereafter shall I or any freind of mine engage for him further, then ye simple duty of a Loyall subiect sitting quiettly at home noe ways breake the peace or disobying the wholsom lawes of the land, and god seande him better and more able subiects to searve his Matie then my selfe, willinger I am sure he cannot, and I beseeche yr Grace to pardon me if passion hath a little transported me beyonde good manners, and lay what pennance you please vpon me soe it tende not to lessen yr Graces beliefe that I am

Yr Graces
Most really deuoted freind
and seruant ever to obey you
Worcester.

Dec. 29th, 1665.

My deare Lord, my heart is yet full froughted and I can say much more for myselfe, were I not ashamed of giueing yr Grace soe great a trouble with my scribling, which I will thus ende, promising to smoother as long as may be my deplorable condition, and worse vsage, but it will at last fly ouer the whole world to the disheartining of all zelous and Loyall subiects, vnlesse such a true hearted Englishman and fathful seruant as yr Grace doe awaken his Matie out of the leturgie my enimies have cast him not to be sensible of what I have done or suffered. Cardinall Mazarine presented me to his King, with these woords "Sr who soeuer hath Loyalty or Religion in recommendation must honour this well Borne Person," and Queene Mother now Dowager hath often sayd to have heard her husband say that next to her and his Children he wass bound to take a care of me of whom it may be now verified qui iacet in terra non habet vnde cadet, I am cast to the Ground I can fall noe lower.[6]

To the Kings most Excellent Majesty, The most humble Petition of Edward Marquis of Worcester.

Sheweth

That yor petitioner overwhelmed with the very, very much he hath to say, fearefull too long to detaine yr sacred Maty therewith from the more serious affaires humbly prayeth that you wilbe pleased to refer him to be heard by the Lord high Chancellor of England, The Lord privie seale, The Duke of Alm~erle, the Earle of Lotherdale, the Lord Arlington, the Lord Ashley, and Mr. Secretary Morris, or to such of them, or other persons, as yor Maty shall thinke fitt, and that vppon their Report yor Maty will vouchsafe to doe with yor petitioner, or to yor petitioner, what they in the petitioners behalfe, and congruous to yor service shall finde reasonable, and consonant with yor petitioners meritts or demeritts, the petitioner most intirely submitting to your will and pleasure, Casting himselfe vppon yor Matyes goodnesse, noe wayes standing vppon his deserts, though really found never soe many not thought of, or hetherto kept from yor Matyes knowledge, your petir doth not say through envy or malice, since perhaps through ignorance such ignorance notwithstanding as the divines call ignorantia crassa, but whatsoever in quality or number, his services were, they were but due to such a gratious King and Master as yor Matyes Father of happy memory was to yor petitioner, and to yor incomparable selfe, and therefore acknowledgeth they fall farr shorte of his true loyalty and devotion to either and being once rightly made knowne and prsented to yor sacred Maiesty yor petitioner promiseth himselfe noe lesse incouragement for the future from your Maty nor lesse abilities in himselfe to become as useful as formerly, and as disinterresedly to serve you, Neither shall any thing for the future dismaye, or in any kinde deterr, your petitioner, from that his resolution, but from the bottome of his heart

He shall ever pray, &c.
Worcester.

Att ye Court att Hampton Court Jan. 29th
1666.

His Maty is graciously pleased to referr and recom~end the Peticōner to bee heard by the within named Lords Referrees or to any fower or more of them, and they to give their Report to his Maty as soon as conveniently may bee.

Arlington.

Maddam

I did not thinke I should have had the occation to have troubled you with an other Letter but I am soe little sattisfyed with yours in what I required conscerninge my monyes that I cannot thinke a survilous paper an equal ballance for soe waighty and iust a debt: I confesse I have hard of a new way to pay ould debts but certainly this is the newest, I belieue your Ladiship is one of the first that euer tryd it: itt may bee al a mode, but truely I doe not like the fashion, though itt may bee others doe: To answare your Letter, first for your Religion I medle not with itt It conscerns not mee; if I have, certainely I have done rather an honr to itt then an iniury: for I belieu'd soe well of your Religion that itt tought noe man to distroy his faith, Honr, and Christianety; which my Lord hath done in his engagement to mee I onely speake of him—I pray you Maddam lett mee aske, what is honr if broken? tis easely answared noe honr, what is itt to pretend a faith in Jesus Christ, to be call'd a Christian, and to breake that faith, and likewise forfitt that Christianety, he's noe Christian and whereas you say I wronge the memory of the late Kinge (I know not upon what grounds) Maddam you doe mee wronge, I serve the memory of that Royall Martyr, equall to any hee that lives: I pray you did his Matie euer engage his faith, honr, and Christianety, to pay any debts, where in he fail'd; Maddam vnder fauour I must say you doe his incomparable ashes iniury. You likewise tell mee noe gallant pearson wilbeleiue but that my Lord will pay mee when hee hath itt, tis a large extent, and for ought I know may reach to Dooms day; tis small sattisfaction to expect a certaine debt att such an vncertaine payment. Maddam you haue the priueledge of a Woeman in speakinge of my Loyalty, noe man can, nor dare tax itt, for my publishinge any thinge that conscernes your Lord, tis his owne actions that causeth mee to report those truths: You say my Lord hath spent more in his Maties seruice than any Protestant, I dare say there has beine ten thousand loyall faithfull Protestants hath spent as much: where of I am one, for wee have spent, and lost all wee had to our proportions, tis as much as hee (the widowes mite will make itt good) and in soe doinge wee did but our dutyes, and wee ought not to obraide the King with itt, tis vnhandsome to expect Sallery for a lawfull duty. Your Ladyship saith that I reported my Lord gaue mee counterfitt plates, I confesse hee gaue mee some plates, and forced them upon mee, hee likewise borrowed them of mee againe, resoluinge to returne them within too dayes, but he hath not restored them to this day, I heare since that my Lord hath sould them: I hope hee will confesse that noe man of Honr did euer such an action before, allthough he was ready to starue, and for his giuinge mee false plate, I must deny itt for I neuer said itt, but this I did say, that when I was at his Lordsp's house he showed mee some plates, that was not the same that hee had formerly giuen mee for the first was beaten, and the latter was cast, if that was counterfitt, I sayd itt, and that ile iustify. for your friuolous paper, I dare say your reconcil'd iudgment doth repent the sendinge of itt, I have shewed it to diuers of your religion, and they condemne you for itt, likewise the paper, nor can the Kinge of Englande giue you thanks for itt. But his royall Mother beinge a Roman Catholique, my honr and admiration of her doth silence my penn in answeringe that scandalous paper.

Your Ladiships humble Servant
Rich. Hastings.

Paris Ape 3

Directed,
Forr the Right Honble the Marchioness
of Worcester these

humbly

Jesus + Mi~a September 6 1670

Noble Madam—
The Grace of the Holy-ghost be with you.

The great esteeme and honour wch I have euer had for your Ladysp hath all waise made mee prompt and willing to serve you to the best of my power, without the bias of selfe interest, as your selfe can witnesse; And because I feare that at present, your Honour hath noe one, that in the greate concernes, which you have in hand, will tell you the truth, as it often happens to persons of greate quality: I have thought it the part of my Priestly function, and fidelity towards yor Hor: (haveing first in my poore prayers, humbly commended it to Alm: God) to represent unto you, that wch all your friends know to bee true, as well as myselfe, and would be willing that your Ladysp should know it likewise.

Alm: God hath Madam put you into a happy, and flourishing condition, fitt and able to serue God, and to doe much good to your selfe and others; and your Ladysp makes yourselfe unhappy, by seeming not to be contented with your condition but troubling your spiritts with many thoughts of attayning to greater dignityes and riches.

Madam all those that wish you well, are greeued to see your Ladysp to bee allready soe much disturbed & weakened in your iudgment & in danger to loose the right use of your reason, if you doe not tymely endeauour to preuent it, by ceasing to goe on with such high designes, as you are vppon, which I declare to you, in the faith of a Priest to bee true: The cause of your present distemper, and of the aforesayd danger, is doubtlesse, that your thoughts and imagination are very much fixed on the title of Plantagenet, and of disposing yourselfe for that greate dignity by getting of greate sums of money from the king, to pay your deceased Lords debts, and enriching your selfe by the great Machine and the like. Now Madam how vnproper such undertakings are for your L. and how vnpossible for you to effect them, or any one of them, all your friends can tell you if they please to discover the trueth to you.

The ill effects that flow from hence are many: as the danger of looseing your health and iudgment by such violent application of your fancies in such high designes and ambitious desires; the probability of offending Alm: God and preiudising your owne soule thereby: the advantage you may thereby give to those who desire to make a prey of your fortune, and to rayse themselves by ruining of you: the spending greate sums of money in rich and sumptuous things wch are not suteable to the gravity of your Ladysp and present condition of Widdow-hoode and mourning for your deceased Lord.

Although it bee certine, that it is a greate temptation which you are now vnder, and very dangerous and hurtfull both to your temporall and eternall happynesse; yet I confesse that the Devil, to make his suggestion the more preualent, doth make vse of some motives that seeme plausible, as of paying your Lords debts, of founding of monasterys, and the like, and that your Ladysp hath the Kings favour to carry on your designes. But Madam it is certine that the King is offended with your comeing to the Court, and much more with your pretention to the title of Plantaginet; and it is dangerous to provoke him any farther: And for paying of Debts and founding of Monasteryes, wee all know that your L. can neuer bee in a better condition to doe it, than now you are; and as you are not bound to doe such things, so they are not expected from you; but wee all applaud your pious inclinations herein, of wch you will not loose the merit with Alm: God but our apprehensions are, least you should by your Ladysps inordinate designes bring your selfe into such a condition, as not to bee able to helpe your friends nor your selfe.

Bee pleased Madam now to give mee leave to suggest some waie how the approaching dangers may bee prevented, by changing the objects of your affections, and insteede of temporall, to seeke after eternall riches, and honors, which your age doth assure you are not far off; for wch you may dispose yourselfe, before death comes, by retiring into the countrey for some time, from the distractions of the Court, where you may haue the advice and directions of some learned Priest, in whose vertue you may wholey confide, and bee guided by him, for your internall quiet & security. Many places may soone be found out, that are fitt for that purpose: At Hammersmith Mrs. Bedingfield a very vertuous & discreete person, and of your Ladysps acquaintance, hath lately taken a faire house & garden, & hath but a small family. In some such place your Hor might likewise haue the aduice of some well experienced Doctor, for the health of your person, and the benefitt of good ayre and of quietnesse, would much conduce to your health: And soe by Alm. Gods blessing, you may recouer from that most pernicious distemper of bodey and mind, vnto wch every one seese you to bee very neere approching, and may live many yeares with your owne fortune & dignity in greate honour and happynesse & bee the author of many good workes of piety & Charity to the glory of God & eternall saluation of your owne soule. Thus dear Madam I have ventured to declare a great trueth to you, wch was before a secrett only to your selfe. I know that I run the hazerd of incurring your displeasure, if your Ladysp should not reade the candor of my intentions, wch in my Letter I intend towards you: but my assurance of haveing herein performed a duty wch I owe to my God, and the hope I have that you will take it well as I intend it, have encouraged mee to doe it, and to subscribe myselfe

Honored Madam
Your humb. Ser. in C. J.
Walt. Travers.

The Lord Marquesse of Worcester's ejaculatory and extemporary thanksgiving Prayer, when first with his corporal eyes, he did see finished a perfect trial of his Water-commanding Engine, delightful and useful to whomsoever hath in recommendation either knowledge, profit, or pleasure.

Oh! infinitely omnipotent God! whose mercies are fathomlesse, and whose knowledge is immense, and inexhaustible; next to my creation and redemption I render thee most humble thanks from the very bottom of my heart and bowels, for thy vouchsafing me, (the meanest in understanding,) an insight in soe great a secret of nature, beneficent to all mankind, as this my water commanding engine. Suffer me not to be puffed upp, O Lord, by the knowing of it, and many more rare and unheard off, yea unparalleled inventions, tryals, and experiments.—But humble my haughty heart, by the true knowledge of myne own ignorant, weake, and unworthy nature: proane to all euill, O most mercifull Father my creator, most compassionatting Sonne my redeemer, and Holyest of Spiritts, the sanctifier, three diuine persons, and one God, grant me a further concurring grace with fortitude to take hould of thy goodnesse, to the end that whatever I doe, unanimously and courageously to serve my king and country, to disabuse, rectifie, and convert my vndeserved, yet wilfully incredulous enemyes, to reimburse thankfully my creditors, to reimmunerate my benefactors, to reinhearten my distressed family, and with complacence to gratifie my suffering and confiding friends, may, voyde of vanity or selfe ends, be only directed to thy honour and glory everlastingly. Amen.

A
CENTURY
OF THE
NAMES AND SCANTLINGS
OF SUCH
INVENTIONS,

As at present I can call to mind to have tried and perfected, which (my former Notes being lost) I have, at the instance of a powerful Friend, endeavoured now in the Year 1655, to set these down in such a way, as may sufficiently instruct me to put any of them in practice.

——Artis et Naturæ proles.

TO
THE KING'S
MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

Sir,

"Scire meum nihil est, nisi me scire hoc sciat alter," saith the poet, and I most justly in order to your Majesty, whose satisfaction is my happiness, and whom to serve is my only aim, placing therein my "summum bonum" in this world: be therefore pleased to cast your gracious eye over this summary collection, and then to pick and choose. I confess, I made it but for the superficial satisfaction of a friend's curiosity, according as it is set down; and if it might now serve to give aim to your Majesty how to make use of my poor endeavours, it would crown my thoughts, who am neither covetous nor ambitious, but of deserving your Majesty's favour, upon my own cost and charges, yet, according to the old English proverb, "It is a poor dog not worth whistling after." Let but your Majesty approve, and I will effectually perform to the height of my undertaking: vouchsafe but to command, and with my life and fortune I shall cheerfully obey, and maugre envy, ignorance and malice, ever appear

Your Majesty's
Passionately-devoted, or otherwise disinterested
Subject and Servant,
WORCESTER.

TO
THE RIGHT HONOURABLE
THE
LORDS SPIRITUAL AND TEMPORAL;
AND TO
THE KNIGHTS, CITIZENS, AND BURGESSES
OF THE
HONOURABLE HOUSE OF COMMONS:
NOW ASSEMBLED IN PARLIAMENT.

MY LORDS AND GENTLEMEN,

Be not startled if I address to all, and every of you, this Century of Summary Heads of Wonderful Things, even after the dedication of them to his most excellent Majesty, since it is with his most gracious and particular consent, as well as indeed no ways derogating from my duty to his sacred self, but rather in further order unto it, since your Lordships, who are his great Council, and you, Gentlemen, his whole kingdom's Representatives (most worthily welcome unto him) may fitly receive into your wise and serious considerations, what doth or may publicly concern both his Majesty and his tenderly-beloved people.

Pardon me, if I say, (my Lords and Gentlemen) that it is jointly your parts to digest to his hand, these ensuing particulars, fitting them to his palate, and ordering how to reduce them into practice, in a way useful and beneficial, both to his Majesty and his kingdom.

Neither do I esteem it less proper for me to present them to you in order to his Majesty's service, than it is to give into the hands of a faithful and provident steward, whatsoever dainties and provisions are intended for the master's diet; the knowing and faithful steward being best able to make use thereof to his master's contentment, and greatest profit, keeping for the morrow whatever should be overplus or needless for the present day, or at least to save something else in lieu thereof. In a word, (my Lords and Gentlemen,) I humbly conceive, this simile not improper, since you are his Majesty's provident stewards, into whose hands I commit myself, with all properties fit to obey you; that is to say, with a heart harbouring no ambition, but an endless aim to serve my King and Country: and if my endeavours prove effectual, (as I am confident they will,) his Majesty shall not only become rich, but his people likewise, as treasurers unto him; and his peerless Majesty, our King, shall become both beloved at home, and feared abroad; deeming the riches of a King to consist in the plenty enjoyed by his people.

And the way to render him to be feared abroad, is to content his people at home, who then with heart and hand are ready to assist him; and whatsoever God blesseth me with to contribute towards the increase of his revenues, in any considerable way, I desire it may be imployed to the use of his people; that is, for the taking off such taxes or burthens from them as they chiefly groan under, and by a temporary necessity only imposed on them; which being thus supplied, will certainly best content the King, and satisfy his people; which, I dare say, is the continual tend of all your indefatigable pains, and the perfect demonstrations of your zeal to his Majesty, and an evidence that the kingdom's trust is justly and deservedly reposed in you. And if ever Parliament acquitted themselves thereof, it is this of yours, composed of most deserving and qualified persons; qualified, I say, with your affection to your Prince, and with a tenderness to his people; with a bountiful heart towards him, yet a frugality in their behalfs.

Go on therefore chearfully (my Lords and Gentlemen) and not only our gracious King, but the King of Kings will reward you, the prayers of the people will attend you, and his Majesty will with thankful arms embrace you. And be pleased to make use of me and my endeavours to enrich them, not myself; such being my only request unto you, spare me not in what your wisdoms shall find me useful, who do esteem myself not only by the act of the Water-commanding Engine (which so chearfully you have past) sufficiently rewarded, but likewise with courage enabled to do ten times more for the future; and my debts being paid, and a competency to live according to my birth and quality settled, the rest shall I dedicate to the service of our King and Country by your disposals: and esteem me not the more, or rather any more, by what is past, but what's to come; professing really from my heart, that my intentions are to outgo the six or seven hundred thousand pounds already sacrificed, if countenanced and encouraged by you, ingenuously confessing, that the melancholy which hath lately seized upon me (the cause whereof none of you but may easily guess) hath, I dare say, retarded more advantages to the public service than modesty will permit me to utter: and now, revived by your promising favours, I shall infallibly be enabled thereunto in the experiments extant, and comprised under these heads, practicable with my directions by the unparalleled workman both for trust and skill, Caspar Kaltoff's hand, who hath been these five and thirty years as in a school under me employed, and still at my disposal, in a place by my great expences made fit for public service, yet lately like to be taken from me, and consequently from the service of King and kingdom, without the least regard of above ten thousand pounds expended by me, and through my zeal to the common good; my zeal, I say, a field large enough for you (my Lords and Gentlemen) to work upon.

The treasures buried under these heads, both for war, peace, and pleasure, being inexhaustible; I beseech you pardon me if I say so; it seems a vanity, but comprehends a truth; since no good spring but becomes the more plentiful by how much more it is drawn; and the spinner to weave his web is never stinted, but further inforced.

The more then that you shall be pleased to make use of my Inventions, the more inventive shall you ever find me, one invention begetting still another, and more and more improving my ability to serve my King and you; and as to my heartiness therein there needs no addition, nor to my readiness a spur. And therefore (my Lords and Gentlemen) be pleased to begin, and desist not from commanding me, till I flag in my obedience and endeavours to serve my King and Country:

For certainly you'l find me breathless first t'expire,
Before my hands grow weary, or my legs do tire.

Yet abstracting from any interest of my own, but as a fellow-subject and compatriot will I ever labour in the vineyard, most heartily and readily obeying the least summons from you, by putting faithfully in execution, what your judgments shall think fit to pitch upon amongst this Century of Experiments, perhaps dearly purchased by me, but now frankly and gratis offered to you. Since my heart (methinks) cannot be satisfied in serving my King and Country, if it should cost them any thing: as I confess when I had the honour to be near so obliging a master as his late Majesty of happy memory, who never refused me his ear to any reasonable motion: and as for unreasonable ones, or such as were not fitting for him to grant, I would rather to have died a thousand deaths, than ever to have made any one unto him.

Yet whatever I was so happy as to obtain for any deserving person, my pains, breath and interest imployed therein satisfied me not, unless I likewise satisfied the fees; but that was in my golden age.

And even now, though my ability and means are shortened, the world knows why my heart remains still the same; and be you pleased (my Lords and Gentlemen) to rest most assured, that the very complacency that I shall take in the executing your commands, shall be unto me a sufficient and an abundantly-satisfactory reward.

Vouchsafe therefore to dispose freely of me, and whatever lieth in my power to perform; first, in order to his Majesty's service; secondly, for the good and advantage of the Kingdom; thirdly, to all your satisfactions, for particular profit and pleasure to your individual selves, professing that in all and each of the three respects I will ever demean myself as it best becomes,

My Lords and Gentlemen,

Your most passionately bent fellow subject in his Majesty's service, com-patriot for the public good and advantage, and a most humble Servant to all and every of you,

WORCESTER.