“Worcester.
“Witnessed by Lancelot Hodshon.”
We have thus far traced the career of the Marquis of Worcester from youth to manhood; the scholar, husband, father, general of armies, a wealthy nobleman, an impoverished exile, in danger of his life by war and shipwreck, twice imprisoned, now a freeman, oppressed by pecuniary difficulties and earnestly striving against the pressure of his own misfortunes and the weight of public prejudice, to which his political life and religious persuasion subjected him: sometimes through court intrigue, but mostly from the rooted bigotry of those gloomy times.
Whatever interest the history of the life of the Marquis of Worcester may derive from other sources, the philosopher will dwell alone with delight on that period which divulged the extraordinary inventive mental capabilities of such a singular scholar and early man of science. He now first produced, as he himself states, his remarkable little work, of which the full title runs thus:—“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.” That small book, then only in manuscript, and not published until eight years afterwards, has sealed his fame; for through all time the “Century” will be regarded as a great curiosity in scientific literature, for its variety of subjects, and its author’s versatility of genius in pursuits then but little cultivated.
The first year of his release, appears, therefore, to have been mainly distinguished by this valuable contribution, as he says, “at the instance of a powerful friend.” We think that that friend was no other than Colonel Christopher Coppley, or Copley,[D] who had served in the Parliamentary army of the North, under the command of General Fairfax; a sufficient reason for the author omitting to particularize him by name. That he and the Marquis were, however, on terms of close friendship, is evident from the annexed letter;[98] alluding to previous kind offices accorded by his “powerful” now his “dear” and his “honoured friend.”
“Dear Friend,
“I know not with what face to desire a courtesy from you, since I have not yet paid you the five pounds, and the main business so long protracted, whereby my reality and kindness should with thankfulness appear; for though the least I intend you is to make up the sum already promised, to a thousand pounds yearly, or a share amounting to far more, which to nominate, before the perfection of the work, were but an individuum vagum; and, therefore, I defer it, and upon no other score. Yet, in this interim, my disappointments are so great as that I am forced to beg if you could possibly, either to help me with ten pounds to this bearer; or, to make use of the coach, and to go to Mr. Clerke, and if he could this day help me to fifty pounds, then to pay yourself the five pounds I owe you out of them. Either 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 honoured friend,
“Colonel Christopher Coppley.”