Quaere Dr. Buzby if he was a Westminster schollar—I have forgot. Anno ... he was admitted of Trinity Colledge in Oxford, where he stayed.... His tutor there was.... I have heard Mr. Josias Howe say that he was the dreamingst young fellow; he never expected such things from him as he haz left the world. When he was there he would game extremely; when he had played away all his money he would play away his father's wrought rich gold cappes.
His father was Sir John Denham, one of the Barons of the Exchequer. He had been one of the Lords Justices in Ireland: he maried Ellenor[LX.], one of the daughters of Sir Garret Moore, knight, lord baron of Mellifont, in the kingdome of Ireland, whom he maried during his service in Ireland in the place of Chief Justice there.
[LX.] She was a beautifull woman, as appeares by her monument at Egham. Sir John, they say, did much resemble his father.
From Trinity Colledge he went to Lincolnes-Inne, where (as judge Wadham Windham[814], who was his contemporary, told me) he was as good a student as any in the house. Was not suspected to be a witt.
At last, viz. 1640, his play of The Sophy came out, which did take extremely: Mr. Edmund Waller sayd then of him, that he broke-out like the Irish Rebellion[LXI.]—threescore thousand strong, before any body was aware[815].
[LXI.] His play came out at that time.
He was much rooked by gamesters, and fell acquainted with that unsanctified crew, to his ruine. His father had some suspition of it, and chid him severely, wherupon his son John (only child) wrot a little essay in 8vo, printed ..., Against[LXII.] gameing and to shew the vanities and inconveniences of it, which he presented to his father to let him know his detestation of it[DT]. But shortly after his father's death[LXIII.] (who left 2,000 or 1,500 li. in ready money, 2 houses well furnished, and much plate) the money was played away first, and next the plate was sold. I remember about 1646 he lost 200 li. one night at New-cutt. Anno ... (I ghesse 1642) he was high-sheriff of the countie of Surrey.
[LXII.] Vide Justus Turcaeus[816] de lusu aleae, where he proves 'tis a disease and that it proceeds from pride, and that the Spaniards (the proudest nation) are most[817] addicted to it.