He can be an excellent droll (if he haz a mind to it) and will preach extempore incomparably, either the Presbyterian way, Independent, Cappucin frier, or Jesuite.
[638]He recieved the honour of knighthood Anno Domini....
He had his patent for earle of Kilmore and baron of ... 166- which he stifles during his life to avoyd envy[LVI.], but his sonne will have the benefitt of the precedency.—[I expected[639] that his sonne would have broken-out a lord or earle: ☞ but it seemes that he had enemies at the court at Dublin, which out of envy obstructed the passing of his patent.]
[LVI.] Χρυσᾶ ἔπη Pythagorae: Πέφυλαξό γε ταῦτα ποιεῖν ὁπόσα φθόνον ἔχει.
Anno 1660 he came into England, and was presently recieved into good grace with his majestie, who was mightily pleased with his discourse.
Anno Domini 1663 he made his double-bottom'd vessell (launched about new-yeere's tide), of which he gave a modell to the Royall Societie made with his owne hands, and it is kept in the repository at Gresham College. It did doe very good service, but anno 16—happned to be lost in an extraordinary storme in the Irish sea. (Memorandum:—there is yet a double bottomd vessell in the Isle of Wight, made by one Mr. ... ... which, they say, sailes well: quaere capt. Lee.)
[640]Anno Domini 1675/6 (vide the yeare of T. Deer's lettres), March 18, he was correpted by the Lord Chancellor Finch, when the patent for the farming of Ireland was sealed, to which Sir William would not seale. Monday, 20th March, he was affronted by Mr. Vernon: Tuesday following Sir William and his ladie's brother (Mr. Waller). Hectored Mr. Vernon and caned him.
[641]He went towards[642] Ireland in order to be a member of that Parliament, March 22, 1679/80—God send him a prosperous journey.
1680[643] ..., he went to Rumsey to see his native country, and to erect a monument to his father.
He is a person of an admirable inventive head, and practicall parts. He hath told me that he hath read but little, that is to say, not since 25 aetat., and is of Mr. Hobbes his mind, that had he read much, as some men have, he had not known so much as he does, nor should have made such discoveries and improvements.