[798]A person so much immerst in action all along and in fabrication of his owne fortunes, (till his confinement in the Tower) could have but little time to study, but what he could spare in the morning. He was no slug; without doubt, had a wonderfull waking spirit, and great judgment to guide it.
<His residences.>
Durham-house was a noble palace; after he came to his greatnes he lived there, or in some apartment of it. I well remember his study, which was a little turret that looked into and over the Thames, and had the prospect which is pleasant perhaps as any in the world, and which not only refreshes the eie-sight but cheeres the spirits, and (to speake my mind) I beleeve enlarges an ingeniose man's thoughts.
Shirburne castle, parke, mannor, etc., did belong (and still ought to belong) to the church of Sarum. 'Twas aliened in ... time (quaere bishop of Sarum) to ...; then ...; then Sir W. R. begged <it> as a bôn from queen Elizabeth: where he built a delicate lodge in the park, of brick, not big, but very convenient for the bignes, a place to retire from the Court in summer time, and to contemplate, etc. Upon his attainder, 'twas begged by the favorite Carr, earl of Somerset, who forfeited it (I thinke) about the poysoning of Sir Thomas Overbury. Then John, earl of Bristowe, had it given him for his good service in the ambassade in Spaine, and added two wings to Sir Walter Ralegh's lodge. In short and indeed 'tis a most sweet and pleasant place and site as any in the West, perhaps none like it.
<His acquaintance.>
In his youth his companions were boysterous blades, but generally those that had witt; except otherwise uppon designe to gett them engaged for him,—e.g. Sir Charles Snell, of Kington Saint Michael in North Wilts, my good neighbour, an honest young gentleman but kept a perpetuall sott, he engaged him to build a ship (the Angel Gabriel) for the designe for Guiana, which cost him the mannor of Yatton-Keynell, the farme at Easton-Piers, Thornhill, and the church-lease of Bishops Cannings; which ship, upon Sir Walter Raleigh's attainder, was forfeited. No question he had other such young....
From Dr. John Pell:—In his youthfull time, was one Charles Chester, that often kept company with his acquaintance; he was a bold impertenent fellowe, and they could never be at quiet for him; a perpetuall talker, and made a noyse like a drumme in a roome. So one time at a taverne Sir W. R. beates him and seales up his mouth (i.e. his upper and neather beard) with hard wax. From him Ben Johnson takes his Carlo Buffono (i.e. 'jester') in Every Man out of his Humour.
[799]He was a second to the earle of Oxford in a duell. Was acquainted and accepted with all the hero's of our nation in his time.
Sir Walter Long, of Dracot (grandfather to this old Sir James Long) maried a daughter of Sir John Thynne, by which meanes, and their consimility of disposition, there was a very conjunct friendship between the two brothers (Sir Carew and Sir Walter) and him; and old John Long, who then wayted on Sir W. Long, being one time in the Privy-Garden with his master, saw the earle of Nottingham wipe the dust from Sir Walter R.'s shoes with his cloake, in compliment.