Sir Robert Moray (16—-1673).
[342]Sir Robert Moray, knight:—he was of the ancient family of the Morays in Scotland. He was borne ... (as I take it, in the Highlands), anno domini.... The Highlanders (like the Swedes) can make their owne cloathes; and I have heard Sir Robert say that he could doe it.
He spent most of his time in France. After his juvenile education at schoole and the University he betooke himselfe to military employment in the service of Lewis the 13th. He was at last Lieuetenant-Colonel to.... He was a great master of the Latin tongue and was very well read. They say he was an excellent soldier.
He was far from the rough humour of the camp breeding, for he was a person the most obliging about the court and the only man that would doe a kindnesse gratis upon an account of friendship. A lacquey could not have been more obsequious and diligent. What I doe now averre I know to be true upon my owne score as well as others. He was a most humble and good man, and as free from covetousness as a Carthusian. He was abstemious and abhorred woemen. His majesty was wont to teaze at him. 'Twas pitty he was a Presbyterian.
He was the chiefe appuy of his countreymen and their good angel. There had been formerly a great friendship between him and the duke of Lauderdale, till, about a yeare or two before his death, he went to the duke on his returne from Scotland and told him plainly that he had betrayed his countrey.
He was one of the first contrivers and institutors of the Royall Societie and was our first president, and performed his charge in the chaire very well.
He was my most honoured and obligeing friend, and I was more obliged to him then to all the courtiers besides. I had a great losse in his death, for, had he lived, he would have got some employment or other for me before this time. He had the king's eare as much as any one, and was indefatigable in his undertakings. I was often with him. I was with him three houres the morning he dyed; he seemed to be well enough[343]. I remember he dranke at least 1/2 pint of faire water, according to his usuall custome.
His lodgeing where he dyed was the leaded pavillion in the garden at Whitehall. He dyed suddenly July 4th about 8 hours P.M. Aº.D. 1673. Had but one shilling in his pocket, i.e. in all. The king buryed him. He lyes by Sir William Davenant in Westminster abbey.
He was a good chymist and assisted his majestie in his chymicall operations.