Though this King had some faults, among which and as the most
principal, was his allowing his Mother’s death, yet considered on the
whole I cannot help liking him. He married Anne of Denmark, and had
several Children; fortunately for him his eldest son Prince Henry died
before his father or he might have experienced the evils which befell
his unfortunate Brother.
As I am myself partial to the roman catholic religion, it is with
infinite regret that I am obliged to blame the Behaviour of any Member
of it: yet Truth being I think very excusable in an Historian, I am
necessitated to say that in this reign the roman Catholics of England
did not behave like Gentlemen to the protestants. Their Behaviour
indeed to the Royal Family and both Houses of Parliament might justly
be considered by them as very uncivil, and even Sir Henry Percy tho’
certainly the best bred man of the party, had none of that general
politeness which is so universally pleasing, as his attentions were
entirely confined to Lord Mounteagle.
Sir Walter Raleigh flourished in this and the preceeding reign, and is
by many people held in great veneration and respect—But as he was an
enemy of the noble Essex, I have nothing to say in praise of him, and
must refer all those who may wish to be acquainted with the particulars
of his life, to Mr Sheridan’s play of the Critic, where they will find
many interesting anecdotes as well of him as of his friend Sir
Christopher Hatton.—His Majesty was of that amiable disposition which
inclines to Freindship, and in such points was possessed of a keener
penetration in discovering Merit than many other people. I once heard
an excellent Sharade on a Carpet, of which the subject I am now on
reminds me, and as I think it may afford my Readers some amusement to
_find it out_, I shall here take the liberty of presenting it to them.