_(FOR THE MIRROR.)_
Sir Anthony Cooke, who was preceptor to King Edward VI., and great
grandson to Sir Thomas Cooke, Lord Mayor of London, in the year 1462,
was particularly fortunate in his four daughters, who were all eminent
for their great literary attainments.
Mildred, the eldest, married William Cecil, Lord Burleigh. She was
learned in the Greek tongue, and wrote a letter in that language to
the University of Cambridge.
Anne, the second, was the second wife of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord
Keeper, and mother of the great Lord St. Alban's. She was greatly
skilled in Greek, Latin, and Italian, and had the honour of being
appointed governess to King Edward VI.
Elizabeth, the third, was first the wife of Sir Thomas Hobby,
ambassador to France, and afterwards, of John, Lord Russel, son and
heir of Francis Russel, Earl of Bedford. Such was her progress in the
learned languages, that she gained the applause of the most eminent
scholars of the age, and for the tombs of both her husbands, she wrote
epitaphs in Greek, Latin, and English.
Catherine, the fourth, who was the wife of Sir Henry Killegrew, was
famous for her knowledge in the Hebrew, Greek, and Latin tongues, and
her skill in poetry. She was buried in the chancel of the church of
St. Thomas Apostle, in Vintry Ward, London, where there is an elegant
monument erected to her memory, with an inscription composed by
herself. Sir Anthony Cooke lived at Gidea Hall, near Romford, in
Essex, and had the honour of entertaining Queen Elizabeth here, in the
year 1568. Mary de Medicis, mother of Queen Henrietta Maria, was also
entertained in this mansion, the night before her arrival in London.