1655 be properly christened in his absence. 'Nat Smith,' grandson of Nat Hobart, was baptized at Radcliffe, 'and for want of a godly godfather,' Henry writes, July 2, 'they invited my worshipp to stand, for weh in a word I did with a grave & religious grace; many promises I did make for you such if you performe not, shall bee put on your score, in the next world, and not mine, for I doe as little love deepe and sollem ingagements, as your honour doth entringe into bonds. I have given 20s. to the nurse and 20s. to the midwife and 10s. to the nurse-keeper as you ordered.' 1655 Sir Ralph wrote to the baby's grandmother: July 21, 'Sweet Cosen, I am infinitely joyed at your dearest daughter's saife Delivery, and wish myself Delivered Nattecock like an honest Fellow & kinde, too. ... visited me on Sunday.' For these country gentlemen, accustomed to live in the fresh air and to do all their business on horseback, it was most irksome and unwholesome to be penned up in London during the summer months, and one after another suffered in health. From the day of his enforced ride to London as a prisoner, in June, Sir Ralph was never in the saddle again till the end of October. So full are the records of this year that we can trace his occupations day by day. He eagerly welcomed every post that visited him, 'Letters,' he says, are a very greate comforte in the absence of our friendes, yet they cannot answere us a question though wee desire to bee satisfied in twenty severall perticulars concerning those wee love.' 6 Of good society there was no lack at St. James'; during the early part of the time 'new prisoners of quality' were 'dayly brought in.' But Sir Ralph had not much heart to join in it; he took his meals alone, and although Sir Roger supposed that your whole company keepe together and are as merry as birds in a Cage;' Doll Leeke heard from Sir Frederick Cornwallis, who had just been let out of the cage, that Sir Ralph was not at all sociable. 'He was asked how you did, & he ansred you never came amongst them, therfor he could give no account of you.' But Sir Ralph had at least one old friend at St. James' who took the same line as he did about their detention, and with whom he had a great deal of pleasant intercourse. Sir Justinian Isham, who could win from saucy Dorothy Osborne only the nickname of 'Sir Solomon,' had since found in Vere Leigh a wife who appreciated his solid excellence. He was sadly familiar with bonds and fines, and it added much to his present trouble that he had been torn away from his home when his wife most needed his care and love. News of the birth of a baby Vere reached him at St. James'. Sir Ralph never lost the opportunity of forwarding a good match. He had then young Charles Gawdy and Edmund to provide for; Sir Justinian's four far daughters by his first wife had considerable portions; Ι 1655 hence the subject was of great mutual concern, and left room for treaties' as interesting and complicated as the moves in a game of chess. Sir Ralph writes to Lady Gawdy of the Miss Ishams with July 12, approval: 'The young Women have been bredd more in the country then at London.' 'Their Father dwells neare Northampton, is a very discreet person, of a plentifull Fortune & of an antient Family, who professeth (soe there bee a competencie) to preferre the parts & person of of A man before his Fortune.' Of maidens Sir Ralph had Cary's stepdaughters to think of, a number of young Hobarts and Dentons, and very specially his own sister Betty, who thus expressed her sense of his merits: 'I cannot say you have no skill in providing Husbands, for I am confident when you tack such an imployment upon you, that you will bring it to perfection.' But, alas for Betty's hopes, Sir Ralph found eldest sons a good deal easier to treat for than younger daughters, unless they were heiresses like Margaret and Mary Eure, who were besieged with suitors. Robert Cotton of Combermere is languishing for love of Margaret, sayes his prayers backwards, & wishes all ill-luck to his rivalls.' Mrs. Isham recommends 'Mr. Bacchus' daughter and heiress for Mun, but the 'little nitty old man' is treating simultaneously in another quarter, to Sir Ralph's great wrath, so these negotiations serve only to while the time away. Lady Gawdy ventures to remonstrate again with Sir Ralph for refusing the conditions of release offered |