honourable station in 1547. He was born in London, in the year 1519, and received the principal part of his education at Cambridge. Having completed his studies, he was apprenticed to his uncle, by which means he obtained the freedom of the Mercers' company. He appears to have lived in London, and pursued the business of a merchant with great diligence, during the life of his father, probably with a view of succeeding him in the management of the king's money affairs, at Antwerp: but in this he was disappointed; for, on the demise of his father, another person obtained the appointment. In a few years, however, the new agent executed his trust with such negligence and want of skill, that he was ordered home to account for his misconduct; but not chusing to hazard an enquiry, he remained in Flanders. At this time, the king's debts amounted to two hundred and sixty thousand pounds Flemish, and the exchange was so low as sixteen shillings Flemish for a pound sterling, while interest was at ten per cent. In this embarrassing state of public credit the conduct of the king's money concerns was entrusted to Sir Thomas, who managed them with such consummate prudence, that, in about two years, the whole debt was paid off, and the king's credit raised, so that he could obtain loans to any amount. This service was so acceptable to the young monarch, that, about three weeks before his death, he granted an annuity of one hundred, pounds to him and his heirs for ever, promising him a more suitable reward, adding these remarkable words, "You shall know that you have served a king."

On the accession of Queen Mary he was dismissed from his office; but, in consequence of a very spirited memorial, he was shortly after restored, and was continued in it by Queen Elizabeth, who was

SO

so satisfied with him, that she conferred on him the honour of knighthood, and gave him the title of her merchant.

We have already (Vol. II. pp. 2 and 5) given an account of the building of the Royal Exchange, and the foundation of Gresham College; it will, therefore, be unnecessary to notice them here. We cannot, however, help regretting that the lectures which are now read, or, rather, hurried through, in the lecture-room over the Royal Exchange, are so much unlike the intention of the founder.

Those who have drawn Sir Thomas's character, observe, that he had the happiness of a mind every way suited to his fortune; generous and benign; ready to perform any good actions, and encourage them in others. He was well acquainted with the ancient, and several of the modern languages. He had a very comprehensive knowledge of all affairs relating to commerce, whether foreign or domestic; and his success was not less, being in his time esteemed the highest commoner in England.

He died suddenly, in November, 1579, and was interred in the church of St. Helen, Bishopsgate, where he had provided a vault for himself and family.

INIGO JONES, the celebrated architect, was born about the year 1572, in the neighbourhood of St. Paul's, London. In what manner he received his first education we are not informed, different conjectures having been advanced on that head. But whatever may have been his education, he distinguished himself early, by the extraordinary progress he made in the art of drawing and designing, and was particularly noted for his skill in the practice of landscape painting. These admirable talents introduced him to the knowledge of William, Earl of Pembroke, who was a great patron of all liberal sciences. This

1

nobleman,

nobleman, admiring Mr. Jones's genius, took him under his protection, and sent him abroad, in order to perfect himself, by studying the works of the best masters in Italy, and the politer parts of Europe. Thus supported, he spent many years in completing his education; to which end, chusing Venice for the chief place of his residence, he suffered nothing of real value or merit to escape his attention; and the improvements he there made gave such an eclat to his reputation all over Europe, that Christian IV. King of Denmark, sent for him, and appointed him his architect-general.

In this post he continued for some years, and acquitted himself with the most distinguished reputation. However, on the accession of James I. he returned to England; when Anne, the consort of that prince, took him into favour, in consequence of recommendatory letters which she had received from her brother, the King of Denmark. The queen appointed him her architect, but it does not appear that he was employed in any works of importance till some years after; for, upon the death of Henry, Prince of Wales, he went once more to Italy, and continued there some years, improving himself still farther in his favourite art. On his return to England a second time, he was made surveyor-general of his majesty's works throughout England; soon after which he finished that magnificent edifice, the Banquetinghouse, at Whitehall.

In 1620, by the king's orders, he took an accurate survey of that surprising group of stones, on Salisbury-plain, commonly called Stone-henge, and drew up an account, with his opinion, respecting that famous monument of antiquity, which he presented to the king. In this account, after much reasoning, and a long series of authorities, he concludes, at last, that this ancient and stupendous pile must have been

originally