Life of the Duke 125 



4. Of his Prudence and Wisdom 



My Lord's prudence and wisdom hath been sufficiently 

 apparent both in his publick and private actions and 

 imployments ; for he hath such a natural inspection, 

 and judicious observation of things, that he sees 

 beforehand what will come to pass, and orders his 

 affairs accordingly. To which purpose I cannot but 

 mention, that Laud, the then Archbishop of Canter- 

 bury, between whom and My Lord, interceded a great 

 and intire friendship, which he confirmed by a legacy 

 of a diamond, to the value of 200/. left to My Lord 

 when he died, which was much for him to bequeath; 

 for though he was a great statesman, and in favour 

 with his late Majesty, yet he was not covetous to hoard 

 up wealth, but bestowed it rather upon the pubHck, 

 repairing the Cathedral of St. Paul's in London, which, 

 had God granted him life, he would certainly have 

 beautified, and rendered as famous and glorious as 

 any in Christendom: this said Archbishop was 

 pleased to tell his late Majesty, that My Lord was one 

 of the wisest and prudentest persons that ever he was 

 acquainted with. 



For further proof, I cannot pass by that My Lord 

 told his late Majesty King Charles the First, and 

 Her Majesty the now Queen-Mother, some time before 

 the wars, that he observed by the humours of the 

 people, the approaching of a civil war, and that His 

 Majesties person would be in danger of being deposed, 

 if timely care was not taken to prevent it. 



Also when My Lord was at Antwerp, the Marquess 

 of Montross, before he went into Scotland, gave My 

 Lord a visit, and acquainted him with his intended 

 journey, asking My Lord whether he was not also 



