The Condition of Catholics Under James I. Part 13

In the Public Record Office we have various papers which add a little to what Father Gerard has here written. Letters(131) dated February 26 and October 22, 1612, say that Mrs. Vaux, Lord Vaux's mother, was condemned to perpetual imprisonment for refusing to take the oath of allegiance, and that Lord Vaux was transferred to the custody of the Dean of Westminster.

The Privy Councillor, who was their friend, was Henry Howard, Earl of Northampton. There are three letters(132) extant from him to Viscount Rochester in behalf of the Vauxes. In the first he says that Lord Vaux's sister [Katherine, wife of Henry Nevill, Lord Abergavenny] has presented a pet.i.tion that her brother and mother may, on account of the hot season, be removed from their keeper's house in town to that in the country; but they being imprisoned for life on a _prmunire_, the matter rests with the King. And this, in the third letter, he says the Archbishop and Council consented to, if they can still be under charge of their keeper. The second letter thanks Lord Rochester for his intercession in behalf of Lord Vaux and his mother, and adds that they expect but little mercy where the Metropolitan [Archbishop Abbot] is mediator. Lastly, we have the grant(133) to Lord Vaux of Harrowden of his lands, &c., at Harrowden and elsewhere, in the counties of Ess.e.x, Bedford, Nottingham, Lincoln, and Cambridge, which were forfeited to the King on his conviction in a _prmunire_ for refusing the oath of allegiance. Later on, May 4, 1625, Charles I. granted him a special pardon(134) for "not repairing to the Protestant church and forbearing the same," which is recited to be "a contempt of the King's crown and dignity."

The proclamation for the apprehension of the three Fathers gives a description of Father Gerard.(135) "John Gerard, _alias_ Brooke, of stature tall, and according thereunto well set; his complexion swart or blackish; his face large; his cheeks sticking out, and somewhat hollow underneath the cheeks; the hair of his head long if it be not cut off; his beard cut close, saving little mustachoes, and a little tuft under his lower lip; about forty years old." To this we may add the description(136) of Father Gerard given by the ruffian Topcliffe, whose spelling is sufficiently "kewryoos" to be worth retaining. It is dated in the Calendar of the Record Office, 1583, but this is evidently erroneous, as Father Gerard escaped from the Tower in 1597.

"Jhon Gerrarde ye Jhezewt preest that escaip out of the Tower and Richard Blount a Seamry preest of estymacion, and a thirde preest intend to pa.s.se our rather after then wth the Lo Imba.s.s at Dovr Rye or thirabowtts upon yt coast.

"They have provided for a Culler to pa.s.se wthout suspycion a Seale lyke a Seale of the Counsall table to bleare the Eyes of Seartchers and officers. Therefore it were not amysse That some order were lefte wth my Lorde Trasorr that he gyve order that the Lres do pa.s.se under such a Seale from yr Lls. But under & wth summe prevey mark upon the lres besides the seale. Then any pa.s.sendgr that carryethe a lre wthowte suche a prevy mrk Is fytt to be stayed for a tyme Until hee bee knowen.

"Jhon Gerrarde, ye Jhezewt is about 30 years oulde Of a good stature sumwhat higher then Sr Tho Layton & upright in his paysse and countenance sum what stayring in his look or Eyes Currilde heire by Nature & blackyshe & not apt to have much heire of his bearde. I thincke his noase sum what wide and turninge Upp Blubarde Lipps turninge outwards Especially the over Lipps most Uppwards toword the Noase Kewryoos in speetche If he do now contynewe his custome ... And in his speetche he flourrethe & smyles much & a falteringe or Lispinge, or dooblinge of his Tonge in his speeche.

"Yor honors as you will comade me.

"RIC TOPCLYFFE alias.

_Endorsed_-"Concerning Gerrard the Priest and others."

What Sir Thomas Leighton's height may have been we do not know, but in the copy of this description sent by Cecil to Anne, Lady Markham,(137) a pen has been pa.s.sed through the words "Sir Thomas Leighton," and the word "ordinary" is written in its stead. The proclamation was nearer the truth than Topcliffe as to Father Gerard's age, which was then forty-two.

A correspondence between Cecil and Lady Markham betrays to us an offer made by her "to deliver the person of Gerard into the hands of the State."

Her object was to obtain the pardon and restoration of her husband, Sir Griffin Markham, who was in banishment for having taken part in Watson's conspiracy. One of Cecil's correspondents says,(138) of "certain lady of Nottinghams.h.i.+re, called the Lady Markham," "this more I know, that there is not the like pragmatical-headed lady in this part of England."

Her letters(139) are interesting for the mention of her two servants, who had gone to live with Father Gerard, but still more for the testimony she bears to the general belief entertained by Catholics in Father Gerard's sanct.i.ty, and to the improbability in the judgment of all who knew him of his being a party to the Plot.

"Right Honourable,-Your lords.h.i.+p may think me slack in performing that which I so freely made promise of, but the death of my father hath so much appalled me as I am not fit to do as I would. I did hear Mr. Gerard was taken, which something stayed me. Moreover, your lords.h.i.+p hath Mr. Ha. Hurlston in hold, who may direct you the best concerning him of any I know, as also I take it Sir Everard Digby came for Mr. Walley" [Father Garnett]; "but thus it is I cannot learn where Mrs. Vaux is, neither if I knew durst I visit her. And this is most strange to me, neither of those which were my servants comes to me, which makes me think they remove with Mr. Gerard, or are imprisoned, but I rather think they are s.h.i.+fted out of the way, because their attendance will make their master more acceptable, one of them being an exquisite painter and the other a perfect good embroiderer. The painter is a black man, and taller than the embroiderer, whose hair is yellowish, and was called Christopher Parker by his true name. The painter was called Brian Hunston. I am bold to inform you thus largely of them because I verily suppose they attend their wandering friend and master, but where, till I either see them or hear some directions, I cannot imagine; but I protest to your lords.h.i.+p, if I could learn I am resolved he should speak with you, if by any means I could procure it, for I fear this most vile and hateful Plot hath taken deep and dangerous root, because I meet with many that will as easily be persuaded there was no gunpowder laid as that holy good man was an actor in the Plot; and surely the generality did ever so much admire him, that they were happy or blessed in hearing him, and their roof sanctified by his appearance in their house. I am to go shortly into the country. If it would please your lords.h.i.+p to give me leave to send a man to my husband I should be much bound to you, for I cannot tell till I hear from him how to determine of those businesses occasioned by my father's death. I humbly beseech you commiserate my affliction and grant me this poor request, if it stand with your liking, and I shall ever pray for your increase of honour and happiness. So I humbly take my leave this 18th of November, 1605.

"Your lords.h.i.+p's most humble to command, "ANNE MARKHAM."

_Endorsed_-"The Lady Markham to my Lord."

"Right Honourable,-Afore I came out of London I sent to know your lords.h.i.+p's pleasure, but mine uncle could not meet with Mr.

Lewnus, and indeed I did think my credit was so decayed with the Padre that I could not do as I would, employ my best endeavours to perform thereby to express my great desire of your lords.h.i.+p's good opinion. Now I find either necessity of their part or my two servants' credits hath given me so much power as I shall shortly see Mr. Gerard, but for the day or certain time they are too crafty to appoint, but whensoever I will do my best to keep him within my kenning till I hear from your lords.h.i.+p, and then, my credit preserved, which is dearer to me than life, your command shall be as truly obeyed as if your most trusty servant were commanded. I do perceive there are great business in hand, and your lords.h.i.+p is, next to His Majesty, most shot at, but what the project is I dare not be very inquisitive of, because it is not ripe, as by circ.u.mstance I perceive; and I labour to make myself in good estimation with them, which would not be if I covet to know more than they like. This, I protest to G.o.d, is only to do service to your lords.h.i.+p. There had been some of them with me ere this, but great occasion hath drawn them to haste into other places, whither I know not. If the watch had continued but two days longer, Mr. Gerard had been pined out at Harrowden. I hear Ric. the butler is close in the Gatehouse, yet your lords.h.i.+p knows that prisons are places of such corruption as money will help letters to their friends to tell what they have been examined of, so they will guess shrewdly how to s.h.i.+ft. I have none that I do trust about me with my resolution to do my best endeavours to preserve your lords.h.i.+p, therefore I am enforced to be brief. I beseech you pardon it in me, that writes in fear, but if it please your honour to send your note or directions to mine Uncle Harvey, I will expect till that he send them, and ever pray G.o.d to protect you from these most dangerous conspirators. For the true trial of my devotion in that prayer I will most sincerely labour your preservation, so I humbly take my leave this 3rd of January.

"Your lords.h.i.+p's at command, "ANNE MARKHAM."

"To the Right Honourable my very good lord the Earl of Salisbury.

Haste this."

_Endorsed_-"3rd January, 1605[-6]. Lady Markham to my Lord."

The following is Cecil's answer.(140)

"Madam,-Although I do confess my great mislike of the daily resort and residence of the Priests, and especially the Jesuits, whose end can be no other than of pernicious consequence to this estate, yet, being in hope that warnings would make them retire from further tempting of law, I have used no extraordinary course for their apprehension, being, I confess, full of tenderness in matters of blood. But having now discovered, by many confessions of the late conspirators, that some of these Jesuits have pa.s.sed so far as to be persuaders and actors in this barbarous conspiracy, which excludeth almost all offices of humanity from men that have softest hearts, I have thought good to take your offer for His Majesty's service, to deliver the person of Gerard (who is one of those) into the hands of the State. For which purpose, although your letter doth not well express what you would have done, whereby both the service may be effected and your name covered; yet I have procured a warrant, here inclosed, which will be sufficient to authorize and command any man to whom you shall direct it, which I have left to your own choice to put in, because I know not who they are which dwell thereabouts in whom you dare repose trust. And unless you have the warrant presently, and in the instant to execute, I know the inconvenience of the protraction. You shall therefore do very well to observe how the warrant is made, and thereby shall you perceive that the party to whomsoever you shall direct it is authorized sufficiently, and will receive this warrant from anybody's hands whom you shall send; so as if you will choose any of your own to carry it to any such gentleman as you shall like, that third party need not say he comes from you, but from some other, and yet he may bring the gentleman that you shall name upon the back of the warrant to execute all things according to your direction. Lastly, madam, this I say unto you, that either your religion is very foul, or you will make no difficulty to discover such a pernicious creature, as differs so far from the rest of the society (as I am persuaded); wherein I will add thus much further, that you shall be an instrument of reflecting His Majesty's good opinion to your husband, and confirm the conceit I have of you, that you would not trouble yourself and me in this kind unless you meant sincerely.

And so I commit you to G.o.d. From the Court at Whitehall, this 15th of January, 1605[-6].

"Your ladys.h.i.+p's loving friend, "SALISBURY."

"There are only three of your churchmen in this wicked predicament, Gerard, Father Walley, and Father Greeneway, so as it is indifferent to the State which of these be come by. This letter is sent according to your direction to Mr. Stringer, who shall receive it from the next post to him, and the packet to the post is signed by the postmaster's hand, and not by mine, who knoweth not the contents nor anything of you, and yet his hand will make the less suspicion. I desire you to keep safe both this mine own letter and the warrant, because I may have both delivered again hereafter, if there be no cause continuing to use them hereafter, and I will do the like with your letter, which I reserve for you."

_Endorsed_-"To the Lady Markham."

The "certain high personages" with whom he crossed the Channel were the Amba.s.sadors of Spain and Flanders.(141) The former was the Conde de Villa Mediana, the latter Don Pedro de Zuniga. It is remarkable that, though Topcliffe had said that Father Gerard intended "to pa.s.s over rather after than with the Lord Amba.s.sador," his conspicuous person should have been allowed to pa.s.s.

On reaching the Continent in safety, he went, as he tells us, straight to Rome, whence, we learn from Father More,(142) he was sent to Tivoli for awhile, for rest of mind and body. He was then appointed English Penitentiary in the Basilica of St. Peter,(143) and this was his field of work till the spring of 1611.(144)

We have a letter,(145) dated "this Simon and Jude's daie, 1606," from Father Andrew Whyte, afterwards the Apostle of Maryland, addressed, "To his especial good friende Mr. Garret geue these att Roome." It was to ask him to speak to Father Persons to get Richard Green received into the Society, who had been sent to College by Father Gerard, and had been imprisoned "about the time of this late commotion." Green "was received very kindly" by Father Walley [Garnett] "and provided for very charitably in a manner as one of the Society, with a promise that the year following he should be received without fail;" but now, as "few or none of Father Walley's writings or determinations were found, and Richard Fulwood gone which should have given particular testimony," Father Whyte begs that "he may either be sent to the Novitiates of other countries with the license of the General, or else may have a promise to be next that is received at Louvain."

XXVIII.

To this Novitiate at Louvain we now turn, as it was thither that Father Gerard was next sent. It was the foundation of Donna Luisa de Carvajal, who by her will(146) dated Valladolid, Dec. 22, 1604, left 12,000 ducats for the establishment of an English Novitiate. The doc.u.ment is an admirable specimen of true Spanish devotion and humility. After commending her soul to G.o.d by the intercession of our Blessed Lady, she proceeds-"For the love of G.o.d I humbly pray the Superiors of the Society of Jesus and the Praepositus of the Professed House, as a favour, to grant me some little place in their church where my body may be buried, in consideration of the devotion I have ever entertained for their holy Religious Order: to which Order, in the manner that I have thought would be most to the glory of G.o.d, I offer, with the greatest affection, a gift which, though but small, is all that I have. And if a burial-place be refused me in that church, my executors will obtain for me a resting-place in some other church of the Society: and if they are unable to obtain this, let me be buried in some monastery in which, for the love of G.o.d, they may be willing to give burial to a poor person like myself; and let my funeral be conducted in accordance with this my poverty. As executors I name Father Richard Walpole, the Vice-Prefect of the English Mission, and the Confessor of the English College in this city, or their successors. After them (and I have named them first from respect to their priestly dignity) I name the Condessa de Miranda, Donna Maria de Zuniga, Donna Maria Gasca, Don Frances de Contreras, Melchior de Molina, and Don Luis de Carrillo e Toledo, Conde de Caracena. First of all I declare that many years ago, when I was with my uncle, I made a vow to G.o.d to dedicate all my goods to His glory and greatest service. Then His Divine Majesty gave me large desires and vehement attraction to spend myself above all things for the preservation and advancement of the English Fathers of the Society of Jesus, who sustain that kingdom like strong columns, defend it from an otherwise inevitable ruin, and supply efficacious means of salvation for thousands and thousands of souls. Wherefore I offer them to the most holy Virgin our Lady, I place them under her protection, and I name and leave her universal heir of all my goods.... And I give possession of them henceforward to the most glorious Virgin, and in her name and place to Father Robert Persons, or failing him, to the Father who shall succeed him as Superior of the Mission: but with this condition and obligation, that such goods shall be applied to the founding of a Novitiate of English Religious of the Society of Jesus, in whatever kingdom or part of the world shall seem to Father Persons to be to the greater glory of G.o.d. But in the case that England shall be brought back to the faith and obedience of the Roman Church, my will is that the said revenue be transferred into that kingdom, for the foundation of a Novitiate of the Society there, unless it shall seem better to Father Persons, for reasons concerning the Catholic religion, to leave the Novitiate beyond the kingdom."

Time was not lost in carrying out the intentions of this pious benefactress.(147) In 1606, Father Persons obtained possession of a large house in Louvain, which had been inhabited by the Knights of Malta, and thus came to be called St. John's, though the church attached to it was dedicated to St. Gregory the Apostle of England and other Saints. Father More, who lived there with Father Gerard, tells us that it was on high ground commanding the whole city; below was a walled garden, and on the slope of the hill pleasant walks amongst the vines which were ranged in terraces, and the whole, though within the city walls, as quiet and calm as befitted a house of prayer.

We do not know exactly the date of Father Gerard's arrival at Louvain, or the office to which he was first appointed there. The letter of the 17th August, 1612, to the General, from which we have already given a large extract concerning Mrs. Vaux, is dated from Louvain. It proceeds with an account of a miraculous cure at the intercession of Father Thomas Garnett, the nephew of the Provincial, who was martyred at Tyburn on the 3rd of June, 1608. This father was the first Novice of St. John's, Louvain. That Novices.h.i.+p commenced in February, 1607, with six Priests, two Scholastics, and five Lay-brothers, Novices, under Father Thomas Talbot as their Novice Master. In 1614, St. John's received students in philosophy and theology, as well as Novices, when a house in the garden was fitted up for the Novitiate and Father Henry Silisdon was installed in St. John's as Rector of the new College. This arrangement did not last long, for at the end of the year the Novitiate was transferred to Liege. No less than fifteen letters have come down to us written by Father Gerard in the year 1614, addressed to the Prefect of the English Mission, Father Thomas Owen, Rector of the English College at Rome. They treat chiefly of the purchase of the new house at Liege, and the transfer of the Novitiate to that city.

Some extracts relating to Father Gerard himself will be found interesting.

Some of them are signed John Nelson and others John Tomson. In later years he seems to have been known only by the name of Tomson.

The choice of Liege as a residence seems to have been mainly owing to the disquiet caused to the Catholics in the Low Countries by the remonstrances of the English Government. We have some specimens of it in the following extracts, in which we find Father Gerard true to the natural fearlessness of his character. "Concerning(148) my wariness in avoiding the eyes of spies, I have been all this year more sparing in that kind than divers friends here did think needful, although some one or two did think it dangerous to go any journey, as doubting I might be killed by the way, but this was but according to their accustomed fears with which I have been long acquainted. But, indeed, Father, I am so far from desire to go many journeys, that it is a pain to me to think of going anywhither, and the reason why I never went to any of those places your Reverence mentioneth in this year past (but only the last Lent to Maclin for Mr. Rouse) was not that I thought it dangerous (being known so well to live here public that it cannot be unknown to any spies), nor for that I wanted leave, for I had the other Provincial's particular and willing grant, without my own asking, to go to any place of these countries; but it was because I had rather be at home: and in the town of Lovaine itself, I go not abroad half so much as I think were needful for the contentment of others. I was not at the Teresians, where the Mother of the House (to whom I gave the Exercise four years ago) and Father Scott's(149) sister do much desire my often coming, any more than once since the last Lent. At the Monastery of St. Monica's, my cousin Shurley hath requested my coming thither for these three or four months, to bestow one afternoon upon her and some younger Nuns whom she hath charge of, that they may altogether ask me what spiritual questions they may like best, and I have never yet found a fit time for it; and, indeed, I doubt I am to blame for it. The gentlemen in the town(150) I doubt I visit not once in a quarter of a year, and I have some reason to think that either they think me careless of them, or afraid to be seen abroad, as though my case were very dangerous, which would also make them or any other that should come to town more fearful to come into my company, and consequently hinder the little good that I might do with them. But I hope I shall be as wary as your Reverence wisheth, and if this course go forwards of being Rector without the name of Rector, there will be less inconvenience, whosoever see me seeing me still as a private man."

In this he alludes to a plan of his own, that Father Blackfan should have the t.i.tle of Rector, although he himself had been appointed to the Rectors.h.i.+p of the Novitiate.

The next letter is dated April 6, 1614.(151) "I have yours of the 15th March, and see in that, as in all of yours, your fatherly care of me, which, by the grace of G.o.d, I will labour to deserve. I am well satisfied with Father General's order, and shall endeavour to get this building finished for the Novitiate as soon as I can, and then will settle to my book as much as my health and letters will permit.... Having writ thus far, I was called to go to Bruxels with Father Rector (by Father Blacfan's and Father Percy his advice) to speak with the Duke's(152) Secretary, who telling Father Percy the last week that the Agent did solicit against me, and that he could not well answer him, unless he delivered him some reasons in writing for my innocency, this writing was promised him by Father Percy; but I being loath to have any such writing sent, as thinking it the likeliest means to raise a new persecution against me, though for the Secretary's satisfaction we drew and delivered him a brief note of four or five effectual proofs, yet both to the Secretary first, and afterwards to the Nuncio, I told this day that if any such writing were sent it would do me great harm, for Canterbury having such a writing would doubtless show it at the Council table, and then those lords who secretly do know me to be innocent, and wish me well, will be, as it were, forced to speak against me, lest they should seem to favour me, and so the King should be more incensed. The Nuncio did promise Father Rector and me that he would seriously deal both with the Secretary and the Prince himself in the cause."

Writing under date April 18, 1614,(153) he shows that he thinks that too much importance had been given to the Agent's interference. "I think your Reverence was made to believe by letters sent about Easter, that there was some new troubles against me here, out of England, and consequently that there was need of such information to the Nuncio and Father Provincial as had been given. But when I heard of it, I said it was nothing but Trumbol his own device, in hope to work upon the weakness of the Prince; and so now it proves, for I am going to the Secretary himself with our Father Rector, as I wrote from Bruxells, and giving him a paper of some few points for my innocency, with the request he would not deliver it, but show it if he would to the Agent. The Secretary answered he would advertise me if it were needful; but since the note was showed unto Trumbol, and he showed to be satisfied with it, and afterwards meeting the Secretary told him that he took it to be only matter of religion; but that being now made matter of State, he, being a servant employed in matter of State, could not but seek to concur with them that employed him, as it were granting that himself was satisfied, and yielding a reason why he had moved the matter. And this being understood both by the Prince and the Nuncio, they were very glad of it.... I write this from Maclin, whither Sir William [Stanley] was desirous to have me come for his comfort now and after the death and funeral of his lady."

But such a man as Father Gerard was not likely to be left in peace in those intriguing times. In the August following, Father Silisdon writes to Father Owen.(154) "Even now I have advice that His Majesty of England hath made two complaints to the Prince, and that the first is against Father Gerard's being in his dominions." The consequence was that a transfer to another territory became desirable, and Father Gerard set his heart on migrating with his Novices to Liege. He writes from that city, under the signature of John Nelson, Sept. 19, 1614.(155) "There be many causes to be alleged why here, rather than in any place; as the commodity of dealing with our English in the summer, the opportunity of keeping our Novices unknown, the excellent seat far beyond Lovaine, and that bestowed on us, the present helps sent for this beginning, with great likelihood of much more; the great favour which is to be expected from this Prince and his family, and is to be strengthened by my two cousins, Sir William and Mr.

Morton, and Sir William hath written to him that he doth much joy in his cousin who is there to be Rector." The two cousins of whom Father Gerard here speaks were two very powerful friends. The one was Sir William Stanley, who showed himself a kind friend to Father Gerard and his charge by negotiating the purchase of the property at Liege in his own name, and advancing the purchase money-at least, that portion of it which had to be paid down(156)-probably (as Father Gerard speaks of the "seat being bestowed upon us") regarding it as a gift. Whatever else was requisite for the purchase was provided by Brother William Browne, who, though(157) grandson, brother, and uncle of Viscounts Montague,-his grandfather was Queen Mary's Amba.s.sador to the Holy See-was himself content to spend his life in the humble duties of a Jesuit Lay-brother.

The "Mr. Morton" was Sir George Talbot of Grafton, afterwards ninth Earl of Shrewsbury. He was a scholar of some repute,(158) and an intimate friend of Maximilian, Duke of Bavaria. As Ferdinand, the Prince-Bishop of Liege, was Maximilian's brother, it was no little help to Father Gerard to be on "cousinly" terms with George Talbot. The Duke became a generous benefactor to the new House at Liege. In 1618 he sent Father Gerard, through Sir George Talbot, 5,000 florins for the Novices.h.i.+p.(159) In a letter dated Jan. 25, 1620, the Duke writes to Father Gerard, who had promised to pray that he might have a son: "I bound myself once by vow to your Blessed Ignatius, that if he would obtain this favour for me, I would give my son the name of Ignatius, and would build and endow a College of the Society wherever Father General might judge it most useful. What if G.o.d should purpose thus to provide for you?"(160) In July of the same year he wrote: "We have sent you a contribution of 1,300 German florins by Father Mayer for a tabernacle for the Blessed Sacrament, and for a niche for an image of the Blessed Virgin." Even after Father Gerard's departure from the House, Duke Maximilian's liberality to it did not fail. Father Silisdon, Father Gerard's successor as Master of Novices, removed the Novitiate to Watten,(161) and not long after the Duke settled a permanent endowment upon the College of Liege, which was begun in the House that Father Gerard had established.

Father Gerard's Socius or "Compagnion," as he calls him, was Father Henry More, subsequently the historian of the Province. When discussing, before his appointment, those Fathers who were fitted for that office, after mentioning others, he says: "Father Nicholson is far short of either of them for my turn, for he is no good Latinist, I think little better than myself, though he be much better scholar; neither hath he any other language but Spanish, of which I shall have small use. Father Henry More hath French well, Dutch prettily, and Italian sufficiently, besides Spanish very well, and Latin as I would wish him."(162)

As to his first Novices, he had twelve, which made what he styled "a pretty beginning."(163) They were "the two that expect at Liege, the two that are come from Rome, and four out of Spain, with Mr. Lewkner and Mr.

Whitmore, besides Grafton, when he comes, and a tailor now servant in this house, who by all judgments here is as fit to be received as Brother Silvester, the young tailor now in the Novices.h.i.+p, is fit to be dismissed."(164)

Of the two that "expected at Liege," a previous letter had said, "Here be also Mr. Mansel and Mr. Owen Sh.e.l.ley, by the names of Mr. Griffin and Mr.

t.i.tchborn: both expect, the first with some loathness to stay long, the second is wholly resigned. The first is a pious man, and to those that know his fas.h.i.+on will be profitable for some uses in the Society, but the second will be practical and fit for anything, and in truth I think he will do very well."(165) This Father Owen Sh.e.l.ley was afterwards Rector of the College of Liege, and justified Father Gerard's judgment of his character.

Amongst the "four which are come out of Spain" were two that must have constantly served to remind their Rector at Liege of the Gunpowder Plot, as the remonstrances of King James' Agent had managed to do at Louvain.

"One of them," he says, "is akin to Father Garnett, and of his name, though we call him Gilford, as he was called at St. Omers. William Ellis, but we call him John Williams, for he was page(166) to Sir Everard Digby, and taken with him, though he might have escaped, for his master offered him horse and money to s.h.i.+ft for himself, but the youth said he would live and die with him; and so, being taken, was condemned at Stafford, and should have been executed. He was offered to have his life if he would go to their church, which he refused. In the end they saved him and some others. He never [yielded] in the least point. He hath good friends near Sir Everard Digby's whom I know, and he is heir to 80_l._ a year, if his father do him right."(167)