Page:A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country (1804).djvu/754

740 epistle to this lady; in which he tells her, that nothing could give him a more sensible pleasure, than he had in the view of the picture he had just received, wherein a family he so much respected, was so exactly delineated, especially as it was done by one he had recommended to her father; adding, that though he knew every person represented in the picture at first sight, yet he was most pleased with her's, which brought to mind all the excellent qualities he had long admired in her. She soon returned the compliment in an elegant epistle. Though he had a vast number of noble patrons, who would gladly have had their names and memories perpetuated in his works, he chose to dedicate to this young lady some Hymns of Prudentius.

As she had in her younger days been very assiduous in acquiring the learned languages; afterwards she was eager in the studies of philosophy, astronomy, physic, and the holy scriptures. The two last of which were recommended to her by her father, as the employment of the remaining part of her life. A little before the king's divorce, Sir Thomas resigned the great seal, that he might have no concern in that affair, which he did not approve.

This happy society was soon after dissolved, each going to their respective places of abode; only Mrs. Roper and her husband contrived to live in the next house to her father. But even this continued not long; for the oath of supremacy being tendered to him, on his refusal to take it, he was committed to the custody of the abbot of Westminster, from whence he was soon after sent to the Tower, to the inexpressible affliction of Mrs. Roper; who by her incessant entreaties at last got leave to make him a visit