Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 06.djvu/473

 Broughton he printed 'An Epistle to the learned Nobilitie of England, touching translating the Bible from the Original,' 1597, 4to. The project of assisting in a better version of the Bible was one which he had long cherished, and he had already addressed the queen on the subject. His plan, as given in a letter dated 21 June 1593 (though addressed to 'Sir William Cecil,' who became Lord Burghley in 1571), was to do the work in conjunction with five other scholars. Only necessary changes were to be made, but the principle of harmonising the scripture was to prevail, and there were to be short notes. Though his scheme was backed up by 'sundry lords, and amongst them some bishops,' his application for the means of carrying it out was unsuccessful. In a letter to Burghley, of 11 June 1597, he blames Whitgift for hindering his proposed new translation. In 1599 he printed his 'Explication' of the article respecting Christ's descent into hell. It was a topic he had touched upon before, maintaining with his usual vigour (against the Augustinian view, espoused by most Anglican divines) that hades never meant the place of torment, but the state of departed souls. A philology more ingenious than accurate enabled him to parallel 'hell' with sheol as 'that which haleth all hence.' With this discussion, which he first brought prominently forward among English scholars, his name is chiefly associated at the present day. He returned to England, to the surprise of his friends, at a moment when London was afflicted with the plague, of which he showed no fear. In 1603 he preached before Prince Henry, at Oatlands, on the Lord's Prayer. He soon returned to Middleburg, and became preacher there to the English congregation. Brook prints (here corrected from Harl. MS. 787, pp. 94, 96) the following tart petition, addressed, without effect, to James I: ' Most gracious soveraigne, your majesty's most humble subject, Hugh Broughton, having suffered many years danger for publishing of your right and Gods truth, by your unlearned bishops that spent two impressions of libells to disgrace the Scottish mist: which libells now the stacioners deny that ever they sold. He requesteth your majesty's favour for a pension fitt for his age, studye, and trauells past, bearing allwayes a most dutifull heart unto your majesty. From Middleburgh, Aug.1604. Your majesty's most humble subject, H. Broughton.' This was written in the month following the king's letter (22 July) appointing fifty-four learned men for the revision of the translation of the Bible. Broughton's old adversary, Rainolds, had been more successful than he in pressing upon the authorities the need of a revision, and when the translators were appointed, Broughton, to his intense chagrin, was not included among them. Lightfoot considers his exclusion unjust. Subsequently he criticised the new translation unsparingly, after his manner; his corrections would have carried more weight if they had not been generally accepted as the outpourings of a disappointed man. Of his own versions of the prophets it must be said that, while marked by all his peculiarities, they have a majesty of expression which entitles them to be better known than they are. His bitter pamphlet against Bancroft certainly did not improve his chances of obtaining due recognition of his merits as a scholar. Ben Jonson satirised him in 'Volpone' (1605), and especially in the 'Alchemist' (1610). He continued to write and publish assiduously. His translation of Job (1610) he dedicated to the king. But he now fell into a consumption, and he made his last voyage to England, arriving at Gravesend in November 1611. He told his friends he had come to die, and wished to die in Shropshire, where, it appears, his pupil, now Sir Rowland Cotton, had a seat. His strength, however, was not equal to the journey. He wintered in London, and in the spring removed to Tottenham. Here he lingered till autumn, in the house of Benet, a Cheapside linendraper. His death occurred on 4 Aug. 1612. He was buried in London, at St. Antholin's, on 7 Aug., James Speght preaching his funeral sermon. He had married a niece of his pupil, Alexander Top, named Lingen, a lady of good estate. Broughton's portrait is engraved by Van Hove. He is described as graceful and comely, and of a 'sweet, affable, and loving carriage' among his friends; at table he was bright and genial. His pupils almost adored him. His reputation for arrogance is not undeserved. He was sharp, but not scurrilous; had he stood with a party, his language would have seemed temperate enough according to the fashion of his day, but he always fought for his own hand. Thomas Morton, afterwards bishop of Durham, who was with him in Germany, took him in the right way: 'I pray you, whatsoever dolts and dullards I am to be called, call me so before we begin, that your discourse and mine attention be not interrupted thereby.' Broughton accepted the exhortation with perfect good-humour. He was easily provoked, and lamented on his death-bed his infirmities of temper. Some incidents in his life may give the impression that he was of a grasping nature. He expected his friends to do a great deal for him, and made warm and public acknowledgment of their willing kindness. It must