Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 24.djvu/402

 was re-edited by Thomas Park with additions and notes in 1804. Harington's letters owe their value to the character of their author, which strongly resembles that of an Italian humorist attached to a court. Harington considered himself a privileged person who might jest at will. He had a quick power of observation, and was entirely destitute of restraint. Though desirous of pushing his fortunes, he had none of the qualities necessary for success; Elizabeth spoke of him as 'that saucy poet, my godson,' and he was generally regarded as an amusing gossip. He wrote easily, and certainly was not a hero to himself. The most intimate facts of his domestic life afforded him materials for an epigram, and his frankness was entire. Hence he gives a living picture of life and society in his times, and abounds in incidental stories which throw great light upon many prominent persons. A detailed life of Harington would present an interesting sketch of Elizabethan times. As a poet he has received scanty justice from posterity. His translation of the 'Orlando Furioso' has been superseded, and his epigrams, disfigured by coarseness, are forgotten.

 HARINGTON, JOHN, first (d. 1613), was the eldest son of Sir James Harington, kt., of Exton Hall, Rutlandshire, by Lucy, daughter of Sir William Sidney, and a cousin of Sir John Harington, the writer (1561-1612) [q. v.] His younger brother, Sir James Harington, was grandfather of James Harrington or Harington [q. v.], the author of 'Oceana.' His descent, in the female line, from the Bruces first brought him under the notice of James I. He entertained the king at Burley-on-the-Hill, Rutlandshire, on the royal progress from Scotland (April 1603); and (in June) received Princess Elizabeth for a few days at Combe Abbey, near Coventry, Warwickshire, Lady Harington's inheritance. At the coronation (21 July 1603) Harington was created baron Harington of Exton, an honour which gave great offence to the catholics. By privy seal order, dated 19 Oct. 1603, he received the charge of the Princess Elizabeth, with an annual pension of 1,500l. (afterwards increased to 2,500l.) for her diet, a sum which proved inadequate. Harington established Elizabeth with his wife and family at Combe Abbey, and retired from parliament and public life in order to devote himself wholly to her. He was present at the creation of Henry as prince of Wales, and in 1605 attended the king at Oxford. The conspirators of the gunpowder plot planned to abduct Elizabeth and proclaim her queen, but Harington escaped with his charge to Coventry (7 Nov. 1605) two hours before the rebels arrived. Here he left her to be guarded by the citizens, while he and Sir Fulke Greville besieged Catesby at Holbeach. On 6 Jan. 1606 he writes from Combe to his cousin, Sir John, that he has not yet recovered from the fever caused by these disturbances, when he was 'out five days in peril of death and fear for the great charge I left at home' (Nugæ Antiquæ, i. 370). In 1608 Elizabeth was given an establishment of her own at Kew, the Haringtons receiving the first places in her household. Her guardian continued to control her movements and expenditure, and had to buy her bridal trousseau and arrange the expenses of her wedding. On 13 Feb. 1613 he preceded the princess in the wedding procession to Whitehall, and received a gift of plate, valued at 2,000l., from the prince palatine in recognition of his services. By the princess's extravagance her current expenses for one year alone (1612-1613) had involved Harington 3,500l. in debt, and he was reduced to beg a royal patent (granted May 1613) for the sole privilege of coining brass farthings for three years, 'a thing that brought with it some discredit though lawful' (Somers Tracts, ii. 294). The coins were called Haringtons (see, Glossary).

Lord and Lady Harington escorted the royal couple abroad (April 1613), he being deputed to settle the princess's jointure. Though Harington was made a royal commissioner and given the title of ambassador, none of the expenses of this journey were paid, and his money difficulties increased. At Heidelberg the Haringtons remained four months in Elizabeth's household, Harington having to arrange her money affairs and to arbitrate in quarrels among her attendants. Worn out by these cares he died of fever at Worms (23 Aug. 1613), on the journey home.