Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 26.djvu/236

Rh the night before either at the Countess of Bedford's or the Countess of Devonshire's (ib. ii. 73). His death is said to have been exactly foretold by his tutor Sandford ; by Thomas Allen of Gloucester Hall ; and by Eleanor, lady Davies. He was buried in the family vault in Salisbury Cathedral. A very eulogistic funeral sermon by T. C., 'The Ivst Man's Memorial, as it was delivered at Baynard's Castle before the interment of the Body,' was published in 1630, with a dedication to the earl's brother and heir, Philip. Pembroke died intestate, and his debts are said to have reached a total of 80,000l. His income had amounted to 22,000l. a year (Court and Times of Charles I, ii. 73). Clarendon's eulogy on Pembroke (ed. Macray, i. 71-5) states that he was the most universally loved and esteemed of any man of his age, that he was always ready to advance worthy men, that he maintained an honourable independence amid court factions, and that he was a great lover of his country and of the religion and justice which he believed could only support it. He was 'loyal and yet a friend to liberty.' Clarendon admits, however, that late in life 'his natural vivacity and vigour of mind began to lessen' by immoral indulgences. He was unhappy in his domestic affairs. 'He paid much too dear,' writes Clarendon, 'for his wife's fortunes by taking her person into the bargain.' As a statesman, Pembroke lacked force of character. 'For his person,' said Bacon, 'he was not effectual.' He opposed Buckingham tamely, although their views were on most subjects diametrically opposed, and readily agreed to patch up their quarrels. Mr. S. R. Gardiner characterises him as the Hamlet of Charles's court (, Hist. vii. 133). Wood describes his person as majestic rather than elegant, and his presence, whether quiet or in motion, as 'full of stately gravity.' His delight in the society of men of letters remained with him to the last.

From 29 Jan. 1617 till his death Pembroke held the office of chancellor of Oxford University. In 1624 Broadgates Hall was replaced by Pembroke College, the new society being thus named in compliment to the chancellor (cf., State Worthies, ii. 232; , Colleges and Halls, ed. Gutch, p. 617). Pembroke became the visitor and a member of the new college's governing board, and, according to Aubrey, intended to prove 'a great benefactor' to it, but his sole gift was 'a great piece of plate,' which is no longer in existence. In 1629 Pembroke purchased the famous Barocci library, which had been brought from Venice by a London stationer, and on 25 May, at Laud's instigation, presented the greater part of the collection —250 Greek manuscripts—to the Bodleian Library. Twenty-two other Greek manuscripts and two Russian manuscripts which the earl retained were bought after his death by Oliver Cromwell, and given to the same library in 1654. Pembroke, in making the gift, stated that the manuscripts should, if necessary, be borrowed by students.

In 1660 the younger Donne edited and published 'Poems written by the Right Honourable William, Earl of Pembroke, Lord Steward of Her Majesties Household, many of which are answered by way of repartee by Sr Benjamin Ruddier, knight, with several distinct Poems written by them occasionally and apart.' There is a dedication to Christian, dowager-countess of Devonshire,to whom, according to the editor, Pembroke presented most of the verses included in the volume. A few of the poems undoubtedly by Pembroke are signed ' P.,' and were written in association with his friend Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, but mingled with them are poems by Sir Walter Raleigh, Sir Edward Dyer, Carew, William Strode, and others. According to the editor's address to the reader, he had only printed a portion of Pembroke's manuscripts; Henry Lawes and Nicholas Laniere, who set some of Pembroke's songs to music, had supplied him with a few of those published, and were ready to supply him with more. One of Pembroke's published poems appears in the Browne MS. in the British Museum (Lansd. MS. 777, f. 73; cf., p. 69). The whole volume was reprinted by Sir S. E. Brydges in 1817. Pembroke's verse is always graceful, but lacks higher qualities. A religious work, 'Of the Internal and Eternal Nature of Man in Christ,' London, 1654, is ascribed to Pembroke in the 'British Museum Catalogue,' on the ground of a contemporary manuscript note, but Pembroke's authorship is very doubtful.

A fine portrait by Mytens has been engraved by Vandervoerst. It was painted for Charles I's gallery at Whitehall in 1627 and is now at Wilton (, Issues of the Exchequer under James I, p. 358). There are rare engraved prints of the earl by Simon Pass, 1617, and by Stent. A brass statue of the earl, cast by Hubert Le Soeur from a design of Rubens, was placed at Wilton, and was presented to Oxford University in 1723 by Thomas, seventh earl of Pembroke, a great-nephew. It is now in the picture gallery adjoining the Bodleian Library. A portrait painted by Vandyck from the statue is at Wilton.