Page:Dictionary of National Biography volume 37.djvu/129

Maxwell and was appointed governor in February 1864. His long tenure of the government was an eventful one for the island. The reformed constitution was established in 1868, the gaming-tables were abolished in 1870, and Maxse had to face the consequent financial difficulties and complaints of the islanders. Under him also Heligoland was joined by telegraph cable to the mainland. In 1881 Maxse became governor of Newfoundland, but never really settled there. He died at St. John's on 10 Sept. 1883.

Maxse was a good German scholar, and published an English translation of Prince Bismarck's 'Letters to his Wife and Sisters, 1844 to 1870.' He was fond of acting. He was popular in Germany, where he spent his yearly vacations, and married a daughter of Herr von Rudloff.

[Colonial Office List, 1882; Times, 11 Sept. 1883; Burke's Knightage, 1883.]  MAXWELL, STIRLING (1808?–1887), poet and novelist. [See .]

MAXWELL, GEORGE CLERK (1715–1784). [See .]

MAXWELL, JAMES (fl. 1600–1640), author, born in 1581, was the only son of William Maxwell of Little Airds, and grandson of William Maxwell of Kirkconnell, Kirkcudbrightshire, man-at-arms to James V of Scotland, and also in the service of his queen, Mary of Guise, and of his daughter, Mary Queen of Scots, from her childhood. He was great-great-grandson of Robert, second lord Maxwell, laird of Kirkconnell, from whose second son, Thomas, the Maxwell family of Kirkconnell descended. He was educated at Edinburgh University, where he graduated M.A. 29 July 1600 (Cat. of Edinb. Graduates, p. 18), and afterwards went abroad. While in France in 1600 Maxwell wrote in Latin 'Tyrannidi-graphia Ecclesiæ militantis secundum Danielis Prophetiam,' &c., dedicating it to Edinburgh University, whither he sent it, but it was lost on the way (cf. 'A Catalogue of the Author's Exercises and Essaies, &c.,' in Admirable and Notable Prophecies). Subsequently he lived for a time in London (The Golden Art, Ded.), but again returned to the continent. On 30 April 1631 he wrote from Brussels to Archbishop Laud, complaining of threats of assassination because he would not forsake protestantism. The emperor (Ferdinand II) had, he declared, commanded his presence at court, and offered him spiritual preferment, with the office of imperial antiquary and genealogist, and a pension of a thousand crowns after the death of Sebastian Tegnangel. He 'would rather live poor at home than gather riches abroad by change of religion or sinister employments,' and as he had matters of moment to impart to the king, he desired to return to England soon. In recompense for the many books written by him in defence of the church of England against the puritans, and towards finishing one on the king's genealogy, he solicited the gift of some lay prebend (Cal. State Papers, Dom. Ser. 1631-3, p. 25). The appeal was probably unavailing.

Maxwell dealt in his publications with religion, history, genealogy, and antiquarian research, as well as poetry. His style, which was curiously bombastic and nearly allied to that of Sir Thomas Urquhart [q. v.], earned from Laud the name of 'Mountebank Maxwell.' Among his most curious productions is a poem entitled 'Carolanna, That is to say, a Poeme in honovr of ovr King Charles — James, Qveene Anne, And Prince Charles: But principally in honour of the immortall memory of our late noble & good Queene of Albion and Vnion,' London, by Edw : Allde [1614], 4to (Brit. Mus.) Maxwell here writes under the pseudonym of James Anneson, a play upon the names of the king, queen, and their son. Another very rare work of his is 'The Laudable Life, and Deplorable Death, of our late peerlesse Prince Henry. Briefly represented. Together with some other Poemes, in honor both of our most gracious Soueraigne King James his auspicious entrie to this Crowne, and also of his most hopefull Children, Prince Charles and Princesse Elizabeths happy entrie into this world,' London, by E. Allde, for T. Pauier, 1612, 4to, entered at Stationers' Hall 28 Nov. (Brit. Mus.) The principal poem consists of forty-four six-line stanzas, and is succeeded by 'Peerelesse Prince Henries Epitaph in his owne foure Languages' (English, French, Latin, and Greek) (cf., Restituta, iii. 477-80, and his British Bibl. iv. 30-6).

He also published: 1. 'The Golden Legend, or the Mirrour of Religious Men and Godly Matrones, concerning Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and their Wives,' &c., London, 1611, 8vo. 2. 'The Golden Art, or The right way of Enriching. . . . Very profitable for all such persons in citie or countrie as doe desire to get, increase, conserue, and vse goods with a good conscience,' London, 1611, 4to (Brit. Mus.) 3. 'Queene Elizabeths Looking-glasse of Grace and Glory, wherein may be seen the fortune of the faithfull: that is to say, the wrastling, victory, and reward, or the combat, conquest, and Crowne of Gods children,' &c., London, by E. Allde, 1612, 12mo (Brit. Mus.) 4. 'Jamesanna, or a Pythagoricall play at