Page:Protestant Exiles from France Agnew (1st ed. vol 3).djvu/114

  He also received his pension of Fifty Pounds Scots at Whitsunday term in the years 1582, 1583, 1584, and 1585.

A little MS. in the British Museum entitled:— “Livret contenant diverses sortes de lettres escrit a Lislebourg, par Esther Langlois, Françoise, 1586” is probably little Esther’s advanced exercise-book under her mother’s tuition. Esther was married in 1596, to Bartholomew Kello; but in her manuscripts she continued to call herself by her maiden name. These manuscripts, beautifully illuminated, and sometimes further adorned with her own portrait, entirely with her own hand, were executed for presentation to her patrons and patronesses, some of whom were exalted personages, and from whom she received gratuities in return. A French Psalter, dated 27 Mars 1599, and presented to Queen Elizabeth, bears her signature as Esther Anglois. In 1600 she adopts the signature Esther Inglis. Her husband and herself lived in Edinburgh for several years after their marriage. He had received a learned education, and was honoured by the notice of King James, who employed him as a messenger to the Netherlands in January 1600. He probably followed his royal patron to London; there are extant signatures of himself and spouse, dated “at London, 8th August 1604,” and one of her manuscripts is dated, “London, this first day of January 1608,” but before this date, her husband had taken holy orders: the Rev. Bartholomew Kello was collated to the rectory of Willingale Spain, near Chelmsford, 21st Dec. 1607, the King being patron. The manuscript just alluded to, is written in imitation of print, and contains the following brochure:— “A treatise of Preparation to the Holy Supper of our only Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ. Proper for all those who would worthily approach to the Holy Table of our Lord. Moreover, a Dialogue contenand the Principal poynts which they who wold communicat should knowe and understand. Translated out of French in Inglishe for the benefite of all who truely love the Lord Jesus. By Bartholomew Kello, Parson of Willingale Spayne in the Countye of Essex.” This MS., as well as many others, is in Mr Laing’s possession; it is No. 16 of the Twenty-Eight manuscripts described in his Paper. Her father died on the 10th August, 1611 at Edinburgh; in his Will, he mentions another daughter, Marie Inglis. In 1612, Esther is styled by an admirer of her talent, “L’unique et souveraine Dame de la plume.” Her husband and herself seem to have returned to Edinburgh in 1615; a MS. of that year on La Vanité et Inconstance du Monde is in the possession of James Douglas, Esq., of Cavers (No. 23 in Mr Laing’s list). Their only son, Samuel, comes to view as an Edinburgh student in 1617, and he took the degree of M.A. in 1618. A letter from his mother to the king is extant, petitioning for his admission to an English university; it is dated Edenbrugh the XX of Iuin 1620. He was admitted to Christ Church, Oxford, and became (it is said) minister of Speakshall or Spexall in Suffolk. “Mrs Esther Inglis, spouse of Barthilmo Kello, indweller in Leith,” died on 30th August 1624, aged 53. The admirable Scottish Divine, Robert Boyd of Trochrig, alludes to her in his diary thus:— “Ce moys de Juillet 1625, estant à Edin., j’ appris la mort d’ Esther Angloys, femme de Bart, de Kello; damoyselle done de pleusieurs beaux dons; et entre autres excellent escrivain par dessus toutes las femmes de son siecle, dont j’ay quekjues beaux monuments de sa main et son amitie enverse ma femme et moy.” Her husband survived until 15th March 1638; at the time of his death, he was styled, “Barthilmo Kello, minister of God’s word, and indweller in Edinburgh.” Besides her son, two daughters, Elizabeth and Marie, also survived her. Her portrait, painted in 159s, is in Mr Laing’s possession, and has been engraved under his superintendence. 