manent was the part he filled in Ireland—but the Past was gone back on that he might fetch from it monition for the Present, and hope for the Future. His imperishable book: "A Discourse of the true reasons why Ireland has neuer been entirely subdued till the beginning of His Majesty's reign," (4to) 6 will reward the most prolonged study to-day. It was published in 1612. In the same year he was made King's Sergeant and also elected M.P. for Fermanagh, being the first representative for that county in the Irish House of Parliament. He was likewise chosen to be Speaker of the House; but not without a characteristically violent struggle between the Catholics and Protestants." He delivered a notable speech "to the House on its opening in 1613.8 In 1614 he appears in the House of Commons in England as M.P. for Newcastle-underLyne: and his attendance in England was preparatory to final retirement from Ireland. "Grants of lands" there from the "forfeitures," which, if ever any righteously acquired, he did1-gave him a special interest

See Prose, Vol. II.

7 See fuller Life, as before, for a complete narrative from contemporary documents.

8 Ibid, Vol. III. 9 Willis's Nat. Parl., Vol. III., p. 173.

1 In the Life, as before, will be given full details of the Grants,

with a curious paper of his daughter long afterwards making inquiries as to what had become of the Irish estates, &c., &c.

in Ireland as a proprietor; but after all, for such a man, at such a time, to be limited to Ireland, was but a splendid exile. It is not, therefore, to be wondered at that having practically achieved all, and more than all, he had been given to do, or himself originated, he sought to return. It is usually stated (e.g. Chalmers, Woolrych, &c., &c.) that he so returned in 1616; but it was not until 1619 that he did so finally and absolutely; for in a letter under date "21 June, 1619," to Buckingham, he is found still only pleading for retirement and for the transference of his office to a relative.2 It is one of the treasures of the Fortescue MSS, in the Bodleian,3 and is as follows:

My most honored Lord,

I præsent my most humble Thanks to yr Lp for præsenting mee to his Maty the last Day, at Wansted; & for y' noble favour in furthering the suit I then made, as well for mine owne stay in England, as for my recommending a fitt man to my place of service in Ireland.

The Gentleman to whom I wish this place now, is much obliged to yr LP already, & well worthy of yr Lps favours, & besides his owne worthines (hee being a Reader & Judge of a circuit, of wch degree & quality never any before

2 It will be observed that in the Letter Sir John does not name the gentleman he wishes to succeed him. It was no doubt Sir William Ryves, who actually was appointed. The "neere alliance was through the family of Mervyn, and is shown in the

was sent out of England to supply that place), hee is of neere alliance vnto mee. So as, where there is concurrence of meritt & kinred, yr LP may conjecture that I deale wth him like a gentleman & a friend, & not like a marchent. Albeit I will leave a good place there, wthout any præsent

following details drawn up for me by Mr. B. H. Beedham, from information communicated by Mr. J. N. C. Davis, as before: George Touchet, Earl of Castle

haven.

3

Lucy, d. of Sir James Mervyn,

Sir John Davies Lady Eleanor Touchet

Fonthill, Wilts.

2

3 No. 245. For a notice of the collection from which the above Letter is for the first time printed, see Preface to "The Fortescue Papers..... Edited... by Samuel R. Gardiner, for the Camden Society (1871). My friend Mr. Gardiner must have overlooked Davies's important letter.

præferment heer (whereof none of my profession have failed at their return out of Ireland) I might, perhaps wth some reason expect some Retribution, to recompence the charge of Transporting my famely from thence, & of setling it heer in this Kingdome, where I am become almost an Alien by reason of my long absence.

For this particular favour of transferring my place to so well deserving a successor, I doo wholly depend vppon y LP as I shall euer doo vpon all other occasions, while I live, as one that have separated my self from all other dependancies, beeing entirely devoted to doo y LP all humble & faythful service

21 Junij 1619.

Jo: Dauys.

if my long service may induce favour, yr LP may bee pleased to looke vppon the noate enclosed.

To the right honorable my very good lord

my

lord the Marques of Buckingham, &c.

It is to be regretted that the "noate" of the postscript has not been preserved. It probably enumerated his public services.

Sir William Ryves succeeded as Attorney-General for Ireland by Patent dated 30th October, 1619.4 From 1619 onward, Sir John Davies is found in the House of Commons (still for Newcastle-under-Lyne)

By inadvertence the Patent describes Sir John Davies as "deceased." Unless used as = departed (from Ireland), or = having ceased to fill the office, it is a singular oversight.

and "on circuit" as a Judge. His "Charges "-to be given in his Prose Works-as "one of the Justices of Assize for the Northerne Circute "-are very characteristic, being full of legal 'precedents,' and noticeable in their tracing up the verdict sought to abiding principles. He took part in the memorable " case" of Frances, Countess of Somerset, for the poison-murder of Sir Thomas Overbury. In the House of Commons he spoke seldom; but when anything that concerned Irish interests came up he never failed to contend in behalf of Ireland.5

Lightening his legal employments were a large correspondence and 'fellowship' with his most eminent contemporaries, and the collection of his Poetical Works, in so far as he wished them to go down to posterity. Of the former I select one undated letter to the illustrious Sir Robert Cotton, with whom he had been early acquainted, and associated in 1614, in re-establishing the Society of Antiquaries, originally founded in 1590. One of these is a sprightly and pleasant letter, and all the more welcome that most of his correspondence that remains is official and grave. The lighter letter is as follows, from MSS. Cotton : Julius C. III., p. 14: now paged 133, British Museum:

5 In the Life, as before, his appearances in Parliament will be noted and illustrated.