ing; both which were so well written, that his
Majesty upon reading them declared, "that Sir Henry Wotton had
sufficiently commutted for a greater offence."

Upon this reconciliation, Sir Henry became more in favour with his
Majesty than ever; like friends who have been for some time separated,
they meet again with double fervour, and their friendship increases
to a greater warmth. During the twenty years which Sir Henry was
ambassador at Venice, he had the good fortune to be so well respected
by all the Dukes, and the leading men of the Republic, that his
interest every year increased, and they seldom denied him any favour
he asked for his countrymen who came to Venice; which was, as Walton
expresses it, a city of refuge for all Englishmen who were any way
distressed in that Republic. Walton proceeds to relate two particular
instances of the generosity, and tenderness of his disposition, and
the nobleness of his mind, which, as they serve to illustrate his
character, deserve a place here.

There had been many Englishmen brought by commanders of their own
country, to serve the Venetians for pay, against the Turks; and those
English, by irregularities, and imprudence, committed such offences as
brought them into prisons, and exposed them to work in gallies.
Wotton could not be an unconcerned spectator of the miseries of his
countrymen: their offences he knew proceeded rather from wantonness,
and intemperance, than any real principles of dishonour; and therefore
he thought it not beneath him to become a petitioner for their
releasement. He was happy in a successful representation of their
calamities, they were set at liberty, and had an opportunity of
returning to their own country in comfort, in place of languishing
in jails, and being slaves at the Gallies; and by this compassionate
Interposition with the Republick, he had the blessings of many
miserable wretches: the highest pleasure which any human being can
enjoy on this side immortality.

Of the generosity and nobleness of his mind, Walton gives this
instance;

Upon Sir Henry Wotton's coming a second time to Venice, he was
employed as embassador to several of the German princes, and to the
Emperor Ferdinando II. and this embassy to these princes was to
incline them to equitable measures, for the restoration of the Queen
of Bohemia, and her descendants, to their patrimonial inheritance
of the Palatinate. This was by eight months constant endeavours and
attendan