tion. When
only three years old he was deprived of his mother's care, a loss he
ever bewailed. According to his father's purpose, he was sent to
Cambridge, and admitted a pensioner at Gonville and Caius College. He
there undoubtedly imbibed that attachment to the Protestant faith for
which he was ever afterwards conspicuous, and for which his Hall was at
that time distinguished. He there also gained a taste for literature,
and a respect for learned men, for which he was noted throughout life,
and which none of the subsequent cares of business were ever able to
extinguish in him.

Expediency probably, rather than inclination, made him a merchant; at
the same time the advantages to be derived from foreign commerce were
then so considerable, that, with the splendid examples of his father and
of his uncle before him, it can be no matter of surprise, that he
forsook the quiet walk of life which his college might have afforded,
for one of honour and emolument. Before going to college he had been
bound apprentice to his uncle, Sir John Gresham, in consequence of which
he was, in 1543, admitted a member of the Mercers' Company, being then
in the twenty-fifth year of his age.

He had at the time the event here described occurred, for some time been
holding the post of Royal agent at Antwerp, greatly to the satisfaction
of the King and their lordships.

In consequence of the maritime position of Antwerp, it far surpassed, in
size and wealth, Brussels, and every other Flemish town. Its population
was estimated at 100,000 souls. Its internal splendour was unequalled,
the wealth of its merchants unsurpassed. They attracted hither traders
of all nations--English, French, Germans, Danes, Osterlings, Italians,
Spaniards and Portuguese. Of these the Spaniards were by far the most
numerous. For many years, the city exhibited the uncommon spectacle of
a multitude of nations, living together like one large family, where
each used its own customs, and spoke its own language. The inhabitants
were talented, and noted for their hospitality. The ladies were highly
educated: many of them could converse in several different languages;
while during most days of the week there was a constant succession of
gay assemblies, banquets, dances and nuptial parties, while music,
singing, and cheerful sounds might be heard by the passer-by in every
street. What a fearful change was in a few short years to be wrought in
this state of things!