The Lady Mary, Countesse of Pembroke, did much
esteeme him for his skill, and would have had him to have been her
operator, and live with her, but he would not accept of her Ladyship's
kind offer. But after long search after the philosopher's stone, he
died at Wilton, having spent his estate. After his death they found in
his laboratory two or three baskets of egge shelles, which I remember
Geber saieth is a principall ingredient of that stone.
J. Donne, Deane of St. Paule's, was well known both to Sir Philip
Sydney and his sister Mary, as appeares by those excellent verses in
his poems, "Upon the Translation of the Psalmes by Sir Philip Sydney
and the Countesse of Pembroke his sister."
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Earl William [the second of that name] was a good scholar, and
delighted in poetrie; and did sometimes, for his diversion, write some
sonnets and epigrammes, which deserve commendation. Some of them are
in print in a little book in 8vo. intituled "Poems writt by William
Earle of Pembroke, and Sir Benjamin Ruddyer, Knight, 1660." [See ante,
page 77. A new edition of these poems was published by Sir Egerton
Brydges in 1817.] He was of an heroique and publick spirit, bountifull
to his friends and servants, and a great encourager of learned men.
Philip Earle of Pembroke [the first of that name], his brother, did
not delight in books or poetry; but exceedingly loved painting and
building, in which he had singular judgment, and had the best
collection of any peer in England.
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