For I have been brought up a student in the most florishing Colledge of Europe, Augustissimo collegio, and can brag with Iovius, almost, in eâ luce domicilii Vaticani, totius orbis celeberrimi, per 37. annos multa opportunaque didici; for 30 years I have continued (having the use of as good a Libraries as ever he had) a scholar, and would be therefore loth, either by living as a drone, to be an unprofitable or unworthy a Member of so learned and noble a societie, or to write that which should be any way dishonourable to such a royal and ample foundation.

Something I have done, though by my profession a Divine, yet turbine raptus ingenii, as he said, out of a running wit, an unconstant, unsetled mind, I had a great desire, (not able to attain to a superficial skil in any) to have some smattering in all, to be aliquis in omnibus, nullus in singulis, which Plato commends, out of him Lipsius approves and furthers, as fit to be imprinted in all curious wits, not be a slave of one science, or dwell altogether in one subject, as most do, but to rove abroad, centum puer artium, to have an oar in every mans boat, to taste of every dish, and sip of every cup, which saith Montaigne, was well performed by Aristotle and his learned countrey-man Adrian Turnebus.

This roving humor (though not with like successe) I have ever had, & like a ranging spaniel, that barks at every bird he sees, leaving his game, I have followed all, saving that which I should, & may justly complain, and truly, qui ubique est, nusquam est, which Gesner did in modesty, that I have read many books, but to little purpose, for want of good method, I have confusedly tumbled over divers authors in our Libraries, with small profit for want of art, order, memory, judgment.

I never travelled but in Map or Card, in which my unconfined thoughts have freely expatiated, as having ever been especialy delighted with the study of Cosmography. Saturn was Lord of my geniture, culminating, &c. and Mars principal significator of manners, in partile conjunction with mine Ascendent; both fortunate in their houses, &c.

I am not poor, I am not rich; nihil est, nihil deest, I have little, I want nothing: all my treasure is in Minerva's tower. Greater preferment as I could never get, so am I not in debt for it, I have a competency (Laus Deo) from my noble and munificent Patrons, though I live still a Collegiat student, as Democritus in his garden, and lead a monastique life, ipse mihi theatrum, sequestred from those tumults and troubles of the world,

Et tanquam in specula positus, (as he said) in some high place above you all, like Stoicus Sapiens, omnia sæcula, præterita præsentiaq; videns, uno velut intuitu, I hear and see what is done abroad, how others run, ride, turmoil, and macerate themselves in court and countrey, far from those wrangling Law suits, aulæ vanitatem, fori ambitionem, ridere mecum soleo: I laugh at all, I only secure, lest my suit go amiss, my ships perish, corn and cattle miscarry, trade decay, I have no wife nor children good or bad to provide for.

A meer spectator of other mens fortunes and adventures, and how they act their parts, which me thinks are diversly presented unto me, as from a common theatre or scene. I hear new news every day, and those ordinary rumors of war, plagues, fires, inundations, thefts, murders, massacres, meteors, comets, spectrums, prodigies, apparitions, of towns taken, cities besieged in France, Germany, Turky, Persia, Poland, &c. daily musters and preparations, and such like, which these tempestuous times afford, battles fought, so many men slain, monomachies, shipwracks, piracies, and sea-fights, peace, leagues, stratagems, and fresh alarums.

A vast confusion of vows, wishes, actions, edicts, petitions, law-suits, pleas, laws, proclamations, complaints, grievances are daily brought to our ears. New books every day, pamphlets, currantoes, stories, whole catalogues of volumes of all sorts, new paradoxes, opinions, schisms, heresies, controversies in philosophie, religion, &c.

Now come tidings of weddings, maskings, mummeries, entertainments, jubilies, embassies, tilts and tournaments, trophies, triumphs, revels, sports, playes: Then again, as in a new shifted scene, treasons, cheating tricks, robberies, enormous vilanies in all kindes, funerals, burials, death of Princes, new discoveries, expeditions; now comical, then tragical matters. To day we heare of new Lords and officers created, to morrow of some great men deposed, and then again of fresh honors conferred; one is let loose, another imprisoned; one purchaseth, another breaketh: he thrives, his neighbor turns bankrupt; now plenty, then again dearth and famine; one runs, another rides, wrangles, laughs, weeps, &c.

Thus I daily hear, and such like, both private and publick news, amidst the gallantry and misery of the world; jollitie, pride, perplexities and cares, simplicity and vilany; subtletie, knavery, candor and integrity, mutually mixt and offering themselves, I rub on privus privatus, as I have still lived, so I now continue, statu quo prius, left to a solitary life, and mine own domestick discontents:

saving that sometimes, ne quid mentiar, as Diogenes went into the city, and Democritus to the haven to see fashions, I did for my recreation now and then walk abroad, look into the world, and could not choose but make some little observation, non tam sagax observator, ac simplex recitator, not as they did to scoff or laugh at all, but with a mixt passion. Bilem sæpe, jocum vestri movere tumultus.