Note 179 — I. Yet other Twelve Wonders of the World.[138]

I take this Sonnet from Collier's 'Bibliographical Catalogue' sub nomine (Vol. I. p. 192). It is thus introduced by him: "It is stated correctly by the biographers of [Sir] John Davys that he was patronized by Lord Ellesmere, and among the papers of his lordship is preserved the following autograph Sonnet, which appears to have been addressed to the Lord Chancellor, on the death of his second wife in 1599." Further: The following note is appended, also in the hand-writing of Sir John Davys:—"A French writer (whom I love well) speakes of 3 kindes of Companions, Men, Women, and Bookes: the losse of this second makes you retire from the first: I have, therefore, presumed to send yr. Lp one of the third kind, wch (it may bee), is a straunger to your Lp. yet I persuade me his conversation will not be disagreeable to yr Lp." See Memorial-Introduction for notices of Ellesmere and his wives. G.