Hampden and Falkland--of Milton and Clarendon--in an age which
roused into action so many and such mighty energies--gravely
engaged in ascertaining the causes of a great national calamity,
from the prescience of a knavish fortuneteller, and puzzling
their wisdoms to interpret the symbolical flames, which blazed
in the mis-shapen wood-cuts of his oracular publications.

"As a set-off against these honours may be mentioned, the
virulent and unceasing attacks of almost all the party
scribblers of the day; but their abuse he shared in common with
men, whose talents and virtues have outlived the malice of their
cotemporaries, and

'Whose honours with increase of ages grow,
As streams roll down, enlarging as they flow.'"

_Retrospective Review_, Vol. ii. p. 51.]

The town of Diseworth did formerly belong long unto the Lord Seagrave,
for there is one record in the hands of my cousin Melborn Williamson,
which mentions one acre of land abutting north upon the gates of the
Lord Seagrave; and there is one close, called Hall-close, wherein the
ruins of some ancient buildings appear, and particularly where the
dove-house stood; and there is also the ruins of decayed fish-ponds and
other outhouses. This town came at length to be the inheritance of
Margaret, Countess of Richmond, mother of Henry VII. which Margaret gave
this town and lordship of Diseworth unto Christ's College in Cambridge,
the Master and Fellows whereof have ever since, and at present, enjoy
and possess it.