Wotton, Sir Henry

Beginning with an eight-page preface "To the Reader," scribal manuscript in two distinct secretary hands, marginal notes, front free endpaper with the title written in a later hand, 584 pages, folio (305 x 195 mm), c.1620s-30s. Contemporary limp vellum with remains of ties. 

Kerr family, Marquesses of Lothian (eighteenth century armorial bookplate; The Lothian Collection, American Art Association, New York, 27 January 1932, lot 30) — Donald S. Stralem (1903-1976; book label). acquisition: Seven Gables, 1961

CELM WoH 301

A highly attractive manuscript copy of Henry Wotton's survey of Europe at the close of the sixteenth century. This treatise was written when Wotton was in his twenties and following five years of Continental travel. It demonstrated its author's knowledge of international affairs and deep classical learning, and impressed readers' sufficiently to help Wotton to a job as secretary to the Earl of Essex. Wotton's friend John Donne will have been one of the early readers of this treatise, and advised him against international service, explaining that he should in "thine owne home and thy selfe dwell." Ignoring Donne's advice, Wotton went on to have a successful diplomatic career in Italy and the Netherlands under James I, a career he summed up with his memorable definition of an ambassador (as recorded by Izaak Walton) as being "an honest man sent to lie abroad for the good of his country." 

This is the only recorded manuscript copy of this treatise in private hands, although another seven are known in British and American institutions. The text was eventually published in 1657, nearly twenty years after its author's death.