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Hereditary Genius
293
Jewell, John, continued—
n. John Downe* (1576—1633, aet. 57); educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge.
He thence took a small college living in Devonshire. “Had his means been
answerable to his worth, he had not lain in such obscurity as he did, but had
doubtless moved and shined in a far higher and more extensive sphere... The
sharpness of his wit, the fastness of his memory” (this seems hereditary, like
the “Porson” memory, which also went through the female line), “and the
soundness of his judgment, were in him all three so rarely mixed as few men
attain them single, in that degree he had them all. His skill in languages was
extraordinary.” He was very temperate and grave, but sociable and courteous,
and a thoroughly good man and divine. His constitution was but crazy.
Married happily, and had several children, who did well, judging from the
phrase, “His civil wisdom appeared ... in the education of his family, ... in his
marriage and the marriages of his daughters.”
Junius, Francis (1545—1602, aet. 57). This extraordinary man was very infirm and
weakly when a child, but he strengthened as he grew. Was singularly bashful.
He read with avidity; went to Switzerland as a student, where he became a
Reformer, and was persecuted. He was an excellent and most able man; the
subject of numerous panegyrics. He died of the plague. Married four wives,
and survived them all; had in all two sons and one daughter.
F. A learned and a kind man.
S. Francis, a very amiable and learned man, who spent most of his days in England,
especially at Oxford.
2 p. Dionysius Vossius, the Orientalist, and Isaac Vossius, the learned Canon of
Windsor; these were sons of the daughter of Junius, who married the learned
John Gerard Vossius.
Knox, John (1505—1572, aet. 67); a popular type of Puritanical bigotry. In his
youth he was a successful student of scholastic divinity; was persecuted and
exiled in his manhood; married twice—two sons and three daughters.
[2 S.] Both his sons were fellows of St. John's College, Cambridge; the younger of
them was University preacher.
p. Josiah Welch, “the Cock of the Conscience.” For him
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