Edward Browne (1644–1708)

From A Brief Account of Some Travels in Divers Parts of Europe

HIS person is grave and graceful; he hath the Austrian lip remarkably, his chin long, which is taken for a good physiognomical mark, and a sign of a constant, placid, and little troubled mind. He is conceived to carry in his face the lineaments of four of his predecessors, that is, of Rudolphus the First, of Maximilian the First, of Charles the Fifth, and Ferdinand the First. He was very affectionate unto his empress, who, though but young, was a modest, grave princess, had a good aspect, was zealous in her religion, and an enemy unto the Jews. He showed also great respect and observance unto the Empress-Dowager Eleonora, who was a sober and prudent princess, well skilled in all kind of curious works, and delighted sometimes to shoot at deer from a stand, or at other game, out of her coach. He was also very loving unto his sisters, beautiful and good princesses; whereof one, the eldest, was since married unto that noble prince, Michael Wisnowitzki, King of Poland, and afterwards to Charles, Duke of Lorraine.

He speaks four languages, German, Italian, Spanish, and Latin. He is a great countenancer of learned men, and delights to read, and, when occasion permits, will pass some hours at it. The worthy Petrius Lambecius, his library keeper, and who is in great esteem with him, will usually find out some books for him which he conceives may be acceptable. While I was there, he recommended a translation of Religio Medici unto him, wherewith the Emperor was exceedingly pleased, and spake very much of it unto Lambecius, insomuch that Lambecius asked me whether I knew the author, he being of my own name, and whether he were living. And when he understood my near relation to him, he became more kind and courteous than ever, and desired me to send him that book in the original English, which he would put into the Emperor’s library: and presented me with a neat little Latin book, called Princeps in Compendio, written by the emperor’s father, Ferdinandus the Third.

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