77 - 21 Mar. To James Ussher, archbishop of Armagh

Summary

Concerning the Tombe erected by the Earle of Corke I shall say very little to your Grace at this Tyme. Partly because I gave answeare to the same thing in my last letters to you, in which I allsoe mentioned that which I have now written of the Chancellorshipp of the University, And partly because I have now written againe to my Lord Archbishop of Dublin, whose letters are all most verbatim with these of your Graces concerning this Argument. And I made Choyce to write at lardg rather to him then to you, at this tyme, both because I had given him a former answeare, and because there are some passadges in his letter more then in yours.

And for the thing it self I am clearly satisfyed the East window is not darkened, by the Monument. But that the Place of the high Altar was not at the East End of the Quire in that Cathedrall as well as the rest I must confesse is newes to me for as yet I never knew that it stood any where els in any. For the other Circumstances, If the building of a skreen before it and placeing the Communion Table there will take off no roome from the Quire, and leave the Monument to be an ornament to that Church, It is much better then it hath been reported to me. But then, whether it be soe or noe, neither my Lord of Corke, nor your Grace can expect that I who never saw it can make my selfe Judge, but doe wholly leave it to such view and Consideration as shall be found fitting upon the place. With this wish, that the Earle of Corke had erected it in some fitt place upon the Side of the Quire, or elswhere, which would have been all one for the Preservation of his owne memory, or of any other Honourable Personages, And been free from the Dispute and Quarrell, to which it is now subiect; and the more, because that Great Earle is generally thought here, to have been very bold with the Patrimony of the Church: Noe good Signe of Religion be his Profession what it will.