The Golden Grasshopper | Page 8

father's purpose, he was sent to
Cambridge, and admitted a pensioner at Gonville and Caius College.
He there undoubtedly imbibed that attachment to the Protestant faith
for which he was ever afterwards conspicuous, and for which his Hall
was at that time distinguished. He there also gained a taste for literature,
and a respect for learned men, for which he was noted throughout life,
and which none of the subsequent cares of business were ever able to
extinguish in him.
Expediency probably, rather than inclination, made him a merchant; at
the same time the advantages to be derived from foreign commerce
were then so considerable, that, with the splendid examples of his
father and of his uncle before him, it can be no matter of surprise, that
he forsook the quiet walk of life which his college might have afforded,
for one of honour and emolument. Before going to college he had been
bound apprentice to his uncle, Sir John Gresham, in consequence of
which he was, in 1543, admitted a member of the Mercers' Company,
being then in the twenty-fifth year of his age.
He had at the time the event here described occurred, for some time
been holding the post of Royal agent at Antwerp, greatly to the
satisfaction of the King and their lordships.
In consequence of the maritime position of Antwerp, it far surpassed, in

size and wealth, Brussels, and every other Flemish town. Its population
was estimated at 100,000 souls. Its internal splendour was unequalled,
the wealth of its merchants unsurpassed. They attracted hither traders of
all nations--English, French, Germans, Danes, Osterlings, Italians,
Spaniards and Portuguese. Of these the Spaniards were by far the most
numerous. For many years, the city exhibited the uncommon spectacle
of a multitude of nations, living together like one large family, where
each used its own customs, and spoke its own language. The
inhabitants were talented, and noted for their hospitality. The ladies
were highly educated: many of them could converse in several different
languages; while during most days of the week there was a constant
succession of gay assemblies, banquets, dances and nuptial parties,
while music, singing, and cheerful sounds might be heard by the
passer-by in every street. What a fearful change was in a few short
years to be wrought in this state of things! Shrieks of agony, cries of
despair, hideous, brutal slaughter, blood flowing down the doorsteps of
every house, flames bursting forth from amid those once festive halls!
Ernst was sorry when Sir John De Leigh took his departure. The boy
had gained a powerful friend, though he was not aware of it. Little
more need be said for the present of Ernst Verner's life at that time. He
was treated with the greatest kindness and consideration by Master
Gresham and his lady. Indeed, there was no difference in the care they
bestowed on him and on their little Richard. More than one journey
was made by Master Gresham to England and back, while his family
remained at the house of Caspar Schetz. The Baron Grobbendonck, for
that was his title, who was at that time one of the greatest merchants of
Antwerp, and the chief supporter of the Bourse, was one of the four
brothers who formed an influential mercantile establishment.
Once more Master Gresham returned to Antwerp. At length news came
from England. It was observed that he looked more serious than was
his wont.
The young Protestant King Edward the Sixth was very sick. There
would probably be disturbances in England, for he had set aside the
devise of Henry the Eighth to his daughters Mary and Elizabeth, and

had given the Crown to the heirs of the Lady Frances, the Duchess of
Suffolk, she herself being passed over. The Lady Jane Grey was the
eldest of her three daughters; she had no male heir. Fifteen Lords of the
Council, nine judges, and other officers had signed a paper, agreeing to
maintain the succession contained in the King's notes delivered to the
judges. Master Gresham observed that he feared greatly that this
arrangement would cause disturbances in England. Shortly after this,
another dispatch arrived. It contained the news that King Edward had
died on the 6th of July, twenty-two days after he had thus solemnly
excluded his sisters from the throne.
He acted undoubtedly from right motives, believing this arrangement to
be the best, in order to secure a Protestant ruler and a Protestant faith to
England.
Already had the Reformed faith made great progress. The last prayer of
the young King showed his earnest and abiding love of that faith: "O
Lord God! save Thy chosen people of England. O my Lord God!
defend this realm from papistry, and maintain Thy true religion!" were
almost his dying words.
Master Gresham's anticipations of