of Marley (brother of Casaubon's early friend),
an official invitation having been sent him by Richard Bancroft,
archbishop of Canterbury. He had the most flattering reception from
James I., who was perpetually sending for him to discuss theological
matters. The English bishops were equally delighted to find that the
great French scholar was an Anglican ready made, who had arrived, by
independent study of the Fathers, at the very _via media_ between
Puritanism and Romanism, which was becoming the fashion in the English
Church. Casaubon, though a layman, was collated to a prebendal stall in
Canterbury, and a pension of L300 a year was assigned him from the
exchequer. Nor were these merely paper figures. When Sir Julius Caesar
made a difficulty about payment, James sent a note in his own hand:
"Chanceler of my excheker, I will have Mr Casaubon paid before me, my
wife, and my barnes." He still retained his appointments in France, and
his office as librarian. He had obtained leave of absence for a visit to
England, where his permanent settlement was not contemplated. In order
to retain their hold upon him, the government of the queen regent
refused to allow his library to be sent over. It required a special
request from James himself to get leave for Madame Casaubon to bring him
a part of his most necessary books. Casaubon continued to speak of
himself as the servant of the regent, and to declare his readiness to
return when summoned to do so.

Meanwhile his situation in London gradually developed unforeseen sources
of discomfort. Not that he had any reason to complain of his patrons,
the king and the bishops. James continued to the last to delight in his
company, and to be as liberal as the state of his finances allowed. John
Overall had received him and his whole family into the deanery of St
Paul's, and entertained him there for a year. Overall and Lancelot
Andrewes, then bishop of Ely, were the most learned men of a generation
in which extensive reading was more general among the higher clergy than
it has ever been since. These two were attracted to Casaubon by
congenial studies and opinions. With the witty and learned bishop of Ely
in particular Casaubon was always happy to spend such hours as he had to
spare from the labours of the study. Andrewes took him to Cambridge,
where he met with a most gratifying reception from the notabilities of
the university. They went on together to Downham, where Casaubon spent
six wee