But the generous heart is often allied with a hasty temper. The impression made on the Prince by RALEGH’S writings on naval matters had, amongst other results, that of increasing both his interest in the management of the royal dockyards, and his familiar intercourse with Phineas PETT. PETT was master shipwright at Chatham, and, as we have seen, the designer of the prince’s first vessel _Disdain_. [Sidenote: 1608. April. See Chap. ii, pp. 62, 63.] When Sir Robert COTTON had induced the King to issue that Commission of Inquiry into the Navy, of the results of which some account has been given in the preceding Chapter, PETT was one of the persons whose official doings were brought into question. HENRY took a warm interest in the inquiry and testified openly his anxiety on PETT’S behalf. A specific charge about an alleged disproportion between timber paid for and the vessels built therewith was investigated at Woolwich. Both the King and the Prince were present. HENRY stood by PETT’S side. [Sidenote: MS. Life of Phineas Pett, in MS. HARL. 6279 (B. M.) p. 45.] When the evidence was seen to disprove the charge, the Prince cried with a loud voice—disregarding alike the royal presence and the forms of law—‘Where be now those perjured fellows that dare thus abuse His Majesty with false informations? Do they not worthily deserve hanging?’ The warmth of HENRY’S friendship seems to have suffered little diminution by the absence of its objects. [Sidenote: HENRY’S FOREIGN CORRESPONDENCE.] When his friends went to far-off countries he encouraged them to be active correspondents by setting them a good example. He welcomed all sorts of real and worthy information. About the government and affairs of foreign countries his curiosity was insatiable. When important letters came to him he not only read them with care but made abstracts of their contents. When the labour-loving Lord Treasurer SALISBURY noticed, with regret, in his son CRANBORNE certain indications of a turn towards indolence, it was by an appeal to Prince HENRY’S example that he strove to correct the failing. HENRY evinced eagerness to learn by all methods. Books, letters, conversation, personal insight into notable things and new inventions,—were alike acceptable to him. [Sidenote: HIS PURCHASE OF LORD LUMLEY’S LIBRARY.] In April, 1609, the death of John, Lord LUMLEY, without issue, enabled the Prince to gratify his love of books by purchasing a Library which probably was more valuable than any other collection then existing in England, with the exception of that of Sir Robert COTTON.