I. To Sir James Crofts Knight, at his House neer Lemster.

EPistles, or, (according to the word in use) Familiar Letters, may be call'd the larum bels of Love; I hope this will prove so to you, and have power to awaken you out of that silence wher­in you have slept so long; yet I would not have this larum make any harsh obstreperous sound, but gently summon you to our former corres­pondence; your returns to me shall be more then larum bells, they shall Be like Silver Trumpets to [Page 2] rouze up my spirits, and make me take pen in hand to meet you more then half way in the old field of frendship.

It is recorded of Galen, one of Natures Cabinet Clerks, that when he slept his Siesta (as the Spaniard calls it) or afternoon sleep, to avoid Exces that way, he us'd to fit in such a posture that having a gold­ball in his hand, and a copper vessel underneath as soon as his Senses were shut, and the Phantasie began to work, the ball would fall down, the noise whereof would awake him, and draw the spring-lock back again to set the outward sense at liberty; I have seen in Italy a finger-ring which in the bosse therof had a Watch, and ther was such a trick of art in it that it might be so wownded up, that it would make a small pin to prick him who wore it at such an hour he pleas'd in the night; Let the pen between us have the vertu of that pin: But the pen hath a thousand vertues more; You know that Anser, Apis, Vitulus, The Goose, the Bee, and the Calf do rule the World, the one affording Parchment, the other two sealing Wax, and quills to write withall: You know also how the gaggling of Geese did once preserve the Ca­pitoll from being surpriz'd by my Countreyman Brennus, which was the first forren force that Rome felt; But the Goose quill doth daily greater things, it conserves Empires, (and the feathers of it gets King­domes; witnesse what exploits the English per­form'd by it in France), the Quill being the chiefest instrument of intelligence, and the Ambassadors prime toole; Nay, the quill is the usefull'st thing which preserves that noble Vertu Frendship, who els would perish among men for want of practice.

I shall make no more sallies out of London this [Page 3] Sommer, therefore your Letters may be sure where to find me: Matters are still involv'd here in a strange confusion, but the Stars may let down milder influences, therefore cheer up, and reprieve your self against better times, for the world would be irk­som unto me if you were out of it; Hap what will, you shall be sure to find me

II. To Mr. T. Morgan.

I Receiv'd two of yours upon Tuesday last, one to your brother, the other to me, but the superscri­ptions were mistaken, which makes me think on that famous Civilian Doctor Dale, who being employed to Flanders by Queen Elizabeth, sent in a Packet to the Secretary of State two Letters, one to the Queen, the other to his Wife, but that which was meant for the Queen was superscrib'd, To his dear Wife, and that for his Wife, To her most Excellent Majestie; so that the Queen having open'd his Letter, she found it be­ginning with Sweet Heart, and afterwards with my Dear, and Dear Love, with such expressions, acquaint­ing her with the state of his body, and that he began to want money; you may easily guesse what motions of mirth this mistake rais'd, but the Doctor by this oversight (or cunningnes rather) got a supply of mo­ney: This perchance may be your policy to endorse [Page 4] me your brother, thereby to endear me the more unto you; but you needed not to have done that, for the name Frend goes sometimes further then Brother, and ther be more examples of Frends that did sacri­fice their lives for one another, then of Brothers, which the Writer doth think he should do for you, if the case requir'd. But since I am fallen upon Doctor Dale, who was a witty kind of Drole, I will tell you instead of news (for ther is little good stirring now) of two other facetious tales of his; and Familiar Tales may becom Familiar Letters well enough: When Queen Eliz. did first propose unto him that forren employment to Flanders, among other encourage­ments she told him, that he should have 20 s. per diem for his expences; then, Madame, said he, I will spend 19 s. a day; What will you do with the odd shilling, the Queen replied? I wil reserve that for my Kate, and for Tom and Dic, meaning his wife and children, this induc'd the Queen to enlarge his allowance. But this that comes last is the best of all, and may be call'd the superlatif of the three, which was, when at the overture of the Treaty the other Ambassadors came to propose in what Language they should treat, The Spanish Ambassador answer'd, That the French was the most proper, because his Mistresse entitled her self Queen of France; Nay then, said Doctor Dale, let us treat in Hebrew, for your Master calls himself King of Jerusalem.

I perform'd the civilities you enjoyn'd me to your frends here, who return you the like centuplicated, and so doth

III. To the R. H. the La. E. D.

THer is a French saying, that courtesies and fa­vors are like flowers, which are sweet only while they are fresh, but afterwards they quickly fade and wither. I cannot deny but your favours to me might be compar'd to som kind of flowers, (and they would make a thick Posie) but they should be to the flower call'd life everlasting; or that pretty Vermillion flowr which growes at the foot of the Mountain Aetna in Sicily, which never loses any thing of its first colour and sent: Those favors you did me 30 yeers ago in the life-time of your incomparable Brother Mr. R. Altham, (who left us in the flowr of his age) me thinks are as fresh to me as if they were done yester­day.

Nor were it any danger to compare courtesies don to me to other flowrs, as I use them; for I distil them in the limbeck of my memory, and so turn them to essences.

But Madame, I honor you not as much for favors, as for that precious brooch of vertues which shine in you with that brightnes, but specially for those high motions wherby your Soul soares up so often to­wards heaven; In so much, Madam, that if it were safe to call any Mortal a Saint, you should have that title from me, and I would be one of your chiefest Votaries; howsoever I may without any superstition subscribe my self

IV. To the Lord Marquis of Hartford.

I Receiv'd your Lordships of the eleventh current, with the commands it carried, wherof I shall give an account in my next.

Forren Parts afford not much matter of intelli­gence, it being now the dead of Winter, and the sea­son unfit for action; But we need not go abroad for newes, there is store enough at home. We see daily mighty things, and they are marvellous in our eyes; but the greatest marvail is, that nothing should now be marvail'd at, for we are so habituated to wonders, that they are grown familiar unto us.

Poor England may be said to be like a Ship toss'd up and down the surges of a turbulent Sea, having lost her old Pilot, and God he knowes when she can get into safe harbor again; yet doubtlesse this tem­pest according to the usual operations of nature, and the succession of mundane effects by contrary agents, will turn at last into a calm, though many who are yet in their nonage may not live to see it.

Your Lordship knowes that this [...], this fair frame of the Universe came out of a Chaos, an indi­gested lump; And that this Elementary World was made of a million of ingredients repugnant to them­selves in nature (and the whole is still preserv'd by the reluctancy and restles combatings of these princi­ples). We see how the Shipwright doth make use of knee-timber, and other crosse-grain'd peeces as wel as of streight and eeven, for framing a goodly Vessel to [Page 7] ride on Neptunes back. The Printer useth many con­trary characters in his Art to put forth a fair volume; as d is a p revers'd, and u is an n turn'd upward, with other differing letters which yet concur all to the per­fection of the whole work: Ther go many and various dissonant tones to make an harmonious consort. This puts me in mind of an excellent passage which a no­ble speculative Knight (Sir P. Herbert) hath in his late Conceptions to his Son; How a holy Anchorit being in a Wildernes, among other contemplations he fell to admire the method of Providence, how out of causes which seem bad to us he produceth of­tentimes good effects; how he suffers vertuous, loyal and religious men to be oppress'd, and others to prosper: As he was transported with these ideas, a goodly young man appear'd to him, and told him, Father, I know your thoughts are distracted, and I am sent to quiet them, Therfore if you will accom­pany me a few daies, you shall return very well satis­fied of those doubts that now encomber your mind; so going along with him they were to passe over a deep River wheron ther was a narrow bridge, and meeting there with another passenger, the young man jussled him into the water, and so drown'd him: The old Anchorit being much astonish'd herat, would have left him, but his guide said, Father, be not amaz'd, because I shall give you good reasons for what I do, and you shall see stranger things then this before you and I part, but at last I shall settle your judgment, and put your mind in full repose. So going that night to lodge in an Inne where there was a Crue of Banditi, and debauch'd Ruffians, the young man struck into their company, and revell'd with them till the morning, while the Anchorit spent [Page 8] most of the night in numbring his beads; but as soon as they were departed thence, they met with som Officers who went to apprehend that crue of Banditi they had lest behind them. The next day they came to a Gentlemans House which was a fair Palace, where they receiv'd all the courteous hospitality which could be, but in the morning as they parted ther was a Child in a cradle which was the only son of the Gentlemans, and the young man spying his opportunity strangled the child, and so got away: The third day they came to another Inn, where the man of the House treated them with all the civility that could be, and gratis, yet the young man imbez­zel'd a silver goblet, and carried it away in his pocket, which still encreas'd the amazement of the Anchorit: The fourth day in the Evening they came to lodge at another Inn, where the host was very sullen, and uncivil unto them, exacting much more then the value of what they had spent, yet at parting the young man bestow'd upon him the silver goblet he had stollen from that Host who had us'd them so kindly. The fift day they made towards a great rich Town, but som miles before they came at it, they met with a Merchant at the close of the day, who had a great charge of money about him, and asking the next passage to the Town, the young man put him in a clean contrary way; The Anchorit and his guide being come to the Town, at the gate they spied a devil which lay as it were centinel, but he was asleep; they found also both men and women at sundry kind of sports, som dancing, others singing, with divers sorts of revellings; They went after­wards to a convent of Capuchins, where about the gate they found legions of devils, laying siege to that [Page 9] Monastery, yet they got in and lodg'd there that night: Being awaked the next morning, the young man came to that Cell where the Anchorit was lodg'd, and told him, I know your heart is full of horror, and your head full of confusion, astonish­ments and doubts for what you have seen since the first time of your association: But know, that I am an Angel sent from Heaven to rectifie your judge­ment, as also to correct a little your curiosity in the researches of the wayes and acts of Providence too far; for though separately they seem strange to the shallow apprehension of man, yet conjunctly they all tend to produce good effects.

That man which I tumbled into the River was an act of providence, for he was going upon a most mischievous dissein that would have damnified not onely his own soul, but destroy'd the party against whom it was intended; therfore I prevented it.

The cause why I convers'd all night with that c [...]ue of Rogues was also an act of Providence; for they intended to go a robbing all that night, but I kept them there purposely till the next morning, that the hand of Justice might seize upon them.

Touching the kind host from whom I took the silver goblet, and the clownish or knavish host, to whom I gave it, let this demonstrate unto you, That good men are liable to crosses and losses, wherof bad men oftentimes reap the benefit; but it commonly produceth patience in the one, and pride in the other.

Concerning that noble Gentleman whose Child I strangled after so courteous entertainment, know, that that also was an Act of Providence; for the Gentleman was so indulgent and doting on that [Page 10] Child, that it lessen'd his love to heaven, so I took away the cause.

Touching the Marchant whom I misguided in his way, it was likewise an act of Providence; for had he gone the direct way to this Town, he had bin robb'd, and his throat cut, therefore I preserv'd him by that deviation.

Now concerning this great luxurious City, wher­as we spied but one Devil which lay asleep without the gate, ther being so many about this poor Con­vent, you must consider, that Lucifer being already assur'd of that riotous Town by corrupting their manners evry day more and more, he needs but one single Centinel to secure it; But for this holy place of retirement, this Monastery inhabited by so many devout soules who spend their whole lives in acts of mortification, as exercises of piety and penance, he hath brought so many legions to beleager them, yet he can do no good upon them, for they bear up against him most undauntedly, maugre all his infer­nal power and stratagems: So the young man, or Divine Messenger suddenly disappeer'd and vanish'd; yet leaving his fellow-traveller in good hands.

My Lord, I crave your pardon for this extrava­gancy and the tediousnes therof, but I hope the sub­limity of the matter will make som compensation, which if I am not deceiv'd, will well sure with your genius, for I know your contemplations to be as high as your condition, and as much above the Vul­gar: This figurative story shews that the wayes of Providence are inscrutable, his intention and method of operation not conformable oftentimes to humane judgment, the plummets and line wherof is infinitly too short to fadom the depth of his designes; ther­fore [Page 11] let us acquiesce in an humble admiration, and with this confidence that all things co-operate to the best at last as they relate to his glory, and the general good of his creatures, though somtimes as they ap­peer to us, by uncouth circumstances, and crosse me­diums.

So in a due distance, and posture of humility I kisse your Lorships hands, as being,

V. To R. Baker, Esquire.

NOw that Lent and the Spring do make their ap­proach, in my opinion Fasting would conduce much to the advantage of Soul and Body; Though our second Institution of observing Lent aym'd at Civil respects, as to preserve the brood of cattle, and advance the profession of Fishermen, yet it concurs with the first Institution, viz. a pure spiritual End, which was to subdue the flesh, and that being brought under, our other two spiritual Enemies the World and the Devil, are the sooner overcom. The Naturalists observe, that morning spittle kills Dragons, so Fasting helps to destroy the Devil, provided it be accompa­nied with other acts of devotion; To fast for one [Page 12] day only from about nine in the morning to four in the afternoon, is but a mock-fast. The Turks do more then so in their Ramirams and Beirams, and the Jew also, for he fasts from the dawn in the morning till the Stars be up in the night, as you observe in the devout and delicat Poem you pleas'd to commu­nicat unto me lately, I was so taken with the subject, that I presently lighted my Candle at your Torch, and fell into these Stanzas:

The French Reformists have an odd way of keeping Lent, for I have seen the walls of their Temples turn'd to Shambles, and flesh hanging upon them on Lent-Sundayes; Insomuch, that he who doth not know their practice, would take their Churches to be Sy­nagogs of Jewes, and that the bloody Levitical Sa­crifices were offer'd there.

And now that my thoughts are in France, a witty passage of Henry the Great comes into my mind, [Page 14] who being himself in the field sent to the old Count of Soissons to accompany him with what Forces he could make; The Count answer'd, That he was grown decrepit and crazy, besides, his estate was so, being much exhausted in the former Wars, and all that he could do now for his Majesty was to pray for him: Doth my Cosen of Soissons, said the King, answer me so? They say, That prayer without fasting hath nothing that Efficacy, as when they are joyn'd Ventre de St. Gris, By the belly of St. Gris, I will make him fast as well as pray, for I will not pay him a penny of his ten thousand Crowns Pension, which he hath yeerly for these respects.

The Christian Church hath a longer and more so­lemn way of fasting then any other Religion, take Lent and Ember-weeks together: In som Churches the Christian useth the old way of mortification by sackcloth and ashes to this day; which makes me think on a facetious tale of a Turkish Ambassador in Venice, who being return'd to Constantinople, and ask'd what he had observ'd most remarkable in that so rare a City? he answer'd, That among other things the Christian hath a kind of ashes, which thrown upon the head doth presently cure madnes; for in Venice I saw the peeple go up and down the streets (said he) in ugly, antique strange disguises, as being in the eye of human reason stark mad, but the next day (meaning Ashwensday) they are suddenly cur'd of that madnes by a sort of ashes which they cast upon their heads.

If the said Ambassador were here among us, he would think our Modern Gallants were also all mad, or subject to be mad, because they ashe and powder their pericraniums all the yeer long.

So wishing you Meditations suitable to the season, and good thoughts which are best when they are the osprings of good actions, I rest,

VI. To Mr. R. Manwayring.

IF you are as well when you read this, as I was when I wrote it, we are both well; I am certain of the one, but anxious of the other, in regard of your so long silence; I pray at the return of this Post let your Pen pull out this thorn that hath got into my thoughts, and let me have oftner room in yours, for you know I am your perfect frend,

VII. To Sir Edward Spencer Knight.

I Find by your last of the first current, that your thoughts are much busied in forming your new Common wealth; and wheras the Province that is allotted to me is to treat of a right way to govern the Femal Sex, I hold my lot to be fallen upon a fair [Page 16] ground, and I will endeavour to husband it accord­ingly; I find also that for the establishment of this new Republic you have cull'd out the choicest Wits in all faculties, therfore I account it an honor that you have put me in the List, though the least of them.

In evry species of Government, and indeed among all Societies of mankind (Reclus'd Orders, and other Regulars excepted) there must be a special care had of the Femal kind; for nothing can conduce more to the propagation, and perpetuity of a Republic, then the well managing of that gentle and useful Sex; For though they be accounted the weaker ves­sels, yet are they those in whom the whole masse of mankind is moulded, therfore they must not be us'd like Saffron bags, or Verdé bottles which are thrown into som by-corner when the wine, and spice are ta­ken out of them.

It was an opinion truly befitting a Jew to hold, That Woman is of an inferior creation to Man, being made only for multiplication and pleasure, therfore hath she no admittance into the body of the Syna­gog; Such another opinion was that of the Pagan Poet who stutter'd out this verse, that ther are but two good hours of any woman,

[...]: Ʋnam in thalamo, alieram in tumulo; One hour in Bed, the other in the Grave.

Moreover, I hold also that of the Orator to be a wild extravagant speech, when he said, that if Wo­men were not conterranean and mingled with men, Angels would descend and dwell among us. But a far wilder speech was that of the Dogg-Philosopher, who term'd Women Necessary Evils. Of this Cynical Sect, it seems was he, who would needs make Orcus to be the [Page 17] Anagram of Ʋxor, by contracting c, s into an x. Ʋxor et Orcus —idem.

Yet I confesse, that among this Sex, as among men, ther are som good, som bad, som vertuous, som vicious, and som of an indifferent nature in whom vertu makes a compensation for vice. If ther was an Empresse in Rome so cunning in her lust, that she would take in no passenger untill the vessel was freighted, (for fear the resemblance of the child might discover the tru father,) Ther was a Zenobia in Asia who would not suffer her husband to know her carnally no longer when once she found her self quick. If ther were a Queen of France that poyson'd her King, ther was a Queen in England, who when her Husband had bin shot with an envenom'd arrow in the Holy Land, suck'd out the poyson with her own mouth when none els would do it. If the Lady Barbara Wife to Sigismund the Emperour; being advis'd by her ghostly Father after his death to live like a Turtle, having lost such a Mate that the world had not the like, made this wanton answer, Father, since you would have me to lead the life of a Bird, why not of a Sparrow, as well as of a Turtle? Which she did afterwards; I say, if ther were such a Lady Barbara. Ther was the Lady Beatrix, who after Henry her Em­perours death lived after like a Dove, and immur'd her self in a Monastic Cell. But what shall I say of Queen Artemisia who had an Urnful of her husband Mausolu's ashes in her closet, wherof she would take down a dram every morning next her heart, saying, that her body was the fittest place to be a sepulcher to her dear Husband, notwithstanding that she had erected such a Tomb for the rest of his body that to this day is one of the wonders of the world.

Moreover, it cannot be denied, but som females are of a high and harsh nature, witnes those that two of our late greatest Clerks for Law and Learning (Lo. B. and C.) did meet withall, one of whom was said to have brought back her Husband to his horn-book again: As also Moyses and Socrates Wives, who were Zipporah and Xantippe, you may guesse at the humor of One in the holy Code, And for Xantippe, among many other instances which might be produc'd let this serve for one; After she had scolded her Husband one day out of doores, as the poor man was going out, she whipp'd up into an upper loft, and threw a pispot full upon his Sconce, which made the Patient Philosopher (or Foolosopher) to break into this speech for the venting of his pas­sion, I thought after so much thunder we should have rain. To this may be added my neighbours Strowd's Wife in Westminster, who once ringing him a peal as she was basting his roast (for he was a Cook) after he had newly com from the Tavern upon Sunday Evening she grew hotter and hotter against him, ha­ving Hell and the Devil in her mouth to whom she often bequeath'd him; The staring Husband having heard her a great while with silence, at last an­swer'd, I prethee sweet heart do not talk so much to me of the Devil, because I know he will do me no hurt, for I have married his Kinswoman. I know ther are many that wear horns, and ride daily upon Coll­staves, but this proceeds not so often from the fault of the Female, as the sillines of the Husband who knowes not how to manage a Wife.

But a thousand such instances are not able to make me a Mysogenes, a Female-foe, therfore towards the policing and perpetuating of this your new Repub­lic, [Page 19] ther must be som special rules for regulating of Marriage; for a wife is the best or the worst fortune that can betide a man throughout the whole train of his life: Plato's promiscuous concubitus or copula­tion is more proper for Beasts then Rational Crea­tures: That incestuous custom they have in China, that one should marry his own sister, and in default of one, the next akin, I utterly dislike: Nor do I approve of that goatish latitude of lust which the Alcoran allowes, for one man to have eight Wives, and as many Concubines as he can well maintain; Nor of another branch of their Law, That a man should marry after such an age under pain of mortal sin, (for then what would becom of me?) No, I would have every man left at liberty in this point, for ther are men enough besides to peeple the Earth.

But that opinion of a poor shallow-brain'd puppy, who upon any cause of disaffection, would have men to have a priviledg to change their Wives or repudiat them, deserves to be hiss'd at rather then confuted; for nothing can tend more to usher in all confusion and beggery throughout the world; Therfore that Wise-aker deserves of all other to wear a toting horn. In this Republic one man should be contented with one Wife, and he may have work enough to do with her: But wheras in other Common-wealths men use to wear invisible horns, it would be a wholsom constitution, that they who upon too much jealousie and restraint, or ill usage of their Wives, or indeed not knowing how to use and manne them aright, (which is one of the prime points of masculin discre­tion As also) they who according to that barba­rous custom in Russia do use to beat their Wives duly once a week: But specially they who in their ab­sence [Page 20] coop them up and secure their bodies with locks, I say it would be a very fitting Ordinance in this new moulded Common-Wealth, that all such who impell their Wives by these meanes to change their Riders, should wear plain visible horns that passengers may beware of them as they go along, and give warning to others, —Cornu ferit Ille Caveto. For indeed nothing doth incite the masse of blood, and muster up libidinous thoughts more then diffi­dence, and restraint.

Moreover, in coupling women by way of Matri­mony, it would be a good Law, and consentaneous to reason, if out of all Dowries exceeding 100 l. ther should be two out of every cent deducted and put into a common Tresury for putting off hard-favor'd and poor Maids.

Touching Virginity and the Vestal fire I could wish 'twere the worst custom the Roman Church had, when gentle soules to endear themselves the more unto their Creator, do immure their bodies within perpetual bounds of chastity, dieting them­selves and using austerities accordingly, wherby, bid­ding a farewel, and dying unto the world, they bury themselves alive as it were, and so passe their time in constant exercises of piety, and penance night and day, or in som other employments of vertu, holding Idlenes to be a mortal sin: were this cloyster'd cours of life meerly spontaneous and unforc'd, I could well be contented that it were practis'd in your new Republic.

But ther are other kind of Cloysters in som Com­mon-Wealths, and among those who are accounted the wisest and best policed, which Cloysters are of a clean contrary nature to the former: These they call [Page 21] the Courtesan Cloysters. And as in the other som femals shut up themselves to keep the sacred fire of pudicity and continence, so in these latter ther are som of the hansom'st sorts of femals who are con­niv'd at to quench the flames of irregular lust, lest they should break into the lawful married bed. 'Tis true, Nature hath pour'd more active, and hotter blood into the veins of som men wherin ther are stronger appetits and motions, which moti­ons were not given by nature to be a torment to man, but to be turn'd into delight, health and propagation; Therfore they to whom the gift of continence is de­nyed, and have not the conveniency to have debita vasa, and lawful coolers of their own by way of wed­lock, use to extinguish their fires in these Venerean Cloysters, rather then abuse their neighbours Wives, and break into other mens inclosures. But whether such a custom may be conniv'd at in this your Repub­lic, and that such a Common may be allow'd to them who have no Inclosures of their own, I leave to wiser Legislators then my self to determine, specially in South-east hot Countreys where Venerean tit [...]llation (which Scaliger held to be a sixt outward sense, but ridiculously) is in a stronger degree, I say, I leave others to judge whether such a Randevous be to be conniv'd at in hotter climes wher both Air, and Food, and the bloud of the grape do all concur to make one more libidinous. But it is a vulgar error to think that the heat of the clime is the cause of lust; It proceeds rather from adust choler and melancholy that predominat, which humors carry with them a salt and sharp itching quality.

The dull Hollander (with other Northwest Nations, whose bloud may be said to be as buttermilk in their [Page 22] veins) is not so frequently subject to such fits of lust, therfore he hath no such Cloysters or Houses for La­dies of plesure; Witnes the tale of Hans Boobikin a rich Boors Son, whom his Father had sent abroad a Fryring, that is, a Shroving in our Language, and so put him in an equippage accordingly, having a new Sword and Scarf, with a gold Hatband and mo­ney in his purse to visit hansom Ladies; but Hans, not knowing where to go els, went to his Gran­mothers House, where he fell a courting and feasting of her; But his Father questioning him at his return where he had bin a fryring, and he answering that he had bin at his Granmothers; The Boor replied, Gods Sacramant, I hope thou hast not layn with my Mother: Yes, said Boobikin, Why should not I lye with your Mother, as you have layn with mine?

Thus in conformity to your desires, and the task impos'd upon me, have I scribled out this peece of Drollery, which is the way, as I take it, that your de­sign drives at; I reserve som things till I see what others have don in the several Provinces they have undertaken towards the settlement of your new Re­public.

So with a thousand thanks for your last hospitable favours, I rest as I have reason, and as you know me to be

VIII. To Mr. T. V. Barister, at his Chamber in the Temple.

I Did not think it was in the power of passion to have wrought upon you with that violence; for I do not remember to have known any (of so sea­son'd a judgment as you are) lost so far after so frail a thing as a Female; but you will say Hercules him­self stoop'd herunto, 'tis true he did, as appeers by this Distich,

The saying also of the old Comic Poet makes for you, when he said, Qui in amorem cecidit pejus agit quàm si saxo saliat, To be tormented with love is worse then to dance upon hot stones: Therfore partly out of a sense of your suffring, as well as upon the seriousnes of your request, but specially under­standing that the Gentlewoman hath Parts and Por­tion accordingly, I have don what you desir'd me in these lines; which though plain, short, and sudden, yet they display the manner how you were surpriz'd, and the depth of your passion.

I wish this Hexastic may have power to strike her as deep as I find her eyes struck you. The Spaniard saith ther are four things requir'd in a Woer, viz. to be Savio, Secreto, Selo and Sollicito, that is, to be Sol­licitous, Secret, Sole and Sage: Observe these rules, and she may make Her self your Client, and so em­ploy you to open her Case, and recover her Portion, which I hear is in Hucksters hands.

So my dear Cosen, I heartily wish you the accom­plishment of your desires, and rest upon all occa­sions

IX. To Sir R. Williams Knight.

I Am one among many who much rejoyce at the fortunat windfall that happen'd lately, which hath so fairly rais'd and recreuted your fortunes. It is commonly seen, that Ʋbi est multùm Phantasiae (viz. ingenii) ibi est parùm Fortunae, & ubi est multùm For­tunae ibi est parùm Phantasiae. Where ther is much of Fancy, ther is little of Fortune; and where ther is much of Fortune, ther's little of Fancy. It seems that Re­corder [Page 25] Fleetwood reflected upon one part of this say­ing, when, in his Speech to the Londoners, among other passages whereby he sooth'd and stroak'd them, he said, When I consider your wit, I admire your wealth. But touching the Latin saying it is quite con­vinc'd in you, for you have Fancy and Fortune (now) in abundance: And a strong argument may be drawn, That Fortune is not blind, by her carriage to you, for she saw well enough what she did, when she smil'd so lately upon you.

Now, he is the really rich man who can make tru use of his riches, He makes not Nummum his Nu­men, money his God, but makes himself Dominum Nummi, but becomes Master of his peny: The first is the arrand'st beggar, and slave that is; nay, He is worse then the Arcadian Asse, who while he carri­eth gold on his back, eats thistles: He is baser then that sordid Italian Stationer, who would not allow himself brown paper enough to wipe his poste­riors.

Now, it is observ'd to be the nature of Covetous­nes, that when all other sins grow old, Covetousnes in som sordid soules growes younger and younger, hence I beleeve sprung the Citty Proverb, That the Son is happy whose Father went to the Devil. Yet I like the saying Tom Waters hath often in his mouth, I had rather leave when I die, then lack while I live. But why do I speak of these things to you who have so noble a Soul, and so much above the Vul­gar?

Your Frend Mr. Watts is still troubled with cough­ing, and truly I beleeve he is not to be long among us: for, as the Turk hath it, A dry Cough is the [Page 26] Trompeter of death: He presents his most affectionat respects unto you, and so doth,

X. To Sir R. Cary Knight.

I Had yours of the 20^th currrent on St. Thomas yeeve, which was most welcom unto me; and (to make a seasonable comparison) your Letters are like Christ­mas, they com but once a yeer; yet I made very good cheer with your last, specially with that Sera­phic Hymn which came inclosed therwith to usher in this Holy tyde; and to correspond with you in som mesure that way, I have return'd you another of the same subject: For as I have observ'd, two Lutes be­ing tun'd alike, if one of them be played upon, the other, though being a good way distant, will sound of it self, and keep symphony with the first that's played upon, (which whether it proceeds from the meer motion of the air, or the emanation of Atoms, I will not undertake to determine,) So the sound of your Muse hath scrued up mine to the same key and tune in these ternaries:

The Muse confounded with the mystery according to the subject matter, ends with a question of admi­ration.

So wishing you as heartily as to my self (according to the instant season, and the old complement of England) a merry Christmas, and consequently a happy new yeer, I subscribe my self,

XI. To J. Sutton, Esq;

VVHeras you desire my opinion of the late History translated by Mr. Wad: of the Civil Wars of Spain in the beginning of Charles the Emperours Reign, I cannot choose but tell you, That it is a faithful and pure maiden story, never blown upon before in any Language but in Spanish, therfore very worthy your perusal: For among those various kind of studies that your contemplative soul delights in, I hold History to be most fitting to your qua­lity.

Now, among those sundry advantages which ac­crue to a Reader of History, one is, that no Modern accident can seem strange unto him, much lesse asto­nish him: He will leave off wondring at any thing, in regard he may remember to have read of the same; or much like the same that happen'd in former times; [Page 29] therfore he doth not stand staring like a child at evry unusual spectacle, like that simple American; who, the first time he saw a Spaniard on horseback, thought the man and the beast to be but one Creture, and that the horse did chew the rings of his bit, and eat them.

Now, indeed, not to be an Historian, that is not to know what Forren Nations, and our Forefathers did, Hoc est semper esse Puer, as Cicero hath it, this is still to be a child who gazeth at evry thing. Whence may be inferr'd, ther is no knowledge that ripeneth the judgment, and puts one out of his nonage sooner then History.

If I had not formerly read the Barons Wars in England, I had more admir'd that of the Liguers in France: He who had read the near upon fourscore yeers Warrs in Low-Germany, I believe never won­dred at the late thirty yeers Warrs in High-Germany. I had wondred more that Richard of Bourdeaux was knock'd down with Halbards, had I not read for­merly that Edward of Caernarvon was made away by a hot iron thrust up his fondament. It was strange that Murat the great Ottomon Emperour should be lately strangled in his own Court at Constantinople, yet considering that Osman his Predecessor had bin knock'd down by one of his ordinary slaves not many yeers before, it was not strange at all. The Blazing Star in Virgo 34 yeers since did not seem strange to him who had read of that which appeer'd in Cassio­paeïa and other Constellations som yeers before. Hence may be infer'd, That History is the great Loo­king-Glasse through which we may behold with An­cestral eyes, not only the various actions of ages pass'd, and the odd accidents that attend time, but [Page 30] also discern the different humors of men, and feel the pulse of former times.

This History will display the very intrinsecals of the Castillian, who goes for the prime Spaniard, and make that opinion a Paradox, which cryes him up to be so constant to his principles, so loyal to his Prince, and so conformable to Government, for it will dis­cover as much levity, and tumultuary passions in him as in other Nations.

Among divers other Examples which could be produc'd out of this story, I will instance in one: When Juan de Padillia an infamous fellow, and of base Extraction was made General of the pee­ple, among others ther was a Priest, that being a great Zelot for him us'd to pray publickly in the Church, Let us pray for the holy Comminalty, and his Majesty Don Juan de Padillia, and for the Lady Donna Maria Pacheco his Wife, &c. But a little after som of Juan de Padilla's Soldiers having quarter'd in his house, and pittifully plunder'd him, the next Sun­day the same Priest said in the Church, Beloved Chri­stians, you know how Juan de Padilla passing this way, som of his Brigade were billetted in my House, Truly they have not left me one chicken, they have drunk up a whole barrel of Wine, devour'd my Bacon, and taken away my Catalina, my Maid Kate, I charge you ther­fore to pray no more for him, &c. Divers such traver­ses as these may be read in that story, which may be the reason why it was suppress'd in Spain, that it should not crosse the Seas, or clammer o're the Pyre­neans to acquaint other Nations with their foolery and basenes; yet Mr. Simon Digby, a Gentleman of much worth got a Copy, which he brought over with him, out of which this Translation is deriv'd; [Page 31] though I must tell you by the by, that som passages were commanded to be omitted, because they had too near an analogy with our times.

So in a serious way of tru frendship, I professe my self,

XII. To the Lo. Marquis of Dorchester.

THer is a sentence that carrieth a high sense with it, viz. Ingenia Principum fata Temporum, The fancy of the Prince is the fate of the times in point of Peace or Warr, Oppression or Justice, vertu or vice, prophanes or devotion, for Regis ad exemplum; But ther is another saying which is as tru, viz. Genius plebis est fatum Principis, The happines of the Prince depends upon the humor' of the peeple. Ther can­not be a more pregnant example herof, then in that successful and long-liv'd Queen, Q. Elizabeth, who having com as it were from the Scaffold to the Throne, enjoy'd a wonderful calm, (excepting som short gusts of insurrection that happen'd in the beginning) for nere upon 45 yeers together: But this, my Lord, may be imputed to the temper of the peeple, who had had a boystrous King not long before, with so ma­ny revolutions in Religion, and a Minor King af­terward which made them to be govern'd by their [Page 32] fellow-Subjects; And the fire and fagot being fre­quent among them in Queen Maries daies, the hu­mors of the common peeple were pretty well spent, and so were willing to conform to any Government that might preserve them and their estates in quiet­nes. Yet in the Reign of that so popular and wel-belov'd Queen, ther were many traverses which trench'd as much if not more upon the Priviledges of Parlement, and the Liberties of the peeple, then any that happen'd in the Reign of the two last Kings, yet it was not their fate to be so popular. Touching the first, viz. Parlement; In one of hers, ther was a motion made in the House of Commons, that ther should be a Lecture in the morning som daies of the week before they sate, wherunto the House was ve­ry inclinable: The Queen hearing of it, sent them a Message that she much wondred at their rashnes, that they should offer to introduce such an Innova­tion.

Another Parlement would have propos'd waies for the regulation of her Court; but she sent them another such Message, That she wondred they being call'd by her thither to consult of public affairs, they should intermeddle with the goverment of her ordi­nary Family, and to think her to be so ill a Huswife as not to be able to look to her own house her self.

In another Parlement ther was a motion made, that the Queen should entail the succession of the Crown, and declare her next Heir: but Wentworth who pro­pos'd it, was committed to the Tower, where he breath'd his last; and Bromley upon a lesse occasion was clap'd in the Fleet,

Another time the House petitioning that som Lords might joyn in private Committees with the Commoners, she utterly rejected it. You know how Stubbs and Page had their hands cut off with a But­chers knife and a Mallet, because they writ against the Match with the Duke of Anjou; and Penry was hang'd at Tyburn, though Alured who writ a bitter invective against the late Spanish Match, was but confin'd for a short time; how Sir John Heywood was shut up in the Tower, for an Epistle Dedicatory to the Earl of Essex, &c.

Touching her Favorits, what a monster of a man was Leicester, who first brought the Art of poysning into England? How many of her Maids of Honor did receive claps at Court? Add hereunto that Privy Seales were common in her daies, and pressing of men more frequent, specially for Ireland, where they were sent in handfuls rather to continu a Warr, (by the cunning of the Officers) then to conclude it. The three Fleets she sent against the Spaniard did hardly make the benefit of the Voyages to countervail the charge. How poorly did the English Garrison quit Haure de Grace? and how were we baffled for the arreares that were due unto England (by article) for the Forces sent into France? For buildings, with all kind of braveries els that use to make a Nation hap­py, as Riches and Commerce inward and outward, it was not the twentieth part so much in the best of her dayes, (as appeers by the Custom-House Book) as it was in the Reign of her Successors.

Touching the Religion of the Court, she seldom came to Sermon but in Lent time, nor did ther use to be any Sermon upon Sundaies, unlesse they were Festivals: Wheras the two succeeding Kings had [Page 34] two duly every morning, one for the houshold, the other for themselves, where they were alwayes pre­sent, as also at privat prayers in the closet; yet it was not their fortune to gain so much upon the af­fections of City or Countrey: Therfore, my Lord, the felicity of Queen Elizabeth may be much impu­ted to the rare temper and moderation of mens minds in those daies, for the pulse of the common peeple, and Londoners did beat nothing so high as it did afterwards when they grew pamper'd with so long peace and plenty. Add herunto, that neither Hans, Jocky, or John Calvin, had taken such footing here as they did get afterwards, whose humor is to pry and peep with a kind of malice into the carriage of the Court and mysteries of State, as also to ma­lign Nobility, with the wealth and solemnities of the Church.

My Lord, it is far from my meaning hereby to let dropp the least aspersion upon the Tomb of that rare renowned Queen, but it is only to observe the diffring temper both of time and peeple. The fame of som Princes is like the Rose, which, as we find by Experience, smells sweeter after 'tis pluck'd: The memory of others is like the Tulyp and Poppie, which make a gay shew, and fair florish while they stand upon the stalk, but being cut down, they give an ill-favor'd sente: It was the happines of that great long-liv'd Queen to cast a pleasing odor among her peeple both while she stood, and after she was cut off by the common stroak of mortality; and the older the world growes, the fresher her Fame will be. Yet she is little beholden to any forren Writers, un­lesse it be the Hollanders, and good reason they had to speak well of her, for she was the chiefest Instru­ment [Page 35] who, though with the expence of much English bloud, and bullion, rais'd them to a Republic, by ca­sting that fatal bone for the Spaniard to gnaw upon, which shook his teeth so ill-favoredly for fourscore yeers together. Other Writers speak bitterly of her for her cariage to her Sister the Queen of Scots, for her ingratitude to her brother Philip of Spain; for giving advice by her Ambassador with the great Turk to expell the Jesuitts, who had got a Colledge in Pera, as also that her Secretary Walsingham should project the poysning of the Waters of Donay; and lastly, how she suffer'd the Festival of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in September to be turn'd to the celebration of her own birth-day, &c. But these stains are cast upon her by her enemies; and the aspersions of an Enemy use to be like the dirt of Oy­sters, which doth rather cleanse then contaminat.

Thus, my Lord, have I pointed at som remarks, to shew how various and discrepant the humors of a Nation may be, and the genius of the Times, from what it was; which doubtles must proceed from a High all-disposing power: A speculation that may becom the greatest, and knowing'st spirits, among whom your Lordship doth shine as a star of the first magnitud; For your House may be call'd a tru Aca­demy, and your head the Capitol of knowledge, or rather an Exchequer, wherin ther is tresure enough to give Pensions to all the Witts of the Time; with these thoughts I rest,

XIII. To Mr. R. Floyd.

THe first part of Wisdom is to give good Coun­sell, the second to take it, and the third to fellow it; Though you be young, yet you may be already capable of the two latter parts of wisdom, and it is the onely way to attain to the first: therfore I wish you to take and follow the good counsel of your Oncle J. for I know him to be a very discreet well-weigh'd Gentleman, and I can judge somthing of men, for I have studied many: Therfore if you steer by his compasse in this great busines you have undertaken, you need not fear shipwrak. This is the advice of

XIV. To my Reverend and Learned Countrey­man, Mr. R. Jones.

IT is, among many other, one of my imperfections, that I am not vers'd in my maternal Toung so exact­ly as I should be; The reason is, that Languages and words (which are the chief Cretures of man, and the keys of knowledg) may be said to stick in the me­mory [Page 37] like nails or peggs in a Wainscott dore, which use to thrust out one another oftentimes: Yet the old British is not so driven out of mine, (for the cask savours still of the liquor it first took in) but I can say somthing of this elaborat and ingenious peece of yours which you please to communicat unto me so early; I cannot compare it more properly then to a basket of Posies gather'd in the best garden of flowers the Sacred Scriptures, and bound up with such art, that evry flower directs us where his bed may be found: Whence I infer, that this Work will much conduce to the advancement of [...], or Scripture knowledg., and consequently to the public good; It will also tend to the honor of our whole Countrey, and to your own particular Re­pute: Therfore I wish you good successe to make this child of your brain free denizen of the World.

XV. To J. S. Esq; at White-Fryers.

THis new Peece of Philosophy comes to usher in the new-Yeer unto you; it dropp'd from the brain of one of the subtillest spirits of France, and a great Personage (the Duke of Espernon), though he­terodoxal, and cross-grain'd to the old Philosophers: Among divers other Tenets he holds, that Privatio [Page 38] is unworthy to be one of the three Principles of na­tural things, and would put Love in the place of it: But you know, Sir, that among other infirmities which Nature hath entayl'd upon man while he gropes here for truth among the Elements, discre­pancy of Notions, and desire of Novelty are none of the least.

Now, touching this Critical Tract ther's not any more capable to censure it then your self, whose Judgment is known to be so sound and Magisteriall; let the pettines of the gift be supplied by the preg­nancy of the Will, which swells with mountains of desires to serve you, and to shew in action as well as in words, how ready I would be

XVI. To the Earl of Lindsey Great Chamberlain of England, at Ricot.

I Most humbly thank your Lordship for the noble Present you commanded to be sent me from Grimsthorp, where, without disparagement to any, I may say you live as much like a Prince as any Grande in Christendom. Among those many Heroik parts (which appeer'd so much in that tough battail of Kinton, where having all your Officers kill'd, yet you kept the Field, and preserv'd your wounded Fa­ther [Page 39] from the fury of the Soldier, and from death for the time: As also for being the inseparablest Cubi­cular Companion the King took comfort in, in the height of his troubles,) I say, among other high parts which speak you noble, you are cryed up, my Lord, to be an excellent Horseman, Huntsman, and Forester. This makes me bold to make your Lordship the Judge of a small Discours, which upon a Critical dispute touching the Vocall Forest that goes abroad in my name, was impos'd upon me, to satisfie them who thought I knew somthing more then ordinary, what belong'd to a tru Forest.

Ther be three places for Venery or Venatical ple­sure in England, viz. a Forest, a Chase, and a Park, they all three agree in one thing, which is, that they are habitations for wild beasts; The two first lye open, the last inclos'd: The Forest is the most noble of all, for it is a Franchise of so Princely a tenure, that, ac­cording to our Lawes, none but the King can have a Forest; If he chance to passe one over to a Subject, 'tis no more Forest, but frank Chace. Moreover, a Forest hath the preheminence of the other two both in Laws, in Officers, in Courts and kinds of beasts. If any offend in a Chase or Park, he is punishable by the Common Law of the Land; But a Forest hath Lawes of her own to take cognisance of all trespasses; she hath also her peculiar Officers, as Foresters, Verderers, Regarders, Agisters, &c. wheras a Chase or Park hath only Keepers and Woodwards. A Forest hath her Court of attachments, or Swainmote Court, where matters are as pleadable, and determinable, as at Westminster-Hall. Lastly, they differ somthing in the species of beasts; The Hart, the Hind, the Hare, the Bore, the Wolf are Forest beasts. The Buck, the Doe, the Fox, [Page 40] the Matron, the Roe are beasts belonging to a Chase and Park

The greatest Forester they say that ever was in England was King Canutus the Dane, and after him St. Edward, at which time Liber Rufus the Red Book for Forest Lawes was made; wherof one of the Laws was, Omnis Homo abstineat à Venariis meis super poe­nam Vitae; Let evry one refrain from my places of hunting upon pain of death.

Henry fitz Empresse (viz. the second) did coafforest much land, which continued all his reign, though much complain'd of: But in King John's time most of the Nobles and Gentry met in the great Medow 'twixt Winsore and Stanes, to petition the King that he would disafforest som, which he promised to do, but death prevented him; But in Henry the thirds time the Charta de Foresta (together with Magna Charta) were establish'd; so that ther was much land disafforested, which hath bin call'd pourlieus ever since, wherof ther were appointed Rangers, &c.

Among other innocent animals which have suffer'd by these Warrs, the poor Deer have felt the fury ther­of as much as any; Nay, the very Vegetals have en­dur'd the brunt of it: Insomuch that it is not impro­perly said, That England of late is full of New Lights, her Woods being cut down, and so much destroy'd in most places. So craving your Lordships pardon for this rambling peece of paper, I rest,

XVII. To Mr. E. Field at Orleans.

IN your last you write to me that you are settled for a while in Orleans the loveliest City upon the Loire, and the best School for gaining pure Language, for as the Attique dialect in Greece, so the Aurelian in France doth bear the bell: But I must tell you, though you live now upon a brave River that divides France well nere in two parts, yet she is held to be the drunkenst River in Christendom, for she swallowes 32 other Rivers which she disgorgeth all into the Sea at Nants: she may be call'd a more drunken River then Ebro in Spain, which takes her name from Ebrio ac­cording to the proverb there, Me llamo Ebro porque de todas aguas bevo, I call my self Ebro, because I drink of all waters.

Moreover, Though you sojourn now in one of the plentifull'st Continents upon Earth, yet I believe you will find the peeple, I mean the Peasans, no where poorer, and more slavish; which convinceth two Er­rors, one of Aristotle, who affirms, that the Coun­trey of Gallia though bordring upon Spain hath no Asses: If he were living now he would avouch the greatest part of the Inhabitants to be all Asses, they lye under such an intolerable burden of taxes: The second Error is, That France is held to be the freest Countrey upon Earth to all peeple; for if a slave comes once to breath French air, he is free ipso facto, if we may beleeve Bodin, it being a fundamental Law [Page 42] of France, Servi peregrini, ut primùm Galliae fines pe­netraverint liberi sunto, Let stranger-slaves as soon as they shall penetrat the borders of France be free. I know not what priviledg strangers may claym, but for the Native French themselves, I hold them to be under the greatest servitude of any other Nation. Ther is another Law in France which inhibits women to rule; but what benefit doth accrue by this Law all the while that women are Regent and govern those who do rule? which hath bin exemplified in three Queen-Mothers together; The Huguenots have long since voted the first two to Hell to encrease the nomber of the Furies, and the Spaniard hath voted the third thither to make up the half dozen, for continuing a more violent Warr against her now only brother, and with more eagernes then her hus­band did.

So I wish you all happines in your peregrination, advising you to take heed of that turbid humor of melancholy, which they say you are too prone unto; For take this for a rule, that He who makes much of Melancholy will never be rid of a troublesom Com­panion: So I rest,

XVIII. To the La. E. Counteffe Dowager of Sunderland.

I Am bold to send your La. to the Countrey a new Venice Looking-Glasse wherin you may behold that admired Maiden-Citty in her tru complexion, together with her Government and Policy, for which she is famous all the world over; Therfore if at your hours of leisure you please to cast your eyes upon this glasse, I doubt not but it will afford you som objects of entertainment, and plesure.

Moreover, your Ladiship may discern through this glasse the motions, and the very heart of the Authour, how he continueth still, and resolves so to do in what condition soever he be,

XIX. To the R. H. the Earl of Clare,

AMong those high parts that go to make up a Grandee, which I find concentred in your Lord­ship, [Page 44] one is, the exact knowledg you have of many Languages not in a superficial vapouring way as som of our Gallants have now a daies, but in a most ex­act manner both in point of practice, and theory; This induc'd me to give your Lordship an account of a task that was impos'd lately upon me by an emergent ocasion touching the Original, the growth, the changes and present consistence of the French Lan­guage, which I hope may afford your Lordship som entertainment.

Ther is nothing so incident to all Sublunary things as corruptions and changes; Nor is it to be wondred at, considering that the Elements them­selves which are the principles or primitive Ingredi­ents wherof they be compounded, are naturally so qualified: It were as easie a thing for the Spectators eye to fasten a firm shape upon a running clowd, or to cut out a garment that but for a few daies toge­ther might fit the Moon, (who by priviledg of her situation and neighbourhood predominats more over us then any other Celestial body) as to find stability in any thing here below.

Nor is this common frailty, or fatality rather, inci­dent only to the grosser sort of Elementary Cretures, but Mankind, upon whom it pleas'd the Almighty to imprint his own Image, and make him as it were Lord Paramount of this Lower World, is subject to the same lubricity of Mutation; Neither is his Body and Bloud only liable therunto, but the Idaeas of his mind, and interior operations of his Soul, Religion her self with the notions of holines, and the forma­lity of saving faith not excepted, nay, the very fa­culty of Reason (as we find it too tru by late experi­ence) is subject to the same instablenes.

But to come to our present purpose, among other priviledges which are peculiar to mankind, as Ema­nations flowing from the Intellect, Language is none of the least, And Languages are subject to the same fits of inconstancy and alteration as much as any thing els, specially the French Language; Nor can it seem strange to those who know the Airy volatil humor of that Nation, that their speech should par­take somwhat of the disposition of their spirit, but will rather wonder it hath receiv'd no oftner change, specially considering what outward causes did also concur therunto; As that their Kings should make six several Voyages to conquer or conserve what was got in the Holy Land; Considering also how long the English being a peeple of another speech kept firm footing in the heart of France: Add herunto the Warrs and Weddings they had with their Neigh­bours, which, by the long sojourn of their Armies in other Countreys caus'd by the first, and the forren Courtiers that came in with the second, might intro­duce a frequent alteration: For Languages are like Lawes or Coines which commonly receive som change at evry sift of Princes; Or as slow Rivers by insensible alluvions take in and let out the Waters that feed them, yet are they said to have still the same beds, so Languages by a regardles adoption of som new words, and manumission of old do often vary, yet the whole bulk of the speech keeps en­tire.

Touching the tru ancient and genuin Language of the Gaules, som would have it to be a dialect of the Dutch, others of the Greek, and som of the British or Welsh. Concerning this last opinion, ther be ma­ny reasons to fortifie it, which are not altogether to be slighted.

The first is, that the ancient Gaules us'd to com frequently to be instructed here by the British Druyds who were the Divines and Philosophers of those times, which they would not probably have done, un­les by mutual communication they had understood one another in som Vulgar Language, for this was before the Greek or Latin came this side the Alps, or that any Books were written, and ther are no mea­ner men then Tacitus and Caesar himself who record this.

The second reason is, that ther want not good Geographers who hold, that this Iland was tied to Gallia at first (as som say Sicily was to Calabria, and Denmark to Germany) by an Istmos or neck of land from Calais to Dover; for if one do well observe the quality of the Cliffs on both shores, his eye will judge that they were but one homogeneal peece of earth at first, and that they were slented and shiver'd asunder by som act of violence as the impetuous waves of the Sea.

The third reason is, that before the Romanes con­quer'd the Gaules, the Countrey was call'd Wallia, which the Romans call'd Gallia, turning W into G as they did els where, yet the Walloon keeps his radical letter to this day.

The fourth reason is, that ther be divers old Gau­lick words yet remaining in the French which are pure British both for sense and pronunciation, as Havre a Haven, which is the same in Welsh, derechef again, putaine a whore, arrain brasse money, prou an inter­jection of stopping, or driving of a beast, but spe­cially, when one speaks any old word in French that cannot be understood, they say il parle Baragouin, which is to this day in VVelsh, White bread.

Lastly, Pausanias saith, That Mark in the Celtik old French toung signifieth a horse, and it signifieth the same in Welsh.

But though it be disputable whether the British, Greek, or Dutch was the Original Language of the Gaules, certain it is that it was the Walloon (but I con­fine my self to Gallia Celtica, which when the Roman Eagle had fastned his talons there, and planted 23. Legions up and down the Countrey he did in tract of time utterly extinguish; It being the ordinary ambition of Rome whersoever she prevail'd, to bring in her Language and Lawes also with the Lance; which yet she could not do in Spain, or this Iland, be­cause they had Posts, and places of fastnes to retire unto, as Biscay and VVales, where Nature hath cast up those Mountains as propugnacles of defence, ther­fore the very aboriginal Languages of both Coun­treys remain there to this day. Now France being a passable and plain pervious Continent, the Romans quickly diffus'd, and rooted themselves in evry part therof, and so co-planted their Language, which in a short revolution of time came to be call'd Romand; But when the Franconians a peeple of Germany came afterwards to invade, and possesse Gallia, both speech and peeple was call'd French ever after, which is nere 1300 yeers since.

Now as all other things have their degrees of grow­ing, so Languages have before they attain a perfecti­on: We find that the Latin her self in the times of the Sabins was but rude, afterwards under Ennius and Cato the Censor it was refin'd in the twelve Tables; but in Caesar, Cicero, and Salusts time it came to the highest pitch of purity, and so dainty were the Ro­mans of their Language then, that they would not [Page 48] suffer any exotic or strange word to be enfranchis'd among them, or enter into any of their Diplomatas and public Instruments of Command, or Justice; The word Emblema having got into one, it was thrust out by an expresse Edict of the Senat, but Monopolium had with much ado leave to stay in, yet not without a large Preface and Apologie: A little after, the Latin toung in the vulgarity therof began to degenerat, and decline very much, out of which degeneration sprang up the Italian, Spanish and French.

Now, the French Language being set thus upon a Latin stock, hath receiv'd since sundry habitudes, yet retaining to this day som Latin words entire, as ani­mal, cadaver, tribunal, non, plus, qui, os, with a nomber of others.

Childeric one of the first race of French Kings com­manded by public Edict, that the 4 Greek Letters [...] should be added to the French Alphabet to make the Language more masculin and strenuous, but afterwards it was not long observ'd.

Nor is it a worthles observation, that Languages use to comply with the humor, and to display much the inclination of a peeple; The French Nation is quick and spritful, so is his pronunciation: The Spa­niard is slow and grave, so is his pronunciation; For the Spanish and French Languages being but bran­ches of the Latin Tree, the one may be call'd Latin shortned; and the other Latin drawn out at length, as Corpus, Tempus, Caput, &c. are monosyllables in French, as Corps, Temps, Cap or Chef; wheras the Spa­niard doth add to them, as Cuerpo, Tiempo, Cabeça; And indeed of any other the Spaniard affects long words, for he makes som thrice as long as they are in French, as of Levement a rising, he makes Levan­tamiento; [Page 49] of Pensée a thought, he makes Pensamien­to; of Compliment he makes Complimiento: Besides, the Spaniard doth use to pause so in his pronunciati­on, that his Toung seldom foreruns his Witt, and his brain may very well raise and superfoete a second thought before the first be utter'd: Yet is not the French so hasty in his utterance as he seems to be, for his quicknes or volubility proceeds partly from that concatenation he useth among his syllables, by lin­king the syllable of the precedent word to the last of the following, so that somtimes a whole sentence is made in a manner but one word, and he who will speak the French roundly and well, must observe this Rule.

The French Language began first to be polish'd, and arrive to that delicacy she is now com unto in the midst of the raign of Philip de Valois, Marot did somthing under Francis the first, (which King was a Restorer of Learning in general, as well as of Lan­guage;) But Ronsard did more under Henry the se­cond: Since these Kings ther is little difference in the context of speech, but only in the choice of words, and softnes of pronunciation proceeding from such wanton spirits that did miniardize and make the Lan­guage more dainty and feminine.

But to shew what changes the French hath receiv'd from what it was, I will produce these few instances in verse and prose which I found in som Ancient Au­thors: The first shall be of a Gentlewoman that translated Esops Fables many hundred yeers since out of English into French, where she concludes,

Out of the Roman de la Rose I will produce this Example,

Two of the most ancient and approvedst Authors in French are Geoffroy de Villardovin Marshal of Cam­pagne, and Hugues de Bersy a Monk of Clugny in the Reign of Philippe Auguste above 500 yeers since, from them I will borrow these two ensuing Exam­ples, the first from the Marshal, upon a Croisada to the Holy Land.

Scachiez que l'an 1188 ans apres l'incarnation al temps Innocent 3. Apostoille de Rome, et Philippe Roy de France, et Richard Roy d' Engleterre eut un Saint homme en Fracce, qui et nom Folque de Nuilly, et il ere prestre, et tenoit le paroichre de la ville, et cil Folque comença a [Page 51] parler de Biex, et nostre sire fit manits miracles par luy, &c.

Hugues de Bersy who made the Guiot Bible so much spoken in France, begins thus in verse,

If one would compare the English that was spo­ken in those times which is about 560 yeers since, with the present, he should find a greater altera­tion.

But to know how much the Modern French differs from the ancient, let him read our Common Law, which was held good French in William the Conque­ror's time.

Furthermore, among other observations; I find that ther are som well sounding single words anti­quated in the French, which seem to be more signifi­cant then those that are com in their places, as Ma­ratre, paratre, fillatre, serourge, a stepp-mother, a stepp-father, a son or daughter in law, a sister in law; which now they expresse in two words, belle mere, beau pere, belle soeur. Moreover, I find ther are som words now in French which are turn'd to a countersense, as we use the Dutch word crank in English to be well dispos'd, which in the Original signifieth to be sick. So in French Cocu is taken for one whose wife is light, and hath made him a passive Cuckold; wheras clean con­trary [Page 52] Cocu which is the Cuckow, doth use to lay her eggs in another birds nest. This word pleiger is also to drink after one is drunk unto, wheras the first tru sense of the word was, that if the party drunk unto was not dispos'd to drink himself, he would put ano­ther for a pledg to do it for him, els the party who began would take it ill. Besides, this word Abry deriv'd from the Latin apricus, is taken in French for a close place or shelter, wheras in the Original it sig­nifieth an open free Sunshine. They now term in French a free boon-Companion, Roger bon temps, wheras the Original is rouge bon temps, reddish and fair weather: They use also in France when one hath a good bargain to say, Il á joüe a boule veue, wheras the Original is a bonne veüe. A Beacon or Watch-Tower is call'd Beffroy, wheras the tru word is L'effroy: A travelling warrant is call'd Passeport, wheras the Original is passe par tout. When one is grown hoarse, they use to say, Il á veu le loup, he hath seen the Wolf, wheras that effect of hoarsnes is wrought in one whom the Wolf hath seen first, ac­cording to Pliny, and the Poet, ‘— Lupi illum videre priores.’

Ther is one saying or proverb which is observable, wherby France doth confesse her self to be still in­debted to England, which is, when one hath paid all his Creditors, he useth to say, j'ay payé tous mes An­glois, so that in this, and other phrases Anglois is taken for Craencier or Creditor; And I presume it had its foundation from this, that when the French were bound by Treaty in Bretigny to pay England so much for the ransom of King John then prisoner, the contribution lay so heavy upon the peeple, that for [Page 53] many yeers they could not make up the summe: The ocasion might be seconded in Henry the 8. time at the surrendry of Bullen, and upon other Treaties, as also in Queen Elizabeths raign, besides the moneys which she had disburs'd her self to put the Crown on Henry the fourth's head, which makes me think on a passage that is recorded in Pasquier, that hap­pen'd when the Duke of Anjou under pretence of wooing the Queen came over into England, who be­ing brought to her presence, she told him, He was com in a good time to remain a pledg for the moneys that France ow'd her Father, and other of her Pro­genitors; wherunto the Duke answer'd, That he was com not only to be a pledg, but her close prisoner.

Ther be two other sayings in French, which though they be obsolete, yet are they worthy the knowledg; The first is, Il á perdu ses cheveux, he hath lost his hair, meaning his honor; For in the first race of Kings ther was a Law call'd La loy de la Cheveleure, wherby it was lawful for the Noblesse only to wear long hair, and if any of them had committed som foul and ig­noble act, they us'd to be condemn'd to have their long hair to be cut off as a mark of ignominie, and it was as much as if he had bin fleurdeliz'd, viz. burnt on the back or hand, or branded in the face.

The other Proverb was, Il á quitté sa ceinture, he hath given up his girdle, which intimated as much as if he had becom bankrupt, or had all his estate for­feited; It being the ancient Law of France, that when any upon som offence had that penalty of con­fiscation inflicted upon him, he us'd before the Tri­bunal of Justice to give up his Girdle, implying ther­by, that the girdle held evry thing that belong'd to a [Page 54] to a mans estate, as his budgett of money and wri­tings, the keys of his House, with his Sword, Dag­ger, and Gloves, &c.

I will add herunto another Proverb which had bin quite lost, had not our Order of the Garter preserv'd it, which is, Hony soit qui mal y pense, this we English, Ill to him who thinks ill; though the tru sense be, Let him be berayed who thinks any ill, being a Metaphor taken from a child that hath beray'd his clouts, and I dare say ther's not one of a hundred in France who understands this word now adayes.

Furthermore, I find in the French Language, that the same fate hath attended some French words, as usually attend men, among whom som rise to preferment, others fall to decay and an underva­lue; I will instance in a few; This word Maistre was a word of high esteem in former times among the French, and appliable to Noblemen, and others in high office only, but now 'tis fallen from the Ba­ron to the Boor, from the Count to the Cobler, or any other mean artisan, as Maistre J [...]an le Sauvetier, Mr. John the Cobler; Maistre Jaquet le Cabareti [...]r, Mr. Jammy the Tapster.

Sire, was also appropriat only to the King, but now adding a name after it, 'tis appliable to any mean man upon the Endorsment of a Letter or other­wise: But this word Souverain hath rais'd it self to that pitch of greatnes, That it is applied now only to the King, wheras in times pass'd, the President of any Court, any Bayliff or Seneshal was us'd to be call'd Souverain.

Mareshal likewise was at first the name of a Smith, Farrier, or one that dress'd horses, but it is clim'd by degrees to that height, that the chiefest Commanders [Page 55] of the Gendarmery and Militia of France are com to be call'd Marshals, which about 100 yeers since were but two in all, wheras now they are twelve.

This title Majesty hath no great antiquity in France, for it began in Henry the seconds time: And indeed the stile of France at first as well as of other Countreys, was to Tutoyer, that is, to Thou any person that one spake unto, though never so high; but when the Common-Wealth of Rome turn'd to an Empire, and so much power came into one mans hand, then, in regard he was able to confer Honor, and Offices, the Courtiers began to magnifie him, and treat him in the plural nomber by You, and by degrees to deifie him by transcending titles, as we read in Symmachus in his Epistles to the Emperour Theodosius, and to Valentinian, where his stile to them is Vestra aeternitas, vestrum numen, vestra perennitas, vestra clementia, so that You in the plural nomber with other comple­ments and titles seems to have their first rise with the Western Monarchy, which afterwards by degrees de­scended upon particular persons.

The French toung hath divers Dialects, viz. the Picard, that of Jersey and Guernsey appendixes once of Normandy, the Provensal, the Gascon or the speech of Languedoc, which Scaliger would etymologize from Langue d'ouy, wheras it comes truly from Langue de Got, in regard the Goths and Saracens who by their incursions and long stay in Aquitain first corrupted the speech of Gallia; The Walloon is another dialect which is under the King of Spain: They also of Liege have a dialect of the French, which among themselves they call Romand to this day.

Touching the modern French that's spoken now in the Kings Court, the Courts of Parlement, and in [Page 56] the Universities of France ther hath bin lately a great competition which was the best; but by the learnedst, and most indifferent persons, it was ad­judg'd, that the stile of the Kings Court was the pu­rest and most elegant, because the other two did smell the one of pedantery, the other of chiquanery: And the late Prince of Conde, with the Duke of Or­leans that now is, were us'd to have a Censor in their Houses, that if any of their Family spoak any word that savour'd of the Palace or the Schooles, he shold incur the penalty of an amercement.

The late Cardinal of Richlieu made it part of his glory to advance Learning, and the French Language; Among other Monuments he erected an University wher the Sciences should be read and disputed in French for the case of his Countreymen, wherby they might presently fall to the matter, and not spend time to study words onely.

Thus have I presum'd to send your Lordship a rambling discours of the French Language pass'd and present, humbly expecting to be corrected when you shall please to have perused it: So I subscribe my self

XX. To Dr. Weames.

I Return you many thanks for the Additionals you pleas'd to communicat unto me in continuance of [Page 57] Sir Philip Sidney's Arcadia, and I admir'd it the more because it was the composition of so young a spirit, which makes me tell you, without any complement, that you are Father to a Daughter that Europe hath not many of her Equals; therfore all those gentle Soules that pretend to vertu should cherish her: I have herewith sent you a few lines that relate to the work, according ro your desire.

So with my very affectionat respects to your self, and to your choice Family, I rest

XXI. To the incomparable Lady, the La. M. Cary.

I Have discover'd so much of Divinity in you, that he who would find your Equal, must seek one in the other World; I might play the Oracle, and more truly pronounce you the wisest of Women, then he did Pythagoras the wisest of Men: for, questionles, that Hee or Shee are the wisest of all human Cretures, who are careful of preserving the noblest part of them, I mean the Soul: They who prink, and pam­per the Body, and neglect the Soul, are like one who having a Nightingal in his House, is more fond of the wicker Cage then of the Bird: Or rather like one who hath Perl of an invaluable price, and esteems the poor box that holds it more then the jewel; The Rational Soul is the breath of God Almighty, she is his very Image, therfore who taints his soul may be said to throw dirt in Gods face, and make his breath stink: The Soul is a spark of Immortality, she is a Divine light, and the Body is but a socket of clay that holds it: In som this light goes out with an ill-favor'd stench; But others have a save-all to preserve it from making any snuff at all; Of this nomber, Madame, you are one that shines cleerest in this horizon, which makes me so much

XXII. To the Lo. B. of Ro. at Knolls.

THe Christian Philosopher tells us, That a good Conscience is a perpetual feast; And the Pagan Phi­losopher hath a saying, That a vertuous man is alwayes drunk; Both these sayings aym at one sense, viz. that an upright, discreet man is alwayes full of good no­tions, and good motions, his soul is alwayes in tune, and the faculties therof never jarring; He values this world as it is, a vale of trouble, and a valley of teares, full of Encombrances, and Revolutions; and stands arm'd against all events: Si fractus illabatur Orbis.

While you read this you have your own character, for I know none more capable both for the Practical part, as well as the Theory, to give precepts of pati­ence, and prescribe rules of morality and prudence to all mankind: Your mind is like a stone bridg over a rapid River, which though the waters beneath be perpetually working, roaring and bubling, yet the bridg never stirs, pons manet immotus —; so among those monstrous mutations, and traverses that have lately happen'd you are still the same, ‘Mens immota manet—’

I receiv'd your last under the covert of Sir John Sackvill, to whom I present my affectionat service, with a thousand thanks for that seasonable Present he pleas'd to send me, which will find me and my frends [Page 60] som employment, so desiring your benediction, I conclude, and subscribe my self,

XXIII. To Sir W. Mason, Knight.

I Present you with the second Part of the Vocall Forest, but before you make an entrance into the last Walk therof, be pleas'd to take this short caution along with you, which tends to rectifie such who I hear are over-rash, and critical in their censure of what is there contain'd, not penetrating the main de­sign of the Author in that Allegorical Discours, nor into the quality of the Times, or the prudential Cau­tions, and indifferencies that an Historical peece ex­pos'd to public view should require, which may make them perchance to shoot their bolts at Randum, and with wry looks at those Trees; Therfore let the dis­cerning Surveyor as he crosseth this last Walk take a short advertisement before-hand; That whatsoever he meets therein glancing on the Oke, consists of im­perfect suggestions, forren criticismes, and presump­tions, &c. Now, evry petty Sciolist in the Lawes of reason can tell that presumptions were never taken [Page 61] yet for proofs, but for left-handed arguments, ap­proching rather the nature of cavillations then con­sequences.

Moreover, Apologs, Parables, and Metaphors, though press'd never so hard, have not the strength to demonstrate, or positively assert any Thesis; For as in Theology, the highest of Sciences, it is a received principle, Scriptura Parabolica non est argumentativa, so this Maxime holds good in all other composures, and Arts. 'Tis granted, that in the Walks of this Forest ther be som free, and home-expressions draw­ing somwhat neer to the nature of Satyres, for other­wise it had bin a vain superfluous curiosity to have spent so much oile and labor in shrowding Realities under disguises, unles the Author had promised him­self before-hand a greater latitude and scope of li­berty to pry into som miscariages, and solecismes of State; As also to question and perstringe som sorts of Actors, specially the Card [...]nian and Classican, who, as the whole world can witnes, were the first Raisers of those hideous tempests which powr'd down in so many showers of bloud upon infortunat Druina, and all her coafforested Territories.

Now, touching that which is spoken of the Oke in the last Walk, if any intemperat Basilean take excep­tions therat, let him know, that, as 'twas said before, most of them are but traducements, and pretensions; yet, it is a humane principle, (and will ever be so to the worlds end) that ther never was yet any Prince, (except one) nor will ther ever be any hereafter, but had his frailties, and these frailties in Kings are like staines in the purest Scarlet, which are more visible: What are but motes in others, are as beams in them, because that being mounted so high, they are more [Page 62] expos'd to the eye of the World: And if the Histo­rian points happly at som of those motes in the Royal Oke, he makes good what he promis'd in the En­trance of the Forest, that he would endeavor to make a constant grain of eevenes, and impartiality to passe through the whole bulk of that Arborical Discours.

We read that ther being a high feud 'twixt Cicero and Vatinius who had crooked bow-leggs, Vatinius having the advantage of pleading first, took ocasion to give a touch himself of his natural imperfection that way, that he might tollere ansam, that he might by way of prevention cut off the advantages and in­tention which Cicero might have had to asperse him in that particular; the application herof is easie and obvious.

But if the sober-minded Reader observe well what is spoken elswhere of the Oke throughout the body and series of the story he will easily conclude, that 'twas far from the design of the Author out of any self or sinister ends to let any sower droppings fall from these Trees to hurt the Oke; and give me leave to tell you, That Hee who hath but as much witt as may suffice to preserve him from being begg'd for a Fool, will judg so.

Lastly, they who know any thing of the Lawes of History, do well know, that verity and indifference are two of the prime vertues that are requisit in a Cronicler. The same answer may serve to stop their mouths who would say somthing, if they could tell what, against my Survey of the Signory of Venice, and dedicated to the Parlement of England, as if the Au­thor had chang'd his principles, and were affected to Republiques; wheras ther's not a syllable therin but what makes for Monarchy: therfore I rather pitty, [Page 63] then repine at such poor Critiques, with the shallow­nes of their Judgments.

Thus much I thought good to intimat unto you, not that I mistrust your own censure, which I know to be candid and cleer, but that, if ther be ocasion, you may Vindicat

XXIV. To the Right Honorable the La. E. Savage, afterwards Countesse Rivers.

AMong those multitudes that claim a share in the losse of so precious a Lord, mine is not the least; O how willingly could I have measur'd with my feet, and perform'd a pilgrimage over all those large Con­tinents wherin I have travail'd, to have repriev'd him! Truly, Madame, I shall mourn for him while I have a heart beating in my brest; and though Time may mitigat the sense of grief, yet his Memory shall be to me, like his high Worth and Vertues, everlast­ing: But it is not so much to be lamented that he hath left us, (it being so infinitly to his advantage) as that he hath left behind so few like him.

I confesse, Madame, this is the weightiest crosse that possibly could com to exercise your patience, but I know your Ladiship to be both Pious and Prudent in the highest degree, let the one preserve you from [Page 64] excesse of sorrow, which may prove irreligious to Heaven; and the other keep you from being inju­rious to your self, and to that goodly brave Issue of his, which may serve as so many living Coppies of the Original.

God Allmighty comfort your Ladiship, so pray­eth,

XXV. To the Right Honorable John Lo. Sa.

I Should be much wanting to my self, if I did not congratulat your lately descended Honors: But truly, my Lord, this congratulation is like a vapor exhal'd from a Soyl overwhelm'd with a sudden in­undation, such is the state of my mind at this time, it being o'recast with a thick fogg of grief for the death of your incomparable Father.

I pray from the centre of my heart that you may inherit his high worth and vertues as you do all things els, and I doubt it not, having discover'd in your nature so many pregnancies, and sparkles of innated honor. So I rest in quality of

XXI. To Mr. J. Willson.

I Receiv'd yours of the 10^th current, and I have many thanks to give you, that you so quaintly ac­quaint me how variously the pulse of the Pulpiteers beat in your Town: Touching ours here (by way of corresponding with you) I'le tell you of one whom I heard lately; For dropping casually into a Church in Thames-street, I fell upon a Winter-Preacher who spoke of nothing but of the fire and flames of Hell, so that if a Scythian or Groenlander who are habitua­ted to such extreme cold had heard, and understood him, they would have thought he had preached of Paradice; His mouth me thought did fume with the Lake of brimston, with the Infernal torments, and the thundrings of the Law, not a syllable of the Gospel; so I concluded him to be one of those who use to preach the Law in the Church, and the Gospel in their Chambers, where they make som femal hearts melt in­to peeces: He repeated his Text once, but God knowes how far it was from the subject of his preachment; He had also hot and fiery incitements to Warr, and to swimm in bloud for the Cause: But after he had run away from his Text so long, the Spirit led him into a wildernesse of prayer, and there I left him.

God amend all, and begin with me, who am

XXII. To Sir E. S.

IN the various courses of my wandring life, I have had ocasion to spend som part of my time in litte­ral correspondences with divers, but I never remem­ber that I pleas'd my self more in paying these civili­ties to any then to your self; for when I undertake this task, I find that my head, my hand, and my heart go all so willingly about it, The Invention of the one, the graphical office of the other, and the affections of the last are so ready to obey me in performing the work, work do I call it? 'tis rather a sport, my pen and paper are as a Chessboard, or as your Instru­ments of Music are to you when you wold recreat your harmonious soul: Whence this proceeds I know not, unlesse it be from a charming kind of ver­tue that your Letters carry with them to work upon my spirits, which are so full of facete and familiar frendly strains, and so punctual in answering evry part of mine, that you may give the Law of Episto­lizing to all Mankind.

Touching your Poet Laureat Skelton I found him (at last, as I told you before) skulking in Duck-Lane pitifully totter'd and torn, and as the times are, I do not think it worth the labor and cost to put him in better clothes, for the Genius of the Age is quite another thing, yet ther be som lines of his which I think will never be out of date for their quaint sense; and with these I will close this Letter, and salute you as he did his frend with these options:

These were the wishes in times of yore of Jo. Skel­ton, but now they are of

XXVIII. To R. Davis, Esq;

DId your Letters know how truly welcom they are to me, they would make more haste, and not loyter so long in the way; for I did not receive yours of the second of June, till the first of July; which was time enough to have travell'd not onely a hundred English, but so many Helvetian miles that are five times bigger, for in som places they contain for­ty furlongs, wheras ours have but eight, unlesse it be in Wales where they are allow'd better mesure, or in the North parts where there is a wea bit to evry mile: But that yours should be a whole month in [Page 68] making scarce 100 English miles, (for the distance between us is no more) is strange to me, unlesse you purposely sent it by John Long the Carrier. I know being so nere Lemsters Ore that you dwell in a gentle soyl which is good for cheese as well as for cloth, ther­fore if you send me a good one, I shall return my Cosen your Wife somthing from hence that may be equivalent; If you neglect me, I shall think that Wales is relaps'd into her first barbarismes; for Strabo makes it one of his arguments to prove the Britains barbarous, because they had not the Art of making cheese till the Romans came: But I believe you will preserve them from this imputation again. I know you can want no good grasse therabouts, which, as they say here, growes so fast in som of your fields, that if one should put his horse there over night, he should not find him again the next morning. So with my very respectful commends to your self, and to the partner of your couch and cares, I rest, my dear Cosen,

XXIX. To W. Roberts, Esq;

THe Dominical Prayer, and the Apostolical Creed, (wherof ther was such a hot dispute in our last conversation) are two Acts tending to the same ob­ject of devotion, yet they differ in this, that we include all in the first, and our selves only in the se­cond, [Page 69] one may begg for another, but he must beleeve for himself, ther is no man can beleeve by a deputy; The articles of the Creed are as the twelve signes in the Zodiak of Faith which make way for the Sun of Righteousnes to passe through the centre of our hearts, as a Gentleman doth wittily compare them: But what offence the Lords Prayer, or the Creed have committed (together with the Ten Commandements) as to be as it were banished the Church of late yeers, I know not; considering that the whole office of a Christian may be said to be comprehended in them, for the last prescribes us what we should do, the se­cond what we should beleeve, the third how and what we should pray for: Of all the Heretiques that ever I heard of, I never read of any who bore ana­logy with these.

Touching other opinions, they are but old fansies newly furbish'd; Ther were Adamits in former times, and Rebaptizers: Ther were Iconoclastae, de­stroyers of Images, but I never read of Stauroclastae, Destroyers of Crosses: Ther were also Agoniclitae, who held it a superstition to bow the knee; besides, ther were those who stumbled at the Resurrection, as too many do now: Ther were Aereans also who malign'd Bishops and the Hierarchy of the Church; but we read those Aerians turn'd Arrians, and Atheists at last: The greatest Greek and Latin Fathers in­veigh against those Aerians more bitterly then against any other: Chrysostom saith, Heretiques who have learnt of the Devil not to give due honor to Bishops; and Epiphanius saith, It is the voice of a Devil, rather then of a Christian, that ther is no difference 'twixt a Bishop and a Presbyter, &c.

Good Lord, what fiery clashings have we had lately for a Cap and a Surplice! what an Ocean of human bloud was spilt for ceremonies only, and out­ward formalities, for the bare position of a table! But as we find the rufflingst winds to be commonly in Cimiteries, and about Churches, so the eagerst, and most sanguinary Warrs are about Religion, and ther is a great deal of weight in that distich of Prudentius,

Let the Turk spread his Alcoran by the Sword, but let Christianity expand her self still by a passive for­titude wherin she alwaies gloried.

We live in a strange Age, when evry one is in love with his own Fancy, as Narcissus was with his Face, and this is tru spiritual pride, the usherer in of all con­fusions; The Lord deliver us from it, and grant we may possesse our soules with patience, till the great wheel of providence turn up another spoke that may point at peace, and unanimity among poor mortals; In these hopes I rest

XXX. To Howel Guyn Esq;

I Send you herewith according to your desires the British or Welsh Epitaph, (for the Saxons gave us that new name, calling us Walshmen or strangers in our own Countrey) which Epitaph was found in the West-Indies upon Prince Madoc nere upon 600 yeers since:

Which is English'd thus in Mr. Herbert's Travels.

This British Prince Madoc (as many Authors make mention) made two Voyages thither, and in the last left his bones there, upon which this Epitaph lay. Ther be other pregnant remarks that the British were there, for ther is a Promontory not far from Mexico call'd Cap Britain, ther is a creek call'd Gwyndwor, which is in Welsh White-water, with other words, as you shall find in Mr. Herberts and others; they had also the sign of the Crosse in reverence among them.

And now that I am upon British observations, I [Page 72] will tell you somthing of this name Howell, which is your first, and my second name; passing lately by the Cloysters of the Abbey at Westminster, I stepp'd up to the Library that Archbishop Williams erected there, and I lighted upon a French Historian, Bertrand d' Argentré Lord of Forges, who was President of the Court of Parlement in Renes the chief Town of little Britany in France call'd Armorica, which is a pure Welsh word, and signifies a Countrey bordring upon the Sea as that doth, and was first coloniz'd by the Britains of this Iland in the reign of Theodosius the Emperour, An. 387; whose Language they yet pre­serve in their radical words: In that Historian I found that ther were four Kings of that Countrey of the name Howell, viz. Howell the first, Howell the second, Howell the Great, (who bore up so stoutly against Aetius the famous Roman General) and Howell the fourth, that were all Kings of Armorica, or the lesser Britany, which continued a Kingdom till the yeer 874, at which time the title was chang'd to a Duchy but Souvrain of it self, till it was reduc'd to the French Crown by Francis the first. Ther are ma­ny Families of quality of that name to this day in France; And one of them desir'd to be acquainted with me by the mediation of Monsieur Augier who was there Agent for England. Touching the Castle of Good King Howell hard by you, and other ancient places of that name, you know them better then I, but the best title which England hath to Wales is by that Castle, as a great Antiquary told me: So in a tru bond of frendship, as well as of bloud, I rest,

XXXI. To Mr. W. Price at Oxon.

THer could hardly better news be brought me, then to understand that you are so great a Stu­dent, and that having pass'd through the bryers of Logic, you fall so close to Philosophy: Yet I do not like your method in one thing, that you are so fond of new Authors, and neglect the old, as I hear you do: It is the ingrateful genius of this Age, that if any Sciolist can find a hole in an old Authors coat, he will endeavor to make it much more wide, think­ing to make himself som body therby; I am none of those, but touching the Antients, I hold this to be a good Moral Rule, Laudandum quod benè, ignoscendum quod aliter dixerunt: The older an Author is, com­monly the more solid he is, and the greater Teller of truth: This makes me think on a Spanish Captain, who being invited to a Fish-dinner, and coming late, he sate at the lower end of the Table where the small fish lay, the great ones being at the upper end; ther­upon he took one of the little fish and held it to his ear, his Camarades ask'd him what he meant by that? He answer'd in a sad tone, Som 30 yeers since my Father passing from Spain to Barbary was cast away in a storm, and I am asking this little fish whether he could tell any tydings of his body, he answers me, that he is too young to tell me any thing, but those old Fish at your end of the Table may say somthing to it, so by that trick of drollery he got his share of them: The application is easie, therfore I advise you not to neglect old Authors, for though we be [Page 74] com as it were to the Meridian of truth, yet ther be many Neoterical Commentators and self-conceited Writers that eclipse her in many things, and go from obscurum to obscurius.

Give me leave to tell you, Cosen, that your kinred and frends with all the world besides, expect much from you in regard of the pregnancy of your spirit, and those advantages you have of others, being now at the source of all knowledg: I was told of a Coun­trey-man who coming to Oxford, and being at the Townes-end, stood listning to a flock of Geese, and a few doggs that were hard by, being ask'd the reason, He answer'd, that he thought the Geese about Oxford did gaggle Greek, and the Doggs barked in La­tin; If som in the world think so much of those ir­rational poor cretures that take in University air, what will your frends in the Countrey expect from you who have the Instrument of reason in such a per­fection, and so well strung with a tenacious Memory, a quick understanding, and rich invention, all which I have discover'd in you, and doubt not but you will employ them to the comfort of your frends, your own credit, and the particular contentment of

XXXII. To Sir K. D. in Paris.

I Had bin guilty of such an offence wherof I should never have absolv'd my self, if I had omitted so [Page 75] hansom an opportunity to quicken my old devotions to you: Among those multitudes here who resent your hard condition, and the protractions of your busines, ther is none who is more sensible that so gallant and sublime a soul (so much renowned throughout the world) should meet with such harsh traverses of fortune: For my self, I am like an Almanack out of date, I am grown an unprofitable thing, and good for nothing as the times run, yet in your busines I shall play the Whetstone, which though it be a dull thing of it self, and cannot cut, yet it can make other bodies to cut, so shall I quicken those who have the managing of your busines, and power to do you good, whensoever I meet them. So I rest,

XXXIII. To Mr. R. Lee in Antwerp.

AN acre of performance is worth the whole Land of promise; Besides, as the Italian hath it, Deeds are men, and words women: you pleas'd to promise me when you shook hands with England to barter Letters with me; But wheras I writ to you a good while since by Mr. Simons, I have not receiv'd syllable from you ever since.

The times here frown more and more upon the Cavaliers, yet their minds are buoyd up still with [Page 76] strong hopes; som of them being lately in company of such whom the Times favor, and reporting som com­fortable newes on the Royalists side, one of the other answer'd, Thus you Cavaliers still fool your selves, and build alwaies Castles in the air; therupon a sudden reply was made, Where will you have us to build them els, for you have taken all our Lands from u?s I know what you will say when you read this, A pox on these tru jests.

This tale puts me in mind of another; Ther was a Gentleman lately who was offer'd by the Parlement a parcel of Church or Crown Lands equivalent to his arrears, and asking Counsel of a frend of his which he should take, he answer'd, Crown Lands by all means; for if you take them, you run a hazard only to be hang'd, but if you take Church-Lands you are sure to be damn'd: wherunto the other made him a shrewd reply, Sir, I'le tell you a tale; Ther was an old Usurer not far from London, who had train'd up a dogg of his to bring his meat after him in a hand­basket, so that in time the shagg dogg was so well bred, that his Master us'd to send him by himself to Smithfield Shambles with a basket in his mouth, and a note in the bottom therof to his Butcher, who ac­cordingly would put in what joynt of meat he writ for, and the dogg would carry it hansomly home; It happen'd one day, that as the dogg was carrying a good shoulder of Mutton home to his Master, he was set upon by a company of other huge doggs who snatch'd away the basket, and fell to the Mutton; The other dogg measuring his own single strength, and finding he was too weak to redeem his Masters Mutton, said within himself, (as we read the like of Crysippus's dogg) nay, since ther is no remedy you shall be hang'd before you have all, I will have also [Page 77] my share, and so fell a eating amongst them; I need not, said he, make the application unto you, 'tis too obvious, Therfore I intend to have my share also of the Church-Lands.

In that large List of frends you have left behind you here, I am one who is very sensible that you have thus banish'd your self: It is the high will of heaven that matters should be thus, Therfore Quod divinitùs accidit humiliter, quod ab hominibus viriliter ferendum; We must manfully bear what comes from men, and humbly what comes from above: The Pagan Philo­sopher tells us, Quod divinitùs contingit homo à se nulla arte cispellet, Ther is no fence against that which comes from Heaven, whose decrees are irrever­sable.

Your frends in Fleetstreet are all well both long­coats and short coats, and so is

XXXIV. To Sir J. Tho. Knight.

THer is no request of yours but is equivalent to a command with me; And wheras you crave my thoughts touching a late History publish'd by one Mr. Willson, which relates the Life of King James, though I know for many yeers your own judgment [Page 78] to be strong and cleer enough of it self, yet to comply with your desires, and for to oblige you that way another time to me, I will deliver you my opinion.

I cannot deny but the thing is a painful peece, and proceeds after a hansome method in drawing on the series and threed of the story, but it is easily discer­nable, that a partial Presbyterian vein goes constant­ly throughout the whole work; And you know it is the genius of that peeple to pry more then they shold into the Courts and comportments of Princes, and take any ocasion to traduce and bespatter them: So doth this Writer, who endeavors all along (among other things) to make the world beleeve that King James, and his Son after him were inclin'd to Popery, and to bring it into England: Wheras I dare avouch, that neither of them entertain'd the least thought that way, they had as much design to bring in Pre­ster-John as the Pope, or Mahomet as soon as the Masse; This conceit made the Writer to be subject to many mistakes, and misrepresentations, which so short a circuit as a Letter cannot comprehend.

Yet I will instance in one grosse mistake he hath in relating a passage which concerns Sir Elias Hicks a worthy Knight, and a fellow-servant of yours and mine. And he doth not only misrepresent the busi­nes, but he fouly asperseth him with the terms of unworthines, and infamy; The truth of that passage is as followeth, and I had it from very good hands:

In the yeer, 1621. The French King making a ge­neral Warr against Them of the Religion, beleager'd Montauban in Person while the Duke of Espernon block'd up Rochel; The King having layn a good while before the Town, a cunning report was rais'd [Page 79] that Rochell was surrendred, this report being blown into Montauhan, must needs dishearten them of Ro­chell, being the prime and tenablest propugnacle they had; Mr. Hicks happen'd to be then in Rochell, being recommended by Sir George Goring to the Mar­quis de la Force, who was one of them that comman­ded in chief, and treated Mr. Hicks with much civi­lity, so far that he took him to be one of his do­mestic Attendants: The Rochellers had sent two or three special Envoys to Montauban to acquaint them with their good condition, but it seems they all miscarried, and the Marquis being troubled in his thoughts one day, Mr. Hicks told him, that by Gods favor he would underake and perform the service to Montauban; Herupon he was put accordingly in equippage; so after ten daies jorney, he came to a place call'd Moysak, where my Lord of Doncaster af­terwards Earl of Carlile was in quality of Ambassa­dor from England to observ the French Kings procee­dings, and to mediat a Peace 'twixt him and the Pro­testants: At his first arrival thither it was his good happ to meet casually with Mr. Peregrin Fairfax, one of the Lo. Ambassadors retinue, who had bin a former Camarade of his: among other Civilities he brought Mr. Hicks to wait upon the Ambassa­dor, to whom he had credential Letters from the Assembly of Rochell, acquainting his Lordship witn the good state they were in; Mr. Hicks told him be­sides that he was engaged to go to Montauban as an Envoy from Rochell, to give them tru information how matters stood: The Ambassador replied, That it was too great a trust to put upon so young shoul­ders: So Mr. Hicks being upon going to the French Army which lay before Montauban, Mr. Fairfax [Page 80] would needs accompagny him thither to see the Trenches and Works; being com thither they met with one Mr. Tho. Webb that belong'd to the Marshal St. Gerand, who lodg'd them both in his own Hutt that night; and having shew'd them the Batteries and Trenches the day after, Mr. Hicks took notice of one place which lay most open for his dessein, re­solving with himself to passe that way to the Town; He had told Fairfax of his purpose before, who discovering it to Webb, Webb ask'd him whether he came thither to be hang'd? for divers were us'd so a little before: The next day Hicks taking his leave of Webb, desir'd Fairfax to stay behind, which he re­fusing, did ride along with him to the place which Hicks had pointed out the day before for his design, and there Fairfax left him; So having got betwixt the Corps de gard and the Town, he put spurs to his horse, and waving his pistol about his head, got in, being pursued almost to the Walls of the Town by the Kings party: being entred, old Marshal de la Force who was then in Mountauban having heard his relations of Rochell, fell on his neck and wept, say­ing, That he would give 1000 Crowns he were as safely got back to Rochell as he came thither: And having stayed there three weeks, he, in a sallie that the Town made one Evening, got cleer through the Leaguer before Mountauban, as he had formerly don before that of the Duke of Espernon, and so recover'd Rochell again. But to return to Mr. Fairfax, after he had parted with Mr. Hicks he was taken prisoner, and threatned the rack, but whether out of the ap­prehension therof, or otherwise, he died a little after of a Feavor at Moysac; though 'tis tru that the Ga­zetts in Paris did publish that he died of the torture, with the French Mercury since.

Mr. Hicks being return'd to London was question'd by Sir Ferdinando Fairfax for his brothers death, ther­upon Mr. Webb being also com back to London, who was upon the very place where these things happen'd in France, Mr. Hicks brought him along with him to Sir Ferdinand's Lodgings, who did positively affirm, that Mr. Hicks had communicated his design to Mr. Peregrin Fairfax, (and that he reveal'd it first to him) so he did fairly Vindicat Mr. Hicks, wherewith Sir Ferdinand remain'd fully satisfied, and all his kin­red.

Whosoever will observe the cariage and circum­stances of this action, must needs confesse that Mr. Hicks (now Sir Elias Hicks) did comport himself like a worthy Gentleman from the beginning to the end thereof: The design was generous, the conduct of it discreet, and the conclusion very prosperous, in regard it preserv'd both Mountauban and Rochell for that time from the fury of the Enemy; for the King rais'd his siege a little after from before the one, and Espernon from before the other: Therfore it cannot be denied but that the said Writer (who so largely intitles his book the History of great Britain; though it be but the particular Reign of King James only,) was very much too blame for branding so well a deserving Gentleman with infamy and unwor­thines, which are the words he pleaseth to bestow upon him; And I think he would willingly recant, and retract his rash censure were he now living, but Death press'd him away before the Presse had done with his Book, wherof he may be said to have died in Child-bed.

So presenting herwith unto you my hearty respects [Page 82] and love, endear'd and strengthen'd by so long a tract of time, I rest

XXXV. To Mr. R. Lewis in Amsterdam.

I Found yours of the first of February in the Post-house as I casually had other busines there; els it had miscarried, I pray be more careful of your di­rections herafter. I much thank you for the avisos you sent me how matters passe therabouts: Me thinks that Amsterdam begins to smell rank of a Hans Town, as if she would be independent, and Paramount over the rest of the confederat Provinces; she hath som reason in one respect, because Holland contributs three parts of five, and Amsterdam her self nere up­on the one moyty of those three parts to maintain the Land and Naval Forces of the States Generall: That Town likewise as I hear begins to compare with Venice, but let her stay there awhile; yet she may in som kind do it, for their situation, and beginning have bin alike, being both indented with Waters, and both Fisher-Townes at first.

But I wonder at one newes you write me, that Amsterdam should fall of repairing and bewtifieng of Churches, wheras the news here is clean contrary; [Page 83] for while you adorn your Churches there, we destroy them here: Among other, poor Pouls looks like a great Skeleton, so pitifully handled, that you may tell her ribbs through her skin, her body looks like the Hulk of a huge Portugal Carake, that having cross'd the line twelve times, and made three Voy­ages into the East-Indies, lies rotting upon the strand. Truly I think nor Turk or Tartar, or any Creture ex­cept the Devil himself, would have us'd Pauls in that manner: you know that Once a Stable was made a Temple, but now a Temple is becom a stable among us. Proh superi! quantum mortalia pectora Caecae ‘Noctis habent —’

Ther are strange Heteroclits in Religion now adaies, among whom som of them may be said to endeavor the exalting of the Kingdom of Christ, in lifting it upon Belzebubs back, by bringing in so much profanes to avoid superstition. God deliver us from Atheism, for we are within one stepp of it, and touching Judaisme, som corners of our Citty smell as rank of it as yours doth there.

I pray be punctual in your returns herafter, for as you say well, and wittily, Letters may be said to be the chiefest Organs (though they have but paper-pipes) through which Frendship doth use to breath, and operat: For my part, I shall not be wanting to set those Or­gans a working for the often conveyance of my best affections unto you. Sir T. Williams, with his choice Lady blow over through the same Pipe their kind re­spects unto you, and so do divers of your frends be­sides; but specially, my dear Cosen,

XXXVI. To J. Anderson, Esq;

YOu have bin often at me (though I know you to be a Protestant so in grain, that all the Waters of the Tyber is not able to make you change color) that I should impart unto you in Writing what I ob­serv'd commendable and discommendable in the Roman Church, because I had eaten my bread often in those Countreys where that Religion is profess'd and pra­ctis'd in the greatest height. Touching the second part of your request, I need not say any thing to it, for ther be Authors enough of our Church to inform you about the positions and tenets wherin we differ, and for which we blame them: concerning the first part, I will give you a short intimation what I noted to be praise-worthy and imitable in point of practise.

The Goverment of the Roman Church is admirable, being moulded with as much policy as the wit of man can reach unto, and ther must be Civil policy as well as Ecclesiastic us'd to keep such a world of peeple of several Nations, and humors in one Religion; though at first when the Church extended but to one Cham­ber, then to one House, after to one Parish, then to one Province, such policy was not so requisit. For the Church of Christ may be compar'd to his Person in point of degrees of growing; and as that coat which serv'd him in his Child-hood could not fit him in his Youth, not that of his Youth when he was com to his Manhood; no more would the same Goverment (which, compar'd to the Fundamentals of faith (that are still the same) are but as outward garments,) fit [Page 85] all ages of the Church, in regard those millions of ac­cidents that use to attend Time, and the mutable hu­mors of Men; Insomuch that it was a wholsom cau­tion of an ancient Father, Distinguas inter tempora, & concordabis cum Scriptura. This Goverment is like a great Fabric rear'd up with such exact rules of Art and Architecture that the foundation, the roof, sides, and angles, with all the other parts have such a de­pendence of mutual support by a rare contignation, concinnity and indentings one in the other, that if you take out but one stone it hazards the downfall of the whole Edifice: This makes me think that the Church of Rome would be content to part with, and rectifie som things, if it might not endanger the ruine of the whole, which puts the world in despair of an Oecu­menical Councel again.

The Ʋniformity of this Fabric is also to be admir'd, which is such as if it were but one entire continued Homogeneous peece; for put case a Spaniard should go to Poland, and a Pole should travel to the furthest part of Spain, wheras all other objects may seem ne're so strange to them in point of lodging, language and diet, though the complexion and faces, the beha­viour, garb, and garments of men, women and chil­dren be diffring, together with the very air and clime of the place, though all things seem strange unto them, and so somwhat uncouth and comfortles, yet when they go to Gods House in either Countreys, they may say they are there at home, for nothing differs there either in Language, Worship, Service or Ceremony, which must needs be an unspeakable com­fort to either of them.

Thirdly, it must needs be a commendable thing that they keep their Churches so cleanly and Amiable, [Page 86] for the Dwellings of the Lord of Hosts should be so: To which end your greatest Ladies will rise before day somtimes in their night clothes to fall a sweeping som part of the Church, and decking it with flowers, as I heard Count Gondamars Wife us'd to do here at Ely-House Chappel; besides, they keep them in con­stant repair, so that if but a quarry of glasse chance to be broken, or the least stone be out of square, 'tis presently mended. More over, their Churches stand wide open early and late, inviting as it were all Commers, so that a poor troubled soul may have ac­cesse thither at all houres to breath out the pantings of his heart, and the ejaculations of his soul either in prayer or praise: nor is ther any exception of persons in their Churches, for the Cobler will kneel with the Count, and the Laundresse gig by geoul with her Lady, ther being no Pewes there to cause pride and envy, contentions and quarrels which are so rise in other Churches.

The comely prostrations of the body, with genu­flexion, and other acts of humility in time of Divine Service is very exemplary: Add herunto, that the reverence they shew to the holy functions of the Church is wonderful, Princes and Queens will not disdain to kisse a Capuchins sleeve, or the Surplice of a Priest: Besides, I have seen the greatest and beutifull'st young Ladies go to Hospitals, wher they not only dresse, but lick the sores of the sick.

Furthermore, the conformity of seculars, and re­signment of their judgments to the Governors of the Church is remarkable: Ther are not such Scepticks and Cavillers there as in other places, They humbly beleeve that Lazarus was three daies in the grave, without questioning where his soul was all the while, [Page 87] nor will they expostulat how a man who was born blind from his Nativity should presently know the shapes of Trees wherunto he thought the first men he ever saw were like after he receiv'd sight. Add herunto that they esteem for Church preferments most com­monly a man of a pious good disposition, of a meek spirit, and godly life, more then a Learned man, that is either a great Linguist, Antiquary or Philosopher, and the first is advanc'd sooner then the latter.

Lastly, they think nothing too good or too much for Gods House, or for his Ministers, no place too sweet, no buildings too stately for them being of the best profession. The most curious Artists will em­ploy the best of their skill to compose hymns, and Anthemes for Gods House, &c.

But, me thinks I hear you say, that you acknow­ledge all this to be commendable, were it not that it is accompagnied with an odd opinion that they think to merit therby, accounting them works of Supererogation.

Truly, Sir, I have discours'd with the greatest Magnifiers of meritorious works, and the chiefest of them, made me this comparison, that the Bloud of Christ is like a great vessel of Wine, and all the me­rits of men whether active or passive, were it possi­ble to gather them all in one lump, are but as a drop of water thrown into that great vessel, and so must needs be made Wine, not that the Water hath any inherent vertu of it self to make it self so, but as it re­ceives it from the Wine.

It is reported of Cosmo de Medici, that having built a goodly Church with a Monastery therunto annex'd, and two Hospitals, with other Monuments of Piety, and endow'd them with large revenues, as [Page 88] one did much magnifie him for these extraordinary works, for which doubtles he merited a high reward in heaven, he answer'd, 'Tis tru, I emply'd much tresure that way, yet when I look over my leger book of accounts, I do not find that God Almighty is indebted to me one penny, but I am still in the arrear to him.

Add herunto the sundry wayes of mortification they have by frequent long fastings, and macerati­ons of the flesh, by their retirednes, their abando­ning the world, and sequestrations from all mundane affaires, their notable humility in the distribution of their almes, which they do not use to hurle away in a kind of scorn as others do, but by putting it gently into the beggars hand.

Som shallow-pated Puritan in reading this, will shoot his bolt, and presently cry me up to have a Pope in my belly, but you know me otherwise, and ther's none knowes my intrinsecals better then you: We are com to such times, that if any would main­tain those decencies, and humble postures, those solemnities and rites which should be practis'd in the Holy House of God, (and Holines becomes his House for ever) nay, if one passing through a Church should put off his hatt, ther is a giddy and malignant race of peeple (for indeed they are the tru malignants) who will give out that he is running post to Rome; Notwithstanding that the Religion establish'd by the Lawes of England did ever allow of them ever since Reformation began, yet you know how few have run thither. Nay, the Lutherans who use far more ceremonies symbolizing with those of Rome, then the English Protestants ever did, keep still their distance, and are as far from her now as they were at first.

England had lately (though to mee it seems a great [Page 89] while since) the face and form, the goverment and gravity, the constitutions and comelines of a Church; for she had somthing to keep her self hansom; she had wherwith to be hospitable, and do deeds of Charity, to build Almes-Houses, Free Schooles and Colleges which had bin very few in this Iland, had ther bin no Church-Benefactors: she had brave degrees of pro­motion to incite industry, and certainly the conceit of honor is a great encouragement to vertu: Now, if all professions have stepps of Rising, why should Divinity the best of all professions be without them? The Apprentice doth not think it much to wipe his Masters shooes, and sweep the gutters, because he hopes one day to be an Alderman: The Common Soldier carrieth hopes in his Knapsack to be one day a Captain, and Colonel: The Student in the Ends of Courts turns over Ploydon with more alacrity, and tuggs with that crabbed study of the Law, because he hopes one day to be a Judg; So the Scholler thought his labor sweet, because he was buoyd up with hopes that he might be one day a Bishop, Dean, or Canon. This comly subordination of degrees we once had, and we had a Visible conspicuous Church, to whom all other Reformists gave the upper hand; but now she may be said to have crept into corners, and fallen to such a contempt that she dares scarce shew her face. Add herunto in what various kinds of confusions she is involv'd, so that it may be not improperly said, while she thought to run away so eagerly from Babylon, she is fallen into a Babel of all opinions: In so much that they who came lately from Italy say, how Rome gives out, that when all Religion is lost in England, she will be glad to com [Page 90] to Rome again to find one out, and that she danceth all this while in a circle.

Thus have I endeavour'd to satisfie your importu­nity as far as a sheet of paper could reach, to give you a touch what may be not only allowable but lau­dable, and consequently imitable in the Roman Church, for ‘—Fas est et ab Hoste doceri.’ but I desire you would expound all with a sane sense, wherwith I know you abound, otherwise I would not be so free with you upon this ticklish subject; yet I have cause to question your Judgment in one thing, because you magnifie to much my talent in your last; helas Sir, a small handkercher is enough to hold mine, wheras a large table-cloth can hardly contain that rich talent which I find God and Nature hath intrusted you withall; In which opinion I rest alwaies

XXXVII. To Doctor Harvey, at St. Laurence Poultney.

I Remember well you pleas'd not only to passe a favorable censure, but give a high character of the First Part of Dodona's Grove, which makes this Second to com and wait on you, which, I dare say, for [Page 91] variety of fancy is nothing inferior to the first; It continueth an historical account of the occurrences of these times in an allegorical way under the shadow of Trees, and I believe it omits not any material passage which happen'd as far as it goes: If you please to spend som of the parings of your time, and fetch a walk in this Grove you may haply find therin som recreation: And if it be tru what the Ancients write of som Trees that they are Fatidicall, These com to foretell, at leastwise to wish you, as the sea­son invites mee, a Good New yeer, and according to the Italian complement, buon principio, miglior mezzo, ed ottimo fine, with these wishes of happines in all the three degrees of comparison, I rest

XXXVIII. To R. Bowyer, Esq;

I Receiv'd yours of the tenth current, where I made a new Discovery, finding therin one argu­ment of your frendship which you never urg'd be­fore, for you give me a touch of my failings in point of Litteral correspondence with you: To this give me leave to answer, That He who hath glasse-win­dowes of his own, should take heed how he throwes stones at those of his Neighbours: We have both [Page 92] of us our failings that way, witnes els yours of the last of May, to mine of the first of March before; but it is never over-late to mend: therfore I begin, and do penance in this white sheet for what is pass'd; I hope you will do the like, and so we may absolve one another without a Ghostly Father.

The French and Spaniard are still at it like two Cocks of the game, both of them pitifully bloudied, and 'tis thought they will never leave, till they peck out one anothers eyes. They are daily seeking new alliances to fortifie themselves, and the quarrel is still so hot, that they would make a League with Lucifer to destroy one another.

For home-newes, the freshest is, that wheras in former times ther were complaints that Church-men were Justices of the Peace, now the clean contrary way, Justices of Peace are becom Church-men; for by a new Act of that Thing in Westminster call'd now a Parlement, the power of giving in Marriage is pass'd over to them, which is an Ecclesiastique Rite evry where els throughout the world.

A Cavalier coming lately to a Booksellers shop desir'd to buy this Matrimonial Act, with the rest of that holy Parlement, but he would have them all bound in Calfs-Leather bought out of Mr. Barebone's Shopp in Fleetstreet.

The Soldiers have a great spleen to the Lawyers, in so much that they threaten to hang up their Gowns among the Scotts Colours in Westminster-Hall; but their chiefest aym is at the regulation of the Chance­ry, for they would have the same Tribunal to have the power of Justice and Equity, as the same Apo­thecaries shop can afford us Purges, and Cordials.

So with my kind and cordial respects unto you, I rest

XXXIX. To Mr. J. B. at his House in St. Nicolas Lane.

WHen I exchang'd speeches with you last, I found (yet more by your discours then coun­tenance) that your spirits were towards a kind of ebb by reason of the interruption, and stopp which these confused Times have put to all mercantile negotiati­ons both at home and abroad: Truly, Sir, when af­ter a serious recollection I had ruminated upon what dropp'd from you then, I extremely wondred, which I should not have done at another, in regard since the first time I had the advantage of your frendship, I discover'd that you were narurally of generous and freeborn thoughts; I have found also, that by a rare industry you have stor'd up a rich stock of Philoso­phy, and other parts of prudence, which induc'd me to think that no worldly revolution, or any crosse winds though never so violent, no not a Hauracane could trouble the calm of your mind; Therfore to deal freely with you, you are not the same man I took you for.

I confesse 'tis a passive Age, and the stoutnes of the ver prudent'st and most Philosophical men were ne- [Page 94] put to such a trial: I thank God the School of af­fliction hath brought me to such a habit of patience, it hath caus'd in me such symptomes of Mortificati­on, that I can value this world as it is, It is but a Vale of troubles, and we who are in it are like so many ants trudging up and down about a Mole-hill; Nay at best, we are but as so many Pilgrims, or Passengers travelling on still towards another Countrey: 'Tis tru, that som do find the way thither more smooth, and fair, they find it flowry, and tread upon Camamel all along; Such may be said to have their Paradis here, or to sayl still in Fortunes sleeve, and to have the wind in the poop all the while, not knowing what a storm means; yet both the Divine and Philosopher do rank these among the most infortunat of men. Others ther are who in their journey to their last home do meet with rocks, and craggs, with ill-favor'd sloughs and boggs, and divers deep and dirty passages; for my part I have already pass'd through many such, and must expect to meet with more: Therfore you also by your various adventures, and negotiations in the world must not think to escape them; you must make account to meet with encombrances, and disasters, with mischances and crosses. Now, 'twas a brave generous saying of a great Armenian Marchant, who having understood how a Vessel of his was cast away, wherin ther was laden a rich Cargazon upon his sole account, He struck his hand on his breast and said, My heart I thank God is still afloat, my spirits shall not sink with the ship, nor go an inch lower.

But why do I write to you of patience and courage? In doing this, I do no otherwise then Phormio did when he discours'd of War before Hannibal; I know you have prudence enough to cheer up and instruct [Page 95] your self; Only let me tell you, that you superabound with fancy, you have more of mind then of body, and that somtimes you overcharge the Imagination by mu­sing too much upon the odd traverses of the World: therfore I pray rouse up your spirits, and reserve your self for better times, that I may long enjoy the sweetnes of your frendship, for the Elements are the more pleasing unto me, because you live with me amongst them. So God send you such tranquillity of thoughts as I wish.

XL. To Major J. Walker in Coventry.

I Heartily congratulat your return to England, and that you so safely cross'd the Scythian Vale, for so old Gildas calls the Irish Seas in regard they are so boystrous and rough: I understand you have bin in sundry hot and hazardous encounters, because of those many scarrs and cuts you wear about you, and as Tom Dawson told me, it was no lesse then a miracle that none of them were mortal, being eleven in all: It makes me think on a witty complement that Cap­tain Miller put upon the Persian Ambassador when he was here, who shewing him many wounds that he had receiv'd in the Wars against the Turk, the Captain said, That his Lordships skin after his death [Page 96] would yield little money, because it had so many holes in it.

I find the same Fate hangs o're the Irish, as befell the old Britains here, for as they were hemm'd among the Welsh Mountains, so the Irish are like now to be all kennell'd in Conaught: We see daily strange re­volutions, and God knowes what the issue will be at last; howsoever let us live and love one another, in which resolution I rest

XLI. To Mr. T. C. at his House upon Tower-Hill.

TO inaugurat a good and Jovial New-Yeer unto you, I send you a mornings draught, (viz. a bot­tle of Metheglin,) Neither Sir John Barly-corn or Bacchus had any thing to do with it, but it is the pure juyce of the Bee, the laborious Bee, and King of Insects; The Druyds and old British Bards were wont to take a carowse herof before they entred in­to their speculations, and if you do so when your fancy labours with any thing, it will do you no hurt, and I know your fancy to be very good.

But this drink alwaies carries a kind of state with it, for it must be attended with a brown tost, nor will it admit but of one good draught, and that in the morning, if more, it will keep a humming in the head, [Page 97] and so speak too much of the House it comes from, I mean the Hive, as I gave a caution elswhere; and because the bottle might make more haste, I have made it go upon these (Poetique) feet:

This alludes to a saying which the Turks have, that ther lurks a devil in evry berry of the Vine. So I wish you as cordially as to my self an auspicious and joy­full New-Yeer, because you know I am

XLII. To Sir E. S.

AT my return to London, I found two of yours that lay in bank for me, which were as welcom to me as the New-Yeer, and as pleasing as if two pen­dents [Page 98] of Orient Perl had bin sent to a French Lady: But your Lines, mee thought, did cast a greater lustre then any such Muscle beads, for they displayed the whitenes of a comly and knowing soul, which re­flecting upon my faculties did much enlighten them, with the choice notions I found therein.

I thank you for the absolution you send me for what's pass'd, and for your other Invitation; But I have observ'd a civility they use in Italy and Spain, not to visit a sick person too often, for fear of put­ting him to waste his spirits by talk, which they say spends much of the Inward man; but when you will have recover'd your self, as I hope you will do with the season, I shall return to kisse your hands, and your feet also could I ease you of that podagrical pain which afflicts you.

I send you a thousand thanks for your kind accep­tance of that small New-Yeers gift I sent, and that you concur with divers other in a good opinion of it: So I rest,

XLIII. To the truly Honored the Lady Sybilla Brown at her House nere Sherburn.

VVHen I had the happines to wait upon you at your being in London, ther was a dispute rais'd about the ten Sybills, by one, who, your Ladi­ship [Page 99] knowes, is no great frend to Antiquity, and I was glad to apprehend this opportunity to perform the promise you drew from me then to vent som­thing upon this subject for your Ladiships satis­faction.

Madame, In these peevish times, which may be call'd the rust of the Iron Age, ther is a race of cross-grain'd peeple which are malevolent to all Antiqui­ty, If they read an old Authour it is to quarrel with him, and find some hole in his coat; They slight the Fathers of the Primitive times, and prefer John Cal­vin, or a Causabon before them all: Among other tenets of the first times they hold the ten Sybills to be fictitious and fabulous, and no better then Ʋr­ganda, or the Lady of the Lake, or such doting bel­dams: They stick not to term their predictions of Christ to be meer mock-Oracles, and odd arreptiti­ous frantick extravagancies; They cry out that they were forg'd and obtruded to the world by some offi­cious Christians to procure credit, and countenance to their Religion among the Pagans.

For my part, Madame, I am none of this incredu­lous perverse race of men, but what the current, and concurrent testimonies of the Primitive times do hold forth, I give credit therunto without any scruple.

Now, touching the works of the Sybills, they were in high request among the Fathers of the first 4. Cen­turies, insomuch that they us'd to urge their Prophe­sies for conversion of Pagans, who therfore call'd the Christians Sybyllianists, nor did they hold it a word of reproach; They were all Virgins, and for reward of their chastity, 'twas thought they had the gift of Prophecy; not by any endowment of nature, or inherent humane quality, or ordinary idaeas in [Page 100] the soul, but by pure divine inspirations not depen­ding on second causes in sight; They speak not like the ambiguous Pagan Oracles in riddles, but so cleer­ly that they somtimes go beyond the Jewish Pro­phets; they were call'd Siobulae that is, of the Coun­sels of God, Sios in the Eolic dialect being Deus: They were preferr'd before all the Chaldean Wisards, before the Bacides, Branchydae and others, as also be­fore Tiresias, Manto, Matis, or Cassandra, &c.

Nor did the Christians onely value them at that height, but the most learned among the Ethniks, did so, as Varro, Livic, and Cicero, the first being the greatest Antiquary, the second the greatest Historian, and the third the greatest Orator that ever Rome had, who speaks so much of that famous Acrostic that one of them made of the Name of our Saviour, which sure could not be the work of a Christian, as som would maliciously obtrude, it being so long before the Incarnation.

But for the better discharge of my engagement to your Ladiship, I will rank all the ten before you, with som of their most signal Predictions.

The Sybills were ten in nomber, wherof ther were 5. born in Europe, to wit, Sybilla Delphica, Cumaea, Samia, Cumana, and Tyburtina, the rest were born in Asia and Afric.

The first was a Persian call'd Samberta, who plain­ly foretold many hundred yeers before in these words, The womb of the Virgin shall be the salvation of the Gentiles, &c.

The second was Sybilla Lybica, who among other Prophesies hath this; The day shall come that men shall see the King of all living things, and a Virgin Lady of the world shall hold him in her lapp.

The third was Delphica, who saith, A Prophet shall be born of a Virgin.

The fourth was Sybilla Cumaea, born in Campania in Italy, who hath these words, that God shall be born of a Virgin, and converse with sinners.

The fifth was the famous Erythraea born at Baby­lon, who compos'd that famous Acrostic which St. Au­gustin took so much pains to translate into Latin: which begins, The Earth shall sweat signes of Judgment, from Heaven shall com a King who shall reign for ever, viz. in humane flesh, to the end that by his presence he judg the world; A river of fire and brimstone shall fall from Heaven, the Sun and Starrs shall lose their light, the Fir­mament shall be dissolv'd, and the Moon shall be dark­ned, a Trumpet shall sound from Heaven in wofull and terrible manner, and the opening of the Earth shall disco­ver confused, and dark h [...]ll, and before the Judge shall com evry King, &c.

The sixt was Sybilla Samia, who saith, He being rich shall be born of a poor Maid, the Cretures of the Earth shall adore him, and praise him for ever.

The seventh was Cumana, who saith, That he should come from Heaven, and reign here in poverty, he should rule in silence, and be born of a Virgin.

The eight was Sybilla Hellespontica, who foretells plainly, that A Woman shall descend of the Jewes call'd Mary, and of her shall be born the Son of God, and that without carnal copulation, &c.

The ninth was Phrygia, who saith, The highest shall com from heaven, and shall confirm the Councel in heaven, and a Virgin shall be shew'd in the Valleys of the desarts, &c.

The tenth was Tyburtina, born nere Tyber, who saith, The invisible Word shall be born of a Virgin, he shall [Page 102] converse with sinners; and shall of them be despis'd, &c.

Moreover, St. Austin reciteth these Prophesies fol­lowing of the Sybills; Then he shall be taken by the wicked hands of Infidels, and they shall give him buffets on his face, they shall spit upon him with their foule and accursed mouthes, he shall turn unto them his shoulders, suffring them to be whipp'd: He also shall be crown'd with thorns, they shall give him gall to eat, and vineger to drink; Then the vail of the Temple shall rend, and at mid-day it shall be dark night, &c.

Lactantius relateth these Prophesies of theirs, Hee shall raise the dead, the impotent and lame shall go, the deaf shall hear, the blind shall see, and the dumb speak, &c.

In fine, out of the Works of the Sybills may be deduc'd a good part of the miracles and suffrings of Christ, therfore for my part I will not cavill with Antiquity, or traduce the Primitive Church, but I think I may believe without danger, that those Sy­bills might be select instruments to announce the dis­pensations of heaven to Mankind; Nor do I see how they do the Church of God any good service or advantage at all, who question the truth of their Writings, (as also Trismegistus his Pymandra, and Aristaeus, &c.) who have bin handed over to poste­rity as incontroulable truths for so many Ages.

Thus, Madame, have I don somthing of that task you impos'd upon me touching the ten Sybills, wher­unto I may well add your Ladiship for the Eleventh, for among other things I remember you foretold confidently that the Scottish Kerk would destroy the English Church; and that if the Hierarchy went down, Monarchy would not be of long conti­nuance.

Your Ladiship I remember foretold also, how those unhappy separatists the Puritans would bring all things at last into a confusion, who since are call'd Presbyterians, or Jewes of the New Testament, and they not improperly may be call'd so, for they sym­pathize much with that Nation in a revengeful san­guinary humor, and thirsting after blood; I could produce a clowd of examples, but let two suf­fice.

Ther liv'd a few yeers before the Long Parlement neer Clun Castle in Wales a good old Widdow that had two sons grown to mens estate, who having ta­ken holy Sacrament on a first Sunday in the month, at their return home they entred into a dispute tou­ching the manner of receiving it; The eldest brother who was an Orthodox Protestant (with the mother) held it was very fitting it being the highest act of devotion, that it should be taken in the humblest posture that could be upon the knees; the other, be­ing a Puritan, oppos'd it, and the dispute grew high, but it ended without much heat; The next day be­ing both com home to dinner from their busines abroad, the eldest brother as it was his custom took a napp upon a cushion at the end of the table that he might be more fresh for labor, the Puritan brother, call'd Enoch Evans, spying his opportunity fetch'd an axe which he had provided it seems on purpose, and stealing softly to the Table he chopp'd off his bro­thers head; the old mother hearing a noise came sud­denly from the next room, and ther found the body and head of her eldest son both asunder, and reaking in hot bloud, O viliain, cryed she, hast thou murther'd thy eldest brother? yes, quoth he, and you shall after [Page 104] him, and so striking her down, he dragg'd her body to the threshall of the door, and there chopp'd off her head also, and put them both in a bagg; but thinking to fly he was apprehended and brought be­fore the next Justice of Peace, who chanc'd to be Sir Robert Howard, so the murtherer the Assizes after was condemn'd, and the Law could but only hang him, though he had committed matricide and fratricide.

I will fetch another example of their cruelty from Scotland; The late Marquis of Montrose being betray­ed by a Lerd in whose house he lay was brought pri­soner of War to Edenburgh, there the common hang­man met him at the Townes end, and first pull'd off his hatt, then he forc'd him up to a Cart, and hurried him like a condemn'd person, though he had not yet bin arraign'd, much lesse convicted, through the great stree [...] and brought him before the Parlement, where being presently condemn'd, he was posted away to the Gallowes, which was above 30 foot high, there his hand was cut off first, then he was lifted up by pul­lies to the topp, and then hang'd in the most ignomi­nious manner that could be; being taken down, his head was chopp'd off and nail'd to the high Crosse, his arms, thighes and leggs were sent to be set up in severall places, and the rest of his body was thrown away and depriv'd of Christian burial. Thus was this Nobleman us'd, though one of the ancient'st Peers of Scotland, and esteem'd the greatest honor of that Countrey both at home, and abroad. Add herunto the morall cruelty they us'd to their young King, with whom they would not treat unlesse he first ac­knowledg'd his Father to be a Tyrant, and his Mother an Idolatresse, &c.

So I most humbly kisse your hands, and rest al­wayes

XLIV. To Sir L. D. in Paris.

YOurs of the 22 current came to safe hand, but what you please to attribut therin to my Letters, may be more properly applied to yours in point of intrinsic value; for by this correspondence with you, I do as our East-India Marchants use to do, I venture beads and other bagatels, out of the proceed wherof I have Perl, and other Oriental jewels return'd me in yours.

Concerning the posture of things here we are still involv'd in a cloud of confusion, specially touching Church matters, a race of odd crack-brain'd Schisma­tiques do croak in evry corner, but poor things they rather want a Physician to cure them of their madnes, then a Divine to confute them of their Errors; Such is the height of their spiritual pride, that they make it nothing to interpret evry tittle of the Apocalyps, they make a shallow rivulet of it that one may passe over and scarce wet his ankles, wheras the greatest Do­ctors of the Church compar'd it to a deep Foord [Page 106] wherin an Elephant might swimm: They think they are of the Cabinet Counsel of God, and not onely know his Attributes but his Essence, which made me lately break out upon my pillow into these Me­tricall speculations.

Ther are many things under serious debate in Par­lement, wherof the results may be call'd yet but the imperfect productions of a gran Committee, they may in time come to the maturity of Votes, and so of Acts.

You write that you have the German Diet which goes forth in my name, and you say that you never had more matter for your money; I have valued it the more ever since, in regard that you please to set such a rate upon't; for I know your opinion is current and sterling: I shall shortly by T. B. send you a new [Page 108] History of Naples, which also did cost me a great deal of oil and labor.

Sir, if ther be any thing imaginable wherin I may steed or serve you here, you well know what interest and power you may claim both in the affections of my heart, and the faculties of my soul: I pray be pleas'd to present the humblest of my service to the noble Earl your brother, and preserve still in your good opinion

XLV. [To Sir E. S. Knight.

NOw that the Sun and the Spring advance daily towards us more and more, I hope your health will keep pace with them; And that the all-searching beams of the first, will dissipat that fretful humor, which hath confin'd you so long to your Chamber, and barr'd you of the use of your tru supporters: But though your toes be sluggs, yet your Temples are nimble enough, as I find by your last of the 12. cur­rent, which makes me think on a speech of Severus the Emperour, who having layn sick a long time of the Gout at York, and one of his Nobles telling him that he wondred much how he could rule so vast an Empire being so lame and unweldy; the Emperour answer'd, That He rul'd the Empire with his brain, not [Page 109] with his feet: so it may be said of you, that you rule the same way the whole state of that Microcosme of yours, for evry man is a little World of himself.

Moreover, I find that the same kind of spirit doth govern your body as governs the great world, I mean the Celestial bodies, for as the notions wherby they are regulated are Musical, if we may beleeve Pytha­goras whom the Tripod pronounc'd the wisest man, so a tru harmonious spirit seems to govern you, in re­gard you are so naturally inclin'd to the ravishing art of Music.

Your frends here are well, and wish you were so too, for my part, I do not only wish it, but pray it may be so, for my life is the sweeter in yours, and I please my self much in being

XLVI. To Mr. Sam. Bon. at his House in the Old Jury.

I Receiv'd that choice parcel of Tobacco your ser­vant brought me, for which I send you as many returns of gratitude, as there were grains therin, which were many, (and cut all me thinks with a Dia­mond cut) but too few to expresse my acknowledg­ment; I had also therwith your most ingenious Let­ter, which I valued far more: The other was but a [Page 110] Potential fire only reducible to smoak; but your Let­ter did sparckle with actual fire, for me thought ther were pure flames of love, and gentlenes waving in evry line: The Poets do frequently compare affecti­on to fire, therfore whensoever I take any of this Varina, I will imagine that I light my pipe alwayes at the flames of your Love.

I also highly thank you for the Italian Manuscripts you sent me of the late revolutions in Naples, which will infinitly advantage me in exposing to the World that stupendous peece of story; I am in the arrear to you for sundry courtesies more, which shall make me ever entitle my self

XLVII. To W. Sands, Esq;

THe Calamities and Confusions, which the late Warrs did bring upon us, were many, and mani­fold, yet England may be said to have gain'd one ad­vantage by it; for wheras before she was like an ani­mal that knew not his own strength, she is now bet­ter acquainted with her self, for her power and wealth did never appeer more both by Land and Sea; This makes France to cringe unto her so much; This makes Spain to purchase Peace of her with his Indian Patacoons: This makes the Hollander to dash his [Page 111] colours, and vail his bonet so low unto her; this makes the Italian Princes, and all other States that have any thing to do with the Sea to court her so much: In­deed touching the Emperour, and the Mediterranean Princes of Germany whom she cannot reach with her Canons, they care not much for her.

Nor indeed was the tru are of Governing England known till now, the Sword is the surest sway over all peeple who ought to be cudgel'd rather then ca­joll'd to obedience, if upon a glutt of plenty and peace they should forget it. Ther is not such a windy wa­vering thing in the world as the Common peeple; They are got by an Apple, and lost for a Pear, the Ele­ments themselves are not more inconstant; So that it is the worst soloecism in Goverment for a Prince to depend meerly upon their affections; Riches and long rest makes them insolent and wanton: It was not Tarquin's wantones as much as the Peeples that ejee­ted Kings in Rome; It was the peeples concupiscence, as much as Don Rodrigo's lust that brought the Moors into Spain, &c.

Touching the Wealth of England, it never also ap­peer'd so much by public Erogations, and Taxes, which the long Parlement rais'd; Insomuch, that it may be said the last King was beaten by his own Image more then any thing els. Add herunto that the world stands in admiration of the capacity, and doci­blenes of the English, that Persons of ordinary bree­ding, Extraction and Callings should becom States­men and Souldiers, Commanders and Councellors both in the art of Warr, and mysteries of State, and know the use of the Compasse in so short a tract of time.

I have many thanks to give you for the Spanish discours you pleas'd to send me, at our next conjunc­ture [Page 112] I shall give you an account of it, in the interim I pray let me have still a small corner in your thoughts, while you possesse a large room in mine, and ever shall while

XLVIII. To the R. H. the E. of S.

SInce my last, that which is the greatest subject of our discourses and hopes here is the issue of our Trety with the Dutch; It is a peece that hath bin a good while on the anvil, but it is not hammer'd yet to any shape. The Parlement likewise hath many things in debate, which may be call'd yet but Embryos, in time they may be hatch'd into Acts.

The Pope they write hath been of late dangerously sick, but hath bin cur'd in a strange way by a young Padoua Doctor, who having kill'd a lusty young Mule clapp'd the Patients body naked in the paunch therof, by which gentle fomentation he recover'd him of the tumors he had in his knees and elswhere.

Donna Olympia swayes most, and hath the highest ascendent over him, so that a Gentleman writes to me from Rome, that among other Pasquils this was one, Papa magis amat Olympiam quàm Olympum: He writes of another, That the bread being not long since grown scant, and made coorser then ordinary by reason of the tax his Holines laid upon Corn, ther was a Pasquill fix'd upon a corner stone of his Palace, Beatissime Pater fac ut hi lapides fiant panes; O blessed [Page 113] Father, grant that these stones be made bread. But it was an odd character that our Countreyman Doctor B. gave lately of him, who being turn'd Roman Ca­tholic, and expecting a Pension, and having one day attended his Holines a long time about it, he at last broke away suddenly; a frend of his asking why? He replied, It is to no purpose for me to stay longer, for I know he will give me nothing, because I find by his Physiognomy that he hath a Negative face: 'Tis tru, he is one of the hard-favored'st Popes that sate in the Chair a great while; so that som call him L'Huo­mo de tre peli, The man with three hairs, for he hath no more beard upon his chin.

St. Mark is still tugging with the great Turk, and hath bang'd him ill-favoredly this Sommer in Dal­matia by Land, and before the Dardanelli by Sea.

Wheras your Lordship writes for my Lustra Ludi­vici, or the History of the last French King and his Cardinal; I shall ere long serve your Lordship with one of a new Edition, and with some enlargements: I humbly thank your Lordship for the favorable, and indeed too high a character you please to give of my Survey of Venice; yet ther are som who would detract from it, and, (which I beleeve your Lordship will somthing wonder at) they are Cavalliers, but the shallowest and silliest sort of them; And such may well deserve the epithet of Malignants. So I hum­bly kisse your hands in quality of

XLIX. To the R. H. the Earl Rivers, at his House in Queenstreet.

THe least command of yours is enough to set all my intellectualls on work, therfore I have don somthing as your Lordship shall find herwith, rela­ting to that gallant peece call'd the Gallery of Ladies, which my Lord Marquis of Winchester (your Brother) hath set forth.

I send also the Elegy upon the late Earl of Dorset, which your Lordship spake of so much when I waited on you last; And I beleeve your Lordship will find therin evry inch of that noble Peer characteriz'd in­wardly and outwardly.

So I most humbly kisse your Lordships hands, and rest in the highest degree of service and affection ever most ready

L. To T. Herris Esq;

YOurs of December the tenth I had the second of this January, and I account it a good Augury that it came so seasonably to usher in the New-Yeer, and to cheer up my thoughts, which your Letters have a vertu to do alwaies whensoever they com, they are so full of quaint and copious quick expressions. When the Spaniards at their first coalition in the West-In­dies did begin to mingle with the Americans, that silly peeple thought that those little white papers and let­ters which the Spaniards us'd to send one to another, were certain kind of Conjurers or Spirits that us'd to go up and down to tell tales, and make discoveries: Among other examples, I remember to have read one of an Indian boy sent from a Mexico Marchant to a Captain, with a basket of Figgs, and a Letter; The boy in the way did eat som of them, and the Captain after he had read the Letter ask'd him what became of the rest? wherat the boy stood all asto­nish'd; and being sent with another basket a little after to the same party, his maw began to yern again after som of the figgs, but he first took the Letter and clap'd it under a great stone hard by upon which he sate while he was eating, thinking therby that the spirit in the letter could not discover him, &c. Whe­ther your Letters be spirits or no, I will not dispute, but I am sure they beget new spirits in mee, and quod efficit tale illud ipsum est magis tale; If I am possess'd [Page 120] with Melancholy, they raise a spirit of mirth in me; if my thoughts are contracted with sadnes, they pre­sently dilate them into joy, &c. As if they had som subtile invislble Atomes wherby they operat, which is now an old Philosophy newly furbish'd, and much cryed up, that all natural actions and motions are perform'd by emission of certain atomes, wherof ther is a constant effluvium from all elementary bo­dies, and are of divers shapes, som angular, others cylindrical, som spherical, which atomes are still hovering up and down, and never rest till they meet with som pores proportionable and cognate unto their figures where they acquiesce: By the expira­tion of such Atomes the dogg finds the sent as he hunts, the Pestilence infects, the Loadstone attracts iron, the Sympathetic powder or Zaphyrian salt cal­cin'd by Apollineaen heat, operating in July and August till it com to a lunary complexion, I say, by the vertu and intervention of such atomes, 'tis found that this said powder heales at a distance without to­picall applications to the place affected. They who are of this opinion hold that all sublunary bodies operat thus by Atoms, as the heavenly bodies do by their influences. Now, it is more visible in the Loadstone then any other body, for by help of artificial glasses a kind of mist hath bin discern'd to expire out of it, as Dr. Highmore doth acutely, and so much like a Philosopher observe. For my part, I think it more congruous to reason, and to the cours of Nature, that all actions and motions should be thus per­form'd by such little atomical bodies, then by Ac­cidents and qualities which are but notiorall things, having only an imaginary subsistence, and no essence [Page 121] of themselves at all, but as they inhere in som other. If this Philosophy be tru, it were no great absurdity to think that your Letters have a kind of Atomicall energy which operats upon my spirits, as I formerly told you.

The Times continu still untoward and troublesom, Therfore now, that you and I carry above a hundred yeers upon both our backs, and that those few grains of sand which remain in the brittle glasses of our lives are still running out, It is time, my deer Tom, for us to think on that which of all future things is the most certain, I mean our last removal, and emi­gration hence to another World. 'Tis time to think on that little hole of Earth which shall hold us at last: The time was, that you and I had all the fair Continent of Europe before us to range in; We have bin since confin'd to an Iland, and now Lincoln holds you, and London mee, we must expect the day that sicknes will confine us to our Chambers, then to our Beds, and so to our Graves, the dark silent grave, which will put a period to our pilgrimage in this world; And observable it is, what method Nature doth use in contracting our liberty thus by degrees, as a worthy Gentleman observes.

But though this small baggfull of bones be so con­fin'd, yet the noblest part of us may be said to be then set at full liberty, when having shaken off this slough of flesh she mounts up to her tru Countrey, the Countrey of Eternity, where one moment of joy is more then if we enjoy'd all the pleasures of this world a million of yeers here among the Ele­ments.

But till our threeds are spun up, let as continue [Page 122] to enjoy our selves as well as we can, let those grains I spoke of before run gently by their own motion, without jogging the glasse by any perturbation of mind, or musing too much upon the Times.

Man's life is nimble and swift enough of it self without the help of a spurr, or any violent motion, therfore he spoke like a tru Philosopher, who ex­cepted against the title of a Book call'd de statu Vi­tae, but he should rather have entitled it, de cursu Vi­tae; for this life is still upon the speed.

You and I have luckily met abroad under many Meridians, when our cours is run here, I hope we shall meet in a Region that is above the wheel of Time; And it may be in the Concave of som Star (if those glorious Lamps are Habitable.) Howsoever my Genius prompts me, that when I part hence I shall not downwards, for I had alwaies soaring thoughts being but a boy, at which time I had a mighty de­sire to be a bird that I might fly towards the Sky.

So my long-endeared frend, and Fellow-Tra­veller, I rest