PRIMS Full-text transcription (HTML)

Loveday's LETTERS Domeſtick and Forrein. TO SEVERAL PERSONS, Occaſionally diſtributed in SUBJECTS Philoſophicall, Hiſtoricall & Morall,

By R. LOVEDAY Gent. the late Tranſlator of the three firſt parts of Cleopatra.

Optimae ſunt Literae quae in lucem prodeunt, proſunt & penetrant.

Caſſan.

LONDON, Printed by J. G. for Nath. Brook, at the Angel in Corn-hill, 1659.

[portrait of Robert Loveday, fl. 1655 (?)]

Lucid amant

Pour Relever

For my Friend Mr. A. L.

SIR,

I Received yours, deſiring my advice for the pub­liſhing of your Brothers Letters. Truly Sir, I ſhould be very ungrateful to him, unkind to my ſelf, and injurious to others, if I ſhould diſſwade you from offering thoſe to the publick, which in the communication may be pleaſurable to all. Many of them being written to my ſelf, and the reſt (as I ſup­poſe) to his correſpondents, tis poſſible that in ſome of them the freedom of his Pen, and Intereſt with the perſon to whom he writ, might in ſome places make his expreſſions not ſo compact, or ſo clear, as the critical Peruſer expects. But doubtleſs he knew what he writ at the time when he writ, but was not ob­liged to circumſcribe his fancy, either to his own con­tinuing, or the Readers tranſitory underſtanding: yet meeting with one indued with a reaſonable kindneſs and temper, he will find nothing but what may be interpreted without any Interpreters. I remember there were ſome other paſſages in ſome of them, con­cerning the Tranſactions of that age wherein he writ: ſubjects too ſubtile for a private Pen, I wiſh them ra­ther expung'd then expos'd; for (beſides the danger of treading upon the heels of truth) there is State, that connexion between the ſecrets and acts of State, that we (as private perſons) cannot, ought not, to cenſure one, unleſſe we knew the other. There are ſo many neceſſary miſts caſt before our eyes, ſo many umbrages before the light, that it were more ſafe for us to draw our Curtains, and take a nap, then to ſearch about (as Diogenes with his Lanthorn and Candle) to find out truth.

We are ſo partiall in our Intereſts and ſelf-concern­ments, either of mind or body, or both, that moſtly we account thoſe things neither good, rationall nor commodious, which do not concur in all circumſtan­ces with our intire judgement, or individuall advan­tage.

I wiſh I had leiſure to peruſe the whole Packet, be­fore you ſent them to the publick; but in earneſt, Sir, I cannot ſpare ſo much time from my Intruſtments. It is my deſire therefore that you will adviſe with ſuch friends as have an affection to his repute; and if they be of my acquaintance, tell them (as an incouragement to their expenſe of time) my opinion is (ſo farre as I retain the memory of them, and I believe the reſt are ſuitable) that they are very choice deſcants, Theologi­call, Ethicall, facetious and ſolid. The volatile part ſhewing the art of the Chymiſt, as the fixt matter: there is ſomething to pleaſe all Tempers, maſculine and feminine, martial and civil, curiall and rurall, ſaty­rick and amorous: and I doubt not but if he had lived the compleating of his Tranſlation of Cleopatra, or Loves Maſter-piece, I know not whether he would have done greater right to France or England, by making French Engliſh, or Engliſh French: the accompliſhments of his Pen therein were ſo clear and genuine, as if his private had conſulted with the publick Genius of both Nations: however, I dare ſay, by accuſtoming his Pen to theſe, and things of an higher nature, he would have proved an Engliſh Balzack.

I confeſſe I wiſh we were reſtated in our primitive Innocency, when all our actions were naked, and yet not aſhamed; and when our thoughts were imparted either by an univerſal Character, or the harmleſs Hieroglyphick of a Dove or a Lamb; but now how are we involved in the perplexities of our ſcribling! So that well may the word Litera be etymologiz'd Litis aera, the Epoche, or beginning of all contentions; we began modeſtly with the bark and rind of Trees, till the fol­lowing ages having thus deſtroyd their ſhady Groves, tore the skins from harmleſſe ſheep, that their impure Volumes might be countenanc't by thoſe innocent Velumes; and not contented to deprive theſe creatures of their intire ſepultures, they have perverted their bodies to gluttony, and their skins to impoſtures; and the latter Age hath even robb'd the poor of their raggs, torturing them with Mills and other Engines, till in paper they are made Legatives to moſt of our humane affairs; and no ſooner are they fitted with the colour of innocency, white, but compounds of poiſons, Vitriol, Gall, and Vi­neger (emblemes of commotion) do again die them with the ſad and ſable tincture, which occaſions ſo much diſorder and unquiet to the World.

And now at laſt we ſeem diſtracted with the num­ber & weight of devices, ſo that an Index Expurgatori­us hath been practiſed by the learned, and more fierce­ly executed (without diſtinction) by the inrodes of the ignorant.

Yet Seneca's and Cicero's Epiſtles have eſcap't, may Loveday's have the ſame ſucceſſe and eſtimate; and then after-ages will not blame me for incouraging you to their expoſure, eſpecially if they pleaſe to read and imitate his leiſurable imployment.

I ſhall onely add this (being diverted by ſome o­ther approaches) that I well knew your Brother vali­ant, faithful, and diſcreetly induſtrious in all the con­cernments of body and mind. I was his Friend, and am

Yours, J. PETTUS.

To his Honoured Couſins, Mr. William Crow of London, and Mr. Antho. Loveday of Cheſton.

Honoured Couſins,

YOu being the top-branches of thoſe two Families from whence the deceaſed Authour of theſe Epiſtles had his deſcent, and thereby having a genuine propriety in them, it were unnaturall, by way of Dedicati­on, to put them under the umbrage and protection of any other. He had many Teſtimonies of your affection whileſt living, and I know you retain his memory not unſuitable: they therefore incounter the Eye of the ingenuous Reader, under the patro­nage and conduct of your names. Ac­cept the tender of them as a pledge of my reall affection; and if ever Providence ſmile me into a capacity of dreſsing my power in a more be­coming attire, I ſhall be ready to ap­prove my ſelf,

Couſin,
Your moſt humble Servant.
Nephew,
Your reall affectionate Uncle, ANTHO. LOVEDAY.

TO THE READER.

Courteous Reader,

THeſe Epiſtles are ralli'd into a body, and expoſed to publick view, in the divulging whereof, neither could the inſtancy of the Authors friends, though their eſtimate had an high influence over me; nor a reliance on my own opinion, fearing leſt it might appear too partial through my near re­lation to the Author, act ſo ſtrongly on me, as to acquieſce to the importunity of their deſires; ſo tender was I of his honour in edition of his labours, till ſuch time, as by the peruſal of perſons of unqueſtioned judgment they were return'd to my hand, highly approved. And of theſe, no inducement more impreſſive nor effi­caciouſly perſwaſive, then the incouragement of a perſon, whoſe judicious pen has ſufficient­ly diſcovered his abilities to the world: by ex­preſſing him, without any other additional delineature, the maſter of a rich Fancy: be­ing generally known to be not onely an appro­ved Profeſſor, but a conſtant Advancer of all humane and divine learning: ſingularly vers'd in both: and whoſe affectionate intimacy to this Author, as it highly obliged him in his life; ſo have his judicious lines conduced no leſs to the perpetuating of his memory after his death. This may appear in the very firſt Letter, which this perſon of honour was plea­ſed to addreſs to me: wherein he has returned with a modeſt candor the opinion he retained touching this ingenious: Author whoſe blame­leſs repute, and fair deportment in the whole progreſs of hislife, mannagement of his affections, and current of his actions ſuperſeded all cen­ſure.

The Author indeed, had a reſolution, if God had lent him life, and enlarged his houres in a parallel line to the apparent progreſſion of his raiſing hopes, "to have ſeen theſe, as they were by him occaſionally compoſed, ſo methodically diſpoſed and completed: and to beſtow a meri­ting addition on his Pen, in ſuch manner poliſh­ed and refined, as they might have clearly diſ­covered the precious quality of that Mine, and purity of his Mind from whence they de­rived their extraction. As for his Pen, give me leave to return that opinion of it, which all men who with recollected thoughts have ſeri­ouſly read him, ingeniouſly retain'd of it: his Stile was ſuch as it knew how to preſent State without affectation; render a modeſt cenſure without bitterneſs, and cloſe the period of his Diſcourſe with incomparable ſweetneſſe. Nei­ther were his parts onely deſerving, his educa­tion and deſcent held an equipage to thoſe Na­tive imbelliſhments. To the ſurviving reputa­tion whereof I ſhall give you this account; He was well deſcended, his education was in the Univerſity of Cambridge, where in his greeneſt years he did not ſhake off the yoak of diſcipline, and devote himſelf to the ſoft blandiſhments of ſenſuality, but was ſedulous to his ſtudy, and 'tis like had atchiev'd ſome ſuitable preferment, had not martial times occurr'd, no friend to Science, and diſturbed his ſtudies; this made him run the ſame fortune with others, who liv'd to ſtudy: were driven to ſtudy to live; for as that pure Italian Wit Petrarch ſometimes ſaidMars his Armory, and Minerva's Meniey, run ſo much upon diviſions, as they ſeldom cloze in a graceful harmony.And thus his determinati­ons were forced to a hait, but his active ſoul mov'd in the Sphere of Virtue, and in thoſe cloudy dayes was pregnant in ſomething that ſtill witneſſed that Virtue was his Miſtriſs, and many ingenious Pieces fell from his Pen, which hereafter may ſee the World, and deſerve thy peruſal (if clear Fancies may ſuit with the conſtitution of cloudy times.) He had acquir'd to himſelf the Italian and French Languages, out of the laſt his Verſion of Cleopatra which he call'd Hymen's Praeludia, the firſt three Parts are extant, and gain'd applauſe: how his Letters will arride thy liking, I know not, do as thou ſhalt find them. So I take my leave, Farewel.

A. L.
Ʋpon Mr. ROBERT LOVEDAY's Effigies.
LOVEDAY, thy feature here by FATHORN drawn,
Though it diſplay his Maſter-piece of Art,
It cannot repreſent the ſmalleſt grain
Of thoſe clear rays of thy diviner part,
The Royal fancies of thy loyal heart;
For thoſe tranſcend the Pencil, and muſt be
No Objects of the Eye but Memory.
Upon the Embleme.
THe Widowed Turtle leaves the flowry Grove
To ſolemnize the Obits of his Love:
Love day he may; but in a ſecret cave
He ſpends each minute on his Spouſes Grave.
And when the Sun his glorious courſe has run,
He addes this Note O muſt Love lie alone!
Since Turtles tears ſuch Obſequies do make,
We ſhould be Niobees all for thy Love-ſake.
For Fame averrs, nere any di'd ſo young
In love more richly ſtor'd, in hopes more ſtrong.
The Emble me explain'd.
LOok on the radiant ſplendor of that Sun;
Look on that Turtle in her Ebon-cave;
Whoſe amorous threed of life wov'n up and ſpun,
Look how her Spouſe bedews his Widdow'd grave:
And in theſe Modells you his Embleme have,
The Turtle of his Bodi's gone to Earth,
The Turtle of his Soul to her firſt Birth.
Nor muſt theſe two divided long remain,
"Eternity ſhall cement them again.
Where theſe Two Turtles with Angelick wings
Shall live, and love, and laud the King of Kings.
Upon the death of his ingenious and much bemoaned friend, Mr. ROBERT LOVEDAY.
COuld pregnant Fancy, Goodneſs, or prompt pen
Have here procur'd thee reſidence with men,
Thou hadſt injoy'd it; But Time held it fit
With Immortality to perfect it:
"The Law of Nature muſt give way to Grace,
" And Grace to Glory, ſhown thee face to face?
If this advantage over-ſtrip not th'reſt,
I ſhall appeal to thoſe who lov'd thee beſt.
But Heav'n and Earth are of a different Clime,
So muſt we hold Eternity and Time.
He who has God, has all: he cannot want,
Though Pilgrim here, there an Inhabitant.
Such is thy glorious ſtate;
Dignum laude virum, Muſa vetat mori, Caelo beat. Hor.
being rankt with thoſe
Whom though we loſe they gain by what we loſe.
LOVEDAY thy Name did to the World diſplay
That all thy
*Tota dies opus extat amans! mirabitur aetas Si mento juvenis mens foret iſta ſenis. Afran.
* Day was Love, thy Love all day.
Both which ſo joyntly in their Centre meet
As they have made Eternity their ſeat.
Never did downy chin more ſage produce,
Nor in his youth nurſe a maturer Muſe.
None more entirely dear unto his own,
Nor higher fam'd where He was leſſer known;
Whereof his Cleopatra witneſs gives,
In which, though dead, his rate Tranſlation lives.
NOr ſhall you finde in theſe Perſwaſives leſs
Then what his rich Romances did expreſs,
In his peruſal he approves them ſuch
Whoſe Brain can judge, or he has read too much.
R. B.
1

LOVEDAY's LETTERS.

LETTER I. To Sir I. P.

Sir,

IF I ſin in troubling you with fruit­leſs lines, call it rather the weak­neſs of my judgment then the er­ror of my love, which is in too perfect health to lie ſpeechleſs. The thanks I ow you, I confeſs, are diſparaged by my feeble expreſſions; but could you read their more ſecret character, you ſhould find them dreſt in a more becoming attire. To tell you my beſt wiſhes are Pages to your happy ſucceſs (I hope) were to Tautologize, to your knowledge, at leaſt belief; and though it be no forlorn hope, it ſhall march in the front of my Prayers. For your diſpoſal of me, though I totally relinquiſh my ſelf to your diſcreet commands, yet my humble and earneſt deſires rather aim at the ſer­vice of Sir T.B. then the greater man; however2 I will call my ſelf your Creature, and reſolve to be of that ſhape you will faſhion me: In the mean time I ſhall importune Heaven to furniſh me with ſo happy a power as may render me in ſome acceptable ſervice, Sir, Not onely your faithful, but

Your grateful Servant, R.L.

LETTER II. To Sir. I. P.

Sir,

IF the importunity of your affairs will conſent to a digreſſion, look upon the tender of his true ſervice that was alwayes yours: If my Heart thought my Pen fit to be truſted with thoſe Wiſhes that concern you, I ſhould be more am­ple; but it needs not, for I am confident you can read them at this diſtance. To put you in mind of my deſires were not to deſerve their effects, ſince I believe the intermitted Truce you take with greater imployments, is nobly ſpent in a courteous parley with your friends; more petty occaſions would trouble you, I will therefore bind up my true ſervice in theſe few lines, and reſt

Yours R. L.
3

LETTER III. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Had not failed you laſt Week, if a ſudden command from thoſe whoſe breath can blow me any way, had not arreſted my pen, and im­poſed a leſs pleaſing imployment; for there is no delight I can ſpare with more regret, then theſe occaſions of ſending you my naked thoughts, for Intereſt is now adored with ſuch ſpecious idolatry, that it renders even common converſe dangerous: So the honeſt ſoul that courts good company, muſt find it in his own thoughts; to the ſtock of which your amity contributes no petty ſum: and when the vacancy of imployment relea­ſes me to theſe harmleſs recreations, I endeavour to drop thoſe heavy-moulded cares that ſmell of earth, and fall a pruning the wings of ſome live­ly thoughts; that play like nimble flies in the ſe­renity of an unclouded mind; and amidſt the va­riety of thoſe tasks I impoſe upon them, the principal are diſpatch'd to invite Content to come and dwell in the Valley of my humble Fortunes, and ſport it ſelf upon thoſe banks that are happily purpled with their own vio­lets. Protected thus with a little, methinks I am proud that I have not enough to ſet the Cove­tous4 a deſiring, nor the Ambitious a ſcrambling. Sometime I ſtrive to build Reaſon as high a Tribunal as my thoughts can reare, at the Bar of which I labour to accuſe my own miſcarriages; and had I power to reform, as well as cenſure them, what could affront my felicity? Some­times I reviſe my readings in men, and fall a ſet­ting the beſt Slips my obſervation can cull from others Gardens; but I confeſs few of them grow. Sometimes I prick at the footſteps that books have lately left in my memory; which I find a very weak Conſervatory, and keeps my beſt ob­ſervations but as people uſe to keep choice Po­ſies, freſh for a day or two, and then let them fade and die. Then perhaps I roll my thoughts upon Eternity, and that helps me to deride the folly of thoſe blind Wretches that ſo hotly ſcramble for ſublunary trifles; but withall, pity their miſerable miſtake that run away from the true bleſſings while they purſue the falſe ones. Tis ſport to conſider how Fortune (or rather Providence) builds up theſe creatures (like Scaf­folds for a ſhow) with an intent to pull them down again. Sometimes I am ſo weak to let my fancie ramble after Poetick raptures; but in theſe I onely ſuffer her to aire her wings, and ſo come home again. With theſe agreeable diverſi­ons I often ſend my thoughts a gadding, chiefly to deceive melancholy, which of late has been much incroaching; for my capital trouble in­creaſes,5 and has got a giddineſs to aſſiſt it. I have not yet taken the Phyſick, and now reſolve to defer it till I arrive in the Countrey, which will be about a fortnight hence. If theſe afflictions can ſet me the right way to Heaven, eſpecially as it is now perplexed with ſo many oblique, de­vious pathes of Error and Hereſie, I ſhall hug them heartily. I ſhould excuſe this unravelling my Contemplations in ſuch a ruffled manner, but I uſe curioſity to thoſe that have a leſs ſhare of my affection then your ſelf, &c.

Your entirely affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER IV. To Mr. W.

My deareſt Friend,

THIS happy night I received your laſt Let­ter, which how I took, I wiſh ſome good thing above Man would tell you, for I cannot. Onely this, the delights and joyes which are dandled by the World were baſe and droſſie to what that brought me, which is onely leſs pure then thoſe that make the Angels clap their wings. It has given me a happy, but a hard task; Tis to let an Ocean through a Quill, for tis the ſame difficulty for my Pen to expreſs what my6 heart meanes you. Methinks I would faine ſay ſomething to you that is not ordinary; but I can find no words that I do not ſuſpect too faint to fit my affection: onely this, I do not love you the common way, nor with ſuch a kindneſſe as doth uſually blaze with the freſh reſentment of a benefit, and learne to coole and dye again, unleſſe it be renew'd with the ſame repeated fuell: but I have an affection for you that is of the ſame piece with my ſoul, as immortall and undecaying as it ſelf, and will go along with it to the other world, and need not be aſham'd even there to own its object. The buſie waves that roll betwixt us cannot keep me from you; for tis with you I ſpend my gladdeſt hours. When I ſet my thoughts to caſt up the account of my large poſſeſſions in you, I deride the poor rich ones of this Age, and ſay, Sure if they knew the right way they would leave the purſuit of their glorious follies, & learne to get a virtuous friend. But pardon my tranſport. Preſent me cordially to your excellent friend; and intreat him to write me in the number of his faithfull ſervants, for I cannot be leſſe to him that is ſo to you: tell him I will allow him the better roome in your breaſt, ſo he not grudge me a harbour there; to be expel'd which, would gall my heart-ſtrings. No perplexities aſſault it but what you help to beat off; no vexations pierce it to which a re­flection upon my intereſt in you does not7 prove a Dictamnum, and ejects thoſe arrowes be ſure then you be precious to your ſelf, and re­gard your health, that you may ſtil be ſo to thoſe that love you; and then you muſt be ſo. But I fear I grow tedious, though I have not ſpoke halfe what I would fain ſay; but the reſt ſhall be refer'd to my next. Well then, conceive I im­brace you at this diſtance, for all but my clay does. May you arrive at ſo happy a condition that you may pitty your enemies, and enjoy that ſere­nity of ſoul that may make you ſo skilfull in vir­tue; and be aſſured, that bate but heaven, & there is nothing ſo dear as your ſelf to him that is

Sir,
Abſolutely yours, R. L.

LETTER V. To Mr. R. C.

Dear Robin,

IF variety of new acquaintance (and more deſerving,) has not conſpir'd with the buſie fingers of Time to deface my memory, there will not be much toile in the taske to provoke thee to revive our friendly intercourſe; to which thou art challeng'd by one whoſe heart has kept the impreſſe thou left'ſt upon it as freſh and as able to bid defiance to decay, as8 when our contract was firſt ſeal'd. Ah Robin! whither is fled the beauty of thoſe daies that ſo oft ſaw us feed our felicity with the mutuall chareſſes of our ſpotleſſe amity? when the ſoft whiſpers of an evening Zephyrus ſummon'd us to thoſe innocent incounters in Silvanus grove, where ſo oft we unbuttond our ſoules, and talk'd our naked thoughts, as if the golden Age had got new birth in our boſomes. Sure Heaven was pleas'd with that lovely undreſt vi­ſage of our heedleſſe ſimplicity. Doſt remember how the pretty little feather'd minſtrels, came and gave us three or four of natures choiſeſt Leſſons? and then how we hung together? and have many loth adues it took to part us, though the next day we were to meet again? How For­tune has uſ'd thee ſince our laſt long Farewell I know not; to me her indifferent behaviour neither ſwel'd my hopes to an opinion that ever ſhe intends to make me her darling, nor frown'd them to the neer neighbour hood of cold de­ſpaire, &c.

R. L.
9

LETTER VI. To his Nephew. A. L.

Dear Coſin,

I Had long ſince payed the debt of my promiſe, had Fame furniſhed me with ought but falſe coine: ſhe is growne a new-faſhion'd jugler, puts tricks upon us with a deceptio auditus, various reports here like Canons receive their birth and funerall in the aire, and are often ſhorter­liv'd; ſome voyc'd like Trumpets ſpread a ſhrill preſage of war; others, like the ſoft war­bling of the amorous Lute, perfume the aire with the aromatick tidings of repeated peace: and thus our erroneous ſoules weakly pay a cre­dulous homage to the alternate dominion of our own hopes and feares. Rumour is a cheating lottery, from which for one prize of a truth we draw a thouſand blanks of falſhood I could make this paper look big with the ſwelling pride of ſuch newes as would be muſick to your eares; but leſt the tune ſhould prove Syrenicall, I am loth to deceive you into falſe joyes. That which has moſt credit with me, except the K. &c. Thus I have given you probabillties, befriend­ed, though not defended, by the moſt prudent opinions I could encounter with. Could I give you the truth ſtrip'd of all partiality and diſ­guiſes, ſhe were worth the owning; but her run­ning10 through ſo many relations makes her change attire every ſtep, and ſometimes loſe her ſelf. But in this aſſertion be aſſur'd ſhe weares her own face, without a mask, that I am, Sir, &c.

LETTER VII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Am now about to change the Scene; and I fear it will be a long time before I ſhall date my Letters again from London, a place I once eſteem'd above all the earth could ſhow me; but my liking is almoſt drown'd in thoſe ſcarlet ſtreames have lately ſtain'd it. I may now be ſaid to be retiring from a crowd to an hermitage: for (though tis like I ſhall mingle with much people) I ſhall notwithſtanding be alone; ſince tis not the eye, but the mind and the affections that create ſociety; like Tantalus, that ſtood up to the mouth in water, yet could not drink. But the armes of amity are long enough to reach a true friend at the greateſt diſtance; for though there be a larger piece of earth get­ting between our heavier parts, yet thoſe that have the ſtamp of immortality need confeſſe no other limits than what bound the Univerſe. Thus11 ſometimes my pen, ſometimes my thoughts ſhal viſit you, and fancy an intertainment ſuitable to the love that carries them. If Nature had not planted a mutuall affection in our greeneſt yeares, and taught it to ſwim (like a fiſh in its proper Element) in the Crimſon ſap we bor­row'd from the ſame fruitfull ſtock, I think I ſhould have bidden fair for your friendſhip with much induſtry, and, like a ſlip that fetch'd his Pedigree from ſome excellent root, ſet it with much diligence in my triangular Garden. But no more. As I was reviſing ſome ſcriblings, with an intent to pack each in his proper place before my parting, I lighted on theſe Rhymes, made about the time I firſt put on chaines, & upon that ſubject. I had thrown them by with ſuch a neg­lect as I uſe when I treat with ſuch trifles, that when I re-met with them they had been ſo loſt to my memory, that they prov'd as new to my ſelf as they will be to you. I do not ſend them with a thought they deſerve your reading, but onely to let you ſee that when I am weary of better imployment, I have not forgot to dally with the Pinkes in Apollo's Garden. I wiſh all accidents, events, humors, and diſpoſitions may conſpire to make this your meeting plea­ſant and delightfull. If my fancy could carry my earthy part as nimbly as her ſelfe, I think I ſhould help to feather ſome glad houres among you. But tis not wiſdome to deſire what we can­not12 have. You ſee I have much adoe to keep within the bounds of my paper. Farewell dear brother, and continue to love

Your own R. L.
TO ſerve! what's that? let me conſider; ſtay,
What comes it to to leaſe my ſelfe away?
What right have I reſign'd? pray let me ſee,
What is't to let away my liberty?
Dull purblind ſoules, that have ſo little wit
To value nought but when we part with it!
Tis to unown my ſelf, tis to diſclaime
My will, my head, my hands, all that I am;
To ſell my right in Nature, that would have
None of her freeborn creatures to turne ſlave;
To bow, to cringe, to ſtoop, and to be ſtill
Pliant and ſupple to anothers will;
With cheap tame patience quietly to ſtand,
And watch th' arrival of ſome proud command,
That ſets my heels awork, or elſe my hand.
Thus having baſely ſet my ſelf to ſale,
Time is my Keeper, and each place my Jaile:
The ſlaves of the ſame trade are at Argiers,
Onely my chaine will further reach than theirs.
But hold proud thoughts, the wretch deſerves his woe,
That fancies fetters when they are not ſo;
Shew me the man can boaſt ſo free a ſtate,
That is not to ſome power ſubordinate:
13
What is he that has uncontrol'd intents?
Seas have their ſhores, and Kings their Parla­ments:
This harmony that ſmites does chiefly flow
From theſe two fertile words cal'd High & Low.
Were it a ſin to ſerve, did it bewray
A feeble mind put into mingled clay,
I'de throw my fetters at my niggard fate,
And ſcorne to eate or live at ſuch a rate:
But ther's no ſlavery but in vice, a ſoul
That can but check his paſſion, can control
His looſe deſires, can temper and ſet right
The ſtragling footſteps of his Appetite;
Rather than life with baſe diſhonour ſave,
Can make a brave retreat into a grave,
Is free, although he helpes to fill the rank,
And tugs with tann'd companions at the Bank.
Farewell then ſordid Sloth, go barren Eaſe,
Morning long ſleeps adue, go try to pleaſe
Voluptuous ſoules, go dwell upon thoſe eyes
Can lend kind lookes to virtues enemies.
Haile Learning, parent of deſert, to thee
My new-rouz'd ſoul repaires; ſweet Induſtry,
Thoſe ſweaty drops ſet on thy ruddie brow,
Like virtues gems come and receive my vow,
Ne're to forſake thee more, never to be
Sick of thy pleaſing ſprightly company:
Thou my beſt Miſtreſſe art, and I will be
When I am moſt alone yet ſtill with thee.
14
On deare Companion then, let's make no ſtay,
Where reputations Taper leads the way.
I'le owe no bluſh then as a debt to ſhame,
Becauſe that I no Independent am.

LETTER VIII. To his brother, Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Was alwaies loth to ſuffer breach of word to keep company with the reſt of my crimes, if in­diſpenſable neceſſity did not force the guilt. And indeed we ſhould hate falſe promiſes for his ſake that firſt hatch'd them; deceit of this kind in­trap'd mans primitive innocence, and made him leave that large Legacy of imperfection to his unhappy heires. But to ſwell this to the uſuall ſtature of my tedious Letters, I muſt imi­tate thoſe Citizens of the world called younger brothers, that are oft forc'd to range far from home to inlarge their narrow fortunes. And ſince I have caſually chop'd upon this Simile, I think the relation of this kind may prove leſſe unplea­ſant, than the word, I ſhould otherwiſe deſigne to black this Paper. It is the Story of the great Cardinal Mazarini, that ſits now at the ſtern of the French affairs. He is by birth a Scicilian, by extraction ſcarce a Gentleman; his15 education ſo mean as might have wrote man before he could write: but being in Natures debt for a handſome face, a ſtout heart, and a ſtirring ſpirit, he no ſooner knew that Scicily was not all the World, but his active thoughts were got above his poor condition, and made him reſolve to dwell no longer with his domeſtick penury: and now being come into Italy, his good fortune conducted him to the caſual encounter of a Dutch Knight, to whoſe ſervice his debonair behaviour ſoon preferr'd him. This German was well skill'd in the vices of his Nation, which he committed with ſuch cunning as (though he drank and playd very deep) yet his skill in the one main­tain'd his debauch in the other. This was a leſ­ſon which the yong Scicilian deem'd worth his learning; and having curiouſly obſerv'd how his Maſter ſhak'd his Elbow, began to practiſe his Art upon his own Companions; in which he thrived ſo well, as daily improving his skill with his ſtock, he began to foſter forward hopes, which were well befriended by ſome affaires that called his Maſter to Rome; where taking occaſion to ſtep into better company, and ſtill following his faculty at play, it was not long before he had hoarded a thouſand Crowns; then good Luck (the Dam of Ambition) began to hatch ſome aſpiring thoughts, which firſt ſhewed themſelves in a requeſt to his Maſter, thus; ſince Provi­dence16 had lately thought fit to mend his for­tunes, he would vouchſafe to do as much to his condition, and to entertain him in the quality of a Gentleman; to deſerve which he promiſed to maintain himſelf proportionably, without ex­pecting any addition to his allowance. This granted, he preſently commences Gallant, and begins to practiſe ſuch generous qualities as are uſually paid with reputation and profit: his good clothes and complete ſhape firſt admitted him, and his pleaſant converſation indeared him to the beſt ſociety, and ſtill his play ſupported him in it. At length his Maſter takes his leave of Rome, and therefore he of his Maſter; telling him that he could not forſake that place which he hoped was cut out to be the forge of his for­tunes; and being now grown intimate with ſome Gentlemen that attended the Cardinal who ſteer'd the helm of the Papal Intereſt, he found means to be made known unto him, and prof­fered his ſervice, with a behaviour ſo handſomly compoſed, as at the ſame time it got him both admiſſion and affection. The Cardinal, after ſome tryal of his temper and peruſal of his diſpoſi­tion, was well pleaſed with the diſcovery of a piercing wit, woven with a cleer judgment and an active Genius, with a capacity apt to receive ſuch impreſſions as are not uſually ſtamp'd in every brain; he was alwayes very careful to fill up thoſe intervals which his buſineſſe and play17 had left vacant, with ſtudy of State-affaires; in which he proſpered with ſo much felicity, that after his Cardinal had worn him a year or two at his ear, and diſtilled his State-Maximes into his fertile ſoul, he thought fit to breathe the Theo­ry he had given him in ſome action that might let the World take notice of his pregnant abili­ties: he was therefore ſent Coadjutor to a Nuntio who was then diſpached to one of the Princes in Italy, and during that imployment he injoyned his Creature to give him a Weekly account of their tranſactions; which he did with ſo much vivacity of apprehenſion and gravity of judgment, that the Cardinal began to couple admiration with affection; and (as if Fate had combined with Nature and Fortune to advance him) the Nuntio's ſudden death lets fall the whole weight of the buſineſs upon his ſhoulders, which he ſupported with ſuch a ſtrength of ſoul, managed with ſuch dexterous ſolidity, and ac­counted for all to his Cardinal with ſuch a win­ning induſtry, as he wrought it with his Holineſs to declare him Nuntio. And now as his pre­ferment had made him more conſpicuous, ſo his brave heart uſed the advantage of that new height to diſtribute longer rayes with a more lively luſtre. But to contract the Story; his Commiſſion expired, and the affaires that begot it happily concluded, he returns to Rome; where he receives (beſides a general grand repute) the18 dear careſſes of his Cardinal, and the plauſive benedictions of S. Peters Succeſſor. About this time the Cardinal Richelieu had gotten ſo much glory by making his Maſter Lewis XIII. of a weak man a mighty Prince, as he grew for­midable to all Chriſtendom, and contracted ſu­ſpition and envy from Rome it ſelf: this made the ſtanding Conclave to reſolve upon the di­ſpatch of ſome able inſtrument, to countermine his dangerous, and give a check to the carriere of his prodigious ſucceſſes. This reſolved, they ge­nerally concurr'd in the choice of Mazarini, as the fitteſt head-piece to give their fears death in the others deſtruction. To fit him for this great imployment, the Pope gives him a Cardi­nals Hat, and ſends him into France with a large Legantine Commiſſion; where being arrived, and (like his politick ſelf) firſt complying with that grand Fox, the better to get a Clue to his Labyrinth, began to ſcrew himſelf into Intelligence; but when he came to ſound his plots, and perceive he could find no bottom, he began to look from the top of his enterpriſe as people do from Precipices, with a frighted eye; and now finding the deſign not onely not feaſible, but very dangerous, (the other never uſing to take a leſſe vengeance then ruine for ſuch darings) and then conſidering that his re­treat to Rome would neither be honorable nor ſafe, without attempting ſomething: he at laſt19 reſolves to declare himſelf Richelieu's Creature, and (to win the more confidence) unrips the bo­ſom of all Romes deſigns againſt him. This made the other take him to his breaſt, acquainted him with the ſecret contrivance of all his Dedalian policies, and when he left the World declared him his Succeſſor; and he is now the great Car­dinal that umpires (almoſt all Chriſtendom,) and now ſhines in the Gallique Court with ſo proud a pomp. But I have made my Story too wordiſh; if time would have conſented, I think I ſhould have pared much of that away which you will find ſuperfluous: but take this rude haſty draught for the preſent, and expect the next to be bet­ter poliſhed by

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R.L.

LETTER IX. To Mr. K.

Sir,

AFter the wearing out of a tedious year in the dull Countrey, where I met with no­thing that had delight enough to charm the ac­count of my houres, I am gotten again into the precinct of this unwieldy City; which I find ſo emptied of all thoſe I call my friends and ac­quaintance, as if I had ſlept with Endymion, and20 waked again in another Age; among the beſt of which methinks I do not ſufficiently reſent the miſſe of you, unleſs I tell you ſo. For you ſhall do me but right to believe that it is not in the power of new faces, freſh acquain­tance, long abſence, with the reſt of thoſe in­gredients whereof others have compoſed Obli­vion, to raze out thoſe friends from my remem­brance, that not a raſh, blind, imprudent choice, but a rational election hath faſtened to it. Of you I have had an experience that made me deſirous to get my ſelf the title of your friend, and it muſt not be the crime of my will, if I do not keep it: & I am the more eager to aſſert it, becauſe I am confident it has a mutual relation betwixt us. I pray let a line or two from you ſhew that you confeſs my claim is juſt, and inform me how the Pulſe of your body and affaires beat in theſe ill-tempered times. Let it tell me too what you know of honeſt W.A. when you heard from him, how he thrives in his Mercantile affaires, and by what means I may ſend him a line. For my ſelf, I ſtill like a Mill-horſe repeat my ſteps in the ſame Circle; and I am contented with a mean ſhelter in this ſtormy Age, for I left aiming at prefer­ment ever ſince it was put out of honeſties reach; & as I cannot take that upon baſe terms, ſo I muſt not give up my reſolution of living to my friends, and therefore of being perfectly

Yours R. L.
21

LETTER X. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

IF imployment from them (to whom my thin fortunes have made obedience a debt) had not countermanded my intents, my Pen had not held its peace laſt week, nor I been forced to ſet an excuſe on the forehead of this. Your pleaſing reliſh of my laſt mindes me of ſuch Palates as prefer ſome courſe diſh they love well, before exquiſite dainties; thus has affection taught your opinion (like the Philoſophers Stone) to turn my viler metal into gold. But enough of this, leſt Modeſty ſhould appear Deſign, and I ſeem of that number that would improve their praiſes by rejecting them, and (like cunning Merchants) ſend their goods away that they may return with increaſe. Indeed I ſhould be­ly my diſpoſition, and wrong my deſires, if I confeſt not that they are levelled at the good opinion of all; but moſt my affection, if I ſhould not ſay it chiefly aimed at yours. For from the object at which Love ſhoots moſt Ardour, a re­flexion of the ſame Rayes is, moſt paſſionately deſired; but though I can let theſe into my ſoul with much delight, yet the inward reſent­ment of my feeble deſerts muſt not ſuffer them22 to kindle the tickling vanity of ſelf-love. Re­putation is the Mother of all beautiful actions; it is the Taper that leads the way to all that is called Deſert; where that is miſpriſed, vertue is benumm'd, and Reaſon it ſelf falls aſleep: but it is not lawfully gained by ſuch merits as make a noiſe on purpoſe to be heard; they bid faireſt for it that manage a baſhful skill, and (as I have ſeen you cut faces on a Cherry-ſtone) ſhew much artifice in a narrow Continent, that will not brag of a broad appearance. The commodities you exchange for my trifles, have a better eſtimation here then with you; for I muſt tell you my heart thrives by this pleaſing traffick, and grows rich with true delight. I am now taking the Phyſick the Doctor ſent me (for our journey is ſtill delaied;) of the operation I ſhall put my account in the next. My malady ſtill continues a cruel foe to my fortunes, and in ſpight of all rational oppoſition does too often gall me with vexation, and reproves Content when it grows too forward by this you may conclude how I would value the man whoſe skill could eaſe my mind of ſo heavy a manacle. If you ſee the Doctor before your next, I pray let him know that the neezing-powder I take conſtantly, but have much adoe to perſwade it to make me neeze once at a time. If I ſee their means fail, I am reſolved to try anothers judgment; but that to you one­ly. 23I have no more time left than what will permit me to tell you that I am and ever will be

Yours in the pureſt and moſt unreſerv'd affection to command, R. L.

LETTER XI. To Mr. H.

Sir,

SUffer theſe few words without a blot of Complement, to mind you of thoſe Hoſpi­table Courteſies you confer'd on one whoſe chief glory is that he hates ingratitude; for which take my true thankes in the ſame ſim­ple habit that my heart has dreſt them in, and be confident you have purchas'd a heart that will reſigne the reſentment of my happineſs in ſuch a friend to no other power than what at laſt will deprive it of all reſentment. This will be made good to you, when you ſhall examine a riper experience of me; in the meane time peruſe this inclos'd, and ſatisfie thoſe friendly longings that ſpoke you skilfull in goodneſſe, that ſet ſo juſt a value on ſo virtuous a man. I am aſſur'd if he had remembred the likelihood of my happineſſe to enjoy your converſe, your name had been ſet there faſtned to a kind re­membrance; however I know you will aſſiſt my24 gladneſſe in applauding his health; from whom what I ſhall receive in the future I ſhall com­municate to you, though I hide it from all the world beſide: whether to keep it till I come, or ſeal it up and ſend it back by this bearer, is left to your choice. Preſent my hearty ſervice to ſweet Mrs. H. and promiſe your ſelf, that though you have many more deſerving, you have not a more cordial friend than

R. L.

LETTER XII. To his Brother A. L.

Loving Brother,

THat we both entred the worlds Theatre from the ſame door, is not enough to prove us friends; too many (like Cadmus back­ward brood) not ſcrupling to crack the chaine of Nature, this Iron age hath ſhown us: But it is the kindred of our unbegotten ſoules is called friendſhip, when their effluxive beames (by the ſweet conſtraint of aſſimulation) meet, imbrace, and weave themſelves (like Ariadne's Crown) into a Conſtellation. Such a mutuall contexture betwixt us has pul'd the knot of Nature ſtraiter, and render'd the Union in­capable of diſſolution or mutation; which is25 as great an Hereſie in amity as that lately broach'd of the ſoules mortality, ſince love ſtrikes the greateſt ſtroke in intellectuall facul­ties. But (as you ſay) that jewell ſhould not be beholden to words for its eſtimation, tis beſt then to keep it in the Cabinets of our ſoules, till we can ſet it in our actions: Neerneſſe of conſanguinity is not juſtly coercive to friend­ſhip. When I am with my Lord (which I hope I ſhall be very ſhortly) I ſhall perfect you a more full account of my own affaires than I am now able: in the meane you may confidently believe that I am

Your entirely affectionate Brother to com­mand till death. R. L.

There is good newes ſtirring, but you muſt content your ſelf with the generality, till particularizing grow leſſe dangerous.

LETTER XIII. To his Unkle Mr. W.L.

Sir,

LEſt I ſhould run the hazard of being loſt to your thoughts, be pleas'd to know from this paper that you have ſtill a Nephew who has not forgot what he owes you, nor ſuffer'd26 new objects and intereſts to untye him from thoſe reſpects, which beſides the neer relation of blood, the powerfull hand of amity hath faſtned: ſo I have often received from my Bro­thers pen the account of your happy and health­full condition both in body and mind; and be­lieve it, Sir, you have not a friend hath out­gladded me for your well-being, nor out­wiſh'd me for the continuance. Inſtead of a bet­ter token I have ſem you a dull tranſlation out of the French Tongue, I gain'd in thoſe empty ſpaces of time which were left by thoſe that command me at my own diſpoſall: if affection can help you to over-ſee the blemiſhes, and teach you to excuſe what your judgement ſhould condemne, perhaps it may help you to feather a few tedious houres, when the fiſh have no appetite. I ſtill repine at my ill fortune, that would not let me enjoy you while I was in the Country: For Sir, though I ever chiefly lov'd you for your own ſake, yet I bluſh not to confeſſe that I mingled my intereſt in what re­lates to your ſociety, which was ever ſo fruitfull of delight and complacency, as it might excuſe the greateſt longer. Well Sir, that nothing may have power to diſcompoſe, to ſtorme or cloud the ſerenity of your dayes, your quiet contentment; that you may enjoy a conſtant Spring of happineſſe in this Winter of your Age, and want nothing but Want it ſelf, ſhall27 never be left out of the Prayers and wiſhes of, Deare Unkle,

Yours, &c. R. L.

LETTER XIV. To his Aunt.

Deare Aunt,

IT requires ſo much unworthineſſe to make me forget your obliging favours, that while the ſin lookes ſo ugly I ſhall alwaies loath it: Though like Tenants that enjoy rich Leaſes from a Maſters bounty, the value of my ac­knowledgment does not exceed their yearly Pepper cornes Such a triviall payment as that I have ſent you by this bearer, and do humby deprecate the crime of my ſloth, that it kiſt your hands no ſooner. It is the wild fruit of ſuch houres as I ſet aſide to my own delight, and never intended it ſhould be diſtaſted by any other palate than mine own; but the im­portunity of ſome judicious friends reverſ'd that reſolution, and crouded it upon the Theatre of the world, where it is like to act its part ſo poorly, as I have more reaſon to fear a hiſſe than hope a clap. But could you lend your Candour to all my Readers, at leaſt the errours would be but ſmil'd at, and I ſhould have no worſe cenſure than young learners to write may expect;28 who at firſt are not much blam'd though they make their letters crooked. Well, Dear Aunt pardon this, call it what you pleaſe, to him that thought it fitter to ſend you the errours, than keep back the acknowledgement of

Your moſt affectionate Nephew, and moſt humble Servant, R. L.

LETTER XV. To my Brother A. L.

Loving Brother,

YOurs arriv'd at my hands, and was welcome, becauſe it put ſome doubts to flight that you had farweld Barningham. I am glad of my High-Suffolk friends welfare, and joy'd at their kindneſſe that was ſo buſie with my remembrance; for which I muſt yet con­tent my ſelf here to give the tacite exchange of an affection as ſterling as theirs. My Lords longer reſidence than I diſtruſted at his Father in Lawes hath yet kept us aſunder, that houſe being ſtuff'd too full already to entertaine any more; but he is now upon his departure thence, and I upon the brink of ſetling with him: when I know my own condition, I muſt not ſuffer you to be ignorant of it. I have much cauſe to thank you for the incloſed lines; and as much29 to admire the unconſtrained purity of Mr. B's veine, that has made Ovids teares to run here in ſo ſmooth a channell; he is likely to re­deeme him from the unskilfull injuries of other Tranſlators that abuſed his ſorrow with ſuch a blubbered Paraphraſe. Tis ſaid Tranſlations (like liquors poured from one veſſel into ano­ther) loſe ſome of their vital ſpirits, and are ren­dered dead and flat to the guſt of underſtand­ing. I ſhall not flatter to ſay this has confuted the inſtance, and made Naſo complain as mov­ingly, as handſomly, in Engliſh as he did in his Latian language. But I ought to beg his par­don for the diſparagement of my weak praiſes, and yours for my tediouſneſs, which at this time ſhall ſin no further; and I hope I ſhall not ſtand in need of words to perſwade you that I am

Your inviolably affectionate Brother to command, R. L.
30

LETTER XVI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Have but a ſhare in my own condition till you have it wholly in account; there being ſo much of my ſelf reſident with you, that the part of it which is here goes but halves with you in every action of weight or moment. I am now at Nottingham perfectly ſetled with my Lord C. My imployment is ſomething too great for an unſeaſoned ſervant, and would diſcourage a new beginner, if I did not ſupply the defects of my experience with an active pliant reſolution. I attend him in his chamber, and uſher his Lady, write his Letters, and whatever elſe that unbe­ſeems not his command or my obedience. My wages are little enough to make preſent ſubſiſt­ance circumſcribe my gains: but I think I have already a greater allowance of his love then his money; however, I ſhall make the leaſt ſerve to keep me afloat without the aſſiſtance of my own bladders. And now ſince the careleſs hand of Fortune has ranged me with ſtrangers that I have not yet begun to read over, I can value it at no lower rate then my beſt recreation to give you the exact ſtory of my actions and imploy­ment, by piece-meal, as I tear it from my out­worn time; which jewel I have uſed too long31 like Aeſops Cock, and am reſolved to ſet an high­er value on an hour then formerly of a day. Thus having raiſed the price of my minutes, I begin ſharply to cenſure the ſlight of your proffered aid in the knowledge of Simples, for I think I ſhall bend my ſtudies that way. I have he­ſtowed ſome of my later houres on the French Tongue, which I have already half gained, and fear not to bring my attempts to a ſudden perfe­ction, it being familiarly ſpoken by the beſt ſort of this family. That gained, the Italian will be but a ſhort ſtride for my intended induſtry, and both will be ſerviceable (if I meet an occaſion) for my intended travel.

Thus you ſee by this time tis even an incon­venience to be beloved by me, ſince the ardor of that affection makes you liable to the tedious torment of my impertinent Pen: and yet I think if my paper were longer I ſhould not ſo ſoon ſhorren your trouble, and I am far from mending my fault; that you are like (notwith­ſtanding my remote removal) to be ſtill haunt­ed with theſe frequent vexations. You can­not oblige me more then to be punctual in reſcri­ption, which will never fail to bring a welcome delight to

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.
32

LETTER XVII. To his Brother Mr. W.

Sir,

IT is none of my worſt Reaſons why I am glad of my return to London, that Letters may walk between me and my friends with leſs hazard; and it is one of my beſt, that there­by I may contract amity with your deſerving ſelf: which if you think fit to give me under your hand, I ſhall be careful to bid it welcome, and return ſuch a cordial exchange, as may teach us the way to know, before we ſee one another, and make acquaintance precede interview. Be intreated that your reply may tell me how my Siſter does, how her great belly becomes her, and when ſhe is like to increaſe the number of young ſinners. I dare not promiſe, but if it be poſſible, I will come time enough to taſte of the Goſſips Cup, if we do not make too ſudden a retreat into the Countrey. You will oblige me, to ſpeak my ſervice to my Couſin W. of Laurenſet, my Couſin H. with the reſt that know me. Pray tell my Couſin R. aliàs my Sweet­heart, that I am ſtill her ſervant. And believe it Sir, I can never quit my deſires to appear

Your faithful Servant and Brother in Law, R. L.
33

LETTER XVIII. To his Brother A. L.

Loving Brother,

WHat you almoſt cal'd my neglect, I have now repair'd, and (like ſome over-pro­vident Cautionſts) who finding their bodies prone to one diſeaſe, do ſometimes Antidote themſelves into a contrary malady,) inſtead of appeaſing, if I have not cloy'd your appetite, good enough. If I were ſure none none of mine periſhed by the way, it were ſeaſonable to re­turne you your own words, and tell you this is the third ſent ſince any received: But letters are travellers, and do often dye in a voyage. I could almoſt conſent to reſigne my being for a month, that I might be with you but a week, to ſhew you what kind of Oare it is I tug at; with ſome other apprehenſions that I could be content to eaſe my mind of. Man is oft beholding to his ſufferings for the calling in of ſuch virtues as otherwiſe perhaps would never be of his ac­quaintance; and indeed we ſhould not mu••y againſt thoſe paines that ſend us a ſeeking for ſuch excellent remedies. Affliction is like a deep mine that will afford pure gold if we digge for it; and calamity (well handled) does poliſh with rugged uſage, and even pinch the ſoul into perfection. By that time the Spring will have34 done ſtrowing her flowers, I ſhall be able to tell you whether my hopes of a cure do fade or flouriſh: But however Providence deales with me, I hope this triviall world hath not charm enough to give me repining by the hand of de­ſpaire to enjoy them longer; all my fear is that my errant Condition will not ſuffer me to fit ſtill long enough to let my Phyſick ſettle. I intend to cloſe this Springs courſe with open­ing an Iſſue in my Arme on the contrary ſide by way of revulſion. Did but my health ſmile upon my deſignes, you ſhould ſoon view my imployment in a fairer Character: Till then my ſoul muſt write with a bad pen upon blotted pa­per; and you know how ill tooles will ſhame the Artificer. When I reflect upon my weak hopes of recovery, I am ſometimes ready to de­ride my own endeavours, and oft urg'd to ma­numit induſtry, and entertaine ſupinity, till vi­ctorious Reaſon ſets the ſlaves their task again. And indeed Deſert is never ſo much her ſelf, as when ſhe ſhuts her eyes upon the reward, and thinks it recompence enough to be her ſelf I think we may go ſafely ſo far as to call that a mercenary piety that is meerly and abſtractedly ſo, becauſe Heaven is got by the bargaine. Tis true, I know morality has not enough to pay that purchaſe, but ſure (if well apply'd) it goes a great way in the account. But whither am I wander'd? if my ſtaggering diſcourſe does35 not well keep the path, conceive that the feet muſt ſometimes tread irregular ſteps that are directed by an infirm head. If I preſum'd leſſe upon you, I would have ſent you my thoughts rank'd in a better method. Theſe incloſed you can beſt direct where they are intended: I pray do my due reſpects to thoſe you think my friends; and to your ſelf and intereſti believe it I am as zealouſly devoted as you can wiſh

Your perfectly affectionate brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XIX. To his Brother A. L.

Dear Brother,

GIve me leave to begin my Letter with what I ſhall never make an end of, ſo long as I can hold a pen in my hand, or a heart in my breaſt: I meane my thankes for thoſe bewitch­ing proofes of an entire Love, which you late­ly made me receive with ſuch a beauteous varie­ty both of expreſſion and performance. All I am able to ſay to it, is, that I am paſſionately de­ſirous you would apprehend me as I am, and then you would never check your heart for be­ing too laviſh of affection. I had no ſooner rent36 my ſelfe from you (for I found it requir'd ſome violence to reinforce my reſolution to part) but I far'd like one newly wak'd from a delightfull dreame, and found himſelf deſpoil'd of all the joyes wich he borrow'd from the flattery of fancy. This made Melancholy my compani­on to London, in ſpite of all the facetious rouſings of my merry Major. On Friday night we lay at Woodford, and reach'd home on Saturday Mor­ning, where (before I would put my neck into the coller again) we dip'd ſome choice healths, but eſpecially yours, in the beſt Laurentian Li­quour; and ſo I tooke my leave of him and Sack. Well, I am now return'd again to my Oare; and though I row againſt wind and tide of prefer­ment, yet it pleaſes me that my imployment raiſes no ſtormes in my Conſcience: I pray God I may keep it calme till Heaven thinkes fit to ſet me aſhore in the ſafeſt Harbour. I can­not want ſuch thoughts as theſe ſo long as I car­ry my remembrancer about me of what I muſt be, my malady; which I confeſſe I ſhould beare with leſſe anxiety, did I not fear it will knock me o'th head before I dye, (you know my meaning,) and make me ſurvive my ſelf. But Gods will be done. If the Doctor has conſider'd of any thing he deemes fit to commend to my obſervation, I ſhall gladly receive it; I ſhall ſtrive in my next to render him, if it be poſſible, a more perfect account of his Sons goods. I dare37 not ſatisfie your deſires concerning the grand af­faires, nor indeed can I juſtly; there is ſo much fallacy in Fame, that Reports are born and ſtifled the ſame hour, &c. I was in good hopes we ſhould have gone for Nottingham; but I think the old woman is about a little buſineſſe that will quite ſpoil that deſign, I mean, dying. Well, my dear Brother, no more but this, you ſhall be happy in all that your wiſhes can dictate, if the prayers may prevail of

Your ever affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XX. To Mr. H.

Sir,

I Have yours, wherein you have proved your ſelf a double deſerver; firſt, in ſhewing friendly kindneſſe in doing courteſies, and then a rare modeſty in diſclaiming their acknow­ledgment: a diſpoſition ſeldom known in ſuch an age as this, that can content it ſelf rather to merit thanks then receive them. But you muſt be leſſe complemental to be believed unskilful in complement; and though my weakneſſe that way make me quit the liſts to you, yet I ſtrive to over-match you as much in right down reali­ty.

38

This contemptible Town can brag of no commodity, but is chiefly barren of Intelligence, as if Fame thought it not worthy of a report till it growes ſtale with the reſt of the Kingdom; and ſo we are ſerved like the loweſt rank of mortals with nought but her fragments, &c.

I have ſomething unwillingly obeyed your commands in incloſing this Epiſtle, it being the firſt I ever enterpriſed in this kind; which makes me adviſe you to diſtruſt it as well as my ſelf, and not think it a fit forehead for your Book, till a more artificial hand has fill'd up its native wrinkles, and it has paſt the Correction and teſt of ſome ſterling judgment, ſuch an one as Mr. W. would reward the pains of an earneſt in­treaty.

Yours R. L.

LETTER XXI. To Doctor B.

Dear Doctor,

I Perceive by yours that I have a juſt quarrel to the Carriers careleſneſs, who (like an un­skilful Archer) ſhot my Letter beyond the mark, and made it ſtay his leiſure to bring it back again: and indeed the reception you have given it is like the entertainment of a friend,39 whoſe long abſence has help'd to indear the meeting, and deck the welcom; I am onely ſor­ry it had no better Title to what you have given it, which is a Character that I can own with as little juſtice as I had either merit or confidence to ask it. But Sir, if theſe be not onely breath­ings of ingenuity, and rather ſallies of your fan­cy then opinion, tis fit they ſhould awake my endeavours to be what your friendly apprehenſi­on has faſhon'd me; which your amity has done, not without ſome diſadvantage to your judge­ment. But though I fall ſhort in every other proportion you gueſſe me at, in affection, with all the requiſites of a true friend, you ſhall ever find me good meaſure, &c. Be as happy as I wiſh my ſelf, and believe me ever, deare Doctor, perfectly and entirely

Yours R. L.

LETTER XXII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

OPportunities have here but ſlender fore­tops; I uſe them therefore here as paſſen­gers that waite for a wind, and unfurle my paper­ſayles, when their gale is moſt promiſing: Thus though my affection does not ſympathize with40 the aires inclemencies, and payes neither faint­ing tribute to the frying Dog ſtarre, nor ſhud­dering to the Northern Bear; yet it is now fore'd to make a leg to Fortune for theſe occa­ſions, and let fall its words as the Plow-man does his ſeed, not at his own choice, but when the ſeaſon invites.

My laſt two Letters vext you with the tedi­ous deſcription of my malady; and this has charge to tell you, that I hope I ſhall give you no more ſuch penances; The cure of it being now undertaken by a man in this Countrey, whoſe fortunate skill has triumph'd over ſtrange Diſeaſes; which has got him the acclamations of his patients, and the envy of his own tribe. His ſtory is this; he was born well (being the great Dr. B's Nephew, moſt of whoſe receipts he has;) but bred meanly, firſt bound Prentice to a Shoomaker in Nottingham, from whom he ran away moſt ingeniouſly, and return'd ſome years after a profeſt Phyſitian: how far he fetch'd his Art, or whether moſt beholding for it to bookes or men, I know not, (and in it himſelf is reſolutely ſilent;) but almoſt miraculous ſucceſſe in the Calling made him quickly known and fa­mous. Preſently after theſe ſad times burſt forth, in which it was his fortune to ſide with the weaker party. There are many (not un­handſome) ſtories told of his behaviour while the ſword was unſheath'd; among the reſt this,41 which I had from his own mouth. He having command in a Garriſon neer, did often give ſome ungentle viſits to his Townſmen at Not­tingham, and was for almoſt a year (though a Phyſitian) their continuall Ague; at length in a skirmiſh neer Darby it was his fortune to be made Priſoner, and thence was ſtraitly guar­ded towards Nottingham, where they intended to give him no worſe reward than a hanging for his former courteſies. By the way he invites his Conductors (being ſixteen Troupers) to a Crowns-worth of Ale, which he privately ſea­ſon'd with ſuch a ſoveraigne ingredient, that it ſuddenly caſt them all in a profound ſleep; which done, he at pleaſure rifles their pockets, and takes from them about 200. l. two Caſe of Pi­ſtols, and two of their beſt Horſes, payes the reckoning, leaves them 13. d. ob. and returnes merrily to his own Garriſon. Since the war his fame is growne much louder, and his ſteps where ere he goes waited on by multitudes. I cannot heare that he undertakes any in whoſe cure he failes; he refuſes to look on Urines, and onely obſerves the wriſt when the right hand is grip'd, never failing to diſcover the nature, cauſe and ſeat of the malady, which he undertakes or rejects, as he finds it either feaſable or deſpe­rate. I am now his Patient; and though I yet can brag of little amendment by what I have taken, yet his confidence bids me hope well: he has let42 me blood under the Tongue, and cut a veine in my eare aſunder; and I am now taking of Pow­ders, Electuaries and Purges. The charge I find will be very great, but I am reſolv'd to buy off this plague at any rate, though I pinch for it all my life after.

I lately receiv'd a Letter from my dear Mr. W. then at Antwerp, which becauſe it gives a hopefull dawning of ſome tranſmarine imploy­ment, I have ſent you the Copy of it, and (to ſilence other likelihoods) I ſuppoſe this winter will determinate my ſtay in this family; but before that time I doubt not to exchange many ſuch as theſe with you. In the meane time be ſure you believe that my heart loves you, for it is truth it ſelf, and it ſhall clearly ap­peare if ever Providence ſmiles upon

Your entirely affectionate brother to command for ever R. L.
My dear friend,

All the good of Heaven & Earth attend you; you will eaſily believe my affection, if you remem­ber my induſtry to have enjoy'd you before I left the Kingdom: and truly I call it my great un­happineſs that I could not meet an opportunity till now to tell you I muſt be yours for ever. Had I known how to have ſent, I had done it ſoo­ner; but your Letter which directed me to you43 was in my trunke at London, and I receiv'd it but a few daies ſince. Wel then, take me as much yours as you can deſire, and aſſure your ſelfe I ſtudy your good next my own, and if God bleſſe me in the world, I ſhall quickly make it evident. In the meane, know I am order'd for France, where I have good aſſurance of ſome ſuitable imployment; when I come there you ſhall know it, and ſomewhat more of me than this haſty meſſenger will permit at preſent. Pray therefore write to Mr. K. that he will re­ceive and pay for my Letters that come to you by the French Poſt. I cannot deſire to heare from you where I am, becauſe my ſtay in theſe parts are uncertaine: Though I muſt tell you truly, I was never better pleas'd with any place in my life, yet you are wanting to make me happy. I am ſuffer'd to ſay no more, onely what I dayly ſay to my ſelfe; Live piouſly and ver­tuouſly, and all that's good muſt needs betide you: then be to me as I am, deare friend,

Your own entirely R. W.
POSTSCRIPT.
Brother,

To another this might argue me of levity to ſend you things of ſuch cheape mo­ment, and ſo much unconcerning your ſelfe; but there is ſo little complement in him, and ſo much love in you, that as I know the one can­not diſſemble, ſo the other cannot but bid that44 welcome that may ſuite with his intereſt that ſo truely loves: But bating you two, I am re­ſerv'd to all the world beſide. I ſtay my writing to my Siſter J. till I can know whether ſhe ſhall have the place or not. I feare the worſt. Farewell.

LETTER XXIII. To his Brother Mr. F. W.

Sir,

I Receiv'd and reſented your kind invitation, for which you will do me but right to fancy me truly thankfull. I ſhall take it kindly of my occaſions when they will give me leave to obey your ſummons; and will bring a heart along with me that will onely think it ſelf unhappy that it muſt begin ſo late to know you. I ſhould injure my parcell of reaſon to give a faint ap­plauſe to my Siſters choice, ſince ſounder judge­ments have ſpoke it happy, and your own hand confirm'd it ſo. I do not dote upon my own weakneſſe ſo much as to think my opinion would have quit the coſt of asking; onely I could have wiſh'd my preſence had inabled me to vote with the reſt, though it had been one­ly to ſhew I am not backward in the approbati­on45 of deſert. My requeſt is but reaſonable, that you will ſuffer me to know you better, and even at this diſtance to improve our acquain­tance. Tis but an eaſie task for your Pen, and will ingage mine to be reſponſal. I am afraid you have taken my Character from my friends to my diſadvantage; I know they would ſpeakno ill, and therefore am jealous have done it too well for me to make good. Pray preſent me moſt affectio­nately to your bed-fellow, and tell her I am glad to hear that her want of health is onely like to make work for the Midwife. My ſervice to that Couſin of mine to whoſe fair report I am ſo much obliged, and to the reſt that know me; and for your ſelf, you may ſafely believe that I am truly deſirous to appear,

Sir,
Really yours both in Love and Service, R. L.

LETTER XXIV. To Mr. C. S.

Sir,

IF my expectations of kiſſing your hands my ſelf had not been deluded, my Pen had ren­dered you what I know of the Perſon yours is46 directed to; of whom all the account I can give you may read in this incloſed paper; which af­ter you have peruſed, I intreat you will ſeal up, and deliver to Mr. H. to be ſent back in one of his: you will perceive by it that I muſt receive another before I can obey your commands in di­recting and diſpatching yours, which I expect daily. Sir, I thought it my ingagement to kiſs your hands with theſe blots, to undeceive your expectations, leſt you ſhould think long for an anſwer of what cannot yet be ſent. I hope you will eaſily believe me ſorry that I can ſerve you no better, nor ſooner in this; and may be confi­dent that I ſhall be glad of any power that may prove me, what I really am,

Sir,
Your moſt humble and most faithful Servant, R. L.

LETTER XXV. To Mr. H.

KNowing how highly I value your ſociety, you cannot chuſe but think me much diſ­pleaſed with thoſe caſual impediments that kept us ſo long aſunder; but repining never made Fortune leſſe peeviſh: but ſince you are there, give me leave to husband the incommodity of47 your abſence, by intreating ſuch courteſies, as, could we change places, I ſhould with much ala­crity perform for your ſelf. My firſt requeſt then is, that if you latch any news that may prove a Cordial to our dying hopes, you will not grudge to ſend it me, as a friendly aid that may help to put ſome ſad thoughts to flight. My next is the proſecution of a former deſire, that you would inquire of M. or any other Book­ſeller that is likely to inform you, if there be any new French Book of an indifferent volume that is worth the Tranſlating, and not enter­terpriſed by any other; if there be, let me de­ſire you would ſend it me down, with Cotgraves Dictionary of the laſt Edition: and for what you disburſe, I ſhall appoint you where you ſhall receive it at London, with ſome quantity beſides, which I ſhall deſire you to ſend me. You may well think me unable for ſuch an undertaking; but my worſt ſucceſſe will beſtow a trebble be­nefit, becauſe I ſhall make it ſerve to beguile melancholy, check idleneſs, and better my knowledge in the Language: for the book, I am indifferent whether it be Romance, Eſſay, Trea­tiſe, Hiſtory or Divinity, ſo it be worth the ren­dring in our language. You may either ſend them by G. F. who lies at and comes neereſt to Haughton, or by B. that comes to Nottingham, and lies at the &c. or by your own Lincolnſhire-Carrier. Let me beg to hear48 from you by your next moſt pregnant opportu­nity, and I ſhall be induſtrious to let you ſee you have not ſown theſe favours in a barren Soil, by conferring them upon one that will ever be ſtudious to love and ſerve you,

R. L.

LETTER XXVI. To his Brother Mr. A.L.

Dear Brother,

I Cannot ſtep ſo far out of the way, as not to find out a path to you; diſtance having onely power to render me remote to my friend in my circumſcriptive part, while the unconfined, without toyling with the method of motion, or paſſing through a ſucceſſion of places, can be with you in a moment: and indeed we carry that about us that confutes the cuſtom of paint­ing Angels with wings, when we conſider how ſuddenly our thoughts are charioted (without the penetration of a medium) to the fartheſt parts of the World, by the help of that faculty which doubtleſſe is neer akin to their Angeli­cal natures; ſince though a wing be the nimbleſt inſtrument of motion, yet it confeſſes an order of it, which thoſe Divine Intelligences are ne­ver49 task'd to. But why theſe Metaphyſicks in a Letter? will be your ſecret objection; to which I have not roome enough to give any other an­ſwer, than that I had rather ſay nothing to pur­poſe than nothing at all. We are now in a Town where moſt of the people get their bread by their water, I meane the Bath; and thoſe that never knew how to governe themſelves, are yet guides to others: of a City tis doubtleſs the prettieſt of England, in a double conſtructi­on, as it is little, and handſome. I have been ſomething curious to inform my ſelf of its Ori­ginall; but the beſt account I could get does af­ford but poore ſatisfaction: the ſobereſt have onely told me my own Conjectures, that the irruption of theſe hot Springs, which certainly borrow their warmth in their paſſage through a ſulphurous minerall, was the cauſe of building this City; but in the conveyance of particulars to poſterity, as the time, founders, with other circumſtances, Tradition has been very unfaith­full, in ſuffering the truth to be ſwallow'd by a fable which goes very currant among the com­mon people, and talkes of a King call'd Bladud, that being a great Necromancer (I know not for what reaſon) caus'd by the power of his Art theſe waters to be boil'd under-ground into ſuch an immenſe quantity, as hath ſerv'd to par­boile all thoſe that have ſince reſorted hither to waſh off their Diſeaſes. I have had but little50 time to try the virtue of it, being forc'd to waite upon my Lords humour of peruſing all the Townes and Houſes of remarke round about it; yet I have been already in it five times, and ſound ſo little virtue in thoſe ſteepings, as though I have us'd the hot Pumpe, according to Dr. B's. preſcriptions, for my head, yet I find it has rather done me harme than good, and halfe diſcourag'd my further triall. I find my ſelf daily more ſubject to your Splenitive malady, which ſince I us'd the Bath has made it ſelf known to me with more than an uſuall vigour: Beſides, I think I have gotten the Stone to boot. If all theſe produce but the fruits of a Divine Correction, I may think my ſelfe happy in my ſufferings. In my peruſall of the Cathedrall here (a ſtructure that is rather hand­ſome than magnificent, and claimes as little ad­miration as contempt) I met with an old Inſcrip­tion upon the wall, which at firſt ſtartled me; the words were theſe:

The Trees going to chooſe their King,
Said be to us thou Oliver King.

But upon inquiry I learn'd from a perſon that had read the ancient Records, this Inſcription was made in Honour of one Oliver King, Abbot of a Monaſtery, that laid the foundation of this Minſter; the Rebus is alluſive to a paſſage in Judges, where the Trees convented to chooſe them a King, and pitch'd firſt upon the Olive,51 though at laſt the Bramble carried it. So this pittifull piece of wit was ſet up as a gratefull memoriall of that Abbot's piety.

We are going from hence into Devonſhire, and thence into Cornwall, and are like to make it Michaelmas before we reviſit London. But wherever I go I will never go from my reſolu­tion of being, deare Brother,

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XXVII. To his Sister F. CONCERNING PRAYER.

Dear Siſter,

I Remember your frequent ſolicites gain'd a promiſe from me to compoſe you a Prayer; for which though the ſenſe of my own inſufficiency might juſtly dig a grave in oblivion, yet I have rather choſe to deſerve a cenſure for the bad performance, than the totall forfeiture. Prayer is the Golden Chaine that tyes Heaven and Earth together; it is the pure Elementall flame whoſe property is to aſcend upwards, with which the ſoul, like the Phoenix, ſets her neſt afire, and even expires in the midſt of all thoſe kindled odours; it is a key that opens Heavens gates, and52 locks Hells. It is an Engine that, if rightly plan­ted and level'd, breakes a paſſage through all Earthly oppoſition to the Throne of mercy. It is the chief weapon us'd in our ſpirituall warfare; nor do we ſtand to't ſo ſtifly in any combate with our common enemy, as when humble Devotion and tender Zeal makes us ſhorter by the whole length of the legs. Thus we aſcend by ſtooping; thus we conquer by ſubmiſſion. Tis the beſt Phyſick for a ſickly ſoul, and penitent teares a ſoveraigne diet-drink for a diſeas'd conſcience. But you alwaies lov'd it too well to need an incouragement from my weak deſcrip­tion; yet becauſe I know you are not apt to take any advice ill that flowes from ſo true an affe­ction as mine, I will venture to give you theſe few ſhort obſervations before you enter upon this duty; Allow your ſelf ſome time to conſider the importance of this weighty affaire, and try to fly as high in apprehenſion of the Divine wiſ­dome, power, majeſty, mercy, &c. as the weak wings of your contemplation will ſuffer you; theſe thoughts will furniſh: you with ſuch awe and reverence as is requiſite in ſuch ad­dreſſes, and help you to ſhut out all vaine and idle imaginations that eſpecially at thoſe times flock to the diſturbance of Devotion. Co­vet not to ſtay long upon the duty till Devoti­on faints, and your fervour cooles: I am confi­dent tis a more hainous ſin than the miſtaken53 world is aware of, to bring a cold careleſſe heart to theſe duties; and as I muſt condemne thoſe that dare approch the Divinity with ſuch con­fuſed ſtuffe as their proud ignorance huddles up in extemporall haſte, ſo I do not commend them that onely tye their Tongues to one prayer, and think that no words can find the way to Heaven but thoſe they got by heart in their childhood. Variety is the mother of de­light; and why the ſoul may not not fancy a bleſ­ſed pleaſure in often appearing to her God in the change of devour rayment, I know not: Cu­ſtomary uſe changes even the moſt troubleſome imployment into delight. Oh could we bring Divine affaires to that happy habit, how much of Heaven ſhould we taſt even on Earth!

R. L.

LETTER XXVIII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

VVHen my thoughts tell me that ſucceſſe does not alwaies ſuit with a rationall ex­pectation, and future events often falſifie the promiſes of a preſent appearance, I am forc'd to feed ſuch incertainties (in reference to your54 malady) as uſually flow from the doubtfull combate betwixt Hope and Feare, wherein Love diſcharges both the active and paſſive part. From this you may judge how glad I would be that the newes of your perfect recovery would make peace between them; which pray, as you value my quiet, keep no longer from my know­ledge. There is a tenderneſſe that waites upon unvarniſh'd amity, which perhaps of ſome Stoi­call ſoules will get no other Title than imper­fection: and yet methinks here we cannot love wel without it; for though it be not a part, at leaſt it is a fruit of friendſhip, and as requiſite as ſoft­neſſe and delicacy in a feminine Compoſure; For if I muſt go with my friends halfe in all his joyes and griefs, I cannot give better proof that I have my ſtake in the latter, than by ſuch an Evidence. Give me leave then to tell you, that at preſent you cannot do me a greater Courte­ſie (if health hath impowr'd you) than to cure me of thoſe troubles that are the off-ſpring of yours. When I found my Lords danger ſo hopefully over-blown, I wiſh'd my ſelf againe at Holt, and half fell out with my Condition, that at the ſame time called me ſeverall waies by the name of Servant and Brother. Yet I did not carry away all my ſelfe at our parting; for, believe it, my better part has hover'd conſtant­ly about you, and you had the unſeen aſſiſtance of my earneſt addreſſes to the beſt Phyſitian. 55But tis more than time to conſider I am tedi­ous; let me once more conjure you to give no advantage to your Diſeaſe by any inward diſtur­bance; and continue to love him who will live and dye, dear Brother, unchangeably

Yours to ſerve you, R.L.
POSTSCRIPT.

I ſhall be in London about three weeks hence. Preſent me tenderly to my Siſters F. and J. and tell my Siſter J. that I have confer'd with Phyſitians about her Scurvy, and they all conclude that there is nothing ſo ſoveraigne for it as Aqua Limacum, of which ſhe may have the receipt in the new Lon­don-Diſpenſatory. Farewell. I pray let me heare ſuddenly from you.

To Mr. W. LETTER XXIX.

Sir,

THe doubt that my firſt Letter might miſſe the way to your hands has made me venture to ſend you this ſecond trouble, conceiving it a leſſe ſin to be too obſequious than neglectfull: and indeed your kindneſſe would win the name56 of Charity in vouchſafing a mutuall corre­ſpondence: for though I be very civilly us'd from the very top to the toe of this whole Fa­mily, yet in this throng I am forc'd to find out ſolitude; none here being made of better clay than will render them fit veſſells for houſhold-affaires; and I confeſſe I would be glad to over­take other qualities in him I faſten on with a ſtronger tye than the ordinary ſlipping knots of faint acquaintance. This makes me oft put my ſelf to the paine of thinking how much hap­pineſſe I loſt at a clap by being pluck'd from your ſociety; and theſe thoughts leave me a kind of a Carkaſſe till my ſoule comes home againe, which (if it were viſible) you might of­ten ſee buſily hovering about your ſelfe, ſtill panting after thoſe delights which, alas! ſhe has loſt in her divorce from you; but it is in your power to reſtore me part of them. I will ven­ture no newes, leſt I weary you with the relation of what you know. I muſt onely ſay, this ſtu­pendious victory of late has much leſſened my infidelity concerning your judicious opinion of future events; & there wants but the unmaſque­ing of your Parties reſolutions to make me their perfect convert. I am moſt reſolutely bent to follow your diſcreet advice in the Study of Phy­ſick, and therefore deſire you will pleaſe to know of Dr. R. what bookes are fitteſt to be­gin withall, for I am deſirous to obſerve as much57 method as I can; the exact account of which I beg you will pleaſe to receive at my hands, and I hope you will not withhold the continu­ance of your friendly counſell from him that truly loves and honors you

R. L.

LETTER XXX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

I Am never unfurniſh'd of a double welcome for your Letters; the firſt, as they come from your perſon, the other from your Pen; as they are cordially meant, and skilfully writ: and thus both my love and liking are your Priſoners, and have long ſince rejected the liberty of being o­therwiſe, as the harder bondage of the two. That which we call happineſſe (I meane re­ſtrain'd to ſublunaries) is ſomething proportio­ned to ſuch deſires as are uppermoſt, and there­fore indefinite, becauſe it alwaies takes a ſeve­rall ſhape from every ſngle inclination; all aim­ing at, though few or none hitting, that ſove­raigne good, Contentment. One hunts his hap­pineſſe in riches, another climbes for it by am­bition, a third thinks it ſwims upon the top of voluptuary fruition, the fourth places it in know­ledge;58 and in fine, ſo long as mankind dwells on this ſide of the Moon, every one carries his witch about him. For my part, a true friend is my Indies; and I reliſh more felicity in being well thought of by a virtuous perſon, than in enjoying all that the others court with ſo much eagerneſſe and ardour: And I hugge this diſpo­ſition with more indulgence, becauſe paſſions of this nature are ever friends with Reaſon, and give no bluſh in their Colours. And thus I have given you my heart tranſcrib'd. It poſes me to expreſſe my gladneſſe for the faire hopes of my Siſter J's. recovery; but the height of it might have been taken in my feares of meeting ill newes, which made me ſo much a Coward as I could hardly forbeare ſhaking when I opened your Letter: I pray ſpeake me to her in the beſt Language of affection, and tell her I hardly endured the cruelty of my occaſions, that would not let me ſee her in her danger. This Problematicall feaver has ſwept many of my acquaintance away in theſe parts: Death never gave ſhorter warning of his approch; therefore we had need ſtand upon a carefull guard of pre­paration, that when he arreſts he may not ſur­priſe. I pray preſent me very affectionately to my Siſter F. I ſhall take occaſion next week to write to both. Report ſpeakes the fractures in France to be cemented again, and the Condean••rty well ſatisfied by the Cardinalls retreat59 out of the French Confines; and tis ſaid they are upon a treaty with Spain. But the Hogens I confeſſe are anger'd into more animoſity a­gainſt us than ever I thought they would have been guilty of: They have lately impriſoned their laſt Embaſſadour, Mijn Heer PAW, ſeiz'd his goods, and pull'd down his Houſe at the Hague, for promulging his inclinations to peace, and exceeding his Commiſſion by charging Van Trump not to ſtrike a blow till he received fur­ther order; by which meanes our Eaſt-Indian ſhips and Virginian Fleet ſcap'd his fingers. I have ſent you their Declaration incloſed, which came out but yeſterday, and is ſold very private­ly. My malady continues ſtill in the ſame con­dition, ſo ſoon as I take off the plaiſter it rankles again. I pray ask my Siſter F. if my Aunt H. does not take it unkindly that I ſent her not a book; and where my Coſin A. L. now reſides, and whether her Father in Law and ſhe be ac­corded. But I roll like an unruly flood over all bankes and bounds: Dear Brother,

Eternally yours R.L.
60

LETTER XXXI. To Mr. W.

Sir,

I Cannot grant my ſelf leave to go out of this Country, without leaving a hearty Farewell with you; for ſhould I go away ſpeechleſſe, it would ſhew your miſtake in miſplacing your courteſies, and my unworthineſſe to keep back their acknowledgement; I beſeech you, Sir, then underſtand me truly ſenſible of them, and believe me deſirous to obey ſome command from you that may ſpeak me ſo. We ſet for­ward towards London on Munday next; what the journey ſignifies, how to be contriv'd, whether we ſhall ſix there, or (like Noah's Dove) finde no ſafe footing till we returne again to Haughton, or Nottingham Arke, I cannot ſay, for I think they that fill my Sailes with the breath of their commands are yet unreſolv'd: But I know my Lady loves the place ſo well, that it will take her more time to be weary of it than we are all aware of. Well, if you can inſtruct me how to ſerve you there, do it; and be confident that nei­ther an unwilling heart, nor a tardy hand, ſhall diſprove my words, that muſt ever call my ſelf

Sir,
Your true friend and faithfull Servant, R. L.
61
POSTSCRIPT.

I pray diſtribute my love and ſervice where you think they are due to thoſe that know Mrs. R. Mr. G. &c.

LETTER XXXII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

JUſtice enjoynes my confeſſion that you have made me amends for your ſilence, and pai'd me my Arrears in groſſe which I expected in particulars; for though your Letters cannot come often enough to leſſen their welcome, yet you know rarity heightens the price of things, and winds up the delight to a taller de­gree than when it goes and comes in a leſſe ſta­ture at ſeverall parcells. Conclude not from this that I deſire you ſhould write but ſeldome; for believe it, I never had recreation nor buſi­neſſe that out-priz'd the pleaſant care I alwaies took to keep our quills in play, and thus to prune the feathers, and ſtir the pinions of our amity. Let not the conceit of an Hectick get any credit with you; for tis the cuſtome of theſe Diſeaſes to lye long a gaſping before they62 dye, and like Candles new burnt out leave ſome heat in the ſocket: But I hope in a ſhort time to ſee your feares over-blown by a perfectreſtau­ration; and now you will taſte your health with ſuch a reliſh as half-ſtarv'd men do Feaſts, or the hopeleſſe inhabitant of a Dungeon his un­expected liberty. But (which deſerves both my praiſe and imitation) I am much taken with the grateful uſe you have made of Heavens bounty in relation to your deliverance; for ſince the largeſt heart is too narrow to ſet a juſt value upon ſuch favours, ſure thoſe that devoutly endeavour to bid the beſt price are beſt accepted. There are many requiſites in Chriſtianity, whoſe con­ſtant uſe does ſweetly ſet us the way to the New Jeruſalem; but thanksgiving (when currantly pai'd) does even place us in the very ſuburbs of Heaven; by it we onely take out that leſſon here whoſe repetition will be both our buſineſſe and happineſſe to all Eternity. Laſt night with yours I received thoſe rude Draughts which you had from my unskilfull hand; but (rude as they are) they are like to do me ſervice in my preſent undertaking. Wiſe men tell us (Reli­gion unconcern'd) tis weakneſſe to repent thoſe ingagements which we cannot retract with a ſafe reputation: elſe I would tell you, that if my bargaine were now to make, my Letters ſhould ſtill have ſlept in your hands, and perhaps I ſhould never have wak'd that danger63 that now threatens my credit with the ſtings of ſome juſt Criticiſmes; but the die is caſt (and what ever I loſe by it) I am reſolv'd to play out the game. I came juſt now from Sir J. P. who ask'd very kindly for you; he lookes with a kind aſpect upon me; and if my hopes deceive me not in ſome Courteſies he has power to do me, I may chance to paſſe by all the great ones that know me, and direct my Dedication to him. But of this more when I know further. I hope it will prove no taske to perſwade you that I ſhall be perfectly glad to ſee you here in London; and indeed, if your intereſt where you are be not more conſiderable than your pen con­feſſes, I can think it no better than a block to your preferment. In the meane time, while I am here, if I have a capacity to ſerve you, you cannot diſoblige me more than to be ſparing of your Commands. I have not, nor never will have any thing that is not yours; nay, my ſelf is not mine own if you have need of me; and though theſe words be not neceſſary to perſwade what you formerly believ'd, yet repe­titions in Love are onely not abſurd. Major W. returnes you his moſt affectionate reſpects; we never meet (which is very often) without ce­lebrating your remembrance and health. When you write, which cannot be too often, direct your Letters for me at one Mr. M's. Houſe living in Shandois-ſtreet in Covent-Garden, (for64 there we now lodge) right over againſt the Black-Rod. Well, Dear Brother, tis time to come to a full point; I am

Eternally yours R. L.

LETTER XXXIII. To his Siſter Mrs. F.

My Deareſt Siſter,

TIs now too late to expreſſe the paſſion I felt for what I hope you have recover'd; onely this, if a large part of what you ſuffer'd had been put upon my ſcore, I think I ſhould have pick'd out delight in the affliction, becauſe I indur'd it; for you will give me leave to be glad of your ſufferings, not becauſe they were ſo, but ſince Providence did ordaine them yours, becauſe they were no greater. My Brother told me that the Diſeaſe was not likely to han­dle you ſo rudely as it uſually doth others; and I was willing to believe him becauſe I wiſh'd it ſo. It is fit you ſhould believe that I am not only contented to wiſh you happy, but would be glad I could make you ſo by ſomething elſe beſide words: But providence thinkes it fit that I ſhould ſtill be unable to ſerve the friends I love, and therefore defers my preferment, by67 prolonging my unfortunate and coſtly malady. Well, the beſt of it is, I have ſeen too much of the world to dote upon it, and when I leave it nothing ſhall trouble me ſo much as that I could not ſerve my friends ſo well as I lov'd them; in which number you hold the fore moſt rank in his affections that is

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XXXIV. To his Brother Maj. W.

Dear Brother,

THough to ſpeak my ſelf in your debt be not to pay the leaſt ſcruple, unleſſe thankes go currant, yet I cannot but acknowledge the freſh expreſſions of your friendſhip; nor repeat my engagement to your laſt kind entertainment and conduct, without calling my Stars penurious in allowing me no other power of requitall than a few cheap words: But, ſo, you may credit it, that if ever occaſion ſhewes me how to ſhape it in better Characters, I ſhall not be loth to wipe out the ſcore. In the meane time, all I have to ask at your hands, is, to conſtrue me right,68 and believe my meaning quadrate to my words, and nothing but want of power denies my actions the ſame proportion. I burne to heare how my poor Brother does, which I deſire to receive from your pen as exactly as poſſible. I have endeavour'd to find a convenience for our literall exchange by Lin, but as yet cannot reach any that I dare truſt to: therefore pray ſend your Letters by London, and direct them to my Shoomaker in Holborn. Preſent my entire Love to my Siſter, to honeſt Mr. B. P. Don &c. cordially; and belive it you ſhall incurre no error to ſtyle me

Sir,
Your moſt affectionate Brother and Servant R. L.

LETTER XXXV. To Mr. G.

Dear Sir,

THat I had not a line or two from your hand by Mr D. I ſuppoſe was rather miſ­chance than intention: that I eagerly expected it may be credited from my frequent importu­nities, from which I know not how you will de­fend your ſelf, ſo long as I tenebrize it here in this blind corner; where I almoſt live like a flye69 in winter, and onely play in the Sun-ſhine when I communicate with ſuch friends as your ſelf. But he tells me a ſad ſtory of J. W's. ſickneſs; which, believe it, does affect me as feelingly as can be requir'd from an unbiaſs'd friendſhip. Let me conjure you to tell by the next how I may meaſure my unhappineſſe by his danger: I was ever entirely his from the cradle of our acquain­tance; but his laſt condeſcention to fetch me to my ſick Brother makes my apprehenſion too big for my expreſſion. I pray do me the favour to receive all ſuch Letters as ſhall be directed to me through your hands; for he that did me the ſame courteſie I heare is lately dead of the new feaver. I ſhould bluſh to give you theſe troubles, if your Commiſſion had not embold­ned me; but if I do not requite, I ſhall not for­get to acknowledge. Preſent me heartily to honeſt C. W. Mr. L. and promiſe your ſelf a true friend in

R. L.
70

LETTER XXXVI. To his Brother A. L.

Deare Brother.

I Need not tell you I am now in Lincolneſhire, for I ſuppoſe you will eaſily read it in my li­terall intermiſſion. Thus to be out of the way is to be remote; ſince now the motion of our Letters muſt be more than ſemicircular, and they travell as people do in Wales, round about the hill, becauſe they cannot croſſe it in Diame­ter. When I parted with the Major at London, I confeſſe I engaged to give you and him a meeting at Holt; but ſince our arrivall here it has pleas'd God to ſtrike my Lord and Lady, one with a fever, the other with a Tertian Ague, which in all probability wil reſolve into the New Diſeaſe; which extremely rages in theſe parts, and murders abundance of people: my Lord of Lincolnes onely Brother dyed of it laſt week. This enforces a ſuſpenſion of my purpoſe, and bids me content my ſelf to ſend you my imbra­ces at this diſtance.

In this ſame voyage to the Grave, which we call Life, our condition is ſo fraile and floating, as we are nought elſe but living lumps of incer­tainty and irreſolution; ſo eaſie it is for Fortune71 (or rather Providence) to unravel our ſtrongeſt­woven deſignes, and unhinge our moſt ſerious intentions; that like the withered leaves of Au­tumn, we are the game of every blaſt, and our health the prey of every ſickly vapour. But now Dear Brother how do you? have you yet ſcap't the fangs of this new-ſpawn'd malady? Pray tender your health very carefully: for my part, I ſhould deem my ſelf in great danger in this ſtanding-pool of Aire where we live, if the hole in my arm were not my friend, in giving ſeveral paſſeports to infection and contagious vapours, which ſo long as nature has power to thruſt out at that Sally-port, my danger is not great. I pray let me know if my ſiſter Janes health be yet perfected, and how thereſt of my friends hold out againſt the batteries of a putrified Climate. Preſent me, as is due, to all that know me; pre­ſerve me in your Affections, Wiſhes and Pray­ers; and believe it, your happineſs ſhall be always mentioned in his addreſſes to heaven that is, Dear Brother,

Your own indelibly, R. L.
POSTSCRIPT.

Pray let me hear from you as ſoon as you can. Ex­cuſe my blots, for I wrote it in haste in my Ladies chamber, from whom I do not stir.

72

LETTER XXXVII. To his Brother Mr. A.L.

Dear Brother,

YOu have ſubdued me ſo entirely, and tied the knot ſo ſtrait that binds me to you, that there is as much impoſſibility to undo it, as in­gratitude to cut it: ſo as, like the miſtaken hus­band-man that tills an unfruitful Soil, you muſt expect to receive a lean crop, not becauſe the earth is unthankful, but unable. After I had ſent my laſt, I received one of your Letters that plaid the Truant by the way, with ſome pieces of the broken Glaſs, which appeared like the disjoyned ſtaves of a wrackt Veſſel thrown a­ſhore by the Tide; the Pills came ſafe, which I ſince took at twice (loth to take proofs of ſo much kindneſs, as ſinners do the gifts of heaven, not to uſe them, but abuſe them.) You give me more hope then I dare accept, in reference to that check to all the delight I can either taſte or fancie, bating ſome divine Idea's, that by a ſpecu­lative transfiguring my deſires lift me above all thoſe inconſiderable toyes that the World ran­ges under the ſmiles and frowns of Fortune: but from thence, alas, the weight of my own weakneſs weighs me down again, and I return (like an inconvertible thief) to the ſame Priſon73 from whence puniſhment ſo lately freed me. But we cannot be more then men, till we be ſtript of our clay, and put on ſomething in its ſtead that poſes our apprehenſions, and is beſt deſcribed by negatives.

I muſt make one among the admirers of your excellent fancy, that could retain the im­preſſion of a face that time might have wiped out without an almoſt juſt treſpaſs of memory: but you were born to theſe advantages, and do but methodically imbelliſh thoſe qualities in ſin­gle and ſingular performances that nature gave you in lump and ſubſtance. The old woman my laſt mentioned is with much ado gotten over the threſhold of the other World, and has be­queathed her Corps to a Nottingham-Grave; whither I believe we ſhall wait upon them about a fortnight hence, but tis yet an incertainty. What ever the Major reſolves, there muſt be more then appearance that ſhall make me for­ſake my intereſt here, though poor and contem­ptible: I know the ſtory of Aeſops dog, that let fall the fleſh to catch the ſhadow; and you the Moral. The Clock has ſtruck twelve, and my eye-lids grow unruly, therefore take it not ill if I give a dull Farewell, and abruptly call my ſelf, Dear Brother,

Yours eternally, R. L.
74

LETTER XXXVIII. To Mr. W.

My dear friend,

YOu had ſooner ſeen a reply to your laſt, had we not ſtill ſhifted places like feathers in the winds, and too much motion ſtaid my hand. I am ſorry my laſt gave ſo hard a task to your be­lief, but am glad it provoked you to breathe your fancy ſo merrily. I ſhould laviſh words to retort your ingenious glances; onely this, if you diſliked the extravagancies in it, ſuffer exceſs of joy to excuſe it, which oft like other paſſions breaks out diſorderly. Well my dear friend, let it ſuffice, there was not a fyllable that was not meant before it was ſaid, and meant becauſe deſerved. But ſince you do not like ſuch Tranſports, I ſhall learn to talk ſoberer, though never to love you with leſſe ardor. All wo­men have yet appeared ſo indifferent, as the whole Sex was never able to give me a paſſi­on, much leſs ſuch an one: what the old woman that Fate has marked for mine will do I know not; I think I ſhall honour her venerable wrin­kles, and reverence her ſpectacles; but ſhe muſt have better linings then that Sex uſe to wear within, before I can love her like ſuch a friend. Another flood of rheume has lately confuted my75 opinion of a cure, and made me recant my brags; but I do not deſpair ſuddenly to make it find a­nother channel. I pray let your next tell me whe­ther Mr. S. does yet mention the token to you; for if you permit, I can tell how to hint it without reflecting upon you. I am much afflicted, and up­braid the ſhortneſs of my chains, when I find I cannot ſerve you as I would, and do wrangle with every acceſſary to our ſtay in this dull Countrey; but all alas to little purpoſe, for our return to London is both uncertain and unlikely. Our friends in Norfolk and Suffolk I hope are well, onely my ſiſter Fenner is now ſick of the Small-Pox; but in my next I will be able to render you a more particular account of yours, which I ſhall receive from my Brother. If you would write to any there, tis but venturing a requeſt to M. H. to deliver it to the Norfolk-Poſt, and take their anſwers from him to ſend to you. The man is honeſt and friendly, and I know loves you e­nough to do much more: I have excuſed you to him. My Lord returns your reſpects with much affection, and I think has much love for you. Good Sir, reſalute your friend from his un­known ſervant with much reſpect, and tell him I ſhall gladly do any thing that may deſerve his love. But I ſhall grow too talkative; I have no more to ſay but to beg you will ſtill underſtand me, as I muſt ever be, my dear friend,

Yours eternally, R. L.
76

LETTER XXXIX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

IT were ſuperfluous to repeat how little the treachery of new objects, freſh acquaintance, long abſence, change of place, &c. is able to do in quenching that affection which I ſhall keep alive with the ſame care that Vest als did their ſacred flame. This you have often had under my hand and ſeal; and you may be confident it will never be forfeited. We are again ſetled at Nottingham, where the advantage of a larger leiſure to write is checked by the ſcarcity of opportunities; but rarity does raiſe the price of delight, we ſet a trivial eſteem upon joyes that come at a low rate, but indulge thoſe we ſweat for: and thus we ſhall entertain our Letters like our ſelves when we meet ſeldom, nothing ſo much endearing the perſonal interview of friends, as when ſome large portion of time has crept betwixt them. As we came down, one of Fortunes ſpightful tricks (of which, I thank her, to me ſhe has always been very liberal) made me loſe the taſte of a pleaſant journey, which was thus; The day of our ſetting our appointed, I conſented to the earneſt ſolicites of my dear Mr. W. (then in the Countrey) to let him know77 it; caus'd by a deſire of his to meet me at S. Al­bans, where we had decreed to ſhorten a night together with ſuch mutual ſolace as would have ſuffered its houres to paſs by untold: in hope of this he came little leſs then fourty miles on pur­poſe; which trouble he would needs undertake in lieu of ſome petty ſervices I was happy to do him in his abſence; but upon the brink of our taking leave a Whimſey predominated, and we muſt needs go another way by Alesbury; which though I oppoſed as far as I durſt, was carried a­gainſt me, and my hopes of ſo much delight were ſacrificed to an inconvenience; for we went ten miles about for a worſe way, loſt a Gentle­man and a Foot-man that were ſent the other, and my vertuous friend (after two nights ſtay) returned with abuſed expectations: I never took a peeviſh chance with leſſe patience. My Mala­dy ſtill continues to afflict me; I pray let the Doctor know with what little ſucceſs I have ob­ſerved his preſcriptions, and if he can bethink himſelf of any other courſe that may prove more effectual I ſhall gladly uſe it: I ſee purging will not do it, and the powder never made me ſneeze to purpoſe. Pray tell him I have a ſtrange conceit that ſome Chymical application ſhould effect it. You will much oblige me to propound it to as many skills as you ſhall converſe with, and to ſend me their ſeveral judgements at your beſt convenience, while I ſtrive to do as much78 where I am. I would not dare to give you this trouble, if I were not confident that you loved

Your own R. L.
POSTSCRIPT.

If I could but ſhift this unhappy trouble, I would not yet doubt to adde figures to the cyphers of my thin fortunes.

LETTER XL. To his Nephew Mr. A. L.

Dear Couſin,

I Cannot always content my ſelf to ſhut up a ſpeechleſs affection in my breaſt, ſince that amity that wants a tongue may juſtly be ſuſpect­ed to want a heart, and lie benumb'd like a Snake in Winter; for though Memory and Fancy may poſſibly combine to keep Idea's and Images un­defaced by the hand of time, yet where action is and exerciſe wanting, there is no more then poſ­ſibility of life; and that friendſhip that can al­wayes lie ſtill, does at beſt but hide it ſelf, and makes as as little harmony as an unſtrung Inſtru­ment. Leſt ours that grew up with our green­eſt years ſhould fade, and fall inſenſibly into79 ſuch a trance, ſuffer theſe blots to rouze it, and invite your pen to contribute a preſervative that may keep it freſh and vigorous. With this Paper you ſhall receive a rude draught of mine by a French Original, which I drew at idle houres when my Genius was neither prompt nor propi­tious to better ſtudies. Couſin, your acceptance will more then requite it; and if you chance to have patience enough to read it over, tis all you will get by it. I pray preſent my hearty ſervice to my Brother and Siſter P. and diſtribute my reſpective ſalutes among thoſe friends where you think they are due: and to your ſelf, take as faithful an affection as I am capable of che­riſhing, or you of deſiring from

Your really affectionate kinſman to ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER XLI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

MY deſignes of coming over have been ſo oft diverted by unexpected commands and accidentall emergencies, as I feare my pro­miſes have almoſt loſt their credit. But if you knew the vehemencie of my longing to ſee you80 and the reſt of my friends, you would pitty my impatience (the froward child of ſo many de­layes.) Divines tell us this life is a Pilgrimage; and if ever any people made it good in both ſenſes I think tis our reſtleſs family: The Sun in his annuall progreſſe through his 12. Celeſti­all Innes doth not oftener change his Quarters. Ever ſince I knew them I have been nothing but a gueſt, and muſt of neceſſity learne to be a wiſe man if ever I intend to be at home ſo long as I am with them. About two months ſince I had appointed my day to ſet out, when a ſud­dain reſolution for a Yorkſhire-viſit to my Lord F. his houſe (retir'd thither to a private life ſince he ungenerall'd himſelf) turn'd my horſe head the contrary way. From thence, after a tedious ſtay, with much adoe we return'd to Haughton, and from thence are arriv'd at Lon­don, (a journey I ſcarce knew of 12. houres be­fore I took it.) I am the more particular in my geſts, leſt you ſhould put my ſilence upon the account of neglect. I had reſolv'd again the laſt Monday to begin my motion Eaſt-ward, and my foot was almoſt in the ſtirrop, when meet­ing with Holt-Poſt, he informed me that my Brother W. would be in Town this week; and upon thoſe grounds I defer'd my journey till he returnes home-ward about a fortnight hence, if the ſad increaſe of my malady (which I much ſuſpect) does not arreſt me here; I daily81 feel it incroach upon me, &c. (Whatever Hea­ven has deſign'd it for I am reſolv'd to wel­come.) But of this more when I ſee you, if it will give me leave. Pardon theſe perfunctory blots to my preſent indiſpoſition, and be confi­dent I will ceaſe to be, when I am not, deare Brother, inviolably

Yours to love and ſerve you R. L.

LETTER XLII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

I Wiſh my Pen were not ſo indebted to your opinion, as to deſpaire of having right to that Character you have ever given it: but what you call a Garden is little better than a wilder­neſſe, and the thornes and nettles which it plants are onely Roſes in the deceiv'd eyes of affection. Thus the yellow ſands of Tagus firſt came by their Gold, not becauſe Midas did indeed there waſh off his wiſh, but becauſe Mi­das and his wiſh too were made on purpoſe to raiſe the Rivers credit by the partiall ingenuity of its Countrimen. Nay, Tiber it ſelf (but a brook to our Thames) would have made his vi­ſits to the Ocean with no more noiſe than his own ſtreames make, if it had not taken Rome82 in its way, and glided by the walkes of her clear-witted Poets. True Love is wilfully blind to the imperfections of its object; and if the ſcars be not too broad ſhe turnes away her head till her hands hide them in black patches; imi­tating the great Architect upon the Chaos, for­cing beauty from deformity it ſelf. But to quit Metaphor, I re-thank you you for the vigilance of your active endeavours in behalfe of my re­covery; if ever Providence intends me health (which I have too much cauſe to doubt) I think I ſhall owe it to your induſtry; and indeed there is none to whom I would more willingly conſent to be indebted, nor more gladly find a power to requite, than your ſelf: but I confeſs where there is ſuch true amity theſe termes are ſuperfluous. I ſhall gladly receive any thing from the Doctor that may have reference to my cure; but I am afraid I ſhall find ſome difficulty to be a circumſpect obſerver of his preſcripti­ons; for we are here rather a crowd than a fami­ly, and are rather quarter'd like an Army than lodg'd, few chambers deſerving better titles than huts. But I hope we ſhall ſhortly march a­way; however if I receive ought that may car­ry any pretence to a remedy, I ſhall ſtruggle hard both for time and place to take it as I ought. I thank you for the Hiſtory of your High-Suffolk-journey: I ſhall take ſome order to lay the ſtorme of my Siſter P's. unkindneſſe, if the83 weake magick of my pen can do it; for if there be any Art in it, you know tis black. For what concernes the Recognizance, I ſhall ſay no­thing till your progreſſion teach me both how to ſpeak and do. I made no queſtion but to be as big as my word when my laſt talk'd of your two ſtickes coming down; but having ſince met with the Majors Maſculine wife, She tells me that it will be Michalemas before ſhe makes any more; but ſhe has promis'd that the patience of your expectation ſhall be then rewarded with the Maſter-piece of her art. Honeſt J. is ready to beat his wife that ſhe forces his promiſe to ſo ſlothfull a performance; he ſalutes you cor­dially, and ſeemes alwaies to be thirſty when he drinks your health. But tis time to hold my Tongue. Dear Brother, I am, and will continue unfeignedly

Yours in all that power and will can manifeſt, R. L.
84

LETTER XLIII. To Sir I. P.

Sir,

I Received your Letter of April 5. which proved a ſoveraign cure to the ſuſpition which hung like a diſeaſe upon my heart; no corner of which did ever yet harbor thought or wiſh con­cerning you, but what ever indevoured to indear it ſelf to your future happineſs. And though Fortune has not ſmiled upon my longing for im­ployments, by beſtowing ſucceſs on your kind endeavours, yet I have taught my ſoul as grate­fully to relliſh the real intention, as if its greedy deſires had been feaſted with the effectual exe­cution. I confeſſe my hopes took a ſad fall in Sir T. B. but I had rather be content with the misfortune then that it ſhould procure you diſ­content with the man. Sir, I find it fit to acquaint you that tis now my reſolution to break the chains of that unthrifty liberty that has all this time led my wandring ſteps from the path of imployment; to which, (rather then ſacrifice any more of the precious off-ſpring of Time to the idol of Idlenes) tis my vow to lure my ſoaring deſires to a more humble flight; and ſince their wings are too weak in a forraign ſhore to make prudential Experience their Quarry, Humility85 ſhall train them to ſtoop at a domeſtick prey: the means of which (ſo it be not baſe or diſho­neſt) I ſhall want pride enough to diſdain. Nor did I ever want jealouſie that the unskilful weakneſſe of my worthleſs parts would render me an unfit Pilot to be imbarqued at firſt in the managing of a Secretaries place; and my now becalmed thoughts reliſh it as a prevention of ſome diſgrace by the kinde Providence, that my feeble ſailings might have betraid me to. In ſumm, not only the covet of my own deſires, but the promiſes of ſome friends have incoura­ged me to be at London at Eaſter Term, where I expect (if I am not wide) to hit ſome happy opportunity of imployment; to further which, I hope you will vouchſafe him your teſtimony that alwayes was, and ever will be

Your faithful ſervant, R. L.

LETTER XLIV. To his Siſter Mrs. F.

My Deareſt Siſter,

TIs now too late to expreſs the paſſion I felt for what you have now recovered, and give me leave to be glad of your ſufferings, not be­cauſe they were ſo, but (ſince the Providence86 did ordain them yours) becauſe they were no greater. My Brother told me the diſeaſe was not likely to handle you rudely; as it uſually does others; and therefore I hope that cruel enemy to a good face has not left the footſteps of his tyranny upon yours. It is fit you ſhould believe that I am not onely contented to wiſh you hap­py, but would be glad I could make you ſo, by ſomething elſe beſides words; but Providence thinks it fit that I ſhould ſtill be unable to ſerve the friends I love, and therefore defers my Pre­ferment by prolonging my unfortunate malady. But the beſt is, I have ſeen too much of the World to dote upon it. You are grown very ſparing of your Ink and Paper; if you underſtand my affection as it is, you cannot deny it the con­tent of letting me ſometimes know that you do ſo: I ſhould take it kindly to know where you are, and how you do, with other circumſtan­ces, ſuch as may be expected by ſo perfect a well-wiſher; there is ſo little alteration in my condition, that it deſerves not mention. Let me know how your pretty boy does, and how he thrives in his learning. Salute all my friends you meet with my hearty love and ſervice, and be confident you ſhall never have cauſe to doubt that I will ever be leſs then I truly am

Your real Brother to command, R. L.
87

LETTER XLV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

TO give your Letter a meeting was buſi­neſs enough to invite me this day to London, whence the ſcarcity of time does force me to toſſe you my anſwers with the ſame dexterous ſpeed that a Tennis-Player does a Ball, that elſe would die on his ſide unrequited. If ſometimes then I ſend you my thoughts undreſt, blame the haſte that poſts them away in ſuch a ruffled manner. I am glad you incountred ſo much pleaſure in going your uſual rounds, and peruſed the kind intertainment of ſo many friends, to whom I ought to conclude my ſelf ingaged, that they cannot ſuffer my diſappearing from their ſight to deprive me of a harbor in their thoughts. But I am ſorry I can ſhew no deſert to make my title good to ſo much courteſie.

I ſee you have diſcovered that the place I am in gives me no cauſe to be laviſh in its commen­dations, but I deſpair not to make your hopes prophetick in a happier change; in the mean time till fortune clears up her brow, and ſets a better face on my affaires, I am reſolved to improve my ſlender ſtock of diſcretion in the induſtrious purchaſe of commodious friends, and the provident husbanding of opportunities88 to drive on my more hopeful deſignes, till the maturity of which, I will neither blame nor forſake the imployment I am in. But whatſoe­ver burden my ſhoulders ſhrink under, in ſpight of Fortune I will be happy in your felicity, which be aſſured is wiſhed as little ſubject to de­cay as Immortality it ſelf by

Your inviolably affectionate Brother, R. L.

LETTER XLVI. To Mr. H.

Sir,

I Know your affaires make you but a Tenant to your own time, which it ſeems you rent at a troubleſom dunning your rent-men: tis no wonder then if ſuch a throng of occaſions ſhould croud ſuch trifles as my ſelf out of your me­mory; but you found not my name in your books, and ſo made no account of me. Yet now I think of it, I had beſt ſay no more, leſt by accu­ſing you. I ſhould condemn my ſelf, who it ſeems am guilty of the ſame crime, viz. ſilence. I acquainted my Lord and Lady with your A­pology concerning the rent, and they ſeem ſatis­fied; if your Valentine be offended with any, tis with me, for preſenting her thanks no ſooner;89 and ſhe will gladly double them if you can make your word good of my Lords coming down ſo ſoon, for ſhe is half impatient till ſhe be out of this warm Sun into Gods bleſſing. S. D. tells me you are ſhortly for the Low-Countreys; I hope your ſhip is richly laden, and will help you to bear a broader ſayl; it can be no loſſe to you to let a friend now and then take a commodity off your hands, for you know what you ſhall get by the bargain. But of this when we meet; which I believe will be to morrow, for ſo S. will have it. In the interim I call my ſelf happy that I am, Sir,

Perfectly yours R. L.

LETTER XLVII. To Mr. W. G.

Sir,

SUffer our friendſhip to give a little imploy­ment to my idle pen; and that, commiſſion to tell you that I am not wavering enough to let abſence write it in a wave: and methinks they that cannot talk at a diſtance without the help of buſineſs, do rather uſurp then uſe amity; and like the Perſons in an Interlude, alwayes act what they are not. The frequent exchange of thoughts, next the touchſtone of adverſity, is90 one of the cleareſt tryals of it. Phyſitians con­clude an Eucraſis in the body, when every faculty plies its own function, and takes the height of the diſtemper, as they obſerve them either let their Oares lie ſtill, or row the wrong way; and ſure that friendſhip cannot chuſe but languiſh that lies long ſpeechleſs. But I hold a Candle to the Sun, and I fear do but ſhow what a Pedigree my Quill comes of; but tis well meant, and ſo I hope tis taken. I like Virgils Story of Niſus and Eurialus, and methinks it deſerves the credit of imitation; for though a fiction, the Poet intend­ed it rather to inſtruct, then deceive; and meant it as Xenophon did his Cyrus, rather to ſhow what ſhould be, then what was. Preſent me cordially to our Eſculapian friend, tell him I ſhall be glad to hear that his skill gets an im­provement of ability by ſick bodies, and his Fortunes ſoveraign Cordials from ſound Purſes. I pray mention my real reſpects to honeſt Di­ſcendam, &c. tell him I could wiſh every man a good fellow for his ſake, drink till they be illu­ſtrious, and raiſe the price of Malt.

R. L.
91

LETTER XLVIII. To his Brother A. L.

Dear Brother,

MY ignorance of the cauſe of it gave me ſome trouble for your ſilence, not knowing what conſtruction to give it, unleſs that you had not yet quitted Norfolk, detained there by the im­portunity of Sir J. P. or ſome others; but lately meeting wth J. W. he ſhewed me your Letter da­ted from Barningham, wch mentioned ſome more Phyſick you had ſince ſent me. what Fate croſt it I know not, but I never received it, or ought elſe from your hands, ſince you had mine in Nor­folk. I think there is a conſpiracy of chances that traverſe the cure of this unlucky malady, and uſe my hopes like notorious offenders, that are onely kept alive for their greater torment; yet I cannot but confeſs the rigor of it to be ſomething abated, ſince the fontanel in my arm rather ran then iſſued. There is more Rheto­rick in my meaning then my words, and like a Plant in Winter, whoſe beauty and vertue are retired to the life in the root; I would, but can­not, thank you ſufficiently for your unwearied ſolicitations of Mr. in my behalf: but I am now ſo eſpouſed to incertainty in relation to our ſtay in London, expecting daily when the Exit of an old woman that92 dies by drops, ſhould give us warning to quit our City-Theatre, to attend her Corps to her Coun­trey-Grave, as it makes me deſirous you would reſpite the ſending of any more phyſick, till I know when and where I ſhall have opportunity to take it, and you know ſuch things unleſs done exactly are better not begun. Since I wrote ſome of this I received your Letter, which clears all my doubts of your ſilence. Your Letter to the Major found him all in tears for the death of one of the beſt ſiſters-in-law, I think, in England; ſhe died of an Impoſthume; and Jack, not with­out much cauſe, is very ſenſible of his loſs. I ſpied a requeſt of yours, &c. If you can inſtruct me how to ſupply your deſires in ought elſe here, I ſhall take it very ill if you do not freely command, Dear Brother,

Your ever obliged and truly affectio­nate Brother, R. L.

LETTER XLIX. To Mr. H.

Sir,

I Received your pregnant Epiſtle, and enter­tained it with as kind a reſentment as a heart when it finds it ſelf obliged does uſually feel. But as I receive your love with the fruits of it (your93 newes) as becomes a friend that hates ingrati­tude, ſo I cannot own your high-flown unmerit­ed praiſes without indangering my whole ſtock of modeſty; nor can take them with a better title then ſome rich ones of this age do the goods and lands of others, for which their beſt evidence is that they are too ſtrong for the right owners. In another, that I had known practiſed in the ſmooth ſin of diſſembling, I had called it complement; but your known goodneſſe for­ces a better title, and I will onely ſay that you beheld my poor deſerts through the glaſs of af­fection, which deceived you; like thoſe that ma­gnifie objects, and repreſent their forms much more large and fair then indeed they are. Sir, in that ſenſe I underſtand you, and return (in plain and undreſt terms) the thanks of a friendly heart that is reſolved not to die in the debt of affection. I am ſorry your hopes took ſo ſad a fall in their aimes at improvement in your Seraphick Science; but we that wear chains muſt look for no larger liberty then their length will afford us, unleſs we break them. I hear you are preparing for Nottingham, where we ſhall infallibly help to increaſe your family, and I hope joyn our forces in a friendly aſſociation to combat with the difficulties of a tedious winter. Sir, this laſt favour of yours gives me preſum­ption to inlarge my ingagement by a requeſt, that you will pleaſe (if time will permit you)94 to go to one Mr. K. &c. I would not preſume to give you this trouble, if I were not confident in your friendſhip, and cordially deſirous of an op­portunity wherein I may prove my ſelf as I truly am

Yours, R. L.

LETTER L. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Am now the more eager to redouble my hold on theſe occaſions, becauſe they have ſately kept their foretops ſo long out of my reach; and though I was never leſs able then now to talk to purpoſe, yet (next to my main deſign, which is to let you ſee that oblivion can­not intrap affection) methinks I would fain rally the retreated ſpirits of my creſt-fallen fancy, that with this long taking breath have almoſt loſt it: garments wear out by being not worn; Ingenuity and judgement (like the amphibious Otter) may inhabit the oppoſite Elements of eaſe & induſtry yet if they ſtay too long in either, the firſt plucks inſenſibly the feathers from their wings to make a pillow for ſloth, and the other (if the bow be not ſometimes unbent) does of­ten give them the cramp with too much ſtretch­ing, and ſometimes a crack to boot, which proves hard you know to ſolder. The onely art is to enchaſe and gently checquer imployment with95 recreation, that they may rule like City-Magi­ſtrates by election, and ſo deliver up the Mace to one another by turns; onely I would have the ſolideſt govern longeſt. But pardon theſe weak ſallies; for ſhould I force my pen to keep the road, & not ſometimes range into extravagancy, it would tire you and it ſelf too with often trea­ding in the Print of its own footſteps. And there­fore I will tell you that I lighted upon my bro­ther W. by an unexpected kindneſs of fortune, and featherd ſome hearty houres in his company dip­ing your health in the nobleſt liquor; & upon Sa­turday my brother W. vouchſafed to find out my abode, and gave me a welcome account of your well being. I perceive already you were not mis­taken in his character, & have ſeen enough to give a freſh applauſe to my ſiſters good fortune. I think his brother (very deſirous of, and well de­ſerving your acquaintance) and my ſelf (if no­thing thwarts our reſolutions) are like to ſee him ſafe at home, and you by the way, eſpecially if you be not there before us. I ſhould hug this voy­age with the expectation of much delight among friends, if the ſenſe of this miſerable malady did not render me half-aſham'd to invade any com­pany. I ſhall never leave this old trick of tiring your patience with my Countrey tales: however with all my faults, my dear brother, I am

Perfectly yours as far as the ſinews of an un­biaſſed affection can ſtretch, R.L.
96

LETTER LI. To Mr. R. C.

Dear Robin,

I Hope thou knoweſt me too well to cenſure any thing but my weakneſs in my Pſeudo­propheſie; for the failing of which, I cannot ſuf­fer you to over-match my ſorrows. I ſhould give thee reaſons why I apprehended thoſe hopes which are now martyred, but they are not fit to be truſted with this Paper, and would new gall thy griefs to ſee there was a likelihood of be­ing happy: and now though the common cala­mity may challenge a conſtant tribute of reſent­ment from me, yet let me tell thee Robin that Divinity does not allow our eyes to be alwayes dropping over a remedileſs evil, nor can it ſure be angry if we do not ſuffer one wide-mouthed wo to ſwallow all our joyes. I confeſs that is properly Miſery which Oblivion cannot intomb; but heaven gives no griefs which may not ad­mit of intermiſſion: then for us to divert our ſpeculation upon ſuch objects as may contribute an innocent refreſhment, cannot be unlawful; & though Fortune ſhould ſpend her whole artil­lery of miſchiefs upon me, yet ſtill poſſeſſing thy friendſhip, in ſpight of all her malice I would ſometimes be happy; for even while my Pen97 thus talkes unto thee, methinks I have a truce with misfortune. Tis not onely the fruits, but the end of wiſdom to keep fair weather in the ſoul; all that is called happineſs without that is but a handſom Impoſtor. Vexations were the Vul­tures that fed upon poor Prometheus liver; let us then try to eſcape our afflictions at preſent, and truſt Providence for a full realeaſe hereafter. To put this in practiſe, I give my fancy leave to range and turn over her world of objects, and (that ſhe may cull content from ſomething) I bid her mark the induſtrious Bee viſiting every flower that may help to ſend her ſinging home with laden thighs. I bid her ranſake Hiſtorical Records of former ages, and pleaſe her ſelf when ſhe finds an exemplary puniſhment tread upon the heels of unjuſt ambitions: I bid her help me to hug mine own innocence, and to be glad I did not part with it to grow by ſuch conſiderable means. But I injoyn her as her beſt recreation to viſit thee, and gently inform me, at leaſt by an af­fectionate preſumption, how kind an intertain­ment thou alloweſt the memory of

Thine intireſt friend, R. L.
98

LETTER LII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

INgagement, Obligation, Requital, &c. are but Crutches for a decrepit friendſhip that cannot ſtand upon its own leggs; ſuch courſe hun­gry flames haſten to their ſnuffe, unleſſe they be fedwith the kitchin ſtuff of Complement, while ours ſcorning ſuch groſſe material fuel, are their own continual nouriſhment, and ſhine with ſuch legitimate and unborrowed luſtre, as difference themſelves from the baſtard light of the other Comets, by wearing beames that the malice of Fortune, Reputation, Calamity, &c. can neither quench nor dim.

I am now beginning to be beholden to Cu­ſtome, that mother of Facility, for rendring my demeanour ſuitable to my imployment, which at the firſt made me the reſemblance of an un­weigh'd Colt, or an unbyaſſed Bowl, ſo that now I begin to weare my fetters with as much eaſe as if they were Bracelets. Nothing can come from you that ſhall not bid it ſelf welcome; but your precepts that way will find an extraordi­nary entertainment. I fear the product of theſe uncivill wars will prove your Chaucer as much Prophet as Poet; but as it is not in our power to97 ſtay the hand that ſcourges us, ſo it is not in our knowledge how ſoon the Chirurgery of Heaven will drop balm into our wounds. I thank you for your account of our County; but were the reaſons fit to be truſted with this Paper, I would tell you why I do now as much diſlike the calm as I formerly condemned the ſtorm. I could let you know the particulars of the Kentiſh affaires, whoſe number, diſcipline, reſolution, &c. have rendered them formidable to the Parliament, Army, and City; but I preſume you have them from a bet­ter hand. There is an old acquaintance of yours in Town which ſome call Mrs. E. F. and though ſhe preſents her kind reſpects to you, yet ſhe cannot conceal that ſhe takes your long ſilence ſomething unkindly; three or four lines to her while ſhe is here (which will be a fort­night) will mend the fault. Want of time and paper releaſes you from further trouble, and gives you the farewell of

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.
98

LETTER LIII. To Mr. H.

Sir,

YOur laſt parcel of Paper I received, not without admiring your skill in contraction, that could put ſo exact a Letter in the bounds of a Note. Methought it appeared like a fruitful ſpot of earth, whoſe fertility made amends for its narrow Continent. Your ſilence had been better excuſed with any Plea, then the want of complement, for that is a commodity I never had any uſe for: tis a faint ſickly friendſhip that is fed with ſuch weak nouriſhment; and excuſe me if I ſay I ſhould make but an ill bargain to exchange my ſtrong well-woven reality for ſuch ſlim ſleaſie ſtuff. It is a Leſſon onely fit to be learned in the infancy of acquaintance, and abſo­lutely neceſſary to be forgotten in the progreſs: it is the crime of my miſtake if ours be not march­ed far beyond it, and it muſt not be my fault if ever we ſound a retreat. I could wiſh propitious Fame would put you to the charge of more pa­per, and tell you ſuch things, as would ask to be expreſt in your paler Ink; but we muſt patient­ly wait Divine leiſure. I thank you for your do­meſtick intelligence. I pray in your next let me know exactly how the Treaty ſucceeds. We99 have nothing here deſerves the telling, and I have ſaid all when I have ſubſcribed my ſelf

Sir,
Your affectionate ſervant, R. L.

LETTER LIV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

SInce I aſcribe your laſt weeks ſilence rather to accident then deſign, I cannot juſtly take that advantage to ſay nothing; but eſpecially ſince my ſudden removal to a more remote place is like to heighten the price of theſe opportuni­ties, I muſt have leave to cheriſh this, and like the parting of a pair of Lovers, to hug it with a tedious tenderneſs. For ſince neceſſity has made another my owner, I muſt bow my will to her proud injunctions, and ſuffer her quietly to ſtrip it of that happy power that gave me the proprie­ty of intention and determination: thus letting go the hold I had in my diſpoſal, I muſt now like a Cock-boat ſuffer my ſelf to be towed by ano­ther ſail; or like an inferiour ſpring or wheel, obey the impulſion of a greater. My Lady C. is already in Nottinghamſhire, whither I am to at­tend my Lord the next week; how long our ſtay will be I know not, but I fear too tedious, unleſs100 the bonny Scot drive us back to London, which I am very loth to part with, becauſe I look upon it as the forge of my better fortunes: this jour­ney is like to afford more pleaſure then profit, and to prove a true reſemblance of my preſent imployment. But I thought it more fit to ſtay the ſtomach of my hungry fortunes with this bit, then to ſuffer them to famiſh in the vain expectation of a plenteous feaſt. If I had not learned the trick to be at home every where, this journey would have put me to ſome trouble; for I am to begin my acquaintance with every creature in that family, and to part with another, that if I be not mine own flatterer, do both know and love me. While I am there I ſhall be induſtrious to give you the true viſage of my own particular affairs, and ſometimes a touch of the general. In the mean time that your happi­neſs may hold a perfect proportion with your wiſhes, is the zealous deſire of

Your intirely affectionate Brother to command, R. L.
101

LETTER LV. To Mr. I. E.

Sir,

ENmity has domineered ſo long, that amity is almoſt grown out of countenance and fa­ſhion; yet to this dear commodity I am indea­red by a double reaſon; firſt becauſe ſhe was never more refined by perſecution then now, Vice having this good property, that the injuries it does its oppoſite Vertue often prove her tire­maids, and ſet her off with more lovely luſtre; but ſhe is chiefly beholding to your vertues for the height of my eſteem, the acquaintance with which I would not ſell for a more gaudy jewel, to loſe or forfeit which, by neglect, were worſe then for a School-boy to loſe his leſſon; or an Artificer to ſell his tools: this through the glaſs of your modeſty may appear like flattery, but if brought to the touch-ſtone of your worth, it will appear truths naked mettal, undiſ­guiſed in the Alchimy of Diſſimulation. For newes, that which is bad has lately got ſo much unhappy truth of its ſide, that I may well ſay its good news that there is no news at all. I do here wait upon imployment, like him that is ſick of the contagion of Love, upon a froward Mi­ſtris; and ſhe has yet uſed me like that handſome102 Idol, vouchſafes a kiſs at this, and gives me a frown at the next interview, though I ſtake my liberty againſt her kindneſs; yet if my blind enemy has ſtored up no unexpected ſpight, I am now neer her imbraces. But I think I can miſs a fortune with as much patience as ever I did, and while ſuch as you, and L Family af­fords me to injoy your innocent, though charge­able tranquillity, ſhe cannot rob me of all my happineſs. I deſire not onely my own profit, but the Ages, when I wiſh thoſe judicious and learned Animadverſions of yours were born to the World, as well as thoſe that ſtand in the de­ſerving rank of your intimate friends: by that means I might hope for a review. But I cloy your patience in this Feſtival time with the courſe ill-cookt fare that my Pen affords, while I hold a ſolemn Feaſt in my breaſt, garniſhed with the choice delicates of thoſe thoughts, that I am and ever will be

Yours, R. L.
103

LETTER LVI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

THough I believe you are in my debt for ma­ny Letters, yet becauſe you do not uſe to be ſo ſlow a Pay-maſter of ſuch obligations, I am willing to ſuſpect that Fortune has uſed them as ſhe oft does Travellers that undertake long and dangerous voyages, ſaluting their ſayles with contrary winds, that either affront their intenti­ons with a forced delay, or wreck them and their deſires together: however I ſhall continue to ſhoot one ſhaft after another, till I find you have found ſome of them. By this undaunted perſe­verance you may gueſſe how well I eſteem what comes from you; and I ſhall not need o­ther Rhetorick then what lives in your own breaſt to ſet your Pen awork; if you fancy as much delight in the task as I do, to give it the title of Pain will be to miſcall it. We live in a Town, the deſcription of which ſhall ſerve to ſwell this Letter to the ordinary bulk. Firſt, it is ſeated upon a firm Rock, which makes moſt of the meaneſt inhabitants to live like Troglo­dites, or Conies, under ground, and are onely obliged to the Pickax and Matock for their Manſion. It is beſet with ſuch a variety of104 Natures bleſſings, as I know not whether it af­fords more ſatisfaction to the eye that hunts for profitable objects, or that which gads after de­lightful ones. On the one ſide it is overlooked by Hills of ſuch a ſtature, as will require ſome pain to climbe, but double requite it when you are up; as if Nature had wiſely contrived a little difficulty in the purchaſe, on purpoſe to indear the poſſeſſion: their proud browes are fann'd with ſuch a delicious Aire, as if it be true that Cameleons receive no other food, here they might have a continual feaſt; here the eye may dally with a ſweet variety of proſpect, and is hardly perſwaded to be weary, becauſe ſo much diverſity does refreſh and renew the pleaſure; there you have a full view of the flowry fruitful Meads that (creſcent-wiſe in a rich bravery) court this ſweet ſcituation with ſemicircular im­braces: the feet of it are waſhed by the ſilver-Trent, which ſeems to murmure as he paſſes by that he is forced to ſwim away from the ſociety of ſo many beauties. If you ſend your Opticks further, they are intertained with goodly houſes, fair Churches, ſhady Groves, and with a Caſtle the ſame that was entred from a vault by King Edward III. when he raviſhed Mortimer from his mother armes, that (ſtanding upon a tall firm rock) ſeems to bid defiance to time, and ſcorns to take his ruine the ordinary way by having his heels tript up by a fundamental decay. I have105 dwelt the longer upon theſe my ſilent compani­ons, becauſe they are the beſt ſociety I converſe with; for conſider how the new-found world (where the earth was lin'd with Gold) was peo­pled, and you have my meaning; onely here's the difference, they were new people to their diſcoverers, and ſimple, theſe are of the new E­dition and crafty: Onely I am very happy in an old Italian Gentleman that ſerveth my Lady Dowager, one of the beſt Linguiſts in England; under his tuition I am now a ſerious ſtudent of the French Tongue, and have almoſt gained a general Theorical knowledge in the Language; within ſome few weeks I ſhall proceed to Itali­an, which will be much an eaſier task: you may make a ſilent queſtion, what profit I expect to reap from a few varied fruitleſs words; but when I have gained them I ſhall eaſily ſolve that doubt, and let you know how I will make it give larger ſcope to my narrow condition here, or elſe tranſplant my ſelf where I may thrive better. My trouble ſtill continues, and is like to do while I am here; for this town affords none that profeſs the Eſculapian art, but onely one old dull thing, who when I tried him in ſome diſcourſe, could quote nothing but Schola Salerni, and made me a very dexterous diſcove­••y of his own inſufficiency. If you have ſpoken with the reverend Doctor ſince about it, I prayet me know his opinion of it without diſguiſe,106 for if it be incurable, I ſhall try to make the beſt uſe of my own deſpair, and force a ſatisfaction from reaſon, ſince I can have it from nought elſe. I pray ask him if he thinks letting bloud in the temples would not be good, or whether an iſſue in my neck would not infallibly check the courſe of the humor; but I confeſſe I am ſcarce willing to try that, till I ſee all the reſt fail: if you can prevail with him, let me intreat you to get a re­ceipt of the neezing Powder, and incloſe it in yours; for though I do not hope a cure from it, yet it may ſtay the increaſe of the humor till I take ſome ſtronger medicine. If your affaires ſhall call you to Norwich, or if you can ſend di­rections to my ſiſter F. to do it, I would gladly have the opinion of Dr. B. from whoſe advice I fancy moſt hope of all. I would not be unwil­ling to give him a fee; for if a cure be to be bought, I would not ſtick to pay for it with all I can make, rather then go without it. Well, Brother excuſe this trouble, and be confident that if ever you have occaſion to call my love to the tryal, either to ſerve your deſires, or de­ſignes, or both, you ſhall clearly find that I am no leſſe then totally

Yours in unfeigned affection, R. L.
107

LETTER LVII. To Mr. A.

Worthy Sir,

SUffer this paper to return your ſalutes with an affection unmixt and immortal as the ſoul from whence it ſprings, to which your own worth has given you a moſt unqueſtioned title. It has been ſtil my cuſtome to ask leave of Rea­ſon and Experience before I profeſſe my ſelf a friend: Sir, they have both voted you into my breaſt, and I wiſh I could as eaſily imitate your deſerts, as love them. When you know me bet­ter you will find I am unapt to ſay theſe things and not mean them; and may be confident you have purchaſed a heart that will reſign the re­ſentment of happineſſe in ſuch a friend to no o­ther power then what at laſt will deprive it of all reſentment. I confeſſe I have done ſo little to make this good, as your thanks might well have ſtayd at home till more deſert had invited them. What you call a favour in my tranſmiſſion of Letters, is a perfect nothing, and a ſingle re­membrance over-values it; but ſince you will needs make it a courteſie, I will confeſſe it, on condition you will give me leave to preſcribe the recompence, which is, that you would believe me to be, as I truly am

Yours, R. L.
108

LETTER LVIII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Have a better title to integrity then inge­nuity; and the robes which you with an over-partial affection tearm neat and handſome, are rather taken from the wardrobe of my heart then my brain. Indeed I find more cauſe to af­fect my own rude honeſt plainneſſe, then by in­deavouring bravery onely labour to be ſuſpe­cted. Your apprehenſion ſtrayed when you un­derſtood me ſo ſudden a proficient in the ſcience of ſerving; I lay claim to no ſuch promptitude of parts to learn my leſſon ſo ſoon as I have ta­ken it out; my onely intent in my laſt was to let you know that I had ſhak'd off thoſe daunting aguiſh perturbations that uſe to affect weak minds when they are dazeled with an unwonted preſence: for in the firſt tryal of my reſtraint, I far'd not unlike a bird that formerly had rang'd the large field of Aire with a careles and wanton, unchecked wing, newly taught to know the nar­row limits of a cage, where it will ask the docu­ments of ſome time to inſtruct that little crea­ture to forget her liberty, and re-aſſume the ala­crity of her former chirping; ſo I was a while to ſeek with what behaviour to perſonate my ca­ptivity,109 but cuſtome has given me confidence, and I hope diſcretion will keep off inſolence. I have not onely received, but eaten your inſtru­ctions; and am reſolved (by rendring them the nouriſhment of my future demeanour) to ſhew the proof of their good digeſtion: but yet both my deſerts and hopes are of too humble a growth to fear the artillery of envy.

I delivered your Letter to my ſiſter F. who ingaged my Pen to return her thanks and re­ſpects. I dare not venture to give you any newes this week, tis ſo unſafe and incertain; onely this of ſad conſequence, that my Lord is fallen dan­gerouſly ſick of the Small Pox. Mr. W. pre­ſents his ſervice to you, to whom I am deeply obliged. I have no more to ſay, but that I am

Your really affectionate and deſirous Brother to ſerve you, R. L.
110

LETTER LIX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Can think of no other interpretation for your ſilence but that you keep it to puniſh the miſ­chance of ſome of my lateſt letters, and ſo I am made a ſufferer for Fortunes fault: if ſo, let this deprecate my imputation of neglect; and did I not conceive that ſome of yours have met with the ſame misfortune, I ſhould ſeverely examine my ſelf how I have deſerved to be forgotten. However you reſent your indeavours that way, I ſhall not injure judgement to indulge affection, if I ſay that I never read any thing with more delight then your lines, and ſo oft as I receive them, in ſpite of all my melancholy and the cauſe of it, they remember me that I am happy. If I were not ſtill like a ſhip that has loſt her anchor, and can therefore take no courſe but what ſhe is driven to by the imperious windes, I had long ſince landed in Suffolk, and there unla­ded my breaſt into your ear: but though my longings be ſtill green and vigorous, my opportu­nities, like vegetals that die to revive again, are faded with the ſeaſon; but they will bud with the eldeſt children of the Spring, and I am re­ſolv'd111 ſhall be gathered at their firſt appearance. The main cauſe is, my Lady ſuddenly expects to increaſe the world by one more at leaſt; and though I can never be leſs uſeful then in thoſe feminine tumults, yet great ones love at ſuch ſo­lemn troubles to have their ſervants preſence ſignifie they have ſuch pertinents; and thus I muſt ſtay to piece up formality, and the impor­tant affair of being at home will be gravely diſ­patched in making a ſhow that I am ſo. I have nothing to acquaint you with but what you al­ready know, &c. This is the third ſince I recei­ved any from your ſelf; but I adventured to ſend them by ſome wool-men that came out of Lin­coln-ſhire to your parts; but if this miſcarry too, which goes the ſame way, I will never truſt men more whoſe wits go a wool-gathering: the inch of time that is allowed me to ſcrible this, makes me commit as many errors as there are lines, and make as many blots as words, for I ſend this by my Ladies Bailiff into Lincolnſhire, who is al­wayes in haſte; and by plain force have rent this time from my other preſſing occaſions, thus to ſin over my good will: do but pardon this, and the next week you ſhall have amends by the Poſt. When you ſee our Holt-friends, I pray mention my affectionate reſpects to them all; tel me brother W. he ſhall do me right to believe me leſs exceptious then I have been repreſented;112 and believe it I am, and ever will be

Yours perfectly to love and ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER LX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

YOu had not miſt a Letter the laſt week, if my Meſſenger had not miſt the time of its delivery, ſo it fell ſhort of the Poſt, and returned to my hands when I thought it at B. And indeed Fortune here ſeem'd to withſtand its paſſage with diſcretion; not deeming it fit that pieces of ſuch deformity ſhould ſcape unſtifled in their birth, to ſhame their parents: but Fortune has no skill in friendſhip, and knowes not that im­perfections are more eaſily pardoned, then Neg­lect, at the Bar of Love; I have therefore ſent it, though the ſame thing that will vindicate, muſt accuſe me: reſembling Phyſitians medi­cines in ſuch ill-brew'd conſtitutions as mine; the ſame thing that corrects the intemperate heat of the Liver, increaſes the unnatural cold of the ſtomach; and indeed the extreme oppoſition in temper between theſe two parts, I take to be the original of my miſerable trouble, of which115 this incloſed does give a more particular infor­mation: and when you preſent my apprehenſi­ons of it to the Doctor, I pray let him know what I have underſtood of his ſon.

He had, by the affability of his carriage, the ſolidity of his parts, and the ſucceſs of his skill, purchaſed a high eſteem with the beſt; beſides the good will of all that knew him, having done many cures there, by relation, that might have proved problematical to the moſt grey­headed experience. When an unfortunate cu­rioſity got into the head of young Mr. Bendiſh, eldeſt ſon to the Ambaſſadour, to take a voyage to the Holy-Land, and particularly to Hieruſae­lem, to ſee the Holy-Sepulchre, with other re­liques and repoſitories that Time has not yet quite effaced there; the fathers opinion of his prudence, made him joyn his authority with the ſons amity, and his own curioſity, to make him a companion in this voyage. So they ſet out from Galata in February 1649. travelled by land to Smyrna, and there went aboard the Talent, which was bound for Lighorn, which young Bendiſh reſolved to take in his way, with deſign to ſee a ſiſter of his married there to an Engliſh Merchant, and ſo take his way by Scanderon; but paſſing by Porto Longone, which ſince the French had it, has been the Dunkirk of Italy, much about the time that the news arrived there of the fatal blow was given to Monarchy in Eng­land,116 their ſhip was aſſaulted by divers French men of war, who then took all Engliſh, without diſtinction, for enemies; and maintaining a deſ­perate fight with them for ſome hours, at laſt an unfortunate bullet from the enemy happened into their Gun-room, and fired the Ship; the heat of the fight would not allow them leiſure to hinder it till it was paſt hope of extinguiſhing. Mr. Bendiſh leapt over-board, and ſwam to the ſide of one of the enemies Ships; but they bar­barouſly cut off one of his hands, that had laid hold of the Ships ſide to climbe the Deck, and ſo ſent him to feed fiſhes: poor Mr. R. ſtaid in the Ship, and in all probability periſhed by the more furious Element; onely one Gentleman, called Mr. L. eſcaped, which after the recepit of many wounds, had quarter given him, and was carried to Porto Longone; where the danger of his life being paſt, he was forced to buy his liberty, and returning to Lighorn made this relation, the ſame man is now in Genua. Mr. R. left behind him at Galata, in the cuſtody of his man one T. M. two cheſts full of rich drugs, many ſilver inſtruments, beſides wearing apparel and linnen, tis ſaid he left a ſumme of money beſides, but of how much, or with whom, is uncertain: one­ly this M. is now reputed worth three or four hundred pound, though before this in but a poor condition, he now ſerves the Ambaſſadour. Mr. R. left a Shapet of Turkey-Carpets and117 Hangings, which in all probability he deſigned for England, at Lighorn.

And now to ſet aſide all thoſe fatherleſs Sto­ries that fly abroad, as of the loſſe of all our Armies, Infantry, and Carriages, with the Ge­nerals being taken priſoner, &c. the trueſt and moſt modeſt intelligence tells us, that our Army being at Pinkland-hills, which is weſtward be­yond Edinburgh about eight miles, had notice that the Scots Army was riſen, and upon their march towards Sterling; wch made us preſently riſe with ours, & with all expedition endeavour to prevent that retreat: the truth is, we did out­march them, but tis more then probable they ſuffered us to do it by deſign, for they have ſince taken our ſtation upon Pinkland-hills, ſo as our Army is now got into ſuch a ſtreight, as they muſt either fight upon local diſadvantages, or indure the extremities of much want in that penurious Countrey, before they can reach their ſhipping. The laſt Poſt but one ſaid the Ar­mies were drawn up in Battalia in view of each other; but we are not yet ſuffered to know they have fought, though I am confident there hath been a ſignal battel, which gives the Mali­gnants high hopes, becauſe our Grandees doe think fit to conceal the event of it. Letters from Holland ſpeak very partially on the Scots ſide, and talk of a great victory they have lately gotten; Believe what you pleaſe of it,118 for my part I am ſomething incredulous, be­cauſe we make no more haſte with our ſupplies thither. We lately ſeized upon eight ſhips laden with Merchandiſe belonging to the Hol­lander, which hath given occaſion to the States Ambaſſadour to complain of it to the Houſe, and call it in very diſobliging terms a breach of League, but we hear not yet of a reſtitution. The Spaniſh Ambaſſadour made a paſſionate complaint to the Houſe of the interception of his Packet and breaking open his Letters laſt Week; but he had good words given him, and a promiſe it ſhould no more be ſo; onely tis thought the ſparing of Mr. Aſhcombs murderers hath made us a little angry, and jealous that the Spaniard profeſſes more friendſhip then he means. There is a Letter intercepted, from the Prince of Orange to the Scots King, which aſſures him he has gained his deſires upon the refractory Dutchmen, and in a ſhort time will be able to ſend him the ſuccours of men and mo­ney which he promiſed, leaving the time and place to his appointment: Report ſayes he hath 14000. men, whereof 2000. German Horſe, rea­dy to be ſhipped, upon what deſign none knowes: It ſeems they are raiſed by contribu­tion from the King of Danemark, Queen of Sweden, the Marqueſs of Brandenburgh, Land­grave of Heſſen, with other German Princes. The Scots King has lately made Inchequin Ge­neraliſſimo119 of his Forces in Ireland; who with his Army, made conſiderable by the addition of the Garriſon-forces of Dungannon, Carlow and Waterford, is now in Connaught, and promiſes him­ſelf a ſucceſſeful Winter. It ſeems he was glad to be rid of thoſe Gariſons, by reaſon of the plague which rages there, even to the depopu­lation of whole Towns; and appears by a moſt pitiful Declaration ſet out by General Ireton, which invites not onely his own party, but all Chriſtian Nations, and the very Papiſts them­ſelves, to joyn in a humiliation to God for the ceſſation of his judgements upon them.

This being my laſt that I am like to write from London, I have ventured to be the more tedious, and the rather becauſe my ſhort allow­ance of time hath hardly ſuffered me to make it ſence; but you know lame things are objects of charity, and pity my preſent indiſpoſition that aſſiſted my precipitate haſte to make it ſo. I dare not ſay more, leſt the Poſts departure make me ſay nothing, and ſo ſpoyl this Paper-riddle that brings you the elder Siſter in the belly of the yongeſt. Dear Brother fare well.

Eternally yours, R. L.
120

LETTER LXI. To Mr. S.

Monſieur,

YOurs I received, and intertained with better welcome then can be expreſſed by a faint affection. You confeſs obligations that are not due, and ſo run the hazard of being ſuſpected complemental; but I muſt allow the priviledge that ingenuity challenges, and ſuffer your fancy to create deſert for me, that it may ſhow how handſomly it can acknowledge. Experience, the beſt Miſtriſs, does daily ſhow how to manage my umbragieux with more dexterity; onely his uncouth pronunciation makes me ſometimes put the bridle on his tayl, and he kicks me for the miſtake. The Matstre de Hoſtell ſtill keeps his ſtate with the better ſort of petticoats, and we our ſtation with the inferiour cattel; which onely ſerves to ſhow you how much I can ſuffer for my own intereſt. I am not ſorry to hear that you ſpur your Jade when he kicks, but you ride him with ſo much skill, that it were preſumpti­on to offer counſel. By this time you may think it fit that I ſhould ſend you your own excuſe for bald writing, being fitly applied to my ſcribling, beſides the faults committed in my Engliſh-French, which if you will pardon, I will one day121 travel into your Countrey on purpoſe to fetch you better French. Preſent my Baiſe les mains to all our friends, &c. Sarah writes to you, your friends here ſalute you; and I kiſs your hands that am

Monſieur,
Yours, R.L.

LETTER LXII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

AT laſt with much ado we are grown Citi­zens again, where ſince we lighted, we have ſcarce had time to prune our feathers; one­ly my haſte has ſnatched up this piece of a wing to tell you I received yours of the firſt of April, with a reſentment raiſed to a fit height to meaſure with the tall ſtrong affection that indi­cted it. I was about to ſay there was not a word in it but deſerved a ſeveral welcome; but at the inſtant I threw my eye upon ſome praiſes which I dare not intertain; and if your love had but truſted your judgement, you had left them out. Diſtance deceives with both extremes, by preſenting objects to the eye too little, to the apprehenſion too big: we no ſooner begin to122 fancy any thing that is not with us, but we pre­ſently mend all its diſproportions, and ſhut our eyes upon every blemiſh: this imperfection is almoſt as old as mankind, and few breaſts can boaſt they never harboured it. I have grumbled at my Stars for placing ſome things beyond my reach, which I apprehended would make me happy, and yet I have ſeen them poſſeſſed by thoſe that were quickly weary, & little leſs then diſpleaſed at what I overvalued. But I ſtraggle. This Town is ſo metamorphos'd by this laſt E­dict ſince I left it, that bating my dead Compa­nions, there is ſcarce any thing that I can know with ſafety. Certainly there is a mighty ſtorm ariſing, but where, when, or how it will ſpend its fury, I dare not name. Errour has humbled my Reaſon, and unbuſied my reaches at futurity to a quiet reſignation to the great Diſpoſer. I cannot ſay my malady is more remiſs then it was, and have little reaſon to hope it ever will be; but for that I told you my reſolution, which has ſince loſt no ſpirits. My trivial imploy­ments have not ſuffer'd me yet to ſtruggle withit this Spring, but I am now about it. I ſent you a Letter by Mr. B. which I believe you have an­ſwered; he had carried it with him into Lincoln­ſhire, thinking to find me there, for we ſet upon this journey on a ſudden, &c. Let theſe blots be pardoned. Let me hear from you by the123 next. Forgive my blind haſte, and call me

Yours eternally, R. L.

LETTER LXIII. To his Siſter Mrs. F.

My dear Siſter,

I Had newly taken my Pen to ſend you a ſa­lute when I was interrupted by a Porter that brought (with ſome Bands and Cuffes from my ſiſter Jane) your kind token; and it pleaſed me that the ſame hour which puts me deeper in your ſcore ſhould be a witneſs of my acknow­ledgment. Believe it I wiſh my thanks were as reſtorative as they are cordial; but take them as they are, and if it be poſſible to apprehend me more yours then you have done, do it; for it is impoſſible to be more then I am. I ſhould be glad I might ſay theſe things to your ear as well as your eye; but London finds me too much buſineſſe to grant me yet ſo much happi­neſs; my condition ſtill keeps the ſame counte­nance, and I am treated with the old indifferen­cy. I am not inſenſible that I here waſte my beſt dayes without improvement of my for­tunes, but was contented to be no bigger ever ſince Preferment was put out of Honeſties reach. 124My old trouble ſtill vexes me, and I am again in Phyſick for it; it has coſt me much money, and I think at laſt it will coſt me my life, for the di­ſtillation has given me a Cough with a bad pre­ſage. Heavens Will be done.

I pray ſpeak my ſervice to my Couſin W. my Couſin H. with the reſt that know me. Let my Sweet-heart know I am ſtill her ſervant. And if I may ſerve you in any thing here, my dear Siſter, command

Thy intirely affectionate Brother, R. L.

LETTER LXIV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Received yours, and cannot conceal the de­light I taſte in theſe delicious repetitions of your intire affection; the true reſentment of which when I conſent to part with, I deſire I might loſe that and all my happineſſe together. I am glad your pen tells me that you like this way of eſcaping ſorrow; tis not onely the fruits but the end of wiſdom, to keep fair weather in the ſoul; and I am ſure Divinity does not bid our eyes be alwayes melting over a remedileſs125 evil; tis not fit we ſhould ſuffer one wide­mouth'd Woe to ſwallow all our joyes; and for my part I am reſolved to be never ſo miſe­rable, as not to have power to reap an innocent refreſhment from the ſenſe of what I poſſeſs in you: and be aſſured, that all the power I have to make this good is already in your poſſeſſion. Methinks Man is not unfitly reſembled to a ſtream, whoſe imployment it is, to travel from its Source to the Ocean; the obſtructions that affront its paſſage are the vexations we ſtumble at, which we uſe like Brooks, utter a murmuring complaint at the firſt incounter, and ſo paſs by; but the deepeſt Currents ſwim paſt, and ſay nothing. Yeſterday I received more Phyſick with inſtructions from the Doctor, which I fear (beſides the diſſwaſions of the wea­ther) that the continued agitations of my im­ployment here will not permit me to take till I arrive in the Countrey of Nottinghamſhire, which will be about a fortnight or three Weeks hence; where I hope to find leiſure enough, not onely to obſerve his directions with a ſpecious care, but alſo to refaſten my ſelf to my ſtudies; from which, the continued importunity of my London-imployment has kept me ſo long looſe­ned. I ſhall there have time to improve my Phyſical indeavours, and to thrive I hope in my French and Italian; which I intend to ſet upon with the more induſtry, becauſe I know not126 how ſoon I may meet with an opportunity to travel, for my allowance here is too ſmall, &c. In the mean time the beſt recreation my fancy has, is to viſit you, and to bring me word (at leaſt by an affectionate preſumption) how kind an intertainment you allow the memory of

Your intirely loving Brother to command, R. L.
POSTSCRIPT.

I pray let your next make me happy in the knowledge of your deſignes; to which if I may be ſerviceable, no man ſhall be ſo happy as my ſelf.

He that cruciates himſelf becauſe Fortune is miſchievous, claſhes with wiſdom.

127

LETTER LXV. To Sir. I. P.

Sir,

I Received your Lines, that came happily to confute ſome doubts that I was loſt to your memory: but indeed I could not expect in rea­ſon a gentler puniſhment for the crime of my ill-woven words then your ſilence; all I can ſay for my ſelf, it was a ſin of ignorance that provoked it, and your clear judgment no doubt found it ſo, though your goodneſs allowes it a better title. Sir, you have heretofore vouchſaf­ed ſome propriety in me, and I wiſh I could find the way to ſo much deſert as might perſwade you, not onely to own, but challenge that inter­eſt from theſe deſires. I but ſhow boldneſs to let you know that I ſtill continue in the ſame condition of a ſervant to my Lord C. without any ſenſible alteration, either to better or worſe: indeed if preferment were ſtill the reward of de­ſert, I might bluſh to want it; but as it is now rated, though it were laid at my foot, I think I ſhould rather chuſe to tread upon it, then ſtoop to take it up. My chains are not ſo ſhort here, but that they give me Elbow-room enough to lead a ſtudious life; though I confeſs the fruits I have gathered from them, have been rather128 pleaſant, then laſting. I have ſpent ſome in­duſtry upon languages, which has not altogether been unſucceſſeful, eſpecially the Italian and French; from the latter I have tranſlated ſome pieces that I am encouraged to publiſh, but my more ſerious indeavours (for I call the other but my recreations) have been bent at the ſtudy of Phyſick, how proſperouſly, I am not fit to judge; & though they befriend me no further, I ſhall think they have done me ſome ſervice in ſtaving off idleneſs. But I ſhould ask pardon for theſe impertinencies. I beſeech you Sir preſent me humbly to your noble Lady, and believe me deſirous to appear, what in heart I ever was,

Sir,
Your moſt humble and faithful ſervant, R. L.

LETTER LXVI. To Mr. W.

Worthy Sir,

I Received yours with the incloſed, and the pound of powder, and with them a perfect confirmation of the opinion I ever cheriſhed of your reality. I wiſh I could as juſtly applaud my deſerts as my fortune, for the gaining of ſuch a friend; but though I fall ſhort that way, at leaſt I ſhall be careful not to loſe him by ingra­titude. 129You have given me ſo clear an incou­ragement to put more figures to my debt, as I have got the confidence to crave an increaſe of my obligation, and to deſire you to find ſome vacant hour to deliver this incloſed to my excel­lent friend Sir J. upon the receit of it he will, &c. What you laid out for the powder, or what other charge you have been at in my behalf, ei­ther for ſending Porters, paying for Letters, going by water, or ought elſe, I deſire, nay I conjure you, you would take out of it, and to ſend me the reſt, either to be paid to Mr. D. in Lincolnſhire, or by one C. a Nottingham-Carrier that lies, &c. I am not ſo haſty of it, but that you may keep it till you have a fair opportunity. Sir, for what you have done already, and what you will do, give me leave to mention my hear­ty thanks, with my reſolution never to appear inſenſible of theſe favours that bind me, Sir,

Your faithful friend and ſervant, R. L.
130

LETTER LXVII. To Mrs. L.

Sweet Mrs. L.

BEſides the civilities I had from you, which claim an ample acknowledgment, I remem­ber I tied my ſelf by promiſe to kiſs your fair hands with a few lines, though all their errand be onely to tender you the unfeigned ſervice of the ſender, and to mention his wiſhes for the ac­compliſhment of yours; if the effects of which might but hold a proportion with your deſerts, you would be ſufficiently happy. I know you are Miſtriſs of goodneſs enough to pardon the flow payment of my word, and it ſhall encou­rage me to amend it with future diligence. You will much oblige to honour me with a line or two, and let me know how the ſtate ſtands in your Family, and when we are like to bid you welcome into the Countrey. One requeſt more and I have done; put me into the number of thoſe that you count your moſt faithful friends, for indeed I am, and ever will be ſo, &c.

R. L.
131

LETTER LXVIII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I See you will make me an uſurper againſt my will, by laying deſert enough to my charge, to dazle the Eyes of Pretence, and even ſtagger the ſtouteſt undertaking reſolution. I confeſſe I cannot keep off ſome wiſhes to be what you would make me; and if I could arme as much power as deſire, tis poſſible I might endanger the Fort you ſay I am Maſter of; and I am con­tented to diſlike my own weakneſs that I am not ſo: but I have too much Earth about me to fit my ſelfe for ſuch a flight, that with dull intice­ment is ſtill ſeducing me downwards to its own Element, and hangs like a huge Plummet upon my pinions, when they are ſtretching at ſuch a pitch: ſure ſome pale flegmatick conſtellation threw a melancholy look upon my Nativity, and gave my Soul theſe blunt ill-temper'd tooles to work with: methinks I cannot behold the time­ly advantages of other Conſtitutions, and not upbraid my own. But certainly tis not amiſſe in ſome things to be unhappy, for if wants do not ingender deſpair, they muſt needes be fruitfull. Wiſdom is a Coy Dame to all the World, but moſt inflexible to the Courtſhip of Fortunes132 Darlings; and tis one of the beſt reaſons why that blind Wenches ſmiles are dangerous, be­cauſe tis ſo hard a taske to taſt her kindneſs, and not ſurfeit; and indeed not to overvalue thoſe ingredients with which common opinion com­pounds her falſe felicity, is the way to purchaſe the true one.

If I were able to ſhew you events as Aſtolfo's Logiſtilla ſhew'd the race of the Houſe of Eſte before their Conception, I would not hide them from you, though I kept the reſt of the World in ignorance; but tis long ſince I left off the pretences to Delphick divination, and reſolv'd to ſhut the eyes of my Reaſon, ever ſince ſhe look'd through ſo falſe a Perſpective. Certain­ly they that are now in the Saddle do ſit very ſure, and while they keep their feet in the ſtir­rups of ſtrength and vigilance, though they may receive a rude ſhock, it will be hard to unhorſe them. I ſhould be glad if you could keep your ſhelter till the Clouds clear up; but whenſoever you leave it, you have parts that will make room for you in the World, whereever you direct your ſteps; and I ſhall never take a temporal fa­vour more gratefully of Providence, than a capacity to ſerve you in ſuch a deſign, or any o­ther. I am now ſuffer'd to ſay no more but what I muſt ever ſay, that I am, and muſt ever be

Principally yours, R. L.
133

LETTER LXIX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

THough I had a confidence in your affection, that can never be tempted to be leſſe, yet methinks I ſhould not do right to your laſt, if I did not confeſs that it ſet my apprehenſion to work upon your perfect friendſhip: things may be incapable of addition that are not of agitation: there are ſome generous liquors that never give ſo clear a proof that they have ſpirits, as when motion calls them to their active task; ſo theſe deare repetitions of profeſt amity from you, though they cannot make me love you better, they wake it into a better appearing, and teach me to take a more exact account of my ſelfe, of the right you have in me; and theſe (if you dare believe me) are my pleaſanteſt recreations, ſince love (the parent and framer of delight) pre­dominates in the employment. If this world be well ſcann'd, there is nothing valuable in it but a true Friend: Community is not only the hinge of the Univerſe, but the ſignet of every ſingle delight; for were it poſſible to domineere over the whole Earth (pack'd into an intire Monar­chy) and to be Maſter of all that weares the ſtamp of ſublunary happineſs, yet if the poſ­ſeſſor134 be not allow'd to latch his own felicity (at the rebound from others approbation) he will but brood his tireſome pleaſures as an Uſurer does his Gold, only own, not uſe them; and all his Joyes (like Witches banquets) will only ſeeme and ſerve to cheat the appetite with a few falſe promiſes of ſweetneſs. It were eaſie to prove, that, ſince communication coines our earthly delight, that there it comes neereſt to perfection, where it receives a Copy of it ſelfe. By this it is fit you ſhould gueſſe how happy I deeme my ſelfe in your kind invitation, which is backed with abundance of ſuch tempt­ing Arguments as Love and Reaſon, when they are joyned in Commiſſion, do uſe to urge; and believe it they are received as the legitimate iſſue of your intire affection: what reſentments ſuch uſe to produce in a breaſt that has no har­bour for ingratitude, cannot poſe your appre­henſion; by that fancy the influence they muſt have in me, and therein read my thankfulneſſe. But the quality of my imployment here is ſuch, as I know it cannot yet conſent to make me ſo happy. I have now almoſt deſtroyed a yeares time in this ſcurvy Country, ſince we laſt wandred from London, &c. You may finde out many reaſons to induce you to accept my Couzin C's invitation of your Company into Lincolnſhire; I ſhall not need to mention my wiſhes to ſee you there, nor tell you how happy135 you will make me in ſuch a meeting, for the re­petition is needleſs: if you come while I am on this ſide London, I will injoy you in ſpite of all my Fetters; but make as much haſt as you can, for this morning my Lord told me we ſhould ſet out for London in the beginning of May. Your Picture I received, and am ſory I have no token to return you, that may deliver a viſible Meſ­ſage of my gratitude; it is applauded of all that ſee it, onely your Pencil has left out ſome gray haires that the Epilogue of his misfortunes had planted on his viſage. I have inclos'd the tranſla­tion of a mad fantaſtick Dream, which is the fruit of my firſt Enterpriſe upon the French Tongue; I met it in a Romance call'd Francion, and it pleaſed me ſo well, as I was eaſily inticed to ſpoyl it thus into Engliſh. I was tempted to make the whole Book ſpeak the ſame Dialect, but could not conſent to loſe ſo much time as the work would have demanded. Read it over, laugh at it, and return it again when I come to London; and now I have almoſt tyr'd my Pen and your patience, it is time to ſubſcribe my ſelfe, as I ever muſt be,

Your truly affectionate Brother to Command, R. L.
136

LETTER LXX. To Mr. L.

Sir,

I Received yours, & delivered thoſe incloſed to my two Lords; the yonger has in this return'd a reply. Sir, the report of Mr. W. and others, has given you ſo fair a character, as I ſhall deem my ſelf happy to inlarge your acquaintance in my Lords houſe, and increaſe the number of your ſervants. Mr. W. if not lately removed, is ſtill at Antwerp; we do now and then exchange a line or two, though many miſcarry. If you will venture yours in mine, I ſhall do my beſt to make it reach his hands, for he has right to much more ſervice then I can do him; we ſay nothing to one another, but what we care not if it be conſtrued by the way. If Mr. B. once Fellow of Chriſts, be in thoſe parts, I pray ſpeak my ſer­vice to him. Sir, if I may ſerve you here in ought elſe, I deſire your inſtructions that am

Sir,
Your moſt humble ſervant, R. L.
137

LETTER LXXI. To Mr. W.

My deareſt Friend,

IF the skie had been clear, and the paſſage free, your ſatisfaction had not been ſo long defer­red. The Letters mentioned are irrecovera­bly loſt: whether any buſie hand, or prying eye be guilty of their interception I know not; but though I am confident there was nothing in them that could find work for a jealous con­ſtruction, yet better judgements concurre with my opinion to loſe them quietly. What you would ſay to the other two, if you think fit, ſpeak it to me onely, and if I do not get your deſires effected, the defect will onely be found in my power. You are ſaluted with much kind­neſſe by the Gentleman, and intreated to let him know by your next to me, whether you re­ceived a Bill of Exchange of 5 l. which was ſent in Compenſation of the charges you ex­pended in your viſits to the Priſoner; if it miſ­carried, as he fears, ſignifie ſo much, and you ſhall receive another incloſed in my next. Me­thinks you are very tardy in ſhowing me how I may ſerve you. I muſt never ſuffer any to love better; and if you can think, as it is, my truſti­neſs138 equivalent, ſpare not to command

Your own for ever, R. L.

LETTER LXXII. To his Brother Mr. F. W.

Sir,

THe miſtake that begot what you call your trouble, is become mine, and I am much af­flicted for being preſented to you in an excepti­ous character by the miſapprehenſion of ano­ther; and ſhould be more if it were no errour. Indeed Sir, I have ſeverely examined my ſelf for the words I let fall that might provoke this gloſſe; and my memory can acknowledge none but thoſe: When your brother asked me when I would write to you, I told him you were alrea­dy in my ſcore for a Letter, and till you had leiſure to reply to that, I thought my ſilence might be well taken. If theſe words will bearſuch a Comment as diſpleaſure, &c. I am ſorry I did not underſtand them, and do beg the charity of your belief that I did not mean them as they are taken. I have been taught to prize your good thoughts at a higher value then to forfeit them with ſuch a frantick piece of arrogance, which would render me as weak an underſtander of139 your worth, as a deſerver of your friendſhip. I was in good hope when we left London, if a ſudden occaſion had not prevented, to pay you my perſonal thanks for your kind invitation; but we rather dwelt then viſited by the way at my Lords of Lincolnes and Weſtmerlands, ſo as we are but newly arrived at Nottingham, where my Commanders have found me ſuch imploy­ment as will ſcarce diſpenſe with my abſence on this ſide Chriſtmas; and when I come, though I muſt bring that along with me that will give me a better title to your contempt then admi­ration, yet I make my ſelf happy with the hopes of an opportunity to aſſure you that I am not the ſame which miſinterpretation had made, but will ever be induſtrious to appear,

Sir,
A true reſpecter of your worth, and an earneſt deſirer of your amity, R. L.
140

LETTER LXXIII. To my Siſter F.

Dear Siſter,

BY this time you have accuſed my abſence and ſilence of much unkindneſs, and I ſtand condemned by your judgement for a for­getful promiſe breaker; and indeed did the reins lie looſe upon my neck, I ſhould deſerve the cenſure. I confeſſe the receipt of a Letter from you that overflowed with Love; and, if I have not loſt all my credit with you, be confident I met it with as high a tide of affection. I ſhould have return'd a Paper to tell you ſo, but that I cheriſht ſome forward hopes to do the meſſage with more content to us both in perſon. When yours came we every day talk'd of leaving London, though our ſtay was prolonged from day to day, above ſix weeks after; and when we did, we conſum'd as much time in coming down: and thus my ardent deſires to ſee my friends were dallied into torment; and I brookt the delay ſo much the worſe, becauſe I I had ſtill a likelyhood in gaze: but now I am forced to wait with an extended patience for a remoter opportunity; for the Lady that I wait upon has got a belly ſo big, as till that ſwelling falls, and the thing be made a Chriſtian,141 'tis impoſſible I ſhould break away. I confeſs, Dear Siſter, I have been ſo often forced to deceive your expectations, as you may think I rather make then ſuffer theſe delayes; but be aſſured they have been as unwelcome unto me as your ſelf: and if it be a property of love to deſire the preſence of the thing beloved, I may claim the reſtoration of your good opinion, for none is more deſirous to ſee you, then, Dear Siſter,

Your perfectly affectionate Brother to ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER LXXIV. To his Sister J.

Dear Siſter,

I Have no other way to expreſs my ſelf to thee but the old one, which is, that I am ſtill thy Brother as well in love as bloud. I have con­tracted nothing from my acquaintance in three years abſence that can deface the remembrance of thee and thy deſerts; for though the world preaches that doctrine, it muſt ever find me un­apt to learn the Leſſon: and believe it, however you apprehend my condition, I have no intice­ments here that may help to excuſe the forget­ting142 of my friends and kindred; it is ſo little impaired or amended, as I muſt deſire you to underſtand it where it was, onely in one reſpect rather worſe by the help of my maladie's in­creaſe; how the Divine hand intends to uſe me by that means, I am uncertain, but will learn to welcome the worſt. And now dear Siſter, I will give thee back thine own frequent expreſ­ſions; I do impatiently long to ſee thee and the reſt of mine, and cannot fancy the world has a delight that exceeds the pleaſure I ſhall then reap; and what ever you think, I have often fallen out with my narrow fortunes that have thus tranſplanted me. Well, I will ſet no more times of my coming, leſt I be forced as for­merly to falſifie againſt my will; but when leaſt expected, tis probable I may ſurpriſe a welcome, and be reſtor'd the happineſs of appearing what I muſt ever profeſs my ſelf, Dear Siſter,

Thine own, R. L.
143

LETTER LXXV. To his Brother Major W.

Dear Brother,

YOurs came very welcome to my hands, for it brought me a preſent that I have laid up in my breaſt, I mean the confirmation of your amity; and now tis no more a gueſt, but a dwel­ler; no longer hath a ſingle Lodging, but commands the Manſion, and ſhall do till time demoliſhes the Fabrick: in requital I repreſent you with a Copy of it ſelf, or another of the ſame, and intreat you to keep it with as fair an allowance of credit, as I ſhall make it, or at leaſt would have it deſerve: and I hope nothing but a ſummons for one of us to leave the world ſhall perſwade us to draw ſtakes But I cannot pocket your praiſes without deſpoyling my ſelf of a parcel of modeſty that I muſt not ſpare. I would tell you they are more due to their Au­thor, but that I hate flattery ſo heartily, as I ſcarce dare ſpeak the full truth, leſt I ſeem to deſign it; in the mean time pray take them back, and keep them for me till I have learned to deſerve them. But now after all this, I could almoſt conſent to chide you for repreſent­ing me to your Brother in ſo unbecoming a cha­racter, that has made him charge me in his Let­ter144 with taking offence, unkindneſs, &c. at his ſilence, of which he has almoſt made it an intire deprecation: indeed I was not willing to be ap­prehended ſo exceptious, and thus before I am ſeen to be known by a ſoleciſme in good man­ners, was not convenient; and conſidering how much his worth outweighes me, I ought to have ſtayd his leiſure of writing with leſſe impatience than you have made him ſancy: But I appre­hend your generous clear ingenuity in it, and that ſtops my mouth. I pray you give your Pen leave to make me acquainted how it is now imploy'd, with what kind of gale Fortune kiſſes your Sayles, whether you intend ſtill to anchor there, or to hoyſt for another Port; and what time you will take to aire your ingenuity in Nor­folk: theſe Queries are not the children of a bare Curioſity, but of ſuch an affection as muſt ever render me, deare Brother,

Yours in all requiſites of a Friend and Servant, R. L.
145

LETTER LXXVI. To Mr. W.

My Deare Friend,

YOur laſt indearing lines I perus'd with as much delight as ever love ingendred; I found things there not only worth the reading, but the uſing; and, which is not ordinary, gather'd beau­ty and medicine from the ſame ſtalk: I will not be aſhamed to confeſſe I have received much aſ­ſiſtance from it; for it was capable to charm the moſt unquiet thoughts, and to aſſure the moſt unſetled and irreſolute ſpirit. By this you may judge it came welcome, though not to welcome me home; for my Norfolk-journey is yet to take, and I think muſt be per force defer'd till the Spring, and ſo I ſhall be welcom'd with Noſe-gayes: the reaſon is, beſides the inclemen­cy of the ſeaſon, my Lady, &c. I hope my laſt that gave a particular account to your deſires, got ſafe to your hands; I pray let your next tell me whether Mr. K. hath done any thing in what I intimated concerning the young Gentle­man, &c.

Your own, R. L.
146

LETTER LXXVII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

I Am glad to ſee you are ſo well arm'd againſt your Domeſtick Enemies, and can pull out the ſtings of vexation ſo dexterouſly: tis a Science that comprizes the whole art of living happily; and he that has perfectly learn'd it is rich in de­ſpite of the frowns, and without an obligation to the fawnes of Fortune. Diſcontent is the Gout of the minde, and ſo much the harder to be cur'd becauſe it is hereditary, and as old as ſuc­ceſſion in poſterity; but if we often repair to the great Phyſitian, he is alwayes able, and for the moſt part willing, to eaſe us: though it ſprings from the wombs of various cauſes, that are themſelves complex'd in the concupiſcible and iraſcible faculties; yet moſt commonly it pro­ceedes from a ſurfeit of unſatisfied deſires, which run madding after that they cannot have; or if ſometimes they chance to overtake it, common­ly they are as much tyr'd with the fruition, as before perplext with the defect; and like Huntſ­men, reap more delight in the game than the Quarrie. But I draw faces with a blunt Coal. We are ſuddenly reſolv'd to morrow without fail to begin our Journey to the Bath, and ſo147 from thence almoſt to the Lands end Weſtward; which precipitate reſolution does almoſt put me to my wits end, having ſo little elbow-roome of time for preparation: this makes me that I can yet ſay nothing to the latter part of your Letter; and when my leiſure is largeſt, my poor abilities will not let me ſay much to pur­poſe, however I ſhall ſtretch them to an equall contribution in that charitable deſign. My mul­tiplicity of buſineſs does you a kindneſs, and ſhortens your trouble, by inforcing me to ſub­ſcribe my ſelfe, Dear Brother,

Yours in the very abſtract and ſpirits of affection, R. L.

LETTER LXXVIII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

I Am adviſed by many reaſons to copy your content for my neerer approches, but none ſo powerfull as what you alledged; for, believe it, I ſtudy nothing with more circumſpection and delight, than to preſerve the perfect heat and health of our friendſhip from thoſe cold Diſea­ſes that uſe to ruine others. I am proud of my148 friends affection, though not their praiſes: yet I could wiſh (though only to ſave the credit of their Judgements) that the one were as due as the other. Pray return my ſervice to Mr. S. when you ſee him next, and tell him I am much in his debt for being preſerv'd in his thoughts. I could never be at quiet with a Book-ſeller, till I pro­miſed to make him ready the ſecond part of Hymens Praeludia againſt the next Terme; but my ſhort allowance of time will inforce me to huddle it up in ſuch haſt, as if I got any credit by the firſt, I have much reaſon to feare the ſe­cond will forfeit it: he offer'd to be at the charge of cutting my own face for the Frontiſpiece; but I rejected his offer, reſolving the World ſhould have no cauſe to ſmile at the vanity in putting my Picture to a paltry Tranſlation; but finding him ſtill eager to put a gay before his Book, I deſign'd him this, which is now a cut­ting, upon an Altar dedicated to Love, divers hearts transfix'd with Arrowes and Darts are to lye broyling upon the Coals; and upon one of the ſteps of it Hymen is repreſented in the habit of a high Prieſt, with a Miter on his head, a Cenſer in one hand, and a Taper in the other, holding it in a poſture as if he were going to light it at the Altar; when Cupid is to come behind him, and pull him by the ſaffron-ſleeve, with theſe words proceeding from his mouth, Nondum peracta ſunt praeludia, as much as to ſay,149 Tis not time to light your Mariage Taper, for the wooings are not paſt: which alludes to the unfiniſhed Story, as well by the Author as the Tranſlator. I ſhould gladly have been oblig'd to you for the Draught, not ignorant what advan­tages the Cut would have borrowed from your hand, which it now muſt want; but our ſcarcity of time could not permit it to ſtay for ſo much perfection, and ſo he that graves it has drawn it, though methinks but unskilfully, &c. If I alter not my intentions, I think I ſhall dedi­cate my Book to my Lord C. J. W. is gone to one Sir A. C. in Cambridge-ſhire, neer New-Market, and made me half a pro­miſe to viſit you at Barningham before his re­turn. By this time I have tyr'd you moſt un­mercifully with my tedious ſtuffe; but you have learn'd to pardon, by oft induring theſe tricks from, Dear Brother,

Your really affectionate Brother, R. L.
150

LETTER LXXIX. To Mr. R. C.

Deare Robin,

THe now ſilent Nightingale does not with ſo much ardor wiſh for the flowry moneth that gives an harmonious Tongue to his ſorrows to deplore Tereus cruelty, as my ſoul labours with the throwes of the ſame deſire that thy expectation pants with; for thy love to me, it is celebrated by every thought my heart weares about it with a firm belief, the weakeſt of which was never ſpotted with the leaſt ſuſpition: and for my affection to thee, though the defence is needleſs where there is neither accuſation nor jealouſie, yet I dare defie the Witchcraft of Time, the ſtupifying charms of Abſence, the fra­ilty of mine own memory, and all other Prome­thean acceſſaries to forgetfulneſs, to ſteal away a ſpark of that fire of love which thy vertues kindled; and Heaven (to which then pure love nothing can be more acceptable) has refin'd to one Elemental ſubſtance which is neither capable of decay nor change. And though we owe little to Fortune, for ſuing an unkind divorce be­twixt us, yet the influence of her malice had no operation but upon our earthly parts; when thoſe more noble diſdaining to owe a circum­ſcription151 to her coy wayward power, I mean our ſouls ordinary Meſſengers, have wing'd with love after, and mutually viſited by a ſecret ſympathy our intelligentiall faculties; and ſometimes laden with wiſhes and prayers for one anothers happi­neſſe, have met in the Aethereall journey to Hea­ven, and there congratulated the reciprocation of each others affection.

I have now gain'd an unhappy liberty by the loſſe of a deare Mother, and the cold unbribed hand of Death has cancell'd that obligation of duty which I did owe, and to my power paid her. The World will therefore ſhortly be my large home, and the injoying thy Company my de­lightfulleſt repoſe; and till we ſhall again com­plete our contract, I ſhall truly reſt

Thy moſt affectionate, but un­ſatisfied Friend, R. L.
152

LETTER LXXX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

HAd not my imployment made me a juſt ex­cuſe, my ſaying nothing would have been more criminall then bad language; neglect in friendſhip being leſſe pardonable than injury, be­cauſe tis harder to bring up coldneſs to a juſt temper, than to bring down anger; a feaver be­ing much eaſier to cure than a Lethargy. At my return to London (for I have been all this time in the Country) I found no leſſe then three of your obliging Letters together, in which I read ſuch an exceſs of affection, and that ſo pure and ſo neere approching to perfection, as if I did not find ſomething in mine own breaſt of the ſame ſtamp and impreſſion, I ſhould give you the prize of friendſhip from all men yet that ever ſtrugled for it. Tis not a bare ſpeculation of things in their cauſes and effects, nor a notionall penetration into the Pedigree of every ſingle Eſ­ſence can render a man wiſe, without an Appren­tiſhip of uſe and practice: ſo to be able to define friendſhip, to know her juſt baſis & true Centre, her conſtitution, temper, object & end, will not all make a true friend, unleſs that knowledge (after a fit choice) can make its way through the affe­ctions,153 into ſuch proofs as either neceſſity or oc­caſion ſhall dictate; that you have both the con­templative and the active part, has appeared, not only to my opinion, but experience; and will never want a place in my memory, and ſhall al­wayes be a task for my Induſtry both to pattern and requite. I am moſt ſenſibly afflicted at my poor Siſter J's. Feaver; and though I even fear to know how it ſtands with her, yet I pray put me out of my pain as ſoon as poſſible: in the mean time I ſhall not fail to ſolicit Heaven in her be­half, which is the beſt aſſiſtance I can lend her. My Lords onely Sonne and Heire is newly ar­reſted with the ſame malady, which I believe will make us remove for Lincolnſhire next week. I pray preſent my hearty thanks to the Doctor for beſtowing his Receipt upon me; this day I in­tend, God willing, to make it. Let your next tell me whether my Nephew Anthony ſpake of a Letter I ſent him, with a Book, wherein was in­cloſed another to my Uncle. This Feaver is grown almoſt Epidemicall in the Countrey, and the ſmall Pox here, &c. Well, my dear Bro­ther, I am

Yours, and will be ſo, in all places, times, qualities, conditions, &c. R. L.
154

LETTER LXXXI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

I Am reſolv'd to keep our intercourſe alive, though ſcarcity of ſubject, and barrenneſs of ingenuity allow it but courſe fare with friend­ſhip: tis Terme-time all the year, and when it growes weary of ſealing alternate Writs, it be­comes a burden to it ſelf; like a ſickly ſtomach, perverting that into humour which ſhould con­vert into Chylus. My cloud that our laſt parting exhal'd, is not yet diſpel'd; which for the ſame thing does both accuſe and excuſe me, indicating the imbecillity of Reaſon, and ſtrength of Love; but neceſſity is the daughter of Fate, and her Lawes as indiſpenſable. I confeſs, reſolution drawn from reaſon cannot fortifie my ſoul ſo ſtrongly, but ſometimes the battery of this ma­lady makes a breach wide enough for anguiſh to enter; but ſince I cannot overthrow it by in­counter, I am reſolv'd to evade it by diverſion, and no more to invenom my wound by hand­ling it, &c. I do paſſionately wiſh farre more power, that I might increaſe my happineſs by it in ſerving you: but I fall ſhort in every thing but affection, which makes, and will preſerve me

Eternally yours, R. L.
155

LETTER LXXXII. To Doctor B.

Deare Doctor,

I perceive by an hint in Mr. H. his laſt, that the Carrier has been the miſcarrier of two Let­ters that were level'd at your hands, and ſeduc'd by his neglect to an irregular motion; if Chance ever yet conducts them to their Centre, they will tell you the ſame that this has Com­miſſion to ſay, though perhaps in another dreſſe; like ſeveral Structures, that expreſs va­riety of ſhape and contrivance, though they de­rive their pedigre from the ſame Quarry and Ar­chitect. And now D. D. I am ſory I was never ſo great a favourite of Fortune or Nature, as to raiſe any juſt pretence to the tribute you ſpeake of; all that I dare claim is but the due to ſuch a friendſhip as you have character'd, and drawn ſo lively, as it would bring the moſt unapt ſoul in love with the love that feeds it. In the mean time I can give no precedency to thoſe wiſhes of yours that would cut off the large diſtance betwixt us, ſince I have ſome of the ſame mould and making of an equall ardor; but ſince neceſ­ſity votes them down, do but ſend H. to Lon­don as oft as I ſhall L. to H. and we need not court a diſpenſation of her ſevere Lawes156 for a meeting. Pray mention my due reſpects to your vertuous Bedfellow Mr. H. honeſt C. B. and the reſt that know me; and do him the right (cujus pectori nunquam decedat amicitia ve­ſpere ſurgente, nec rapidum fugiente ſalum) to let him keep the ſame place in your affections that will ever continue, Dear Doctor,

Immortally yours, R. L.

LETTER LXXXIII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

MY laſt weeks failing was not becauſe I did not write; but I think my woman was drunk that uſually calls for my Letters, and ſo let the laſt lie like a dead Commodity in my hands, reſembling ſome inſects here, that are born, live and die to no purpoſe. I ſhall not have room enough in this to raiſe a bank againſt the overflow of your unmerited praiſes, and confute the height of your eſteem as I ought: but it ſhall be my task to make the beſt uſe of them, and make that my mark which you have made my Quarry; for ſince they are not Eſſences, as your157 good opinion would have them, tis but fit I ſhould keep them by me here as Idea's for imita­tion. I know not the conſtitution of your Inte­reſts where you are, and therefore cannot judge whether they be healthful or ſickly; onely I know your ingenuity is ſo well tempered with Judgement, as you need no aſſiſtance at the forge of your own fortunes; all then I have to do in relation to that, is to wiſh all your hopes pro­phets, and your feares impoſtors. I know not what to ſay to the Bark you ſpoke of, becauſe I am ignorant how ſhe is built, and therefore can give no opinion whether ſhe be worth the man­ning: but tis yours and not mine that muſt ei­ther keep you aſhore, or ſet you aboard; in the mean time methinks her Lading is not incon­ſiderable, eſpecially being to be coupled with your induſtry. I delivered your Letter to Mr. M. W. who reſents your well-expreſt affection very kindly, and deſired me to give it you ſo with his ſervice. I need not ſay more of my ver­tuous Friend Mr. W. than you find, or at leaſt may apprehend, by judging what he is by what he ſayes; and believe it he is no diſſembler. There was nothing but my haſt in fault that I did not acquaint you with the contents of my Siſter J's. Letter, and therefore you might have ſpar'd that excuſe for breaking up her anſwer; there is no­thing in it but you are equally concern'd in with my ſelf; and were your Intereſt leſſe, I never had158 cauſe to think a ſecret leſſe ſafe in your breaſt than mine. I hope I need not conjure you by all that here is dear betwixt us, to ſtrain your en­deavours in J's behalf, who has deſerv'd ſo well of us all: her other Friends that approve Mr. B's Propoſitions may perhaps look no further then the Bark; but I know you will not content your ſelf with likelyhoods and appearances, without a ſubtile and ſolid penetration into true beings and realities; and I ſhall never doubt that metall that comes with approbation from your touch-ſtone, &c. My Meſſenger ſtayes for my Letter, which poſts me to a period. Dear Bro­ther,

Ever yours with all my heart and ſoul, R. L.

LETTER LXXXIV. To his Brother Mr. F. W.

Dear Brother,

THough you owe me for a Letter, yet I am ſo much in your debt for things of greater value, as I cannot be unwilling to leſſen the in­gagement, though ſuch petty payments are like159 to wipe out but little of the ſcore. I have ven­tur'd to ſend you by this bearer the mis-ſhapen iſſue of my idle houres, hatch'd at ſuch ſittings when my wanton Genius was too lazie to follow the purſuit of more ſerious ſtudies. I confeſs it has ſome deformities which I am not guilty of, I mean groſſe faults eſcaped in the Preſſe, which you will eaſily find & amend, if you loſe ſo much time as to read it over; but if you think it un­worthy, you are of my minde, and may beſtow it on ſome that does not exact from himſelf ſo weighty an account of his houres. I have no more to ſay but what I muſt ever ſay,

Your really affectionate Brother to ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER LXXXV. To Mr. R. W.

SIR,

I cannot ſuffer the Fate of my former Letters to diſcourage me into ſilence; for if but one ſcapes Ship-wreck, it will do the buſineſs of the reſt, and tell you all that they treated of (though with leſſe variety) which is, that I am perfectly160 yours: and till you find out ſome command that may ingage my pen to ſome other diſ­courſe, I muſt ſtill only talk upon the ſame ſub­ject. You know I was never prone to meddle with newes; but now it is forbidden with a pe­nalty, I hug my averſion. The other day I ca­ſually met this incloſed page in a Pamphlet, and though it was directed to a Gentleman I know not, yet being dated from A. and ſubſcribed with R. W. I gueſs'd your acquaintance Mr. the Author; if you have intereſt enough in him to wiſh him well, let him ſee it for his future caution; if I be miſtaken, I hope the error will find an eaſie pardon. I have not yet been long e­nough in London to give you account of your Eaſtern friends, I hope my next will do it. I muſt ſtill repeat my deſires, that you will uſe me while I am here; for I muſt ever be

Entirely yours, R. L.
161

LETTER LXXXVI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

I Should be as unwilling to be overpriz'd as undervalu'd, ſince every man is oblig'd to pre­ſerve as ſtrict a guard of modeſty as courage. There are ſome ſpecies of vertue (according to Moraliſts) though they all aim at the ſame mark, and agree in their end, yet in their operation are ſo vaſtly diſcrepant (not to ſay contrarious) as they are ſcarce compatible in the ſame ſub­ject: and thus (unleſs the oeconomy of our ſelves be very cautiouſly manag'd) to con one vertue thoroughly, is to forget another; nor can there be an higher proof of wiſdom, nor is man ever ſo exact a Microcoſme, as when, in imitation of the Elements, oppoſite qualities are equally mingled to a juſt temperament, and ſo tame themſelves to a perfect harmony. But to re­turn to yours; had the Frontiſpiece of it been drawn by another Pen, it would have been con­ſtu'd Complement; but from you I give it the uſuall reception, and only believe (though the expreſſions much overtop me) Love guided your hand when you ſet down thoſe miſtakes. To judge aright is a task ſo difficult, as they that come neereſt (bating things demonſtrative) may162 be rather ſaid to fancy, then attain it; eſpeci­ally every man being ſubject (at leaſt ſome­times) either to opinion, paſſion, or partiality, great enemies to a cleare Judgement: but I ſhew the weakneſs of mine, by tiring you with theſe unneceſſaries. This week contributes little ſatisfaction to your appetite of newes, &c. But I out-run the Conſtable: Dear Brother,

Unconfinably yours to ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER LXXXVII. To Mr. E.

Good Landlord,

I Received a Letter from our Friend, incloſed in one of Mr. H's. by which I perceive he found it unſafe to abide in a place ſo unworthy of his reſidence: 'tis a ſad world that your treache­rous Ocean ſhould only rage with ſuch ſtorms as threaten wrack to none but the vertuous and de­ſerving; but you had the advantage of me, and had a taſt of his ſociety, which I pine for, but love you not ſo ill to grudge it: he tells me you are ſuddenly to remove to Briſtow, which renders163 me (though ſenſible of my own loſs, in the diſ­continuance of our friendly intercourſe) truly glad for the advancement of your condition, I never found it a difficult task to make my own intereſt do homage to my friends felicity; which if you purchaſe, I ſhall taſte the fruit of my own well-wiſhes. For my Trunk, I deſire you would uſe the means to ſend it down to my Landlords in Holborn, I will write to him to pay for the carriage. My true love and reſpects to my good Landlady, and Mrs. B. with the reſt, and if ever my affaires carry me neer Briſtol, you ſhall ſee you are not forgotten by

Your true friend, R. L.

LETTER LXXXVIII. To Mr. W.

Sir,

THough this ſhall run the hazard of miſſing the way to your hands, yet I cannot con­tent my ſelf onely to remember you, without indeavouring to tell you ſo. I received yours dated the fifteenth, the laſt of May; which pain'd me with no little regret that Mr. R. finds his affaires in ſo bad a condition, and my judg­ment of them ſo erroneous. I have not yet left164 admiring the laſt rare proof of your affection, nor reproching Fortunes ſpite that would not let me tell you how tenderly I reſented it. I am not friends with our fruitleſs reſidence here, when I conſider how I might ſerve you at Lon­don, and I bluſh to think how little I have per­formed to deſerve your ingenious acknowledg­ments; but my remote abode does now increaſe my deſpair of mending thoſe faults. I am not able to tell you how well I love you; for I have it better expreſſed within then I am able to ut­ter: but of this be aſſured, I would not be ma­ſter of all my other wiſhes, on condition not to render them ſerviceable to yours, whoſe joyes and griefs ſhall be infeparably twiſted with thoſe of

Your unalterable friend, and faithful ſervant, R. L.

LETTER LXXXIX. To Mr. H.

Sir,

I Am ſorry for the firſt impediment your pen acknowledges, viz. the want of good news: for the ſecond, you muſt give me leave to imitate yours, and play with it, for even my own imper­fections do delight me when they make you165 merry. Your profeſſion of a ragged garb is but a modeſt diſguiſe of your inward bravery: & thus you go backward in your own eſteem, that you may take the farther leap into others; thus being over-laviſh in my commendations, you are too much a niggard in denying your own abili­ties. Mrs. B. is nothing ſo much beholding to your pleaſant humour as my ſelf, for it has crea­ted her an unworthy ſervant, and made me a very deſerving Miſtriſs before I thought of it; but I believe diſtance and abſence will conſpire to continue it ſtill a jeſt, as ſure you meant it; however Sir, notwithſtanding you forbid it, I muſt renew the profeſſion of my ingagements to you, and do but wiſh for ſo much power as may make you find that the reality which you ſuſpect the complement of

Your truly affectionate friend and ſervant, R. L.
166

LETTER XC. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

WHat you are pleaſed to miſcall extrava­gancies of your Pen, are better conſtrued by him that receives them, who never reads theſe welcome repetitions and confirmations of your amity, but (referred to that) he boldly concludes himſelf happy in ſpite of all the af­fronts of Fortune, and defects of Nature; by this you may gueſs how deeply you may oblige me in being ſtill ſo extravagant. You had not been laſt Week unſaluted, if an accidental emer­gency had not ſnatcht my Pen out of my hand, and alarum'd my obedience to an indiſpenſable imployment (impoſed by the commands of thoſe I ſerve) which ſwallowed all the time that offered the opportunity. I hope my ſiſter J. received my laſt Weeks Letter, which had layen three or four dayes by me ready written, or elſe ſhe had miſſed as well as you. I am con­tented ſhe ſhould think me willing to the matri­monial bargain ſhe has made, and am ſorry my inforced abſence has rendred me incapable of diſpoſing my indeavours to ſerve a perſon I love ſo dearly, in an affair of ſo much importance; though ſince you condeſcended to accept the167 Province of treating & concluding in her behalf, my confidence in your caution and prudence tells me, that all other aſſiſtants would be ſuper­fluous and ſupernumerary. I am extremely me­lancholi'd at your dilated reſolutions of ſeeing London; and the rather ſo, becauſe I fear we ſhall ſpend the two following Tearms in the Country, and ſo miſſe the happineſs of your ſo­ciety. I have not yet received ſo much as a tit­tle from the Lord C. when I do you are ſure to have a ſudden account. You will oblige Mr. W. to inquire of his friends preſent condition and welfare. I have here incloſed his little token to you, the ſtone may boaſt a very ancient pedigree between his birth and his preſent being; the face was intended for one of the Roman Empe­rours, but whether the hand was happy that grav'd it, is beſt referr'd to your judgment. Let me intreat you to pay my reſpects as they are due to all my friends you ſhall encounter in your voyage, eſpecially at L. hall. If I may have the oportunity of writing once more before you ſet forward, I will venture to trouble you with a book or two to L. and my Nephew. When you next ſee Mr. P. pray return him my reſpects proportion'd to his civilities. I have much ſorrow for my poor ſiſter W. and as much won­der at her husbands ſilence, from whom I have not received a line this half year. Preſent me very kindly to my Couſin W. and tell him ſince168 he lik't the firſt part ſo well, if I knew how to ſend it, he ſhould have the ſecond. But I have made no conſcience of tiring your patience: Par­don all my faults, and believe me, Dear Brother,

Your own to honour, love, and ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER XCI. To his Couſin A. L.

Dear Couſin,

TIs time to recover my credit, that I doubt almoſt languiſhes in your eſteem through the ſlow performance of my promiſe. But ſure you have goodneſs enough to make the inter­pretation gentle, and I hope faith enough to be­lieve what I profeſs, without a ſpot of comple­ment, that I am to you all that you can deſire in affection, though leſs then what I paſſionately wiſh to be in the proofs of it: would my occaſi­ons have allow'd time enough, I ſhould have ven­tured fair for the beſt of Titles, I mean, a Peace­maker between you and your Father-in-law; but that was denied by the ſeverity of my af­fairs, requiring more time then I was maſter of; and indeed treaties of that nature are better let alone then not perfected. I know not how your169 Mother interprets my forbearance of an expe­cted viſit, but I fear unkindly; though indeed onely theſe conſiderations, and not any coldneſs of affection to her would haſe it ſo. Well, if you want any thing that London affords within the reach of my poor power, I am here to ſerve you; for take my word I deſire nothing with more ardour then to appear as I am, Sweet Couſin,

Your truly affectionate Uncle and ſervant, R. L.

LETTER XCII. To Mr. G.

Dear Sir,

I Am once more grown into a condition to claim your promiſe of correſpondency, and ſhorten the diſtance betwixt us, by a literal in­tercourſe. Upon Saturday night we reacht the Bath; and as if the Heavens intended to inure us by degrees to what we went for, we were bath'd by the way by an almoſt continued rain; thus againſt our wills imitating natures method in the conduct of her maſter-piece, Man, to his per­fect growth; firſt ſhe teaches him to creep, then go, and ſo forward: ſo we began with drops,170 and are now ſucceeded to Fountains, but whether thoſe will (like Bethſaida's Poole) cure our Diſ­eaſes, is yet an Embryo in the womb of Time, when their own reſolutions are better known to themſelves, perhaps like the nature of weighty things they may deſcend to me, however to give you my gueſſe, I think we are travelled to the Weſt like a Winters Sun, where our ſtay will take up more then our voyage; and to make the Simile run upon more wheels, all the dayes I ſtay here, will be as tedious as ſo ma­ny long nights without ſleep. Preſent me cordially to my Brother, and tell him, if I thought I ſhould not loſe my labour, he ſhould not receive them thus by a glance, but by a level point-blanck from my pen. You may aſſure Polycarpus, I have no more leaves to take, unleſs he will give me leave to wiſh his wit may never ſhrink in the wearing, nor his mirth in the wetting, ſo long as he has uſe for them. If you can, let me feel how the great pulſe beats, and preſerve me in your belief, as I am, Sir J.

Your moſt affectionate Friend, R. L.
171

LETTER XCIII. To Mr. G.

Dear Sir,

I Had ſooner given you a receipt for your laſt, if the motion of my head would have given my hands the liberty; for ſince our arrival here, my Lord and I, like Don Quixot and his Sancho, have done nothing but ſeek adventures, viſiting all the Towns of remark, and inchanted Caſtles we could hear of, as if we intended to give the World a more exact Geography of the place, and mend Cambdens Map of the County: only we have charg'd no Windmills yet, nor any thing elſe but his purſe. We are now iſſuing out upon a ſecond enterpriſe upon Briſtol, but I think we ſhall quickly finiſh that adventure, unleſs we meet with ſome diſtreſſed Damoſels. The I's and No's you ſpeak of, put them and their pow­er all together, I think ſpell nothing but I noſe. I would fain live to ſee the day that the ſweet ſinger may have cauſe given him to ſet his Pſalms to the Tune of Lachryme, firſt hang up his Harp and then himſelf, for an imitable exam­ple to the whole Congregation in the Chappel: methinks the Members falling out about the reckoning upon the marriage day of their172 new authority expounds the Fable of the La­pithes or Centaurs; make you the conſtruction. We are now in a Town where moſt of the people get their bread by their water, I mean, the Bath; and to ſtrengthen the Paradox, thoſe that never knew how to govern themſelves are yet guides to others. Of a City tis doubtleſs the prettieſt of England, in a double ſenſe, as it is little and handſome. Moſt of the inhabitants live the life of fiſhes in Summer, and Flies in Winter, for then they have nothing elſe to do but ſleep in their crannies. He that comes of the beſt houſe of the B is come to Bath, and we drank your health yeſterday. Preſent me as is due to all: but tis time to make an end, and call my ſelf, Dear Sir,

Yours perfectly to his power, R. L.
173

LETTER XCIV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

I Am very glad your Ague has once more ta­ken his leave, in a double reſpect, becauſe it has releaſed you at preſent, and (in all likelihood) of future trouble, at leaſt remov'd them to a remote diſtance; it being the property of thoſe concuſſive maladies, (reſembling a friends re­proof, or a Parents correction) to trouble the body into amendment, and pinch health into a greater purity: and indeed methinks the turns of health and ſickneſs, like the viciſſitudes of joy and grief, while they overflow not their banks, are not only tolerable, but ſometimes neceſſary; no Halcion-day ſo pleaſant, as that which ſuc­ceedes the precedency of a lowring morning. Your decoction no doubt was very ſafe, and the admixture of Diagridium and Sal Abſynthii not improper; but believe it, this conſtant taking away the bran by an artificial Sive, does but tye the hands of Nature, which if let looſe & at liber­ty, no doubt would do it better her ſelf: health haſtened by a Phyſical aſſiſtance is like fruits ripen'd by artificiall glaſſes, which are neither ſo fair to the eye, grateful to the taſt, nor ſo la­ſting as thoſe that ſtay the leiſure of time for a174 genuine maturity, and I am confident that a good Diet, moderate Exerciſe, and a merry heart, are the moſt ſoveraign Remedies you can take to perfect your recovery. My Brother W. came hither on Thurſday laſt, and parted hence for Oxford on Tueſday; his Brother the Major keepes him company in the Journey, he excuſed it, that he did not viſit you by the way, and is reſolv'd to mend his fault in his return, which I believe will be about Tueſday next; I think we ſent your Ague to flight by drinking your health. I pretend not to any confidence, or in­deed belief of what my laſt told you in reference to newes, but rather take it as the child of ſome ſingle conjectures, that are ever limming likeli­hoods of what they would have, and conceiting themſelves into their priſtine happineſs; yet I will not ſweare that all is Apocrypha. I am ac­quainted with a Welſh Prophet here, one E. which ſeldom dreames without a Revelation, or ſleepes without a Viſion as he calls them, who tells the world of a ſudden return of Monarchy to its old bias, and has been ſo ſaucy to petition our grand Councel to bring home Charles Stuart to his Engliſh Throne, and threatens their diſo­bedience with an utter deſtruction; yet this man has not only ſcap'd hitherto with impunity, but they ſay is privately cajold by ſome Starres of magnitude; tis true, his former predictions have been ſtrangely credited with events, as the death175 of the King, the lifting the Lords Eſſex and Fairfax ſucceſſively to the Generalls place, the downfall of Presbytery, and diſſolution of this Parliament, which he hit to half an houre: but I ſuppoſe you have ſeen moſt of this in his Books: if you have them not, I will ſend you them next week bound in one: for my part I read them for nought but ſport, but he is not half ſo much laugh'd at as he was at firſt. I did intend to put out my Letters next terme, but I ſee I ſhall be hinder'd by a ſudden reſolution my Lord and Lady have lately taken, to make a Journey to the Bath, and ſo from thence into Devonſhire and Cornwall, to viſit two Siſters of my Lords, which are there richly married. Pre­ſent me duly to all my Friends, and preſerve me in your affection as I do you, that am (dear Bro­ther,)

Indiſpenſibly unreſervedly Yours R. L.
176

LETTER XCVII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

IF this ample interval and vaſt intermiſſion that has inſenſibly crept between our laſt cor­reſpondency, had not on my part been conſtrain­ed by the invincible and indiſpenſable laws of Neceſſity, I ſhould affix an Apology to the fore­head of my Letter for neglect, and torment my head to excuſe the offence of my heart; ſince he that can take commiſſion from his own ſloth, to let fall the thred of a friendly intercourſe, be­trayes a labaſcency and a languor in his amicable reſentments, and is no better then the ſhell of a friend, that would be thought to hide what he has not. I am now freſhly return'd from the En­gliſh-Scythia, viz. Cornwal, which entertain'd us as the land of Canaan did the Iſraelites, with all that plenteous variety which was complext in the general terms of milk and honey, &c. But really I found as little correſpondency betwixt them and London, or any of the Eaſtern parts, as if they had been as well of another Nation as Language; and venturing ſome Letters twice or thrice in vain by a lame Poſte, in which Packets ſtill ſomething to you, and finding they all fell ſhort of the marks they aim'd at, I ſat177 down half angred into an obſtinate reſolution of adventuring to ſay to more to my friends till I could do it with greater aſſurance; which made ſome of my intimate acquaintance in London to conclude me dead or ſick; and their conje­ctures were not altogether ſo wide as I could have wiſht them; for I ſcarce enjoyd one well day in ten Weeks abſence. At my arrival I met the deplorable news of my dear ſiſter W's death, which has afflicted me beyond expreſſion, as well in reference to my loſs in her, as to the poor boyes ſhe has left deſtitute of a diſcreet and in­duigent Mother. I pray let me know by the next miſſive without fall how the condition of our family is ſtated, in relation to the health and affairs of thoſe perſons that compoſe it, eſpeci­ally yourſelf, who ever led the van to the whole World in my wiſhes, &c. I have now nothing more to ſpeak, but my deſire that you would pardon my haſte, with the faults it commits, ſince my time is too penurious to allow me a preſent circumſpection. Expect an amends in my next, and continue me ſtill in your thoughts, as I am, Dear Brother,

Sincerely, ſolemnly, unreſervedly yours to ſerve you, R. L.
178

LETTER XCVI. To his Aunt H.

Honoured Aunt,

SHould I ſuffer Oblivion as well as my ſelf, to ſwallow your laſt excellent entertainment, beſides the proof of my own ingratitude, I ſhould ſilently accuſe your goodneſs for miſ­placing it ſelf upon a ſubject ſo unworthy; give my Pen then leave to return you what I can, my true thanks, ſince what I would is beyond the reach of my power. I ſhould willingly give you fewer words, could I make my deeds Rhetori­call; for though acknowledgement ſeemes the cheapeſt kind of requitall, yet could I find out the other way, I ſhould eaſe my ſelf of many paſſionate wiſhes that have yet been loſt upon mine own inabilities; but I dare go no further in this ſubject, leſt circumſpection to ſpeak all the truth, ſhould make all look like Comple­ment. I was lately importun'd by a friend of mine, to give him my opinion, whether H. would not be a fit place to ſet up an Academy for the breeding of young Gentry, in all ſuch qualities as paſſe in the opinion of the world for Ornaments: he profeſſes to teach the French, Italian and Spaniſh Tongues, Mathematicks, the uſe of the Globe, beſides Latine and Greek,176 and I am confident will prove no Mountebank in any thing he undertakes, for I dare ſpeak him one of the moſt compleat Gentlemen of this age; but I ſuſpended my opinion of the deſign, till I knew yours, by which if approv'd I ſhall render mine with the more confidence, becauſe I know your Judgement ſo little acquainted with error, as it ſeldom miſſes to miſſe of it. Dear Aunt, if you vouchſafe to give me in a line or two how you reliſh it, he ſhall ſteere his courſe according­ly, and I ſhall range it among thoſe favours that have made me your deſperate debtor, but, dear Aunt,

Your moſt humble and faithful Servant, R. L.

LETTER XCVII. To his Brother Mr. F. W.

Dear Brother,

BEſides the deſert of your kind expreſſions, which call'd to a ſlow hand for a reply, I am hinted by the newes of my Siſters ſafe delivery, to wiſh you as much joy in your young Sonne, as if the preſent hopes in him were already ripen'd to their future perfection, and expectation were chang'd into aſſurance. I know not whether180 you ſhould more skill in the diminution of your own, or extolling my deſerts, in the firſt act put on the face of modeſty, in the ſecond of kind­neſs; and fighting with ſuch Weapons, ſhe can­not chuſe but triumph. I dare not enter the liſts that way; but if an honeſt heart that ſpeaks plainly, and meanes well, that takes care to pre­ſerve its own ſimplicity from ſuch mixtures as will harm it, I have it for you, and will keep it ſo. Preſent my dear reſpects to my Siſter, and tell her, I wiſh you may make her Mother to a nu­merous off-ſpring, on condition they may all prove as ſo many acceſſaries to the Parents hap­pineſs: by that time this is like to reach your hands, perchance the gueſts and goſſips may be aſſembled at the Chriſtning, to each of which, if I know them, I beſeech you Sir preſent me as is due: I cannot chuſe but mention honeſt Mr. H. Mr. B. Mr. D. &c. So oft as your Pen gives me a taſte of your welfare, I reliſh much happineſs; for Sir, believe it, you cannot loſe any confidence upon my affection, that deſires to appear to you,

All that is requiſite in perfect Amity and Service, R. L.
181

LETTER XCVIII. For Mr. J. E.

SIR,

I Received your laſt, with your thanks for thoſe blots, whoſe ill contrivance may rather ſummon my own bluſhes than your acknow­ledgement: all the diſpoſall I will challenge in the noble proffer of your heart, is ſtill to reſerve him a harbor there, who is never ſo angry with his ſtars unkindneſs, as when he conſiders he can pay down no greater earneſt of deſert for theſe favours than a few cheap words. Sir, I know no greater incouragement to any indeavour than obedience to your Commands; for which the imployment it ſelf would be an ample recom­pence, and I ſhould reap a plenteous Harveſt in the very tillage. I know you are all thirſty of happy newes; but this week affords not a drop to quench it: you have not deſerv'd to be cheated with hopes for realities, nor do I think it fit to ſend you Conjectures for Poſitives. The ſtron­geſt incounter with our feares is given by the &c. what that may produce, I leave to the ſtea­dier ballance of your Judgement. Our expecta­tions have been ſo oft, like the early bleſ­ſings of a forward Spring, been betrayed to the tyranny of a following Froſt, that I am reſolved182 mine ſhall bud no more till the uneclipſed Sun ſhall chaſe keen winter before his victorious rayes, &c.

R. L.

LETTER XCIX. To Mr. R. W.

My deareſt Friend,

I Received thoſe lovely Copies of a vertuous and knowing ſoul in the laſt lines, with ſuch a gladneſs, as none but you that had power to cre­ate it can fancy: this Paper will not hold the deſcription, and therefore think it but the re­ſult of an affection, ſo ſimply pure, as has long ſince left off the capacity of growth and decay, and then you have it. You do well to ſay we can­not be divided; for the remoteſt corner of the Earth cannot hide you from me, and even at ſuch times when I know not where you are I viſit you: you have put ſuch ſweetneſs, and yet ſo much gravity in your words, as I know not whether I am more raviſh'd or inſtructed, and have much adoe to ſcape ſelf-love, becauſe I am ſo lov'd, though I do more then like the Cha­racter of diſpoſitions, obſervation of national propenſions, and proper diſtempers; your tra­cing the foot-ſteps, skilful reading upon the de­cayd183 skeletons of Antiquity, with the rich im­broidery of a clear judgement upon all; yet when ſuch a Bee flies among Flowers, I cannot wonder if ſhe carries home ſtore of Honey; when ſo active a fancy incounters ſuch apt materialls to frame Idea's, tis not ſtrange if ſhe brings rich ladings to the underſtanding. But above all, my dear Friend, I muſt remember to thank you for thoſe ſweet and candid inſinuations of Piety and Vertue, which with a cunning affection you gently communicate, by preſuppoſing that I have them already; and thus your skill and kind­neſs combine to interweave delight and profit, and conſpire my happineſs. Well, could I but take my viſible Example where I had my Pre­cept, the Leſſon would be leſſe difficult, and I ſooner ſhap'd to your mind; for though I ſtrive to love as perfectly as poſſible, yet I dare not think my ſelf qualified enough to deſerve ſuch a Friend, &c.

Eternally yours, R. L.
184

LETTER C. To

Madam,

I Cannot pocket your excellent lines, without expreſſing my own unhappineſs in aſpiring to what I ſhould only have been contented to ad­mire: had I but gaz'd, and then given over, the impreſſion had not gone ſo deep, and I might have outworn the wound; but it was too hard a task to begin to underſtand you, and not ſuffer Love to undo me with ambition. Had my eyes only betray'd me, and your face and feature ty'd on my chains, I might have truſted time and abſence for a Cure, and read for it in the variety of other cheeks that are white and red; but tis your diviner part has charm'd me, that Soul of vertue and diſcretion that guided your Pen took me priſoner: nor can I hope a releaſe from Rea­ſon, ſince Reaſon it ſelf is a fellow-captive with the reſt. I confeſs I am ſtagger'd as well as you in my reſolution of ſeeing of you no more, and fory I did not except viſits, when I forſwore ad­dreſſes; but tis in your power to interpret the Oath with that condition; and though more re­viewes cannot mend the ſculpture of your I­mage in my heart, nor a perpetuity of abſence deface it, yet I could willingly (before the wind185 carries me away) take incouragement from you once to ſee the dear cauſe of my unpittied ſuf­ferings; which you may ſafely grant, becauſe I re-inforce my promiſe to let alone that ſubject that ſo much offends you, and torments your ſervant. I ſhould now endeavour to confute the modeſt injury you have done your own de­ſerts, and tell you how your ſtriving to extin­guiſh increas'd the ardour, that you vainly be­ſtow the title of Candour and Sincerity upon the ſame thing you ſcorn, or at leaſt miſprize: beſides, I ſhould gratefully mention the cruel charity of your wiſhes, that would have no thought of your ſelf diſquiet me, which you know is impoſſible; but this would be to an­ſwer your Letter, and coldly to diſpute, which my preſent tranſport will not allow: well, though you have raced it out, I muſt ever faſten the E­pithet of loving to the title of

Your eternal Servant, R. L.

LETTER CI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

YOur laſt undated Letter I received laſt night, and perus'd the well-woven variety in it with ſo clear a delight, as it reſembled the Suns victorious glory in a Cloudy morning, diſpel­ling186 the miſts of melancholy which has lately got a trick to ſit ſomething heavy on my dull ſpirit; but I am reſolv'd to rowſe it: how Sir J. has digeſted my miſtake, and the ſtupid effects of it, I know not, nor do I much diſturb my thoughts about it, for he has parted with much of his Candor, if he does not reſent true affecti­on in it, (though ill expreſt.) It is not in my power to overvalue your laſt kindneſs, ſuch cor­diall condeſcenſions in a true Friend being (like the greateſt number in Arithmetick) impoſſible to be expreſt; and had my will a power ade­quate, you would ſoon ſee the requital would much furmount the acknowledgement. I ſuppoſe my laſt (if it ſcap'd the danger of ſo long a Jour­ney) told you, that I am now a Patient to one Mr. D. whoſe Phyſick I ſtill daily take, (though yet with little apparent ſucceſs;) but he is confi­dent, and therefore I do not deſpair; however if you have a Recipe from Dr. B. of ſome ſo­veraign lotium, it will be gratefully welcom. I am invective againſt cruel Intereſt, and do up­braid my narrow condition that will not ſuffer me to meet you at Norwich, (ſo much love be­ing the inviter, and would fain be the Gueſt) but my Chain is not long enough to reach ſo farre, and (till opportunity growes ripe) I am loſh to break it: I will therefore content my ſelf to wiſh your meeting happily divided betwixt ſuc­ceſſe and delight.

187

I cannot diſapprove the Character of the Gentleman, and not be Cynical; only I could have wiſh'd (for my Siſters ſake) that his mind had not held moſt of his Treaſure; but it ſeemes, affection makes her willing to accept of an Utopian Joynture. The joyes are confeſt more purely genuine that wait at thoſe Nuptials where Love makes the match, and not Intereſt; but this age is ſway'd with ſuch a blind injuſtice, that it even forces a by as upon the moſt prudent vertue. Indeed I alwayes obſerv'd in her a diſ­creet foreſeeing Providence, while ſhe ſtood at the ſtern of her own Cockboat. In which, (if he does match her as well as in affection) no doubt but the bigger bark of their Family will be well Piloted, and ſo by a joynt Induſtry their ſtock daily increaſed. I do exceedingly applaud the ſolidity of your caution, in making ſure of that ſumme; but if I were able to adviſe better (as I am not) it would be fruitleſs, ſince you know with reſolution all counſel is incompatible. This day I wrote to my Siſter J. and incloſed it in one to my Siſter F. wherein I do (not with­out much regret) acquaint her with my unfortu­nate failing in her behalf, though I ſtirred in it with as much dexterity both of minde and body as was poſſible; but the main cauſe of our failing was, that I knew not the opportunity ſoone enough. I am not now in ſo good a condition to ſerve my Cou­ſin188 C. as I was when my Lord of Lincoln reſided at Tatterſhall, within four miles of his Uncle; for now he is come to Sempringham, much more remote, where I think he will win­ter; ſo as I do much upbraid my own negligent omiſſion to ſee him before I came from thence to Haughton, though I was fool'd into it by a promiſe of my Ladies, to return thither in ten dayes, though we have already worn out the te­dious Age of ſix weeks in this unfrequented Cave: nor do I look for a ſudden deliverance from this ſolitary confinement; but indeed it is not much unſuitable with my preſent diſpoſi­tion, which can reliſh nothing delightful, till I get rid of this deplorable trouble; but when we return into Lincolnſhire, it ſhall go hard if I break not priſon for one day to ſee the old Midas, and then I ſhall not forget to urge what you hinted concerning the &c. Excuſe the extrava­gancy of theſe inconſequent diverſions, and ex­pect method when health bequeaths me a more fixt temper; but you ſhould never be thus aſ­ſaulted with the ſallies of theſe petty diſcon­tents, if you were not perfectly confided in, and peculiarly lov'd, by

Your moſt faithfully affectionate Brother to command, R. L.
189

LETTER CII. To Mr. J. P.

Dear Jack,

I Am ſory thou couldſt not carry health out of Town; but here is never a ſhop that ſells that Commodity. I hope it waited in the Country, to welcom thee home; for if well-wiſhes may make thee well, I have redeemed it for thee, and thou art reſtored to its poſſeſſion. My pawned promiſe is redeemed by this incloſed, which though it be too plain to be pretious, I would be loth to forfeit it to a Friend. I prethee intreat ſweet Mrs. Mary and thy ſelf, not to ſpoyl theſe courſe lines with expectation. My haſt has done it too much already, they being the deformed iſſue of a few minutes ſtolne from my ſerious oc­caſions; but if my miſtake did not miſſe your directions, I have not ſhot much wide of the de­ſign. My belief has been ſo often abuſed with newes, that I am reſolved not to adventure the cheating of thee with ſome ſuch unwilling fal­ſhood. Let me injoyn the happineſs in my be­half to kiſſe Mr. M's. fair hand, and lay the pre­ſentation of my ſervice at her foot, and let her know that if the dull performance of this firſt has not diſcouraged her bounty in beſtowing further commands, I queſtion not but to give190 her a better taſte of my zeal to ſerve her. In the mean time, honeſt Jack, if it requires it, I com­mit thy peccant body to belly-racking diſcipline of thy guilded Pills, but thy mind and ſenſes to the ſoveraign cordial of her pretious ſociety and reſt.

Thy cordial friend to ſerve thee, R. L.

LETTER CIII. To Mr. W.

My deareſt friend,

VVE are at laſt got looſe from our Weſt­ern entertainment, and deliver'd from the puniſhment of an importunate kindneſs, which was alwayes in travel, and every day deli­vered of an overflow; but I hope we have e­ſcaped all the danger (viz. of ſurfets) for which we ought to keep a ſolemn thankſgiving, and are ſafely arrived at London, which we ſhall one­ly make a baiting-place by the way into Lincoln­ſhire, and there ſpend the remains of the Sum­mer. At my return to London I met a pair of your Letters that had long ſtayd my coming, I flew to their peruſal with a greedineſs as great as ever was the child of a teeming impatience, and found that in them which at the ſame time ſated and juſtified my longing. I was truly glad to hear my friend had ſo happily pleaſed my Lady L. in his Factorſhip, which was confirmed by a Letter I received from her out of the Countrey, (for they left London upon the brink of our ar­rival) which commanded me to return you with191 her thanks by Bill of exchange as a gratuity for your prudent care in her behalf, and a requeſt from my Lord that you would (if poſſible) pro­cure him ſome more Italian ſongs. I have inclo­ſed this Bill from your friend Mr. B. whereof I deſire you will ſignifie the receipt with as much expedition as poſſible, and direct your letters again to for I ſhall be out of Town till Michaelmas. But now my deareſt friend, I know not which way to turn my Pen, nor how to ſhape an anſwer to thoſe praiſes you laviſh upon a toy that I cannot own without ſome bluſhes; which was the onely reaſon it was kept ſo long from your knowledge, for fear it ſhould get me a de­ſerved chiding from your ſevere affection, for laying out my time with ſo much improvidence and ill-husbandry: nor do I traffique with that ſtale piece of modeſt policy for an improve­ment of reputation, becauſe I diſavow it, like a cunning Angler, drawing away the Bait that the Fiſh may follow it more greedily; for real­ly I ſpeak my thoughts without a dreſſe, when I tell you that I have much wondered how it comes by the credit it carries in the World, and that ſo many judicious palats ſhould guſt a piece ſo inſipid; however it is, I cannot content the importunity of ſome of my beſt qualified friends without I go on with this ſtory, and I think there will be another part out at Michaelmas Term, if I come time enough to London to overſee the Preſs, &c.

R. L.
192

LETTER CIV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

YOur advertiſement of the happy Errour came too late to intercept the abortive iſſue which my Creſt-fallen Muſe miſcarried with: but I was never more glad of being abuſed, and am friends with Fame for the deceit, ſince it is like to coſt me no more then a laughing at. But reports of this nature ſhall henceforth onely play faſt and looſe with my ear (as Juglers do with the eye) and claim no credit till backt by apparent certainty. Your imagination cannot fancy a more grateful heart then mine, made ſo by your laſt courteſie, a trouble which none but ſo perfect a friend as your ſelf would have un­dertaken; and though I know you are none of thoſe that can put their courteſies to uſe, and ſo become kindeſt to themſelves in being kind to others, yet I ſhall never judge my ſelf truly happy till I be able to return yours with intereſt. I would gladly find Doctor B. not miſtaken in the ſituation of my malady, and I hope my ex­perience will hereafter aſſure me, as now my obſervation begins to perſwade, that there is no flaw in his judgment. I have a ſtrong fancy that I ſhall reap much benefit by thoſe lotions he193 ſpeaks of, and therefore when you go next to Norwich let me intreat you to take a note of the ingredients from his dictates, for I conceive no time of the year unſeaſonable to take that kind of Phyſick. 'Tis poſſible Mr. R's directions, as one well skill'd in ſuch medicinals, may prove available, though I intend not to ſtraggle the breadth of a hair from what Doctor B. pre­ſcribes. We are now retir'd from my Lord of Lincolns to a houſe of my Lord of Clares in Not­tinghamſhire, where a Hermit is not more alone then I, this Countrey affording nothing fit to converſe with but dumb companions, as pleaſing walks in Gardens, Groves, by Rivers, &c. of which it is not unfruitful; that had I Adams in­nocency and knowledge, my preſent condition would reſemble his before Eve was created. I have lately not without much regret loſt my French and Italian Tutor, who is parted from my Eady D. I am unfeignedly glad to hear of the health of my ſiſters, and that they manage their deſerts with ſo diſcreet a providence to improve reputation. If you find Hymen is like to light an auſpicious torch, and the true-loves knot be worth the tying, I ſhall not give a faint applauſe to the change of my ſiſter K's condition; I ſhall be glad to hear in your next that ſhe draws in a happy yoke; they ſhall have my hearty wiſhes that their ſweet bondage may know no other fetters then what are woven by the ſoft hand of194 vertuous unfading Love: might I hope the hap­pineſs to meet you at London, nothing would be able to out-glad me; but I do more than fear that we are to conſume this winter in theſe parts, unleſs a new kindled Warre do ſend us packing, and then I am ſure that unſanctified City muſt prove our Sanctuary: that which makes it too probable is, that my Lord of C. is coming down thence with his whole Family, to increaſe ours here. I pray preſent my humble ſervice to my Couſin H. C. and tell him, that if I can ſerve him in ought with his Uncle, who lives within five miles of my Lord of L. Caſtle, at T. (which we ſhall often viſit) he ſhall not find my indeavours tardy; I have not yet ſeen him, but intend at our next going: tis reported there, that the other H. C. is grown a great fa­vourite; but if report ſayes true, he is like to plague their expectations with a moſt unconſci­onable long life, as if Time had forſworn to ſwal­low his humidum radicale, to whom he yet has denyed the homage of either ſtooping or droo­ping; I intend to ſend him a pot of red Dear, which they ſay will be welcom. I pray preſent my affectionate reſpects to my Siſters, and tell my Siſter J. that I am now in chaſe of a place for her, which if obtained will pay for all her pa­tience; tis to ſerve the Lady A. W. and I in­tend to ingage no worſe Soliciter then my own Lady her Couſin Jerman; but I am afraid tis195 promiſed already, and therefore let her not hope too much; only if ſuch a thing ſhould happen, 'twere fit I had notice where a Meſſenger ſhould find her; for I intend to ſend one on purpoſe. But I grow intolerable: pardon this rout of words, and call me as I truly am,

Your own for ever, R. L.

LETTER CV. To Mr. R.

Sir,

MY ſhort allowance of time will only ſuffer me to tell you, that I am (what your friendly Courteſies have made me) truly yours, and will be ready to appear ſo, when any of your Commands ſhall direct me how. In the mean time, take my hearty thanks for the trouble you have undertaken. It was a requeſt of that na­ture as (without the aid of much Candor) you muſt needs have conſtru'd Preſumption; but your ingenuity has help'd you to give it a better interpretation: be aſſured I will ſtrictly require of my ſelf ſuch indeavours as may learn to de­ſerve theſe favours. So if you pleaſe to let me know your clear opinion of this mans intentions, I ſhall ſteere my courſe accordingly; and (if you196 find it requiſite) come to Nottingham my ſelf, and get him arreſted before Occaſion ſhowes her bald pate. I beſeech you Sir return my Love and Service where they are due to my Friends you have with you. Pardon my rude haſt, and do me the right to believe me

Eternally yours, R. L.

LETTER CVI. To Signior G.

SIR,

I Underſtood by a late Letter of Mr. H. and ſince by your laſt to Mr. H. that you had ſent divers Letters to me; which if ſo, I cannot do leſſe then wonder at the ſtrange contrivance of Fortune, in not ſuffering ſo much as a ſingle line to arrive at my hands ſince I ſaw you; when none of thoſe that weekly travel between me and my remoter Friends ever met with the ſame fate. Indeed I was glad to hear that Signior G. was yet among the living; for I judg'd no­thing but Death could have ſtruck him ſo dumb. I underſtood your deſires, and the reaſons of them by Mr. H. to receive your Seamozzi, which I preſently communicated to your vale Milner, and prevailed ſo well by perſwaſion, as197 you will receive it by this Carrier. I am ſory my Lady D. does not accept your preſent; I ſup­poſe Mr. H. will render you a larger account of it. In the mean, I ſhall (uſing the Books care­fully) read over your Tranſlation with the Ori­ginall, and ſo keep them till your reply to this directs a further diſpoſall. Haſt will now let me ſay no more, than that I am

Your conſtant Friend ſtill ready to ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER CVII. To Mr. A.

SIR,

AN unexpected Command for Lincolnſhire with my Lord beguiles me of the happi­neſs to kiſſe your hands. Before your Suff. Jour­ney takes advantage of my defer'd writing, and forces me to ſay nothing to my Brother by you, to mend this unintended default, you may much oblige me to ſummon him by a Meſſen­ger to B. while you are there, I know his affecti­on will carry him further at any time to hear of me; where if you pleaſe to give him an account of what you know of me and my condition, you will put me much in your debt: tell him I will198 write by the next Carrier, but deſire him not to expect my coming over till I tell him I will come. I pray let him know I received his laſt with the Picture in it. Sir, may the ſucceſs of your journey compare with your wiſhes. Preſent me kindly to all you meet that know me. For­give the haſte that made theſe blots; and be confident I am

Your faithful friend and ſervant, R. L.

LETTER CVIII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

MY laſt had not been followed at ſuch a di­ſtance, if the ſudden news of a Lincolnſhire-journey had not arreſted my Pen in the very act. My condition ſcatters uncertainty among the broken parcels of my time; and I muſt be no leſs then a Prophet to foretell how I ſhall ſpend the next hour; my firmeſt purpoſes being ſtill curb'd with a conditional bridle. Thus I utter the larger part of my indeavours, as an in­ſtrument does ſound, that only talks over the in­ſtructions of an imperious hand. Yet I cannot ſay199 that any new reſtraint does raiſe the price of my leiſure: but the continuance of my trouble, which I now ſuſpect will keep me company to the threſhold of the other World (in ſpite of all the aid of reaſon) does often untune and diſ­compoſe my ſoul, that (though I ſhould bluſh to ſay ſo) it even faints my induſtry, ſlacks my carriere, and makes me halt after ſuch deſigns, which otherwiſe I think I ſhould purſue with vi­gour. But I take it as a fatherly correction ſent with commiſſion to ſet me the way to Heaven, and ſo I hope I ſhall uſe it. We are now more then two years older ſince we laſt ſhak'd hands; which (when I look back upon at a lump) me­thinks (in reference to my ſelf) looks as if woven into a Chaos. From ſome I have incountred af­fronts that have ſtrook fire in my breaſt; from other (ſweet ingenious ſpirits) I have been fann'd with a gentle gale of ſerene affection; ſuch humerous waves have flow'd round my Bark, as (at the ſame hour) have mildly kiſt my keel, and ſpit foam at my top-ſayl: and for earth, I am a double debtour to the conſtitution of my body, and my fortunes, that my Chaos has been plen­tifully furniſht with that melancholy element. It cannot poſe your conjecture to conceive how tenderly I would hug an occaſion that might re­vive me the delight of ſo dear a ſociety; for (if I deem aright) you may eaſily cut out ſuch an imagination by the pattern of your own heart. 200But if I gain my health, I taſte what others call pleaſure with a feaveriſh palate; I am therefore loth to appear among the friends I love ſo well, till I can bid adieu to a dull humour that now predominates, and my ſoul may have elbow­room enough (at leaſt) to render my company not tedious. If Providence does intend me ſo dear a Preſent, ſure this ſucceeding Spring muſt bring it, and then I ſhall venture to ask my firſt leave to play, &c. I do much applaud the diſ­guſt the creature made you; I know you have a ſoul that loathes to ſin ſo ſlaviſhly (though tem­pted with fairer hopes then any can court you that way:) tis the badge of a worthy heart that can rather indure to appear leſs, then to be leſs worthy; and tis a rare diſpoſition that will not ſuffer it ſelf to be cheapened in ſuch an age as this. But (though vertue ſometimes ſets a long day) her pay is currant and ſterling, all the reſt falſe coyn.

My Lady has newly got another ſwelling in the belly, which I believe about five moneths hence will make us hoiſe fail for London (for there they apprehend is the ſafeſt unlading for ſuch fraights;) if I may meet you there you will give me more happineſs then I have reliſht ſince I laſt ſaw you: And be confident your perſon and parts will find a more eaſie task in the pur­chaſe of preferment, then mine have done (in ſo many reſpects their inferiour;) and if you can201 ſafely manage the intereſt is ſtill left you to make it laſt till then, it cannot be amiſs. In the mean time you ſhall do me but right to promiſe your ſelf the cleareſt advice, attended by the moſt active diligence, and ready indeavours that may be performed by the ſoul and body of

Yours while he is his own, R. L.

LETTER CIX. To Mrs. F.

Honoured Aunt,

THe debt due to your obliging goodneſs I can better confeſs then ſatisfie; and till Providence inrich me with ſerviceable power to pay the whole ſumme, I muſt beg you will re­ceive the intereſt of true thanks, a coyn (though often counterfeit) has here the ſtamp of a true heart; in the Mine of which your kind ingage­ments have digg'd for ſuch mettal, and though it be not precious, tis beyond the power of an Ordinance to make it no currant pay; for Heaven it ſelf received it, and if the impreſs be not forged, returns an acquittance. I promiſed you news, but its ſcarcity bids me crave a longer day for the payment, onely this, The Scots, &c. You have the abridgement of what this Week pro­duc'd: if I may uſe my poor power any other way to ſerve you, let me beg you will continue your favours in commanding

Yours, R. L.
202

LETTER CX. To my Brother Mr. A. W.

SIR,

YOurs of the third of this Current was brought to my hands by your Brother, and now mine; a Gentleman ſo happily accom­pliſh'd with what is brave and ingenious, as I am juſtly proud of his acquaintance, and muſt there­fore render a juſt acknowledgement to you that gave it me. So you may ſafely believe there is nothing in me that ſwayes with ſo great a power as affection to my friends; and therefore my re­mote aboad ſpoyld the taſt of other recreati­ons, becauſe it made that almoſt ſpeechleſs. I hold my ſelf much advantag'd by the conſent you have given to let me know you, and will gladly ſtir any indeavours that may ſhew me the way to ſo much deſert: what you are pleaſed to ſay of your ſelf could not be excus'd, if your own modeſty were not the Criminal; and what­ſoever that forbids, I ſee there was no error in thoſe that ſpoke you, ſince one that has beſt reaſon to know you hath confirmed the Cha­racter. It will be none of my fault if I do not help you to entertain your Goſſips; but I dare not venture a poſitive promiſe, leſt ſomething that has more power over me then my ſelf ſhould infringe it; but let me intreat to be thought as thankful, as if I had already taſted all that your Courteſie intends me. Good Sir, ſpeak203 me deeply affectionate to my Siſter, ſay as much in my behalf to my Siſter F. and believe me

Perfectly yours in all that I can ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER CXI. To his Siſter C. L.

Dear Siſter,

I Have had too much proof of thy diſpoſition, to doubt its integrity, and I hope thou haſt known me too long to ſuſpect my affection: let us then in ſpite of all miſtakes mutually main­tain ſuch a plain-dealing love as may well reject the gay diſcredit of a Complement. But now though I find my head & hand too weak to cope with your ingenious Champion, yet leſt no re­ſiſtance ſhould render her victory inglorious, theſe few words in anſwer, that I perceive ſhe did not well underſtand, or at leaſt willingly miſ­conſtrued my meaning, the better to introduce her own ingenious reproofs; & firſt I perceive ſhe was pleas'd to underſtand ſome words (only mer­rily intended) in a ſerious ſenſe, the better to let me feel how ſharp the weapon of her wit is like to cut, when it has a juſt provocation. Secondly, I muſt take leave to ſay, I know not well what ſhe meanes by impoveriſhing Fortune of glitter­ing toyes, &c. however, I am reſolved to do her the ſervice, rather to impute the fault to the weak eye-ſight of my own underſtanding, than lay any erroneous miſtake to her charge. 204For the deſire which your own hand expreſt on the top, I am ſory my power is yet unable to promiſe any pregnant hope of its effect: onely this, you may confidently aſſure your ſelf, I ſhall providently improve all meanes and opportuni­ties that may give you a ſtrong belief of the moſt unfeigned affection of

Your truly loving Brother, R. L.

LETTER CXII. To his Brother Mr. A.L.

Loving Brother,

YOur laſt kind one met me at Nottingham, whither my Lords recovery, (if I may call it ſo, for I fear tis but an intermiſſion) hath re­turn'd us; where in ſpite of all my fair hopes, and eager wiſhes, we are like to reſettle. If this comes directly to your hands, (which becauſe of your intentions for H. I am jealous of) I pray let it ſpeak me as I have ſtill deſir'd to be underſtood, and will ever ſtretch the ſinews of Induſtry to continue the opinion. You tell me of two potent enemies you have to ſtruggle with, viz. Malice and Envy; indeed they are two of the moſt an­gry Waſps that Satan lets fly; but where they205 meet with integrity, (of which I know you are not unfurniſh'd) they may ſeem to ſting, but there riſes no bliſter; and thus their emiſſive ve­nome, like the foreſeen Baſiliske, (which for ought I know may be no more then an Em­blem of them) will fatally recoyl upon them­ſelves: for the cauſe of it, becauſe you think fit to binde it up in clouds, I will not ſtrive to un­wrap it; onely I ſhall love my own conjectures well, if event applauds them, that it portends you ſome conjugal preferment. I am ſory C. T. growes ſo laviſh of his reputation to go in dan­ger of a Warrant, becauſe he does things unwar­rantable: I pray God he does not buy wit ſo dear, that he will have nothing left to make any other purchaſe; if I knew how to direct my Let­ter I would write to him, but will forbear ad­vice, till I grow more able to give good Coun­ſel, or at leaſt he more willing to receive it. I could wiſh poor N. S. had manag'd his Merchan­diſe with more providence than to be ſhip­wreck'd in a Dungeon; and tis much to be fear'd, ſince he could boaſt of the ignominy: that the Sunſhine of his new fortune will but light him to ſuch another Farm, and ſo leave him in it: but I deſire my Augury may get no credit by the event; and indeed I ſhould be chary in unrip­ping others imperfections, till I have fewer to mend of mine own; no doubt they are de­form'd in others eyes, could they be ſo in mine,206 I were happy. I thank you for the hopes you give me of a Cure when I come over, which I believe will now be ſhortly, I am reſolv'd to conſult Dr. B. about it; but cuſtom has taught me to fear the worſt. I pray let me know how long you intend to ſtay in N. that when I come, I may certainly know where to find you; for if you be not there, I ſhall unwil­lingly go ſo farre out of my way as by B. H. being full as neer; but I talk too confidently for one that has not yet ask'd leave, and may perchance be denyed it. I am ſory your trouble has ſtill ſuch a ſpleen at your ſide; a ſolid con­ſtant vertue diſheartens malice, and diſarms en­vie, and could rivall your own gladneſs, if the gold you ſpake of, with a Matrimonial Plaiſter, could remove the Lead from thence; but I ap­plaud your reſolution of content, with what you have, and will endeavour to write after the Co­py. In the mean time, I cannot better requite your wiſhes, than by paying of you in your own Coin, which (if it be poſſible) is done with in­tereſt by

Your cordially affectionate Brother, paſsionately deſirous to ſerve yon, R. L.
207

LETTER CXIII. To Mr. W.

SIR,

I Received yours, and in it much more than was due, by way of acknowledgement, in re­ference to your Son. You are pleaſed to call that a Coutteſie, which was a debt, and indeed not payd at the full; for I muſt ever confeſs, that I owe much more to your preceding Civilities. I find your Sonne indued with all thoſe qualities that may frame him a fair fortune, and a high repute, both by natural and acquiſite parts, which are more than likely to render you a hap­py Father; his apprehenſion is clear and quick­ſighted, his memory ſtrong and retentive, his fancy dexterous and lively, and theſe auſpicious ſignes may well be conſtru'd into hopes of a well­built Judgement, which is the nobleſt faculty of man. I perceive his induſtry in his ſtudies is elaborate, and his obſervation alwayes ready to cull Honey from every Flower; in ſhort, I think he will no way deceive your expectation, unleſs it be in going beyond it. Sir, I deemed this ac­count due by obligation from, Sir,

Your faithful Friend and humble Servant, R. L.
208

LETTER CXIV. To Mr. C.

Sir,

GIve this Paper leave to preſent my acknow­ledgment of your laſt civilities at Tatſhal, & my reſolution of taking the hint to ſerve you from any opportunity that ſhall becken me to it. It has pleaſed God to viſit my Lord and Lady, one with a Feaver, the other with a Tertian Ague; but as yet neither expreſſes any violence, and therefore perſwades no fear of danger. The remembrance of your conditional promiſe to give them a Sermon next Sunday made me deem it fit to ſend you this notice, that you might preſerve your performance for a fit time; unleſs you will convert your intentions to the charity of a viſit. I ſhould be glad to hear Mrs. C. had ſhaken off her ſhaker. As my promiſe ty'd me, I have ſent her the Polonian Story, which perhaps may feather ſome tedious hours; when ſhe has done with that, C. is at her ſervice, or at leaſt ſhall be at a Weeks warning. I pray Sir ſpeak me much her ſervant, and conclude me

Yours as far as the wiſhes and power can reach of R. L.
209

LETTER CXV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

THe three Letters you mention I confeſſe I received; and if we had not ſtill been ſhift­ing places, like feathers in the wind, my ſilence would want excuſe, and in plain Engliſh be tran­ſlated ſloth; for I was forc'd to take an unwel­com Paradox from the hands of Neceſſity, for too much motion ſtayd my hand. Since we loſt the ſight of London, I have dated all my Letters not where I dwelt, but where I was; but now I hope we ſhall ſit ſtill and breath a while, ſo my dumb Pen will come to its ſpeech again.

I am deep in your debt for abundance of lo­ving expreſſions, and want words to tell you how tenderly I entertained them; the task is too big to let you ſee how dear you are to me: do me but the Courteſie to fancy an affection, pure, unbiaſſed, unreſerved, that ſcorns limits, loaths change, and is onely leſſe excellent than that which makes the Angels clap their wings, and you have a draught of mine; to deſcribe which in particular were to let an Ocean through a quill. I am ſory you are faſtned to Mr. B. with Goſſomere-tyings; but though thoſe Cob­webs were Cables, I believe you might find a210 more commodious harbour to let fall your An­chor in. If you think it fit, let your next a little more unmask your ingagements, and ſhew me how your inclinations ſtand, and whether you can draw off upon a ſudden warning. My friend on the other ſide the Sea has not yet accepted imployment, (this Age looks too much aſquint on true deſert,) he ſtill redoubles his kind ex­preſſions upon me, and ſo far as he is mine he ſhall be yours. I pray if you can learn, let your next tell me how his Norfolk-friends do; for he deſires to know. I am not yet likely to draw my neck out of the Collar; but when I do, I ſhall loath to invite yours intoit: without flatte­ry, your perſon and parts do deſerve better, and muſt have it. If this wretched malady did not ſtill haunt me, I ſhould not long trifle away my houres in a dull and barren ſervitude. I am now my own Phyſitian and Patient; from my own preſcription I have taken a Vomit, a Purge, a Collution, a Dentifrice, &c. if theſe fail, the hopes of a Cure will ſicken, and I ſhall onely comfort my ſelf in the calamities of a ſhort life with eternity. Sorrow and joy chaſtis'd one an­other in my breaſt, at the newes of my Siſter F's gentle miſery. I will not wrong your apprehen­ſions to give you the reaſons, I hope by this time ſhe is perfectly recovered, and will congra­tulate it ſhortly in a few lines to her. I pray pre­ſent me affectionately to my kind Siſter J. and211 tell her I was not maſter of ſo much time to write to her this opportunity; for I am forc'd to blot you out theſe words I ſend you in ex­ceeding haſt. Let me beg your furtherance in my Phyſical Studies: I would gladly intreat permiſ­ſion to tranſcribe your Book; but tis an unfit requeſt to venture it ſo long and dangerous a voyage: onely this let me crave, that in your next I may receive the Copies of three or four of your moſt vertuous diet-drinkes, eſpecially Dr. Butler's; and the receipt of your rare Balſom, with a little quantity of it, if you have any made. I am happy in my Friends welfare, proud of their love, and wiſh I had worth enough to make it appear they have not diſplaced their affection. I will make amends for my laſt long ebbe with a future overflow. Salute all that know me with becoming reſpects proportion'd to them; and now give me leave to cloſe all with ſuch words as I muſt make till death cloſe my eyes: I am

Your truly affectionate Brother to ſerve you till death, R. L.
212

LETTER CXVI. To Mr. J. E.

Sir,

I Am not wiſe enough to plot an excuſe to de­fend my ſilence from your cenſure, unleſs it be, that I made a conſcience to call you from your better imployments to loſe time upon my trifles; but ſince I thought better of it, I found it fitter to chuſe the leſs ſin of the two, and rather venture a reproof for importunity, then a mulct for ingratitude. Believe it Sir, I mean it no com­plement in profeſſing my ſelf much in your debt; but you alwayes rang'd your ſelf in that ſmall number of mankind that ſowe their favours with­out expectation of a crop, and place their de­light rather in planting courteſies, then gather­ing their fruits. I beſeech you Sir, mention me to my Couſin E. as I am a grateful reſenter of their laſt excellent entertainment, and a paſſio­nate deſirer to appear ſo, when either they or I can find a fit occaſion: let my ſhe-Couſin know that I did lately find means to ſerve her in the buſineſs we diſcours'd of, as will come a cure for the greateſt calamity either of body or mind. But our great ones are ſo overflown with this ſpring-tide of ſucceſſe, as they have not lei­ſure to minde the bubling of little Brooks. I213 would fain ſay ſomething elſe if I were ſure I could onely ſpeak to your apprehenſion, &c. M. W. kiſſes your hands with much reſpect, and deſires the liberty (ſince London will not afford any of the ſame) to make your books ſpeak En­gliſh before he returns them. I beſeech you Sir; preſent my baiſe mains to that incomparable Lady my Couſin E's. Lady, not forgetting the terreſtrial Cherubins, and take my word Sir, to you I will endeavour to be all that is requiſite in

A faithful friend and ſervant, R. L.

LETTER CXVII.

Deareſt Siſter,

THough ſilence be ſometimes a ſign, yet it is not a proof of forgetfulneſs; I am ſure in me it has ſignified no greater offence, then what a large abſence from London (in ſuch places whence it was almoſt an impoſſibility to convey a Letter to H.) has inforc't me to commit; and therefore if my affection has got a blemiſh in your thoughts, pray reſtore it to its former cre­dit and beauty, for really I have ever kept it fair in mine, and will alwayes take care to preſerve it ſo. There is ſo little change in my condition214 that refers to my preſent intereſt in this Family, as it is not worth my account; onely I live and that's all, for my allowance is ſo ſhort, that if my own induſtry did not draw in additions ſome other wayes, I ſhould find it a hard task to ſubſiſt. In requital of this, pray let your Pen tell me how, and to what degree, your ſelf injoyes your health and content; how my Couſin L. thrives in his ſtudies, and to what imployment and pro­feſſion his inclinations are bent with the greateſt ardour; and if I can find my ſelf in a capacity, either by advice or aſſiſtance (though I want them both my ſelf) to ſerve you or him in the choice of a Calling, procuring a Maſter, or ought elſe that may help me to expreſs how cordially I am yours, you need not ſcruple to command it from,

Dear Siſter,
Your own in all that a ſincere affection can promiſe and perform, R. L.
215

LETTER CXVIII. To his Brother Mr. F. W.

Sir,

To ſay nothing after the receit of ſo much kind­neſs can no way be excuſed but by the utter ſhipwreck of my memory; be pleaſed therefore to believe that I reſented your friendly entertain­ment as I ought, & do paſſionately wiſh I could re­quite it ſo; however accept the acknowledgment of it from a heart that means as much as the moſt puiſſant gratitude can act. I beſeech you Sir, ſpeak abundance of affection from me to my dear Siſter your bedfellow; tell her I do not ſuf­fer my ſelf to forget how much her indearings are aforehand with me, nor will ever conſent to ſlip any endeavours that may ſhow me the way to overtake them: tell her I ſhall earneſtly pray for a ſafe unlading of her fraight, and wiſh, if I may uſe Eraſmus his expreſſion, Ut non majori moleſtia elabatur, quam illapſum est. My Brother­traveller and I made it Saturday-night before we reach't London, as I doubt not but his incloſed ſpecifies; but if you find the date old, impoſe the fault upon me; for accidentally meeting Mr. T. and gaining his promiſe to deliver this, I was rather willing to truſt a ſafe though ſlow convenience, then a ſpeedy hazard. I pray pre­ſent216 me cordially to honeſt Mr. H. Mr. B. Mr. D. and their Wives. I ſhall onely adde this; be as happy as your hearts can wiſh, eſpecially in one another; and take my word, I ſhall alwayes be forward to prove my ſelf, Sir,

Your really affectionate Brother and ſervant, R. L.

LETTER CXIX.

Dear Brother,

I Am glad you have ſhak'd off your ſhaker, and begin to weare your health, which before you put on as people do new boots, for a triall how they will fit, and ſo put it off again; Pardon the courſe reſemblance, for to him I mean ſo well I ever thought I might ſpeak any thing: but I hope you are now recover'd with advantage, and are grown ſo ſecurely well by your conqueſt in this ſecond incounter, as your victory is ſignal, and will diſable your foe from reinforcing. In the mean time I muſt not forget to commend the aim of your pious reflexions at the right mark; all the joyes and griefs, pains and pleaſures, falls and riſings that ſtart from thoſe under cau­ſes we incounter here, ſhould all lay their heads in the lap of Providence, and he that does not teach his thoughts, deſires &c. the way to that217 centre, does but ſhelter a troup of dangerous ſtraglers, that may be more then ſuſpected to drag him the wrong way. Though I think the World was never worſe for true deſert to traf­fick in, yet I know you are ſo well furniſht with what few can diſlike, as I hope it will coſt you no tedious trial to get a prop, if not an improve­ment, for your Fortunes. The vacant place which I refuſed to fill up in my Lord of D. ſer­vice, I hear is re-ſuppli'd by the ſame man that left it, &c. If I were able to ſhew you future events like the Magicians glaſſe, and ſtrip all the high deſigns of their preſent diſguiſe, believe it you ſhould be admitted to the naked viſion; but wiſer men then I do but rove with uncertain gueſſes, and make good the Italian Proverb,

A Caſe troppo alte non ſi pigtia mira;
Tis hard to take a true aim at things too high.

Let me conjure you to be as exact and cir­cumſpect in I's behalf as is poſſible; I know you are moſt able to penetrate and ſcan the bu­ſineſs, have ſtudied the man, with his eſtate and diſpoſition, and can tell beſt how to ſift the conditions of his kindred, and diſcover how their propenſions ſtand in reference to the match; for believe it, this may paſs for a Ma­xime, She muſt never long think to preſerve her husbands affection that has onely his of all the kindred: yet pray do not conſtrue this my un­willingneſs to vote it, for what you deem fit218 ſhall never want my approbation. I pray de­liver my reſpects as they are due to all my friends you incounter in your progreſs; and tell my Nephew, if you ſee him, that he owes me a Letter. At your return tell me how my Uncle does, vertuous L. and my brother P's Family. I have no room to inlarge your trouble, onely this; not onely a good voyage to you, but all the requiſites that conduce to your perfect happineſs ſhall ever be compriſed in the wiſhes and prayers of,

Dear Brother,
Your own to love and ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER CXX. To

Sir,

IF I could grow ſtudious in the illiberal ſcience of ingratitude, the leſſon of forgetting your courteſies would poſe me, when every glance on my preſent condition muſt needs undo my en­deavours with the unreſiſtible thoughts of him that gave it being. But you have alwayes taſted more delight in performing courteſies, then in re­ceiving their acknowledgment; to which I have219 been ſo frequent a witneſs, that I have even fear'd to give you the full proportion of my gratitude, leſt it ſhould provoke your modeſty to under­ſtand it complement. What conſtruction it will make of theſe words I know not, but they are onely a rude draught of what I carry in the Centre of my breſt, an artleſs copy in black and white of what is there far better drawn in vermilion characters. But I do but unskilfully repeat what I hope you knew before. Time has not lent me experience enough in my preſent imployment to let you know whether I ſhall be able to ſatisfie the expectations of them that command me; but as far as I have yet read in my L's. diſpoſition, I have ſeen nothing that can diſcourage my indeavour of pleaſing. A few words will hold the news we have here, &c. and I ſhall conclude with what hath the ſame dura­tion with my life, that I am

Your affectionate ſervant, R. L.
220

LETTER CXXI. To Sir J. P.

SIR,

GIve theſe blots leave to mind you of a ſer­vant that does often recount to himſelf how much you have formerly oblig'd him; the remembrance of which compells me to tell you I muſt be ever yours; nor ſhall I ever con­ſent to be wavering enough to write them in a wave. If I had not laid out ſome wiſhes in vain, my Pen had wanted this task, and I had done my becoming reſpects in perſon; but ſo long as I bow to the commands of others, I am like thoſe that ſwim in ſtream non eunt fed foruntur; and like a Cock-boat muſt content my ſelf to ſtand ſtill while the Ship I am chain'd to is at an Anchor. Some failings in deſigns for prefer­ment have deluded my expectations, and de­tain'd me in the Lord C's ſervice; but I hope I ſhall not long repeat my ſteps in the ſame circle, where I content my ſelf to ſpend my time with as much ſtudious providence as I can Sir, if I did not often retreat into my own heart, and find how much it honours you, I would not thus im­portune you: but methinks I am told by the perfect integrity it payes you, that it becomes me to preſume you ſtill wiſh well to

Your faithful ſervant, R. L.
221

LETTER CXXII. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Dear Brother,

I Shall not offend truth to tell you that I thir­ſted for your Ink with all that ardor and im­patience which are uſually the troubleſome Companions of perfect amity, when ſhe is rent from her object by the double divorce of time and diſtance: and though few delights tickle ſo pleaſingly as thoſe that get credit by abſenting themſelves, and after an advantagious inter­miſſion return freſh and unhandled to the ſen­ſes; yet true friendſhip has a conſtant and equal guſt of delight, is never tyred nor cloyed with fruition; and indeed, if it can be rightly ſtated in its perfection here, may be called the elder Siſter of Angel-like happineſs, Love being one of the faireſt plumes that deck the Creſt of di­vine Beatitude. But enough. If my laſt told you I was well, I muſt give this Commiſſion to un­ſay it, &c. But I am bound to ſuffer all without repugnance or repining, ſince whenever the Di­vinity corrects with the greateſt ſeverity, we ought to take alarums from thoſe ſtripes, not only to give the onſet, but perſevere to the o­verthrow of all that ſtands in our way to eternal felicity. I am very glad to ſee ſo many repeated222 confirmations of my Siſter J's. happineſs in a Husband; in which my affection goes a large In­tereſt, and if my wiſh can get her a Leaſe of it for her life, ſhe ſhall not want it. I ſhould be fearful to ſay any thing to my Siſter F. though I were farre more able then I am to adviſe, be­cauſe I neither know the man, nor his diſpoſition, how qualified or inclined; but admit them all proportioned to her deſires, for my part I ſhould be hardly drawn to acknowledge it could much mend her condition, which, if I miſtake not, was very happy, if ſhe has but a true taſt to reliſh it: when I return to London, which will be about Michaelmas, I ſhall endeavour to do her deſires in reference to her Son; but am now upon the brink of our going into Lincolnſhire. I am ſo full of buſineſs as I am not maſter of an houres leiſure; and therefore if you find any non-ſenſe here, impute it to the conſtraint of my precipi­tation: we muſt ſet out upon Munday next. When you write, (which I deſire may be often) direct your Letters to Mr. G. the P. in Ivy-Lane, and by him they will be infallibly ſent me, and my anſwers returned; in which I promiſe to be conſtant and circumſpect. Well, dear Brother, I have now no time to ſay more; in my next I intend to be more ſpacious in the account of my own Condition, which in relation to thoſe I ſerve does grow Hectical, and unlikely to con­tinue; and verily, ſhould I ſtay much longer223 with them, the non-competency of their al­lowance would undo me: therefore I intend to look out for ſome other imployment at my next return to London. Dear Brother, pardon my abrupt Farewel, and call me your poſ­ſeſſion,

Your own, R. L.

LETTER CXXIII. To Mr. J. E.

SIR,

ON Munday laſt at once I received both your Letters, which like people of the ſame no­ble Parentage kept company; and I crave that their coming that day late to my hands may be called my excuſe for not returning an an­ſwer. This is a better opportunity to tell you, Sir, that your modeſty in expreſſing yours, and the Families worth, turns your artificial Pen into a Pencil, to which, if it were poſſible, your ſhadows would adde excellence. I muſt beg you would take a ruder draught of my heart, which is, that I truly honour you; and what wants in that of art, is made good in reality. I am ſtill an Ar­cher at Fortunes marks, and the other day nar­rowly miſt the white of preferment: the beſt of it is, I have many ſtrings to my Bow, and the224 Proverb ſayes, The blind man ſometimes hits a Crow; but, ad januam virtutis excubant labor & ſudor; and that's the hubbe I aim at, I muſt ever ſcorn to phyſick my weak eſtate with gil­ded venome. In the mean time, my breaſt leaves a ſwarm of well-wiſhes to you, and the Honey they gather is your happineſs. Sir, to you, if I could, I would not clip the wings of my hearty expreſſions with Complement, leſt, like the new-voted-down mony, they ſhould not paſſe for currant. I will ſtill weare the impreſſe your obliging goodneſs has ſtampt upon me, and when I prove falſe coin, let me be puniſht in not being received for, Sir,

Your moſt faithful Servant, R. L.

LETTER CXXIV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Deare Brother,

YOu have ſo over-done your acknowledge­ment of what a ſilent acceptance had more then requited, as I can do no leſſe then condemn you of a loving error. The eyes of Judgement are never dim'd with ſuch Catarrhes as when affection ſhapes the Object to their Opticks; and, like our dear ſins, hide their uglineſs in the225 maskarade of delight, profit, or whatever elſe is the fitteſt engine to undermine our frail­ty. If the trifle I ſent you had not been ſpoyled before, your expectation had done it to pur­poſe; and, like Eſops labouring Mountain, would have brought it to bed of a Mouſe. But I will trace this talk no farther, leſt too modeſt a flight from my friends approvement ſhould give ſuſpicion of an ambuſh to ſurpriſe more, and palpably ſeem to act an Angler, who often draws away the bait, that the Fiſh may follow it the more greedily. I am glad you wear out your Pencils ſo faſt to your own advantage, which, however you ſhadow, your deſerts cannot chuſe but add freſh beauties to your reputation. I for­got to mention your quere about my Lord W. in your Couſins Letter, who had buried it ſo long in his pocket before I received it, as it had put on the diſcoloured Livery of time, and pro­ved its Reſurrection, by wearing the duſt of its Grave about it. But to the purpoſe; that Lord is ſo farre from Collonizing, as himſelf is newly tranſplanted from the Barbados (where he was Governour) by the Parliament forces, and is now coming home againſt his will, to refix himſelf in his native ſoyl; and this is ſo gene­rally known, as a Diurnall of two moneths old will tell you the Story. Major W. is much your Servant; we ſeldom meet but we ſacrifice a glaſſe to your health; and if there be the thing226 Philoſophers call intelligence of ſpirits, you fare the better for it. By that time you have read mine through his Book will be with you, and come like the ſecond Courſe to a Dinner, which alwayes conſiſts of the moſt delicate fare. I ſend you this by my Mr. C's. man, who looks upon me as if he were ſcarce my Cater-couſin, for you know what; but in ſuch caſes I am partly good at careleſneſs. But I have ſaid too much, unleſs I could have ſaid it better; and tis high time to ſubſcribe my ſelf, Dear Brother,

Devoutly yours, R. L.

LETTER CXXV. To Mr. W.

Worthy Sir,

IN the forehead of your kind Letter I am charged with what I was never guilty of, viz. Scholarſhip; but ſhould be of too much ingrati­tude, ſhould I forbear to ſhew you how kindly I reliſh theſe obliging Civilities, the remem­bring of which I muſt not part with, till I utter­ly loſe the faculty it ſelf of remembring. Let me beg then that you will fancy me as I truly am, perfectly yours; and ſuffer me to tell you without ſuſpecting Complement, that tis no227 light groundleſs affection, but a clear experience of what I ſaw was deſerving made me love you; for I acknowledge much affection in your reſen­ting what you call my ſufferings; but it is my weakneſs if they be ſo; for believe it Sir, if the Peacock ſtirs any paſſion in me, it is laughter, which is the Daughter of contempt. I may find a time hereafter to ſhew ſome ſcorn to be ſo treated; but that muſt ſleep in my boſom till opportunity wakes it. In the mean time, I am more pleaſed that there are ſome which con­ceive me in love, then offended at the weak pride of others that contriv'd the comical indig­nity. Sir, I am ſory that I can do no more than acknowledge your favours, and bluſh that my de­feated expectations have continu'd you ſtill my Creditor; but at our meeting that ſcore will be wip'd off without fail, and if my wiſhes were not too weak, my actions, as well as words, ſhould ſtile me

Your faithfull Friend and Servant, R. L.
228

LETTER CXXVI. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

IT has not been the leaſt of my diſcontents, that I have been forced to let you want the content your laſt Letter mentions in the receipt of ſome of mine; but this let me intreat, that you will never ſuffer your conjecture to deal ſo unkindly with me, as to impute a literal inter­miſſion to a flaw in affection. If you knew how much my ſtrict imployment does inſtruct me to ſay for my ſelf, you would grant I need not con­feſs a neglect; and if you ſaw how well you are ſeated in my breaſt, your knowledge would ſup­preſs your doubts of my Integrity, and leave them no poſſibility of a new inſurrection. The 100. Epiſtles did not ſpeak all my heart meant you. It is only in viſible effects that my affecti­on will indure improvement, in my intentions it cannot; but as it can only that way appear to be more, ſo be confident it ſhall never find any way to be leſſe: but time is now too pretious with me, to inſtruct you further in what you know. I received a brace of loving Letters from my new Brother and his Bedfellow; their ex­preſſions, like themſelves, lay lovingly in a ſheet229 together, onely in this a little prepoſterous, that he lay undermoſt; indeed the man does offer friendſhip ſo handſomly, that I ſhould ſhew my ſelf ill ſeen in civility not to ac­cept it. I perceive (though you confeſs your ſelf ſubject to the Palſie) your judgement was not level'd at his deſert with an unſteady hand; the Character you have given him, with what he has ſpoke himſelf, hath help'd me to a longing to be known his Friend as well as his Brother: but this will ask time, and perhaps more merit then I am maſter of. I am glad you do not yet let go your hold where you are; and though the wide miſſe of ſome former aymes may diſcredit my judgement, yet he that has but a twilight of Reaſon may perceive the Cloud not farre off that is like to make us more foul weather; (and while the Tempeſt laſts) ſafe ſhelters are precious. If you knew how glad your Letters make me, and were leſſe guilty of that rare fault of undervaluing your own Commodities, you would ſee leſſe cauſe to confeſs the ex­change gainful: but (as truth ingages me) I muſt needs commend the beauty that breaks out into your literal expreſſions with a daily increaſe of luſtre. I find you have thriving thoughts, (and though in men it alwayes holds not) yet ſure in thoſe the height of the quality may be taken from the handſomneſs of the veſture: if you go on thus, your Pen will plant Rhetorical Flowers,230 as skilfully as your Pencil paints others; and this word Paint leads me to lay hold of half a promiſe which your laſt makes to ſend me the K's face in a Letter: let me firſt acknowledge ſome eager deſires of my own to poſſeſs it, and then inform you that I have a deſign to let ſome great ones ſee what you are able to do, and ſo make you known to them before they know you. I will ſhortly tell my Siſter F. how glad I am of her recovery: preſent me dearly to ho­neſt J. and I pray take ſome occaſion to let my Aunt H. know that I do paſſionately deſire ſo to ſerve her as may ſpeak her good opinion not miſplac'd. I am now about to ſtruggle har­deſt with my malady, but I am almoſt forbidden to hope a perfect Cure by a rational Phyſitian in theſe parts; but I hope I ſhall obtain ſo much power over my ſelf, as to reſign my wiſhes and will to his that is the Fountain of power. I ſnatch this time of writing this from ſome occa­ſions that would hardly permit it: therefore im­pute theſe blotted faults to that mother of ble­miſhes, call'd Haſte. Expect another better po­liſh'd at my neereſt opportunity, and ſuffer me abruptly to ſubſcribe my ſelf

Your perfectly affectionate Brother deſirous to ſerve you, R. L.
231

LETTER CXXVII. To his Couſin A. L.

Dear Couſin,

THough my ſilence ſince the receipt of yours may have done me ſome ill offices in your opinion, yet you may ſafely believe without incurring the danger of an error, that coldneſs of affection had no hand in the ſeeming ſloth of my Pen: the truth is, I had a double perſwa­ſion to ſtay my hand, as well to wait this occaſi­on of my Lady P. going down, that I might promiſe my ſelf ſome ſecurity of delivering mine into your hands, as returning an account of thoſe endeavours you hinted in yours, that re­fer'd to the removal of that unkind Law-quarrel betwixt your Siſter and Father in Law, by a me­diated peace: really, dear Couſin, I am ſory to find my ſelf in no capacity to experiment my affection to both the parties, by rendring my ſelf an inſtrument of ſo happy a Compremiſe and accord, nor is it want of will or wiſhes that I am not ſo; but after ſome attempts that way, I find your Siſter has ſo intirely reſigned that buſineſs to the conduct and management of a diſcreet perſon, that has now (as he tells her) driven it very neer a happy period, as ſhe can­not ſafely let fall, or ſuſpend her legal proſecu­tion,232 without running the danger of loſing ſo powerful an aſſiſtant; and therefore I could wiſh that you, and the reſt that cannot look upon her actions at this diſtance but through the Pro­ſpective of anothers report, would not uſe her too ſeverely in your thoughts, till the laſt ſcene be acted; for I am confident ſhe has ſo fair a ſtock of piety and diſcretion, as will take off the imputation of diſobedience to her good Mo­ther, and unkindneſs to your ſelf, and the reſt of her friends. But I have touched that ſtring too much, unleſs I were able to ſpeak to the pur­poſe with more ſatisfaction. I ſhould be glad to hear your reſolution ſtand firm of viſiting London this Eaſter-terme; yet I could wiſh your choyce would direct you to begin your Journey betimes in the Terme, becauſe I fear I ſhall be ſnatch'd out of Town before it be half elapſed. Since affection help'd you to reliſh the firſt ſo well, I have ſent you the ſecond part of Cleopa­tra, for which you will pay too much if you take the pains to read it; but, dear Couſin, accept it from him that will ever be ſtudious to ſtart bet­ter occaſions to appear what I am and ever will be,

Your moſt affectionate Uncle, R. L.
233

LETTER CXXVIII. To my Brother Mr. F. W.

Loving Brother,

IF I were not skill'd in the ingenuity of your nature, I ſhould fear your conſtruction of my ſilence; but you have done ſo much your ſelf in defence of that, as I hope I need not deſpair of pardon. I ſhall not poſe your belief, if I tell you that your laſt Letter, like Xenophon of his Cyrus, rather ſpake me as I ſhould be then as I am: and thus I am beholding to your goodneſs for difguiſing precepts in the ſhape of praiſes; from whence I may take as fair a warning as the Dunce did that was commended into ſcholar­ſhip; thus you have gently given me a copy to draw by, and I cannot erre in my choice, either in making your words or your ſelf my original. If you meant it not thus, your affection de­ceiv'd your judgment, and help'd it to paſſe by diſproportions and deformities, which it could never have overſeen, unleſs by looking with her opticks; and I am contented to diſlike my own want of worth, becauſe it cannot render your o­pinion juſtifiable. I wiſh I could as eaſily obey as I do gratefully reſent your kind ſummons to Holt: But we are ſhortly going to ſix neerer you in Lincolnſhire, and then it is not unlikely234 but I may find an occaſion to ſlip my collar for a day or two, for no man taſtes more happineſs in the injoyment of his friends, then, Sir,

Your really affectionate Brother and ſervant, R. L.

LETTER CXXIX. To his Siſter J.

My deareſt Siſter,

SUffer this to requite the ſweet expreſſions of thy laſt, with ſuch, as if they fall ſhort of an equal kindneſs, it is not the fault of the heart that means, but the head that indites them, and be confident thou art ſtill as dear unto me as thy wiſhes can fancy me; and (to ſpeak it better) as thy own language has made my ſelf to thee. I do pattern thy own reſentments in thy own behalf, that thou canſt not yet recover thy health; but Providence has made us parallels in afflicti­on as well as in affection, and I fear borrowed from the ſame unfortunate cauſe, &c. though the effect be different; for my malady ſtill haunts me like a Familiar, & ſpoils my familiari­ty with all the world beſide: if this Spring reſtores235 my health, as I am reſolved to ſtruggle hard for it, I ſhall ſoon let thee ſee that my longing to ſee thee, and my friends about thee, is as paſ­ſionate as thine, but I am loth to come till I bring my ſelf along with me; and though my affaires here be none of the weightieſt, yet, I thank thoſe that contrive them, they are urgent. I am not idle, though yet unſuccesful in thy be­half. In the mean time, freely injoy thine own, and let what thou haſt help thee to hug thy ſelf; and be ſure thou ſhalt be happy, if it lie in his power to make thee ſo, that is

Thine for ever, R. L.

LETTER CXXX.

Loving Brother,

WHile I was moſt happy in the converſe of the moſt ingenious and communicable ſpirits, I would have call'd your ſilence unkind, but now I ſojourn in a Land of ſtrangers, it can­not be call'd leſſe than uncharitable; for though I am very civilly uſed from the top to the toe of this numerous Family, yet in this throng I am forc'd to find out ſolitude, none here being made of better Clay than will render them fit236 inſtruments for Houſhold-affaires; and I confeſs I would be glad to overtake other qualities in him I faſten on with a ſtronger tye than the or­dinary ſlipping knots of faint acquaintance.

I remember in your laſt (ſince which you have had three from me) you deſir'd newes; then there was none ſtirring that deſerv'd your knowledge, and now we are gotten ſo farre out of Fames way, that (bating the Northern oc­currences) ſhe brings us nothing before it be ſtale with the reſt of the Kingdom. This ſtu­pendious Victory of C. againſt the perfi­dious Scots, has made our Town of Nottingham an intire Gaol. Indeed the delight I formerly took in writing newes to my Friends has loſt much of its former reputation with me; my moſt liquid diſcoveries, as I thought, of un­doubted truths have ſo oft been confued, that I would not have my Friends take it ill, if hence­forth I prevent the cenſure of a weak judge­ment, by forbearing to give them any more in­certain hopes and feares by ſuch relations. My ſimplicity ſuffer'd me a long time to be cheated with that general error that gulls the whole heard of vulgar underſtandings; I weighed ap­pearances in the common ballance, my Imagina­tion took the print of things from my outward ſenſes, and I judg'd the conſtitution of affaires by their falſe complexion: But at length, perceiving how wide I ſhot at events, and what amazing ef­fects237 ſtarted from unobſerv'd cauſes, I found not only my inconſiderable ſelf, but many that made a brighter ſhow, and a greater noiſe in the World with their quality and parts, had been catcht in the ſame nooze, and were ſtill liable to the ſame abuſe at laſt. I reſolved to try whe­ther I could learn to ſee without that Glaſſe that had ſo often falſifi'd the Object; at length, by the illuſtration of ſome clear Judgements, (whoſe acquaintance I won by inches) I arrived at this glimmering:

There is a certain ſort of active men, grown main actors upon one Stage, that onely appear in their perfect ſhape to one another, to the World a homely outſide hides an out-landiſh li­ning. Their Education has ſtor'd them with Principles of excellent Learning, a Taper they alwayes keep in a dark Lanthorn, and either ſhew or hide it, as the ſeaſon of opportunity, the nature of affaires, and the inclination of Perſons with whom they treat do either prompt or prohibit. They are the moſt exact Students of men, the nimbleſt divers into diſpoſitions, the happieſt in inſinuation, and the cunningeſt in compliance with all humours under Heaven. In fine, they appear to every inclination in the ſame ſhape the predominant humour delights in; and with a provident policy and dexterous con­trivance, not onely make the vertues, but even the vices of their active acquaintance ſervice­able238 to their main deſign: no doubt they were furniſht with better reaſons than you are like to have of me why they wav'd the Kings party, and adher'd to this; ſuch as the ſhort arms of my conjecture could fathom are theſe: Firſt, they knew a Parliament ſo univerſally deſir'd as this could not chuſe but be ſtrong in popular reputa­tion, eſpecially having indear'd it ſelf to them by that excellent beginning of removing unjuſt preſſures from the ſhoulders of the ſuffering ſub­ject, by finding out abuſes, and abuſers of the Government, and by promiſing that ſame coſt­ly word of Reformation both in Church and State. Secondly, They knew they could hope for no Harveſt of their endeavours, till they had ſown pleaſing and plauſible inſinuations in the eares of the inferior rank: the Royaliſts they knew were no fit Soyl to entertain this ſeed; they of the lower Region being incapable of, and repugnant to any apprehenſion that at firſt gaze did not appear a viſible aid to the cauſe that unſheath'd their Swords; beſides their too free and open hearts, their careleſs and (indeed) diſſolute carriage, rendered them unfit to be truſted with any notion that demanded ſilence; and on thoſe of eminent degree they had as little hope to faſten their deſigns, for beſides that they hated any thing that but ſmelt of their beſt bait Innovation, they wanted unanimi­ty, (the main Pillar that ſhould prop ſuch under­takings)239 for the ſtudy of advancing peculiar in­tereſt, feeding the inſatiate appetite of private ambition, indiſcreet competition for priority, quarrels, and hunting profit and pleaſure with too hot a ſent, were the ſad cauſes of that unfortunate parties undoing, and the reaſons why theſe ſubtile Engeneers found them unfit inſtruments to advantage their obſtruſe in­tentions. Thirdly, On the other ſide, they met with materials aptly diſpoſed to take that Impreſſe they thought fit cunningly to leave upon the ſoft wax of their tender conſciences; they were furniſh'd with ready Mathematicks, to take the height and latitude of theſe ſpirits, which were as fit to carry on their deſign, as a ge­neral diſcontent with the Government that was uppermoſt, a vehement deſire of Innovation, the repair of ruinous fortunes, and the loud fame of a glorious victory (inſcribed with Religion and liberty) could make them. Fourthly, They had the inexhauſtible Treaſure of the Kingdom at command, which they could renew at plea­ſure with the indiſpenſible edict of an Ordi­nance: with this unreſiſtible Engine they bat­tered their enemies fidelity, bargain'd for their ſtrong holds, and even bought thoſe victories that have coſt the World ſo much aſtoniſhment; nothing being ſo injurious to the Kings ſub­ſtantial rights as his own Pictures.

240

To diſplay the cunning theſe creatures uſed in ſpreading their nets, to give you a plat of the intricate and oblique Path they trod to their deſigns, with what outward vehemence they at firſt declaimed againſt what they really aimed at; how, like cunning Hawks at the firſt whiſt­ling off, they ſeemed to fly from the Game they intended to fly at; laſtly, what Religion they intend to uſher in by the toleration of tender Conſciences, why they lately crept into the ſhape and outward Profeſſion of Levellers, &c. I ſhould make a volume of a Letter; and what fol­lowes doth ask a more ingenious and judicious Pen to delineate.

I thought it not unfit to give you this rude draught of my obſervation and informations; you have here certainties and conjectures blended. I would not have ventured them abroad in this ruffled undreſt faſhion, but that I hope you will onely look upon them with the eye of affection, and ſo lay them by; however ſhew not their im­perfections to any critical or cenſorious eye, for it was hudled up in haſt, and wants the beauty of method and Language.

I am now about to give an eager onſet to the ſtudy of Phyſick, in which I conceive by this time you have more than a taſt: you cannot do me a more acceptable kindneſs than to vouch­ſafe your inſtructions, and impart your collecti­ons unto me; and I preſume you make no que­ſtion241 but that they will ſafely be returned, with the intereſt of true thanks from

Your truly affectionate, but now ſleepy Brother, R. L.

LETTER CXXXI. To

SIR,

IF reality needed an artificial dreſſe, I would ſtrive to put the acknowledgement of your laſt favour in the beſt attire I could cull from Rhetoricks Wardrobe: but the true affection of a Friend is not ſo light a Huſwife, to jet it in gawdy borrowed attire, ſuch as the times poli­titians ſtrive to cloath her Counterſeits with: I uſe no fiction when I ſay I love and honour you; no ſupple flattery, when in plain termes I thank you; and of both I hope you are ſo well aſſu­red, as I do but injure your goodneſs to repeat them. That I trouble you with theſe blots, par­don it; and be pleaſed to think, I had rather me­rit the guilt of importunity then neglect: had I thought my perſonal appearance could have been ſerviceable to you, I had gladly taken my Pen-imployment upon my ſelf. I am loth that any ſlighted opportunity ſhould accuſe me of242 neglect to him I owe ſo much to. I could purſue this ſubject with ſuch delight as, non ſic virgini­bus flores, non frugibus imbres; but I fear I have rang'd too farre, and my Pen hath already too well ſhown from what wing it derives its pedi­gree. I ſhall not therefore farther tempt your patience, but humbly ſubſcribe my ſelf, Sir,

Your moſt faithful Servant, R. L.

LETTER CXXXII.

Loving Brother,

I Muſt take my ſelf off with the old excuſe for my laſt weeks failing, viz. imployment; and preventions of this nature muſt be digeſted, ſince the weak brain of my eſtate will not ſuffer me to be my own man. I am ſory for the miſ­cariage of your Colours; if you deſire to have any more, let your next tell me ſo, and I ſhall take a ſecurer courſe for the conveyance. For theſe petty ſervices, I would not have you diſpa­rage our friendſhip ſo much as to name them: tis fit we ſhould reſign ſuch Ceremonies to thoſe cold-hearted Creatures that love to ſell their kindneſſes, and have a ballance to weigh before they deliver them. Nor let the flame of our amity be of an ethereal nature, alwayes true243 to an equality of heat and meaſure. Methinks the Poets ſhould have meant ſuch a fire as this for that which Promotheus ſtole from Heaven; and they that have vertue enough to ſtay it from evaporation may carry it thither again; while the other is kept alive with the courſe fuell of com­modity, and as that flowes or ebbs, ſo does it blaze or languiſh, till at laſt it ſwounds away in a ſocket. But I have talkt ſo much upon this ſubject, and ſo often, that I doubt my repeti­tions may purchaſe me the account of a Confi­der. And now to ſprinkle a little news; on Saturday laſt the fortunate and victorious Go­vernour of Ireland, invited with as much Rheto­rical importunity as the high opinion of his for­tune and valour, joyn'd with the ſuſpition of ap­pearing dangers could indite, was conducted in­to London with a ſpecious ſolemnity, and there had a loud welcome roar'd him by the comfort of Guns, Drums, and Voices; from the City he received a Preſent of about 2000 l. value, delivered with abundance of creeping thanks for his faithful gallantry. On Munday following, with a numerous train of creatures and admirers, he enter'd the Houſe of Commons, where the Speaker welcom'd him with a ſpeech that ten­der'd the thanks of the Houſe, imbroider'd with lofty Praiſes, a rehearſal of his moſt ſignal ſervices done both here and beyond the chan­nel, mingled with the relation of his Pedigree;244 whereto he added, how much his Diſcretion, Fi­delity, Religion, Policy and Fortitude, had in­nobled the ſleeping aſhes of his famous ance­ſtors; and clos'd with the cauſe of his invitation, told him that he had no ſooner nam'd what he had already done, but by the univerſal deſire of the Houſe he was to proffer him occaſion of im­proving his own merit with their gratitude; tel­ling him that he had received Letters from their Low-Countrey-Agent that aſſured him of the cer­tain agreement 'twixt the King of Scotland and his ſubjects; that there was nothing wanting but a wind to waft him thither, and in all probability being once ſeated there, he would not long ſit ſtil contented wth that Crown; and concluded wth the choice the Houſe had made of him to command their Army Northward: who return'd his high reſentment of their favours in a ſhort modeſt ſpeech, wherein he ſtrived to extenuate his ſervi­ces, and to expreſs his reſolutions to ſpend his deareſt bloud in the ſervice of his Countrey. This is all that time will grant me leave, but onely that I am, and ever muſt be, cordially,

Yours to love and ſerve you, R. L.
245

LETTER CXXXIII. To Mr. W.

SIR,

I Am well ſatisfied concerning your love, by your laſt miſſive, which withall brought me the acceptable account of your health and beſt proſperity. Whether this will find you out or no, is very uncertain; yet, to exerciſe my affection, and to quiet my heart, I took up a reſolution to write, though the Letter periſh in the midſt of the Alpes. That long intercourſe this way be­tween us hath begotten in me both fears and hopes; which yet are not liable to exception, be­cauſe they flow from that limpid ſpring which was never mudded with ſelf-intereſt. I priz'd you for your vertues, and that ſympathetical temper which I diſcerned in you, beyond which I had no eye; and yet I am ſecure in all my ap­plications. But what doth my friend in thoſe remoter Countreys thus long? why muſt Belgia and Italy have ſo much of you, and England ſo little? what curioſities do you ſearch for? what actions do you deſign? and what improvements do you attend? I will not believe you like him in the Poet, Securus quò pes ferat and that you do ex tempore vivere. I have heard that a wo­man hath been defin'd Ens Oviſmatum; but246 this is not applicable to a wiſe man, who paceth the World with judgment, and asks upon every remove Cui bono Not that I deſire to en­ter into your Cabinet at this diſtance, for I know you are arriv'd at that of the old Roman Cour­tier Gli penſieri stretti & il viſo ſuotto. You can Engliſh it better then I; notwithſtanding I wiſh my ſelf ſometimes better acquainted with the project, that I may ſerve you better. I am buffeted with the whiſpers of men, that Thames hath ſwallowed Tyber, and that my Engliſh friend is Roman all over. Will you credit me? this I deem a witty ſuggeſtion of an enemy, which I can anſwer without you; yet to raze this to the foundation, I call for your help. It cannot be that we ſhould vary here, when in thoſe higheſt concernments we have been always one Et quoad rem, & quoad modum; but enough of this. Your friends are yet alive both here and elſewhere; but the Orb of Learning has loſt of late ſtars of the firſt magnitude, Dr. Collins and Dr. Cumber; the former had his Apotheoſis a year ſince, the later is commemorated this day. Thus things and perſons die, but the Lord abideth for ever; to him let us direct our thoughts and ſervices, and by his revealed truth alone let us meaſure our beſt way to eternity which you pray that I may find. If I hear no more from you, yet know that you live in my heart and prayers, and that247 the varieties of Providence cannot alienate from you

Your own, R. L.

LETTER CXXXIV.

Dear Brother,

SInce you are pleas'd to call that your de­light, which with a ſafe conſcience you might have nam'd your trouble, I mean my te­dious lines; I will learn of affection to make it mine, by a continu'd ſupply of that weekly ſa­tisfaction. Since thus, though debarr'd of a perſonal interview, our nobler parts that evi­dence our immortality, meet, converſe, and ex­change the dear entertainment of mutual em­braces. I am beholding to your loving errour as well as the World's, for ſetting my toy at ſo high a rate: But now for the hard words you ſpeak of, I know they have made work for ſome of thoſe Cato's of Language this Age has hatcht, which came with a like intent to the peruſal of books, as Balaam did to view the Army of Iſ­rael, on purpoſe to give them ill language; and I would fain know of thoſe Cenſors, if prece­ding Ages, by a like deſign, had not providently inoculated ſome of the faireſt Cions of forraign248 fruits upon our Engliſh ſtock, whether our barbarous Tongue would ever have been com­prehenſive of ſuch rich and rational expreſſions, or grown up to that ſtrength and beauty it now poſſeſſes: nor does my judgment deal leſs ſe­verely then theirs with ſuch rumbling fuſtian words, big with nought but wind, that ſome af­fect; this were to humour Midas opinion, that preferr'd Pan's Pipe before Apollo's Harp, be­cauſe it made more noiſe. The word Raillery you return'd me for interpretation, ſignifies a kind of jeſting, ſcoffing diſſimulation, and is now grown here ſo common with the better ſort, as there are few of the meaner that are not able to conſtrue it; which makes me wonder by what miſchance it ſhould ſcape the knowledge of that living Library of Languages Mr. F. to whom I pray return my ſervice; but he muſt allow me the Liberty to think he knows too little of the French to rank it juſtly with the reſt of his Languages: but enough of that. And I now eagerly wiſh your propoſal were improv'd to a reſolution of ſeeing London next Term, ſince I am more then half aſſur'd we ſhall not turn our backs upon it till that be expired, and then whether we ſhall ſteer our courſe Weſt-ward or North-ward, is not yet concluded in the thoughts of thoſe that ſit at the helm. But I am ſorry I can­not wind you up to any forward expectation249 in what refers to my Lord R. for I daily per­ceive the fruits of my indeavours that way do rather wither then ripen; and I am glad you are ſtruck in with ſo friendly a man mender. If you have not taken an oath of ſecreſie, I ſhould gladly welcome the participation of thoſe rare Recipe's you ſpeak of. Major W. is overjoy'd at your promiſe to ſee London; he ſayes he hopes to deprecate your cenſure for neglecting to give you his thanks for your kind token (which he is very proud of) un­der his hand. I cannot yet learn by my in­quiry that my Lord W. has any ſuch deſign for a Plantation as you ſpeak of. But I have made no conſcience of your patience: Dear Brother farewell.

Your own intirely, ſincerely, religiouſly, R. L.
250

LETTER CXXXV. To Mr. W.

My deareſt Friend,

THis ſhould not have contracted an anſwer to two Letters, if the waiting a return of ſome others from Lincolnſhire had not retarded my hand; but I know not how to conſtrue their ſi­lence, and cannot tell whether I may call it ſloth or deſign; however, my hopes are yet big enough to make my judgement charitable, and till we ſee more ſo I would have yours. By this time you have found out the reaſon of my hopes to ſee you on this ſide the channel, and the event that defeated them; wherein you have liberty to deride my pur-blind judgement, that has ſo much adoe to ſee her, much more to ſee into the nature of ſuch affaires; I never could make ſo ſtrong a Party of Reaſon, as might keep out the invaſion of over-forward expectations: tis the hardeſt humane Leſſon to learn to judge aright; which granted, a light reflexion upon my weak capacity will ſoon get my Pardon, with a promiſe of endeavour to leave out my Errata's in the next Impreſſion. And now, my deareſt Friend, accept as many thanks, and as reall ones as ever came from a true heart, for jogging my drowſie ſoul with thoſe excellent Memento's of251 vertue and piety; it ſhowes your Friendſhip has choſen the beſt baſis, and you deſire to caſt mine in the ſame mold: well, my dear Friend, though the Scholar be very unapt, he loves his Maſter well, and eſpecially becauſe he gives ſuch Leſſons. I long for that ſame meeting you ſpeak of with more impatience than I can well juſtifie, ſince we muſt wait Providence with a totall reſignation, or elſe we cannot ſay that Fat, &c. Indeed I would fain knock off my bolts here, but would do it ſo that I might not after­wards repent it. I am ſtill here like a wild Beaſt in a Gaol, who though he walks up and down in it all the day, yet at night he is got no fur­ther than where he was ith' morning. I am glad with all my ſoul to find you the firſt propoſer of L's affaires: I ſee you are confirm'd; and could you read my heart at this diſtance, you would ſee I do not waver; but while here I muſt be in­ſlav'd, and at leaſt in exterior ſubjecting ſelfe to that ſame Video meliora proboque&c. I am as ſick of this World as ever poor paſſenger was of a ſtorm at Sea, and would bleſſe the hand that could ſet me aſhore, where I might learn to look upon the vanities of it in their full propor­tion, and ſo deſpiſe them. I have no cauſe to boaſt my health, and the leſſe, be­cauſe my diſpoſition comes in ſuch diſguiſe as poſes my ſelf and all the World beſide. I am ſory for the loſſe you dread ſo paſſionately; but252 whatever happens, ſay but that ſame Fiat volun­tas, &c. heartily, and all will be well again. I will never releaſe that promiſe you have made me, to let me hear from you whereever you go; for none has more intereſt in your happineſs or miſ­fortunes, than, my deareſt Friend,

Your own for ever R. L.

LETTER CXXXVI. To his Siſter F.

Deare Siſter,

THough ſince my Pen laſt ſaluted you there has not paſt a day wherein you have not found work for my memory, and been con­cern'd in my well-wiſhes, yet leſt you ſhould give ſilence the name of neglect (an error fa­miliar with tender affections.) I am content to think it buſineſs enough for a Letter to repeat what I have ſo often made the onely buſineſs of my Pen, and tell you that I truly love you: this from a ſtranger perhaps would ask more than a ſingle proof to be believed not Com­plement, but from a Brother that has ſo often ſhewed you his heart I know you cannot ſin ſo much as to doubt it; and let me ſay this, to the commendation of our honeſt-hearted Family,253 that though we are below others in the rich gifts of Fortune and Nature, yet for perfect inte­grity, unmixt with what they call politick ends, and ſincere ſpotleſs affection one to another, we are not exceld by any that ever yet my obſer­vation medled with; and ſince it traded with variety of humours and diſpoſitions, it has not been altogether pur-blind. If there needed ar­guments to keep this affectionate temper from a cold decay, I would ſtrain hard for ſuch as ſhould reſtore us the beauty of this lovely lo­ving inclination; but I know there is little want of ſuch reſtoratives in you, and I borrow a con­fidence from experience that bids me ſay as much for all the reſt: well then, let us ſtill che­riſh this mutual affection that makes our ſouls as neer akin as our bodies; for by loving one ano­ther, tis the way to purchaſe his favour who is Love it ſelf. If there were any alteration in my condition ſince you received my laſt Letter, I ſhould be ready to let you know it, as one that has no little Intereſt in me; but while I am here, my endeavors do but labour like a mil-horſe, ſtill repeating their ſteps in a circle, alwayes going round, but not a foot forward in the path of pre­ferment. I am now once more in a courſe of Phy­ſick for my malady, and in hope it will ſtruggle ſucceſsfully with it: but I am like to buy theſe deſires ſo dear, that to recover my health will ſicken my purſe; but of the two, tis a Diſeaſe254 leſſe grievous. I pray preſent my much affecti­onate ſervice to my excellent Aunt H. her good Mother, with the reſt of the Family: ſalute the reſt of my Friends with love or ſervice, as they are due; and to your ſelf, Dear Siſter, take the heart of

Your affectionate Brother R. L.

LETTER CXXXVII. To his Siſter J.

Dear Siſter,

I Have long forborn to write, out of an hopeful expectation to find thee ſuch newes as might claim a juſt welcom; but now I am forc'd to ſay, that my failing in thy behalf is added to the reſt of my own misfortunes. I ſuppoſe my Bro­ther acquainted thee with my hopes to prefer thee to the Lady A. W. a Lady in whoſe praiſe I will be ſilent, leſt I ſhould too much vex thee with the miſſe of ſo much happineſs; and it was a narrow miſſe, for I procur'd a Letter from my Lady to her in thy commendations ſo ſoon as I heard her Gentlewoman was to part from her; upon which the motion was enter­tain'd willingly, only (ſhe replyed) that ſhe had intreated her Aunt the Lady W. then at London,255 to procure her one there, but ſhe would im­mediately write her word that ſhe was provided; which ſhe had no ſooner done, but ſhe received newes that her Aunt had already agreed with a Gentlewoman, which was then coming down, and in honour could not be refuſed. Thus have my unfortunate endeavours born thee no other fruit than falſe hopes indeed; this failing does the more afflict me, becauſe I know the value of what is miſt; though we ſhould beſides have liv'd moſt of this Winter together in a houſe, a thing ſo paſſionately deſir'd of us both: but we muſt not repine too much at croſſe events, leſt in it we upbraid Providence; the younger Siſter does yet take none, but when ſhe does thou art ſure to have it. Mr. W. in whom I re­pos'd moſt hopes to effect thy deſires, is now out of the Kingdom; beſides, our reſiding in this barren Country will much diſable my in­duſtry in thy behalf. I ſhall conclude with ſuch advice as I believe thy diſcreet goodneſs does daily practiſe, be ſtill the ſame thou ever wert, of a ſweet vertuous winning carriage, ready to pleaſure all, loth to offend any, and thou wilt ingage even Incivility it ſelf to uſe thee civilly, and Inconſtancy to love thee conſtantly: keep ſtill the complexion of Lillies in thy innocence, and of Roſes in thy modeſty; for if once ſul­ly'd, the water is hardly purchas'd that will re­ſtore its whiteneſs: thy diſpoſition was alwayes256 intimate with vertue; endeavour daily to im­prove the amity, and truſt Heaven with the reſt, whoſe bleſſings, though they be long a coming, will richly pay thy patience: loſe not a grain of that pleaſant temper which makes thy com­pany ſo much courted; for there is nothing ſo happy here, as thoſe calm ſouls that can make unforc'd ſmiles ſhine through a harmleſs jollity. But thou art born to too rich a goodneſs to need the charity of my weak advice: but give me my Preſent back again, and I will take it kindly; and be ſure you love me truly, or elſe you will die much in the debt of

Your truly affectionate Brother, R. L.
257

LETTER CXXXVIII. To his Siſter K. L.

Dear Siſter,

HAd I met with any thing that might juſtly have deſerved thy aquaintance, my hand could not have been ſo ſlothful to withhold thee from that knowledge: but concerning my ſelf, though my endeavours have not proved al­together fruitleſs, yet I cannot ſay their ſuc­ceſs has anſwered my wiſhes; but be aſſured, if kind Providence favour my deſignes, I will own no good fortune but what you ſhall claim a ſhare in. I ſhall be ſuddenly called by my affaires to Yarmouth, and if I ſee you not before my return, it ſhall be the unkindneſs of my ur­gent occaſions, not my own neglect. To con­clude, if ever Fortune be diſpos'd to ſmile upon me, I ſhall not debarre my Friends of its reflexi­on, in the number of which thy active affection has deſerv'd a place in the former rank; and in that perſwaſion I remain

Thy constant affectionate Brother, R. L.
258

LETTER CXXXIX.

Dear Brother,

THough my preſent imployment be ſome­thing preſſing and importunate, yet it can­not diſſwade a reply to you with all the Argu­ments that Buſineſs caurge; for to hold my peace becauſe time will not allow my fancy el­bow-room, is to be confuted in Friendſhip, and non-pluſt in the proofs of affection. I confeſs I love a little to be pos'd in theſe Leſſons, to in­ure my Faculties as well to violent as gentle Ex­erciſe, and teach my Pen to run races as well as walk gravely. Promptitude in diſpatch, when it keeps a fit diſtance to precipitation, often com­mits a happy rape upon preferment, and takes Reputation by ſurprizal; while that ſerious ex­actneſs that weighes and poyſes every hair and grain, does but clamber to that which the other flies at; and I think the maxime is equally fitted to this and Fowling, the firſt aim is beſt. But I ſhould call back and unſay theſe words, becauſe I have haſtily ſhot ſo wide from the purpoſe; yet to you I dare draw my thoughts with bold ſtrokes. I thank you for your laſt incloſed, though my intentions of printing my Letters be defer'd till Trinity, if not till Michaelmas Terme, by the late interpoſition of ſome Com­mands that have ingaged my Quill, &c. Who­ever259 of my friends you incounter in your Jour­ney, pray give them my reſpects in a due pro­portion. You ſeem to hint ſome deſign of your own by the way that may prove advantagious; I ſhall be happy to hear it diſclos'd, becauſe by that time I ſuppoſe it will be ſuccesfully ef­fected; for I perceive you are maſter of that old prudential maxime, Neve to reveal a deſign, whileſt it is in a capacity of failing. I cannot chuſe but applaud your happy blending of the Chriſtian and Politician; which gives you a buck­ler of caution to defend your ſelf, but not a re­venging weapon to return blow for blow. If you ſee my Siſter F. before your return, preſent me to her with much affection. The Major ſends you his affectionate reſpects, and bids me mind you of a promiſe to ſend him ſome Pictures upon Muſcovy-glaſſes. I told you at firſt I was in haſt, but have confuted my ſelf by the tedious pro­greſs; but you know how to pardon all faults of this nature

To your intirely affectionate Brother to command, R. L.
260

LETTER CXL. To W. A. Eſq

SIR,

MY laſt did but pay the obligation of my word; ſo your million of thanks are ill layd out for what you might chalenge as yours: yet I love the reward, though no due, ſo dearly, as I ſhould imbrace the power with much indul­gence, and uſe it with as much Induſtry in your ſervice, that might help to deſerve them. It was aſſurance enough of my ſafety, that it had a harbor in all your well wiſhes; for which my ſtupid weakneſs cannot find a better preſent re­quital, than really to wiſh they may effectually recoyl upon your ſelves, in which you ſhall but reap the fruit your fair deſerts have planted, &c. I dare boldly affirm, you may promiſe your ſelf as much ſafety here, as in any part of the King­dom. In the mean time, if I may be inſtructed how to ſerve you here, be aſſured, I will find out a no mean delight in the imployment. I pray preſent my moſt humble ſervice to that gallant Family, thoſe fragrant buds of beauty in par­ticular, whoſe happy ſociety is armour of proof againſt melancholy, and adds wings to times feather'd off-ſpring: to each of which, I think it will prove no unwelcom Office to you, to re­duplicate261 the old token; but leſt my trifles ſhould prove the tryal of your patience, I will put a pe­riod to them; but never to my reſolution, to remain,

Yours, R. L.

LETTER CXLI.

My dear Brother,

I Can ſcarce credit it, that you have quitted Holt, (though the Poſt tells me ſo) ſince ſo many of mine diſpatcht to Berningham have not been able to rowſe you to an anſwer, yet I have alwayes found you ſo forward in repaying theſe literal debts at your day, as I begin to ſuſpect, that my two laſt which were ſent to wel­com you home, came to congratulate your reco­very, either periſh'd or loiter'd too long by the way, which has induc'd me to ſhoot this ſhaft after the reſt, and hazard the ſoleſciſme of a re­petition to tell you again, that I have celebrated your return to health, with as perfect a gladneſs as the deareſt and cleareſt amity ever yet brought forth. But now let me beg you will hold me no longer in a painful ſuſpenſe, nor de­fraud my longing to ſee your perfect recovery confirm'd by your own hand; for believe it, my wiſhes have deſerv'd that ſatisfaction, and262 indeed have layd out themſelves for your wel­fare, with a zeal ſo induſtrious, as if it had not onely been my Intereſt, but propriety, and mine own vitall thred been inſeparably twiſted with yours: for my ſelf, I can neither ſay I have bin ſickor very well, ſince I ſaw you, but rather in thatame mingled condition, compounded of health and ſickneſs; but a cuſtomary experience hath ſo familiariz'd me with that valetudinary temper, that a little patience ſerves to man the Works a­gainſt all thoſe faint Batteries. We are here in London, where I think we ſhall faſten for moſt part of this enſuing Summer. I ſtill tread the old Circle, without any viſible improvement or im­pairing, and would be glad to underſtand upon what legs your affaires walk in reference to your Intereſt at B. I am earneſtly provoked by ſome of my friends to print a volume of Letters, to which at laſt I have conſented, though not with­out much diſtruſt of the worlds approvement; however, I cannot loſe what I never had, I mean much reputation. I remember your Pen once told me, you had preſerved all ſuch frag­ments as fell from mine by way of Letters to your ſelf; I never prized them ſo high, as to re­ſerve their Copies, yet in this deſign I ſuppoſe they may do me ſome ſervice, though I intend not to print the fourth part of what is there ex­preſt. I pray do me the favour therefore with your moſt expedite convenience to ſeal them263 all up carefully, & direct them to me at one Mr. G's. in for that is now the Rendezvouz of my Letters, ſince my Landlords death in Holborn. Well, dear Brother, pardon this haſt that crowds forth my words in a miſhapen form, becauſe they could not ſtay for a mature conception, indeed much dreading Mr. A. ſhould be gone without my Letter; but I will requite your patience in my next, and now haſtily ſubſcribe, Dear Brother,

Your own cordially, R. L.

LETTER CXLII. To Mr. E. A.

Dear Ned,

TO ſpeak the full excuſe of my ſilence were to give you a liſt of my Countrey-adven­tures, and to deſcribe the chains of my leiſure link by link. But that there may be room enough for ſomething elſe, take it thus in contract; Our Family was ſcarce ſetled in the Countrey before it caught the head-ach, and began to grow dizzy by the ſickneſs of my Lord and Lady, who ſtill languiſh of this new Diſeaſe, that has almoſt ingroſſed all the buſineſs of Fate, and kills by Monopoly: if you ſaw what epide­mick havock it makes in theſe parts, you264 would think every Pariſh changed into a great Hoſpitall, and every perſon the Phyſitians fee­ſimple, either in poſſeſſion or reverſion; for my ſelf, I have been all this time in an Emble­matick battel, where ſome are ſtill dropping round about me, though my ſelf be yet ſhot­free: whether I ſhall paſſe the Pikes ſafely is be­yond the reach of my knowledge for Diſeaſes, eſpecially of this nature, give ſo little warning as the arrow is in us before we know the bow is bent; but among ſo many Patients at laſt, I have found leiſure to be the agent of my own affection, and an opportunity to tell you, that it ſhould be your fault, if our revived amity do ever relapſe into another Lethargy. And now dear N. how doſt thou? haſt thou yet unſheath'd thy Family of the Chamber? I would fain hear thou art crown'd King of Eliſium, and the ho­neſt ſouls of thy acquaintance like good ſub­jects, conglomerate to pay their homage, and drink allegiance. I could wiſh to die to this dull Country, that I might be enroll'd one of thy Gueſts of good Fellowſhip; for we have none but ſuch clods here in the ſhape of men, as by a forc'd imitation to hold up Converſe. I am in danger to go out of my wits for want of exer­ciſe, yet never incur the aſperſion of madneſs, but a weekly Dialogue which your Pen may prove a Soveraign preſervation againſt ſuch ſtu­pid contagion; but tis time to leave prating. 265Preſent me cordially to vertuous Mrs. A. kind­ly to Mr. N. and to your ſelf, take me intirely, Sir,

Your own, R. L.

LETTER CXLIII. To his Brother Major W.

Dear Brother,

IF like a ſlow paymaſter I have too often ad­journed the performance of my promiſe, call it not coldneſs of reſpect or affection, for of thoſe to you I can never be guilty; but if I do not give you a ſound reaſon for my ſilence, think it comes from a ſick head, & let that ſatisfie; for ever ſince I entred this dull and unwholſom Country, that daily puts on the morning waſcot of a fog, I have been ſuch an uſeleſs thing to my ſelf and others, as if I had left my ſoul behind me at London, and only liv'd at the charge of my ſenſitive faculty; and I have ſuffered ſuch an amphibious inter­thing betwixt health and ſickneſs, as it has pos'd me to chriſten it. I have had ſuch a languiſhing pain in the head, ever ſince my arrival, with ſuch a drowſineſs to boot, as if the Heavens had mingled poppy with their dew, and ſhed it upon this Climate; and I have ſlept like a Snake in winter to that exceſs, as nothing but a Lethargy which I half fear'd could out do it; but quantus quantus ſum, I am ſtill yours at the ſame height266 and vigour of affection, as when the double diſ­covery of your excellent qualities and inclinati­ons to love me, firſt finiſh'd the fabrick of our friendſhip, and took me in your toyles; and though there may be allow'd an Infancy, and a pubeſcency in friendſhip, yet when once it hath climb'd by degrees to the full ſtature, none but baſtard affections can grow old and ſhew their wrinkles, as the ſcars of time or accident, ſince that friendſhip that is not ever equall, uniform and conſtant, was never ſo; but you ſhall ever finde it invulnerable from him that will ceaſe to be himſelf, if not

Yours in ſervice and true friendſhip, R. L.

LETTER CXLIV. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

NOthing but impoſſibility could have forc'd me to intermit my weekly ſalute; for the laſt week we conſum'd at my Lord of Weſtmer­lands in Kent, where my Lady ſuffered her reſo­lutions of a ſhort ſtay to be overcome by the importunities of a gentile entertainment: my affection has as great a quarrel to the narrowneſs of my expreſſions as yours, and does even up­braid my Pen with the diſgraces that its ill gui­dance puts upon it; but tis well I am not able to267 draw it in its full dimenſions, leſt the abundance ſhould diſcredit the reality, and even poſe your belief into ſuſpition with the incredible quanti­ty. But upon better thoughts, I could be angry with my ſelf for ſuffering ſuch words to get looſe from my Pen, and could willingly puniſh them with a great blot, if I had time to write new ones; for I am confident you do match me too well with the ſame materials to doubt its purity, and we never wonder at any thing that we can pattern in our ſelves: your flint is a true Embleme of perfect friendſhip, which in the bo­ſom carries fire ready to ſtart forth at the ſum­mons of occaſion: how ſoon I would obey ſuch an alarum to ſerve you, I hope you will finde prov'd in my future endeavours; but I have not skill enough to add beauty to that which never had a blemiſh. My old Cough, with a great cold to boot, do conſtrain me at this time to be bad Company, which you may eaſily perceive by the languor of my ſtile: this Cough I find has lately fed upon my fleſh, & carried away enough from the poor ſtore I had to make me doubt a Conſumption; but whatſoever the hand of Heaven ſends me I ſhall endeavour to bid wel­come. I pray let us not fail in our intercourſe while we are ſo neer. My preſent indiſpoſition, with ſome haſt beſide, will let me ſay no more, but that I am and ever will be,

Your own to love and ſerve you, R. L.
268

LETTER CXLV. To Mr. J. G.

Houeſt Mr. J.

I Acknowledge the receipt of yours, with a Diurnal, Proverbs, and Tobacco, beſides many other preceding civilities and courteſies; which believe it have rendred me perfectly yours. You may ſafely take my word, this is really meant and will be as cordially confirm'd when any occaſion ſhall becken me to it. We are arrivd at our Countrey habitation, where, in a double ſenſe we may be ſaid to be out of the lines of communication: we dwell at large, and people it, as our forefathers colloniz'd the World in its Nonage; Melancholy, that they wanted partners in their vaſt poſſeſſions: and thus like the Children of Iſrael, we are come out of Egypt into the Wilderneſs, only we have the fleſh-pots ſtill, and therefore none of the Manna. This Countrey is ſo barren of good company, though fruitful of all things elſe, that even tir'd out with ſolitude I am forc'd ſome­times to make ſhift with the Parſon of the Pa­riſh, and he more then half a Presbyterian, you will ſay that's a hard caſe for one that has been us'd to Mr. G's company. But I confeſs theſe defects are not ill ſuppli'd by my dumb ſo­ciety. 269Beſides Books, we have good Horſes, handſome Walks, pleaſing Groves, which re­preſent variety of objects, and they Idaea's e­nough to make Fancy a good companion, and Thoughts my recreation. By the help of them I oft remove London into the Countrey, and in­joy the friends I left behind as well as fancy can preſent them, in the formoſt rank of which Mr. G. is plac't. Pray render me very kindly to Captain Wh. and tell him when I ſee the Major, I ſhall not forget to ſpeak his deſires. Mention me kindly to honeſt P. Mr. A. and the reſt that know me, and to your ſelf, take me as I muſt ever be

Your real friend, R. L.

LETTER CXLVI. To Major W.

Dear Brother,

I Shall not need ſtrain a ſinew in my invention to frame an excuſe for deluding your expecta­tions of me at Holt: for as if we had left Lon­don on purpoſe to come and take up diſeaſes in the Countrey, and Pandora had ſtaid the ſecond opening of her boxe till our coming: our Fami­ly270 has been ſo infeſted with that they call the New-diſeaſe, which like the Elements blended in the Chaos, is but an accumulation of all other maladies, as they have made me a Priſoner, though not yet a Patient, and diſabled me to point at the time when I may be in caſe to be as good as my word. This diſeaſe is of late grown more cruel then ordinary, and become the Meſſenger of Fate to many Perſons of qua­lity, amongſt which it has murder'd Mr. R. F. your old acquaintance, but I hope it will uſe my Lord and Lady more gently, who are both ſick of it at this preſent. And now my dear Brother, ſince I cannot ſee you, let me beg this ſatisfacti­on from your Pen, to let me know how your ſelf and the reſt of my friends enjoy your ſelves, and health, both in community and particular, how the air, company, and entertainment of Holt arrides your liking, and how much of the Win­ter you deſign upon that Climate; when and how long the Cardinal was with you, from whom I have not received a ſillable ſince our parting. Let yours give me the condition of my friends in reference to this Epidemick Malady, among whom pray diſtribute my affectionate reſpects. Speak me cordially to my Brother and Siſter W. Siſter F. &c. and to your ſelf promiſe all that is due to a perfect friend from, Dear Brother,

Eternally your own to diſpoſe of, R. L.
271

LETTER CXLVII.

SIR,

I Muſt not give you cauſe to ſuſpect I can for­get you by the neglect of ſo fair an oportuni­ty to kiſs your hands with a Letter; but I con­feſs I had rather (if there were no Remora) have taken my Pens employment upon my ſelf: how oft have I wiſht for a Mercurial Caducaeus to inſomniate the Argus-eyes of jealous peo­ple, that I might ſafely ſteal a viſit, & with it the enjoyment of your happy ſociety? till when I ſhall account my ſelf but a ſlave to that piece of liber­ty I now am Maſter of, ſince its narrow limits ſhut out a large ſhare of my highly-valued hap­pineſs. The malice of the times extends beyond the ſuſpenſation of eſtates, to the ſeparation of friends, yet they cannot be truly ſaid to be ab­ſent, whoſe free-born ſouls (not inſlav'd to the bodies reſtraint) can hold a mutual commerce and an intelligential converſe one with another; nor can I ſo much diſtruſt Providence, as to ſu­ſpect this corporal ſequeſtration can prove an ut­ter privation. My deceiving fancy ſometimes in a ſlumber ſtrives to make me believe I am at L. yet in the dream it ſelf I ſuſpect it is but a dream. I could wiſh, methinks, that Plato's year were no fiction, ſo the revolution might be ſpee­dy, and we again happily reviſe and live in the Sunſhine of our former Halcion dayes, Sed jam deſerunt ut omnia Mortalium aſſolent.

272

I cannot dart my thoughts ſo eagerly upon other things as to loſe a reſtraining power of calling them home to the memory of my friends, and they are beſt imploy'd in abſence when they help to draw themſelves in white and black. I am not of that Philoſophers opinion who affirm'd Silena could not hurt, for too much is a diſeaſe in love, and helps to intomb friendſhip in the dark Grove of Oblivion, when the dumb Language of a Pen can, like the Phae­nix, remove it from its own aſhes, and keep it ſtrong and healthful, &c.

By the World thoſe are accounted the onely Cowards, which dare not do that which is ill; which concludes no ſuch ſoleciſm in policy, as the intire friendſhip twixt tongue and heart. Ho­neſty is grown ridiculous, Integrity ſcofft at, and amity it ſelf never found ſo few friends. Thoſe intentions are contemptibly thought mean, and ſhallow; with whoſe vertuous rectitude, Mean­drous falſhood is inconſiſtent; the Worlds erro­neous Eſtimation has married Vertue to Cauti­on, Juſtice to Self-injury, Religion to a Scarcrow, Honeſty to Self-deceit, Faith to Folly, for the execution of particular ends, Vice filtches Ver­tues apparel, though her want of skill in wearing them often diſcovers her impoſturous deformi­ties, whil'ſt thus Reaſons eye is put out, or at leaſt blinded; the ſouls mortality forgotten, and the Almighty rejected, and eternity diſreſpect­ed,273 this Pigmy ſtatur'd life, is the onely Idol we wickedly adore, the oblations to which are the many horrid Acheloon ſhapes, our ſerpentine wills and actions are transformed to ſtill, to re­ſerve and encreaſe our Cornucopia, what long-breath'd flatteries perfum'd with fictious Rheto­rick, we ventilate the warmth of great mens favours, in the Sunſhine of whoſe ſmiles we play like flies, buzzing forth our own ſhames and ver­tues injuries.

R. L.

LETTER CXLVIII. To Mr. W.

My dearest Friend,

I Lately received your laſt of the ſixteenth of November, for though our Letters glide nim­bly when they are once aboard, yet they do but crawl by land, and contrary to natural violent motions, do make leaſt haſte when they are neereſt their journeys end, and I have nothing to ſay to your overprizing my barren indeavours in your behalf, and undervaling your own, but onely to entreat you to call to your own know­ledge for the true definition of perfect amity, and that will tell you I am the indebted perſon, and the occaſions you have given me to ſerve. 274You have inſtructed me to ſet ſo many ſteps to­ward my own happineſs. But now, my dear friend, I would I could find it fit to leave the reſt out, and if I had not cauſe to love you for diſcretion as well as goodneſs, I confeſs I ſhould leave you to know this accident from ſome o­ther Quill; but I know you are skilful in all the dictates of wiſdom, and can ballance mortal accidents without oppreſſing the ſcale with too much paſſion: this gives me more confidence to tell you I received a late Letter from my Bro­ther, whom I engaged to ſend me an account of your friends, which tells me that your father fell ſick upon the ſixteenth of September of a Flux, and left the World the tenth of October; and now I conjure you by all thoſe clear proofs of your prudent temper, and (to ſpeak ſome­thing for my own ends as well as yours) by my intereſt in you, to preſerve us both from the in­juries of an over-ſad reſentment: you have all the reaſon that I can urge, and much more, why you ſhould not abandon your ſelf to an immode­rate ſorrow, and therefore I will throw no more drops into your Ocean, only this, do not chew the Pill that will work better if you ſwallow it, &c. Your Siſter ſeem'd much to bewail your ab­ſence at ſuch a time, and deſir'd my Brother, who preſents his affectionate ſervice to you, to uſe ſome means to let you know this, and entreat you would entertain no prejudicial conceit of275 her ſelf or her Husband. Let me intreat you to anſwer this as ſoon as you can, and tell me what I may do further to ſerve you: if you love your ſelf and me, let not ſadneſs ſhrink your ſpirits, but let us reſerve our ſelves for that ſame happy meeting you ſpeak of. I confeſs I do more than ſuſpect a Conſumption, and if that be deſigned to fetch me from this World, I think I ſhall go without reluctancy; for I have already received enough of the Divine hand to make me admire his bounty: but I have fair hopes of a recovery. Well, my dear Friend, you know how to be hap­py in ſpite of this World; and that you would be ſo, is the earneſt intreaty of

Yours Eternally, R. L.
276

LETTER CXLIX. To his Brother Mr. A. L.

Loving Brother,

I Think Providence has given a larger Com­miſſion to Fortune than formerly; for I confeſs I was nipt with the ſame Paſſion you complain of, viz. the unkindneſs of Oblivion: now I ſee 'twas caus'd by the ſtragling of our Letters; mine were ſent by W. out of Lincoln­ſhire, and becauſe they promiſed a faithful care in their deliverance, I thought it a better way for expedition, than to ſend them about by London; but it ſeemes Haſte brought forth her blind child Error. Yours, after my expectations had loſt many longings (as if they had ſtayed for one anothers company) came almoſt all together; and that's my Landlords fault, for which I ſhall ſchool him: but we have as little cauſe to lay the injuries of Chance to one anothers charge, as to quarrel with a River, becauſe ſome adven­titious Dam forbids the freedom of its courſe. If there be a poſſibility to raiſe ſuch pure and un­mixt deſires from our ſouls, as will not be dawb'd with the clay they are confin'd to, I have ſuch to ask and claim your Friendſhip; and thus in ſpite of all our Leaden frailty, we may take a taſte of Heaven, and reliſh the joyes we cry up277 with ſuch impotent expreſſions in that one word perfect amity. I do now begin to be ſo unweildy to my ſelf, and I doubt ſo troubleſom to others, (though they expreſs not ſo much) that I bor­row reaſons from my Capitall infirmities, to excuſe thoſe you may account the Diſeaſe of my mind, &c. But if this trouble be deſign'd to fetch me from this World, I think I ſhall go without reluctancy. I am ſtill here (in relation to my dependency) like an unskilful Paſſenger at Sea, that knowes not how long to promiſe himſelf a calm, nor when to expect a ſtorm. If I may vant to have pleas'd in any thing, 'tis my fidelity, which amounts to no more than You have done as becomes you. I am glad I was not born to ſtand at the Sterne of an ample fortune, (to favour my ſelf the beſt I can) I ſhould have abus'd the Divine bounty, and perhaps im­ploy'd it chiefly in paying dearer for my ſins than I have done. I have receiv'd enough to make me admire the goodneſs of him that gave it me; and indeed, did not his grace help me to contrary thoughts, 'twere enough to make me an unequal Arbiter of mine own imperfections: to act ſuch conceptions as theſe, is a buſineſs to which we ſhould ſacrifice no cold endeavours, & we live to no purpoſe, unleſs in this life we learn to bid it adieu handſomly. Doing well is the only requiſite mark of mans Induſtry; and he that aimes at any other miſtakes that for a278 white which is but a ſpot: there are ſo many examples of ſuch as angle here for happineſs (and ſometimes with ruine to boot) as methinks to obſerve, ſhould be enough to take heed how ma­ny mount Fortunes ladder, and break the ſtaves as they go up, ſo as they have no way to come down but by a Precipice; many ſhoot wide, and perhaps hit moſt happineſs by miſſing what they fancied for it. I could mention more miſtakers: but to cloſe it, there is no man ſtudies the other life better than he that ſtudies this enough to deſpiſe it. It is not my deſire to be underſtood skilful in this Science; for I am bound to con­feſſe my ſelf ſubject to moſt wicked reluctati­ons; and there paſſe few houres that are not witneſſes not only to ſtumblings, but groſſe falls from my beſt reſolutions: but I want your pardon. I thank you for the account of my Friends, which I deſire you would renew, as you are hinted by any extraordinary accidents. I have this day wrote the ſad newes to Mr. W. but I confeſs left out ſome of the Circumſtan­ces, leſt he ſhould chew the bitter Pill too much that he ought to ſwallow. I have preſen­ted you to him, as you ordered and mentioned your endeavours for his ſatisfaction. I have been ſo often call'd away while I was writing this, as 'tis no wonder if my words ſit not handſomly upon my meaning, when I am forc'd to make ſo many ſeames. I pray preſent me to thoſe279 friends that oblige me with remembrance in a grateful garb; and believe it, for 'tis truth it ſelf, you are firſt in the ſoul of

Your affectionate and moſt deſirous Brother to ſerve you, R. L.

LETTER CL. To Mr. W.

Dear Friend,

YOur laſt I received, which by the date I per­ceive has halted by the way like ſome of his Predeceſſors: but it had not half done its meſ­ſage to my eyes, before I confeſt an ample amends for the loitering; and if there be a word that may ſpeak more then welcome, con­ceive it uttered, for indeed it is meant. I ſee you have made uſe of that which has made you alwayes happy, to ſuſtain the ſhock of what might have ſtagger'd a reſolution leſs fortified with prudence; and I wiſh my power were as great as my deſire, to copy that and the reſt: ſo long as you compound and apply theſe ſoveraign medicines of piety and diſcretion, 'tis impoſſible your better part ſhould grow ſickly, &c. I in­clos'd the Note to your Siſter in a Letter to my Brother, and oblig'd him to be very careful in280 ſending it, and to ſhew her the way to return you an anſwer of it to my hands. If no weigh­ty impediment intervenes, I intend to viſit my Eaſtern friends about the beginning of April; therefore I pray prepare your commands. And now, my dear friend, I find my health tender'd by your with ſuch an over-flowing of affection, as it hath taught me to wiſh it with the more ar­dour, becauſe I may poſſible incounter with oc­caſions that may render me able to ſhew how highly I reliſh ſuch an indearing kindneſs. But pardon me, tis more then I can do, when I write to you, not to be guilty of too many words, ſo loth I am to come to an end; but my comfort is, you know me for what I am,

Yours to perpetuity, R. L.
FINIS.

Courteous Reader, Theſe Books following, with others, are printed for Nath. Brook, and are to be ſold at his Shop at the Angel in Cornhill.

Excellent Tracts in Divinity, Controverſies, Sermons, Devotions.
  • THe Catholick Hiſtory collected and gathered out of Scri­pture, Councils, and Ancient Fathers, in Anſwer to Dr. Van 's Loſt Sheep returned home: by Edward Cheſen­ſale Eſquire, Octavo.
  • 2. Biſhop Morton on the Sacrament, in Folio.
  • 3. The Grand Sacriledge of the Church of Rome, in taking away the ſacred Cup from the Laity at the Lords Table, by D Featly, D. D. Quarto.
  • 4. The Quakers Cauſe at ſecond hearing, being a full anſwer to their Tenets.
  • 5. Re-aſſertion of Grace: Vindiciae Evangelii, or the Vindi­cation of the Goſpel: a reply to Mr. Anhony Burgheſs Vindiciae Lgis, and to Mr. Ruthford, by Robert Town.
  • 6. Anabaptiſts anatomized and ſilenced: or a Diſpute with Mr. Tombs, by Mr. J. Grag; where all may receive clear ſatis­faction in that Controverſie. The beſt extant, Octavo.
  • 7. The Zealous Magiſtrate; a Sermon by T. Threſcot, Quarto.
  • 8. Britannia Rediviva. A Sermon before the Judges, Aug. 1648. by J. Shaw Miniſter of Hull.
  • 9. The Princeſs Royal, in a Sermon before the Judges, March 24. by J. Shaw.
  • 10. Judgment ſet, and Books opened, Religion tried whether it be of God or Man, in ſeveral Sermons; by J. Webſter, Quarto.
  • 11. Iſraels Redemption, or, the Prophetical Hiſtory of our Saviours Kingdom on Earth; by R. Matton.
  • 12. The Cauſe and Cure of Ignorance, Error, and Profane­neſs; or, a more hopeful way to Grace and Salvation; by R. Young. Octavo.
  • 13. A Bridle for the Times, tending to ſtill the murmuring, to ſettle the wavering, to ſtay the wandering, and to ſtrengthen the fainting: by J. Brinſly of Yarmouth.
  • 14. The ſum of Practical Divinity: or, the grounds of Re­ligion in a Catechiſtical way, by Mr. Chriſtopher Love late Mini­ſter of the Goſpel, an uſeful piece.
  • 15. Heaven and Earth ſhaken; a Treatiſe ſhewing how Kings and Princes, their Governments are turned and changed, by J. Davis Miniſter in Dover, admirably uſeful, and ſeriouſly to be conſidered in theſe times.
  • 16. The Treaſure of the Soul; wherein we are taught, by dying to ſin, to attain to the perfect love of God.
  • 17. A Treatiſe of Contention, fit for theſe ſad and trouble­ſome times, by J. Hall Biſhop of Norwich
  • 18. Select thoughts; or, Choice helps for a pious ſpirit, be­holding the excellency of her Lord Jeſus: by J. Hall. Biſhop of Norwich.
  • 19. The Holy Order, or Fraternity of Mourners in Zion; to which is added, Songs in the night, or cheerfulneſs under affli­ctions: by J. Hall Biſhop of Nerwich.
  • 20. The Celeſtial Lamp, enlightening every diſtreſſed Soul from the depth of everlaſting darkneſs: by T. Fetiſplace.
Admirable, and Learned Treatiſes of Occult Sciences in Philoſophy, Magick, Aſtrology, Geomancy, Chymi­ſtry, Phyſiognomy, and Chiromancy.
  • 21. Magick and Aſtrology vindicated by H. Warren.
  • 22. Lux veritatis, Judicial Aſtrology vindicated, and Demo­nology confuted; by W. Remſey, Gent.
  • 23. Cornelius Agrippa his Fourth Book of Occult Philoſophy, or Geomancy; Magical Elements of Peter de Abona, the na­ture of ſpirits: made Engliſh by R. Turner.
  • 24. Paracelſus Occult Philoſophy, of the myſteries of Nature, and his ſecret Alchimy.
  • 25. An Aſtrological Diſcourſe with Mathematical Demon­ſtrations; proving the influence of the Planets, and fixed Stars upon Elementary Bodies: by Sir Chriſt Heyden Knight.
  • 26. All Mr. Lillies Aſtrological Treatiſes collected into one Volume.
  • 27. Cataſtrophe Magnatum: an Ephemerides for the Year 1652. by N. Culpeper.
  • 28. Teratologia; or, a Diſcovery of Gods Wonders, manife­ſted by bloody Rain, and Waters; by J. S.
  • 29. Chyromancy; or the At of divining by the Lines en­graven in the hand of Man by Dame Nature, in 198. Geni­tures; with a Learned Diſcourſe of the Soul of the World: by G. Wharton, Eſquire.
  • 30. The Admired Piece of Phyſiognomy, and Chiromancy, Metopoſcopy, the Symmetrical Proportions, and Signal Moles of the Body, the Interpretation of Dreams; to which is added the Art of Memory, illuſtrated with Figures: by R. Sanders, in Folio.
  • 31. The no leſs exquiſite then admirable Work, Theatrum Chymicum Britannicum; containing ſeveral Poetical Pieces of our Engliſh Philoſophers, who have written the Hermetick Myſteries in their own ancient Language; faithfully collected into one Volume, with Annotations thereon: by the indefati­gable induſtry of Elias Aſhmole Eſq illuſtrated with Fi­gures.
Excellent Treatiſes in the Mathematicks, Geometry, of Arithmetick, Surveying, and other Arts, or Mechanicks.
  • 32. The incomparable Treatiſe of Tactometria, ſeu Tetagmeno­metria; Or Geometry of Regulars, practically propoſed, after a new and moſt expeditious manner, together with the Natural or Vulgar, by way of Menſural Compariſon, and in the Solids, not onely in reſpect of Magnitude or Dimenſion, but alſo of Gravity or Ponderoſity, according to any Metal aſſign­ed: together with uſeful experiments of Meaſures and Weights, obſervations on Gauging, uſeful for thoſe that are practiſed in the Art Metricall; by T. Wybard.
  • 33. Tectonicon, ſhewing the exact meaſuring of all manner of Land, Squares, Timber, Stone, Steeples, Pillars, Globes; as alſo the making and uſe of the Carpenters Rule, &c. fit to be known by all Surveyers, Land-meters, Joyners, Carpenters, and Maſons: by L. Diggs.
  • 34. The unparallel'd Work for eaſe and expedition, intituled, The exact Surveyor: or, the whole Art of Surveying of Land, ſhewing how to plot all manner of Grounds, whether ſmall Incloſures, Champian, Plain, Wood-lands or Mountains, by the Plain Table; as alſo how to finde the Area, or Content of any Land, to Protect, Reduce or Divide the ſame, as alſo to take the Plot or Cart, to make a Map of any Mannor, whether according to Rathburne, or any other Eminent Surveyors Me­thod; a book excellently uſeful for thoſe that ſell, purchaſe, or are otherwiſe employed about Buildings; by J. Eyre.
  • 35. The golden Treatiſe of Arithmetick, Natural and Ar­tificial, or Decimals; the Theory and Practice united in Sym­pathetical Proportions betwixt Lines and Numbers, in their Quantities and Qualities, as in reſpect of Form, Figure, Magni­tude, and Affection; demonſtrated by Geometry, illuſtrated by Calculations, and confirmed with variety of Examples in every Species; made compendious and eaſie for Merchants, Citizens, Sea-men. Accomptants, &c. by Th. Wilsford Corre­ctor of the laſt Edition of Record.
  • 36. Semigraphy, or the Art of Short-writing, as it hath been proved by many hundreds in the City of London, and other places, by them practiſed and acknowledged to be the eaſieſt, exacteſt, and ſwifteſt method; the meaneſt capacity by the help of this Book, with a few hours practice, may attain to a perfe­ction in this Art; by J. Rich Author and Teacher thereof, dwelling in Swithins Lane, in London.
  • 37. Milk for Children; a plain and eaſie Method teaching to read and write, uſeful for Schools and Families, by J. Tho­mas, D. D.
  • 38. The Painting of the Ancients; the Hiſtory of the be­ginning, progreſs, and conſummating of the practice of that no­ble Art of Painting, by F. Junius.
Excellent and approved Treatiſes in Phyſick, Chyrur­gery, and other more familiar Experiments in Cookery, Preſerving, &c.
  • 39. Culpeper's Semiatica Uranica, his Aſtrological judgment of Diſeaſes from the decumbiture of the ſick, much enlarged: the way and manner of finding out the cauſe, change, and end of the diſeaſe; alſo whether the ſick be likely to live or die, and the time when Recovery or Death is to be expected, according to the judgment of Hippocrates and Hermes Triſme­giſtus; to which is added Mr. Culpepers cenſure of Urines.
  • 40. Culpeper's laſt Legacy, left to his Wife for the publick good, being the choiceſt and moſt profitable of thoſe ſecrets in Phyſick and Chyrurgery, which whileſt he lived, were lockt up in his breaſt, and reſolved never to he publiſhed till after his death.
  • 41. The York-ſhire Spaw: or, the vertue and uſe of that water in curing of deſperate diſeaſes, with directions and rules neceſſary to be conſidered by all that repair thi­ther.
  • 42. The Art of Simpling: an Introduction to the know­ledge of gathering of Plants, wherein the definitions, di­viſions, places, deſcriptions, differences, names, vertues, times of gathering, temperatures of them are compendiouſly diſcour­ſed of: alſo a diſcovery of the Leſſer World, by W. Coles.
  • 43. Adam in Eden, or Natures Paradiſe: the Hiſtory of Plants, Herbs, and Flowers, with their ſeveral original names, the Places where they grow, their deſcriptions and kindes, their times of flouriſhing and decreaſing; as alſo their ſeveral ſi­gnatures, anatomical appropriations, and particular phyſical vertues; with neceſſary Obſervations on the Seaſons of plant­ing and gathering of our Engliſh Plants. A Work admira­ble uſeful for Apothecaries, Chyrurgions, and other Ingenuous perſons, who may in this Herbal finde comprized all the En­gliſh Phyſical Simples, that Gerards or Parkinſon, in their two voluminous Herbals have diſcourſed of, even ſo, as to be on e­mergent occaſions their own Phyſicians, the ingredients being to be had in their own fields and gardens; Publiſhed for the general good, by W. Coles, M. D.
  • 44. The Queens Cloſet opened: incomparable Secrets in Phyſick, Chyrurgery, Preſerving, Candying, and Cookery; as they were preſented to the Queen by the moſt experienced perſons of our times; many whereof were honoured with her own practice.
Elegant Treatiſes in Humanity, Hiſtory, Romances, and Poetry.
  • 45. Times Treaſury, or Academy, for the accompliſhment of the Engliſh Gentry in Arguments of Diſcourſe, Habit, Faſhi­on, Behaviour, &c. all ſummed up in Characters of Honour, by R Brathwait Eſquire.
  • 46. Oedipus, or the Reſolver of the ſecrets of Love, and other natural Problems, by way of Queſtion and Anſwer.
  • 47. The Tears of the Indians: the Hiſtory of the bloody and moſt cruel proceedings of the Spaniards in the Iſlands of Hispaniola, Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and other places of the Weſt-Indies; in which to the life are diſcovered the tyran­nies of the Spaniards, as alſo the juſtneſs of our War ſo ſuc­ceſsfully managed againſt them.
  • 48. The Illuſtrious Shepherdeſs. The Imperious Brother: written originally in Spaniſh by that incomparable wit, Don John Perez de Montalbans; tranſlated at the requeſts of the Marchioneſs of Dorcheſter, and the Counteſs of Stafford, by E. P.
  • 49. The Hiſtory of the Golden Aſs, as alſo the Loves of Cupid and his Miſtreſs Pſyche: by L. Apulius, tranſlated into Engliſh.
  • 50. The Unfortunate Mother: a Tragedy by T. N.
  • 51. The Rebellion: a Tragedy by T. Rawlins.
  • 52. The Tragedy of Meſſalina the inſatiate Roman Empreſs: by N. Richards.
  • 53. The floating Iſland: a Trage-Comedy, acted before the King by the Students of Chriſts-Church in Oxon; by that re­nowned Wit, W. Strode; the ſongs were ſet by Mr. H. Lawes.
  • 54. Harvey's Divine Poems, the Hiſtory of Balaam, of Jonah, and of St. John the Evangeliſt.
  • 55. Fons Lachrymarum, or, a Fountain of tears; the Lamen­tations of the Prophet Jeremiah in Verſe, with an Elegy on Sir Charles Lucas: by J. Quarles.
  • 56. Nocturnal Lucubrations, with other witty Epigrams and Epitaphs; by R. Chamberlain.
Poetical, with ſeveral other accurately ingenious Treatiſes, lately Printed.
  • 57. Wits Interpreter, the Engliſh Parnaſſus: or a ſure Guide to thoſe admirable Accompliſhment: that compleat the Engliſh Gentry in the moſt acceptable Qualifications of Diſ­courſe or Writing. An Art of Logick, accurate Complements, Fancies, Devices, and Experiments, Poems, Poetical Fictions, and Al a mode Letters: by J. C.
  • 58. Wit and Drollery; with other Jovial Poems: by Sir J.M. M.L. M.S. W.D.
  • 59. Sportive Wit, the Muſes Merriment; a new Spring of Drollery: Jovial Fancies, &c.
  • 60. The Admirable ingenious Satyr againſt Hypocrites.
  • 61. The Conveyancer of Light, or the Compleat Clerk, and Scriveners Guide; being an exact draught of all Preſidents and Aſſurances now in uſe, as they were penned, and perfe­cted by divers Learned Judges, Eminent Lawyers, and great Conveyancers, both Ancient and Modern: whereunto is added a Concordance from King Richard the 3. to this preſent.
  • 62. Themis Aurea, The Laws of the Fraternity of the Roſie Croſs; in which, the occult Secrets of their Philoſophical No­tions are brought to light: written by Count Mayerus, and now Engliſhd, by T. H.
  • 63. The Iron Rod put into the Lord Protectors hand; a Prophetical Treatiſe.
  • 64. Medicina Magica tamen Phyſica; Magical but Natural Phyſick: containing the general Cures of Infirmities and Diſ­eaſes belonging to the Bodies of Men, as alſo to other animals and domeſtick Creatures, by way of Tranſplantation: with a Deſcription of the moſt excellent Cordial out of Gold: by Sam. Boulton of Salop.
  • 65. J. Tradiſcan's Rarities, publiſht by himſelf.
  • 66. The proceedings of the High Court of Juſtice againſt the late King Charles, with his Speech upon the Scaffold, and other proceedings, Jan. 30. 1648.
  • 67. The perfect Cook: a right Method in the Art of Cooke­ry, whether for Paſtry, or all other manner of Al a mode Kick­ſhaws; with the moſt refined wayes of dreſſing fleſh, fowl, or making of the moſt poinant Sawces, whether after the French, or Engliſh manner, with fifty five wayes of dreſſing of Eggs, by M. M.
  • 68. The Expert Doctors Diſpenſatory: the whole Art of Phyſick reſtored to practice: the Apothecaries Shop, and Chy­rurgions Cloſet opened; with a Survey, as alſo a correction of moſt Diſpenſatories now extant: with a Judicious Cenſure of their defects, and a ſupply of what they are deficient in: toge­ther with a learned account of the vertues and quantities, and uſes of Simples and Compounds: with the Symptomes of Diſ­eaſes: as alſo preſcriptions for their ſeveral cures: by that re­nowned P. Morellus, Phyſician to the King of France.
  • 69. Cabinet of Jewels, Mans Miſery, Gods Mercy, Chriſts Treaſury, &c. in eight excellent Sermons: with an Appendix of the nature of Tythes under the Goſpel: with the expediency of Marriage in publique Aſſemblies, by J. Crag. Miniſter of the Goſpel.
  • 70. Natures Secrets: or the admirable and wonderful Hiſto­ry of the generation of Meteors; deſcribing the Temperatures of the Elements, the heights, magnitudes, and influences of Stars, the cauſes of Comets, Earthquakes, Deluges, Epidemical Diſeaſes, and Prodigies of precedent times: with preſages of the weather, and deſcriptions of the weather-glaſſe: by T. Wilsford.
  • 71. The Myſteries of Love and Eloquence; or the Arts of Wooing & Complementing; as they are managed in the Spring-Garden, Hide-Park, the New Exchange, and other eminent pla­ces: A work, in which are drawn to the life the Deportments of the moſt accompliſht Perſons: the Mode of their Courtly entertainments, Treatment of their Ladies at Balls, their accu­ſtomed Sports, Drolls and Fancies, the Witchcraſts of their perſwaſive Language, in their Approaches, or other more Se­cret Diſpatches, &c. by E. P.
  • 72. Hemont diſguiſed: or, the vulgar errours of emperical and unskilful Practicers of Phyſick confuted: more eſpecially as they concern the Cures of Feavers, the Stone, the Plague, and ſome other Diſeaſes, by way of Dialogue, in which the chief rarities of Phyſick are admirably diſcourſed of, by J. T.
Books very lately Printed, and in the Preſs now Printing.
  • 1. THe Scales of Commerce and Trade: by T. Wilsford.
  • 2. Geometry demonſtrated by Lines and Numbers: from thence, Aſtronomy, Coſmography, and Navigation proved and delineated by the Doctrine of Plain and Spherical Triangles, by T. Wilsford.
  • 3. The Engliſh Annals, from the Invaſion made by Julius Caeſar to theſe times, by T. Wilsford.
  • 4. The Fool transformed: A Comedy.
  • 5. The Hiſtory of Lewis the eleventh King of France: a Trage-Comedy.
  • 6. The Chaſte woman againſt her will; a Comedy.
  • 7. The Tooth-drawer, a Comedy.
  • 8. Honour in the end, a Comedy.
  • 9. Tell-tale, a Comedy.
  • 10. The Hiſtory of Don Quixot, or the Knight of the ill-fa­voured face; a Comedy.
  • 11. The fair Spaniſh Captive, a Trage-Comedy.
  • 12. Sir Kenelm Digby, and other perſons of Honour, their rare and incomparable ſecrets of Phyſick, Chyrurgery, Cookery, Pte­ſerving, Conſerving, Candying, diſtilling of Waters, extraction of Oyls, compounding of the coſtlieſt Perfumes, with other ad­mirable Inventions and ſelect Experiments, as they offered themſelves to their Obſervations: whether here, or in forreign Countries.
  • 13. The Saints Tomb-ſtone: or, the Remains of the bleſ­ſed. A plain Narrative of ſome remarkable Paſſages, in the holy Life, and happy Death of Mrs. Dorothy Shaw, Wife of Mr. John Shaw, Preacher of the Goſpel at Kingston upon Hull, col­lected by her deareſt Friends, eſpecially for her ſorrowful Hus­band, and ſix Daughters conſolation and imitation.
  • 14. The ſo long expected Work, the New World of Engliſh Words, or, a general Dictionary, containing the Terms, Etymolo­gies, Definitions, and perfect Interpretations of the proper ſig­nification of hard Engliſh words throughout the Arts and Scien­ces, Liberal, or Mechanick; as alſo other ſubjects that are uſe­ful, or appertain to the Language of our Nation: to which is added the ſignification of Proper Names, Mythology, and Poe­tical Fictions, Hiſtorical Relations, Geographical Deſcriptions of the Countries and Cities of the World: eſpecially of theſe three Nations, wherein their chiefeſt Antiquities, Battels, and other moſt me morable Paſſages are mentioned: by E. P.
  • 15. A learned Commentary on Pſalm the fifteenth, by that Reverend and Eminent Divine Mr. Chriſtopher Cartwright, Mi­niſter of the Goſpel in York: to which is prefixed a brief ac­count to the Authors life, and of his Work, by R. Bolton.
  • 16. The way to Bliſs, in three Books, being a learned Trea­tiſe of the Philoſophers Stone, made publick by Elias Aſhmole Eſquire.
  • 17. Wit reſtored in ſeveral Select Poems, not formerly pub­liſht, by Sir John Mennis, Mr. Smith and others.
  • 18. The Modern Aſſurancer, the Clerks Directory, contain­ing the Practick Part of the Law, in the exact Forms and Draughrs of all manner of Preſidents for Bargains and Sales, Grants, Feoffments, Bonds, Bills, Conditions, Covenants, Join­tures, Indentures, &c. And all other Inſtruments and Aſſuran­ces now in uſe, by John Hern.
  • 19. Naps upon Parnaſſus. A ſleepy Muſe nipt and pincht, though not awakened. Such voluntary and Jovial Copies of Verſes as were lately received from ſome of the WITS of the Univerſities, in a Frolick: dedicated to Gondibert's Miſtreſs, by Captain Jones and others, &c.
  • 20. The compleat Midwife's Practice, in the high and weigh­ty Concernments of Mankinde: the ſecond Edition corrected and enlarged, with a full Supply of ſuch moſt uſeful and admi­rable Secrets which Mr. Nicholas Culpepper in his brief Treatiſe, and other Engliſh Writers in the Art of Midwifry, have hi­therto wilfully paſſed by, kept cloſe to themſelves, or wholly o­mitted: by T. Chamberlain, M. P.
  • 21. America Painted to the Life, the Hiſtory of the Conqueſt, and firſt Original undertakings of the advancement of the Plantations in thoſe Parts: with an exquiſite Map, by F. Gor­ges, Eſquire.
  • 22. Culpeper's School of Phyſick, or the Experimental Practice of the whole Art; ſo reduced, either into Aphoriſmes, or choice and tried Receipts, that the free-born Students of the three Kingdoms, may in this Method, finde perfect wayes for the operation of ſuch Medicines, ſo aſtrologically and Phyſically preſcribed, as that they may themſelves be competent Judges of the Cures of their Patients, by N. C.
  • 23. Blagrave's admirable Ephemerides for the Year 1659.
  • 24. Hiſtory and Policy Reviewed in the Heroick tranſactions of his moſt Serene Highneſs, Oliver late Lord Protector, de­claring his ſteps to Princely Perfection, drawn in lively Paral­lels to the Aſcents of the great Patriarch Moſes to the height of 30 degrees of Honor, by H. D. Eſquire.
  • 25. J. Cleaveland Revived: Poems, Orations, Epiſtles, and o­ther of his Genuine Incomparable Pieces never before pub­liſhed.
  • 26. England's Worthies, Select Lives of the moſt eminent Perſons of the three Nations from Conſtantine the Great, to theſe times; by W. Winſtanly.
  • 27. Loveday's Letters Domeſtick and Forrein, to ſeveral Per­ſons occaſionally diſtributed in Subjects Hiſtorical, Political, and Philoſophical: by Robert Loveday, the late admired Tranſlator of the three firſt parts of the Renowned Romance Cleopatra.
  • 28. The Hiſtory of the Life and Death of his moſt Serene Highneſs, Oliver, late Lord Protector. Wherein, from his Cra­dle to his Tomb, are impartially tranſmitted to Poſterity, the moſt weighty Tranſactions, forreign or Domeſtique, that have happened in his Time, either in Matters of Law, Proceedings in Parliaments, or others Affairs in Church or State, by S. Car­rington.
  • 29. The right Lozenges publickly ſold by Edmund Buckworth in St. Katherines Court, for Coughs and Conſumption of the Lungs, &c. are to be had at Nath. Brook's and John Griſmond's in Ivy-lane, and at no other place.
FINIS.

About this transcription

TextLoveday's letters domestick and forrein. To several persons, occasionally distributed in subjects philosophicall, historicall & morall, / by R. Loveday Gent. the late translator of the three first parts of Cleopatra.
AuthorLoveday, Robert, fl. 1655..
Extent Approx. 411 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 153 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images.
Edition1659
SeriesEarly English books online.
Additional notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A88605)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 115124)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Thomason Tracts ; 223:E1784[1])

About the source text

Bibliographic informationLoveday's letters domestick and forrein. To several persons, occasionally distributed in subjects philosophicall, historicall & morall, / by R. Loveday Gent. the late translator of the three first parts of Cleopatra. Loveday, Robert, fl. 1655., Loveday, Anthony.. [16], 280, [10] p. : port. (metal cut) Printed by J.G. for Nath. Brook, at the Angel in Corn-hill,London, :1659.. (Editor's dedication signed: Antho. Loveday.) (Annotation on Thomason copy: "Aprill".) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)
Languageeng
Classification
  • Loveday, Robert, fl. 1655 -- Correspondence.

Editorial statement

About the encoding

Created by converting TCP files to TEI P5 using tcp2tei.xsl, TEI @ Oxford.

Editorial principles

EEBO-TCP is a partnership between the Universities of Michigan and Oxford and the publisher ProQuest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by ProQuest via their Early English Books Online (EEBO) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). The general aim of EEBO-TCP is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic English-language title published between 1473 and 1700 available in EEBO.

EEBO-TCP aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the Text Encoding Initiative (http://www.tei-c.org).

The EEBO-TCP project was divided into two phases. The 25,363 texts created during Phase 1 of the project have been released into the public domain as of 1 January 2015. Anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source.

Users should be aware of the process of creating the TCP texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data.

Text selection was based on the New Cambridge Bibliography of English Literature (NCBEL). If an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in NCBEL, then their works are eligible for inclusion. Selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. In general, first editions of a works in English were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably Latin and Welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so.

Image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. Quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in Oxford and Michigan. 5% (or 5 pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet QA standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. After proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of 100 instances per text. Any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. Understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of TCP data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. Users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a TCP editor.

The texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level 4 of the TEI in Libraries guidelines.

Copies of the texts have been issued variously as SGML (TCP schema; ASCII text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable XML (TCP schema; characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless XML (TEI P5, characters represented either as UTF-8 Unicode or TEI g elements).

Keying and markup guidelines are available at the Text Creation Partnership web site.

Publication information

Publisher
  • Text Creation Partnership,
ImprintAnn Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-04 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2).
Identifiers
  • DLPS A88605
  • STC Wing L3225
  • STC Thomason E1784_1
  • STC ESTC R202761
  • EEBO-CITATION 99862944
  • PROQUEST 99862944
  • VID 115124
Availability

This keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the Early English Books Online Text Creation Partnership. Searching, reading, printing, or downloading EEBO-TCP texts is reserved for the authorized users of these project partner institutions. Permission must be granted for subsequent distribution, in print or electronically, of this EEBO-TCP Phase II text, in whole or in part.