ACcording to your Excellencies com­mand, I have been of purpose at Leyden, and there delivered your Present in­to the hands of the Rector Magni­ficus (as we call him) of the University, who some days after hath made a so­lemn exhibition of it to the Lords Curators, in a pub­lique meeting of the whole Academical Senate, and, in their name, hath sent me the Letter here enclosed; by which I hope the faithful discharge of my Am­bassage shall be testified, and give your Excellency [Page 2] occasion of further Employment to bestow upon the unworthy person,

OBtulit Bibliothecae publicae Zulichemi Dominus Divinum ingenii vestri foetûm qui sive prosà sive Carmine omnem admirationem excedit. Princeps ingenii, Princeps terrarum, Princeps foeminini sexus me­rito diceris. Abripitur foecunda tua erudito, per coelos, ter­ras, maria, & quicquid in natura, vel civili vita, ullove Scientiarum genere, nobile occurrit. Ipsa Pallas Acade­miae nostrae praeses Tibi assurgit, gratiásque immensas provestro munere agit, & cum Imaginem vestram aspicit, se ipsam veluti in speculo intueri videtur. Vale

ALter ferè mensis est, quòd votis omnibus expetitum munus Epistolas tuas accepimus: neque tamen intereà temporis ab officio cessavimus, sed vel in honore Nuncupationis nos jactavimus, vel obstupuimus in admiratione Operis, in quo multa tam acutè, tam aptè, tam elegantèr exponis, ne nec Venus, aut Lepor aliquid addant. Scilicèt hoc demùm animi, hoc consilii, hoc ingenii tui, hoc ejus est spei, quam annos aliquot jam sustines amplifican­dae Philosophiae. Nam cave Te quaesumus, ne Canta­brigiae quenquam esse credas tam infacetum, & à Gra­tiis alienum, quem non mirificè delectent Literarum ista­rum amoenitates; Propterea, (quae felicissimè recludis) arcana Naturae non aliter atque secretiores Sacro­rum ritus, & ceremonias Ʋniversi inspicimus, laudamus, amplectimur, & inter legendum etiam per paginas dispen­samus oscula, sed ea quae soli Philosophi dare, & acci­pere Vestales ipsae nequaquàm erubescerent. Nondùm (quod scimus) Annalibus excidêre, neque certè per nos unquam excident erudita nomina, Aspasia Periclis, Ode­nati Zenobia, Polla Lucani, Boethii Rusticiana; quae tamen, si reviviscerent hodiè, adeò tecum (Inclyta Dux) de eruditionis palmâ non contenderent, at famae tuae potiùs ancillantes, solam Margaretam, consummatissimam Prin­cipem & agnoscerent, & positogenu certatim adorarent. Illae namque pluvias tantùm hic illie aquas collegêre: Tu perenni gurgite passim exundas: Illis interdùm adspira­vêre Musae, quae suam in Te potestatem omnem osten­dêre: Illae denique partitae sunt doctrinam: Tu studio­rum omne genus versu, & prosâ non modò tetigisti, ve­rum etiam tractâsti: nec alios tandèm indagationi tuae fi­nes proposuisti, quàm quos ipsa rerum Natura admittit; quamobrèm, etsi (velut Aquila in nubibus) quicquid ve­naris, [Page 4] capis, nusquam tamen major nobis, aut illustrior vi­dêre, quàm in nuperis istis Sapientiae commissionibus et­enim invidendâ planè dexteritate vel Tirones semitam ingressos reducis in viam; vel nitedulas è senticetis suis extrahis; vel hostes veritatis destringis & defricas, He­roina monstris ex orbe Scientiarum averruncandis genita. Perge (Dux invictissima) & (quo incoepisti successu) in hâc immortalitatis Palaestrâ Te (si placet) diutiùs exerce; Nos quidem ut antea semper, ita nunc quo­que tanto tibi studio ubique favemus, ut majori non pos­simus.

WE have lately with extraordinary joy re­ceived the two testimonies of Your great mind and favor towards us, namely your Epistles and Poems, with which your Grace hath been pleased to honor us, both which we em­brace with the same mind with which we do all Sub­lime and Excellent things, which so long as there is any Curtesy among men, do bring Fame to their Au­thors. In your Poesy we praise that Life and native Verdure, every way consistent with it self, Castalian like, it stands not still, nor boils over, but with a gen­tle Stream doth touch our Ears, and slide into our minds. In your Philosophy we praise that lightsome and piercing accuteness, nothing constrained, nothing obscure; you render all things clear and genuine, in­deed [Page 5] nature truly natural: So difficult to men is nature and truth. Alas how do they vex and pur­sue her fleeing from them; others suppose her to be swallowed in Whirlepools, (as another Scylla or Charibdis) such a one indeed as they do commonly find to be of report or opinion: others grope for her in a vain Vacuity with the like success: yea, some there are which seek her among Ghosts and Goblings, as if she were some Witch, or Sor­ceress; some offer violence to her, and put her to the rack, and make her rather Lie then Confess. To your Grace she doth freely open and unbowel her self, fearing to be branded with incivility if she should deny; Your Grace only amongst Women owes nothing to Nature: for how much soever she hath graced you with an incomparable lustre in your Feature, or pregnancy of Wit, your Grace hath returned all of it in these Elegancies of Phi­losophy and Poesie, with a most excellent retaliation. Lastly, lest we should be further troublesome to your Grace, we wish we could speak out and pub­lish to the World, what Thanks we conceive in our Minds for this so genuine and proper a Gift, so fraught with sweetest Elegancies; Then, though there be so vast a disproportion between your Gra­ces Favours and our Merits, our distance would be so much the less: Farewel most Noble Princess, long may your Grace live, who are an ornament to Learning, and a Patroness to the Learned and us, who are,

LIbros tuos eximios illos opidò & felicissimè In­genii partum excepit nostrum hoc Collegium eâdem gaudii magnitudine, quâ olim Illustris­simi Principis Conjugis Tui adventum nos hîc con­victu suo non dedignantis. In fatis est scilicet, aut potiùs haereditarium quoddam jus est Tuae familiae de Collegio nostro benè mereri. Dilatata Collegii Pomoeria, & pulcherrimo opere explicata murorum facies testantur eximium in literas amorem nobilissimae Salopiensis Co­mitissae, jam tunc virtutes tuas & Gentilitiam erga Musas bonitatem praeludio quodam augurantis. Il­lustrissimus quoque Conjux Tuus nos hîc Consortio suo cohonestavit, atque quantum gloriae nobis indè defluxisse putes, quòd illa quae hîc posuit Virtutum rudimenta in tam inviolatam Majestati Regiae etiam in adversis­simis fidelitatem omniumque artium tanto illo Ordine dignarum scientiam excreverunt! Sed haec Tibi cum aliis Communis laus est, favere literis. At quòd Tu, Foemina scilicet Illustrissima, Aulae deliciis innutrita, non solùm faveas, sed & doceas qui sibi videntur eru­diti: quòd non tantùm calleas omnes Tui Ordinis ele­gantias, sed etiam ingenuas nostri sermonis Veneres, & nihil insuper corum nescias quae scire laudi est; denique, quòd prima omnium non solùm Philosophiae spinosissimos calles pervagata es, sed emolliisti Sermo­nis Tui nitore, id quod doctissimis virorum minimâ ferè cum laude pertentatum; hoc Tuum solius decus est, hoc praeteritorum seculorum Foeminis, & praesèntis hu­jus Heroinis exprobabit hoc nostrum seculum: Ʋnum tancùm deest bellissimis Tuis scriptis, ut nimirum inter Cultissimas Orationes Tuas inscribatur una, quae gau­dium nostrum ob honorem hunc à Te Collegio nuperrimè [Page 7] praestitum satis dignè eloqui possit. Digna enim es sola, quae cùm Philosophiam tantoperè exornâsti, Te­ipsam exprimas: nos certè non possumus, quibus prae­ripuisti omnes Vernaculae linguae Elegantias, quósque adeò conjecisti in Latini sermonis antiquam, sed incul­tam Majestatem, ut Te, quam coràm alloqui erubesci­mus, è longinquo tutò veneremur. Vivas ergò, Illu­strissima Princeps, in hujus seculi gloriam, Tui Sexûs honorem, nostri Invidiam, admirationem utriúsque; & felicissimos annos exigas etiam ultrà spem, non vota.

Excellentissimae Honoratissimaeque Dominae, Do­minae Margaretae, Marchionissae Novo-Castrensi.

QƲanta sit, quámque severa nobis ex dignati­one Vestrâ concepta laetitia, si non aliunde te­stando simus, liceat exinde potissimùm indicari, quòd in hoc jucundissimo nobis officio gratitudinis ex­primendae, & seriùs aliquantò versemur, & solliciti etiamnum simus. Ea siquidem est natura Beneficii, ut remunerandi vices desideret, Vestri autem nec fortuna reposcit, nec patitur Amplitudo. Quo fit, ut, muni­fici aliàs qui sumus, tantúmque honoris rependere soliti, [Page 8] quantum ipsi accipimus, eo quòd viros, caetera proba­tissimos, nostro qualicunque testimonio auctiores redde­re videamur; Vestro tandem tam praecellenti munere donati, tenuitatem ultro nostram fateamur. Hoc in­terim gratulari nobis liceat felicitatis nostrae, eam esse Tibi cum Literis communem causam, ut nemo laudare beneficia Vestra, aut etiam exprimere pro dignitate possit, qui non & ipse commendatior exinde fuerit; adeò conjunctam habemus cum officio laudem, ut nec testari quantum debemus, ingrati possimus, nec quanta accepimus intelligere, nisi literati. Quae Tua singu­laris est bene merendi ratio, non solùm Amplitudine Vestrâ digna largiris, sed & simul efficis, quo tantis Tuis Auspiciis digni & nos aliquando simus: nec verò literis tantùm, quod una potes, patrocinium praestas, sed & artes Ipsa illustras, & quantum est ullibi scienti­arum promoves felicitèr, & exornas. Ignosce nobis Illustrissima Marchionissa, si mirari identidem subeat, cui demum Tu, nósque adeo debemus pulcherimas istas & Tuas dotes; quî factum fuerit, ut nullo imbuente studiorum arbitrio, nullâ obstetricante Academiâ, in Foe­minâ tandem conveniant, res caetera desjunctissimae, Eloquentia, Poesis, & Philosophia. Sanè, qui anti­quos adeo miramur, eandem artium armorúmque prae­sidem Deam veneratos, quid de Te tandem sentiemus, quae Ipsa Tibi Minerva es & Athenae simul, Musae omnes juxta & Helicon, Aristoteles pariter ac Ly­caeum? Profectò, ii sumus, qui felicitatem citiùs no­stram intelligere, quàm exponere Tuam possumus, quae tam supra nostram est exprimendi copiam, quàm est praesens ista qualiscunque adumbratio, extra fingen­di necessitatem. Quo magis nostrâ referre credimus, quibus Te propriùs sentire datum est, testari aliquà, pro genio nostro, locique hujus (quo non est alius Tui [Page 9] studiosior) quo tandem animo, quibus studiis, quibús­que amplexibus Clarissima Tua opera excipimus & ex­osculamur. Qnod quidem officii nostri tam sincerè prae­stamus, quâm verè in amplissimam laudem cedit, mag­nae huic & florentissimae Societati, Te nobis habere pro­pitiam, quam & tota commendat eruditio, & litera­torum universus ordo suspicit, & veneratur. Tanti erat Excellentsssima Domina, Te primam exemplo Tuo ostendere, posse & Foeminas Philosoaphri. Ʋnum illud reliquum, in auctiorem Nominis Vestri famam optamus, testatiorésque virtutes Tuas, ut tot támque erudita Opera, tali aliquando idiomate donata exeant, quali inter Romanos Tullium & Maronem, inter Graios Platonem, & Demosthenem legimus, & mi­ramur. Quod si contigerit usquam, Te facili in vota nostra, proventúmque literarum uberiorem, speramus, etiam & spondemus, brevi fore, ut ex ipso scientiarum incremento sentiat orbis, quam consecuta es Gloriae Aeternitatem.

To the Most Excellent and Most Honourable Lady, the Lady Margaret, Marchioness of Newcastle.

HOw great and serious a joy doth arise to us from Your Excellencies Condescenti­on, though we cannot otherwise make it appear; yet hence chiefly it may be shewed, be­cause in this most pleasing Duty of expressing our Thankfulness, we have been somewhat tardy, and are yet solicitous; for such is the nature of a good turne that it calls for a requital; but your Excel­lencies Fortune and Greatness doth neither require nor brook it, whence it comes to pass that we who are otherwise Bountiful, and are wont to return as much as we have received, because we may seem to render persons in other things most approved by our testemony, such as it is, more allowable; at length being endowed with your most excellent Gift, we do freely acknowledge our deficiency. In the mean time we may justly pride our selves in this, that your Excellency, as well as our Learning, is so much the cause of our Happiness, that none can commend your Gifts, or express their worth, but will himself thereby grow more commendable: therefore have we Praise and Duty joyned, that we may not avouch how much we owe being un­thankful, nor understand what we have received unless Learned: Your Excellency doth not only bestow Gifts worthy your Nobleness, but also there­by make way that we our selves may, in time, be worthy of your so great Favors: which is a reason of well-deserving, proper only to your self: neither [Page 11] indeed doth your Excellency only afford Patronage to Learning (which you only can do) but also make Arts more famous; and whatsoever there is any where of Sciences you do happily promote and adorne. Pardon us most Illustrious Marchioness if we often wonder to whom, at length, your Excel­lency, and we our selves, do so much owe those excellent Arts, and your Excellencies Endowments; how it came to pass that Eloquence, Poetry, Phi­losophy, things otherwise most different, should without the help of a Tutor, without the Mid­wifery of an University, at length, agree in a Woman: Indeed we who wonder that the Antients should adore the same tutelar Godess both of Arts and Arms, what shall we think of your Excellency, who are both a Minerva and an Athens to your self, the Muses as well as an Helicon, Aristotle as well as his Lycaeum? Indeed such is our condition that we can sooner understand our own happiness then express yours, which is so far beyond the high­est of our expressions, as this present Description, such as it is, is beyond the necessity of a Fiction. We think it concerns us very much (who have the happiness to understand so much of your Excellency) some way to testify, according to our genius and that of this place, then which none can admire you more, with what mind, withwhat desires, with what real affections we do receive and em­brace your most Excellent Works; which part of our duty we do as sincerely perform as it doth truly tend to the great honour of this florishing So­citey, that we enjoy your Excellencies undeserved favour, whom all Learning doth commend, and all degrees of the Learned adore and honor. So much [Page 12] beyond Expectation it was (most Excellent Lady) that you the first of all, by your own example, should make it appear that even Women may be Philo­sophers. One thing we wish for, the enlargement of the fame of your Excellent name, and more signal vertues, that your most learned Works may appear in such a language in which we read and admire Tully and Maro amongst the Romans, Plato and Demosthenes amongst the Grecians. Which if it ever come to pass, we hope and also pro­mise (your Excellency being willing) accord­ing to our desires, and the greater increase of Learn­ing, that in a short time, by the very augmentation of Sciences the World may be sensible what Eternity of Glory your Excellency hath obtained.

THe University of Cambridge, in their full Senate, have judged it a necessary duty to make known their sense of the high Favour which they received in the Present made to [Page 13] them of your most Excellent Volumes. This, ex­pressed by their publick Orator, approved by them­selves, is committed to my care to convey, as being their unworthy Vicechancellor: under which title, also as Master of a small Colledge, I stand in a double obligation for the same Present, to be

ETsi nobis in more familiarius nihil est, quàm, ut homines omnes eruditionis, & virtutis famâ florentes, curâ, studióque nusquàm non prosequa­mur: singulari tamen, & praecipuo quodam impetu non modò gloriae tuae favemus, verumetiam Excellentissimam Heroinam, tanquam Coelo delapsam Sibyllam venera­mur. Quippe foemineae sortis egressa terminos, longè ultra mundum muliebrem sapis, & quicquid uspiàm Egregium, aut Divinum est intra mortales, id tuo Tibi jure vindicas. Sive stas in acie, sive exerces tribu­nalia, sive Carmen fundis, sive nodos explicas, nusquàm haeres, nusquam succumbis, Dux, Miles, Senator; Poeta, Philosophus, ac (ut verbo expediamus) Ʋna om­nium instar. Tot igitur, & tantas, & tam exquisitas animi dotes admirata Cantabrigia nec tacere facilè nec ulteriùs se continere potest, quin exclamet.

O Soror, ô doctum quae sola es Foemina Nomen! (carmen enim effluit imprudenti.) Quod nisi nolueris, interrogare Te porrò cupimus, Ista tam laetae indolis, [Page 14] tam felicis ingenii, tam excelsi judicii flamma quo pri­mùm incensa Numine, quibus adjuta flatibus, aut e­nutrita fomitibus effulget? An virili veste induta Marchionissa annos fortasse aliquot, idque Athenis inter Philosophos delituisti? An Regina rerum Phi­sophia (quae virorum conspectum verecundè fugit) soli Tibi se visendam exhibuit, virgineósque sinus omnes exposuit? An denique tuis in Aedibus sedem posuêre Gratiae, ne dubitemus alibi jam in Angliâ, quàm Can­tabrigiae, vel Oxonii tertiam vigere Academiam, ubi dictata, instillatáque Tibi ab Apolline Oracula, quasi sitientibus auribus ebibamus? Sed quoniam Te vel con­ditio Naturae, vel modestiae stola cohibet à Rostris, & Cathedrâ, Libros edis, quos partim nuncupas, par­tim dono Sororibus Academiis mittis. Nos quidem de magnitudine & animi, & beneficii tui Nobis gra­tulamur, geminúmque munus in Sacrario Sapientiae re­ponimus, ut in Sexûs honorem evolvant Posteri, habe­ántque quod Socraticarum omnium, & Pythagorea­rum Mulierum fragmentis praeferant.

Illustrissimo Excellentissimo Nobilissimóque Principi Gulielmo Marchioni, & Comiti de Newcastle, &c.

MEritò olim jactavimus, Te hasce aliquan­dò Aedes, atque haec Musarum sacra co­luisse. Cúmque ea, ut par erat, longè maxi­ma, quae studiosis hominibus contingere possit, gloria videretur; vicisti ultrò spei votorúmque nostrorum fi­dem, & ad tantam superbiendi materiam amplius ali­quid adjicere voluisti. Tibi utique parùm erat nos pri­ma praeludentis ingenii, & tenera adhùc Virtutis incu­nabula ostentare potuisse; nisi ex Te etiam teneremus clarissima adultae jam confirmataeque Indolis monumenta. Dedignata est Mens illustris & generosa rebus argu­tis ac levibus nimium temporis absumere; quod facit tamen hodiè maxima scribentium pars, in opprobrium (ut videtur) ac contumeliam literarum: Tibi verò dis­plicuit otiosa sedulitas: Meditatus es aliquid viro nobili ac strenuo non indignum, opúsque concinnâsti se­culis omnibus profuturum. Opposuimus olim Gallis pe­ditatûs vim, ac virorum robora; nunc Tuâ, Princeps Illustrissime, industriâ, equitandi etiam peritiâ superi­ores sumus: Tu illos suas, quibus unicè sibi placebant, artes edocuisti. Nec tamen aegrè fert Equestris na­tio Te hanc ei palmam praeripuisse; neque enim tan­tùm se in certamine minorem prositetur, verumetiam suo ore atque Linguâ se victam esse gloriatur. Et quidni illa Tibi ambo se cederet, qui nihil unquam mediocre potes? Poetarum miraculis fidem fecisti; Pri­mus utique Pegasum, alatósque nobis Equos ostendisti, qui tandem humum spernunt, Tuáque pennâ in altum levati, per Virorum ora, ac super astra volitârunt. [Page 17] Vivent, atque in omni Seculorum memoria vigebunt Excellentiae vestrae scripta nobilissima, quantúmque ho­noris Platoni suo atque Aristoteli tribuunt homines umbratici, tantum Tibi concedent, Reges, virique to­to orbe Illustrissimi. Gratissimis nuper animis No­bilissimae Conjugis Tuae labores accepimus: nunc Tuos pari ardore complectimur. Est hoc optandum maximè beneficiorum Conjugium; haec summa est animorum Con­cordia, quibus unicum est de nobis benè merendi Cer­tamen. Exultantes recipimus Illustres Libros, eòsque inter Sacratiora Bibliothecae Monumenta recondemus. Intereà, propter iterata benevolentiae ac benignitatis indicia, Vobis gratias quas possumus maximas habe­mus, cunctáque longè felicissima omni votorum Religi­one exoptamus.

DƲo magnae mentis summaeque erga nos benevo­lentiae specimina Epistolas & Poemata (qui­bus nos Excellentia vestra redhonestare dig­nata est) nuper pleni gaudio accepimus: quae Ʋtráque eo animo amplectimur, quo Sublimia solemus & praeclara omnia, suis Auctoribus, donec inest hominibus humanitas meretissimam famam reportatura; In Poesi spiritum il­lum [Page 18] laudamus, leporémque nativum undique & aequa­bilem; nec stagnat Castalis, neque exastuat, leni fluore lambit aures, atque animis illabitur. In Philosophia lucidum & penetrans acumen nil coactum, nihil mysti­cum liquida das omnia & genuina; vere Naturalem Naturam. Difficilis vicis Natura, & Veritas: heu quamvexant illi persequuntúr (que) fugientem: Alii rapi eam fingunt in vorticibus, Scyllam quasi; aut Charibdim alteram, qualem etiam revera esse famae & existi­mationis non raro experiuntur: alii in vacuo palpunt & inani parili fortuna: imo sunt qui inter Daemones querunt & Genios, quasi sagae quaedam esset, aut ve­nifica: nonnulli vim tentant, in igne torquent, cogunt­que seipsam mentiri potiùs, quam fateri: Tibi se ultro pandit & denudat penitus, rusticitatis notam, si negaret, reverita, sola videns (Illustrissima Domina) inter Foe­minas quae Naturae nihil debes: quantum quantum enim Te decoravit, aut luce formae, aut indole ingenii id omne eidem rependisti in hisce Philosophiae & Poëseos elegantiis, pulcherrimâ talione. Denique Tibi porro molesti simus pro genuino hocce quo nos deceras pleno Venerum & gratiarum pignore utinam eloqui possimus gratias, quas mente concipimus; tunc ab ejus merito longo quamvis nihilo minùs intervallo, minori tamen distaremus. Vale (Nobilissima Heroina) & vive diu quae literas ornes & foveras literatos, & nos

WE lately received, with abundance of de­light and Complacency, those two tokens of your favour, with which your Grace hath been pleased, to honour us; Your Poems, and Philosophical Letters, both which we entertain and embrace with that careful respect, which is due to those high and noble undertakings, which will procure in all ages (while men have any humanity) condigne fame and renown to their Authors. In your Poems we admire that Life and Spirit, as also that Native, and Even Fancie, which, every where, is Conspicuous. Your Heli­con is neither Pond nor Sea, but like a fair and deep River gently slides, and flow's in upon your Readers. In your Philosophy there appears, every where, a clear and searching acuteness of Judge­ment, nothing forced, or Mysterious: All is plain and genuine, meer and natural Nature. We men find Nature and Truth very coy and sullen, alas how we vex, persecute, and chase her, who yet still outruns us: Some imagine her to be in Whirl­pools and Quick-sands, like another Scylla or Cha­rybdis, and they find Her so now and then, in their shipwract Credit and Reputation. Some grope for her in Vacuums and empty spaces, with a suc­cess not unlike their supposals. Some fancy her among Daemons and Spirits, as if she were a Witch: Others torment her in the Fire, or Rack her, and force her rather to Belie, then Con­fess her self. But she willingly shews herself all bare and naked to your Grace; Madam, you are one, if not the only one of your Sex, that owe Nature [Page 20] nothing; for whatever lustre and beauty of body or mind, she hath deckt and enriched you withal, your Grace has largely recompensed her, and are per­fectly quit with her in these your elegant Poems, and Philosophy. In a word, to be no longer troublesom to your Grace, we would we could but express what thankful acknowledgements we, in mind and thought, do conceive, for this twin-pledge of your Love, full of all Muses and Graces; then we should fall less, though still continually, short of so high a favour. May you live long, most Virtu­ous and Heroick Lady, to adorn, maintain, and nourish Learning, and Learned men, and Us, who are, in all offices of Honour and observance.

Excellentissimae Nobilissimaeque Principi, Marga­retae Novi-Castriae Ducissae.

PAllida & exanguis haec chartula Sacratissimos Tuos amplexus summâ eáque debitâ venera­tione solicitat, unde Promethei ad instar vi­tam & vigorem (Quae soles dare) ambitioso & lauda­bili furto surripiat: Quin haud vitio vertenda erit pia nostra nec inhonesta fraus, Quum spirare, & vivere oportet eam Epistolam, quae tanto Nomini in­scripta aeternitatis aemula, & particeps affinitatis jure facta est. Nempe Tu Ea es divinior Artemisia, [Page 21] Quae Mausolo tuo non perpetuum certissimae mortis indicem, & monumentum solummodò extruere, sed vitam ipsam aeternitati inserere Praeclaros Animi mo­tus sacri calami Impulsu continuare, Limpidos Corporis humores, & nobilem sanguinem ex benignâ Ingenii Tui venâ aeternum supplere, nec non eximia gesta & faci­nora ad vivum exprimere, coram sistere, & denuò agere valuisti: Exhibuisti nobis talem principem qualis ipse solus est, Cujus Imaginem à Te unicâ vel effingi, vel dignè delineari posse fateatur universus Philoso­phorum Chorus. Exhibuisti gratissimum orbi munus, praesentis saeculi decus & ornamentum, futuri Arche­typum & elaboratum exemplar. Insuper videre est quàm mirabili artificio (Laudatissimi Phidiae jure) conjunctis­simo numini Illustrissimam Tuam intexuisti Imaginem, usque adeò intemperanti mortis occursu fabricam fa­ciens, ut perpetuum Vestrum conjugium ab ipsà haud sejungi possit aut divelli. Quantâ animi devotione Ornantissimae Heroinae egregium munus amplexamur, sentire possumus, aptè exprimere (Quae Tua & pro­pria Laus est) neutiquam confidimus: Digneris, quae­sumus, ut donum Tuum tanquam caelitùs delapsum an­cile duraturae felicitatis augurium & tesseram silentio (uti par est) veneretur Collegium nostrum, vel, quod majus, Vestrum.

HIstoriam Viri tui quantivis pretii, Geniique plenum opus non modò exertissimâ manu ac­cepimus, verum etiam à capite ad calcem incredibili voluptate, uti omnia tua jamdudùm evol­vimus. Inter legendum verò non semel hic, illic circa numeros, periodósque substitimus, nunc stili, nunc ar­gumenti, nunc denique compositionis elegantiâ detenti: ac quia togatis hominibus tuam illam tam artificem dex­tram tetigisse non licet, quod proximum est, audemus: hoc est Theatrum honoris, bipaténsque pugillar (in quo paginam utrámque facit Heros Novo-Castrensis) plus millies amplexamur. Neque tamen Chartae saepiùs imprimimus oscula, quàm omnibus illa, singulisque Mu­sis ingeminare nos existimamus. Nullum enim ingenii tui foetum exponere potes, quem non in usus suos, de­liciásque & tollet Alma Cantabrigia, & (ut in par­tem quoque muneris admittat posteros) Bibliothecae Publicae tholo suspendet. Vivet igitur domi, militiae­que clarissimus Imperator, Téque (dum literis honor constabit) non impar gloria sequetur: itá raro, singu­larique exemplo facta dictis ubique aequas, & invictissimi Ducis res tanto scribis Spiritu, quanto pridem ab Ipso gestae fuerunt. Quodsi forsan Bellatores in arce Pal­lados olim quaerent (tàm ad Historiae fidem, quàm ad exempli normam) consummatissimi Imperatoris imaginem, adumbratam illam invenient non in Cyro Xenophontis, sed in MARGARETAE GULIELMO. Hoc nomine Tibi nos debemus plurimum Eruditissima foe­minarum; at non hoc uno nomine. Etenim in Stu­diis ubicunque jam nobis haeret aqua, praesentissimum Numen occurris: in Oratione si laboramus, verba dictas: si Poëticas fores pulsamus, recludis: Si condi­mus [Page 23] Historiam, à memoriâ es: Si Philosophos inter ambigimus, & involvimur, extricas: postremò, si stu­demus modò, fers opem supra verticem semper adstans Mulier divini admodum vultus, atque inexhausti vigoris. Hoc autem totum quid aliud est, quàm mo­dis omnibus addictam Tibi Cantabrigiam non solùm exercere, sed obruere beneficiis? Tot ergo magnifi­centiae tuae radios (quibus illustramur) quâ Nos un­quam gratiarum actione, quibus Musarum opibus redimemus? Nisi forte quae D. Margaretae pectus, mentémque illam homine sublimiorem nunc habitant, hùc bonâ tuâ cum veniâ remigrent Veneres, Gratiae­que. Id si principali indulgentiâ concedas (Heroina) tuis vestigiis pro modulo insistemus, nervos omnes in­tendemus, totúmque Helicona ciebimus, ne Mars ille tuus sine vate, ac virtutum tantarum Latino praecone pugnâsse videatur.

THat incomparable and most desired Book of your Grace's, containing the History of his Grace's Actions, in the late War, we have not only readily received but also perused and read over, as we are wont to do with whatso­ever you write; yet in reading it we must acknow­ledge that we stop'd often, because we could not but admire, every where, both the loftiness of the argument, and elegancy, and spruceness of the Stile, [Page 24] and Composition; and in regard that at so great a distance we could not be admitted to the favour of kissing your Hand, we cease not to bestow ten thou­sand embraces upon every page of that Book, which hath so noble and immortal a subject as is his Grace the Duke of Newcastle; although your Grace can neither dictate nor publish any Work which the University of Cambridge will not own, and esteem, yet for this last Essay of your Graces we retain a most singular affection, and, in testimony thereof, lodge it in the richest Cabinet that we have, our publick Liberary; for the perusal of the present, and succeeding generation, long therefore shall the most valiant, and renowned General live, and your Grace too with him, seeing you have written his enterprises with as great a spirit as he himself per­form'd them; hereafter if generous and high born men; if men of War search our Library for a Model of a most accomplished General, they shall find it expressed to the life, not in Xenophon's Cyrus, but in the Dutchess of Newcastle's William. Most Excellent Princess, you have unspeakably obliged us all, but not in this respect alone, for whensoever we find our selves non-plus'd in our Studies we repair to you, as to our Oracle, if we be to speak you dictate to us; if we knock at Apollo's doore, you alone open to us; if we compose an History you are the Remembrancer; if we be confounded and puzled among the Philosophers, you disentangle us, and assoil all our difficulties: in a word, whatsoe­ver we attempt your Grace now vouchsafe's to stand by us, and suggest as a Lady of a most Princely per­sonage, and of an inexhaustible vigor; and thus you do not only exercise, but oppress us with your noble­ness; [Page 25] nor can we devise what returne of thanks to make, unless those Muses and Graces (which have taken up their residence in your Breast) may, with your Graces leave, retreat for a while to us. If your Grace think good so to favour us, we shall all of us, jointly and severally endeavour that here­after his Excellency the great Duke of Newcastle may not want a Latine Poet, for the perpetuating of his Honour, and your Graces in forreign Coun­tries.

WE have received your Excellencies in­comparable and most beneficial books with such grandure and reverence of mind, as it is very fit we should, as a pledge and warant of our future security; for seeing we are to Contend in a bruitish world for life, much more for honour, with the reproaches of an illiterate age, as it were now desparing of attaining to any per­fection in our weighty affairs, lest Cambridge, and Philosophy, and Learning should grow infamous, Your Excellency hath only brought it to pass, that we have hopes yet to live; the memory of our name being perpetuated in your Excellencies Books, which [Page 26] will not only survive our Universities, but hold date even with Time it self; and doubtless we shall live, for as much as it pleaseth you, most Excellent Prin­cess, so long as either Name or Honour remains, either to Virtue or Books; and incontinently this age, by the reading of your Books, will loose its barbarity and rudeness, being made tame by the Ele­gancy both of your stile and matter: and moreover it will not judge us to be no-bodies whom such an accomplish'd Princess hath not refused to make not only the Perusers, but even the Moderators, and Judges of her Works. So as the very worth of your Excellencies Books, hath brought us, being willing, altogether perswaded and convinced into a just admiration of your Excellency. However your Grace may see how much your Praises are impaired, not so much by the default of our Wit (though that be very great) as because you have the hap to live in such an unfortunate age. Antient Greece it self, the sole Governness of all just merits and re­wards, in the cause of such unparallel'd vertues, would have spent her self in ten years Panegyricks; neither would there be any cause why Isocrates should prefer his Athenians (though they were Minerva's Scholars) before Cambridge; to whom your Excel­lency (for such honour doth your Grace procure) doth kindle a new, yet never perishing, Light: An­tient Rome it self would have resolved all your Praises into Statues and Monuments of your name, by which there might arise continually Cornelia's, and if there were any other, therefore the Glory of their Age, and the Honour of your Sex, because your Excellency had not then a being, but reserved by the Author of all things, and born in after times [Page 27] for the honour, and ornament of this age in which we live. The Titles and Triumphs are long since obsolete, and worn out, the honour of Greece and Rome lives only in a little slender fame, and those Marbles inscribed with the names of so many of the Learned, are mouldered into dust, and yet all these live, and flourish in their due Praises, and are the survivors of all their admirers, and this Glory is only common to your Excellency, with those fa­mous Worthies, that as neither the famous Statues, nor the applause of their admirers, nor the popu­lar vote, but the solid Grace of their Works, and Virtue which is its own best Herauld, doth declare their merits: So your Excellencies most unparal­leld worth, and our thankful acknowlegment with­out the furniture of tumultuous applauses, hath set apart a place in our Library, that faithful Deposi­tory of Wits, for your Grace, where, according to our slender provision, which also the Custome of our Ancestors, by whom we are the better enabled, and our own ingenious confession, we do with great earnestness desire; we henceforth with acclamations that such an Illustrious Princess (reason being now restored, Philosophy confirmed, Envy conquered) doth esteem that in others which she honours in her own person; We will therefore that this, whatsoever it is, be the argument of a Grateful mind.

Eminentissimae, Celsissimaeque Principi D. Marga­retae, Duci Novocastrensi.

NOn mutamus Excellentissima Princeps; de Lucubrationibus tuis universis idem senti­mus, quod de singulis; Singulas autem quan­toperè miremur, ut Quamque beneficio tuo vidimus, aut perlegimus, neque Ipsa nescis, & nos aliàs judi­ciis certis non modo notum fecimus, verùm etiam in omnem occasionem intenti porrò faciemus. Hoc in Li­teras voluntas, hoc (quae tam latè se jam diffundit) Eruditio tua singularis à togatis Hominibus dudum ex­egit: Hoc Orationes, hoc Epistolae, hoc Numeri, Salésque, hoc Fundamenta; hoc postremò (quae Canta­brigiae tuae inscribis) subacti judicii, & lectionis penè infinitae Pericula meruêre. Quamvis enim ubique viget, & dum (humanitati locus ullus erit) vigebit Cantabrigia, tamen Illius perpetuitati multum adji­ciet Librorum tuorum Aeternitas. Non igitur im­meritò Te (doctissima foeminarum) de scriptis editis & amamus, & suspicimus, in illà Contemplationum Arce nos jactamus, quam Tu Posteritati stupendis ope­ribus extruxisti. Clarissimè quidem inter Cives ad al­tissimum honoris apicem evectamicas; Sed (quod ad­huc augustius est) omnem illam fortume magnitudinem immortalis ingenii felicitate ità superas, ut quae versa­re solemus exemplaria Graeca, Latináque missa jam facere, & tuâ Ʋnius sapientiâ contenti esse possimus. Quotiès enim in Philosophiam secedis, sola Magistri nullius in verba juras, sed in omni Doctorum familiâ laborans & subtilitèr expendis, & acutè discernis, & ad unguem castigas quicquid aut risit Democritus, aut flevit Hereclitus, aut deliravit Epicurus, aut tacuit Pythagoras, aut intellexit Aristoteles, aut ignoravit [Page 29] Arcesilas, nec omittis siquid Majorum inventis addi­dêre novi homines, Verulamius, Harvaeus, Cartesi­us, Galilaeus. Hoc (Eminentissima Dux) hoc de­mùm est heroicè Philosophari. Sed quò Nos Tecum rapis? Nam Principatum in Literis, tenes, nullis finibus circumscriptum; nec usquam Tibi desinit Na­tura rerum: at ultra Oceanum Mundus alter exurgit. Mundum illum flamantem loquimur, quem & luce tuâ incendis, & accuratiùs multò, quàm olim, in Critia, Plato, describis. Ad eum modum in omni scientiarum genere si pergas sapere, certè mox id consequere, ut in posterum Margareta non ampliùs Heroinae, sed ipsius Philosophiae nomen habeatur. Sic, velut in anteces­sum audent sperare.

OUr opinion is not in any wise altered; of all your Books in general we judge, as in rea­son and equity we must of every one of them: and what unspeakable esteem we have for every one of them, neither are you ignorant, nor may we (as we did, or hereafter shall receive any of them severally) forbear to publish to the World. This we think, and this, upon every oc­casion, we profess to be a return, that your Graces affection to the Commonwealth of learning (to­gether with your Personal advancement in all man­ner [Page 30] of Knowledge) hath, long ago, called for from all ingenious Scholars: This is a debt, which men of several professions pay you daily, in consideration of the pleasure and profit they reap from your O­rations, your Epistles, your Comoedies, and your Grounds: but especially we of Cambridge remem­ber, and, with exceeding delight, peruse (the great­est Honour that of late hath been done by a De­dication to this Community) your most judicious and elaborate Observations upon Experimental Philosophy. For although we nothing doubt, but the University of Cambridge will flourish, whilest there is any regard in the World had to Learning, and Modesty, yet to the Perpetuity of so famous, and antient a Corporation, we cannot but hope for an addition from the Eternity of your Labours. It is not therefore for nothing (most learned Princess) that far beyond what we can express, we renown and admire your Grace, looking ever and anon upon, and glorying in that immortall stately Fa­bric of Contemplation, which you have erected for the Wonder, as well as for Instruction of Poste­rity. It's true, our eyes are almost dazled, when we presume to look up to that height of National honour, wherein you shine above most of your Sex. But (which is yet far more noble and Prince­ly) the lustre of your Wit hath so surpassed the greatness of your Fortune, in glory, that we may now very plausibly throw away our other Greek, and Latine Authors, and be content to learn only, what you teach in proper and good English. For, when you retire to Study, you take (as we see) nothing at all upon trust; you sit down at no Phi­losophers Feet, but enquiring into the Mysteries of [Page 31] every Sect, you most exactly weigh, distinguish, and correct whatsoever Democritus laughed at, or Heraclitus wept, or Epicurus raved, or Pythagoras con­cealed, or Aristotle understood, or Arcesilas was ig­norant of. Nor do you neglect, or omit, in case the Lord Verulam, or Harvey, or Des Cartes, or Ga­lilaeus hath pretended to add to the atchievements of the Antients. This indeed, this it is (most emi­nent Dutchess) to study, to resolve, to determine, like a Royal and Impartial Professor: But whither on the sudden have you transported us? For that Principality (which is yours) in Learning admits (it should seem) of no bounds, but in your happy and pregnant imagination alone. Nature is infinite; and you your self, having nothing further to know in this, first discover, and then travel into another, World: we mean your Blazing World, which you enlighten with your own lustre, and describe to us far more accurately, then ever Plato in his Critias attempted. After this manner in all sorts of Scien­ces, if your Eminency proceed, Margaret will shortly pass, not only for the name of the Dutchess of New­castle, but also for the Cognizance of Philosophy. So we dare, as it were, before hand, hope, and pro­mise our selves, who study continually to be more and more (if it be possible) then we are already.

Illustrissimae Excellentissimaeque Principi Marga­retae Navo-Costrensi Ducissa.

CƲm jampridem nobis explorata penitúsque perspecta, sit singularis Amplitudinis Tuae na­tura quae sic est & multiplici eruditione or­nata & insitâ humanitate imbuta, ut & possit propter maximam facultatem, & soleat propter summam be­nevolentiam de Literarum Cultoribus optimè mereri, committere certè noluimus quin utróque nomine obstricti alacriores hasce literas sempiternae observantiae indices Celsitudini Tuae offeremus; cujus eximia bonitas prae­clarum hoc & peculiare habet, quòd nec ab amicis so­licitando, nec precibus nostris rogando evocata est, sed suâ sponte effusa & ex se tota: rapitur nimirum ad quamvis sui similitudinem excellens quaeque indoles, & quicquid aliqualis praestantiae opinionem sustinet, veluti cognatum sibi, invitat, amplectitur, tuetur. Quàm magnificum hoc atque Tuum quòd disciplinas nostras Tuae jam venerationis exemplo augustiores reddidisti? Quanto illud cunctis titulis speciosius ibit in secula, quòd in ea generis claritate fortunaeque opulentiâ stu­dia sic amas, ut pauperes solent? In quibus tam fe­liciter versaris, ut nemo ità literaturae vel deservire vel sufficere videatur, ut quotidie novi aliquid mira­culi parias, ut Foemina Viris, Aulica Academicis doctri­nae palmam praeripueris, ut singulis denique in sua cu­jusque laude praestantior evaseris. Ignosce obsecramus, si minum aliquem, ne Principem quidem nostram ipsa naturâ tantopere valere, aut propriis viribus in mul­tiformes istas altissimásque cogitationes excitari atque [Page 33] erigi non credamus: amplissimam, illam mentem, per omnigenae disciplinae seriem latissimè patentem, necesse est divinitùs illustrari, docet nos ea tot tantarúmque rerum penè infinita comprehensio quantus Te coelestis spiritus habitator intrârit, & quàm non simplex numen uni­cum hoc pectus ad universa scientiarum spatia laxave­rit. Cúmque his auspitiis quicquid unquam volueris in artibus consecuta sis, cùm liquidae veritatis notionem melior aliquis genius Principis nostrae beneficium forè decrevit, cúmque Tuum fuerit non argumentari, sed pronuntiare oracula; nihilominus (quae est Amplitudi­nis tuae verecundia) exquisitis rationibus asserere Tua placita & confirmare dignaris tanquam Tibi fides non debeatur, quasi assensum nostrum non aliqua religio constringat. Posthac certè nobis in isto genere vigili­arum ferias destinamus, & Philosophiae tandem metam prehendimus, cùm Celsitudo Tua speculationem istam dignam existimaverit, cujus se curis imbueret, sibique propiùs addiceret: Etenim nihil non investigatum ple­néque comprehensum dabit istius accuminis felix per­spicatia, nihil non inventum cum Cantabrigiensibus suis communicabit istius candoris paratissima propensio. Ne tamen ignobilem interim quietem agere, aut de­sidiae litare videamur, reliquisti nobis difficillimam sanè Provinciam, gratulationem. Quippe divinum quiddam Literarum Alumnis quod certò sequantur nunc adeptis lucubrationes Tuae jamdudum praestiterunt, in studiis scilicet tranquilitatem; ideóque nec cuiquam veterum Regum aut Imperatorum honestiorem unquam titulum erectum fuisse opinamur quàm nos hic Gratiae Tuae ponendum cogitamus,

MARGARETAE I. PHILOSOPHORUM PRINCIPI.

[Page 34] Ob profligatos errores, sublata dogmatum dissidia & pacem reipublicae literariae restitutum.

ACcepimus, eâ, quâ par fuit animi reverentiâ & honore tam grandis beneficii, Libros Tuos, id est, Incolumitatis nostrae archas & argu­mentum. Nam, quum in hâc ultimâ obrutescentis mundi barbarie dimicandum sit nobis de Vitâ, nedum de Honore, cum tot illiteratis seculi dehonestamentis; ac quasi desperandum esset de summâ rerum nostrarum; nè vilissimi nominis forent Cantabrigia, Philosophia, Eruditio; Effecisti Ʋnica, ut putemus nos etiam porrò posse vivere, consignatâ nostri nominis memoriâ in Li­bris Tuis, etiam ultra Academias, & cum tempore aequabilitèr duraturis. Vivemus certè, quandoquidem ità Tibi placuerit, Illustrissima Princeps, quamdiu Virtuti & Libris constabit Honos; & simul ac Libros Tuos legendo Feritatem exuerit Isthoc seculum, tantâ rerum verborúmque elegantiâ cicuratum; aestimabit in-super, [Page 35] neque nihili prorsùs nos fuisse, quos ut Ope­rum suorum Arbitros non recusaverit, Ornatissima Princeps, Ita ipsa Librorum dignitas volentes, per­suasos omnimodò, victos bonâ fide traduxit in Iustis­simam Tui admirationem. Ʋteunque tamen vides quantum laudum Tuarum deterendum sit, non tam in­genii nostris culpâ (licet nimiùm huc! & immane quantum tanta Dignitati imparit) quàm quòd Nata sis in infelici hoc seculo Tantae Virtutis ergô exiliisset Graeciae antiqua illa, justissima meritorum aestimatrix in Panegyrica decennalia; neque esset cur Athenas suas, licet Minervae alumnas, praeponeret Isocrates Cantabrigiae, cui Tu tantum quippè honorem concilias, cui novem nec evenidam lucem accendis. Omnia sua Elogia Roma illa vetus explicâsset in statuas & Tui nominis Titulos, quibus assurgerent quotidiè Corneliae Liviae, & si quae aliae tunc fuerunt ideò seculi sui Decus, & sexûs Tui Gloria, quoniam Tu tunc tem­poris nec dum nata eras, sed Reservata à summo re­rum Authore, & quasi comperendi nata in aetatis no­stra felicitatem & ornamentum. Sed obsoleverunt dudum Tituli & Triumphi: periit quicquid fuit Grae­cia & Romae, nisi tenuis quaedam Fama: etiam ipsa quae magis durare putantur marmora, tot doctorum no­minibus inscripta, dilapsa sunt in vagum pulverem, Vivunt tamem adhuc vigéntque ipsi Authores debitis­simis suis laudibus superstites, & admiratoribus suis vivaciores. Et communis haec Tibi cum celeberimis illis mortuis constabit Gloria; quòd, ut illos non jam demonstrant statuarum elogia, admirantium applausus, & secunda populi admurmuratio; sed solidum doctri­nae decus, & virtus ipsa suîmet Nomenclatrix: sic & meritissimum Decus Tuum & gratissima animi nostri attestatio, absque operoso illo gratulationum & [Page 36] applausuum apparatu, seliget Tibi locum in Bibliothecâ nostrâ, fidissimâ illâ ingeniorum custodiâ, & deposi­taria, ubi, quod tenuis res nostra nobis permittit, quod & mos majorum & per quos profecimus ingenua Con­fessio deposcit, nos subindè acclamabimus, Quod & (restitulâ in integrum Ratione, sirmatâ Philosophiâ, victâ Insidiâ) Literas in aliorum aestimet, in suâ Personâ nobilitet Illustrissima Heroina. Hoc igitur non ingrati animi indicium qualecunque esse voluimus.

BY the Bounty of several Benefactors, our Liberary is furnished with many large Vo­lumes; yet we have none we so highly e­steem, and are more proud of, then those written & given us by your Graces own hand. Jewels have their value crowded in a little room. The Sybills Leaves as they became fewer advanced their price. Among pieces all so perfectly excellent, we dare not otherwise offer at a Comparison, then as the Subject leads and determins us. The Greatness and Miracle which hath appeared in the Life of the most Incomparable Duke of Newcastle, could not but raise, in your Grace thoughts answerable to so glorious a Theame, and give us at the same [Page 37] time, both Wonder and Delight, to read the Hi­story of that full-blown Vertue and Glory, which with us appeared first in their bud and Blossome. The next Glory to that of having done such Won­ders, is to have writ them so well and exactly. And, had the Sex allowed it, Your Grace had done the same Actions, and left Despair to any other Pen to have reached, their height. A grateful mind, which we desire to Express, is the Prologue to our new Request: but our chief Trust and Con­fidence is in your own ready and natural inclinati­ons to all Acts of Bounty and Charity. They that are cunning in the Art of Begging, are so well versed and studied in Faces, that among an hun­dred, they know which to let pass, and where to fix: they read at first sight the Characters and Dispositions of a ready and willing Goodness: and will sometimes pitty them they Beg of, as carrying Faces apt to undo them into as low poverty as they themselves suffer. Though perhaps we have not so particular knowledge af those outward Linea­ments which might encourage this confident ad­dress; yet the general Fame, besides our own know­ledge, will not suffer us to be ignorant, of those of your great and generous Soul, which stayes not for opportunities offered, but seeks them, and to know where it is wanting, is all the argument necessary to your noble Bounty. We are so unhappily en­gaged in Building, that we can neither leave off, nor go on without the help and assistance of others. Yet we could be content to change our designe, and wholly leave what we have in hand, to erect a Statue to your Graces Name and Memory. That as one Margaret stands with us famous to Poste­rity [Page 38] for her Zeal to promote the growth of Know­ledge, which was then upon its recovery from a long and dark ignorance: so now your Grace ap­pears with fairer advantage, being your self, to the shame and reproach of our Sex, the great pattern and example of Learning. We despair of raising any more lasting Monument to your Name, then what already your Grace hath left with us. But, you will oblige here very many Beads-men and Votaries, who will make it a great part of their study, that the famous Acts of your Charity and Bounty, may be read not only in Stones, but Men, who shall for ever bless your Memory, and pray for your Happiness. In which number your Grace will find at present

To the most Illustrious and Excellent Prince, the Lord Duke of Newcastle, &c.

THat your Grace Might not want fresh oc­casions to oblige us, our Colledge was not hitherto a finisht Building, and we owe the perfection of our Colledge to the late ge­nerous obligements of your Grace, when you ho­noured us with the Picture of the late Right Ho­nourable Mary Countess of Shrewsbury, your most noble Aunt, and our second Found'ress. 'Tis true, we here have lodged hitherto with Conveniences, enough to attest the Generosity of your thrice noble Family, above as well our Expectations as Merits; and beyond what Learning durst promise it self from this Barbarous Age. Our Colledge Walls are as strong, as our Noble Foundresses Designes were generous: and the Sun looks upon us still, but as he should, through no Crevices or Chinks, nor makes more day than we permit him to our melancholy Retirements. Nor would your Grace's Illustrious Aunt be now ashamed of that fair addition she made our Colledge, if the durable­ness of the work can reflect any honour upon that generous Effort of her Charity. But we wanted the last advantage our present Buildings could re­reive: the Effigies of the Noble Countess of Shrews­bury, which would at once, ennoble her Foundation, and our acknowledgements; and remind the curi­osity of Strangers, that this Age hath not been bar­ren of Illustrious Instances of Charity, and of our thankful resentments of so great Encouragements to [Page 40] Learning. Yea, my Lord, your Grace hath now instructed us, and may undeceive others: and the Statue of your Illustrious Aunt shall now encou­rage our Studies, and superintend over our Profi­ciency as her own Deputy: and we shall be ashamed to have lived unprofitably, and unanswerably to so noble a Benefaction; or that the Illustrious Countess of Shrewsbury should, amidst the Joys, wherein She is surrounded by a blessed Immortality, have the dissatis­faction to have loved Learning in vain, and have built us a Synagogue, and so nobly seconded the designes of the late most Serene Mother of K. Henry the seventh: 'Tis true we ought to have owned the Honour to have set up ere now the Statue of the most Noble Countess of Shrewsbury, but that which excuses all Immoralities, that which involved Kings, and King­doms, your most noble Family, and Learning, in one Common Desolation, the late Rebellion, hindred us till now: We could only look on with Sorrow, the place designed for the Effigies of your Grace's most Noble Aunt, and sigh that the barbarous wickedness of the times, which allowed no visible remembrance of Saints or Kings, should be able to defeat our Designe, to perpetuate, in this nature, Her Memory, and our Acknowledgements: But, we dare be bold humbly to conceive, this our late thankfulness will be no disadvantage to her happy Memory, and that the Inscription of St. John's Col­ledge upon her Statue, will hold even with the latest Date of time: and that it may not be the only miraculous Priviledge of some Rivers, after they have enricht their neighbouring Banks, to dive suddenly into the Earth, for the space of some miles, and rise again into their former greatness, [Page 41] and acquire a newer, and more lasting glory, by being, so long, undiscovered: thus shall the most Noble Countess of Shrewsbury be not disadvantaged (as far as our weak pretences can reach) by this our post-fact Acknowledgements, but, like Majesty, by this distance of Years, command a greater Veneration. But if we dare pretend so much to honour the Memory of the Blessed now in Heaven, how shall we pay the Living, those that by so great Obligations have deserved all that we can pre­tend to of Gratitude and Esteem, amongst which, your Grace's Favours to our Colledge hath entitled you the Principal. My Lord, to such we are poor in every thing but Prayers: and that your Grace may long live to be (as you are) the honour of this Age, your most Noble Family, and (which we take the boldness to be proud in) this Colledge: that, by that Civility, whereby you have made even your misfortunes Illustrious, and Crown'd Heads your Admirers, you may long unteach this Barba­rous Age that bruitish disaffection to Learning; that you may survive that envy which your Grace's Excellent Accomplishments as well as our little Learning hath attracted, is the Desire of

IT would be a matter of great difficulty to re­count your great Praises, but it would be an endless undertaking to set forth your Merits; how great your Graces worth is in all parts of the World, especially this of England, may be con­jectured, even from hence, in that although we may endeavour to reckon up your Graces particular Fa­vours towards us, yet are we no way able to express them: And yet to pass by your Graces benificence in silence, because we are altogether unable to an­swer the worth of it, would be to excuse our selves from a less, and incurr upon our selves the gilt of a greater Crime; and so lest we should betray our ignorance in speaking or writing to be professedly ungrateful, something we must offer to your Grace though we fall never so much short of the great­ness of your Merits; our devotion in attempting, may in part excuse our inability in performing, what we owe to your Grace: Pardon us great Sir if we devoutly admire those singular perfections, for the knowledge of which we are beholding to your Grace alone, whom when we admire for your Excel­lency in other Arts, we find that you alone are able to make your Horses if not altogether equal, yet but little inferiour to their Keepers, we are convinced that your Industry together with your Skill is so a­vailable, that they almost seem worthy of the society of Men, and if they could but speak, as men do, we should hear them complaining that they are in­jured in not being accounted rational Creatures; when being taught by your Grace they are a safeguard in War and the greatest ornament of a Common-wealth [Page 43] in Peace. Go on therefore Great Sir who only art able to bring such great things to perfection: Long may your Grace live like your self, that you may grace the World with your Inventions, assist the King with your Counsel, preserve your Countrey by your aid and Valor, and continue to honour us your most humble Servants with your Patron­age.

Excellentissimo Honoratissimóque Domino, Domi­no Gulielmo Marchioni Novo-Castrensi, &c.

PƲlchrè & prudenter Reges Clarissimos, solus qui referre potes, imitaris, cûm eodem op­timè merendi studio, tum nec minore largiendi facultate: Illis utique debemus amplissima haec Mu­sarum sacraria, & reditus quibus fruimur, amplis­simos: Quod optandum erat reliquum, Tu nobilissimâ nos arte donâsti, & humanis usibus longè commodis­simâ. Eximiam proinde Nominis gloriam, utrique [Page 44] & meriti estis, & consequuti, & transmittendam in posteros felicissimam memoriam, in quantum durabunt marmora & eruditio. Patere, Vir Illustrissime, quan­tum Vestra potest insignis Humanitas, ut in laudes tam cumulatas, hoc insuper accedat debitissimum Tibi, quòd inter Heroas omnes, quos ab interitu certior Histori­corum sides, aut Poetarum vindicat ingenium, vix Tibi unum in arte Tuâ imitandum habueris, neminem omnino conferendum habeas. Sanè, inter Deos, An­tiqui celebrant Apollinem, ob isthanc fortè peritiam, praepositum Equis Solaribus custodem juxta ac modera­torem; At ille demum is erat, à quo perperam edoctus Phaethon tristissimas imprudentiae poenas dedit; quanto feliciorem habiturus exitum, si in Tua tempora incidis­set. At etiam Apolline prior Neptunus, tutelaris idem Oceani & Equorum Deus, magno cum dedecore istius artis, praelatam sibi Pallada dolebat, & postha­bitum oleae Pegasum suum, scilicet uno victus suffra­gio, clarissimam Athenas Ʋrbem, Minervae reliquit insigniendam. Quàm Tu Marino Numine dignior es, à quo, si contigisses medius, magnâ suâ cum gloria tulissent, & insignem Pallas repulsam, & felicius no­men Athenienses. Nec verò est, cur imperitos pror­sus hâc in re fuisse Veteres, aut minus industrios, creda­mus; magna quidem ea sunt, quae de Pegaso, Cyllaro, Bucephalo, allisque, non oppidò multis, accepimus: Verùm illi solùm perficienda fuit res Equestris, qui effi­cere primus potuit, id quod Tu facis, ut nobilislimum animal, & post homines, omnium sagacissimum, rati­onis quodammodò particeps esset, & tantùm non huma­nâ dignum societate: Quod, si Poetarum Princeps nu­dum Equitis epitheton, consultissimo fortissimóque Vi­ro dignum decus, & Nestori suo par crediderit, quo Te nomine insigniemus, Clarissime Marchio, eosdem & [Page 45] annos meritum quos [...] transegit, & melio­rem, si contigerit usquam, famae Tuae praeconem. Quod solum nostrae opis est, magnos inter scientiarum instau­ratores Te merito suspicimus, & post divinam illam sanctissimi Regis, proximè reponimus Icones Tuas; Optimo quidem jure, ut, qui strenuus olim Regiae Ma­jestatis assertor eras & vindex, eidem esses cum Rege Tuo, quantum in nobis est, aeternitati sacer: Id insu­per vovemus alacres, magna nos & amplitudini Vestrae devotissima Societas; Ita Tu nobis usque faveas, Il­lustrissime Heros Apollinaris. & Musae omnes Mar­chionissa Tua.

BEsides the publick acknowledgement of the great honour done to the University, in a­dorning their Library with your Excellen­cies own most exact, and renowned Works; The Duty of my place calls upon me to let your Honor know, that as this singular Grace, and Favour is [Page 46] highly resented by all; so by none more particu­larly acknowledged, and admired then, by

MIrificè tenemur immensae laudis & Artis o­pere, quod nupèr imputâsti seculo, & Al­mae Cantabrigiae, dono dedisti; tantum e­nim, ac tam certum eruditionis argumentum & Acade­miae pergratum, & gloriâ tuâ dignum uno omnes ore ag­noscimus: Nec alio fortasse Nobis, Posterisve opus erit Theatro, quo summâ cum veneratione tam Fortunae, quàm Animi tui magnitudinem intueamur. Nomen quidem aliquod, decúsque olim in hoc studio fuit Xeno­phontis, & Balbi, & Simonis Atheniensis; cete­rùm ex quo luculentissima res, Novo-Castrensis Me­thodus in lucem prodiit, Autores istos nec miramur ad­modum, nec desideramus, ne Veterum faeces cum ho­dierno flore miscere videamur. Si verò merito suo ce­lebretur Thessalia, quòd Marti sacrum Animal effudit, Ʋlláne unquam Oratio Excellentissimo Marchioni par esse poterit, cujus ingenio non Equum jam aliquem singularem, sed Equestrem Scientiam totam debemus? Nondùm nobis (Invictissime Domine) nondùm ex­cidére discrimina, quae totiès in acie Regiarum copia­rum Ductor subiisti: Verùm quià virtutem, & fidem, & triumphos tuos abundè loquuntur, quotquot Heroas, [Page 47] & arma frequentant, nos Academicis spaciis innutriti, ac literarum omnium amantes in Equestri Apparatu toti sumus, ubi cuncta subtilitèr accuratè, expresséque arbitraris: Appellamus Aelios, ac Persios nostrates; appellamus etiam (si placet) Exteros, qui posthabitis ubique suis Magistris, Ʋnum Te consulunt, unum au­diunt, unum versant, & suum quisque Quadrupedem ad nutum, obrussámque tuam castigant. Quantum ad Alumnos togae, & si ferè (quae fortunae nostrae maligni­tas est) vix ultra jumentum sapimus meritorium; ta­men extremum Discipulorum tuorum agmen claudere non erubescimus, ab Hipparcho longè omnium huma­nissimo moniti, hodiè primùm in alieno foro peregrina­mur, Circum ingredimur, in quatuordecim sedemus, equiria spectamus; neque tamen aut Xanthum, aut Cyllarum, aut Incitatum, aut Pegasum ipsum am­pliùs, sed quem Tu seligis, alis, instruis, absolvis, Caballum admiramur,

UT Tibi usque suppetat nova nobis benefaci­endi materia, deerat quippe Collegio nostro necdum absoluto & ad fastigium bonâ fide perducto ultima manus, & exacti probè operis Comple­mentum. Habitavimus quidem hucúsque, maximâ cum Tuae Illustrissimae Familiae Gloriâ, eleganter & splen­didè satis, quantum è re nostrâ esset, & liceret per temporum Literis infensorum incuriam. Sustinent se [Page 48] fortiter satis muri nostri, nec ruinam minitantur, aut admittunt (nisi quà decet) solem: nec dispuderet Il­lustrissimam Comitissam Salopiensem sui Operis, cujus firmitati in tam grande Collegii nostri Ornamentum tot anni suffragantur. Sed deerat adhùc, quae transeun­tibus memoriam tanti beneficii refricaret; Honoratissi­mae Principis Effigies, & quasi Vicaria Inspectrix tanti aedisicii, nostraeque in bonis studiis profectionis. Et no­strî nos puduit vesci frugibus, nec arborem suspicere, unde tanta nobis beneficia decidebant. Ergo per Te li­cuit, Illustrissime Princeps, nobis non jure impingi posse Ingratitudinis notam: & jam ex voto collocata in Collegii nostri tholo nobilissimae Amitae tuae Effi­gies, nos animabit indies, quasi novus loci Genius, & tantae praesentiae Conscientia urgebit nos porrò in hoc li­terarum certamine, ne inutiles vixisse videamur, aut poeniteret olim Illustrissimam Heroinam, inter tot gau­dia, quibus in Coelo jam fruitur, fecisse nobis haec otia, hanc Domum, alterámque à Serenissimâ P. M. Prin­cipe Margareta Fundatrice nostra habuisse hujus Col­legii Procurationem. Et quidem, ne fecerimus hoc an­te, & obsignatum Testati simus tanti beneficii grati­tudinisque nostrae nomen, obstitit bellorum rabies infensa Principibus, Familiae Tuae, Literisque (Heu nimis) in universum omnibus. Licuit nobis tantùm inspicere defossum sat altè in sacris hisce aedibus locum Illustris­simae Mariae Salopiensis Statuae destinatum, & ingemis­cere, tantum potuisse delirans in rabiem usque isthoc se­culum in pientissimam Nobilissimae Foeminae memo­riam, in Literas bonas nostrámque omnium Gratitudi­nem. Nec tamen deteretur aliquid de Illustrissimae Comitissae Gloria, dum nobis (serò licèt) detur esse Gratis, dum perennaverit Collegium nostrum, Hono­ratissimae Principis Statuae inscriptum: Et ne sola sint [Page 49] Fluviorum quorundam miracula, discurrere scilicet lato alveo in lascivientem riparum viriditatem, deindè subducere se ex oculis, & acto per oculta aliquorum mil­lium cursu emergere rursùs, & vindicare sese in su­periorem magnitudinem: emicabit meliùs post tot an­norum intervallum Illustrissimae Comitissae fama, & quantum licet per gratissimam nostram beneficii in nos Ejus Commemorationem, majorem sibi conciliabit è lon­ginquo Reverentiam. Si audeamus haec tantáque spon­dere in Mortuorum memoriam, quo ergò Tibi, Illustris­sime Princeps, superstiti adhuc (bono cum Deo) sa­tisfiet à nobis, cui tam solenne est, & haereditarium tot beneficiis Collegii nostri vota, & omnia Honoris suffra­gia demereri? Ʋt autem serum sit Lacrymosum illud alterum defuncti olim Herois celebrandi, & posteros nostros potiùs maneat officium; ut diù faveas nostro nomini; dedoceátque haec tempora immanem illam in Liter as feritatem summa illa Comitas Tua, quâ tot exteros Principes Tibi conciliâsti, expugnâsti Invidiam, nullum Tibi infensum reddidisti, nisi communem om­nium hostem, in votis summè est,

ON whom to father the rare, and admirable Method of Horsmanship, that singular, and useful Invention, which hitherto so many Nations, and so many several Societies of men, and so many Commanders in chief, have earnestly desired, though Strangers peradventure may, yet of all men a­live We of the University cannot be to seek; because every single line, that Apelles draws, serves us for a sufficient Character, and Cognizance of the Ar­tificer: But in regard of our unfeigned, and un­alterable Zeal for the Duke of Newcastles honour, We did heretofore (if your Highness remember) now and then entreat, and beseech you not to sup­press any longer (than necessity required) so learned, and useful, and compleat a Work. In that humble petition of ours whether we did as became us, or no, we determine not: only (with leave) we sup­pose that the reasonableness alone of our importu­nity prevailed at length with, and overcame a Ge­neral otherwise absolute, and altogether invincible. Whereupon at this day (by your Princely favour) we see and with exceeding delight (as occasion is) peruse a second demonstration of your abilities, ex­posed now to publick view, for the benefit of all generous and high-spirited men in Europe, so that no man hereafter may dream of any Person in any Place whatsoever, more Noble, or (in what part of Learning you please) more an accomplished Master, than your most Excellent self: for, as if in the former Volume you had only vouchsafed us a tast to whet our Stomachs, you now spread, and furnish a Royal Table with all sorts of Delicacies; [Page 51] you now gratify the appetite of your Countrey-men; you now encounter, and answer the enquiry of Cambridge Philosophers, in whose judgement your last adventure seems always to be the most Glori­ous. If they will enter the Lists, and compare, we challenge not only these old Professors, Bellerophon, Sesostris, and Sarmenes, but also the later Authors of greatest account in France, and Italy, Pignatel­lus, Labrovius, and Grison. Let them altogether appear, and either they must immediately vanish, or else ingenuously blush that they are but once na­med in the same day with matchless Cavendish. And although they may seem, at first, somewhat more than ordinarily concerned, to be thus at length re­duced, yet as soon as ever they hear the Name of Duke William, they bow to your Sovereignty, and falling infinitely short of your Glory, they confess you the most absolute and only Master, and them­selves your Pupils. But why do we mention these several Dressers, when as (if we look abroad) we may daily see both Kings and Princes resorting to your Palace, condescending to sit at your Feet, and intreating you as their Oracle to declare unto them, first where and of what Race to chuse a Horse for the Mannage, and then how to Feed, and Order, and Mount, and to Work, and Raise, and Stay, and Ride in all Voltoes, and Corvetts, Forward, Backward, Side-ways, on both hands, just as the Rider directs. For this same purpose, and in or­der only to be Matriculated into the Duke of Newcastle's Academy, the renowned Cavaleers of all Orders attend, whether they be Knights of the Golden Fleece, in Burgundy, or the Knights of of St. Michael, in France, or the Knights of the [Page 52] Annunciation in Savoy, or the Knights Batchelors, the Knights of the Bath, and the Knights of the Garter, in England: for all agree to learn of you, to Back, to Sit, and Ride, as you direct; and whensoever at a loss, or puzled, or in dispute to acknowledge you the only Governour, and Dictator, and Um­pire, and such a Master of Horse, as can (when you please) infuse sense, and reason not only into Men, but also into Brutes. Most deservedly there­fore shall you (Great Sir) in your Book entertain, and exercise the Studies not only of this, but like­wise of succeeding Generations, as we confidently presage, and promise our selves, who are

UN de sit equestris Methodus, Illa tot Gen­tibus, tot hominum contuberniis, tot Impera­toribus expetita Gaza, minimè omnium mi­ramur; nam Apellem statim ex lineae subtilitate. Ve­rùm, quia Te singularitèr adamamus, quod elucubra­tus es, laboriosum, & doctum Opus ne semper intra Vestae penetralia concluderes, saepè (si meministi) plu­ribúsque verbis interpellavimus: recténe, an perperàm, Ipse videris; certè postulationis nostrae aequitate victus es, & expugnatus tandèm Dux aliàs insuperabilis; [Page 53] hinc alterum videmus, & beneficio tuo obtinemus excellentis ingenii periculum, quod in Europae totius Theatro facere dignaris, No quis in posterum imagi­netur Ʋno Te quicquam esse uspiàm aut generosius, aut (quâ parte velis) eruditius. Etenim quasi supe­riori Volumine salivam tantùm nobis movisses, Mensam nunc instruis uberiorem, nunc Civium quoque desideri­um exples, nostraeque Philosophorum expectationi satis­facis, quibus proxima quaeque tua non possunt non vi­deri consummatissima. Conferant se (neque enim re­pugnamus) non modò Veteres illi Bellerophon, Se­sostris, Sarmenes; sed hesterni si placet) Domito­res Itali, Gallive, Pignatellus, Labrovicus, Grison; quid? Velut Ʋmbrae diffugiunt; & quamvis in ar­gumento nobili dolent sibi palmam praeripi, tamen, ubi Nomen audiunt Gulielmi Ducis, agnoscunt numen, longéque infra Cavendishi laudes jacentes, summum Illum, unicunque Magistrum, se verò contrà faten­tur. Sed quorsùm tergeminos, Agitatores loquimur? Cùm Reges eliam, & Terrarum Domino cernamus ad Te convolantes, Te (praestantissime Moderator) affectantes, Te consulentes, interrogantésque, ut ab Ori­gine primâ repetas, discernas, expendas quâ Regione, stirpéque veniat Bellator Sonipes, quomodo parandus, alendus, erudiendus, curandus, insiliendus, erigendus, admittendus, compescendus, & in omnem partem pro arbitrio flectendus; nec alio fine, quàm ut in tuam Ʋnius Academiam adscribantur, limen jam tuum obsident sa­cri (quotquot in honore) Collegae, sive Aurei Velleris apud Burgundos, sive S. Michaelis apud Gallos, sive Annuntiationis apud Sabaudos, sive denique Perisce­lidis, aut Balnei, aut Ordinis Aurati in Patriâ: Nam tuum ad nutum se componunt, tuis auspiciis inscendunt, & equitant, & quotiescunque vel delirant, vel abdi­tum [Page 54] aliquid, abstrusúmque quaerunt, omnibus, & sin­gulis Tu Rector, Tu Thesaurus, Tu Dictator es, & Princeps juventutis, qui non hominibus jam ampliùs, sed Brutis ipsis mentem, animúmque inspiras. Quo­circa tuis laboribus non solùm hujus seculi, verum eti­am omnis aevi studia exercebis, quemadmodum in ante­cessum sibi pollicentur.

Eminentissimo Illustrissimóque Principi, Gulielmo Duci, Marchioni, Comiti Novo-Castrensi, &c.

REcensere singulos quos nactus es Titulos operae res esset difficilioris, quos autem mereris pror­sus infinitae; Publica Tua in Ʋniversum Orbem merita hunc nostrum praecipuè Britannicum quanta sint vel hinc licet conjicere, quòd privata in nos Tua pro dignitate exprimere soliciti etiamnùm si­mus neutiquam valeamus: Silentio tamen praeterire beneficia satis quia laudare non possumus, à leviori nos esset culpâ expedire majorisque criminis reatum contra­here, ingratos palàm profiteri, ne in dicendo rudes vi­deamur. Tentandum igitur est aliquid etsi parum suc­cedat, in magnis utique voluisse sat est; Voluntati licet impar sit potentia, impotentiam officiosa excusabit vo­luntas. Ignoscas itaque, Princeps Illustrissime, si de­voti suspiciamus virtutes Tuas, quas vel novisse tibi uni omnes acceptum referimus; si mirari subeat tuae in [Page 55] caeteris potentiae praestantiam, qui vel Equos potis es reddere ipsorum custodibus si non omnino pares, parùm saltem inferiores; Tua in ipsos usque adeo cùm arte valet industria quod tantùm non efficias ut humana societate digni videantur, quos nisi sola deficeret lo­quela, conquerentes audiremus se injuriâ rationis parti­cipes non haberi, quùm à Te edocti maximum in Re­publica sint Belli praesidium, maximum ibidem Pacis ornamentum. Solus ergò qui potes, tanta pergas per­ficere, Vive diu, tibimetipsi soli diúque similis, Ornes inventis Orbem, Consilio Regem juves, Patriam auxi­lio incolumen praestes, & nos Tui studiosissimos Tuo usque Patricinio tuearis.

Excellentissimo Invictissimóque Principi, Gulielmo Duci Novo-Castrensi, &c.

QƲàm gratum animi cultum affectúmque, cùm universa togatorum gens, tum Musae preser­tim DEO Triuni sacrae, Familiae Tuae de­beant & enixè devovent, ut non tam ex verbis, quaelongo [Page 56] post linquis intervallo, quàm ex causis, quarum Ipse Author es aestimare velis, à Clementia Tua demisse obsecramus. Enimvero, ut taceamus ingentia dona in literatos jugiter collata, tum praeclara ista, quibus, unà cum forulis nostris tantùm non succumbimus, volumi­na, novis nos urges & oneras gratiaum argumentis, beneficia beneficiis pertegis, & quo majus plenè exco­gitando non poteras, Teipsum donas. Quo quidem in­troeunte, videtur Bibliotheca nostra, Vestrae veluti Magnitudinis aemula, augustiorem multò speciem in­ducere; & ne quid adventûs desit solennitati, sponte sedibus suis se movent minorum gentium Heroës, cer­tatim ad unum omnes assurgunt, & facto agmine in angustias ruunt, ut Tibi locum officiose cedant. Quos inter Antesignanus CAESAR, Britannorum olim hostis acerrimus, herbam Tibi promptissimè porrigit, priorem lubens agnoscit, & serò tandem intelligit difficilem fuisse de Insula nostra victoriam, utpote quae Tui si­miles, & Te tulerit. Sed defunctorum istae gratu­lationes, & superstiti etiamdum Principi minùs ac­commodatae: Quòd verò per ora hominum domi forisque volitas, quòd celebria Tua dicta, & res palàm gestae, omnium oculos aurèsque trahant, & tanquam syderum influxus ubique praestò sint, id imprimis Excellentissi­mae Heroinae MARGARETAE Tuae, tum fidelissimo Il­lius Interpreti meritissimò ferimus acceptum. O factum bene ut quae posteris aeternûm profutura sunt, ab oculatâ teste, & individuâ rerum Tuarum Sociâ exarata transmitterentur; ut quae orbe Terrarum con­scio perpetrata sunt, linguâ gentibus communi celebren­tur; ut totius denuò Europae Magnates Novo-Ca­strii Vitam tanquam virtutis omnigenae Exemplum, legant, suspiciant, imitentur. Quod nostrum est inter­ea, DEUM Opt. Max. suppliciter oramus, Ʋt ae­tati [Page 57] Tuae quàm plurimos porrò annos propitius adjiciat, quibus veneranda Principis Senectus, quasi redditâ ju­ventute, revirescat, & uberrimam novae insuper Hi­storiae materiem posteris suppeditet.

Ità vovere indies non desinimus,

QƲod usque adeò inclarescas, Illustrissime Prin­ceps, quaeque dudum Nominis Vestri celebri­tas meritò videbatur summa, major quotidiē fiat, seriò illud Tibi, illud & nobis, si per Te lice at, Collegium nos Vestrum Superbè gratulamur. Quin pa­teris, Heros Amplissime, otia Vestra nunquam non oc­cupatissima & à nobis interpellari, inque tantâ omni­um adeundi vos salutandique contentione, ne Tuorum, ne domesticos, humiles licèt, applausus dedigneris. Dum famam Vestram omnes ubique praedicant rapiúntque suas ad partes Nominis Vestri gloriam, dum Britan­nia sibi Te dum Academia vendicat, quidni & nos, quibus, utpote minoribus, tantum Patrocinium & de­esse [Page 58] & deberi videatur, Te nostrum (quale nobis De­cus & Ornamentum!) gloriemur? At nec fas est credere Amplitudinem Vestram ablatam nobis velle tam justam gloriandi Ansam, quum illud solum summis Ve­stris in nos Beneficiis egisse hucusque videaris, ne Tan­tus è nobis prodiisse Heros difficulter nimis olim crede­retur. Versabamus manu animóque sedulo quae apud nos sui Ingenii Vestraeque vitae Gestorum Elegantissi­ma Monumenta deposuerat, Serenissima Princeps Con­sors Vestra Praeclarissima, moramur singulis Paginis, Summa quaeque, hoc est, omnia notamus, haurimus ocu­lis quae olim famâ nobis plurimum, non tamen satis innotuerant, dumque vivi vivum legimus, placidè per­sruimur, & nostro & posterorum bono; & cum illâ in Re toti sumus opportunè supervenit Praestantissimum Tui Testimonium Egregium illud hodiè Bibliothecae no­strae, imo Vestrae, Ornamentum. Accepimus Clarissi­me Ducum, hoc honoris & amoris Vestri Argumentum eà, quâ par erat & reverentiâ & gratitudine. Re­posuimus Librum Illum inter reliquam Musarum su­pellectilem; nec erit in posterum qùod malè audiamus quasi ex literis emollescerent nimium hominum animi, & non è nobis prodiret quis quam nisi rebus gerendis in­eptior, cum Tu, Fortissime Dux, ducis Musarum Cho­ros, exerces juventutem Academicam, excitas animos, regulásque ponis, quibus ad ardua quaeque obeunda vel interlegendum assuefiant. Profuisti hucusque Patriae populóque Vestro factis usúque rerum, quod cum ulterius nec licet nec opus est, ea Tu inter Pacis otia documenta tradis, quibus transeunt ad posteros Ʋtiles artes; & ad quae hujus Saculi homines per Exemplum, ad ea posteri ex praecepto vestro instituantur: nec ullum pro­fectò magno Principe Immortalitatem merituro dignius benefaciendi genus quam quod in posteros erogatur: [Page 59] Nondum Senuisti Praestantissime Dux, etsi emeritus, mereris tamen: Aciem instruis, disponis militem, ex­ercitum ducis, & quicquid ad Victoriam docti Equi for­tésque equites valuerunt unquam, & valuerunt pluri­mùm, illud Tu vel inter otia & ludos meditaris: fir­masti imperium hominum, Animalque nobis impar & Potentissimum ad usus nostros Amplitudo vestra feli­citer efformavit. Quin macte virtute Vestra Dux Optime; instrue Tu tua tempora, ut deponant hodiè homines omnem morum feritatem, vel se fateantur ul­trò ipsis Brutis immaniores. Haec sunt otia Vestra; fruaris itaque Pace & Recessu illo, Serus in Coelum redeas, Sisque diu quod hodiè experimur, Ingens Bri­tanniae decus, literarum praesidium, & perillustre anti­quae virtutis exemplum pariter & firmamentum: Illa, prosperáque omnia Amplitudini Vestrae precamur.

VEstris imprimis auxiliis debemus, Illustrissime Princeps, quòd Nobilissima Domina, Sa­lopiae Comitissa, justis suis apud nos hono­ribus, quibus diù fraudata est, gaudeat jam tandem, & triumphet. Te autem, cui meritò in Bello maximi, in pace optimi contigit titulus, apud Reges, summósque Principes Equestris statuae manet sedes, & expectat gloria. Tam magna praestitit Celsitudo Tua, ut in solâ virtute sperari possint praemia, & contenta sit tantùm meruisse. Nulli autem rectiùs sciunt, aut digniores [Page 60] sunt, qui respublicas administrent, quàm qui vehemen­tiùs aversantur & minimè volunt. Perduellium in Angliâ nullibi fiet mentio sine vestrinominis virtute & summâ laude, nec vel in dissitissimis terris tam horri­ficum belli fulmen latere potuit. Non mediocris nos honoris & superbiae tangit sensus, cum cogitemus ea apud nos olim scientiae, prudentiae, & invicti animi se prodidisse specimina, quae hodiè pleno elucescunt ju­bare. Magnus ex Illustrissimâ Familiâ contigit honos, qui autem è propriâ virtute sequitur longè adhuc ma­jor est. Clarum virtutis & gloriae facem, quam Cel­situdini Tuae Parentes praetulerunt, lucidiorem tradet posteris. Superiores nostri ad nos detulerunt, quo animo & studio nos simul & bonas literas, dum hîc moram traheres, prosequebaris; id insuper nos in posterum uni­cè curabimus, ut ea, quae hodiè de Te habetur opinio, incorrupta ad seros usque nepotos descendat, & diutis­simè vivat. Ʋt autem egregia illa, quâ maximè gau­des et fulges inclarescat indies benefaciendi indoles, eam ipsis parietibus nostris inscribi obnixè petimus, utpotè quae hac ratione ultra mortalitatis fatum sit duratura, Eo­rum in numero nos sumus, quibus stultitiae nota inuri­tur, quòd aedificare caeperint, nesciunt autem persicere. Ʋtinam non ita verum esset infortunium, quod vetat quo minùs hoc in nos quadret infame dedecus. Nobis enim non contemnendam pecuniae summam testamento suo legavit vir quidam Optimus, quam huic usui de­stinavimus, ille autem, cujus fidei commissa erat fatis nuper cessit, & an cum illo sepulta prorsùs sit, non­dum satis intellegimus. In luto igitur relicti, à Te, aliisque quibus propentior ad benignitatem animus est, ostiatim emendicare cogimur, ut miserè claudicanti jam operi aliquale saltem praestetis auxilium. Non magna meditamur, non invidiosa arte extructa, non [Page 61] excelsis & variegatis columnis suffulta, non caelatis laquearibus elaborata, nec marmore fulgentia designamus tecta. Quod aggredimur, non superbiae aut luxûs, sed necessitatis opus est. Extremi enim Collegii parietes miserè nutant, & hianti ore ruinas minantur, ita ut hoc quod novum est quasi fulcrum & pulvinar sibi po­stulâsse videantur. At angustiores insuper sedes nostrae sunt quàm ut succrescenti Musarum soboli sufficiant. Quare, si benevolentia Vestra lapides cum Deucalione post tergum jaectt, numerosiores exurgent juvenes, atque adeò plures vestri Cultores. Det Deus integrum semper, quo jam gaudes, animum, corpus agile & vividum, senectutem tardam, vel quae nihil habeat senectutis prae­ter ipsam prudentiam. Sic Precantur,

NOn ubique locorum negliguntur, aut algent Musae; nam Tu foves indiès, & Almae Parenti studes adhuc: imò verò, constantèr adeo, prolixéque studes, ut quò voluntatem istam egre­giam in aevum retineres, propter incredibilem naturae tuae benignitatem ne quidem sis admonendus; etenim sponte tuâ ruis in amplexus Academiae, nec ullum of­ficii genus omittendum tibi censes. At in Literis ho­nestandis, in exornandâ Virtute dum ita tempus omne tuum traducis, ad summam profectò laudem, gloriámque [Page 62] contendis: contendis autem (ut soles) magnis itine­ribus, & expedito planè cursu, quoniam Armarium Cantabrigiae non Hipparcho jam ampliùs, aut Effigie tuâ vernaculâ solùm, verùm etiam Latinis Commentariis locupletas: Commentarios illos intelligimus (si placet) accuratos, & sanè quàm venustos, in quibus excellen­tissima Margareta perpetuam Rerum gestarum, Even­torumque tuorum Historiam condit. Quanti verò apud nos ponderis sit exquisitissima Lucubratio, noli quaerere Dux eximie; neque enim Ipse nescis, & nos certè Ora­tione nostrâ nequimus explicare. Id potiùs nunc agi­mus, ut Theatrum illud Honoris eadem operâ Can­tabrigiae, Tibi Seculóque gratulamur: Cantabri­giae primùm, nihil jucundius esse potest, quàm Pe­ricula & Labores evolvere Imperatoris tanti, quantus Ipse non Ʋnius jam Britanniae, sed omnium consensu gentium & es, & haberis: deinde. Tibi benè omi­namur, quia Tibi (quod nec Achilli Homerico, nec Hectori Naeviano, contigit) ad memoriae dignitatem abundè sufficit à laudatissimâ Principe laudari, Quae Te non ita tamen Immortalitati commendavit, ut non ipsa quoque in Te commendando propriam Ingenii gra­tiam sit consecuta: postremò, gratulamur huic Seculo, quod penè solus illustras, qui vel solus (consummatis­sime Dux) quodlibet seculum illustrare posses.

THat Scholars are not every where, nor al­together neglected, your Grace is one of our greatest Instances; for as occasion serves you condescend, and vouchsafe both to countenance, and encourage us. And this you do, as with all imaginable success, so likewise with such wonderful obligingness, and constancy, that for a continual instigation thereto (we see) you need not the least item from us; for that purpose the goodness of your own Nature, and the nobleness of your Spirit is abundantly sufficient. But whilest in this manner you regard Learning, and embellish Virtue, you give the World to know, that you are neither a Stranger to, nor unacquainted with the direct Road to Honour, and Glory; And thither indeed only you march with such expedition and conduct, that you have already (beyond what an University can write) enriched our publick Treasury with some last­ing Monuments of your Skill and Gallantry. Shall we beg leave to remember your Book of Horsmanship, which we love to peruse and boast of to Strangers? Or will you permit us, with all thankfulness, to name your last Favour, that accurate and faithful History (which the most Excellent Margaret hath writ) of your Life, and Actions? In what esteem the for­mer Work is among us all, we have already decla­red; and what we think of the latter, ask us not (we pray you) most incomparable Duke; for you know very well, and we cannot, in any words of ours, suf­ficiently express. Only we presume at present to congratulate so fair a Theatre of Honour to the University of Cambridge, and to your self, and to [Page 64] this whole Generation of men altogether: First, to the University, which cannot but with exceeding satis­faction read over the Atchivements, and Hazards of so famous a General, as you are, and as all Brave Men acknowledge you to be: for your own sake in the next place we rejoyce, because (which neither Homer's Achilles, nor Xenophon's Cyrus, nor Naevius his Hector attained to) your Actions are registred by an unparrelled Princess, who yet hath not so transcribed your image, as not therein to interline, and insert a very legible Portraiture of her own Wit, and Parts: Last of all, we must needs be glad for the lustre, and advantage of this pre­sent Generation, which now almost shines alone in You, most accomplished Prince, who of your self alone are sufficient to have ennobled any other Ge­neration of men whatsoever. Long therefore may you live in this reputation. So we Pray, and re­main,

THe worthy present which your Excellency hath been pleased to make me by Mr. Slaughter, hath strucken me into new ad­miration of your goodness and knowledge. The first, that you are pleased to retain so obliging a me­mory of a Person that can no ways merit so huge a Favour: And for the second, every Page in your excellent Book, affordeth abundant matter. I think my self exceeding happy that I live in the age which is blessed with the presence of so brave a Person as you are, Madam; who as you are the Ornament of this, will be the Envy of all future ones. But your Excellency loveth as little to hear your own Praises, as you do much to deserve the greatest. Therefore I will not adventure upon that impossible task, but shall reduce my self into my own Orbe of Humility and thankfulness, for this great Honour you have been pleased to do me, assuring your Ex­cellency with all, that you could not have deigned it to any man living, who is more than I am,

I Crave leave of your Excellency, that I may present here my most humble and obliged Respects, to my Noble Lord, my Lord Marquis your Husband.

I received your Honours Letter, and the Books according to your Command, and had not a fatal Sickness for a long time confined me to my Chamber, and made me unfit for any business, (and much more to Write to so Illustrious a per­son) I had long e're this returned my most humble, and hearty Thanks for that infinite Honour you were pleased to do me (a poor impertinent thing in Black) in deigning to write, and trust me with the distribu­tion of your Favours (or magnificence rather) to the University. Your Books were received (as in­deed they ought) with very much respect, and gra­titude, and I am commanded by the several Col­ledges to returne their humblest Thanks to your Honour. I inscribed every Book before I gave it to the respective Colledges, with such an Inscription as Posterity might know who was their Benefactor. For instance, that to Magdalene Colledge, thus,

What this signifies your Honour may easily know. I humbly beg your Honours Pardon for this con­fident, and (I fear) impertinent Scrible of,

YOur Honour pleased to Command two Books (lately composed by your Excel­lency) to be sent to Cambridge, one to be placed in the Publick Library there, and the other to be bestowed upon my self, your Honours mean­est Servant; It is and shall be my Care that this, together with that other formerly sent, may remain a Monument to Posterity of your Excellencies great worth and singular affection to our University, which I doubt not but will, forever, be most grate­fully acknowledged, by such as shall frequent the Common Library, and especially by him whom this great Favour hath rendered

I have received, from your Excellence, the Book you sent me by Mr. Benoist; which obliges me to trouble you with a short expression of my thanks, and of the sense I have of your extra­ordinary Favour. For tokens of this kind are not ordinarily sent but to such as pretend to the title as well as to the mind of Friends. I have already read so much of it (in that Book which my Lord of Devonshire has) as to give your Excellence an accout of it thus far, That it is filled throughout with more [Page 68] and truer Idea's of Virtue and Honour than any Book of morality I have read. And if some Co­mique Writer, by conversation with ill People, have been able to present Vices upon the Stage more ri­diculously and immodestly, by which they take their rabble, I reckon that amongst your Praises. For that which most pleases lewd Spectators is nothing but subtile Cheating or Filch, which a high and noble mind endued with Virtue from it's Infancy can never come to the knowledge of. I Rest

I Received (by the hand of your ingenious Ser­vant) that most noble Present, (those excel­lent Books) you were pleased to send our Colledge, and (the meanest of your most obliged and thankful Servants) my self. I confess I am (and for ever should be) amazed at your Excel­lencies condescention, your great charity and mag­nificence to things so far below you, did I not well know that the greatest goodness is most diffusive; that those Glorious Heavenly Bodies (even the Sun it self) dispence their Rayes and benign Influences to Vallies and little Villages, to Shrubs and Vole­hills, as well as Mountains, or the tallest Cedars. I shall not call your Excellencies Books an addition to our private Library, but this a little accession to [Page 69] them; they being (like their Illustrious Author) a far greater Library of Arts and Ingenuity. Sure I am, even Bodlies Library cannot boast of any such Donation, since King James sent his Royal Works, and those of his late Martyr'd Majesty were placed there, nor is like to do, till Kings and your Excellen­cy, write and send again: whose parts are not (in a tedious way acquired, but infused; not got by Study, or a laborious industry, but given by the immediate and propitious Hand of Heaven, and therefore more Divine, like that first principle from whence they flow. We have a Manuscript Author in Bodlies Library, who endeavors to shew, That Women excell Men: your Excellency has proved what he proposed, has done what he indeavored, and given a demonstrative argument to convince the otherwise unbelieving World. Your Works will be a just foundation of a lasting and immortal Honour to your self; (but I fear) a reproach to our Sex and us, when Posterity shall consider, how little we have done with all our Reading and Industry, and how much your Excellency without them. I shall not indeavor (what this and after ages will) to commend your Writings (they are their own best Panegyrique) he that would do this well, should have the genious and elocution of their great Au­thor. My onely aim is, humbly to acknowledge a Debt I can never pay, and return the unfeigned thanks and gratitude of

I received (a fortnight ago) your Honours Letter, and the Books you sent; one to the University Library, one to the Vice-Chancel­lor, and another to my self. Mr. Vice-Chancel­lor received your Book (as indeed he ought) with very much thankfulness, and sense of the great Civility you had done him, and commanded me to return his respects, and hearty Thanks, which he would have done himself, but that both he and his Family hath been sore visited with Sickness (for almost a whole year) so that he has not been (nor now is) in a condition to write. The like thanks, and (if possible) infinitely more, I must re­turn in behalf of the University, and my self; being amazed at your goodness, and undeserved Kindness, that a person so Illustrious, and (for place and parts so) Eminent, should look upon so unconsiderable, and impertinent a thing in black, as I am, but that I know the Sun doth shine on Shrubs, as well as Cedars, and Princes many times cast their Favours upon persons infinitely below them; whence they can expect no return but gratitude; and when I fail to pay that Tribute (so justly due to your Honour) may I have your hate, which will be the greatest curse I am capable of. I have as yet only read one Story in your Book, and the Language, and In­genuity of it, to me seems such, that I am perswa­ded the famous Monsieur Scudeny would wish him­self the Author of it. If I mistake not I think I told you in my last, that I had a Manuscript Book in my keeping (for it was never yet Printed) which the Author intitles thus—Womens Worth, or a Trea­tise [Page 71] proving by sundry reasons that Women excell Men. Many of my Sex will hardly believe it, yet I be­lieve your Honour may prove the best Argument in the World to convince them of their infidelity. I humbly beg pardon for this rude and impertinent Scrible. That God Almighty would be pleased to bless you and all yours, is, and shall be, the constant Prayer, of

THat I have not long e're this made at least some slender return of the meanest Gra­titude, a verbal acknowledgement, I take the greater boldness now at length to Apologize; for that it is in no small measure justly chargeable upon the Chain of those grand Favours, where­with (as the Roman Lady of old, with Bracelets and Jewels) I have been, by your Excellency, over­whelmed into an Extasy. The truth of which is too much evidenced by an undeniable argument, that like such as are newly rowsed out of a Trance, not yet fully returned to my self, I now begin to talk Idly. Indeed I could not but deplore my own unhappiness; as equally rack'd between two hate­ful extreams, Ingratitude and Presumption, that can neither be silently grateful to so Noble a Bene­factress, [Page 72] without too palpable and disingenuous un­worthiness, nor verbally thankful to so Illustrious a Princess without a Solaecism; but that I am well assured your Excellencies Heroick Candor will at least connive at the most rude, if cordial and humble, expressions of a most devoted mind. And such (Madam) is that, I here with all submission pre­sent unto you, loaded with such various Instances of your signal Favours, as never can (except we could suppose your Illustrious self may) find out a Parrallel. That so mean, so obscure a Person should have the Honour of receiving first into his custody so rich a Treasure, as the genuine Product and Issue of so Noble a Mind; and then be commanded to divulge this his Glory, by presenting them to a whole University in so Glorious a Name; that this Honour (a high Reward it self) should yet be fur­ther enhaunced by a splendid Gift, truly wor­thy the Grandure of the Donor, and that trans­mitted by that Golden Pen, which hath enricht the World with such excellent variety of inimitable Writings; that a poor scanty Study should swell into a Library, and become a Repository for such rich Volumes;—Pardon me (Madam) if at these reflections I wax proud, and be transported beyond the narrow compass of my contracted self. Your Ex­cellencies Bounty (a true Transcript of the Divine) creates, what it cannot find, a worthiness in the Re­ceiver, and ennobles him, whom it makes the ob­ject of generous Beneficence.

What Honourable reception your Excellencies former Works (in the possession whereof each pri­vate Colledge-Library, as well as that publick one of the University, justly prides it self, and boasts its [Page 73] riches) found amongst us, as (indeed) by very few Acknowledgements then signified: How much more acceptable these latter Volumes are, silence alone can best tell. Few durst before adventure upon so difficult a Task: and the Reason since that is more apparent and confirmed (if I may without prophanation make use of the most Illustrious Lord Marquess his Expression)—None now dares write a Letter.—

What concernes my most unworthy self, is, that I shall, in Testimony of my thankfulness, and as a perpetual monument of your Excellencies munifi­cence to me when I die, transmit your noble Gift as a sacred Heyre-loom to my Family, and whilest I live, shew your Princely Hand as the Letters-Patents of my greatest Honour, which is to have this leave of wholly devoting my self ever to be

SInce my last, I received by the hands of (your Grace's faithful Servant, and my worthy Friend) Dr. Mayne, two Copies of my Lord Duke's life, (writ by your Grace) one for our Colledge, and another for my self. I cannot [Page 74] but admire your Graces great goodness and con­descention, your continued munificence and charity to us (excellent Virtues which I wish in all, but find in very few) which with all humility, and a deep sense of the very many Obligations laid upon us, we thankfully acknowledge. He who thinks to requite, undervalues your Grace's Favours; which (like your eminent parts and place) are too great to admitt any proportionable returnes from us, besides our constant Prayers and Gratitude; which (as in duty we stand bound) we shall duely pay. I have read your Graces Book, which is writ with so much evenness and prospicuity of Stile, so much truth and generous impartiallity, as well becomes the (Illustrious persons most concerned, the) great Subject and Author of it. His Grace's high Birth and Fortune, his unstained Royalty to his Prince, his great Courage, and prudent Conduct, and such other his Graces eminent Virtues have deserved, and your Grace's Hand has built him a lasting Mo­nument, which (when Pyramids of Brass and Marble perish, or, being Sacrilegiously removed and stoln, disappear) will transfer both your Names and Honours to all Posterity. That the good pro­vidence of Heaven would long preserve and pros­per your Grace (the honour of your Sex, and by your unparalel'd Virtues the reproach of ours) is the Prayer of

JE ne puis attribuer l'honneur que Vous m'avez fait de m'envoyer Vos oeuures, qu'a ceque vous avez sceu qu'autres fois j'avois apporté icy d' Angleterre que ce qu'il y en avoit déja de publié. C'est, Madame, que j'honore infiniment la Vertu par­tout où je la descouvre, & qu'elle est encore plus a admirer en Vostre Sexe & dans les Personnes de Vo­stre qualité, que dans le nostre, & parmis les scavants; Je la propose en exemple à toutes les Dames dont ja'y l'honneur de m'pprocher, & je prens maintenant la liberté, Madame, de vous feliciter du plaisir que vous avez d'eslever si fort vostre ame par dessus les autres, & de vous mesler si avant dans toutes les in­trigues de l'Ʋnivers. C'est bien autre chose que de n'studier que celles d'une Cour, & que de ne choisir des ornamens que surune toileté. Dieu veuille, Madame, qu'un si noble divertissement vous occupe tousjours, & que vous croyez ausi tousjours que je suis,

CRoiroiton qu'il est possible que vostre tres-Il­lustre Altesse se pouvoit encore souvenir d'une si inutille creature que moy? depuis 25 ans que je suis retirée de Paris, & parmis les plus rudes [Page 76] attaques de la Fortune qu'avoient agitée vostre Altesse comme les tonneres & les Vents qui taschoient debray­ler les forts Cedars du Lebanon, en maintenant la sainte cause, d'un des plus justes Roïs que jamais a estés ou que jamais y sera. En li sant ceste histoire veri­table de la vie de vostre Altesse faite par ceste Tres­illustre, & Tres-verteus Princesse, Madame la Du­chesse, j'avois de la peyne a retenir mes larmes, ayant esté moy mesme une triste spectateur de toute ce que passa à Paris & fidel intelligencier de tout ce que passoit en Flandre & la Holland jusques au retour de vostre Altesse en Angleterre; & je veu que toute ces travers de la Fortune, ne consista en autre chose qu'a une perpetuel combat, entre le voulloir & le pouvoir de vostre Altesse; L'une combattant pour l'esta­blishement du Roy, par le depence inevitable qu'il fal­loit pour maintenir sa juste cause, presque aux abois, non seulement, par le sequestration des immenses re­venues des biens de vostre Altesse, mais par le constraint qu'on vous fit de vous retirer, a fin pour ensuitte de rui­ner la cause du Roy par le ruine qu'on vous fit le pre­mier; mais Dieu vous a suscitée des amys, & vous avez un pouvoir plus ample qu'auparavant, & il a faite de vostre Altesse come Dieu fait à Job en re­stituant le decouple son saint nom soit louée & vous con­tinue sa paix, & sa sainte Grace. Je leu aussy la Phi­losophie de la Haute & verteuse Princesse Madame la Duchesse, veritablement Tres-curieuse; & en estate de faire honte à nostre miserable Philosophie de l'ecol­le que n'est autre chose qu'un vray jeu des Cartes; consistantes en Sophismes & Authorites mal citêes, la quelle a perdue la Theologie, & rendue la Medi­cine la Risée du Monde, et pire que l'Emperice: Et quoy que ie n'entend pas l'exercise du manage des chevaux [Page 77] non plus que le haut Almand; toutefois ces precepts me semble si Majesteux que touts les maistres du monde en doibt prendre example. C'est pour quoy je metteray ces Divines escrites dans le frontispiece de ma Bibliotheque, a fin que les enfants des mes enfants profiteroient de tout ces riches enseignments. Il reste maintenant que je remercie Tres-humblement vostre Tres-Illustre Altesse de la souvenance quelle volut avoir de moy, qui n'est pas tant triste de me voir reduittê a une si age que me devroit donner craint a mourir citô, come de me voir approchant à un age si grand qui me pourroit faire incapable de rendre a vostre Altesse les services dignes de la memoire que je dois conserver dans mon ame pour demeurer eternellement,

WHen, in the Book which your Lady­ship hath been pleased, by Mr. Benoist, to honour me with, I read so many Orations, upon so many several occasions, appro­priated to so many several Persons, my admiration rises to so great a height, that I know not how to express it, yet when I consider that you, Madam, are the Author of them all, my Wonder then abates, the sight which I have had of your former Works, ha­ving raised my thoughts to anexpectation of as great [Page 78] a product, from your Ladyship's Pen, as this is: but when I think what thanks to return, for so great a Favour, I am quite at a stand, for were I as good a Poet, or Orator, as ever was, it were impossible, either in Prose or Poem, to set forth a sufficient gra­titude. I find my self therefore, who have no Skill in either, obliged to say no more, but only to beg your Ladyship's acceptance of the Humble Thanks of,

YOu have convinced the World, that your Sex can as well propagate Learning as our Species, and taught us justly to own all, from our Mother-Wit; 'Tis without the help of Classick Authors, Schools, or Languages, that you Madam, have composed your most excellent Poems, Playes, Fables, The World's Olio, Opinions Philosophical and Physical, which are the greatest Prize the Invention of Printing can boast of: That Admiration and Praise, which your Excellency merits, must be the study of Ages to come; which, by your Works, may be made more knowing. Hi­therto the stolen Tales of Learning, which Scholars, painfully disingenious, have, in several Ages, Trans­lated from lost Languages, and entitled themselves [Page 79] the Authors, are not Rules to try the truth of your notions, nor means to clear them to us, but skreen them from our captivated Apprehensions. Who means to Improve, Madam, by your discoveries, must study them alone, and freeing themselves of the Pains of Grammar Rules, tedious Methods, and the Fallacies of unproved Maxims, may arive early at Truths, may know and be able to discourse things, not senceless Distinctions; and Philosopha­ting, your way, from the visible effects of Nature, may soon know more than the Schools, make their Learning useful, and Bankrupt the Trade of Pedan­try: That you have received, Madam, a Tribute of Applause from the Persons of most fame this Age affords; that Universities have done you Ho­mage as the Queen of Sciences, will be the least of your Glory, whilest you instruct not them, but the Universe, not this alone, but succeeding Ages; and will have your Fame as oft renewed, as fresh Generations come to spy this World, by the light you leave them; which cannot be traduced, for it's Parentage, being sprung from your Rational Soul alone, that borrowing nought from others, can have no Rivall in Renown, but may challenge that sin­gular Honour which all Ingenious Persons publish, and will be made Sacred to your memory, by the most learned, while I among the meanest shall live and dye,

I have, according to your commands, read your Excellencies Orations, and will not disobey your Excellence, in concealing my Opinion of them. Was it to condemn any thing, either in matter or the language, having your Excellencies Warrant for it, I would freely express it, and if it be otherwise, I beg your Excellencies Favour, that Truth may not pass for Courtship, as being to so great a Lady from so mean a man, it is in danger to be suspected, which your Excellence hath been pleased to foresee and forbid. I am, I confess, no great reader, of late, of new Books, having tried formerly, that to find in them the least Jewel it must be sifted out of a great deal of Rubbish, and the worst is, that their Authors take up Errors upon trust one from another, which the better they adorn with new dresses, the greater injury they do to man­kind. To make up such Volumes out of Collecti­ons, as Bees gather Hony from this and that Flower, is rather laborious Industry than fine Wit; But to spin out of one's own Bowels, not Cobwebs as Spiders do, but rich Tissues of Gold and Silver, ex­presses a great Fancy well improved, with much thinking. As every man is not capable of so extra­ordinary Productions, so is not every Woman; but that Women are naturally as capable of it as Men, if not more, may easily be proved by making an exact comparison of both their Temperaments and Organs, which would be a discourse too long to be inserted in a Letter, and your Excellence hath so clearly decided that Question by your unimitable Works, that it saves sufficiently that trouble. The [Page 81] greatest Masters in Oratory having been necessitated to acknowledge, that the best art consists in hiding of it, it may be inferred, that it is yet better to have none at all, as a natural Amble is to be preferred to that which is got with Tramells, or the grace­ful Walking of a Gentleman more esteemed than the affected Demarch of a Dancer: and it is truly a very rare thing to be a great Scholar without be­ing acquainted with the Universities, and Learned without the help of Teachers. As there is variety of Sciences, so there are several sorts of Capacities to acquire them, some proving excellent in one kind, some in another; but to be capable of all, as well Philosophy as Playes, and Poems as Orations, be­longs only to a very few, whose Statues should be erected in all the eminent Places in the World, for their Glory, and our Admiration. I can hardly stop my Pen from describing what I have marked in ge­neral; for to set down my particular Observations, they are of so many extraordinary Things, that or­dinary Terms (and I am capable of no other) can­not make them to be understood, and I am extreme sensible, that even what is commonly called Defect, here becomes comly, like some Moles in a beautiful Face, and that what seemes strange at first, because it crosses the usual Methods of our Studies, gives at last occasion of amazement, to see your Excel­lency go so far in the way of knowledge, with stand­ing still, in a manner, and that others should run continually like Squerils in a Cage, without advan­cing forwards; which happens, I believe because they dare not, or cannot go one step without Stilts, and your Excellence trusts to the goodness of your Legs, having been pleased to allow me the [Page 82] honour to read your Manuscript, I make no doubt but your Excellency will afford the patience to read this tedious Letter, which though it makes a very small sound, and a weak clapping of Hands, is a part of that great Applause the whole World gives to your Excellency, and a certain testimony, that I am out of Inclination, as well as Duty,

HAd I returned you this Letter of Thanks, for the great Honour you did me in send­ing me your Plays, before I had read them, it would have lookt like a peece of Flattery, and my Praise of you would have made me like a Blind man, who fell in love with a Beauty which he ne­ver saw. But having taken time to read them all over, and some of them more than once, I can now upon a clear Judgement assure your Ladyship, that my entertainment was so great, that I know not whether I read them or saw them Acted. For though the Plots, Acts, and Scenes, be drest in several shapes, and have that which is the life of Pleasure, a musical variety, yet the Wit, and rich Compo­sure of them is so much every where the same, that I fancied my self a Spectator in the perusal, and was [Page 83] doubtful, whether your Ladyship with your Book had not sent me the new Theater too. I never in any Dramatick Writings met with more Honour and Virtue matcht with more Sharpness and delight. Which had it come from such a Pen as Ben Jonson's, who was always powring Oyle into his Lamp, and owed most of his Excellencies to his laborious Industry and Art, I should the less wonder. But coming from a Quill held by a Ladys Hand, who made it not her Toyl but Recreation to do rarely, confirms me in an Opinion which I have long held, That the best Art is nothing but the best Imitation of Nature; and that your Books are the true face, and others but the painted. Madam, as I look upon you as a great Princess, (for you are so) so that which renders you to be the Glory and happiest of your Sex, is that you can bring forth such Children of your Mind in a Wilderness, and in your Coun­trey Walks can chuse all the Muses to be your Maids of Honour. And, truly, when I consider one part of your happiness more, which is, That you have a Noble Lord to be your Fellow-Poet, whose Harmonious Soul and Wit, is exactly tuned to yours, I have nothing left to wish, but to be al­lowed to remain

I have waited long for a convenience to return my very humble gratitude to your Excellency, that the poor Church of Litchfield hath some hope in due time to receive some furtherance in it's Reparation, from your noble munificence. I am one of those many, that are perswaded, that your Ex­cellency spent more Treasure to maintain the Royal Cause, in the late Warrs, besides the hazard of your Person, than any Subject in the three Realms; and am at wonder that it is not most eminently rewarded and repayed. My gratious Lord; I having been one from my youth addicted to the ingenuity of Poetry, whereof your Honour hath been a great Patron, did betake my self, thirteen years since, to write three Books in Verse, Latine and Heroick, to bewail the most barbarous murther committed upon the person of King Charles the Martyr. The work is long­since finisht, and shall in due time be publisht; In the third Book thereof, mention being made of his Majesties most Heroick Champions, these Verses fol­lowing, set forth your Excellency as I was able;

Receive this Testimony, my very gratious Lord, from him that is willing to embalm your memory with due praise.

I Gave your Grace not long since the trouble of a very large Letter, and know not whether I may wish it came safe, being affraid there was some kind of rudeness in so tedious a Scrible. I now send this to crave Pardon for the bold im­portunity of that; and to desire another addition to your Graces Favours, which is, to honour the last Edition of my Witchcraft with your Illustrious Eye, and Acceptance. I suppose I have in it an­swered some of your Graces Objections, and have added a Relation or two, which I am well assured of, and believe them good evidence of Fact. I have ordered that Book I have so long spoken of to be sent with it, if it can yet be procured; and implore your Graces ingenious Candor in judging the faults of both. For that of Preexistence I have many things to say more about it, which I think not fit publickly to expose; your Grace may com­mand my inmost sentiments of those matters which I shall be proud to impart to a Person of so great Honour and Judgement, being really

I held a long dispute within my self (most Noble, and most Honourable Madam) whe­ther I should not incurr the just censure of Condemnation, by this bold presumption of writing to your Ladyship, a person so noble, so courted, so admired, and I so obscure, that I could never brag of the happiness once to have seen, much less of being known to your Honour: my low condition on this hand, deterred me much, and on that your Illustrious Place, balanced with a gallantry of Spi­rit, well becoming your true Nobility, in birth and match: yet when I considered, in my mind, that your Honour was pleased to appear now in ano­ther dress, under the Veil of Books, I thought my self unworthy that exceeding Honour you have vouchsafed me, if I should not, at least, acknowledge, what I could never retaliate or express: And who can express the merit of that noble favour? The Heavenly Raptures of your Soul, composed with that elaborate skill, and beams of pure Wit, that your lines pass admiration? Were those Antients now alive, who first discoursed of Atomes, Matter, Form, and other Ingredients of the Worlds Fabrick, they would hang their Heads, confounded to see a Lady of most Honourable Extraction, in Prime of youth, amidst a thousand fasheries of greatness, say more of their own Mysteries, than they with all their worldly contempts, long Lives, Cells, and So­litary Retirements. Great Souls in the light of con­versation, gain far more Knowledge, than mewed up Cloysterers, and shew more to the World; their Inventions shine more Orient, their Illuminations [Page 87] more Refulgent, though cloathed in vulgar termes, their own peoples Dialect: Few mount Fames Cha­riot with borrowed Wings: and those old Philoso­phers too knew only their own Tongue Greek, as your Honour complains you only speak your Native English. Wherein they had some advantage of you, a Language more copious, round, and full, though the English can want no Elegance, Propriety, or Sweetness, when it flows from such a Mouth as yours, or drops from such a Pen. Go on then (most Honourable Madam) to bless the World, with these noble Infants of your Brain; give Po­sterity an example for after Ages, since former have given you none, but what you have outstript: It were Impiety, to wish you less great, that Court­ships might not defraud us of your Immortal mo­numents: No, be great still, Diminutions would but cool those Heroick Fires within you; let For­tune confer all her Gifts on you as Nature hath all her endowments,

And I assure you (most Noble Madam) you can never stand higher, or greater in the whole Worlds esteem than you now are, and ever shall be in the most deserved Veneration, of him who glorieth, to subscribe himself,

May it please your Excellence, My ever Honoured, Most Noble Lord.

WHen I last had the honour to kiss your Excellencies Hands at Antwerp, you were pleased to bestow on me, The Passions of the Soul, Written by the Noble Du Cartes, in Token of your singular Love and Re­spect to me: The Work Learned, the Author Re­nowned, rendered the Gift Eminent, but much more, conferred by so Honorable a Peer, upon so unconsi­derable a creature, as my self: and all ought to have been vehement incentives to a thankful acknow­ledgement: yet hitherto your splendor, even in this your Eclipse, hath so prevailed over my modesty, that I buried your Favour not in Oblivion but Si­lence; thinking it well became my condition, rather to hold my peace, than speak below the merit, or slat the sublime dignity of the Person to whom I should speak. But now your Excellencies late ac­cumulation of excessive Charity, in sending me by Dr. Morley, the Works of your most Honourable, Vertuous, and Learned Consort, hath chidd my Ingratitude unto a Blush beyond Confusion; and made me feel some of Du Cartes Passions, transfer­red from your first gift to your second: I should have consecrated all my pains, to your never dying Fame, as to a prime Patron of Learning, and I re­ceive Books from you; Books rare and transcen­dent, distilled from the Brain of a most Noble Mi­nerva, a Lady, your own Lady, whom delicacy of Education, height of Birth and Place, might well have exempted from such inferiour employments: [Page 89] yet composed with so curious art, quick stile, refined airy notions, Words so proper elegant and de­lightful both in Verse and Prose, that I must ever admire the Harmony of her inspiring Soul: And thence reffecting on my self, blame my own un­worthiness, who have spent more time at Univer­sities, without any benefit to Posterity, than her Honour hath lived years in the World: so fresh and vigorous is her Fancy, so dull and superan­nuated mine: yet in this dejection of Mind, I am much refreshed, that your Excellence accounts me worthy to read her lines; you cast me down, and raise me up; cast me down by her Writings, which as I never expected, so I never hope to parallel, and you raise me, by the uncancelled estimation, which you still bear in memory of my mean self. It is your goodness (my ever Honoured Noble Lord) to peruse low things with Grace and Mer­cy, and the method of all Honourable Souls, to shine on Shrubs, that their Favours may higher ad­vance in Prospect. You subjugate my Affections, as you do great Horses to your Managery. Na­poli gli putedri, Roma scozzona gli huomini, the Italian Proverb goes; Naples tames Horses, and Rome Men: The Virtues of both reign in you: In the rare art of taming Horses you excell all mor­tals, and subdue Men by a no less wonderful Af­fability: that he must be out of the light of repu­tation, whom you have not particularly obliged, or pointed out with some mark of Honour: I triumph much in your respect of me, not that I have deserved it, but that you have vouchsafed it; and shall wish no longer to be blest, then I [Page 90] shall evermore endeavour to express my self in all things.

I was very much surprized when your Servant saluted me from so Illustrious a personage; but when he produced those noble Volumes as an intended Testimony of your Ladyships respect, the unexpectedness of so great an honour made me suspect the Messenger of a mistake, and that he pre­sented me with what was meant fitter for the Colledge, or at least to some more worthy and considerable per­son than my self. But he persisting still in the same story, my doubts were swallowed up into admira­tion of your Ladyship's singular and unparalleld goodness; which seems to me to be Corrival with the excellency of your Wit, and to seek an equal share of Glory in searching out Objects of such con­descending Acts of Civility, and Bounty, in these obscure corners of Academical Retirement, as the other in piercing into the greatest difficulties and the most dark and obstruce Recesses of Philosophy. Madam I humbly crave Pardon for my boldness, and impatience that I offer so hastily to return thanks for so eminent a Favour, before I have well compu­ted [Page 91] the value thereof, nor as yet fitly polished and adorned my Stile, by a longer converse with your Ladyships most Elegant and Ingenious Writings. But the cause of defects in this kind being so freely confessed, your noble cand or will be pleased to ac­cept the rude reality of those speedy acknowledge­ments made by

IN you, the World hath an Illustrious Example of the truth of their Opinion, who hold, that no Virtue is single, but alwayes accompanied with some (if not all) of its Fellows. For (to omit those many other Virtues, which seem to contend each with other, which shall render you conspicuous) to that general Charity of yours, whereby you dayly oblige all mankind, in supplying the poverty of their Understandings with the Spiritual Almes of Know­ledge; you have added an extraordinary Genero­sity, by enriching with your choice Volumes, the Libraries of some particular Persons, whom you are pleased to think capable of comprehending your curious Speculations therein contained. And in the number of these your Bouuty hath given me a right to account my self. For which eminent Grace and Favour while I strive to shew my self Grateful, I find [Page 92] my Faculties wholly taken up with Admiration: and that Reason I should make use of, to help me express my sentiments decently, is dimmed with the Glories of the Person to whom I address, If, there­fore, I am not able to acquit my self of that Duty, as I ought; you are to reflect on the exceeding difficulty of it. Justice requires, you should pardon the Effects of that Transport and Astonishment, of which your Excellencies are the cause: and when I cannot advance the due Tribute of Thanks, you ought to admit my Homage of Acknowledge­ments.

Your Wit, Madam, is above all Commenda­tions; your Industry above Belief; your Labours, in Writing, above humane patience; your Curio­sity above Imitation; your Notions above any, but your own Subtlety; and all above your Sex. Your Collections by the improvement they receive from your fertile Brain, become your own Productions: and those obscure Hints delivered to you in the Discourses of others, by passing through your lightsome Imagination, are turned into bright and full Discoveries. You solve Pro­blems with more ease than others have proposed them: and your Pen hath this particular advantage, that it leaves no Darkness on the Paper besides that of the Ink. Where you treat of Arguments for­merly handled by others, you either give them more light, or contract what they had before into a narrower and more familiar Compass; and upon all occasions you either produce new things, or speak old ones after a new manner; so that you stagger the truth of that saying of the wise Man, That nothing is new under the Sun. Your Expres­sions [Page 93] for the most part are Natural, yet Select; at once explaining and adorning your Matter: and they who read your Books with design to be in­formed in points of Philosophy, find themselves at the same time introduced also in Rhetorique. In a word; while you bring Reasons for the most ad­mirable Works of Nature, you shew your self to be her greatest Miracle: and your prodigious Sa­gacity inclines even the Envious to believe, that all you need do to comprehend the most obstruse things, is only to think on them.

This Language, Madam, is but the imperfect Echo of your merits; nor can any thing, but your modesty, hinder you from owning it so to be. How­ever, I most humbly beseech you to hear it, as most proper to that high Honour and Veneration due to you from,

YOur Books have here had a very honou­rable, and publick Reception, and are not only placed in the private Libraries of every single Colledge, but in the publick also. Not without the Applause and Admiration of the Learned men of this Place, that one of your Sex, a great Princess, and not bred to the Arts with [Page 94] labour, and toil, as they are, should with so much excellent variety appear among us. And truly Ma­dam when I consider the various Subjects you have past through, it would pose me something to find a proper place in any Library for your Works to stand in, whether among the Orators, Poets, Philosophers, States-men, or Polititians, since every one of these may be ambitious to stand next you. Nor can I forbear to let your Ladyship know, that the two last Books which you were pleased to send to me, added to the former, which I had the honour to re­ceive from you, are for their number my lesser Li­brary, but for the value which I put upon the Noble Hand which drew the Lines, far the greater. Your Servant tells me you would willingly have some of them translated into the Catholick Language. Though it will be hard to make them speak so good Latine as they now do English, yet I have prevailed with an Ingenious Person of this Colledge to under­take the Work when ever you shall please to assign his Task, whereby your Writings will be enabled to travel beyond the Seas, and spread themselves, both to your Honour, and the Honour of your Na­tion, as far as the Commonwealth of Learning reaches. How far your Ladiship will be served in this particular, when you are come to a resolution with your own Noble Thoughts, you may please to signify to

I Have the ill Fortune when I am bound to ac­knowledge a very high Obligation to your Excellence, at the same time also to stand in need of your Pardon, that I have done it no sooner. However, I wish I had the Skill to perform the one part as answerable to your merit and my duty, as I am confident of your goodness to give success un­to the other. The Books you condescended to be­stow upon me have turned a sorry Study into a rich Library, which are so much their own commenda­tions (besides the gloss your Honourable Name must give them) that mine I fear may look like Injury and Rebatement to their Worth. I must not, Madam, be too bold with your hours, which you have devoted to better uses than the reading of such Papers; but with the tender of my hum­blest Thanks to your Excellence for the high Ho­nour you have vouchsafed me, wishing you all the happiness of this, and the better life to come, I Rest,

IN obedience to your Commands sent me by your Servant in his last Letter, I have put your Book of Tales into the Hand of a fit person to translate them into Latine as I think either Uni­versity can afford. Being an exact Master of both Languages, and enabled with a Genius sit for such an undertaking. I have also read as much of your Poetry translated by a young Scholar as hath hither­to past his Pen. In some parts whereof I find him happy enough. But your Excellent Fancy expres­sing it self sometimes in Terms of Art, and Words only known to Philosophy, he tells me the hardest part of his Task will be how to find out current Roman Words to match them. To remove which difficulty, I have directed him to read Lucretius be­fore he proceed farther; who having softned the most stubborn parts of Natural Philosophy, by ma­king them run smoothly in his tunable Verses, by an easy Imitation will teach him to do the like. Ha­ving in these two particulars most readily served you, I should return you my Studied Thanks, for the se­veral Books you are pleased to send me, if they did not make me unhappy, by conversing with the Children of your Mind at so great a distance from the incomparable Parent. For I do assure your Excellency, I look upon Welbek, as long as you are there, not as a Noble House seated among solitary Groves, but as a perfect Court of Wit and Learning, where you have all the Muses for your Maids of Honour; and the best Philosophers, Statesmen, Orators, and Historians for your Counsellors: And all these for the Glory of your Sex, created from [Page 97] your self. Had I the Art, like some here, to teach Birds to Speak, All the Fowls which fly in your Woods should presently be transformed to Nigh­tingales, and taught Musick enough to sing the praises of so great a Mistress. To whose Vertues I shall always remain,

HAving received a Copy of your Works, for the use of the Library of Christ-Church, and another as a particular favour to my self; I hasten to make my acknowledgments for both: and must beg leave to say that your Excel­lency has found the way to make the Arts truly libe­ral, while you not only adorn them by your Cul­ture, but propagate them by your munificent distri­bution. So that it will rest a Problem not easily to be resolved, whether you appear greater in your acquisitions or obligings: whether you instruct the World, or enrich it more? But it were an envious piece of curiosity, to labour in the Heraldry of your Virtues which are all greatest, because Yours: and are not to be the Subject of Contest, but Argument of Praise and Admiration: In particular manner they are such, to

I Am very sorry that my unhappy Fate hath necessitated an unbecoming Slowness in ac­knowledging a Favour, that requires all possi­bilities of Gratitude, and exceeds them. But yet, had I nothing else to say in excuse of my no ear­lier return to the last Noble effects of your Graces goodness, it were sufficient; That my sence of that mighty Honour was too big for my Pen; and when I began to speak my resentments of it, I found my self as unable to express them, as to deserve their oc­casion. Bet yet, Madam, this is not all the reason, for I was from home when your Grace's Present came, and have been so almost ever since; other­wise I had not added to my want of merit on other accounts, that also of appearing insensible, and de­fective in endeavours of acknowledgment; I must say endeavours, for my Gratitude can rise no higher. Since my receipt of your Grace's ingenious Works, I have, as my occasions would permit, cast my Eyes again into them, and I am sorry they cannot dwell there, where I find so pleasing, and so in­structive an entertainment. And though I must crave your Pardon for dissenting from your Grace's Opinion in some things, I admire the quickness, and vigor of your Conceptions, in all: In which your Grace hath this peculiar among Authors that they are, in the strictest sense, your own, your Grace being indebted to nothing for them, but your own happy Wit, and Genius; a thing so uncommon even among the most celebrated Writers of our Sex, that it ought to be acknowledged with wonder in yours. And really, Madam, your Grace hath set [Page 99] us a patern, that we ought to admire, but cannot imitate. And whereas you are pleased sometimes to mention your being no Scholar, as an excuse of de­fects, your modesty supposeth; By that acknow­ledgment you shew our imperfections that pretend we are so, rather than discover any of your own.

As for the last Trifle I was bold to present to your Graces Eye, it is much indebted to the ob­liging reception you were pleased to afford it; and there is nothing that sets such a lustre on your Graces great Wit, and Intellectual Perfections, as that sweet candor of your Spirit that renders you so accessible, even to your meanest admirers. Where­as your Grace is pleased to object against some part of the design of my Discourse, that it sets the per­fection of the sense higher than that of Ratiocination; I humbly desire that your Grace would consider, that there are two sorts of Reasoning, viz. Those that the Mind advanceth from its own imbred Idaea's and native Store, such are all Metaphysical Contemplations. And those natural researches which are raised from experiment, and the objects of sense. The former are indeed most perfect when they are most abstracted from the grosness of things sensible, but the others are then most compleat when they are most accomodated to them; and when they are not, they are Aery, and Phantastick. Now what I have said about those matters is to tie down the mind in Physical things, to consider Nature as it is, to lay a Foundation in sensible collections, and from thence to proceed to general Propositions, and Discourses. So that my aim is, that we may arise according to the order of nature by degrees from the exercise of our Senses, to that of our Reasons; [Page 100] which indeed is most noble and most perfect when it concludes aright, but not so when 'tis mistaken: And that it may so conclude and arrive to that per­fection, it must begin in sense: And the more ex­periments our reasons have to work on, by so much they are the more likely to be certain in their con­clusions, and consequently more perfect in their actings. But Madam, I doubt I begin to be tedi­ous, and therefore, at present dare add no more, but that I am,

I Had not thus long deferred my dutiful Ac­knowledgments to your Ladyship for the Ho­nour which I received, with your Ingenious Book of Orations; if I had not been in hopes to recommend my Gratitude by presenting your Lady­ship with this Poem, lately Printed; and though it ought not to be ranked amongst those pollished Pieces, which are derived to the World from your fair hands; yet, Madam, I cannot doubt of your candid Reception of it; since in that shining Circle of Graces, which Illustrates your Character, there is not any one more conspicuous, than your Ge­nerous Humility; which I am confident, will ob­tain my Pardon of your Ladyship for presuming [Page 101] to return you such a worthless Present, and Divert­ing you from those solid Entertainments, by which you so improve your Heroick Spirit, and honour the Commonwealth of Letters.

To the worthily Honoured Dr. Charleton, Physitian in Ordinary to his MAJESTY.

HAving received the noble Present from Dr. Yerbury's hand, which you were pleased to recommend to his care; and with it, the very signal Favour of your obliging Letter; I hereby hasten to render my acknowledg­ments in reference to both, which yet must needs fall short, of being in any degree, a just return to either. I have in the inclosed attempted to speak mine, and the Universities Duties, and most grate­ful recognitions to my Lord Duke: but can only hope they may become acceptable from the advan­tage your Hand and Recommendation will give them: and indeed I shall the more need your Friend­ship herein, because I understand some Persons have, according to the method of ill Nature, pleased themselves in doing me unhandsome Offices, with [Page 102] the Excellent Princess her Grace. Whose great and piercing Understanding will, I hope, unravel their vile Arts, who can only recommend themselves by traducing others. Sir you will speak a great Truth, and do no less an Obligation both to this Place and me, if you shall be pleased to assure my Lord Duke and his incomparable Princess, that this University and my self have all imaginable gratitude for their Favours, and Veneration for their Persons: I shall with the same sincerity make profession of the just regard I bear your self, and desire to be esteemed

I Received the Honour of your Graces last Let­ter; but have not time now for so large a return, as so ingenious a Discourse might just­ly require, only I cannot for bear intimating to your Grace, that I am not so fond a mechanist, as to sup­pose all the Phoenomena of the World to be raised meerly by those Laws; but most of them perhaps by a Principle that is vital; And the Anima Mundi I take to be a very likely, and convenient Hypothe­sis. Of this I am ready to give your Grace an ac­count, that you shall be pleased to permit it. But the business of this is somewhat of another nature, being to implore a Favour from your Grace, not [Page 103] upon mine own, but a publick account. There is in this Place a Library erected, chiefly for the diversion of Gentlemen that come hither upon the occasion of the Bath. There are in it several worthy Authors, but it wants the great Honour and Ornament of the Illustrious Dutchess of New-Castle's Works. I know, Madam, your Grace hath alwayes writ out of a Principle of Noble Generosity, and Charity towards Mankind; and are very ready to dispense your Influence to those that need your Informations: To this I understand most of the considerable Li­braries of England can bear a Testimony; and there­fore I am bold upon the confidence I have in your Grace's goodness, to become an humble Solicitor in the behalf of ours, which will be very much en­nobled by so glorious an Instance of your Grace's Favour, if you shall please to Honour it with those Ingenious Works, by which your Grace doth so much outshine your Sex, and many, that would be thought the greatest Wits, of ours. You see, Ma­dam, what an apprehension I have of your Grace's Benignity and Candor, in that I can appear before your Grace in a request for a Favour to others, when I am my self so infinite a Debtor to those many ob­ligations your Grace hath been pleased to lay upon me, for all which I have nothing to return, but the most humble and devout Acknowledgments, of,

I Received a fresh obligation from your Grace in the excellent History you were pleased to order for me. In which your Grace hath done right to one of the most Illustrious Hero's of our Age, and erected a lasting Monument to his Virtue. And in it, Madam, your Grace hath sweet­ly and wonderfully twisted the Faithfulness of an Historian, with the Affections of a Wife; And your Illustrious Lord hath in this an Honour beyond the other great Subjects of History, That his Grace hath not only as much deserved to be Celebrated as they, But hath moreover the happiness of the nearest Re­lation to an Heroine, whose Pen is as Glorious as his Sword. And 'tis not easy to say which is really the greater Wonder, the Famous Loyalty of that great Person, or the uncommon Excellence of the Pen that described it. But I must take up from a Sub­ject, in which, when I have said all I can, I shall be defective; and return to the last Letter wherewith your Grace was pleased to Honour me. For the business of Witches upon which your Grace reflects again in this, I have spoken many things more a­bout it in some Additions to my Considerations, which I am now sending to the Press. As soon as that Discourse is extant, I shall beg your Graces acceptance of it. In the interim those things may be superseded.

By Lower Nature in my last, Madam, I meant, the meer Animal, and Plastick Faculties, whose vio­lent Impetus is the cause of many of our irregularities and vices. As to the rest, I acquiesce in your Grace's Determinations; And whereas your Grace is pleased [Page 105] to Excuse the liberty of Arguings; 'tis Madam with me that which least of all things needs to be excused. For I profess the largest freedom of Discourse and Inquiry. As for violent and captious Disputes and Oppositions, I indeed much dislike the immodesty, and immoralities of them; But for free and ingenious exchange of the Reasons of our particular Senti­ments, 'tis that which discovers Truth, improves Knowledge, and may be so managed as to be no disinterest to Charity. Your Grace Madam, I know is a Person of so much Honour and Judgement, as not to take any thing amiss from my liberty in ex­pressing my apprehensions, which I use not to ob­trude upon any, but to propose to their Considera­tion and Enquiries; and for my self there is nothing obligeth me more than the knowledge of variety of Conceptions. There is a Discourse of mine ex­tant upon a Subject not very ordinary, which con­tains Notions which some excellent Persons have not despised, and are not usually met with in other Writings. I am inquiring after it for your Grace, and as soon as I can procure one (which is not very easy, that being out of Print) I shall submit it to your Grace's Judgement. I never saw that Book of Experimental Philosophy, which your Grace men­tions. And to this, Madam, I have no more to add at present, but that I am

IT was most fit and equal that as your great Name and Merit transcends the glories of o­ther Persons; it should be also as singular in its Description; and have an Historian some way proportioned both in Honour and unparallel'd Ca­pacities to its self: which just felicity having hap­pened to your Grace, by the Pen of your Illustri­ous Princess, it remained that one narrow dialect, should not confine that Relation to this our Island, which was to give Example to the Heroes of all Nations. And now that in this respect also, your Name is happily Consecrated to Eternity, We of this Place, are to look upon it as a signal Honour, to be made Sacrists to it: and to think it a particular Reward of our suffering in that cause, which you so gloriously asserted, and accompanied in its fall, to be judged a proper repository, for the Noblest History of its greatest and most busy transactions, and of the Person most gloriously concerned in them. And certainly while Oxford is an University of Loyalty, as well as Learning, which I hope it will never for­get to be, your Graces virtues and atchivements, will be their equal argument of Study, and Imitati­on: as now your Favours are of their most grate­ful recognition and acknowledgment: which in their behalf, with all possible Devotion, are laid at your Graces Feet, by

IT was my misfortune to be abroad in Kent when the Letter wherewith your Grace vouch­safed to Honour me, came to London. And therefore as I came late to taste the Pleasure of so high a Favour, I hope your Grace will permit me to plead that delay in excuse of this slow return of my most humble Acknowledgments and Thanks for it. My most Noble Lord (were it not known by experience that great Persons, and great Minds, are most apt to stoop from their own height, and own mean and inconsiderable services offered to them) I should say it was too low a Condescension in your Grace, to take notice of my readiness to comply with your Desires: Wherein (beside the discharge of my Duty) I did likewise serve the ends of my Ambition; it having ever been the Vanity of Soul­diers to think themselves dignified by the Honours done to their General. This made me with great Delight employ my self in Designing that for your Grace, which I should be sorry to live to accom­plish, being already unhappy enough, in Burying too many Princes. For the thing it self I am glad to see the King do that which is so decent and wor­thy of him, as to order your Grace a Tomb among the Kings, who have always been so near to him, and who stood up so close to his Father in extremity of Danger, and so bravely, that had not God designed to restore the Crown, in his own Miraculous way, it had certainly been done before by your Hand. However your Grace hath prepared for your self a more Noble, and more lasting Monument, in the Fame of your Heroick Actions, of some of them I [Page 108] had the happiness to be an Eye-witness, upon which pretence I humbly beg the Honour to retain unto your Grace in the Quality of

To the Incomparable Princess, MARGARET, Dutchess of NEW-CASTLE.

AMong many other things, by which your Grace is pleased to distinguish your self from other Writers, this seems to be not the least remarkable; that whereas they imploy only their wit, labour, and time, in composing Books, You bestow also great summs of Money in Print­ing Yours: and not content to enrich our Heads alone, with your rare Notions, you go higher, and adorn our Libraries, with your elegant Volumes. To that general Charity, which disposeth you to benefit all Mankind, you have added a singular Bounty, whereby you oblige particular Persons: and out of a Nobleness peculiar to your Nature, you cause your Munificence to Rival your Indu­stry.

This, Madam, among many other your Ex­cellencies, Gratitude commands me to acknowledge; Your Grace having been pleased to number me a­mong [Page 109] those, whom you vouchsased to honour with such extraordinary Presents. For which I know not how to shew my self duely thankful, otherwise than by celebrating your Generosity, and return­ing you some account of the good effects they wrought in me, while I perused them. Which con­sidering the Noble End for which you wrote them, and my inability to make you a more proportionate retribution; will not, I hope, be unacceptable to you. To this purpose, therefore, I am bold to send your Grace this rude Paper. Which yet I design, not as a Panegyric of your worth (for what affects us with admiration, strikes us also with dumbness: and Stars are best discerned by their own lustre) but as a short Scheme of my own grateful Sentiments. And if I be not so happy, to deliver them in Language agreeable to the dignity of the Subject, I humbly beseech you to consider, that such occasions offer themselves very rarely; and that nothing is more difficult, than to make the Pen observe Decorum, where Reason is put into disorder, Justice, Ma­dam, requires you should pardon the effects of that astonishment, whereof your Wonders are the cause.

They tell us, that the End of all Books is either profit, or pleasure: but I think that distinction (as many other in the Schools) might well be spared: because, in truth, profit supposeth pleasure; and pleasure is the greatest profit; nor am I ashamed to profess, that in all my reading I have no other aim but pleasure. It will not then, I hope, Madam, be thought derogatory to the Profitableness of your Grace's Books, If I acknowledge my self to have received very great pleasure in reading them. And [Page 110] this pleasure was so charming, it so far transported me, as often to make me wish, you might never entertain a resolution of causing your works to be Translated into any other Language: that so all Ingenious Forreigners, invited by the Fame of your most delightful Writings, might be brought to do Honour to the English Tongue, by learning it on purpose to understand them. For I am zealous for the Reputation of my native Language, and of so communicative a temper, as to desire all men should participate of what I find delectable. Besides, I could not but remember, that I had known a great Man of our Nation, who studied Italian, only to acquaint himself with the Mathematiques of Galileo, in his Del Movimento, and Saggiatore; and Spa­nish, meerly out of love to the Incomparable History of Don Quixot: and was thereupon the more apt to promise my self that your Grace's Works, no less admirable in their kind, than either of those, would have the like influence upon some of the Bons Esprits beyond Sea. But this, Madam, was only my Wish: it is not now my Counsel. Should I here particularly recount to you, what the things were, that raised this so great delight in me, I should both offend by prolixity, and tacitly cast disparage­ment upon the rest. For,

And what the witty Roman Stoic said of the excel­lent sayings of Zeno, Cleanthes, Chrysippus and other Princes of that Sect, may be conveniently accommo­dated to the delightful Remarks every where occur­ring in your Books, viz. That no choice can be made, [Page 111] where all things are equally Eminent. However, be­cause there is no satisfaction in Generals, and that Order is necessary to plainness: give me leave to divide my Text into three parts, your Natural Philosophy, your Morals, and your Poetry.

For your NATƲRAL Philosophy; it is in­genious and free, and may be, for ought I know, Excellent: but give me leave, Madam, to confess, I have not yet been so happy, as to discover much therein that's Apodictical, or wherein I think my self much obliged to acquiesce. But, that may be the the fault of my own dull Brain: and Oracles have been after found true, that were at first Dark and Enigmatical. Again I am somewhat slow of be­lief also; a continual seeker: as conceiving, I have too much cause to be of Seneca's opinion, that Men may, indeed enquire and determine what is most pro­bable, but God alone knows what's true, in the things of Nature. Nor am I single in this Sceptical Judge­ment. The ROYAL SOCIETY it self (the Tribunal of Philosophical Doctrines) is of a con­stitution exceedingly strict and rigid in the exami­nation of Theories concerning Nature; no respecter of Persons or Authorities, where Verity is concerned; seldom, or never yielding assent without full con­viction: and that's the Reason why it made choice of these three Words for its Motto, Nullius in verba.

This Madam, can be no discredit to your Philosophy in particular, because common to all others: and he is a bold Man, who dares to exempt the Physics of Aristotle himself, or of Democritus, or Epi­curus, or Des Cartes, or Mr. Hobbs, or any other hither­to known. For my part, Seriously, I should be loath [Page 112] to affirm, that they are any other but ingenious Comments of Mens Wits upon the dark and inex­plicable Text of the World; plausible Conjectures at best; and no less different, perhaps, from the true History of Nature, than Romances are from the true actions of Heroes. Nor will I adventure to determine, which of the two, Aristotle or your Grace, hath given us the best definition of the Hu­mane Soul: He, when he calls it Entelechia; or you when you say, it is a Supernatural something, &c. So difficult is it to make a judgement of what seems incomprehensible.

Nor are you to be discouraged, Madam, If your Philosophy have not the fate to be publickly read in all Universities of Europe, as your Grace, doubt­less out of a most Heroic ambition to benefit Man­kind, desires it should. For, while Men are Men, there will be different Interests, and consequently different Opinions: nor is the multitude of Follow­ers a certain sign of the Soundness, but of the Gain­fulness of any Doctrine. If, therefore, the World, which is obstinate (you know) and governed by pre­judice, will not be induced to esteem, what you think useful; the blame lyes not at your Door, and you ought to consolate your self with this reflexion; that you have sufficiently testified your good inten­tions, and done more than your Duty, in publishing your Conceptions. Besides, the Virtuosi of our English Universities have, of late years, proclamed open War against the tyranny of Dogmatizing in any Art or Science: and as for those of the Roman Religion; there is, I fear me, but little hope, of ma­king them your Proselites. Because those canting Polititians, called School-men, having made a new and [Page 113] party-colour'd Vest for the Church, of a kind of Drugget, consisting of the Thrums of Peripatetic Philosophy, cunningly interwoven among the Gol­den threads of the Christian Faith; and prevailed, upon Princes to make it Piacular for any Scholar to appear with his Judgement clad in any other Livery: it is not very unlikely, the Professors there will soon be brought to offend their Superiors, by laying aside the defence of Aristotle's Maxims, to assume the Patronage of New. So that in my silly conceipt, as the Cabbage is observed to starve the Vine, if set too near: so the Philosophy of Thomas Aquinas and others of the same mystical Tribe, will hinder the growth of yours, in the same Ground.

For your MORAL Philosophy (for so I take liberty to call your occasional Reflections upon the Actions, Manners, and Fortunes of Men) Your Grace has not, indeed tied up your Pen to the la­borious rules of Method, or the formality of a new Systeme in Ethics: but (what is as well) you have opportunely, and under various heads, dispersed many useful remarks, concerning Prudence, as well Civil, as Domestic, in most of your Writings. And this, it may be presumed, you were pleased to do, not for want of Skill to reduce your rules of life into the order of dependence and connexion; but with de­sign, to shew your plenty, and surprize your Readers with good counsel even where they least expect it. You chose rather to regale us with delicate Fictions, under the veil whereof wholesom instructions are neatly contrived, than to embarass and tire us with the observation ofa long train of Precepts, which are never so effectual, as when naturally flowing from agreeable Instances and Examples: Your very in­terludes [Page 114] contain adviso's, and your digressions are seasonably instructive: like wise Husbandmen, you plant Fruit-Trees in your Hedge-rows, and set Straw­berries and Rasberries among your Roses and Lil­lies. This, Madam, is a piece of no small art, though not obvious to common Eyes: and if any dislike the course you have taken in thus scattering and disguising your Morals; I would have him asked this Question, Whether or no it be folly for a man to refuse to gather Oranges and Citrons, only be­cause the trees that offer them, are not ranged in the Order of Cyrus's Quincunx? or whether a Nosegay be less fragrant, because pluck'd from Flowers grow­ing dispersedly? To all who have read your Comi­cal Tales, with the same purity of Mind, with which you wrote them, and are withal qualified to search into the Mythology of all your imaginary Dialogues: to all such, I say, it is evident, that you have drawn the Images of all the Virtues, on one hand, and their opposite Vices, on the other, so much to the life; that men, beholding them, must be, by grateful violence, compelled to love the Pulchritude of those, and abhor the deformity of these. Now, this, Ma­dam, you could not have done had you not first had the Idea's of all Virtues within your self: it being absolutely necessary for a Painter, first to conceive the form or similitude of the thing he intends to re­present, in his own Imagination; and then to make the resemblance according to that form. So that in strictness of truth, those Pictures we call Originals, are but Copies, yea Copies of Copies: as being first drawn from the life in the Phantasy, and after pourtrai'd upon Tables. Besides this, your Grace is further happy, in that the Morals of your Pen are [Page 115] clearly exemplified in those of your Life; in which I have never heard any thing blamed, any thing di­sputed, unless whether it hath been more Innocent, or more Obliging. In fine, the Documents of both your Pen and Life seem to be so good, that who­ever is able to moderate his Passions, and regulate his Actions by them, needs not to seek further af­ter Happiness: nor need I fear to pronounce him ar­rived at such perfection, that it will not be easy for him to be brought to do ill, either out of Weakness, or out of Design.

For your POETRY; therein your Grace hath more than a single advantage above others.

First, Your Vein appears equally facile, equally free, and copious upon all occasions, in all sorts of arguments. The Buskin and the Sock are equally fit for your Muses Legs. Your Phansy is too ge­nerous to be restrained: Your Invention too nimble to be fettered. Hence it is, that you do not always confine your Sense to Verse; nor your Verses to Rhythme; nor your Rhythme to the quantity and sounds of Sillables. Your Descriptions, Expressions, Similies, Allegories, Metaphors, Epithets, Num­bers, all flow in upon you of their own accord, and in full Tides: and Verses stand ready minted in the Treasury of your Brain, as Tears in some Womens Eyes, waiting to be called forth. So that in you is verified the Doctrine of Plato, in his Dialogue in­titled Io; that Poesy is not a faculty proceeding from judgement, or acquired by labour and industry; but a certain divine Fury, or Enthusiasm, which scorning the controle of Reason, transports the Spirit in Rap­tures, as Jove's Eagle did Ganymed, or as Witches are said to be wafted above the Clouds on the wings [Page 116] of their Familiars. Which is, perhaps, the ground of that old saying, nemo fit Poeta, no Poet is made, but born so: as the rage and liberty of a Poetic Ge­nius gave occasion to paint Pegasus with Wings, in a flying posture, and without a Bridle.

Secondly, In your whole Oglio of Poems, I find nothing which is not intirely Your own. Like good Housewifes in the Countrey, you, make a Feast wholly of your own provisions: yea, even the Dressing, Sawces, and Garniture of the Dishes are Your own. And were Perilius Faustinus revived (he, who out of envy to the Glory of Virgil, made and published a large Catalogue of his Thefts from Homer and Hesiod) he could hardly discover so much as a single Verse borrowed, by you, from any Poet, antient or modern. So circumspect you are to avoid being thought a Plagiary, that you walk not in beaten Paths, but decline even the rules and methods of your Predecessors, and scorn Imitation, as a kind of Theft. A commendation, Madam, due to very few, perhaps to none besides your self. As your Grace, therefore, owes all your Poesy to the inspi­ration of your own happy Genius alone; so we owe all the Pleasure we are sensible of in reading your Poems, to you alone. I may have many rivals in these my thankful acknowledgements, you can have no Competitor in the Glory of their occasi­ons.

This double Felicity is augmented by the accession of two others, no less worthy admiration. One is, that as you have made your self an Original, so are you likewise secure from being Copied. You have indeed, given the world an illustrious Example; but you have given what it cannot take, the Example [Page 117] being of that height, that it is hardly attainable. You provoke our Emulation, and at the same time cast us into despair. Your Poetical Fancies rather brave, than instruct our capacities: and by setting before our Eyes things inimitable, you vex our ambition, and oblige us to an unprofitable trouble.

Another is, that you exceed all of your delicate Sex, not only in this age, but in all ages past. It would puzle the best Historian to find your Parallel among the most famous Women: and in the Mo­numents of the Roman greatness, even while that Glorious Nation held the Empire as well of Virtue and Wit, as that of the World, I cannot meet with an Heroine, to whom I dare to compare you. There are, I confess, who tell us of a Noble Roman Lady, one Sulpitia, who composed a History of Domiti­an's times, in Hexametre Verses, and wrote many Elegant Poems besides; and who hath been highly celebrated by Martial, Tibullus, Sidonius Apollinaris, and of late by Scaliger also, as an eminent Pattern both of a Chast and Immaculate Life, and of a neat Poetical Wit: and once I had some thoughts of drawing a Parallel betwixt that Lady and your Grace. But, upon a second examination of the par­ticular Remarks, wherein I had fansied the resem­blance chiefly to consist; and a more serious review of the Story of her Life, and the remains of her Pen, (extant among the Fragments of Latine Po­ets, and usually annexed to Petronius Arbiter) I perceived, I could not proceed in that resolution, without disadvantage on your part, by a conference so unequal; and thereupon resumed my former co­gitation, that your Grace's Statue ought to be placed [Page 118] alone, and at the upper end, in the Gallery of Heroic Women, and upon a Pedestal more advanced than the rest. We read not that Nature hath been so Prodi­gal of her choicest Largesses, as to produce two Cice­ro's, or two Virgil's, or two Ben Johnson's: why, then, should we seek after your Equal? It was their glory to be single: and it must be yours, to have no Peer, for ought we know, you are the First great Lady, that ever Wrote so much and so much of your own: and, for ought we can divine, you will also be the Last.

These, Madam, are a few of those swarms of thoughts that crowded into my unquiet Head, when I proposed to my self to express some part at least of the great Honour and Reverence I owe your Grace. If I have so far obeyed the impulse of my Gratitude and Devotion, as to put them into Words, and offer them to your knowledge; it was not, I as­sure you, out of a vain conceipt, that they were answerable either to your vast Merits, or to my Obli­gations; but meerly upon Confidence, you would descend to exercise your Goodness and Candor, in receiving them as a simple recognition of both. And if I have suppressed the rest; it was out of good Manners, and a due fear of farther offending your Patience. I am not ignorant, Madam, that our Prayers to God, and our Addresses to Princes ought to be short. Resigning you, therefore, to the conversa­tion of your own more ingenious and useful thoughts, and to the Tranquill Fruition of those intellectual pleasures, that continually spring up in you from the Virtues of your Life, and the Fame of your Wri­tings; I most humbly beg your favourable Inter­pretation [Page 119] of what I have here weakly said, and with all Submission imaginable, cast my self at your Feet, as becomes

I Had the Honour to hear so good Solutions given by your Excellency upon divers Que­stions moved in a whole Afternoon, you was pleased to bestow upon my unworthy Conversati­on, that I am turning to School with all speed, humbly beseeching your Excellence may be so boun­tiful towards my Ignorance, as to Instruct me about the Natural Reason of those Wonderful Glasses, which, as I told you, Madam, will fly into Powder, if one breaks but the least top of their tails: whereas without that way they are hardly to be broken by any weight or strength. The King of France is, as yet unresolved in the Question, notwithstanding he hath been curious to move it to an Assembly of the best Philosophers of Paris, the Microcosme of his King­dom. Your Excellence hath no cause to apprehend the cracking blow of these little innoxious Gunns. If you did, Madam, a Servant may hold them close in his Fist, and your self can break the little end of their Tail without the least danger. But, as I was bold to tell your Excellence, I should be loath to [Page 120] believe any Female Fear should reign amongst so much over-masculine Wisdom, as the World doth admire in you. I pray God to bless your Excel­lence with a dayly increase of it, and your worthy self to grant, that among those Admirers, I may strive to deserve, by way of my humble Service, the Honour to be accounted,

I have made bold to joyn unto these a couple of poor Epi­grams I did meditate in my Journey hither, where your Excellencies Noble Tales were my best entertainment. I hope Madam, you will perceive the intention of them, through the Mist of a Language I do but harp and ghess at.

THe Obligations by which your Grace has eminently engaged your Servants in par­ticular, and in General the whole world, or at least the Judicious and Civil part of it, are so many and great, that to ennumerate them to this present Age may seem a large History, and to Gene­rations to come a real Romance. The happiness was so great we received the last year, when we had, by your Graces Permission, the Honour to pay our Duties to your happy self, that the Contemplation of it by your Grace's absence, adds the more to our Infelicity. But we shall not wholly despair to be [Page 121] restored to the same capacity of waiting on your Grace, which we are extreamly ambitious of: In the mean time presenting my Wifes most humble Ser­vice to your Grace, I take the confidence to sub­scribe my self,

IT is not Strange to me that your Grace is pleased to surprise me with such obliging ci­vilities which are so essential to your Nature, and made customary by so many frequent Habits, that it were as difficult for your Grace not to do Acts like your great self, as it is for others (espe­cially in this degenerating Age) to imitate yours. I return your Grace my most humble Thanks for the high Honor and Favour of your Books, recei­ved by my self, and Son, which are much to be valued by judicious Persons, for the worth contain­ed therein, and rendred most Illustrious, for the great Authors sake, who will be much admired, not only by the present Age, but by all succession of Ages, as long as Loyalty, Sincerity, and high Acts of Honour are esteemed by Men, and have [Page 122] any attractive Power, My Lord, I most humbly beseech your Grace to believe me to be

THe Right your Grace has to be a Supream Patron of Poesy, is given you, from your Affection to the Muses, and the excellent merit of your own Compositions, which have so many ways beautified Poesy, and delighted our Theatres, as they have received from your Wit (if possible) equal Glory with your other Gallantries and Actions, which have so much honoured our Nation; for this Cause I must beg your Graces Pardon, that I presume, to present you with this in­considerable Poem of mine, of which (though I wanted not Inclination) I durst not adventure a di­rect Dedication to your Grace, with whom I had not the Honour of an Acquaintance sufficient to incourage such a boldness, as also some doubt, it might not deserve a Patronage from so excellent a Poet, which made me rather venture its publick Dedication to this Honourable Person of my Alli­ance, I have mentioned before my Book, though this my private Address to your Grace, must be my greater Ambition, since you are not only a most accomplished Judge, but an Author: yet I presume to say that your Grace may challenge some con­cernment [Page 123] in this Poem, as it treats of the past Glory of our Ancestors; in which the Antiquity, and Ho­nour of your Blood, could not but have a high Re­nown: and as your Grace has scarce a Parallel, in all Acts of Generosity, and Nobleness, so your In­comparable Lady, doth no less excell in her Quality, and Sex, (the unequal'd Daughter of the Muses) besides all other her voluminous Productions, which compleat the Wonder of her Name, to whom I have presumed to present, likewise, with your Lord­ship, a Book of my Poem, as an expression to both your Graces, how much you are Honoured by,

I Owe it to your Graces singular condescention, and goodness, that my Letters are not displea­sing, and I see a great deal of Generosity, in your Graces acceptance, of such mean things, as my slender stock of Knowledge can impart. As for your Inquiry about the Plastick Faculties; I Answer, that they are those, whereby the Body is formed at first, and by which the Alimental Juices, are after, through the whole course of Life, orderly distribu­ted for the purposes of growth and nutrition: But whether, as your Grace inquires, they are Faculties inherent, in the Soul, or are only Mechanical Mo­tions [Page 124] of the Body I cannot determine certainly. But I rather incline to the Platonists, who will have the Soul to be the Bodies Maker, and they affirm (as is ordinary; though with some diversity in the Names and Presentation) That there are three sorts of Faculties, which they Phancy as Analogous parts, or Regions in the Soul, (Viz.) The Mind, so they call the highest Faculties of abstract Reason, and Understanding, which is the First. The Second they call the Soul, (Viz.) as it is united to the Body, and exerciseth the operation of Sense. The Third, is the Image of the Soul, which is those Fa­culties, that are called Plastical, that move and turn the Body, but are devoid of Understanding, or Sense; Now how the Soul, which is Immaterial, can manage and order Corporeal Motions is a dif­ficulty of which Philosophy as yet hath given no account, as I have particularly taken notice, and proved in my Sceptis Scientifica, but yet the thing ought not therefore to be denied, because the man­ner of the most obvious sensible things is to us un­known; And by this we can only prove, that we have yet no certain Theory of Nature: And, in good earnest, Madam, all that we can hope for, as yet, is but the History of things as they are, but to say how they are, to raise general Axioms, and to make Hypotheses, must, I think, be the happy priviledge of succeeding Ages; when they shall have gained a larger account of the Phoenomena, which yet are too scant and defective to raise Theories upon: so that to be ingenious and confess freely, we have yet no such thing as Natural Philosophy; Natural History is all we can pretend to; and that too, as yet, is but in its Rudiments, the advance of it your [Page 125] Grace knows is the design and buisiness of the Royal Society; from whom we may reasonably at last expect better grounds for general Doctrines, than any the World yet hath been acquainted with; but this, Ma­dam, is an excursion. I therefore return to your Graces Letter, which inquires some things, about my No­tion of the Souls Original: As to this I would not be understood to affirm peremptorily a thing, which the greatest part of Men, neither have, nor can re­ceive, only I consider it as an Hypothesis, that may be taken up to satisfy those minds that are much troubled at the seeming inequalities of Providence; and whether true, or false, this I will take the bold­ness to be confident in, That the Doctrine of the Souls Praeexistence, doth best suit with the appearan­ces of the World. And best Answers for the Di­vine Justice and Goodness, in all the affairs of Pro­vidence; In this Madam, I am a little Dogmatical, and this step further, I think I may take, without im­modesty; That the Doctrine hath so much to say for it self, from Reason, and the highest Antiquity, as to render it fit to be considered, and indeed, since the two other wayes, are confessedly desperate, me­thinks there should be no harm in examining this; which is all I pretend to. But particularly to your Grace's Quaery, Whether were Souls Created or Un­created? I Answer, no doubt Created: But then I do not see how that follows, which your Grace is pleased to infer, Viz. That Sin was then Created, For our Souls in their State were Spotless and Innocent, as the Angels of God. That Mankind was so first, and fell by a voluntary Transgression, is the com­mon Doctrine; and how we may suppose it was par­ticularly in the way of Praeexistence, your Grace will [Page 126] see easily, when I shall have procured that Book of mine, I have mentioned, and promised your Grace, but cannot yet light on. The other part also of your Graces Division: Viz. That if those Souls were Eternal, they are Gods; is I humbly conceive a mistake likewise, since though the World, had been Created from Eternity (which even the Schools confess possible) it had nevertheless been a Creature, by reason of its dependence upon another, for its being, and to have been produced, and yet from Eternity, is no absurdity, our Faith affirms it, in the Eternal Generation of the Son, and Procession of the Holy-Ghost, and to take an instance with which we may make more bold: If the Sun had been from Eternity no doubt it would have shone E­ternally, and yet it's Beams had been effects and de­pendent; And whereas your Grace saith again, That what is Immaterial is a God: I must here also take the boldness, to enter my Dissent to your Propo­sition; Indeed Mr. Hobbs denys all Immateriality to Created Beings, but I think upon grounds preca­rious and unsafe, That our Souls are Immaterial in their Natures, hath been sufficiently proved by some late Philosophers; particularly by the most learned Dr. H. Moore, and I also have done something about this, in my Book of Praeexistence, If your Grace de­mands my Reasons; they shall be ready at the least intimation, of those commands which I shall ever account a singular Honour to observe. For the anti­quity of Praeexistence, which your Grace rightly ob­serves, to be no certain Argument of the truth of it, I humbly say I have not alledged it, for a demon­stration of the thing, but to take off the prejudice we are apt to have against all supposed Novelties, [Page 127] and to shew that it is not so despicable, an Hypothe­sis but that several great minds of former times, even in the Ages of the best Antiquity have owned a kindness for it, and consequently that we cannot, without some immodesty, deny it a favourable hear­ing, But madam, I forget my self, and the consi­deration I ought to have of your Grace's Time and Patience, and therefore only add, that I am,

HAd I not been out of Town a great part of the last Summer, and almost all this Winter, I had written to your Grace long since. The Town might have furnish'd me with occasions of writing that had not been impertinent. For only to say that I am the humblest of your Graces Servants, and that no man has a greater Honour for you than I have, would be Impertinent, since all that know me, know it of me already, and I hope your Grace believes it. But (my Lord) the Printing of the Humourists has given me a new occasion of troubling you, and desiring your Favour to be an Advocate, for me, to my Lady Dutchess, to procure me her Pardon, and a favouroble re­ception of that little Comoedy. My Lord, (as long as you are so great a Mecaenas) it will be im­possible [Page 128] to defend your self from the Importunate Addresses of Poets: And Poetry is in such a de­clining condition, that it has need of such Noble Supporters as are at Welbeck: Your Grace saw this Comoedy (before the Sting was taken out) and was pleased to approve it, which is to me more than the Plaudit of a Theatre: As it is, it stands more in need of Pardon, and Protection, which I hope your Grace, and my Lady Dutchess will have the Mercy to afford it. I have (in this Play) only shown what I would do if I had the liberty to write a general Satyr, which (though it should really re­flect upon no particular persons, yet) I find the Age is too faulty to endure it. If, for this reason, I were not tyed to too great a strictness for a Poet, I should not despair of presenting you with some­thing much more worth your view than this mang­led Play; but all that I can do can never make any proportionable return to the favours, received from you, by,

I Am to beg your Graces Pardon for my self, and this imperfect Piece, for which I have bor­rowed the Patronage of your Name; I am not ignorant of the disadvantage that Name might ap­pear with (before such a Trifle as this Play) if it were not too well known, and had been too often pre­fixt to excellent Pieces of your own to suffer any detraction now: This Dedication will only in some measure express the Honour that the Humblest of your Servants has for your Grace, and the Power you have to protect so defenceless a Poem. But (Madam) I confess it is too great a Presumption, for me, to hope that your Grace (that makes so good use of your time with your own Pen) can have so much to throw away as once to read this little offspring of mine: And (but that before I found not only Pardon for an Offence of this kind but encouragement) I should despair of having this for­given. When none of all the Nobility of Eng­land gives encouragement to Wit, but my Lord Duke and your excellent self, you are pleased to receive favourably and encourage the very endea­vours towards it: and under that notion this poor Play begs your Pardon and Reception. Though it met with opposition from the Malice of one party, yet several men of Wit were kind to it. But whatsoever opposition threatens that, or me, it can never prejudice either, if that be Protected by your Grace, and I be thought what I really am,

BEing an Hundred and fifty Miles from Lon­don, at a place called Chaddeston, near Man­chester: I had an account, but the last Post, of the receit of your Graces Noble present: other­wise you had received a more early Acknowledg­ment with my humble Thanks; which are all the return I can make for that, and many other Fa­vours I have received from Welbeck: It had been Bounty enough (and as much as I could have ex­pected) for your Grace to have Pardoned the pre­sumption of my Dedication, which intituled you to the Patronage of so sleight a thing: but to reward my Crime, is beyond expression Generous. Thus your Grace, like Heaven, rewards the intention without considering the imperfection of the Act. My Design was, in some measure, to testify my Grati­tude, and the Honour I have for your Grace: but even this Acknowledgment has run me more in debt. Your Grace is thus resolved to be before-hand with all your Servants. Let them be never so dilligent, your Benefits will out-go their Services; and they can never over-take your Bounty. I, for my part, am in despair of ever coming near it: But nothing shall ever hinder me from making use of all occasions, I can lay hold on, to testify the great Honour I have for my Lord Duke, and your Grace, and that I am,

COnsidering that the Divine Gods accept of Offerings, though never so trivial, when that their poor and obliged Creatures of­fer them with true Devotion, incourages me here, by your Favours and Goodness, to believe alike of your Ladyship, and to hope your Pardon and ac­ceptance of this Sacrifice of Thanks, which in all Humility I thus Dedicate for the Honour of your Book, of which I dare not say I am now unworthy, since I find where it comes, it has the Efficacy of Great Seals, and Patents, to meliorate both Persons and Places, and such Esteem and Reverence as they come welcomed with, I must always and much more account due to your Ladyships Orations, and to be Eternally paid by,

THough deprived so many years of your most Noble Presence, yet left your Grace so perfect an Idea in our Thoughts of your great Virtue, and those rare faculties of your Understanding, wherewith Nature hath adorned [Page 132] your Grace, so that we ever do admire the same, it being often our most pleasing delight to discourse thereof, besides the remembrance of your many great and undeserved Favours formerly received; and though we stand infinitely Obliged for the same un­to your Grace, yet you are pleased to increase our Obligations, by Honouring us with the Noble Gift of five several Books together, of your Graces last Edition, which especially for what belongs to those Sublime matters of Natural Philosophy are only for the most Learned, and Judicious Under­standings, and for us to admire, and keep them as a singular mark of your Graces great Benevolency toward us, and an Emblem of your high Perfecti­ons, after our Lives to be left as a Testimony of the same. In the mean time we humbly intreat your Grace to preserve us all in your good Opi­nion, and Honour me with a belief that I am as long as I live, to the utmost of my weak Ability,

UNto the Rich and Incomparable Present of your Excellencies Works, wherewith you have been pleased to Honour the Uni­versity, I have, by the special appointment of Mr. Vice-Chancellor, given a just reception; which word I confess we could not use without being guilty of great rudeness, but that we have placed them by that Illustrious Piece wherewith his Excellency your Renowned Lord had before Honoured us, which is it self Incomparable. Indeed Madam, the Univer­sity finds her self oppressed herein with so many Obligations in one, that She knows not where to begin her Acknowledgments; as considering, that not only her Repositories are dignified to be the Cabinet of so rich a Jewel, but that She is singled out by your Excellency, and valued above the rest of the World for her Approbation, and (as your Excellency pleases to stile it) to be a Judge of it. Alas, Ma­dam, that is an Office we dare not assume, not only without censure of Arrogance, but even of Impro­priety; for seeing that every one is to be judged by their Peeres, who shall undertake to be Judge of that that hath no Peer? We may see other things by the Light, but to perceive the Light it self we cannot call for another Light; so neither may this gallant Work be Judged but by its own Innate Ex­cellency, and the splendor it self carrys in it. No, Madam, 'tis Honour enough for us that we are taught by it, we will not usurp upon it; and shall count it our Pride and not our Shame to be out-done by so Transcendent an Example. We acknowledge that we are become instructed in the Sciences which our [Page 134] selves profess; Philosophy, Oratory, Physick, Po­etry, we write them over our Doors, but we find them herein at a farr cheaper rate sent home to those Doors, and that by a hardiness of Invention which your Excellency first hath shewed unto the World, and that an easy one too, by sending us to that common and neglected Mistress, even Nature her self, to whose Benignity if we would confide (as your Excellency hath done) we should make far greater Progresses in the ways of Knowledge and Wisdom (as likewise your Excellency hath done) than through all the tedious Disciplines wherewith we are detained and vexed in our rugged Nurseries. Two things do justly leave us, Madam, under a surprize and admiration of your Excellencies great Production; First, that it should proceed from a Per­son of so high Honour and Fortune; for Ignorance in such things as those is appointed by the World unto such Estates, and thought a kind of Preroga­tive belonging unto Wealth: And next, that it should proceed from a Sex unaccustomed to, and commonly excused from such painful and elevated Inquisitions. For (as your Excellency hath ob­served) men do assign to your Sex nothing but va­nities, and Trifles for their Portion, and under co­lour of Courtship do confine them in their Educa­tion only to some inferiour Qualities, and so in ef­fect but to a kind of delicate Barbarism: But herein your Excellency hath shew'd great Courage in breaking through that Obstruction, and by a Fe­male and unusual Chevalry have rescued your whole Nation and Sex from the oppression and injury in this point, and of that great Giant, the World. For our part of your University, we must needs sub­scribe [Page 135] to your Excellencies judgment herein, for 'tis the Muses were esteemed our best Genius's and Sciences did choose unto themselves for their Deities not Patrons but Patronesses: and our Corporation of Learning, though it consist all of Men, yet when we would express it in the Abstract and in Picture we represent it by a Woman. And in fine, my self, Madam, (who am allowed the Honour to be the Custos of your immortal Donary) must be obliged to borrow from a Womans Eloquence exemplified in the Work it self, whereby to express worthily the Resentments due unto it by those that have em­ployed me, and particularly mine own, who am,

EVer since I had the happiness to see any of your Graces most ingenious Writings, I have felt a mighty Desire to speak my par­ticular gratitude for those singular Composures to all which the World is obliged; And had attempted something towards it more than three years since, but that my acknowledgments miscarried in the way. I am, Madam, an Admirer of Rarities, and your Grace is really so great an one, that I cannot but in­deavour [Page 136] some Testimony of a proportion'd respect and wonder, though perhaps there may be Indeco­rum in the boldness of such unknown Addresses. I am sensible it can contribute nothing to your Graces great stock of Fame to be acknowledged by inconsiderable Persons; But yet we must be just, and 'tis Religion to celebrate the Virtuous. And I know your Grace is too generous to contemn the offerings of the meanest Devoto's, upon the incou­ragement of which Belief I am bold to beg Favour and acceptance for a Trifle of mine that was designed for your Grace, as soon as it saw the Light, but could not find it's way into the North. I should not have the confidence to present so mean a thing to so deep and Sagatious a Judgement, had I not an opi­nion of your Graces Candor and Goodness, equal to my apprehension of your other Celebrated Per­fections; and these are so Illustrious and so great, that our Sex would envy, did they not admire, and your own too, Madam, were they not universally concerned in the Honour. For your Grace hath con­vinced the World, by a great instance, that Women may be Philosophers, and, to a Degree fit for the Ambitious emulation of the most improved Mascu­line Spirits.

But, Madam, 'tis time to beg your Graces Par­don for the rudeness of this bold intrusion; and I know, that grandure and generosity of Mind that occasion'd the fault, will forgive it to

THe greatest Favour I could have expected in Answer to my boldness, was but a pardon for the confidence of that intrusion; But that your Grace should so generously accept my Trifles, and make me so Glorious a return as I re­ceived in your most ingenious Letters, this, Madam, was an Honour as much beyond my expectation, as desert; and exceeds all my possibilities of ac­knowledgment. But if ever any thing happen within the reach of my indeavours, by which I may serve or gratify your Grace, I shall then give evidence of the great resentment I have of this condescention, and the Veneration which is due to a Person of so obliging and so unusual a Virtue. Your Grace, I know, is Nobly inquisitive, and hath a rich stock of generous Apprehensions; and Persons of this Character use to be pleased in the perusal of the va­riety of others Conceptions; And on this account I presume, that those notions I sometimes entertain my self with, may not be unacceptable, being not alto­gether of the road and common track. And if your Grace please to permit, and pardon my Importuni­ties, I shall take occasion to give you my sense of some things that are not of the meanest concern­ments. For the present I am obliged to answer the particulars of your Grace's Letter, in which your Grace hath very much obliged me by those argu­ments you are pleased to excuse; and to them I make this humble return.

1. That whereas your Grace calls the Induce­ments to the belief of Witches, probable Arguments, I am apt, with submission, to think some of them to [Page 138] be as great demonstrations as matter of Fact can bear; being no less than the evidence of the Senses, and Oaths of sober Attestors, and the critical inquiries of Sagacious, and suspitious Persons; which Circum­stances of Evidence, your grace knows, some of those Relations have to prove them. And there is a particular Story which is sufficiently famous, and of part of which I my self was a Witness, which I think is not subject to just Exception. 'Tis that of the Drum in the House of Mr. Mompesson of Tedworth in Wiltshire. Of this, Madam, I shall take an occasion to give your Grace a particular ac­count, if you have not yet been acquainted with the circumstances of that unusual disturbance. But to confine my self now to your Grace's considerations on the subject; The second thing I observe, is,

The intimation of an Argument against the Ex­istence of Witches, because they are not mentioned by Christ, and his Apostles, concerning which I humbly desire your Grace to consider.

1. That Negative Arguments from Scripture use not often to be of any great signification or validity. Our Saviour spake as he had occasion, and the thou­sandth part of what he said, or what he did, is not recorded, as one Evangelist intimates. He said no­thing of those large unknown Tracts of America, gives no intimations of the Existence of that nume­rous People, much less any instructions about their Conversion. He gives no particular account of the affairs and state of the other World, but only that general one, of the happiness of some, and the mi­sery of others. He makes no discovery of the Mag­nalia of Art, or Nature, no not of those whereby the propagation of the Gospel might have been [Page 139] much advanced; viz. The Mystery of Printing, and the Magnet. And yet no one useth his Si­lence in these Instances as an Argument against the being of things, which are the evident Objects of Sense. I confess the omission of some of these particulars is pretty strange and unaccountable, and an argument of our Ignorance of the Reasons and Menages of Providence, but I suppose of nothing else; or if it were, I crave leave to add,

2. That the Gospel is not without intimations of Sorcery, and contracts with evil Spirits. The ma­licious Jews said our Saviour did his Miracles by their assistance, He casts out Devils by Beelzebub. And he denys not the supposition or possibility of the thing in general, but clears himself by an appeal to the Actions of their own Children, whom they would not so severely criminate. And besides this,

3. The Apostles had intimations plain enough of the being of Sorcery and Witchcraft, as seems to me evident from Gal. 3. 1. Gal. 5. 20. Rev. 9. 21. Rev. 21. 8. Rev, 22. 15.

'Tis very true as your Grace suggests, that Su­perstition and Ignorance of Causes make Men many times to impute the Effects of Art, and Nature, to Witchcraft and Diabolick Contract. And the Com­mon People think God, or the Devil to be in every thing extraordinary. But yet, Madam, your Grace may please to consider, That there are things done by mean and despicable persons, transcending all the Arts of the most knowing and improv'd Virtuosi, and above all the Essays of known and ordinary Nature. So that we either must suppose that a sottish silly old Woman hath more knowledge of [Page 140] the intrigues of Art, and Nature, than the most ex­ercised Artists, and Philosophers, or confess that those strange things they performe, are done by con­foederacy with evil Spirits, who, no doubt, act those things by the ways and applications of Nature, though such as are to us unknown. This, Madam, is, I conceive, as much as is necessary to be said to the Argumentative part of your Graces excellent Letter.

As for the following Periods, I am mostly of the same Opinion with your Grace, in the way that I understand them. Nature is in a continual motion (for there is no such thing as Rest in the World) and perhaps that is not purely Mechanical, but may, in great part (at least as to the beginnings and directi­ons of it) be ascribed to the Soul of the World, which possibly is the great Archeus that formes Plants, Animals, and other more curious Phoenomena. And there is no doubt but (as your Grace suggests) that much wickedness is caused by the meer impulse of Lower Nature; and I believe several Men are determined to Actions of Vice by the odness of their particular make and contexture. But whereas your Grace saith that nothing but God himself can be perfect, I cannot so well understand that. Absolutely so, and in all kinds, 'tis true, I grant it, but your Grace doth not seem to intend the proposition in that sense. And to be Perfect in a lower kind is but to have all the parts and faculties that are re­quisite to such a being, in that order, disposition, and all other circumstances which are suitable to its Idea, and proper for its respective ends. And in this sense I think all things are perfect in their first con­stitution; according to what your Grace saith af­terwards, [Page 141] That [God cannot create any Imper­fection, being absolute Perfection himself] which appositely fits mine, but I can not see how it so well consists with your Graces former assertion, except it be intended to infer, That God made nothing; a Proposition which methinks your Grace should not own; but some things that follow seem to look that way, when you are pleased to say [Neither can I conceive how God could actually make or act any thing, either in a Mechanical manner, or a Free, being not locally moving] To which I humbly say that if your Grace doubts the possibility of the Cre­ation out of nothing, I think I can speak some things as a Philosopher, that may render it rea­sonable. Nor is actual motion in the Deity neces­sary to his actions, since he is Immense and needs not local motion to render him present by his Essence, or his Virtue, to any place of the great Universe, being Eternally there by the Infinity of his being, and his Power. And whereas your Grace is plea­sed to say, that God is no Mechanick, I consent that He is not so properly, in that he needs not material Instruments to act by. But yet he hath made all things by a kind of Geometry; in Number, Weight, and Measure, saith the Holy Oracle. And there is a sort of Mathematicks in all the Works of Na­ture.

Thus, Madam, I have made bold with your Graces Patience, in confidence of your Candor, and your goodness, which I implore, for the Pardon of this Voluminous Trouble. And in order to it, I have this to say, that I could not well have said less without having been wanting in some of your Graces Periods; and there is something else, in which [Page 142] I despair of being ever able to say enough, and that is, to express how much I am,

To the Right Honourable, the Lady MARGARET, Marchioness, of New-Castle.

I Well know that the Generous never propose to themselves any other End of their Favours, besides Content, which necessarily results from the pursuance of their own Noble Inclinations, but only the Benefit of the Persons, upon whom they choose to confer them: and that therefore they usu­ally select such Subjects, whereon to exercise their Beneficence, that seem more likely to husband it, by a silent Devotion, and modest Acknowledgment, than to abuse it, by attempting a Retribution. And this, Madam, both teacheth and assureth me; that though the Favour you were pleased to do me, in sending me one of your admirable Books, newly published, under the Elegant and most accommo­date Title of The WORLDS OLIO; be so eminent an one, as to require from me a more sig­nificant Expression of my Gratitude, than either my Wit, or Fortune, or Interest can ever be able to make: yet none can be more acceptable to you, [Page 143] than this, That I intend ever to continue your Debtor. So much, therefore, I here solemnly profess; and most faithfully promise you, that I never will, so much as in a wish for a Capacity of Retaliation, prophane the Freedom of the Obligation your good­ness moved you to lay upon me.

But, not to state the Particulars of my Debt, at least in brief; might give you just cause to suspect, that I understand not the Value of what I have re­ceived. And, therefore, I humbly ask your leave, that I may acknowledge to you, that you have highly benefited me, in my Reputation, in my Ʋn­derstanding, in my Affections.

First, I say you have benefited me in my Re­putation; in that you have declared me capable of so singular an Honour, as to be in the number of those Persons, whom you thought worthy to receive so rich a Present, from so Noble a Hand. For me to have sat among the Multitude, whom your Sta­tioner invites to feast upon your OLIO, had been proportionable enough to the degree of so ordinary a Judgement, as mine: but to be among those few, whom your self had nominated for your Chief Guests, was a Grace infinitely above my Ambi­tion.

Secondly, You have benefited my Ʋnderstanding; in that your Philosophical Phancies have furnished me with variety of such Novel Conceipts, concern­ing sundry the most difficult Problems in Nature; as that if my Memory be but faithful enough to retain them, I shall never be unprovided of somwhat that is poynant and grateful, to entertain Curiosity withall: and whenever my own Reason is at a loss, how to investigate the Causes of some Natural Se­cret [Page 144] or other, I shall relieve the Company with some one pleasant and unheard of Conjecture of yours. So that by reading of your Philosophy, I have acqui­red thus much of advantage; that where I cannot Satisfy, I shall be sure to Delight: which is some­what more than I dare promise from any other Discourses of the same Title; in so much as they generally leave the Mind in a kind of Anxiety and Regret, when ever they fail to afford it Satisfaction. And, certainly, if it be (as some hold) reasonable to allow, that the Fictions of Poets, and Roman­cists do usually take as strong hold of mens Minds, and Charm their Affections as powerfully, as the most Authentique Narrations of Historians; though the Reader well understands the Passages related by these, to be certain Truths, and the adventures de­scribed by Those, to be meerly Imaginary; and this, because Delight is equal on both sides: if this, I say, be justifiable, that man can run but little hazard of his Judgement, who shall affirm, that your Suppo­sition of Fayeries in the Brain, and of our Thoughts being their Consults and Suggestions; and your opini­on that the Fayeries digging for Stones in the Quar­ries of the Teeth, to repair their decay'd Tenements in the Head, is the Cause of the Tooth-ach; are as worthy the hearing, as the most solid demonstrative Theory of any Philosopher whatever; insomuch as these may yield both as high and lasting a Delight as that. I say Delight as High and Lasting; for, to speak my Thoughts clearly, the Pleasure that ariseth from the comprehension of the most perfect and la­borious Demonstration in Geometry, I never could find, either in height or duration, much to exceed that, which I have sometime been affected withall, [Page 145] at the recital of a Facetious Poetical Extravagancy, of which I had not afore heard. Nor do I believe, that the Raptures, and Exultations of Don Quixot were much inferior to that famous one of Archimed, which transported him out of himself, as well as out of the Bath, into a loud Exclamation, I have found it, I have found it. And the Reason of this Equa­lity may be well enough thought, to consist chiefly in the unsatisfiedness of our Nature, which always hurrying our Minds on to Novelties, causeth us to put an equally cheap rate upon all things we think already in the possession of our Understanding; and to value acquest of a fresh, though perhaps useless, and absurd Opinion, above the calm fruition of an­tient and irregular Maxims. But, this (Madam) being a Paradox, ought to have more room, than can be spred in a Letter, whose design'd Argu­ment is Thankfulness: and besides, should I adven­ture further, to avouch it, the same could not but much redound to my disadvantage; insomuch as it might render me suspected for something of a Scho­lar, and consequently incapable of the Honour and Pleasure of sometimes attending you, and hearing your more than ingenious Discourses. For as I re­member, in one of your Prefaces, or Epistles to your Readers, you have been pleased expresly to declare; That you never Conversed, so much as one Hour, with any Philosopher, or Professed Scholar, in your whole Life: and that, doubtless, must have proceeded from your constant Aversion to such blunt Company; not from your want of opportunities to hear what they could say. Because, being always Educated among the Noblest, and most Knowing Persons of our Nation; you could hardly escape the Conver­sation [Page 146] of the most Learned in all the Arts and Sci­ences; unless you purposely withdrew your self from their Society, or shut your Ears against their Dis­courses.

But, Madam, among those, who have perused your Writings, I meet with a sort of Infidels, who refuse to believe, that you have alwayes preserved your self so free from the Contagion of Books, and Book-men. And the Reason they give me, is this; that you frequently use many Terms of the Schools, and sometimes seem to have Imp'd the Wings of your high-flying Phansy with sundry Feathers ta­ken out of the Universities, or Nests of Divines, Philosophers, Phisicians, Geometricians, Astronomers, and the rest of the Gowned Tribe. For instance, of Divines, when you speak of Praedestination, Free will, Transubstantiation, &c. Of Philosophers, when you mention Quantity, Discrete and Continued, the Ʋni­versal and First Matter, Attoms, Elements, Motion, Dilatation, and Contraction, Rarefaction, and Cenden­sation, Meteors, &c. Of Physicians, when you distin­guish of Choler, Phlegme, Melancholy, and Blood, and speak of the Circulation of the Blood, of Venricles in the Heart and Brain, of Veins, Arteries, and Nerves, and expatiate upon Fevers, Apoplexies, Convulsions, Droqsies, and divers other Diseases, with their particular Causes, Symptoms, and Cures: Of Geometricians, when you touch upon Triangles, Squares, Circles, Diameters, Circumferences, Centres, Lines, streight and crooked, and their proportions each to other, and that invin­cible Problem, the Quadrature of the Circle: Of Astronomers, when you speak of the Horizon, Me­ridian, Aequator, Zodiack, Ecliptick, Tropicks, Poles of the World, and of the Ecliptick, and in a manner [Page 147] run over the whole Doctrine of the Sphere, repre­senting the model of the Universe, and cast some transitory glances also upon the Doctrine Theorical concerning the Motions of the Orbs, and Pla­nets. Nor can I, indeed, hope to dissolve the stif­ness of these mens unbelief; untill I shall be better able to convince them, that all these Scholastical Terms and Notions may be brought into the World with us, and afterwards drawn forth of the Soul, by solitary Meditation, and the labour of ones own Thoughts; and are not rather instilled into it, and imprest upon it, by often Hearing, or Reading the Discourses of others, who profess those Arts and Sciences to which they belong, and for the more plain and methodical teaching whereof, they were first Invented and Recorded. But I fear me, while I insist thus particularly upon the Reason alleadged by these men, in defence of their Diffidence, I may fall into the same danger, for the avoidance of which, I even now left my Paradox destitute of Assertion: and therefore I lay by that subject, and take up another more opportune and considerable, as to the discharge of my Duty, and confessing how many wayes you have obliged me.

I acknowledge, therefore, in the last place; that my Affections must own you for their Benefactress. For those many Moral Apothegms, and Satyrical Remarques upon the Manners of Men and Wo­men, which you have frequently inspersed upon the Leaves of your Book, are so pathetically delivered, and with such vigour of proper and familiar Lan­guage press'd home to the Bosome of every man; as that that person must be irrecover ably lost in the darkness of Vice, who doth not, through thhm, clearly [Page 148] discern the Lustre and Amiableness of Virtue, and thereupon instantly abominate his former Deformi­ties, and become your perfect Proselite. When a Young, Noble, Beautiful, Witty, and Sprightly Lady, one on whom all the Pleasures of the World seem to be Enamoured, and in throngs offer them­selves to be accepted and commanded by her; when such an one, I say is heard to Preach up Temperance, Abstinence, Modesty, Chastity, Solitude, and the suppression of all irregular sensual Appetites. What Sardanapalus is there, who must not blush at the me­mory of his Vicious Acts, and being convinced, that the delights of a Soul, well ordered according to the rules of Virtue and Honour, are infinitely more charming and desirable, than the most magnified Pleasures of the Body, swimming in an Ocean of Luxury, and Laciviousness; firmly resolve with him­self, thenceforth to seek for Felicity, not in the short Titillations and Blandishments of the Senses, but in the Purity and constant Serenity of the Mind. Is it possible, that any of our Ladies, should retain her pretences of Platonick Love, or continue the practise of her petty Arts of Daubing and Painting, of Dis­sembling, Medisanse, and Detraction: after she hath once read your smart Invectives against them, and solid Arguments to shew, that they may all be justly suspected for Bawds to procure and conceal the fruition of that Pleasure, which doth not con­sist in the admiring conversation of Souls, but in the close Conjunction of Bodies, and the satisfaction of that rank Appetite of the Flesh, commonly called Lust? In a word; what Sex, Age, Constitution, Condition is there, whose most secret Ulcers, the sharpness of your Wit and Pen hath not launced [Page 149] open to the bottom; and afterward prescribed most easy and certain Remedies for the Cure of them? So that I may well conclude this Paragraph with saying that your Moral Essayes contain wise Pre­cepts enough in them, for the Reformation of the Age we live in, and that, certainly, is so bad that no Man need ever fear a worse.

And, now, Incomparable Madam, having done my Homage to you, in token of what I hold by the tenure of your Wit and Bounty, it remains, that I humbly beg your Pardon for the rude and tedious manner of it. And that, I hope, you will grant me, when you have considered, that the Devotion may be sincere, where the Ceremonies are imperfect; and I have assured you, that I will never omit to pay you those Dues of Thanks, and constant Observance, that belong to you, from me, as one whom your Goodness hath made,

To the most Illustrious, and most Excellent Princess, Margaret Dutchess of New-Castle.

SEeing your Graces singular Genius, hath long since been experienced, and fully discovered to us; for such as is both accomplish'd with all various Learning, and furnished with a Native Cur­tesie; that for its high abilities, it is able; and for [Page 150] its eminent Candor, it usually obtains infinitely upon the favourers of Learning: We obliged on both these accounts, were unwilling to incurr so great a Crime, as not chearfully to Consecrate to your Grace, these our Acknowledgments, as Argu­ments of our Eternal Observance. Your Graces goodness having this, peculiar and above others, that 'tis neither forced by Solicitations of Friends, nor Importunities of Petitions, but voluntary and of its own accord flowes out, and delivers it self. Truely every more than ordinary Spirit is powerfully drawn out to what is like it self, invites, embraceth, and preserves, whatever bears the name of any kind of Excellency, as allyed to it. But how truely Mag­nificent is this of your Grace, that the Arts them­selves, by your Graces Example, are render'd more August and Venerable? How shall future Ages stoop under the weight of your Graces Fame, that your Grace in that Nobility of Extract, and conflu­ence of Fortune, should yet outvie in the Methods of Learning, even those, whose necessities must prompt them to diligence? Wherein your Grace hath made so happy a progress, that never any can more appear, a Devotist to, or Proficient in Learn­ing: so that your Graces teeming Brain is ever bring­ing forth some new Miracle: and though a Wo­man, yet hath merited the Diadem of Learning be­fore Men; though a Courtier, yet before the Aca­demicks: In a word, wherein any one, is in any thing Excellent, yet is your Grace in that thing far more excellent. Nor can we believe, that any mortal Man, no not your Grace our Princess (with your Graces Pardon) can from Natures instinct, or humane strength be excited and raised to so manifold [Page 151] and profound Speculations. It must necessary, be that that most capacious Soul of your Grace, expa­tiating it self so far into all sorts of Learning, is Di­vinely inspired; that almost Infinite Comprehension of so many and so great Notions informes us, how great a measure of the Heavenly Spirit hath possest your Grace; and that no single Deity hath enlarged this one Soul unto the Immense Tracts of all the Sci­ences. With these happy Omens hath your Grace reached unto, whatever in the Arts seemed good unto your Grace when some Diviner Genius of your Grace our Princess, judged the No­tion of any clear Truth, would be beneficial. And whereas it was your Graces Work, not to give Rea­sons, but Magisterially to Prononce, as from an Oracle; (yet such is your Graces condescention) that all your Graces Tenets are asserted and con­firmed with most Cogent Arguments: as if we did not owe a Belief, and had not a certain Devotion obliging our Assent to your Graces bare Assertion. Henceforth therefore do we Destine our spare hours unto these kinds of Studies, and are reaching unto the perfection of Philosophy, seeing your Grace hath judged these Speculations such as are worthy your Graces Intentions, and nearer Approximations: for such an happy clearness of Wit shall render every theng discoverable and fully to be comprehended, and that most free inclinination of your Graces Can­dor will communicate every thing discovered to your Graces Cantabrigians. Yet lest we should give our selves up to unworthy Ease, and Consecrate our selves to Sloth, your Grace hath left us one very difficult Task, namely Thankfulness. Forasmuch then, through your Graces Labours, Minerva's [Page 152] Pupils have now obtained that Divine thing, which they may, without error, pursue, to wit a calm re­pose in all our Studies; we therefore judge that a more Honourable Monument was never at any time erected, to any of the ancient Kings or Emperours, than what we here humbly dedicate to your Graces worthy name and memory.

From the Colledge of the Sacred and Individual Trinity. Octob. 5. 1668.