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

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

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

Cassan.

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

Lucid amant

Pour Relever

Wouldst know whose Face this Figure represents;
He was the Muses Darling, in whose Tents
He liv'd and dyde: And on whose Shrine was writ
Here lies the paragon of Art and wit:
Whose Actions Louday: whose laureat lines
Gaue Copies to th' Romances of these times.

For my Friend Mr. A. L.

SIR,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

May 14. 1657.
Yours, J. PETTUS.

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

Honoured Cousins,

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

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

TO THE READER.

Courteous Reader,

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

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

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

LOVEDAY's LETTERS.

LETTER I. To Sir I. P.

Sir,

IF I sin in troubling you with fruit­less lines, call it rather the weak­ness of my judgment then the er­ror of my love, which is in too perfect health to lie speechless. The thanks I ow you, I confess, are disparaged by my feeble expressions; but could you read their more secret character, you should find them drest in a more becoming attire. To tell you my best wishes are Pages to your happy success (I hope) were to Tautologize, to your knowledge, at least belief; and though it be no forlorn hope, it shall march in the front of my Prayers. For your disposal of me, though I totally relinquish my self to your discreet commands, yet my humble and earnest desires rather aim at the ser­vice of Sir T.B. then the greater man; however [Page 2]I will call my self your Creature, and resolve to be of that shape you will fashion me: In the mean time I shall importune Heaven to furnish me with so happy a power as may render me in some acceptable service, Sir, Not onely your faithful, but

Your grateful Servant, R.L.

LETTER II. To Sir. I. P.

Sir,

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

Yours R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

I Had not failed you last Week, if a sudden command from those whose breath can blow me any way, had not arrested my pen, and im­posed a less pleasing imployment; for there is no delight I can spare with more regret, then these occasions of sending you my naked thoughts, for Interest is now adored with such specious idolatry, that it renders even common converse dangerous: So the honest soul that courts good company, must find it in his own thoughts; to the stock of which your amity contributes no petty sum: and when the vacancy of imployment relea­ses me to these harmless recreations, I endeavour to drop those heavy-moulded cares that smell of earth, and fall a pruning the wings of some live­ly thoughts; that play like nimble flies in the se­renity of an unclouded mind; and amidst the va­riety of those tasks I impose upon them, the principal are dispatch'd to invite Content to come and dwell in the Valley of my humble Fortunes, and sport it self upon those banks that are happily purpled with their own vio­lets. Protected thus with a little, methinks I am proud that I have not enough to set the Cove­tous [Page 4]a desiring, nor the Ambitious a scrambling. Sometime I strive to build Reason as high a Tribunal as my thoughts can reare, at the Bar of which I labour to accuse my own miscarriages; and had I power to reform, as well as censure them, what could affront my felicity? Some­times I revise my readings in men, and fall a set­ting the best Slips my observation can cull from others Gardens; but I confess few of them grow. Sometimes I prick at the footsteps that books have lately left in my memory; which I find a very weak Conservatory, and keeps my best ob­servations but as people use to keep choice Po­sies, fresh for a day or two, and then let them fade and die. Then perhaps I roll my thoughts upon Eternity, and that helps me to deride the folly of those blind Wretches that so hotly scramble for sublunary trifles; but withall, pity their miserable mistake that run away from the true blessings while they pursue the false ones. Tis sport to consider how Fortune (or rather Providence) builds up these creatures (like Scaf­folds for a show) with an intent to pull them down again. Sometimes I am so weak to let my fancie ramble after Poetick raptures; but in these I onely suffer her to aire her wings, and so come home again. With these agreeable diversi­ons I often send my thoughts a gadding, chiefly to deceive melancholy, which of late has been much incroaching; for my capital trouble in­creases, [Page 5]and has got a giddiness to assist it. I have not yet taken the Physick, and now resolve to defer it till I arrive in the Countrey, which will be about a fortnight hence. If these afflictions can set me the right way to Heaven, especially as it is now perplexed with so many oblique, de­vious pathes of Error and Heresie, I shall hug them heartily. I should excuse this unravelling my Contemplations in such a ruffled manner, but I use curiosity to those that have a less share of my affection then your self, &c.

Your entirely affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER IV. To Mr. W.

My dearest Friend,

THIS happy night I received your last Let­ter, which how I took, I wish some good thing above Man would tell you, for I cannot. Onely this, the delights and joyes which are dandled by the World were base and drossie to what that brought me, which is onely less pure then those that make the Angels clap their wings. It has given me a happy, but a hard task; Tis to let an Ocean through a Quill, for tis the same difficulty for my Pen to express what my [Page 6]heart meanes you. Methinks I would faine say something to you that is not ordinary; but I can find no words that I do not suspect too faint to fit my affection: onely this, I do not love you the common way, nor with such a kindnesse as doth usually blaze with the fresh resentment of a benefit, and learne to coole and dye again, unlesse it be renew'd with the same repeated fuell: but I have an affection for you that is of the same piece with my soul, as immortall and undecaying as it self, and will go along with it to the other world, and need not be asham'd even there to own its object. The busie waves that roll betwixt us cannot keep me from you; for tis with you I spend my gladdest hours. When I set my thoughts to cast up the account of my large possessions in you, I deride the poor rich ones of this Age, and say, Sure if they knew the right way they would leave the pursuit of their glorious follies, & learne to get a virtuous friend. But pardon my transport. Present me cordially to your excellent friend; and intreat him to write me in the number of his faithfull servants, for I cannot be lesse to him that is so to you: tell him I will allow him the better roome in your breast, so he not grudge me a harbour there; to be expel'd which, would gall my heart-strings. No perplexities assault it but what you help to beat off; no vexations pierce it to which a re­flection upon my interest in you does not [Page 7]prove a Dictamnum, and ejects those arrowes be sure then you be precious to your self, and re­gard your health, that you may stil be so to those that love you; and then you must be so. But I fear I grow tedious, though I have not spoke halfe what I would fain say; but the rest shall be refer'd to my next. Well then, conceive I im­brace you at this distance, for all but my clay does. May you arrive at so happy a condition that you may pitty your enemies, and enjoy that sere­nity of soul that may make you so skilfull in vir­tue; and be assured, that bate but heaven, & there is nothing so dear as your self to him that is

Sir,
Absolutely yours, R. L.

LETTER V. To Mr. R. C.

Dear Robin,

IF variety of new acquaintance (and more deserving,) has not conspir'd with the busie fingers of Time to deface my memory, there will not be much toile in the taske to provoke thee to revive our friendly intercourse; to which thou art challeng'd by one whose heart has kept the impresse thou left'st upon it as fresh and as able to bid defiance to decay, as [Page 8]when our contract was first seal'd. Ah Robin! whither is fled the beauty of those daies that so oft saw us feed our felicity with the mutuall charesses of our spotlesse amity? when the soft whispers of an evening Zephyrus summon'd us to those innocent incounters in Silvanus grove, where so oft we unbuttond our soules, and talk'd our naked thoughts, as if the golden Age had got new birth in our bosomes. Sure Heaven was pleas'd with that lovely undrest vi­sage of our heedlesse simplicity. Dost remember how the pretty little feather'd minstrels, came and gave us three or four of natures choisest Lessons? and then how we hung together? and have many loth adues it took to part us, though the next day we were to meet again? How For­tune has us'd thee since our last long Farewell I know not; to me her indifferent behaviour neither swel'd my hopes to an opinion that ever she intends to make me her darling, nor frown'd them to the neer neighbour hood of cold de­spaire, &c.

R. L.

LETTER VI. To his Nephew. A. L.

Dear Cosin,

I Had long since payed the debt of my promise, had Fame furnished me with ought but false coine: she is growne a new-fashion'd jugler, puts tricks upon us with a deceptio auditus, various reports here like Canons receive their birth and funerall in the aire, and are often shorter­liv'd; some voyc'd like Trumpets spread a shrill presage of war; others, like the soft war­bling of the amorous Lute, perfume the aire with the aromatick tidings of repeated peace: and thus our erroneous soules weakly pay a cre­dulous homage to the alternate dominion of our own hopes and feares. Rumour is a cheating lottery, from which for one prize of a truth we draw a thousand blanks of falshood I could make this paper look big with the swelling pride of such newes as would be musick to your eares; but lest the tune should prove Syrenicall, I am loth to deceive you into false joyes. That which has most credit with me, except the K. &c.— Thus I have given you probabillties, befriend­ed, though not defended, by the most prudent opinions I could encounter with. Could I give you the truth strip'd of all partiality and dis­guises, she were worth the owning; but her run­ning [Page 10]through so many relations makes her change attire every step, and sometimes lose her self. But in this assertion be assur'd she weares her own face, without a mask, that I am, Sir, &c.

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

Loving Brother,

I Am now about to change the Scene; and I fear it will be a long time before I shall date my Letters again from London, a place I once esteem'd above all the earth could show me; but my liking is almost drown'd in those scarlet streames have lately stain'd it. I may now be said to be retiring from a crowd to an hermitage: for (though tis like I shall mingle with much people) I shall notwithstanding be alone; since tis not the eye, but the mind and the affections that create society; like Tantalus, that stood up to the mouth in water, yet could not drink. But the armes of amity are long enough to reach a true friend at the greatest distance; for though there be a larger piece of earth get­ting between our heavier parts, yet those that have the stamp of immortality need confesse no other limits than what bound the Universe. Thus [Page 11]sometimes my pen, sometimes my thoughts shal visit you, and fancy an intertainment suitable to the love that carries them. If Nature had not planted a mutuall affection in our greenest yeares, and taught it to swim (like a fish in its proper Element) in the Crimson sap we bor­row'd from the same fruitfull stock, I think I should have bidden fair for your friendship with much industry, and, like a slip that fetch'd his Pedigree from some excellent root, set it with much diligence in my triangular Garden. But no more. As I was revising some scriblings, with an intent to pack each in his proper place before my parting, I lighted on these Rhymes, made about the time I first put on chaines, & upon that subject. I had thrown them by with such a neg­lect as I use when I treat with such trifles, that when I re-met with them they had been so lost to my memory, that they prov'd as new to my self as they will be to you. I do not send them with a thought they deserve your reading, but onely to let you see that when I am weary of better imployment, I have not forgot to dally with the Pinkes in Apollo's Garden. I wish all accidents, events, humors, and dispositions may conspire to make this your meeting plea­sant and delightfull. If my fancy could carry my earthy part as nimbly as her selfe, I think I should help to feather some glad houres among you. But tis not wisdome to desire what we can­not [Page 12]have. You see I have much adoe to keep within the bounds of my paper. Farewell dear brother, and continue to love

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

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

Loving Brother,

I Was alwaies loth to suffer breach of word to keep company with the rest of my crimes, if in­dispensable necessity did not force the guilt. And indeed we should hate false promises for his sake that first hatch'd them; deceit of this kind in­trap'd mans primitive innocence, and made him leave that large Legacy of imperfection to his unhappy heires. But to swell this to the usuall stature of my tedious Letters, I must imi­tate those Citizens of the world called younger brothers, that are oft forc'd to range far from home to inlarge their narrow fortunes. And since I have casually chop'd upon this Simile, I think the relation of this kind may prove lesse unplea­sant, than the word, I should otherwise designe to black this Paper. It is the Story of the great Cardinal Mazarini, that sits now at the stern of the French affairs. He is by birth a Scicilian, by extraction scarce a Gentleman; his [Page 15]education so mean as might have wrote man before he could write: but being in Natures debt for a handsome face, a stout heart, and a stirring spirit, he no sooner knew that Scicily was not all the World, but his active thoughts were got above his poor condition, and made him resolve to dwell no longer with his domestick penury: and now being come into Italy, his good fortune conducted him to the casual encounter of a Dutch Knight, to whose service his debonair behaviour soon preferr'd him. This German was well skill'd in the vices of his Nation, which he committed with such cunning as (though he drank and playd very deep) yet his skill in the one main­tain'd his debauch in the other. This was a les­son which the yong Scicilian deem'd worth his learning; and having curiously observ'd how his Master shak'd his Elbow, began to practise his Art upon his own Companions; in which he thrived so well, as daily improving his skill with his stock, he began to foster forward hopes, which were well befriended by some affaires that called his Master to Rome; where taking occasion to step into better company, and still following his faculty at play, it was not long before he had hoarded a thousand Crowns; then good Luck (the Dam of Ambition) began to hatch some aspiring thoughts, which first shewed themselves in a request to his Master, thus; since Provi­dence [Page 16]had lately thought fit to mend his for­tunes, he would vouchsafe to do as much to his condition, and to entertain him in the quality of a Gentleman; to deserve which he promised to maintain himself proportionably, without ex­pecting any addition to his allowance. This granted, he presently commences Gallant, and begins to practise such generous qualities as are usually paid with reputation and profit: his good clothes and complete shape first admitted him, and his pleasant conversation indeared him to the best society, and still his play supported him in it. At length his Master takes his leave of Rome, and therefore he of his Master; telling him that he could not forsake that place which he hoped was cut out to be the forge of his for­tunes; and being now grown intimate with some Gentlemen that attended the Cardinal who steer'd the helm of the Papal Interest, he found means to be made known unto him, and prof­fered his service, with a behaviour so handsomly composed, as at the same time it got him both admission and affection. The Cardinal, after some tryal of his temper and perusal of his disposi­tion, was well pleased with the discovery of a piercing wit, woven with a cleer judgment and an active Genius, with a capacity apt to receive such impressions as are not usually stamp'd in every brain; he was alwayes very careful to fill up those intervals which his businesse and play [Page 17]had left vacant, with study of State-affaires; in which he prospered with so much felicity, that after his Cardinal had worn him a year or two at his ear, and distilled his State-Maximes into his fertile soul, he thought fit to breathe the Theo­ry he had given him in some action that might let the World take notice of his pregnant abili­ties: he was therefore sent Coadjutor to a Nuntio who was then dispached to one of the Princes in Italy, and during that imployment he injoyned his Creature to give him a Weekly account of their transactions; which he did with so much vivacity of apprehension and gravity of judgment, that the Cardinal began to couple admiration with affection; and (as if Fate had combined with Nature and Fortune to advance him) the Nuntio's sudden death lets fall the whole weight of the business upon his shoulders, which he supported with such a strength of soul, managed with such dexterous solidity, and ac­counted for all to his Cardinal with such a win­ning industry, as he wrought it with his Holiness to declare him Nuntio. And now as his pre­ferment had made him more conspicuous, so his brave heart used the advantage of that new height to distribute longer rayes with a more lively lustre. But to contract the Story; his Commission expired, and the affaires that begot it happily concluded, he returns to Rome; where he receives (besides a general grand repute) the [Page 18]dear caresses of his Cardinal, and the plausive benedictions of S. Peters Successor. About this time the Cardinal Richelieu had gotten so much glory by making his Master Lewis XIII. of a weak man a mighty Prince, as he grew for­midable to all Christendom, and contracted su­spition and envy from Rome it self: this made the standing Conclave to resolve upon the di­spatch of some able instrument, to countermine his dangerous, and give a check to the carriere of his prodigious successes. This resolved, they ge­nerally concurr'd in the choice of Mazarini, as the fittest head-piece to give their fears death in the others destruction. To fit him for this great imployment, the Pope gives him a Cardi­nals Hat, and sends him into France with a large Legantine Commission; where being arrived, and (like his politick self) first complying with that grand Fox, the better to get a Clue to his Labyrinth, began to screw himself into Intelligence; but when he came to sound his plots, and perceive he could find no bottom, he began to look from the top of his enterprise as people do from Precipices, with a frighted eye; and now finding the design not onely not feasible, but very dangerous, (the other never using to take a lesse vengeance then ruine for such darings) and then considering that his re­treat to Rome would neither be honorable nor safe, without attempting something: he at last [Page 19]resolves to declare himself Richelieu's Creature, and (to win the more confidence) unrips the bo­som of all Romes designs against him. This made the other take him to his breast, acquainted him with the secret contrivance of all his Dedalian policies, and when he left the World declared him his Successor; and he is now the great Car­dinal that umpires (almost all Christendom,) and now shines in the Gallique Court with so proud a pomp. But I have made my Story too wordish; if time would have consented, I think I should have pared much of that away which you will find superfluous: but take this rude hasty draught for the present, and expect the next to be bet­ter polished by

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R.L.

LETTER IX. To Mr. K.

Sir,

AFter the wearing out of a tedious year in the dull Countrey, where I met with no­thing that had delight enough to charm the ac­count of my houres, I am gotten again into the precinct of this unwieldy City; which I find so emptied of all those I call my friends and ac­quaintance, as if I had slept with Endymion, and [Page 20]waked again in another Age; among the best of which methinks I do not sufficiently resent the misse of you, unless I tell you so. For you shall do me but right to believe that it is not in the power of new faces, fresh acquain­tance, long absence, with the rest of those in­gredients whereof others have composed Obli­vion, to raze out those friends from my remem­brance, that not a rash, blind, imprudent choice, but a rational election hath fastened to it. Of you I have had an experience that made me desirous to get my self the title of your friend, and it must not be the crime of my will, if I do not keep it: & I am the more eager to assert it, because I am confident it has a mutual relation betwixt us. I pray let a line or two from you shew that you confess my claim is just, and inform me how the Pulse of your body and affaires beat in these ill-tempered times. Let it tell me too what you know of honest W.A. when you heard from him, how he thrives in his Mercantile affaires, and by what means I may send him a line. For my self, I still like a Mill-horse repeat my steps in the same Circle; and I am contented with a mean shelter in this stormy Age, for I left aiming at prefer­ment ever since it was put out of honesties reach; & as I cannot take that upon base terms, so I must not give up my resolution of living to my friends, and therefore of being perfectly

Yours R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

IF imployment from them (to whom my thin fortunes have made obedience a debt) had not countermanded my intents, my Pen had not held its peace last week, nor I been forced to set an excuse on the forehead of this. Your pleasing relish of my last mindes me of such Palates as prefer some course dish they love well, before exquisite dainties; thus has affection taught your opinion (like the Philosophers Stone) to turn my viler metal into gold. But enough of this, lest Modesty should appear Design, and I seem of that number that would improve their praises by rejecting them, and (like cunning Merchants) send their goods away that they may return with increase. Indeed I should be­ly my disposition, and wrong my desires, if I confest not that they are levelled at the good opinion of all; but most my affection, if I should not say it chiefly aimed at yours. For from the object at which Love shoots most Ardour, a re­flexion of the same Rayes is, most passionately desired; but though I can let these into my soul with much delight, yet the inward resent­ment of my feeble deserts must not suffer them [Page 22]to kindle the tickling vanity of self-love. Re­putation is the Mother of all beautiful actions; it is the Taper that leads the way to all that is called Desert; where that is misprised, vertue is benumm'd, and Reason it self falls asleep: but it is not lawfully gained by such merits as make a noise on purpose to be heard; they bid fairest for it that manage a bashful skill, and (as I have seen you cut faces on a Cherry-stone) shew much artifice in a narrow Continent, that will not brag of a broad appearance. The commodities you exchange for my trifles, have a better estimation here then with you; for I must tell you my heart thrives by this pleasing traffick, and grows rich with true delight. I am now taking the Physick the Doctor sent me (for our journey is still delaied;) of the operation I shall put my account in the next. My malady still continues a cruel foe to my fortunes, and in spight of all rational opposition does too often gall me with vexation, and reproves Content when it grows too forward▪ by this you may conclude how I would value the man whose skill could ease my mind of so heavy a manacle. If you see the Doctor before your next, I pray let him know that the neezing-powder I take constantly, but have much adoe to perswade it to make me neeze once at a time. If I see their means fail, I am resolved to try anothers judgment; but that to you one­ly. [Page 23]I have no more time left than what will permit me to tell you that I am and ever will be

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

LETTER XI. To Mr. H.

Sir,

SUffer these few words without a blot of Complement, to mind you of those Hospi­table Courtesies you confer'd on one whose chief glory is that he hates ingratitude; for which take my true thankes in the same sim­ple habit that my heart has drest them in, and be confident you have purchas'd a heart that will resigne the resentment of my happiness in such a friend to no other power than what at last will deprive it of all resentment. This will be made good to you, when you shall examine a riper experience of me; in the meane time peruse this inclos'd, and satisfie those friendly longings that spoke you skilfull in goodnesse, that set so just a value on so virtuous a man. I am assur'd if he had remembred the likelihood of my happinesse to enjoy your converse, your name had been set there fastned to a kind re­membrance; however I know you will assist my [Page 24]gladnesse in applauding his health; from whom what I shall receive in the future I shall com­municate to you, though I hide it from all the world beside: whether to keep it till I come, or seal it up and send it back by this bearer, is left to your choice. Present my hearty service to sweet Mrs. H. and promise your self, that though you have many more deserving, you have not a more cordial friend than

R. L.

LETTER XII. To his Brother A. L.

Loving Brother,

THat we both entred the worlds Theatre from the same door, is not enough to prove us friends; too many (like Cadmus back­ward brood) not scrupling to crack the chaine of Nature, this Iron age hath shown us: But it is the kindred of our unbegotten soules is called friendship, when their effluxive beames (by the sweet constraint of assimulation) meet, imbrace, and weave themselves (like Ariadne's Crown) into a Constellation. Such a mutuall contexture betwixt us has pul'd the knot of Nature straiter, and render'd the Union in­capable of dissolution or mutation; which is [Page 25]as great an Heresie in amity as that lately broach'd of the soules mortality, since love strikes the greatest stroke in intellectuall facul­ties. But (as you say) that jewell should not be beholden to words for its estimation, tis best then to keep it in the Cabinets of our soules, till we can set it in our actions: Neernesse of consanguinity is not justly coercive to friend­ship. When I am with my Lord (which I hope I shall be very shortly) I shall perfect you a more full account of my own affaires than I am now able: in the meane you may confidently believe that I am

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

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

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

Sir,

LEst I should run the hazard of being lost to your thoughts, be pleas'd to know from this paper that you have still a Nephew who has not forgot what he owes you, nor suffer'd [Page 26]new objects and interests to untye him from those respects, which besides the neer relation of blood, the powerfull hand of amity hath fastned: so I have often received from my Bro­thers pen the account of your happy and health­full condition both in body and mind; and be­lieve it, Sir, you have not a friend hath out­gladded me for your well-being, nor out­wish'd me for the continuance. Instead of a bet­ter token I have sem you a dull translation out of the French Tongue, I gain'd in those empty spaces of time which were left by those that command me at my own disposall: if affection can help you to over-see the blemishes, and teach you to excuse what your judgement should condemne, perhaps it may help you to feather a few tedious houres, when the fish have no appetite. I still repine at my ill fortune, that would not let me enjoy you while I was in the Country: For Sir, though I ever chiefly lov'd you for your own sake, yet I blush not to confesse that I mingled my interest in what re­lates to your society, which was ever so fruitfull of delight and complacency, as it might excuse the greatest longer. Well Sir, that nothing may have power to discompose, to storme or cloud the serenity of your dayes, your quiet contentment; that you may enjoy a constant Spring of happinesse in this Winter of your Age, and want nothing but Want it self, shall [Page 27]never be left out of the Prayers and wishes of, Deare Unkle,

Yours, &c. R. L.

LETTER XIV. To his Aunt.

Deare Aunt,

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

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

LETTER XV. To my Brother A. L.

Loving Brother,

YOurs arriv'd at my hands, and was welcome, because it put some doubts to flight that you had farweld Barningham. I am glad of my High-Suffolk friends welfare, and joy'd at their kindnesse that was so busie with my remembrance; for which I must yet con­tent my self here to give the tacite exchange of an affection as sterling as theirs. My Lords longer residence than I distrusted at his Father in Lawes hath yet kept us asunder, that house being stuff'd too full already to entertaine any more; but he is now upon his departure thence, and I upon the brink of setling with him: when I know my own condition, I must not suffer you to be ignorant of it. I have much cause to thank you for the inclosed lines; and as much [Page 29]to admire the unconstrained purity of Mr. B's veine, that has made Ovids teares to run here in so smooth a channell; he is likely to re­deeme him from the unskilfull injuries of other Translators that abused his sorrow with such a blubbered Paraphrase. Tis said Translations (like liquors poured from one vessel into ano­ther) lose some of their vital spirits, and are ren­dered dead and flat to the gust of understand­ing. I shall not flatter to say this has confuted the instance, and made Naso complain as mov­ingly, as handsomly, in English as he did in his Latian language. But I ought to beg his par­don for the disparagement of my weak praises, and yours for my tediousness, which at this time shall sin no further; and I hope I shall not stand in need of words to perswade you that I am

Your inviolably affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

I Have but a share in my own condition till you have it wholly in account; there being so much of my self resident with you, that the part of it which is here goes but halves with you in every action of weight or moment. I am now at Nottingham perfectly setled with my Lord C. My imployment is something too great for an unseasoned servant, and would discourage a new beginner, if I did not supply the defects of my experience with an active pliant resolution. I attend him in his chamber, and usher his Lady, write his Letters, and whatever else that unbe­seems not his command or my obedience. My wages are little enough to make present subsist­ance circumscribe my gains: but I think I have already a greater allowance of his love then his money; however, I shall make the least serve to keep me afloat without the assistance of my own bladders. And now since the careless hand of Fortune has ranged me with strangers that I have not yet begun to read over, I can value it at no lower rate then my best recreation to give you the exact story of my actions and imploy­ment, by piece-meal, as I tear it from my out­worn time; which jewel I have used too long [Page 31]like Aesops Cock, and am resolved to set an high­er value on an hour then formerly of a day. Thus having raised the price of my minutes, I begin sharply to censure the slight of your proffered aid in the knowledge of Simples, for I think I shall bend my studies that way. I have he­stowed some of my later houres on the French Tongue, which I have already half gained, and fear not to bring my attempts to a sudden perfe­ction, it being familiarly spoken by the best sort of this family. That gained, the Italian will be but a short stride for my intended industry, and both will be serviceable (if I meet an occasion) for my intended travel.

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

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XVII. To his Brother Mr. W.

Sir,

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

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

LETTER XVIII. To his Brother A. L.

Loving Brother,

WHat you almost cal'd my neglect, I have now repair'd, and (like some over-pro­vident Caution [...]sts) who finding their bodies prone to one disease, do sometimes Antidote themselves into a contrary malady,) instead of appeasing, if I have not cloy'd your appetite, good enough. If I were sure none none of mine perished by the way, it were seasonable to re­turne you your own words, and tell you this is the third sent since any received: But letters are travellers, and do often dye in a voyage. I could almost consent to resigne my being for a month, that I might be with you but a week, to shew you what kind of Oare it is I tug at; with some other apprehensions that I could be content to ease my mind of. Man is oft beholding to his sufferings for the calling in of such virtues as otherwise perhaps would never be of his ac­quaintance; and indeed we should not mu [...]y against those paines that send us a seeking for such excellent remedies. Affliction is like a deep mine that will afford pure gold if we digge for it; and calamity (well handled) does polish with rugged usage, and even pinch the soul into perfection. By that time the Spring will have [Page 34]done strowing her flowers, I shall be able to tell you whether my hopes of a cure do fade or flourish: But however Providence deales with me, I hope this triviall world hath not charm enough to give me repining by the hand of de­spaire to enjoy them longer; all my fear is that my errant Condition will not suffer me to fit still long enough to let my Physick settle. I intend to close this Springs course with open­ing an Issue in my Arme on the contrary side by way of revulsion. Did but my health smile upon my designes, you should soon view my imployment in a fairer Character: Till then my soul must write with a bad pen upon blotted pa­per; and you know how ill tooles will shame the Artificer. When I reflect upon my weak hopes of recovery, I am sometimes ready to de­ride my own endeavours, and oft urg'd to ma­numit industry, and entertaine supinity, till vi­ctorious Reason sets the slaves their task again. And indeed Desert is never so much her self, as when she shuts her eyes upon the reward, and thinks it recompence enough to be her self I think we may go safely so far as to call that a mercenary piety that is meerly and abstractedly so, because Heaven is got by the bargaine. Tis true, I know morality has not enough to pay that purchase, but sure (if well apply'd) it goes a great way in the account. But whither am I wander'd? if my staggering discourse does [Page 35]not well keep the path, conceive that the feet must sometimes tread irregular steps that are directed by an infirm head. If I presum'd lesse upon you, I would have sent you my thoughts rank'd in a better method. These inclosed you can best direct where they are intended: I pray do my due respects to those you think my friends; and to your self and interesti believe it I am as zealously devoted as you can wish

Your perfectly affectionate brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XIX. To his Brother A. L.

Dear Brother,

GIve me leave to begin my Letter with what I shall never make an end of, so long as I can hold a pen in my hand, or a heart in my breast: I meane my thankes for those bewitch­ing proofes of an entire Love, which you late­ly made me receive with such a beauteous varie­ty both of expression and performance. All I am able to say to it, is, that I am passionately de­sirous you would apprehend me as I am, and then you would never check your heart for be­ing too lavish of affection. I had no sooner rent [Page 36]my selfe from you (for I found it requir'd some violence to reinforce my resolution to part) but I far'd like one newly wak'd from a delightfull dreame, and found himself despoil'd of all the joyes wich he borrow'd from the flattery of fancy. This made Melancholy my compani­on to London, in spite of all the facetious rousings of my merry Major. On Friday night we lay at Woodford, and reach'd home on Saturday Mor­ning, where (before I would put my neck into the coller again) we dip'd some choice healths, but especially yours, in the best Laurentian Li­quour; and so I tooke my leave of him and Sack. Well, I am now return'd again to my Oare; and though I row against wind and tide of prefer­ment, yet it pleases me that my imployment raises no stormes in my Conscience: I pray God I may keep it calme till Heaven thinkes fit to set me ashore in the safest Harbour. I can­not want such thoughts as these so long as I car­ry my remembrancer about me of what I must be, my malady; which I confesse I should beare with lesse anxiety, did I not fear it will knock me o'th head before I dye, (you know my meaning,) and make me survive my self. But Gods will be done. If the Doctor has consider'd of any thing he deemes fit to commend to my observation, I shall gladly receive it; I shall strive in my next to render him, if it be possible, a more perfect account of his Sons goods. I dare [Page 37]not satisfie your desires concerning the grand af­faires, nor indeed can I justly; there is so much fallacy in Fame, that Reports are born and stifled the same hour, &c. I was in good hopes we should have gone for Nottingham; but I think the old woman is about a little businesse that will quite spoil that design, I mean, dying. Well, my dear Brother, no more but this, you shall be happy in all that your wishes can dictate, if the prayers may prevail of

Your ever affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XX. To Mr. H.

Sir,

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

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

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

Yours R. L.

LETTER XXI. To Doctor B.

Dear Doctor,

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

Yours R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

OPportunities have here but slender fore­tops; I use them therefore here as passen­gers that waite for a wind, and unfurle my paper­sayles, when their gale is most promising: Thus though my affection does not sympathize with [Page 40]the aires inclemencies, and payes neither faint­ing tribute to the frying Dog starre, nor shud­dering to the Northern Bear; yet it is now fore'd to make a leg to Fortune for these occa­sions, and let fall its words as the Plow-man does his seed, not at his own choice, but when the season invites.

My last two Letters vext you with the tedi­ous description of my malady; and this has charge to tell you, that I hope I shall give you no more such penances; The cure of it being now undertaken by a man in this Countrey, whose fortunate skill has triumph'd over strange Diseases; which has got him the acclamations of his patients, and the envy of his own tribe. His story is this; he was born well (being the great Dr. B's Nephew, most of whose receipts he has;) but bred meanly, first bound Prentice to a Shoomaker in Nottingham, from whom he ran away most ingeniously, and return'd some years after a profest Physitian: how far he fetch'd his Art, or whether most beholding for it to bookes or men, I know not, (and in it himself is resolutely silent;) but almost miraculous successe in the Calling made him quickly known and fa­mous. Presently after these sad times burst forth, in which it was his fortune to side with the weaker party. There are many (not un­handsome) stories told of his behaviour while the sword was unsheath'd; among the rest this, [Page 41]which I had from his own mouth. He having command in a Garrison neer, did often give some ungentle visits to his Townsmen at Not­tingham, and was for almost a year (though a Physitian) their continuall Ague; at length in a skirmish neer Darby it was his fortune to be made Prisoner, and thence was straitly guar­ded towards Nottingham, where they intended to give him no worse reward than a hanging for his former courtesies. By the way he invites his Conductors (being sixteen Troupers) to a Crowns-worth of Ale, which he privately sea­son'd with such a soveraigne ingredient, that it suddenly cast them all in a profound sleep; which done, he at pleasure rifles their pockets, and takes from them about 200. l. two Case of Pi­stols, and two of their best Horses, payes the reckoning, leaves them 13. d. ob. and returnes merrily to his own Garrison. Since the war his fame is growne much louder, and his steps where ere he goes waited on by multitudes. I cannot heare that he undertakes any in whose cure he failes; he refuses to look on Urines, and onely observes the wrist when the right hand is grip'd, never failing to discover the nature, cause and seat of the malady, which he undertakes or rejects, as he finds it either feasable or despe­rate. I am now his Patient; and though I yet can brag of little amendment by what I have taken, yet his confidence bids me hope well: he has let [Page 42]me blood under the Tongue, and cut a veine in my eare asunder; and I am now taking of Pow­ders, Electuaries and Purges. The charge I find will be very great, but I am resolv'd to buy off this plague at any rate, though I pinch for it all my life after.

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

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

All the good of Heaven & Earth attend you; you will easily believe my affection, if you remem­ber my industry to have enjoy'd you before I left the Kingdom: and truly I call it my great un­happiness that I could not meet an opportunity till now to tell you I must be yours for ever. Had I known how to have sent, I had done it soo­ner; but your Letter which directed me to you [Page 43]was in my trunke at London, and I receiv'd it but a few daies since. Wel then, take me as much yours as you can desire, and assure your selfe I study your good next my own, and if God blesse me in the world, I shall quickly make it evident. In the meane, know I am order'd for France, where I have good assurance of some suitable imployment; when I come there you shall know it, and somewhat more of me than this hasty messenger will permit at present. Pray therefore write to Mr. K. that he will re­ceive and pay for my Letters that come to you by the French Post. I cannot desire to heare from you where I am, because my stay in these parts are uncertaine: Though I must tell you truly, I was never better pleas'd with any place in my life, yet you are wanting to make me happy. I am suffer'd to say no more, onely what I dayly say to my selfe; Live piously and ver­tuously, and all that's good must needs betide you: then be to me as I am, deare friend,

Your own entirely R. W.
POSTSCRIPT.
Brother,

To another this might argue me of levity to send you things of such cheape mo­ment, and so much unconcerning your selfe; but there is so little complement in him, and so much love in you, that as I know the one can­not dissemble, so the other cannot but bid that [Page 44]welcome that may suite with his interest that so truely loves: But bating you two, I am re­serv'd to all the world beside. I stay my writing to my Sister J. till I can know whether she shall have the place or not. I feare the worst. Farewell.

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

Sir,

I Receiv'd and resented your kind invitation, for which you will do me but right to fancy me truly thankfull. I shall take it kindly of my occasions when they will give me leave to obey your summons; and will bring a heart along with me that will onely think it self unhappy that it must begin so late to know you. I should injure my parcell of reason to give a faint ap­plause to my Sisters choice, since sounder judge­ments have spoke it happy, and your own hand confirm'd it so. I do not dote upon my own weaknesse so much as to think my opinion would have quit the cost of asking; onely I could have wish'd my presence had inabled me to vote with the rest, though it had been one­ly to shew I am not backward in the approbati­on [Page 45]of desert. My request is but reasonable, that you will suffer me to know you better, and even at this distance to improve our acquain­tance. Tis but an easie task for your Pen, and will ingage mine to be responsal. I am afraid you have taken my Character from my friends to my disadvantage; I know they would speakno ill, and therefore am jealous have done it too well for me to make good. Pray present me most affectio­nately to your bed-fellow, and tell her I am glad to hear that her want of health is onely like to make work for the Midwife. My service to that Cousin of mine to whose fair report I am so much obliged, and to the rest that know me; and for your self, you may safely believe that I am truly desirous to appear,

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

LETTER XXIV. To Mr. C. S.

Sir,

IF my expectations of kissing your hands my self had not been deluded, my Pen had ren­dered you what I know of the Person yours is [Page 46]directed to; of whom all the account I can give you may read in this inclosed paper; which af­ter you have perused, I intreat you will seal up, and deliver to Mr. H. to be sent back in one of his: you will perceive by it that I must receive another before I can obey your commands in di­recting and dispatching yours, which I expect daily. Sir, I thought it my ingagement to kiss your hands with these blots, to undeceive your expectations, lest you should think long for an answer of what cannot yet be sent. I hope you will easily believe me sorry that I can serve you no better, nor sooner in this; and may be confi­dent that I shall be glad of any power that may prove me, what I really am,

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

LETTER XXV. To Mr. H.

KNowing how highly I value your society, you cannot chuse but think me much dis­pleased with those casual impediments that kept us so long asunder; but repining never made Fortune lesse peevish: but since you are there, give me leave to husband the incommodity of [Page 47]your absence, by intreating such courtesies, as, could we change places, I should with much ala­crity perform for your self. My first request then is, that if you latch any news that may prove a Cordial to our dying hopes, you will not grudge to send it me, as a friendly aid that may help to put some sad thoughts to flight. My next is the prosecution of a former desire, that you would inquire of M. or any other Book­seller that is likely to inform you, if there be any new French Book of an indifferent volume that is worth the Translating, and not enter­terprised by any other; if there be, let me de­sire you would send it me down, with Cotgraves Dictionary of the last Edition: and for what you disburse, I shall appoint you where you shall receive it at London, with some quantity besides, which I shall desire you to send me. You may well think me unable for such an undertaking; but my worst successe will bestow a trebble be­nefit, because I shall make it serve to beguile melancholy, check idleness, and better my knowledge in the Language: for the book, I am indifferent whether it be Romance, Essay, Trea­tise, History or Divinity, so it be worth the ren­dring in our language. You may either send them by G. F. who lies at—and comes neerest to Haughton, or by B. that comes to Nottingham, and lies at the &c.—or by your own Lincolnshire-Carrier. Let me beg to hear [Page 48]from you by your next most pregnant opportu­nity, and I shall be industrious to let you see you have not sown these favours in a barren Soil, by conferring them upon one that will ever be studious to love and serve you,

R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

I Cannot step so far out of the way, as not to find out a path to you; distance having onely power to render me remote to my friend in my circumscriptive part, while the unconfined, without toyling with the method of motion, or passing through a succession of places, can be with you in a moment: and indeed we carry that about us that confutes the custom of paint­ing Angels with wings, when we consider how suddenly our thoughts are charioted (without the penetration of a medium) to the farthest parts of the World, by the help of that faculty which doubtlesse is neer akin to their Angeli­cal natures; since though a wing be the nimblest instrument of motion, yet it confesses an order of it, which those Divine Intelligences are ne­ver [Page 49]task'd to. But why these Metaphysicks in a Letter? will be your secret objection; to which I have not roome enough to give any other an­swer, than that I had rather say nothing to pur­pose than nothing at all. We are now in a Town where most of the people get their bread by their water, I meane the Bath; and those that never knew how to governe themselves, are yet guides to others: of a City tis doubtless the prettiest of England, in a double constructi­on, as it is little, and handsome. I have been something curious to inform my self of its Ori­ginall; but the best account I could get does af­ford but poore satisfaction: the soberest have onely told me my own Conjectures, that the irruption of these hot Springs, which certainly borrow their warmth in their passage through a sulphurous minerall, was the cause of building this City; but in the conveyance of particulars to posterity, as the time, founders, with other circumstances, Tradition has been very unfaith­full, in suffering the truth to be swallow'd by a fable which goes very currant among the com­mon people, and talkes of a King call'd Bladud, that being a great Necromancer (I know not for what reason) caus'd by the power of his Art these waters to be boil'd under-ground into such an immense quantity, as hath serv'd to par­boile all those that have since resorted hither to wash off their Diseases. I have had but little [Page 50]time to try the virtue of it, being forc'd to waite upon my Lords humour of perusing all the Townes and Houses of remarke round about it; yet I have been already in it five times, and sound so little virtue in those steepings, as though I have us'd the hot Pumpe, according to Dr. B's. prescriptions, for my head, yet I find it has rather done me harme than good, and halfe discourag'd my further triall. I find my self daily more subject to your Splenitive malady, which since I us'd the Bath has made it self known to me with more than an usuall vigour: Besides, I think I have gotten the Stone to boot. If all these produce but the fruits of a Divine Correction, I may think my selfe happy in my sufferings. In my perusall of the Cathedrall here (a structure that is rather hand­some than magnificent, and claimes as little ad­miration as contempt) I met with an old Inscrip­tion upon the wall, which at first startled me; the words were these:

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

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

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

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XXVII. To his Sister F. CONCERNING PRAYER.

Dear Sister,

I Remember your frequent solicites gain'd a promise from me to compose you a Prayer; for which though the sense of my own insufficiency might justly dig a grave in oblivion, yet I have rather chose to deserve a censure for the bad performance, than the totall forfeiture. Prayer is the Golden Chaine that tyes Heaven and Earth together; it is the pure Elementall flame whose property is to ascend upwards, with which the soul, like the Phoenix, sets her nest afire, and even expires in the midst of all those kindled odours; it is a key that opens Heavens gates, and [Page 52]locks Hells. It is an Engine that, if rightly plan­ted and level'd, breakes a passage through all Earthly opposition to the Throne of mercy. It is the chief weapon us'd in our spirituall warfare; nor do we stand to't so stifly in any combate with our common enemy, as when humble Devotion and tender Zeal makes us shorter by the whole length of the legs. Thus we ascend by stooping; thus we conquer by submission. Tis the best Physick for a sickly soul, and penitent teares a soveraigne diet-drink for a diseas'd conscience. But you alwaies lov'd it too well to need an incouragement from my weak descrip­tion; yet because I know you are not apt to take any advice ill that flowes from so true an affe­ction as mine, I will venture to give you these few short observations before you enter upon this duty; Allow your self some time to consider the importance of this weighty affaire, and try to fly as high in apprehension of the Divine wis­dome, power, majesty, mercy, &c. as the weak wings of your contemplation will suffer you; these thoughts will furnish: you with such awe and reverence as is requisite in such ad­dresses, and help you to shut out all vaine and idle imaginations that especially at those times flock to the disturbance of Devotion. Co­vet not to stay long upon the duty till Devoti­on faints, and your fervour cooles: I am confi­dent tis a more hainous sin than the mistaken [Page 53]world is aware of, to bring a cold carelesse heart to these duties; and as I must condemne those that dare approch the Divinity with such con­fused stuffe as their proud ignorance huddles up in extemporall haste, so I do not commend them that onely tye their Tongues to one prayer, and think that no words can find the way to Heaven but those they got by heart in their childhood. Variety is the mother of de­light; and why the soul may not not fancy a bles­sed pleasure in often appearing to her God in the change of devour rayment, I know not: Cu­stomary use changes even the most troublesome imployment into delight. Oh could we bring Divine affaires to that happy habit, how much of Heaven should we tast even on Earth!

R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

VVHen my thoughts tell me that successe does not alwaies suit with a rationall ex­pectation, and future events often falsifie the promises of a present appearance, I am forc'd to feed such incertainties (in reference to your [Page 54]malady) as usually flow from the doubtfull combate betwixt Hope and Feare, wherein Love discharges both the active and passive part. From this you may judge how glad I would be that the newes of your perfect recovery would make peace between them; which pray, as you value my quiet, keep no longer from my know­ledge. There is a tendernesse that waites upon unvarnish'd amity, which perhaps of some Stoi­call soules will get no other Title than imper­fection: and yet methinks here we cannot love wel without it; for though it be not a part, at least it is a fruit of friendship, and as requisite as soft­nesse and delicacy in a feminine Composure; For if I must go with my friends halfe in all his joyes and griefs, I cannot give better proof that I have my stake in the latter, than by such an Evidence. Give me leave then to tell you, that at present you cannot do me a greater Courte­sie (if health hath impowr'd you) than to cure me of those troubles that are the off-spring of yours. When I found my Lords danger so hopefully over-blown, I wish'd my self againe at Holt, and half fell out with my Condition, that at the same time called me severall waies by the name of Servant and Brother. Yet I did not carry away all my selfe at our parting; for, believe it, my better part has hover'd constant­ly about you, and you had the unseen assistance of my earnest addresses to the best Physitian. [Page 55]But tis more than time to consider I am tedi­ous; let me once more conjure you to give no advantage to your Disease by any inward distur­bance; and continue to love him who will live and dye, dear Brother, unchangeably

Yours to serve you, R.L.
POSTSCRIPT.

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

To Mr. W. LETTER XXIX.

Sir,

THe doubt that my first Letter might misse the way to your hands has made me venture to send you this second trouble, conceiving it a lesse sin to be too obsequious than neglectfull: and indeed your kindnesse would win the name [Page 56]of Charity in vouchsafing a mutuall corre­spondence: for though I be very civilly us'd from the very top to the toe of this whole Fa­mily, yet in this throng I am forc'd to find out solitude; none here being made of better clay than will render them fit vessells for houshold-affaires; and I confesse I would be glad to over­take other qualities in him I fasten on with a stronger tye than the ordinary slipping knots of faint acquaintance. This makes me oft put my self to the paine of thinking how much hap­pinesse I lost at a clap by being pluck'd from your society; and these thoughts leave me a kind of a Carkasse till my soule comes home againe, which (if it were visible) you might of­ten see busily hovering about your selfe, still panting after those delights which, alas! she has lost in her divorce from you; but it is in your power to restore me part of them. I will ven­ture no newes, lest I weary you with the relation of what you know. I must onely say, this stu­pendious victory of late has much lessened my infidelity concerning your judicious opinion of future events; & there wants but the unmasque­ing of your Parties resolutions to make me their perfect convert. I am most resolutely bent to follow your discreet advice in the Study of Phy­sick, and therefore desire you will please to know of Dr. R. what bookes are fittest to be­gin withall, for I am desirous to observe as much [Page 57]method as I can; the exact account of which I beg you will please to receive at my hands, and I hope you will not withhold the continu­ance of your friendly counsell from him that truly loves and honors you

R. L.

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

Deare Brother,

I Am never unfurnish'd of a double welcome for your Letters; the first, as they come from your person, the other from your Pen; as they are cordially meant, and skilfully writ: and thus both my love and liking are your Prisoners, and have long since rejected the liberty of being o­therwise, as the harder bondage of the two. That which we call happinesse (I meane re­strain'd to sublunaries) is something proportio­ned to such desires as are uppermost, and there­fore indefinite, because it alwaies takes a seve­rall shape from every sngle inclination; all aim­ing at, though few or none hitting, that sove­raigne good, Contentment. One hunts his hap­pinesse in riches, another climbes for it by am­bition, a third thinks it swims upon the top of voluptuary fruition, the fourth places it in know­ledge; [Page 58]and in fine, so long as mankind dwells on this side of the Moon, every one carries his witch about him. For my part, a true friend is my Indies; and I relish more felicity in being well thought of by a virtuous person, than in enjoying all that the others court with so much eagernesse and ardour: And I hugge this dispo­sition with more indulgence, because passions of this nature are ever friends with Reason, and give no blush in their Colours. And thus I have given you my heart transcrib'd. It poses me to expresse my gladnesse for the faire hopes of my Sister J's. recovery; but the height of it might have been taken in my feares of meeting ill newes, which made me so much a Coward as I could hardly forbeare shaking when I opened your Letter: I pray speake me to her in the best Language of affection, and tell her I hardly endured the cruelty of my occasions, that would not let me see her in her danger. This Problematicall feaver has swept many of my acquaintance away in these parts: Death never gave shorter warning of his approch; therefore we had need stand upon a carefull guard of pre­paration, that when he arrests he may not sur­prise. I pray present me very affectionately to my Sister F. I shall take occasion next week to write to both. Report speakes the fractures in France to be cemented again, and the Condean [...]rty well satisfied by the Cardinalls retreat [Page 59]out of the French Confines; and tis said they are upon a treaty with Spain. But the Hogens I confesse are anger'd into more animosity a­gainst us than ever I thought they would have been guilty of: They have lately imprisoned their last Embassadour, Mijn Heer PAW, seiz'd his goods, and pull'd down his House at the Hague, for promulging his inclinations to peace, and exceeding his Commission by charging Van Trump not to strike a blow till he received fur­ther order; by which meanes our East-Indian ships and Virginian Fleet scap'd his fingers. I have sent you their Declaration inclosed, which came out but yesterday, and is sold very private­ly. My malady continues still in the same con­dition, so soon as I take off the plaister it rankles again. I pray ask my Sister F. if my Aunt H. does not take it unkindly that I sent her not a book; and where my Cosin A. L. now resides, and whether her Father in Law and she be ac­corded. But I roll like an unruly flood over all bankes and bounds: Dear Brother,

Eternally yours R.L.

LETTER XXXI. To Mr. W.

Sir,

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

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

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

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

Deare Brother,

JUstice enjoynes my confession that you have made me amends for your silence, and pai'd me my Arrears in grosse which I expected in particulars; for though your Letters cannot come often enough to lessen their welcome, yet you know rarity heightens the price of things, and winds up the delight to a taller de­gree than when it goes and comes in a lesse sta­ture at severall parcells. Conclude not from this that I desire you should write but seldome; for believe it, I never had recreation nor busi­nesse that out-priz'd the pleasant care I alwaies took to keep our quills in play, and thus to prune the feathers, and stir the pinions of our amity. Let not the conceit of an Hectick get any credit with you; for tis the custome of these Diseases to lye long a gasping before they [Page 62]dye, and like Candles new burnt out leave some heat in the socket: But I hope in a short time to see your feares over-blown by a perfectrestau­ration; and now you will taste your health with such a relish as half-starv'd men do Feasts, or the hopelesse inhabitant of a Dungeon his un­expected liberty. But (which deserves both my praise and imitation) I am much taken with the grateful use you have made of Heavens bounty in relation to your deliverance; for since the largest heart is too narrow to set a just value upon such favours, sure those that devoutly endeavour to bid the best price are best accepted. There are many requisites in Christianity, whose con­stant use does sweetly set us the way to the New Jerusalem; but thanksgiving (when currantly pai'd) does even place us in the very suburbs of Heaven; by it we onely take out that lesson here whose repetition will be both our businesse and happinesse to all Eternity. Last night with yours I received those rude Draughts which you had from my unskilfull hand; but (rude as they are) they are like to do me service in my present undertaking. Wise men tell us (Reli­gion unconcern'd) tis weaknesse to repent those ingagements which we cannot retract with a safe reputation: else I would tell you, that if my bargaine were now to make, my Letters should still have slept in your hands, and perhaps I should never have wak'd that danger [Page 63]that now threatens my credit with the stings of some just Criticismes; but the die is cast (and what ever I lose by it) I am resolv'd to play out the game. I came just now from Sir J. P. who ask'd very kindly for you; he lookes with a kind aspect upon me; and if my hopes deceive me not in some Courtesies he has power to do me, I may chance to passe by all the great ones that know me, and direct my Dedication to him. But of this more when I know further. I hope it will prove no taske to perswade you that I shall be perfectly glad to see you here in London; and indeed, if your interest where you are be not more considerable than your pen con­fesses, I can think it no better than a block to your preferment. In the meane time, while I am here, if I have a capacity to serve you, you cannot disoblige me more than to be sparing of your Commands. I have not, nor never will have any thing that is not yours; nay, my self is not mine own if you have need of me; and though these words be not necessary to perswade what you formerly believ'd, yet repe­titions in Love are onely not absurd. Major W. returnes you his most affectionate respects; we never meet (which is very often) without ce­lebrating your remembrance and health. When you write, which cannot be too often, direct your Letters for me at one Mr. M's. House living in Shandois-street in Covent-Garden, (for [Page 64]there we now lodge) right over against the Black-Rod. Well, Dear Brother, tis time to come to a full point; I am

Eternally yours R. L.

LETTER XXXIII. To his Sister Mrs. F.

My Dearest Sister,

TIs now too late to expresse the passion I felt for what I hope you have recover'd; onely this, if a large part of what you suffer'd had been put upon my score, I think I should have pick'd out delight in the affliction, because I indur'd it; for you will give me leave to be glad of your sufferings, not because they were so, but since Providence did ordaine them yours, because they were no greater. My Brother told me that the Disease was not likely to han­dle you so rudely as it usually doth others; and I was willing to believe him because I wish'd it so. It is fit you should believe that I am not only contented to wish you happy, but would be glad I could make you so by something else beside words: But providence thinkes it fit that I should still be unable to serve the friends I love, and therefore defers my preferment, by [Page 67]prolonging my unfortunate and costly malady. Well, the best of it is, I have seen too much of the world to dote upon it, and when I leave it nothing shall trouble me so much as that I could not serve my friends so well as I lov'd them; in which number you hold the fore most rank in his affections that is

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER XXXIV. To his Brother Maj. W.

Dear Brother,

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

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

LETTER XXXV. To Mr. G.

Dear Sir,

THat I had not a line or two from your hand by Mr D. I suppose was rather mis­chance than intention: that I eagerly expected it may be credited from my frequent importu­nities, from which I know not how you will de­fend your self, so long as I tenebrize it here in this blind corner; where I almost live like a flye [Page 69]in winter, and onely play in the Sun-shine when I communicate with such friends as your self. But he tells me a sad story of J. W's. sickness; which, believe it, does affect me as feelingly as can be requir'd from an unbiass'd friendship. Let me conjure you to tell by the next how I may measure my unhappinesse by his danger: I was ever entirely his from the cradle of our acquain­tance; but his last condescention to fetch me to my sick Brother makes my apprehension too big for my expression. I pray do me the favour to receive all such Letters as shall be directed to me through your hands; for he that did me the same courtesie I heare is lately dead of the new feaver. I should blush to give you these troubles, if your Commission had not embold­ned me; but if I do not requite, I shall not for­get to acknowledge. Present me heartily to honest C. W. Mr. L. and promise your self a true friend in

R. L.

LETTER XXXVI. To his Brother A. L.

Deare Brother.

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

In this same voyage to the Grave, which we call Life, our condition is so fraile and floating, as we are nought else but living lumps of incer­tainty and irresolution; so easie it is for Fortune [Page 71](or rather Providence) to unravel our strongest­woven designes, and unhinge our most serious intentions; that like the withered leaves of Au­tumn, we are the game of every blast, and our health the prey of every sickly vapour. But now Dear Brother how do you? have you yet scap't the fangs of this new-spawn'd malady? Pray tender your health very carefully: for my part, I should deem my self in great danger in this standing-pool of Aire where we live, if the hole in my arm were not my friend, in giving several passeports to infection and contagious vapours, which so long as nature has power to thrust out at that Sally-port, my danger is not great. I pray let me know if my sister Janes health be yet perfected, and how therest of my friends hold out against the batteries of a putrified Climate. Present me, as is due, to all that know me; pre­serve me in your Affections, Wishes and Pray­ers; and believe it, your happiness shall be always mentioned in his addresses to heaven that is, Dear Brother,

Your own indelibly, R. L.
POSTSCRIPT.

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

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

Dear Brother,

YOu have subdued me so entirely, and tied the knot so strait that binds me to you, that there is as much impossibility to undo it, as in­gratitude to cut it: so as, like the mistaken hus­band-man that tills an unfruitful Soil, you must expect to receive a lean crop, not because the earth is unthankful, but unable. After I had sent my last, I received one of your Letters that plaid the Truant by the way, with some pieces of the broken Glass, which appeared like the disjoyned staves of a wrackt Vessel thrown a­shore by the Tide; the Pills came safe, which I since took at twice (loth to take proofs of so much kindness, as sinners do the gifts of heaven, not to use them, but abuse them.) You give me more hope then I dare accept, in reference to that check to all the delight I can either taste or fancie, bating some divine Idea's, that by a specu­lative transfiguring my desires lift me above all those inconsiderable toyes that the World ran­ges under the smiles and frowns of Fortune: but from thence, alas, the weight of my own weakness weighs me down again, and I return (like an inconvertible thief) to the same Prison [Page 73]from whence punishment so lately freed me. But we cannot be more then men, till we be stript of our clay, and put on something in its stead that poses our apprehensions, and is best described by negatives.

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

Yours eternally, R. L.

LETTER XXXVIII. To Mr. W.

My dear friend,

YOu had sooner seen a reply to your last, had we not still shifted places like feathers in the winds, and too much motion staid my hand. I am sorry my last gave so hard a task to your be­lief, but am glad it provoked you to breathe your fancy so merrily. I should lavish words to retort your ingenious glances; onely this, if you disliked the extravagancies in it, suffer excess of joy to excuse it, which oft like other passions breaks out disorderly. Well my dear friend, let it suffice, there was not a fyllable that was not meant before it was said, and meant because deserved. But since you do not like such Transports, I shall learn to talk soberer, though never to love you with lesse ardor. All wo­men have yet appeared so indifferent, as the whole Sex was never able to give me a passi­on, much less such an one: what the old woman that Fate has marked for mine will do I know not; I think I shall honour her venerable wrin­kles, and reverence her spectacles; but she must have better linings then that Sex use to wear within, before I can love her like such a friend. Another flood of rheume has lately confuted my [Page 75]opinion of a cure, and made me recant my brags; but I do not despair suddenly to make it find a­nother channel. I pray let your next tell me whe­ther Mr. S. does yet mention the token to you; for if you permit, I can tell how to hint it without reflecting upon you. I am much afflicted, and up­braid the shortness of my chains, when I find I cannot serve you as I would, and do wrangle with every accessary to our stay in this dull Countrey; but all alas to little purpose, for our return to London is both uncertain and unlikely. Our friends in Norfolk and Suffolk I hope are well, onely my sister Fenner is now sick of the Small-Pox; but in my next I will be able to render you a more particular account of yours, which I shall receive from my Brother. If you would write to any there, tis but venturing a request to M. H. to deliver it to the Norfolk-Post, and take their answers from him to send to you. The man is honest and friendly, and I know loves you e­nough to do much more: I have excused you to him. My Lord returns your respects with much affection, and I think has much love for you. Good Sir, resalute your friend from his un­known servant with much respect, and tell him I shall gladly do any thing that may deserve his love. But I shall grow too talkative; I have no more to say but to beg you will still understand me, as I must ever be, my dear friend,

Yours eternally, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

IT were superfluous to repeat how little the treachery of new objects, fresh acquaintance, long absence, change of place, &c. is able to do in quenching that affection which I shall keep alive with the same care that Vest als did their sacred flame. This you have often had under my hand and seal; and you may be confident it will never be forfeited. We are again setled at Nottingham, where the advantage of a larger leisure to write is checked by the scarcity of opportunities; but rarity does raise the price of delight, we set a trivial esteem upon joyes that come at a low rate, but indulge those we sweat for: and thus we shall entertain our Letters like our selves when we meet seldom, nothing so much endearing the personal interview of friends, as when some large portion of time has crept betwixt them. As we came down, one of Fortunes spightful tricks (of which, I thank her, to me she has always been very liberal) made me lose the taste of a pleasant journey, which was thus; The day of our setting our appointed, I consented to the earnest solicites of my dear Mr. W. (then in the Countrey) to let him know [Page 77]it; caus'd by a desire of his to meet me at S. Al­bans, where we had decreed to shorten a night together with such mutual solace as would have suffered its houres to pass by untold: in hope of this he came little less then fourty miles on pur­pose; which trouble he would needs undertake in lieu of some petty services I was happy to do him in his absence; but upon the brink of our taking leave a Whimsey predominated, and we must needs go another way by Alesbury; which though I opposed as far as I durst, was carried a­gainst me, and my hopes of so much delight were sacrificed to an inconvenience; for we went ten miles about for a worse way, lost a Gentle­man and a Foot-man that were sent the other, and my vertuous friend (after two nights stay) returned with abused expectations: I never took a peevish chance with lesse patience. My Mala­dy still continues to afflict me; I pray let the Doctor know with what little success I have ob­served his prescriptions, and if he can bethink himself of any other course that may prove more effectual I shall gladly use it: I see purging will not do it, and the powder never made me sneeze to purpose. Pray tell him I have a strange conceit that some Chymical application should effect it. You will much oblige me to propound it to as many skills as you shall converse with, and to send me their several judgements at your best convenience, while I strive to do as much [Page 78]where I am. I would not dare to give you this trouble, if I were not confident that you loved

Your own R. L.
POSTSCRIPT.

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

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

Dear Cousin,

I Cannot always content my self to shut up a speechless affection in my breast, since that amity that wants a tongue may justly be suspect­ed to want a heart, and lie benumb'd like a Snake in Winter; for though Memory and Fancy may possibly combine to keep Idea's and Images un­defaced by the hand of time, yet where action is and exercise wanting, there is no more then pos­sibility of life; and that friendship that can al­wayes lie still, does at best but hide it self, and makes as as little harmony as an unstrung Instru­ment. Lest ours that grew up with our green­est years should fade, and fall insensibly into [Page 79]such a trance, suffer these blots to rouze it, and invite your pen to contribute a preservative that may keep it fresh and vigorous. With this Paper you shall receive a rude draught of mine by a French Original, which I drew at idle houres when my Genius was neither prompt nor propi­tious to better studies. Cousin, your acceptance will more then requite it; and if you chance to have patience enough to read it over, tis all you will get by it. I pray present my hearty service to my Brother and Sister P. and distribute my respective salutes among those friends where you think they are due: and to your self, take as faithful an affection as I am capable of che­rishing, or you of desiring from

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

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

Deare Brother,

MY designes of coming over have been so oft diverted by unexpected commands and accidentall emergencies, as I feare my pro­mises have almost lost their credit. But if you knew the vehemencie of my longing to see you [Page 80]and the rest of my friends, you would pitty my impatience (the froward child of so many de­layes.) Divines tell us this life is a Pilgrimage; and if ever any people made it good in both senses I think tis our restless family: The Sun in his annuall progresse through his 12. Celesti­all Innes doth not oftener change his Quarters. Ever since I knew them I have been nothing but a guest, and must of necessity learne to be a wise man if ever I intend to be at home so long as I am with them. About two months since I had appointed my day to set out, when a sud­dain resolution for a Yorkshire-visit to my Lord F. his house (retir'd thither to a private life since he ungenerall'd himself) turn'd my horse head the contrary way. From thence, after a tedious stay, with much adoe we return'd to Haughton, and from thence are arriv'd at Lon­don, (a journey I scarce knew of 12. houres be­fore I took it.) I am the more particular in my gests, lest you should put my silence upon the account of neglect. I had resolv'd again the last Monday to begin my motion East-ward, and my foot was almost in the stirrop, when meet­ing with Holt-Post, he informed me that my Brother W. would be in Town this week; and upon those grounds I defer'd my journey till he returnes home-ward about a fortnight hence, if the sad increase of my malady (which I much suspect) does not arrest me here; I daily [Page 81]feel it incroach upon me, &c. (Whatever Hea­ven has design'd it for I am resolv'd to wel­come.) But of this more when I see you, if it will give me leave. Pardon these perfunctory blots to my present indisposition, and be confi­dent I will cease to be, when I am not, deare Brother, inviolably

Yours to love and serve you R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

I Wish my Pen were not so indebted to your opinion, as to despaire of having right to that Character you have ever given it: but what you call a Garden is little better than a wilder­nesse, and the thornes and nettles which it plants are onely Roses in the deceiv'd eyes of affection. Thus the yellow sands of Tagus first came by their Gold, not because Midas did indeed there wash off his wish, but because Mi­das and his wish too were made on purpose to raise the Rivers credit by the partiall ingenuity of its Countrimen. Nay, Tiber it self (but a brook to our Thames) would have made his vi­sits to the Ocean with no more noise than his own streames make, if it had not taken Rome [Page 82]in its way, and glided by the walkes of her clear-witted Poets. True Love is wilfully blind to the imperfections of its object; and if the scars be not too broad she turnes away her head till her hands hide them in black patches; imi­tating the great Architect upon the Chaos, for­cing beauty from deformity it self. But to quit Metaphor, I re-thank you you for the vigilance of your active endeavours in behalfe of my re­covery; if ever Providence intends me health (which I have too much cause to doubt) I think I shall owe it to your industry; and indeed there is none to whom I would more willingly consent to be indebted, nor more gladly find a power to requite, than your self: but I confess where there is such true amity these termes are superfluous. I shall gladly receive any thing from the Doctor that may have reference to my cure; but I am afraid I shall find some difficulty to be a circumspect observer of his prescripti­ons; for we are here rather a crowd than a fami­ly, and are rather quarter'd like an Army than lodg'd, few chambers deserving better titles than huts. But I hope we shall shortly march a­way; however if I receive ought that may car­ry any pretence to a remedy, I shall struggle hard both for time and place to take it as I ought. I thank you for the History of your High-Suffolk-journey: I shall take some order to lay the storme of my Sister P's. unkindnesse, if the [Page 83]weake magick of my pen can do it; for if there be any Art in it, you know tis black. For what concernes the Recognizance, I shall say no­thing till your progression teach me both how to speak and do. I made no question but to be as big as my word when my last talk'd of your two stickes coming down; but having since met with the Majors Masculine wife, She tells me that it will be Michalemas before she makes any more; but she has promis'd that the patience of your expectation shall be then rewarded with the Master-piece of her art. Honest J. is ready to beat his wife that she forces his promise to so slothfull a performance; he salutes you cor­dially, and seemes alwaies to be thirsty when he drinks your health. But tis time to hold my Tongue. Dear Brother, I am, and will continue unfeignedly

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

LETTER XLIII. To Sir I. P.

Sir,

I Received your Letter of April 5. which proved a soveraign cure to the suspition which hung like a disease upon my heart; no corner of which did ever yet harbor thought or wish con­cerning you, but what ever indevoured to indear it self to your future happiness. And though Fortune has not smiled upon my longing for im­ployments, by bestowing success on your kind endeavours, yet I have taught my soul as grate­fully to rellish the real intention, as if its greedy desires had been feasted with the effectual exe­cution. I confesse my hopes took a sad fall in Sir T. B. but I had rather be content with the misfortune then that it should procure you dis­content with the man. Sir, I find it fit to acquaint you that tis now my resolution to break the chains of that unthrifty liberty that has all this time led my wandring steps from the path of imployment; to which, (rather then sacrifice any more of the precious off-spring of Time to the idol of Idlenes) tis my vow to lure my soaring desires to a more humble flight; and since their wings are too weak in a forraign shore to make prudential Experience their Quarry, Humility [Page 85]shall train them to stoop at a domestick prey: the means of which (so it be not base or disho­nest) I shall want pride enough to disdain. Nor did I ever want jealousie that the unskilful weaknesse of my worthless parts would render me an unfit Pilot to be imbarqued at first in the managing of a Secretaries place; and my now becalmed thoughts relish it as a prevention of some disgrace by the kinde Providence, that my feeble sailings might have betraid me to. In summ, not only the covet of my own desires, but the promises of some friends have incoura­ged me to be at London at Easter Term, where I expect (if I am not wide) to hit some happy opportunity of imployment; to further which, I hope you will vouchsafe him your testimony that alwayes was, and ever will be

Your faithful servant, R. L.

LETTER XLIV. To his Sister Mrs. F.

My Dearest Sister,

TIs now too late to express the passion I felt for what you have now recovered, and give me leave to be glad of your sufferings, not be­cause they were so, but (since the Providence [Page 86]did ordain them yours) because they were no greater. My Brother told me the disease was not likely to handle you rudely; as it usually does others; and therefore I hope that cruel enemy to a good face has not left the footsteps of his tyranny upon yours. It is fit you should believe that I am not onely contented to wish you hap­py, but would be glad I could make you so, by something else besides words; but Providence thinks it fit that I should still be unable to serve the friends I love, and therefore defers my Pre­ferment by prolonging my unfortunate malady. But the best is, I have seen too much of the World to dote upon it. You are grown very sparing of your Ink and Paper; if you understand my affection as it is, you cannot deny it the con­tent of letting me sometimes know that you do so: I should take it kindly to know where you are, and how you do, with other circumstan­ces, such as may be expected by so perfect a well-wisher; there is so little alteration in my condition, that it deserves not mention. Let me know how your pretty boy does, and how he thrives in his learning. Salute all my friends you meet with my hearty love and service, and be confident you shall never have cause to doubt that I will ever be less then I truly am

Your real Brother to command, R. L.

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

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

I see you have discovered that the place I am in gives me no cause to be lavish in its commen­dations, but I despair not to make your hopes prophetick in a happier change; in the mean time till fortune clears up her brow, and sets a better face on my affaires, I am resolved to improve my slender stock of discretion in the industrious purchase of commodious friends, and the provident husbanding of opportunities [Page 88]to drive on my more hopeful designes, till the maturity of which, I will neither blame nor forsake the imployment I am in. But whatsoe­ver burden my shoulders shrink under, in spight of Fortune I will be happy in your felicity, which be assured is wished as little subject to de­cay as Immortality it self by

Your inviolably affectionate Brother, R. L.

LETTER XLVI. To Mr. H.

Sir,

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

Perfectly yours R. L.

LETTER XLVII. To Mr. W. G.

Sir,

SUffer our friendship to give a little imploy­ment to my idle pen; and that, commission to tell you that I am not wavering enough to let absence write it in a wave: and methinks they that cannot talk at a distance without the help of business, do rather usurp then use amity; and like the Persons in an Interlude, alwayes act what they are not. The frequent exchange of thoughts, next the touchstone of adversity, is [Page 90]one of the clearest tryals of it. Physitians con­clude an Eucrasis in the body, when every faculty plies its own function, and takes the height of the distemper, as they observe them either let their Oares lie still, or row the wrong way; and sure that friendship cannot chuse but languish that lies long speechless. But I hold a Candle to the Sun, and I fear do but show what a Pedigree my Quill comes of; but tis well meant, and so I hope tis taken. I like Virgils Story of Nisus and Eurialus, and methinks it deserves the credit of imitation; for though a fiction, the Poet intend­ed it rather to instruct, then deceive; and meant it as Xenophon did his Cyrus, rather to show what should be, then what was. Present me cordially to our Esculapian friend, tell him I shall be glad to hear that his skill gets an im­provement of ability by sick bodies, and his Fortunes soveraign Cordials from sound Purses. I pray mention my real respects to honest Di­scendam, &c. tell him I could wish every man a good fellow for his sake, drink till they be illu­strious, and raise the price of Malt.

R. L.

LETTER XLVIII. To his Brother A. L.

Dear Brother,

MY ignorance of the cause of it gave me some trouble for your silence, not knowing what construction to give it, unless that you had not yet quitted Norfolk, detained there by the im­portunity of Sir J. P. or some others; but lately meeting wth J. W. he shewed me your Letter da­ted from Barningham, wch mentioned some more Physick you had since sent me. what Fate crost it I know not, but I never received it, or ought else from your hands, since you had mine in Nor­folk. I think there is a conspiracy of chances that traverse the cure of this unlucky malady, and use my hopes like notorious offenders, that are onely kept alive for their greater torment; yet I cannot but confess the rigor of it to be something abated, since the fontanel in my arm rather ran then issued. There is more Rheto­rick in my meaning then my words, and like a Plant in Winter, whose beauty and vertue are retired to the life in the root; I would, but can­not, thank you sufficiently for your unwearied solicitations of Mr.—in my behalf [...]: but I am now so espoused to incertainty in relation to our stay in London, expecting daily when the Exit of an old woman that [Page 92]dies by drops, should give us warning to quit our City-Theatre, to attend her Corps to her Coun­trey-Grave, as it makes me desirous you would respite the sending of any more physick, till I know when and where I shall have opportunity to take it, and you know such things unless done exactly are better not begun. Since I wrote some of this I received your Letter, which clears all my doubts of your silence. Your Letter to the Major found him all in tears for the death of one of the best sisters-in-law, I think, in England; she died of an Imposthume; and Jack, not with­out much cause, is very sensible of his loss. I spied a request of yours, &c. If you can instruct me how to supply your desires in ought else here, I shall take it very ill if you do not freely command, Dear Brother,

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

LETTER XLIX. To Mr. H.

Sir,

I Received your pregnant Epistle, and enter­tained it with as kind a resentment as a heart when it finds it self obliged does usually feel. But as I receive your love with the fruits of it (your [Page 93]newes) as becomes a friend that hates ingrati­tude, so I cannot own your high-flown unmerit­ed praises without indangering my whole stock of modesty; nor can take them with a better title then some rich ones of this age do the goods and lands of others, for which their best evidence is that they are too strong for the right owners. In another, that I had known practised in the smooth sin of dissembling, I had called it complement; but your known goodnesse for­ces a better title, and I will onely say that you beheld my poor deserts through the glass of af­fection, which deceived you; like those that ma­gnifie objects, and represent their forms much more large and fair then indeed they are. Sir, in that sense I understand you, and return (in plain and undrest terms) the thanks of a friendly heart that is resolved not to die in the debt of affection. I am sorry your hopes took so sad a fall in their aimes at improvement in your Seraphick Science; but we that wear chains must look for no larger liberty then their length will afford us, unless we break them. I hear you are preparing for Nottingham, where we shall infallibly help to increase your family, and I hope joyn our forces in a friendly association to combat with the difficulties of a tedious winter. Sir, this last favour of yours gives me presum­ption to inlarge my ingagement by a request, that you will please (if time will permit you) [Page 94]to go to one Mr. K. &c. I would not presume to give you this trouble, if I were not confident in your friendship, and cordially desirous of an op­portunity wherein I may prove my self as I truly am

Yours, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

I Am now the more eager to redouble my hold on these occasions, because they have sately kept their foretops so long out of my reach; and though I was never less able then now to talk to purpose, yet (next to my main design, which is to let you see that oblivion can­not intrap affection) methinks I would fain rally the retreated spirits of my crest-fallen fancy, that with this long taking breath have almost lost it: garments wear out by being not worn; Ingenuity and judgement (like the amphibious Otter) may inhabit the opposite Elements of ease & industry yet if they stay too long in either, the first plucks insensibly the feathers from their wings to make a pillow for sloth, and the other (if the bow be not sometimes unbent) does of­ten give them the cramp with too much stretch­ing, and sometimes a crack to boot, which proves hard you know to solder. The onely art is to enchase and gently checquer imployment with [Page 95]recreation, that they may rule like City-Magi­strates by election, and so deliver up the Mace to one another by turns; onely I would have the solidest govern longest. But pardon these weak sallies; for should I force my pen to keep the road, & not sometimes range into extravagancy, it would tire you and it self too with often trea­ding in the Print of its own footsteps. And there­fore I will tell you that I lighted upon my bro­ther W. by an unexpected kindness of fortune, and featherd some hearty houres in his company dip­ing your health in the noblest liquor; & upon Sa­turday my brother W. vouchsafed to find out my abode, and gave me a welcome account of your well being. I perceive already you were not mis­taken in his character, & have seen enough to give a fresh applause to my sisters good fortune. I think his brother (very desirous of, and well de­serving your acquaintance) and my self (if no­thing thwarts our resolutions) are like to see him safe at home, and you by the way, especially if you be not there before us. I should hug this voy­age with the expectation of much delight among friends, if the sense of this miserable malady did not render me half-asham'd to invade any com­pany. I shall never leave this old trick of tiring your patience with my Countrey tales: however with all my faults, my dear brother, I am

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

LETTER LI. To Mr. R. C.

Dear Robin,

I Hope thou knowest me too well to censure any thing but my weakness in my Pseudo­prophesie; for the failing of which, I cannot suf­fer you to over-match my sorrows. I should give thee reasons why I apprehended those hopes which are now martyred, but they are not fit to be trusted with this Paper, and would new gall thy griefs to see there was a likelihood of be­ing happy: and now though the common cala­mity may challenge a constant tribute of resent­ment from me, yet let me tell thee Robin that Divinity does not allow our eyes to be alwayes dropping over a remediless evil, nor can it sure be angry if we do not suffer one wide-mouthed wo to swallow all our joyes. I confess that is properly Misery which Oblivion cannot intomb; but heaven gives no griefs which may not ad­mit of intermission: then for us to divert our speculation upon such objects as may contribute an innocent refreshment, cannot be unlawful; & though Fortune should spend her whole artil­lery of mischiefs upon me, yet still possessing thy friendship, in spight of all her malice I would sometimes be happy; for even while my Pen [Page 97]thus talkes unto thee, methinks I have a truce with misfortune. Tis not onely the fruits, but the end of wisdom to keep fair weather in the soul; all that is called happiness without that is but a handsom Impostor. Vexations were the Vul­tures that fed upon poor Prometheus liver; let us then try to escape our afflictions at present, and trust Providence for a full realease hereafter. To put this in practise, I give my fancy leave to range and turn over her world of objects, and (that she may cull content from something) I bid her mark the industrious Bee visiting every flower that may help to send her singing home with laden thighs. I bid her ransake Historical Records of former ages, and please her self when she finds an exemplary punishment tread upon the heels of unjust ambitions: I bid her help me to hug mine own innocence, and to be glad I did not part with it to grow by such considerable means. But I injoyn her as her best recreation to visit thee, and gently inform me, at least by an af­fectionate presumption, how kind an intertain­ment thou allowest the memory of

Thine intirest friend, R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

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

I am now beginning to be beholden to Cu­stome, that mother of Facility, for rendring my demeanour suitable to my imployment, which at the first made me the resemblance of an un­weigh'd Colt, or an unbyassed Bowl, so that now I begin to weare my fetters with as much ease as if they were Bracelets. Nothing can come from you that shall not bid it self welcome; but your precepts that way will find an extraordi­nary entertainment. I fear the product of these uncivill wars will prove your Chaucer as much Prophet as Poet; but as it is not in our power to [Page 97]stay the hand that scourges us, so it is not in our knowledge how soon the Chirurgery of Heaven will drop balm into our wounds. I thank you for your account of our County; but were the reasons fit to be trusted with this Paper, I would tell you why I do now as much dislike the calm as I formerly condemned the storm. I could let you know the particulars of the Kentish affaires, whose number, discipline, resolution, &c. have rendered them formidable to the Parliament, Army, and City; but I presume you have them from a bet­ter hand. There is an old acquaintance of yours in Town which some call Mrs. E. F. and though she presents her kind respects to you, yet she cannot conceal that she takes your long silence something unkindly; three or four lines to her while she is here (which will be a fort­night) will mend the fault. Want of time and paper releases you from further trouble, and gives you the farewell of

Your really affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER LIII. To Mr. H.

Sir,

YOur last parcel of Paper I received, not without admiring your skill in contraction, that could put so exact a Letter in the bounds of a Note. Methought it appeared like a fruitful spot of earth, whose fertility made amends for its narrow Continent. Your silence had been better excused with any Plea, then the want of complement, for that is a commodity I never had any use for: tis a faint sickly friendship that is fed with such weak nourishment; and excuse me if I say I should make but an ill bargain to exchange my strong well-woven reality for such slim sleasie stuff. It is a Lesson onely fit to be learned in the infancy of acquaintance, and abso­lutely necessary to be forgotten in the progress: it is the crime of my mistake if ours be not march­ed far beyond it, and it must not be my fault if ever we sound a retreat. I could wish propitious Fame would put you to the charge of more pa­per, and tell you such things, as would ask to be exprest in your paler Ink; but we must patient­ly wait Divine leisure. I thank you for your do­mestick intelligence. I pray in your next let me know exactly how the Treaty succeeds. We [Page 99]have nothing here deserves the telling, and I have said all when I have subscribed my self

Sir,
Your affectionate servant, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

SInce I ascribe your last weeks silence rather to accident then design, I cannot justly take that advantage to say nothing; but especially since my sudden removal to a more remote place is like to heighten the price of these opportuni­ties, I must have leave to cherish this, and like the parting of a pair of Lovers, to hug it with a tedious tenderness. For since necessity has made another my owner, I must bow my will to her proud injunctions, and suffer her quietly to strip it of that happy power that gave me the proprie­ty of intention and determination: thus letting go the hold I had in my disposal, I must now like a Cock-boat suffer my self to be towed by ano­ther sail; or like an inferiour spring or wheel, obey the impulsion of a greater. My Lady C. is already in Nottinghamshire, whither I am to at­tend my Lord the next week; how long our stay will be I know not, but I fear too tedious, unless [Page 100]the bonny Scot drive us back to London, which I am very loth to part with, because I look upon it as the forge of my better fortunes: this jour­ney is like to afford more pleasure then profit, and to prove a true resemblance of my present imployment. But I thought it more fit to stay the stomach of my hungry fortunes with this bit, then to suffer them to famish in the vain expectation of a plenteous feast. If I had not learned the trick to be at home every where, this journey would have put me to some trouble; for I am to begin my acquaintance with every creature in that family, and to part with another, that if I be not mine own flatterer, do both know and love me. While I am there I shall be industrious to give you the true visage of my own particular affairs, and sometimes a touch of the general. In the mean time that your happi­ness may hold a perfect proportion with your wishes, is the zealous desire of

Your intirely affectionate Brother to command, R. L.

LETTER LV. To Mr. I. E.

Sir,

ENmity has domineered so long, that amity is almost grown out of countenance and fa­shion; yet to this dear commodity I am indea­red by a double reason; first because she was never more refined by persecution then now, Vice having this good property, that the injuries it does its opposite Vertue often prove her tire­maids, and set her off with more lovely lustre; but she is chiefly beholding to your vertues for the height of my esteem, the acquaintance with which I would not sell for a more gaudy jewel, to lose or forfeit which, by neglect, were worse then for a School-boy to lose his lesson; or an Artificer to sell his tools: this through the glass of your modesty may appear like flattery, but if brought to the touch-stone of your worth, it will appear truths naked mettal, undis­guised in the Alchimy of Dissimulation. For newes, that which is bad has lately got so much unhappy truth of its side, that I may well say its good news that there is no news at all. I do here wait upon imployment, like him that is sick of the contagion of Love, upon a froward Mi­stris; and she has yet used me like that handsome [Page 102]Idol, vouchsafes a kiss at this, and gives me a frown at the next interview, though I stake my liberty against her kindness; yet if my blind enemy has stored up no unexpected spight, I am now neer her imbraces. But I think I can miss a fortune with as much patience as ever I did, and while such as you, and L— Family af­fords me to injoy your innocent, though charge­able tranquillity, she cannot rob me of all my happiness. I desire not onely my own profit, but the Ages, when I wish those judicious and learned Animadversions of yours were born to the World, as well as those that stand in the de­serving rank of your intimate friends: by that means I might hope for a review. But I cloy your patience in this Festival time with the course ill-cookt fare that my Pen affords, while I hold a solemn Feast in my breast, garnished with the choice delicates of those thoughts, that I am and ever will be

Yours, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

THough I believe you are in my debt for ma­ny Letters, yet because you do not use to be so slow a Pay-master of such obligations, I am willing to suspect that Fortune has used them as she oft does Travellers that undertake long and dangerous voyages, saluting their sayles with contrary winds, that either affront their intenti­ons with a forced delay, or wreck them and their desires together: however I shall continue to shoot one shaft after another, till I find you have found some of them. By this undaunted perse­verance you may guesse how well I esteem what comes from you; and I shall not need o­ther Rhetorick then what lives in your own breast to set your Pen awork; if you fancy as much delight in the task as I do, to give it the title of Pain will be to miscall it. We live in a Town, the description of which shall serve to swell this Letter to the ordinary bulk. First, it is seated upon a firm Rock, which makes most of the meanest inhabitants to live like Troglo­dites, or Conies, under ground, and are onely obliged to the Pickax and Matock for their Mansion. It is beset with such a variety of [Page 104]Natures blessings, as I know not whether it af­fords more satisfaction to the eye that hunts for profitable objects, or that which gads after de­lightful ones. On the one side it is overlooked by Hills of such a stature, as will require some pain to climbe, but double requite it when you are up; as if Nature had wisely contrived a little difficulty in the purchase, on purpose to indear the possession: their proud browes are fann'd with such a delicious Aire, as if it be true that Cameleons receive no other food, here they might have a continual feast; here the eye may dally with a sweet variety of prospect, and is hardly perswaded to be weary, because so much diversity does refresh and renew the pleasure; there you have a full view of the flowry fruitful Meads that (crescent-wise in a rich bravery) court this sweet scituation with semicircular im­braces: the feet of it are washed by the silver-Trent, which seems to murmure as he passes by that he is forced to swim away from the society of so many beauties. If you send your Opticks further, they are intertained with goodly houses, fair Churches, shady Groves, and with a Castle the same that was entred from a vault by King Edward III. when he ravished Mortimer from his mother armes, that (standing upon a tall firm rock) seems to bid defiance to time, and scorns to take his ruine the ordinary way by having his heels tript up by a fundamental decay. I have [Page 105]dwelt the longer upon these my silent compani­ons, because they are the best society I converse with; for consider how the new-found world (where the earth was lin'd with Gold) was peo­pled, and you have my meaning; onely here's the difference, they were new people to their discoverers, and simple, these are of the new E­dition and crafty: Onely I am very happy in an old Italian Gentleman that serveth my Lady Dowager, one of the best Linguists in England; under his tuition I am now a serious student of the French Tongue, and have almost gained a general Theorical knowledge in the Language; within some few weeks I shall proceed to Itali­an, which will be much an easier task: you may make a silent question, what profit I expect to reap from a few varied fruitless words; but when I have gained them I shall easily solve that doubt, and let you know how I will make it give larger scope to my narrow condition here, or else transplant my self where I may thrive better. My trouble still continues, and is like to do while I am here; for this town affords none that profess the Esculapian art, but onely one old dull thing, who when I tried him in some discourse, could quote nothing but Schola Salerni, and made me a very dexterous discove­ [...]y of his own insufficiency. If you have spoken with the reverend Doctor since about it, I pray [...]et me know his opinion of it without disguise, [Page 106]for if it be incurable, I shall try to make the best use of my own despair, and force a satisfaction from reason, since I can have it from nought else. I pray ask him if he thinks letting bloud in the temples would not be good, or whether an issue in my neck would not infallibly check the course of the humor; but I confesse I am scarce willing to try that, till I see all the rest fail: if you can prevail with him, let me intreat you to get a re­ceipt of the neezing Powder, and inclose it in yours; for though I do not hope a cure from it, yet it may stay the increase of the humor till I take some stronger medicine. If your affaires shall call you to Norwich, or if you can send di­rections to my sister F. to do it, I would gladly have the opinion of Dr. B. from whose advice I fancy most hope of all. I would not be unwil­ling to give him a fee; for if a cure be to be bought, I would not stick to pay for it with all I can make, rather then go without it. Well, Brother excuse this trouble, and be confident that if ever you have occasion to call my love to the tryal, either to serve your desires, or de­signes, or both, you shall clearly find that I am no lesse then totally

Yours in unfeigned affection, R. L.

LETTER LVII. To Mr. A.

Worthy Sir,

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

Yours, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

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

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

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

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

Loving Brother,

I Can think of no other interpretation for your silence but that you keep it to punish the mis­chance of some of my latest letters, and so I am made a sufferer for Fortunes fault: if so, let this deprecate my imputation of neglect; and did I not conceive that some of yours have met with the same misfortune, I should severely examine my self how I have deserved to be forgotten. However you resent your indeavours that way, I shall not injure judgement to indulge affection, if I say that I never read any thing with more delight then your lines, and so oft as I receive them, in spite of all my melancholy and the cause of it, they remember me that I am happy. If I were not still like a ship that has lost her anchor, and can therefore take no course but what she is driven to by the imperious windes, I had long since landed in Suffolk, and there unla­ded my breast into your ear: but though my longings be still green and vigorous, my opportu­nities, like vegetals that die to revive again, are faded with the season; but they will bud with the eldest children of the Spring, and I am re­solv'd [Page 111]shall be gathered at their first appearance. The main cause is, my Lady suddenly expects to increase the world by one more at least; and though I can never be less useful then in those feminine tumults, yet great ones love at such so­lemn troubles to have their servants presence signifie they have such pertinents; and thus I must stay to piece up formality, and the impor­tant affair of being at home will be gravely dis­patched in making a show that I am so. I have nothing to acquaint you with but what you al­ready know, &c. This is the third since I recei­ved any from your self; but I adventured to send them by some wool-men that came out of Lin­coln-shire to your parts; but if this miscarry too, which goes the same way, I will never trust men more whose wits go a wool-gathering: the inch of time that is allowed me to scrible this, makes me commit as many errors as there are lines, and make as many blots as words, for I send this by my Ladies Bailiff into Lincolnshire, who is al­wayes in haste; and by plain force have rent this time from my other pressing occasions, thus to sin over my good will: do but pardon this, and the next week you shall have amends by the Post. When you see our Holt-friends, I pray mention my affectionate respects to them all; tel me brother W. he shall do me right to believe me less exceptious then I have been represented; [Page 112]and believe it I am, and ever will be

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

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

Loving Brother,

YOu had not mist a Letter the last week, if my Messenger had not mist the time of its delivery, so it fell short of the Post, and returned to my hands when I thought it at B. And indeed Fortune here seem'd to withstand its passage with discretion; not deeming it fit that pieces of such deformity should scape unstifled in their birth, to shame their parents: but Fortune has no skill in friendship, and knowes not that im­perfections are more easily pardoned, then Neg­lect, at the Bar of Love; I have therefore sent it, though the same thing that will vindicate, must accuse me: resembling Physitians medi­cines in such ill-brew'd constitutions as mine; the same thing that corrects the intemperate heat of the Liver, increases the unnatural cold of the stomach; and indeed the extreme opposition in temper between these two parts, I take to be the original of my miserable trouble, of which [Page 115]this inclosed does give a more particular infor­mation: and when you present my apprehensi­ons of it to the Doctor, I pray let him know what I have understood of his son.

He had, by the affability of his carriage, the solidity of his parts, and the success of his skill, purchased a high esteem with the best; besides the good will of all that knew him, having done many cures there, by relation, that might have proved problematical to the most grey­headed experience. When an unfortunate cu­riosity got into the head of young Mr. Bendish, eldest son to the Ambassadour, to take a voyage to the Holy-Land, and particularly to Hierusae­lem, to see the Holy-Sepulchre, with other re­liques and repositories that Time has not yet quite effaced there; the fathers opinion of his prudence, made him joyn his authority with the sons amity, and his own curiosity, to make him a companion in this voyage. So they set out from Galata in February 1649. travelled by land to Smyrna, and there went aboard the Talent, which was bound for Lighorn, which young Bendish resolved to take in his way, with design to see a sister of his married there to an English Merchant, and so take his way by Scanderon; but passing by Porto Longone, which since the French had it, has been the Dunkirk of Italy, much about the time that the news arrived there of the fatal blow was given to Monarchy in Eng­land, [Page 116]their ship was assaulted by divers French men of war, who then took all English, without distinction, for enemies; and maintaining a des­perate fight with them for some hours, at last an unfortunate bullet from the enemy happened into their Gun-room, and fired the Ship; the heat of the fight would not allow them leisure to hinder it till it was past hope of extinguishing. Mr. Bendish leapt over-board, and swam to the side of one of the enemies Ships; but they bar­barously cut off one of his hands, that had laid hold of the Ships side to climbe the Deck, and so sent him to feed fishes: poor Mr. R. staid in the Ship, and in all probability perished by the more furious Element; onely one Gentleman, called Mr. L. escaped, which after the recepit of many wounds, had quarter given him, and was carried to Porto Longone; where the danger of his life being past, he was forced to buy his liberty, and returning to Lighorn made this relation, the same man is now in Genua. Mr. R. left behind him at Galata, in the custody of his man one T. M. two chests full of rich drugs, many silver instruments, besides wearing apparel and linnen, tis said he left a summe of money besides, but of how much, or with whom, is uncertain: one­ly this M. is now reputed worth three or four hundred pound, though before this in but a poor condition, he now serves the Ambassadour. Mr. R. left a Shapet of Turkey-Carpets and [Page 117]Hangings, which in all probability he designed for England, at Lighorn.

And now to set aside all those fatherless Sto­ries that fly abroad, as of the losse of all our Armies, Infantry, and Carriages, with the Ge­nerals being taken prisoner, &c. the truest and most modest intelligence tells us, that our Army being at Pinkland-hills, which is westward be­yond Edinburgh about eight miles, had notice that the Scots Army was risen, and upon their march towards Sterling; wch made us presently rise with ours, & with all expedition endeavour to prevent that retreat: the truth is, we did out­march them, but tis more then probable they suffered us to do it by design, for they have since taken our station upon Pinkland-hills, so as our Army is now got into such a streight, as they must either fight upon local disadvantages, or indure the extremities of much want in that penurious Countrey, before they can reach their shipping. The last Post but one said the Ar­mies were drawn up in Battalia in view of each other; but we are not yet suffered to know they have fought, though I am confident there hath been a signal battel, which gives the Mali­gnants high hopes, because our Grandees doe think fit to conceal the event of it. Letters from Holland speak very partially on the Scots side, and talk of a great victory they have lately gotten; Believe what you please of it, [Page 118]for my part I am something incredulous, be­cause we make no more haste with our supplies thither. We lately seized upon eight ships laden with Merchandise belonging to the Hol­lander, which hath given occasion to the States Ambassadour to complain of it to the House, and call it in very disobliging terms a breach of League, but we hear not yet of a restitution. The Spanish Ambassadour made a passionate complaint to the House of the interception of his Packet and breaking open his Letters last Week; but he had good words given him, and a promise it should no more be so; onely tis thought the sparing of Mr. Ashcombs murderers hath made us a little angry, and jealous that the Spaniard professes more friendship then he means. There is a Letter intercepted, from the Prince of Orange to the Scots King, which assures him he has gained his desires upon the refractory Dutchmen, and in a short time will be able to send him the succours of men and mo­ney which he promised, leaving the time and place to his appointment: Report sayes he hath 14000. men, whereof 2000. German Horse, rea­dy to be shipped, upon what design none knowes: It seems they are raised by contribu­tion from the King of Danemark, Queen of Sweden, the Marquess of Brandenburgh, Land­grave of Hessen, with other German Princes. The Scots King has lately made Inchequin Ge­neralissimo [Page 119]of his Forces in Ireland; who with his Army, made considerable by the addition of the Garrison-forces of Dungannon, Carlow and Waterford, is now in Connaught, and promises him­self a successeful Winter. It seems he was glad to be rid of those Garisons, by reason of the plague which rages there, even to the depopu­lation of whole Towns; and appears by a most pitiful Declaration set out by General Ireton, which invites not onely his own party, but all Christian Nations, and the very Papists them­selves, to joyn in a humiliation to God for the cessation of his judgements upon them.

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

Eternally yours, R. L.

LETTER LXI. To Mr. S.

Monsieur,

YOurs I received, and intertained with better welcome then can be expressed by a faint affection. You confess obligations that are not due, and so run the hazard of being suspected complemental; but I must allow the priviledge that ingenuity challenges, and suffer your fancy to create desert for me, that it may show how handsomly it can acknowledge. Experience, the best Mistriss, does daily show how to manage my umbragieux with more dexterity; onely his uncouth pronunciation makes me sometimes put the bridle on his tayl, and he kicks me for the mistake. The Matstre de Hostell still keeps his state with the better sort of petticoats, and we our station with the inferiour cattel; which onely serves to show you how much I can suffer for my own interest. I am not sorry to hear that you spur your Jade when he kicks, but you ride him with so much skill, that it were presumpti­on to offer counsel. By this time you may think it fit that I should send you your own excuse for bald writing, being fitly applied to my scribling, besides the faults committed in my English-French, which if you will pardon, I will one day [Page 121]travel into your Countrey on purpose to fetch you better French. Present my Baise les mains to all our friends, &c. Sarah writes to you, your friends here salute you; and I kiss your hands that am

Monsieur,
Yours, R.L.

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

Loving Brother,

AT last with much ado we are grown Citi­zens again, where since we lighted, we have scarce had time to prune our feathers; one­ly my haste has snatched up this piece of a wing to tell you I received yours of the first of April, with a resentment raised to a fit height to measure with the tall strong affection that indi­cted it. I was about to say there was not a word in it but deserved a several welcome; but at the instant I threw my eye upon some praises which I dare not intertain; and if your love had but trusted your judgement, you had left them out. Distance deceives with both extremes, by presenting objects to the eye too little, to the apprehension too big: we no sooner begin to [Page 122]fancy any thing that is not with us, but we pre­sently mend all its disproportions, and shut our eyes upon every blemish: this imperfection is almost as old as mankind, and few breasts can boast they never harboured it. I have grumbled at my Stars for placing some things beyond my reach, which I apprehended would make me happy, and yet I have seen them possessed by those that were quickly weary, & little less then displeased at what I overvalued. But I straggle. This Town is so metamorphos'd by this last E­dict since I left it, that bating my dead Compa­nions, there is scarce any thing that I can know with safety. Certainly there is a mighty storm arising, but where, when, or how it will spend its fury, I dare not name. Errour has humbled my Reason, and unbusied my reaches at futurity to a quiet resignation to the great Disposer. I cannot say my malady is more remiss then it was, and have little reason to hope it ever will be; but for that I told you my resolution, which has since lost no spirits. My trivial imploy­ments have not suffer'd me yet to struggle withit this Spring, but I am now about it. I sent you a Letter by Mr. B. which I believe you have an­swered; he had carried it with him into Lincoln­shire, thinking to find me there, for we set upon this journey on a sudden, &c. Let these blots be pardoned. Let me hear from you by the [Page 123]next. Forgive my blind haste, and call me

Yours eternally, R. L.

LETTER LXIII. To his Sister Mrs. F.

My dear Sister,

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

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

Thy intirely affectionate Brother, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

I Received yours, and cannot conceal the de­light I taste in these delicious repetitions of your intire affection; the true resentment of which when I consent to part with, I desire I might lose that and all my happinesse together. I am glad your pen tells me that you like this way of escaping sorrow; tis not onely the fruits but the end of wisdom, to keep fair weather in the soul; and I am sure Divinity does not bid our eyes be alwayes melting over a remediless [Page 125]evil; tis not fit we should suffer one wide­mouth'd Woe to swallow all our joyes; and for my part I am resolved to be never so mise­rable, as not to have power to reap an innocent refreshment from the sense of what I possess in you: and be assured, that all the power I have to make this good is already in your possession. Methinks Man is not unfitly resembled to a stream, whose imployment it is, to travel from its Source to the Ocean; the obstructions that affront its passage are the vexations we stumble at, which we use like Brooks, utter a murmuring complaint at the first incounter, and so pass by; but the deepest Currents swim past, and say nothing. Yesterday I received more Physick with instructions from the Doctor, which I fear (besides the disswasions of the wea­ther) that the continued agitations of my im­ployment here will not permit me to take till I arrive in the Countrey of Nottinghamshire, which will be about a fortnight or three Weeks hence; where I hope to find leisure enough, not onely to observe his directions with a specious care, but also to refasten my self to my studies; from which, the continued importunity of my London-imployment has kept me so long loose­ned. I shall there have time to improve my Physical indeavours, and to thrive I hope in my French and Italian; which I intend to set upon with the more industry, because I know not [Page 126]how soon I may meet with an opportunity to travel, for my allowance here is too small, &c. In the mean time the best recreation my fancy has, is to visit you, and to bring me word (at least by an affectionate presumption) how kind an intertainment you allow the memory of

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

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

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

LETTER LXV. To Sir. I. P.

Sir,

I Received your Lines, that came happily to confute some doubts that I was lost to your memory: but indeed I could not expect in rea­son a gentler punishment for the crime of my ill-woven words then your silence; all I can say for my self, it was a sin of ignorance that provoked it, and your clear judgment no doubt found it so, though your goodness allowes it a better title. Sir, you have heretofore vouchsaf­ed some propriety in me, and I wish I could find the way to so much desert as might perswade you, not onely to own, but challenge that inter­est from these desires. I but show boldness to let you know that I still continue in the same condition of a servant to my Lord C. without any sensible alteration, either to better or worse: indeed if preferment were still the reward of de­sert, I might blush to want it; but as it is now rated, though it were laid at my foot, I think I should rather chuse to tread upon it, then stoop to take it up. My chains are not so short here, but that they give me Elbow-room enough to lead a studious life; though I confess the fruits I have gathered from them, have been rather [Page 128]pleasant, then lasting. I have spent some in­dustry upon languages, which has not altogether been unsuccesseful, especially the Italian and French; from the latter I have translated some pieces that I am encouraged to publish, but my more serious indeavours (for I call the other but my recreations) have been bent at the study of Physick, how prosperously, I am not fit to judge; & though they befriend me no further, I shall think they have done me some service in staving off idleness. But I should ask pardon for these impertinencies. I beseech you Sir present me humbly to your noble Lady, and believe me desirous to appear, what in heart I ever was,

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

LETTER LXVI. To Mr. W.

Worthy Sir,

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

Your faithful friend and servant, R. L.

LETTER LXVII. To Mrs. L.

Sweet Mrs. L.

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

R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

I See you will make me an usurper against my will, by laying desert enough to my charge, to dazle the Eyes of Pretence, and even stagger the stoutest undertaking resolution. I confesse I cannot keep off some wishes to be what you would make me; and if I could arme as much power as desire, tis possible I might endanger the Fort you say I am Master of; and I am con­tented to dislike my own weakness that I am not so: but I have too much Earth about me to fit my selfe for such a flight, that with dull intice­ment is still seducing me downwards to its own Element, and hangs like a huge Plummet upon my pinions, when they are stretching at such a pitch: sure some pale flegmatick constellation threw a melancholy look upon my Nativity, and gave my Soul these blunt ill-temper'd tooles to work with: methinks I cannot behold the time­ly advantages of other Constitutions, and not upbraid my own. But certainly tis not amisse in some things to be unhappy, for if wants do not ingender despair, they must needes be fruitfull. Wisdom is a Coy Dame to all the World, but most inflexible to the Courtship of Fortunes [Page 132]Darlings; and tis one of the best reasons why that blind Wenches smiles are dangerous, be­cause tis so hard a taske to tast her kindness, and not surfeit; and indeed not to overvalue those ingredients with which common opinion com­pounds her false felicity, is the way to purchase the true one.

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

Principally yours, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

THough I had a confidence in your affection, that can never be tempted to be lesse, yet methinks I should not do right to your last, if I did not confess that it set my apprehension to work upon your perfect friendship: things may be incapable of addition that are not of agitation: there are some generous liquors that never give so clear a proof that they have spirits, as when motion calls them to their active task; so these deare repetitions of profest amity from you, though they cannot make me love you better, they wake it into a better appearing, and teach me to take a more exact account of my selfe, of the right you have in me; and these (if you dare believe me) are my pleasantest recreations, since love (the parent and framer of delight) pre­dominates in the employment. If this world be well scann'd, there is nothing valuable in it but a true Friend: Community is not only the hinge of the Universe, but the signet of every single delight; for were it possible to domineere over the whole Earth (pack'd into an intire Monar­chy) and to be Master of all that weares the stamp of sublunary happiness, yet if the pos­sessor [Page 134]be not allow'd to latch his own felicity (at the rebound from others approbation) he will but brood his tiresome pleasures as an Usurer does his Gold, only own, not use them; and all his Joyes (like Witches banquets) will only seeme and serve to cheat the appetite with a few false promises of sweetness. It were easie to prove, that, since communication coines our earthly delight, that there it comes neerest to perfection, where it receives a Copy of it selfe. By this it is fit you should guesse how happy I deeme my selfe in your kind invitation, which is backed with abundance of such tempt­ing Arguments as Love and Reason, when they are joyned in Commission, do use to urge; and believe it they are received as the legitimate issue of your intire affection: what resentments such use to produce in a breast that has no har­bour for ingratitude, cannot pose your appre­hension; by that fancy the influence they must have in me, and therein read my thankfulnesse. But the quality of my imployment here is such, as I know it cannot yet consent to make me so happy. I have now almost destroyed a yeares time in this scurvy Country, since we last wandred from London, &c. You may finde out many reasons to induce you to accept my Couzin C's invitation of your Company into Lincolnshire; I shall not need to mention my wishes to see you there, nor tell you how happy [Page 135]you will make me in such a meeting, for the re­petition is needless: if you come while I am on this side London, I will injoy you in spite of all my Fetters; but make as much hast as you can, for this morning my Lord told me we should set out for London in the beginning of May. Your Picture I received, and am sory I have no token to return you, that may deliver a visible Mes­sage of my gratitude; it is applauded of all that see it, onely your Pencil has left out some gray haires that the Epilogue of his misfortunes had planted on his visage. I have inclos'd the transla­tion of a mad fantastick Dream, which is the fruit of my first Enterprise upon the French Tongue; I met it in a Romance call'd Francion, and it pleased me so well, as I was easily inticed to spoyl it thus into English. I was tempted to make the whole Book speak the same Dialect, but could not consent to lose so much time as the work would have demanded. Read it over, laugh at it, and return it again when I come to London; and now I have almost tyr'd my Pen and your patience, it is time to subscribe my selfe, as I ever must be,

Your truly affectionate Brother to Command, R. L.

LETTER LXX. To Mr. L.

Sir,

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

Sir,
Your most humble servant, R. L.

LETTER LXXI. To Mr. W.

My dearest Friend,

IF the skie had been clear, and the passage free, your satisfaction had not been so long defer­red. The Letters mentioned are irrecovera­bly lost: whether any busie hand, or prying eye be guilty of their interception I know not; but though I am confident there was nothing in them that could find work for a jealous con­struction, yet better judgements concurre with my opinion to lose them quietly. What you would say to the other two, if you think fit, speak it to me onely, and if I do not get your desires effected, the defect will onely be found in my power. You are saluted with much kind­nesse by the Gentleman, and intreated to let him know by your next to me, whether you re­ceived a Bill of Exchange of 5 l. which was sent in Compensation of the charges you ex­pended in your visits to the Prisoner; if it mis­carried, as he fears, signifie so much, and you shall receive another inclosed in my next. Me­thinks you are very tardy in showing me how I may serve you. I must never suffer any to love better; and if you can think, as it is, my trusti­ness [Page 138]equivalent, spare not to command

Your own for ever, R. L.

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

Sir,

THe mistake that begot what you call your trouble, is become mine, and I am much af­flicted for being presented to you in an excepti­ous character by the misapprehension of ano­ther; and should be more if it were no errour. Indeed Sir, I have severely examined my self for the words I let fall that might provoke this glosse; and my memory can acknowledge none but those: When your brother asked me when I would write to you, I told him you were alrea­dy in my score for a Letter, and till you had leisure to reply to that, I thought my silence might be well taken. If these words will bearsuch a Comment as displeasure, &c. I am sorry I did not understand them, and do beg the charity of your belief that I did not mean them as they are taken. I have been taught to prize your good thoughts at a higher value then to forfeit them with such a frantick piece of arrogance, which would render me as weak an understander of [Page 139]your worth, as a deserver of your friendship. I was in good hope when we left London, if a sudden occasion had not prevented, to pay you my personal thanks for your kind invitation; but we rather dwelt then visited by the way at my Lords of Lincolnes and Westmerlands, so as we are but newly arrived at Nottingham, where my Commanders have found me such imploy­ment as will scarce dispense with my absence on this side Christmas; and when I come, though I must bring that along with me that will give me a better title to your contempt then admi­ration, yet I make my self happy with the hopes of an opportunity to assure you that I am not the same which misinterpretation had made, but will ever be industrious to appear,

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

LETTER LXXIII. To my Sister F.

Dear Sister,

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

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

LETTER LXXIV. To his Sister J.

Dear Sister,

I Have no other way to express my self to thee but the old one, which is, that I am still thy Brother as well in love as bloud. I have con­tracted nothing from my acquaintance in three years absence that can deface the remembrance of thee and thy deserts; for though the world preaches that doctrine, it must ever find me un­apt to learn the Lesson: and believe it, however you apprehend my condition, I have no intice­ments here that may help to excuse the forget­ting [Page 142]of my friends and kindred; it is so little impaired or amended, as I must desire you to understand it where it was, onely in one respect rather worse by the help of my maladie's in­crease; how the Divine hand intends to use me by that means, I am uncertain, but will learn to welcome the worst. And now dear Sister, I will give thee back thine own frequent expres­sions; I do impatiently long to see thee and the rest of mine, and cannot fancy the world has a delight that exceeds the pleasure I shall then reap; and what ever you think, I have often fallen out with my narrow fortunes that have thus transplanted me. Well, I will set no more times of my coming, lest I be forced as for­merly to falsifie against my will; but when least expected, tis probable I may surprise a welcome, and be restor'd the happiness of appearing what I must ever profess my self, Dear Sister,

Thine own, R. L.

LETTER LXXV. To his Brother Major W.

Dear Brother,

YOurs came very welcome to my hands, for it brought me a present that I have laid up in my breast, I mean the confirmation of your amity; and now tis no more a guest, but a dwel­ler; no longer hath a single Lodging, but commands the Mansion, and shall do till time demolishes the Fabrick: in requital I represent you with a Copy of it self, or another of the same, and intreat you to keep it with as fair an allowance of credit, as I shall make it, or at least would have it deserve: and I hope nothing but a summons for one of us to leave the world shall perswade us to draw stakes But I cannot pocket your praises without despoyling my self of a parcel of modesty that I must not spare. I would tell you they are more due to their Au­thor, but that I hate flattery so heartily, as I scarce dare speak the full truth, lest I seem to design it; in the mean time pray take them back, and keep them for me till I have learned to deserve them. But now after all this, I could almost consent to chide you for represent­ing me to your Brother in so unbecoming a cha­racter, that has made him charge me in his Let­ter [Page 144]with taking offence, unkindness, &c. at his silence, of which he has almost made it an intire deprecation: indeed I was not willing to be ap­prehended so exceptious, and thus before I am seen to be known by a solecisme in good man­ners, was not convenient; and considering how much his worth outweighes me, I ought to have stayd his leisure of writing with lesse impatience than you have made him sancy: But I appre­hend your generous clear ingenuity in it, and that stops my mouth. I pray you give your Pen leave to make me acquainted how it is now imploy'd, with what kind of gale Fortune kisses your Sayles, whether you intend still to anchor there, or to hoyst for another Port; and what time you will take to aire your ingenuity in Nor­folk: these Queries are not the children of a bare Curiosity, but of such an affection as must ever render me, deare Brother,

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

LETTER LXXVI. To Mr. W.

My Deare Friend,

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

Your own, R. L.

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

Deare Brother,

I Am glad to see you are so well arm'd against your Domestick Enemies, and can pull out the stings of vexation so dexterously: tis a Science that comprizes the whole art of living happily; and he that has perfectly learn'd it is rich in de­spite of the frowns, and without an obligation to the fawnes of Fortune. Discontent is the Gout of the minde, and so much the harder to be cur'd because it is hereditary, and as old as suc­cession in posterity; but if we often repair to the great Physitian, he is alwayes able, and for the most part willing, to ease us: though it springs from the wombs of various causes, that are themselves complex'd in the concupiscible and irascible faculties; yet most commonly it pro­ceedes from a surfeit of unsatisfied desires, which run madding after that they cannot have; or if sometimes they chance to overtake it, common­ly they are as much tyr'd with the fruition, as before perplext with the defect; and like Hunts­men, reap more delight in the game than the Quarrie. But I draw faces with a blunt Coal. We are suddenly resolv'd to morrow without fail to begin our Journey to the Bath, and so [Page 147]from thence almost to the Lands end Westward; which precipitate resolution does almost put me to my wits end, having so little elbow-roome of time for preparation: this makes me that I can yet say nothing to the latter part of your Letter; and when my leisure is largest, my poor abilities will not let me say much to pur­pose, however I shall stretch them to an equall contribution in that charitable design. My mul­tiplicity of business does you a kindness, and shortens your trouble, by inforcing me to sub­scribe my selfe, Dear Brother,

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

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

Deare Brother,

I Am advised by many reasons to copy your content for my neerer approches, but none so powerfull as what you alledged; for, believe it, I study nothing with more circumspection and delight, than to preserve the perfect heat and health of our friendship from those cold Disea­ses that use to ruine others. I am proud of my [Page 148]friends affection, though not their praises: yet I could wish (though only to save the credit of their Judgements) that the one were as due as the other. Pray return my service to Mr. S. when you see him next, and tell him I am much in his debt for being preserv'd in his thoughts. I could never be at quiet with a Book-seller, till I pro­mised to make him ready the second part of Hymens Praeludia against the next Terme; but my short allowance of time will inforce me to huddle it up in such hast, as if I got any credit by the first, I have much reason to feare the se­cond will forfeit it: he offer'd to be at the charge of cutting my own face for the Frontispiece; but I rejected his offer, resolving the World should have no cause to smile at the vanity in putting my Picture to a paltry Translation; but finding him still eager to put a gay before his Book, I design'd him this, which is now a cut­ting, — upon an Altar dedicated to Love, divers hearts transfix'd with Arrowes and Darts are to lye broyling upon the Coals; and upon one of the steps of it Hymen is represented in the habit of a high Priest, with a Miter on his head, a Censer in one hand, and a Taper in the other, holding it in a posture as if he were going to light it at the Altar; when Cupid is to come behind him, and pull him by the saffron-sleeve, with these words proceeding from his mouth, Nondum peracta sunt praeludia, as much as to say, [Page 149]Tis not time to light your Mariage Taper, for the wooings are not past: which alludes to the unfinished Story, as well by the Author as the Translator. I should gladly have been oblig'd to you for the Draught, not ignorant what advan­tages the Cut would have borrowed from your hand, which it now must want; but our scarcity of time could not permit it to stay for so much perfection, and so he that graves it has drawn it, though methinks but unskilfully, &c. If I alter not my intentions, I think I shall dedi­cate my Book to my Lord C. J. W. is gone to one Sir A. C. in Cambridge-shire, neer New-Market, and made me half a pro­mise to visit you at Barningham before his re­turn. By this time I have tyr'd you most un­mercifully with my tedious stuffe; but you have learn'd to pardon, by oft induring these tricks from, Dear Brother,

Your really affectionate Brother, R. L.

LETTER LXXIX. To Mr. R. C.

Deare Robin,

THe now silent Nightingale does not with so much ardor wish for the flowry moneth that gives an harmonious Tongue to his sorrows to deplore Tereus cruelty, as my soul labours with the throwes of the same desire that thy expectation pants with; for thy love to me, it is celebrated by every thought my heart weares about it with a firm belief, the weakest of which was never spotted with the least suspition: and for my affection to thee, though the defence is needless where there is neither accusation nor jealousie, yet I dare defie the Witchcraft of Time, the stupifying charms of Absence, the fra­ilty of mine own memory, and all other Prome­thean accessaries to forgetfulness, to steal away a spark of that fire of love which thy vertues kindled; and Heaven (to which then pure love nothing can be more acceptable) has refin'd to one Elemental substance which is neither capable of decay nor change. And though we owe little to Fortune, for suing an unkind divorce be­twixt us, yet the influence of her malice had no operation but upon our earthly parts; when those more noble disdaining to owe a circum­scription [Page 151]to her coy wayward power, I mean our souls ordinary Messengers, have wing'd with love after, and mutually visited by a secret sympathy our intelligentiall faculties; and sometimes laden with wishes and prayers for one anothers happi­nesse, have met in the Aethereall journey to Hea­ven, and there congratulated the reciprocation of each others affection.

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

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

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

Deare Brother,

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

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

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

Deare Brother,

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

Eternally yours, R. L.

LETTER LXXXII. To Doctor B.

Deare Doctor,

I perceive by an hint in Mr. H. his last, that the Carrier has been the miscarrier of two Let­ters that were level'd at your hands, and seduc'd by his neglect to an irregular motion; if Chance ever yet conducts them to their Centre, they will tell you the same that this has Com­mission to say, though perhaps in another dresse; like several Structures, that express va­riety of shape and contrivance, though they de­rive their pedigre from the same Quarry and Ar­chitect. And now D. D. I am sory I was never so great a favourite of Fortune or Nature, as to raise any just pretence to the tribute you speake of; all that I dare claim is but the due to such a friendship as you have character'd, and drawn so lively, as it would bring the most unapt soul in love with the love that feeds it. In the mean time I can give no precedency to those wishes of yours that would cut off the large distance betwixt us, since I have some of the same mould and making of an equall ardor; but since neces­sity votes them down, do but send H. to Lon­don as oft as I shall L. to H. and we need not court a dispensation of her severe Lawes [Page 156]for a meeting. Pray mention my due respects to your vertuous Bedfellow Mr. H. honest C. B. and the rest that know me; and do him the right (cujus pectori nunquam decedat amicitia ve­spere surgente, nec rapidum fugiente salum) to let him keep the same place in your affections that will ever continue, Dear Doctor,

Immortally yours, R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

MY last weeks failing was not because I did not write; but I think my woman was drunk that usually calls for my Letters, and so let the last lie like a dead Commodity in my hands, resembling some insects here, that are born, live and die to no purpose. I shall not have room enough in this to raise a bank against the overflow of your unmerited praises, and confute the height of your esteem as I ought: but it shall be my task to make the best use of them, and make that my mark which you have made my Quarry; for since they are not Essences, as your [Page 157]good opinion would have them, tis but fit I should keep them by me here as Idea's for imita­tion. I know not the constitution of your Inte­rests where you are, and therefore cannot judge whether they be healthful or sickly; onely I know your ingenuity is so well tempered with Judgement, as you need no assistance at the forge of your own fortunes; all then I have to do in relation to that, is to wish all your hopes pro­phets, and your feares impostors. I know not what to say to the Bark you spoke of, because I am ignorant how she is built, and therefore can give no opinion whether she be worth the man­ning: but tis yours and not mine that must ei­ther keep you ashore, or set you aboard; in the mean time methinks her Lading is not incon­siderable, especially being to be coupled with your industry. I delivered your Letter to Mr. M. W. who resents your well-exprest affection very kindly, and desired me to give it you so with his service. I need not say more of my ver­tuous Friend Mr. W. than you find, or at least may apprehend, by judging what he is by what he sayes; and believe it he is no dissembler. There was nothing but my hast in fault that I did not acquaint you with the contents of my Sister J's. Letter, and therefore you might have spar'd that excuse for breaking up her answer; there is no­thing in it but you are equally concern'd in with my self; and were your Interest lesse, I never had [Page 158]cause to think a secret lesse safe in your breast than mine. I hope I need not conjure you by all that here is dear betwixt us, to strain your en­deavours in J's behalf, who has deserv'd so well of us all: her other Friends that approve Mr. B's Propositions may perhaps look no further then the Bark; but I know you will not content your self with likelyhoods and appearances, without a subtile and solid penetration into true beings and realities; and I shall never doubt that metall that comes with approbation from your touch-stone, &c. My Messenger stayes for my Letter, which posts me to a period. Dear Bro­ther,

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

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

Dear Brother,

THough you owe me for a Letter, yet I am so much in your debt for things of greater value, as I cannot be unwilling to lessen the in­gagement, though such petty payments are like [Page 159]to wipe out but little of the score. I have ven­tur'd to send you by this bearer the mis-shapen issue of my idle houres, hatch'd at such sittings when my wanton Genius was too lazie to follow the pursuit of more serious studies. I confess it has some deformities which I am not guilty of, I mean grosse faults escaped in the Presse, which you will easily find & amend, if you lose so much time as to read it over; but if you think it un­worthy, you are of my minde, and may bestow it on some that does not exact from himself so weighty an account of his houres. I have no more to say but what I must ever say,

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

LETTER LXXXV. To Mr. R. W.

SIR,

I cannot suffer the Fate of my former Letters to discourage me into silence; for if but one scapes Ship-wreck, it will do the business of the rest, and tell you all that they treated of (though with lesse variety) which is, that I am perfectly [Page 160]yours: and till you find out some command that may ingage my pen to some other dis­course, I must still only talk upon the same sub­ject. You know I was never prone to meddle with newes; but now it is forbidden with a pe­nalty, I hug my aversion. The other day I ca­sually met this inclosed page in a Pamphlet, and though it was directed to a Gentleman I know not, yet being dated from A. and subscribed with R. W. I guess'd your acquaintance Mr.— the Author; if you have interest enough in him to wish him well, let him see it for his future caution; if I be mistaken, I hope the error will find an easie pardon. I have not yet been long e­nough in London to give you account of your Eastern friends, I hope my next will do it. I must still repeat my desires, that you will use me while I am here; for I must ever be

Entirely yours, R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

I Should be as unwilling to be overpriz'd as undervalu'd, since every man is oblig'd to pre­serve as strict a guard of modesty as courage. There are some species of vertue (according to Moralists) though they all aim at the same mark, and agree in their end, yet in their operation are so vastly discrepant (not to say contrarious) as they are scarce compatible in the same sub­ject: and thus (unless the oeconomy of our selves be very cautiously manag'd) to con one vertue thoroughly, is to forget another; nor can there be an higher proof of wisdom, nor is man ever so exact a Microcosme, as when, in imitation of the Elements, opposite qualities are equally mingled to a just temperament, and so tame themselves to a perfect harmony. But to re­turn to yours; had the Frontispiece of it been drawn by another Pen, it would have been con­stu'd Complement; but from you I give it the usuall reception, and only believe (though the expressions much overtop me) Love guided your hand when you set down those mistakes. To judge aright is a task so difficult, as they that come neerest (bating things demonstrative) may [Page 162]be rather said to fancy, then attain it; especi­ally every man being subject (at least some­times) either to opinion, passion, or partiality, great enemies to a cleare Judgement: but I shew the weakness of mine, by tiring you with these unnecessaries. This week contributes little satisfaction to your appetite of newes, &c. But I out-run the Constable: Dear Brother,

Unconfinably yours to serve you, R. L.

LETTER LXXXVII. To Mr. E.

Good Landlord,

I Received a Letter from our Friend, inclosed in one of Mr. H's. by which I perceive he found it unsafe to abide in a place so unworthy of his residence: 'tis a sad world that your treache­rous Ocean should only rage with such storms as threaten wrack to none but the vertuous and de­serving; but you had the advantage of me, and had a tast of his society, which I pine for, but love you not so ill to grudge it: he tells me you are suddenly to remove to Bristow, which renders [Page 163]me (though sensible of my own loss, in the dis­continuance of our friendly intercourse) truly glad for the advancement of your condition, I never found it a difficult task to make my own interest do homage to my friends felicity; which if you purchase, I shall taste the fruit of my own well-wishes. For my Trunk, I desire you would use the means to send it down to my Landlords in Holborn, I will write to him to pay for the carriage. My true love and respects to my good Landlady, and Mrs. B. with the rest, and if ever my affaires carry me neer Bristol, you shall see you are not forgotten by

Your true friend, R. L.

LETTER LXXXVIII. To Mr. W.

Sir,

THough this shall run the hazard of missing the way to your hands, yet I cannot con­tent my self onely to remember you, without indeavouring to tell you so. I received yours dated the fifteenth, the last of May; which pain'd me with no little regret that Mr. R. finds his affaires in so bad a condition, and my judg­ment of them so erroneous. I have not yet left [Page 164]admiring the last rare proof of your affection, nor reproching Fortunes spite that would not let me tell you how tenderly I resented it. I am not friends with our fruitless residence here, when I consider how I might serve you at Lon­don, and I blush to think how little I have per­formed to deserve your ingenious acknowledg­ments; but my remote abode does now increase my despair of mending those faults. I am not able to tell you how well I love you; for I have it better expressed within then I am able to ut­ter: but of this be assured, I would not be ma­ster of all my other wishes, on condition not to render them serviceable to yours, whose joyes and griefs shall be infeparably twisted with those of

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

LETTER LXXXIX. To Mr. H.

Sir,

I Am sorry for the first impediment your pen acknowledges, viz. the want of good news: for the second, you must give me leave to imitate yours, and play with it, for even my own imper­fections do delight me when they make you [Page 165]merry. Your profession of a ragged garb is but a modest disguise of your inward bravery: & thus you go backward in your own esteem, that you may take the farther leap into others; thus being over-lavish in my commendations, you are too much a niggard in denying your own abili­ties. Mrs. B. is nothing so much beholding to your pleasant humour as my self, for it has crea­ted her an unworthy servant, and made me a very deserving Mistriss before I thought of it; but I believe distance and absence will conspire to continue it still a jest, as sure you meant it; however Sir, notwithstanding you forbid it, I must renew the profession of my ingagements to you, and do but wish for so much power as may make you find that the reality which you suspect the complement of

Your truly affectionate friend and servant, R. L.

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

Deare Brother,

WHat you are pleased to miscall extrava­gancies of your Pen, are better construed by him that receives them, who never reads these welcome repetitions and confirmations of your amity, but (referred to that) he boldly concludes himself happy in spite of all the af­fronts of Fortune, and defects of Nature; by this you may guess how deeply you may oblige me in being still so extravagant. You had not been last Week unsaluted, if an accidental emer­gency had not snatcht my Pen out of my hand, and alarum'd my obedience to an indispensable imployment (imposed by the commands of those I serve) which swallowed all the time that offered the opportunity. I hope my sister J. received my last Weeks Letter, which had layen three or four dayes by me ready written, or else she had missed as well as you. I am con­tented she should think me willing to the matri­monial bargain she has made, and am sorry my inforced absence has rendred me incapable of disposing my indeavours to serve a person I love so dearly, in an affair of so much importance; though since you condescended to accept the [Page 167]Province of treating & concluding in her behalf, my confidence in your caution and prudence tells me, that all other assistants would be super­fluous and supernumerary. I am extremely me­lancholi'd at your dilated resolutions of seeing London; and the rather so, because I fear we shall spend the two following Tearms in the Country, and so misse the happiness of your so­ciety. I have not yet received so much as a tit­tle from the Lord C. when I do you are sure to have a sudden account. You will oblige Mr. W. to inquire of his friends present condition and welfare. I have here inclosed his little token to you, the stone may boast a very ancient pedigree between his birth and his present being; the face was intended for one of the Roman Empe­rours, but whether the hand was happy that grav'd it, is best referr'd to your judgment. Let me intreat you to pay my respects as they are due to all my friends you shall encounter in your voyage, especially at L. hall. If I may have the oportunity of writing once more before you set forward, I will venture to trouble you with a book or two to L. and my Nephew. When you next see Mr. P. pray return him my respects proportion'd to his civilities. I have much sorrow for my poor sister W. and as much won­der at her husbands silence, from whom I have not received a line this half year. Present me very kindly to my Cousin W. and tell him since [Page 168]he lik't the first part so well, if I knew how to send it, he should have the second. But I have made no conscience of tiring your patience: Par­don all my faults, and believe me, Dear Brother,

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

LETTER XCI. To his Cousin A. L.

Dear Cousin,

TIs time to recover my credit, that I doubt almost languishes in your esteem through the slow performance of my promise. But sure you have goodness enough to make the inter­pretation gentle, and I hope faith enough to be­lieve what I profess, without a spot of comple­ment, that I am to you all that you can desire in affection, though less then what I passionately wish to be in the proofs of it: would my occasi­ons have allow'd time enough, I should have ven­tured fair for the best of Titles, I mean, a Peace­maker between you and your Father-in-law; but that was denied by the severity of my af­fairs, requiring more time then I was master of; and indeed treaties of that nature are better let alone then not perfected. I know not how your [Page 169]Mother interprets my forbearance of an expe­cted visit, but I fear unkindly; though indeed onely these considerations, and not any coldness of affection to her would hase it so. Well, if you want any thing that London affords within the reach of my poor power, I am here to serve you; for take my word I desire nothing with more ardour then to appear as I am, Sweet Cousin,

Your truly affectionate Uncle and servant, R. L.

LETTER XCII. To Mr. G.

Dear Sir,

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

Your most affectionate Friend, R. L.

LETTER XCIII. To Mr. G.

Dear Sir,

I Had sooner given you a receipt for your last, if the motion of my head would have given my hands the liberty; for since our arrival here, my Lord and I, like Don Quixot and his Sancho, have done nothing but seek adventures, visiting all the Towns of remark, and inchanted Castles we could hear of, as if we intended to give the World a more exact Geography of the place, and mend Cambdens Map of the County: only we have charg'd no Windmills yet, nor any thing else but his purse. We are now issuing out upon a second enterprise upon Bristol, but I think we shall quickly finish that adventure, unless we meet with some distressed Damosels. The I's and No's you speak of, put them and their pow­er all together, I think spell nothing but I nose. I would fain live to see the day that the sweet singer may have cause given him to set his Psalms to the Tune of Lachryme, first hang up his Harp and then himself, for an imitable exam­ple to the whole Congregation in the Chappel: methinks the Members falling out about the reckoning upon the marriage day of their [Page 172]new authority expounds the Fable of the La­pithes or Centaurs; make you the construction. We are now in a Town where most of the people get their bread by their water, I mean, the Bath; and to strengthen the Paradox, those that never knew how to govern themselves are yet guides to others. Of a City tis doubtless the prettiest of England, in a double sense, as it is little and handsome. Most of the inhabitants live the life of fishes in Summer, and Flies in Winter, for then they have nothing else to do but sleep in their crannies. He that comes of the best house of the B— is come to Bath, and we drank your health yesterday. Present me as is due to all: but tis time to make an end, and call my self, Dear Sir,

Yours perfectly to his power, R. L.

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

Deare Brother,

I Am very glad your Ague has once more ta­ken his leave, in a double respect, because it has released you at present, and (in all likelihood) of future trouble, at least remov'd them to a remote distance; it being the property of those concussive maladies, (resembling a friends re­proof, or a Parents correction) to trouble the body into amendment, and pinch health into a greater purity: and indeed methinks the turns of health and sickness, like the vicissitudes of joy and grief, while they overflow not their banks, are not only tolerable, but sometimes necessary; no Halcion-day so pleasant, as that which suc­ceedes the precedency of a lowring morning. Your decoction no doubt was very safe, and the admixture of Diagridium and Sal Absynthii not improper; but believe it, this constant taking away the bran by an artificial Sive, does but tye the hands of Nature, which if let loose & at liber­ty, no doubt would do it better her self: health hastened by a Physical assistance is like fruits ripen'd by artificiall glasses, which are neither so fair to the eye, grateful to the tast, nor so la­sting as those that stay the leisure of time for a [Page 174]genuine maturity, and I am confident that a good Diet, moderate Exercise, and a merry heart, are the most soveraign Remedies you can take to perfect your recovery. My Brother W. came hither on Thursday last, and parted hence for Oxford on Tuesday; his Brother the Major keepes him company in the Journey, he excused it, that he did not visit you by the way, and is resolv'd to mend his fault in his return, which I believe will be about Tuesday next; I think we sent your Ague to flight by drinking your health. I pretend not to any confidence, or in­deed belief of what my last told you in reference to newes, but rather take it as the child of some single conjectures, that are ever limming likeli­hoods of what they would have, and conceiting themselves into their pristine happiness; yet I will not sweare that all is Apocrypha. I am ac­quainted with a Welsh Prophet here, one E. which seldom dreames without a Revelation, or sleepes without a Vision as he calls them, who tells the world of a sudden return of Monarchy to its old bias, and has been so saucy to petition our grand Councel to bring home Charles Stuart to his English Throne, and threatens their diso­bedience with an utter destruction; yet this man has not only scap'd hitherto with impunity, but they say is privately cajold by some Starres of magnitude; tis true, his former predictions have been strangely credited with events, as the death [Page 175]of the King, the lifting the Lords Essex and Fairfax successively to the Generalls place, the downfall of Presbytery, and dissolution of this Parliament, which he hit to half an houre: but I suppose you have seen most of this in his Books: if you have them not, I will send you them next week bound in one: for my part I read them for nought but sport, but he is not half so much laugh'd at as he was at first. I did intend to put out my Letters next terme, but I see I shall be hinder'd by a sudden resolution my Lord and Lady have lately taken, to make a Journey to the Bath, and so from thence into Devonshire and Cornwall, to visit two Sisters of my Lords, which are there richly married. Pre­sent me duly to all my Friends, and preserve me in your affection as I do you, that am (dear Bro­ther,)

Indispensibly unreservedly Yours R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

IF this ample interval and vast intermission that has insensibly crept between our last cor­respondency, had not on my part been constrain­ed by the invincible and indispensable laws of Necessity, I should affix an Apology to the fore­head of my Letter for neglect, and torment my head to excuse the offence of my heart; since he that can take commission from his own sloth, to let fall the thred of a friendly intercourse, be­trayes a labascency and a languor in his amicable resentments, and is no better then the shell of a friend, that would be thought to hide what he has not. I am now freshly return'd from the En­glish-Scythia, viz. Cornwal, which entertain'd us as the land of Canaan did the Israelites, with all that plenteous variety which was complext in the general terms of milk and honey, &c. But really I found as little correspondency betwixt them and London, or any of the Eastern parts, as if they had been as well of another Nation as Language; and venturing some Letters twice or thrice in vain by a lame Poste, in which Packets still something to you, and finding they all fell short of the marks they aim'd at, I sat [Page 177]down half angred into an obstinate resolution of adventuring to say to more to my friends till I could do it with greater assurance; which made some of my intimate acquaintance in London to conclude me dead or sick; and their conje­ctures were not altogether so wide as I could have wisht them; for I scarce enjoyd one well day in ten Weeks absence. At my arrival I met the deplorable news of my dear sister W's death, which has afflicted me beyond expression, as well in reference to my loss in her, as to the poor boyes she has left destitute of a discreet and in­duigent Mother. I pray let me know by the next missive without fall how the condition of our family is stated, in relation to the health and affairs of those persons that compose it, especi­ally yourself, who ever led the van to the whole World in my wishes, &c. I have now nothing more to speak, but my desire that you would pardon my haste, with the faults it commits, since my time is too penurious to allow me a present circumspection. Expect an amends in my next, and continue me still in your thoughts, as I am, Dear Brother,

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

LETTER XCVI. To his Aunt H.

Honoured Aunt,

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

Your most humble and faithful Servant, R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

BEsides the desert of your kind expressions, which call'd to a slow hand for a reply, I am hinted by the newes of my Sisters safe delivery, to wish you as much joy in your young Sonne, as if the present hopes in him were already ripen'd to their future perfection, and expectation were chang'd into assurance. I know not whether [Page 180]you should more skill in the diminution of your own, or extolling my deserts, in the first act put on the face of modesty, in the second of kind­ness; and fighting with such Weapons, she can­not chuse but triumph. I dare not enter the lists that way; but if an honest heart that speaks plainly, and meanes well, that takes care to pre­serve its own simplicity from such mixtures as will harm it, I have it for you, and will keep it so. Present my dear respects to my Sister, and tell her, I wish you may make her Mother to a nu­merous off-spring, on condition they may all prove as so many accessaries to the Parents hap­piness: by that time this is like to reach your hands, perchance the guests and gossips may be assembled at the Christning, to each of which, if I know them, I beseech you Sir present me as is due: I cannot chuse but mention honest Mr. H. Mr. B. Mr. D. &c. So oft as your Pen gives me a taste of your welfare, I relish much happiness; for Sir, believe it, you cannot lose any confidence upon my affection, that desires to appear to you,

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

LETTER XCVIII. For Mr. J. E.

SIR,

I Received your last, with your thanks for those blots, whose ill contrivance may rather summon my own blushes than your acknow­ledgement: all the disposall I will challenge in the noble proffer of your heart, is still to reserve him a harbor there, who is never so angry with his stars unkindness, as when he considers he can pay down no greater earnest of desert for these favours than a few cheap words. Sir, I know no greater incouragement to any indeavour than obedience to your Commands; for which the imployment it self would be an ample recom­pence, and I should reap a plenteous Harvest in the very tillage. I know you are all thirsty of happy newes; but this week affords not a drop to quench it: you have not deserv'd to be cheated with hopes for realities, nor do I think it fit to send you Conjectures for Positives. The stron­gest incounter with our feares is given by the &c. what that may produce, I leave to the stea­dier ballance of your Judgement. Our expecta­tions have been so oft, like the early bles­sings of a forward Spring, been betrayed to the tyranny of a following Frost, that I am resolved [Page 182]mine shall bud no more till the uneclipsed Sun shall chase keen winter before his victorious rayes, &c.

R. L.

LETTER XCIX. To Mr. R. W.

My dearest Friend,

I Received those lovely Copies of a vertuous and knowing soul in the last lines, with such a gladness, as none but you that had power to cre­ate it can fancy: this Paper will not hold the description, and therefore think it but the re­sult of an affection, so simply pure, as has long since left off the capacity of growth and decay, and then you have it. You do well to say we can­not be divided; for the remotest corner of the Earth cannot hide you from me, and even at such times when I know not where you are I visit you: you have put such sweetness, and yet so much gravity in your words, as I know not whether I am more ravish'd or instructed, and have much adoe to scape self-love, because I am so lov'd, though I do more then like the Cha­racter of dispositions, observation of national propensions, and proper distempers; your tra­cing the foot-steps, skilful reading upon the de­cayd [Page 183]skeletons of Antiquity, with the rich im­broidery of a clear judgement upon all; yet when such a Bee flies among Flowers, I cannot wonder if she carries home store of Honey; when so active a fancy incounters such apt materialls to frame Idea's, tis not strange if she brings rich ladings to the understanding. But above all, my dear Friend, I must remember to thank you for those sweet and candid insinuations of Piety and Vertue, which with a cunning affection you gently communicate, by presupposing that I have them already; and thus your skill and kind­ness combine to interweave delight and profit, and conspire my happiness. Well, could I but take my visible Example where I had my Pre­cept, the Lesson would be lesse difficult, and I sooner shap'd to your mind; for though I strive to love as perfectly as possible, yet I dare not think my self qualified enough to deserve such a Friend, &c.

Eternally yours, R. L.

LETTER C. To—

Madam,

I Cannot pocket your excellent lines, without expressing my own unhappiness in aspiring to what I should only have been contented to ad­mire: had I but gaz'd, and then given over, the impression had not gone so deep, and I might have outworn the wound; but it was too hard a task to begin to understand you, and not suffer Love to undo me with ambition. Had my eyes only betray'd me, and your face and feature ty'd on my chains, I might have trusted time and absence for a Cure, and read for it in the variety of other cheeks that are white and red; but tis your diviner part has charm'd me, that Soul of vertue and discretion that guided your Pen took me prisoner: nor can I hope a release from Rea­son, since Reason it self is a fellow-captive with the rest. I confess I am stagger'd as well as you in my resolution of seeing of you no more, and fory I did not except visits, when I forswore ad­dresses; but tis in your power to interpret the Oath with that condition; and though more re­viewes cannot mend the sculpture of your I­mage in my heart, nor a perpetuity of absence deface it, yet I could willingly (before the wind [Page 185]carries me away) take incouragement from you once to see the dear cause of my unpittied suf­ferings; which you may safely grant, because I re-inforce my promise to let alone that subject that so much offends you, and torments your servant. I should now endeavour to confute the modest injury you have done your own de­serts, and tell you how your striving to extin­guish increas'd the ardour, that you vainly be­stow the title of Candour and Sincerity upon the same thing you scorn, or at least misprize: besides, I should gratefully mention the cruel charity of your wishes, that would have no thought of your self disquiet me, which you know is impossible; but this would be to an­swer your Letter, and coldly to dispute, which my present transport will not allow: well, though you have raced it out, I must ever fasten the E­pithet of loving to the title of

Your eternal Servant, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

YOur last undated Letter I received last night, and perus'd the well-woven variety in it with so clear a delight, as it resembled the Suns victorious glory in a Cloudy morning, dispel­ling [Page 186]the mists of melancholy which has lately got a trick to sit something heavy on my dull spirit; but I am resolv'd to rowse it: how Sir J. has digested my mistake, and the stupid effects of it, I know not, nor do I much disturb my thoughts about it, for he has parted with much of his Candor, if he does not resent true affecti­on in it, (though ill exprest.) It is not in my power to overvalue your last kindness, such cor­diall condescensions in a true Friend being (like the greatest number in Arithmetick) impossible to be exprest; and had my will a power ade­quate, you would soon see the requital would much furmount the acknowledgement. I suppose my last (if it scap'd the danger of so long a Jour­ney) told you, that I am now a Patient to one Mr. D. whose Physick I still daily take, (though yet with little apparent success;) but he is confi­dent, and therefore I do not despair; however if you have a Recipe from Dr. B. of some so­veraign lotium, it will be gratefully welcom. I am invective against cruel Interest, and do up­braid my narrow condition that will not suffer me to meet you at Norwich, (so much love be­ing the inviter, and would fain be the Guest) but my Chain is not long enough to reach so farre, and (till opportunity growes ripe) I am losh to break it: I will therefore content my self to wish your meeting happily divided betwixt suc­cesse and delight.

I cannot disapprove the Character of the Gentleman, and not be Cynical; only I could have wish'd (for my Sisters sake) that his mind had not held most of his Treasure; but it seemes, affection makes her willing to accept of an Utopian Joynture. The joyes are confest more purely genuine that wait at those Nuptials where Love makes the match, and not Interest; but this age is sway'd with such a blind injustice, that it even forces a by as upon the most prudent vertue. Indeed I alwayes observ'd in her a dis­creet foreseeing Providence, while she stood at the stern of her own Cockboat. In which, (if he does match her as well as in affection) no doubt but the bigger bark of their Family will be well Piloted, and so by a joynt Industry their stock daily increased. I do exceedingly applaud the solidity of your caution, in making sure of that summe; but if I were able to advise better (as I am not) it would be fruitless, since you know with resolution all counsel is incompatible. This day I wrote to my Sister J. and inclosed it in one to my Sister F. wherein I do (not with­out much regret) acquaint her with my unfortu­nate failing in her behalf, though I stirred in it with as much dexterity both of minde and body as was possible; but the main cause of our failing was, that I knew not the opportunity soone enough. I am not now in so good a condition to serve my Cou­sin [Page 188] C. as I was when my Lord of Lincoln resided at Tattershall, within four miles of his Uncle; for now he is come to Sempringham, much more remote, where I think he will win­ter; so as I do much upbraid my own negligent omission to see him before I came from thence to Haughton, though I was fool'd into it by a promise of my Ladies, to return thither in ten dayes, though we have already worn out the te­dious Age of six weeks in this unfrequented Cave: nor do I look for a sudden deliverance from this solitary confinement; but indeed it is not much unsuitable with my present disposi­tion, which can relish nothing delightful, till I get rid of this deplorable trouble; but when we return into Lincolnshire, it shall go hard if I break not prison for one day to see the old Midas, and then I shall not forget to urge what you hinted concerning the &c. Excuse the extrava­gancy of these inconsequent diversions, and ex­pect method when health bequeaths me a more fixt temper; but you should never be thus as­saulted with the sallies of these petty discon­tents, if you were not perfectly confided in, and peculiarly lov'd, by

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

LETTER CII. To Mr. J. P.

Dear Jack,

I Am sory thou couldst not carry health out of Town; but here is never a shop that sells that Commodity. I hope it waited in the Country, to welcom thee home; for if well-wishes may make thee well, I have redeemed it for thee, and thou art restored to its possession. My pawned promise is redeemed by this inclosed, which though it be too plain to be pretious, I would be loth to forfeit it to a Friend. I prethee intreat sweet Mrs. Mary and thy self, not to spoyl these course lines with expectation. My hast has done it too much already, they being the deformed issue of a few minutes stolne from my serious oc­casions; but if my mistake did not misse your directions, I have not shot much wide of the de­sign. My belief has been so often abused with newes, that I am resolved not to adventure the cheating of thee with some such unwilling fal­shood. Let me injoyn the happiness in my be­half to kisse Mr. M's. fair hand, and lay the pre­sentation of my service at her foot, and let her know that if the dull performance of this first has not discouraged her bounty in bestowing further commands, I question not but to give [Page 190]her a better taste of my zeal to serve her. In the mean time, honest Jack, if it requires it, I com­mit thy peccant body to belly-racking discipline of thy guilded Pills, but thy mind and senses to the soveraign cordial of her pretious society and rest.

Thy cordial friend to serve thee, R. L.

LETTER CIII. To Mr. W.

My dearest friend,

VVE are at last got loose from our West­ern entertainment, and deliver'd from the punishment of an importunate kindness, which was alwayes in travel, and every day deli­vered of an overflow; but I hope we have e­scaped all the danger (viz. of surfets) for which we ought to keep a solemn thanksgiving, and are safely arrived at London, which we shall one­ly make a baiting-place by the way into Lincoln­shire, and there spend the remains of the Sum­mer. At my return to London I met a pair of your Letters that had long stayd my coming, I flew to their perusal with a greediness as great as ever was the child of a teeming impatience, and found that in them which at the same time sated and justified my longing. I was truly glad to hear my friend had so happily pleased my Lady L. in his Factorship, which was confirmed by a Letter I received from her out of the Countrey, (for they left London upon the brink of our ar­rival) which commanded me to return you with [Page 191]her thanks by Bill of exchange as a gratuity for your prudent care in her behalf, and a request from my Lord that you would (if possible) pro­cure him some more Italian songs. I have inclo­sed this Bill from your friend Mr. B. whereof I desire you will signifie the receipt with as much expedition as possible, and direct your letters again to— for I shall be out of Town till Michaelmas. But now my dearest friend, I know not which way to turn my Pen, nor how to shape an answer to those praises you lavish upon a toy that I cannot own without some blushes; which was the onely reason it was kept so long from your knowledge, for fear it should get me a de­served chiding from your severe affection, for laying out my time with so much improvidence and ill-husbandry: nor do I traffique with that stale piece of modest policy for an improve­ment of reputation, because I disavow it, like a cunning Angler, drawing away the Bait that the Fish may follow it more greedily; for real­ly I speak my thoughts without a dresse, when I tell you that I have much wondered how it comes by the credit it carries in the World, and that so many judicious palats should gust a piece so insipid; however it is, I cannot content the importunity of some of my best qualified friends without I go on with this story, and I think there will be another part out at Michaelmas Term, if I come time enough to London to oversee the Press, &c.

R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

YOur advertisement of the happy Errour came too late to intercept the abortive issue which my Crest-fallen Muse miscarried with: but I was never more glad of being abused, and am friends with Fame for the deceit, since it is like to cost me no more then a laughing at. But reports of this nature shall henceforth onely play fast and loose with my ear (as Juglers do with the eye) and claim no credit till backt by apparent certainty. Your imagination cannot fancy a more grateful heart then mine, made so by your last courtesie, a trouble which none but so perfect a friend as your self would have un­dertaken; and though I know you are none of those that can put their courtesies to use, and so become kindest to themselves in being kind to others, yet I shall never judge my self truly happy till I be able to return yours with interest. I would gladly find Doctor B. not mistaken in the situation of my malady, and I hope my ex­perience will hereafter assure me, as now my observation begins to perswade, that there is no flaw in his judgment. I have a strong fancy that I shall reap much benefit by those lotions he [Page 193]speaks of, and therefore when you go next to Norwich let me intreat you to take a note of the ingredients from his dictates, for I conceive no time of the year unseasonable to take that kind of Physick. 'Tis possible Mr. R's directions, as one well skill'd in such medicinals, may prove available, though I intend not to straggle the breadth of a hair from what Doctor B. pre­scribes. We are now retir'd from my Lord of Lincolns to a house of my Lord of Clares in Not­tinghamshire, where a Hermit is not more alone then I, this Countrey affording nothing fit to converse with but dumb companions, as pleasing walks in Gardens, Groves, by Rivers, &c. of which it is not unfruitful; that had I Adams in­nocency and knowledge, my present condition would resemble his before Eve was created. I have lately not without much regret lost my French and Italian Tutor, who is parted from my Eady D. I am unfeignedly glad to hear of the health of my sisters, and that they manage their deserts with so discreet a providence to improve reputation. If you find Hymen is like to light an auspicious torch, and the true-loves knot be worth the tying, I shall not give a faint applause to the change of my sister K's condition; I shall be glad to hear in your next that she draws in a happy yoke; they shall have my hearty wishes that their sweet bondage may know no other fetters then what are woven by the soft hand of [Page 194]vertuous unfading Love: might I hope the hap­piness to meet you at London, nothing would be able to out-glad me; but I do more than fear that we are to consume this winter in these parts, unless a new kindled Warre do send us packing, and then I am sure that unsanctified City must prove our Sanctuary: that which makes it too probable is, that my Lord of C. is coming down thence with his whole Family, to increase ours here. I pray present my humble service to my Cousin H. C. and tell him, that if I can serve him in ought with his Uncle, who lives within five miles of my Lord of L. Castle, at T. (which we shall often visit) he shall not find my indeavours tardy; I have not yet seen him, but intend at our next going: tis reported there, that the other H. C. is grown a great fa­vourite; but if report sayes true, he is like to plague their expectations with a most unconsci­onable long life, as if Time had forsworn to swal­low his humidum radicale, to whom he yet has denyed the homage of either stooping or droo­ping; I intend to send him a pot of red Dear, which they say will be welcom. I pray present my affectionate respects to my Sisters, and tell my Sister J. that I am now in chase of a place for her, which if obtained will pay for all her pa­tience; tis to serve the Lady A. W. and I in­tend to ingage no worse Soliciter then my own Lady her Cousin Jerman; but I am afraid tis [Page 195]promised already, and therefore let her not hope too much; only if such a thing should happen, 'twere fit I had notice where a Messenger should find her; for I intend to send one on purpose. But I grow intolerable: pardon this rout of words, and call me as I truly am,

Your own for ever, R. L.

LETTER CV. To Mr. R.

Sir,

MY short allowance of time will only suffer me to tell you, that I am (what your friendly Courtesies have made me) truly yours, and will be ready to appear so, when any of your Commands shall direct me how. In the mean time, take my hearty thanks for the trouble you have undertaken. It was a request of that na­ture as (without the aid of much Candor) you must needs have constru'd Presumption; but your ingenuity has help'd you to give it a better interpretation: be assured I will strictly require of my self such indeavours as may learn to de­serve these favours. So if you please to let me know your clear opinion of this mans intentions, I shall steere my course accordingly; and (if you [Page 196]find it requisite) come to Nottingham my self, and get him arrested before Occasion showes her bald pate. I beseech you Sir return my Love and Service where they are due to my Friends you have with you. Pardon my rude hast, and do me the right to believe me

Eternally yours, R. L.

LETTER CVI. To Signior G.

SIR,

I Understood by a late Letter of Mr. H. and since by your last to Mr. H. that you had sent divers Letters to me; which if so, I cannot do lesse then wonder at the strange contrivance of Fortune, in not suffering so much as a single line to arrive at my hands since I saw you; when none of those that weekly travel between me and my remoter Friends ever met with the same fate. Indeed I was glad to hear that Signior G. was yet among the living; for I judg'd no­thing but Death could have struck him so dumb. I understood your desires, and the reasons of them by Mr. H. to receive your Seamozzi, which I presently communicated to your vale Milner, and prevailed so well by perswasion, as [Page 197]you will receive it by this Carrier. I am sory my Lady D. does not accept your present; I sup­pose Mr. H. will render you a larger account of it. In the mean, I shall (using the Books care­fully) read over your Translation with the Ori­ginall, and so keep them till your reply to this directs a further disposall. Hast will now let me say no more, than that I am

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

LETTER CVII. To Mr. A.

SIR,

AN unexpected Command for Lincolnshire with my Lord beguiles me of the happi­ness to kisse your hands. Before your Suff. Jour­ney takes advantage of my defer'd writing, and forces me to say nothing to my Brother by you, to mend this unintended default, you may much oblige me to summon him by a Messen­ger to B. while you are there, I know his affecti­on will carry him further at any time to hear of me; where if you please to give him an account of what you know of me and my condition, you will put me much in your debt: tell him I will [Page 198]write by the next Carrier, but desire him not to expect my coming over till I tell him I will come. I pray let him know I received his last with the Picture in it. Sir, may the success of your journey compare with your wishes. Present me kindly to all you meet that know me. For­give the haste that made these blots; and be confident I am

Your faithful friend and servant, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

MY last had not been followed at such a di­stance, if the sudden news of a Lincolnshire-journey had not arrested my Pen in the very act. My condition scatters uncertainty among the broken parcels of my time; and I must be no less then a Prophet to foretell how I shall spend the next hour; my firmest purposes being still curb'd with a conditional bridle. Thus I utter the larger part of my indeavours, as an in­strument does sound, that only talks over the in­structions of an imperious hand. Yet I cannot say [Page 199]that any new restraint does raise the price of my leisure: but the continuance of my trouble, which I now suspect will keep me company to the threshold of the other World (in spite of all the aid of reason) does often untune and dis­compose my soul, that (though I should blush to say so) it even faints my industry, slacks my carriere, and makes me halt after such designs, which otherwise I think I should pursue with vi­gour. But I take it as a fatherly correction sent with commission to set me the way to Heaven, and so I hope I shall use it. We are now more then two years older since we last shak'd hands; which (when I look back upon at a lump) me­thinks (in reference to my self) looks as if woven into a Chaos. From some I have incountred af­fronts that have strook fire in my breast; from other (sweet ingenious spirits) I have been fann'd with a gentle gale of serene affection; such humerous waves have flow'd round my Bark, as (at the same hour) have mildly kist my keel, and spit foam at my top-sayl: and for earth, I am a double debtour to the constitution of my body, and my fortunes, that my Chaos has been plen­tifully furnisht with that melancholy element. It cannot pose your conjecture to conceive how tenderly I would hug an occasion that might re­vive me the delight of so dear a society; for (if I deem aright) you may easily cut out such an imagination by the pattern of your own heart. [Page 200]But if I gain my health, I taste what others call pleasure with a feaverish palate; I am therefore loth to appear among the friends I love so well, till I can bid adieu to a dull humour that now predominates, and my soul may have elbow­room enough (at least) to render my company not tedious. If Providence does intend me so dear a Present, sure this succeeding Spring must bring it, and then I shall venture to ask my first leave to play, &c. I do much applaud the dis­gust the creature made you; I know you have a soul that loathes to sin so slavishly (though tem­pted with fairer hopes then any can court you that way:) tis the badge of a worthy heart that can rather indure to appear less, then to be less worthy; and tis a rare disposition that will not suffer it self to be cheapened in such an age as this. But (though vertue sometimes sets a long day) her pay is currant and sterling, all the rest false coyn.

My Lady has newly got another swelling in the belly, which I believe about five moneths hence will make us hoise fail for London (for there they apprehend is the safest unlading for such fraights;) if I may meet you there you will give me more happiness then I have relisht since I last saw you: And be confident your person and parts will find a more easie task in the pur­chase of preferment, then mine have done (in so many respects their inferiour;) and if you can [Page 201]safely manage the interest is still left you to make it last till then, it cannot be amiss. In the mean time you shall do me but right to promise your self the clearest advice, attended by the most active diligence, and ready indeavours that may be performed by the soul and body of

Yours while he is his own, R. L.

LETTER CIX. To Mrs. F.

Honoured Aunt,

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

Yours, R. L.

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

SIR,

YOurs of the third of this Current was brought to my hands by your Brother, and now mine; a Gentleman so happily accom­plish'd with what is brave and ingenious, as I am justly proud of his acquaintance, and must there­fore render a just acknowledgement to you that gave it me. So you may safely believe there is nothing in me that swayes with so great a power as affection to my friends; and therefore my re­mote aboad spoyld the tast of other recreati­ons, because it made that almost speechless. I hold my self much advantag'd by the consent you have given to let me know you, and will gladly stir any indeavours that may shew me the way to so much desert: what you are pleased to say of your self could not be excus'd, if your own modesty were not the Criminal; and what­soever that forbids, I see there was no error in those that spoke you, since one that has best reason to know you hath confirmed the Cha­racter. It will be none of my fault if I do not help you to entertain your Gossips; but I dare not venture a positive promise, lest something that has more power over me then my self should infringe it; but let me intreat to be thought as thankful, as if I had already tasted all that your Courtesie intends me. Good Sir, speak [Page 203]me deeply affectionate to my Sister, say as much in my behalf to my Sister F. and believe me

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

LETTER CXI. To his Sister C. L.

Dear Sister,

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

Your truly loving Brother, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

YOur last kind one met me at Nottingham, whither my Lords recovery, (if I may call it so, for I fear tis but an intermission) hath re­turn'd us; where in spite of all my fair hopes, and eager wishes, we are like to resettle. If this comes directly to your hands, (which because of your intentions for H. I am jealous of) I pray let it speak me as I have still desir'd to be understood, and will ever stretch the sinews of Industry to continue the opinion. You tell me of two potent enemies you have to struggle with, viz. Malice and Envy; indeed they are two of the most an­gry Wasps that Satan lets fly; but where they [Page 205]meet with integrity, (of which I know you are not unfurnish'd) they may seem to sting, but there rises no blister; and thus their emissive ve­nome, like the foreseen Basiliske, (which for ought I know may be no more then an Em­blem of them) will fatally recoyl upon them­selves: for the cause of it, because you think fit to binde it up in clouds, I will not strive to un­wrap it; onely I shall love my own conjectures well, if event applauds them, that it portends you some conjugal preferment. I am sory C. T. growes so lavish of his reputation to go in dan­ger of a Warrant, because he does things unwar­rantable: I pray God he does not buy wit so dear, that he will have nothing left to make any other purchase; if I knew how to direct my Let­ter I would write to him, but will forbear ad­vice, till I grow more able to give good Coun­sel, or at least he more willing to receive it. I could wish poor N. S. had manag'd his Merchan­dise with more providence than to be ship­wreck'd in a Dungeon; and tis much to be fear'd, since he could boast of the ignominy: that the Sunshine of his new fortune will but light him to such another Farm, and so leave him in it: but I desire my Augury may get no credit by the event; and indeed I should be chary in unrip­ping others imperfections, till I have fewer to mend of mine own; no doubt they are de­form'd in others eyes, could they be so in mine, [Page 206]I were happy. I thank you for the hopes you give me of a Cure when I come over, which I believe will now be shortly, I am resolv'd to consult Dr. B. about it; but custom has taught me to fear the worst. I pray let me know how long you intend to stay in N. that when I come, I may certainly know where to find you; for if you be not there, I shall unwil­lingly go so farre out of my way as by B. H. being full as neer; but I talk too confidently for one that has not yet ask'd leave, and may perchance be denyed it. I am sory your trouble has still such a spleen at your side; a solid con­stant vertue disheartens malice, and disarms en­vie, and could rivall your own gladness, if the gold you spake of, with a Matrimonial Plaister, could remove the Lead from thence; but I ap­plaud your resolution of content, with what you have, and will endeavour to write after the Co­py. In the mean time, I cannot better requite your wishes, than by paying of you in your own Coin, which (if it be possible) is done with in­terest by

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

LETTER CXIII. To Mr. W.

SIR,

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

Your faithful Friend and humble Servant, R. L.

LETTER CXIV. To Mr. C.

Sir,

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

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

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

Loving Brother,

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

I am deep in your debt for abundance of lo­ving expressions, and want words to tell you how tenderly I entertained them; the task is too big to let you see how dear you are to me: do me but the Courtesie to fancy an affection, pure, unbiassed, unreserved, that scorns limits, loaths change, and is onely lesse excellent than that which makes the Angels clap their wings, and you have a draught of mine; to describe which in particular were to let an Ocean through a quill. I am sory you are fastned to Mr. B. with Gossomere-tyings; but though those Cob­webs were Cables, I believe you might find a [Page 210]more commodious harbour to let fall your An­chor in. If you think it fit, let your next a little more unmask your ingagements, and shew me how your inclinations stand, and whether you can draw off upon a sudden warning. My friend on the other side the Sea has not yet accepted imployment, (this Age looks too much asquint on true desert,) he still redoubles his kind ex­pressions upon me, and so far as he is mine he shall be yours. I pray if you can learn, let your next tell me how his Norfolk-friends do; for he desires to know. I am not yet likely to draw my neck out of the Collar; but when I do, I shall loath to invite yours intoit: without flatte­ry, your person and parts do deserve better, and must have it. If this wretched malady did not still haunt me, I should not long trifle away my houres in a dull and barren servitude. I am now my own Physitian and Patient; from my own prescription I have taken a Vomit, a Purge, a Collution, a Dentifrice, &c. if these fail, the hopes of a Cure will sicken, and I shall onely comfort my self in the calamities of a short life with eternity. Sorrow and joy chastis'd one an­other in my breast, at the newes of my Sister F's gentle misery. I will not wrong your apprehen­sions to give you the reasons, I hope by this time she is perfectly recovered, and will congra­tulate it shortly in a few lines to her. I pray pre­sent me affectionately to my kind Sister J. and [Page 211]tell her I was not master of so much time to write to her this opportunity; for I am forc'd to blot you out these words I send you in ex­ceeding hast. Let me beg your furtherance in my Physical Studies: I would gladly intreat permis­sion to transcribe your Book; but tis an unfit request to venture it so long and dangerous a voyage: onely this let me crave, that in your next I may receive the Copies of three or four of your most vertuous diet-drinkes, especially Dr. Butler's; and the receipt of your rare Balsom, with a little quantity of it, if you have any made. I am happy in my Friends welfare, proud of their love, and wish I had worth enough to make it appear they have not displaced their affection. I will make amends for my last long ebbe with a future overflow. Salute all that know me with becoming respects proportion'd to them; and now give me leave to close all with such words as I must make till death close my eyes: I am

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

LETTER CXVI. To Mr. J. E.

Sir,

I Am not wise enough to plot an excuse to de­fend my silence from your censure, unless it be, that I made a conscience to call you from your better imployments to lose time upon my trifles; but since I thought better of it, I found it fitter to chuse the less sin of the two, and rather venture a reproof for importunity, then a mulct for ingratitude. Believe it Sir, I mean it no com­plement in professing my self much in your debt; but you alwayes rang'd your self in that small number of mankind that sowe their favours with­out expectation of a crop, and place their de­light rather in planting courtesies, then gather­ing their fruits. I beseech you Sir, mention me to my Cousin E. as I am a grateful resenter of their last excellent entertainment, and a passio­nate desirer to appear so, when either they or I can find a fit occasion: let my she-Cousin know that I did lately find means to serve her in the business we discours'd of, as will come a cure for the greatest calamity either of body or mind. But our great ones are so overflown with this spring-tide of successe, as they have not lei­sure to minde the bubling of little Brooks. I [Page 213]would fain say something else if I were sure I could onely speak to your apprehension, &c. M. W. kisses your hands with much respect, and desires the liberty (since London will not afford any of the same) to make your books speak En­glish before he returns them. I beseech you Sir; present my baise mains to that incomparable Lady my Cousin E's. Lady, not forgetting the terrestrial Cherubins, and take my word Sir, to you I will endeavour to be all that is requisite in

A faithful friend and servant, R. L.

LETTER CXVII.

Dearest Sister,

THough silence be sometimes a sign, yet it is not a proof of forgetfulness; I am sure in me it has signified no greater offence, then what a large absence from London (in such places whence it was almost an impossibility to convey a Letter to H.) has inforc't me to commit; and therefore if my affection has got a blemish in your thoughts, pray restore it to its former cre­dit and beauty, for really I have ever kept it fair in mine, and will alwayes take care to preserve it so. There is so little change in my condition [Page 214]that refers to my present interest in this Family, as it is not worth my account; onely I live and that's all, for my allowance is so short, that if my own industry did not draw in additions some other wayes, I should find it a hard task to subsist. In requital of this, pray let your Pen tell me how, and to what degree, your self injoyes your health and content; how my Cousin L. thrives in his studies, and to what imployment and pro­fession his inclinations are bent with the greatest ardour; and if I can find my self in a capacity, either by advice or assistance (though I want them both my self) to serve you or him in the choice of a Calling, procuring a Master, or ought else that may help me to express how cordially I am yours, you need not scruple to command it from,

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

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

Sir,

To say nothing after the receit of so much kind­ness can no way be excused but by the utter shipwreck of my memory; be pleased therefore to believe that I resented your friendly entertain­ment as I ought, & do passionately wish I could re­quite it so; however accept the acknowledgment of it from a heart that means as much as the most puissant gratitude can act. I beseech you Sir, speak abundance of affection from me to my dear Sister your bedfellow; tell her I do not suf­fer my self to forget how much her indearings are aforehand with me, nor will ever consent to slip any endeavours that may show me the way to overtake them: tell her I shall earnestly pray for a safe unlading of her fraight, and wish, if I may use Erasmus his expression, Ut non majori molestia elabatur, quam illapsum est. My Brother­traveller and I made it Saturday-night before we reach't London, as I doubt not but his inclosed specifies; but if you find the date old, impose the fault upon me; for accidentally meeting Mr. T. and gaining his promise to deliver this, I was rather willing to trust a safe though slow convenience, then a speedy hazard. I pray pre­sent [Page 216]me cordially to honest Mr. H. Mr. B. Mr. D. and their Wives. I shall onely adde this; be as happy as your hearts can wish, especially in one another; and take my word, I shall alwayes be forward to prove my self, Sir,

Your really affectionate Brother and servant, R. L.

LETTER CXIX.

Dear Brother,

I Am glad you have shak'd off your shaker, and begin to weare your health, which before you put on as people do new boots, for a triall how they will fit, and so put it off again; Pardon the course resemblance, for to him I mean so well I ever thought I might speak any thing: but I hope you are now recover'd with advantage, and are grown so securely well by your conquest in this second incounter, as your victory is signal, and will disable your foe from reinforcing. In the mean time I must not forget to commend the aim of your pious reflexions at the right mark; all the joyes and griefs, pains and pleasures, falls and risings that start from those under cau­ses we incounter here, should all lay their heads in the lap of Providence, and he that does not teach his thoughts, desires &c. the way to that [Page 217]centre, does but shelter a troup of dangerous straglers, that may be more then suspected to drag him the wrong way. Though I think the World was never worse for true desert to traf­fick in, yet I know you are so well furnisht with what few can dislike, as I hope it will cost you no tedious trial to get a prop, if not an improve­ment, for your Fortunes. The vacant place which I refused to fill up in my Lord of D. ser­vice, I hear is re-suppli'd by the same man that left it, &c. If I were able to shew you future events like the Magicians glasse, and strip all the high designs of their present disguise, believe it you should be admitted to the naked vision; but wiser men then I do but rove with uncertain guesses, and make good the Italian Proverb,

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

Let me conjure you to be as exact and cir­cumspect in I's behalf as is possible; I know you are most able to penetrate and scan the bu­siness, have studied the man, with his estate and disposition, and can tell best how to sift the conditions of his kindred, and discover how their propensions stand in reference to the match; for believe it, this may pass for a Ma­xime, She must never long think to preserve her husbands affection that has onely his of all the kindred: yet pray do not construe this my un­willingness to vote it, for what you deem fit [Page 218]shall never want my approbation. I pray de­liver my respects as they are due to all my friends you incounter in your progress; and tell my Nephew, if you see him, that he owes me a Letter. At your return tell me how my Uncle does, vertuous L. and my brother P's Family. I have no room to inlarge your trouble, onely this; not onely a good voyage to you, but all the requisites that conduce to your perfect happiness shall ever be comprised in the wishes and prayers of,

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

LETTER CXX. To—

Sir,

IF I could grow studious in the illiberal science of ingratitude, the lesson of forgetting your courtesies would pose me, when every glance on my present condition must needs undo my en­deavours with the unresistible thoughts of him that gave it being. But you have alwayes tasted more delight in performing courtesies, then in re­ceiving their acknowledgment; to which I have [Page 219]been so frequent a witness, that I have even fear'd to give you the full proportion of my gratitude, lest it should provoke your modesty to under­stand it complement. What construction it will make of these words I know not, but they are onely a rude draught of what I carry in the Centre of my brest, an artless copy in black and white of what is there far better drawn in vermilion characters. But I do but unskilfully repeat what I hope you knew before. Time has not lent me experience enough in my present imployment to let you know whether I shall be able to satisfie the expectations of them that command me; but as far as I have yet read in my L's. disposition, I have seen nothing that can discourage my indeavour of pleasing. A few words will hold the news we have here, &c. and I shall conclude with what hath the same dura­tion with my life, that I am

Your affectionate servant, R. L.

LETTER CXXI. To Sir J. P.

SIR,

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

Your faithful servant, R. L.

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

Dear Brother,

I Shall not offend truth to tell you that I thir­sted for your Ink with all that ardor and im­patience which are usually the troublesome Companions of perfect amity, when she is rent from her object by the double divorce of time and distance: and though few delights tickle so pleasingly as those that get credit by absenting themselves, and after an advantagious inter­mission return fresh and unhandled to the sen­ses; yet true friendship has a constant and equal gust of delight, is never tyred nor cloyed with fruition; and indeed, if it can be rightly stated in its perfection here, may be called the elder Sister of Angel-like happiness, Love being one of the fairest plumes that deck the Crest of di­vine Beatitude. But enough. If my last told you I was well, I must give this Commission to un­say it, &c. But I am bound to suffer all without repugnance or repining, since whenever the Di­vinity corrects with the greatest severity, we ought to take alarums from those stripes, not only to give the onset, but persevere to the o­verthrow of all that stands in our way to eternal felicity. I am very glad to see so many repeated [Page 222]confirmations of my Sister J's. happiness in a Husband; in which my affection goes a large In­terest, and if my wish can get her a Lease of it for her life, she shall not want it. I should be fearful to say any thing to my Sister F. though I were farre more able then I am to advise, be­cause I neither know the man, nor his disposition, how qualified or inclined; but admit them all proportioned to her desires, for my part I should be hardly drawn to acknowledge it could much mend her condition, which, if I mistake not, was very happy, if she has but a true tast to relish it: when I return to London, which will be about Michaelmas, I shall endeavour to do her desires in reference to her Son; but am now upon the brink of our going into Lincolnshire. I am so full of business as I am not master of an houres leisure; and therefore if you find any non-sense here, impute it to the constraint of my precipi­tation: we must set out upon Munday next. When you write, (which I desire may be often) direct your Letters to Mr. G. the P. in Ivy-Lane, and by him they will be infallibly sent me, and my answers returned; in which I promise to be constant and circumspect. Well, dear Brother, I have now no time to say more; in my next I intend to be more spacious in the account of my own Condition, which in relation to those I serve does grow Hectical, and unlikely to con­tinue; and verily, should I stay much longer [Page 223]with them, the non-competency of their al­lowance would undo me: therefore I intend to look out for some other imployment at my next return to London. Dear Brother, pardon my abrupt Farewel, and call me your pos­session,

Your own, R. L.

LETTER CXXIII. To Mr. J. E.

SIR,

ON Munday last at once I received both your Letters, which like people of the same no­ble Parentage kept company; and I crave that their coming that day late to my hands may be called my excuse for not returning an an­swer. This is a better opportunity to tell you, Sir, that your modesty in expressing yours, and the Families worth, turns your artificial Pen into a Pencil, to which, if it were possible, your shadows would adde excellence. I must beg you would take a ruder draught of my heart, which is, that I truly honour you; and what wants in that of art, is made good in reality. I am still an Ar­cher at Fortunes marks, and the other day nar­rowly mist the white of preferment: the best of it is, I have many strings to my Bow, and the [Page 224]Proverb sayes, The blind man sometimes hits a Crow; but, ad januam virtutis excubant labor & sudor; and that's the hubbe I aim at, I must ever scorn to physick my weak estate with gil­ded venome. In the mean time, my breast leaves a swarm of well-wishes to you, and the Honey they gather is your happiness. Sir, to you, if I could, I would not clip the wings of my hearty expressions with Complement, lest, like the new-voted-down mony, they should not passe for currant. I will still weare the impresse your obliging goodness has stampt upon me, and when I prove false coin, let me be punisht in not being received for, Sir,

Your most faithful Servant, R. L.

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

Deare Brother,

YOu have so over-done your acknowledge­ment of what a silent acceptance had more then requited, as I can do no lesse then condemn you of a loving error. The eyes of Judgement are never dim'd with such Catarrhes as when affection shapes the Object to their Opticks; and, like our dear sins, hide their ugliness in the [Page 225]maskarade of delight, profit, or whatever else is the fittest engine to undermine our frail­ty. If the trifle I sent you had not been spoyled before, your expectation had done it to pur­pose; and, like Esops labouring Mountain, would have brought it to bed of a Mouse. But I will trace this talk no farther, lest too modest a flight from my friends approvement should give suspicion of an ambush to surprise more, and palpably seem to act an Angler, who often draws away the bait, that the Fish may follow it the more greedily. I am glad you wear out your Pencils so fast to your own advantage, which, however you shadow, your deserts cannot chuse but add fresh beauties to your reputation. I for­got to mention your quere about my Lord W. in your Cousins Letter, who had buried it so long in his pocket before I received it, as it had put on the discoloured Livery of time, and pro­ved its Resurrection, by wearing the dust of its Grave about it. But to the purpose; that Lord is so farre from Collonizing, as himself is newly transplanted from the Barbados (where he was Governour) by the Parliament forces, and is now coming home against his will, to refix himself in his native soyl; and this is so gene­rally known, as a Diurnall of two moneths old will tell you the Story. Major W. is much your Servant; we seldom meet but we sacrifice a glasse to your health; and if there be the thing [Page 226]Philosophers call intelligence of spirits, you fare the better for it. By that time you have read mine through his Book will be with you, and come like the second Course to a Dinner, which alwayes consists of the most delicate fare. I send you this by my Mr. C's. man, who looks upon me as if he were scarce my Cater-cousin, for you know what; but in such cases I am partly good at carelesness. But I have said too much, unless I could have said it better; and tis high time to subscribe my self, Dear Brother,

Devoutly yours, R. L.

LETTER CXXV. To Mr. W.

Worthy Sir,

IN the forehead of your kind Letter I am charged with what I was never guilty of, viz. Scholarship; but should be of too much ingrati­tude, should I forbear to shew you how kindly I relish these obliging Civilities, the remem­bring of which I must not part with, till I utter­ly lose the faculty it self of remembring. Let me beg then that you will fancy me as I truly am, perfectly yours; and suffer me to tell you without suspecting Complement, that tis no [Page 227]light groundless affection, but a clear experience of what I saw was deserving made me love you; for I acknowledge much affection in your resen­ting what you call my sufferings; but it is my weakness if they be so; for believe it Sir, if the Peacock stirs any passion in me, it is laughter, which is the Daughter of contempt. I may find a time hereafter to shew some scorn to be so treated; but that must sleep in my bosom till opportunity wakes it. In the mean time, I am more pleased that there are some which con­ceive me in love, then offended at the weak pride of others that contriv'd the comical indig­nity. Sir, I am sory that I can do no more than acknowledge your favours, and blush that my de­feated expectations have continu'd you still my Creditor; but at our meeting that score will be wip'd off without fail, and if my wishes were not too weak, my actions, as well as words, should stile me

Your faithfull Friend and Servant, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

IT has not been the least of my discontents, that I have been forced to let you want the content your last Letter mentions in the receipt of some of mine; but this let me intreat, that you will never suffer your conjecture to deal so unkindly with me, as to impute a literal inter­mission to a flaw in affection. If you knew how much my strict imployment does instruct me to say for my self, you would grant I need not con­fess a neglect; and if you saw how well you are seated in my breast, your knowledge would sup­press your doubts of my Integrity, and leave them no possibility of a new insurrection. The 100. Epistles did not speak all my heart meant you. It is only in visible effects that my affecti­on will indure improvement, in my intentions it cannot; but as it can only that way appear to be more, so be confident it shall never find any way to be lesse: but time is now too pretious with me, to instruct you further in what you know. I received a brace of loving Letters from my new Brother and his Bedfellow; their ex­pressions, like themselves, lay lovingly in a sheet [Page 229]together, onely in this a little preposterous, that he lay undermost; indeed the man does offer friendship so handsomly, that I should shew my self ill seen in civility not to ac­cept it. I perceive (though you confess your self subject to the Palsie) your judgement was not level'd at his desert with an unsteady hand; the Character you have given him, with what he has spoke himself, hath help'd me to a longing to be known his Friend as well as his Brother: but this will ask time, and perhaps more merit then I am master of. I am glad you do not yet let go your hold where you are; and though the wide misse of some former aymes may discredit my judgement, yet he that has but a twilight of Reason may perceive the Cloud not farre off that is like to make us more foul weather; (and while the Tempest lasts) safe shelters are precious. If you knew how glad your Letters make me, and were lesse guilty of that rare fault of undervaluing your own Commodities, you would see lesse cause to confess the ex­change gainful: but (as truth ingages me) I must needs commend the beauty that breaks out into your literal expressions with a daily increase of lustre. I find you have thriving thoughts, (and though in men it alwayes holds not) yet sure in those the height of the quality may be taken from the handsomness of the vesture: if you go on thus, your Pen will plant Rhetorical Flowers, [Page 230]as skilfully as your Pencil paints others; and this word Paint leads me to lay hold of half a promise which your last makes to send me the K's face in a Letter: let me first acknowledge some eager desires of my own to possess it, and then inform you that I have a design to let some great ones see what you are able to do, and so make you known to them before they know you. I will shortly tell my Sister F. how glad I am of her recovery: present me dearly to ho­nest J. and I pray take some occasion to let my Aunt H. know that I do passionately desire so to serve her as may speak her good opinion not misplac'd. I am now about to struggle har­dest with my malady, but I am almost forbidden to hope a perfect Cure by a rational Physitian in these parts; but I hope I shall obtain so much power over my self, as to resign my wishes and will to his that is the Fountain of power. I snatch this time of writing this from some occa­sions that would hardly permit it: therefore im­pute these blotted faults to that mother of ble­mishes, call'd Haste. Expect another better po­lish'd at my neerest opportunity, and suffer me abruptly to subscribe my self

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

LETTER CXXVII. To his Cousin A. L.

Dear Cousin,

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

Your most affectionate Uncle, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

IF I were not skill'd in the ingenuity of your nature, I should fear your construction of my silence; but you have done so much your self in defence of that, as I hope I need not despair of pardon. I shall not pose your belief, if I tell you that your last Letter, like Xenophon of his Cyrus, rather spake me as I should be then as I am: and thus I am beholding to your goodness for difguising precepts in the shape of praises; from whence I may take as fair a warning as the Dunce did that was commended into scholar­ship; thus you have gently given me a copy to draw by, and I cannot erre in my choice, either in making your words or your self my original. If you meant it not thus, your affection de­ceiv'd your judgment, and help'd it to passe by disproportions and deformities, which it could never have overseen, unless by looking with her opticks; and I am contented to dislike my own want of worth, because it cannot render your o­pinion justifiable. I wish I could as easily obey as I do gratefully resent your kind summons to Holt: But we are shortly going to six neerer you in Lincolnshire, and then it is not unlikely [Page 234]but I may find an occasion to slip my collar for a day or two, for no man tastes more happiness in the injoyment of his friends, then, Sir,

Your really affectionate Brother and servant, R. L.

LETTER CXXIX. To his Sister J.

My dearest Sister,

SUffer this to requite the sweet expressions of thy last, with such, as if they fall short of an equal kindness, it is not the fault of the heart that means, but the head that indites them, and be confident thou art still as dear unto me as thy wishes can fancy me; and (to speak it better) as thy own language has made my self to thee. I do pattern thy own resentments in thy own behalf, that thou canst not yet recover thy health; but Providence has made us parallels in afflicti­on as well as in affection, and I fear borrowed from the same unfortunate cause, &c. though the effect be different; for my malady still haunts me like a Familiar, & spoils my familiari­ty with all the world beside: if this Spring restores [Page 235]my health, as I am resolved to struggle hard for it, I shall soon let thee see that my longing to see thee, and my friends about thee, is as pas­sionate as thine, but I am loth to come till I bring my self along with me; and though my affaires here be none of the weightiest, yet, I thank those that contrive them, they are urgent. I am not idle, though yet unsuccesful in thy be­half. In the mean time, freely injoy thine own, and let what thou hast help thee to hug thy self; and be sure thou shalt be happy, if it lie in his power to make thee so, that is

Thine for ever, R. L.

LETTER CXXX.

Loving Brother,

WHile I was most happy in the converse of the most ingenious and communicable spirits, I would have call'd your silence unkind, but now I sojourn in a Land of strangers, it can­not be call'd lesse than uncharitable; for though I am very civilly used from the top to the toe of this numerous Family, yet in this throng I am forc'd to find out solitude, none here being made of better Clay than will render them fit [Page 236]instruments for Houshold-affaires; and I confess I would be glad to overtake other qualities in him I fasten on with a stronger tye than the or­dinary slipping knots of faint acquaintance.

I remember in your last (since which you have had three from me) you desir'd newes; then there was none stirring that deserv'd your knowledge, and now we are gotten so farre out of Fames way, that (bating the Northern oc­currences) she brings us nothing before it be stale with the rest of the Kingdom. This stu­pendious Victory of C. against the perfi­dious Scots, has made our Town of Nottingham an intire Gaol. Indeed the delight I formerly took in writing newes to my Friends has lost much of its former reputation with me; my most liquid discoveries, as I thought, of un­doubted truths have so oft been confu [...]ed, that I would not have my Friends take it ill, if hence­forth I prevent the censure of a weak judge­ment, by forbearing to give them any more in­certain hopes and feares by such relations. My simplicity suffer'd me a long time to be cheated with that general error that gulls the whole heard of vulgar understandings; I weighed ap­pearances in the common ballance, my Imagina­tion took the print of things from my outward senses, and I judg'd the constitution of affaires by their false complexion: But at length, perceiving how wide I shot at events, and what amazing ef­fects [Page 237]started from unobserv'd causes, I found not only my inconsiderable self, but many that made a brighter show, and a greater noise in the World with their quality and parts, had been catcht in the same nooze, and were still liable to the same abuse at last. I resolved to try whe­ther I could learn to see without that Glasse that had so often falsifi'd the Object; at length, by the illustration of some clear Judgements, (whose acquaintance I won by inches) I arrived at this glimmering:

There is a certain sort of active men, grown main actors upon one Stage, that onely appear in their perfect shape to one another, to the World a homely outside hides an out-landish li­ning. Their Education has stor'd them with Principles of excellent Learning, a Taper they alwayes keep in a dark Lanthorn, and either shew or hide it, as the season of opportunity, the nature of affaires, and the inclination of Persons with whom they treat do either prompt or prohibit. They are the most exact Students of men, the nimblest divers into dispositions, the happiest in insinuation, and the cunningest in compliance with all humours under Heaven. In fine, they appear to every inclination in the same shape the predominant humour delights in; and with a provident policy and dexterous con­trivance, not onely make the vertues, but even the vices of their active acquaintance service­able [Page 238]to their main design: no doubt they were furnisht with better reasons than you are like to have of me why they wav'd the Kings party, and adher'd to this; such as the short arms of my conjecture could fathom are these: First, they knew a Parliament so universally desir'd as this could not chuse but be strong in popular reputa­tion, especially having indear'd it self to them by that excellent beginning of removing unjust pressures from the shoulders of the suffering sub­ject, by finding out abuses, and abusers of the Government, and by promising that same cost­ly word of Reformation both in Church and State. Secondly, They knew they could hope for no Harvest of their endeavours, till they had sown pleasing and plausible insinuations in the eares of the inferior rank: the Royalists they knew were no fit Soyl to entertain this seed; they of the lower Region being incapable of, and repugnant to any apprehension that at first gaze did not appear a visible aid to the cause that unsheath'd their Swords; besides their too free and open hearts, their careless and (indeed) dissolute carriage, rendered them unfit to be trusted with any notion that demanded silence; and on those of eminent degree they had as little hope to fasten their designs, for besides that they hated any thing that but smelt of their best bait Innovation, they wanted unanimi­ty, (the main Pillar that should prop such under­takings) [Page 239]for the study of advancing peculiar in­terest, feeding the insatiate appetite of private ambition, indiscreet competition for priority, quarrels, and hunting profit and pleasure with too hot a sent, were the sad causes of that unfortunate parties undoing, and the reasons why these subtile Engeneers found them unfit instruments to advantage their obstruse in­tentions. Thirdly, On the other side, they met with materials aptly disposed to take that Impresse they thought fit cunningly to leave upon the soft wax of their tender consciences; they were furnish'd with ready Mathematicks, to take the height and latitude of these spirits, which were as fit to carry on their design, as a ge­neral discontent with the Government that was uppermost, a vehement desire of Innovation, the repair of ruinous fortunes, and the loud fame of a glorious victory (inscribed with Religion and liberty) could make them. Fourthly, They had the inexhaustible Treasure of the Kingdom at command, which they could renew at plea­sure with the indispensible edict of an Ordi­nance: with this unresistible Engine they bat­tered their enemies fidelity, bargain'd for their strong holds, and even bought those victories that have cost the World so much astonishment; nothing being so injurious to the Kings sub­stantial rights as his own Pictures.

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

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

I am now about to give an eager onset to the study of Physick, in which I conceive by this time you have more than a tast: you cannot do me a more acceptable kindness than to vouch­safe your instructions, and impart your collecti­ons unto me; and I presume you make no que­stion [Page 241]but that they will safely be returned, with the interest of true thanks from

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

LETTER CXXXI. To —

SIR,

IF reality needed an artificial dresse, I would strive to put the acknowledgement of your last favour in the best attire I could cull from Rhetoricks Wardrobe: but the true affection of a Friend is not so light a Huswife, to jet it in gawdy borrowed attire, such as the times poli­titians strive to cloath her Counterseits with: I use no fiction when I say I love and honour you; no supple flattery, when in plain termes I thank you; and of both I hope you are so well assu­red, as I do but injure your goodness to repeat them. That I trouble you with these blots, par­don it; and be pleased to think, I had rather me­rit the guilt of importunity then neglect: had I thought my personal appearance could have been serviceable to you, I had gladly taken my Pen-imployment upon my self. I am loth that any slighted opportunity should accuse me of [Page 242]neglect to him I owe so much to. I could pursue this subject with such delight as, non sic virgini­bus flores, non frugibus imbres; but I fear I have rang'd too farre, and my Pen hath already too well shown from what wing it derives its pedi­gree. I shall not therefore farther tempt your patience, but humbly subscribe my self, Sir,

Your most faithful Servant, R. L.

LETTER CXXXII.

Loving Brother,

I Must take my self off with the old excuse for my last weeks failing, viz. imployment; and preventions of this nature must be digested, since the weak brain of my estate will not suffer me to be my own man. I am sory for the mis­cariage of your Colours; if you desire to have any more, let your next tell me so, and I shall take a securer course for the conveyance. For these petty services, I would not have you dispa­rage our friendship so much as to name them: tis fit we should resign such Ceremonies to those cold-hearted Creatures that love to sell their kindnesses, and have a ballance to weigh before they deliver them. Nor let the flame of our amity be of an ethereal nature, alwayes true [Page 243]to an equality of heat and measure. Methinks the Poets should have meant such a fire as this for that which Promotheus stole from Heaven; and they that have vertue enough to stay it from evaporation may carry it thither again; while the other is kept alive with the course fuell of com­modity, and as that flowes or ebbs, so does it blaze or languish, till at last it swounds away in a socket. But I have talkt so much upon this subject, and so often, that I doubt my repeti­tions may purchase me the account of a Confi­der. And now to sprinkle a little news; on Saturday last the fortunate and victorious Go­vernour of Ireland, invited with as much Rheto­rical importunity as the high opinion of his for­tune and valour, joyn'd with the suspition of ap­pearing dangers could indite, was conducted in­to London with a specious solemnity, and there had a loud welcome roar'd him by the comfort of Guns, Drums, and Voices; from the City he received a Present of about 2000 l. value, delivered with abundance of creeping thanks for his faithful gallantry. On Munday following, with a numerous train of creatures and admirers, he enter'd the House of Commons, where the Speaker welcom'd him with a speech that ten­der'd the thanks of the House, imbroider'd with lofty Praises, a rehearsal of his most signal services done both here and beyond the chan­nel, mingled with the relation of his Pedigree; [Page 244]whereto he added, how much his Discretion, Fi­delity, Religion, Policy and Fortitude, had in­nobled the sleeping ashes of his famous ance­stors; and clos'd with the cause of his invitation, told him that he had no sooner nam'd what he had already done, but by the universal desire of the House he was to proffer him occasion of im­proving his own merit with their gratitude; tel­ling him that he had received Letters from their Low-Countrey-Agent that assured him of the cer­tain agreement 'twixt the King of Scotland and his subjects; that there was nothing wanting but a wind to waft him thither, and in all probability being once seated there, he would not long sit stil contented wth that Crown; and concluded wth the choice the House had made of him to command their Army Northward: who return'd his high resentment of their favours in a short modest speech, wherein he strived to extenuate his servi­ces, and to express his resolutions to spend his dearest bloud in the service of his Countrey. This is all that time will grant me leave, but onely that I am, and ever must be, cordially,

Yours to love and serve you, R. L.

LETTER CXXXIII. To Mr. W.

SIR,

I Am well satisfied concerning your love, by your last missive, which withall brought me the acceptable account of your health and best prosperity. Whether this will find you out or no, is very uncertain; yet, to exercise my affection, and to quiet my heart, I took up a resolution to write, though the Letter perish in the midst of the Alpes. That long intercourse this way be­tween us hath begotten in me both fears and hopes; which yet are not liable to exception, be­cause they flow from that limpid spring which was never mudded with self-interest. I priz'd you for your vertues, and that sympathetical temper which I discerned in you, beyond which I had no eye; and yet I am secure in all my ap­plications. But what doth my friend in those remoter Countreys thus long? why must Belgia and Italy have so much of you, and England so little? what curiosities do you search for? what actions do you design? and what improvements do you attend? I will not believe you like him in the Poet, Securus quò pes ferat— and that you do ex tempore vivere. I have heard that a wo­man hath been defin'd—Ens Ovismatum; but [Page 246]this is not applicable to a wise man, who paceth the World with judgment, and asks upon every remove — Cui bono — Not that I desire to en­ter into your Cabinet at this distance, for I know you are arriv'd at that of the old Roman Cour­tier — Gli pensieri stretti & il viso suotto. You can English it better then I; notwithstanding I wish my self sometimes better acquainted with the project, that I may serve you better. I am buffeted with the whispers of men, that Thames hath swallowed Tyber, and that my English friend is Roman all over. Will you credit me? this I deem a witty suggestion of an enemy, which I can answer without you; yet to raze this to the foundation, I call for your help. It cannot be that we should vary here, when in those highest concernments we have been always one — Et quoad rem, & quoad modum; but enough of this. Your friends are yet alive both here and elsewhere; but the Orb of Learning has lost of late stars of the first magnitude, Dr. Collins and Dr. Cumber; the former had his Apotheosis a year since, the later is commemorated this day. Thus things and persons die, but the Lord abideth for ever; to him let us direct our thoughts and services, and by his revealed truth alone let us measure our best way to eternity — which you pray that I may find. If I hear no more from you, yet know that you live in my heart and prayers, and that [Page 247]the varieties of Providence cannot alienate from you

Your own, R. L.

LETTER CXXXIV.

Dear Brother,

SInce you are pleas'd to call that your de­light, which with a safe conscience you might have nam'd your trouble, I mean my te­dious lines; I will learn of affection to make it mine, by a continu'd supply of that weekly sa­tisfaction. Since thus, though debarr'd of a personal interview, our nobler parts that evi­dence our immortality, meet, converse, and ex­change the dear entertainment of mutual em­braces. I am beholding to your loving errour as well as the World's, for setting my toy at so high a rate: But now for the hard words you speak of, I know they have made work for some of those Cato's of Language this Age has hatcht, which came with a like intent to the perusal of books, as Balaam did to view the Army of Is­rael, on purpose to give them ill language; and I would fain know of those Censors, if prece­ding Ages, by a like design, had not providently inoculated some of the fairest Cions of forraign [Page 248]fruits upon our English stock, whether our barbarous Tongue would ever have been com­prehensive of such rich and rational expressions, or grown up to that strength and beauty it now possesses: nor does my judgment deal less se­verely then theirs with such rumbling fustian words, big with nought but wind, that some af­fect; this were to humour Midas opinion, that preferr'd Pan's Pipe before Apollo's Harp, be­cause it made more noise. The word Raillery you return'd me for interpretation, signifies a kind of jesting, scoffing dissimulation, and is now grown here so common with the better sort, as there are few of the meaner that are not able to construe it; which makes me wonder by what mischance it should scape the knowledge of that living Library of Languages Mr. F. to whom I pray return my service; but he must allow me the Liberty to think he knows too little of the French to rank it justly with the rest of his Languages: but enough of that. And I now eagerly wish your proposal were improv'd to a resolution of seeing London next Term, since I am more then half assur'd we shall not turn our backs upon it till that be expired, and then whether we shall steer our course West-ward or North-ward, is not yet concluded in the thoughts of those that sit at the helm. But I am sorry I can­not wind you up to any forward expectation [Page 249]in what refers to my Lord R. for I daily per­ceive the fruits of my indeavours that way do rather wither then ripen; and I am glad you are struck in with so friendly a man mender. If you have not taken an oath of secresie, I should gladly welcome the participation of those rare Recipe's you speak of. Major W. is overjoy'd at your promise to see London; he sayes he hopes to deprecate your censure for neglecting to give you his thanks for your kind token (which he is very proud of) un­der his hand. I cannot yet learn by my in­quiry that my Lord W. has any such design for a Plantation as you speak of. But I have made no conscience of your patience: Dear Brother farewell.

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

LETTER CXXXV. To Mr. W.

My dearest Friend,

THis should not have contracted an answer to two Letters, if the waiting a return of some others from Lincolnshire had not retarded my hand; but I know not how to construe their si­lence, and cannot tell whether I may call it sloth or design; however, my hopes are yet big enough to make my judgement charitable, and till we see more so I would have yours. By this time you have found out the reason of my hopes to see you on this side the channel, and the event that defeated them; wherein you have liberty to deride my pur-blind judgement, that has so much adoe to see her, much more to see into the nature of such affaires; I never could make so strong a Party of Reason, as might keep out the invasion of over-forward expectations: tis the hardest humane Lesson to learn to judge aright; which granted, a light reflexion upon my weak capacity will soon get my Pardon, with a promise of endeavour to leave out my Errata's in the next Impression. And now, my dearest Friend, accept as many thanks, and as reall ones as ever came from a true heart, for jogging my drowsie soul with those excellent Memento's of [Page 251]vertue and piety; it showes your Friendship has chosen the best basis, and you desire to cast mine in the same mold: well, my dear Friend, though the Scholar be very unapt, he loves his Master well, and especially because he gives such Lessons. I long for that same meeting you speak of with more impatience than I can well justifie, since we must wait Providence with a totall resignation, or else we cannot say that Fat, &c. Indeed I would fain knock off my bolts here, but would do it so that I might not after­wards repent it. I am still here like a wild Beast in a Gaol, who though he walks up and down in it all the day, yet at night he is got no fur­ther than where he was ith' morning. I am glad with all my soul to find you the first proposer of L's affaires: I see you are confirm'd; and could you read my heart at this distance, you would see I do not waver; but while here I must be in­slav'd, and at least in exterior subjecting selfe to that same Video meliora probo (que) &c. I am as sick of this World as ever poor passenger was of a storm at Sea, and would blesse the hand that could set me ashore, where I might learn to look upon the vanities of it in their full propor­tion, and so despise them.—I have no cause to boast my health, and the lesse, be­cause my disposition comes in such disguise as poses my self and all the World beside. I am sory for the losse you dread so passionately; but [Page 252]whatever happens, say but that same Fiat volun­tas, &c. heartily, and all will be well again. I will never release that promise you have made me, to let me hear from you whereever you go; for none has more interest in your happiness or mis­fortunes, than, my dearest Friend,

Your own for ever R. L.

LETTER CXXXVI. To his Sister F.

Deare Sister,

THough since my Pen last saluted you there has not past a day wherein you have not found work for my memory, and been con­cern'd in my well-wishes, yet lest you should give silence the name of neglect (an error fa­miliar with tender affections.) I am content to think it business enough for a Letter to repeat what I have so often made the onely business of my Pen, and tell you that I truly love you: this from a stranger perhaps would ask more than a single proof to be believed not Com­plement, but from a Brother that has so often shewed you his heart I know you cannot sin so much as to doubt it; and let me say this, to the commendation of our honest-hearted Family, [Page 253]that though we are below others in the rich gifts of Fortune and Nature, yet for perfect inte­grity, unmixt with what they call politick ends, and sincere spotless affection one to another, we are not exceld by any that ever yet my obser­vation medled with; and since it traded with variety of humours and dispositions, it has not been altogether pur-blind. If there needed ar­guments to keep this affectionate temper from a cold decay, I would strain hard for such as should restore us the beauty of this lovely lo­ving inclination; but I know there is little want of such restoratives in you, and I borrow a con­fidence from experience that bids me say as much for all the rest: well then, let us still che­rish this mutual affection that makes our souls as neer akin as our bodies; for by loving one ano­ther, tis the way to purchase his favour who is Love it self. If there were any alteration in my condition since you received my last Letter, I should be ready to let you know it, as one that has no little Interest in me; but while I am here, my endeavors do but labour like a mil-horse, still repeating their steps in a circle, alwayes going round, but not a foot forward in the path of pre­ferment. I am now once more in a course of Phy­sick for my malady, and in hope it will struggle successfully with it: but I am like to buy these desires so dear, that to recover my health will sicken my purse; but of the two, tis a Disease [Page 254]lesse grievous. I pray present my much affecti­onate service to my excellent Aunt H. her good Mother, with the rest of the Family: salute the rest of my Friends with love or service, as they are due; and to your self, Dear Sister, take the heart of

Your affectionate Brother R. L.

LETTER CXXXVII. To his Sister J.

Dear Sister,

I Have long forborn to write, out of an hopeful expectation to find thee such newes as might claim a just welcom; but now I am forc'd to say, that my failing in thy behalf is added to the rest of my own misfortunes. I suppose my Bro­ther acquainted thee with my hopes to prefer thee to the Lady A. W. a Lady in whose praise I will be silent, lest I should too much vex thee with the misse of so much happiness; and it was a narrow misse, for I procur'd a Letter from my Lady to her in thy commendations so soon as I heard her Gentlewoman was to part from her; upon which the motion was enter­tain'd willingly, only (she replyed) that she had intreated her Aunt the Lady W. then at London, [Page 255]to procure her one there, but she would im­mediately write her word that she was provided; which she had no sooner done, but she received newes that her Aunt had already agreed with a Gentlewoman, which was then coming down, and in honour could not be refused. Thus have my unfortunate endeavours born thee no other fruit than false hopes indeed; this failing does the more afflict me, because I know the value of what is mist; though we should besides have liv'd most of this Winter together in a house, a thing so passionately desir'd of us both: but we must not repine too much at crosse events, lest in it we upbraid Providence; the younger Sister does yet take none, but when she does thou art sure to have it. Mr. W. in whom I re­pos'd most hopes to effect thy desires, is now out of the Kingdom; besides, our residing in this barren Country will much disable my in­dustry in thy behalf. I shall conclude with such advice as I believe thy discreet goodness does daily practise, be still the same thou ever wert, of a sweet vertuous winning carriage, ready to pleasure all, loth to offend any, and thou wilt ingage even Incivility it self to use thee civilly, and Inconstancy to love thee constantly: keep still the complexion of Lillies in thy innocence, and of Roses in thy modesty; for if once sul­ly'd, the water is hardly purchas'd that will re­store its whiteness: thy disposition was alwayes [Page 256]intimate with vertue; endeavour daily to im­prove the amity, and trust Heaven with the rest, whose blessings, though they be long a coming, will richly pay thy patience: lose not a grain of that pleasant temper which makes thy com­pany so much courted; for there is nothing so happy here, as those calm souls that can make unforc'd smiles shine through a harmless jollity. But thou art born to too rich a goodness to need the charity of my weak advice: but give me my Present back again, and I will take it kindly; and be sure you love me truly, or else you will die much in the debt of

Your truly affectionate Brother, R. L.

LETTER CXXXVIII. To his Sister K. L.

Dear Sister,

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

Thy constant affectionate Brother, R. L.

LETTER CXXXIX.

Dear Brother,

THough my present imployment be some­thing pressing and importunate, yet it can­not disswade a reply to you with all the Argu­ments that Business ca [...] urge; for to hold my peace because time will not allow my fancy el­bow-room, is to be confuted in Friendship, and non-plust in the proofs of affection. I confess I love a little to be pos'd in these Lessons, to in­ure my Faculties as well to violent as gentle Ex­ercise, and teach my Pen to run races as well as walk gravely. Promptitude in dispatch, when it keeps a fit distance to precipitation, often com­mits a happy rape upon preferment, and takes Reputation by surprizal; while that serious ex­actness that weighes and poyses every hair and grain, does but clamber to that which the other flies at; and I think the maxime is equally fitted to this and Fowling, the first aim is best. But I should call back and unsay these words, because I have hastily shot so wide from the purpose; yet to you I dare draw my thoughts with bold strokes. I thank you for your last inclosed, though my intentions of printing my Letters be defer'd till Trinity, if not till Michaelmas Terme, by the late interposition of some Com­mands that have ingaged my Quill, &c. Who­ever [Page 259]of my friends you incounter in your Jour­ney, pray give them my respects in a due pro­portion. You seem to hint some design of your own by the way that may prove advantagious; I shall be happy to hear it disclos'd, because by that time I suppose it will be succesfully ef­fected; for I perceive you are master of that old prudential maxime, Neve to reveal a design, whilest it is in a capacity of failing. I cannot chuse but applaud your happy blending of the Christian and Politician; which gives you a buck­ler of caution to defend your self, but not a re­venging weapon to return blow for blow. If you see my Sister F. before your return, present me to her with much affection. The Major sends you his affectionate respects, and bids me mind you of a promise to send him some Pictures upon Muscovy-glasses. I told you at first I was in hast, but have confuted my self by the tedious pro­gress; but you know how to pardon all faults of this nature

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

LETTER CXL. To W. A. Esq

SIR,

MY last did but pay the obligation of my word; so your million of thanks are ill layd out for what you might chalenge as yours: yet I love the reward, though no due, so dearly, as I should imbrace the power with much indul­gence, and use it with as much Industry in your service, that might help to deserve them. It was assurance enough of my safety, that it had a harbor in all your well wishes; for which my stupid weakness cannot find a better present re­quital, than really to wish they may effectually recoyl upon your selves, in which you shall but reap the fruit your fair deserts have planted, &c. I dare boldly affirm, you may promise your self as much safety here, as in any part of the King­dom. In the mean time, if I may be instructed how to serve you here, be assured, I will find out a no mean delight in the imployment. I pray present my most humble service to that gallant Family, those fragrant buds of beauty in par­ticular, whose happy society is armour of proof against melancholy, and adds wings to times feather'd off-spring: to each of which, I think it will prove no unwelcom Office to you, to re­duplicate [Page 261]the old token; but lest my trifles should prove the tryal of your patience, I will put a pe­riod to them; but never to my resolution, to remain,

Yours, R. L.

LETTER CXLI.

My dear Brother,

I Can scarce credit it, that you have quitted Holt, (though the Post tells me so) since so many of mine dispatcht to Berningham have not been able to rowse you to an answer, yet I have alwayes found you so forward in repaying these literal debts at your day, as I begin to suspect, that my two last which were sent to wel­com you home, came to congratulate your reco­very, either perish'd or loiter'd too long by the way, which has induc'd me to shoot this shaft after the rest, and hazard the solescisme of a re­petition to tell you again, that I have celebrated your return to health, with as perfect a gladness as the dearest and clearest amity ever yet brought forth. But now let me beg you will hold me no longer in a painful suspense, nor de­fraud my longing to see your perfect recovery confirm'd by your own hand; for believe it, my wishes have deserv'd that satisfaction, and [Page 262]indeed have layd out themselves for your wel­fare, with a zeal so industrious, as if it had not onely been my Interest, but propriety, and mine own vitall thred been inseparably twisted with yours: for my self, I can neither say I have bin sick [...]or very well, since I saw you, but rather in that [...]ame mingled condition, compounded of health and sickness; but a customary experience hath so familiariz'd me with that valetudinary temper, that a little patience serves to man the Works a­gainst all those faint Batteries. We are here in London, where I think we shall fasten for most part of this ensuing Summer. I still tread the old Circle, without any visible improvement or im­pairing, and would be glad to understand upon what legs your affaires walk in reference to your Interest at B. I am earnestly provoked by some of my friends to print a volume of Letters, to which at last I have consented, though not with­out much distrust of the worlds approvement; however, I cannot lose what I never had, I mean much reputation. I remember your Pen once told me, you had preserved all such frag­ments as fell from mine by way of Letters to your self; I never prized them so high, as to re­serve their Copies, yet in this design I suppose they may do me some service, though I intend not to print the fourth part of what is there ex­prest. I pray do me the favour therefore with your most expedite convenience to seal them [Page 263]all up carefully, & direct them to me at one Mr. G's. in—for that is now the Rendezvouz of my Letters, since my Landlords death in Holborn. Well, dear Brother, pardon this hast that crowds forth my words in a mishapen form, because they could not stay for a mature conception, indeed much dreading Mr. A. should be gone without my Letter; but I will requite your patience in my next, and now hastily subscribe, Dear Brother,

Your own cordially, R. L.

LETTER CXLII. To Mr. E. A.

Dear Ned,

TO speak the full excuse of my silence were to give you a list of my Countrey-adven­tures, and to describe the chains of my leisure link by link. But that there may be room enough for something else, take it thus in contract; Our Family was scarce setled in the Countrey before it caught the head-ach, and began to grow dizzy by the sickness of my Lord and Lady, who still languish of this new Disease, that has almost ingrossed all the business of Fate, and kills by Monopoly: if you saw what epide­mick havock it makes in these parts, you [Page 264]would think every Parish changed into a great Hospitall, and every person the Physitians fee­simple, either in possession or reversion; for my self, I have been all this time in an Emble­matick battel, where some are still dropping round about me, though my self be yet shot­free: whether I shall passe the Pikes safely is be­yond the reach of my knowledge for Diseases, especially of this nature, give so little warning as the arrow is in us before we know the bow is bent; but among so many Patients at last, I have found leisure to be the agent of my own affection, and an opportunity to tell you, that it should be your fault, if our revived amity do ever relapse into another Lethargy. And now dear N. how dost thou? hast thou yet unsheath'd thy Family of the Chamber? I would fain hear thou art crown'd King of Elisium, and the ho­nest souls of thy acquaintance like good sub­jects, conglomerate to pay their homage, and drink allegiance. I could wish to die to this dull Country, that I might be enroll'd one of thy Guests of good Fellowship; for we have none but such clods here in the shape of men, as by a forc'd imitation to hold up Converse. I am in danger to go out of my wits for want of exer­cise, yet never incur the aspersion of madness, but a weekly Dialogue which your Pen may prove a Soveraign preservation against such stu­pid contagion; but tis time to leave prating. [Page 265]Present me cordially to vertuous Mrs. A. kind­ly to Mr. N. and to your self, take me intirely, Sir,

Your own, R. L.

LETTER CXLIII. To his Brother Major W.

Dear Brother,

IF like a slow paymaster I have too often ad­journed the performance of my promise, call it not coldness of respect or affection, for of those to you I can never be guilty; but if I do not give you a sound reason for my silence, think it comes from a sick head, & let that satisfie; for ever since I entred this dull and unwholsom Country, that daily puts on the morning wascot of a fog, I have been such an useless thing to my self and others, as if I had left my soul behind me at London, and only liv'd at the charge of my sensitive faculty; and I have suffered such an amphibious inter­thing betwixt health and sickness, as it has pos'd me to christen it. I have had such a languishing pain in the head, ever since my arrival, with such a drowsiness to boot, as if the Heavens had mingled poppy with their dew, and shed it upon this Climate; and I have slept like a Snake in winter to that excess, as nothing but a Lethargy which I half fear'd could out do it; but quantus quantus sum, I am still yours at the same height [Page 266]and vigour of affection, as when the double dis­covery of your excellent qualities and inclinati­ons to love me, first finish'd the fabrick of our friendship, and took me in your toyles; and though there may be allow'd an Infancy, and a pubescency in friendship, yet when once it hath climb'd by degrees to the full stature, none but bastard affections can grow old and shew their wrinkles, as the scars of time or accident, since that friendship that is not ever equall, uniform and constant, was never so; but you shall ever finde it invulnerable from him that will cease to be himself, if not

Yours in service and true friendship, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

NOthing but impossibility could have forc'd me to intermit my weekly salute; for the last week we consum'd at my Lord of Westmer­lands in Kent, where my Lady suffered her reso­lutions of a short stay to be overcome by the importunities of a gentile entertainment: my affection has as great a quarrel to the narrowness of my expressions as yours, and does even up­braid my Pen with the disgraces that its ill gui­dance puts upon it; but tis well I am not able to [Page 267]draw it in its full dimensions, lest the abundance should discredit the reality, and even pose your belief into suspition with the incredible quanti­ty. But upon better thoughts, I could be angry with my self for suffering such words to get loose from my Pen, and could willingly punish them with a great blot, if I had time to write new ones; for I am confident you do match me too well with the same materials to doubt its purity, and we never wonder at any thing that we can pattern in our selves: your flint is a true Embleme of perfect friendship, which in the bo­som carries fire ready to start forth at the sum­mons of occasion: how soon I would obey such an alarum to serve you, I hope you will finde prov'd in my future endeavours; but I have not skill enough to add beauty to that which never had a blemish. My old Cough, with a great cold to boot, do constrain me at this time to be bad Company, which you may easily perceive by the languor of my stile: this Cough I find has lately fed upon my flesh, & carried away enough from the poor store I had to make me doubt a Consumption; but whatsoever the hand of Heaven sends me I shall endeavour to bid wel­come. I pray let us not fail in our intercourse while we are so neer. My present indisposition, with some hast beside, will let me say no more, but that I am and ever will be,

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

LETTER CXLV. To Mr. J. G.

Houest Mr. J.

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

Your real friend, R. L.

LETTER CXLVI. To Major W.

Dear Brother,

I Shall not need strain a sinew in my invention to frame an excuse for deluding your expecta­tions of me at Holt: for as if we had left Lon­don on purpose to come and take up diseases in the Countrey, and Pandora had staid the second opening of her boxe till our coming: our Fami­ly [Page 270]has been so infested with that they call the New-disease, which like the Elements blended in the Chaos, is but an accumulation of all other maladies, as they have made me a Prisoner, though not yet a Patient, and disabled me to point at the time when I may be in case to be as good as my word. This disease is of late grown more cruel then ordinary, and become the Messenger of Fate to many Persons of qua­lity, amongst which it has murder'd Mr. R. F. your old acquaintance, but I hope it will use my Lord and Lady more gently, who are both sick of it at this present. And now my dear Brother, since I cannot see you, let me beg this satisfacti­on from your Pen, to let me know how your self and the rest of my friends enjoy your selves, and health, both in community and particular, how the air, company, and entertainment of Holt arrides your liking, and how much of the Win­ter you design upon that Climate; when and how long the Cardinal was with you, from whom I have not received a sillable since our parting. Let yours give me the condition of my friends in reference to this Epidemick Malady, among whom pray distribute my affectionate respects. Speak me cordially to my Brother and Sister W. Sister F. &c. and to your self promise all that is due to a perfect friend from, Dear Brother,

Eternally your own to dispose of, R. L.

LETTER CXLVII.

SIR,

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

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

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

R. L.

LETTER CXLVIII. To Mr. W.

My dearest Friend,

I Lately received your last of the sixteenth of November, for though our Letters glide nim­bly when they are once aboard, yet they do but crawl by land, and contrary to natural violent motions, do make least haste when they are neerest their journeys end, and I have nothing to say to your overprizing my barren indeavours in your behalf, and undervaling your own, but onely to entreat you to call to your own know­ledge for the true definition of perfect amity, and that will tell you I am the indebted person, and the occasions you have given me to serve. [Page 274]You have instructed me to set so many steps to­ward my own happiness. But now, my dear friend, I would I could find it fit to leave the rest out, and if I had not cause to love you for discretion as well as goodness, I confess I should leave you to know this accident from some o­ther Quill; but I know you are skilful in all the dictates of wisdom, and can ballance mortal accidents without oppressing the scale with too much passion: this gives me more confidence to tell you I received a late Letter from my Bro­ther, whom I engaged to send me an account of your friends, which tells me that your father fell sick upon the sixteenth of September of a Flux, and left the World the tenth of October; and now I conjure you by all those clear proofs of your prudent temper, and (to speak some­thing for my own ends as well as yours) by my interest in you, to preserve us both from the in­juries of an over-sad resentment: you have all the reason that I can urge, and much more, why you should not abandon your self to an immode­rate sorrow, and therefore I will throw no more drops into your Ocean, only this, do not chew the Pill that will work better if you swallow it, &c. Your Sister seem'd much to bewail your ab­sence at such a time, and desir'd my Brother, who presents his affectionate service to you, to use some means to let you know this, and entreat you would entertain no prejudicial conceit of [Page 275]her self or her Husband. Let me intreat you to answer this as soon as you can, and tell me what I may do further to serve you: if you love your self and me, let not sadness shrink your spirits, but let us reserve our selves for that same happy meeting you speak of. I confess I do more than suspect a Consumption, and if that be designed to fetch me from this World, I think I shall go without reluctancy; for I have already received enough of the Divine hand to make me admire his bounty: but I have fair hopes of a recovery. Well, my dear Friend, you know how to be hap­py in spite of this World; and that you would be so, is the earnest intreaty of

Yours Eternally, R. L.

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

Loving Brother,

I Think Providence has given a larger Com­mission to Fortune than formerly; for I confess I was nipt with the same Passion you complain of, viz. the unkindness of Oblivion: now I see 'twas caus'd by the stragling of our Letters; mine were sent by W. out of Lincoln­shire, and because they promised a faithful care in their deliverance, I thought it a better way for expedition, than to send them about by London; but it seemes Haste brought forth her blind child Error. Yours, after my expectations had lost many longings (as if they had stayed for one anothers company) came almost all together; and that's my Landlords fault, for which I shall school him: but we have as little cause to lay the injuries of Chance to one anothers charge, as to quarrel with a River, because some adven­titious Dam forbids the freedom of its course. If there be a possibility to raise such pure and un­mixt desires from our souls, as will not be dawb'd with the clay they are confin'd to, I have such to ask and claim your Friendship; and thus in spite of all our Leaden frailty, we may take a taste of Heaven, and relish the joyes we cry up [Page 277]with such impotent expressions in that one word perfect amity. I do now begin to be so unweildy to my self, and I doubt so troublesom to others, (though they express not so much) that I bor­row reasons from my Capitall infirmities, to excuse those you may account the Disease of my mind, &c. But if this trouble be design'd to fetch me from this World, I think I shall go without reluctancy. I am still here (in relation to my dependency) like an unskilful Passenger at Sea, that knowes not how long to promise himself a calm, nor when to expect a storm. If I may vant to have pleas'd in any thing, 'tis my fidelity, which amounts to no more than You have done as becomes you. I am glad I was not born to stand at the Sterne of an ample fortune, (to favour my self the best I can) I should have abus'd the Divine bounty, and perhaps im­ploy'd it chiefly in paying dearer for my sins than I have done. I have receiv'd enough to make me admire the goodness of him that gave it me; and indeed, did not his grace help me to contrary thoughts, 'twere enough to make me an unequal Arbiter of mine own imperfections: to act such conceptions as these, is a business to which we should sacrifice no cold endeavours, & we live to no purpose, unless in this life we learn to bid it adieu handsomly. Doing well is the only requisite mark of mans Industry; and he that aimes at any other mistakes that for a [Page 278]white which is but a spot: there are so many examples of such as angle here for happiness (and sometimes with ruine to boot) as methinks to observe, should be enough to take heed how ma­ny mount Fortunes ladder, and break the staves as they go up, so as they have no way to come down but by a Precipice; many shoot wide, and perhaps hit most happiness by missing what they fancied for it. I could mention more mistakers: but to close it, there is no man studies the other life better than he that studies this enough to despise it. It is not my desire to be understood skilful in this Science; for I am bound to con­fesse my self subject to most wicked reluctati­ons; and there passe few houres that are not witnesses not only to stumblings, but grosse falls from my best resolutions: but I want your pardon. I thank you for the account of my Friends, which I desire you would renew, as you are hinted by any extraordinary accidents. I have this day wrote the sad newes to Mr. W. but I confess left out some of the Circumstan­ces, lest he should chew the bitter Pill too much that he ought to swallow. I have presen­ted you to him, as you ordered and mentioned your endeavours for his satisfaction. I have been so often call'd away while I was writing this, as 'tis no wonder if my words sit not handsomly upon my meaning, when I am forc'd to make so many seames. I pray present me to those [Page 279]friends that oblige me with remembrance in a grateful garb; and believe it, for 'tis truth it self, you are first in the soul of

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

LETTER CL. To Mr. W.

Dear Friend,

YOur last I received, which by the date I per­ceive has halted by the way like some of his Predecessors: but it had not half done its mes­sage to my eyes, before I confest an ample amends for the loitering; and if there be a word that may speak more then welcome, con­ceive it uttered, for indeed it is meant. I see you have made use of that which has made you alwayes happy, to sustain the shock of what might have stagger'd a resolution less fortified with prudence; and I wish my power were as great as my desire, to copy that and the rest: so long as you compound and apply these soveraign medicines of piety and discretion, 'tis impossible your better part should grow sickly, &c. I in­clos'd the Note to your Sister in a Letter to my Brother, and oblig'd him to be very careful in [Page 280]sending it, and to shew her the way to return you an answer of it to my hands. If no weigh­ty impediment intervenes, I intend to visit my Eastern friends about the beginning of April; therefore I pray prepare your commands. And now, my dear friend, I find my health tender'd by your with such an over-flowing of affection, as it hath taught me to wish it with the more ar­dour, because I may possible incounter with oc­casions that may render me able to shew how highly I relish such an indearing kindness. But pardon me, tis more then I can do, when I write to you, not to be guilty of too many words, so loth I am to come to an end; but my comfort is, you know me for what I am,

Yours to perpetuity, R. L.
FINIS.

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

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

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