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But among these studies, you must not forget the unicum necessarium; on Sundays and holidays, let divinity be the sole object of your speculation, in comparison whereof all other knowledge is but cobweb learning: præ quâ quisquiliæ cætera.

When you can make truce with study, I should be glad you would employ some superfluous hour or other to write to me, for I much covet your good, because I am your affectionate cousin.

LETTER LXI.

JAMES HOWEL, ESQ. TO HIS FATHER.

SIR, London, 30th Sept. 1629. OUR two younger brothers which you sent hither are disposed of; my brother doctor hath placed the elder of the two with Mr. Hawes, a mercer in Cheapside, and he took much pains in it; and I had placed my brother Ned with Mr. Barrington, a silk-man in the same street; but afterwards, for some inconveniencies, I removed him to one Mr. Smith, at the Flower-de-luce in Lombard Street, a mercer also. Their masters, both of them, are very well to pass, and of good repute; I think it will prove some advantage to them hereafter to be both of one trade: because, when they are out of their time, they may join stocks together: so that I hope, sir, they are as well placed as any two youths in London; but you must not use to send them such large tokens in money, for that may corrupt them. When I went to bind my brother

Ned apprentice in Draper's Hall, casting my eyes upon the chimney-piece of the great room, I spied a picture of an ancient gentleman, and underneath, Thomas Howel: I asked the clerk about him; and he told me, that he had been a Spanish merchant in Henry VIII.'s time, and coming home rich, and dying a bachelor, he gave that hall to the company of drapers, with other things, so that he is accounted one of the chiefest benefactors. I told the clerk that one of the sons of Thomas Howel came now thither to be bound; he answered, that if he be a right Howel, he may have, when he is free, three hundred pounds to help to set up, and pay no interest for five years. It may be hereafter we will make use of this. He told me also, that any maid that can prove her father to be a true Howel may come and demand fifty pounds towards her portion of the said hall. I am to go post towards York, to-morrow, to my charge, but hope, God willing, to be here again the next term: so, with my love to my brother Howel, and my sister, his wife, I rest your dutiful

son.

SIR,

LETTER LXII.

JAMES HOWEL TO R. S. ESQ.

Westminster, 3d Aug. 1629. I AM One of them who value not a 'courtesy that hangs long betwixt the fingers. I love not those viscosa beneficia, those bird-limed kindnesses, which Pliny speaks of; nor would I receive money in a

dirty clout, if possible I could be without it: therefore I return you the courtesy by the same hand that brought it; it might have pleasured me at first, but the expectation of it hath prejudiced me, and now perhaps you may have more need of it than your humble servitor.

LETTER LXIII.

5. HOWEL, ESQ. TO THE RIGHT REV. DR. FIELD, Lord Bishop of St. David's.

MY LORD, Westminster, 1st May, 1632. YOUR late letter affected me with two contrary passions, with gladness and sorrow. The beginning of it dilated my spirits with apprehensions of joy, that you are so well recovered of your late sickness, which I heartily congratulate: but the conclusion of your lordship's letter contracted my spirits, and plunged them in a deep sense of just sorrow, while you please to write me news of my dear father's death. Permulsit initium, percussit finis. Truly, my lord, it is the heaviest news that ever was sent me: but when I recollect myself, and consider the fairness and maturity of his age, and that it was rather a gentle dissolution than a death; when I contemplate that infinite advantage he hath got by this change and transmigration, it much lightens the weight of my grief; for if ever human soul entered heaven, surely his is there. Such was his constant piety to God, his rare indulgence to his children, his charity to his neigh

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bours, and his candour in reconciling differences; such was the gentleness of his disposition, his unwearied course in actions of virtue, that I wish my soul no other felicity, when she hath shaken off these rags of flesh, than to ascend to his, and co-enjoy the same bliss.

Excuse me, my lord, that I take my leave at this time so abruptly of you: when this sorrow is a little digested, you shall hear further from me ; for I am your lordship's most true and humble serwitor.

LETTER LXIV.

JAMES HOWEL, ESQ. TO MASTER THOMAS ADAMS.

SIR,

A

Westminster, 25th August, 1633. I PRAY stir nimbly in the business you imparted to me last, and let it not languish; you know how much it concerns your credit, and the conveniency of a friend who deserves so well of you: I fear you will meet with divers obstacles in the way, which if you cannot remove, you must overcome. lukewarm irresolute man did never any thing well; every thought entangles him; therefore you must pursue the point of your design with heat, and set all wheels a-going. It is a true badge of a generous nature, being once embarked in a business, to hoise up and spread every sail, main, mizen, sprit and top-sail; by that means he will sooner arrive at his port. If the winds be so cross, and that there be such a fate in the thing, that it can take no effect, yet you shall have wherewith to satisfy an honest

mind, that you left no thing unattempted to compass it; for in the conduct of human affairs, it is a rule, that a good conscience hath always within doors enough to reward itself, though the success fall not out according to the merit of the endea

vour.

I was, according to your desire, to visit the late new-married couple more than once; and to tell you true, I never saw such a disparity between two that were made one flesh in all my life: he handsome outwardly, but of odd conditions; she excellently qualified, but hard-favoured; so that the one may be compared to a cloth of tissue doubled, cut upon coarse canvas; the other to a buckram petticoat, lined with satin. I think Clotho had her fingers smutted in snuffing the candle, when she began to spin the thread of her life, and Lachesis frowned in twisting it up; but Aglaia, with the rest of the Graces, were in a good humour when they formed her inner-parts. A blind man is fittest to hear her sing; one would take delight to see her dance if masked; and it would please you to discourse with her in the dark, for there she is best company, if your imagination can forbear to run upon her face. When you marry, I wish you such an inside of a wife; but from such an outward phisnomy the Lord deliver you, and your faithful friend to serve you.

BOD

AN

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