THE is the shortness of time, for it hath been my fortune of late to have such sudden warning, that I have not leisure to impart unto you some of those observations which I have framed to myself in conversation; and whereof I would not have you ignorant. As I shall find occasion, you * Henry Herbert was the sixth son of Richard Herbert, esq. and Magdalen Newport, daughter of Sir Richard Newport, and born A.D. 1660. His brother, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, in his curious history of his own life, has made the following mention of Henry: Henry, after he had been brought up in learning, as the other brothers were, was sent by his friends into France, where he attained the language of that country in perfection, after which he came to Court, and was made Gentleman of the King's Privy Chamber, and Master of the Revels; by which means, as also by a good marriage, he attained to great fortunes, for himself and his posterity to enjoy. He also hath given several proofs of his courage in duels, and otherwise, being no less dextrous in the ways of the Court, as having gotten much by it." shall receive them by pieces; and if there be any such which you have found useful to yourself, communicate them to me. You live in a brave nation, where, except you wink, you cannot but see many brave examples. Be covetous, then, of all good which you see in Frenchmen, whether it be in knowledge, or in fashion, or in words; for I would have you, even in speeches, to observe so much, as when you meet with a witty French speech, try to speak the like in English: so shall you play a good merchant, by transporting French commodities to your own country. Let there be no kind of excellency which it is possible for you to attain to, which you seek not; and have a good conceit of your wit, mark what I say, have a good conceit of your wit; that is, be proud, not with a foolish vaunting of yourself when there is no cause, but by setting a just price of your qualities: and it is the part of a poor spirit to undervalue himself and blush. But I am out of my time: when I have more time, you shall hear more; and write you freely to me in your letters, for I am your ever loving brother, G. HERBERT. P. S. My brother is somewhat of the same temper, and perhaps a little more mild, but you will hardly perceive it. To my dear brother, Mr. Henry Herbert, at Paris. II. TO SIR HENRY HERBERT. DEAR BROTHER, T is so long since I heard from you, that I : also what becomes of you this summer. It is the whole amount of this letter, and therefore entertain it accordingly from I DEAR BROTHER, WAS glad of your Cambridge news, but you joyed me exceedingly with your relation of my Lady Duchess's forwardness in our church building. I am glad I used you in it, and you have no cause to be sorry, since it is God's business. If there fall out yet any rub, you shall hear of me; and your offering of yourself to move my Lords of Manchester and Bolingbroke is very welcome to me. To show a forwardness in religious works is a good testimony of a good spirit. The LORD bless you, and make you abound in every good work, to the joy of your ever loving brother, March 21, Bemerton. To my dear brother, DEAR BROTHer, IV. G. HERBERT. THAT you did not only entertain my proposals, but advance them, was lovingly done, and like a good brother. Yet truly it was none of my meaning, when I wrote, to put one of our nieces into your hands, but barely what I wrote I meant, and no more; and am glad that although you offer more, yet you will do, as you write, that also. I was desirous to put a good mind into the way of charity, and that was all I intended. For concerning your offer of receiving one, I will tell you what I wrote to our eldest brother, when he urged one upon me, and but one, and that at my choice. I wrote to him that I would have both or neither; and that upon this ground, because they were to come into an unknown country, tender in knowledge, sense, and age, and knew none but one who could be no company to them. Therefore I considered that if one only came, the comfort intended would prove a dis comfort. Since that I have seen the fruit of my observation, for they have lived so lovingly, lying, eating, walking, praying, working, still together, that I take a comfort therein; and would not have to part them yet, till I take some opportunity to let them know your love, for which both they shall, and I do, thank you. It is true there is a third sister, whom to receive were the greatest charity of all, for she is youngest, and least looked unto ; having none to do it but her school-mistress, and you know what those mercenary creatures are. Neither hath she any to repair unto at good times, as Christmas, &c. which, you know, is the encouragement of learning all the year after, except my cousin Bett take pity of her, which yet at that distance is some difficulty. If you could think of taking her, as once you did, surely it were a great good deed, and I would have her conveyed to you. But I judge you not do that which GOD shall put into your heart, and the LORD bless all your purposes to his glory. Yet, truly if you take her not, I am thinking to do it, even beyond my strength; especially at this time, being more beggarly now than I have been these many years, as having spent two hundred pounds in building; which to me that have nothing yet, is very much. But though I both consider this, and your observation, also, of the unthankfulness of kindred bred up, (which generally is very true,) yet I care not; I forget all things, so I may do them good who |
