Nevv epistles of Mounsieur de Balzac. Translated out of French into English, by Sr. Richard Baker Knight. Being the second and third volumes

To my Lord, the Car∣dinall De la Valet. LETTER I.

SIR, being not able to bring you this untoward Present my selfe, I humbly entreat you to excuse mee that I send it. Wherein I bind you not to a second perusall, and to read that againe, which per∣haps you have read already with distast. It is true Sir, that something is altered in the Co∣pie, and well neere one halfe added to the ori∣ginall; but the spight is, that base wares get no value by store, and the water that comes from the same Spring, can never be much differing: but if in any of the passages, I have not altoge∣ther come off ill, and that I have had some tole∣rable conceits, I acknowledge Sir, that I have had it all from the good education I had with you; and that it is the fruit of those Instructi∣ons, which you have done me the honour to impart unto me. For, no man ever had con∣ceits

more pure, more pregnant, than your selfe; no man ever saw things more cleerly than you doe; you can tell precisely in what degree of good and evill any thing stands; and to find out the truth, there needs no more, but to follow your opinion. But to speake truly, I feare this qualitie in you, no lesse than I esteeme it; you have too much knowledge in you for a Dis∣course that requires simplicitie in the Reader. Neither am I so unadvised, to expose it to the severitie of your judgement, I submit it rather to the protection of your goodnesse, and hope you will not lay open those faults, which none but your selfe can see: Humbly entreating you to protect a spirit of your owne making; and not so much to consider my manner of expressing, as the affection with which I am

Sir,

Your, &c.