The academie of eloquence containing a compleat English rhetorique, exemplified with common-places and formes digested into an easie and methodical way to speak and write fluently according to the mode of the present times : together with letters both amorous and moral upon emergent occasions / by Tho. Blount, Gent.

XV. A Letter to excuse silence, &c.

SIR,

VVHat to you I know not, but to me it seems long, since my pen presented my respects. 'Tis true, I wrote last, but this wil not excuse. Gratitude makes my addresses due; when you salute, your salutes are pure favours: still ob∣lige, never incurre obligation. If then I have been too remiss, I flie to the Asyle of your pardon; and to render me more capable of it, give me leave to add this qualif••cation: That not neglect, but fear to be troublesome, caused the intervall. Est modus in rebus — I would observe duty, I hate to be unseasonable: He that can light on the Mean, attains the accomplishment of Office; he that misses, may mean well, but is guilty of some defecti∣on towards an extream. But as that morall De∣corum is the beauty of humane life; so a precise niceness with friends, hath too much of scruple. Seemliness should not be transgrest, yet Friendship is not stern in her Laws. I may be bold with my self, and next with my friend. Whom endear∣ment makes mutuall, love intitles to a latitude of honest action. o Sir, that I bear the stile of your Friend, is the greatest adjunct the world can make me happy in; I desire no more splendor of honor,

no relation to me is so pretious. My request is, it may continue; my endeavour shall be to deserve the continuance; not that I presume I can de∣serve it, but rather, that I hope, not by a volunta∣ry guilt, to forfeit what you freely conferre. Nor wil you easily (your goodness is too constant) re∣ject, whom you have (with so much condescence) adopted. My resolve is unchangeable, and that is, to be

Sir,

Ever and most intirely your devoted servant, D.W.