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.

XLVII. In Answer to an elegant letter.

Sir,

WHen I observe the equall facility and feli∣city of your expression, I loath the rude∣nes and indigestion of mine, and when I consider the pith and plenitude of your lines, I look upon the emptines and inainty of my own with much indignation: yet though I were not born a Cicero for Eloquence, I am and must be ano∣ther Achates for affection. If there bee any thing in this World can deserve the name of good, 'tis really in the fruition of you; in and by whom I am so perfectly beatified, that I count my self in a Pa∣radice, when I am gathering the fruits of your pre∣sence. Fortune (in other things less liberall) hath given mee many friends, and Correspondents, yet none so reall, none so learned, as your self; I never made so happy a bargaine (if I may so rudely stile it) as when I contracted this intertrafique of love, I never hear from you or see you, but I make an infinite purchase of piety, and knowledge, from your weighty lines and solid discourse; But above all, I have gained (yet blush to think with how little desert) in you a friend, whose bosome is an Archive, fit to treasure up the greatest secret, and in whose hands I can repose my life, nay (which is dearer) my soul; O happiness; happiness said I? 'tis beyond the degree of common happiness; Such pious condescendings (where you give pure Gold and receive nothing but dross in exchange) argue a goodnes in you, beyond the reach of my pen to delineate, which I must content my self, to admire.

Sir, you have here the reall dictates of my inmost thoughts, though wrapt up in a homely dress; for I am as yet hardly entred into the Suburbs of good Language, yet do but pardon these my rude expressions, & I may hope (by your conduct) in time to enter that City, where you, by due merit, com∣mand in chief. To morrow I am bound for the frigid Zone, yet will assure you, that no change of Climate shall have power to alter or frigidify the affections of

Sir,

Your devoted servant, and therein most happy. T. B.