A relation of ten years in Europe, Asia, Affrique, and America all by way of letters occasionally written to divers noble personages, from place to place, and continued to this present year / by Richard Fleckno.

IV. To the Lady Audley, from Bruxelles, Anno 42. (Book 4)

Of his Arival there. (Book 4)

Madam,

I Am at last arived at Bruxelles, where for some Time I intend to stay, having by row∣ling up and down like a Snow-ball contracted so many Acquaintances, as I am now incompast with them, and in the Center of them all. The Town is exceeding pleasant, the Nobilitie nu∣merous, and Ladies generally handsom, more sprightly than the English, and of graver Tem∣per than the French; (in a word, Madam, just like your sel••) to tell you of their Generous Actions, (For I know you love Generosity, and they but imitate you in it) the Marchio∣nesse of Bergues, Mother of those two incom∣parable Ladies, the Dutchesse of L••rein, and Mad••moiselle d•• Beauvais, after my first visit, singling me from the Company, told me, that since she kn••w those of my Country and Con∣dition (as the Times went) could not be so well accommodated, she should take it ill of me, if in my wants I had recourse to any but her self. To whom I answered, (after my most humble remerciments for so high a fa∣vour) That as I yet wanted nothing: so 'twas now impossible I ever should, having the ho∣nour

of her good Graces, which I beseech'd her to continue only, and I should be Rich e∣nough. After this, visiting Madam Berla∣mont, (whose very Name is story) she freely and nobly offered me the honour of her Ta∣ble during my abode in Bruxelles, where on∣ly Eat her self, her two Neices, Daughters to the Duke of Arschot, and the young Prince of Arembergh his Son, whence you may conje∣cture how great an honour 'twas, but much more by that which followeth.

She having the great Spirit of the Nobility here, not only Hereditary, but almost all contracted in her self, not brooking the Spa∣nish domination (besides some P••cque with the Infanta) was banisht the Court to her House at Audenard, where for some years she lived retired, like a Great Princesse as she was, till at last (the Infanta dead) her Banishment was exchang'd, for Confinement to her House at Br••xelles, which she carried so wisely, and so cunningly dissembled at her Return, as making vertue of necessity, she reclus'd her self in her own House, as in a Monastery, together with her Neices, every one the whilst envying her felicity, accompting ••t a point of solemn great∣nesse in her, to be visited by all, without obli∣gation of re••v••siting any, and of great happi∣nesse to live so in the world, as she were ou•• of it▪ and so out of it, as she enjoy'd it more than those who were in it, living at vast ex∣pence, keeping a Noble Train and Tabl••,

wanting no pleasures nor delights a plenteous Fortune could procure, or honourable mind could wish, having Woods, Gardens, Fish∣ponds, Banqueting-houses, all within the in∣cinct and inclosure of the Walls, with cooling Fountains, where under the shaddow of fresh Arbors, she eats all the Summer Time. And in that state she was, when she offered me the honour of her Table, and Freedome of her House; which her Noblenesse not suffering my Modesty to re••use, imagin Madam, what a delicious life I lead, in so noble Company, so splendious Entertainment, and so Magnificent Equipage; which that you may not think too voluptuous a life, 'tis requisite you know, that the Mornings we imploy in our Devotions in the Chap••ll of her Monastery, into which she has a Dore opening out of her House, where on Sundays and Holydayes is frequent con∣course of all the Nobler sort, to hear the N••ns Musick, absolutely the best in Bruxelles, for Voice and Instrument. You'll pardon Ma∣dam, my Tediousnesse in relating these parti∣culars, and consider how hard it is to mode∣rate ones self in so great Felicitie, which yet I can assure you, without Complement, I would exchange, were it far greater than it is, for one day at Holicroft, or whersoever you are. Mean time be pleased to believe, that wheresoever I am, nothing can change me from being

Madam,

Your, &c.