Epistolæ Ho-elianæ familiar letters domestic and forren divided into sundry sections, partly historicall, politicall, philosophicall, vpon emergent occasions / by James Howell.

XV. To my Father from Roüen.

SIR,

YOurs of the third of August, came to safe hand in an inclos'd from my Brother; you may make easie conjecture how wel∣com it was unto me, and to what a height of comfort it rais'd my spirits, in regard it was the first I received from you, since I cross'd the Seas; I humbly thank you for the blessing you sent along with it.

I am now upon the fair Continent of France, One of Natures choicest Master-peeces; one of Ceres chiefest Barns for Corn; one of Bacchus prime Wine-Cellars, and of Neptu•…•…s best Salt-Pits; a compleat self-sufficient Countrey, wher ther is rather a super∣fluity, then defect of any thing, either for necessity or pleasure, did the policie of the Countrey correspond with the bounty of Nature, in the equall distribution of the Wealth amongst the Inhabitants; for I think there is not upon the Earth, a richer Countrey, and poorer peeple. Tis true, England hath a good repute abroad for her fer∣tility, yet be our Harvests never so kindly, and our Crops never so plentifull, we have evry yeer commonly som Grain from hence, or from Danzic, and other places imported by the Marchant: Besides, ther be many more Heaths, Commons, Bleak-b•…•…rren-Hills, and waste Grounds in England, by many degrees, then I find here; and I am sorry our Countrey of Wales, should give more instances hereof, then any other part.

This Province of Normandy, once an Appendix of the Crown of England, though it want Wine, yet it yeelds the King as much desmeans as any one of the rest: The lower Norman hath Syder for his common drink; and I visibly observ'd, that they are more plump and replet in their bodies, and of a clearer complexion then those that drink altogether Wine. In this great City of

Roüen ther be many Monuments of the English Nation yet extant. In the outside of the highest Steeple of the great Church ther is the word GOD engraven in huge Golden Characters, evry one almost as long as my self, to make them the more visible. In this Steeple hangs also the greatest Bell of Christendom, call'd d'Am∣boise; for it weighs neer upon▪ fourty thousand pound weight. Ther is also here Saint Oen, the greatest Sanctuary in the Citie, founded by one of our Compatriots, as the name imports: This Province is also subject to Wardships, and no other part of France besides; but whither the Conqueror transported that Law to England from hence, or whither he sent it over from England hi∣ther, I cannot resolve you. Ther is a marvailous quick trade beaten in this Town, because of the great Navigable River Sequana (the Seine) that runs hence to Paris, wheron ther stands a strange Bridge that ebbs and flows, that riseth and fall's with the River, it being made of Boats, whereon Coach, and Carts may passe over as well as men: Besides, this is the neerest Mercantil City that stands twixt Paris and the Sea.

My last unto you was from the Low-Countreys, wher I was in motion to and fro above four months; but I fear it miscarried in regard you make no mention of it in yours.

I begin more and more to have a sense of the sweetnes, and advantage of forren Travell: I pray when you com to London, to find a time to visit Sir Robert, and acknowledge his great fa∣vours unto me, and desire a continuance thereof, according as I shall endeavour to deserve them. So with my due and daily Prayers for your health, and a speedy successefull issue of all your Law-businesses, I humbly crave your blessing, and rest.

Your dutifull Son, J. H.

Septemb. the 7. 1619.