II. To Mr. Richard Leat.
SIgnor io, it is now a great while me thinks since any act of friendship, or other interchangeable offices of love hath pass'd between us, either by Letters, or other accustomed ways of corre∣spondence; And as I will not accuse, so I go not about to clear my self in this point, let this long silence be tearm'd therfore a cessati∣on rather than neglect on both sides: A bow that lies awhile unbent, and a field that remains fallow for a time, grow never the worse, but afterwards the one sends forth and arrow more strongly, the other yeelds a better crop being recultivated: Let this be also verified in us, let our friendship grow more fruitfull after this pawse, let it be more active for the future: you see I begin and shoot the first shaft. I send you herewith a couple of red Dear pies, the one Sir Arthur Ingram gave me, the other my Lord Presidents Cook, I could not tell where to bestow them better; In your next let me know which is the best season'd; I pray let the Sydonian Merchant Io. Bruck∣burst be at the eating of them, and then I know they will be well soak'd. If you please to send me a barrell or two of Oysters which we want here, I promise you they shall be well eaten, with a cup of the best Clarret, and the best Sherry, to which Wine this Town is altogether adicted, shall not be wanting.
I understand the Lord Weston is Lo. Treasurer, we may say now, that we have Treasurers of all tences, for ther are four living, to wit, the Lord Manchester, Middlesex, Malborough, and the newly chosen; I hear also that the good old man (the last) hath retir'd to his lodgings in Lincolns Inn, and so reduc'd himself to his first principles, which makes me think that he cannot bear up long, now that the staff is taken from him. I pray in your next send me the Venetian Gazetta. So with my kind respects to your Father, I rest
York, 9. Iuly. 1627.
Yours, J. H.