CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.

CXVI.

MADAM,

HEre was the Lord W. N. to Visit me, whose Discourse, as you say, is like as a pair of Billows to a Spark of Fire in a Chimney, where are Coals or Wood, for as this Spark would sooner Go out than Inkindle the Fuel, if it were not Blown, so his Discourse doth set the Hearers Brain on a light Flame, which Heats the Wit, and Inlightens the Understanding; the truth is, Great Wits might be Thought, or Seem Fools, if they had not Wit to Discourse, but the Greatest Wits that are, or ever were, cannot Discourse Wittily, unless they either Imagine, or else have a Real Witty Opposite to Discourse Wittily to; like as those that can Skilfully Fence, cannot Fence, unless they have

an Opposite to Fence with; or like as those that can Skilfully Play at Tennis, cannot Play, unless they have a Skilful Opposite; they may Toss the Ball, but not Play a Game. The same is in Conversation and Discourse; there is None can Discourse VVell, VVisely, or Wit∣tily, but with VVise, and VVitty Opposites, otherwise their Discourse will be Extravagant, and as it were, out of Time or Season: But the Lord W. Ns. VVit is a VVell-season'd Wit, both for Reason, Time, and Company, to which I leave him, and rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.