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

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Title
CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle.
Author
Newcastle, Margaret Cavendish, Duchess of, 1624?-1674.
Publication
London :: Printed by William Wilson ...,
M.DC.LXIV [1664]
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Link to this Item
http://name.umdl.umich.edu/A53064.0001.001
Cite this Item
"CCXI sociable letters written by the thrice noble, illustrious, and excellent princess, the Lady Marchioness of Newcastle." In the digital collection Early English Books Online. https://name.umdl.umich.edu/A53064.0001.001. University of Michigan Library Digital Collections. Accessed June 8, 2024.

Pages

XIII.

MADAM,

MOst of Mrs. L. A's. discourse is of her self, indeed every one is apt to speak of him∣self, as being full of self-love, which makes most tongues discourse of a self-theme; but her theme is, to tell how good a VVife she will make when she is married, although the proof will be after she is married, if she can get a Hus∣band; for I believe she wants one, and desires one, because she talks so much of a Husband, and promises so well for a Husband. Truly, it is to be observed, that all Maids love to talk of Husbands, all VVidows of Suters, and all VVives of Lovers: for men may marry, nay do often marry, yet not for Love, but for Interest,

Page 19

as for Posterity, or the like; and Suters may woo, yet not for Love, but Interest, as for VVealth, or the like; But when Amorous Lo∣vers plead, it is for no other design, but to lie with the VVoman they make their address to; and married VVives are more apt to yield than Maids or VVidows, having a cloak to cover their shame or reproach, and a husband to father their children; and they are more fond of amo∣rous Courtships than Maids or VVidows, be∣cause they are more barr'd, as being bound in Wedlock's-bonds: besides, it requires more secrecy and difficulty, both which Women love. But when Maids, Widows, and Wives, talk of Husbands, Suters and Lovers, they are so delighted with the Discourse, as you may perceive, not only by their Speech, being then quicker, and their VVit sharper, and VVords fluenter, but also by their Looks, their Eyes being livelier, their Countenances pleasanter, and their Behaviour gayer or wantoner, than in any other Discourse, especially if it be upon particular Persons, such as they fancy, or think they fancy them. But as for Mrs. L. A. who discourses so much of a Husband, I do verily be∣lieve, she will make a very good VVife, not that she sayes so, but that she hath been bred strictly and retiredly, and is of a sober, and stay'd Nature, not apt to run into Extravagan∣cies, nor to desire variety of Company, but is Huswifly and Thrifty, and of an humble and obedient Behaviour, and not onely Attentive

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to good Advices, but Tractable and practive to them; all which makes her deserve a good Husband, and I wish her one with all my heart; but she must take her fortune, whether none or any, bad or good; but many a good Batchelour makes an ill Husband, and many a wild deboyst Batchelour makes a good Husband; and as for VVidowers, many men that were good Hus∣bands to their first VVives, are ill Husbands to their second, or third, or fourth, or to some good, and to some bad; and some that have been ill and unkind Husbands to their first Wives, are very good, & fond Husbands to their second: the like for Maids, Wives and Widows; so as none can make a wise choice in hap-hazard; for hap-hazard, as chance, barrs out VVisdom's pru∣dence, it blindfolds VVisdom, having no insight into Chance; so as a Fool blinded with Igno∣rance, may choose in the Lottery of Husbands and VVives, as well as the VVisest, being blind∣ed with the inconstancy of Mankind. But lea∣ving Mrs. L. A. to the Lottery, and her Ma∣trimonial Contemplations and Discourses, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.

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