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

CXLI.

MADAM,

I Was sorry to hear you intended to return in∣to E. for I know that nothing but Necessity could Force you thither, although your Native Country, having been so Unnaturally Berea∣ved of all your Maintenance, by the Covetous Purloyning of your Unnatural Countrymen, and left to Seek, in a Wandring Condition, For∣tunes Favour, which is as Inconstant as they are Cruel, but I perceive by your staying that Jour∣ny, that Fortune, as Inconstant as she Usually is, yet hath had more Pity and Compassion of your Sufferings, than they who keep you from the Extremity of Misery they have Exposed you

to; yet those who have your Estate, cannot be much Happier, although you never have it a∣gain, for they cannot Enjoy it Long, the Long∣est Life being but Short, and there is an Old Saying, VVe cannot Carry our VVorldly goods to the Grave; indeed Death hath no Use of them, nor Life so much Pleasure, as Trouble with them; the truth is, 'tis best to have no more than for Necessity, a Superfluity most common∣ly runs into Luxury, which causes Painful Dis∣eases in the Body, Restless Desires in the Mind, and Hinders the Life from that Sweet Repose it would have in a Satisfactory Temperance, and in a Moderate Fortune; and surely, it is the Best, and Happiest Life, to be neither Oppress'd with Riches, nor Distress'd with Poverty, and if Hea∣ven Bless us from the Misery of the one, we shall not have cause to Repine at the Loss of the other; thus, it is likely, those may Suffer more that have Robbed you of your great Estate, by their Griping, and Accusing Consciences, and Uncertain Possessions, than you, that are Rob∣bed of all, but what they could not get, as your Virtuous Nature, your Honourable Mind, your Peaceable Thoughts, and Heavens Prote∣ction, to which I leave you, and rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.