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

CLII.

MADAM,

THe Messenger you sent, is returning to you again, and with him I have sent some Ba∣bies, and other Toyes this City Affords, as a Token to your Daughter, I do not send them for Bribes, to Corrupt her from Edifying Lear∣ning, and VVise Instructions, for I would not have her Bred to Delight in Toyes, and Child∣ish Pleasures, but I send them as Gifts, to Al∣lure her to that which is most Profitable, and Happiest for her Life, for Children are sooner Perswaded by the Means of Tinsell-Toyes, and Flattering Words, to Listen to Wise In∣struction, to Study Profitable Arts or Sciences, to Practise Good, Graceful Behaviours, and Civil Demeanours, than they can be Forced thereto, by Terrifying Threats, and Cruel Blows; 'tis true, they may be Forced to the Outward Forms, or Actions of Learning, but not to the Understanding, Profit, Grace, or Be∣coming, for Force Breaks the Understanding, Destroyes all Ingenuity, for the Fear of Punish∣ment Confuses the Brain, and Disquiets the Mind so much, as it makes them Incapable of Right Impressions, whereas the Hope of Re∣wards Delights the Mind, and Regulates the Motions in the Brain, and makes them so

Smooth, as the least Impression of Learning Prints Fairly therein, and so Plainly, as to be Remembred in their Elder Years; also it makes their Thoughts and Actions Industrious, to Me∣rit those Rewards, and their Endeavours will be the more Active, through a Covetous Desire to Increase those Rewards; so that those Toyes which are given to Children in their Childish Years, may be a Means to Teach them, when Grown to Elder Years, to Know, and Acknow∣ledge, that all Toyes are Vanities, and that no∣thing is to be Prized, or Esteemed, but what is Useful, and Best, either for their Present, or Fu∣ture Life, as the Life of their Memory, or Re∣nown. Thus, Madam, the Toyish Present is to a Good Design, and may prove to a Good End, which is the Wish of,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.