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

CLVI.

MADAM,

I Am sorry to hear you are not Well, but if your Disease be only a Faint-tiredness, or Weakness, when you stand still any time, since you can Walk an hour together, and find no Weariness, but rather Ease, there is no Danger of Death, for to be Weary when you Stand still, so as to be near Fainting, and to find Rest and Ease by Walking, is a Natural Effect of a Natu∣ral Cause, the reason is, that when any one Stands still, the Nerves and Sinews are Stretch'd straight out at Length, but when one VValks or Moves, they have Liberty, as being Unbent, and

Unstretch'd; as for Example, when Mankind Stands, their Legs, Thighs, Hams, and Back, are Straight, as one Straight Line, but when they Go, their Legs Tuck up, as first one Leg, then th' other, which Pulling, or Tucking up, Slack∣ens all the Nerves and Sinews, from the Back Downwards, and that gives Ease; for 'tis not only Change that gives Ease, but the Slacking of the Nerves and Sinews, which are as if they were Stretch'd upon a Rack, when they are Drawn Straight out at Length by Standing, but it shews, your Sinews and Nerves are not very Tough and Strong, but rather Tender and VVeak, being soon VVeary in Standing Still, for the Nerves and Sinews are as Strings, or Cords, which Tie, or Knit the several Parts of the Body together, where some are Stronger, and Tougher, as not easily Stretch'd; like as VVyer, or Lute-strings, or Bow-strings, some are so Hard, as they will sooner Break than Stretch, others so Limber, as to Stretch into a Hairs Smallness, which makes them not so Firm nor Steady, but apt to Tremble and Shake, at the least Touch, or Motion of the Air, whenas those that are Hard and Tough, require some Strength to Stir them. The like is with the Nerves and Sinews, those that are Weak and Tender, when Stretch'd, are apt to Move, which is the reason that many with Standing Long, will so Tremble and Shake, as to be ready to fall to the Ground, the Lower Parts of their Body being not able to bear them

up, being as it were, Loose, or Untied, or Over-stretch'd; and this is the reason that when Soft and Delicate Persons take up a great VVeight, or hold a VVeight something above their Strength, their Arms, or Hands, or Bodies, will be as if they had the Shaking Palsie in them for an hour after, for the Weight did Over-stretch their Sinews and Nerves. But, Madam, I am Troubled with the same Tenderness, insomuch as it is Tiresom to my Life, and certainly the best Remedy will be to endeavour to Strengthen our Sinews and Nerves, only the Mischief will be, that what is good to Strengthen the Sinews and Nerves, is Hurtful, and apt to Obstruct the Liver, Splene, and Veins, so as the Remedy may prove worse than the Disease, for Glut∣tonous Meats are Good for the Sinews and Nerves, but Nought for Obstructions. But Physicians perchance can tell Remedies, for I that am none may be Mistaken in the Cause, and Ignorant of the Cure, wherefore I will leave you to the Advice of the Learned Practicers, and rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.