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

CLXXX.

MADAM,

HEre is a Lady in this City, who is the on∣ly Child of her Parents, and so Handsom, that when we came first hither, she was Gazed on as much as if she had been a Blazing Star, and those Churches she did Frequent were alwayes the Fullest of People, which seems, they went to Church rather to See than to Pray, more for the Admiration of a Creature, than for Devotion to the Creator, and it shews, she was the only Saint that was Regarded, for thus she was Admired and Followed; but as Blazing Stars soon Vanish, so Beauty soon Fades, al∣though

her Beauty was likely to Last, being more in Favour than Colour, for indeed she had Extraordinary Well-favour'd and Pleasing Fea∣tures in her Face, but now they are Alter'd, & that in Few Years, which shews, Time was more Spiteful & Mischievous to her Face, than it Usu∣ally is to others, & as Time was Spiteful to her, so was also Fortune, for she is yet Unmarried, and begins now to be Melancholy, some say, for want of a Husband; for indeed most Maids ac∣count it a great Misfortune to live Long Un∣married, it seems they Know not, or will not Believe the Cares and Troubles that Accompa∣ny a Married Life; but perchance her Melan∣choly may proceed from the Decay of her Beau∣ty, seeing her self Neglected, and not Regarded, for now when she goes to Church, not any body takes a Particular Notice of her, by which we may observe, that Flourishing Beauties are like as Flourishing Favorites, Admired, Flattered, and Followed for the time they are in Favour; or like Conquering Generals, being Famous whilst they gain Victories, but if Fortune Frowns, they are Neglected, if not Despised, the like for Beauty when Faded; and Fortune for the most part is an Enemy to Beauty, for she doth not so often Advance the Owners, as those that are but Indifferent. But leaving Beauty to Youth, and the Lady to her Parents Care, to get her a Rich, and Good Husband, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Fr. and S.