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MADAM,
I Observe there is an emulation between the Lord V. A. and the Lord G. V. for Worth and Merit, striving which shall excell each o∣ther in Virtue, Noble Qualities, Practicable Arts, Learn'd Sciences, Witty Poetry, and the like; as for Justice, Temperance, Valour, For∣titude, Generosity, Gratitude, Fidelity and
Loyalty, as also, for Courtesie, Civility, and Obligements; for wise Forecasts, prudent Managements, industrious Ingenuities, noble Commands, and honest and conformable Obe∣dience; likewise for graceful Behaviours, and handsom Demeanours; also, for Fencing, Ri∣ding, Vaulting, Wrestling, and the like; for proper and fit Sciences for Noble Persons to be learn'd and known, as Fortification, Naviga∣tion, Astronomy, Cosmography, Architecture, Musick, and History; and for Wit, as Scenes, Songs, Poems, and the like: and this Emula∣tion makes them Admire, Love, Respect, and Praise each other, and watch all opportunities to Oblige each other, thinking and esteeming it a Happiness so to do; for the effects of Emula∣tion are quite different from the effects of En∣vy, for Envy is full of Dispraise and Detraction, either covertly or openly, and watches all op∣portunities to do Mischief, and to obscure the Beauty of Virtue, and the grace and becoming demeanours of Virtuosoes; whereas Emulati∣on rejoyces when Virtue is visibly Seen, and justly Praised, and Virtuosoes highly Commen∣ded: indeed, Emulation dwells with the Wor∣thiest Persons, Envy with the Basest. But, Ma∣dam, 'tis a wonder in an age so basely Bad, there should be two persons so nobly Good; when most men spend their time so idely Vain, that they should spend their time so ingeniously Pru∣dent; when Vice is advanced, and Virtue dis∣graced, that they should should Shun that ad∣vancement,
and imbrace Virtue; when Trea∣son is Rewarded and Loyalty Punished, that they should loyally Suffer, and not basely Be∣tray; when Flattery is heard, and Truth reje∣cted, that they should choose to be Silent, or Speak what they think. They covet not Office, Authority and Wealth, nor do they ambiti∣ously strive to Command, but when they are employed, they do not grow proud with their Authority and Place, nor richer by taking Bribes; nor do they partially Favour their Friends, nor are they Unjust to their Foes; they use no Malice nor Favour, but are Upright and Just; and in their Commands in War, or Governments in Peace, although they are care∣fully Strict, they are not Imperious nor Cruel; but, in short, they endeavour to serve their King Loyally, their Country Faithfully, and every particular Man Generously, if it lie in their pow∣er. But leaving these two Nobles to their Glo∣rious Emulatings, I rest,
Madam,
Your faithful Fr. & S.