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

CXCVI.

MADAM,

HEre is no News, but that the Lord N.N. lives Nobly, Plentifully, and Pleasantly, which is to live Happily, although there is not any man that knows of any great means he hath to Live on, which makes it a Wonder he can Live so VVell, having so Little whereupon; the Lord C. R. asked him, how it came that he Lived, and Maintained his Family so Honoura∣bly, being a Ruined man in his Estate and For∣tunes? He answer'd, he had Fortunatus's Purse; said the Lord C. R. if you have Fortunatus's Purse, you may make VVar, and Conquer Kings and Kingdoms, for it is the Nature of that Purse never to be Empty, but whatsoever is Ta∣ken out, is Replenished again; the Lord N. N. said it was true, but, said he, the Nature of that Purse is, whensoever any Mony is offered to be taken out to make VVar, the Golden Pistols turn to Leaden Bullets, and Bullets without Guns, Powder, Arms, and Men can be of no Use; then, said he, you may Relieve all the Poor, and Distressed Persons, which are many in this Age; Yes, said the Lord N. N. more than can be Relieved, for that Purse, said he, hath another Nature, for if any offer to take out Mony to Give or Lend it away, above the Own∣ers

Use, it becomes Invisible, for though the Owner knows he hath it, yet he cannot find it, and the Purse is a Sensible Purse, for it knows as well as the Owner, to what use his Stores shall be Employed; Why, said the Lord C. R. you Maintain your Servants, and Near Friends; yes, said the Lord N. N. but Servants are for my Use, and Children, Brothers, and Sisters, are Part of my self, like as a Piece of Cloth that is divided into many Parts, yet is still the same Cloth, for the Dividing Alters not the Nature or Quality. But the truth is, Madam, Fortunatus's Purse is Prudence and Good Ma∣nagement, which keeps out Poverty from a Fa∣mily, and makes a man Thrive, as making a Great Shew with a Little Substance, and such a Purse all Wise men are Masters of. But leaving the Lord N. N. and his Purse, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.