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

XLIV.

MADAM,

AS it was formerly the Fashion, or Custom of those that received Visits, if they were Weary of their Visitors, to look in their Watch∣es, or to Gape, or Yawn; so now it is to have al∣wayes, or for the most part, Pen, Ink, and Paper lying upon the Table in their Chamber, for an Excuse they are writing Letters; as for the first, it is Rude, and the last for the most part is False; wherefore methinks it would be an Honester and Nobler Custom to speak the Truth, as to say, they Desire not to be Visited, at such Times as they would not have Company, or from such Persons as they Care not for, or to tell them tru∣ly, that they cannot Entertain them, having some Occasions which require their Attendance or Imployment, or that they are not Well, and Company would be Troublesome to them; But to receive their Visits, and then not Entertain them Handsomly, Civilly, Courteously, but Dissemblingly, Carelesly or Disrespectfully, is neither fit for Persons of Quality to do to any Company, if they will think them worthy to receive a Visit of them; neither fit for Persons of Quality to suffer from any Person; But the Visited and Visitors do not alwayes know how to Behave themselves, for Noble Births may

have Mean Breeding, for some are Nobly Born and Meanly Bred, and some are Hum∣bly Born and Nobly Bred, and some are Nobly Born and Nobly Bred, but those are Few, and some are neither VVell Born nor VVell Bred, and those are Many, but very Few are Bred so Exactly, as to know Punctually how to Be∣have themselves to every particular Person, and in every several Company, much less in every Action of their Life, which are almost Innumerous, and as Different. VVherefore those are most to be Commended, that can go through the Course of their Life with fewest Errours; a Busie Nature is apt to com∣mit Most, and they that meddle least in the Affairs of the VVorld, and are most sparing of Speech, commit Fewest. 'Tis true, every living man commits some, but thos•• are Hap∣py that can Reckon their Errours, that they are not past Account. But if I write my Letter longer, I shall add one Errour more to those ma∣ny that are past, although I am sure you will pardon those wherewith I have offended you, as believing they were not willingly, but ignorant∣ly committed by,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.