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

V.

MADAM,

IN my opinion the marriage between Sir A. G. and Mrs. I. S. is no wayes agreeable, wherefore not probable to be bless'd with a hap∣py union, though she is likelyer to be the hap∣pier of the two; for 'tis better to have an old doting fool, than a wanton young filly; but he will be very unhappy through Jealousie, what with his Dotage, and her Freedom, which will be like fire and oyl, to set his mind on a flame, and burn out the lamp of his life: Truly, I did wonder, when I heard they were married, know∣ing her nature and his humour, for she loves young masculine Company, and he loves onely

young female Companion; so that he cannot enjoy her to himself, unless she barr her self from all other men for his sake, which I believe she will not do, for she will not bury her Beau∣ty, nor put her Wit to silence for the sake of her Husband; for, if I be not mistaken, she will love a young Servant better than an old Hus∣band; nay, if her Husband were young, she would prefer variety of Servants, before a single Husband, insomuch, that if she had been made, when there was but One man, as Adam, she would have done like her Grand mother Eve, as to have been courted by the Devil, and would betray her Husband for the Devil's sake, rather than want a Lover. But leaving the discourse of Jealousie, Age, Courtship, and Devils, I rest,

Madam,

Your very faithful Fr. & S.