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

LXII.

MADAM,

MRs. C. R. is very much troubled in her Mind with Doubts and Fears, since she hath heard that the Lady S. P. did Publickly and Privately Praise her, for, she sayes, she is afraid the Lady S. P. hath observ'd some Er∣ror in her Behaviour, or hath heard her Speak Foolishly, or hath found out some Decayes of Beauty in her Face, or some Deformities in her Shape, or some of the Masculine Sex have Dis∣praised her Beauty, Wit, Person, Behaviour, or the like, otherwise, sayes she, she is Confident she would never have Praised her, for, sayes she, it is so Unusual for one Woman to Praise another, as it seems Unnatural; wherefore she doth not Delight to be Prais'd by her own Sex, and since that time she received your last Letter,

she will sit in a Silent Musing Posture, Consi∣dering and Examining her self, as Searching to find out what Faults she hath, or what Crimes she is Guilty of, that the Lady S. P. should Praise her, and so Peevish and Froward she is for it, as I believe she will never be Quiet, or at Rest and Peace in her Mind, until she hear that the Lady S. P. hath Spoken Spitefully of her, or hath Dispraised her some wayes or other. The Truth is, she doth Confess as much, for she sayes, She shall never think her Self Handsome, Conversable, nor Vertuous, but Ill-favoured, Foolish, Base, or Wicked, unless she be Disprais'd by her own Sex, wherefore if you Hear, as certainly you can∣not chuse unless you will stop your Ears, any Femal Discommendations concerning Mrs. C. R. Pray send her VVord of them, by which you will Infinitely Oblige her, and in the mean time I shall Endeavour to Pacifie her Thoughts, and Settle her Mind in Peace and Quiet, Resting

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.