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

LXIII.

MADAM,

I Have observed, there are amongst Mankind as often Mode Phrases in Speech, as Mode Fashions in Cloaths and Behaviour, and so Mo∣ded they are, as their Discourse is as much Deckt with those Phrases as their Cloaths with several Coloured Ribbands, or Hats with Feathers, or Bodyes with Affected motions, and whosoever doth Discourse out of the Mode, is as much Despised, as if their Cloaths or Behaviours were out of Fashion, they are accounted Fools or Ill-bred Persons; indeed most Men and VVomen in this Age, in most Nations in Europe are nothing but Mode, as mode-Minds, mode-Bodyes, mode-Appetites, mode-Behaviours, mode-Cloaths, mode-Pastimes or Vices, mode-Speeches and Conversations, which is strange to have Minds according to the Mode, as to have a mode-Judgment, for all will give their Judg∣ments and Opinions according to the Mode, and they Love and Hate according to the Mode, they are Couragious or Cowardly according to the Mode, Approve or Dislike according to the Mode, nay, their VVits are according to the Mode, as to Rallery, Clinch, Buffonly Jest, and the like, for Better VVit is not usually the Mode, as being alwayes out of Fashion amongst mode-Gallants, but True and Good VVit lives

with the Seniors of the Time, such as Regard not the Mode, but Chuse or Prefer what is Best, and not what is Most in Fashion, unless that which is Best be in Fashion, which is very seldom if ever Known, for that which is Best or Good, is not General, especially Wit, for the Right True and Best VVit keeps to Particulars, as being Understood by Particulars; Some Moders have oftner VVit in their Mouths than in their Brains, that is, they Speak the VVit of Others, but have none of their Own. But Grave, Experienced and VVise men give their Judg∣ment or Opinion, not according to the Mode or Fashion, but according to Probability, Sense and Reason; neither do they say, such or such a Thing VVill or Shall be, or Is so, VVhy? be∣cause it is the General Opinion, but they say, such or such a Thing May be, or 'tis Likely Will be, or Is so, VVhy? because there is a Proba∣bility or Reason for it: Neither do the Just and Wise Hate or Love, Approve or Dislike, because it is the Mode, as to Hate what is not Generally Loved, or Love what is not Generally Hated, or to Despise what is Generally Disliked, or Admire what is Generally Commended, but they Hate what is Really Bad, Wicked or Base, and not what is Thought so; and Love what is really Good, Vertuous and Worthy, not for the general Opinion, but for the Truth, and they Admire and Commend, Despise or Scorn, Dis∣like or Disapprove that which is Despisable or Discomnendable or Scornable, and so the like;

neither are they Couragious or Cowardly ac∣cording to the Mode, but they are Valiant or Cautious according to the Cause or Quarrel; they do not Fight out of or in a Bravado, but for Honour, or in Honour's Quarrel; nor do they Pass by Injury, or Cover an Anger or Affront with a Rallery or Jest, but because the Person that did the Injury, or gave the Affront, was ei∣ther Drunk, Mad, or a Base, Inferiour Person, fitter for his Man's Quarrel, than for his Own; and for Wise men, they Speak not with Mode-Phrases, but such Words as are most Plain to be Understood, and the Best to Deliver or Declare Sense and Reason, and their Behavi∣ours are those which are Most Manly and Least Apish, Fantastical or Constrain'd; and their Clothes are such as are most Useful, Easie and Becoming; neither do their Appetites Relish Mode-Meats or Sauces, because they have the Mode Haut Goust, but they Relish Best what is most Pleasing or Savoury to their Taste; and so for Drinks Compounded, as Chocolata, Lim∣monada, and the like, they will not Drink them because of the Mode; neither do they Affect Mode-Songs or Sounds, because they are in Fashion to be Sung or Play'd, but because they are Well-Set Tunes, or Well-Compos'd Mu∣sick, or Witty Songs, and Well Sung by Good Voices, or Well Plaid on Instruments; nei∣ther do they follow Mode-Vices or Vanities for Fashion, but for Pleasure, or their own Humour or Fancy; nor do they use those Exercises that

are in Mode, but those they like Best. Thus a Wise Man Follows not the Mode, but his own Humour, for if it be the Mode to Play at Tennis, or Paille-maille, or the like, if he like better to Ride or Fence, he will let alone the mode-Exercises and Use his Own; if it be the mode-Pastime to Play at Cards or Dice, if he like better to Write or Read, he will leave the mode-Pastime and Follow his Own; and if it be the mode-Custom to Dine and Sup, and Meet at Ordinaries or Taverns, if he like better to Sup and Dine at Home alone, he will not go to Ordinaries or Taverns; if it be the Mode to make General Courtships; if he Like, or is better pleased with a Par∣ticular Mistress, he will not follow the Mode; neither will he Ride Post because it is the Mode, but because his Affairs Re∣quire it; neither will he Journey from Place to Place to no Purpose, because it is the Mode, but will VVisely Sit still or Rest at his own Home, because it is Easie, Peaceable, Quiet, and Prudent, as not so Chargeable. But leaving the Modists to their mode-Clothes, Oaths, Phrases, Courtships, Behaviours, Garbs and Motions, to their mode-Meats, Drinks, Pastimes, Exercises, Pleasures, Va∣nities and Vices; to their mode-Songs, Tunes, Dances, Fiddles and Voices; to their mode-Judgements, Opinions and Wits; to their mode-Quarrels and Friendships,

to their Mode-Lying and Dissembling, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.