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

LXVI.

MADAM,

I VVas so Surprised with the Lady A. Ns. Letter, as I was Astonish'd, it being such a Bit∣ter and Angry Letter; but she had Reason to be Angry, because I had committed a very great Fault by a Mistake, for I one day sitting a Mu∣sing with my own Thoughts, was Considering and Pondering upon the natures of Mankind, and Wondering with my Self, why Nature should make all Men some wayes or other De∣fective, either in Body, or Mind, or both, for a Proof I Chose out One whom I thought the freest from Imperfections, either in Mind, or Bo∣dy, which was the Lady A. N. and I took Pen and Paper, and Writ down all the Defects I could Think or had Observed in her, and upon an other all the Excellencies she was Indued with, by Nature, Heaven, and Education, which last Pleased me so Well, as I was resolved to send her a Copy in a Letter; but when I was to send her the Letter, both the Papers lying upon my Table together, I mistook the right Paper that was in her Praise, and sent that which was in her Dispraise, never reading it when I sent it, and when she did Receive it, it seem'd she was in as much Amaze, as I at her Answer, but after∣wards she fell into a very Angry Passion, and in that Passion Writ me an Answer, which I ope∣ned with great Joy, thinking she had been very

well pleased with my former Letter, but when I did read it, and had found out the mistake in sending the wrong Letter, I was as if I had been Thunder-stricken, my Blood flushing so vio∣lently into my Face, as to my thinking my Eyes flash'd out fire like Lightning, and after that there fell such a Showr of Tears, as I am confi∣dent there were more Tears shed than Letters Written, where I wish'd that every Letter might have been buried in the watery Womb or Toomb of every Tear, but it was in Vain, they being too fast fixt to be Drowned, for they were fixt in her Memory, and so in Mine, but yet my Tears may wash out my Fault, and my Love will ask her Pardon in the Humblest and Sorrowfull'st words as I can Speak; Wherefore pray Madam, make my Peace if you can, go to her and speak for me, and let her Know how it was, (for I dare not Write to her again,) and so in my stead Beg my Pardon, for I dare swear by Heaven, as I would have it guard my Inno∣cency, prove the Truth, and save my Soul, I am not guilty of a Crime to her, for I was free from Malice or Envy, or any Evill Design, when I writ it, and not only free from any Evill to her, but I was full of Love and Admiration of her, and I hope she will Pardon me, since I onely writ it as a Philosopher, and not as an Enemy, and since there is none that lives but hath some Faults or Defects, though she hath the Least and Fewer than any other of Natures Creatures, and it is some Praise to have the Least; but since we

are all Guilty in one kind or other, pray her to Pardon my Mistake, and Philosophical Con∣templation of her, and so hoping a Good Success of your Petition in my Behalf, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.