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

XCVII.

MADAM,

THe Lady G. R. and the Lady A. N. in a Visiting meeting, fell into a Discourse of Great Princes and Noble Persons, where the Lady G. R. said, that Great Princes and Noble Persons should or ought to have a Grandeur in their Behaviours, Habits, Discourses, Atten∣dance, Life and Renown, as to their Persons, Garments, Speech, Ceremony, Actions and Fame, according to their Titles, Births and Fortunes; Nay, said the Lady A. N. not ac∣cording to Fortune, for Misfortune or Ill For∣tune Knocks Grandeur down, and makes it lye as Dead, also Age doth Lessen it: The Lady G. R. said, that True Grandeur did ride in Tri∣umph upon Misfortunes back, for though Ill Fortune might Degrade Noble Persons of Wealth, and Poverty Degrade them of Ce∣remony, yet the Right Grandeur of True No∣ble Persons would appear through Raggs, and their Low Condition like as the Sun, which though it could not shine Cleer and Bright through Thick, Black Clouds, yet it made Day in that Hemisphere it moved in, for a Dark Day is not Night; so, although Ill Fortune may Darken the Grandeur of Noble Persons, yet it cannot Benight it; and as for Age, said she, it is so far from Lessening Grandeur as it gives it

Addition, for true Noble and Heroick Persons, their very Shadows do appear with a Majestical Grandeur, and their Fame sounds with a So∣lemn Renown, both to beget Respect, Reverence and Honour in the Eyes, Ears and Minds of all persons, in despite of Fortune or Time, for Grandeur, said she, lives both in the Ashes and Fame of Noble, Worthy, and Gallant Persons. But leaving their Discourse together with their Visit, I rest,

Madam,

Your faithful Friend and Servant.