another, who had forgotten the name of Milton, but recollected him by the title of "The Poet."

It must not be omitted, that the groves near this village are famous for nightingales, which are so elegantly described in "Il Pensieroso." Most of the cottage windows are overgrown with sweet-briars, vines, and honey-suckles; and that Milton's habitation had the same rustic ornament, we may conclude from his description of the lark bidding him good-morrow,

Through the sweet-briar, or the vine,

Or the twisted eglantine:

for it is evident, that he meant a sort of honey-suckle by the eglantine; though that word is commonly used for the sweet-briar, which he could not mention twice in the same couplet.

If I ever pass a month or six weeks at Oxford in the summer, I shall be inclined to hire and repair this venerable mansion, and to make a festival for a circle of friends, in honour of Milton, the greatest scholar, as well as the sublimest poet, that our country ever produced. Such an honour will be less splendid, but more sincere and respectful, than all the pomp and ceremony on the banks of the Avon.

I have the honour to be, &c.

William Jones.

CHAPTER III.

LETTERS OF PRECEPT AND ADVICE.

LETTER I.

The earl of Strafford's dying advice to his son.

My dearest William,

The Tower, May 11, 1641.

These are the last lines that you will receive from a father who tenderly loves you. I wish I had greater leisure to impart my mind to you: but, I trust, our merciful God will supply all things by his grace, and guide and protect you in all your ways. To his infinite goodness I bequeath you. Therefore, be not discouraged; serve him, and trust in him, and he will preserve and prosper you.

Be sure you give all respect to my wife, which will well become you, for she has ever had a great love for you. Never be wanting in your care to your sisters, but let them ever be most dear to you; this is a duty that you owe to the memory of your excellent mother and myself. And the like regard you must have to your youngest sister; for, indeed, you owe it to her also, both for her father's and her mother's sake.

Serve God diligently morning and evening; recommend yourself to him; and have him before your eyes in all your ways. Be careful to take the counsel of those friends whom I have desired to advise you in your education. With patience hear their instructions, and diligently follow their counsel; for, till you have expe

rience in the world, it will be far safer to trust to their

judgments than to your own.

Lose not the time of your youth; but gather those seeds of virtue and of knowledge, which may be of use to yourself, and to your friends, for the rest of your life. And that this may be the better effected, attend to it with patience; and be sure to refrain from anger. Suffer not sorrow to cast you down; but, with cheerfulness and good courage, and in all sobriety and truth, go on in the race which you have to run. Be sure, with a hallowed care, to have regard to all the commandments of God: and do not allow yourself to neglect them in the least respect, lest by degrees you come to forget them in the greatest; for the heart of man is deceitful above all things. Perform all your duties and devotions towards God, rather joyfully than pensively, for he loves a cheerful giver. As for your religion, let it be directed by those who are in God's church the proper teachers of it, rather than by your own fancy, or by men who are singular in their opinions, and delight to go in ways of their own finding out: you will certainly find soberness and truth in the one, and much unsteadiness and vanity in the other.

The king, I trust, will deal graciously with you, and restore to you those honours and that fortune, of which a distempered time has deprived you, together with the life of your father which I rather advise may be by a new gift and creation from himself, than by any other means, in order that you may pay thanks to him, without having obligation to any other.

Be sure you avoid, as much as you can, inquiring after those who have been sharp in their judgments towards me; and I charge you never to suffer a thought

But be careful to in

of revenge to enter your heart. form yourself who were my friends in this prosecution; and apply yourself to make them your friends also: on them you may rely, and bestow much of your conversation.

God Almighty of his infinite goodness bless you, and your sisters; perfect you in every good work; and give you right understandings in all things!

I am your most loving father,

Thomas Wentworth.

You must not fail to behave yourself towards my lady Clare, your grandmother, with all duty and observance, for she loves you most tenderly; and she has been very kind to me. God reward her for it! And in this and all the rest, what I counsel you, the same I direct also to your sisters. And once more I do, from my very soul, beseech our gracious God, to bless and govern you; to save you in the day of his visitation; and to unite us again in the communion of his blessed saints, where there is fulness of joy and bliss for ever.

LETTER II.

Sir Matthew Hale to his children.On leading a religious life.

Dear children,

I intended to be at Alderly this Whitsuntide, desirous to renew those counsels which I have often given you, for the everlasting welfare of your souls, and the due ordering of your lives and conversation. Young people are apt, through their own indiscretion, or the ill advice of others, to think such counsels dry and empty, the morose and needless interpositions of old age. But I am persuaded they will find

C

better acceptance from you: and give me leave to tell you, they are of more importance, than external gifts and bounties; in which, nevertheless, I have not been wanting to you, according to my ability.

Therefore, since I cannot at this time deliver my advice to you in person, I shall do it by a letter; in which I shall confine myself to those things only that are of most present use and moment to you. By your due observance of my directions, I shall have a good opinion of your dutifulness to God, your obedience to your father, and also of your discretion and prudence ; for it is certain, that as religion is the best means to advance and dignify human nature, so no man can be either truly wise or happy without it, and the love of it, even in this life, much less in that which is to come.

Every morning and every evening, humbly commend yourselves to Almighty God, in prayer; implore his mercy to pardon your sins, his grace to direct you, and his providence to protect you.

Every morning and evening, read seriously and reverently a portion of the Holy Scripture; and acquaint yourselves with the history and the doctrine which it contains. It is a book full of light and wisdom; it will make you wise to eternal life; and it will furnish you with directions and principles to guide and order your. conduct safely and prudently.

Be strict and religious observers of the Lord's day. Resort to your parish-church twice that day, if your health will permit; and attend diligently and reverently to the public prayers and sermons. They cannot reasonably expect a blessing from God during the rest of the week, who neglect their duty in the due consecration