pensions, which carry with them more than an appearance of evil. Sir Amias Paulet was so scrupulous herein, that, being ambassador in France in the days of Queen Elizabeth, he would not at his departure receive from the French king the chain of gold (which is given of course) till he was half a league out of the city of Paris.

If he hath any libera mandata, unlimited instructions, herein his discretion is most admirable.

But what go I about to do? Hereof enough already, if not too much; it better complying with my profession to practise St. Paul's precept to mine own parishioners, "Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us, we pray you, in Christ's stead, be reconciled to God."

THE HOLY STATE.

OF HOSPITALITY.

HOSPITALITY is threefold: for one's family; this is of necessity for strangers; this is courtesy: for the poor; this is charity. Of the two latter.

To keep a disorderly house is the way to keep neither house nor lands. For whilst they keep the greatest roaring, their state steals away in the greatest silence. Yet, when many consume themselves with secret vices, then hospitality bears the blame: whereas, it is not the meat but the sauce, not the supper but the gaming after it, doth undo them.

Measure not thy entertainment of a guest by his estate, but thine own. Because he is a lord, forget not that thou art but a gentleman: otherwise, if with feasting him thou breakest thyself, he will not cure thy rupture, and (perchance) rather deride than pity thee.

When provision (as we say) groweth on the

same, it is miraculously multiplied. In Northamptonshire all the rivers of the county are bred in it, besides those (Ouse and Charwell) it lendeth and sendeth into other shires: so the good housekeeper hath a fountain of wheat in his field, mutton in his fold, &c., both to serve himself and supply others. The expense of a feast will but breathe him, which will tire another of the same estate who buys all by the penny.

Mean men's palates are best pleased with fare rather plentiful than various, solid than dainty. Dainties will cost more, and content less, to those that are not critical enough to distinguish them.

Occasional entertainment of men greater than thyself is better than solemn inviting them. Then short warning is thy large excuse whereas, otherwise, if thou dost not overdo thy estate, thou shalt underdo his expectation; for thy feast will be but his ordinary fare. A king of France was often pleased in his hunting wilfully to lose himself, to find the house of a private park-keeper; where, going from the school of state-affairs, he was pleased to make a play-day to himself. He brought sauce (hunger) with him, which made coarse meat dainties to his palate. At last the parkkeeper took heart, and solemnly invited the king to his house, who came with all his court,

so that all the man's meat was not a morsel for them. "Well," said the park-keeper, "I will invite no more kings;" having learnt the difference between princes when they please to put on the vizard of privacy, and when they will appear like themselves, both in their person and attendants.

Those are ripe for charity which are withered by age or impotency, especially if maimed in following their calling; for such are industry's martyrs, at least her confessors. Add to these those that with diligence fight against. poverty, though neither conquer till death make it a drawn battle. Expect not, but prevent their craving of thee; for God forbid the heavens should never rain till the earth first opens her mouth, seeing some grounds will sooner burn than chap.

The house of correction is the fittest hospital for those cripples whose legs are lame through their own laziness. Surely, King Edward the Sixth was as truly charitable in granting Bridewell for the punishment of sturdy rogues as in giving St. Thomas's Hospital for the relief of the poor. I have done with the subject; only I desire rich men to awaken hospitality, which one saith since the year 1572 hath in a manner been laid asleep in the grave of Edward, Earl of Derby.

HA

OF JESTING.

ARMLESS mirth is the best cordial against the consumption of the spirits: wherefore jesting is not unlawful if it trespasseth not in quantity, quality, or season.

It is good to make a jest, but not to make a trade of jesting. The Earl of Leicester, knowing that Queen Elizabeth was much delighted to see a gentleman dance well, brought the master of a dancing-school to dance before her. "Pish," said the Queen, "it is his profession; I will not see him." She liked it not where it was a master-quality, but where it attended on other perfections. The same may we say of jesting.

Jest not with the two-edged sword of God's word. Will nothing please thee to wash thy hands in but the font? or to drink healths in but the church chalice? And know the whole art is learnt at the first admission, and profane jests will come without calling. If, in the troublesome days of King Edward the Fourth, a citizen in Cheapside was executed as a traitor for saying he would make his son heir to the crown, though he only meant his own house, having a crown for the sign; more dangerous it is to wit-wanton it with the majesty of God. Wherefore, if without thine intention, and