ever to their General - Cromwell, who had a great respect for him, and would have bought him off to his service upon any terms."

Through her exertions Sir Richard was bailed; though Sir Harry Vane and many influential advisers of Cromwell were opposed to his release.

The account she gives of herself and her education are interesting, as a picture of the training of a young lady in the seventeenth century.

"Now it is necessary for me to say something of my mother's education of me, which was with all the advantages that time afforded; both for working all sorts of fine works with my needle, and learning French, singing, lute, the virginals, and dancing; and notwithstanding I learned as well as most did, yet was I wild to that degree, that the hours of my beloved recreation took up too much of my time, for I loved riding in the first place, running, and all active pastimes; in short, I was that which we graver people call a hoyting girl; but to be just to myself, I never did mischief to myself or other people, nor one immodest word or action in my life, though skipping and activity was my delight. But upon my mother's death I then began to reflect, and, as an offering to her memory, I flung away those little childishnesses that had formerly possessed me, and by my father's command took upon me charges of his house and family, which I so ordered by my excellent mother's example as found acceptance in his sight."

Lady Fanshawe's advice to her son is worthy of being studied by all young persons for its sound practical wisdom.

"Endeavour to be innocent as a dove, but as wise as a serpent; and let this lesson direct you most in the greatest extremes of fortune. Hate idleness, and curb all passions. Be true in all words and actions. Unnecessarily deliver not your opinion; but when you do, let it be just, well considered, and plain. Be charitable in all thought, word, and deed, and ever ready to forgive injuries done to yourself, and be more pleased to do good than to receive good.

"Be civil and obliging to all, dutiful where God and nature command you; but friend to one, and that friendship keep sacred, as the greatest tie upon earth, and be sure to ground it upon virtue, for no other is either happy or lasting.

"Endeavour always to be content in that estate of life which it hath pleased God to call you to, and think it a great fault not to employ your time either for the good of your soul, or improvement of your understanding, health, or estate; and as these are the most pleasant pastimes, so it will make you a cheerful old age, which is as necessary for you to design, as to make provision to support the infirmities which decay of strength brings; and as it was never seen that a vicious youth terminated in a contented, cheerful old age, but perished out of countenance. Ever keep the best qualified persons company, out of whom you will find advantage, and reserve some hours daily to examine yourself and fortune; for if you embark yourself in perpetual conversation or recreation, you will certainly shipwreck your mind and fortune. Remember the proverb, 'Such as your company is such is the man,' and have glorious actions before your eyes, and think what shall be your portion in heaven as well as what you desire on earth."

The life of this admirable woman was full of trials; travels by sea and land, sickness, loss of children, and public responsibilities. On the

Restoration her husband was ambassador to Spain, and died in Madrid soon after he entered on his embassy, leaving his wife in straitened circumstances, with four young daughters and one infant son to maintain and educate. For that son she wrote her husband's memoirs. The King, whose cause had been so warmly espoused by both husband and wife, to the sacrifice of fortune, comfort, and safety, neglected the widow and orphans of his faithful servant; and she never obtained any kind of payment or compensation for her losses.

It is significant of the period we are now considering, that these two excellent books should have both continued in manuscript. The prejudice against female authorship must have been one reason for so long withholding them from the public. Except the beautiful biographies of quaint old Isaac Walton, there was at the time they were written nothing in the way of memoirs superior to them. The publication of both books has been recent; that of Mrs. Hutchinson's in 1806, and Lady Fanshawe's so recently as 1830. The female poets of that age were not numeThe most voluminous was Margaret, Duchess of Newcastle. It was the fashion of Charles and his court to laugh at her productions, and call her "the mad Duchess of Newcastle." Laughter, being contagious, easy, and pleasant, it

rous.

is scarcely wonderful that many have joined in it who know nothing of the Duchess of Newcastle but her name.

She was a fervent royalist, the daughter of Sir Charles Lucas of Colchester, and her husband the Duke was as loyal as herself. They suffered in common with their party, and endured many years of exile, which the Duchess beguiled with literary pursuits, writing chiefly to amuse her husband, whom she lauded in such high-flown strains that it provoked the sneers of the wicked wits of Charles's profligate court. A wife devoted to her husband, and glorying to avow it, was a novelty in that corrupt circle, and reflected by contrast too powerfully on the coldness and levity of the ladies of that court. Even in this day of female authorship few, if any, can compare in the extent of their labours with the Duchess, who wrote twelve folio volumes of plays, poems, orations, philosophical discourses, &c. In judgment and taste she was very deficient, but possessed fancy, invention, and industry. Some of her fantasies are elegantly expressed.

OF THE THEME OF LOVE.

"O, love, how thou art tired out with rhyme!
Thou art a tree whereon all poets climb;
And from the branches every one takes some
Of thy sweet fruit, which Fancy feeds upon.

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But now thy tree is left so bare and poor,
That they can hardly gather one plum more."

THE FUNERAL OF CALAMITY.

Calamity was laid on Sorrow's hearse,
And covering had of melancholy verse;
Compassion, a kind friend, did mourning go,
And tears about the corpse, as flowers, strow;
A garland of deep sighs by Pity made,
Upon Calamity's sad corpse was laid;
Bells of Complaint did ring it to the grave;
Poets a monument of Fame it gave."

"The Pastime and Recreation of the Queen of the Fairies in Fairy Land" is her most admired poem. The following lines, describing the adornments of the Fairy Queen, are very poetic.

"She on a dewy leaf doth bathe,

And as she sits the leaf doth wave;
There like a new-fallen flake of snow,
Doth her white limbs in beauty show.
Her garments fair her maids put on,
Made of the pure light of the sun."

Mrs. Catherine Philips, who died in her thirtythird year, was an ornament of this age. Dryden and Cowley praised her genius, and Jeremy Taylor, the "Milton of Divines," addressed to her his "Discourse on Friendship." The following poem sufficiently attests the grace and sweetness of her style.