The EnglishSecretorie.

The EnglishSecretorie.Of an Epistle, the commodities and vse thereof.Chap. 1.FOrasmuch as we haue herein endeuoured to lay downe a platforme or method for writing of Epistles. It shall not be amisse, that following the order of all other writers, wee first define vnto you what an Epistle is. An Epistle therefore, is that which vsually we in our vulgar, doe tearms a Letter, and for the respectes thereof is called the messenger, or familiar speach of the absent, for that therein is discouered whatsoeuer the minde wisheth in such cases to haue deliuered. The diuersities of Epistles are manifold, as wherof ensueth a platforme to euerie motion, being in truth so infinite as are yᵉ imaginations of each ones fantasie, seeing the declaration of euerie letter, is no more then what the minde willeth in all occasions to be perfourmed, and according to such instigations wherewith at that instant men are fed when they write, taketh his formall substance, whether it be to require, counsel, exhort, command, informie, commend, entreat, aduertise, gratulate, or whatsoeuer other purpose therein pretended, as cause and matter maie fall out to be required. The antiquity is as ancient as the benefite that therof ensueth is great, whereof onlie those that are sufficientlie enabled with the qualitie, can giue the greatest testimonie. Needelesse were it for me to commend the vse, when aswell by the authorities of a number the best learned, who to aduance the efficacie thereof, haue in sundrie languages prescribed rules and methods for the same, as of others besides, whose most excellent writings of Epistles are at this present extant, it is most plentifully aduanced. And although pregnant wit ensuing by nature was the foremost cause that first bred the inuention of Letters, and that euery one naturally can speake, or in some sort or other set down their meaning:yet Art preuailing in the cause, and by cunning skill marshalling euery thing in his due order, place and proportion, how much more the same is then beautified, adorned, and as it were in a new shape transmuted by such kind of knowledge, the difference that dailie appeareth may yeeld proofe sufficient.What is chiefelie to be respected in framingof an Epistle.Chap. 2.FOrasmuch as by the necessarie vse of Letters before laid downe, a commendable maner of writing and framing the same hath bene already remembred: It shall not bee amisse, that in this Chapter we now endeuour to answere the purpose therein pretended. For the manifestation whereof, I haue thought good to drawe vnto your consideration certaine principall points, which thereunto are speciallie to be required: first,Aptnes of wordsandsentences, respecting that they be neate and choiselie picked, and orderly handled: next,Breuity of speach, according in matter and circumstance fitlie to be framed: lastly,Comlines in deliuerance, concerning the person and cause, whereupon the direction is grounded.The first, beingAptnesse of wordes and sentences, consisteth in choice and good tearmes, in skilful and proper application of them according to their true meanings, in wel sorting and fitting them, to their seuerall purposes.Choiseand good tearmes, are in words vsual, and plain for the matter in deliuerie, not improper nor new coined, nor too olde, as hauing not of long time before bene vsed.Skilfull applicationis, when in their setting down they haue either their true & proper signification for deliuery, or else by a more delicate or pleasant inuenton may be caried conceitedly.Well sorting & fitting them, resteth in the matter in handling, that therein be a concordance with their applications, whereof may ensue a due construction, and no disorderlie mistaking.The next, beingBreuity of speach, is not as some vndiscreetlie haue imagined, that which consisteth in fewnes of lines, & shortnes of roome in shew of a side of paper, but breuitie of matter, wherein scope sufficient remaining for the necessary demonstration anddeliuerie of any needfull occasion, men are barred from friuolous circumstances, and inioined therin to abhorre all maner of tediousnes: For which cause some haue beene of opinion, that continuance of matter ought not to be vsed in anEpistle, for that it thereby looseth the shew of anEpistle, and taketh vpon it the habit of an Oration: Yet of such sort are in this method sundry Epistles, the titles wherof are,Hortatorie, Dehortatorie, Laudatorie, Vituperatorie, Suasorie, Petitorie, Monitorie, Accusatorie, Excusatorie, Consolatorie, Inuectiueand such like, whose speciall vses do of necessitie admit such scope as in euerie ordinarie Epistle is not found, and though they beare in them manyOratorieparts, yet lose they not at all for that, neither name nor habit of anEpistle. The tolleration and ordinarie vse of which, both examples of many learned, and common custome hath warranted. And therfore, when to be briefe it is herein inioyned, it is alwayes thereby to be intended, that a man with onelie necessarie speeches may bee permitted to deliuer his meaning, neither is it without the limits of breuitie, when aptlie and at full the same shall be in this sort reported.And for the better declaration, howe farre the conceit hereof may be induced only in writing of Letters, I will first limit what may be accounted necessarie therein, and afterwards endeuour to lay downe, howe contrarie thereunto, men (aswell in the vse, as in neglecting thereof) haue heretofore erred. Necessarie speeches, I do account whatsoeuer is set downe, for the plaine and open deliuerie of euerie occasion, to the intent the minde of the writer, and what he pursueth may aptly and in good and ready sort be conceiued. The repugnancie hereof is when either with too much curtalling our arguments, in conceit to auoyde tediousnes, or with too manie or ouer often repetitions, neuer thinking to haue spokē sufficiently, either to induce remembrance, or put forward our meaning, we abbreuiate or amplifie our Epistles. And when some others also, of a conceit more curious than necessarie, striuing to excell in varietie of sentences, and copie of words, coyned all of one sute, thinke therfore in paining themselues to write more than needeth, to be counted more eloquent. These falling out to bee imperfections, as each of them are in truth to bee blamed, so where the defect remaineth, are they (for well writing) with studie to be amended.The third and last nowe beingComelinesse in deliuerance touching the person and cause, séemeth to bee tied vnto two seuerall respects: that is, to the reputation of the partie to whome wee write, his condition, age, honour, and disposition, and to the fitnes of the matter whereof we take vpon vs to write: for as it is most decent that in the matter we make choice of, we giue vnto euerie cause his proper and orderly effect: so is it euery way as conuenient to afford a likeDecorumof those to whome our letters are directed.The reputation of each partie, is measured according to his dignitie or worthinesse, whereby hee beareth reckoning and place before vs. The condition, by the age or maner of liuing, wherein resteth either grauitie or youthfulnesse. The humour by the disposition, as whether desirous to be reuerenced, fawned on, or with plaine termes vsed. By this reason, the methode or stile of our letters falleth out diuerslie to be considered: in one sort we frame them to olde men, in an other sort to young men, one way to sad and graue persons, another to light and yong fellowes: one platforme to Courtiers, another to Philosophers. To great and notable personages, with a dutie speciall, appropriate to their calling: To our betters, alwayes with submission: To our inferiours, benignly and fauourably: To our friends, louinglie: To our enemies sharplie and nippinglie. Thus farre as touching the person, and now for the cause.In this point it séemeth that the matter of euerie writing should still be measureed according to the writers apparance, credit or worthines, that the validity thereof should be answerable to the one or the others greatnes, or goodnesse: that the intendment be sound, lawfull, and to no euill purposes: that it containe not base, filthie, or scurrile matter, vnbeséeming a direction so worthie. Then that euerie thing to bee written of should bee deliuered according to his proper qualitie: Termes more officious than beséeming, are vnfitting: not sufficientlie to consider of each reputation, were ouer homelie. A matter of grauitie is to bee deliuered with waight: a matter of sorrowe should be reported with griefe: a matter of pastime, to be discoursed with pleasure: a matter of folly, intermingled with laughter. Now contrariwise, to a person sorrowfull to write of iests, to talke learnedly to a clowne,to salute an olde man with childish fantasies: in cases of waight, to aduance trifles: were altogither as improper as peeuish, and more absurd than fitteth to be tollerated in anie skilfull vsage.And because I haue taken vpon me some distinguishments of writing, wherein I speciallie stand vpon choise and meete termes and spéeches, with proper applications: I thinke it not amisse to set down vnto you some shew of the contrarie inurements, wherby you may with the greater discretion conceiue the error thereof, the which I haue sometimes noted in other mens writings; And first, of vnséemly applications: as for example: one that sometimes intended not a litle of his owne inuention, tooke vpon him to write a loue letter to a woman of verie meane reckoning, in which, after he had drawne (GodCupidby the name of the blinded boy) by those parts of fauor that neuer were in her, and shewed himselfe much passionat for the loue he ought to her, he concludeth the meatter in this sort.Thus crauing your lawfull beneuolence, in not mee reiecting, your answere comfortable and not intollerable, &c.The woman not accustomed to such hote intertainment, and rather bluntlie before time pursued, then daintilie intreated, beganne here vpon (forsooth) to waxe coy, and to intende great matter of her self, and vaunting her fauour at a higher rate then he belike séemed afterwarde willing to become a purchaser of, remained as she was, and himselfe at his more profitable studies. The conclusion of his letter was verie improper, insomuch as requiring liking by the name ofBeneuolence, hee bothWords improper and impugning the sense.misprised his owne demand, and séemed to induce a word more sounding to a charitable reliefe, or curteous contribution of money, then to anie such purpose as he meant it. Besides,your answere comfortable, and not intollerable. If these had passed in a iest, it had béene more conuenient, but vsedbona fide, it was too bad, especiallie respecting the partie what she was, from whome one would haue supposed that such a one as himself, could neuer haue receiued (but by too much tolleration) any discontentment at all. This errourErrors commō to the learned, as well as to the vnlearned.we see is not onelie common to the vnlearned, for as well this one, who in his profession (as I was informed by him that shewed me the letter) was well reputed of, but also some of the forwarder sort, onlie by affectation of words, which they haue vsed, haue béene misliked, and yet learned ynough. Amongwhich a Doctor of Physicke long since, intending to be verie eloquent in words, and such as euery Carter should not conceiue of, began an Epistle to a booke by him published in this sort: wherein secondly appeareth this errour of old improper or new coyned termes, and this was the forme.Egregious Doctours and Maisters of the eximious and Archane Science of Physicke, of your Vrbanitie exasperate not your selues agaynst mee, for making of this little volume of Physicke. Considering that my pretence is for an vtilitie and a Common-wealth. And this not onelie, but also I doe it for no detriment,A ridiculous maner of writing.but for a preferment of your laudable Science, that euerie man should esteeme, repute, and regarde the excellent facultie. And also you to bee extolled and highlie preferred, that hath and dooth studie, practise and labour this saide Archane Science, to the which none inartious persons, can nor shall attaine to the knowledge: yet notwithstanding fooles and insipient persons, yea and manie the which doth think themselues wise (the which in this facultie be fooles indeed) will enterprise to smatter, &c.Was there euer seene from a learned man a more preposterous & confused kind of writing, farced with so many and such odde coyned tearmes in so little vttering? But surely, the man did it of a great conceite, for as appeareth by the course of all his Epistle following, his wittes were so pestered with an angrie mislike of the bad demeanor of some vnlearned vsers of his science (as he thought with himselfe) that euerie botcher should not be able to vent him, but hee should bee a man of some reach at least that should finde him. Neuerthelesse howe wise so euer stood his imaginations: this one thing doe I knowe, that diuerse to whome I haue shewed the booke haue verie heartilie laughed in perusing the parts of his writing. For theseegregious, eximious, vrbanitie, andexasperate, although the wordes be in some sort tollerable, yet because anie of them are amongst vs verie rarelie vsed, and in this writing two of them especially very vnproperly placed, the maner thereof soundeth (in mine opinion) nothing pleasant. Insomuch asexasperateis properly to set him in a farther rage, that is alreadie furiously bent in a thing, and besides, by the action of another man then himselfe who as it were of a resolute will and meaning, would goe about to procure it, so that it maie be well saide,hee did exasperateVrbanitie and exasperate vnproperlie placed.hisfuries the more, by inducing such a speach, or such an acte: but it cannot bee so properlie deliuered to saie,exasperate not your selfe for such a thing, especiallie when I am not therewith so much as in anie mislike alreadie, which no man canne at anie time bee, without he first knowe an occasion: yourVrbanitielikewise being deriued of the Latine wordeVrbanus, which is ciuile, courteous, gentle, modest, or well ruled, as men commonlie are in Cities and places of good gouernement, whereof that worde taketh his originall, the worde is not common amongst vs, nor so apt to the sense as if hee had saide,your curtesie, your modestie, and so it might run thus,Let not your curtesies be agreeued against me, or,Let it not be offensiue to your modesty, that for the benefite of a great manie, I haue published this volume of Physicke. The grounde was verie good, for his intendment was, that the cause belonged to a common wealth, wherein if anie particular commoditie seemed to be lessened, wise men and such as were more studious of their Countries good, then of their owne peculiar gaine, ought not to be offended. Then saith he:And this not only, but also I doe it for no detriment, &c.What confused deliuerance is this? How much more orderlie thus, which soundeth also more to his meaning.And this also respected, in that I doe it not for anie detriment vnto you, but for a preferment of your laudable science. Then his comming in witharcane science, inartious fooles and insipient persons, had it not beene lesse improper, if hee had saideprofounde science, and vnskilfull or vnlearned, forinartious, and to haue contented himselfe with hisfooles, without adding to the sameinsipient persons. Lastlie he proceedeth:And many the which dooth thinke themselues wise (the which in this facultie are fooles indeede) will enterprise, &c.Here isthe whichandthe which, a phrase neuer with vs accustomed, nor with anie good writer in his time (which was not manie yeares since) the sence whereof might in this sort more plainelie bee deliuered.And many who in their owne opinion doe seeme verie wise (but therein are in truth verie fooles) will enterprise, &c.But of this ynough, for that I thinke it nowe high time to proceed to the rest, these two exemples being sufficient to admonish the learner, of the congruitie of his speaches and sentences, with good phrases that bee most agreeing to the meaning, and not improperlie, to be deliuered,whereby he shall auoid the like errour, and absurditie in conueiance hereby expressed, and already so much reprehended.Of the habite and parts of an Epistle.Cap. 3.SEeing an Epistle hath chieflie his definition herof, in that itCharacter of an Epistle generall.is tearmed the familiar and mutuall talke of one absent friende to another: it seemeth the Character thereof, shoulde according thereunto bee simple, plaine, and of the lowest and meanest stile, vtterlie deuoid of anie shadow of hie and loftie speaches: yet neuerthelesse, for so much as in the argument of a great manie of them (whose seuerall distinctions hereafter shall appeare) is required (as I said before) a more high and loftie deliuerance, partaking manie waies with that kinde accustomed in Orations, and is therefore accordinglie to be necessarilie furnished with the pointes thereunto incident: we will for the present, sort all kinde of Epistles onelie into these two maner of differences, the one part whereof shall be said to be general, and the other speciall. vnder this title of generallEpistles distinguished into generall and speciall.shall bee comprehended all such, as either for fashions sake, custome, dutie, curtesie, or other familiaritie do ordinarilie passe from one part to another, rather of a pleasant conceit, or some other more district or seuere motion, then of anie extraordinarie cause, forme, or substance in either of them contained. Such are those as whome either long acquaintance, or ancient familiaritie,Letters general are familar.haue caused enterchangeablie to haue performed: or fatherly reuerence, and seruile dutie haue bound, by graue authoritie ouer children, kindred or seruants, accustomablie to be continued. These, for the common and ordinarie matter in euerie of them vsed, being vtterly exempt from anie waight or grauitie at all, are rightlie tearmed by the name of familiar letters. They nowe that be speciall are such, the matter of whome (as I said before) doe admit both higher stile, and more orderlie deliuerance, according to the waight of the argument, in anie of them to bee handled: and for this cause are tearmed speciall,Letters special.as bearing in them a resolute purpose and intendment seriouslie to discourse vpon, to answere, mittigate or auoid any certain matter or causes, importing the present affairswhereupon the direction is framed. Of them also are certaine diuisions, learnedly by skilfull Authours, that heretofore haue beene distinguished, the titles whereof I doe omit, in another place then this more opportune to be hereafter remembred.Difference of stile.These as they are from the others manie waies estranged in their seuerall argumentes: so vnto the conueiance and expressing of their causes appertaineth both other order, and diuers partes in them (then in the residue) more fullie to be considered. In whose composition, that there maie be a platforme gathered of a more certaine proceeding, we wil as others haue thought meet, distinguish their seuerall parts as they fall out to be borrowed in an oration.In such kind therefore of Epistles, rightly and with good skil to be handled, the learner shal vnderstand, that there are three things, by meanes whereof, for the needfull expressing and orderlie deliuerie of anie matter whatsoeuer, he must of necessitie be furnished.InuentionInuention.first, wherein plentifullie is searched and considered, what kind of matter, how much varietie of sentences, what sorts of figures, how many similitudes, what approbations, diminutions, insinuations and circumstances are presentlie needefull, or furthering to the matter in handling. Then,Disposition,Disposition.whereby is orderlie, cunninglie, and perfectlie laid downe and disposed, euerie matter and cause in his due order, proportion and place. Thirdlie,Eloquution,Eloquution.whose efficacie in speaches, neate, pure and elegant, is in the other Chapter vnder aptnes of words sufficientlie alreadie described. The first and the last of these three, as they are greatlie put forwarde by nature, which in some being farre more curious of imitation and studie of the best, then in other some, whose will and conceit alike, doe (by a verie instinct) affect and couet far more baser purposes: so besides the furtherance continuallie atchieued by often vse of reading, shall herein be greatlie holpen, in that for the selfe same purpose, and to the intent the learner maie as well in his natiue tongue,Helps to Inuention and Eloquution.know the right vse of figures and Tropes heretofore neuer by him vnderstoode, as also discerne and vse them, out of others and in his own writings. I haue at the latter end of this booke, gathered together all such Figures, Schemes and Tropes hereunto needefull and conuenient, and there haue by sundrie familiar examples expressed their vses and seuerall effects. In diligent conceit and aduerting whereof,the vse vnto the practiser shall in short time bee founde greatlie auaileable, by the benefit thereby attained.Now in as much asEloquutionis annexed vnto the stile,Stile of Epistles.which euermore is also tied to the argument and substance of euerie Epistle: it is to be regarded what stile maie generallie bee deemed meetest for the common habit, wherein each of them maie ordinarilie be published. In the recording whereof, we do find thrée sorts, especiallie in all kinds of writing and speaking, to haue bene generallie commended.Sublime,Sublime.the highest and stateliest maner, and loftiest deliuerance of anie thing that maie bee, expressing the heroicall and mightie actions of Kinges, Princes, and other honourable personages, the stile whereof is said to be tragicall swelling in choice, and those the most haughtiest tearmes, commended, described, amplified and preferred also by Orators, which manie excellent Figures and places of Rhetorique.Humile,Humile.the lowest comicall, and most simple of all others, the matter whereof is the meanest subiect of anie argument that maie be, entermedling in common causes, aduertisements and mutuall affectes of euerie one, the stile whereof sweepeth euen the very grounde it selfe, and is fittest appropriate to our familiar Letters, for that in such familiar causes and maners, the same is solely frequented, in which neuertheless isSua faceties et elegantia quædamhis certaine kind of elegancie, pleasant and neat conueiance, not altogether to be sequestred from that kinde of deliuerance.Mediocre,Mediocre.a meane betwixt high and lowe, vehement and slender, too much and too little, as we saie, in which are expressed histories, Declamations, Comentaries, and other intermingled actions, not of anie in particular, but of all in generall, this stile of all others maie be adapted vnto these speciall kinds of Epistles.Thus then it followeth, that whether we write familiarlie, or waightilie,Skilfull vse of writing.we must endeuour as neere as maie bee that each be perfourmed skilfullie, for that to neither of them maie want learning, without the knowledge whereof, what ornament can there be at all of this expected elegancie. The particularities whereof included in these two titlesInuentionandEloquution, both Nature and Skill do put forward as we daily see byParts of an Epistle.a double instruction. This therfore sufficing for those twain, let vs see what parts are supplied in an Epistle, succéeding in the other also, and aydingtoDisposition. The first place isExordium, a beginning or introduction to the matter to be written of,Exordium.which is not always after one sort or fashion, but in diuerse maners: as sometimes by preamble, wherein either for our selues, or the cause we write of, or in respect of him, for or to whom we write, wee studie to win fauor or allowance of the matter, sometimes by insinuation, wherin couertly, either in respect that the matter requireth long debatement or that mislike may bee alreadie grounded in him to whom we direct our letters, we seeke by cunning reasons to shewe that the case so requiring is tollerable: or in the other, that rather equity then selfe opinion must and ought chieflie to be weighed. Sometimes by a similitude, wherein by manifesting the like of that we take in hand to haue bene commenced, tollerated, or equally censured, wee intend the same, or lesse force in our selues, at their hands to bee borne withall or accepted, and diuerse other wayes besides, as in the Epistles following shall be tendred. ThenNarratiō, orPropositiō,Narratiō & Propositiō.each seruing to one effect, wherein is declared or proponed, in the one by plaine tearmes, in the other by inference, or comparison, the verie substance of the matter whatsoeuer to be handled. ThenConfirmatiō,Confirmatiō.wherein are amplified or suggested many reasons, for the aggrauating or proof of any matter in question. AfterConfutatiō,Confutatiō.whereby is diminished, disproued or auoided, whatsoeuer to bee supposed, obiected or aggrauated. Lastlie,Peroratiō,Peroratiō.in which after a briefe recapitulation of that which hath beene vrged, the occasions thereof are immediatelie concluded. These are not altogither at all times vsed, but some or the most of them as occasion serueth, either admitted or reiected: besides which, others also are sometimes remembred. The vse whereof as in sundrie Epistles they may be deemed necessarie, shall in their seuerall examples hereafter perused, appeare more euidentlie and largely.Of certaine contents generally incident to all maner ofEpistles.Chap. 4.IN writing of Epistles, four especiall contents are alwaies continuallie incident. The manner of Salutation, an order of taking leaue or farewell, the Subscription, and the outwarde direction. Salutations of auncient time werewoont to bee fixed,Quasi omen faustum, a signe or inuiting to good hap, in the front or vpper part of the letter: so did the auncientRomanes, and in like manner after their examples doo at this daie some other nations. But seldome or neuer (especiallie of the learned and most curious writers) is the same in our English directions, at any time accustomed. Onelie this, where letters are directed from one or more of the Councell to an inferiour Magistrate or person, or from some noble man to such, whom hee intertaineth not in any estate of societie or equall familiaritie, the maner of commendations (which with vs is retained for an order of Salutation or gréeting) runneth lightlie in the beginning of the Letter, and customablie is deliuered in this forme.After our heartie commendations vnto your L.if it bee from a number of the Counsell to a Noble man, or otherwise in the singular number vnto an inferiour person, as thus.After my heartie commendations vnto you.But otherwise writing seriouslie to anie man,Maner of salutations.the greeting if it be to one far our better is turned, to an acknowledgment of some kind of dutie, or reuerent account, and that most commonly at the end of the Letter, which likewise in equalitie falleth out in such place to be mentioned. And being in familiarities is to no place tied, but beginning, middle, or ending of the Letter, all is one, as séemeth most consonant to the vaine & disposition of the partie, and these also at all times not deliuered in the selfe worde of gréeting or commendations, but by diuerseEpithets, and fine conueiances, as falleth out to the matter of the Epistle, and the conditions of the partie to be handled. This being at the end of the Letter, there shall immediatelie follow the order of farewell, which ioyning so hard thereupon as it doeth, wee will put them both in one example of wordes andEpithets,Epithets.togither with the subscriptions, for the easier instruction of the learner, and his better remembrance, referring the notes of euerie of them to their places, where afterwards they are vsed in their seuerall Letters.Diuerse orders of greetings, farewels and sub-scriptions.Cap. 5.ACknowledging my selfe deepelie boundeGreetings of humilitie or acknowledgment of dutie.vnto your L. for manie sundrie fauours: I doe remaine in all humble reuerrence. Finding my selfe manie wayes beholding vnto your exceeding courtesies, I ende. Remembring howe much I am indebted vnto your L. for your sundrie benefites: I conferre the regard thereof to my present imaginations, and doe beseech thereof at your honourable handes an euerlasting continuance. All humble loyaltie and seruice protested vnto your honorable calling, I rest nowe and perpetuallie your L. &c. Fearing in speeches, neuer with sufficiencie to manifest the conceit I haue of your most honourable fauours: I solace my selfe with the remembrance, and humblie leaue your L. to your woonted perseuerance. Praying the Almightie to haue your L. euermore in his gratious protection, I humblie take my leaue. Your worship in this, besides manie other occasions hauing perpetuallie bound mee, how can I but rest such, as you haue expected and shall euer find me. Eftsoones recording my bounden seruice vnto your worship and my good Ladie, I remaine as euer before. Not forgetting howe manie wayes I am charged, in dutifull remembrance towards you, I rest as I haue protested. More grieued at my mishap and disabilitie, then wanting either will or liking to doe seruice vnto you: I affix my selfe euermore vpon the acceptance of your woonted cuʳtesie, and humblie there withall do take my leaue: Commending the safetie and good estate of your worship to the Almighties protection, I rest in all dutifull regard to the same. Rather desirous to shewe my selfe thankful, then otherwise able in like sort to giue you any requital, I continue, &c. Binding my self by all possible indeuors, neuer to be fréed from the charge of so excéeding benefites, I wish I might as I would, be vnto you in verie deed, &c. Wishing vnto you and yours, as much happinesse, as my selfe am clogged with carefulnesse, I surcease. Desiring vnto you no worse successe in these and all other your laudable endeuors,Greetings familiar.then my selfe haue eftsoones craued in performance of my chiefest trauels, I recommend you to the tuition of the Almightie. Not forgetting our accustomed gréetings and interchangeable welwishings, my hastie Letter takethende. Weighing howe much you are alreadie busied, and not willing to keepe you further occupied, I ende my long and tedious discourse, beeing in nothing exempted from woonted salutations, and accustomed kind of greetings. Thinke not though my haste be such, but that I remember (notwithstanding all this breuitie) how greatlie I stand charged both to you and yours, to whome, and all the rest to you knowne I eftsoones commend me. Reioycing not a little at the health of you and all other our friends, I hartily bid you fare well. Reiocing my self on your wel-wishing, and the hope I haue to be returned in safetie I commend my hap to fortune, and our gouernement to the Almightie. Rendring vnto you as manie thankes, as I conceiued comfort of your good intreatings, I leaue to detaine you. Omitting what else to bee amplified in these or anie other occasions I expect your happie returne, and in hope thereof doe bid you farewell. Knowing howe well I loue you, the lesse ceremonies I néede to vse in greeting you, onlie you shall remember to your parents in most hartie maner to commend mee. Salute I praie you your friendes in my name, and thinke in my best and serious wishes I neuer forget you. My father willed me in his behalfe to salute you, and all the rest of your acquaintance here do most hartilie greete you. Forget not in what sort I haue heretofore receiued you, and thinke in the selfe same maner I do still intertaine you. My gréetings to our friend R. let not bee vnremembred, and deeme that in all my vowes I haue (vnto you all) most heartilie wished. I had almost let slip my commendations vnto your brother, which for anie thing I would not had bene forgotten, vpon whom, as of greatest choic, I will make my reposing.The liking I haue to N. maketh mee here to remember him whose good demeanour as your own, I haue in chiefest reckoning. My gréetings and paper haue all one ende togither, onelie our friendship indissoluble can neuer be forgotten.Thinke how exceedinglie I haue alwaies well wished vnto you, and accordinglie thereunto measure the rest of mine affections towards you. Haste compelleth mee to ende sooner than I would, wherin notwithstanding I can neuer omit sufficientlie to gréete you, eftsoones recognizing as behooueth, your especall good liking towards me, &c.Innummerable of these and such like might be imagined both in greetings and farewels, the course whereof beeing furnished with such varietie as it is, I haue left the residue vnto the conceit of the learner, accounting the plentie herein set down, for anie studious follower to be alreadie sufficient.And now to the Subscriptions, the diuersities whereof are (as best they may be allotted in sence) to either of these to bee placed, forwarned alwaies vnto the vnskilfull herein,Subscriptions.that writing to anie person of account, by howe much the more excellent hee is in calling from him in whose behalfe the Letter is framed, by so much the lower, shall the subscription thereunto belonging, in any wise be placed.And if the state of honour of him to whome the Letter shall be directed doe require so much, the verie lowest margent of paper shall do no more but beare it, so be it the space bee seemelie for the name, and the roome fairre inough to comprehend it, which Subscriptions in all sortes to be handled shall passe in this or the like order or substance.Your L. most deuoted and loyallie affected.Maner and varietie of subscriptions.Your Honours most assured in whatsoeuer seruices. Your L. in whatsoeuer to be commanded. The most affectionate vnto your L. of all others. Hee that hath vowed to liue and die in your Honourable seruice. Your L. most faithfull and obedient Sonne. Your La. louing and obedient Daughter. Who but by your L. is onelie to be commaunded. Whose heart is your Honours, and his life by your L. to be disposed. He that liueth not but for your worship, and to doe you seruice. Whose regard stretcheth vnto your Worship more then vnto anie others. He that vnto your worship hath vowed to become most assured. Whome none haue euer bound so much, as the deserts of your L. Your L. in all humblenes. Your Honours euer to be commaunded. At your worships command. Your La. most bounden and affectionate. At your honourable direction. Alwaies attendant vpon your L. pleasure. Your worships in all good account. Yours euer louing and most assured. To none so much as your selfe. Hee that in all accounts tendereth your welfare. Whome by your onelie curtesie you haue conuinced. The same which I accept from you, and not otherwise. Such as I am, or as you wish to finde me. He that in his liking is onlie yours.Whome you haue euer knowne, but neuer prooued. Whose liking onelie accounteth of your worthinesse. Such as you haue euer founde me, and not otherwise. Yours in what soeuer to bee imploied. More chary of your welfare, then carefull of himselfe. Yours as you like to haue me. Yours faithfull and euer assured. Yours or not his owne. He who found you, but neuer knew you. He that once fauoured you, but sithence hath vowed neuer to regarde you. Whose liking by your ingratitude hath beene quenched. In whose account you once were, but now abandoned. Who once wished to loue, but could neuer hate thee. Whom thy deserts haue made an enemie. Whom hereby you may win, (if you list) for euer to become a friend. To each one louing, but to the most charie. Whose heart shall faile in any thing, sooner then in conceit towardes thee. Hée, whose in loialtie thou didst protest to be. Who liueth not but to pursue thee. Who euer looked on, but neuer loued thee. The same as you left me. Such as you saw when you departed from me. The same and none other, which I haue euer seemed to be. Whose worde hath bounde him, and faith shall assure him. Yours most affectionate. Yours deuoted till death. Yours while life swaieth within me. Yours as far forth as anie others. &c. with manie other applications, whoseEpithetsare infinite, and rather vpon the cause suggested then otherwise, to bee euermore added, altered, or conceiued. These and the others may only suffice for the present purpose, referring what else to be expected, to the regarde of a more curious or delicate inuention.And herein I thought good to aduertise the learner, that sometimes it falleth out, that this acknowledgementAcknowledgemēt of duty in the Exordium.of dutie, mentioned in the beginning of the greetings and farewels, is in diuers Letters expressed in the foremost part, and theExordiumthereupon framed: (for that the same in truth is one of the parts thereunto belonging effected in the person or condition of him to whom we write) which to doe, if in his writing also the same maie be deemed necessarie, he maie then vse some other order of farewell or taking leaue, either by imitation of others, or if hee thinke meete, what herein else prescribed, consonant and agreeing to the state and reputation of the same partie to whome hee writeth. Now then shall followe the directions, which on the outsideof euerie Letter (the same being made vp and sealed) are alwaies fired, and commonlie are termed by the name of Superscriptions.Of Superscriptions and Directions.Cap. 6.AMong the auncient Romanes, when learning first grewe vnto skilfull perfecton,Superscriptions and directions of the Romanes.and men first deuised excellentlie to write, then there began to be extant in memorie, diuers formes of writing immediatlie, by the name and title of Epistles, to be published to the posterity. In the directions whereof, animated as I thinke with the vertues of their parents, and accounting it (as in truth it was then so reputed) to be a great honour vnto them, to be intituled with the name of the principall author of their families, they sought no farther stile of magnificence, but (were his parentage neuer so statelie or honorable) being therewith contented, did onlie vpon such regard intitle their directions. For who that hath bin but ordinarilie acquainted with the histories of their actes, but knoweth and hath read, with what reuerence, those times (greedy of vertue,) entertained the honorable desertes of such, as for the common-wealth, and publicke aduancement of the state, had either aduenturouslie hazarded, or couragiouslie lost a fraile, vncertaine, or transitorie life, to the intent to purchase vnto their country quiet, honour, or victorie, and to themselues and posteritie, eternized fame and euer flourishing glorie. Neither was their country vnkind vnto them herein, which for their sakes, and for the reuerend regarde of their vertues, haue compensed the loue which to their parents they could not shewe, to their children and succession in manie degrées after them.Such were the families of theGracchi, Fabij, Cornelij, Hortentij, Horatij, Metelli, Amilij, ScipionesandFabritij. Whereby I coniecture that the custome hereof, by such emulation adorned, became afterwardes a dignitie, and so succeeded in honour to euerie posteritie.TheseRomanstherefore, vsed onlie, in the front of their letters to write first their owne names, titles adoptiue, and surnames,after that, his to whom they wrote, and lastlie their salutation or maner of greetings: giuing also like aditions vnto the other as to him belonged, whether it were by familie, office, or some other dignitie. And this was the forme.M. T. Cicero. M. Varoni. Sal. dicit, orC. Cæsar: Comelio Balbo salutem dicit. But that custome according to the antiquity of the time, is long since worne out, and these dates and seasons haue induced vnto vs for euerie estate of calling, a more statelie reuerence according to the dignitie and worthines of the same.The reuerend maiesty of Emperours, Kings and Princes, being aduāced with a more excellency and supreame magnificence. The names of Dukes, Marquises, Earles, barons and other magistrates, with more solemne and honourable titles.Diuersity of Estates.The offices of estate and places most noble, amplified with larger honours, and names accordant to their seuerall dignities.And albeit few are the number, that herein shall be occasioned to occupy their pen, but (knoweth on almost euerie daie) maie vnderstand the formall application of euerie personages honour or worship: yet in so much as all sortes are not perfectlie skilled, nor euerie man liueth in place so conuenient to vnderstand it, and that it hath beene parcell of a prescribed order so to doe, by those that haue written the like methode, I will set downe so manie examples of estates for directions, as to the matter and purpose hereof maie be adiudged conuenient, beginning from the highest that are or haue beene latelie accustomed in our common wealth (the soueraign Maiestie excepted) vnto the meaner and most ordinary bred, and in present practise amongst vs. And first, with the dignitie of Archbishop, to whom in this sort we frame our direction.To the most reuerend Father in God, the L. Archbishop of Canturburie,Directions to an Archbishop. Bishop.Duke.or York, Primate of England, and Metropolitane his verie good grace. To the right reuerende Father in God, and my verie good Lorde, the L. Bishop of London. To the high and mightie Prince, L. Duke of B. his most noble grace. To the right honourable and my especiall good L. the Lorde Chauncellor,L. Chancellor. L. Treasurer. Earles and in office.or Lord high Treasurer of England. To the right Honorable the Lorde Marquese of W. To the right Honourable the Earle of E. Lorde Lieutenant for her maiestie in the, &c. To the right Honourable the Earle of H. Lorde President of herMaiesties most honorable Councell established in the North. To the right Honorable, and my singular good L. the lorde B.Lords knights of the priuie councell.one of the lords of her highnes most honourable priuy Councell. To the right honorable sir W. M. knight, Chancellour of the Exchequer, and of her Maiesties most honorable priuy Councel. To the right honorable and my singular good Lord and father, or ladie mother, the Earle or Countesse of N. To the right honourable and my verie good ladie, the ladie A. Countesse of W. To the most noble ladie and Paragon of all vertue, the ladie M. H. To the right vertuous ladie endued with all singularitie, the ladie F. D. To the most noble and towardlie yong Gentleman G. T. esquire, if hee be a noble mans sonne vnder the degrée of a Baron. To the right honourable sir W. S. knight, L. Maior of the citie of L. To the right worshipfull W. L. esquire, one of the Iudges of her Maiesties court of common Pleas. To the right worshipfull and my singular good ladie mother, the Ladie D. H. To my verie good father, W. C. Marchant of the citie of B. To the right worshipfull his especiall good maister, M. R. Marchant and Alderman of L. To my seruant R. D. at C. &c.Other examples besides these were needelesse to set downe, for that if any alteration at all happen herein, it is by reason of familiaritie, addition of offices, or change of titles. Onlie let herewith be noted, that when Letters doe passe from some number of the Counsell, or from any Lord of the same, to a noble man or knight, these directions of honour and worship are seldome vsed. But rather thus. To our verie good L. sir W. R. knight, lord Deputie of Ireland. To our verie good L. the L. Maior of the citie of L. and to our verie louing friends W. C. and R. P. Aldermen of the same. To my verie good lord, the L. T. H. To my verie louing friend, sir. T. P. knight. To our verie louing friends sir R. S. knight,Custos rotulorumof her Maiesties Count. of B. and R. W. and S. P. esquires, Iustices of peace of the same Shire. The like directions also are vsed of an Earle, to any of these estates to him inferiour in calling, and of a Baron to a Iustice of peace, but commonlie they will adde the title of worship.

The EnglishSecretorie.

FOrasmuch as we haue herein endeuoured to lay downe a platforme or method for writing of Epistles. It shall not be amisse, that following the order of all other writers, wee first define vnto you what an Epistle is. An Epistle therefore, is that which vsually we in our vulgar, doe tearms a Letter, and for the respectes thereof is called the messenger, or familiar speach of the absent, for that therein is discouered whatsoeuer the minde wisheth in such cases to haue deliuered. The diuersities of Epistles are manifold, as wherof ensueth a platforme to euerie motion, being in truth so infinite as are yᵉ imaginations of each ones fantasie, seeing the declaration of euerie letter, is no more then what the minde willeth in all occasions to be perfourmed, and according to such instigations wherewith at that instant men are fed when they write, taketh his formall substance, whether it be to require, counsel, exhort, command, informie, commend, entreat, aduertise, gratulate, or whatsoeuer other purpose therein pretended, as cause and matter maie fall out to be required. The antiquity is as ancient as the benefite that therof ensueth is great, whereof onlie those that are sufficientlie enabled with the qualitie, can giue the greatest testimonie. Needelesse were it for me to commend the vse, when aswell by the authorities of a number the best learned, who to aduance the efficacie thereof, haue in sundrie languages prescribed rules and methods for the same, as of others besides, whose most excellent writings of Epistles are at this present extant, it is most plentifully aduanced. And although pregnant wit ensuing by nature was the foremost cause that first bred the inuention of Letters, and that euery one naturally can speake, or in some sort or other set down their meaning:yet Art preuailing in the cause, and by cunning skill marshalling euery thing in his due order, place and proportion, how much more the same is then beautified, adorned, and as it were in a new shape transmuted by such kind of knowledge, the difference that dailie appeareth may yeeld proofe sufficient.

FOrasmuch as by the necessarie vse of Letters before laid downe, a commendable maner of writing and framing the same hath bene already remembred: It shall not bee amisse, that in this Chapter we now endeuour to answere the purpose therein pretended. For the manifestation whereof, I haue thought good to drawe vnto your consideration certaine principall points, which thereunto are speciallie to be required: first,Aptnes of wordsandsentences, respecting that they be neate and choiselie picked, and orderly handled: next,Breuity of speach, according in matter and circumstance fitlie to be framed: lastly,Comlines in deliuerance, concerning the person and cause, whereupon the direction is grounded.

The first, beingAptnesse of wordes and sentences, consisteth in choice and good tearmes, in skilful and proper application of them according to their true meanings, in wel sorting and fitting them, to their seuerall purposes.Choiseand good tearmes, are in words vsual, and plain for the matter in deliuerie, not improper nor new coined, nor too olde, as hauing not of long time before bene vsed.Skilfull applicationis, when in their setting down they haue either their true & proper signification for deliuery, or else by a more delicate or pleasant inuenton may be caried conceitedly.Well sorting & fitting them, resteth in the matter in handling, that therein be a concordance with their applications, whereof may ensue a due construction, and no disorderlie mistaking.

The next, beingBreuity of speach, is not as some vndiscreetlie haue imagined, that which consisteth in fewnes of lines, & shortnes of roome in shew of a side of paper, but breuitie of matter, wherein scope sufficient remaining for the necessary demonstration anddeliuerie of any needfull occasion, men are barred from friuolous circumstances, and inioined therin to abhorre all maner of tediousnes: For which cause some haue beene of opinion, that continuance of matter ought not to be vsed in anEpistle, for that it thereby looseth the shew of anEpistle, and taketh vpon it the habit of an Oration: Yet of such sort are in this method sundry Epistles, the titles wherof are,Hortatorie, Dehortatorie, Laudatorie, Vituperatorie, Suasorie, Petitorie, Monitorie, Accusatorie, Excusatorie, Consolatorie, Inuectiueand such like, whose speciall vses do of necessitie admit such scope as in euerie ordinarie Epistle is not found, and though they beare in them manyOratorieparts, yet lose they not at all for that, neither name nor habit of anEpistle. The tolleration and ordinarie vse of which, both examples of many learned, and common custome hath warranted. And therfore, when to be briefe it is herein inioyned, it is alwayes thereby to be intended, that a man with onelie necessarie speeches may bee permitted to deliuer his meaning, neither is it without the limits of breuitie, when aptlie and at full the same shall be in this sort reported.

And for the better declaration, howe farre the conceit hereof may be induced only in writing of Letters, I will first limit what may be accounted necessarie therein, and afterwards endeuour to lay downe, howe contrarie thereunto, men (aswell in the vse, as in neglecting thereof) haue heretofore erred. Necessarie speeches, I do account whatsoeuer is set downe, for the plaine and open deliuerie of euerie occasion, to the intent the minde of the writer, and what he pursueth may aptly and in good and ready sort be conceiued. The repugnancie hereof is when either with too much curtalling our arguments, in conceit to auoyde tediousnes, or with too manie or ouer often repetitions, neuer thinking to haue spokē sufficiently, either to induce remembrance, or put forward our meaning, we abbreuiate or amplifie our Epistles. And when some others also, of a conceit more curious than necessarie, striuing to excell in varietie of sentences, and copie of words, coyned all of one sute, thinke therfore in paining themselues to write more than needeth, to be counted more eloquent. These falling out to bee imperfections, as each of them are in truth to bee blamed, so where the defect remaineth, are they (for well writing) with studie to be amended.

The third and last nowe beingComelinesse in deliuerance touching the person and cause, séemeth to bee tied vnto two seuerall respects: that is, to the reputation of the partie to whome wee write, his condition, age, honour, and disposition, and to the fitnes of the matter whereof we take vpon vs to write: for as it is most decent that in the matter we make choice of, we giue vnto euerie cause his proper and orderly effect: so is it euery way as conuenient to afford a likeDecorumof those to whome our letters are directed.

The reputation of each partie, is measured according to his dignitie or worthinesse, whereby hee beareth reckoning and place before vs. The condition, by the age or maner of liuing, wherein resteth either grauitie or youthfulnesse. The humour by the disposition, as whether desirous to be reuerenced, fawned on, or with plaine termes vsed. By this reason, the methode or stile of our letters falleth out diuerslie to be considered: in one sort we frame them to olde men, in an other sort to young men, one way to sad and graue persons, another to light and yong fellowes: one platforme to Courtiers, another to Philosophers. To great and notable personages, with a dutie speciall, appropriate to their calling: To our betters, alwayes with submission: To our inferiours, benignly and fauourably: To our friends, louinglie: To our enemies sharplie and nippinglie. Thus farre as touching the person, and now for the cause.

In this point it séemeth that the matter of euerie writing should still be measureed according to the writers apparance, credit or worthines, that the validity thereof should be answerable to the one or the others greatnes, or goodnesse: that the intendment be sound, lawfull, and to no euill purposes: that it containe not base, filthie, or scurrile matter, vnbeséeming a direction so worthie. Then that euerie thing to bee written of should bee deliuered according to his proper qualitie: Termes more officious than beséeming, are vnfitting: not sufficientlie to consider of each reputation, were ouer homelie. A matter of grauitie is to bee deliuered with waight: a matter of sorrowe should be reported with griefe: a matter of pastime, to be discoursed with pleasure: a matter of folly, intermingled with laughter. Now contrariwise, to a person sorrowfull to write of iests, to talke learnedly to a clowne,to salute an olde man with childish fantasies: in cases of waight, to aduance trifles: were altogither as improper as peeuish, and more absurd than fitteth to be tollerated in anie skilfull vsage.

And because I haue taken vpon me some distinguishments of writing, wherein I speciallie stand vpon choise and meete termes and spéeches, with proper applications: I thinke it not amisse to set down vnto you some shew of the contrarie inurements, wherby you may with the greater discretion conceiue the error thereof, the which I haue sometimes noted in other mens writings; And first, of vnséemly applications: as for example: one that sometimes intended not a litle of his owne inuention, tooke vpon him to write a loue letter to a woman of verie meane reckoning, in which, after he had drawne (GodCupidby the name of the blinded boy) by those parts of fauor that neuer were in her, and shewed himselfe much passionat for the loue he ought to her, he concludeth the meatter in this sort.Thus crauing your lawfull beneuolence, in not mee reiecting, your answere comfortable and not intollerable, &c.The woman not accustomed to such hote intertainment, and rather bluntlie before time pursued, then daintilie intreated, beganne here vpon (forsooth) to waxe coy, and to intende great matter of her self, and vaunting her fauour at a higher rate then he belike séemed afterwarde willing to become a purchaser of, remained as she was, and himselfe at his more profitable studies. The conclusion of his letter was verie improper, insomuch as requiring liking by the name ofBeneuolence, hee bothWords improper and impugning the sense.misprised his owne demand, and séemed to induce a word more sounding to a charitable reliefe, or curteous contribution of money, then to anie such purpose as he meant it. Besides,your answere comfortable, and not intollerable. If these had passed in a iest, it had béene more conuenient, but vsedbona fide, it was too bad, especiallie respecting the partie what she was, from whome one would haue supposed that such a one as himself, could neuer haue receiued (but by too much tolleration) any discontentment at all. This errourErrors commō to the learned, as well as to the vnlearned.we see is not onelie common to the vnlearned, for as well this one, who in his profession (as I was informed by him that shewed me the letter) was well reputed of, but also some of the forwarder sort, onlie by affectation of words, which they haue vsed, haue béene misliked, and yet learned ynough. Amongwhich a Doctor of Physicke long since, intending to be verie eloquent in words, and such as euery Carter should not conceiue of, began an Epistle to a booke by him published in this sort: wherein secondly appeareth this errour of old improper or new coyned termes, and this was the forme.

Egregious Doctours and Maisters of the eximious and Archane Science of Physicke, of your Vrbanitie exasperate not your selues agaynst mee, for making of this little volume of Physicke. Considering that my pretence is for an vtilitie and a Common-wealth. And this not onelie, but also I doe it for no detriment,A ridiculous maner of writing.but for a preferment of your laudable Science, that euerie man should esteeme, repute, and regarde the excellent facultie. And also you to bee extolled and highlie preferred, that hath and dooth studie, practise and labour this saide Archane Science, to the which none inartious persons, can nor shall attaine to the knowledge: yet notwithstanding fooles and insipient persons, yea and manie the which doth think themselues wise (the which in this facultie be fooles indeed) will enterprise to smatter, &c.Was there euer seene from a learned man a more preposterous & confused kind of writing, farced with so many and such odde coyned tearmes in so little vttering? But surely, the man did it of a great conceite, for as appeareth by the course of all his Epistle following, his wittes were so pestered with an angrie mislike of the bad demeanor of some vnlearned vsers of his science (as he thought with himselfe) that euerie botcher should not be able to vent him, but hee should bee a man of some reach at least that should finde him. Neuerthelesse howe wise so euer stood his imaginations: this one thing doe I knowe, that diuerse to whome I haue shewed the booke haue verie heartilie laughed in perusing the parts of his writing. For theseegregious, eximious, vrbanitie, andexasperate, although the wordes be in some sort tollerable, yet because anie of them are amongst vs verie rarelie vsed, and in this writing two of them especially very vnproperly placed, the maner thereof soundeth (in mine opinion) nothing pleasant. Insomuch asexasperateis properly to set him in a farther rage, that is alreadie furiously bent in a thing, and besides, by the action of another man then himselfe who as it were of a resolute will and meaning, would goe about to procure it, so that it maie be well saide,hee did exasperateVrbanitie and exasperate vnproperlie placed.hisfuries the more, by inducing such a speach, or such an acte: but it cannot bee so properlie deliuered to saie,exasperate not your selfe for such a thing, especiallie when I am not therewith so much as in anie mislike alreadie, which no man canne at anie time bee, without he first knowe an occasion: yourVrbanitielikewise being deriued of the Latine wordeVrbanus, which is ciuile, courteous, gentle, modest, or well ruled, as men commonlie are in Cities and places of good gouernement, whereof that worde taketh his originall, the worde is not common amongst vs, nor so apt to the sense as if hee had saide,your curtesie, your modestie, and so it might run thus,Let not your curtesies be agreeued against me, or,Let it not be offensiue to your modesty, that for the benefite of a great manie, I haue published this volume of Physicke. The grounde was verie good, for his intendment was, that the cause belonged to a common wealth, wherein if anie particular commoditie seemed to be lessened, wise men and such as were more studious of their Countries good, then of their owne peculiar gaine, ought not to be offended. Then saith he:And this not only, but also I doe it for no detriment, &c.What confused deliuerance is this? How much more orderlie thus, which soundeth also more to his meaning.And this also respected, in that I doe it not for anie detriment vnto you, but for a preferment of your laudable science. Then his comming in witharcane science, inartious fooles and insipient persons, had it not beene lesse improper, if hee had saideprofounde science, and vnskilfull or vnlearned, forinartious, and to haue contented himselfe with hisfooles, without adding to the sameinsipient persons. Lastlie he proceedeth:And many the which dooth thinke themselues wise (the which in this facultie are fooles indeede) will enterprise, &c.Here isthe whichandthe which, a phrase neuer with vs accustomed, nor with anie good writer in his time (which was not manie yeares since) the sence whereof might in this sort more plainelie bee deliuered.And many who in their owne opinion doe seeme verie wise (but therein are in truth verie fooles) will enterprise, &c.But of this ynough, for that I thinke it nowe high time to proceed to the rest, these two exemples being sufficient to admonish the learner, of the congruitie of his speaches and sentences, with good phrases that bee most agreeing to the meaning, and not improperlie, to be deliuered,whereby he shall auoid the like errour, and absurditie in conueiance hereby expressed, and already so much reprehended.

SEeing an Epistle hath chieflie his definition herof, in that itCharacter of an Epistle generall.is tearmed the familiar and mutuall talke of one absent friende to another: it seemeth the Character thereof, shoulde according thereunto bee simple, plaine, and of the lowest and meanest stile, vtterlie deuoid of anie shadow of hie and loftie speaches: yet neuerthelesse, for so much as in the argument of a great manie of them (whose seuerall distinctions hereafter shall appeare) is required (as I said before) a more high and loftie deliuerance, partaking manie waies with that kinde accustomed in Orations, and is therefore accordinglie to be necessarilie furnished with the pointes thereunto incident: we will for the present, sort all kinde of Epistles onelie into these two maner of differences, the one part whereof shall be said to be general, and the other speciall. vnder this title of generallEpistles distinguished into generall and speciall.shall bee comprehended all such, as either for fashions sake, custome, dutie, curtesie, or other familiaritie do ordinarilie passe from one part to another, rather of a pleasant conceit, or some other more district or seuere motion, then of anie extraordinarie cause, forme, or substance in either of them contained. Such are those as whome either long acquaintance, or ancient familiaritie,Letters general are familar.haue caused enterchangeablie to haue performed: or fatherly reuerence, and seruile dutie haue bound, by graue authoritie ouer children, kindred or seruants, accustomablie to be continued. These, for the common and ordinarie matter in euerie of them vsed, being vtterly exempt from anie waight or grauitie at all, are rightlie tearmed by the name of familiar letters. They nowe that be speciall are such, the matter of whome (as I said before) doe admit both higher stile, and more orderlie deliuerance, according to the waight of the argument, in anie of them to bee handled: and for this cause are tearmed speciall,Letters special.as bearing in them a resolute purpose and intendment seriouslie to discourse vpon, to answere, mittigate or auoid any certain matter or causes, importing the present affairswhereupon the direction is framed. Of them also are certaine diuisions, learnedly by skilfull Authours, that heretofore haue beene distinguished, the titles whereof I doe omit, in another place then this more opportune to be hereafter remembred.Difference of stile.These as they are from the others manie waies estranged in their seuerall argumentes: so vnto the conueiance and expressing of their causes appertaineth both other order, and diuers partes in them (then in the residue) more fullie to be considered. In whose composition, that there maie be a platforme gathered of a more certaine proceeding, we wil as others haue thought meet, distinguish their seuerall parts as they fall out to be borrowed in an oration.

In such kind therefore of Epistles, rightly and with good skil to be handled, the learner shal vnderstand, that there are three things, by meanes whereof, for the needfull expressing and orderlie deliuerie of anie matter whatsoeuer, he must of necessitie be furnished.InuentionInuention.first, wherein plentifullie is searched and considered, what kind of matter, how much varietie of sentences, what sorts of figures, how many similitudes, what approbations, diminutions, insinuations and circumstances are presentlie needefull, or furthering to the matter in handling. Then,Disposition,Disposition.whereby is orderlie, cunninglie, and perfectlie laid downe and disposed, euerie matter and cause in his due order, proportion and place. Thirdlie,Eloquution,Eloquution.whose efficacie in speaches, neate, pure and elegant, is in the other Chapter vnder aptnes of words sufficientlie alreadie described. The first and the last of these three, as they are greatlie put forwarde by nature, which in some being farre more curious of imitation and studie of the best, then in other some, whose will and conceit alike, doe (by a verie instinct) affect and couet far more baser purposes: so besides the furtherance continuallie atchieued by often vse of reading, shall herein be greatlie holpen, in that for the selfe same purpose, and to the intent the learner maie as well in his natiue tongue,Helps to Inuention and Eloquution.know the right vse of figures and Tropes heretofore neuer by him vnderstoode, as also discerne and vse them, out of others and in his own writings. I haue at the latter end of this booke, gathered together all such Figures, Schemes and Tropes hereunto needefull and conuenient, and there haue by sundrie familiar examples expressed their vses and seuerall effects. In diligent conceit and aduerting whereof,the vse vnto the practiser shall in short time bee founde greatlie auaileable, by the benefit thereby attained.

Now in as much asEloquutionis annexed vnto the stile,Stile of Epistles.which euermore is also tied to the argument and substance of euerie Epistle: it is to be regarded what stile maie generallie bee deemed meetest for the common habit, wherein each of them maie ordinarilie be published. In the recording whereof, we do find thrée sorts, especiallie in all kinds of writing and speaking, to haue bene generallie commended.Sublime,Sublime.the highest and stateliest maner, and loftiest deliuerance of anie thing that maie bee, expressing the heroicall and mightie actions of Kinges, Princes, and other honourable personages, the stile whereof is said to be tragicall swelling in choice, and those the most haughtiest tearmes, commended, described, amplified and preferred also by Orators, which manie excellent Figures and places of Rhetorique.Humile,Humile.the lowest comicall, and most simple of all others, the matter whereof is the meanest subiect of anie argument that maie be, entermedling in common causes, aduertisements and mutuall affectes of euerie one, the stile whereof sweepeth euen the very grounde it selfe, and is fittest appropriate to our familiar Letters, for that in such familiar causes and maners, the same is solely frequented, in which neuertheless isSua faceties et elegantia quædamhis certaine kind of elegancie, pleasant and neat conueiance, not altogether to be sequestred from that kinde of deliuerance.Mediocre,Mediocre.a meane betwixt high and lowe, vehement and slender, too much and too little, as we saie, in which are expressed histories, Declamations, Comentaries, and other intermingled actions, not of anie in particular, but of all in generall, this stile of all others maie be adapted vnto these speciall kinds of Epistles.

Thus then it followeth, that whether we write familiarlie, or waightilie,Skilfull vse of writing.we must endeuour as neere as maie bee that each be perfourmed skilfullie, for that to neither of them maie want learning, without the knowledge whereof, what ornament can there be at all of this expected elegancie. The particularities whereof included in these two titlesInuentionandEloquution, both Nature and Skill do put forward as we daily see byParts of an Epistle.a double instruction. This therfore sufficing for those twain, let vs see what parts are supplied in an Epistle, succéeding in the other also, and aydingtoDisposition. The first place isExordium, a beginning or introduction to the matter to be written of,Exordium.which is not always after one sort or fashion, but in diuerse maners: as sometimes by preamble, wherein either for our selues, or the cause we write of, or in respect of him, for or to whom we write, wee studie to win fauor or allowance of the matter, sometimes by insinuation, wherin couertly, either in respect that the matter requireth long debatement or that mislike may bee alreadie grounded in him to whom we direct our letters, we seeke by cunning reasons to shewe that the case so requiring is tollerable: or in the other, that rather equity then selfe opinion must and ought chieflie to be weighed. Sometimes by a similitude, wherein by manifesting the like of that we take in hand to haue bene commenced, tollerated, or equally censured, wee intend the same, or lesse force in our selues, at their hands to bee borne withall or accepted, and diuerse other wayes besides, as in the Epistles following shall be tendred. ThenNarratiō, orPropositiō,Narratiō & Propositiō.each seruing to one effect, wherein is declared or proponed, in the one by plaine tearmes, in the other by inference, or comparison, the verie substance of the matter whatsoeuer to be handled. ThenConfirmatiō,Confirmatiō.wherein are amplified or suggested many reasons, for the aggrauating or proof of any matter in question. AfterConfutatiō,Confutatiō.whereby is diminished, disproued or auoided, whatsoeuer to bee supposed, obiected or aggrauated. Lastlie,Peroratiō,Peroratiō.in which after a briefe recapitulation of that which hath beene vrged, the occasions thereof are immediatelie concluded. These are not altogither at all times vsed, but some or the most of them as occasion serueth, either admitted or reiected: besides which, others also are sometimes remembred. The vse whereof as in sundrie Epistles they may be deemed necessarie, shall in their seuerall examples hereafter perused, appeare more euidentlie and largely.

IN writing of Epistles, four especiall contents are alwaies continuallie incident. The manner of Salutation, an order of taking leaue or farewell, the Subscription, and the outwarde direction. Salutations of auncient time werewoont to bee fixed,Quasi omen faustum, a signe or inuiting to good hap, in the front or vpper part of the letter: so did the auncientRomanes, and in like manner after their examples doo at this daie some other nations. But seldome or neuer (especiallie of the learned and most curious writers) is the same in our English directions, at any time accustomed. Onelie this, where letters are directed from one or more of the Councell to an inferiour Magistrate or person, or from some noble man to such, whom hee intertaineth not in any estate of societie or equall familiaritie, the maner of commendations (which with vs is retained for an order of Salutation or gréeting) runneth lightlie in the beginning of the Letter, and customablie is deliuered in this forme.After our heartie commendations vnto your L.if it bee from a number of the Counsell to a Noble man, or otherwise in the singular number vnto an inferiour person, as thus.After my heartie commendations vnto you.But otherwise writing seriouslie to anie man,Maner of salutations.the greeting if it be to one far our better is turned, to an acknowledgment of some kind of dutie, or reuerent account, and that most commonly at the end of the Letter, which likewise in equalitie falleth out in such place to be mentioned. And being in familiarities is to no place tied, but beginning, middle, or ending of the Letter, all is one, as séemeth most consonant to the vaine & disposition of the partie, and these also at all times not deliuered in the selfe worde of gréeting or commendations, but by diuerseEpithets, and fine conueiances, as falleth out to the matter of the Epistle, and the conditions of the partie to be handled. This being at the end of the Letter, there shall immediatelie follow the order of farewell, which ioyning so hard thereupon as it doeth, wee will put them both in one example of wordes andEpithets,Epithets.togither with the subscriptions, for the easier instruction of the learner, and his better remembrance, referring the notes of euerie of them to their places, where afterwards they are vsed in their seuerall Letters.

ACknowledging my selfe deepelie boundeGreetings of humilitie or acknowledgment of dutie.vnto your L. for manie sundrie fauours: I doe remaine in all humble reuerrence. Finding my selfe manie wayes beholding vnto your exceeding courtesies, I ende. Remembring howe much I am indebted vnto your L. for your sundrie benefites: I conferre the regard thereof to my present imaginations, and doe beseech thereof at your honourable handes an euerlasting continuance. All humble loyaltie and seruice protested vnto your honorable calling, I rest nowe and perpetuallie your L. &c. Fearing in speeches, neuer with sufficiencie to manifest the conceit I haue of your most honourable fauours: I solace my selfe with the remembrance, and humblie leaue your L. to your woonted perseuerance. Praying the Almightie to haue your L. euermore in his gratious protection, I humblie take my leaue. Your worship in this, besides manie other occasions hauing perpetuallie bound mee, how can I but rest such, as you haue expected and shall euer find me. Eftsoones recording my bounden seruice vnto your worship and my good Ladie, I remaine as euer before. Not forgetting howe manie wayes I am charged, in dutifull remembrance towards you, I rest as I haue protested. More grieued at my mishap and disabilitie, then wanting either will or liking to doe seruice vnto you: I affix my selfe euermore vpon the acceptance of your woonted cuʳtesie, and humblie there withall do take my leaue: Commending the safetie and good estate of your worship to the Almighties protection, I rest in all dutifull regard to the same. Rather desirous to shewe my selfe thankful, then otherwise able in like sort to giue you any requital, I continue, &c. Binding my self by all possible indeuors, neuer to be fréed from the charge of so excéeding benefites, I wish I might as I would, be vnto you in verie deed, &c. Wishing vnto you and yours, as much happinesse, as my selfe am clogged with carefulnesse, I surcease. Desiring vnto you no worse successe in these and all other your laudable endeuors,Greetings familiar.then my selfe haue eftsoones craued in performance of my chiefest trauels, I recommend you to the tuition of the Almightie. Not forgetting our accustomed gréetings and interchangeable welwishings, my hastie Letter takethende. Weighing howe much you are alreadie busied, and not willing to keepe you further occupied, I ende my long and tedious discourse, beeing in nothing exempted from woonted salutations, and accustomed kind of greetings. Thinke not though my haste be such, but that I remember (notwithstanding all this breuitie) how greatlie I stand charged both to you and yours, to whome, and all the rest to you knowne I eftsoones commend me. Reioycing not a little at the health of you and all other our friends, I hartily bid you fare well. Reiocing my self on your wel-wishing, and the hope I haue to be returned in safetie I commend my hap to fortune, and our gouernement to the Almightie. Rendring vnto you as manie thankes, as I conceiued comfort of your good intreatings, I leaue to detaine you. Omitting what else to bee amplified in these or anie other occasions I expect your happie returne, and in hope thereof doe bid you farewell. Knowing howe well I loue you, the lesse ceremonies I néede to vse in greeting you, onlie you shall remember to your parents in most hartie maner to commend mee. Salute I praie you your friendes in my name, and thinke in my best and serious wishes I neuer forget you. My father willed me in his behalfe to salute you, and all the rest of your acquaintance here do most hartilie greete you. Forget not in what sort I haue heretofore receiued you, and thinke in the selfe same maner I do still intertaine you. My gréetings to our friend R. let not bee vnremembred, and deeme that in all my vowes I haue (vnto you all) most heartilie wished. I had almost let slip my commendations vnto your brother, which for anie thing I would not had bene forgotten, vpon whom, as of greatest choic, I will make my reposing.

The liking I haue to N. maketh mee here to remember him whose good demeanour as your own, I haue in chiefest reckoning. My gréetings and paper haue all one ende togither, onelie our friendship indissoluble can neuer be forgotten.

Thinke how exceedinglie I haue alwaies well wished vnto you, and accordinglie thereunto measure the rest of mine affections towards you. Haste compelleth mee to ende sooner than I would, wherin notwithstanding I can neuer omit sufficientlie to gréete you, eftsoones recognizing as behooueth, your especall good liking towards me, &c.

Innummerable of these and such like might be imagined both in greetings and farewels, the course whereof beeing furnished with such varietie as it is, I haue left the residue vnto the conceit of the learner, accounting the plentie herein set down, for anie studious follower to be alreadie sufficient.

And now to the Subscriptions, the diuersities whereof are (as best they may be allotted in sence) to either of these to bee placed, forwarned alwaies vnto the vnskilfull herein,Subscriptions.that writing to anie person of account, by howe much the more excellent hee is in calling from him in whose behalfe the Letter is framed, by so much the lower, shall the subscription thereunto belonging, in any wise be placed.

And if the state of honour of him to whome the Letter shall be directed doe require so much, the verie lowest margent of paper shall do no more but beare it, so be it the space bee seemelie for the name, and the roome fairre inough to comprehend it, which Subscriptions in all sortes to be handled shall passe in this or the like order or substance.

Your L. most deuoted and loyallie affected.Maner and varietie of subscriptions.Your Honours most assured in whatsoeuer seruices. Your L. in whatsoeuer to be commanded. The most affectionate vnto your L. of all others. Hee that hath vowed to liue and die in your Honourable seruice. Your L. most faithfull and obedient Sonne. Your La. louing and obedient Daughter. Who but by your L. is onelie to be commaunded. Whose heart is your Honours, and his life by your L. to be disposed. He that liueth not but for your worship, and to doe you seruice. Whose regard stretcheth vnto your Worship more then vnto anie others. He that vnto your worship hath vowed to become most assured. Whome none haue euer bound so much, as the deserts of your L. Your L. in all humblenes. Your Honours euer to be commaunded. At your worships command. Your La. most bounden and affectionate. At your honourable direction. Alwaies attendant vpon your L. pleasure. Your worships in all good account. Yours euer louing and most assured. To none so much as your selfe. Hee that in all accounts tendereth your welfare. Whome by your onelie curtesie you haue conuinced. The same which I accept from you, and not otherwise. Such as I am, or as you wish to finde me. He that in his liking is onlie yours.Whome you haue euer knowne, but neuer prooued. Whose liking onelie accounteth of your worthinesse. Such as you haue euer founde me, and not otherwise. Yours in what soeuer to bee imploied. More chary of your welfare, then carefull of himselfe. Yours as you like to haue me. Yours faithfull and euer assured. Yours or not his owne. He who found you, but neuer knew you. He that once fauoured you, but sithence hath vowed neuer to regarde you. Whose liking by your ingratitude hath beene quenched. In whose account you once were, but now abandoned. Who once wished to loue, but could neuer hate thee. Whom thy deserts haue made an enemie. Whom hereby you may win, (if you list) for euer to become a friend. To each one louing, but to the most charie. Whose heart shall faile in any thing, sooner then in conceit towardes thee. Hée, whose in loialtie thou didst protest to be. Who liueth not but to pursue thee. Who euer looked on, but neuer loued thee. The same as you left me. Such as you saw when you departed from me. The same and none other, which I haue euer seemed to be. Whose worde hath bounde him, and faith shall assure him. Yours most affectionate. Yours deuoted till death. Yours while life swaieth within me. Yours as far forth as anie others. &c. with manie other applications, whoseEpithetsare infinite, and rather vpon the cause suggested then otherwise, to bee euermore added, altered, or conceiued. These and the others may only suffice for the present purpose, referring what else to be expected, to the regarde of a more curious or delicate inuention.

And herein I thought good to aduertise the learner, that sometimes it falleth out, that this acknowledgementAcknowledgemēt of duty in the Exordium.of dutie, mentioned in the beginning of the greetings and farewels, is in diuers Letters expressed in the foremost part, and theExordiumthereupon framed: (for that the same in truth is one of the parts thereunto belonging effected in the person or condition of him to whom we write) which to doe, if in his writing also the same maie be deemed necessarie, he maie then vse some other order of farewell or taking leaue, either by imitation of others, or if hee thinke meete, what herein else prescribed, consonant and agreeing to the state and reputation of the same partie to whome hee writeth. Now then shall followe the directions, which on the outsideof euerie Letter (the same being made vp and sealed) are alwaies fired, and commonlie are termed by the name of Superscriptions.

AMong the auncient Romanes, when learning first grewe vnto skilfull perfecton,Superscriptions and directions of the Romanes.and men first deuised excellentlie to write, then there began to be extant in memorie, diuers formes of writing immediatlie, by the name and title of Epistles, to be published to the posterity. In the directions whereof, animated as I thinke with the vertues of their parents, and accounting it (as in truth it was then so reputed) to be a great honour vnto them, to be intituled with the name of the principall author of their families, they sought no farther stile of magnificence, but (were his parentage neuer so statelie or honorable) being therewith contented, did onlie vpon such regard intitle their directions. For who that hath bin but ordinarilie acquainted with the histories of their actes, but knoweth and hath read, with what reuerence, those times (greedy of vertue,) entertained the honorable desertes of such, as for the common-wealth, and publicke aduancement of the state, had either aduenturouslie hazarded, or couragiouslie lost a fraile, vncertaine, or transitorie life, to the intent to purchase vnto their country quiet, honour, or victorie, and to themselues and posteritie, eternized fame and euer flourishing glorie. Neither was their country vnkind vnto them herein, which for their sakes, and for the reuerend regarde of their vertues, haue compensed the loue which to their parents they could not shewe, to their children and succession in manie degrées after them.

Such were the families of theGracchi, Fabij, Cornelij, Hortentij, Horatij, Metelli, Amilij, ScipionesandFabritij. Whereby I coniecture that the custome hereof, by such emulation adorned, became afterwardes a dignitie, and so succeeded in honour to euerie posteritie.

TheseRomanstherefore, vsed onlie, in the front of their letters to write first their owne names, titles adoptiue, and surnames,after that, his to whom they wrote, and lastlie their salutation or maner of greetings: giuing also like aditions vnto the other as to him belonged, whether it were by familie, office, or some other dignitie. And this was the forme.M. T. Cicero. M. Varoni. Sal. dicit, orC. Cæsar: Comelio Balbo salutem dicit. But that custome according to the antiquity of the time, is long since worne out, and these dates and seasons haue induced vnto vs for euerie estate of calling, a more statelie reuerence according to the dignitie and worthines of the same.

The reuerend maiesty of Emperours, Kings and Princes, being aduāced with a more excellency and supreame magnificence. The names of Dukes, Marquises, Earles, barons and other magistrates, with more solemne and honourable titles.

Diuersity of Estates.

The offices of estate and places most noble, amplified with larger honours, and names accordant to their seuerall dignities.

And albeit few are the number, that herein shall be occasioned to occupy their pen, but (knoweth on almost euerie daie) maie vnderstand the formall application of euerie personages honour or worship: yet in so much as all sortes are not perfectlie skilled, nor euerie man liueth in place so conuenient to vnderstand it, and that it hath beene parcell of a prescribed order so to doe, by those that haue written the like methode, I will set downe so manie examples of estates for directions, as to the matter and purpose hereof maie be adiudged conuenient, beginning from the highest that are or haue beene latelie accustomed in our common wealth (the soueraign Maiestie excepted) vnto the meaner and most ordinary bred, and in present practise amongst vs. And first, with the dignitie of Archbishop, to whom in this sort we frame our direction.

To the most reuerend Father in God, the L. Archbishop of Canturburie,Directions to an Archbishop. Bishop.Duke.or York, Primate of England, and Metropolitane his verie good grace. To the right reuerende Father in God, and my verie good Lorde, the L. Bishop of London. To the high and mightie Prince, L. Duke of B. his most noble grace. To the right honourable and my especiall good L. the Lorde Chauncellor,L. Chancellor. L. Treasurer. Earles and in office.or Lord high Treasurer of England. To the right Honorable the Lorde Marquese of W. To the right Honourable the Earle of E. Lorde Lieutenant for her maiestie in the, &c. To the right Honourable the Earle of H. Lorde President of herMaiesties most honorable Councell established in the North. To the right Honorable, and my singular good L. the lorde B.Lords knights of the priuie councell.one of the lords of her highnes most honourable priuy Councell. To the right honorable sir W. M. knight, Chancellour of the Exchequer, and of her Maiesties most honorable priuy Councel. To the right honorable and my singular good Lord and father, or ladie mother, the Earle or Countesse of N. To the right honourable and my verie good ladie, the ladie A. Countesse of W. To the most noble ladie and Paragon of all vertue, the ladie M. H. To the right vertuous ladie endued with all singularitie, the ladie F. D. To the most noble and towardlie yong Gentleman G. T. esquire, if hee be a noble mans sonne vnder the degrée of a Baron. To the right honourable sir W. S. knight, L. Maior of the citie of L. To the right worshipfull W. L. esquire, one of the Iudges of her Maiesties court of common Pleas. To the right worshipfull and my singular good ladie mother, the Ladie D. H. To my verie good father, W. C. Marchant of the citie of B. To the right worshipfull his especiall good maister, M. R. Marchant and Alderman of L. To my seruant R. D. at C. &c.

Other examples besides these were needelesse to set downe, for that if any alteration at all happen herein, it is by reason of familiaritie, addition of offices, or change of titles. Onlie let herewith be noted, that when Letters doe passe from some number of the Counsell, or from any Lord of the same, to a noble man or knight, these directions of honour and worship are seldome vsed. But rather thus. To our verie good L. sir W. R. knight, lord Deputie of Ireland. To our verie good L. the L. Maior of the citie of L. and to our verie louing friends W. C. and R. P. Aldermen of the same. To my verie good lord, the L. T. H. To my verie louing friend, sir. T. P. knight. To our verie louing friends sir R. S. knight,Custos rotulorumof her Maiesties Count. of B. and R. W. and S. P. esquires, Iustices of peace of the same Shire. The like directions also are vsed of an Earle, to any of these estates to him inferiour in calling, and of a Baron to a Iustice of peace, but commonlie they will adde the title of worship.

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