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be carefull of yr selfe; and walk, and exersise as much as you can; and read agayne, and agayne, as a booke of devotion, yt booke of new offices I gave you, ther being most excellent things in it, and when you are pleased, stick ther, and range not on to looke for wt you have found; yt were foolisher then we hunsmen. I warrant you we beate no more bushes when we have found our hare.

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was

Though I was but few dayes at Belamore, being forced to goe into Glostershire, yet with my La. Bagot, and cosen Wells. They, and all at Colton, George Wright most extraordinarily present their services to you. I have set Belamore, and 20l. a yeare, next to the house. I sold likewise my horses, and foure cowes, and my house is likely better to be look ed to, and I pleased, since I am here childles, to bee servantles, and houseless; and therby much more careless, but not one whit of you, and yr 3 sisters; you are all to my wish and satisfaction, and therfore be sure of the utmost endeavours for

you

of

Yr affectionate father,

HER. ASTON.

LETTER LII.

HOND. DEARE Brother,

Though you have forgiven much in all my letters, yet this will take a greater proofe of your indullgence to mee, wher I must confess a high iniustice in so much repyning to lend you backe your owne, though even my owne dim judgment discovers itt best, both in regard of her present and future happynes, besydes the warrent of greater and better lights who plainely see itt the onely meanes to recover her. But of this and all perticulers my sister will best informe you. Her's the active, mine the passive part. I am strangely confounded to fynd so much selfe love, wher I lest suspected it, none living could have perswaded me I could have suffered any thinge in order to Keat's good, but now I blushingly confesse tis time she retorne to Bellamore, till I lerne how

to love. And though I cannot passe the seaes with her, I am sure tha-l passe my eyes.

may she fynd a sweeter calme in thos, then I in thes, but when I hear she is aryved, (wch I coniure you by all you ever loved, to lett me quickly know) I shall inioy much peacc in the assurance, nothing shall be wanting wch the best father can alow his best chyld. I please myself also in the thought what comfort she will receive in that sweet little company of brothers and sisters, all wch I hope will contribute much to her speedy recovery, that I may have my deare Keate agen. Meantime I will soe in teares that I may reape in joy.

Your most affectionat sister,

WIN.

Forgive also my late thancks for yr last dearly obliging letter. Sweet brother, lett not Keat know my sadnis. I have strangely dissembled itt, not to afflict her tender loving hart, kynd to me as much beyound expression as desert. I shall no more troble you with remembering me to all yours. This little mesinger of love

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will, I hope, make me knowne both to you and them.*

* One of the poems in the " Tixall Poetry," p. 7, on the death of a little girl, concludes with these lines.

Sad parents then recall your greefes:
Your little one now truly lives,

Your pretty messenger of love,
Your new intelligence above;

Since God created such immortal flowers,
To grow in his owne Paradice, not ours.

LETTER LIII.

Jan. 3.

HOND. DEARE Brother,

What a strange mixture is this world of ioy and greife, or rather what a weaknis, I, so quickly moved by either. My last to you had more need of teares then incke. In this I know not how enouf to speake my joys, that sweet Keat is well with you. See a copius subiect for your prayers, and pitty; O lett them gaine for me an equall love to God, in all his wills; my want of this is iustly punished by Keat's absence, but I am confident God will retorne that mercy to mee, and I hope quickly too, for I believe the company of her brothers and sisters will help much to her perfect recovery; for a little mallincolly was all the fault she had, and certainely did her much hurt; and heer she wanted divertisment, not haveing any of her owne age or condition. I am ashamed she learnt so little, but her ill health was so continuall, a hard

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