hart could not have sett her seriusly to any thing. Ionely beg you will quickly rite, and I will ceace to troble your eyes with longer scribling. Yr hart, I know, kynd enouf to bear all my defects, and kynder yet, if you beleeve my affection equalls the reasons I fynd for itt. This supposed, I must needs stile my self

Your proud sister,

WINEFRID THIMBLBY.

LETTER LIV.

HOND. DEARE BROTHER,

Jan. 28.

I had receaved most complet satisfaction in my sister's letter, had I not perceaved your suspition that I wanted itt. O God! how longe must I suffer? not being understood by you. Truely, I am neither so blyndly proud in myselfe, nor so uniust to you, as to chalinge your letters, by the number of my owne, no, I understand both too well, and set so due a value upon yours, that, though I receave but won line for a letter, I esteeme itt a ritch purchase; and shuld scruple to aske more as worse then usury; to require juels for counterfeits. But its lawful to receave a boundty, therfore when you please to give it, I gladly take, as poor folckes use to doe, unconcerned to give agayne, because

I have itt not. * But thanckes and prayers shall ever waite upon you, and the last knocke at heaven's gate tell we are both lett in, wher my hopes perswade you will owne I ever was Your most affectionat, though

unworthy, sister, WIN.

O what hopes of having my dear Keat againe ? my want of resignation deserves, I fear, this rod of separation.

* Mrs Henry Thimelby has expressed this sentiment in a different way:

But if that peaceful kings, of unknowne power,
Refuse not humble presents from the poor,
And though it cannot add to their estate,
Are pleased to value it, at the giver's rate,
You will accept our wealth, an earnest care,
And for your happiness a fervent prayer.

Tixall Poetry, P. 94.

LETTER LV.

Thes for Mr Herbert Aston, humbly present,
Bellamore.

HOND. DEARE BROTHER,

I am so revived with a poore little glimpse of hope wch my brother Edward gives me of seeing our dear Keat againe, that sylence growes too dull a thinge. I must proclame my ioys, though 'twill discover much of my weaknis to be so esily transported from won passion to a nother, when the bisinis is onely this: My brother has promised he will goe a purpose to Standel, to visit Keat; and if he can find she hath frinds that will contribute to the making of her hapy heer, he also will offer his mite. O

any

*

I suppose Standon is meant, the seat of Lord Aston, near Ware, in Hertfordshire.

that it wear possible he could speake with you. I doe not meane for her, but his owne satisfaction; for I shuld not deserve your pardon, had I a thought to begg of you, as beeing certaine you are too good a father to her, too dear and kynd a brother to us, too much a furtherer of good intentions, to need solicitation in that behalfe, as far as yr ability will permit; further wear most uniust for us to desire, and infinitly from the hart

of your most affectionat sister,

WIN.