and was in the hard and Knotty Arguments of Metaphysical Learning a most nervous and subtle Disputant. And as he says, It is not long since that she took great pains to perfect her Knowledge in the Greek Tongue, that she might with greater Pleasure read that Eloquent Father St. Chrysostome in his own Pure and Native Style. Her being very well acquainted with the Greek Testament, in which she was much conversant, was a great Help to improve her Skill in that Language. She compos'd many things in the Latine Tongue, which were Rare and Useful in their kind; wherein it does appear she had a Beauty in her Style as well as in her Countenance. She still coveted more and more Knowledge; and in this Particular alone, she would often say, It was a sin to be contented with but a little. . . . She has often by her nervous arguments, and the Grace of God which was in her, put to silence those bold men, who have attempted (even in these our days, when the Light of the Gospel is so clearly shining among us) to revive that Old and Baffled Heresie of Socinus : And she did much lament that such Lewd opinions should gain any Footing or the least Entertainment among those that profess the Religion of the Crucify'd Jesus. . . . What is it (saith she) to be so skilful in Astronomy as that by the Motions of the Heavens we can foretel things here below, if we never study by our Practices to come thither? What is it to be so skilful in Arithmetick, as that we can divide and sub-divide to the smallest fractions; if (as God hath revealed unto us in his Holy Word) we do not so learn to number our Days, that we may apply our Hearts unto wisdom? . . . When just upon her Departure she utter'd these words-I desire (says she) that all young People may be exhorted to the Practice of Vertue, and to encrease their Knowledge by the study of Philosophy, and more especially to read the great Book of Nature, wherein they may see the Wisdom and Power of the great Creator, in the order of the Universe, and in the Production, and Preservation of things; for Quælibet herba Deum. This was a Language which was very familiar to her and if you would know the English of it, she would have you to understand thus much by it; that the least Spire of Grass, as well as the Lillies of the Field, do demonstrate the Being of a God. . . . That Women (says she) are capable of such Improvements, which will better their Judgements and Understandings, is past all doubt; would they but set to't in earnest, and spend but half of that time in Study and Thinking, which they do in Visits, Vanity and Toys. Timothy Rogers Lady Fitzgerald UCH age how beautiful! O Lady bright, SUCH Whose mortal lineaments seem all refin'd By favouring nature and a saintly mind To something purer and more exquisite Than flesh and blood; whene'er thou meet'st my sight, Or with the moon conquering earth's misty air, As pensive evening deepens into night. William Wordsworth Frances Dobbs HERE lyes the body of Frances Dobbs, daughter of Edward Dobbs, rector of Great Snoring in Norfolk, a considerable sufferer for the Royal Cause in the Reign of King Charles I.; and, as if virtues were inheritable, her Father's conscience and courage seemed to descend to her. Her Religion having the ascendant, governed the niceties of practice and secured the manner and the end. She was obliging without flattery, charitable without vanity, and generous without design; and, by despising interest and hating self-love, she made even the most unfriendly passions serviceable and inoffensive. Her singularities were always to advantage, being unlike her neighbours only by being better. She was humble but not mean, pious but not morose. Here was innocence and agreeableness, observance and reality, friendship and plain-dealing, happily proportioned, and joined for ornament and defence; insomuch that she seems to have been made for model and example, and rather for others than herself. Her patience under sickness was invincible, her mind easy and resigned; so that here Death may be said to kill, but not to conquer, the force of it being felt, but not the terrors; and thus, to finish life to the greater exactness, the last stroaks were bold and beautiful. Incognita Jeremy Taylor SACRED AN UNKNOWN LADY, ACRED to the rare and fragrant memory of who took off her hat at a matinée on January 9, 1908, without being asked. XXIII THE BLUES How generous the conduct of Mrs. - who, as a literary woman, might be ugly if she choose, but is as decidedly handsome as if she were profoundly ignorant! I call such conduct honourable. Sydney Smith Madge Newcastle A S for my Disposition, it is more inclining to be melancholy than merry, but not crabbed or peevishly melancholy, but soft, melting, solitary, and contemplating melancholy; and I am apt to weep rather than laugh not that I do often either of them; also I am tender natured, for it troubles my conscience to kill a fly, and the groans of a dying Beast strike my soul. Also where I place a particular affection, I love extraordinarily and constantly, yet not fondly, but soberly and observingly, not to hang about them as a trouble, but to wait upon them as a servant; but this affection will take no root, but where I think or find merit, and have leave both from Divine and Morall laws; yet I find this passion so troublesome, as it is the only torment to my life, for fear any evill misfortune or accident, or sickness, or death, should come unto them, insomuch as I am never freely at rest. Likewise I am gratefull, for I never received a courtesie but I am impatient and troubled untill I can return it. Also I am chaste, both by Nature and Education, insomuch as I do abhorre an unchaste thought. Likewise I am seldom angry, as my servants may witness for me, for I rather choose to suffer some inconveniences than disturbe my thoughts, which makes me winke many times at their faultes; but when I am angry, I am very angry, but yet it is soon over, and I am easily pacified, if it be not such an injury as may create a hate. Neither am I apt to be exceptious or jealous. . . . Also in some cases I am naturally a coward, and in other cases very valiant; as for example, if any of my neerest friends were in danger, I should never consider my life in striving to help them, though I were sure to do them no good, and would willingly, nay cheerfully, resign my life for their sakes: likewise I should not spare my Life, if Honour bid me dye; but in a danger where my Friends, or my Honour is not concerned, or engaged, but only my Life to be unprofitably lost, I am the veriest Coward in Nature, as upon the Sea, or any dangerous places, or of Thieves, or fire, or the like; nay the shooting of a gun, although but a pop-gun, will make me start, and stop my hearing, much less have I courage to discharge one; or if a sword should be held against me, although but in jest, I am afraid. Also as I am not covetous, so I am not prodigall, but of the two I am inclining to be prodigall, yet I cannot say to a vain prodigallity, because I imagine it is to a profitable end; for perceiving the world is given, or apt to honour the outside more than the inside, worshipping show more than substance; I am so vain, if it be vanity, as to endeavour to be worship't, rather than not to be regarded; yet I shall never be so prodigall as to impoverish my friends, or go beyond the limits or facilitie of our estate. And though I desire |