115 
Fac-simile of OW Letter, penes FJ. S. 
a 
‘* Heaven witness 
I have been to you a true and humble wife, 
In all times to your will comformable.” 
Shakspeare. 
VEN as an almost unique specimen of a long-lost style 
of caligraphy this letter is worthy of re-production ; 
: but in these present days of petticoat-rule it is highly 
suggestive of how a placens uxor of some short two-and-a-half 
centuries agone had to address her liege lord and master. 
-Whether, however, a covert meaning may not be detected 
between the lines, of the fair writer’s being only too thankful that 
her husband should still longer “ order his house and affaires in 
the countrey,” that she might prolong her stay with her deare 
mother and sisters in the then fashionable purdieu of Blackfriars, 
may be left to the gentler sex to determine. 
