4 Records of the Rising in the West, A.D. 1655. 
his Lady, and my cousin, Mr. Sebastian Izaack for their great solicitations on 
my behalf. If I could forget this city of Exeter for their civilities to my own 
self in particular indeed to all of us, I should leave a reproach behind me, I will 
give them thanks at my death and I hope you and yours will do it when I am dead. 
My dear Heart, I once more bid thee adieu, and with as much love and 
sincerity as can be imagined. 
I subscribe myself, 
Thy dying and loving husband, 
JNO. PENRUDDOCK. 
Exon, May 7, and the last year and day of my date * 
being the year of my Saviour, 1655. 
Note. When this letter was writ Colonel Penruddock did not know other 
than that he was to die the same day. 
Note. Mr. 8. Izaack, though he seemed very sollicitous for Colonel 
Penruddock in his life, since his death hath been very unworthy to his memory 
(contrary to his promise to the said Colonel in his life) and hath done contrary 
to the will of the dead, the trust reposed in him, the principles of honour, and 
much unbecoming a gent.” + 
The second appeared in an essay in “ The Lover ” for March 13th, 
1714. The author (Sir Richard Steele) after giving Mrs. Penruddock’s 
letter as above, thus proceeds :— 
“JT do not know that I have ever read anything so affectionate as that line, 
‘Those dear embraces which yet I feel.’ 
Mr. Penruddock’s answer has an equal tenderness which I shall recite also, 
that the town may dispute whether the man or the woman expressed themselves 
the more kindly, and strive to imitate them in less circumstances of distress ; 
for from all no couple upon earth are exempt.” 
Then follows his version of the answer :— 
“ Dearest Best of Creatures, 
I had taken leave of the world when I received yours: It did at once 
recall my fondness for life and enable me to resign it. As I am sure I shall 
leave none behind me like you, which weakens my resolution to part from you; 
so when I reflect I am going to a place where there are none but such as you I 
recover my courage. But fondness breaks in upon me; and as I would not 
have my tears flow tomorrow, when your husband and the father of our dear 
babes is a public spectacle; do not think meanly of me, that I give way to grief 
now in private, when I see my sand run so fast, and I within few hours am to 
leave you helpless and exposed to the merciless and insolent, that have wrong- 
fully put me to a shameless death, and will object that shame to my poor 
children. I thank you for all your goodness to me, and will endeavour so to 
* So May 7th was his birthday; and in the spirit of the age, so full of divination he thought 
it was to be his death-day. 
+I know not Mr. Izaack’s misdeeds, including those against the writer of the pamphlet, 
