184 Appendix II 



anything in me left, but a thankful heart filled with diligence, and obedi- 

 ence to his sacred Majesty's will. 



It is not the least favour of the King and Queen's Majesties to let me 

 know my obligation : and I pray, sir, humbly inform their Majesties it 

 is my greatest blessing that I owe myself to none but their sacred Majesties. 

 God ever preserve them and theirs, and make me worthy of their Majesties' 

 favours ! 



I have had but seldom the honour to receive letters from you ; but such 

 as these you cannot write often. But truly I am very proud I received 

 such happ}' news by your hand, which shall ever oblige me to be inviola- 

 bly, — Sir, your most faithful and obliged servant, 



W. Newcastle. 



Welbeck, the 21st of March, 1637 



(Clarendon State Papers, vol ii, p. 7) 



With these letters should be read that of Strafford to the Earl 

 of Newcastle, dated June 1, 1638, in which he gives him advice 

 concerning the line of conduct to be followed in the Court (Strafford 

 Letters, ii, 174). 



The Earl of Newcastle's letter of instructions to Prince Charles for 



his studies, conduct and behaviour 



[From a copy preserved with the Royal Letters in the Harleian MS., 

 6988, Art. 62. Printed by Ellis, Original Letters, ser. i, vol. iii, p. 

 288.] 



May it please your Highness, — Since it pleased your most gracious 

 father, his sacred Majesty, to think me worthy to be your Governor, I 

 will justify his Majesty's choice ; for, what I may want in abilities I will 

 make up with fidelity and duty to his Majesty, in diligence and service to 

 you. Then for your education, sir, it is fit you should have some lan- 

 guages, though I confess I would rather have you study things than words, 

 matter than language ; for seldom a critic in many languages hath time 

 to study sense, for words ; and at best, he is, or can be, but a living dic- 

 tionary. Besides, I would not have you too studious, for too much con- 

 templation spoils action, and virtue consists in that. What you read, I 

 would have it history, and the best chosen histories, that so you might 

 compare the dead with the living ; for the same humours is now as was 

 then ; there is no alteration but in names, and though you meet not with 

 a Cassar for Emperor of the whole world, yet he may have the same passions 

 in him ; and you are not to compare fortunes so much as humours, wit, 

 and judgment ; and thus you shall see the excellency and errors both of 

 Kings and subjects ; and though you are young in years, yet living by 

 your wading in all those times, be older in wisdom and judgment than 

 Nature can afford any man to be without this help. 



For the arts, I would have you know them so far as they are of use, 

 and especially those that are most proper for war and use ; but whensoever 

 you are too studious your contemplation will spoil your government, for 

 you cannot be a good contemplative man and a good commonwealth's 

 man ; therefore, take heed of too much book. 



