7G LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1644. 



enforced to wallow in; and then shall I show my 

 thankfulness to you both ; and as you have never failed 

 me, so shall I never fail you, but in all things show 

 how much I am . . . 



&quot; Oxford the 12th of March, 1644.&quot; 



The newly created Earl of Glamorgan was now just 

 entering on what afterwards proved to be the most 

 perilous period of his life. He no doubt felt the weighty 

 importance of the duties he was undertaking, and one 

 cannot help imagining that it was under a lively impres 

 sion of the possible change in his fortune, which, whe 

 ther for good or for evil, it was past human wisdom to 

 divine, that he addressed the following most reverential 

 letter to his honoured father, in August, 1644.* 



&quot; MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, 



u Amongst other memorable expressions which 

 have taken deep root in my heart, I assure your Lord 

 ship, that those you were pleased to use towards me on 

 Sunday last, shall never be defaced out of my memory ; 

 for you were pleased so to interlace terror and comfort, 

 as that I knew not whether joy or fear possessed me 

 most, or whether you showed more justice or clemency ; 

 but at last a tender fatherly affection appeared to steer 

 your words and deeds which shall be, God willing, 

 answered with a filial duty and tenderness, and your 

 unparalleled goodness shall not, with God Almighty s 

 grace, undo, but strengthen me in my duty to God and 

 your Lordship, with as much zeal and true-hearted 

 devotion as can be witnessed, with the uttermost en 

 deavours of thought, word, and deed, lying in the power 

 and uttermost abilities which I can at any time attain 



* From MSS. Badminton. 



