370 THE EPISTLE DEDICATORY. 



time to turn me in, and rub up my memory 

 for, in truth, I have not, in all this long time; 

 though I have often thought on't, and almost as 

 often resolved to go presently about it I was 

 forced, upon the instant, to scribble what I here 

 present you : which I have also endeavoured to 

 accommodate to your own method. And, if 

 mine be clear enough for the honest brothers of 

 the angle readily to understand, which is the 

 only thing I aim at, then I have my end, and 

 shall need to make no further apology -, a 

 writing of this kind not requiring, if I were 

 master of any such thing, any eloquence to set 

 it off, or recommend it : so that if you, in your 

 better judgment, or kindness rather, can allow it 

 passable, for a thing of this nature, you will 



then do me the honour if the cypher 



fixed and carved in the front of my little fishing 

 house, may be here explained -, and to permit 

 me to attend you in publick, who, in private, 

 have ever been, am, and ever resolve to be, 



SIR, 

 Your most affectionate Son, 



And Servant, 

 CHARLES COTTON. 



Berisford, 10th 

 of March, 1675-6. 



