62 LETTERS ON SCIENTIFIC SUBJECTS. 



and jeer her as she passed the streets : in the whole time (a 

 year and three quarters) of my being there,, I was never aware 

 of her passing by, but only once, that she was shewed me, at 

 which time the party I was then walking and talking with will 

 testify I used no surly unseemly speeches or behaviour toward 

 her. And as for her objecting in special., that I was wont to say 

 I would make her jet it in one silk gown the less ; she therein 

 bewrayed herself to be a weak woman, of less wisdom than she 

 would be taken to be. I was never thrice in her company, 

 nor did I ever to my remembrance take so much notice of 

 her, as that she went in a silk gown. Alas ! silly woman, as 

 if I had nothing else to busy my wits about, but to mark 

 what gowns she and her like went in. But indeed the de- 

 fenture of a silk gown is a fit object for a haughty-spirited 

 woman's malice to work upon. That I am building a new 

 house upon my benefice, and therefore not so poor as I pre- 

 tend, is a senseless imputation: mine old house being so 

 ruinous as that my predecessor was afraid to lie in it, I began 

 to build a new, and raised it out of the ground girdle steed 

 high, before my brother bewrayed his estate, or ever I had 

 undertaken any part of his debts : at what time there was no 

 staying of it, the old being for the most part already fallen or 

 pulled down, and my workmen entertained for the building of 

 the new ; the building whereof nothing sumptuous, but suit- 

 able to the place and living, as every one that sees it acknow- 

 ledgeth, cost and impoverished me an hundred pounds, which 

 cost should have been at that time spared, and that business 

 at leastwise defferred, if I had been acquainted with my bro- 

 ther's estate before I undertook it ; and the finishing thereof, 

 with the building of the outhouses all likewise ruined, for 

 which I have been threatened to be sued for dilapidations, 

 will cost me fifty pounds more ; which conscience binds me 

 to repair rather than pay another man's debt to Mrs. Hare, un- 

 dertaken upon a grant whereof I am defeated. Thus I find it 

 a calamity common to me with other of my fellow-prisoners, 

 that our adversaries are fain to catch after and blaze abroad 

 slanderous reports against us, to blear the eyes of the world, 

 that they have reason to deal extremely with us. But I hope, 

 Sir, they shall not blear yours, and much less our gracious 

 Sovereign's ; unto whose gracious answer to my petition (to 

 be presented by your means, upon the preferment thereof to 

 his Majesty, being my whole and only suit unto you, for 

 which I shall endeavour to shew myself accordingly thankful,) 

 I most humbly recommend me ; 



Remaining yours to be commanded in all Christian duties, 



THOMAS LYDYAT. 



King's Bench Prison, April 4, 1G32. 



