64 The Duchess of Newcastle 



many sons), although they came to be persons of the 

 meanest fortunes ; but God (it seems) had ordered it 

 otherwise, and frustrated his designs by making me 

 barren, which yet did never lessen his love and 

 affection for me. 



After My Lord was married, having no estate or 

 means left him to maintain himself and his family, 

 he was necessitated to seek for credit, and live upon 

 the courtesie of those that were pleased to trust him ; 

 which although they did for somewhile. and shewed 

 themselves very civil to My Lord, yet they grew 

 weary at length, insomuch that his steward was 

 forced one time to tell him, that he was not able to 

 provide a dinner for him, for his creditors were 

 resolved to trust him no longer. My Lord being 

 always a great master of his passions, was, at least 

 shewed himself not in any manner troubled at it, but 

 in a pleasant humour told me, that I must of necessity 

 pawn my cloaths to make so much money as would 

 procure a dinner. I answered, that my cloaths would 

 be but of small value, and therefore desired my wating- 

 maid, to pawn some small toys, which I had formerly 

 given her, which she willingly did. The same day in 

 the afternoon. My Lord spake himself to his creditors, 

 and both by his civil deportment, and perswasive 

 arguments, obtained so much that they did not onely 

 trust him for more necessaries, but lent him mony 

 besides to redeem those toys that were pawned. 

 Hereupon I sent my waiting-maid into England to 

 my brother, the Lord Lucas, for that small portion 

 which was left me, and My Lord also immediately 

 after dispatched one of his servants, who was then 

 governour to his sons, to some of his friends, to try 

 what means he could procure for his subsistance ; but 

 though he used all the industry and endeavour he 



