MEMOIRS OF MARGARET, DUCHESS 

 OF NEWCASTLE 



AN EPISTLE 



I HAVE heard, that some should say my wit seemed 

 as if it would overpower my brain, especially when 

 it works upon philosophical opinions. I am obhged 

 to them for judging my wit stronger than my brain : 

 but I should be sorry they should think my wit 

 stronger than my reason: but I must tell them, that 

 my brain is stronger than my wit, and that my reason 

 is as strong as the effeminate sex requires. 



Again, I have heard some should say, that my 

 writings are none of my own, because when some 

 have visited me, though seldome I receive visits, they 

 have not heard me speak of them, or repeat some of 

 the chapters or verses: but I believe, if they should 

 desire the best orator to repeat his orations or sermons 

 that he hath spoke ex tempore, he shall not do it, 

 although but an hour's discourse : for I believe, Tully, 

 who I have heard was an eloquent orator, yet could 

 not repeat them over to his auditory. The same is in 

 writers; for I do believe. Homer, as great and excel- 

 lent poet, as it is said he was, could not repeat his 

 poems by heart; nor Virgil, nor Ovid, or any other, 

 nor Euclyd repeat his demonstrations, numerations, 

 and the like, without book; nor Aristotle, who, I 

 have heard, was a great philosopher, tlie explanation 



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