Memoirs 201 



running about with their several causes, complaining 

 of their severall grievances, exclaiming against their 

 severall enemies, bragging of their severall favours 

 they receive from the powerfuU ; thus trafficking with 

 idle words bring in false reports and vain discourse; 

 for the truth is, our sex doth nothing but justle for 

 the preheminence of words, I mean not for speaking 

 well, but speaking much, as they do for the pre- 

 heminence of place, words rushing against words, 

 thwarting and crossing each other, and puUing with 

 reproches, striving to throw each other down with 

 disgrace, thinking to advance themselves thereby. 

 But if our sex would but well consider and rationally 

 ponder, they will perceive and finde, that it is neither 

 words nor place that can advance them, but worth 

 and merit: nor can words or place disgrace them, 

 but inconstancy and boldness: for an honest heart, 

 a noble soul, a chaste life, and a true speaking tongue, 

 is the throne, sceptre, crown, and footstoole, that 

 advances them to an honourable renown. I mean 

 not noble, virtuous, discreet, and worthy persons, 

 whom necessit}^ did enforce to submit, comply, and 

 follow their own suites, but such as had nothing to 

 lose, but made it their trade to solicite; but I dis- 

 pairingly being positively denied at Goldsmiths' 

 Hall, — besides I had a firm faith, or strong opinion, 

 that the pains was more than the gains, and being 

 unpractised in publick employments, unlearned in 

 their uncouth ways, ignorant of the humours and 

 dispositions of those persons to whom I was to address 

 my suit, and not knowing where the power lay, and 

 being not a good flatterer, I did not trouble myself or 

 petition my enemies. Besides I am naturally bashful, 

 not that I am ashamed of my minde or body, my 

 birth or breeding, my actions or fortunes, for my 



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