2o8 The Duchess of Newcastle 



for'my thoughts and fancies to build upon, yet I must 

 say this in the behalf of my thoughts, that I never 

 found them idle ; for if the senses bring no work in, 

 they will work of themselves, like silk-wormes that 

 spinns out of their own bowels; neither can I say I 

 think the time tedious, when I am alone, so I be near 

 My Lord, and know he is well. 



But now I have declared to my readers, my birth, 

 breeding, and actions, to this part of my life, I mean 

 the material parts, for should I write every particular, 

 as my childish sports and the like, it would be ridicul- 

 ous and tedious; but I have been honorably born 

 and nobly match't; I have been bred to elevated 

 thoughts, not to a dejected spirit, my life hath been 

 ruled with honesty, attended by modesty, and directed 

 by truth : but since I have writ in generall thus far of 

 my life, I think it fit, I spould speak something of my 

 humour, particular practice and disposition. As for 

 my humour, I was from my childhood given to con- 

 templation, being more taken or delighted with 

 thoughts then in conversation with a society, in so 

 much as I would walk two or three hours, and never 

 rest, in a musing, considering, contemplating manner, 

 reasoning with my self of every thing my senses did 

 present, but when I was in the company of my 

 naturall friends, I was very attentive of what they 

 said or did; but for strangers I regarded not much 

 what they said, but many times I did observe their 

 actions, whereupon m}^ reason as judge, and my 

 thoughts as accusers, or excusers, or approvers and 

 commenders, did plead, or appeal to accuse, or com- 

 plain thereto. Also I never took delight in closets, 

 or cabinets of toys, but in the variety of fine clothes, 

 and such toys as onely were to adorn my person: 

 likewise I had a naturall stupidity towards the 



