2IO The Duchess of Newcastle 



than merry, but not crabbed or peevishly melancholy, 

 but soft, melting, solitary, and contemplating melan- 

 choly; and I am apt to weep rather than laugh, not 

 that I do often either of them; also I am tender 

 natured, for it troubles my conscience to kill a fly, 

 and the groans of a dying beast strike my soul : also 

 where I place a particular affection, I love extra- 

 ordinarily and constantly, yet not fondly, but soberly 

 and observingly ; not to hang about them as a trouble, 

 but to wait upon them as a servant, but this affection 

 will take no root, but where I think or find merit, and 

 have leave both from divine and morall laws; yet I 

 find this passion so troublesome, as it is the only 

 torment to my liife, for fear any evill misfortune or 

 accident, or sickness, or death, should come unto 

 them, insomuch as I am never freely at rest. Likewise 

 I am gratefull, for I never received a curtesie but I 

 am impatient, and troubled untill I can return it; 

 also I am chaste, both by nature and education, 

 insomuch as I do abhorre an unchast thought : like- 

 wise I am seldom angry, as my servants may witness 

 for me, for I rather chose to suffer some inconveniences 

 than disturbe my thoughts, which makes me winke 

 many times at their faults ; but when I am angry, I 

 am very angry, but yet it is soon over, and I am easily 

 pacified, if it be not such an injury as may create a 

 hate; neither am I apt to be exceptions or jealous; 

 but if I have the lest symptome of this passion, I 

 declare it to those it concerns, for I never let it ly 

 smothering in my breast to breed a maUgnant disease 

 in the minde, which might break out into extravagant 

 passions, or raihng speeches, or indiscreet actions; 

 but I examin moderately, reason soberly, and plead 

 gently in my own behalf, through a desire to keep 

 those affections I had, or at least thought to have; 



