232 The Duchess of Newcastle 



they are applauded and commended for their wit 

 and confident behaviour; for self-love thinks all is 

 well said or done, that itself speaks or acts, so that 

 self-love doth alwayes approve it self, and dispraise 

 others. But leaving self-love to self-admiration, and 

 that admiration to other's condemnation, 



I rest, Madam, 

 Your faithful fr. and s. 



ON WORDS AND WIT 



Madam, — ^In j^our last letter you were pleased to 

 condemn me for admiring words, so much, as to 

 prefer eloquence before all other musick; but pray, 

 Madam, mistake me not, for I do not admire the 

 words, but the sense, reason, and wit, that is exprest, 

 and made known by words. Neither do I admire 

 formal orators, that speak premeditated orations, 

 but natural orators, that can speak on a sudden upon 

 any subject, whose words are as sweet and melting 

 as manna from Heaven, and their wit as spreading 

 and refreshing as the serene air, whose understanding 

 is as clear as the sun, giving light of truth to all their 

 hearers, who in case of perswasion, speak sweetly, 

 in case of reproof, seasonably, and in all cases effectu- 

 ally. And, Madam, if you do consider well, you can- 

 not chuse but admire, and wonder at the powers of 

 eloquence, for there is a strange hidden mystery in 

 eloquence, it hath a magical power over manldnd 

 for it charms the senses, and inchants the mind, and 

 is of such a commanding power, as it forces the will 

 to command the actions of the body and soul, to do, 

 or to suffer, beyond their natural abilities, and makes 

 the souls of men the tongue's slaves; for such is the 

 power of an eloquent speech, as it binds the judge- 



