Sociable Letters 239 



degrees of wit for quantity, and sorts of wit for 

 quality, so there are several weights of wit. For salt 

 wit is heavy and searching, it presses to the centre, 

 and peirces to the quick, and opens the obstructions 

 of the world of mankind, like as mineral waters do 

 the splene, or the like parts of the body, whereas 

 fresh spring wit is light and airy, running with a 

 smooth and quick motion, refreshing the world of 

 mankind, bathing the soul, cleansing the thoughts, 

 and quenching the drought of time, which is over- 

 heated with running; but least my pen should become 

 dry with writing, having not wit enough to moisten it, 

 I'le take my leave, and rest, Madam, 



Your faithful fr. and s. 



ON COMBUSTIONS AND WARS 



Madam, — ^I have observed that in all combustions 

 and wars, those get more favour and profit that enter 

 into them latest, for those that are at the beginning, 

 for the most part, are losers, either in lives, or estates, 

 or both, and are least favoured by those they fight 

 or adventure for, nay most commonly they are dis- 

 favoured; wherefore, if honour and honesty would 

 give leave, were I a man, I would not enter till the 

 last course, for that is sweetest, like a banquet. But 

 because honour and honesty would exclaim against 

 me, for preferring profit and promotion before them, 

 therefore a man ought to do his endeavour in a just 

 cause, for honour and honestie's sake, although he 

 were sure to lose his liberty, estate or life. But leaving 

 war, loss, disfavour and preferment to worthy persons 

 and unjust states and princes, 



I rest Madam, 

 Your faithful frierfd and servant. 



