240 The Duchess of Newcastle 



OF PRAISE AND DISPRAISE 



Madam, — ^Mrs, C. R. is very much troubled in her 

 mind with doubts and fears, since she hath heard that 

 the Lady S. P. did pubhckly and privately praise her, 

 for, she sayes, she is afraid the Lady S. P. hath ob- 

 served some error in her behaviour, or hath heard 

 her speak foolishly, or hath found out some decayes 

 of beauty in her face, or some deformities in her shape, 

 or some of the masculine sex have dispraised her 

 beauty, wit, person, behaviour, or the like. Otherwise, 

 sayes she, she is confident she would never have 

 praised her, for, sayes she, it is so unusual for one 

 woman to praise another, as it seems unnatural; 

 wherefore she doth not delight to be praised by her 

 own sex, and since that time she received your last 

 letter, she will sit in a silent musing posture, consider- 

 ing and examining her self, as searching to find out 

 what faults she hath, or what crimes she is guilty of, 

 that the Lady S. P. should praise her, and so peevish 

 and froward she is for it, as I believe she will never be 

 quiet or at rest and peace in her mind, until she hear 

 that the Lady S. P. hath spoken spitefully of her, or 

 hath dispraised her some wayes or other. The truth 

 is, she doth confess as much, for she sayes, she shall 

 never think her self handsome, conversable, nor 

 vertuous, but ill-favoured, foolish, base, or wicked, 

 unless she be dispraised by her own sex, wherefore 

 if you hear, as certainly you cannot chuse unless you 

 will stop your ears, any femal discommendations 

 concerning Mrs. C. R., pray send her word of them, 

 by which you will infinitely oblige her, and in the 

 mean time I shall endeavour to pacifie her thoughts, 

 and settle her mind in peace and quiet resting Madam, 



Your faithful friend and servant. 



