Sociable Letters 245 



treble blessing; but my condition is fitter for prayer, 

 as having not sufficient means to do good works, my 

 husband being robbed of all his estate, than the Lady 

 P. Ys. who hath saved all she can lay claim to; 

 wherefore, leaving her to her prayers of thanksgiving, 

 and I to prayers of petitioning, 



I rest, Madam, 

 Your very faithful friend and servant. 



A GOOD SERVANT 



Madam, — I am sorry to hear you have lost so good 

 a servant as E. L. was, for she was faithful, trusty, 

 loving, humble, obedient, industrious, thrifty, and 

 quiet, harmlesly merry and free, yet full of respect 

 and duty, which few servants are in this age ; for most 

 are idle, cousening, wastful, crafty, bold, rude, 

 murmuring, factious and treacherous, and what not 

 that is evil ? But truly. Madam, the fault ought to be 

 laid on the ma.sters and mistresses, who either give 

 their servants ill examples by their evil or idle life, 

 or through a credulous trust, which is a temptation 

 to a poor servant, and it is a part of our prayer. Lead 

 us not into temptation ; or through a neglect of 

 governing, for there is an old true saying. The Master's 

 eye makes the horse fat ; or through a timorous fear 

 of commanding, for many masters are afraid to com- 

 mand a peremptory servant, being more in aw of the 

 servant than the servant of the master: or through 

 much clemency, giving their servants their wills so 

 much as they neglect their duties; or through their 

 prodigality, when to inrich their servants they make 

 themselves poor so as the servant becomes greater 

 than the master, which makes theni so proud, that 



