268 The Duchess of Newcastle 



suasion, but rather so restringent as to be obstinate 

 from entering into a concourse; for there is nothing 

 more dangerous in all mahgnant diseases, than throngs 

 or crowds of people ; and this is the best preparative 

 against the plague of gossiping. But for fear with 

 writing too long a letter I should fall into that disease, 

 I take my leave, and rest. Madam, 



Your very faithful friend and servant. 



ON THE LORD W. N.'S WIT 



Madam,— Here was the Lord W. N. to visit me, 

 whose discourse, as you say, is like as a pair of billows 

 to a spark of fire in a chimney, where are coals or 

 wood, for as this spark would sooner go out than 

 inkindle the fuel, if it were not blown, so his discourse 

 doth set the hearers brain on a light flame, which heats 

 the wit, and inUghtens the understanding. The truth 

 is, great wits might be thought, or seem fools, if they 

 had not wit to discourse, but the greatest wits that 

 are, or ever were, cannot discourse wittily, unless they 

 either imagine or else have a real witty opposite to 

 discourse wittily to; Uke as those that can skilfully 

 fence, cannot fence, unless they have an opposite to 

 fence with ; or like as those that can skilf uUy play at 

 tennis, cannot play, unless they have a skilful oppo- 

 site; they may toss the ball, but not play a game. 

 The same is in conversation and discourse; there is 

 none can discourse well, wisely, or wittily, but with 

 wise, and witty opposites, otherwise their discourse 

 will be extravagant, and as it were, out of time or 

 season: but the Lord W. N.'s wit is a well-seasoned 

 wit, both for reason, time and company, to which I 

 leave him, and rest. Madam, 



Your faithful friend and servant. 



