Sociable Letters 275 



me lean to the opinion, that the stars and the planets 

 have an influence upon the minds of men ; but I am 

 absolutely of the opinion, that they have no influence 

 or power on the educations of mankind, no more 

 than they have on the fortunes or accidents of and to 

 mankind. For in those men that are educated 

 thoroughly well, and wisely, the effects of education 

 are too strong for the effects of the stars or planets, 

 so that some men may be constantly prudent, just, 

 valiant, generous, understanding, judicious, witty, 

 and wise. Also the effects of education, and the 

 effects of the planets, may be crossing, and opposing 

 each other, and then the strongest effects bear away 

 the victory, whether to good or ill; and this is the 

 reason of long debates, doubts, and considerations, ere 

 some men come to conclusions or resolutions; and 

 truly, I think the senses have as great an influence upon 

 the mind, as the stars and planets have, as fair ob- 

 jects, melodious sounds, sweet savours, and delicious 

 touches, have as great an influence upon the mind, 

 and cause as various and strong effects, as the stars 

 and planets do, or can. But leaving the stars, 

 planets, education, and the senses to their influences, 



I rest. Madam, 

 Your faithful friend and servant. 



ON HER PLAYS 



Madam, — I heard the ship was drowned, wherein 

 the man was that had charge and care of my playes, 

 to carry them into E. to be printed, I being then in A. 

 which when I heard, I was extremely troubled, and 

 if I had not had the original of them^by me, truly I 

 should have been much afliicted, and accounted tl:e 



