Sociable Letters 297 



the year, and as the old saying is, that pride in winter 

 is never cold, so it may here be said, that love in 

 winter is never cold; indeed, I have heard sa3^ that 

 love is hot, and to my apprehension it must be a very 

 hot amorous love that is not cold this weather. But 

 leaving the hot lovers in the cold snow, I rest, by the 

 fire-side. Madam, 



Your very faithful friend and servant. 



ON THE SLIDING OF HER THOUGHTS IN HER 



BRAIN 



Madam, — ^Although I am as unwilling to stir from 

 the fire-side this cold weather, as criminals are to go 

 to their execution (for indeed the sharp cold is to me 

 as a sharp ax, and the peircing motions Hke points 

 of swords), yet my husband's perswasion, which is as 

 powerful on me, as the powerfullest authority of 

 states to particular persons, forced me out of the city, 

 as without the walls, to see men slide upon the frozen 

 moat, or river, which runs, or rather stands about the 

 city walls, as a trench and security thereof; and I 

 being warm inclosed in a mantle, and easily seated 

 in my coach, began to take some pleasure to see them 

 sHde upon the ice, insomuch as I wished I could, and 

 might sHde, as they did. But yet I would slide as 

 one of the skilfuUest, and most practiced, and with 

 a security the ice was so firm as not to break; but 

 since I neither had the agility, art, courage, nor 

 liberty, I returned home very well pleased with the 

 sight, and being alone to my self, I found I had a 

 river, lake, or moat frozen in my brain, into a smooth, 

 glassy ice, whereupon divers of my thoughts were 

 sliding; of which, some slid fearfully, others as if they 

 had been drunk, having much ado to keep on their 



