shalt beget a race of pigmies; the other will be thy continual disgrace, and it will irk thee to hear her talk. For thou shalt find it to thy grief, that there is nothing more fulsome than a she fool.

And, touching thy guiding of thy house, let thy hospitality be moderate; and according to the means of thy estate, rather plentiful than sparing, but not costly. For I never knew any man grow poor by keeping an orderly table. But some consume themselves through secret vices, and their hospitality bears the blame. But banish swinish drunkards out of thine house, which is a vice impairing health, consuming much, and makes no show. I never heard praise ascribed to the drunkard, but for the well-bearing of his drink; which is a better commendation for a brewer's horse or a drayman, than for either a gentleman or a serving man. Beware thou spend not above three or four parts of thy revenues; nor above a third of that in thy house. For the other two parts will do no more than defray thy extraordinaries, which always surmount the ordinary by much: otherwise thou shalt live like a rich beggar, in continual want. And the needy man can never live happily, nor contentedly for every disaster makes him ready to mortgage or sell. And that gentleman that sells an acre of land, sells an ounce of credit. For gentility is nothing else but ancient riches; so that, if the foundation shall at any time sink, the building must needs follow.-So much for the first precept.

II. Bring thy children up in learning and

obedience, yet without outward austerity. Praise them openly, reprehend them secretly; give them good countenance, and convenient maintenance according to thy ability: otherwise, thy life will seem their bondage; and what portion thou shalt leave them at thy death, they will thank death for it, and not thee. And I am persuaded that the foolish cockering of some parents, and the over stern carriage of others, causeth more men and women to take ill courses, than their own vicious inclinations. Marry thy daughters in time, lest they marry themselves. And suffer not thy sons to pass the Alps; for they shall learn nothing there but pride, blasphemy, and atheism. And if by travel they get a few broken languages, that shall profit them nothing more than to have meat served up in diverse dishes. Neither, by my consent, shalt thou train them up in wars; for he that sets up his rest to live by that profession, can hardly be an honest man or a good Christian. Besides, it is a science no longer in request than use. For soldiers in peace are like

chimneys in summer.

III. Live not in the country without corn and cattle about thee. For he that putteth his hand to the purse for every expense of household, is like him that putteth water in a sieve. And what provision thou shalt want, learn to buy it at the best hand. For there is one penny saved in four, betwixt buying at thy need, and when the markets and seasons serve fittest for it. Be not served with kinsmen or friends, or men entreated to stay; for they expect much, and do little nor with such as are amorous, for their

heads are intoxicated.

And keep rather two

too few, than one too many. Feed them well, and pay them with the most; and then thou mayest boldly require service at their hands.

IV. Let thy kindred and allies be welcome to thy house and table, grace them with thy countenance, and father them in all honest actions. For by this means thou shalt so double the bond of nature, as thou shalt find them so many advocates to plead an apology for thee behind thy back. But shake off those glow-worms, I mean parasites and sycophants, who will feed and fawn upon thee in the summer of prosperity, but in adverse storms they will shelter thee no more than an arbour in winter.

V. Beware of suretyship for thy best friends. He that payeth another man's debts seeketh his own decay. But, if thou canst not otherwise choose, rather lend thy money thyself upon good bonds, although thou borrow it: so shalt thou secure thyself, and pleasure thy friend. Neither borrow money of a neighbour or a friend, but of a stranger; where paying for it, thou shalt hear no more of it. Otherwise thou shalt eclipse thy credit, lose thy freedom, and yet pay as dear as another. But, in borrowing money, be precious of thy word; for he that hath care of keeping days of payment is lord of another man's purse.

VI. Undertake no suit against a poor man without receiving much wrong. For, besides that thou makest him thy compeer, it is a base conquest to triumph where there is small resistance. Neither attempt law against any man before thou be fully resolved that thou hast right

on thy side; and then spare not for either money or pains. For a cause or two, so followed and obtained, will free thee from suits a great part of thy life.

VII. Be sure to keep some great man thy friend, but trouble him not for trifles. Compliment him often with many, yet small gifts, and of little charge. And, if thou hast cause to bestow any great gratuity, let it be something which may be daily in sight. Otherwise, in this ambitious age, thou shalt remain like a hop without a pole, live in obscurity, and be made a football for every insulting companion to spurn at.

VIII. Towards thy superiors be humble, yet generous with thine equals familiar, yet respective towards thy inferiors show much humanity, and some familiarity, as to bow the body, stretch forth the hand, and to uncover the head: with such like popular compliments. The first prepares thy way to advancement: the second makes thee known for a man well bred: the third gains a good report; which, once got, is easily kept. For right humanity takes such deep root in the minds of the multitude, as they are more easily gained by unprofitable courtesies than by churlish benefits. Yet I advise thee not to affect, or neglect, popularity too much. Seek not to be Essex, shun to be Raleigh.

IX. Trust not any man with thy life, credit, or estate. For it is mere folly for a man so to enthral himself to his friend, as, though occasion being offered, he should not dare to become thine enemy.

X. Be not scurrilous in conversation, nor satiri

cal in thy jests. The one will make thee unwelcome to all company; the other pull on quarrels, and get thee hated of thy best friends. For suspicious jests, when any of them savour of truth, leave a bitterness in the minds of those which are touched. And, albeit I have already pointed at this inclusively, yet I think it necessary to leave it to thee as a special caution; because I have seen so many prone to quip and gird, as they would rather lose their friend than their jest. And, if perchance their boiling brain yield a quaint scoff, they will travail to be delivered of it as a woman with child. These nimble fancies are but the froth of wit.

LORD BURGHLEY TO QUEEN ELIZABETH.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

FULL of assurance that my unfeigned zeal for your majesty's interest and service will be evident in what I humbly presume to remonstrate to your majesty, I shall venture to speak my mind with a freedom worthy the noble end and aim of my design. When any man that is as ambitious as myself of engaging your majesty's good opinion of my actions, and your favour in my endeavours, shall attempt to plead against any particulars engrossing your royal ear, he cannot be well suspected of directing his discourse and solicitations on that head to any private interest and advantage. Since by advancing the contrary position, he might hope perhaps in time, and in