SELECTED ENGLISH LETTERS (XV-XIX CENTURIES) ARRANGED BY M. DUCKITT & H. WRAGG 1913. PREFACE This anthology has been compiled with rather mixed motives. First, 'all for our delight'--a rule that editors sometimes observe, and occasionally acknowledge; then, with the desire to interest as large a section of the public as may be. Here is a medley of gay, grave, frivolous, homely, religious, sociable, refined, philosophic, and feminine,--something for every mood, and for the proper study of mankind. We do not hope to satisfy all critics, but we do not anticipate that we shall please none. Our difficulty has been that of choice. Many pleasant companions we have had to pass by; to strike from our list many excellent letters. Those that remain are intended to present as complete a portrait of the writer as space permits. Occasionally it was some feature of the age, some nicety of manners, some contrast in point of view, that obtained inclusion. Into such an anthology the ordinary reader prefers to dip at random, looking for old friends or new faces, and has his reward. But if he is resolute to read letters in chronological order, he will also, we hope, find in our selection some trace of the development of the Epistolary art, as, rising through earlier naiveties and formalities to the grace and _bel air_ of the great Augustans, it slides into the freer, if less dignified, utterance of an age which, startled by cries of 'Equality' at its birth, has concerned itself less with form than with individuality and sincerity of expression. Three letters are included of which the originals were penned in Latin. In a few cases the spelling and punctuation have been modernized. Our best thanks are due to Mr. J.C. Smith, whose kind criticism and inspiring suggestions have been of inestimable service to us in the preparation of this work. M.D. H.W. CONTENTS SIR THOMAS MORE, 1478-1535-- To Margaret Roper. 'Wyth a cole' from prison. MARGARET ROPER, 1505-1544-- To Sir Thomas More. Reply to the above. ROGER ASCHAM, 1515-1568-- To Lady Jane Grey. A most accomplished maiden. To Lady Clarke. An offer of assistance. FRANCIS BACON, 1561-1626-- To Sir Thomas Bodley. With a copy of his book. SIR THOMAS BROWNE, 1605-1682-- To his son Thomas. Fatherly commendations. To his son Edward. Centenarians. JOHN MILTON, 1608-1674-- To a Cambridge friend. The choice of a profession. To Leonard Philaras. The blind poet. JOHN EVELYN, 1620-1706-- To Samuel Pepys. In retirement at Wotton. To the same. An old man's occupations. DAME DOROTHY BROWNE, 1621-1685-- To her daughter in London. Three interesting postscripts. GEORGE, LORD BERKELEY, 1628-1698-- To Samuel Pepys. Honourable acquittal. DOROTHY OSBORNE, 1628-1698-- To Sir William Temple. Passing the time. To the same. Another pretender. To the same. A disappointing preacher. To the same. The ideal husband. To the same. The growth of friendship. To the same. Wilful woman.