IN WHICH THE FOURTH OF THE QUESTIONS PROPOSED IN CHAPTER II. P. I. IS BEGUN TO BE ANSWERED; SOME OBSERVATIONS UPON ANCESTRY ARE INTRODUCED, AND THE READER IS INFORMED WHY THE AUTHOR DOES NOT WEAR A CAP AND BELLS. Boast not the titles of your ancestors, Brave youths! they're their possessions, none of yours. When your own virtues equall'd have their names, 'Twill be but fair to lean upon their fames, For they are strong supporters; but till then The greatest are but growing gentlemen. BEN JONSON. CHAPTER LXXIII.—p. 318. RASH MARRIAGES. AN EARLY WIDOWHOOD. AFFLICTION RENDERED A BLESSING TO THE SUFFERER; AND TWO ORPHANS LEFT, THOUGH NOT DESTITUTE, YET FRIENDLESS. Love built a stately house; where Fortune came, And spinning fancies, she was heard to say That her fine cobwebs did support the frame; Whereas they were supported by the same. But Wisdom quickly swept them all away. HERBERT. CHAPTER LXXIV.—p. 324. A LADY DESCRIBED WHOSE SINGLE LIFE WAS NO BLESSEDNESS EITHER TO HERSELF OR OTHERS. A VERACIOUS EPITAPH AND AN APPROPRIATE MONUMENT. Beauty! my Lord,—'tis the worst part of woman! A weak poor thing, assaulted every hour By creeping minutes of defacing time; A superficies which each breath of care Blasts off; and every humorous stream of grief Which flows from forth these fountains of our eyes, Washeth away, as rain doth winter's snow. GOFF. CHAPTER LXXV.—p. 331. A SCENE WHICH WILL PUT SOME OF THOSE READERS WHO HAVE BEEN MOST IMPATIENT WITH THE AUTHOR, IN THE BEST HUMOUR WITH HIM. There is no argument of more antiquity and elegancy than is the matter of Love; for it seems to be as old as the world, and to bear date from the first time that man and woman was: therefore in this, as in the finest metal, the freshest wits have in all ages shewn their best workmanship. ROBERT WILMOT. CHAPTER LXXVI.—p. 337. A STORY CONCERNING CUPID WHICH NOT ONE READER IN TEN THOUSAND HAS EVER HEARD BEFORE; A DEFENCE OF LOVE WHICH WILL BE VERY SATISFACTORY TO THE LADIES. They do lie, Lie grossly who say Love is blind,—by him And Heaven they lie! he has a sight can pierce Thro' ivory, as clear as it were horn, And reach his object. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER. CHAPTER LXXVII.—p. 346. MORE CONCERNING LOVE AND THE DREAM OF LIFE. Happy the bonds that hold ye; Sure they be sweeter far than liberty. There is no blessedness but in such bondage; Happy that happy chain; such links are heavenly. BEAUMONT and FLETCHER. THE DOCTOR, &c. CHAPTER XXXIII. P. I. DONCASTRIANA. THE RIVER DON. Rivers from bubbling springs Have rise at first; and great from abject things. MIDDLETON.