Selected English Letters

Selected English Letters

Project Gutenberg's Selected English Letters (XV - XIX Centuries), by Various This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net
Title: Selected English Letters (XV - XIX Centuries)
Author: Various
Release Date: June 4, 2004 [EBook #12515]
Language: English
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
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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.
KATHARINE PHILIPS, 1631-1664-- To the Honourable Berenice. Yielding to opinion.
JOHN LOCKE, 1632-1704-- To William Molyneux. A philosopher's confidences. To Dr. Molyneux. True friendship.
SAMUEL PEPYS, 1633-1703-- To George, Lord Berkeley. An explanation. To Mrs. Steward. A wedding in the City. To John Evelyn. Reply to an old friend.
JONATHAN SWIFT, 1667-1745-- To Stella. The Dean at home. To Lord Treasurer Oxford. The Dean makes his bow. To Dr. Sheridan. News from the country. To Alexander Pope. Mostly about Gulliver. To John Gay. Enquiries into Mr. Gay's pursuits.
JOSEPH ADDISON, 1672-1719-- To Alexander Pope. Translation of Homer. To Mr. Secretary Craggs. A bequest.
SIR RICHARD STEELE, 1672-1729-- To Mary Scurlock. An explicit declaration. To the same. A pleasing transport. To the same. A lover betrays himself. To his wife. He proposes an outing. To the same. His greatest affliction. To the same. Four characteristic notes. To the same. The natural slave of beauty.
JOHN GAY, 1685-1732-- To Jonathan Swift. Concerning Gulliver.
ALEXANDER POPE, 1688-1744-- To William Wycherley. Dryden and his critics. To Joseph Addison. A few thoughts from a rambling head. To Jonathan Swift. Friends to posterity. To the same. A farming friend, and The Dunciad. To the same. An invitation to England.
SAMUEL RICHARDSON, 1689-1761-- To Miss Mulso. A discussion on love.
LADY MARY WORTLEY MONTAGU, 1689-1762-- To the Countess of Mar. The Viennese court. To Miss Sarah Chiswell. Ingrafting for small-pox. To the Countess of Bristol. The Grand Signior a slave. To the Countess of Mar. The Grand Vizier's lady. To the Countess of Bute. Her grand-daughter's education.