perfecton, and men first deuised excellentlie to write, then there
began to be extant in memorie, diuers formes of writing immediatlie, by
the name and title of Epistles, to be published to the posterity. In
the directions whereof, animated as I thinke with the vertues of their
parents, and accounting it (as in truth it was then so reputed) to be a
great honour vnto them, to be intituled with the name of the principall
author of their families, they sought no farther stile of magnificence,
but (were his parentage neuer so statelie or honorable) being therewith
contented, did onlie vpon such regard intitle their directions. For who
that hath bin but ordinarilie acquainted with the histories of their
actes, but knoweth and hath read, with what reuerence, those times
(greedy of vertue,) entertained the honorable desertes of such, as for
the common-wealth, and publicke aduancement of the state, had either
aduenturouslie hazarded, or couragiouslie lost a fraile, vncertaine, or
transitorie life, to the intent to purchase vnto their country quiet,
honour, or victorie, and to themselues and posteritie, eternized fame
and euer flourishing glorie. Neither was their country vnkind vnto them
herein, which for their sakes, and for the reuerend regarde of their
vertues, haue compensed the loue which to their parents they could not
shewe, to their children and succession in manie degrées after them.=
=Such were the families of the |Gracchi|, |Fabij|, |Cornelij|,
|Hortentij|, |Horatij|, |Metelli|, |Amilij|, |Scipiones| and
|Fabritij|. Whereby I coniecture that the custome hereof, by such
emulation adorned, became afterwardes a dignitie, and so succeeded in
honour to euerie posteritie.=
=These |Romans| therefore, vsed onlie, in the front of their letters
to write first their owne names, titles adoptiue, and surnames, after
that, his to whom they wrote, and lastlie their salutation or maner
of greetings: giuing also like aditions vnto the other as to him
belonged, whether it were by familie, office, or some other dignitie.
And this was the forme. |M. T. Cicero. M. Varoni. Sal. dicit,| or |C.
Cæsar: Comelio Balbo salutem dicit|. But that custome according to
the antiquity of the time, is long since worne out, and these dates
and seasons haue induced vnto vs for euerie estate of calling, a more
statelie reuerence according to the dignitie and worthines of the same.=
=The reuerend maiesty of Emperours, Kings and Princes, being aduāced
with a more excellency and supreame magnificence. The names of Dukes,
Marquises, Earles, barons and other magistrates, with more solemne and
honourable titles.=
[Sidenote: Diuersity of Estates.]
=The offices of estate and places most noble, amplified with larger
honours, and names accordant to their seuerall dignities.=
=And albeit few are the number, that herein shall be occasioned to
occupy their pen, but (knoweth on almost euerie daie) maie vnderstand
the formall application of euerie personages honour or worship: yet in
so much as all sortes are not perfectlie skilled, nor euerie man liueth
in place so conuenient to vnderstand it, and that it hath beene parcell
of a prescribed order so to doe, by those that haue written the like
methode, I will set downe so manie examples of estates for directions,
as to the matter and purpose hereof maie be adiudged conuenient,
beginning from the highest that are or haue beene latelie accustomed
in our common wealth (the soueraign Maiestie excepted) vnto the meaner
and most ordinary bred, and in present practise amongst vs. And first,
with the dignitie of Archbishop, to whom in this sort we frame our
direction.=
[Sidenote: Directions to an Archbishop. Bishop. Duke.]
[Sidenote: L. Chancellor. L. Treasurer. Earles and in office.]
[Sidenote: Lords knights of the priuie councell.]
=To the most reuerend Father in God, the L. Archbishop of Canturburie,
or York, Primate of England, and Metropolitane his verie good grace.
To the right reuerende Father in God, and my verie good Lorde, the
L. Bishop of London. To the high and mightie Prince, L. Duke of B.
his most noble grace. To the right honourable and my especiall good
L. the Lorde Chauncellor, or Lord high Treasurer of England. To the
right Honorable the Lorde Marquese of W. To the right Honourable the
Earle of E. Lorde Lieutenant for her maiestie in the, &c. To the right
Honourable the Earle of H. Lorde President of her Maiesties most
honorable Councell established in the North. To the right Honorable,
and my singular good L. the lorde B. one of the lords of her highnes
most honourable priuy Councell. To the right honorable sir W. M.
knight, Chancellour of the Exchequer, and of her Maiesties most
honorable priuy Councel. To the right honorable and my singular good
Lord and father, or ladie mother, the Earle or Countesse of N. To the
right honourable and my verie good ladie, the ladie A. Countesse of W.
To the most noble ladie and Paragon of all vertue, the ladie M. H. To
the right vertuous ladie endued with all singularitie, the ladie F. D.
To the most noble and towardlie yong Gentleman G. T. esquire, if hee be
a noble mans sonne vnder the degrée of a Baron. To the right honourable
sir W. S. knight, L. Maior of the citie of L. To the right worshipfull
W. L. esquire, one of the Iudges of her Maiesties court of common
Pleas. To the right worshipfull and my singular good ladie mother, the
Ladie D. H. To my verie good father, W. C. Marchant of the citie of B.
To the right worshipfull his especiall good maister, M. R. Marchant and
Alderman of L. To my seruant R. D. at C. &c.=
=Other examples besides these were needelesse to set downe, for that if
any alteration at all happen herein, it is by reason of familiaritie,
addition of offices, or change of titles. Onlie let herewith be noted,
that when Letters doe passe from some number of the Counsell, or from
any Lord of the same, to a noble man or knight, these directions of
honour and worship are seldome vsed. But rather thus. To our verie
good L. sir W. R. knight, lord Deputie of Ireland. To our verie good
L. the L. Maior of the citie of L. and to our verie louing friends W.
C. and R. P. Aldermen of the same. To my verie good lord, the L. T.
H. To my verie louing friend, sir. T. P. knight. To our verie louing
friends sir R. S. knight, _Custos rotulorum_ of her Maiesties Count. of
B. and R. W. and S. P. esquires, Iustices of peace of the same Shire.
The like directions also are vsed of an Earle, to any of these estates
to him inferiour in calling, and of a Baron to a Iustice of peace, but
commonlie they will adde the title of worship.=
The diuisions of Letters and vnder what titles all sortes
of Epistles are contained. _Cap 7._
=Albeit the diuersitie of Epistles are (as I saide before) as manifold
as are the sundrie occurrents, or rather imaginations of mens
fantasies: yet for so much as it seemeth pertinent vnto this Method
to induce their varieties vnto some particular titles, by such meanes
the rather to bring the learner into a speciall forme, whereby for his
necessitie or present turne to applie the same. I haue thought good
in imitation of the best and most learned iudgements of our time, to
drawe the sundrie parts thereof, vnder foure especiall heads, that is
to saie: |Demonstratiue|, |Deliberatiue|, |Iudiciall|, and |Familiar
Letters|. And howbeit the rules prescribed vnto either of these, maie
vnder their seuerall heads séeme to be particularlie allotted, yet are
they in nature so neerelie conioyned togither, as hardlie shall you in
anie of the first three fall into their particular distinctions, but
lightlie in one sort or other, you shall run into the natures of the
others.=
=For proofe whereof, and this to open more plainlie, let vs first
lay downe their properties in seuerall, and then sée by association
each with other how néerlie they do participate in their qualities.
You shall then vnderstande that this |Demonstratiue| kinde, hath the
name of a declaration, deliuerie or shewing of some one thing or
other, the distinctions of the Epistles thereunder contained, are
|Descriptorie|, in which bee described the manners and conuersations
of men, all vertues, vices and qualities both of bodie and mind.
Honorable chalenges, combats, entertainmēts, attempts, orders of common
weales, gouermnents, and estates, countries, cities, hilles, valleies,
fields, prospects, buildings and walkes, with their pleasures and
scituations. |Laudatorie|, wherein is speciallie praysed anie thing,
and |Vituperatorie|, in which is misliked or condemned whatsoeuer maie
be thought worthie either to bee abhorred or dispraysed.=
=The |Deliberatiue| is so named, of the large comprehension it
hath of sundry causes and matters, being not almost tied to any
particular occasion or purpose: His distinctions are |Hortatorie|, and
|Dehortatorie|: |Swasorie| and |Disswasorie|, not much vnlike together
in their orders and properties: the natures of the first being to
exhort, counsell, aduise, or perswade to anie thing, of the other, to
withdraw, disswade or reduce to another meaning. |Conciliatorie|, which
serueth in acquiring of friendship of acquaintance. |Reconciliatorie|,
in reconcilement of kinred, friends, or other persons. |Petitorie|, in
suing for, or crauing of anie thing. |Commendatorie|, in preferring
the seruices, persons or good qualities, of anie one. |Consolatorie|,
in comforting at times of troubles, sorrowe, or mishaps. |Monitorie|,
in forewarning, admonishing, or counselling from mischiefs.
|Reprehensorie|, in reprehending or correcting of errours and
behauiours. |Amatorie|, in matters of louing.=
=The |Iudiciall| is so called, in that it comprehendeth matters
lawfull, vnlawfull, or questionable to be handled: The distinctions
thereof are, |Accusatorie|, containing matter of accusation.
|Excusatorie|, which is occupied in excusing. |Expostulatorie|, in
reasoning of causes. |Purgatorie|, in clearing or auoydance of thinges
charged. |Defensorie|, in defence of the action. |Exprobatorie|, in
reproching or obtruding of benefites vpon cause of vnthankfulnes.
|Deprecatorie|, in praying of pardon of a thing committed, and
|Inuectiue|, inueighing agaynst ill natures, qualities, occasions or
persons.=
=Now the distinctions of these heades being thus laide open by
particular titles, we will see how neere in writing they concurre or
fall in, each with others. True is it, (as shall be séene in some
examples hereafter following) that touching the first head beeing
|Demonstratiue|, it sometimes falleth out in causes of aduertisement,
or relation of thinges made, that the title |Descriptorie| is
manie times meerlie in it selfe handled, without entring into anie
other particular addition or occasion, but in the other titles of
|Laudatorie| and |Vituperatorie|, not so. For how can I either praise
or discommend anie thing, without falling into a |Description| of those
persons, things or qualities, which I disallow or commend. Againe, for
the |Deliberatiue| kinde in |Hortatorie|, |Dehortatorie|, |Swasorie|
and |Disswasorie|, |Commendatorie|, |Monitorie| or |Reprehensorie|,
how can I exhort, counsell, aduise, withdraw, commend, admonish or
reprehende, if therein I set not forth what is woorthie or vnfit,
what to be praysed, estéemed, disallowed, or eschued: which can not
bee, without of necessitie I fall into the partes |Descriptorie|,
|Laudatorie| and |Vituperatorie|. Likewise in matters |Consolatorie|,
|Conciliatorie| & |Reconciliatorie|, howe I maie comfort seeke friends,
or reconcile, if the partes |Hortatorie| and |Swasorie|, be absent.
So also for the iudiciall, if either I accuse, excuse, expostulate,
defende, reproach, intreate, or inueigh, it must be done with the
laying out of vices, and aduauncement of vertues, in manifesting what
is good, and setting forth what is euill, neither of which, can be
without matter |Descriptorie|, |Laudatorie|, and |Vituperatorie|. By
all which it appeareth, that (howbeit these seuerall titles stand
thus diuided) yet are the matters of the same diuerslie wrapped
togither, and the precepts seruing to the one, must of necessitie
by a like conueyance be drawne into an obseruation with the other:
notwithstanding for ease of the learner, and to the end he may with
more readines find out what best fitteth and beseemeth the cause hee
hath in handling, they bee thus drawne forth as you see into so many
particular distinctions.=
=Touching nowe our |Familiar Letters|, they also are to bee drawne
vnder their seuerall titles, as |Narratorie|, and |Nunciatorie|,
somewhat falling into the demonstratiue kind before remembred,
wherein we expresse and declare to those farre from vs, the matters
or newes presentlie in hand amongst vs: |Gratulatorie|, wherein wee
reioyce each with others of the good happes of fortune betiding vs.
|Remuneratorie|, being a gratefull relation of cortesies, benefites
or good turnes receiued. |Iocatorie|, wherewith by a pleasant and
swéete kinde of deliuerie of some pretie conceit or iest, the minde is
recreated. |Obiurgatorie|, in which wee rebuke the ill demeanours of
our children, seruants, kindred, or acquaintance. |Mandatorie|, whereby
wee commit expreslie our affaires to such as we haue authoritie, either
to commaunde or intreate to be dispatched. To these and the others
before mentioned are manie Epistles |Responsorie|, the titles whereof
cannot be certaine, but examples and occasions plentifull: all which
I referre to their peculiar places each one, as they are suted forth
to be in their kindes deliuered. And now will we passe vnto the other
hereafter to bee obserued in deliuerie of Examples, accordant vnto the
seuerall titles of all these forenamed Epistles, and first of Epistles
|Descriptorie|.
Of Epistles meerely Descriptory and the parts
thereof. _Chap. 8._
[Sidenote: Parts in Epistle Descriptory.]
[Sidenote: Comparison of the writer and painter.]
[Sidenote: Painter.]
[Sidenote: Writer.]
[Sidenote: Ptolemy and other writers, _de situ orbis_.]
[Sidenote: Virgil in his Aenidos.]
[Sidenote: Ouidii Metamorphoseos.]
[Sidenote: Example.]
=Forsomuch as in Descriptions, are (as I saide before) onelie declared
and set foorth at large, the maner, order, state, gouernment,
proportion goodnesse or value of anie thing: the Epistles consisting
solie thereof, be commonlie without addition at all, either of praise
or mislike, or anie other intendment, in respect whereof they might
in anie one iote varie from that title of |Descriptorie|. The force
hereof besides the |Exordium|, comprehendeth chieflie a |narration|,
throughout, in which is contained (by laying out the seuerall parts
thereof) a perfect and plain demonstration or description of any
thing: In these sortes of Epistles, the excellency of the writer, and
painter concurreth in one, who the more that each of them studieth by
perfection, to touch al things to the quick, by so much the more neerer
doe they both aspire to that exquisit kind of cunning, that in each of
these differences, is absolutely to be required. The curious painter in
drawing a perfect peece of |Lantskip|, presenteth many things vnto the
eie, the conceit whereof is maruellous: for with great admiration we
do there séeme to behold, the most pleasant and goodlie vallies: Woods
hie and decked with statelie trées (some tops whereof the wind seemeth
to wreath and turne at one side) then goodly riuers, hie waies and
walkes, large situate & high climing hils and mountains, far prospects
of Cities, steeples, and Towers, ships sayling on seas, and waues blown
vp aloft, the element cleere, faire and temperate, with some shining
beames shadowing and spreading ouer all these, wherein seemeth the
delight so rare, and climate so perfect, as verie desire prouoketh a
man to gaze of it, as a thing in present life, and most certaine viewe.
And do I praie you, our excellent writers degenerate at all from anie
part of these? Doeth not the learned |Cosmographer| in acquainting vs
with the vnknowne delights, scituation, plenty and riches of Countries
which we neuer sawe, nor happilie maie euer approch vnto, rauish vs
oftentimes, and bring in contempt the pleasures of our owne soyle:
and manie times a huge woonder, of the vnheard secrets neuer before
reported of, the incredible operations of diuers thinges, and state
so high and magnificent, such as the verie description and liuelie
deliuery whereof, maketh vs beleeue that our eies do almost witnes
the same, and that our verie sences are partakers of euerie delicacie
in them contained. But omitting the wight hereof, consisting in these
worlds of such strange accompt, with that fine inuention doeth |Virgil|
manie times in his |Aeneidos|, and with howe much varietie describe
vnto vs the tides of the morning? Howe greatlie in his first booke doth
he amuse the reader, with the lamentable shipwracke, and euen then
(as it were) appearing surges, and intollerable turmoils vpon the sea
happening to |Aeneas|? What darknesse, what tempestes, what rising and
deepest fall of waues againe, what winds, what mingling of heauen and
earth together doth hee there relate? Then after, his arriuall on shore
and presenting to Queene |Dido|, howe is the destruction of |Troy| in
the person of |Aeneas| to her described? In the fourth booke likewise,
what an excellent description maketh he of |Fame|? How he sheweth the
banquet by the |Queene| to |Aeneas| made, and how liuelie is the state
and magnificence thereof deliuered? Innumerable of these, both from
him and the |Transformed shapes of Ouid| coulde I here recorde, the
excellencie of each being such, as by the forceable vtterance thereof
bréedeth as great delight as astonishment vnto the curious searcher of
the same. And in as much as I haue vndertaken to conduct the learner by
example, howe to behaue himselfe in some sort herein, we will proceed
with our |Epistles Descriptory|, the first wherof following, maie seeme
to bee sent from a traueller to a friend of his in England, the mater
whereof ensueth.=
An example of a latter Descriptory, wherein is particu-
_larly described an ancient City, by laying down the
seuerall parts thereof._
[Sidenote: _Exordium_ Or a charge giuen, and promise made.]
[Sidenote: Narratio.]
[Sidenote: Scituation.]
[Sidenote: Buildings.]
[Sidenote: Deckings.]
[Sidenote: Streets.]
[Sidenote: Gouernment]
[Sidenote: Habit of the people.]
[Sidenote: Conclusō]
My good Vncle, the remembrance of your charge giuen me, & my promise to
you made at my departure out of _England_, bindeth me (at my nowe being
in quiet, and with good leasure setled in _Germany_) that I should
returne vnto you againe, my accustomed and dutifull regard, in sort
as I haue euer endeuoured my selfe to do vnto you. It may then please
you, that remaining with my L. the Duke but a fewe daies at _Geneua_,
wee hasted thence to a Citie, called _Noremberge_, being imperiall,
scituate in the high partes of _Germany_, where sithence wee haue
almost continually remained. And albeit I could somewhat write vnto
you of our passages through diuers places of the Country, yet insomuch
as there is no part thereof so memorable as this citie wherein we now
remaine, the description thereof at this present may solie content
you. The Citie therefore, as it seemeth is most ancient, and as many
doe suppose and affirme, at that time when the Country was first in
subiection to the Empire of _Rome_, was builded by _Nero_ the Emperour,
and of him taketh his name, as _Noremberghe_, in signification _Neros
berghe_, and so much the rather doth it appeare, by sundry auncient
monumentes therein yet remaining. The Citie (besides that it is
situate in a most delicate and pleasant soyle, wooded and watered most
plentifully on euerie side, with goodlie Trees, faire and delicate
Riuers and springes,) is both of great strength in the walles of the
same, and plentifully builded with high and statelie Towers on euerie
part. The edificies of the Citie are rare, and of most sumptuous and
statelie appearaunce, insomuch that there is no one house in any rowe
that exceedeth another in height, but all of them builded leuell, by a
verie Geometricall proportion. The insides are not more polished with
riches and ornamentes of great beauty, then the outsides with brauerie,
the verie fronts of all which, aswell of rich as poore, are most
curiously embossed in a hard kinde of substance (such I thinke as is
our plaster of Paris) with artificiall and liuely pictures, conteining
histories of diuers memorable, and strange effectes, and that with
such wonderfull excellency, as any waies may bee conceiued. The cost
hereof is continually maintayned, repaired, enlarged, and preserued,
by a generall contribution of the most worthy and honourable of the
Citie. Besides, the colours so fresh, so braue, and delicate laide
in oyle, for defence against weather, wherewith they are beautified
and set forth, are verie straunge. The streetes are wide, faire, and
excellentlie well paued. The stone they vse for the most part is
marble, white, gray, and blacke, whereof is great plentie, besides
other kindes, which verie wonderfully they cut and square in diuers
small proportions artificiallie pointed and shaped. The houses are not
high, but backwarde builte, and inwardelie large. This Citie retaineth
yet the auncient gouernement of the _Romanes_, for at this instant they
haue their _Consuls_, _Tribunes_, _Senators_, _Pretors_, _Quæstors_,
_Aediles_ and other interchangeable offices, as sometimes had _Rome_,
beeing in her greatest prosperitie. The attire also alike to their
dignities of all sortes of honourable personages, accustomed to their
callinges. Plaine are their habites for the most part, and nothing
sumptuous, retaining still one, and the selfe same ancient fashion. The
constitution of their bodies as wel men as women, are faire, cleare,
and of sounde complexion. Frugall in diet and expence, and nothing
prodigall. My L. the Duke is here of great sway, and entertained with
honorable accompt. Thus much haue I thought good to aduertise you in
discharge of my debt and your desire, attending by the returne of
this messenger the newes of your good health. To whom & al other our
friends, in sound and good affection I eftsoones do recommend me. At
_Noremberghe_ this of, &c.
_Another example wherein the state of a Coun-
trey is soly described._
[Sidenote: _Exordium._ Of their accustomed friendship.]
[Sidenote: Narratiō. Pleasant ayre vnfrequented.]
[Sidenote: _In voluntary abstinence._]
[Sidenote: Hard feeding.]
[Sidenote: Ill lodging.]
[Sidenote: Danger.]