that a great many of men otherwise discréete, learned, experienced,
and for their seueral callings questionlesse of very good deliuerie,
and euery way to be deemed sufficient, some also that in the |Greeke|
and |Latine| tongues are verie well studied, and are also with the vse
of forraine languages laudablie indued, that notwithstanding haue not
in themselues the facultie and vse of well writing, nor can orderly, &
vpon a sudden lay down without much adoe, and that many times also in
very preposterous maner when it is done, what to anie extraordinarie
purpose seemeth to bee thought meete and conuenient. Some againe in
whome there is lesse |Skill|, greater |Ignorance| of learned knowledge,
and farre meaner application euerie waie, wherewith to bee enabled
with sufficiency, haue neuerthelesse a |Conceipt| so rife, and are
in |wit| so prompt and capable of any thing laide before them, as by
and by there wanteth not (though in truth when they haue done, they
cannot learnedly answere for it) neither |inuention| nor |imitation|,
wherewith in very commendable sort to performe what them seemeth good,
on a sodaine to deliuer in writing.=
=What shoulde be the cause hereof, I cannot else déeme, but onlie
a méere instinct of Nature, who seuerallie poureth her giftes in
their creation vnto euerie one, whereunto others (exempted from that
proportion) doe seldome by anie |Art| or |Studie| reach vnto, yet is
|Exercise| no doubt in those that haue any fauour of learning, hereunto
a great furtherance: But he that in this place must bee applyed, how
learned so euer he bee, must a little giue place vnto his Schooles,
and frame his penne and order of practise to pursue that forme of
writing, which plainest meaning and aptest speech, hath in common
deliuerie, the indeuour whereof howe difficult the same will bee to one
beeing rife in discourse, my selfe haue had some priuate testimonie,
notwithstanding Vse and continuall Practise I knowe, is that which in
time ouermaistreth all things.=
=To the beautifying then of this part of our |Secretorie|, it is
néedfull that he be somewhat therein ayded and furthered by |Nature|,
to the intent his inuention to euery seueral occasion, may be
the more easie and proper, and that without any often blurring or
enterlining which commonlie happeneth to those, in whom long studie
seemeth so hardly to hew out their labours, as if by a manner or
kinde of inforcement, the same from a hard rock were violently to be
drawne forth and caried, which |Bluntnesse|, as I maie tearme it, of
|Conceite|, is not in this part of seruice in anie wise to be admitted.
Neither am I for all this ignorant, how manifoldlie it often befalleth
vnto diuerse the readiest wittes, that at some one time more then at
another, they haue lesse abilitie, and much harder is their deliuerie
a great deale, in matters exquisite to be performed, then vsuallie
otherwise is by ordinarie triall vnto them accustomed: the occasions
whereof may be diuers, whereby the sences are manie wayes dulled, as
by too much replexion of meates and drinkes excessiuelie taken, by
too great studie and often musing, driuing therby into a melancholie
passion, by motions too intemperat, happening vnto the mind: and
finally, vpon sundrie other instincts and occasions, which I cease to
remember, all which being offensiue as they are, vnto the necessarie
regarde of this our |Secretories| attendance, it standeth him greatly
vpon by all possible meanes to represse them, to the end that his
wittes being as néere as by endeuour can be compassed, alwaies in one
self state and readinesse, he maie not in times suddenlie requiring
effectual and present dispatch, appeare any waies disfurnished, of
that which at his handes, is and must of necessitie in this place bee
required.=
=It is not then learning alone (as you see) that is able to make a man
meet to this kind of practice and study, but naturallie to be besides
indued both with |wit, vnderstanding|, and |memory| whereby to lead and
conueie those necessarie euents, that in this place are dailie to be
frequented, and therewith to haue likewise care and regard, with modest
and discreet maners and behauiours to preserue and keepe the same
forces, whereby he may be the more readilie prouided (as I said before)
for all times and purposes. Neuerthelesse, how much needful it is to
that place more then ordinarilie to bee learned, yea with the greatest
abilitie and perfection (if it were possible) to bee also euerie waie
adorned, I haue alreadie sufficientlie laid downe before hande, and
still do propose the waight thereof, as a respect amongst others to be
most especiallie imbraced.=
=In this maner haue we by sundrie degrees endeuoured to lead along our
|Secretory| vnto his appointed |Place| and |Office|, wherein we haue
first discoursed largelie of the function hee beareth, respectiuelie
touching his seruice: next to frame him both in |Person, Birth,
Education, Qualitie, Disposition, Conuersation|, and |Abilitie|,
a man meete for that purpose. It now resteth, that as the finall
determination of this labour we deliuer vnto him his office. Of this
then the parte especiall and intendment most principall, consisteth,
(as by experience is found) in the vse and exercise of the |Pen|, the
|Wit| and |Inuention| togethers. The abilitie so exactlie before
required, and discoursed vpon, is herein nowe to be put in practise.
To the execution of this office, it is requisite the |Secretory|, be
for the perfection of his hand, in the varietie and neat deliuerie
of his letters in writing, singularlie to be commended, that he haue
with himselfe also therein a verie readie vse, quicke, and speedie
conueyance for dispatch, that warilie he giue heede to obserue the
order, methode and forme to him from his Lord or master deliuered:
forasmuch as in discharge hereof he is vtterlie to relinquish anie
affectation to his own doings, or leaning herein to anie priuate
iudgement or fantasie. His pen in this action is not his owne, but
anothers, and for this cause the matter to him committed are to depend
vpon the humor of his commander, and not vpon his own or any others
directions.=
=Hereof is he excéedingly to becom studious, and a zealous imitator in
all thinges, to the intent that knowing the effects of his Lord, with
what ends and purposes they are caried, & vnto what forme and maner of
writing he is speciallie addicted, he may the more easilie and with
better contentment discharge that part of his seruice, wherein by
continuall occurrents he shall haue occasion daily to be imploied.=
=He is in performance of this charge, to bee a man watchfull, diligent,
carefull, industrious, not giuen to ease, to auoid all occasions of
slouth, to the end, (as I said before) by continuall exercise of his
wits, to retain his spirits apt, & his memory fresh. For |Idlenes| of
it selfe is the proper nourishment of manie other euils, the hinderer
of each good purpose, and the deformed monster of al humaine exercises.
Whilest |Idlenesse| attacheth the bodie, it giueth scope to ill
thoughts, occasioneth distemper, maketh vnweldie to labour, breedeth
wearisomnes of vertuous exercises, entiseth to vanities, corrupteth
with pleasures, and feedeth a man with trifles. If therefore there
shall bee anie time vacant of affaires vnto our |Secretory|, (as all
seasons are not alike wherein still to be occupied) the same shall he
deuise, either in pleasant recreation to bee spent or in some other
honest exercise or studie, wherein whatsoeuer is not improper vnto a
gentleman, shall be to him in speciall choise and as an action fittest
of all others to be receiued.=
=His office is likewise to entertaine all maner of suters vnto his
Lord, to conceiue and vnderstand of their seuerall occasions, and how
much or how little, they or anie of them do import, to answer the
dispatch of the greatest with as much facilitie as he may, and those of
lesse moment with discretion to remooue, and put backe, to the ende the
walkes and passages of his Lorde be not with the vaine and friuolous
demeanors of fond people too often encumbred.=
=He ought also to haue regard to times and places conuenient wherein to
mooue his Lord vpon anie speciall or vrgent occasion, or in which he is
to prefer vnto his presence or hearing, the person or cause of any one.
To see that the same returne not offensiue vnto his priuate liking,
that the furtherance thereof bee not in times when hee is soly disposed
to particular studies, or that he is otherwise busied in matters
of estate or counsell. To consider first of the qualitie of euerie
sute, and condition of the partie as neere as he maie be informed,
ere he take vpon him to acquaint his Lord with the parts thereof, and
accordinglie, if he see cause, in his owne person to answere the same:
for it is not seemelie he should trouble his Lord vpon euerie light or
ill beséeming suggestion. To be circumspect in the dispatch of euerie
thing to him deliuered, and in matters of weight and charge, to be
also prouident and wary, heedfully intending to the safe disposing
of whatsoeuer requisite, from the eyes or knowledge of anie other,
whereunto none so much as himselfe ought to become priuy.=
=He is likewise to auoid all maner of delaies, and not to accustome
himselfe in any wise vnto negligence, for that the vse hereof in
ouerslipping of small trifles, induceth manie times, to pretermit
things of larger circumstance, and of farre greater moment. It standeth
him vpon in the exercise of his office to bee alwaies as neere and as
readie as may bee, in his ordinarie attendance, for so much as being
vpon a sudden to bee vsed, it is needfull he be alwaies at hand,
and is intended that his absence cannot therefore anie long time be
spared. In conclusion, it is meetest in all things, that so far forth
he bee addicted vnto his present seruice, as that in respect thereof
hee become vtterlie sequestred from all priuate regarde or affection
of anie thing, sounding to his owne appetite. Finallie, being a
man fauored or entirelie reputed of in his office, hee may not for
anie friendship, corruption or gaine whatsoeuer, by anie sinister
practise, colour, or meanes, go about to abuse the countenance and
credite to him giuen, by his Lord or maister, nor couertlie thereby
suggest, or informe any thing, wherewith the good opinion of himselfe
may afterwards be hazarded, or by the graunt or assent of his Lorde
thereunto giuen, there maie iust cause acrue, whereby thereafter a
great deale lesse he may deserue to be trusted.=
=In these particularities haue I at last concluded, & brought to ende
the sum of all my former trauell. The |Secretory| is nowe accomplished
& by all respectes, circumstances, and inducements that maie bee,
confirmed both in person and office: much haue I to require of the
generall perusers hereof, that I bee not anie wayes therein mistaken,
for that passing immediatelie to the publique notice of all, there is
no doubt but the verie particularities there of, shall speedilie be
therewith censured of all. My request is, that the skilfull and best
experienced, will of their owne good conditions, not otherwise misdeeme
thereof then what in equall trueth maie bee vnto them tendered, nor
that the wise and discreetlie minded will haue other conceipt of me,
then as my weake abilitie sought herein at their hands to haue at the
first deserued.=
=Touching any others lesse able to speake or giue sentence in the
cause, as my will and desire is, fauourablie to be regarded of the
whole in generall, so if anie one more of selfe-liking then of
|Skill|, will either carpe at, or peremptorilie reiect the labour by
me vndertaken, let him first consider with himselfe, how much easier
it is to finde fault with a thing by another alreadie finished and
done, then for himselfe by priuate endeuour to accomplish the like: so
shall he find, that men at all times see not into all things at once:
and in proofe hereof become assured, that hee, as I shall sooner in
the performance of anie labor, make our selues obiects of euery common
opinion, then with such account to deliuer our trauels, as that we may
stand ascertained of their own deserts, that they may be pleasing to
all men.=
=And forasmuch as it resteth yet a thing doubtfull, how well or euill,
till the perusing this slender trifle of mine may of all sortes be
measured, I will in the meane time (as manie others before me haue
done) affie my selfe in the hope and expectation of the best Glad if
in the conueiance hereof, there may by my willing endeuour, arise anie
pleasure or profite to anie, which being the intention of me solie
desired, I passe foorth this (as the residue) of the best and aptest
fauourers thereof, to be entertained.=
FINIS. _A. D._
[Illustration]
A Table shewing the principal mat-
_ters contained in the first part of
this Booke_.
Of Epistles, the commodities, and vse thereof _pag. 1_
What is chiefly to be respected in framing of an Epistle. 2
Of the habit and parts of an epistle. 8
Of certain contēts generally incident to al maner of Epistles. 11
Diuers orders of Greetinges, farewels and subscriptions. 13
Of Superscriptions and Directions. 17
The Diuisions of Letters, and vnder what titles all sorts of
epistles are contained. 20
_Of epistles meerly Descriptory, & the parts thereof._ 23
An example of a Letter Descriptorie, wherein is particularly
described an ancient Citie. 24
An other example wherein the State of a countrey is solie
described. 26
An example wherein the death of a noble man is only described 27
_Of Epistles Laudatory and vituperatory._ 33
An example of a Laudatory epistle solie touching the person. 35
An example of an Epistle Vituperatorie concerning also the person. 42
_Of epistles Deliberatiue._ 46
An example of an Epistle exhortatory to the attaining of vertue. 50
_Of Epistles Responsory._ 53
An example Responsory to the last epistle before remēbred. 54
An example of an Epistle Hortatorie to the studie of learning. 55
An other example Hortatorie wherein an honourable Gentleman is
egged forwardes to the profession of armes. 58
An example Swasory, wherein a Gentlewoman is counselled to mariage. 62
Another example of an epistle Swasorie, perswading the carefull
acceptance and regarde of one brother to another. 65
_Of Epistles Dehortatory, and disswasory._ 67
An example of an Epistle Dehortatorie, wherein a Noble gentleman is
dehorted from infidelitie or rebellion. 71
An example of a Disswasorie Epistle wherein one is disswaded from
fruitlesse vanities, to more learned and profitable studies. 76
An other example Disswasory wherin the party is by diuers reasons
disswaded from entring into an action in apparance daungerous. 79
_Of Epistles conciliatory._ 83
An Epistle conciliatory, written from one of good accompt to his
inferiour. 84
An example Conciliatory frō one equall to another. _ead._
An Epistle Responsory, answering the first of these letters. 86
A Letter Responsory answering the latter Epistle. _ead._
_Of epistles Reconciliatory._ 87
An example Reconciliatorie, from one friend to another. _ead._
An Epistle Reconciliatory frō an inferiour person to his better. 89
_Of epistles Petitory._ 90
An example of an Epistle Petitory, in a cause indifferent. 93
An example Petitory, in the nature of a reconciliatory from a son
to his displeased father. 94
An Epistle Petitorie, wherein is craued trauell and counsell to be
assistant vpon vrgent occasion. 96
Another of the same. 97
A Letter Responsorie to the same. _ead._
An example Petitorie, concluding a briefe request, and curteous
remembrance of a thing before promised. 99
An other example of the like effect. _ead._
_Of Epistles Commendatory._ 100
An example Commendatorie, wherein is recommended to a noble man
from his inferiour, the conditions and behauiours of a person. 102
A Letter Responsorie to the same. _ead._
Another epistle Commendatorie of the sort before deliuered. 103
An example Commendatory from a noble man to his inferior, wherein
one is recommended to an office. 104
An Epistle Commendatorie, from a noble man in referment of his
seruant. 105
Another example wherein is recommended the cause & speedie
furtherance of iustice. 106
An example Responsory, wherin is denied, what in the formost
directions was recōmended. 107
Another Letter Responsorie, wherin consent and allowance is giuē to
the matter required. 108
The third Epistle Responsorie, wherein is doubfullie allowed, what
to the same was recommended. 109
A letter Commendatorie pleasantly conceited in preferring an
vnprofitable seruant. 110
_Of Epistles Consolatorie._ 112
An example Consolatorie of the first sort, wherein a Gentlewoman is
comforted of the death of her sonne. 114
An Epistle Consolatorie of the same, wherein one is comforted in
case of hard extremitie. 117
A Consolatorie epistle of the third sort, wherein a Gentlewoman is
comforted of the death of her husbād slain in the wars. 119
An example consolatory pleasauntly written to one who had buried
his old wife. 125
A Letter responsorie to be conferred to an Epistle consolatorie. 127
_Of Epistles Monitorie and Reprehensorie._
An example Monitorie concerning a staied and well gouerned life. 131
An other Epistle Monitorie, touching the reformation of a couetous
life. 134
An Epistle Reprehensorie to a father, touching the lewde and ill
demeanour of his sonne. 136
An example Reprehensorie, wherein a man of wealth sufficient is
reprehended, for marriage of his daughter to the riches of an old
wealthie miser. 138
An epistle Reprehensorie, to a young Gentleman. 141
_Of Epistles Amatorie,_ 143
An example of an Epistle for the entreatie of the first good wil. 145
An other example to that purpose. 146
An answere to the first of these Epistles. _eadem_
A replie to the same answere. 147
An answere vnto the second letter. 148
_The Table of the second part of this Booke._
_Of Epistles Iudiciall._ pag. 1
An example of an epistle Accusatorie in the state coniecturall. 4
An example Excusatorie returned to the effects of this Coniecturall
Epistle. 6
An example Purgatorie, from the partie chalenged, in answere of the
Epistle accusatorie before remembred. 7
An example of an Epistle accusatorie in the state Iuridiciall and
Coniecturall. 9
A Letter Defensorie, aunswering by confutation al the obiections in
this former Epistle surmised. 14
_Of Epistles expostulatorie._ 19
An example of an Epistle Expostulatorie, touching certain iniuries
betweene two friends. 19
An answere Defensorie, vnto the effects of the same epistle. 20
A replie to the saide answere Defensorie, wherein the matter of the
Epistle is more firmelie maintained. 22
A seconde answere to the like reasons of the Replie in further
defence of the partie. 24
An example of an epistle Expostulatorie touching vnkindnes
receiued. 25
An example of an epistle Expostulatory for breach of promise. 26
An example of an Epistle expostulatorie from an inferiour
Gentleman, to his farre better in degree, authoritie and calling. 27
An example of an epistle exprobratorie touching ingratitude
receiued. 30
An epistle exprobatorie more largelie exampled. 31
_Of letters inuectiue._ 34
An example of an Epistle inuectiue from a father to his sonne. _eadem_
An answere purgatorie of the sonne touching the matters Inuectiue
of the former epistle. 37
A reply of the father confuting the allegations of the sonne, and
maintayning the causes of the former Inuectiue alledged. 42
An example of another epistle Inuectiue pleasantlie written against
the humors and conditions of a vainglorious person. 45
An example of another epistle Inuectiue, written in cause of great
desert agaynst two seuerall parties. 48
_Of epistles Comminatorie._ 61
An example of an epistle Cōminatorie. 52
Another example Comminatorie containing a greater vehemencie in the
deliuerie. _ead._
_Of epistles Deprecatorie._ 54
An example of an epistle Deprecatorie, where the partie is charged
in good opinion. 55
An example of an epistle Deprecatorie, in cause of wrong supposed
to be committed. 57
An example of an epistle Deprecatorie, pleasantlie written to
answer a former letter. 58
_Of Epistles familiar._ 59
A Letter Nunciatorie from a sonne to his father or friends,
touching his being in seruice. _ead._
A Letter Nunciatorie in another sort of the same matter. _ead._
An Epistle Narratorie, contayning aduertisements from one friend to
another. 60
A letter of aduertisements from a sonne to his father. 61
A Letter from a seruant or factor to his master. 62
_Of epistles Remuneratorie._ 63
An example of an epistle Remuneratorie from an inferiour to one
farre his better, in reputation and calling. _ead._
A Letter Remuneratorie from a Gentlewoman of good sort, to a
nobleman her kinsman. 64
A Letter Remuneratorie from one friend to another. 65
A Letter Remuneratorie from a better to his inferiour. _ead._
_Of epistles Iocatorie._ 66
An epistle Gratulatorie, from one friend to another. _ead._
A Letter Gratulatorie from a wife to her husband. 67
A letter Gratulatorie from one to his Kinsman seruing in London.
_ead._
_Of epistles obiurgatorie._ 68
A Letter Obiurgatorie from a maister to his seruant. 69
_Of epistles Mandatorie._ _ead._
A Letter Mandatorie from a Maister to his seruant, or Factor being
beyond the seas. 70
An other Letter Mandatorie from a maister to his seruant. 71
A Letter Mandatorie from a man to his wife. _ead._
A letter Mandatory from one friend to another. 72
Of Figures, Tropes and Schemes. 77
Of the parts, place, and office of a Secretorie. 101
FINIS.
Transcriber’s Notes:
- Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).
- Text enclosed by equals is in blackletter (=blackletter=).
- Text enclosed by ‘|’ is emphasized normal font within an italicized
or blackletter paragraph (|normal|).
- Blank pages have been removed.
- Decorative header formatting is maintained.
- Decorative art dividers removed from text version.
- Obvious typographical errors have been silently corrected.
Examples: upside down letters (n for u),
missing letters (theunto -> therunto),
reversed letters(hwoe -> howe)
otherwise there were no spelling corrections.
- Spacing was tight and inconsistent, many spaced or unspaced words
were a judgement call (beholding/be holding).
- There were many capital first letters that were italicized, I
assumed these were only due to typesetter convenience as there was
no contextual reason.
- There is frequent use of vowels with macron, per Wikipedia: “In
Old English texts a macron above a letter indicates the omission of
an m or n that would normally follow that letter.”.
Example: iudgmēt -> iudgment.