DOMESTIC CORRESPONDENCE.

THE earliest specimens of Sir Thomas Browne's family correspondence, which have been discovered, are his letters to his younger son Thomas, while in France; of which the following, preserved in No. 391 of the Rawlinson Collection of MSS., at the Bodleian Library, Oxford, seem to have been transcripts by Mrs. Elizabeth Lyttelton, his daughter. The series is entitled, Letters of my Father's which he writ to my Brother Thomas when he went into France, at 14 years of age; 1660. I have not thought proper to alter the spelling of these letters; but would observe that its faultiness must not be charged on Sir Thomas. He wrote so illegibly (as those are well aware who have been fated to decypher his hieroglyphics) that his orthography was left at the mercy of the copyist, who, in the present case, seems not to have been remarkably skilled in that accomplishment.

Dr. Browne to his son Thomas.-Decr. 22, Norwich, [1660.]

HONEST TOM, I hope by God's assistance you have been some weeks in Bourdeaux. I was yesterday at Yarmouth where I spoke with your uncle Charles Mileham who told me Mr. Dade would accommodate you with what moneys were fitting for defray of your charges in any kind, and therefore would not have mee at present send you any bill to receive any particular summ, but however when I hear from you I will take care for such a bill to be sent to Mr. Dade to whom in the mean time present my true respects and service and be sure to be observant of what he shall advise you; be as good a husband as possible and enter not upon any cours of superfluous expences; be not dejected and malencholy because you can yet have litle comfort in conversation, and all things will seem strange unto you.

Remember the camells back and be not troubled for any thing that other ways would trouble your patience here, be courteous and civil to all, put on a decent boldness and avoid pudor rusticus, not much known in France. Hold firm to the Protestant religion and be diligent in going to church when you have any litle knowledge of the language. God will accept of your desires to serve him in his publick worship tho you cannot make it out to your desires; be constant not negligent in your dayly private prayers, and habituate your heart in your tender days unto the fear and reverence of God. It were good you had a map of France that you might not be unacquainted with the several parts, and to resort unto upon occasion for your information; view and understand all notable buildings and places in Bourdeaux or near it, and take a draught thereof, as also the ruind Amphitheatre, but these at your leisure. There is I think a book in french calld Les Monuments or les Antiquites de Bourdeaux, enquire of the same; read some books of french and latin, for I would by no means you should loose your latin but rather gain more.

Ned comes not home this Xtmas1. I shall God willing remember your new years gift. Give me an account of your voyage by sea as perticuler as you can, for I doubt you had a rough passage; be temperate in dyet and wary to over heat yourself; remember to compremere et non extendere labra. To God's providence I commit you. I have sent a little box by this ship.-Vostre tres chere Pere,

THO: BROWNE.

Dr. Browne to his son Thomas.-Jan. 31, Norwich, [1660-1.]

HONEST TOM,-I was glad to receive your letter, where you gave a good account of your voyage; take notice of all things remarkable, which will be pleasant unto you hereafter; if you goe to Saintes you may better learn the languadge and I think there is a Protestant church; be as good an husband as you can; to write and cast account will be necesarie; for either singing painting or dancing if you

1 From Cambridge where he then was, at Trinity College.

learn let it be but for a while; painting will be most usefull if you learn to draw landskips or buildings, the other takes up much time and your own private practise will sufficiently advantage you. I would be glad you had a good handsome garb of your body, which you will observe in most there, and may quickly learn if you cast of pudor rusticus, and take up a commendable boldness without which you will never be fit for anything nor able to show the good parts which God has given you. I would think it very happy if you had more Latin, and therefore advantage yourself that way if possible; one way beside learning from others will be to read the scripture or chapters thereof dayly in french and Latin and to look often upon the grammars in both languages. Since you went, there was a little box with 4 knives and a pair of gloves, &c. in it which I hope you received. Commend my humble service and respects to Mr. Dade and when you send unto him acknowledge your obligations to him, and how industrious you will be in all returns of gratitude which shall ever fall within your power. Sir Joseph Pain2 writes often to Mr. Dade. Some riseings there have been in London of the Anabaptists, fift Monarchie men and others, but soon suppresd and 13 executed. Upon the King's letter 5 of our Aldermen were put out which had got in in the usurpers time in other mens places, Andrews, Allen, Davie, Ashwell, &c. Yesterday was an humiliation and fast kept to divert the judgments of God upon us and our posteritie for the abominable murther of King Charles the first and is by act of Parliment to be kept yearly on that day for ever. Ned is at Cambridge. Nancy still in London. God's mercifull providence guide and protect you. -Your ever loveing father, THOMAS BROWNE.

Dr. Browne to his son Thomas.-March 10, stylo. vet. [1660-1.]

HONEST TOM,-I presume you are by this time at Xaintes. If you live with an apothecairie you may get some good by observing the drugs and practise which will be noe burden and may somewhat help you in latin; I would be at some reasonable charge if any young man would assist you and

2 Of Norwich.

teach you french and latin dayly as they are to be found commonly; you are not only to learn to understand and speak french but to write it which must be dun by practise and observation because they write and speak differently, and in what you write in English, observe the points and date your letters. Write whether you like the place and how language goes down with you, be not fearfull but adventure to speak what you can for you are known a stranger and they will bear with you, put on a desent boldness and learn a good garb of body, be carefull you loose not such books or papers wherein you take notes or draughts. Let nothing discontent or disturb you, trust in God to return you safe to us; by this time you may attempt to hear the Protestant preachers; live soberly and temperately, the heat of that place will otherwise mischief you and keep within in the heat of the day. Mr. Bendish is or was Mr. Johnson's prentice of Yarmouth, lives at Rochelle. I will get Mr. Johnson to write unto him about you; my respects and service to Mr. Dade. I received a letter about 3 weeks agoe from you. The Amphitheatre of Bourdeaux was built by the emperor Gallienus whose coyns you have seen, there is one also at Perigeaux in Perigort a neighbour province; you live the river Charante within the compass of the old English possessions which was from the Pyrenean hills unto the river La Charante, to the mouth whereof Cognac wines are brought down, which we drink in summer. Frequent civil company. God bless thee.-Vostre tres chere pere,

upon

T. BROWNE.

Dr. Browne to his son Thomas.-Aprill 22, Norwich, [1661.]

HONEST TOM,-I hope by this time thou art got somewhat beyond plaist il, and ouy Monsieur, and durst ask a question and give an answer in french, and therefore now I hope you goe to the Protestant Church to which you must not be backward, for tho there church order and discipline be different from ours, yet they agree with us in doctrine and the main of religion. Endeavour to write french; that will teach you to understand it well, you should have signified the apoticary's name with whom you dwell, in such a

place you may see the drugs and remember them all your life. I received your letter and like your description of the place, both the Romans and English have lived there; the name of Santonna now Xaintes is in the geographie of Ptolemie who lived under Antoninus, as also Porto Santonicus where Rochelle stands, and Promontorium Santonicum where now Bloys. My coyns are encreased since you went I had 60 coynes of King Stephen found in a grave before Christmas, 60 Roman silver coyns I bought a month agoe, and Sir Robert Paston will send me his box of Saxon and Roman coyns next week, which are about thirtie, so that I would not buy any there except some few choice ones which I have not already; but you doe very well to see all such things, some likely have collections which they will in courtesie show, as also urns and lachrimatories: any friend will help you to a sight thereof, for they are not nice in such things. I should be content you should see Rochelle, and the Isle of Rhee salt works are not far from you, for the sommer will be too hot to travail and I would have you wary to expose yourself then to heats, but to keep quiet and in shades. Write some times to Mr. Dade civil letters with my service. I send at this time by Rochelle whither the ships will be passing from Yarmouth for salt. Point your letters hereafter, I mean the ends of sentences. Christ church is in a good condition much frequented, and they have a sweet organ; on Tuesday next is the Coronation day when Mr. Bradford preacheth; it will be observed with great solemnity especially at London: a new Parliament on the 8th of May and there is a very good choice almost in all places. Cory the Recorder, and Mr. Jay, 2 Royallists gained it here against all opposition that could possibly bee made; the voyces in this number, Jaye 1070, Corie 1001, Barnham 562, Church 436. My Lord Richardson and Sir Ralph Hare caryed it in the county without opposition. Lent was observed this year which made Yarmouth and fishermen rejoyce. The militia is settled in good hands through all England, besides volunteer troops of hors, in this citty Collonell Sir Joseph Pain, Lieutenant Coll. Jay, Major Bendish, Captain Wiss, Brigs, Scottow, 2 volunteer troops in the country under Mr. Knivet and Sir Horace Townsend,

3 Norwich Cathedral.