1665.

"batana, nor paftoral Valley, that

might inspire Theocritus with a new “Idyl, can hide us, either by its "Strength or its Obscurity, from the "Arrow of the Déftroying Angel; "ye, therefore, seeing these Things "cannot be spoken agaynft, ought "to be quiet, and do Nothing "rafhly. Wherefore, I pray you, "Wife and Daughters, get you to

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your Knees, before Him who "alone can deliver you from these "Terrors; and having caft your "Burthen upon Him, eat your "Bread in Peacefulness and Cheer

"fulness of Heart."

However, we really are preparing

for

for Country Quarters, for young Ellwood hath this Morning brought us Note of a ruftick Abode near his Friends, the Penningtons, at Chalfont, in Bucks, the Charges of which Father's limited Means; and we hope to enter on it by the End of the Week. Ellwood's Head feems

fuit

my

full of Guli Springett, the Daughter of Mafter Pennington's Wife by her firft Husband. If Half he fays of her be true, I fhall like to see the young Lady. We part with one Maid, and take the other. Betty was very forward to be left in Charge; and profest herself willing to abide any Risk for the Sake of

3

the

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the Family; more by Token fhe thoughte there was no Risk at alle, having boughte a sovereign Charm of Mother Shipton. Howbeit, on inducing her, much agaynft her Will, to open it, Nought was founde within but a wretched little Print of a Ship, with the Words, fcrawled beneath it, "By Virtue of the above Sign." Father called her a filly Baggage, and fayd, he was glad, at any Rate, there was no Profanity in it; but, in Spite of Betty, and Polly, and Mother too, he is refolved to leave the House under the fole Charge of Nurse Jellycott. Indeed, there will probably be more rather

than

than less Work to do at Chalfont ; but Mother means to get a little Boy, fuch as will be glad to come for Threepence a-Week, to fetch the Milk, poft the Letters, get Flour from the Mill and Barm from the Brewhoufe, carry Pies to the Oven, clean Boots and Shoes, bring in Wood, fweep up the Garden, roll the Grass, turn the Spit, draw the Water, lift Boxes and heavy Weights, chase away Beggars and infectious Perfons,

1665.

and

any

little odd Matter of the

Kind.

Mother has drowned the Cats, and poisoned the Rats. The latter

have

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have revenged 'emselves by dying behind the Wainscot, which makes the lower Part of the House foe unbearable, 'fpeciallie to Father, that we are impatient to be off. Mother, intending to turn Chalfont into a besieged Garrison, is laying in Stock of Sope, Candles, Cheese, Butter, Salt, Sugar, Raifins, Pease, and Bacon; befides Refin, Sulphur, and Benjamin, agaynst the Infection; and Pill Ruff, and Venice Treacle, in Case it

comes.

As to Father, his Thoughts naturallie run more on Food for the Mind; foe he hath layd in goodlie Store of Pens, Paper, and Ink, and

fett