CASTLE.]

ANECDOTES OF THE FIRST MARQUESS.

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blance-as if Nature herself had chosen him to be his representative—the right stone being pulled out, and a counterfeit set in the right ring—and what with the likeness of his countenance, and the identity of apparel, he passed for current; which jest my Roman thought so good, that he must needs brag of it to the Marquess. But my lord no way liked it; asking him-'Would you put another upon doing that which you would not do yourself? What if the devil-you two being so like one another-should mistake you for him? I assure you he would go neare to mar the conceit.' For, he might have added, though honesty be no Puritan, yet it will do no hurt."

"Mine honour is my life; both grow in one;

Take honour from me, and my life's undone."

In the next passage, the Marquess undertakes the duty of admonishing a party who had come to visit him; and his method of doing so is somewhat amusing. We shall give the lecture, as nearly as we can, in his chaplain's own words :-" There was a new-married couple," says he, "presented before the Marquess. The bride was a goodly proper woman, her face well-featured, an excellent eye she had, but she was pitifully disfigured with the smallpox. The Marquess, looking much upon her, and saying nothing to her for a long while, we all knew that silence was in labour for some notable production. At last he advances toward the young bride, and asked her: 'Gentlewoman, do you know why it is said that God Almighty created man and builded woman?' The lady, somewhat out of countenance, answered, 'No, indeed, my lord.' The Marquess asked her again: 'Do you know why you women are called housewives?' 'I think, my lord,' said the bride, 'because good wives should keep at home, and not gad abroad.' 'It is a good answer,' said the Marquess, 'but not the right one; for women may be bad wives at home, as well as abroad; otherwise they would never scold their husbands out of doors. The answer to my first question is: Woman is not said to be made as Adam was, which only signifies plain work; but to be built, which signifies curiosity and contrivance; and, therefore, as to my second question, a woman is called a housewife, because she is a house out of which all the royal families of kings and emperors derive their extract. Neither are you only compared to houses; but unto cities, kingdoms, churches, and commonwealths. But do you know what house you are like?' 'No, indeed, my lord,' answered the bride. Why, then, I'll tell you,' resumed the Marquess; 'when God builded the first woman, he made her his storehouse, wherein he had laid up all the race of mankind, wherewith he replenished the whole earth. But I must tell you, my lady, God Almighty did not make you coaches nor waggons, that you should be always gadding about.' Whereat the bridegroom made answer: 'My lord, I thank you for

VOL. II.

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