heerful humour that was
always alike, never over merry but always pleased, I was grown heavy and
sullen, froward and discomposed; and that country which usually gives
people a jolliness and gaiety that is natural to the climate, had
wrought in me so contrary effects that I was as new a thing to them as
my clothes. If you find all this to be sad truth hereafter, remember
that I gave you fair warning.

Here is a ring: it must not be at all wider than this, which is rather
too big for me than otherwise; but that is a good fault, and counted
lucky by superstitious people. I am not so, though: 'tis indifferent
whether there be any word in't or not; only 'tis as well without, and
will make my wearing it the less observed. You must give Nan leave to
cut a lock of your hair for me, too. Oh, my heart! what a sigh was
there! I will not tell you how many this journey causes; nor the fear
and apprehensions I have for you. No, I long to be rid of you, am afraid
you will not go soon enough: do not you believe this? No, my dearest, I
know you do not, whate'er you say, you cannot doubt that I am yours.

_Letter 51._--Lady Newport was the wife of the Earl of Newport, and
mother of Lady Anne Blunt of whom we heard something in former letters.
She is mentioned as a prominent leader of London society. In March 1652
she is granted a pass to leave the country, on condition that she gives
security to do nothing prejudicial to the State; from which we may draw
the inference that she was a political notability.

My Lady Devonshire was Christian, daughter of Lord Bruce of Kinloss. She
married William Cavendish, second Earl of Devonshire. Her daughter Anne
married Lord Rich, and died suddenly in 1638. Pomfret, Godolphin, and
Falkland celebrated her virtues in verse, and Waller wrote her funeral
hymn, which is still known to some of us,--

The Lady Rich is dead.
Heartrending news! and dreadful to those few
Who her resemble and her steps pursue,
That Death should license have to range among
The fair, the wise, the virtuous, and the young.

It was the only son of Lady Rich who married Frances Cromwell.

Lord Warwick was the father of Robert, Lord Rich, and we may gather from
this letter that, at Lady Devonshire's instigation, he had interfered in
a proposed second marriage between his son and some fair unknown.

_Parthenissa_ is only just out. It is the latest thing in