xiv INTRODUCTION. events, both domestic and foreign, of the momentous years in which she lived. The letters are printed in the order of their dates, some few undated are so placed by authority of internal evidence. Upon a more careful examination of the contents, No. 106 appears to be misdated in the year (not an uncommon mistake, when, as in these letters, the old style is used, and the new year commenced 25th March), and misplaced, and the undated letter No. 134, misplaced. All the letters except the first, dated Bagley, the seat ofher father in Warwickshire, are from Bromton or Brompton, now Brampton Bryan Castle. Theyare written in a bold and legible hand, with few contrac- tions, and scarcely an erasure ; but the use of capitals, and the spelling, not only of the names of persons and places, but of everyday words, are varied and irregular. A few of the letters are written by an amanu- ensis, in seasons of sickness, but signed by herself as usual, or with her initials. They were generally sent by an express messenger or the carrier, occasionally by a friend, or the tradesmen, but most rarely by the post of Hereford, Leominster, Shrewsbury, or Ludlow, then recently established, and not much to be depended upon : the insecurity of letters at this time gave rise to a variety of secret cor- respondence, one of which, very simple, is exemplified by Letters 188, 189, &c. The earlier letters (1625-1633) are addressed to her husband ; and the remainder (1638-1643), with the exception of a Letter to Sir Robert and two letters written to her friend Mrs. Wallcote of Wallcote, during her troubles at Brampton, to her son Edward, commencing in Oct. 1638, his residence in Oxford. The letters are written with the greatest fondness of maternal affec- tion, and abound with excellent remarks and advice on his studies, health and conduct in the University, with frequent allusions to affairs homeand foreign. A deeply religious tone pervades thewhole of them; it is scarcely possible to find a single letter without the evidences of
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