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2. Of Writing.

CORNELIUS, ANDREW.

Co. You write finely, but your Paper sinks.  Your Paper is damp, and the Ink sinks through it.

An. Pray make me a Pen of this.

Co. I have not a Pen-knife.

An. Here is one for you.

Co. Out on’t, how blunt it is!

An. Take the Hoan.

Co. Do you love to write with a hard-nip’d Pen, or a soft?

An. Make it fit for your own Hand.

Co. I use to write with a soft Nip.

An. Pray write me out the Alphabet.

Co. Greek or Latin?

An. Write me the Latin first; I’ll try to imitate it.

Co. Give me some Paper then.

An. Take some.

Co. But my Ink is too thin, by often pouring in of Water.

An. But my Cotton is quite dry.

Co. Squeeze it, or else piss in it.

An. I had rather get some Body to give me some.

Co. It is better to have of one’s own, than to borrow.

An. What’s a Scholar without Pen and Ink?

Co. The same that a Soldier is without Shield or Sword.

An. I wish my Fingers were so nimble, I can’t write as fast as another speaks.

Co. Let it be your first chief Care to write well, and your next to write quick:  No more Haste than good Speed.

An. Very well; say to the Master when he dictates, no more Haste than good Speed.

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A Form of giving Thanks.

PETER, CHRISTIAN._

Pe. You have oblig’d me, in that you have written to me sometimes.  I thank you for writing to me often.  I love you, that you have not thought much to send me now and then a Letter.  I give you Thanks that you have visited me with frequent Letters.  I thank you for loading of me with Packets of Letters.  I thank you heartily that you have now and then provoked me with Letters.  You have oblig’d me very much that you have honour’d me with your Letters.  I am much beholden to you for your most obliging Letters to me.  I take it as a great Favour, that you have not thought much to write to me.

The Answer.

Ch. Indeed I ought to beg Pardon for my Presumption, who dar’d presume to trouble a Man of so much Business, and so much Learning with my unlearned Letters.  I acknowledge your usual Humanity, who have taken my Boldness in good Part.  I was afraid my Letters had given you some Offence, that you sent me no Answer.  There is no Reason that you should thank me, it is more than enough for me, if you have taken my Industry in good Part.

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A Form of asking after News.