be supposed congenial to a nephew of Boyle, and which had become interesting to himself.  “As for us here,” wrote Oldenburg to Boyle from Saumur, Sept. 8, 1657, “we are, through the goodness of God, in perfect health; and, your nephew having spent these two or three months we have been here very well and in more than ordinary diligence, I cannot but give him some relaxation in taking a view of this province of Anjou during this time of vintage; which, though it be a very tempting one to a young appetite, yet shall, I hope, by a careful watchfulness, prove unprejudicial to his health."[1] A good while before Oldenburg wrote this letter to Boyle both he and his pupil had written to Milton, and Milton’s replies had already been received.  They are dated on the same day, but we shall put that to young Ranelagh first.  It will be seen that Oldenburg must have had a sight of it from his pupil before he wrote the above to Boyle:—­

[Footnote 1:  Boyle’s Works, V. 299.]

  “To the noble youth, RICHARD JONES.

“That you made out so long a journey without inconvenience, and that, spurning the allurements of Paris, you have so quickly reached your present place of residence, where you can enjoy literary leisure and the society of learned persons, I am both heartily glad, and set down to the credit of your disposition.  There, so far as you keep yourself in bounds, you will be in harbour; elsewhere you would have to beware the Syrtes, the Rocks, and the songs of the Sirens.  All the same I would not have you thirst too much after the Saumur vintage, with which you think to delight yourself, unless it be also your intention to dilute that juice of Bacchus, more than a fifth part, with the freer cup of the Muses.  But to such a course, even if I were silent, you have a first-rate adviser; by listening to whom you will indeed consult best for your own good, and cause great joy to your most excellent mother, and a daily growth of her love for you.  Which that you may accomplish you ought every day to petition Almighty God, Farewell; and see that you return to us as good as possible, and as cultured as possible in good arts.  That will be to me, beyond others, a most delightful result.

  “Westminster:  Aug. 1, 1657.”

The letter to Oldenburg contains matter of more interest:—­

  “To HENRY OLDENBURG.

“I am glad you have arrived safe at Saumur, the goal of your travel, as I believe.  You are not mistaken in thinking the news would be very agreeable to me in particular, who both love you for your own merit, and know the cause of your undertaking the journey to be so honourable and praiseworthy.

“As to the news you have heard, that so infamous a priest has been called to instruct so illustrious a church, I had rather any one else had heard it in Charon’s boat than you in that of Charenton; for it is mightily to be feared that whoever thinks to get to heaven under the auspices