his lock, and complements like
Euphues or the knights of the Sun; yet his phrase is the worst apparalled
thing about him, for it is plain fustian.[ED] His thigh is always well
apointed with a rapier, yet peaceable enough, and makes[EE] a wound in
nothing but the scabard, yet[EF] rather than point the field, hee'l pull
it out in the street. He is weaponed rather in the street, than the
highway, for he fears not a thief, but a serjeant. His clothes and himself
grow stale together, and the last act of his life is invisible, for he is
buried commonly before he dies, in the jail or the[EG] country."

The following Character may serve as an illustrative commentary on part of
Earle's character of an Attorney.

THE CHARACTER OF AN ATTORNEY.

P. 211. (_From a MS. in the Bodleian, Sheldon Papers_), circa 1642. An MS.
Notebook of Bliss's in my possession, containing some 50 pages filled with
the titles of books of characters, has this one among them, in 17th
century hand-writing (pasted on to the page). When this was acquired he
does not say. "An Atturney is a Broker at Law for hee sels wordes and
counsell at the second hand, studies but one language that hee may not bee
thought double tonged, and when vpon necessitie hee reades Latin, 'tis
with a quaking hast soe feare fully you wold thinke him a fellon at his
miserere. Hee speakes nothing but reports, statutes and obligations, and
'tis to bee thought wooes soe too; Lady I hold of you in capite and was by
the fates enacted yours in decimo of the Ringe; his prayers are
soloecismes for peace, and yet for contention; hee beleeues in Littleton
or the present Cheefe-Justice and against this fayth hee thinkes the
Chancery Hoeerticall, especially if he speake in a Rocket; his degrees are
to proceed either a Court-keeper or an Under-shrieue and then a Judges nod
qualifies him; hee may hold two or three Clyents the more; to conclude hee
is a very noune adiectiue whom noe man dares trust to stand by himselfe,
but requires a Counsellour to bee ioyned with him."--DEANE.

TWO LETTERS OF EARLE'S.

[TANNER MS., vol. 48, No. 46.]

Saru[(m] Sept. 25. 1662.

"MY LORD

"I recyvd your Lordshipp's letter this day from my Lord
of Sarum and give you my most humble and harty thankes
for the great favour you intended me, as likewise for
your good opinion of me! as well as your affection, that
you thinke me capable of such a place