Of Epistles Remuneratorie. Chap. 9
In the writing of this last Letter, there was shewed mee by the Printer, a booke called the Marchants Auiso, helping, and in mine opinion most fully & amplie suffizing to this instruction. And for as much as the conuieance of these letters, bee rather matters priuate to Merchantes aduenturers, then resting in publique for anie other vsers, I haue determined herein for that sorte, vnder this Narratorie or Nunciatorie title to laie downe my limits, referring the desirous of further direction, vnto the writer of that Booke, whose labour for that purpose, not without his speciall desert, cannot be by me or anie other to such end better furnished or deliuered, his tearmes being most currant to those kind of dealinges, and his methode also best answering vnto the true passages thereof. For which in supplement of the residue of the required examples yet vnfitted to this my Secretorie, I will proceed vnto the next title of these familiar letters, which appeare to be Remuneratorie. This title serueth to a Remuneration or thankfull acknowledgement of benefits receiued, and to such end is by the examples thereof to be imploied. And in so much as vnto euerie one well conditioned, or of good and liberall education, it is a thing pertinent, not to omit the respect of euerie benefit without some thankefull consideration, it shall behooue that according to the estate or qualitie of the partie, from whome we receiue the same, we do frame our letters of thankes, which to our betters, equalles and inferiours are in sundrie sortes to be deliuered, and according to the dignitie and worthinesse of euerie one, excelling or going before vs, are euer to be measured, and with the more or lesse submissiue and humble acknowledgment is alike to be caried. Neuerthelesse, that according to the efficacie of speech in each of them deliuered, the greatnesse and weightie respect of euerie good turne, is by the considerate and respectiue regarde thereof, the more amplie to be perceiued.
An Example of an Epistle Remuneratorie From an Inferiour, to One Far His Better in Reputation and Calling
To recognize (Sir) in multitude of wordes, howe much charged I stande vnto your bounteous and euer curteous regard towards mee, were vnto your wisdome I knowe but friuolous, who better respecteth the inwarde seruice intended of anie one, (whereof I humblie beseech you on my parte to stande assured) then an outwarde behauiour, the validitie whereof maie manie waies bee doubted.
Yet neuerthelesse, in that the thoughts of men are only in word or action to bee deciphered, let it I beseech you stande with your good fauor that I may by these few lines confesse my selfe bound vnto you. And for the residue, when it shall seeme good vnto your Worship to command me, I will not haue life or abilitie that shall not be yours, in al that it may please you to vse me.
A Letter Remuneratory From a Gentlewo- Man of Good Sort to a Noble Man Her Kinsman
My good L. howe much I am bounde vnto your L. for multitude of fauours, and especially that it pleased you to thinke so well of me, as to write your fauourable letters in my behalfe: I can by no other waies expresse, then to continue your L. most humbly affectionate poore kinswoman, & wil for euer acknowledge it as of your great goodnes, beyond any merit of mine owne. And as my bounden duty is, no day shal passe me that I will not pray to God for your L. health and prosperitie, and the redoubling of your daies. Beseeching your L. to excuse this my boldnes, and to pardon me that in person I cannot do my humble duty, but by writing, my Lady making such haste away, as so much time wil not be permitted me. I most humbly therefore take my leaue of your L. From S. this eleuenth of Nouember.
A Letter Remuneratory From One Friend to Another
GOod M. D. my breach of promise in not hauing visited you with deserued requitall, sithence my departure, maie breede suspicion and doubt of ingratefulnesse, but I hope, and by hope presume, that of your owne good disposition towards all your acquaintance, you will yeelde vnto an approoued trial before you condemn. For my part, if I should not owe vnto you all honest minde and fidelitie, I shoulde much contrary your great curtesie, and deseruedlie incur the shame of ingratitude. You knowe that hauing swaied, as I haue done, out of the limits of a comptrolled rule, and displeased so much thereby as my case hath bewraied vnto you, those whome by nature and duty I ought to be awed vnto, it is reason that by a more district obseruance I make amendes for the residue. My father it seemeth though not yet by me, hath otherwise vnderstoode how much I stand yoked vnto you, and thinketh himselfe for all his sons vnthriftines somwhat therein to be tied vnto you. His meaning is one of these daies to intreat your paines hitherwards. But how euer deserts be noted, or care by nature doth binde, assure your selfe whilest life leadeth along this earthly coarse, I am and will bee alwaies most vnfainedlie yours. To whom, and your good bedfellowe, I most hartily and often commend me. From B. this of, &c.
A Letter Remuneratorie From a Better to His Inferiour
T. F. I haue vnderstoode by my seruaunt P. howe much I am beholding vnto you for your paines taken in my behalfe, about such busines as I sent him, for which I not onlie thanke you for the present, but will remaine your willing friende to requite you in anie thing that I maie. It was tolde mee you had occasion to trauell this way verie shortly, I pray you if you doe, let mee see you. And looke you faile not to vse me as your good friende, if at anie time you fortune to haue neede of me. Wherein doubt you not but you shall finde my readinesse as great as your forwardnesse hath beene already in my businesse. And so doe bid you hartily farewell. From T. this of, &c.
Your louing friend, &c.