Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/336

 it would much contribute thereunto; but what shall I say? The blow is very heavy and lowde. God make me to submit to his will; for myself I can do nothing. I know you have kindness enough for me to suffer my complaint, but all I can say is too short to express my sorrow. And as an high aggravation I see dayly my dear mother under an unexpressable grief; and indeed she has reason, for she has lost the best of friends, who living and dying manifested his true value for her, commanding us to obey her as the best mother in the world. It was a great satisfaction to me to see how like a Christian and philosopher he left this world. It has taken off from me the fear of death to see him die, and I do not think death so terrible as people make it. I have no more to say, only to beg you to intercede with your father that he will please, for my father's sake, to take me under his protection and preserve me a place in his friendship, which I shall endeavour to deserve by all wayes imaginable and in the power of his and yours most affectionate kinsman and humble Servant,

'As soon as my mother is able to write, she will not faile to acknowledge the favour of Sir Robert's letter,'

Sir William was at work till the end, and there was found in his pocket on his decease a paper entitled: 'Twelve Articles of a good Catholique and good patriot's creed'—which appears to be the paper alluded to in his letter of August 16, as having been sent to Southwell. It contained a summary of the plans with which the reader is already acquainted.

'1. That $1/100$th parte of the Men naturally able to learn Arms is a Competent Army to be kept in pay.