A website from the Massachusetts Historical Society; founded 1791.

Papers of the Winthrop Family, Volume 1

For Preventing Drunkenness

1627

Edward Howes to John Winthrop, Jr.

1628
Edward Howes1 to John Winthrop, Jr.2
Howes, Edward Winthrop, John, Jr.

1628-01-22

To his very louinge Frinde Mr. John Winthrope, these deliver at Groton.
Deare Sir,

The skillfullest paynters some tymes bestowe theire best colours vpon deformed Pictures And wisely some Orators to blazon the vices of some Catiffe speaketh of the contrarie vertues; Soe you (accordinge to your gentle nature) haue prouided a vaile to couer my deformitie; that I daylie seeinge my selfe through it, may thereby appeare the more deformed and soe seeinge, fall a loathinge, and then (by diuine assistance) leauinge my deformitie, become conformed to what you would haue me, Euen to a conformitie of mynd and manners which as yet I am farre shorte of, though my studie be for such perfection. It hath pleased you to conceiue better of me then euer I could of my selfe Yea doe for me more then euer I would haue done for my selfe which maketh my loue (which you call 375frindshipe) a duty euer vowed to you. I loue to write playnely for I knowe it pleaseth you, and to displease you, if it weare possible I might I could not. As for the vniversitie you watt of what neede you be a scholler there, where of you are president, I beinge but a sophisticall studient studie as I am bound to giue accompt of my tyme come when you will, I shalbe fitted with a plus vltra or somthinge meane while I meane to make hollydaye nowe and then when I can but finde a holy hower to praye for our prosperous proceedings which God graunt to his glorye and our comforte Amen. Grace be with you and him whoe is Yours

Edward Howes. Die Martis 10 Noctur. hor. Jan. 22. 1627–28.

Postscript Salomons wisdome, 7 chap. 21 vers: And all such things as are either secret, or manifest: them I knowe.

Dic—

Quid lex est illi qui sibi lex est, Lex mihi Onus et Honus, etc.

To see the handwritten design reproduced on this page, click the page view for page 375.

1.

Little is known of this writer beyond what is to be gathered from his letters in the Winthrop collection. At this time he was a law student at the Inner Temple and later is said to have entered holy orders. In 1644 he was master in the Ratcliffe Free School, London, and in 1659 is “called rector of Goldancher Goldanger in Essex.” In that year he published A Short Arithmetick. D. N. B. , XXVIII. 119.

2.

W. Au. 48; 4 Collections , VI. 467–468.