TO A FRIEND IN ENGLAND.

WORTHY SIR,

I have been behind hand with you a long time for a letter I received of yours at Angers, that place affording nothing wherewith to pay a debt of that kind, all matter of news being sooner known in England than here: and the news you writ me was of that kind, that none from England could be more welcome, because it concerned the honour of Welbeck and Clifton, two houses in which I am very much obliged.

Monsieur having given the slip to the Spaniards at Bruxelles, came to the King about ten days ago at St. Germains, where he was received with great joy. The next day the Cardinal entertained him at Ruelle: and the day after that he went to Limours, where he is now, and from thence he goes away shortly to Bloys, to stay there this winter. The Cardinal of Lyons is going to Rome to treat about the annulling of Monsieur’s marriage, which is here by Parliament declared void, but yet they require the sentence of the Pope. There goes somebody thither on the part of his wife, to get the marriage approved: but who that is, I ’know not. The Swedish party in Germany is in low estate, but the French prepare a great army for those parts, pretending to defend the places which the Swedes have put into the King of France his protection, whereof Philipsbourgh is one; a place of importance for the Lower Palatinate. This is all the French news.

For your question, _why a man remembers less his own face, which he sees often in a glass, than the face of a friend that he has not seen of a great time_, my opinion in general is, that a man remembers best those faces whereof he has had the greatest impressions, and that the impressions are the greater for the oftener seeing them, and the longer staying upon the sight of them. Now you know men look upon their own faces but for short fits, but upon their friends’ faces long time together, whilst they discourse or converse together; so that a man may receive a greater impression from his friend’s face in a day, than from his own in a year; and according to this impression, the image will be fresher in his mind. Besides, the sight of one’s friend’s face two hours together, is of greater force to imprint the image of it, than the same quantity of time by intermissions. For the intermissions do easily deface that which is but lightly imprinted. In general, I think that lasteth longer in the memory which hath been stronglier received by the sense.

This is my opinion of the question you propounded in your letter. Other new truths I have none, at least they appear not new to me. Therefore if this resolution of your first question seems probable, you may propound another, wherein I will endeavour to satisfy you, as also in any thing of any other nature you shall command me, to my utmost power; taking it for an honour to be esteemed by you, as I am in effect,

Your humble and faithful servant THO. HOBBES.

_Paris, Oct. 21/31, 1634._

My Lord Fielding and his Lady came to Paris on Saturday night last.