" "I
must be bold on your liberality," he writes, "not only in
that, but in greater things as I shall need." (2) On her
part she applies to him for spiritual advice, not after the
manner of the drooping Mrs. Bowes, but in a more positive
spirit, - advice as to practical points, advice as to the
Church of England, for instance, whose ritual he condemns as
a "mingle-mangle." (3) Just at the end she ceases to write,
sends him "a token, without writing." "I understand your
impediment," he answers, "and therefore I cannot complain.
Yet if you understood the variety of my temptations, I doubt
not but you would have written somewhat." (4) One letter
more, and then silence.
(1) Works, vi. ii.
(2) Works, vi. pp. 21. 101, 108, 130.
(3) IB. vi. 83.
(4) IB. vi. 129.
And I think the best of the Reformer died out with that
correspondence. It is after this, of course, that he wrote
that ungenerous description of his intercourse with Mrs.
Bowes. It is after this, also, that we come to the unlovely
episode of his second marriage. He had been left a widower
at the age of fifty-five. Three years after, it occurred
apparently to yet another pious parent to sacrifice a child
upon the altar of his respect for the Reformer. In January
1563, Randolph writes to Cecil: "Your Honour will take it for
a great wonder when I shall write unto you that Mr.
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