TO MY POSTERITY, 1675.  
( Anno Aetatis Quadragesimo Secundo.)  
Not to be d to any Body 〈◇〉 publicly.  
I KNOW the Booksellers Shops abound with numerous Volumes upon all Subjects, Therefore it's vanity in any Body in this Age to attempt by his Writings to Treat the World with Novelty, especially for a Man of my Talent who am but a very ordinary Grammarian; and the Circumstances of my perturbated Fortune never allowed me Time to red many Authors( tho' perhaps those I have run over have been of the very best) so that little Reason I have been Master of hath been Acquired chiefly by Conversation and Observation in the Transacting Mercantile Affairs, to which I was by my most Indulgent Mother( but at my own Request) designed before I was Fifteen Years old: Nevertheless I think it cannot be unacceptable to my Posterity, That I leave them this short Account of myself.  
My Father, Sir John Lytcott, Dying at Molsey in Surrey, Anno 1641. before I was quiter Eight Years of Age, and leaving me youngest of Fifteen or Sixteen Children Born tho' of but Nine then Living.  
I was by Mother( who was Daughter to Sir Nicholas Overbury and Sister to Sir Thomas Overbury who was poisoned in the Tower) Maintained at a Grammar-School till I was near Fifteen Years Old, 
1650.  and then Apprenticed to a Merchant; who in less than Two Years sent me on a Man of War to the English Colonies in America, Aboard which Ship I was a little Officer; and in that Voyage I got some Knowledge in the Art of Navigation as well as in the practical part of a sailor.  
At my return for England my Master sent me to be one of his Factors at Lisbon, 
1654.  from whence after a Year or Two I removed myself for Italy, calling in at some of the Ports of Spain in my way to Genoa, and from thence to Legorn, in the Dukedom of Tuscany, where I lived some Years managing a great deal of Business by Commission from Merchants of several Countries; wherein I took much pains but not without much satisfaction, my Labour being rewarded with Benefit; afterwards as my Affairs permitted me I took a View of Rome, and of most of the best Cities in Italy.  
Then we had the prospect of the Restoration of King Charles II. so I went for Lombardy, and thence for the Valtolines country, and Switzerland, and so came for England through Germany, some part of Flanders and Holland in June 1660. being in the Twenty Seventh Year of my Age; and about Sixteen Months afterwards, I Married my only Wife, Sarah, the only Daughter of Mr. Richard Culling of Exon, with whom I had a fair Fortune not less than Seven Thousand Pounds; and we might have promised ourselves all the happiness imaginable for young People that could contain themselves within the bounds of Moderation, but it pleased GOD to convince us of the uncertainty of Worldly Riches by permitting me to be deluded by some Persons who indeed had been my Beneficial Friends; but their Fortunes declining, they endeavoured to prop themselves up by the Assistance of my Credit and Estate; and at last( their Condition being much worse than they would own to me) they failed, being Indebted at least Eleven or Twelve Thousand Pounds to me here and to my Agent who managed my Concerns at Legorn.  
This Misfortune made a great Impression in my Mind as well as on my Estate; however it pleased GOD to continue to me the Friendship of all those who had formerly been my Employers and Acquaintance, so that I was not destitute of Means to repair my Losses; but the Fondness of my Dear Wife would not permit her to dispense with my Absence out of England, so as to settle myself abroad again, only Anno 1663. I took Post for Dover thence passing into France: I rid from Paris to Madrid so to Sevil and Cadiz, where I Embarked on a Spanish Ship for Berbadoes to take on Board about Seven Hundred Blacks for the Kingdom of Mexico in the West-Indies; and I return'd for London in about Fourteen Months, but not without encountering more Dangers and undergoing more Hardship than in all the former part of my Life: 
Hurricane and want of Food and Water: Our Ship struck and sat fast upon the Shoals on the South-side of Cuba, till we lightened her, and got off.  However, my Adventure was not without some Profit as well as a great deal of Peril and new Inconveniences; if they did not extinguish the memory of the old ones, at least they taught me to wear them with more Patience.  
After my Return Home I retired to a Countrey-Life at Stratford under Old Sarum; The Truth is I was forced to it for want of a good Tenant to my Estate there, where I continued Five or Six Years, viz. to the Year 1671. when I obtained the Charge of Comptant-General of the accounts of His Majesties Customs, wherein I have not without some Care and Pains Officiated above Four Years.  
Now for as much the Hour of Death is uncertain, and I having Six Children who are all so young, That should I be suddenly taken from them, the Eldest of them would hardly remember their Unfortunate Father: I therefore leave these Remains of myself without looking into the Antiquity of my Family, tho' One of the Five Oldest in Oxfordshire, and once possessed of a very large Estate, which I cannot mention without Accusing my Ancestors of Imprudence for having wasted it. 
The Estate was wasted before it came to my Father.  Therefore I think it more decent to leave their Urns undisturbed, and to offer my Children this Miscellany of Advertisements, Observations and Maxims writ as they intrude themselves into my Thoughts when I got out of my Office; which perhaps may be more acceptable to them, and make more Impression in their Minds, than better digested Matter from a Strangers hand.  
And in the first place, He that desires to be happy in this World must so order all his Actions that he may always lay himself down to Repose with a quiet Conscience, and awake with a Tranquil Mind: To which no Man can arrive without fearing GOD.  
The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom said Solomon, who was the Wisest of Men; and his Proverbs are the Originals of all Honest Policy, as well as of the best economy, and consequently cannot be too often red over.  
Of all the Religions that I have ever seen or heard, The Christian seems to me to be the only Religion fit to be embraced: And after the perusal of many Books of several Writers( upon their various Opinions wherein they alternately take the liberty to style one another heretics, Sectaries and schismatics) I do adhere to the Church of England, as now established, as being the most pure from Idolatry, and most agreeable with Holy Writ and Reason.  
And therefore I recommend it to those that come after me, next to your Duty to GOD Almighty that to your Parents is to take place: Whoever doth not Dutifully obey, respect and love their Parents, cannot reasonably expect their Children should obey or respect them.  
In the next place bear good will to all Men, that is, at least so far as not to injure any Man wilfully, especially by speaking ill of them behind their backs, and upon mere report; such Discourses being often detected, and then they reflect severely upon the Author; wherefore the most prudent way is not to meddle with other Men, or their Matters, especially so as to disparaged them.  
By all means subdue Passion( it being altogether disagreeable with Prudence, and consequently with Business) because it blinds the Reason, and rifles a Man's Notions.  
Idleness is the Root of most Evils, and the Subversion of many Families, therefore be sure to entertain yourselves with some honest employment or other.  
And truly as Things offer themselves to my Sense at present, I see no fairer way to raise an Estate( and to avoid Debauchery) than to be bread under a discreet Factor, that hath good employment abroad, either in Spain, Portugal, Italy or Turkey, &c. where there is a probability of the Apprentices succeeding his Master in his Commissions, or under a Lawyer so that a Man have an Estate to purchase a Counsellour's Place at Guild-Hall.  
Now that you may be Men of Value and Reputation in the World, I shall offer you a few Advertisements to be regarded in your Youth.  
Be very cautious of the Company you keep; for he that associates with those who are lewd and vicious, becomes hardened against virtuous Thoughts and good Advice.  
Avoid Sluggishness; a little Sleep in due season will suffice a Man and a great deal doth but stupefy him, robs him of his very best Time, rendering him less fit for Business.  
Lying a Bed after a Man is awake, exposes him to wanton Thoughts and a lazy habit.  
Avoid Unchastity and Intemperance which do not only take a young Man's Mind from his Business but rot and ruin his Body, waste and consume his Stock, which else( by GOD's Blessing and his own diligence might in Time grow to a fair Fortune) but draw upon him the Contempt and Disdain of all industrious, virtuous, Men that know him, to the utter loss of his Reputation.  
A wise Man would avoid idle Swearing and Cursing( if they were not grievous Sins against the Great Creator) merely because they are Vices usually incident to shallow-pated Fellows, that supply their want of Sense with new coined Oaths or some of the biggest old ones.  
And in my Opinion Lying comes little behind the other, nay perhaps 'tis worse, because those who addict themselves thereto seldom boggle at an Oath or Two to make their Lies be credited; so they cannot be fit for human Society because Lying lets loose to any villainy, always hoping to get off with a lye.  
Decency in Apparel is commendable, but curiosity and niceness in Dressing is Foppish: I remember the wise Saavedra a Spaniard in his politic Impresses says, That clothes are made for Men but Fops are made for their clothes: This sort of Niceness being generally attended with the most detestable 'vice of Pride.  
Tho' fair Writing be not an infallible sign of Ingenuity, yet in my Opinion not to writ a good legible hand bespeaks a Man to be very careless if not indiscreet; It being certain, That any Man may writ a good fair hand if he accustoms himself thereto; and oftentimes good Writing is a Recommendation to a good Livelihood: Wherefore I cannot but esteem it Imprudence, in any young Man, to neglect an Art that merely by custom may be attained; and possibly at one Time or other may be more profitable to him than many other Qualifications that are not acquired without a great deal more pains.  
And as well as Writing, arithmetic is absolutely necessary for Men that are to push their Fortunes in the World; also to understand the stating and keeping accounts, of which no Man can be a complete Master but by great practise in Business.  
Whatever your Stock is, let your Trade be bounded by it; and whatever your Estate is, let your way of Living be within it: For he that over-lives his Revenue, and he that wants Money to carry on his Trade are equally unhappy.  
Vain, Glorious, Self-Commendation renders a Man very weak if not very ridiculous; not but that there are some Cases wherein a Man ought to make the best of himself, but these can be but few particular Cases, which a Man must handle modestly( without Prolixity or Affectation) and not repeat them too often.  
Keep as few Servants as you can, and let those be good tho' you give greater Wages.  
Be frugal in your expenses, but not stingy in your Gifts to Servants and poor People.  
Frequent Drunkenness is a very imprudent, pernicious, Evil; It consumes a Man's Estate, spends his Time and destroys his Body; makes him ridiculous in his own Family( and besides, rendering him uncapable of Business) it renders him unsafe for Conversation; for he that is drunk knows not what he says or swears.  
Never boast of your own Dexterity or Agility of Body, because a Man is naturally apt to exceed in that sort of Discourse even to the rendering himself conceited or impertinent; to the begetting Wagers which often produces Quarrels( or at least puts a Man upon straining himself beyond what is convenient) and perhaps comes off ridiculous at last.  
Of all Trades never choose a Land-Soldiers, because they whose Idleness have inclined them to a lazy Livelihood( wherein they must expose their Lives for 6 d. or 8 d. per Day) can hardly be justified to be Rational Creatures: And all Soldiery( except in Defence of a Man's own country) is but a Species of Barbarism.  
Marriage is an Holy Institution, but it too often proves a very uneasy Mornings Work; and without a lucky Concurrence of a great many Circumstances, it can hardly be so happy as People generally fancy.  
Men of vast Fortunes may please themselves with the Person or Face of a Wife, but Men of middle Degree must consider the suitableness of Circumstances and the great Charge of a Family which is contracted by Wedlock; therefore it's but requisite, that the Woman brings a good Fortune with her, that she be virtuous and good humoured( of a Family of good Repute) without so much Kindred as may beget a chrageable Acquaintance.  
No Portion is an Equivalent for an ill Temper; nor ought any Man( in common Prudence) to mary a Wife so ill favoured that he shall be ashamed of her, nor so much older than himself that she shall look like his Govourness.  
There may be a great deal said for a Man's Marrying once, but he that hath Children( especially a Son by a former Wife and past Forty Years of Age) Marries again, does in my Opinion run a great deal of hazard of being sensured for a Fool or a Knave.  
Avoid Contracts with Princes and Courtiers( either at Home or Abroad) if you have any Estate of your own, for Beggars are fittest to deal with the Court; and according to my observation, for one that came well off more than Forty have miscarried.  
If a Merchant chanceth to gain by the Crown the Prince at one Time or other will get into his Debt; and then he may have leisure to inform himself, That Princes can break their Faith as well as private Men; and tho' they may give good fair Words at first, yet after a little while they will abhor the Face of their Creditors.  
Avoid Law-Suits by any means, and in order thereto, avoid dealing with litigious Men; avoid uncertain Contracts which always admits of Disputes( and those Disputes commonly grows into Law-Suits) which disturb the tranquillity of a Man's Mind, waste his Time and consume his Estate.  
He that is much concerned in Law oftentimes lives reputed a Knave, and usually dies a Beggar.  
Few Places at Court are really profitable( except those that of course have the Princes Ear, or those that dispense the Money) which I presume occasioned the Italian Proverb, He that lives at Court dies in the Hospital.  
But Offices in the Revenue are worth obtaining; and if a Man behave himself honestly and diligently therein, possibly it may be as good as any other Estate for Life; but those that extort Fees( or delays Men out of design to pick their Pockets) deserve not only to be dismissed, but exposed upon the Pillory, as well as those that cheat the King or connive at his being defrauded in their Offices.  
What I have hitherto said, pointing most to the Masculine Gender, perhaps my Daughters may expect I should say something to them also; from which in my own Opinion I might be very well excused, they having the lively Example of their most Virtuous Mother to imitate; whom I hope the Almighty God will continue to them till they shall all be grown up.  
Nevertheless, least she should be taken away in their infancy, they shall have my Advice in a very few Lines, viz.  
Be truly Religious in your closerts as well as at Church, where you ought to behave yourselves( Devoutely and decently) without much bussling and expressing the Responsals too loud.  
Fall out with no Body about their Opinion in Religion.  
Avoid Pride and Affectation.  
Avoid an over Airy Behaviour.  
Wantonness makes room for Censure, and gives opportunity to Temptation.  
It's but little worse to be a Whore than to give occasion to be thought so.  
Be affable and courteous with modesty.  
Be careful in the choice of Companions for your constant Converse.  
Keep yourselves employed about some ingenious Housewifery, not excluding Dancing and Singing also if you have Voices adapted to it.  
What Time you spend in Reading, let it be in Books of sound Divinity( or good Morality) and not in idle Romances, and Stories of Witches and Wizards and the Roman catholic Legends, which seems to be Nets contrived by the Devil to catch Fools of all Sects.  
When you come to think of Marriage( and that Husbands are proposed to you) rely upon the judgement of your Mother, or some other prudent Friend, rather than upon your own in your choice.  
And rather choose a good, prudent, industrious, plain Man( that knows how to get an Estate) than a vain Fop that may have a little left him by his Friends and only knows how to spend it.  
When you are Married remember you are no more your own Mistress, but that you have put yourself under a governor to whose Humours you must endeavour to bend yourself with all diligence imaginable, Wedlock being a Knot that can never be untied but by Death; and if your Humour be not agreeable with your Husbands, you must expect to live miserable.  
Finally, I tell you all my Sons and Daughters( and those that shall be descended from you, to whose view These shall come) That you will never answer it to GOD nor Nature if they have not some weight with you, because they are the kind Lecacy of your most kind Father  
G. Lytcott.