The Cambridge History of English and American Literature in 18 Volumes (1907–21).
Volume VIII. The Age of Dryden.
§ 12. More purely Literary Efforts: Penns Some Fruits of Solitude
There is very little in the writings of the early quakers that has not some directly practical or controversial aim. Among more purely literary efforts, however, mention should be made of William Penn’s Some Fruits of Solitude, and of the rare attempts at poetry, or, rather, versification, put forth by one or two of them.
R. L. Stevenson has told of the comfort and refreshment he gained, in sickness and loneliness, from a copy of Some Fruits of Solitude which he picked up in the streets of San Francisco. It is a collection of aphorisms, “fruits,” as Penn calls them, “that may serve the reader for texts to preach to himself upon.” It has the virtue rare, indeed, at that time and among these writers, of terseness and condensation; the maxims are expressed, without any straining after literary effect in natural, clear and cogent English. It is lit up with a kindly humour, and its satire, while mordant at times, is never bitter or cynical. The first part was written between 1690 and 1693, when Penn was living in seclusion in London under suspicion of treachery, owing to his former friendship with James II. Twice he was arrested and brought to trial on a charge of disloyalty, but, on both occasions, was discharged. This explains why the book was published anonymously, but itsauthorship has now been conclusively proved. The second part, More Fruits of Solitude, dates from just after the accession of queen Anne.
The following will serve as evidence of the pungent brevity with which Penn could express himself when he chose: