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of debonnaire, etc. Only that of persons attainted, that the consideration of your lady's wanting a enabled to serve in Parliament by a bare reversal house hath bred some difficulty in your lordship of their attainder, the king by all means will have to part with it, I will for that make offer unto your left out. I met with my Lord Brooke, and told lordship, and your lady, to use the house in Canon him, that Mr. Murray had directed me to wait Row, late the Earl of Hertford's, being a very upon him for the book, when he had done with it. commodious and capable house, wherein I and He desired to be spared this week, as being to him my wife have absolute power; and whereof your a week of much business, and the next week I lordship shall have as long time as you can chalshould have it; and he ended in a compliment, that lenge or desire of York House. In this I do care should be taken, by all means, for good ink and freelier deal with your lordship, in respect I know paper to print it in, for that the book deserveth it. you are well assured of my well wishes to you I beg leave to kiss your lordship's hands. in general; and that in this particular, though I Your lordship's in all humbleness have not been without thoughts of this house before your lordship had it, yet, I was willing to give way to your lordship's more pressing use thereof then. And as I do not doubt of your lordship's endeavour to gratify me in this, so I

January 7, 1621-2.

to honour and serve,

T. MEAUTYS.

This proclamation is not yet sealed; and, therefore, your lordship may please as yet to keep it in your own hands.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY MOST HONOURED LORD,

I met, even now, with a piece of news so unexpected, and yet so certainly true, as that, howsoever, I had much ado, at first, to desire the relater to speak probably; yet, now I dare send it your lordship upon my credit. It is my Lord of Somerset's and his lady's coming out of the Tower, on Saturday last,* fetched forth by my Lord of Falkland, and without the usual degrees of confinement, at first to some one place, but absolute and free, to go where they please. I know not how peradventure this might occasion you to cast your thoughts, touching yourself, into some new mould, though not in the main, yet in something on the by.

I beg leave to kiss your lordship's hands.
Your lordship's, in all humbleness,
forever to honour and serve you,
T. MEAUTYS.

LODOWIC STUART, DUKE OF LENOX, TO THE
LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY LORD, It is not unknown to your lordship, that, in respect I am now a married man, I have more reason than before to think of providing me some house in London, whereof I am yet destitute; and for that purpose I have resolved to entreat your lordship, that I may deal with you for York House; wherein I will not offer any conditions to your loss. And, in respect I have understood,

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shall esteem it as an extraordinary courtesy, which I will study to requite by all means.

So, with my best wishes to your lordship, I

rest

Your lordship's most loving friend,

LENOX.

In respect my Lord of Buckingham was once desirous to have had this house, I would not deal for it till now, that he is otherwise provided.

Whitehall, the 29th of January, 1621.

To the Right Honourable my very good lord, my
Lord Viscount St. Alban.

ANSWER OF THE LORD VISCOUNT OF ST. ALBAN.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I am sorry to deny your grace any thing; but in this you will pardon me. York House is the house wherein my father died, and wherein I first breathed; and there will I yield my last breath, if so please God, and the king will give me leave; though I be now by fortune (as the old proverb is) like a bear in a monk's hood. At least no money, no value, shall make me part with it. Besides, as I never denied it to my lord marquis, so yet the difficulty I made was so like a denial, as I owe unto my great love and respect to his lordship a denial to all my other friends; among whom, in a very near place next his lordship, I ever accounted of your grace. So, not doubting that you will continue me in your former love and good affection, I rest

Your grace's, to do you humble
service, affectionate, &c.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

As my hopes, since my misfortunes, have proceeded of your lordship's mere motion, without any petition of mine, so I leave the times and the

ways to the same good mind of yours. True it
is, a small matter for my debts would do me
more good now than double a twelvemonth hence.
I have lost six thousand pounds by year, besides
caps and courtesies. But now a very moderate
proportion would suffice; for I still bear a little
of the mind of a commissioner of the treasury,
not to be overchargeable to his majesty; and two
things I may assure your lordship of: the one,
that I shall lead such a course of life, as whatso-
ever the king doth for me shall rather sort to his
majesty's and your lordship's honour, than to
envy the other, that whatsoever men talk, I can
play the good husband, and the king's bounty
shall not be lost. If your lordship think good
the prince should come in to help, I know his
highness wisheth me well; if you will let me
know when, and how he may be used. But the
king is the fountain, who, I know is good.
God prosper you.

Your lordship's most bounden
and faithful,

Gorhambury, January 30, 1621.

FR. ST. ALBAN.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Your lordship dealeth honourably with me in giving me notice, that your lordship is provided of a house, whereby you discontinue the treaty your lordship had with me for York House, although I shall make no use of this notice, as to deal with any other. For I was ever resolved your lordship should have had it, or no man. But your lordship doth yet more nobly, in assuring me, you never meant it with any the least inconvenience to myself. May it please your lordship likewise to be assured from me, that I ever desired you should have it, and do still continue of the same mind.

I humbly pray your lordship to move his majesty to take commiseration of my long imprisonment. When I was in the Tower, I was nearer help of physic; I could parley with my creditors; I could deal with friends about my business; I could have helps at hand for my writings and studies, wherein I spend my time; all which here fail me. Good my lord, deliver me out of this; me, who am his majesty's devout beadsman, and

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

Remembering that the letter your lordship put yesterday into my hand was locked up under two or three seals, it ran in my head, that it might be business of importance, and require haste; and not finding Mr. Matthew in town, nor any certainty of his return till Monday or Tuesday, I thought it became me to let your lordship know it, that so I might receive your lordship's pleasure (if need were) to send it by as safe a hand as if it had three seals more.

My lord, I saw Sir Arthur Ingram, who let fall somewhat, as if he could have been contented to have received a letter by me from your lordship, with something in it like an acknowledgment to my lord treasurer,* that by his means you had received a kind letter from my lord marquis. But, in the close, he came about, and fell rather to excuse what was left out of the letter, than to please himself much with what was within it. Only, indeed, he looked upon me, as if he did a little distrust my good meaning in it. But that is all one to me; for I have been used to it of late from others, as well as from him. But persons apt to be suspicious may well be borne with; for certainly they trouble themselves most, and lose most by it. For of such it is a hard question, whether those be fewest whom they trust, or those who trust them. But for him, and some others, I will end in a wish, that, as to your lordship's service, they might prove but half so much honester, as they think themselves wiser, than

other men.

It is doubtful whether the king will come to morrow or not; for they say he is full of pain in his feet.

My lord marquis came late to town last night, Sackville watcheth an opportunity to speak with and goeth back this evening; and Sir Edward him before he go. However, he wisheth that your lordship would lose no time in returning an answer, made all of sweetmeats, to my lord marquis's letter, which, he is confident, will be ward wisheth that the other letter to my lord both tasted and digested by him. And Sir Edmarquis, for presenting your discourse of laws to his majesty, might follow the first. I humbly rest Your lordship's forever truly

Martii 3, 1621.

to honour and serve you, THO. MEAUTYS.

FR. ST. ALBAN.

Gorhambury, this 3d of Feb., 1621.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

IT MAY PLEASE your Lordship,

I had not failed to appear this night, upon your

* Mr Chamberlain, in a MS. letter to Sir Dudley Carleton, lordship's summons, but that my stay till to

dated at London, January 19, 1621-2, mentions, that the Marquis of Buckingham had contracted with the Lord and Lady Wallingford, for their house near Whitehall, for some Ironey

*Lionel, Lord Cranfield, made Lord Treasurer in October, 1621.

morrow, I knew, would mend my welcome, by bringing Mr. Matthew, who means to dine with your lordship only, and so to rebound back to London, by reason my Lord Digby's journey calls for him on the sudden. Neither yet was this all that stayed me; for I hear somewhat that I like reasonably well; and yet I hope it will mend too; which is, that my lord marquis hath sent you a message by my Lord of Falkland, (which is a far better hand than my lord treasurer's,) that gives you leave to come presently to Highgate: and Sir Edward Sackville, speaking for the other five miles, my lord commended his care and zeal for your lordship, but silenced him thus: "Let my lord be ruled by me: it will be never the worse for him." But my lord marquis saying farther to him, "Sir Edward, however you play a good friend's part for my Lord St. Alban, yet I must tell you, I have not been well used by him." And Sir Edward desiring of him to open himself in whatsoever he might take offence at; and, withal, taking upon him to have known so much, from time to time, of your lordship's heart, and endeavours towards his lordship, as that he doubted not but he was able to clear any mist that had been cast before his lordship's eyes by your enemies; my lord marquis, by this time being ready to go to the Spanish ambassador's to dinner, broke off with Sir Edward, and told him, that after dinner he would be back at Wallingford House, and then he would tell Sir Edward more of his mind; with whom I have had newly conference at large, and traced out to him, as he desired me, some particulars of that which they call a treaty with my lord treasurer about York House, which Sir Edward Sackville knows how to put together, and make a smooth tale of it for your lordship and this night I shall know all from him, and to-morrow, by dinner, I shall not fail to attend your lordship: till when, and ever, I rest

Your lordship's in all truth

to honour and serve you,
T. MEAUTYS.

Endorsed,
Received, March 11.

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I have received, by my noble friend, my Lord Viscount Falkland, advertisement, as from my lord marquis, of three things; the one, that upon his lordship's motion to his majesty, he is gra ciously pleased to grant some degree of release of my confinement. The second, that if I shall gratify your lordship, who, my lord understandeth, are desirous to treat with me about my house at London, with the same, his lordship will take it as well as if it was done to himself. The third, that his majesty hath referred unto your lordship the consideration of the relief of my poor estate. I have it also from other part, yet by such, as have taken it immediately from my lord marquis, that your lordship hath done me to the king very good offices. My lord, I am much bounden to you: wherefore, if you shall be pleased to send Sir Arthur Ingram, who formerly moved me in it for your lordship, to treat farther with me, I shall let your lordship see how affectionately I am desirous to pleasure your lordship after my Lord of Buckingham.

So, wishing your lordship's weighty affairs, for his majesty's service, a happy return to his majesty's contentment and your honour, I rest Your lordship's very affectionate

to do you service,

FR. ST. ALBAN.

Endorsed, March 12,

To the Lord Treasurer.

TO HENRY CARY, LORD VISCOUNT FALKLAND.* MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Your lordship's letter was the best letter I received this good while, except the last kind letter from my Lord of Buckingham, which this confirmeth. It is the best accident, one of them, amongst men, when they hap to be obliged to those, whom naturally and personally they love, as I ever did your lordship; in troth not many between my lord marquis and yourself; so that the sparks of my affection shall ever rest quick, under the

* Appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, September 8, 1622.

TO THE LORD TREASURER.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

The honourable correspondence, which your lordship hath been pleased to hold with my noble and constant friend, my lord marquis, in furthering his majesty's grace towards me, as well concerning my liberty as the consideration of my poor estate, hath very much obliged me to your lordship, the more by how much the less likelihood there is, that I shall be able to merit it at

*Lionel, Lord Cranfield.

your lordship's hands. Yet, thus much I am glad of, that this course, your lordship holds with me, doth carry this much upon itself, that the world shall see in this, amongst other things, that you have a great and noble heart.

For the particular business of York House, Sir Arthur Ingram can bear me witness, that I was ready to leave the conditions to your lordship's own making: but since he tells me plainly, that your lordship will by no means have to be so, you will give me leave to refer it to Sir Arthur Ingram, who is so much your lordship's servant, and no less faithful friend to me, and understands value well, to set a price between us.

For the reference his majesty hath been graciously pleased, at my lord marquis's suit, to make unto your lordship, touching the relief of my poor estate, which my Lord of Falkland's letter hath signified, warranting me likewise to address myself to your lordship touching the same; I humbly pray your lordship to give it despatch, my age, health, and fortunes, making time to me therein precious. Wherefore, if your lordship (who knoweth best what the king may best do) have thought of any particular, I would desire to know from your lordship: otherwise I have fallen myself upon a particular, which I have related to Sir Arthur, and, I hope, will seem modest, for my help to live and subsist. As for somewhat towards the paying off my debts, which are now my chief care, and without charge of the king's coffers, I will not now trouble your lordship; but purposing to be at Chiswick, where I have taken a house, within this sevennight, I hope to wait upon your lordship, and to gather some violets in your garden, and will then impart unto you, if I have thought of any thing of that nature for my good.

So, I ever rest, etc.

ship drew it with caution, I dare not venture it upon my memory to carry level what your lordship wrote, and, therefore, despatched away this messenger, that so your lordship, by a fresh post, (for this may hardly do it,) may send a warrant to your mind, ready drawn, to be here to-morrow by seven o'clock, as Sir Arthur* tells me my lord marquis hath directed: for the king goes early to Hampton Court, and will be here on Saturday.

Your books are ready, and passing well bound up. If your lordship's letters to the king, prince, and my lord marquis were ready, I think it were good to lose no time in their delivery; for the printer's fingers itch to be selling.

My lady hath seen the house at Chiswick, and they make a shift to like it: only she means to come to your lordship thither, and not to go first: and, therefore, your lordship may please to make the more haste, for the great lords long to be in York House.

Mr. Johnson will be with your lordship tomorrow; and then I shall write the rest. Your lordship's in all humbleness

and honour to serve you.

TO THOMAS MEAUTYS, ESQ.

GOOD MR. MEAUTYS,

For the difference of the warrant, it is not material at the first. But I may not stir till I have it; and, therefore, I expect it to-morrow.

For my Lord of London's stay, there may be an error in my book;§ but I am sure there is none in me, since the king had it three months by him, and allowed it; if there be any thing to be mended, it is better to be espied now than hereafter.

I send you the copies of the three letters, which you have; and, in mine own opinion, this demur, as you term it, in my Lord of London, maketh it more necessary than before, that they were deli

THOMAS MEAUTYS, ESQ., TO THE LORD VISCOUNT vered, specially in regard they contain withal my

ST. ALBAN.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I have been attending upon my lord marquis's minutes for the signing of the warrant. This day he purposed in earnest to have done it; but it falls out untowardly, for the warrant was drawn, as your lordship remembers, in haste at Gorhambury, and in as much haste delivered to Sir Edward Sackville, as soon as I alighted from my horse, who instantly put it into my lord marquis's hands, so that no copy could possibly be taken of it by me. Now his lordship hath searched much for it, and is yet at a loss, which I knew not till six this evening: and because your lord

The Lord Viscount St. Alban, in a letter to the king, from Gorhambury, 20th of March, 1621-2, thanks his majesty for referring the consideration of his broken estate to his good lord, the lord treasurer.

thanks. It may be signified they were sent before I knew of any stay; and being but in those three hands, they are private enough. But this I leave merely at your discretion, resting

Your most affectionate and assured friend, FR. ST. ALBAN.

March 21, 1621.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW

GOOD MR. MATTHEW,

I do make account, God willing, to be at Chiswick on Saturday; or, because this weather is terrible to one that hath kept much in, Monday

* Ingram.

History of the reign of King Henry VII.
Dr. George Mountain.

His History of the reign of King Henry VII

In my letter of thanks to my lord marquis, which is not yet delivered, but to be forthwith delivered, I have not forgotten to mention, that I have received signification of his noble favour and affection, amongst other ways, from yourself, by name. If, upon your repair to the court, (whereof I am right glad,) you have any speech with the marquis of me, I pray place the alphabet (as you can do it right well) in a frame, to express my love faithful and ardent towards him. And, for York House, that whether in a straight line, or a compass line, I meant it his lordship in the way which I thought might please him best. I ever

rest

Your most affectionate and assured friend, FR. ST. ALBAN.

March 21, 1621.

TO THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

I find in books (and books I dare allege to your majesty, in regard of your singular ability to read and judge of them even above your sex) that it is accounted a great bliss for a man to have leisure with honour. That was never my fortune, nor is. For time was, I had honour without leisure; and now I have leisure without honour. And I cannot say so neither altogether, considering there remain with me the marks and stamp of the king's, your father's, grace, though I go not for so much in value as I have done. But my desire is now to have leisure without loitering, and not to become an abbey-lubber, as the old proverb was, but to yield some fruit of my private life. Having therefore written the reign of your majesty's famous ancestor, King Henry the Seventh; and it having passed the file of his majesty's judgment, and been graciously also accepted of the prince, your brother, to whom it is dedicated, I could not forget my duty so far to your excellent majesty, (to whom, for that I know and have heard, I have been at all times so much bound, as you are ever present with me, both in affection and admiration,) as not to make unto you, in all humbleness, a present thereof, as now being not able to give you tribute of any service. If King Henry the Seventh were alive again, I hope verily he could not be so angry with me for not flattering him, as well pleased in seeing himself so truly described in colours that will last, and be believed. I most humbly pray your majesty graciously to accept of my good will; and so, with all reverence, kiss your hands, praying to God above, by his divine and most benign providence, to conduct your affairs to happy issue; and resting

Your majesty's most humble
and devoted servant,

April 20, 1622

FR. ST. ALBAN.

SIR

EDWARD SACKVILLE, TO THE LORD VIS-
COUNT ST. ALBAN

MY VERY HONOUred Lord,

Longing to yield an account of my stewardship, and that I had not buried your talent in the ground, I waited yesterday the marquis's pleasure, until I found a fit opportunity to importune some return of his lordship's resolution. The morning could not afford it; for time only allowed leave to tell him, I would say something. In the afternoon I had amends for all. In the forenoon he laid the law, but in the afternoon he preached the gospel; when, after some revivations of the old distaste concerning York House, he most nobly opened his heart unto me, wherein I read that which argued much good towards you. After which revelation, the book was again sealed up, and must, in his own time, only by himself be again manifested unto you. I have leave to remember some of the vision, and am not forbidden to write it. He vowed, not courtlike, but constantly, to appear your friend so much, as, if his majesty should abandon the care of you, you should share his fortune with him. He pleased to tell me, how much he had been beholden to you; how well he loved you; how unkindly he took the denial of your house, (for so he will needs understand it.) But the close, for all this, was harmonious, since he protested he would seriously begin to study your ends, now that the world should see he had no ends on you. He is in hand with the work, and therefore will, by no means, accept of your offer; though I can assure you, the tender hath much won upon him, and mellowed his heart towards you; and your genius directed you right, when you wrote that letter of denial unto the duke.* The king saw it; and all the rest; which made him say unto the marquis, you played an after game well; and that now he had no reason to be much offended.

I have already talked of the revelation, and now am to speak in apocalyptical language, which I · hope you will rightly comment; whereof, if you make difficulty, the bearert can help you with the key of the cipher.

My Lord Falkland, by this time, hath showed you London from Highgate. If York House were gone, the town were yours; and all your straitest shackles cleared off, besides more comfort than the city air only. The marquis would be exceedingly glad the treasurer had it. This I know; but this you must not know from me. Bargain with him presently, upon as good conditions as you can procure, so you have direct motion from the marquis to let him have it. Seem not to dive into the secret of it; though you are purblind if you see not through it. I have told Mr. Meautys, how I would wish your lordship to make an end of it. From him, I beseech you. *Of Lenox, of the 30th of January, 1621-2. + Probably Mr. Meautys.

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