Thus your lordship may see my love and care mistaking, and then a lie, and then a challenge, towards you, which I think infinitely too little in and then life: saying that I did not marvel seeing respect of the fulness of my mind; but I thought Xerxes shed tears to think none of his great good to write this, to make you understand better army should be alive once within a hundred the state of your own business; doing by you as years, his majesty were touched with compassion I do by the king; which is, to do his business to think that not one of his attendants but might safely and with foresight, not only of to-morrow be dead within twenty-four hours by the duel. or next day, but afar off, and not to come fiddling This I write because his majesty may be wary with a report to him, what is done every day, what he sayeth to me, (in things of this nature,) I but to give him up a good sum in the end. being so apt to play the blab. In this also, I

I purpose to send your lordship a calendar fair forgot not to prepare the judges, and wish them written of those evidences which concern your to profess, and as it were to denounce, that in all estate, for so much as I have passed my hands; cases of duel capital before them, they will use which in truth are not fit to remain with solicitors, equal severity towards the insolent murder by the no, nor with friends, but in some great cabinet, duel, and the insidious murder; and that they to be made for that purpose.

will extirpate that difference out of the opinions All this while I must say plainly to your lord of men, which they did excellent well. ship, that you fall short for your present charge, I must also say that it was the first time that I except you play the good husband : for the office heard my Lord of Arundel speak in that place; of Teynham is in reversion, Darcye's land is in and I do assure your lordship, he doth excellently reversion; all the land in your books is but in become the court; he speaketh wisely and weightreversion, and yields you no present profit, be- ily, and yet easily and clearly, as a great noblecause you pay the fee-farm. So as you are a man should do. strange heteroclite in grammar, for you want the There hath been a proceeding in the King's present tense; many verbs want the preterperfect Bench, against Bertram's keeper, for misdemeantense and some the future tense, but none want or, and I have put a little pamphlet (prettily the present tense. I will hereafter write to your penned by one Mr. Trotte, that I set on work lordship what I think of for that supply; to the touching the whole business) to the press by my end, that you may, as you have begun to your lord chancellor's advice. great honour, despise money, where it crosseth I

pray God direct his majesty in the cloth busireason of state or virtue. But I will trouble you ness, that that thorn may be once out of our sides. no further at this time. God ever preserve and His majesty knoweth my opinion ab antiquo. prosper your lordship.

Thanks be to God of your health, and long may Your true and most devoted servant. you live to do us all good. I rest

FR. Bacon.

Your true and most devoted servant. November 29, 1616.

Fr. Bacon.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT VILLIERS.

:

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I delivered the proclamation for cloth to Secre- TIIS LETTER WAS WRITTEN TO THE EARL OP tary Winwood on Saturday, but he keepeth it to

BUCKINGHAM, ON THE SAME DAY SIR FRANCIS

BACON WAS MADE LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT carry it down himself, and goeth down, as I take

SEAL. it, to-day: his majesty may perceive by the docket of the proclamation, that I do not only study, but My Dearest Lord, act that point touching the judges, which his ma- It is both in cares and kindness, that small ones jesty commandeth in your last.

float up to the tongue, and great ones sink down Yesterday was a day of great good for his ma- into the heart in silence. Therefore, I could jesty's service, and the peace of this kingdom speak little to your lordship to day, neither had I concerning duels, by occasion of Darcye's case. fit time. But I must profess thus much, that in I spake big, and publishing his majesty's straight this day's work you are the truest and perfectest charge to me, said it had struck me blind, as in mirror and example of firm and generous friendship point of duels and cartels, &c., I should not know that ever was in court. And I shall count every a coronet from a hatband. I was bold also to day lost, wherein I shall not either study your declare how excellently his majesty had express- welldoing in thought, or do your name honour in ed to me a contemplation of his, touching duels; speech, or perform you service in deed. Good that is, that when he came forth and saw himself my lord, account and accept me princely attended with goodly noblesse and gen- Your most bounden and devoted ilemen, he entered into the thought, that none of friend and servant of all men living, their lives were in certainty, not for twenty-four

FR. Bacon, C. 8. hours, from the duel; for it was but a heat or a March 7, 1616.

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE KING.

nious in nature, and therefore you may think, (if MY EVER Best Lord, NOW BETTER THAN YOURSELF,

it please you,) I do it in judgment. God ever Your lordship's pen or rather pencil hath

preserve you. por

Your lordship's most faithful trayed towards me such magnanimity and noble

and devoted friend and servant, ness and true kindness, as methinketh I see the image of some ancient virtue, and not any thing Gorhambury, April 13, 1617.

Fr. Bacon, C. S. of these times. It is the line of my life, and not the lines of my letter, that must express my

I purpose to send the precedents themselves by thankfulness: wherein, if I fail, then God fail

my Lord of Brackley, but I thought fit to give me, and make me as miserable as I think myself

you some taste of my opinion before. at this time happy, by this reviver, through his majesty's singular clemency, and your incomparable love and favour.

God preserve you, prosper you, and reward

you,

for
your

kindness to Your raised and infinitely obliged friend IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST Excellent MAJESTY, and servant,

Mr. Vicechamberlain, hath acquainted myself Fr. Bacon, C. S.

and the rest of the commissioners, for the marSeptember 22, 1617,

riage with Spain, which are here, with your majesty's instructions, signed by your royal

hands, touching that point of the suppression of TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

pirates, as it hath relation to his negotiation; MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

whereupon, we met yesterday at my Lord I am now for five or six days retired to my Admiral's at Chelsea, because we were loath to house in the country: for I think all my lords are draw my lord into the air, being but newly upon willing to do as scholars do, who, though they his recovery. call them holy-days, yet they mean them play- We conceive the parts of the business are days.

four: the charge; the confederations, and who We purpose to meet again on Easter Monday, shall be solicited or retained to come in; the and go all to the Spittall sermon for that day, forces and the distributions of them; and the and therein to revive the ancient religious manner, enterprise. We had only at this time conference when all the counsel used to attend those amongst ourselves, and shall appoint, (after the sermons; which some neglected in Queen holidays,) times for the calling before us such as Elizabeth's time, and his majesty's great devo- are fit, and thereupon, perform all the parts of tion in the due hearing of sermons himself with your royal commandments. his counsel at the court, brought into desuetude. In this conference, I met with somewhat, But now, our attendance upon his majesty by which I must confess was altogether new to me, reason of his absence, cannot be, it is not amiss and opened but darkly neither; whereof I think to revive it.

Mr. Vicechamberlain will give your majesty I perceive by a letter your lordship did write some light, for so we wished. By occasion some days since to my Lord Blackley, that your whereof I hold it my duty in respect of the great lordship would have the king satisfied by prece- place wherein your majesty hath set me, (being dents, that letters patents might be of the dignity only made worthy by your grace,) which maketh of an earldom, without delivery of the patent it decent for me to counsel you ad summas rerum, by the king's own hand, or without the ordinary to intimate or represent to your majesty thus solemnities of a creation. I find precedents much. somewhat tending to the same purpose, yet not I do foresee, in my simple judgment, mucn matching fully. But, howsoever, let me, accord- inconvenience to ensue, if your majesty proceed ing to my faithful and free manner of dealing to this treaty with Spain, and that your counsel with your lordship, say to you, that since the draw not all one way. I saw the bitter fruits of king means it, I would not have your lordship, a divided counsel the last parliament; I saw no for the satisfying a little trembling or panting of very pleasant fruits thereof in the matter of the the heart in my Lord or Lady Blackley, to expose cloth. This will be of equal, if not of more your lordship's self, or myself, (whose opinion inconvenience; for, wheresoever the opinion of would be thought to be relied upon,) or the king, your people is material, (as in many cases it is cur master, to envy with the nobility of this not,) there, if your counsel be united, they shall realm; as to have these ceremonies of honour be able, almost, to give law to opinion and dispensed with, which, in conferring honour, rumour; but if they be divided, the infusion have used to be observed, like a kind of Doctor will not be according to the strength and virtue Bullatus, without the ceremony of a commence of the votes of your counsel, but according to ment: the king and you know I am not ceremo- the aptness and inclination of the popular. This I leave to your majesty in your high wisdom to gave me the seal; and what rules and resolutions remedy. Only I could wish that when Sir John I had taken for the fulfilling his commandments. Digby's instructions are perfected, and that he is I send your lordship a copy of that I said. My ready to go, your majesty would be pleased to Lord Hay, coming to take his leave of me two write some formal letter to the body of your days before, I told him what I was meditating, counsel, (if it shall be in your absence,) signify- and he desired of me to send him some rememing to them your resolution in general, to the end brance of it; and so I could not but send him that, when deliberation shall be turned into reso- another copy thereof. Men tell me, it liath done lution, no man, howsoever he may retain the the king a great deal of honour; insomuch, that inwardness of his opinion, may be active in some of my friends that are wise men, and no contrarium.

vain ones, did not stick to say to me, that there The letters of my lords of the council, with was not these seven years such a preparation for your majesty, touching the affairs of Ireland, a Parliament; which was a commendation I conwritten largely and articulately, and by your fess pleased me well. I pray take some fit time majesty's direction, will much facilitate our to show it to his majesty, because if I misunderlabours here, though there will not want matter stood him in any thing, I may amend it, because of consultation thereupon. God ever preserve I know his judgment is higher and deeper than your majesty safe and happy.

mine. Your majesty's most devoted

I take infinite contentment to hear his majesty and obliged servant, is in great good health and vigour; I pray God

Fr. Bacon, C. S. preserve and continue it. Thus wishing you well London, April 19, 1617.

above all men living, next my master and his, I rest

Your true and devoted friend and servant, TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

Fr. Bacon, C. S.

Dorset House, which putteth My singULAR GOOD LORD,

me in mind to thank your

lordship, for your care of I send your lordship, according to the direction

me touching York House, of your letter, a note of the precedents that I May 8, 1617. find in my Lord Brackley's business; which do rather come near the case than match it. Your lordship knoweth already my opinion, that I would rather have you constant in the matter, than instant for the time.

I send also enclosed an account of council My Very Good Lord, business, by way of remembrance to his majesty, I shall write to your lordship of a business, which it may please you to deliver to him. which your lordship may think to concern my

The queen returneth her thanks to your lord- self; but I do think it concerneth your lordship ship, for the despatch of the warrant, touching her much more. For, as for me, as my judgment is house; I have not yet acquainted the lord not so weak to think it can do me any hurt, so treasurer and chancellor of the exchequer with my love to you is so strong, as I would prefer it; but I purpose to-morrow to deliver them the the good of you and yours before mine own partiwarrant, and to advise with them for the executing cular. the same.

It seemeth Secretary Winwood hath officiously I have received the king's letter with another busied himself to make a match between your from your lordship, touching the cause of the brother and Sir Edward Coke's daughter: and as officers, and Sir Arthur Ingrain, whereof I will we hear he doth it rather to make a faction than be very careful to do them justice.

out of any great affection to your lordship: it is Yesterday I took my place in Chancery, which true, he hath the consent of Sir Edward Coke I hold only from the king's grace and favour, and (as we hear) upon reasonable conditions for your your constant friendship. There was much ado, brother, and yet no better than without question and a great deal of world. But this matter of may be found in some other matches. But the pomp, which is heaven to some men, is hell to mother's consent is not had, nor the young gentleme, or purgatory at least. It is true, I was glad man's, who expecteth a great fortune from her to see, that the king's choice was so generally mother, which without her consent is endangered. approved; and that I had so much interest in This match, out of my faith and freedom towards men's good wills and good opinions, because it your lordship, I hold very inconvenient, both for maketh me the fitter instrument to do my master your brother and yourself. service, and my friend also.

First, He shall marry into a disgraced house, After I was set in Chancery, I published his which in reason of state is never held good. majesty's charge, which he gave me when he Next, He shall marry into a troubled house of

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGIIAM.

man and wife, which in religion and Christian ' match of Sir John Villiers, which I take to be discretion is disliked.

magnum in parvo: preserving always the laws Thirdly, Your lordship will go near to lose all and duties of a firm friendship to my Lord of such your friends as are adverse to Sir Edward Buckingham, whom I will never cease to love, Coke, (myself only except, who out of a pure' and to whom I have written already, but have not love and thankfulness shall ever be firm to you.) heard yet from his lordship.

And, lastly, and chiefly, (believe it,) It will But, first, I have three suits to make to your greatly weaken and distract the king's service; majesty, hoping well you will grant them all. for though, in regard of the king's great wisdom The first is, That if there be any merit in drawand depth, I am persuaded those things will not ing on that match, your majesty would bestow the follow which they imagine; yet, opinion will do thanks not upon the zeal of Sir Edward Coke to a great deal of harm, and cast the king back, and please your majesty, nor upon the eloquent persuamake him relapse into those inconveniencies sions or pragmaticals of Mr. Secretary Winwood, which are now well on to be recovered.

but upon them that, carrying your commandments Therefore, my advice is, and your lordship and dire with strength and justice, in the shall do yourself a great deal of honour, if, ac matter of the Governor of Diepe, in the matter cording to religion and the law of God, your lord- of Sir Robert Rich, and in the matter of protectship will signify unto my lady your mother, that ing the lady, according to your majesty's comyour desire is, that the marriage be not pressed or mandment, have so humbled Sir Edward Coke, proceeded in without the consent of both parents, as he seeketh now that with submission which and so either break it altogether, or defer any (as your majesty knoweth) before he rejected further delay in it till your lordship's return: and with scorn: for this is the true orator that hath this the rather, for that (besides the inconvenience persuaded this business, as I doubt not but your of the matter itself) it hath been carried so majesty in your excellent wisdom doth easily harshly and inconsiderately by Secretary Win- discern. wood, as, for doubt that the father should take My second suit is, That your majesty would away the maiden by force, the mother to get the not think me so pusillanimous, as that I, that start hath conveyed her away secretly; which is when I was but Mr. Bacon, had ever (through ill of all sides. This, hoping your lordship will your majesty's favour) good reason at Sir Edward not only accept well, but believe my faithful ad-Coke's hands, when he was at the greatest, vice, who by my great experience in the world should now that your majesty of your great goodmust needs see further than your lordship can. ness hath placed me so near your chair, (being as I ever rest

I hope by God's grace, and your instructions, Your lordship's true and most devoted made a servant according to your heart and hand,) friend and servant,

fear him or take umbrage of him, in respect of Fr. Bacon, C. S. mine own particular.

My third suit is, That if your majesty be I have not heard from your lordship since I sent resolved the match shall go on, after you have the king my last account of council business, but heard my reasons to the contrary, I may receive I assure myself you received it, because I sent at therein your particular will and commandments the same time a packet to Secretary Laque, who from yourself, that I may conform myself therehath signified to me that he hath received it.

unto, imagining with myself (though I will not I pray your lordship deliver to his majesty this wager on women's minds) that I can prevail more iittle note of Chancery business.

with the mother than any other man.

For, if I
July 12, 1617.

should be requested in it from my Lord of Bucking-
ham, the answers of a true friend ought to be,
That I had rather go against his mind than against
his good : but your majesty I must obey; and,

besides, I shall conceive that your majesty, out IT MAS PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, of your great wisdom and depth, doth see those

I think it agreeable to my duty, and the great things which I see not. obligation wherein I am tied to your majesty, to Now, therefore, not to hold your majesty with be freer than other men in giving your majesty many words, (which do but drown matter,) let faithful counsel, while things are in passing; me most humbly desire your majesty to take into and more bound than other men in doing your your royal consideration, that the state is at this commandments, when your resolution is settled time not only in good quiet and obedience, but in and made known to me.

good affection and disposition. Your majesty's I shall, therefore, most humbly crave pardon prerogative and authority having risen some just from your majesty, if in plainness and no less degrees above the horizon more than heretofore, humbleness I deliver to your majesty my honest which hath dispersed vapours: your judges are in and disinterested opinion in the business of the good temper, your justices of peace (which is the

TO TIIE KING.

a

TO THE EARL OF BRISTOL.

TO

body of the gentleman of England) grow to be queen's bill, which I send your lordship. The loving and obsequious, and to be weary of the payment is not out of lands, but out of the cushumour of ruffling; all mutinous spirits grow to toms, and so it can be but the rent. Your lordbe a little poor and to draw in their horns, and not ship remembereth, it is but in a case which, I the less for your majesty's disauctorizing the man hope, shall never be; that is, after his majesty's I speak of. Now, then, I reasonably doubt, that death, if she survive. God ever bless and direct if there be but an opinion of his coming in with you. the strength of such an alliance, it will give a Your lordship’s most faithful and turn and relapse in men's minds into the former

devoted friend and servant, state of things hardly to be holpen, to the great

Fr. Bacon, C. S. weakening of your majesty's service.

Gorhambury, this

25th of July, 1617. Again, Your majesty may have perceived that, as far as it was fit for me in modesty to advise, I was ever for a Parliament, (which seemeth to me to be cardo rerum, or summa summarum,

for the present occasions.). But this my advice was ever conditional, that your majesty should go to a Par- My very good LORD, liament with a council united and not distracted ; I now only send my best wishes, to follow you and that your majesty will give me leave never to at sea and land, with due thanks for your late expect, if that man come in. Not for any differ- great favours. God knows whether the length ence of mine own, (for I am omnibus omnia for of your voyage will not exceed the size of my your majesty's service,) but because he is by na- hour-glass; but whilst I live, my affection to do ture unsociable, and by habit popular, and too old you service shall remain quick under the ashes of now to take a new ply. And men begin already my fortune. to collect, yea, and to conclude, that he that raiseth such a smoke to get in, will set all on fire when he is in.

It inay please your majesty, now I have said, I Sir,- In this solitude of friends, which is the have done : and, as I think I have done a duty not base court of adversity, where nobody, almost, unworthy the first year of your last high favour, will be seen stirring, I have often remembered 1 most humbly pray your majesty to pardon me, this Spanish saying, Anor sin fin, no tiene fin. if in any thing I have erred; for, my errors shall This bids me make choice of your friend and mine always be supplied by obedience; and so I con- for his noble succours; not now towards the asclude with my prayers for the happy preservation piring, but only the respiring of my fortunes. I, of your majesty's person and estate.

who am a man of books, have observed, that he Your majesty's most humble, bounden, hath both the magnanimity of the old Romans,

and most devoted servant, and the cordiality of the old English, and, withal,

Fr. Bacon, C. S. I believe he hath the wit of both : sure I am, that, From Gorhambury,

for myself, I have found him in both my fortunes, this 25th of July, 1617.

to esteem me so much above my just value, and to love me so much above the possibility of deserving, or obliging on my part, as if he were a friend created and reserved for such a time as this.

You know what I have to say to the great lord, My very good LORD,

and I conceive it cannot pass so fitly to him, by I do think long to hear from your lordship, the mouth of any, as of this gentleman ; and touching my last letter, wherein I gave you my therefore do your best (which, I know, will be of opinion touching your brother's match. As I then power enough) to engage him, both in the subshowed my dislike of the matter, so the carriage stance and to the secrecy of it; for I can think of of it here in the manner I dislike as much. If

no man but yourself to be used by me in this, your lordship think it is humour or interest in me who are so private, so faithful, and so discreet a that leads me, God judge my sincerity.

But, I

friend to us both; as, on the other side, I dare must say, that in your many noble favours to swear he is, and know myself to be as true to wards me, they ever moved and flowed from

you as your own heart. yourself, and not from any of your friends whatsoever; and, therefore, in requital, give me leave that my counsels to you again be referred to your happiness, and not to the desire of any of your

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. friends. I shall ever give you, as I give my mas- My very good LORD, ter, safe counsel, and such as time will approve. Yesterday, I know, was no day; now I hope I

I received, yesterday, from Mr. Attorney, the shall hear from your lordship, who are my anchor

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

9