yet was it no manner of diminution to their power ted to the subcommissioners, touching the repair or greatness.

and improvement of your majesty's means: and My second prayer is, that your majesty, in this I have done, not only in meeting, and conrespect of the hasty freeing of your estate, ference, and debate with the rest, but also by my would not descend to any means, or degree of several and private meditation and inquiry: so means, which carrieth not a symmetry with your that, besides the joint account, which we shall majesty and greatness. He is gone from whom give to the lords, I hope I shall be able to give those courses did wholly flow. So have your your majesty somewhat ex pro prio. For as no wants and necessities in particular, as it were, man loveth better consulere in commune than I hanged up in two tablets before the eyes of your do; neither am I of those fine ones that use to Lords and Commons, to be talked of for four keep back any thing, wherein they think they months together; to have all your courses, to may win credit apart, and so make the consultahelp yourself in revenue or profit, put into printed tion almost inutile. So, nevertheless, in cases books, which were wont to be held arcana where matters shall fall upon the by, perhaps of imperii; to have such worms of aldermen, to no less worth than that, which is the proper sublend for ten in the hundred upon good assurance,ject of the consultation; or where I find things and with such **, as if it should save the bark passed over too slightly, or in cases where that, of your fortune; to contract still where might be which I should advise, is of that nature, as I had the readiest payment, and not the best bar- hold it not fit to be communicated to all those gain; to stir a number of projects for your profit, with whom I am joined; these parts of business and then to blast them, and leave your majesty I put to my private account; not because I would nothing but the scandal of them; to pretend an be officious, (though I profess I would do works even carriage between your majesty's rights and of supererogation if I could,) but in a true discrethe ease of the people, and to satisfy neither. tion and caution. And your majesty had some These courses, and others the like, I hope, are taste in those notes which I gave you for the gone with the deviser of them, which have turned wards, (which it pleased you to say, were no your majesty to inestimable prejudice. *

tricks nor novelties, but true passages of busiI hope your majesty will pardon my liberty of ness,) that mine own particular remembrances writing. I know these things are majora quam and observations are not like to be unprofitable. pro fortunâ : but they are minora quam pro studio Concerning which notes for the wards, though I et voluntate. I assure myself, your majesty might say, sic vos non vobis, yet let that pass. taketh not me for one of a busy nature; for my

I have also considered fully, of that great prostate being free from all difficulties, and I having position which your majesty commended to my such a large field for contemplations, as I have care and study, touching the conversion of your partly, and shall much more make manifest to revenue of land into a multiplied present revenue your majesty and the world, to occupy my of rent: wherein, I say, I have considered of the

1 thoughts, nothing could make me active but love means and course to be taken of the assurance, and assection. So, praying my God to bless and of the rates, of the exceptions, and of the argufavour your person and estate, &c.

ments for and against it. For, though the project itself be as old as I can remember, and falleth under every man's capacity, yet the dispute and manage of it, asketh a great deal of consideration and judgment; projects being, like Æsop's tongues, the best meat and the worst, as they are

chosen and handled. But surely, ubi deficiunt IT MAY PLEASE your EXCELLENT Majesty,

remedia ordinaria, recurrendum est ad extraordiI have, with all possible diligence, since your naria. Of this also I am ready to give your majesty's progress, attended the service commit- majesty an account.

Generally, upon this subject of the repair of * It will be but justice to the memory of the Earl of Salis- your majesty's means, I beseech your majesty to bury, lo remark, that this disadvantageons character of him, give me leave to make this judgment, that your by Sir Francis Bacon, seems to have been heightened by the prejudices of the latter against that able minister, majesty's recovery must be by the medicines of grounded upon some suspicions, that the earl had not served the Galenists and Arabians, and not of the chyhim with so much zeal as he might have expected from so mists or Paracelsians. For it will not be wrought near a relation, either in Queen Elizabeth's reign, or of that of her successor. Nor is it any just imputation on his lord by any one fine extract, or strong water, but by a ship, that he began to decline in King James the First's good skilful company of a number of ingredients, and opinion, when his majesty's ill economy occasioned de those by just weight and proportion, and that of mands on the lord treasurer, which all his skill, in the business of the finances, conld not answer, but which drew some simples, which perhaps of themselves, or from him advices and remonstrances still extant, which that in over-great quantity, were little better than king not being very ready to profit hy, conceived some resentment against his old servant and even retained it against tity, are full of virtue. And, secondly, that as

poisons, but, mixed and broken, and in just quanhis meuiory.

TO THE KING.

a

TO THE KING.

TO THE KING.

*

your majesty's growing behindhand, hath been in general have place next the e.dest brothers' work of time, so must likewise be your majesty's wives, I hold convenient. coming forth and making even. Not but I wish Lastly, Whereas it is desired, that the apparent it were by all good and fit means accelerated, but heirs males of the bodies of the baronets may be that I foresee, that if your majesty shall propound knighted during the life of their fathers; for that to yourself to do it per saltum, it can hardly be I have received from the lord chamberlain a without accidents of prejudice to your honour, signification, that your majesty did so understand safety, or profit.

it, I humbly subscribe thereunto with this, that

the baronets' eldest sons being knights, do not Endorsed, My letter to the king, touching his estate in gene- fathers live.

take place of ancient knights, so long as their ral, September 18, 1612.

All which, nevertheless, I humbly submit to your majesty's judgment. Your majesty's most humble and most bounden servant,

FR. Bacon. May IT PLEASE your Majesty,

According to your highness's pleasure, signified by my Lord Chamberlain, * I have considered of the petition of certain baronets,f made unto your majesty for confirmation and extent, or IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, explanation of certain points mentioned in their

Having understood of the death of the lord charter, and am of opinion, that first, whereas it chief justice, * I do ground, in all humbleness, an is desired, that the baronets be declared a middle assured hope, that your majesty will not think of degree, between baron and knight, I hold this to any other but your poor servants, your attorneyt be reasonable as to their placing.

and your solicitor,& one of them for that place. Secondly, Where it is desired, that unto the Else we shall be like Noah's dove, not knowing words degree or dignity of baron, the word honour / where to rest our feet. For the places of rest, might be added ; I know very well, that in the after the extreme painful places wherein we serve, preface of the baronets' patent it is mentioned, have used to be either the lord chancellor's place, that all honours are derived from the king. I find or the mastership of the rolls, or the places of also, that in the patent of the baronets, which are the chief justices; whereof, for the first, I could marshalled under the barons, (except it be certain be almost loath to live to see this worthy counselprincipals,) the word honour is granted. I find lor fail. The mastership of the rolls is blocked also, that the word dignity is many times in law with a reversion.S My Lord Coke is like to outa superior word to the word honour, as being live us both : so as, if this turn fail, I, for my applied to the king himself, all capital indict- part, know not whither to look. I have served ments concluding contra coronam et dignitatem your majesty above a prenticehood, full seven nostram. It is evident also, that the word honour years and more, as your solicitor, which is, I and honourable are used in these times in common think, one of the painfullest places in your kingspeech very promiscuously. Nevertheless, be- dom, specially as my employments have been: cause the style of honour belongs chiefly to peers and God hath brought mine own years to fiftyand counsellors, I am doubtful what opinion to two, which, I think, is older than ever any solicigive therein.

tor continued unpreferred. My suit is principally Thirdly, Whereas it is believed, that if there that you would remove Mr. Attorney to the place. be any question of precedence touching baronets, If he refuse, then I hope your majesty will seek it may be ordered, that the same be decided by no farther than myself, that I may at last, out the commissioners marshal; I do not see but it of your majesty's grace and favour, step forwards may be granted them for avoiding disturbances.

to a place either of more comfort or more ease. Fourthly, For the precedence of baronets I find Besides, how necessary it is for your majesty to no alteration or dificulty, except it be in this, strengthen your service amongst the judges by a that the daughters of baronets are desired to be chief justice which is sure to your prerogative, declared to have precedence before the wives of

your majesty knoweth. Therefore, I cease farther

I knights' eldest sons; which, because it is a degree to trouble your majesty, humbly craving pardon, hereditary, and that, in all examples, the daughters

and relying wholly upon your goodness and me with wonderful tokens of kindness. We boli remembrance, and resting, in all true humbleness, wept, which I do not often. Your majesty's most devoted, and

Endorsed, faithful subject and servant, A letter to Sir George Villiers, touching a message

FR. Bacon.

brought to him by Mr. Shute, of a promise of the chancellor's place.

TO MR. MURRAY.

Good MR. MURRAY,

According to his majesty's pleasure by you MR. TOBIE MATTHEW* To sir FRANCIS BACON, signified to me, we have attended my lord chan

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. cellor,t my lord treasurer,# and Mr. Chancel

MAY IT PLEASE you, Sir, lor of the Exchequer,s concerning Sir Gilbert

The notice I have from my Lord Roos, Sir Houghton's patent stayed at the seal; and we have acquainted them with the grounds and state

Henry Goodere, and other friends, of the extreme of the suit

, to justify them that it was just and obligation wherein I continue towards you, tobeneficial to his majesty. And for any thing we

gether with the conscience I have of the knowcould perceive by any objection or reply they and daily pray that you may rise to that height

ledge how dearly and truly I honour and love you, made, we left them in good opinion of the same, which the state wherein you live can give you, with this, that because my lord chancellor (by the

hath taken away the wings of fear, whereby. I advice, as it seemeth, of the other two) had ac

was almost carried away from daring to importune quainted the council-table, for so many as were then present, with that suit amongst others, they you in this kind. But I know how good you have

always been, and are still, towards me; or rather thought fit to stay till his majesty's coming to

because I am not able town, being at hand, to understand his farther

comprehend how much

it is; I will presume there is enough for any use, pleasure. We purpose, upon his majesty's coming, to attend his majesty, to give him a more

whereupon an honest humble servant may em

ploy it. particular account of this business, and some other. Meanwhile, finding his majesty to have

It imports the business of my poor estate, that care of the matter, we thought it our duty to have divers friends in that court, who will further

I be restored to my country for some time; and I return this answer to you in discharge of his majesty's direction. We reinain

my desire thereof, and particularly Mr. Secretary Your assured friends,

Lake and my Lord Roos, whom I have desired to Fr. Bacon,

confer with you about it. But nothing can be HENRY YELVERTON.

done therein, unless my Lord of Canterburyt July 6, 1615.

may be made propitious, or at least not averse ; nor do I know in the world how to charm him but by the music of your tongue. I beseech you, sir, lose some minutes upon me, which I shall be

glad to pay by whole years of service; and call Sir,—The message which I received from you by Mr. Shute hath bred in me such belief and to mind, if it please you, the last speech you made

me, that if I should continue as I then was, and confidence as I will now wholly rely upon your neither prove ill-affected to the state, nor become excellent and happy self. When persons of greatness and quality begin speech with me of otherwise than a mere secular man in my religion, the matter, and offer me their good offices, I can On my part the conditions are performed ; and it

would be pleased to negotiate for my return. с

you but answer them civilly. But those things are but toys: I am yours surer to you than to mine but that the nobleness of your nature, which loves

remains, that you do the like: nor can I doubt own life; for, as they speak of the turquois stone in a ring, I will break into twenty pieces before nothing in the world so well as to be doing of you have the least fall. God keep you ever.

good, can descend from being the attorney-general Your truest servant, Fr. Bacon.

* Son of Dr. Tobie Matthew, Archbishop of York. He was

born at Oxford in 1578, while his father was Dean of Christ February 15, 1615.

Church, and educated there. During his travels abroad, he

was seduced to the Remish religion by Father Parsons. This My lord chancellor is prettily amended. I was cccasioned his living out of his own country from the year with him yesterday almost half an hour. He used 1607 to 1617, when he had leave to return to England. He

was again ordered to leave it in October, 1618; but, in 1622, was recalled to assist in the match with Spain ; and, on ac

count of his endeavours to promote it, was knighted by King + Ellesmere.

James I. at Royston, on the 10th of October, 1623. He trans. Thomas Howard, Earl of Suffolk.

lated into Italian Sir Francis Bacon's Essays, and died at Sir Pulk Grevile, advanced to that post October 1, 1614, Ghent in Flanders, October 13, 1655, N. S. in the room of Sir Julius Cæsar, made Master of the Rolls. † Dr. George Albot. Vol. III.--13

I

TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS.

* Harl. MSS. vol. 6986.

to a great king, to be solicitor for one of the MR. TOBIE MATTIIEW TO SIR FRANCIS BACON, meanest subjects that he hath.

ATTORNEY-GENERAL. I send my letter to my lord's grace open, that May IT PLEASE your Honour, before you seal it (if you shall think fit to seal it, Such as know your honour may congratulate and rather not to deliver it open) you may see the with you the favour which you have lately received reasons that I have; which, if I be not partial, are from his majesty, of being made a counsellor of very pregnant. Although I confess, that till it state :* but as for me, I must have leave to conwas now very lately motioned to me by some gratulate with the council-table, in being so happy honourable friends, who have already procured to as to have you for an assessor. I hope these are Jisimpression his majesty of some hard conceit but beginnings, and that the marriage, which now he had me in, I did not greatly think thereof; 1 perceive that fortune is about to make with and now I am full of hope that I shall prevail. virtue, will be consummate in your person. I canFor supposing that my Lord of Canterbury's mind not dissemble, though I am ashamed to mention, is but made of iron, the adamant of your persua- the excessive honour which you have vouchsafed sion will have power to draw it. It may please to do unto my picture. But shame ought not to you either to send a present answer hereunto, or, be so hateful as sin; and without sin I know not since I am not worthy of so much favour, to tell how to conceal the extreme obligation, into which either of those honourable persons aforenamed what I ain entered thereby, which is incomparably more the answer is, that accordingly they may co-operate. than I can express, and no less than as much as I

This letter goes by Sir Edward Parham, a gen- am able to conceive. And as the copy is more tleman whom I have been much beholden to. I fortunate than the original, because it hath the know him to be a perfect honest man; and since, I honour to be under your eye, so the original, being protest, I had rather die than deceive you, I will much more truly yours than the copy can be, humbly pray, that he may rather receive favour aspires, by having the happiness to see you, to froin you than otherwise, when he shall come in put the picture out of countenance. your way, which at one time or other all the I understand by Sir George Petre,f who is arworld there must do. And I shall acknowledge rived here at the Spa, and is so wise as to honour myself much bound to you, as being enabled by you extremely, though he have not the fortune to this means to pay many of my debts to him. be known to your honour, that he had heard how

I presume to send you the copy of a piece of a my Lord of Canterbury had been moved in my letter, which Galileo, of whom I am sure you behalf, and that he gave way unto my return. have heard, wrote to a monk of my acquaintance This, if it be true, cannot have happened without in Italy, about the answering of that place in some endeavour of your honour; and, therefore, Joshua, which concerns the sun's standing still, howsoever I have not been particularly advertised and approving thereby the pretended falsehood of that your honour had delivered my letter to his Copernicus's opinion. The letter was written by grace; yet now methinks I do as good as know it, occasion of the opposition, which some few in and dare adventure to present you with my humItaly did make against Galileo, as if he went blest thanks for the favour. But the main point about to establish that by experiments which ap- is, how his majesty should be moved; wherein pears to be contrary to Holy Scripture. But he my friends are straining courtesy; and unless I makes it appear the while by this piece of a let- have your honour for a master of the ceremonies to ter which I send you, that if that passage of take order, who shall begin, all the benefit, that I Scripture doth expressly favour either side, it is can reap by this negotiation, will be to have the for the affirmative of Copernicus's opinion, and reputation of little judgment in attempting that for the negative of Aristotle's. To an attorney- which I was not able to obtain; and that howsoever general in the midst of a town, and such a one I have shot fair, I know not how to hit the mark. as is employed in the weightiest affairs of the I have been directed by my Lord Roos, who was kingdom, it might seem unseasonable for me to the first mover of this stone, to write a letter, interrupt you with matter of this nature. But I which himself would deliver to the Master of the know well enough in how high account you have Horse, £ who doth me the honour to wish me very the truth of things: and that no day can pass, well: and I have obeyed his lordship, and beseech wherein you give not liberty to your wise thoughts your honour, that you will be pleased to prevent, of looking upon the works of nature. It may or to accompany, or second it with your commenplease you to pardon the so much trouble which dation, lest otherwise the many words that I have I give you in this kind ; though yet, I confess, I used have but the virtue of a single 0, or cipher. do not deserve a pardon, because I find not in But, indeed, if I had not been overweighed by the myself a purpose of forbearing to do the like here

a

authority of my Lord Roos's commandment, Iyour honour that I expressed thereby an act rather should rather have reserved the master of the of obedience than prudence, as not holding his horse's favour to some other use afterward. In lordship a fit man, whom by presenting that letter conformity whereof I have also written to his lord- the king might peradventure discover to be my ship, and perhaps he will thereupon forbear to favourer in this business. In regard whereof I deliver my letter to the master of the horse : besought him, that howsoever I had complied whereas I should be the less sorry if your honour's with his command in writing, yet he would forself would not think it inconvenient to make the bear the delivery: and 1 gave him divers reasons suit of my return to his majesty; in which case I for it. And, both in contemplation of those should, to my extreme contentment, have all my reasons, as also of the hazard of miscarriage that obligations to your honour only.

letters do run into between these parts and those, His majesty's being now in progress, will give I have now thought fit to send your honour this ensome impediment to my suit, unless either it be closed, accompanied with a most humble entreaty my good fortune that your honour do attend his that you will be pleased to put it into the master person, or else that you will be pleased to com- of the horse's hands, with such a recommendamand some one of the many servants your honour tion as you can give. Having read it, your hath in court, to procure the expedition of my honour may be pleased to seal it; and if his cause; wherein I can foresee no difficulty, when I honour have received the former by other hands, consider the interest which your honour alloweth this may serve in the nature of a duplicate or me in your favour, and my innocent carriage copy: if not, it may be the original; and, indeed, abroad for so many years; whereunto all his though it should be but the copy, if it may be majesty's ministers, who have known me, I am touched by your honour, it would have both sure, will give an attestation, according to the greater grace and greater life than the principal contents of my letter, to his Grace of Canterbury. itself; and, therefore, howsoever, I humbly pray,

If I durst, I would most humbly entreat your that this may be delivered. honour to be pleased, that some servant of yours If my business should be remitted to the counmay speedily advertise me, whether or no his cil-table (which yet I hope will not be) I am most Grace of Canterbury hath received my letter; a stranger to my lord chancellor and my lord what his answer was; and what I may hope in chamberlain,* of whom yet I trust, by means of this my suit. I remember, that the last words your honour's good word in my behalf, that I shall which I had the honour to hear from your mouth, receive no impediment. were, that if I continued any time free both from The bearer, Mr. Becher,t can say what my disloyalty and priesthood, your honour would be carriage hath been in France, under the eye of pleased to make yourself the intercessor for my several ambassadors; which makes me the more return. Any letter sent to Mr. Trumball for me glad to use him in the delivery of this letter to will come safely and speedily to my hands. your honour: and if your honour may be pleased

The term doth now last with your honour all to command me any thing, he will convey it to the year long, and therefore the sooner I make an my knowledge. end, the better service I shall do you. I presume I hear to my unspeakable joy of heart, how to kiss your hands, and continue

much power you have with the master of the Your honour's most entirely, and

horse; and how much immediate favour you have humbly ever at commandment, also with his most excellent majesty: so that I can

TOBIE MATTHEWS. not but hope for all good success, when I consider Spa, this 16th of July, stylo novo, 1616.

withal the protection whereinto you have been P. S. It is no small penance, that I am forced pleased to take me, the to apparel my mind in my man's hand, when it Most humble and most obliged of speaks to your honour. But God Almighty will

your honour's many servants, have it so, through the shaking I have in my

Toeie Matthew. right hand; and I do little less than want the use Spa, this last of July, stylo novo, 1616. of my forefinger.

*

TO SIR FRANCIS BACON, ATTORNEY-GENERAL. TO SIR FRANCIS BACON, ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

MAY IT PLEASE your HONOUR, IT MAY PLEASE YOUR Honour,

I have been made happy by your honour's I presumed to importune your honour with a noble and dear lines of the 22d of July: and the letter of the 16th of this month, whereby I signified joy that I took therein was only kept froni excess how I had written to the master of the horse, that he would be pleased to move his majesty for * William, Earl of Pembroke. my return into England ; and how that I had + William, afterwards knighted. He had been secretary 1 done it upon the direction of my Lord Roos, who Sir George Calveri, ambassador to the court of France, ana

was afterwards agent at that court; and at last made clerk offered to be the deliverer thereof. Withal I told of the council.