information of a friend that loveth your Lordship as I do. For though your Lordship's fortunes be above the thunder and storms of inferior regions, yet nevertheless to hear the wind and not to feel it will make one sleep the better.

My good Lord, somewhat I have been, and much have I read ; so that few things which concern states or greatness, are new cases unto me. And therefore I hope I may be no unprofitable servant to your Lordship. I remember the King was wont to make a character of me, far above my worth, that I was not made for small matters; and your Lordship would sometimes bring me from his Majesty that Latin sentence, De minimis non curat lex and it hath so fallen out, that since my retiring, times have been fuller of great matters than before; wherein perhaps, if I had continued near his Majesty, he mought have found more use of my service, if my gift lay that way. But that is but a vain imagination of mine. True it is, that as I do not aspire to use my talent in the King's great affairs; yet for that which may concern your Lordship, and your fortune, no man living shall give you a better account of faith, industry, and affection, than I shall. I must conclude with that which gave me occasion of this letter, which is Mr. Matthew's employment to your Lordship in those parts. Wherein I am verily persuaded your Lordship shall find him a wise and able gentleman, and one that will bend his knowledge of the world (which is great) to serve his Majesty, and the Prince, and in especial your Lordship. So I rest

Your Lordship's most obliged

Gray's Inn, this

and faithful servant,

FR. ST. ALBAN.

18 of Ap. 1623.

L. ST. ALBAN TO THE EARL OF BRISTOW INTO SPAIN.2

My very good Lord,

Though I have writ to your Lordship lately, yet I could not omit to put a letter into so good a hand as Mr. Matthew's, being one that hath often made me know how much I am be

1 In the first draught (Gib. Pap. vol. viii. f. 184 b) he had written "that never cooled or shuffled towards you."

2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 184 (e). corrected in Bacon's hand.

Copy or draught written to dictation:

1623.] LETTERS TO BRISTOL, COTTINGTON AND MATTHEW. 425

holding to your Lordship and knoweth likewise in what estimation I have ever had your Lordship, not according to your fortunes, but according to your inward value. Therefore, not to hold your Lordship in this time of so great business, and where I have so good a mean as Mr. Matthew, who if there be any thing that concerns my fortune can better express it than myself, I humbly commend myself and my service to your Lordship, resting, etc.

L. ST. ALBAN TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON INTO SPAIN.1

Good Mr. Secretary,

Though I think I have cloyed you with letters, yet had 1 written a thousand before, I must add one more by the hands of Mr. Matthew, being as true a friend as any you or I have, and one that made me so happy as to have the assurance of our friendship, which, if there be anything stirring for my good I pray practise in so good a conjunction as his. I ever rest, etc.

To MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.2

Good Mr. Matthew,

Because Mr. Clarke is the first that hath been sent since your departure, who gave also the comfortable news that he met you well, I could not but visit you with my letters, who have so often visited me with your kind conferences.

My health, I thank God, is better than when you left me, and to my thinking better than before my last sickness. This is all I need to write of myself to such a friend. We hope well, and it is generally rather spoken than believed, that his Highness will return very speedily. But they be not the best pieces in painting, that are dashed over in haste. I hope that if any thing want in the speed of time it will be compensed in the fruit of time, that all may sort to the best. I have written a few words of duty and respect only to my Lord Marquis, and Mr. Secre

1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 184 (e). Rough draught in Bacon's hand. 2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 185. Rough draught in Bacon's hand, with corrections in a secretary's. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Mr. Matthew into Spain."

3 In Stephens's catalogue there is an entry of a letter from Bacon to Buckingham sent into Spain, "congratulating his good success," dated 2nd May, 1623, and beginning "The very face of Mr. Clarke"; and another dated 10th May, 1622 (which should be 1623), "To Sec. Cottington into Spain," beginning "In the small time," and described as "Begging his good offices."

2

I write only to congratulate with your Grace your new honour, which because I reckon to be no great matter to your fortune (though you are the first English Duke that hath been created since I was born), my compliment shall be the shorter. So having turned almost my hopes of your Grace's return by July into wishes, and not to them neither if it should be any hazard to your health, I rest, etc.

Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to present my most humble duty to his Highness. Summer is a thirsty time, and sure I am, I shall infinitely thirst to see his Highness and your Grace returned.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.3 My good Lord,

I have received your hearty congratulation for the great honour and gracious favour which his Majesty hath done me and I do well believe that no man is more glad of it than yourself.

Tobie Matthew is here, but what with the journey and what with the affliction he endures to find (as he says) that reason prevails nothing with these people, he is grown extreme lean and looks as sharp as an eyass, only he comforts himself with a conceit, that he is now gotten on the other side of the line where the same reason that is valuable in other parts of the world is of no validity here, but rather something else which yet he hath not found out.

I have let his Highness see the good expressions of your Lordship's care and faithful affection to his person and shall ever be ready to do you in all things the best service that I can. So wishing your Lordship much happiness, I rest

Your Lordship's faithful friend

Madrid, this 29th of

May, 1623, st. vet.

and humble servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 250. Very rough copy in Bacon's hand, No flyleaf. Indorsed "To the Duke to congratulate his honour."

2 The title of Duke, conferred on him May 18th, 1623.

3 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 186. Original. Docketed by Bacon "D. of Buc. Madr. 29 May, 1623."

1623.]

TO BUCKINGHAM ON HIS DUKEDOM.

427

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM INTO SPAIN.1

Excellent Lord,

And,

I humbly thank your Grace for your letter of the 29th of May, and that your Grace doth believe that no man is gladder of the increase of your honour and fortune than I am, as on the other part no man should be more sorry if it should in the least degree decline, nor more careful if it should so much as labour. But of the first I speak as of a thing that is. But for the two latter, it is but a case put which I hope I shall never see. to be plain with your Grace, I am not a little comforted to observe, that although in common sense and experience a man would have doubted that some things mought have sorted to your prejudice, yet in particulars we find nothing of it. For a man mought reasonably have feared that absence and discontinuance might have lessened his Majesty's favour: no such thing hath followed. So likewise, that any that mought not wish you well should have been bolder with you. But all is contained in good compass. Again who mought not have feared, that your Grace being there to manage in great part the most important business of Europe, and so far off from the King, and not strengthened much with advice there, except the excellent Prince himself, might not with so politic a state as Spain, be able to go through as you do?" and yet nothing we hear but to your honour, and that you do your part. Surely (my Lord) though your virtues be great yet these things could not be, but that the blessing of God which is over the King and the Prince doth likewise descend upon you as a faithful servant, and you are the more to be thankful to God for it.

I humbly thank your Grace that you make me live in his Highness's remembrance, whom I shall ever bear a heart to honour and serve. And I much joy to hear of the great and fair reputation which at all hands is given him.

For Mr. Matthew, I hope by this time he hath gathered up his crumbs, which importeth much, I assure your Grace, if his cure must be either by finding better reason on that side the line,

1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 214. Very rough draught in Bacon's hand. Docketed "L. St. Alb. to the D. of Buc. into Spayne."

2 I think this is the way in which the sentence was intended to stand. But it has been much corrected and re-corrected, and one or two words which were intended to be struck out are left.

or by discovering what is the motion that moveth the wheels there, if reason do not. So we must all pray for his being in good point. But in truth, my Lord, I am glad he is there; for I know his virtues, and particularly his devotion to your Lordship. God return his Highness and your Grace unto us safe and sound, and according to your heart's desires.

To MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.1

Good Mr. Matthew,

I have received your letter of the 10th of June,2 and am exceeding glad to hear you are in so good health. For that which may concern myself, I neither doubt of your judgment in choosing the fittest time, nor of your affection in taking the first time you shall find fit. For the public business, I will not turn my hopes into wishes yet, since you write as you do; and I am very glad you are there, and, as I guess, you went in good time to his Lordship his help. Commend my service to the Count of Gondomar.

For your action of the case, it will fall to the ground; for I have not heard from the Duke neither by letter nor message at this time. God keep you. I rest always

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

Gray's Inn,

17th of June, 1623.

I do hear from Sir Robert Carr and others how much be

holden I am to you.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.4

Good Mr. Matthew,

your

I thank you for 5 letter of the 26th of June, and commend myself unto your friendship, knowing your word is good assurance, and thinking I cannot wish myself a better wish than that your power may grow to your will.

1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 187. Copy. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Mr. Matthew."

2 New style, probably.

3 Probably the suit for the Provostship of Eton,

4 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 232. Rough copy in Bacon's hand. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Mr. Matthew into Spain, 26 June."

5 Matthew probably used the new style, which would leave 10 days between his 26th and Bacon's; time enough for the journey, as we see that the Duke's letter of 29 May was in answer to one which cannot have been written earlier than the 18th.