themselves are preserved in Bacon's own collection, and with the headings, which I suppose to have been inserted by himself or copied from his dockets, may be left to tell their own story.

Of the letter to the King we have three copies, independent of each other and slightly differing: one in the Register-book, one in Sir Toby Matthew's collection, and one in the 'Remains.' Sir Toby Matthew's copies I do not hold very high as authorities for the exact text: for I suspect that he used the privilege of an editor rather freely in omitting or disguising personal allusions, and occasionally in mending the style by the alteration of a word or two. The copies in the 'Remains' are full of mere blunders but in some cases, as in this, they appear to have been taken from the original letter, while those in the Register were taken from the rough draft. I have therefore in this instance formed my text from the Remains ;' correcting obvious misprints from the Register, and giving the other differences in foot-notes.

AN OFFER OF SERVICE TO HIS MAJESTY K. JAMES UPON HIS FIRST COMING IN.1

It may please your most excellent Majesty,

It is observed upon a place in the Canticles by some, Ego sum flos campi et lilium convallium, that, à dispari, it is not said, Ego sum flos horti, et lilium montium; because the majesty of that person is not inclosed for a few, nor appropriate to the great. And yet notwithstanding, this royal virtue of access, which nature and judgment have planted in your Majesty's mind as the portal of all the rest, could not of itself (my imperfections considered) have animated me to make oblation of myself immediately to your Majesty, had it not been joined with an habit of like liberty, which I enjoyed with my late dear Sovereign Mistress; a Prince happy in all things, but most happy in such a successor. And yet further and more nearly, I was not a little encouraged, not only upon a supposal that unto your Majesty's sacred ears (open to the air of all virtues) there might perhaps have come some small breath of the good memory of iny father, so long a principal counsellor in this your kingdom; but also by the particular knowledge of the infinite devotion and incessant endeavours (beyond the strength of his body, and the nature of the times) which appeared in my good brother towards your Remains, p. 55. Add. MSS. 5503, fo. 19, b. 2 some knowledge: Á.

Majesty's service; and were on your Majesty's part, through your singular benignity, by many most gracious and lively significations and favours accepted and acknowledged,1 beyond the merit of anything he could effect. All which endeavours and duties for the most part were common to myself with him, though by design (as between brethren) dissembled. And therefore, most high and mighty King, my most dear and dread sovereign lord, since now the corner-stone is laid of the mightiest monarchy in Europe; and that God above, who is noted to have a mighty hand in bridling the floods and fluctuations of the seas and of people's hearts, hath by the miraculous and universal consent (the more strange because it proceedeth from such diversity of causes1) in your coming in, given a sign and token what he intendeth in the continuance ;5 I think there is no subject of your Majesty's, who loveth this island, and is not hollow and unworthy, whose heart is not set on fire, not only to bring you peace-offerings to make you propitious, but to sacrifice himself a burnt-offering to your Majesty's service: amongst which number no man's fire shall be more pure and fervent than mine. But how far forth it shall blaze out, that resteth in your Majesty's employ.. ment. For since your fortune in the greatness thereof hath for time debarred your Majesty of the princely virtue which one calleth the principal-" Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos -because your Majesty hath many of yours which are unknown to you, I must leave all to the trial of further time, and so thirsting after the happiness of kissing your royal hand, continue ever, etc.

A LETTER COMMENDING HIS LOVE AND SERVICES TO SIR THOMAS CHALLONER, THEN IN SCOTLAND, UPON HIS MAJESTY'S ENTRANCE.8 Sir,

For our money matters, I am assured you conceived no insatisfaction; for you know my mind, and you know my means; which now the openness of the time, caused by this blessed con1 Birch, Mem. of Eliz. i. 181.

2 who hath ever hand: A.

3 motions: A.

4 For an exposition of these various causes, see the Beginning of a History of Great Britain, Works, VI. 277.

5 of great happiness in the continuance of your reign: A.

6

or holocaust: A.

7 fruitly in the 'Remains.' This whole sentence-from for since to time-is omitted in A; which has only, so, thirsting, etc.

8 Add. MSS. 5503, fo. 21.

sent and peace, will increase; and so our agreement according to our time be observed.

For the present, according to the Roman adage (that one cluster of grapes ripeneth best besides another,) I know you hold me not unworthy whose mutual friendship you should cherish; and I for my part conceive and hope that you are likely to become an acceptable servant to the King our Master, not so much for any way made heretofore (which in my judgment will make no great difference1) as for the stuff and sufficiency which I know to be in you, and whereof I know his Majesty may reap great service. And therefore my general request is, that according to that industrious vivacity which you use towards your friends, you will further his Majesty's good conceit and inclination towards me; to whom words cannot make me known, neither my own nor others, but time will; to no disadvantage of any that shall fore-run his Majesty's experience by their testimony and commendation. And though occasion give you the precedence of doing me this special good office, yet I hope no long time will intercede before I shall have some means to requite your favour and acquit your report. More particularly, having thought good to make oblation of my most humble service to his Majesty by a few lines, I do desire your loving care and help, by yourself or such means as I refer to your discretion, to deliver and present the same to his Majesty's hands; of which letter I send you a copy, that you may know what you carry, and may take of Mr. Matthew the letter itself, if you be pleased to undertake the delivery. Lastly, I do commend to yourself, and such your courtesies as occasion may require, this gentleman Mr. Matthew, eldest son to my Lord Bishop of Duresme, and my very good friend, assuring you that any courtesy you shall use towards him, you shall use to a very worthy young gentleman, and one, I know, whose acquaintance you will much esteem. And so I ever continue.

A LETTER TO MR. FOULES, 28th OF MARCH 1603.2 Mr. Foules,

I did write unto you yesterday by Mr. Lake (who was dispatched hence from their Lordships) a letter of reviver of those 1 Meaning, I suppose, that his having been engaged in Essex's service would not give him any special advantage over others.

2 Add. MSS. 5503, fo. 22, b.

sparks of former acquaintance between us in my brother's time; and now upon the same confidence, finding so fit a messenger, I would not fail to salute you; hoping it will fall out so happily as that you shall be one of the King's servants which his Majesty will first employ here with us; where I hope to have some means not to be barren in friendship towards you. We all thirst after the King's coming, accounting all this but as the dawning of the day before the rising of the sun, till we have his presence. And though now his Majesty must be Janus bifrons, to have a face to Scotland as well as to England, yet quod nunc instat agendum. The expectation is here that he will come in state, and not in strength. So for this time I commend you to God's goodness.

A LETTER TO MR. DAVYS, THEN GONE TO THE KING, AT HIS FIRST ENTRANCE, MARCH 28, 1603.1

Mr. Davis,

Though you went on the sudden, yet you could not go before you had spoken with yourself to the purpose which I will now write. And therefore I know it shall be altogether needless, save that I meant to show you that I am not asleep. Briefly, I commend myself to your love and to the well using of my name, as well in repressing and answering for me, if there be any biting or nibbling at it in that place, as in impressing a good conceit and opinion of me, chiefly in the King (of whose favour I make myself comfortable assurance), as otherwise in that court. And not only so, but generally to perform to me all the good offices which the vivacity of your wit can suggest to your mind to be performed to one, in whose affection you have so great sympathy, and in whose fortune you have so great interest. So desiring you to be good to concealed poets, I continue

Gray's Inn, this

28th of March, 1603.

Your very assured,
FR. BACON.

:

Lambeth MSS. 976, fo. 4. The original letter apparently for the seal remains. The signature is Bacon's own, and the docket is in his hand the body of the letter in the hand of one of his men. There is a copy of it in the Register book, with two or three slight verbal differences, and without the date. Mr. Davis was no doubt John Davies, the poet,-author of 'Nosce Teipsum:' and afterwards Attorney-General for Ireland. The allusion to "concealed poets" I cannot explain. But as Bacon occasionally wrote letters and devices, which were to be fathered by Essex, he may have written verses for a similar purpose, and Davis may have been in the secret.

VOL. III.

F

Another acquaintance of Bacon's in the Scotch Court was Dr. Morison, who had been in confidential correspondence with the Earl of Essex in his loyal days, and supplied him with a great deal of valuable intelligence. He wrote in French under a cipher, and all the correspondence passed through Anthony Bacon's hands, who generally sent it to his brother on its way to the Earl. To him Bacon now sent a letter to refresh the old acquaintance. But I find no better copy of it than one in the 'Remains,' where it was first printed. It is a genuine letter, I have no doubt, though not a correct copy.

A LETTER TO DOCTOR MORRISON, A SCOTTISH PHYSICIAN, UPON HIS MAJESTY'S COMING IN.1

Mr. Doctor Morrison,

I have thought good by this my letter to renew the ancient acquaintance which hath passed between us, signifying my good mind to you, to perform to you any good office for your particular, and my expectation and firm3 assurance of the like on your part towards me: wherein I confess you may have the start of me, because occasion hath given you the precedency in investing you with opportunity to use my name well, and by your loving testimony to further a good opinion of me in his Majesty, and the court.

But I hope my experience of matters here will, with the light of his Majesty's favour, enable me speedily both to requite your kindness, and to acquit and make good your testimony and report. So not doubting to see you here with his Majesty, considering that it belongeth to your art to feel pulses, and I assure you Galen doth not set down greater variety of pulses than do vent here in men's hearts, I wish you all prosperity, and remain Yours, etc.

From my

chamber at Gray's Inn, etc.

Having despatched these personal matters, his next care was to consider what help he could give in smoothing the King's path to the hearts of the people. To touch the right vein at first was a matter by no means easy for a stranger, and a rub the wrong way might do much mischief. Addressing himself therefore to the Earl of Northumberland, by whom his recent offer of service seems to have been favourably entertained, he sent him a draft of a Proclamation, such as he thought fit for the time; and which, being an entirely volun'Remains, p. 63. 2 this my, in orig. 3 and a firm, in orig. 4 on, in orig.