work of this kind. It was a question with myself. But as I believe them to be genuine fragments of his speeches, taken down at the time as fast as a not very ready writer could follow; and as the proceedings of Parliament were so important a part of the business of the time, and Bacon so important an actor in them; and as I have myself learned from these fragmentary and disjointed notes so much about his political life which I could not have learned either from summary accounts or extracts; I thought it better to print all that there are, and so bring the whole of the evidence within reach of everybody. In order to make them as intelligible as I could, I have been obliged to enter into a history and discussion of the Parliamentary proceedings more minute than has been attempted before, and I think it will be found that there is both novelty and interest in the matter which the investigation has brought out. To myself at least much of it is new. All the pieces in these, as in the preceding volumes, have been collated with the originals referred to in the footnotes: in most cases the proof-sheets have been corrected from them; nor have any alterations been admitted without notice into the text, except in regard of spelling and punctuation. In spelling and punctuation I have followed modern usage in all cases but one, which is peculiar. The Commentarius Solutus, which will be found near the beginning of the next volume, is copied from a note-book of private memoranda, of which a large proportion are set down in so abbreviated a form that the interpretation is doubtful. To supply the full words by conjecture would be to settle innumerable questions without authority, and at the same time to obliterate the facts upon which the conjecture rests. In this case therefore I have endeavoured to produce a literatim copy; and having had the best assistance both in deciphering the manuscript and correcting the proofs, I hope it will be found to be as nearly a fac-simile of the original as was compatible with the use of my type and the length of my line.' J. S. The date however at the top of p. 63 ought to be 26, instead of 25. The error appears to have crept in after the proofs were settled, in replacing an imperfect letter. It was 26 in the last revise which I saw. CONTENTS 1. Altercation between Bacon and Coke in the Exchequer LETTER TO MR. SECRETARY CECIL, 29th of April, 1601 14 Story told of him by Sir Henry Wotton examined and explained. 3. Fines and pardons of the persons engaged in Essex's Conspiracy. Sum assigned to Bacon out of Catesby's fine. LETTER TO MR. M. HICKES. [Aug. 1601] . SPEECH FOR REPEALING SUPERFLUOUS LAWS 6. Grant of 4 subsidies, payable in three years and a half 8. Commencement of the attack upon Monopolies . SPEECH IN THE HOUSE AGAINST A BILL FOR THE EXPLANA- Motion for a petition to the Queen for leave to pass an Act making monopolies of no more force than they are at the Common Law. Seconded by Bacon: but no decision taken. Cecil's inter- 28 Page Satisfaction of the House. The Queen's last speech to her people 29 9. Notes of Speeches on several occasions. SPEECH AGAINST THE REPEAL OF THE STATUTE OF TILLAGE. SPEECH AGAINST A MOTION FOR MAKING A JUDICIAL EXPO- SITION OF A STATUTE PART OF THE STATUTE SPEECH AGAINST COMMITTING TO THE TOWER FOR AN AS- 3. Submission of Tyrone. Montjoy's instructions and proceedings. Bacon seeks to get himself recommended to his favour LETTER TO MR. MICHAEL HICKS, 19 March, 1602 LETTER TO THE EARL OF NORTHUMBERLAND, A FEW DAYS BEFORE QUEEN ELIZABETH'S DEATH Letters to Gentlemen of the Scotch Court. A LETTER TO MR. FOULES, 28TH OF MARCH, 1603 A LETTER TO MR. DAVYS, THEN GONE TO THE KING, AT HIS FIRST ENTRANCE, MARCH 28, 1603 A LETTER TO MY LORD OF NORTHUMBERLAND, MENTIONING A PROCLAMATION DRAWN FOR THE KING AT HIS ENTRANCE A LETTER TO MR. ROBERT KEMPE UPON THE DEATH OF Bacon's interview with the King and first impressions. 1. Bacon's official position and prospects 2. State of his private affairs. Project of marriage. 4. A BRIEF DISCOURSE TOUCHING THE HAPPY UNION OF THE CERTAIN CONSIDERATIONS TOUCHING THE BETTER PACIFICA- TION AND EDIFICATION OF THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND . 103 6. Conference at Hampton Court. Order of proceeding. Results. 127 2. Popular impressions with regard to Bacon's conduct towards SIR FRANCIS BACON HIS APOLOGY IN CERTAIN IMPUTATIONS Reasons for believing that the explanation was not considered un- 139 1. A new Parliament summoned. Great question of Privilege: Sir Francis Goodwin's case. Conference with the King NOTES OF BACON'S SPEECH ON THE QUESTION WHETHER THE NOTES OF HIS REPORT TO THE HOUSE (April 3) 3. State of the law with regard to Wardship, Purveyance, Monopo- Conference with the Lords concerning Wardship agreed to. NOTES OF REPORT 4. Petition to the King touching Purveyors, presented (April 27). A SPEECH MADE BY SIR FRANCIS BACON, KNIGHT, CHOSEN BY THE COMMONS TO PRESENT Α PETITION TOUCHING PURVEYORS, DELIVERED TO HIS MAJESTY IN THE WITH- DRAWING CHAMBER AT WHITEHALL IN THE PARLIAMENT HELD 1° ET 2° JAC. THE FIRST SESSION (April 27) . |