and framed the alterations, which I send, still keeping myself within the brevity of a letter and form of a narration, not entering into a form of argument or disputation; for, in my poor conceit, it is somewhat against the majesty of princes' actions to make too curious and striving apologies; but rather to set them forth plainly, and so as there may appear an harmony and constancy in them, so that one part upholdeth another. And so I wish your Grace all prosperity. From my poor lodging, this, etc.

The message it pleased your lordship to send me was to me delivered doubtfully. Whether your lordship said you would speak with me at the Star-Chamber or with Mr. Philip. If with me, it is needless, for gratitude imposeth upon me satisfaction; if with Mr. Philip it will be too late, because somewhat must, perchance, be done that day. This doubt not solved, maketh me write again; the rather, because I did liberally but yet privately affirm your lordship would write; which if I make not good it may be a discouragement. Your lordship's letter, though it have the subject of honour and justice, yet it shall have the secrecy of a thing done upon affection. I shall ever in a firm duty' submit my occasions, though great, to your lordship's respects, though small; and this is my resolution, that when your lordship doth for me, you shall increase my obligation; when you refuse to do for me, you shall increase my merit. So leaving the matter wholly to your lordship's pleasure, I commend your lordship to the preservation of the Divine Majesty. From Gray's Inn.

Your Lordship's ever most humbly bounden

LETTERS FROM THE BACONIANA.

The Lord Bacon's Letter to the University of
Cambridge.

Rescriptum Procuratoris Regis Primarii, ad Academiam Cantabrigiensem, quando in Sanctius Regis Consilium co-optatus fuit.

Gratæ mihi fuere literæ vestræ, atque gratulationem vestram ipse mihi gratulor. Rem ipsam ita mihi honori, et voluptati fore duco, si in hâc mente maneam, ut publicis utilitatibus, studio indefesso, et perpetuis curis, et puro affectu, inserviam. Inter partes autem reipublicæ, nulla animo meo carior est quàm academiæ et literæ. Idque et vita mea anteacta declarat, et scripta. Itaque quicquid mihi accesserit, id etiam vobis accessisse existimare potestis. Neque vero patrocinium meum vobis sublatum aut diminutum esse credere debetis. Nam et ea pars patroni, quæ ad consilium in causis exhibendum spectat, integra manet; atque etiam (si quid gravius acciderit) ipsum perorandi munus (licentiâ regis obtentâ) relictam est; quodque juris patrocinio deerit, id auctiore potestate compensabitur. Mihi in votis est, ut quemadmodùm à privatorum et clientelarum negotiis, ad gubernacula reipublicæ translatus jam sum; ita et postrema ætatis meæ pars (si vita suppetit) etiam à publicis curis ad otium et literas devehi possit. Quinetiam sæpius subit illa cogitatio, ut etiam in tot et tantis negotiis, tamen singulis annis aliquos dies apud vos deponam; ut ex majore vestrarum rerum notitiâ vestris utilitatibus melius consulere possim.

5 Julii 1616.

Amicus vester maximè fidelis et benevolus,
FR. BACON.

The Answer of the Lord Bacon, then Attorney General, to the University of Cambridge, when he was sworn of the Privy Council to the King.

Your letters were very acceptable to me; and I give myself joy, upon your congratulation. The thing itself will (I suppose) conduce to my honour and satisfaction, if I remain in the mind I now am in; by unwearied study, and perpetual watchfulness, and pure affection, to promote the public good. Now among the parts of the commonwealth, there are none dearer to me than the universities and learning. And this, my manner of life hitherto, and my writings do both declare. If therefore any good fortune befalls me, you may look upon it as an accession to yourselves. Neither are you to believe, that my patronage is either quite removed from you, or so much as diminished. For that part of an advocate which concerneth the giving of counsel in causes remaineth entire. Also (if any thing more weighty and urgent falleth out) the very office of pleading (the king's leave being obtained) is still allowed me. And whatsoever shall be found wanting in my juridical patronage will be compensated by my more ample authority. My wishes are, that as I am translated from the business of private men and particular clients, to the government of the commonwealth; so the latter part of my age (if my life be continued to me) may, from the public cares, be translated to leisure and study.

Also this thought comes often into my mind, amidst so many businesses and of such moment, every year to lay aside some days to think on you: that so having the greater insight into your matters I may the better consult your advantage.

July the 5th, 1616.

Your most faithful and kind friend,
FR. BACON.

Sir Francis Bacon's Letter to King James touching

the Chancellor's Place.

It may please your most excellent Majesty.

Your worthy chancellor* (I fear) goeth his last day; God hath hitherto used to weed out such servants as grew not fit for your majesty; but now he hath gathered to himself one of the choicer plants in your majesty's garden. But yonr majesty's service must not be mortal.

Upon this heavy accident, I pray your majesty in all humbleness and sincerity, to give me leave to use a few words. I must never forget when I moved your majesty for the attorney's place, that it was your own sole act, and not my Lord of Somerset's; who, when he knew your majesty had resolved it, thrust himself into the business to gain thanks. And therefore I have no reason to pray to saints.

I shall now again make oblation to your majesty; first of my heart; then of my service; thirdly, of my place of attorney; and fourthly, of my place in the star-chamber.

I hope I may be acquitted of presumption, if I think of it: both because my father had the place, which is some civil inducement to my desire, (and I pray God your majesty may have twenty no worse years than queen Elizabeth had in her model after my father's placing) and chiefly because the chancellor's place, after it went to the law, was ever conferred upon some of the learned counsel, and never upon a judge. For Audley was raised from King's Serjeant; my father from Attorney of the Wards; Bromlie from Solicitor; Puckering from Queen's Serjeant; Egerton from Master of the Rolls, having newly left the Attorney's place.

For myself, I can only present your majesty with "gloria in obsequio;" yet I dare promise, that if I sit in that place, your business shall not make such short turns upon you as it doth; but when a direction is once given, it shall be pursued and performed: and your majesty shall only be troubled Chancellor Egerton..

with the true care of a king; which is to think what you would have done in chief; and not how for the passages.

I do presume also, in respect of my father's memory, and that I have been always gracious in the lower-house, I have some interest in the gentlemen of England, and shall be able to do some good effect in rectifying that body of parliament, which is "Cardo Rerum." For, let me tell your majesty, that that part of the chancellor's place, which is to judge in equity between party and party, that same "Regnum Judiciale" (which since my father's time is but too much enlarged) concerneth your majesty least, more than the acquitting of your conscience for justice. But it is the other parts of a moderator amongst your council; of an overseer over your judges; of a planter of fit justices and governors in the country, that importeth your affairs, and these times, most.

I will add likewise, that I hope, by my care, the inventive part of your council will be strengthened; who, now commonly, do exercise rather their judgments than their inventions; and the Inventive Part cometh from projectors and private men; which cannot be so well: In which kind my Lord of Salisbury had a good method.

To conclude; if I were the man I would be, I should hope, that as your majesty of late hath won hearts by depressing, you should in this lose no hearts by advancing. For I see your people can better skill of Concretum than Abstractum; and that the waves of their affection flow. rather after persons than things. So that acts of this. nature (if this were one) do more good than twenty bills of grace.

If God call my Lord Chancellor, the warrants and commissions which are requisite for the taking of the seal, and for working with it, and for reviving of warrants under his hand, which die with him, and the like, shall be in readiness. And in this time presseth more, because it is the end

VOL. XI.