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what his majesty conceived of the same; wherewith he will acquaint your lordship, and with his own observation and judgment of the businesses of that country.

I give your lordship hearty thanks for your care to satisfy my lady of Rutland's (c) desire; and will be as careful, when I come to York, of recommending your suit to the bishop. (d) So I rest

Your Lordship's ever at command,

Newark, the 5th of April, 1617.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

To my very honourable lord, Sir Francis Bacon, knight, lord keeper of the great seal of England.

TO THE LORD KEEPER. (e)

My very good Lord,

I SPAKE at York with the archbishop, (ƒ) touching the house, which he hath wholly put into your hands, to do with it what your lordship shall be pleased.

I have heretofore, since we were in this journey, moved his majesty for dispatch of my lord Brackley's (g) business: but because his majesty never having heard of any precedent in the like case, was of

(c) Frances, countess of Rutland, first wife of Francis, earl of Rutland, and daughter and coheir of Sir Henry Knevet, of Charleton in Wiltshire, knight. She had by the earl an only daughter and heir, Catharine, first married to George, marquis, and afterward duke, of Buckingham; and secondly to Randolph Mac-Donald, earl, and afterward marquis, of Antrim in Ireland.

(d) Relating to York-house.

(e) Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

(f) Dr. Tobie Matthew.

(g) Who desired to be created earl in an unusual manner, by letters patents, without the delivering of the patent by the king's own hand, or without the ordinary solemnities of creation. cordingly created earl of Bridgwater, May 27, 1617.

He was ac

opinion, that this would be of ill consequence in making that dignity as easy, as the pulling out of a sword to make a man a knight, and so make it of little esteem, he was desirous to be assured, first, that it was no new course, before he would do it in that fashion. But since he can receive no assurance from your lordship of any precedent in that kind, his majesty intendeth not so to precipitate the business, as to expose that dignity to censure and contempt, in omitting the solemnities required, and usually belonging unto it.

His majesty, though he were awhile troubled with a little pain in his back, which hindered his hunting, is now, God be thanked, very well, and as merry as he ever was; and we have all held out well.

I shewed his majesty your letter, who taketh very well your care and desire to hear of his health. So I commit you to God, and rest

Your Lordship's most assured friend

Aukland, the 18th of Apr. 1617.

to do you service,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

Since the writing of this letter, I have had some farther speech with his majesty, touching my lord Brackley; and find, that if, in your lordship's information in the course, you write any thing, that may tend to the furthering of the dispatch of it in that kind, he desireth it may be done.

TO THE LORD KEEPER. (a)

My honourable Lord,

I SEND your lordship the warrant for the queen (b) signed by his majesty, to whom I have likewise de

(a) Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

(6) Relating to her house. See the lord keeper's letter of April 7, 1617, printed in his works.

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livered your lordship's letter. And touching the matter of the pirates, his majesty cannot yet resolve; but within a day or two your lordship shall see a dispatch, which he purposeth to send to the lords of his council in general, what his opinion and pleasure is in that point.

I would not omit this opportunity to let your lordship know, that his majesty, God be thanked, is in very good health, and so well pleased with his journey, that I never saw him better, nor merrier.

I rest

Your Lordship's ever at command,

From Newcastle,

the 23d of Apr. 1617.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

So

THE LORD KEEPER BACON TO MR. MAXEY,

Fellow of Trinity College, Cambridge. («)

AFTER my hearty commendations, I having heard of you, as a man well deserving, and of able gifts to become profitable in the church; and there being fallen within my gift the rectory of Frome St. Quintin with the chapel of Evershot, in Dorsetshire, which seems to be a thing of good value, 187. in the king's books, and in a good country, I have thought good to make offer of it to you; the rather for that you are of Trinity college, whereof myself was some time: and my purpose is to make choice of men rather by care and inquiry, than by their own suits and commendatory letters. So I bid So I bid you farewell.

From Dorset House,

23 April, 1617.

From

your loving friend,

FR. BACON, C. S.

(a) From the collections of the late Robert Stephens, esq.

THE LORD KEEPER TO HIS NIECE, TOUCHING
HER MARRIAGE.

Good Niece,

AMONGST your other virtues, I know there wanteth not in you a mind to hearken to the advice of your friends. And therefore you will give me leave to move you again more seriously than before in the match with Mr. Comptroller.(a)

The state, wherein you now are, is to be preferred before marriage, or changed for marriage, not simply the one or the other, but according as, by God's providence, the offers of marriage are more or less fit to be embraced. This gentleman is religious, a person of honour, being counsellor of state, a great officer, and in very good favour with his majesty. He is of years and health fit to be comfortable to you, and to free you of burdensome cares. He is of good means, and a wise and provident man, and of a loving and excellent good nature; and, I find, hath set his affections upon you; so as I foresee you may sooner change your mind, which, as you told me, is not yet towards marriage, than find so happy a choice. I hear he is willing to visit you, before his going into France, which, by the king's commandment, is to be within some ten days: and I could wish you used him kindly and with respect. His return out of France is intended before Michaelmas. God direct you, and be with you. I rest

Your very loving uncle, and assured friend,

Dorset-House,

this 28th of April, 1617.

FR. BACON.

(a) Sir Thomas Edmonds, who had been appointed to that office, December 21, 1616; and January 19, 1617-8, was made treasurer of the household. He had been married to Magdalen, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Wood, knight, clerk of the signet: which lady died at Paris, Dec. 31, 1614.

The proposal for a second marriage between him and the lord keeper's niece does not appear to have had success.

TO THE LORD KEEPER. (a)

My honourable Lord,

I UNDERSTAND that Sir Lewis Tresham hath a suit depending in the chancery before your lordship; and therefore out of my love and respect toward him, I have thought fit to recommend him unto your favour so far only, as may stand with justice and equity, which is all he desireth, having to encounter a strong party. And because he is shortly to go into Spain, about some other business of his own, I farther desire your lordship to give him what expedition you can, that he may receive no prejudice by his journey. Your Lordship's ever at command,

Indorsed May 6, 1616.

G. BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE LORD KEEPER. (b)

My honourable Lord,

I HAVE by reports, heard that, which doth much grieve and trouble me, that your lordship hath, through a pain in one of your legs, been forced to keep your chamber. And being desirous to understand the true estate of your health, which reports do not always bring, I intreat your lordship to favour me with a word or two from yourself, which, I hope, will bring me the comfort I desire, who cannot but be very sensible of whatsoever happeneth to your lordship, as being

Your Lordship's most affectionate

to do you service,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

His majesty, God be thanked, is very well and safely returned from his hunting journey.

From Edinburgh,

the 3d of June, 1617.

(a) Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006.

(b) Ibid.

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