THE PRINCE.

TO THE KING.

TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO

TO MR, SECRETARY CONWAY.

Good Mr. Secretary, Good MR. SECRETARY,

When you did me the honour and favour to Though I wrote so lately unto you, by my Lord visit me, you did not only in general terms express Rochford; yet, upon the going of my Lord Vaugh- your love unto me, but, as a real friend, asked an,* the prince's worthy and trusty servant, and me whether I had any particular occasion, wheremy approved friend, and your so near ally, I in I might make use of you? At that time I had could not but put this letter into his hand, com- none: now there is one fallen. It is, that Mr. mending myself and my fortunes unto you. You Thomas Murray, Provost of Eton, (whom I love know the difference of obliging men in prosperity very well,) is like to die. It were a pretty cell and adversity, as much as the sowing upon a for my fortune. The college and school, I do not pavement and upon a furrow new made. Myself doubt, but I shall make to flourish. His majesty, for quiet, and the better to hold out, am retired to when I waited on him, took notice of my wants, Gray's Inn:t for when my chief friends were and said to me, that, as he was a king, he would done so far off, it was time for me to go to a cell. have care of me: this is a thing somebody would God send us a good return of you all.

have, and costs his majesty nothing. I have I ever rest, &c.

written two or three words to his majesty, which My humble service to my lord marquis, to I would pray you to deliver. I have not expressed whom I have written twice. I would not cloy this particular to his majesty, but referred it to him. My service also to the Count Gondomar, your relation. My most noble friend, the marand Lord of Bristol.

quis, is now absent. Next to him I could not Endorsed,

think of a better address than to yourself, as one To Mr. Secretary, Sir Francis Cottinglon, March likest to put on his affection. I rest 22, 1622.

Your honour's very affectionate friend,

Fr. St. ALBAN.*

Gray's Inn, the 25th of March, 1623. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR Majesty,

Now that my friend is absent, (for so I may call him still, since your majesty, when I waited on

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM, IN SPAIN. you, told me, that fortune made no difference,)

Excellent LORD, your majesty remaineth to me king, and master,

Finding so trusty a messenger as Sir John and friend, and all. Your beadsman therefore addresseth himself to your majesty for a cell to lines into his hands. I thank God, that those

Epsley, I thought it my duty to put these few retire into. The particular I have expressed to shadows, which either mine own melancholy, or my very friend, Mr. Secretary Conway. This

my extreme love to your lordship, did put into help, which costs your majesty nothing, may my mind concerning this voyage of the prince and reserve me to do your majesty service, without

your lordship, rather vanish and diminish than being chargeable unto you; for I will never deny otherwise. The gross fear is past of the passage but my desire to serve your majesty is of the of France. I think you had the ring which they nature of the heart, that will be ullimum moriens write of, that, when the seal was turned to the with me.

palm of the hand, made men go invisible. God preserve your majesty, and send you a Neither do I hear of any novelty here worth the good return of the treasure abroad, which passeth

esteeming. all Indian fleets.

There is a general opinion here that your lordYour majesty's most humble

ship is like enough to return, and go again, before and devoted servant,

the prince come: which opinion, whether the March 25, 1623.

FR. ST. ALBAN.

business lead you to do so, or no, doth no hurt; Endorsed, To the king, touching the Provostship of Eton.F for it keeps men

a

God keep

SPAIN.

to

king's favour, whic.? your lordship's noble work! I was looking of some short papers if mine of my access, no doubt, did chiefly cherish. I am touching usury,* to grind the teeth of it, and yet much bound to Mr. Secretary Conway. It is make it grind to his majesty's mill in good sort, wholly for your lordship's sake, for I had no without discontentment or perturbation. If you acquaintance with him in the world. By that I think good, I will send it to his majesty, as the see of him, he is a man fit to serve a great king, fruit of my leisure. But yet, I would not have and fit to be a friend and servant to your lordship. it come from me, not for any tenderness in the Good my lord, write two or three words to him, thing, but because I know, in courts of princes, both of thanks, and a general recommendation of it is usual, non res, sed displicet auctor. me unto him.

your honour, &c. Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to present my

Endorsed, most humble duty to his highness. We hear he To Mr. Secretary Conway, touching the provostship is fresh in his person, and becomes this brave of Eton, March 31, 1623. journey in all things. God provide all things for the best. I ever rest, &c.

TO THE EARL OF BRISTOL, AMBASSADOR IN Endorsed-March 30, 1623.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Though I have written to your lordship lately, TO MR. SECRETARY CONWAY.

yet I could not omit to put a letter into so good a Good MR. Secretary,

hand as Mr. Matthew's, being one that hath often I am much comforted by your last letter, made known unto me how much I am beholden wherein I find that his majesty, of his mere grace

your lordship; and knoweth, likewise, in what and goodness, vouchsafeth to have a care of me, estimation I have ever had your lordship, not aca man oat of sight, out of use; but yet his, as the cording to your fortunes, but according to your Scripture saith, God knows those that are his. inward value. Therefore, not to hold your lordIn particular, I am very much bound to his mia- ship in this time of so great business, and where jesty (and I pray you, sir, thank his majesty most I have so good a mean as Mr. Matthew, who, if

I humbly for it) that, notwithstanding the former there be any thing that concerns my fortune, designment of Sir William Becher,* his majesty can better express it than myself, I humbly com(as you write) is not out of hope, in due time, to mend myself, and my service to your lordship, accommodate me of this cell, and to satisfy him resting, &c. otherwise. Many conditions, no doubt, may be as contenting to that gentleman, and his years may expect them. But there will hardly fall,

TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO especially in the spent hourglass of my life, any thing so fit for me, being a retreat to a place of study so near London, and where (if I sell my

Good Mr. Secretary, house at Gorhambury, as I purpose to do, to put

Though I think I have cloyed you with letters,

a myself in some convenient plenty) I may be yet, had I written a thousand before, I must add accommodated of a dwelling for summer time. one more by the hands of Mr. Matthew, being as And, therefore, good Mr. Secretary, further this true a friend as any you or I have; and one that his majesty's good intention, by all means, if the made me so happy, as to have the assurance of place fall.

our friendship; which, if there be any stirring for For yourself, you have obliged me much. I my good, I pray practise in so good a conjunction will endeavour to deserve it: at least your noble- as his. I ever rest, &c. ness is never lost; and my noble friend, the marquis, I know, will thank you for it.

Sir William had not, however, that post, but, in lieu of it, the promise of iwo thousand five hundred pounds, Good Mr. Matthew, upon the fall of the first of the six clerks' places, and was

Because Mr. Clarke is the first that hath been permitted to keep his clerkship of the council.- NS. Letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, sent since your departure, who gave me also the July 21, 1621. The provostship was given to Sir Henry comfortable news, that he met you well, I could Wotton, who was instituted into it the 201h of that month, having purchased it by a surrender of a grant of the reversion not but visit you with my letters, who have so of the mastership of the rolls, and of another office, which often visited me with your kind conferences. was fit to be turned into present money, which he then, and My health, I thank God, is better than when afterwards, much wanted: (Life of him by Mr. Isaac Walton :) for, when he went to the election at Eton, soon after his you left me; and, to my thinking, better than be. being made provost, he was so ill provided, that the fellow's of the college were obliged to furnish his bare walls, and * In his works is published, A Draught of an sict against whatever else was wanting.--MS. Letter of Mr. Chamberlain, an usurious Shift of Gain in delivering of Commodities instead Aug. 7, 1621.

THE PRINCE.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

a

fore my last sickness. This is all I need to write his person; and shall ever be ready to do you, in of myself to such a friend.

all things, the best service that I can. We hope well, and it is generally rather spoken So, wishing your lordship much happiness, I ihan believed, that his highness will return very rest Your lordship's faithful friend, speedily. But they be not the best pieces in

and humble servant, painting that are dashed out in haste. I hope, if

G. BuckinghAM. any thing want in the speed of time, it will be Madrid, this 29th of

May, 1623, st. vet. 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. Secretary. I

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, IN SPAIN. pray you kiss the Count of Gondomar's hand. God keep you.

Excellent LORD,
Your most affectionate and

I humbly thank your grace for your letter of assured friend,

the 29th of May; and that your grace doth believe FR. ST. ALBAN.

that no man is gladder of the increase of your May 2, 1623.

honour and fortune than I a.; 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 TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

speak as of a thing that is : but, for the two latter, EXCELLENT LORD,

it is but a case put, which I hope I shall never I write now only to congratulate with your see. And, to be plain with your grace, I am not grace your new honour;* which, because I reckon a little comforted to observe, that, although in to be no great matter to your fortune, (though you common sense and experience a man would have are the first English duke that hath been created doubted that some things might have sorted to since I was born,) my compliment shall be the your prejudice; yet, in particulars we find nothing shorter. So, having turned almost my hopes of of it. For, a man might reasonably have feared your grace's return by July, into wishes, and not that absence and discontinuance might have lesto them neither, if it should be any hazard to sened his majesty's favour; no such thing has your health, I rest, &c.

followed. So, likewise, that any that might not Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to present my wish you well, should have been bolder with you. most humble duty to his highness. Summer is But all is continued in good compass. Again, a thirsty time; and sure I am, I shall infinitely who might not have feared, that your grace being thirst to see his highness's and your grace's there to manage, in great part, the most important

business of Europe, so far from the king, and not strengthened with advice there, except that of the prince himself, and thus to deal with so politic a

state as Spain, you should be able to go through DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE LORD VISCOUNT as you do? and yet nothing, as we hear, but for

your honour, and that you do your part. Surely, My good LORD,

my lord, though your virtues be great, yet these I have received your hearty congratulation for things could not be, but that the blessing of God, the great honour, and gracious favour which his which is over the king and the prince, doth likemajesty hath done me: and I do well believe, that wise descend upon you as a faithful servant; and no man is more glad of it than yourself. you are the more to be thankful to God for it.

Tobie Matthew is here; but what with the I humbly thank your grace, that you make me journey, and what with the affliction he endures, live in his highness's remembrance, whom I shall lo find, as he says, that reason prevails nothing ever bear a heart to honour and serve. And I with these people, he is grown extreme lean, and much joy to hear of the great and fair reputation looks as sharp as an eyas.f Only, he comforts which at all hands are given him. himself with a conceit, that he is now gotten on For Mr. Matthew, I hope by this time he hath the other side of the water, where the same reason gathered up his crumbs; which importeth much, that is valuable in other parts of the world, is of I assure your grace, if his cure must be, either by no validity here ; but rather something else, which finding better reason on that side the line, or by yet he hath not found out

discovering what is the motion, that moveth the I have let his highness see the good expressions wheels, that, if reason do not, we must all pray of your lordship’s care, and faithful affection to for his being in good point. But, in truth, my

return.

ST. ALBAN.

• Tho title of duke, comerred on bim May, 1623. 1 A young hawk, just taken out of the nest.

The Duke of Buckingham went to Spain, February 1623, and returned in September.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

lord, I am glad he is there; for I know his virtues, mise for a compliment. But since you call for it, and particularly his devotion to your lordship. I shall perform it.* God return his highness, and your grace, unto

I am much beholden to Mr. Gage for many us safe and sound, and according to your heart's expressions of his love to me; and his company, desires.

in itself very acceptable, is the more pleasing to me, because it retaineth the memory of yourself.

This letter of yours, of the 26th, Jay not so long by you, but it hath been as speedily answered

by me, so as with Sir Francis Cottington I have Good MR. MATTHEW,

had no speech since the receipt of it. Your forI have received your letter of the 10th of June, * mer letters, which I received from Mr. Griesley, and am exceeding glad to hear you are in so good I had answered before, and put my letter into a health. For that which may concern myself, I good hand. neither doubt of your judgment in choosing the

For the great business, God conduct it well. fittest time, nor of your affection in taking the Mine own fortune hath taught me expectation. first time you shall find fit. For the public busi

God keep you. ness, I will not turn iny hopes into wishes yet,

Endorsed, since you write as you do; and I am very glad

To Mr. Matthew, into Spain. you are there, and, as I guess, you went in good time to his lordship.

For your action of the case, it will fall to the ground; for I have not heard from the duke, nei- Good Mr. Matthew, ther by letter, nor message, at this time.

I have received your letter, sent by my Lord of God keep you. I rest always

Andover; and, as I acknowledged your care, so I Your most afiectionate and faithful servant, cannot fit it with any thing, that I can think on

FR. ST. ALBAN. for myself; for, since Gondomar, who was my Gray's Inn, 17th of June, 1623.

voluntary friend, is in no credit, neither with the I do hear, from Sir Robert Ker and others, how | be done for me there; except that which Gon

prince, nor with the duke, I do not see what may much beholden I am to you.

domar hath lost you have found; and then I am sure my case is amended : so as, with a great deal of confidence, I commend myself to you,

hoping, that you will do what in you lieth, to TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

prepare the prince and duke to think of me, upon Good MR. MATTHEW,

their return. And if you have any relation to the I thank you for your letter of the 26th of June, infanta, I doubt not but it shall be also to my and commend myself unto your friendship, know- use.

God keep you. ing your word is good assurance, and thinking I Your most affectionate and assured friend, etc. cannot wish myself a better wish, than that your power may grow to your will.

Since you say the prince hath not forgot his commandment, touching my history of Henry Excellent LORD, VIII., I may not forget my duty. But I find Sir Though I have formerly given your grace thanks Robert Cotton, who poured forth what he had, in for your last letter, yet being much refreshed to my other work, somewhat dainty of his materials hear things go so well, whereby we hope to see in this.

you here shortly, your errand done, and the prince It is true, my labours are now most set to have within the vail, I could not contain, but congratuthose works, which I had formerly published, as late with your lordship, seeing good fortune, that that of Advancement of Learning, that of Henry is God's blessing, still follow you. I hope I have VII., that of the Essays, being retractate, and made still place in your love and favour; which if I have, more perfect, well translated into Latin by the for other place, it shall not trouble me. I ever rest help of some good pens, which forsake me not. Your grace's most obliged and faithful servant. For these modern languages will, at one time or

July 22, 1623. other, play the bankrupts with books; and since I have lost inuch time with this age, I would be glad, as God shall give me leave, to recover it

EXCELLENT LORD, with posterity. For the essay of friendship, while I took your in health, as he might partly perceive. There

Upon Mr. Clarke's despatch, in troth I was ill speech of it for a cursory request, I took my pro

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO TIIE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO MR TOBIE MATTHEW.

fore, I wrote to my true friend, and your grace's | punto, “ he that tieth not a knot upon his thread, devoted servant, Mr. Matthew, to excuse me to loseth his stitch." your graco for not writing. Since, I thank God, Any particular, I that live in darkness, cannot I am pretty well recovered; for I have lain at two propound. Let his grace, who seeth clear, make wards, one against my disease, the other against his choice: but let some such thing be done, and iny physicians, who are strange creatures. then this reputation will stick by him; and his

My lord, it rejoiceth me much, that I under- grace may afterwards be at the better liberty to stand from Mr. Matthew, that I live in your take and leave off the future occasions that shall grace's remembrance; and that I shall be the present. first man that you will think on upon your return: which, if your grace perform, I hope God Almighty, who hath hitherto extraordinarily blessed

TO THE KING. you in this rocky business, will bless you the more for my sake. For I have had extraordinary IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY, tokens of his divine favour towards me, both in

I send, in all humbleness, to your majesty, the

This book was the sickness and in health, prosperity and adversity. poor fruits of my leisure.

Vouchsafe to present my most humble duty to first thing that ever I presented to your majesty;t his highness, whose happy arrival will be a and it may be will be last. For I had thought it bright morning to all.

should have posthuma proles. But God hath I ever rest

otherwise disposed for a while. It is a translaYour grace's most obliged

tion, but almost enlarged to a new work. I had and faithful servant,

good helps for the language. I have been also FR. ST. ALBAN.

mine own index expurgatorius, that it may be Gray's Inn, August 29, 1023.

read in all places. For since my end of putting it into Latin was to have it read everywhere, it had been an absurd contradiction to free it in the language, and to pen it up in the matter. Your

majesty will vouchsafe graciously to receive these Good MR. MATTHEW,

poor sacrifices of him that shall ever desire to do I have gotten a little health ; I praise God for you honour while he breathes, and fulfilleth the it. I have therefore now written to his grace,

rest in prayers. that I formerly, upon Mr. Clarke's despatch,

Your majesty's true beadsman desired you to excuse me for not writing, and

and most humble servant, &c. taken knowledge, that I have understood from Todos duelos con pan son bucnos: itaque dit vestre you, that I live in his grace's remembrance; and Maiestas obolum Bellisario. that I shall be his first man that he will have care of upon his return. And although your absence be to me as uncomfortable to my mind, as God inay make it helpful to my fortunes; yet, it is somewhat supplied by the love, freedom, and

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT HIGHNESS, often visitations of Mr. Gage; so as, when I have him, I think I want you not altogether. God book of Advancement of Learning, translated into

I send your highness, in all humbleness, my keep you.

Latin, but so enlarged, as it may go for a new Your most affectionate

work. It is a book, I think, will live, and be a and much obliged friend, &c.

citizen of the world, as English books are not. For Henry the Eighth, to deal truly with your

highness, I did so despair of my health this sumMINUTES OF A LETTER TO THE DUKE OF BUCK- mer, as I was glad to choose some such work, as

I might compass within days; so far was I from That I am exceeding glad his grace

entering into a work of length. Your highness's home with so fair a reputation of a sound Pro- wait upon your highness, I shall give you a

return hath been my restorative. When I shall jestant, and so constant for the king's honour a

farther account. So, I most humbly kiss your errand.

highness's hands, resting His grace is now to consider, that his reputation will vanish like a dream, except now, upon

Your highness's most devoted servant. his return, he do some remarkable act to fix it,

* De Augmentis Scientiarum, printed at London, 1693, ir and bind it in.

fol. The present to King James I. is in the royal library in They have a good wise proverb in the country the British Museum. shence he cometh, taken, I think from a gentle- Advancement of Learning, Dicine and Human: printed ai Lon

+ The trro books of Sir Francis Bacon of the Proficiency ord woman's sampler, Qui en no da nudo, pierdo I don, 1605, in 410.

TO THE PRINCE.

INGHAM.

come