DUCHY OF LANCASTER.

TO SIR HUMPUREY MAY, CHANCELLOR OF THE miration, that those civil acts of sovereigniy,

which are of the greatest merit, and, therefore, of Good Mr. CHANCELLOR,

truest glory, are, by the providence of God, maniI did wonder what was become of you, and festly put into your hands, as a chosen vessel to was very glad to hear you were come to court; receive from God, and an excellent instrument to which, methinks, as the times go, should miss work amongst men the best and noblest things. vou as well as I.

The highest degree of sovereign honour is to be I send you another letter, which I wrote to you founder of a kingdom or estate ; for as, in the acts of an old date, to avoid repetition; and I continue of God, the creation is more than the conservamy request then to you, to sound the Duke of tion; and as among men the birthday is accounted Buckingham's good affection towards me, before the chiefest of the days of life ; so, to found a you do move him in the particular petition. kingdom is more worthy than to augment, or to Only the present occasion doth invite me to desire, administer the same. And this is an honour that that his

grace would procure me a pardon of the no man can take from your majesty, that the day king of the whole sentence. My writ for Parlia- of your coming to the crown of England was as ment I have now had twice before the time, and the birthday of the kingdom entire Britain. that without any express restraint not to use it.

The next degree of sovereign honour, is the It is true, that I shall not be able, in respect of plantation of a country or territory, and the reducmy health, to attend in Parliament; but yet I tion of a nation, from waste soil and barbarous might make a proxy. Time hath turned envy to manners, to a civil population. And in this kind pity; and I have a long cleansing week of five also your majesty hath made a fair and prosperous years' expectation and more. Sir John Bennet beginning in your realm of Ireland. The third hath his pardon; and my Lord of Somerset hath eminent act of sovereignty is to be a lawgiver, his pardon, and, they say, shall sit in Parliament. whereof he speaketh, My Lord of Suffolk cometh to Parliament, though

Pace data terris, animum ad civilia vertit not to council. I hope I deserve not to be the

Jura suum, legesque tulit justissimus author. only outcast.

And another saith, “ Ecquid est, quod tam propriè God keep you.

I ever rest
Your most affectionate friend,

dici potest actum ejus, qui togatus in republicâ cum to do you service.

potestate imperioque versatur, quam lex. Quære I wish you a good new year.

acta Gracchi; leges Semproniæ proferentur :

quære Syllæ, Corneliæ quid ? Cnei Pompeii terEndorsed,

tius consulatus in quibus actis consistit? Nempe To lhe Chancellor of the Duchy. Gor. 1625. legibus. A Cæsare ipso si quæreres quidnam

egisset in urbe et toga ; leges multas se respon

deat et præclaras tulisse.” TO THE MARQUIS D'EFFIAT, THE FRENCH AM

BASSADOR. Mons. L'AMBASSADEUR, Mon Fils,

Vous scavez que le commencement est la moitié du fait. Voyla pourquoy je vous ay escrit ce IT MAY PLEASE your MAJESTY, petit mot de lettre, vous priant de vous souvenir A full heart is like a full pen ; it can hardly de vostre noble promesse de me mettre en la bonne make any distinguished work. The more I look grâce de nostre très-excellente reyne, et m'en faire

upon my own weakness, the more I must magnify recevoir quelque gracieuse demonstration. Vostre excellence prendra aussi, s'il vous plaist, quelque the more I must consider mine own weakness.

your favours; and the more I behold your favours, occasion de prescher un peu, à mon advantage en This is my hope, that God, who hath moved your l'oreille du Duc de Buckingham en général. Dieu vous ayt en sa saincte garde.

heart to favour me, will write your service in my Vostre très-affectionné et très-humble serviteur, heart. Two things I may promise ; for, although

FR. ST. ALBAN.

they be not mine own, yet they are surer than Jan. 18, 1625.

mine own, because they are God's gifts; that is, integrity and industry. And, therefore, whenso

ever I shall make my account to you, I shall do The following letters, wanting both dates and cir- it in these words, ecce tibi lucrifcci, and not ecce

cumstances to determine such dates, are placed mihi lucrifeci. And for industry, I shall take to here together.

me, in this procuration, not Martha's part, to be busied in many things, but Mary's part, which is,

to intend your service; for the less my abilities MAY IT PLEASE your MAJESTY,

are, the more they ought to be contracted ad unum. Thinking often, as I ought, of your majesty's For the present, I humbly pray your majesty to virtue and fortune, I do observe, not without ad- accept my most humble thanks and vows as the

TO THE KING.

a

TO KING JAMES I.

forerunners of your service, which I shall always

DRAUGHT OF A LETTER TO THE MARQUIS OF

BUCKINGHAM, NOT SENT.* perform with a faithful heart. Your majesty's most obedient servant, My Lord:- I say to myself, that your lordship

Fr. Bacon. hath forsaken me; and I think I am one of the last,

that findeth it, and in nothing more, than that, twice at London, your lordship would not vouchsafe to

see me, though the latter time I begged it of you. TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

If your lordship lack any justification about MY VERY GOOD LORD,

York House, good my lord, think of it better; I hear yesterday was a day of very great for I assure your lordship, that motion to me was honour to his majesty, which I do congratulate. to me as a second sentence; for I conceived it I hope, also, his majesty may reap honour out of sentenced me to the loss of that, which I thought my adversity, as he hath done strength out of my was saved from the former sentence, which is prosperity. His majesty knows best his own

your

love and favour. But sure it could not be ways; and for me to despair of him, were a sin ihat pelting matter, but the being out of sight, not to be forgiven. I thank God, I have over

out of use, and the ill offices done me, perhaps, come the bitterness of this cup by Christian reso- by such as have your ear. Thus I think, and lution, so that worldly matters are but mint and thus I speak; for I am far enough from any basecumin.

ness or detracting, but shall ever love and honour God ever preserve you.

you, howsoever I be
Endorsed,

Your forsaken friend and freed servant,
To my Lord Buckingham, after my troubles.

Fr. Sr. ALBAN.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,

MY VERY GOOD LORD,
I thought it my duty to take knowledge to his

is It is vain to cure the accidents of a disease, majesty from your lordship, by the enclosed, except the cause be found and removed. I know that, much to my comfort, I understand his ma- adversity is apprehensive; but I fear it is too jesty doth not forget me nor forsake me, but hath true, that now I have lost honour, power, profit, a gracious inclination to me, and taketh care of and liberty, I have, in the end, lost that which to me; and to thank his majesty for the same. I

me was more dear than all the rest, which is my perceive, by some speech, that passed between friend. A change there is apparent and great; your lordship and Mr. Meautys, that some and nothing is more sure, than that nothing hath wretched detractor hath told you, that it were proceeded from and since my troubles, either strange I should be in debt; for that I could not towards your lordship or towards the world, but have received a hundred thousand pounds which hath made me unworthy of your undegifts since I had the seal; which is an abomina- served favours or undesired promises. Good my ble falsehood. Such tales as these made St. lord, deal so nobly with me, as to let me know Jaines say, that the tongue is a fire, and its:If fired whether I stand upright in your favour, that from hell, whither when these tongues shall re either I may enjoy my wonted comfort, or see my turn they will beg a drop of water to cool them, 1 griefs together, that I may the better order them; praise God for it, I never took penny for any

be

though, if your lordship should never think nefice or ecclesiastical living; I never took penny more of me, yet your former favours should bind for releasing any thing I stopped at the seal; I

me to be never took penny for any commission, or things

Your lordship's most obliged of that nature; I never shared with any servant

and faithful servant, for any second or inferior profit. My offences I

Fr. Sr. ALBAN.
have myself recorded, wherein I studied, as a
good confessant, guiltiness, and not excuse; and,
therefore, I hope it leaves me fair to the king's
grace, and will turn many men's hearts to me.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
As for my debts, I showed them your lordship,
when you saw the little house and the farm, My very good Lord,
besides a little wood or desert, which you saw not.

This extreme winter hath turned, with me, a
If these things were not true, although the weakness of body into a state that I cannot call
joys of the penitent be sometimes more than the health, but rather sickness, and that more danger-
joys of the innocent, I could not be as I am.
God bless you and reward you for your con-

ous than felt, as whereby I am not likely to be safing so to visit this poorest and unworthiest of able to wait upon your lordship, as I desired, your servants. It doth me good at heart, that, your lordship being the person, of whom I pro- although I be not where I was in place, yet I am mise myself more almost than of any other; and, in the fortune of your lordship’s favour, if I may again, to whom, in all loving affection, I desire call that fortune, which I observe to be so no less to approve myself a true friend and ser- unchangeable. I pray hard that it may once vant. My desire to your lordship, is to admit come in my power to serve you for it; and who this gentleman, my kinsman and approved can tell but that, as fortis imaginatio generat friend, to explain to you my business, whereby casum, so strange desires may do as much? to save further length of letter, or the trouble of Sure I am, that mine are ever waiting on your your lordship's writing back.

lordship; and wishing as much happiness as is
due to your incomparable virtue, I humbly do
your lordship reverence.

Your lordship’s most obliged
TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

and humble servant, Good MR. MATTHEW,

TOBIE MATTHEW. The event of the business, whereof you write,

P.S. The most prodigious wit that ever I is, it may be, for the best : for seeing my lord, of himself, beginneth to come about, quorsum as

knew of my nation, and of this side of the sea, is yet? I could not in my heart, suffer my Lord of your lordship’s name, though he be known by

another. Digby to go hence, without my thanks and acknowledgments. I send my letter open, which I pray seal and deliver. Particulars I would not

TO THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF YORK.* touch. Your most affectionate and assured friend,

My VERY GOOD LORD,
Fr. St. Alban.

I must use a better style than mine own in saying, Amor tuus undequaque se ostendit ex literis

tuis proximis, for which I give your grace many TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

thanks, and so, with more confidence, continue Good MR. MATTHEW,

my suit to your lordship for a lease absolute for When you write by pieces, it showeth your twenty-one years of the house, being the number continual care; for a flush of memory is not so of years which my father and my predecessors much; and I shall be always, on my part, ready fulfilled in it. A good fine requires certainty of to watch for you, as you for me.

term; and I am well assured, that the charge I I will not fail, when I write to the lord marquis, have expended in reparations, amounting to one lo thank his lordship for the message, and to name thousand marks at least already, is more than the nuntius. And, to tell you plainly, this care hath been laid out by the tenants that have been they speak of, concerning my estate, was more in it since my remembrance, answerable to my than I looked for at this time; and it is that which particular circumstance, that I was born there, pleaseth me best. For my desires reach but to a and am like to end my days there. Neither can fat otium. That is truth; and so would I have I hold my hand, but, upon this encouragement, all men think, except the greatest; for I know am like to be doing still, which tendeth to the patents, absque aliquid inde reddendo, are not so improvement, in great measure, of the inheritance easily granted.

of your see by superlapidations, if I may so call I pray my service to the Spanish ambassador, it, instead of dilapidations, wherewith otherwise and present him my humble thanks for his favour. it might be charged. I am much his servant; and ashes may be good And whereas a state for life is a certainty, and for somewhat. I ever rest

not so well seen how it wears, a term of years Your most affectionate and assured friend, makes me more depending upon you and your

FR. ST. ALBAN. succession.

For the providing of your lordship and your I have sought for your little book, and cannot find it. I had it one day with me in my coach. successors a house, it is part of the former coBut sure it is safe ; for I seldom lose books or venant, wherein I desired not to be released.

So, assuring myself of your grant and perfectpapers.

ing of this my suit, and assuring your grace of my earnest desire and continual readiness to

deserve well of you, and yours chiefly, and likeMUST HONOURED LORD,

wise of the see in any the causes or preeminences I have received your great and noble token and thereof, I commend your grace to God's goodfavour of the 9th of April, and can but return the ness, resting, &c. bumblest of my thanks for your lorastip's vouch

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

• Dr. Tobie Matthew.

MINUTE OF A LETTER TO TAE COUNT PALATINE Je ne puis aussi passer sous silence la grandu OF THE RHINE.

raison, que vostre altesse fait à vostre propte:

honneur en choississant tels conseilleurs et minis. MONSEIGNEUR,

tres d'estat, comme se montre très-bien estre Je me tiens à grand honneur, qu'il plaise à Monsieur le Baron de Dhona et Monsieur de rostre altesse de me cognoistre pour tel, que je Plessen, estants personages si graves, discrètes et suis, ou pour le moins voudrois estre, envers vous habiles; en qnoy vostre jugement reluict assez.

Fostre service : et m'estimeray heureux, si par Vostre altesse de vostre grâce excusera la mes conseils auprès du roy, ou autre devoir, je faulte de mon langage François, ayant esté tanı pourroy contribuer à vostre grandeur, dont il versé es vielles loix de Normandie : mais le coeur semble que Dieu vous a basti de belles occasions, supplera la plume, en priant Dieu de vous tenir ayant en contemplation vostre très-illustre person- en sa digne et saincte garde, ne, non seulement comme très-cher allié de mon Monseigneur, de vostre Altesse le plus maistre, mais aussi, comme le meilleur appui,

humble et plus affectionné serviteur. après les roys de Grande Bretagne, de la plus saine partie de la chrestieneté.

Endorsed, May 13, 1619.

LETTERS FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM.

NEVER BEFORE PRINTED.

TC LADY BURGHLEY, TO SPEAK FOR HIM TO HER TO LORD BURGHLEY, TO RECOMMEND HIM T3 LORD.*

TIIE QUEEN.* MY SINGULAR GOOD LADY,

MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, I was as ready to show myself mindful of my

My humble duty remembered, and my humble duty, by waiting on your ladyship, at your being thanks presented for your lordship’s favour and in town, as now by writing, had I not feared lest countenance, which it pleased your lordship, at your ladyship’s short stay, and quick return might my being with you, to vouchsafe me, above my well spare me, that came of no earnest errand. I degree and desert. My letter hath no funcher am not yet greatly perfect in ceremonies of court, errand but to commend unto your lordship the *hereof, I know, your ladyship knoweth both the remembrance of my suit, which then I moved right use, and true value. My thankful and ser- unto you; whereof it also pleased your lordship riceable mind shall be always like itself, howso- to give me good hearing, so far forth as to proinise tver it vary from the common disguising. Your to tender it unto her majesty, and withal to add, ladyship is wise, and of good nature to discern in the behalf of it, that which I may better deliver from what mind every action proceedeth, and to by letter than by speech ; which is, that although esteem of it accordingly. This is all the message

it must be confessed that the request is rare and which my letter hath at this time to deliver, unaccustomed, yet if it be observed how few theri: unless it please your ladyship further to give me be which fall in with the study of the common leave to make this request unto you, that it would laws, either being well left or friended, or at their please your good ladyship, in your letters, where own free election, or forsaking likely success in with you visit my good lord, to vouchsafe the other studies of more delight, and no less prefer. mention and recommendation of my suit; where- ment, or setting hand thereunto early, without in your ladyship shall bind me more unto you waste of years ; upon such survey made, it may than I can look ever to be able sufficiently to ac- be my case may not seem ordinary, no more than knowledge. Thus, in humble manner, I take my my suit, and so more beseeming unto it. As I leave of your ladyship, committing you, as daily force myself to say this in excuse of my motion, in my prayers, so, likewise, at this present, to the lest it should appear unto your lordship altogether merciful providence of the Almighty.

indiscreet and unadvised, so my hope to obtain Your ladyship's most dutiful

it resteth only upon your lordship’s good affection and bounden nephew,

toward me, and grace with her majesty, who, B. FRA.

methinks, needeth never to call for the experience From Grey's Inn, this 16th September, 1580.

of the thing, where she hath so great and so gooul * Lansd. MS. xxri art. 14.

* Lansd. MS. xxxl art. 11. fol. 101.-21

o 2

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE TIIE LORD

TREASURER.*

of the person which recommendeth it. According themselves, yet laborant invidia ; I find, also, that to which trust of mine, if it may please your such persons as are of nature bashful (as myself lordship both herein and elsewhere to be my is.) whereby they want that plausible familiarity patron, and to make account of me, as one in which others have, are often mistaken for proud. whose well doing your lordship hath interest, But once I knew well, and I most humbly bealbeit, indeed, your lordship hath had place to seech your lordship to believe, that arrogancy benefit many, and wisdom to make due choire of and overweening is so far from my nature, as if lighting places for your goodness, yet do I not I think well of myself in any thing, it is in this, fear any of your lordship's former experiences for that I am free from that vice. And I hope upon staying my thankfulness borne in heart, howso- this your lordship's speech, I have entered into ever God's good pleasure shall enable me or dis- those considerations, as my behaviour shall no able me, outwardly, to make proof thereof; for I more deliver me for other than I am. And so, cannot account your lordship's service distinct wishing unto your lordship all honour, and to from that which I owe to God and my prince; the myself continuance of your good opinion, with performance whereof to best proof and purpose is mind and means to deserve it, I humbly take the meeting point and rendezvous of all my my leave. thoughts. Thus I take my leave of your lordship, Your lordship's most bounden nephew, in humble manner, committing you, as daily in

FR. Bacox. my prayers, so, likewise, at this present, to the Grey's Inn, this 6th of May, 1586. merciful protection of the Almighty. Your most dutiful and bounden nephew,

B. FRA.

TO SIR ROBERT CECIL, KNIGHT.. From Grey's Inn, this 16th of September, 1580.

Sir:- I thank your honour very much for the signification which I received by Mr. Hickes, of your good opinion, good affection, and readiness; and as to the impediment which you mention,

and I did forecast, I know you bear that honoura. My VERY GOOD LORD,

ble disposition, as it will rather give you appreI take it as an undoubted sign of your lord- hension to deal more effectually for me than ship's favour unto me, that, being hardly informed otherwise, not only because the trial of friends of me, you took occasion rather of good advice is in case of difficulty, but again, for that without than of evil opinion thereby. And if your lord- this circumstance, your honour should be only ship had grounded only upon the said information esteemed a true friend and kinsman, whereas now of theirs, I might, and would truly have upholden you shall be further judged a most honourable that few of the matters were justly objected; as counsellor; for pardons are each honourable, the very circumstances do induce, in that they because they come from mercy, but most honourwere delivered by men that did misaffect me, able towards such offenders. My desire is, your and, besides, were to give colour to their own honour should break with my lord, your father doings. But because your lordship did mingle as soon as may stand with your convenience, therewith both a late motion of mine own, and which was the cause why now I did write. And somewhat which you had otherwise heard, I so I wish your honour all happiness. know it to be my duty, (and so do I stand affect- Your honour's in faithful affection ed,) rather to prove your lordship's admonition

to be commanded, effectual in my doings hereafter, than causeless

FR. Bacon. hy excusing what is past. And yet, (with your From Grey's Inn, this 16th of April, 1593 lordship's pardon humbly asked,) it may please you to remember, that I did endeavour to set forth that said motion in such sort, as it might breed no harder effect than a denial. And I

TO MR. MICHAEL HICKES, SECRETARY TO THE pro

LORD HIGH TREASURER | test simply before God, that I sought therein an case in coming within bars, and not any extraor- Mr. Hickes, still I hold opinion that a good solidinary or singular note of favour. And for that, citor is as good as a good counsellor, I pray as you your lordship may otherwise have heard of me, have begun so continue, to put Sir Robert Cecil it shall make me more wary and circumspect in in mind. I write now because I understand, by carriage of myself; indeed, I find in my simple occasion of Mr. Solicitor's ordering at the court, observation, that they which live, as it were, in things are like to be deliberated, if not resolved. umbra and not in public or frequent action, how I pray learn what you can, both by your nearness moderately and modestly soever they behave

• Lansd. M8. lxxv, art. 36, Orig. * Lansd. M8. li. art. 5, Orig.

Lansd. MS. Ixxv. art. 56, Orig

a