HICKES.

a

a

to my lord, and by speech with Sir Robert, and with more ease, practise the law, which, percase, write what you find. Thus, in haste, I wish you I may use now and then for my countenance,) yet, right well.

to speak plainly, though perhaps vainly, I do not Your friend assured,

think that the ordinary practice of the law, not

Fr. Bacon. serving the queen in place, will be admitted for From Gorhambury, this 26th of September, 1593.

a good account of the poor talent that God hath

given me, so as I make reckoning, I shall reap no I pray send me word what is your day of pay- great benefit to myself in that course. Thus, again ment, and whether you can be certain to renew, desiring the continuance of your lordship’s goodbecause my brother's land is not yet sold. ness as I have hitherto found, and on my part,

sought also to deserve, I commend your good lordship to God's good preservation.

Your lordship’s most humbly bounden, TO THE LORD HIGH TREASURER.

Fr. Bacon. After the remembrance of my humble and From Gray's Inn, this 21st of March, 1591. bounden duty, it may please your good lordship, the last term I drew myself to my house in the country, expecting that the queen would have placed another solicitor, and so I confess a little TO MR. HENRY MAYNARD, AND MR. MICHAEL to help digestion, and to be out of eye, I absented myself, for I understood her majesty not only to MR. MAYNARD and Mr. Hickes, I build somecontinue in her delay, but, (as I was advertised what, upon the conceit I have of your good wills, chiefly by my Lord of Essex,) to be retrograde, which maketh me direct my request to you in so (to use the term applied to the highest powers ;) pressing an occasion as is fallen unto me, by the since which time, I have, as in mine own conceit, strange slipping, and uncertain over-cunning dealgiven over the suit, though I leave it to her ma- ing of a man in the city, who, having concluded a jesty's tenderness, and the constancy of my bargain with me for certain marsh lands, now in honourable friends, so it be without pressing. mortgage for a thousand pounds, and standing to

And now my writing to your lordship is chiefly be redeemed the 24th of this present, which is to give you thanks. For, surely, if a man con- but twelve days hence, and being to give me sixsider the travail and not the event, a man is often teen hundred and odd pounds for the sale, doth more bounden to his honourable friends for a suit now upon a point, as clear as any case in Littledenied than for a suit succeeding. Herewithal, ton, and wherein Mr. Attorney-General, Mr. I am bold to make unto your lordship three re- Brograve, Mr. Heskett, Mr. Gerard, Mr. Altham, quests, which ought to be very reasonable, and all that I can speak with, make no manner because they come so many at once. But I of doubt, quarrel upon the assurance,

and so in cannot call that reasonable, which is only this time of difficulty for money pensions, and in grounded upon favour. The first is, that your so instant a quantity of time as twelve days, lordship would yet tueri opus tuum, and give as plunge me to seek my redemption money, or to much life unto this present suit for the solicitor's forfeit my land to seven hundred pounds less and place, as may be without oftending the queen, more. This maketh me desire the help of two (for that were not good for me.) The next is, so good friends as I esteem yourselves to be, the that, if I did show myself too credulous to idle rather because the collateral pawn which I would hearsays, in regard of my right honourable kins- offer, which is the assurance of my lease of man and good friend, Sir Robert Cecil, (whose Twickenham, being a thing which will pass with good nature did well answer my honest liberty,) easy and short assurance, and is every way clear your lordship will impute it to the complexion of and unsubject to encumbrance, (because it is my a soitor, and of a tired sea-sick suitor, and not to pleasure and my dwelling,) I would not offer but mine own inclination; lastly, that howsoever this to a private friend; upon which assurance toy matter go, yet I may enjoy your lordship’s good desire is, that upon your joint means or credit, I favour and help, as I have done in regard of my might be furnished at my day, and if either of private estate, which, as I have not altogether you like the bargain of my marsh lands, you shall neglected, so I have but negligently attended, have their refusal, and I shall think you true and and which hath bero bettered only by yourself, timely friends. So, in great haste, I bid you (the queen except,) and not by any other in mat- both farewell. ter of importance. This last request, I find it

Your friend, loving and assured, more necessary for re to make, because, (though

FR. Bacon I am glad of her majesty's favour, that I may, From my chamber, this 12th of March, 1595.

m

Lansd. MS. Ixxviii. art. 31, Orig.

• Lansd. MS. Ixxx. art 11 Orig.

TO LORD BURGHLEY."

TO MR. MICHAEL HICKES.

not but allow; for as I was evei sorry that your IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP.

lordship should fly with waxen wings, doubting I am sorry the joint mask from the four inns Icarus's fortune, so, for the growing up of your of court faileth, wherein I conceive there is no

own feathers, specially ostrich's, or any other, other ground of that event but impossibility. Save of a bird of prey, no man shall be more glad; Nevertheless, because it falleth out tnat at this and this is the axletree whereupon I have turned, time Gray's Inn is well furnished of gallant and shall turn, which to signify to you, though I young gentlemen, your lordship may be pleased think you are of yourself persuaded as much, is to know that rather than this occasion shall

the cause of my writing; and so commend I your

pass without some demonstration of affection from the lordship to God's goodness. inns of court; there are a dozen gentlemen of

Your lordship's most humbly,

FR. Bacon. Gray's Inn, that out of the honour which they bear to your lordship and my lord chamberlain, From Gray's Inn, this 20th of July, 1600. to whom at their last mask they were so much bounden, will be ready to furnish a mask, wishing it were in their powers to perform it according to their minds. And so for the present I humbly take my leave, resting Your lordship's very humble

MR. Hickes, I thank you for your letter, and much bounden,

testifying your kind care of my fortune, which Fr. Bacox.

when it mendeth, your thanks will likewise amend. In particular you write you would be in town as on Monday, which is passed, and that

you would make proof of Mr. Billett, or some TO MR. MICHAEL MICKES.

other friend for iny supply, whereof I see you are

the more sensible, because you concur in approvSır,—The queen hath done somewhat for me, ing my purpose and resolution, of first freeing my though not in the proportion I hoped ; but the credit from suits and speech, and so my estate by order is given, only the moneys will not in any degrees, which in very truth was the cause which part come to my hand this fortnight; the later made me sub impudens in moving you for new by reason of Mr. Attorney's absence, busied to

help, when I should have helped you with your † the queen, and I am like to borrow the former money. I am desirous to know what mean while. Thus hoping to take hold of your success you have had since your coming to town, invitation some day this borrowing, I rest

in your kind care. I have thought of two sureYour assured friend,

ties for one hundred pounds a piece: the one Mr. FR. Bacon.

Fra. Anger, of Gray's Inn, he that was the old Count of Lincoln's executor, a man very honest and very able, with whom I have spoken, and he

hath promised; the other Sir Thomas Hobby, TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY.

whom I have not spoken with, but do presune of, My LORD,--No man can better expound my though I never used him in that kind. So leaving

I doings than your lordship, which maketh me it to your good will, I rest need to say the less; only I humbly pray you to Your assured loving friend, believe that I aspire to conscience and commenda

FR. BACON, tion, first of bonus civis, which with us is a good and true servant to the queen, and next of bonus vir, that is, an honest man. I desire your lordship also to think that though I confess I love some

TO MR. M. UICKES. things much better than I love your lordship, as the queen's service, her quiet and contentment, this term, but I have now a further request, which,

Mr. Hickes,—Your remain shall be with you her t.onour, her favour, the good of my country, if you perform, I shall think you one of the best and the like, yet, I love few persons better than friends I have, and yet, the matter is not much to yourself, both for gratitude's sake, and for your own trueness, which cannot hurt but by accident you, but the timing of it is much to me; for I am or abuse, of which my good affection, I was ever which are any ways in suit or urged, following a

now about this term to free myself from all debts, and am ready to yield testimony by any good offers, but with such reservations as yourself can follow to free my state, which yet cannot stay

faster pace to free my credit than my means can

1600.

I rest

TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.

I have in hand (taking other possibilities for

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES." advantage) to clear myself from the discontent, Sir,- I pray try the concension I spoke to you speech, or danger of others. And some of my of out of hand. For it is a mind I shall not debts of most clamour and importunity 1 have continue in, if it pass this very lide. So I rest this term, and some few days before, ordered, and

Yours, Fr. Bacox. in fact paid. I pray you to your former favours, October, 1606. which I do still remember, and may hereafter requite, help me out with two hundred pounds

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES. more for six months ; I will put you in good sureties, and you shall do me a great deal of honesty

Sir,—There is a commission, touching the and reputation; I have written to you the very

king's service, to be executed at your house, on truth and secret of my course, which to few Tuesday next; the commissioners are Mr. Reothers I would have done, thinking it may move corder of London, Sir John Bennet, Sir Thomas you. And so, with my loving commendations, Bodley, and myself. There are blanks left for

other names, such as you in your wisdom shall Your assured, loving friend,

think fit to fill. Mr. Horden is wished, for the FR. Bacon.

better countenance of the service, and Sir Thomas Jan. 21, 1600.

Lowe is spoken of, but these and others are wholly left unto you. It will take up a whole afternoon, and, therefore, no remedy but we must dine with you; but for that you are not so little in grace with Mr. Chancellor but you may have

allowance, the Exchequer being first full; hereof SIR,-Finding, during Parliament, a willing. I thought most necessary to give you notice. So ness in you to confer with me in this great service I remain Your assured guest and friend, concerning the union, I do now take hold thereof

FR. BACON to excuse my boldness to desire that now which This Sunday at afternoon, August 6, 1C09. you offered then, for both the time as to leisure is more liberal, and as to the service itself is more urgent. Whether it will like you to come

TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.I to me to Gray's Inn, or to appoint me where to meet with you, I am indifferent, and leave

SIR,—You may think the occasion was great it to your choice, and accordingly desire to and present, that made me defer a thing I touk hear from you; so I remain your very loving much to heart so long; I have in the blank leaf friend,

supplied some clauses, which, warranted by your

Fr. Bacon. kind respect and liberty, I wish were inserted for Gray's Inn, this sth of Sept., 1604.

my father's honour, as a son, I confess; but yet, no farther than I have the two great champions, both truth and opinion, of my side. They be but three places, and that you may readily find them, I have turned down leaves; desiring you to reform

the Latin or the sense by your better style and Sır,-For your travel with all disadvantages, conceit, which done, if it please you (being but I will put it upon my account to travel twice so three pages) to have them written again, and so far, upon any occasion of yours; but your wits incorporate them into the copy you carry to the seemed not travelled, but fresh, by your letter, king, you shall content me much, who I think which is to me an infallible argument of hearts-am no unfit man to give you some contribution or ease, which doth so well with you, as I must retribution to your worthy intention. So, in haste, entreat you to help me to some of the same. And,

I remain

Your assured friend,

Fr. Bacon. therefore, I will adjourn our conference to your

Gray's Inn, this 7th return to the Strand, on Monday, where I will

of April, 1610. find you, if it chance right. And this day would I have come to your Friary,t but that I am commanded to attend the indictments at Westininster.

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES. And so I leave, to perceive your good disposition.

Sir Michael HICKES, 1 semain yours assured,

It is but a wish, and not any ways to desire is

Fr. Bacon. to your trouble, but I heartily wish I had your Jao. 17, 1605.

Lansd. MS. Ixxxix. art. 105, Orig

+ Lansd. M8. xci, art. 91, Orig.
Lansd. MS. Ixxxix. art. 78, Orig.

Cotton MS. Julius, c. iii. fol. 71 h, Orig.
Augustine Friars.

Lansd. M8. xci irt. 40, Orig.

TO SIR M. HICKES..

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.

company here at my mother's funeral, which I and gracious charters, are (under a pretence of purpose on Thursday next, in the forenoon. 1 dignity and honour to this university) either inclare promise you a good sermon, to be made by tended to be shaken, or wholly overthrown. We Mr. Fenton, the preacher of Gray's Inn; for he doubt not but your honour hath heard of a late never maketh other feast; I make none : but if I petition preferred to his majesty by the mayor ard mnight have your company for two or three days others of Cambridge, (as they pretend,) to dig. at my house, I should pass over this mournful nify the university in making the town a city; occasion with more comfort. If your son had which, upon so fair a gloss, his majesty, out of continued at St. Julian's, it might have been an his gracious favour to this university, hath refere adamant to have drawn you ; but now, if you red to the order of Lord Chancellor of England, come, I must say it is only for my sake. I com- their high steward ; the lord treasurer, our homend myself to my lady, and commend my wife nourable and our most loving chancellor, and to you both. And rest

your honour. By this project, (though dignity Yours ever assured, Fr. Bacon. and honour to us be the first colour they cast upon This Monday, 27th of

their suit, yet, by the cunning carriage of the August, 1610.

business, and secret workings of friends,) we cannot but fear this shadow will be overcast with matter of such substance for them and their pur

pose, that it will either draw our former grants Sir Michael,

into question, or us to great inconvenience. NeiI do use, as you know, to pay my debts with ther is this suspicion without a cause; first, for time; but, indeed, if you will have a good and that, about six years past, the like petition was perfect colour in a carnation stocking, it must be preferred and followed by them; at what time, by Jong in the dyeing: I have some scruple of con- a secret view of their book, we perceived our best science whether it was my lady's stockings or her charters nearly touched : secondly, upon our eardaughter's, and I would have the restitution to be nest request to have a copy of such matters as to the right person, else I shall not have absolu- they desire, they slight us, saying, “ That were tion. Therefore, I have sent to them both, desir- but to part the lion's skin :" thirdly, by experience ing them to wear them for my sake, as I did we find the danger of trusting their kindness, for, wear theirs for mine own sake. So, wishing upon our late sufferance of their last charter to you all a good new year, I rest

pass, (without good advice of our council,) they Yours assured, Fr. Bacon. both encroach upon our ancient grants, and enforce Gray's Inn, this 8th of Jan., 1611.

that charter not only against our privileges and customs, but the special proviso and reservation

therein made for our former liberties. These TO HIS VERY LOVING FRIEND, MR. JOHIN MUR- peremptory answers and dealings of theirs, upon RAY, OF HIS MAJESTY'S BEDCIIAMBER.

DELI. so kind and friendly usage and requests of ours, VER THESE.

make us fear the sequel; for, that as yet we could Good MR. MURRAY,

never find, by any record, act, or wish of theirs, I have labon red like a pack-horse in your busi- that this university ever received honour, dignity, ness, and, as I think, have driven in a nail. I or favour; in regard whereof, we earnestly entreat pray deliver the enclosed to his majesty, wherein your honour to stand with our worthy chancellor I have made mention of the same. I rest

and us in staying this suit, until we be truly inYours assured, Fr. Bacon. formed how the town may receive grace and the 27th January, 1611.

university no dishonour. So, with our hearty thanks to your honour, for all your former favours

showed us and this university, and with our daily FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE TO THE prayers to the Almighty for your long life and

HONOURABLE SIR FRANCIS BACON, happiness, we take our leave. KNIGHT, HIS MAJESTY'S

Your honour's in all duty. RAL, AND ONE OF HIS HONOURABLE PRIVY

This 9th of December, 1616.
COUNCIL, THESE I
Right HONOURABLE,

'The special love and favour which your honour, by word and writing, hath ever professed to learn- TO THE RIGHT WORSHIPFUL 'THE VICE-CHAN

CELLOR AND OTHERS, THE MASTERS, AND THE iny and this university, makes us fly to your

HEADS OF THE HOUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY protection in a present danger, where we fear the

OF CAMBRIDGE. rhief nerves and foundation of all our jurisdiction,

a

RIGHT

ATTORNEY-GENE

a

December, and have taken care of you rather ac- | A LETTER TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCH. cording to your request than at your request ; ING MOMPESSON'S BUSINESS OF INNS.* forasinuch as I had done it before your letter My VERY GOOD Lord, came. This you may perceive by the joint letter

We are left a little naked in the business of which you shall receive from my lord chancellor, Inns, by the death of Justice Nicholls; and my my lord treasurer, and myself. And, for me, you Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Justice Crooke having may rest assured that nothing can concern you been with me, do desire the number of three may litle, or more nearly, or afar off, but you shall be fulfilled. I have, therefore, sent your lordship have all care out of my affection, and all strength

a warrant for the king's signature, wherein Justice and help out of my means and power to conserve Winch is put in Justice Nicholls' place. It is and advance your good estate and contentment. also altered at my request, in that other point of And so I remain

the former warrant, whereby the certificate was Your very affectionate

required in writing, which they desire may be by and assured friend,

attending his majesty themselves, at his coming, Fr. Bacon.

which I do think to be the more convenient and December 28, 1616.

the more usual for judges. I ever rest
Your lordship’s true and most

devoted servant.

October 18, 1616.
FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE..
Right HONOURABLE,

TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCIIING MOM. The confidence which the townsmen have, in PESSON'S BUSINESS, THE MALTSTERS, &c. obtaining their charter and petition, makes us bold

MY VERY GOOD LORD, and importunate suitors to your honour, by whose

I am much troubled in mind, for that I hear you favour with his majesty and protection, we again humbly entreat, the university and ourselves may

are not perfectly well, without whose health I be freed from that danger which by them is in cannot joy, and without whose life, I desire not tended to us. By their own reports, it is a matter to be. I hear nothing from Mr. Mompesson, of honour and advantage for which they sue:

save that some tell me is knighted, which I am when they were at their lowest, and in their glad of, because he may the better fight with the meanest fortunes, they ever showed themselves

bull and the bear, and the Saracen's head, and

such fearful creatures. unkind neighbours to us; and their suits with us, within these few years, have caused us to spend

For Sir Robert Killigrewe's suit of enrolment our common treasury, and trouble our best friends, of apprentices, I doubt we must part it; but yet I and, therefore, we cannot expect peace amongst

suppose it may be left valuable. them, when their thoughts and wills shall be effect. I have given his majesty an account of

Your office is despatched, and your books in winged and strengthened by that power and authority which the very bare title of a city will

those things wherein I have received his pleasure give unto them. Since our late letter to the right from your lordship by this letter which I send honourable lord chancellor, your honour, and his open. majesty's attorney-general, we (being better in

health ; and learn what Cardanus saith, that more formed of the course they take, and of their confidence to prevail at the end of the next term) men die of cold after exercise, than are slain in have sent letters from the body of the university

the wars. God ever keep you. 10 the king's majesty, the lord chancellor, and

Your lordship's true and much devoted servant. others, our honourable friends; showing them of

Nov. 21, 1616. our fear, and their purpose, and to entreat them to join with your honour and us, to his majesty, 10 stay their suit before we be driven to further A LETTER FROM HIS MAJESTY TO YOUR LORD

SHIP, TOUCHING THE BUSINESS OF THE MINT. charge or trouble, in entertaining counsel, or soliciting our friends. Thus, humbly entreating your Right trusty and right beloved counsellor, honour to pardon our importunity, and often we greet you well. soliciting your lordship in this business, with our

Before your letters came to us, we had been earnest prayers to the Almighty for your honour's informed of the pains and diligence you had long life and happy estate, we end ihis.

showed in our service, which we take very graYour honour's in all duty

ciously at your hands, and thank you for it, dr. to be commanded.

siring you still to continue in the course whereints February, 1616.

his "Good

, my lord, once again have care of your