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with more ease, practise the law, which, percase, I may use now and then for my countenance,) yet, to speak plainly, though perhaps vainly, I do not think that the ordinary practice of the law, not serving the queen in place, will be admitted for a good account of the poor talent that God hath given me, so as I make reckoning, I shall reap no great benefit to myself in that course. Thus, again desiring the continuance of your lordship's goodness 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, FR. BACON. From Gray's Inn, this 21st of March, 1591.

HICKES.

AFTER the remembrance of my humble and 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 continue in her delay, but, (as I was advertised chiefly by my Lord of Essex,) to be retrograde, (to use the term applied to the highest powers;) since which time, I have, as in mine own conceit, given 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 honourable friends, so it be without pressing.

And now my writing to your lordship is chiefly to give you thanks. For, surely, if a man consider the travail and not the event, a man is often more bounden to his honourable friends for a suit denied than for a suit succeeding. Herewithal, I am bold to make unto your lordship three requests, which ought to be very reasonable, because they come so many at once. But I cannot call that reasonable, which is only grounded upon favour. The first is, that your lordship would yet tueri cpus tuum, and give as much life unto this present suit for the solicitor's place, as may be without offending the queen, (for that were not good for me.) The next is, that, if I did show myself too credulous to idle hearsays, in regard of my right honourable kinsman and good friend, Sir Robert Cecil, (whose good nature did well answer my honest liberty,) your lordship will impute it to the complexion of a suitor, and of a tired sea-sick suitor, and not to mine own inclination; lastly, that howsoever this matter go, yet I may enjoy your lordship's good favour and help, as I have done in regard of my private estate, which, as I have not altogether neglected, so I have but negligently attended, and which hath bern bettered only by yourself, (the queen except,) and not by any other in matter of importance. This last request, I find it more necessary for me to make, because, (though I am glad of her majesty's favour, that I may,

* Lansd. MS. lxxviii. art. 31, Orig.

MR. MAYNARD and Mr. Hickes, I build somewhat, upon the conceit I have of your good wills, which maketh me direct my request to you in so pressing an occasion as is fallen unto me, by the strange slipping, and uncertain over-cunning deal

bargain with me for certain marsh lands, now in mortgage for a thousand pounds, and standing to be redeemed the 24th of this present, which is but twelve days hence, and being to give me sixteen hundred and odd pounds for the sale, doth now upon a point, as clear as any case in Littleton, and wherein Mr. Attorney-General, Mr. Brograve, Mr. Heskett, Mr. Gerard, Mr. Altham, and all that I can speak with, make no manner of doubt, quarrel upon the assurance, and so in this time of difficulty for money pensions, and in so instant a quantity of time as twelve days, plunge me to seek my redemption money, or to forfeit my land to seven hundred pounds less and more. This maketh me desire the help of two so good friends as I esteem yourselves to be, the rather because the collateral pawn which I would offer, which is the assurance of my lease of Twickenham, being a thing which will pass with easy and short assurance, and is every way clear and unsubject to encumbrance, (because it is my pleasure and my dwelling,) I would not offer but to a private friend; upon which assurance my desire is, that upon your joint means or credit, I might be furnished at my day, and if either of you like the bargain of my marsh lands, you shall have their refusal, and I shall think you true and timely friends. So, in great haste, I bid you both farewell.

Your friend, loving and assured,
FR. BACON
From my chamber, this 12th of March, 1595.
Lansd. MS. lxxx. art 71 Orig.

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TO LORD BURGHLEY.*

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD Lordship. I am sorry the joint mask from the four inns of court faileth, wherein I conceive there is no other ground of that event but impossibility. Nevertheless, because it falleth out that at this time Gray's Inn is well furnished of gallant young gentlemen, your lordship may be pleased to know that rather than this occasion shall pass without some demonstration of affection from the inns of court; there are a dozen gentlemen of Gray's Inn, that out of the honour which they bear to your lordship and my lord chamberlain, 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

and much bounden,

FR. BACON.

TO MR. MICHAEL HICKES.+

SIR,-The queen hath done somewhat for me, though not in the proportion I hoped; but the order is given, only the moneys will not in any part come to my hand this fortnight; the later by reason of Mr. Attorney's absence, busied to the queen, and I am like to borrow the mean while. Thus hoping to take hold of your invitation some day this borrowing, I rest Your assured friend,

FR. BACON.

TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY.

MY LORD,-No man can better expound my doings than your lordship, which maketh me need to say the less; only I humbly pray you to believe that I aspire to conscience and commendation, 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 things much better than I love your lordship, as the queen's service, her quiet and contentment, her honour, her favour, the good of my country, and the like, yet, I love few persons better than yourself, both for gratitude's sake, and for your own trueness, which cannot hurt but by accident or abuse, of which my good affection, I was ever and am ready to yield testimony by any good offers, but with such reservations as yourself can

Lansd. MS. cvii. art. 8, Orig
+ Lansd. MS. cvii. art. 9, Orig
Difficult to decypher, q. intercede ?
Lansd. MS. Ixxxvii. art. 79, Orig.

not but allow; for as I was ever sorry that your lordship should fly with waxen wings, doubting Icarus's fortune, so, for the growing up of your own feathers, specially ostrich's, or any other, save of a bird of prey, no man shall be more glad; and this is the axletree whereupon I have turned, and shall turn, which to signify to you, though I think you are of yourself persuaded as much, is the cause of my writing; and so commend I your lordship to God's goodness.

Your lordship's most humbly,

From Gray's Inn, this 20th of July, 1600.

FR. BACON.

TO MR. MICHAEL HICKES.*

MR. HICKES,-I thank you for your letter, testifying your kind care of my fortune, which 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 other friend for my supply, whereof I see you are the more sensible, because you concur in approving my purpose and resolution, of first freeing my credit from suits and speech, and so my estate by degrees, which in very truth was the cause which made me sub impudens in moving you for new help, when I should have helped you with your former money. I am desirous to know what success you have had since your coming to town, in your kind care. I have thought of two sureties for one hundred pounds a piece: the one Mr. 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, whom I have not spoken with, but do presume of, though I never used him in that kind. So leaving it to your good will, I rest

1600.

Your assured loving friend,

TO MR. M. HICKES.†

FR. BACON.

MR. HICKES,-Your remain shall be with you if you perform, I shall think you one of the best this term, but I have now a further request, which, friends I have, and yet, the matter is not much to you, but the timing of it is much to me; for I am which are any ways in suit or urged, following a now about this term to free myself from all debts, follow to free my state, which yet cannot stay faster pace to free my credit than my means can long after; I having resolved to spare no means

Lansd. MS. Ixxxvii. art. 86, Orig. Lansd. MS. lxxxvii. art 3 Orig

I have in hand (taking other possibilities for advantage) to clear myself from the discontent, speech, or danger of others. And some of my debts of most clamour and importunity I have this term, and some few days before, ordered, and in fact paid. I pray you to your former favours, which I do still remember, and may hereafter requite, help me out with two hundred pounds more for six months; I will put you in good sureties, and you shall do me a great deal of honesty and reputation; I have written to you the very truth and secret of my course, which to few others I would have done, thinking it may move you. And so, with my loving commendations,

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SIR,-Finding, during Parliament, a willingness in you to confer with me in this great service concerning the union, I do now take hold thereof to excuse my boldness to desire that now which 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 me to Gray's Inn, or to appoint me where to meet with you, I am indifferent, and leave it to your choice, and accordingly desire to hear from you; so I remain your very loving friend,

Gray's Inn, this 8th of Sept., 1604.

TO SIR M. HICKES..

FR. BACON.

SIR,-For your travel with all disadvantages, I will put it upon my account to travel twice so far, upon any occasion of yours; but your wits seemed not travelled, but fresh, by your letter, which is to me an infallible argument of heartsease, which doth so well with you, as I must entreat you to help me to some of the same. And, therefore, I will adjourn our conference to your return to the Strand, on Monday, where I will find you, if it chance right. And this day would I have come to your Friary, but that I am commanded to attend the indictments at Westminster. And so I leave, to perceive your good disposition.

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TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.*

SIR,-I pray try the concension I spoke to you of out of hand. For it is a mind I shall not continue in, if it pass this very tide. So I rest Yours, FR. BACON. October, 1606.

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.† SIR,-There is a commission, touching the king's service, to be executed at your house, on Tuesday next; the commissioners are Mr. Recorder of London, Sir John Bennet, Sir Thomas Bodley, and myself. There are blanks left for other names, such as you in your wisdom shall think fit to fill. Mr. Horden is wished, for the better countenance of the service, and Sir Thomas 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 I thought most necessary to give you notice. So I remain Your assured guest and friend, FR. BACON

This Sunday at afternoon, August 6, 1009.

TO SIR ROBERT COTTON.‡ SIR,-You may think the occasion was great and present, that made me defer a thing I took much to heart so long; I have in the blank leaf supplied some clauses, which, warranted by your kind respect and liberty, I wish were inserted for 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 conceit, which done, if it please you (being but three pages) to have them written again, and so incorporate them into the copy you carry to the king, you shall content me much, who I think am no unfit man to give you some contribution or retribution to your worthy intention. So, in haste, Your assured friend,

I remain

Gray's Inn, this 7th of April, 1610.

FR. BACON.

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.

SIR MICHAEL HICKES,

It is but a wish, and not any ways to desire it to your trouble, but I heartily wish I had your

Lansd. MS. lxxxix. art. 105, Orig

Lansd. MS. xci. art. 91, Orig.

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

Lansd. MS. xci art. 40, Orig.

company here at my mother's funeral, which I
purpose on Thursday next, in the forenoon. I
dare promise you a good sermon, to be made by
Mr. Fenton, the preacher of Gray's Inn; for he
never maketh other feast; I make none: but if I
might have your company for two or three days
at my house, I should pass over this mournful
occasion with more comfort. If your son had
continued at St. Julian's, it might have been an
adamant to have drawn you; but now, if you
come, I must say
it is only for my sake. I com-
mend myself to my lady, and commend my wife
to you both. And rest

Yours ever assured,
This Monday, 27th of
August, 1610.

FR. BACON.

TO SIR MICHAEL HICKES.*

SIR MICHAEL,

I do use, as you know, to pay my debts with time; but, indeed, if you will have a good and perfect colour in a carnation stocking, it must be long in the dyeing: I have some scruple of conscience whether it was my lady's stockings or her daughter's, and I would have the restitution to be to the right person, else I shall not have absolution. Therefore, I have sent to them both, desiring them to wear them for my sake, as I did wear theirs for mine own sake. So, wishing you all a good new year, I rest Yours assured,

Gray's Inn, this 8th of Jan., 1611.

FR. BACON.

and gracious charters, are (under a pretence of dignity and honour to this university) either intended to be shaken, or wholly overthrown. We doubt not but your honour hath heard of a late petition preferred to his majesty by the mayor and others of Cambridge, (as they pretend,) to dignify the university in making the town a city; which, upon so fair a gloss, his majesty, out of his gracious favour to this university, hath referred to the order of Lord Chancellor of England, their high steward; the lord treasurer, our honourable and our most loving chancellor, and your honour. By this project, (though dignity and honour to us be the first colour they cast upon their suit, yet, by the cunning carriage of the business, and secret workings of friends,) we cannot but fear this shadow will be overcast with matter of such substance for them and their purpose, that it will either draw our former grants into question, or us to great inconvenience. Neither is this suspicion without a cause; first, for that, about six years past, the like petition was preferred and followed by them; at what time, by a secret view of their book, we perceived our best charters nearly touched: secondly, upon our earnest request to have a copy of such matters as they desire, they slight us, saying, “That were but to part the lion's skin :" thirdly, by experience we find the danger of trusting their kindness, for, upon our late sufferance of their last charter to pass, (without good advice of our council,) they both encroach upon our ancient grants, and enforce 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. JOHN MUR- peremptory answers and dealings of theirs, upon

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The special love and favour which your honour,

so kind and friendly usage and requests of ours, make us fear the sequel; for, that as yet we could never find, by any record, act, or wish of theirs, that this university ever received honour, dignity, or favour; in regard whereof, we earnestly entreat your honour to stand with our worthy chancellor and us in staying this suit, until we be truly informed how the town may receive grace and the 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 prayers to the Almighty for your long life and happiness, we take our leave.

Your honour's in all duty.

This 9th of December, 1616.

by word and writing, hath ever professed to learn- TO THE RIGHT WORSHpful the vice-CHAN

ing and this university, makes us fly to your
protection in a present danger, where we fear the
chief nerves and foundation of all our jurisdiction,

*Lansd. MS. xci. art 81, Orig.
Harl. MSS. 6986, art. 114.
Sloan MS. 3562, art. 40.

CELLOR AND OTHERS, THE MASTERS, AND THE
HEADS OF THE HOUSES OF THE UNIVERSITY
OF CAMBRIDGE.*

AFTER my very hearty commendations, I have received your letter of the 9th of this present

Sloan MS. No. 3562, art. 25.

ING MOMPESSON'S BUSINESS OF INNS.* MY VERY GOOD LORD,

We are left a little naked in the business of

December, and have taken care of you rather ac- A LETTER TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCHcording to your request than at your request; forasmuch as I had done it before your letter came. This you may perceive by the joint letter which you shall receive from my lord chancellor, my lord treasurer, and myself. And, for me, you may rest assured that nothing can concern you little, or more nearly, or afar off, but you shall have all care out of my affection, and all strength and help out of my means and power to conserve and advance your good estate and contentment. And so I remain

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Inns, by the death of Justice Nicholls; and my
Lord Chief Baron and Mr. Justice Crooke having
been with me, do desire the number of three may
be fulfilled. I have, therefore, sent your lordship
a warrant for the king's signature, wherein Justice
Winch is put in Justice Nicholls' place. It is
also altered at my request, in that other point of
the former warrant, whereby the certificate was
required in writing, which they desire may be by
attending his majesty themselves, at his coming,
which I do think to be the more convenient and
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,

The confidence which the townsmen have, in obtaining their charter and petition, makes us bold and importunate suitors to your honour, by whose favour with his majesty and protection, we again humbly entreat, the university and ourselves may be freed from that danger which by them is intended to us. By their own reports, it is a matter of honour and advantage for which they sue: when they were at their lowest, and in their meanest fortunes, they ever showed themselves unkind neighbours to us; and their suits with us,

TO MY LORD OF BUCKINGHAM, TOUCHING MOM-
PESSON'S BUSINESS, THE MALTSTERS, &c.t
MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I am much troubled in mind, for that I hear you are not perfectly well, without whose health I cannot joy, and without whose life, I desire not to be. I hear nothing from Mr. Mompesson, save that some tell me is knighted, which I am glad of, because he may the better fight with the bull and the bear, and the Saracen's head, and such fearful creatures.

of apprentices, I doubt we must part it; but yet I

For Sir Robert Killigrewe's suit of enrolment

suppose it may

be left valuable.

Your office is despatched, and your books in effect. I have given his majesty an account of those things wherein I have received his pleasure from your lordship by this letter which I send

open.

within these few years, have caused us to spend our common treasury, and trouble our best friends, and, therefore, we cannot expect peace amongst them, when their thoughts and wills shall be winged and strengthened by that power and authority which the very bare title of a city will give unto them. Since our late letter to the right honourable lord chancellor, your honour, and his majesty's attorney-general, we (being better informed of the course they take, and of their confidence to prevail at the end of the next term) have sent letters from the body of the university to the king's majesty, the lord chancellor, and others, our honourable friends; showing them of our fear, and their purpose, and to entreat them to join with your honour and us, to his majesty, to stay their suit before we be driven to further A LETTER FROM HIS MAJESTY TO YOUR lord

charge or trouble, in entertaining counsel, or soli-
citing our friends. Thus, humbly entreating your
honour to pardon our importunity, and often
soliciting your lordship in this business, with our
earnest prayers to the Almighty for your honour's
long life and happy estate, we end this.
Your honour's in all duty

to be commanded.

February, 1616.

*Sloan MS. 3562, art. 41.

Good, my lord, once again have care of your health; and learn what Cardanus saith, that more

men die of ccld after exercise, than are slain in
the wars. God ever keep you.

Your lordship's true and much devoted servant.
Nov. 21, 1616.

SHIP, TOUCHING THE BUSINESS OF THE MINT.

Right trusty and right beloved counsellor, we greet you well.

BEFORE your letters came to us, we had been informed of the pains and diligence you had showed in our service, which we take very graciously at your hands, and thank you for it, de siring you still to continue in the course whereints

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