a 1 tell what. And now lastly, it seemeth they would company. And, therefore, I dare not advise to go back to lay it upon the whites: And, therefore, adventure this great trade of the kingdom (wbich whether your majesty will any more rest and hath been so long under government) in a free build this great wheel of your kingdom, upon or loose trade. The third is, a compounded way these broken and brittle pins, and try experiments of both, which is, to go on with the trade of whites further upon the health and body of your state, I by the Old Company restored; and, that your leave to your princely judgment. majesty's profit be raised by order amongst theme The other answer of repulse is a kind of oppos- selves, rather than by double custom, wherein you ing them what they will do after the three years' must be the actor : and, that, nevertheless, there contracted for? Which is a point hitherto not be added a privilege to the same company to much stirred, though Sir Lionel Cranfield hath carry out cloths dyed and dressed custom free; ever beaten upon it in his speech with me: for which will still continue as a glorious beam of after three years they are not tied, otherways than your majesty's royal design. I hope and wish at as trade shall give encouragement; of which en- least that this, which I have written, may be of couragement your majesty hath a bitter taste. some use to your majesty to settle by the advice And if they should hold on according to the third of the lords about you this great business. At the year's proportion, and not rise on by further gra- least it is the effect of my care and poor ability, dation, your majesty hath not your end. No, I which if in me be any, it is given me to no other fear, and having long feared that this feeding of end but faithfully to serve your majesty. God the foreigner may be dangerous. For as we may ever preserve you. think to hold up our clothing by vent of whites, Your majesty's most humble subject, till we can dye and dress; so they (I mean the and bounden servant. Dutch) will think to hold up their manufacture of dying and dressing upon our whites till they ANOTHER LETTER, TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, can cloth : so as your majesty hath the greatest TOUCHING A MOTION TO SWEAR HIM COUNreason in the world to make the New Company CILLOR. FEBRUARY 27, 1615. to come in and strengthen that part of their con Sir,-I humbly pray you not to think me over tract; and they refusing (as it is confidently believed they will) to make their default more visi- brance of my motion of strengthening me with the hasty or much in appetite, if I put you in rememble to all men. For the second main part of your majesty's con oath and trust of a privy, councillor; not for mine sultation, (that is, what shall be done, supposing armed within, but for the strength of my service. own strength, (for as to that, I thank God I am an absolutè breach,) I have had some speech with The times, I submit to you who knoweth them Mr. Secretary Lake, and likewise with Sir Lionel best. But sure I am, there were never times Cranfield; and (as I conceive) there may be three ways taken into consideration. The first well armed, and (as I said once to you) to wear a which did more require a king's attorney to be I is, that the Old Company be restored, who (no gauntlet and not a glove. The arraignments, doubt) are in appetite, and (as I find by Sir Lionel when they proceed; the contention between the Cranfield) not unprepared ; and that the licenses, the one, that of 30,000 cloths, which was the the rege inconsulto, which is so precious to the Chancery and King's Bench; the great cause of old license; the other, that of my Lord of Cum king's prerogative; divers other services that berland's, which is without stint, (my Lord of concern the king's revenue, and the repair of his Cumberland receiving satisfaction,) be compounded into one entire license without stint; well of my relations touching his business; which estate. Besides, it pleaseth his majesty to accept and then that they amongst themselves take order for that profit which hath been offered to your call it) for one that is no councillor. But I leave may seem a kind of interloping (as the merchants majesty. This is a plain and known way, wherein all unto you, thinking myself infinitely bounden your majesty is not an actor; only it hath this, that the work of dying and dressing cloths, which unto you for your great favours; the beams where of I see plainly reflect upon me even from others: hath been so much glorified, seemeth to be wholly so that now I have no greater ambition than this; relinquished if you leave there. The second is, that there be a free trade of cloth, with this differ that as the king showeth himself to you the best ence; that the dyed and dressed pay no custom, in which wish and vow, I shall ever rest, master, so I might be found your best servant. and the whites double custom, it being a merchan Most devoted and affectionate to obey dise prohibited and only licentiate. This continu your commands. eth in life and fame the work desired, and will have popular ap; lause. But I do confess I did ever think, that trading in companies is most agree- A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, TOUCHING able to the English nature, which wanteth that HIS SWEARING COUNCILLOR. MAY 30, 1616. saine general vein of a republic, which runneth Sır,—The time is, as I should think, now or in the Dutch; and serveth to them instead of a never, for his majesty to finish his good meaning a BE towards me; if it please him to consider what is received in your presence. I then told his mapast, and what is to come. jesty my memory was not able to keep way with If I would tender my profit, and oblige men his, and therefore his majesty will pardon me for unto me by my place and practice, I could have any omission or errors, and be pleased to supply more profit than I could devise, and could oblige and reform the same. I am preparing some other all the world and offend none; which is a brave materials for his majesty's excellent hand concondition for a man's private. But my heart is cerning business that is coming on. For since not on these things. Yet, on the other side, I his majesty hath renewed my heart within me, would be sorry that worthless persons should methinks I should double my endeavours. God make a note that I get nothing but pains and ene- ever preserve and prosper you. I rest mies; and a little popular reputation, which Your most devoted, followeth me whether I will or no. If any thing and bounden servant. be to be done for yourself, I should take infinite contentment, that my honour might wait upon yours: But I would be loath it should wait upon any man's else. If you would put your strength A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, FOR THE RESTORING OF DOCTOR BURGIS TO PREACII. to this business it is done; and that done many JUNE 12, 1616. things more will begin. God keep you ever; I SIR,—I do think you may do yourself honour, rest, Your true and devoted servant. and that which is more) do a good work, if you will assist and perfect a motion begun (and that upon a good ground, both of submission and con formity) for the restoring of Doctor Burgis to A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, UPON THE preach; and I wish, likewise, that if Gray's-Inn CHOICE HIS MAJESTY GAVE HIM, WHETHER HE should think good (after he is free from the state) WOULD SWORN COUNCILLOR, OR HAVE to choose him for their preacher, his majesty ASSURANCE TO SUCCEED THE CHANCELLOR. should not be against it; for certainly we should JUNE 3, 1616. watch him well if he should fly forth; so as he SIR,—The king giveth me a noble choice, and cannot be placed in a more safe auditory. This you are the man my heart ever told me you were. may seem a trifle, but I do assure you, I do Ambition would draw me to the latter part of the scarce know a particular wherein you may open choice; but in respect of my hearty wishes that more honest mouths to speak honour of you than my lord chancellor may live long, and the small this. And I do extremely desire there may be a hopes I have, that I shall live long myself, and full cry from all sorts of people (especially the above all, because I see his majesty's service best) to speak and to trumpet out your commendaily and instantly bleedeth; towards which I dations. I pray you take it to heart, and do persiade myself (vainly, perhaps, but yet in mine somewhat in it. I rest own thoughts firmly and constantly) that I shall Your devoted and bounden servant. give, when I am of the table, some effectual furtherance, (as a poor thread of the labyrinth, which hath no other virtue but a united continuance, without interruption or distraction,) I do accept A LETTER TO THE KING, TOUCHING SIR GEORGE VILLIERS' PATENT FOR BARON OF BLETCIILEY of the former, to be councillor for the present, and AND VISCOUNT VILLIERS. AUGUST 12, 1616. to give over pleading at bar: let the other matter rest upon my proof and his majesty's pleasure, IT MAY PLEASE YOUR most excellent MAJESTY, and the accidents of time. For, to speak plainly I have sent Sir George Villiers' patent, drawn I would be loath that my lord chancellor, to again, containing also a barony; the name whom I owe most after the king and yourself, Bletchley is his own, and to my thinking, soundshould be locked to his successor for any advance eth better than whaddon. I have included both ment or gracing of me. So I ever remain in one patent, to avoid a double preface, and as Your true, and most devoted, hath been used in the patents of earls of like and obliged servant. nature; nevertheless, the ceremony of robing, and otherwise, is to be double, as is also used in like cases of earls. It resteth that I express unto your majesty my TO HIS VERY HONOURABLE GOOD FRIEND, sir great joy in your honouring and advancing this GEORGE VILLIERS, MASTER OF THE HORSE to gentleman; whom to describe, not with colours, HIS MAJESTY, AND OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER but with true lines, I may say this; your majesty OF THE GARTER, JUNE 12, 1616. certainly hath found out and chosen a safe Sir,-I send his majesty a draught of the act nature, a capable man, an honest will, generous of council, concerning the judges' letter; penned and noble affections, and a courage well lodyed ; .s near as I could to his majesty's instructions and one, that I know, loveth your majesty Vol. III.-7 infeignedly; and admireth you as much as is in a I shall never, whilst I breathe, alter mine own man to admire his sovereign upon earth. Only style in being your majesty's school (wherein he hath already Your true and most devoted servant. so well profited as in this entrance upon the stage, being the time of greatest danger, he hath not committed any manifest error) will add persection to your majesty's comfort, and the great THE LORD KEEPER'S LETTER TO THE UNIVER contentment of your people. God ever preserve SITY, IN ANSWER OF THEIR CONGRATULATION AT HIS FIRST COMING TO THAT PLACE. and prosper your majesty. I rest, in all humbleness, TO THE RENOWNED UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE, Your majesty's most bounden and most HIS DEAR AND REVEREND MOTHER. devoted subject and servant. My LORD,—I am debtor to you of your letters, and of the time likewise that I have taken to answer them; but as soon as I could choose what to think on, I thought good to let you A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, UPON THE SENDING OF 13 PATENT FOR THE CREATION know, that although you may err much in your OF VISCOUNT, SEALED AUGUST 20, 1616. valuation of me, yet you shall not be deceived in Sır, I took much contentment in that I per- though the manner be to mend the picture by the your assurance; and for the other part also, ceive by your letter that you took in so good part life, yet I would be glad to mend the life by the the freedom of my advice, and that yourself in picture, and to become, and be, as you express your own nature consented therewith. Certainly, no service is comparable to good counsel ; welcome to me than your business or occasions, me to be. Your gratulations shall be no more and the reason is, because no man can do so which I will attend ; and yet not so but that I much for another as a man may do for himself; shall endeavour to prevent them by my care of now good counsel helpeth a man to help himself, but you have so happy a master as supplieth all your good. And so I commend you to God's goodness. my service and good will shall not be wanting. Your most loving and assured friend and son, It was graciously and kindly done also of his Fr. Bacon, C. S. majesty towards me to tell you that you were Gorhambury, April 12, 1617. beholding to me; but it must be then, for thinking of you as I do; for otherwise, for speaking as I think, it is but the part of an honest man. I send you your patent, whereof God give you joy: A LETTER OF KING JAMES, WRITTEN TO His and I send you here enclosed a little note of LORDSHIP WHEN HE WAS LORD CHANCELLOR, remembrance for that part of the ceremony which WITH HIS MAJESTY'S OWN HAND, UPON THE SENDING TO HIM HIS BOOK OF INSTAURATIO concerneth the patent; for, as for other ceremo. nies, I leave to others. MAGNA, THEN NEWLY PUBLISHED. My lord chancellor despatched your patent My LORD, I have received your letter, and presently upon the receipt; and wrote to me your book; than the which you could not have how glad he was of it, and how well he wished sent a more acceptable present unto me. How you. If you write to him a few words of thanks, thankful I am for it cannot better be expressed I think you shall do well. God keep you, and by me than by a firm resolution I have taken ; prosper you. first, to read it through with care and attention, Your true and most devoted servant. though I should steal some hours from my sleep, having otherwise as little spare time to read it as you had to write it. And then, to use the liberty of a true friend in not sparing to ask you the A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, ACKNOW. question in any point where I shall stand in LEDGING THE KING'S FAVOUR IN GRANTING doubt; “ Nam ejus est explicare cujus est conSOME SUIT OF HIS. AUGUST 22, 1616. dere;" as, on the other part, I will willingly Sir, I am more and more bound unto his give a due commendation to such places as in my majesty, who, I think, knowing me to have other opinion shall deserve it. In the mean time, I can ends than ambition, is contented to make me with comfort assure you, that you could not have judge of mine own desires. I am now beating made choice of a subject more befitting your my brains, (amongst many cares of his majesty's place, and your universal methodic knowledge ; business) touching the redeeming of time in this and in the general, I have already observed, that vusiness of cloth. The great question is, how to you jump with me in taking the midway between miss, or how to mate ‘he Flemings; how to pass the two extremes; as also in some particulars ! loy them, or how to pass over them. have found that you agree fully with my opinion. In my next letter I shall alter your style; but And so, praying God to give your work as good 6. Hoc pace TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. TO SIR ROBERT CECIL. success as your heart can wish, and your labours mend your lordship as Xenophon commended the deserve, I bid you heartily farewell. state of his country, which was this: that having James Rex. chosen the worst forin of government of all others, October 16, 1620. they governed the best in that kind. trouble you whilst your own cause was in hand, MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, (though that I know that the further from the I may perceive, by my Lord Keeper, that your term the better the time was to deal for me,) so, lordship, as the time served, signified unto him that being concluded, I presume I shall be one of an intention to confer with his lordship at better your next cares., And having communicated opportunity; which in regard of your several and with my brother of some course either to perfit weighty occasions I have thought good to put the first, or to make me some other way; or rather, your lordship in remembrance of; that now at by seeming to make me some other way, to perhis coming to the court it may be executed; de- fit the first, wherewith he agreed to acquaint your siring your good lordship, nevertheless, not to lordship; I am desirous, for mine own better conceive out of this my diligence in soliciting satisfaction, to speak with your lordship myself, this matter, that I am either much in appetite or which I had rather were somewhere else than at much in hope. For, as for appetite, the waters of court; and as soon as your lordship will assign Parnassus are not like the waters of the Spa, that me to wait on you. And so, in, etc. give a stomach, but rather they quench appetite and desires; and for hope, how can he hope much that can allege no other reason than the reason of an evil debtor, who will persuade his creditor to lend him new sums, and to enter further in with him to make him satisfy the old? And, to her SIR,_Your honour knoweth my manner is, majesty, no other reason but the reason of a though it be not the wisest way, yet taking it for waterman; I am her first man of those who serve the honestest, to do as Alexander did by his phyin counsel of law. And so I commit your lord- sician in drinking the medicine and delivering the ship to God's best preservation. advertisement of suspicion; so I trust on and yet do not smother what I hear. I do assure you, sir, that by a wise friend of mine, and not facti. ous toward your honour, I was told with asseve ration, that your honour was bought by Mr. My Lorn,-Conceiving that your lordship came Coventry, for 2000 angels; and that you wrought now up in the person of a good servant to see your in a contrary spirit to my lord your father. And sovereign mistress; which kind of compliments are he said further, that from your servants, from many times " instar magnorum meritorum ;” and your lady, from some counsellors that have obtherefore that it would be hard for me to find you, I served you in my business, he knew you wrought have committed to this poor paper the humble underhand against me. The truth of which tale. salutations of him that is more yours than any I do not believe; you know the event will show,, man's; and more yours than any man. To these and God will right. But as I reject this report, salutations I add a due and joyful gratulation, (though the strangeness of my case might make confessing that your lordship, in your last con- me credulous,) so I admit a conceit that the last ference with me before your journey, spake not messenger my lord and yourself used, dealt ill in vain, God making it good, that you trusted we with your honours; and that word (speculation) should say, “quis putasset?" Which, as it is which was in the queen's mouth rebounded from found true in a happy sense, so I wish you do him as a commendation, for I am not ignorant of not find another "quis putasset,” in the manner those little arts. Therefore, I pray, trust not him of taking this so great a service; but I hope it is again in my matter. This was much to write, as he said, “ nubecula est citò transibit;” and but I think my fortune will set me at liberty, that your lordship's wisdom and obsequious cir- who am weary of asserviling myself to every cumspection and patience will turn all to the man's charity. Thus I, etc. best. So, referring all to some time that I may allend you, I commit you to God's best preservation. TO SIR JOHN STANHOPE. Sir,— Your good promises sleep, which it may TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. seem now no time to awake, but that I do not find MYLORD,—I am glad your lordship hath plunged that any general calendar of observation of time out of your own business; wherein I must com- serveth for the court; and, besides, if that be TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. 1 TO MY LORD OF ESSEX. TO FOULK GREVIL. Jone which I hope by this time is done, and that find you conceive of me for the obʻzining of a other matter shall be done which we wish may good place which some of my honourable friends de done, I hope to my poor matter, the one of have wished unto me, “nec opinanti.” I will these great matters may clear the way and the use no reason to persuade your lordship’s mediaother give the occasion. And though my lord tion but this, that your lordship and my other treasurer be absent, whose health, nevertheless, friends shall in this beg my life of the queen; will enable him to be sooner at court than is ex- for I see well the bar will be my bier, as I must pected; especially if this hard weather (too hard and will use it rather than my poor estate or to continue) shall relent; yet we abroad say, his reputation shall decay; but I stand indifferent lordship's spirit may be there though his person whether God call me or her majesty. Had I be away. Once I take for a good ground that that in possession which by your Jordship's only her majesty's business ought to keep neither va- means against the greatest opposition her majesty cation nor holiday, either in the execution or in granted me, I would never trouble her majesty, the care and preparation of those whom her ma- but serve her still voluntarily without pay. jesty calleth and useth; and, therefore, I would Neither do I in this more than obey my friends' think no time barred froin remembering that with conceits as one that would not be wholly wanting such discretion and respect as appertaineth. The to myself. Your lordship’s good opinion doth conclusion shall be to put you in mind to main- somewhat confirm me, as that I take comfort in tain that which you have kindly begun, according above all others; assuring your lordship that I to the reliance I have upon the sincerity of your never thought so well of myself for any one thing affection and the soundness of your judgment. as that I have found a fitness to my thinking in And so I commend you to God's preservation. myself to observe and revere your virtues; for the continuance whereof in the prolonging of your days I will still be your beadsman; accordingly, at this time, commend your lordship to the divine protection. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP, I am very sorry her majesty should take my motion to travail in offence; but surely, under her majesty's royal correction, it is such an offence as it should be an offence to the sun, when Sir, I understand of your pains to have visited a man to avoid the scorching heat thereof flieth me, for which I thank you. My matter is an endinto the shade. And your lordship may easily less question. I assure you, I had said, “ requiesce think, that having now these twenty years (for anima mea ;” but now I am otherwise put to my so long it is, and more, since I went with Sir psalter, “nolite confidere,” I dare go no farther. Amyas Paulett into France, from her majesty's Her majesty had by set speech more than once royal hand) I made her majesty's service the assured me of her intention to call me to her serscope of my life: I shall never find a greater vice; which I could not understand but of the grief than this, “ relinquere amorem primum.” place I had been named to. And now, whether But since "principia actionum sunt tantum in “invidus homo hoc fecit,” or whether my matter nostra potestate;" I hope her majesty of her must be an appendix to my Lord of Essex's suit, clemency, yea, and justice, will pardon me, and or whether her majesty, pretending to prove my not force me to pine here wiih melancholy. For ability, meaneth but to take advantage of some though mine heart be good, yet mine eyes will errors, which, like enough, at one time or other I be sore, so as I shall have no pleasure to look may commit, or what it is, but her majesty is not abroad, and if I should otherwise be affected, her ready to despatch it. And what though the master majesty in her wisdom will think me an impu- of the rolls and my Lord of Essex, and yourself dent man that would face ont a disgrace; there- and others think my case without doubt, yet, in fore, as I have ever found you my good lord and the mean time I have a hard condition to stand so, true friend, so I pray open the matter so to her that whatsoever service I do to her majesty, it majesty, as she may discern the necessity of it, shall be thought to be but "servitium viscatum," without adding hard conceit to her rejection; of lime-twigs and fetches to place myself; and so I which I am sure the latter I never deserved. shall have envy, not thanks. This is a coarse to 'Thus, etc. quench all good spirits, and to corrupt every man's nature; which will, I fear, much hurt her majes. ty's service in the end. I have been like a piece of stuff" bespoken in the shop: and is her majesty will not take me, it may be the selling by parcels IT MAY PLEASE your goop Lordship, will be more gainful. For to be, as I told you, I am to give you humble thanks for your favour- like a child following a bird, which, when he is able opinion, which by Mr. Secretary's report I nearest, flieth away and lighteth a little before, 65 TO TUE LORD TREASURER. |