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could so think fit. I do now receive a letter from | ber; I received it this evening at six of the clock, the Conde de Gondomar, who, thinking that it should find me in England, saith thus: Beso las manes mil vezes a mi sennor, el sennor Gran Chancilor, con my coracon; como estoy en su buena gracia. The empress is dead long since, and the emperor is so sickly, or rather so sick, that they forbear to bury her with solemty, as conceiving, that he will save charge by dying shortly. They say here, that the business of Bohemia is growing towards an end by composition. Brussels, this 14th of February, 1619.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

For the services committed to Sir Lionel Cranfield, after his majesty hath spoken with him, I shall attend and follow his majesty's pleasure and directions, and yield my best care, advice, and endeavour for performance.

In the pretermitted duty I have some profit, and more was to have had, if Queen Anne had lived; wherefore, I shall become an humble suitor to his majesty, that I may become no loser, specially seeing the business had been many a time and oft quite overthrown, if it had not been upheld only, or chiefly by myself; so that whatsoever service hath been since done, is upon my foundation.

Mr. Attorney* groweth pretty pert with me of late; and I see well who they are that maintain him. But be they flies, or be they wasps, I neither care for buzzes nor stings, most especially in any thing that concerneth my duty to his majesty, or my love to your lordship.

I forgot not in my public charge, the last Star Chamber day, to publish his majesty's honour for his late commission for the relief of the poor, and suppressing vagabonds; as also his gracious intention touching informers, which I perceive | was received with much applause. That of projectors I spake not of, because it is not yet ripe, neither doth it concern the execution of any law, for which my speech was proper. God ever preserve and prosper you.

Your lordship's most obliged
friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

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by the hands of the master of the rolls,* sealed as it is with my Lord of Suffolk's seal, and the master's of the rolls; but neither I, nor the master of the rolls know what is in it; but it cometh first to his majesty's sight. Only I did direct, that because the authentic copy (unto which my lord is sworn, according to the course of the court) is not so fit for his majesty's reading, my Lord of Suffolk should send withal a paper copy, which his majesty might read with less trouble.

My Lady Suffolk is so ill of the small-pox, as she is not yet fit to make any answer.

Bingley's answer is come in, a long one; and, as I perceive, with some things impertinent, yea, and unfit. Of that I confer with Mr. Solicitor to-morrow; and then I will farther advertise your lordship. God ever preserve and prosper you. Your lordship's most obliged

friend and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

York House, this 23d of Febr. 1619,
at 9 of the clock, 1619-20.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MOST HONOURABLE Lord,

I do even now receive this letter from the Conde de Gondomar, with direction I should send it (since I am not there to deliver it) to Mr. Wyche, that so he may present it to your lordship's hand at such time, as it may be of most use to him. He commands me, besides, that for his sake I should become an humble solicitor to your lordship for this friend of his; which I presume to do the more willingly, because this party is a great friend of mine, and so are also many of his friends my friends. Besides, he wills me to represent his great thanks to your lordship, for the just favours you have been pleased to vouchsafe to Mr. Wyche already, the rather in contemplation of the Conde, as he hath been informed. And if in the company, or rather in the attendance of so great an intercessor, it be not an unpardonable kind of ill manners to intrude myself, I presume to cast myself at your lordship's feet, with protestation that I shall be very particularly bound to your lordship's goodness for any favour, with justice, that he shall obtain.

I beseech Jesus keep your lordship ever entirely happy; and so, doing all humble reverence, I take leave.

Your lordship's most humble
and most obliged servant,
TOBIE MATTHEW.

Brussels, this 26th of February, 1619.

* Sir Julius Cæsar.

+ Sir John Bingley's.
Sir Thomas Coventry.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

MY HONOURABLE LORD,

Understanding that there hath been a long and tedious suit depending in the Chancery between Robert D'Oyley and his wife, plaintiffs, and Leonard Lovace, defendant; which cause hath been heretofore ended by award, but is now revived again, and was, in Michaelmas term last, fully heard before your lordship; at which hearing your lordship did not give your opinion thereof, but were pleased to defer it until breviats were delivered on both sides; which, as I am informed, hath been done accordingly: now my desire unto your lordship is, that you will be pleased to take some time, as speedily as your lordship may, to give your opinion thereof, and so make a final end, as your lordship shall find the same in equity to deserve: for which I will ever rest

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant, G. BUCKINGHAM.

Windsor, 18th of May, 1620.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I went to Kew for pleasure, but I met with pain. But neither pleasure nor pain can withdraw my mind from thinking of his majesty's service. And because his majesty shall see how I was occupied at Kew, I send him these papers of rules for the Star Chamber, wherein his majesty shall erect one of the noblest and durablest pillars for the justice of this kingdom in perpetuity, that can be, after, by his own wisdom and the advice of his lords, he shall have revised them and established them. The manner and circumstances I refer to my attending his majesty. The rules are not all set down; but I will do the rest within two or three days. I ever remain Your lordship's most obliged friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

June 9, 1620.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.†

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Such is my haste at this time, that I cannot write so largely to yourself as I would, in the business of the steel, in which once already I sent to your lordship, and in which I only desire the good of the commonwealth, and the service of my master; I, therefore, have sent this bearer, my servant, unto you, and committed the relation of the business to him. And I do entreat your

* Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. + Harl. MSS. vol. 7000.

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Amongst the counsels which, since the time I had the honour to be first of your learned, and after of your privy council, I have given your majesty faithfully according to my small ability; I do take comfort in none more, than that I was the first that advised you to come in person into the Star Chamber; knowing very well, that those virtues of your majesty which I saw near hand, would out of that throne, both, as out of a sphere, illustrate your own honour, and, as out of a fountain, water and refresh your whole land. And because your majesty, in that you have already done, hath so well effected that which I foresaw and desired, even beyond my expectation; it is no marvel if I resort still to the branches of that counsel that hath borne so good fruit.

*Harl. MSS. vol. 7000.

This letter appears to have been written after the proceedings against Sir Thomas Lake, and his lady and daughter, in the Star Chamber, in January, 1619-20, and before the resolution of calling the Parliament, which met January 30, 1620-1.

The Star Chamber, in the institutions thereof, hath two uses; the one as a supreme court of judicature, the other as an open council. In the first kind, your majesty hath sat there now twice: the first time, in a cause of force, concerning the duels; the second time, in a cause of fraud, concerning the forgeries and conspiracies against the Lady of Exeter; which two natures of crimes, force and fraud, are the proper objects of that court.

Commission for the better proceedings in the plantations of Ireland.

Commission for the provision of the realm with all kinds of warlike defence, ordnance, powder, munition, and armour.

Of these you may take and leave, as it shall please you: and I wish the articles concerning every one of them (first allowed by your council) to be read openly, and the commissioners'

names.

them; but nothing to that that will be, when such things are published; because it will vindicate them from neglect, and make many good spirits, that we little think of, co-operate in them.

In the second kind, your majesty came the For the good that comes of particular and select first time of all, when you did set in frame and committees and commissions, I need not commonfabric the several jurisdictions of your courts. | place, for your majesty hath found the good of There wants a fourth part of the square to make all complete, which is, if your majesty will be pleased to publish certain commonwealth commissions; which, as your majesty hath well begun to do in some things, and to speak of in some others; so, if your majesty will be pleased to make a solemn declaration of them in that place, this will follow:

First, that your majesty shall do yourself an infinite honour, and win the hearts of your people to acknowledge you, as well the most politic king, as the most just.

Secondly, it will oblige your commissioners to a more strict account, when they shall be engaged by such a public charge and commandment. And, thirdly, it will invite and direct any man that finds himself to know any thing concerning those commissions, to bring in their informations. So as I am persuaded it will eternize your name and merit, and that King James's commissions will be spoken of, and put in ure, as long as Britain lasts; at the least, in the reign of all good kings.

For the particulars, besides the two commissions of the navy, and the buildings about London, (wherein your majesty may consider, whether you will have any thing altered or supplied,) I wish these following to be added.

Commission for advancing the clothing of England, as well the old drapery as the new, and all the incidents thereunto.

Commission for staying treasure within the realm, and the reiglement of moneys.

Commission for the provision of the realm with corn and grain, and the government of the exportation and importation thereof; and directing of public granaries, if cause be.

Commission for introducing and nourishing manufactures within the realm, for setting people awork, and the considering of all grants and privileges of that nature.

Commission to prevent the depopulation of towns and houses of husbandry, and for nuisances and highways.

Commission for the recovery of drowned

lands..

Commission for the suppression of the grievances of informers.

VOL. III.-17

I know very well that the world, that commonly is apt to think, that the care of the commonwealth is but a pretext in matters of state, will perhaps conceive, that this is but a preparative to a Parliament. But let not that hinder your majesty's magnanimity, in opere operato, that is so good; and, besides, that opinion, for many respects, will do no hurt to your affairs.

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IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCELLENT Majesty, It being a thing to speak or write, especially to a king, in public, another in private, although I have dedicated a work,† or rather a portion of a work, which, at last, I have overcome to your majesty by a public epistle, where I speak to you in the hearing of others; yet I thought fit also humbly to seek access for the same, not so much

to your person as to your judgment, by these private lines.

The work, in what colours soever it may be set forth, is no more but a new logic, teaching to invent and judge by induction, as finding syllogisma

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incompetent for sciences of nature; and thereby | lordship, whereof the prince hath demanded of me

to make philosophy and sciences both more true and more active.

This tending to enlarge the bounds of reason, and to endow man's estate with new value, was no improper oblation to your majesty, who of men is the greatest master of reason and author of beneficence.

what account is given. And because I cannot
inform his highness of any proceeding therein, I
desire your lordship to use all expedition that
may be, in making your answer to me, that I may
give his highness some satisfaction, who is very
desirous thereof. And so I rest

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,
G. BUCKINGHAM.

Endorsed,

Touching the Register of Wills.

There be two of your council, and one other bishop of this land, that know I have been about Royston, 14th, of October, 1620. some such work near thirty years; so as I made no haste. And the reason why I have published it now, specially being unperfect, is, to speak plainly, because I number my days, and would have it saved. There is another reason of my so doing, which is to try whether I can get help in one intended part of this work, namely, the compiling of a natural and experimental nistory, which must be the main foundation of a true and active philosophy.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.

MY HONOURABle Lord,

I desire your lordship to continue your favour to Sir Thomas Gerrard in the business concerning him, wherein I signified his majesty's pleasure to This work is but a new body of clay, whereunto your lordship. And one favour more I am to enyour majesty, by your countenance and protection, treat of your lordship in his behalf, that you will may breathe life. And to tell your majesty truly be pleased to speak to one of the assistants of the what I think, I account your favour may be to this Chancellor of the Duchy, in whose court he hath work as much as a hundred years' time: for I am a cause depending, as he will more fully inform persuaded the work will gain upon men's minds | your lordship himself, to see that he may have a in ages, but your gracing it may make it take fair proceeding according to justice: for which hold more swiftly; which I would be very glad I will ever rest of, it being a work meant, not for praise or glory, but for practice and the good of men. One thing,

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

I confess, I am ambitious of, with hope, which is, Royston, 15th of October, 1620.
that after these beginnings, and the wheel once
set on going, men shall seek more truth out of
Christian pens than hitherto they have done out
of heathen. I say with hope, because I hear my
former book of the Advancement of Learning, is
well tasted in the universities here, and the Eng-
lish colleges abroad: and this is the same argu-
ment sunk deeper.

And so I ever humbly rest in prayers, and all other duties,

Your majesty's most bounden

and devoted servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

York House, this 12th of October, 1620.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.‡

MY HONOURABLE Lord,
There is a business in your lordship's hands,
with which Sir Robert Lloyd did acquaint your

* Dr. Lancelot Andrews, Bishop of Winchester.

+ Mr. Chamberlain, in a letter to Sir Dudley Carleton, am

bassador at Holland, dated at London, October 28th, 1620, mentions, that Mr. Henry Cuffe, who had been secretary to Robert, Earl of Essex, and executed for being concerned in his treasons, having long since perused this work, gave this censure, that "a fool could not have written such a work, and a wise man would not." And, in another letter, dated February 3, 1620-1, Mr. Chamberlain takes notice, that the king could not forbear, sometimes, in reading that book, to say, that "it was like the peace of God, that passeth all understanding.”

Harl. MSS. vol. 7000..

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Your lordship desiring to understand what hearkeneth, I was in doubt which of the two cometh of the business, after which the prince businesses you meant; that of the Duchy, or that of the Prerogative Court for wills; for both are recommended from the prince. But be it one, or be it the other, no time hath been lost in either; for Mr. Secretary Naunton and I have entered into both. For the duchy, we have already stayed all proceedings to the king's disservice for those manors, which are not already passed under seal. For that which is passed, we have heard the attorney* with none or little satisfaction hitherto. The chancellort is not yet come, though sent for. For the other, we have heard Sir John Bennet,† and given him leave to acquaint my Lord of Canterbury; and have required the solicitors to come well prepared for the king. So that in neither we can certify yet, and to trouble your

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lordship, while business is but in passage, were the singular comfort which I received by his matime lost. I ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged

friend and faithful servant, FR. VERULAM, Canc.

October 16, 1620.

jesty's letter of his own hand, touching my book. And I must also give your lordship of my best thanks for your letter so kindly and affectionately written.

I did even now receive your lordship's letter touching the proclamation, and do approve his majesty's judgment and foresight about mine own.

TO THE KING, THANKING HIS MAJESTY FOR HIS Neither would I have thought of inserting matter

GRACIOUS ACCEPTANCE OF HIS BOOK.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

I

I cannot express how much comfort I received by your last letter of your own royal hand. see your majesty is a star that hath benevolent aspect and gracious influence upon all things that tend to a general good.

Daphni, quid antiquos signorum suspicis artus?
Ecce Dionæi processit Cæsaris astrum;
Astrum, quo segetes gauderent frugibus, et quo
Duceret apricis in collibus uva colorem. †

This work, which is for the bettering of men's bread and wine, which are the characters of temporal blessings and sacraments of eternal, I hope, by God's holy providence, will be ripened by Cæsar's star.

Your majesty shall not only do to myself a singular favour, but to your business a material help, if you will be graciously pleased to open yourself to me in those things wherein you may be unsatisfied. For, though this work, as by position and principal, doth disclaim to be tried by any thing but by experience, and the results of experience in a true way, yet the sharpness and profoundness of your majesty's judgment ought to be an exception to this general rule; and your questions, observations, and admonishments may do infinite good.

This comfortable beginning makes me hope farther that your majesty will be aiding to me in setting men on work for the collecting of a natural and experimental history, which is basis totius negotii, a thing which I assure myself will be from time to time an excellent recreation unto you; I say to that admirable spirit of yours that delighteth in light: and I hope well, that, even in your times, many noble inventions may be discovered for man's use. For who can tell, now this mine of truth is opened, how the veins go; and what lieth higher, and what lieth lower? But let me trouble your majesty no farther at this time. God ever preserve and prosper your majesty.

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of state for the vulgar, but that nowadays there is no vulgar, but all statesmen. But, as his majesty doth excellently consider, the time of it is not yet proper. I ever rest

Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,
FR. VERULAM, Canc.

October 19, 1620.

Endorsed,

In answer to his majesty's directions touching the proclamation for a Parliament.

TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*

AFTER my very hearty commendations I have acquainted his majesty with your letter, who commanded me to tell you that he had been thinking upon the same point whereof you write three or four days ago, being so far from making any question of it that he every day expected when a writ should come down. For at the creation of Prince Henry, the lords of the council and judges assured his majesty of as much as the precedents mentioned in your letter speak of. And so I rest your lordship's

Very loving friend at command, G. BUCKINGHAM. Newmarket, the 24th of November, 1620 Endorsed,

Showing his majesty is satisfied with precedents, touching the prince's summons to Parliament.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

Your lordship may find, that in the number of patents which we have represented to his majesty, as like to be stirred in the Lower House of Parliament, we have set down three, which may concern some of your lordship's special friends, which I account as my own friends; and so showed myself when they were in suit. The one, that to Sir Giles Mompesson, touching the inns; the second, to Mr. Christopher Villiers and Mr. Maule, touching the recognisances for ale-houses; the third, to Mr. Lieutenant of the Tower, touching the cask These in duty could not be omitted, for that, spe

* Harl. MSS. vol. 7000,

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