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norrow, I knew, would mend my welcome, by | ashes of my fortune, to do you service; and wishbringing Mr. Matthew, who means to dine with ing to your fortune and family all good,

your lordship only, and so to rebound back to London, by reason my Lord Digby's journey calls for him on the sudden. Neither yet was this all that stayed me; for I hear somewhat that I like reasonably well; and yet I hope it will mend too; which is, that my lord marquis hath sent you a message by my Lord of Falkland, (which is a far better hand than my lord treasurer's,) that gives you leave to come presently to Highgate: and Sir Edward Sackville, speaking for the other five miles, my lord commended his care and zeal for your lordship, but silenced him thus: "Let my lord be ruled by me: it will be never the worse for him." But my lord marquis saying farther to him, “Sir Edward, however you play a good friend's part for my Lord St. Alban, yet I must tell you, I have not been well used by him." And Sir Edward desiring of him to open himself in whatsoever he might take offence at; and, withal, taking upon him to have known so much, from time to time, of your lordship's heart, and endeavours towards his lordship, as that he doubted not but he was able to clear any mist that had been cast before his lordship's eyes by your enemies; my lord marquis, by this time being ready to go to the Spanish ambassador's to dinner, broke off with Sir Edward, and told him, that after dinner he would be back at Wallingford House, and then he would tell Sir Edward more of his mind; with whom I have had newly conference at large, and traced out to him, as he desired me, some particulars of that which they call a treaty with my lord treasurer about York House, which Sir Edward Sackville knows how to put together, and make a smooth tale of it for your lordship: and this night I shall know all from him, and to-morrow, by dinner, I shall not fail to attend your lordship: till when, and ever, I rest

Your lordship's in all truth

to honour and serve you,
T. MEAUTYS.

Endorsed,

Received, March 11.

Your lordship's most affectionate

and much obliged, etc.

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I have received, by my noble friend, my Lord Viscount Falkland, advertisement, as from my lord marquis, of three things; the one, that upon his lordship's motion to his majesty, he is gra ciously pleased to grant some degree of release of my confinement. The second, that if I shall gratify your lordship, who, my lord understandeth, are desirous to treat with me about my house at London, with the same, his lordship will take it as well as if it was done to himself. The third, that his majesty hath referred unto your lordship the consideration of the relief of my poor estate. I have it also from other part, yet by such, as have taken it immediately from my lord marquis, that your lordship hath done me to the king very good offices. My lord, I am much bounden to you: wherefore, if you shall be pleased to send Sir Arthur Ingram, who formerly moved me in it for your lordship, to treat farther with me, I shall let your lordship see how affectionately I am desirous to pleasure your lordship after my Lord of Buckingham.

So, wishing your lordship's weighty affairs, for his majesty's service, a happy return to his majesty's contentment and your honour, I rest Your lordship's very affectionate to do you service,

FR. ST. ALBAN.

Endorsed, March 12,

To the Lord Treasurer.

TO HENRY CARY, LORD VISCOUNT FALKLAND.* MY VERY GOOD LORD,

TO THE LORD TREASURER.

MY VERY GOOD LOrd,

Your lordship's letter was the best letter I received this good while, except the last kind letter The honourable correspondence, which your from my Lord of Buckingham, which this con- lordship hath been pleased to hold with my noble firmeth. It is the best accident, one of them, and constant friend, my lord marquis, in furtheramongst men, when they hap to be obliged to ing his majesty's grace towards me, as well conthose, whom naturally and personally they love, as cerning my liberty as the consideration of my I ever did your lordship; in troth not many between poor estate, hath very much obliged me to your my lord marquis and yourself; so that the sparks | lordship, the more by how much the less likeliof my affection shall ever rest quick, under the hood there is, that I shall be able to merit it at Appointed Lord Deputy of Ireland, September 8, 1622.

* Lionel, Lord Cranfield.

your lordship's hands. Yet, thus much I am ship drew it with caution, I dare not venture it glad of, that this course, your lordship holds with upon my memory to carry level what your lordme, doth carry this much upon itself, that the ship wrote, and, therefore, despatched away this world shall see in this, amongst other things, that messenger, that so your lordship, by a fresh post, you have a great and noble heart. (for this may hardly do it,) may send a warrant to your mind, ready drawn, to be here to-morrow by seven o'clock, as Sir Arthur* tells me my lord marquis hath directed: for the king goes early to Hampton Court, and will be here on Saturday.

For the particular business of York House, Sir Arthur Ingram can bear me witness, that I was ready to leave the conditions to your lordship's own making: but since he tells me plainly, that your lordship will by no means have to be so, you will give me leave to refer it to Sir Arthur Ingram, who is so much your lordship's servant, and no less faithful friend to me, and understands value well, to set a price between us.

For the reference his majesty hath been graciously pleased, at my lord marquis's suit, to make unto your lordship, touching the relief of my poor estate, which my Lord of Falkland's letter hath signified, warranting me likewise to address myself to your lordship touching the same; I humbly pray your lordship to give it despatch, my age, health, and fortunes, making time to me therein precious. Wherefore, if your lordship (who knoweth best what the king may best do) have thought of any particular, I would desire to know from your lordship: otherwise I have fallen myself upon a particular, which I have related to Sir Arthur, and, I hope, will seem modest, for my help to live and subsist. As for somewhat towards the paying off my debts, which are now my chief care, and without charge of the king's coffers, I will not now trouble your lordship; but purposing to be at Chiswick, where I have taken a house, within this sevennight, I hope to wait upon your lordship, and to gather some violets in your garden, and will then impart unto you, if I have thought of any thing of that nature for my good.

So, I ever rest, etc.

Your books are ready, and passing well bound up. If your lordship's letters to the king, prince, and my lord marquis were ready, I think it were good to lose no time in their delivery; for the printer's fingers itch to be selling.

My lady hath seen the house at Chiswick, and they make a shift to like it: only she means to come to your lordship thither, and not to go first : and, therefore, your lordship may please to make the more haste, for the great lords long to be in York House.

Mr. Johnson will be with your lordship tomorrow; and then I shall write the rest. Your lordship's in all humbleness

and honour to serve you.

TO THOMAS MEAUTYS, ESQ.

GOOD MR. MEAUTYS,

For the difference of the warrant, it is not material at the first. But I may not stir till I have it; and, therefore, I expect it to-morrow.

For my Lord of London's stay, there may be an error in my book; but I am sure there is none in me, since the king had it three months by him, and allowed it; if there be any thing to be mended, it is better to be espied now than hereafter.

I send you the copies of the three letters, which you have; and, in mine own opinion, this demur, as you term it, in my Lord of London, maketh it more necessary than before, that they were deli

THOMAS MEAUTYS, ESQ., TO THE LORD VISCOUNT vered, specially in regard they contain withal my

ST. ALBAN.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDship,

I have been attending upon my lord marquis's minutes for the signing of the warrant. This day he purposed in earnest to have done it; but it falls out untowardly, for the warrant was drawn, as your lordship remembers, in haste at Gorhambury, and in as much haste delivered to Sir Edward Sackville, as soon as I alighted from my horse, who instantly put it into my lord marquis's hands, so that no copy could possibly be taken of it by me. Now his lordship hath searched much for it, and is yet at a loss, which I knew not till six this evening: and because your lord

*The Lord Viscount St. Alban, in a letter to the king, from Gorhambury, 20th of March, 1621-2, thanks his majesty for referring the consideration of his broken estate to his good lord, the lord treasurer.

thanks. It may be signified they were sent before
I knew of any stay; and being but in those three
hands, they are private enough. But this I leave
merely at your discretion, resting
Your most affectionate and assured friend,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

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EDWARD SACKVILLE, TO THE LORD VIS-
COUNT ST. ALBAN

MY VERY HONOURED LORD,

In my letter of thanks to my lord marquis, | SIR which is not yet delivered, but to be forthwith delivered, I have not forgotten to mention, that I have received signification of his noble favour and affection, amongst other ways, from yourself, by name. If, upon your repair to the court, (whereof I am right glad,) you have any speech with the marquis of me, I pray place the alphabet (as you can do it right well) in a frame, to express my love faithful and ardent towards him. And, for York House, that whether in a straight line, or a compass line, I meant it his lordship in the way which I thought might please him best. I ever

rest

Your most affectionate and assured friend, FR. ST. ALban.

March 21, 1621.

TO THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

I find in books (and books I dare allege to your majesty, in regard of your singular ability to read and judge of them even above your sex) that it is accounted a great bliss for a man to have leisure with honour. That was never my fortune, nor is. For time was, I had honour without leisure; and now I have leisure without honour. And I cannot say so neither altogether, considering there remain with me the marks and stamp of the king's, your father's, grace, though I go not for so much in value as I have done. But my | desire is now to have leisure without loitering, and not to become an abbey-lubber, as the old proverb was, but to yield some fruit of my private life. Having therefore written the reign of your majesty's famous ancestor, King Henry the Seventh; and it having passed the file of his majesty's judgment, and been graciously also accepted of the prince, your brother, to whom it is dedicated, I could not forget my duty so far to your excellent majesty, (to whom, for that I know and have heard, I have been at all times so much bound, as you are ever present with me, both in affection and admiration,) as not to make unto you, in all humbleness, a present thereof, as now being not able to give you tribute of any service. If King Henry the Seventh were alive again, I hope verily he could not be so angry with me for not flattering him, as well pleased in seeing himself so truly described in colours that will last, and be believed. I most humbly pray your majesty graciously to accept of my good will; and so, with all reverence, kiss your hands, praying to God above, by his divine and most benign providence, to conduct your affairs to happy issue; and resting

Your majesty's most humble
and devoted servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

April 20, 1622

Longing to yield an account of my stewardship, and that I had not buried your talent in the ground, I waited yesterday the marquis's pleasure, until I found a fit opportunity to importune some return of his lordship's resolution. The morning could not afford it; for time only allowed leave to tell him, I would say something. In the afternoon I had amends for all. In the forenoon he laid the law, but in the afternoon he preached the gospel; when, after some revivations of the old distaste concerning York House, he most nobly opened his heart unto me, wherein I read that which argued much good towards you. After which revelation, the book was again sealed up, and must, in his own time, only by himself be again manifested unto you. I have leave to remember some of the vision, and am not forbidden to write it. He vowed, not courtlike, but constantly, to appear your friend so much, as, if his majesty should abandon the care of you, you should share his fortune with him. He pleased to tell me, how much he had been beholden to you; how well he loved you; how unkindly he took the denial of your house, (for so he will needs understand it.) But the close, for all this, was harmonious, since he protested he would seriously begin to study your ends, now that the world should see he had no ends on you. He is in hand with the work, and therefore will, by no means, accept of your offer; though I can assure you, the tender hath much won upon him, and mellowed his heart towards you; and your genius directed you right, when you wrote that letter of denial unto the duke.* The king saw it; and all the rest; which made him say unto the marquis, you played an after game well; and that now he had no reason to be much offended.

I have already talked of the revelation, and now am to speak in apocalyptical language, which I hope you will rightly comment; whereof, if you make difficulty, the bearert can help you with the key of the cipher.

My Lord Falkland, by this time, hath showed you London from Highgate. If York House were gone, the town were yours; and all your straitest shackles cleared off, besides more comfort than the city air only. The marquis would be exceedingly glad the treasurer had it. This I know; but this you must not know from me. Bargain with him presently, upon as good conditions as you can procure, so you have direct motion from the marquis to let him have it. Seem not to dive into the secret of it; though you are purblind if you see not through it. I have told Mr. Meautys, how I would wish your lordship to make an end of it. From him, I beseech you,

* Of Lenox, of the 30th of January, 1621-2.
† Probably Mr. Meautys.

take it, and from me only the advice to perform a subject and as he that took once the oath of it. If you part not speedily with it, you may counsellor, to make known to your lordship an defer the good, which is approaching near you, advertisement which came to me this morning. and disappointing other aims, (which must either A gentleman, a dear friend of mine, whom your shortly receive content, or never,) perhaps anew lordship cannot but imagine, though I name him yield matter of discontent, though you may be not, told me thus much, that some English priests indeed as innocent as before. Make the treasurer that negotiated at Rome to facilitate the dispensabelieve, that since the marquis will by no means tion, did their own business, (that was his phrase ;) accept of it, and that you must part with it, you for they negotiated with the pope to erect some are more willing to pleasure him than anybody titulary bishops for England, that might ordain, else, because you are given to understand my and have other spiritual faculties; saying withal lord marquis so inclines; which inclination, if the most honestly, that he thought himself bound to treasurer shortly send unto you about it, desire impart this to some counsellor, both as a loyal may be more clearly manifested, than as yet it subject, and as a Catholic; for that he doubted it hath been; since, as I remember, none hitherto might be a cause to cross the graces and mercies hath told you in terminis terminantibus, that the which the Catholics now enjoy, if it be not premarquis desires you should gratify the treasurer. vented: and he asked my advice, whether he I know that way the hare runs; and that my lord should make it known to your lordship, or to my marquis longs until Cranfield hath it; and so I lord keeper,* when he came back to London. I wish too, for your good, yet would not it were commended his loyalty and discretion, and wished absolutely passed, until my lord marquis did send, him to address himself to your lordship, who or write, unto you, to let him have it; for then, might communicate it with my lord keeper, if you his so disposing of it were but the next degree | saw cause, and that he repaired to your lordship removed from the immediate acceptance of it, and presently, which he resolved to do. Nevertheless, your lordship freed from doing it otherwise than I did not think mine own particular duty acquitted, to please him, and to comply with his own will except I certified it also myself, borrowing so and way. much of private friendship in a cause of state, as not to tell him I would do so much.

I have no more to say, but that I am, and ever will be

Your lordship's most affectionate friend
and humble servant,
E. SACKVILLE.

Endorsed,

Received the 11th of May, 1622.

Endorsed,

My letter to my lord marquis, touching the business of estate advertised by Mr. Matthew.†

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY MOST HONOURED LORD,

I come in these to your lordship with the voice

TO THE LORD KEEPER, DR. WILLIAMS, BISHOP OF of thanksgiving for the continuance of your ac

LINCOLN.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I understand there is an extent prayed against me, and a surety of mine, by the executors of one Harrys, a goldsmith. The statute is twelve years old, and falleth to an executor, or an executor of an executor, I know not whether. And it was sure a statute collected out of a shop-debt, and much of it paid. I humbly pray your lordship, according to justice and equity, to stay the extent, being likewise upon a double penalty, till I may better inform myself touching a matter so long past; and, if it be requisite, put in a bill, that the truth of the account appearing, such satisfaction may be made as shall be fit. So I rest

Your lordship's affectionate

May 30, 1622.

to do you faithful service,
FR. ST. ALBan.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I thought it appertained to my duty, both ast
VOL. III.-19

customed noble care of me and my good, which for the present itself, (whereof your lordship overtakes me, I find, whithersoever I go. But writes,) whether or no it be better than that I was wont to bring your lordship, the end only can prove. For I have yet no more to show for it than good words, of which many times I brought your lordship good store. But because modicefideans were not made to thrive in court, I mean to lose no time from assailing my lord marquis, for which purpose I am now hovering about New-hall,‡ where his lordship is expected (but not the king) this day, or to-morrow: which place, as your

* Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln.

The date of this letter may be pretty nearly determined by one of the lord keeper to the Marquis of Buckingh m, dated August 23, 1622, and printed in the Cabala. The postscript to that letter is as follows: "The Spanish ambassador took the alarm very speedily of the titulary Roman bishop; and before my departure from his house at Islington, whither I went privately to him, did write both to Rome and Spain to prevent it. But I am afraid that Tobie will prove but an apocryphal, and no canonical, intelligencer, acquainting the state with this project for the Jesuits' rather than for Jesus'a sake."

* In Essex.

N

lordship adviseth, may not be ill chosen for my business. For, if his lordship be not very thick of hearing, sure New-hall will be heard to speak for me.

memorial to my lord treasurer: that your lordship offered, and received, and presented my petition to the king, and procured me a reference: that your lordship moved his majesty, and obtained And now, my good lord, if any thing make me for me access to him, against his majesty comes diffident, or indeed almost indifferent how it suc- next, which, in mine own opinion, is better than ceeds, it is this; that my sole ambition having if it had been now, and will be a great comfort to ever been, and still is, to grow up only under me, though I should die next day after that your your lordship, it is become preposterous, even to lordship gave me so good English for my Latin my nature and habit, to think of prospering, or book. My humble request is, at this time, that receiving any growth, either without or besides | because my lord treasurer keepeth yet his answer your lordship. And, therefore, let me claim of in suspense, (though by one he useth to me, he your lordship to do me this right, as to believe | speaketh me fair,) that your lordship would nick that which my heart says, or rather swears to me, it with a word: for if he do me good, I doubt it namely, that what addition soever, by God's good may not be altogether of his own. providence, comes at any time to my life or for- prosper you. tune, it is, in my account, but to enable me the more to serve your lordship in both; at whose feet I shall ever humbly lay down all that I have, or am, never to rise thence other than Your lordship's in all duty

God ever

Your lordship's most bounden
and faithful servant,
FR. ST. Alban.

4th of November, 1622.

and reverent affections,

T. MEAUTYS.

September 11, 1622.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

Since my last to your lordship, I find by Mr.

MY MOST HONOURED LORD,

TO THE COUNTESS OF BUCKINGHAM,* MOTHER Johnson, that my lord treasurer is not twice in

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY HONOURABLE GOOD LADY,

Your ladyship's late favour and noble usage towards me were such, as I think your absence a great part of my misfortunes. And the more I find my most noble lord, your son, to increase in favour towards me, the more out of my love to him, I wish he had often by him so loving and wise a mother. For if my lord were never so wise, as wise as Solomon; yet, I find, that Solomon himself, in the end of his Proverbs, sets down a whole chapter of advices that his mother taught him.

Madam, I can but receive your remembrance with affection, and use your name with honour, and intend you my best service, if I be able, ever resting

Your ladyship's humble
and affectionate servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

Bedford House, this 29th of October, 1622.

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one mind, or Sir Arthur Ingram not twice in one
tale. For, Sir Arthur, contrary to his speech but
yesterday with me, puts himself now, as it seems,
in new hopes to prevail with my lord treasurer for
your lordship's good and advantage, by a proposi-
tion sent by Mr. Johnson, for the altering of your
patent to a new mould, more safe than the other,
which he seemed to dissuade, as I wrote to your
lordship. I like my lord treasurer's heart to your
lordship, so much every day worse than other,
especially for his coarse usage of your lordship's
name in his last speech, as that I cannot imagine
he means you any good. And, therefore, good
my lord, what directions you shall give herein to
Sir Arthur Ingram, let them be as safe ones as you
can think upon; and that your lordship surrender
not your old patent, till you have the new under
seal, lest my lord keeper should take toy, and
stop it there. And I know your lordship cannot
forget they have such a savage word among them
as fleecing. God in heaven bless your lordship
from such hands and tongues; and then things
will mend of themselves.

Your lordship's, in all humbleness,
to honour and serve you,
T. MEAUTYs.

This Sunday morning.

Endorsed-25th of November, 1622.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
My VERY GOOD LORD,

I find my lord treasurer, after so many days and appointments, and such certain messages and pro...

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