mises, doth but mean to coax me, (it is his own | which I will endeavour, upon all opportunities, word of old,) and to saw me asunder, and to do to deserve: and in the mean time do rest

just nothing upon his majesty's gracious reference, nobly procured by your lordship for this poor remnant. My lord, let it be your own deed; and to use the prayers of the litany, good Lord, deliver me from this servile dependence; for I had rather beg and starve, than be fed at that door. God ever prosper your lordship.

Your lordship's most bounden

Bedford House, this

and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

Endorsed,

Your lordship's assured faithful

poor friend and servant,
Jo. LINCOLN, C. S.

Westminster College, this 7th of Feb., 1622.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.
EXCELLENT LORD,

Though your lordship's absence* fall out in an ill time for myself; yet, because I hope in God this noble adventure will make your lordship a

To Buckingham, about Lord Treasurer Cranfield's rich return in honour, abroad and at home, ana using of him.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. EXCELLENT LORD,

I perceive this day by Mr. Comptroller,* that I live continually in your lordship's remembrance and noble purposes concerning my fortunes, as well for the comfort of my estate, as for countenancing me otherwise by his majesty's employments and graces; for which I most humbly kiss your hands, leaving the times to your good lordship; which, considering my age and wants, I assure myself your lordship will the sooner take into your care. And for my house at Gorhambury, I do infinitely desire your lordship should have it; and howsoever I may treat, I will conclude with none, till I know your lordship's farther pleasure, ever resting

Your lordship's obliged

and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALban.

Bedford House, this 5th of Feb. 1622.+

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I have received by this bearer, the privy seal for the survey of coals, which I will lay aside, until I shall hear farther from my Lord Steward, and the rest of the lords.

chiefly in the inestimable treasure of the love and trust of that thrice-excellent prince; I confess I am so glad of it, as I could not abstain from your lordship's trouble in seeing it expressed by these few and hasty lines.

I beseech your lordship, of your nobleness. vouchsafe to present my most humble duty to his highness, who, I hope, ere long will make me leave King Henry the Eighth, and set me on work in relation of his highness's adventures. I very humbly kiss your lordship's hands, resting ever

Your lordship's most obliged

My lord, I hope in God, that this your noble adventure will make you a rich return, especially in the inestimable treasure of the love and trust of that twice-excellent prince. And although, to a man that loves your lordship so dearly as I do, and knows somewhat of the world, it cannot be, but that in my thoughts there should arise many fears, or shadows of fears, concerning so rare an accident; yet, nevertheless, I believe well, that this your lordship's absence will rather be a glass unto you, to show you many things, whereof you may make use hereafter, than otherwise any hurt. or hazard to your fortunes; which God grant. For myself, I am but a man desolate till your return, and have taken a course accordingly. Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to remember my most humble †Two days before, the Marquis of Buckingham set out duty to his highness. And so God, and his holy privately with the prince, for Spain. angels guard you, both going and coming.

I am ready to do as much as your lordship desireth, in keeping Mr. Cottons off from the violence of those creditors: only himself is, as yet, wanting in some particular directions.

I heartily thank your lordship for your book; and all other symbols of your love and affection,

*Henry Cary, Viscount Falkland.

Duke of Lenox.

Probably the surety of Lord Bacon for the debt to Harrys the goldsmith, mentioned in his lordship's letter of May 30, 1622

Endorsed March 10, 1622.

*

In Spain.

TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO
THE PRINCE.

GOOD MR. SECRETARY,
Though I wrote so lately unto you, by my Lord
Rochford; yet, upon the going of my Lord Vaugh-
an,* the prince's worthy and trusty servant, and
my approved friend, and your so near ally, I
could not but put this letter into his hand, com-
mending myself and my fortunes unto you. You
know the difference of obliging men in prosperity
and adversity, as much as the sowing upon a
pavement and upon a furrow new made. Myself
for quiet, and the better to hold out, am retired to
Gray's Inn: for when my chief friends were
gone so far off, it was time for me to go to a cell.
God send us a good return of you all.

I ever rest, &c.

My humble service to my lord marquis, to whom I have written twice. I would not cloy him. My service also to the Count Gondomar, and Lord of Bristol.

Endorsed,

TO MR. SECRETARY CONWAY.
GOOD MR. SECRETARY,

When you did me the honour and favour to visit me, you did not only in general terms express your love unto me, but, as a real friend, asked me whether I had any particular occasion, wherein I might make use of you? At that time I had none: now there is one fallen. It is, that Mr. Thomas Murray, Provost of Eton, (whom I love very well,) is like to die. It were a pretty cell for my fortune. The college and school, I do not doubt, but I shall make to flourish. His majesty, when I waited on him, took notice of my wants, and said to me, that, as he was a king, he would have care of me: this is a thing somebody would have, and costs his majesty nothing. I have written two or three words to his majesty, which I would pray you to deliver. I have not expressed this particular to his majesty, but referred it to your relation. My most noble friend, the marquis, is now absent. Next to him I could not think of a better address than to yourself, as on e

To Mr. Secretary, Sir Francis Cottington, March likest to put on his affection. I rest 22, 1622.

TO THE KING.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

Now that my friend is absent, (for so I may call him still, since your majesty, when I waited on you, told me, that fortune made no difference,) your majesty remaineth to me king, and master, and friend, and all. Your beadsman therefore addresseth himself to your majesty for a cell to retire into. The particular I have expressed to my very friend, Mr. Secretary Conway. This help, which costs your majesty nothing, may reserve me to do your majesty service, without being chargeable unto you; for I will never deny but my desire to serve your majesty is of the nature of the heart, that will be ultimum moriens

with me.

God preserve your majesty, and send you a good return of the treasure abroad, which passeth all Indian fleets.

Your majesty's most humble
and devoted servant,

To the king, touching the Provostship of Eton.‡ *He was son and heir of Walter Vaughan, of Golden Grove, in Caermarthenshire, Esq.; and was created Lord Vaughan, in the year 1620. The Lord St. Alban, after he was delivered from his confinement in the Tower, was permitted to stay at Sir John Vaughan's house, at Parson's Green, near Fulham.

In a MS. letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, March 8, 1622-3, is the following passage: "The Lord of St. Alban is in his old remitter, and came to lie in his old lodgings in Gray's Inn; which is the fulfilling of a prophecy of one Locke, a familiar of his, of the same house, that knew him intus et in cute: who, seeing him go thence in pomp, with the great seal before him, said to divers of his friends, we shall live to have him here again."

‡ Mr. Thomas Murray, the provost of that college, having been cut for the stone, died April 1, 1623.

Your honour's very affectionate friend,
FR. ST. ALBAN.*

Gray's Inn, the 25th of March, 1623.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM, IN SPAIN.

EXCELLent Lord,

Finding so trusty a messenger as Sir John lines into his hands. Epsley, I thought it my duty to put these few I thank God, that those shadows, which either mine own melancholy, or my extreme love to your lordship, did put into my mind concerning this voyage of the prince and your lordship, rather vanish and diminish than otherwise. The gross fear is past of the passage of France. I think you had the ring which they write of, that, when the seal was turned to the palm of the hand, made men go invisible. Neither do I hear of any novelty here worth the esteeming.

There is a general opinion here that your lordship is like enough to return, and go again, before the prince come: which opinion, whether the business lead you to do so, or no, doth no hurt ; for it keeps men in awe.

I find, I thank God, some glimmering of the

To this letter Secretary Conway wrote an answer, acquainting the Lord Viscount St. Alban, that the king could not value his lordship so little, or conceive that he limited his desires so low; in which, however, he should have been gratified, had not the king been engaged, by the Marquis of Buckingham, for Sir William Becher, his agent in France.— See Account of the Life of Lord Bacon, p. 26, prefixed to the edition of his Letters, Memoirs, &c., by Robert Stephens, Esq. The Duke of Buckingham himself, likewise, after his return from Spain, in a letter to the Lord Viscount St. Alban, dated at Hinchinbrook, October 27, 1623, expresses his concern that he could do his lordship no service in that affair, “having engaged myself," says he, "to Sir William Becher, before my going into Spain; so that I cannot free myself, unless there were means to give him satisfaction."

king's favour, which your lordship's noble work I was looking of some short papers of mine of my access, no doubt, did chiefly cherish. I am touching usury,* to grind the teeth of it, and yet much bound to Mr. Secretary Conway. It is make it grind to his majesty's mill in good sort, wholly for your lordship's sake, for I had no without discontentment or perturbation. If you acquaintance with him in the world. By that I think good, I will send it to his majesty, as the see of him, he is a man fit to serve a great king, fruit of my leisure. But yet, I would not have and fit to be a friend and servant to your lordship. it come from me, not for any tenderness in the Good my lord, write two or three words to him, thing, but because I know, in courts of princes, both of thanks, and a general recommendation of it is usual, non res, sed displicet auctor. God keep me unto him. your honour, &c.

Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to present my most humble duty to his highness. We hear he is fresh in his person, and becomes this brave journey in all things. God provide all things for the best.

I ever rest, &c.

Endorsed March 30, 1623.

TO MR. SECRETARY CONWAY.

GOOD MR. SECRETARY,

Endorsed,

To Mr. Secretary Conway, touching the provostship of Eton, March 31, 1623.

TO THE EARL OF BRISTOL, AMBASSADOR IN
SPAIN.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I have so good a mean as Mr. Matthew, who, if there be any thing that concerns my fortune, can better express it than myself, I humbly commend myself, and my service to your lordship, resting, &c.

Though I have written to your lordship lately, yet I could not omit to put a letter into so good a hand as Mr. Matthew's, being one that hath often I am much comforted by your last letter, made known unto me how much I am beholden wherein I find that his majesty, of his mere grace estimation I have ever had your lordship, not acto your lordship; and knoweth, likewise, in what and goodness, vouchsafeth to have a care of me, a man out of sight, out of use; but yet his, as the cording to your fortunes, but according to your Scripture saith, God knows those that are his. inward value. Therefore, not to hold your lordIn particular, I am very much bound to his ma-ship in this time of so great business, and where jesty (and I pray you, sir, thank his majesty most humbly for it) that, notwithstanding the former designment of Sir William Becher,* his majesty (as you write) is not out of hope, in due time, to accommodate me of this cell, and to satisfy him otherwise. Many conditions, no doubt, may be as contenting to that gentleman, and his years may expect them. But there will hardly fall, To SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO especially in the spent hourglass of my life, any thing so fit for me, being a retreat to a place of study so near London, and where (if I sell my house at Gorhambury, as I purpose to do, to put myself in some convenient plenty) I may be accommodated of a dwelling for summer time. And, therefore, good Mr. Secretary, further this his majesty's good intention, by all means, if the place fall.

I

For yourself, you have obliged me much. will endeavour to deserve it: at least your nobleness is never lost; and my noble friend, the marquis, I know, will thank you for it.

* Sir William had not, however, that post, but, in lieu of it, the promise of two thousand five hundred pounds, upon the fall of the first of the six clerks' places, and was permitted to keep his clerkship of the council.-MS. Letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, July 24, 1624. The provostship was given to Sir Henry Wotton, who was instituted into it the 26th of that month,

having purchased it by a surrender of a grant of the reversion of the mastership of the rolls, and of another office, which was fit to be turned into present money, which he then, and afterwards, much wanted: [Life ofhim by Mr. Isaac Walton :] for, when he went to the election at Eton, soon after his

being made provost, he was so ill provided, that the fellows of the college were obliged to furnish his bare walls, and whatever else was wanting.-MS. Letter of Mr. Chamberlain, Aug. 7, 1624.

TO

THE PRINCE.

GOOD MR. SECRETARY,

Though I think I have cloyed you with letters, yet, had I written a thousand before, I must add one more by the hands of Mr. Matthew, being as true a friend as any you or I have; and one that made me so happy, as to have the assurance of our friendship; which, if there be any stirring for my good, I pray practise in so good a conjunction as his. I ever rest, &c.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

GoOD MR. MATTHEW,

Because Mr. Clarke is the first that hath been sent since your departure, who gave me also the comfortable news, that he met you well, I could not but visit you with my letters, who have so often visited me with your kind conferences.

My health, I thank God, is better than when you left me; and, to my thinking, better than be

* In his works is published, A Draught of an Act againsi an usurious Shift of Gain in delivering of Commodities instead of Money.

fore my last sickness. This is all I need to write | his person; and shall ever be ready to do you, in f myself to such a friend.

DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM TO THE LORD VISCOUNT as you do? and yet nothing, as we hear, but for

lord, I am glad he is there; for I know his virtues, | mise for a compliment. But since you call for it, and particularly his devotion to your lordship.

God return his highness, and your grace, unto us safe and sound, and according to your heart's desires.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

GOOD MR. MATTHEW,

I have received your letter of the 10th of June,* and am exceeding glad to hear you are in so good health. For that which may concern myself, I neither doubt of your judgment in choosing the fittest time, nor of your affection in taking the first time you shall find fit. For the public business, I will not turn my hopes into wishes yet, since you write as you do; and I am very glad you are there, and, as I guess, you went in good time to his lordship.

For your action of the case, it will fall to the ground; for I have not heard from the duke, neither by letter, nor message, at this time. God keep you. I rest always Your most affectionate and faithful servant, FR. ST. ALBan.

Gray's Inn, 17th of June, 1623.

I shall perform it.*

I am much beholden to Mr. Gage for many expressions of his love to me; and his company, in itself very acceptable, is the more pleasing to me, because it retaineth the memory of yourself.

This letter of yours, of the 26th, lay not so long by you, but it hath been as speedily answered by me, so as with Sir Francis Cottington I have had no speech since the receipt of it. Your former letters, which I received from Mr. Griesley, I had answered before, and put my letter into a good hand.

For the great business, God conduct it well. Mine own fortune hath taught me expectation. God keep you.

Endorsed,

To Mr. Matthew, into Spain.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

GOOD MR. Matthew,

I have received your letter, sent by my Lord of Andover; and, as I acknowledged your care, so I cannot fit it with any thing, that I can think on for myself; for, since Gondomar, who was my voluntary friend, is in no credit, neither with the prince, nor with the duke, I do not see what may

I do hear, from Sir Robert Ker and others, how be done for me there; except that which Gonmuch beholden I am to you.

TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.

GOOD MR. MATTHEW,

I thank you for your letter of the 26th of June, and commend myself unto your friendship, knowing your word is good assurance, and thinking I cannot wish myself a better wish, than that your power may grow to your will.

Since you say the prince hath not forgot his commandment, touching my history of Henry VIII., I may not forget my duty. But I find Sir Robert Cotton, who poured forth what he had, in my other work, somewhat dainty of his materials in this.

It is true, my labours are now most set to have those works, which I had formerly published, as that of Advancement of Learning, that of Henry VII., that of the Essays, being retractate, and made more perfect, well translated into Latin by the help of some good pens, which forsake me not. For these modern languages will, at one time or other, play the bankrupts with books; and since I have lost much time with this age, I would be glad, as God shall give me leave, to recover it with posterity.

For the essay of friendship, while I took your speech of it for a cursory request, I took my pro

*Ń. S.

domar hath lost you have found; and then I am
sure my case is amended: so as, with a great
deal of confidence, I commend myself to you,
hoping, that you will do what in you lieth, to
prepare the prince and duke to think of me, upon
their return. And if you have any relation to the
infanta, I doubt not but it shall be also to my
God keep you.
use.

Your most affectionate and assured friend, etc.

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

EXCELLENT Lord,

Though I have formerly given your grace thanks for your last letter, yet being much refreshed to hear things go so well, whereby we hope to see you here shortly, your errand done, and the prince within the vail, I could not contain, but congratu late with your lordship, seeing good fortune, that is God's blessing, still follow you. I hope I have still place in your love and favour; which if I have, for other place, it shall not trouble me. I ever rest Your grace's most obliged and faithful servant. July 22, 1623.