TO THE LORD ST. ALBAN.

means.

TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.

to his majesty, the one for a full pardon, that I Excellent LORD,

may die out of a cloud; the other for the translaI send your grace for a parabien, a book of tion of my honours after my decease. I hope his mine, written first and dedicated to his majesty majesty will have compassion on me, as he proin English, and now translated into Latin, and mised me he would. My heart telleth me that enriched. After his majesty and his highness, no man hath loved his majesty and his service your grace is ever to have the third turn with me. more entirely, and love is the law and the prophets. Vouchsafe, of your wonted farour, to present also I ever rest the king's book to his majesty. The prince's I Your grace's most obliged have sent to Mr. Endimion Porter. I hope your

and faithful servant, grace (because you are wont to disable your

FR. ST. ALBAN. Latin) will not send your book to the Conde November 25th, 1623. d'Olivares, because he was a deacon, for I understand by one, (that your grace may guess whom I mean,) that the Conde is not rational, and I hold this book to be very rational. Your grace will pardon me to be merry, however, the world

My Lord, I have moved his majesty in your goeth with me. I ever rest

suit, and find him very gracious inclined to grant Your grace's most faithful

it; but he desireth first to know from iny lord and obliged servant,

treasurer his opinion and the value of it, to Fr. St. ALBAN.

whom I have written to that purpose this enclosed Gray's Inn, 224 October, 1623.

letter, and would wish your lordship to speak I have added a begging postscript in the king's with him yourself for his favour and furtherance letter; for, as I writ before, my cables are worn

therein, and for my part I will omit nothing that out, my hope of tackling is by your lordship's appertaineth to For me and mine, I pray command.

Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,

G. BUCKINGHAM.

Newmarket, 28th of January, 1623. TO THE LORD ST. ALBAN.' My Lord, I give your lordship many thanks for the parabien you have sent me; which is so welcome unto me, both for the author's sake and for the worth of itself, that I cannot spare a work Right HONOURABLE AND MY VERY Noble Lord, of so much pains to your lordship and value to

Mr. Doctor Rawley, by his modest choice, hath me, unto a man of so little reason and less art; much obliged me to be careful of him, when God who if his skill in languages be no greater than shall send any opportunity. And if his majesty I found it in argument, may, perhaps, have as

shall remove me from this see, before any such much need of an interpreter (for all his deaconry)

occasion be offered, not to change iny intentions as myself; and whatsoever mine ignorance is

with my bishopric. in the tongue, yet this much I understand in the

It true that those ancients, Cicero, Demosthenes, book, that it is a noble monument of your love, and Plinius Secundus, have preserved their orawhich I will entail to my posterity, who, I hope,

tions (the heads and effects of them at least) and will both reap the fruit of the work, and honour their epistles; and I have ever been of opinion, the memory of the author. The other book 1 that those two pieces, are the principal pieces of delivered to bis majesty, who is tied here by the our antiquities: those orations discovering the feet longer than he purposed to stay.

form of administering justice, and the letters the For the business your lordship wrote of in your carriage of the affairs in those times. For our other letters, I am sorry I can do you no service, histories (or rather lives of men) borrow as much having engaged myself to Sir William Becher from the affections and phantasies of the writers, before my going to Spain, so that I cannot free as from the truth itself, and are for the most of myself, unless there were means to give him them built together upon unwritten relations and satisfaction. But I will ever continue

traditions. But letters written è re nata, and bearYour lordship's assured friend and servant,

ing a synchronism or equality of time cum rebus G. BUCKINGHAM.

gestis, have no other fault, than that which was Itinchenbrook, Oct. 271h, 1623.

imputed unto Virgil, nihil peccat nisi, quod nihil peccet, they speak the truth too plainly, and cast too glaring a light for that age, wherein they

were, or are written. EXCELLENT LORD,

Your lordship doth most worthily, therefore, in I send Mr. Parker to have ready, according to preserving those two pieces, amongst the rest of the speech I had with your grace, my two suits those matchless monuments you shall leave be

TO THE LORD ST. ALBAN.

TO TIJE DUKE OF BUCKINGIIAM.

hind you; considering that, as one age hath not Your lordship may therefore inform yourself if one bred your experience, so is it not fit it should be Sidley, of Kent, hath not already founded in Oxconfinea to one age, and not imparted to the times ford a lecture of this nature and condition. Bw to come. For my part therein, I do embrace the if Oxford in this kind be an Argus, I am sure honour with all ihanktulness, and the trust im- poor Cambridge is a right Polyphemus, it hath posed upon me, with all religion and devotion. but one eye, and that not so steadily or artificialFor those two lectures in natural philosophy, ly placed, but bonum est facile sui diffusivum ; and the sciences woven and involved with the your lordship being so full of goodness, will same; it is a great and a noble foundation, both quickly find an object to pour it on. That which for the use and the salary, and a foot that will made me say thus much I will say in verse, that teach the age to come, to guess in part at the your lordship may remember it the better, greatness of that herculean mind which give them

Sola ruinosis stat Cantabrigia parnis their existence. Only your lordship may be ad

Alque inopi linguá disertas invocat Artes, vised for the seats of this foundation. The two I will conclude with this vow: Deus, qui animum universities are the two eyes of this land, and listum tibi, animoisti tempus quam longissimum fittest to contemplate the lustre of this bounty ; tribuat. It is the most affectionate prayer of these two lectures are as the two apples of these Your lordship's most humble servant, eyes. An apple when it is single is an ornament,

Jo. LINCOLN. when double a pearl, or a blemish in the eye. Buckden, last of December, 1625.

LETTERS FROM MATHEWS,

NOT BEFORE PUBLISHED.

HIM A SERVICE.

BIR FRANCIS BACON, DESIRING A FRIEND TO DO speak like a critic) that I do perhaps indormis

cere; or where I do indulgere genio; or where, in SIR,—The report of this act, which I hope fine, I give any manner of disadvantage to myself. will prove the last of this business, will probably, This, super totam materiam, you must not fail to by the weight it carries, fall, and seize on me. note, besides all such words and phrases as you And, therefore, not now at will, but upon necessity cannot like; for you know in how high account I it will become me to call to mind what passed ; have your judgment. and (my head being then wholly employed about invention) I may the worse put things upon the account of mine own memory.

I shall take physic to-day, upon this change of weather, and vantage of leisure; and I pray you not to allow SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE SAME PERSON UPON

THE LIKE SUBJECT; WITH AN ADDITION OF yourself so much business, but that you may have CONDOLING THE DEATH OF A FRIEND. time to bring me your friendly aid before night, &c.

SIR,The reason of so much time taken before my answer to yours of the fourth of August, was chiefly my accompanying my letter with the

paper which here I send you; and again, now SIR FRANCIS BACON TO A FRIEND, ABOUT READ.

lately (not to hold from you till the end of a letter ING AND GIVING JUDGMENT UPON HIS WRIT. that which by grief may, for a time, efface all the

former contents,) the death of your good friend and Sir,-Because you shall not lose your labour mine, A. B.; to whom, because I used to send my this afternoon, which now I must needs spend letters for conveyance to you, it made me so much with my Lord Chancellor, I send my desire to the more unready in the despatch of them. In you in this letter, that you will take care not to the mean time, I think myself (howsoever it halkı leave the writing which I left with you last with pleased God otherwise to bless me) a most unfort any man so long as that he may be able to take a tunate man, to be deprived of two (a great number copy of it; because, first, it must be censured by in true friendship) of those friends whom I acyou, and then considered again by me. The counted as no stage friends, but private friends, thing which I expect most from you is, that you (and such as with whom I might both freely and would read it carefully over by yourself, and to safely communicate;) him by death, and you by inake some little in writing, where you think (to absence. As for the memorial of the late deceased

INGS

As for my

a

TION UPON SOME ASTROLOGERS IN ITALY.

queen, I will not question whether you be to THE LORD OF ST. ALBANS, BACON, TO AN JIINpass for a disinterested man or no; I freely con- BLE SERVANT, MY LORD BELIEVING HIS OWN

DANGER TO BE MUCH LESS THAN HE FOUND IT sess myself am not, so I leave it. other writings, you make me very glad of your SIR.-I say to you, upon the occasion whichi approbation; the rather because you add a con- you give me in your last, modicæ fixi quare currence in opinion with others; for else I might dubitasti? I would not have my friends (though have conceived that affection would, perhaps, I know it to be out of love) too apprehensive, have prevailed with you, beyond that which (if either of me, or for me. For I thank God, my your judgment had been neat and free) you could ways are sound and good, and I hope God will have esteemned. And as for your caution touch- bless me in them. When once my master, and ing the dignity of ecclesiastical persons, I shall afterwards myself, were both of us in extremity not have cause to meet with them, any otherwise of sickness, (which was no time to dissemble, I than in that some schoolmen have, with excess, never had so great pledges and certainties of his advanced the authority of Aristotle. Other occa- love and favour: and that which I knew then, sion I shall have none. But now I have sent you such as took a little poor advantage of these latter that only part of the whole writing which may times, know since. As for the nobleman who perhaps have a little harshness and provocation in passed that way by you, I think he is fallen it, although I may almost secure myself that if out with me for his pleasure, or else, perhaps, to the preface passed so well this will not irritate make good some of his own mistakings: for he more; being, indeed, to the preface but as palma cannot in his heart but think worthily of my ad pugnum. Your own love expressed to me I affection and well deserving towards him; and as heartily embrace; and hope that there will never for me, I am very sure that I love his nature and be occasion of other than entireness between us, parts. which nothing but majores charitates shall ever be able to break off.

MY LORD OF ST. ALBANS, BACON, TO THE SAME

HUMBLE SERVANT, EMPLOYING HIM TO DO A

GOOD OFFICE WITH ANOTHER GREAT MAN. SIR FRANCIS BACON TO A FRIEND, IN REFLEC

Sir, I have received your letter, wherein you

mention some passages at large concerning the Sir,-I write to you chiefly now to the end lord you know of. You touched also that point shat, by the continuance of my acquaintance with in a letter which you wrote upon my lord's going you, by letters, you may perceive how much I over, which I answered; and am a little doubtful desire, and how much I do not despair of the re- whether mine ever came to your hands. It is continuance of our acquaintance by conversation. true that I wrote a little sullenly therein; how I In the mean time, I wish you would desire the conceived that my lord was a wise man in his astronomers of Italy to amuse us less than they own way, and perhaps thought it fit for him to be do with their fabulous and foolish traditions, and out with me; for, at least, I found no cause therecome nearer to the experiments of sense; and tell of in myself. As for the latter of these points, I us that when all the planets, except the moon, are am of the same judgment still; but for the former, beyond the line in the other hemisphere for six I perceive, by what you write, that it is merely months together, we must needs have a cold some misunderstanding of his. And I do a little winter, as we saw it was the last year. For, marvel, at the instance which had relation to thal understanding that this was general over all these other crabbed man; for I conceived that both in parts of the world, and finding that it was cold passing that book, and (as I remember) two weather with all winds, and namely west wind, 1 more, immediately after my lord's going over, I imagined there was some higher cause of this had showed more readiness than many times I effect; though yet, I confess, I thought not that use in like cases. But, to conclude, no man hath ever I should have found that cause so palpable a thought better of my lord than I have done. I one as it proved : which yet, when I came quickly know his virtues, and, namely, that he hath much afterwards to observe, I found also very clearly, greatness of mind, which is a thing almost lost that the summer must needs be cold too; though, amongst men; nor can anybody be more sensible yet, it were generally thought that the year would and remembering than I am of his former favours, make a shift to pay itself; and that we should be so that I shall be most glad of his friendship; sure to have heats for our cold. You see that neither are the past occasions, in my opinion, such though I be full of business, yet I can be glad as need either reparation or declaration, but may rather to lay it all aside than to say nothing to well go under the title of nothing. Now, I had you. But I long much more to be speaking often rather you dealt between us than anybody else, with you; and I hope I shall not long want my because you are no way drenched in any man's wish

humour. Of other things at another time; but

a

a

:

VICE.

this I was forward to write, in the midst of more honour, in the opinion of all them who hear how business than ever I had.

I am dealt with. If your lordship malice me for such a cause, surely it was one of the justest businesses that ever was in Chancery. I will

avouch it; and how deeply I was tempted thereTHE LORD OF st. ALBANS TO A MOST DEAR in, your lordship knows best. Your lordship FRIEND, IN WHOM HE NOTES AN ENTIRENESS may do well, in this great age of yours, to think AND IMPATIENT ATTENTION TO DO HIM BER- of your grave, as I do of mine, and to beware of

hardness of heart. And as for fair words, it is Sir,—It is not for nothing that I have deferred a wind, by which neither your lordship nor any my Essay de Amicitia, whereby it hath expected man else can sail long. Howsoever, I am the the proof of your great friendship towards me. man who will give all due respects and reverence Whatsoever the event be, (wherein I depend upon to your great place, &c. God, who ordains the effect, the instrument, all,) yet your incessant thinking of me, without loss of a moment of time, or a hint of occasion, or a circumstance of endeavour, or the stroke of a pulse A LETTER OF SIR FRANCIS BACON TO A SERVANT in demonstration of your affection to me, doth infi- OF HIS, IN EXPRESSION OF GREAT ACKNOWnitely tie me to you. Commend my service to my friend. The rest to-morrow, for I hope to

Sir, I have been too long a debtor to you for lodge at London this night, &c.

a letter, and especially for such a letter, the words Secrecy I need not recommend, otherwise than whereof were delivered by your hand, as if it had that you may recommend it over to our friend; been in old gold; for it was not possible for both because it prevents opposition, and because entire affection to be more generously and effecit is both the kiny's and my lord marquis's nature tually expressed. I can but return thanks to you: to love to do things unexpected.

or rather, indeed, such an answer as may better be of thoughts than words. As for that which may concern myself, I hope God hath ordained

me some small time whereby I may redeem the THE LORD ST. ALBANS TO THE LORD TREASURER loss of much. Your company was ever of conMARLBOROUGH, EXPOSTULATING ABOUT HIS

tentment to me, and your absence of grief; but UNKINDNESS, AND INJUSTICE.

now it is of grief upon grief. I beseech you, My Lord,-I humbly entreat your lordship, and therefore, make haste hither, where you shall (if I may use the word) advise you to make me meet with as good a welcome as your own heart a better answer. Your lordship is interested in can wish.

LEDGMENT AND KINDNESS.

MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.

THE LORD BACON, HIS LETTER TO THE MOST IL- | a wise man and an excellent king; and yet the LUSTRIOUS, AND MOST EXCELLENT PRINCE times very rough and full of mutations and rare CHARLES, PRINCE OF WALES, DUKE OF CORN- accidents: and it is with times as it is with ways, WALL, EARL OF CHESTER, &c.*

some are more up hill and down hill, and sonie IT MAY PLEASE your HighneSS.

are more flat and plain, and the one is better for In part of my acknowledgment to your high- the liver, and the other for the writer. I have ness, I have endeavoured to do honour to the not flattered him, but took him to life as well as I memory of the last King of England, that was could, sitting so far off, and having no better ancestor to the king, your father, and yourself, light; it is true your highness hath a living patand was that king to whom both unions may in tern, incomparable, of the king your father; but it a sort refer, that of the roses being in him con- is not amiss for you also to see it in one of these summate, and that of the kingdoms by him ancient pieces. God preserve your highness begun: besides, his times deserve it, for he was Your highness's most humble

MR. FRANCIS BACON TO MR. ROBERT CECIL.*

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MY VERY GOOD

LORI), THE LORD KEEPER.* Sır:-I am very glad that the good affection and friendship, which conversation and familiari- My LORD:- I have, since I spake with your ly did knit between us, is not by absence and lordship, pleaded to the queen against herself fur intermission of society discontinued; whic the injury she doth Mr. Bacon in delaying him assureth me it had a farther root than ordinary so long, and the unkindness she doth me in acquaintance. The signification whereof, as it granting no better expedition in a suit which I is very welcome to me, so it maketh me wish, have followed so long, and so affectionately. And that if you have accomplished yourself as well though I find that she makes some difficulty, to in the points of virtue and experience, which you have the more thanks, yet I do assure myself she sought by your travel, as you have won the per- is resolved to make him. I do write this, not to fection of the Italian tongue, I might have the solicit your lordship to stand firm in assisting me, contentment to see you again in England, that because, I know, you hold yourself already tied we may renew the fruit of our mutual good will; by your affection to Mr. Bacon, and by your prowhich, I may truly affirm, is, on my part, much mise to me; but to acquaint your lordship of my increased towards you, both by your own demon- resolution to set up my rest, and employ my stration of kind remembrance, and because I dis- uttermost strength to get him placed before the cern the like affection in your honourabie and term : so as I beseech your lordship think of no nearest friends.

temporizing course, for I shall think the queen Our news are all but in seed; for our navy is deals unkindly with me, if she do not both give set forth with happy winds, in token of happy him the place, and give it with favour and some adventures, so as we do but expect and pray, extraordinary advantage. I wish your lordship as the husbandman when his corn is in the all honour and happiness, and rest ground.

Your lordship’s very assured, Thus, commending me to your love, I commend

Essex. you to God's preservation.

Greenwich, this 14th of January, [1594.]

Endorsed,
My Lord of Essex for Mr. Fran. Bacon to be

solicitor.

TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HIS VERY GOOD
LORD, THE LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HIS VERY GOOD
SEAL, &c.t

LORD, THE LORD KEEPER OF THE GREAT SEAL. My very good LORD,

MY VERY GOOD LORD, I was wished to be here ready in expectation

Sir Thomas Egerton failing of your lordship, of some good effect; and therefore I commend being newly gone, sent his letter to me to see my fortune to your lordship's kind and honoura- conveyed unto you, which I send enclosed; deble furtherance. My affection inclineth me to be siring your lordship, according to your kind afmuch (your) lordship's, and my course and way, in fection, to make the best use thereof for my furall reason and policy for myself, leadeth me to the therance. And I pray your lordship to call to saine dependence: hereunto if there shall be joined remembrance my lord treasurer's kind course, your lordship’s obligation in dealing strongly for who affirmed directly all the rest to be unfit. me as you have begun, no man can be more yours. And because vis unila fortior, I pray your lordA timorous man is everybody's, and a covetous ship to take a time with the queen when my lord man is his own. But if your lordship consider treasurer is present. Thus, in hope to-morrow my nature, my course, my friends, my opinion will bring forth some good effect, I rest with her majesty, if this eclipse of her favour Your lordship’s, in all humble were past, I hope you will think, I am no un

duty and service, iikely piece of wood to shape you a true servant

Fr. Bacon. of. My present thankfulness shall be as much as I have said. I humbly take my leave. Your lordship's true humble servant. FR. Bacon. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE, &c., THE LORD

KEEPER, &c. From Greenwich, this 5th of April, 1594.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,