authority of my Lord Roos's commandment, I your honour that I expressed thereby an act rather should rather have reserved the master of the horse's favour to some other use afterward. In conformity whereof I have also written to his lordship, and perhaps he will thereupon forbear to deliver my letter to the master of the horse: whereas I should be the less sorry if your honour's self would not think it inconvenient to make the suit of my return to his majesty; in which case I should, to my extreme contentment, have all my obligations to your honour only.

P. S. It is no small penance, that I am forced to apparel my mind in my man's hand, when it speaks to your honour. But God Almighty will have it so, through the shaking I have in my right hand; and I do little less than want the use Spa, this last of July, stylo novo, 1616. of my forefinger.

that he hath this just mercy in store for me. God
Almighty make and keep your honour ever hap
py, and keep me so in his favour, as I will be
sure to continue

Your honour's ever most obliged
and devoted servant,

TOBIE MATTHEW.

Antwerp, this first of Sept., stylo novo, 1616.
P. S., MAY IT PLEASE YOUR HONOUR,

by the notice they gave me of some intentions foreign princes. My king is wise, and I hope and advices of your honour, which you have been pleased to impart to others of my friends, with a meaning, that they should acquaint me with them; whereof they have entirely failed. And, therefore, if still it should import me to understand what they were, I must be enforced to beg the knowledge of them from yourself. Your honour hath by this short letter delivered me otherwise from a great deal of laborious suspense; for, besides the great hope you give me of being so shortly able to do you reverence, I am come to know, that by the diligence of your favour towards me, my Lord of Canterbury hath been drawn to give way, and the master of the horse hath been induced to move. That motion, I trust, will be granted, howsoever; but I should be out of fear thereof, if, when he moves the king, your honour would cast to be present; that if his majesty should make any difficulty, some such reply as is wont to come from you in such cases may have power to discharge it.

I have been told rather confidently than credibly, (for in truth I am hardly drawn to believe it,) that Sir Henry Goodere should underhand (upon the reason of certain accounts that run between him and me, wherein I might justly lose my right, if I had so little wit as to trouble your honour's infinite business by a particular relation thereof) oppose himself to my return, and perform ill offices, in conformity of that unkind affection which he is said to bear me; but, as I said, I cannot absolutely believe it, though yet I could not so far despise the information, as not to acquaint your honour with what I heard. I offer it not as a ruled case, but only as a query, as I have also done to Mr. Secretary Lake, in this letter, which I humbly pray your honour may be given him, together with your best advice, how my business is to be carried in this conjuncture of his majesty's drawing near to London, at which time I shall receive my sentence. I have learned from your honour to be confident, that it will be pronounced in my favour: but, if the will of God should be otherwise, I shall yet frame for myself a good proportion of contentment; since, howsoever, I was so unfortunate, as that I might not enjoy my country, yet, withal, I was so happy, as that my return thither was desired and negotiated by the affection, which such a person as yourself When his majesty shall be moved, if he chance to make difficulty about my return, and offer to impose any condition, which it is known I cannot draw myself to digest, I desire it may be remembered, that my case is common with many of his subjects, who breathe in the air of their country, and that my case is not common with many, since I have lived so long abroad with disgrace at home; and yet have ever been free, not only from suspicion of practice, but from the least dependence upon

vouchsafed to bear me.

I have written to Sir John Digby; and I think he would do me all favour, if he were handsomely put upon it. My lady of Pembroke hath written, and that very earnestly, to my lord chamberlain in my behalf.

This letter goes by Mr. Robert Garret, to whom I am many ways beholden, for making me the best present that ever I received, by deliver ing me your honour's last letter.

SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY, Because I have ever found, that in business the consideration of persons, who are instrumenta animata, is no less weighty than of matters, I humbly pray your majesty to peruse this enclosed paper, containing a diligence which I have used in omnem eventum. If Towerson,* as a passionate man, have overcome himself in his opinion, so it is. But if his company make this good, then I am very glad to see in the case wherein we now stand, there is this hope left, and your majesty's honour preserved in the entier. God have your majesty in his divine protection.

Your majesty's most devoted

and most bounden servant, &c.

RICHARD MARTIN, ESQ.† TO SIR FRANCIS BACON.
RIGHT HONOURABLE,

By attendance at court two days (in vain, considering the end of my journey,) was no loss

*Whose brother, Captain Gabriel Towerson, was one of the English merchants executed by the Dutch at Amboyna, in 1623.

Born about 1570, entered a commoner of Broad-gate's Hail, now Pembroke College, Oxford, in 1585, whence he reserved for the borough of Barnstable in Devon; and in the moved to the Middle Temple. In the Parliament of 1601, be first Parliament of King James I. he served for Cirencester in Gloucestershire. He was chosen recorder of London in September, 1618; but died in the last day of the following month. genius of that age. He was much esteemed by the men of learning and

so full instruction from his majesty, that there is
nothing left for me to add in the business. And
so I rest
Your faithful servant,

Endorsed,

GEORGE VILLIERS.

To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon, knight, one of his majesty's privy council, and his attorney-general.

SIR EDMUND BACON TO SIR FRANCIS BACON,
ATTORNEY-GENERAL.

unto me, seeing thereby I made the gain of the overture and assurance of your honour's affection. These comforts have given new life and strength to my hopes, which before began to faint. I know what your honour promiseth you will undertake, and what you undertake, you seldom fail to com- Royston, the 13th of October, 1616. pass; for such proof of your prudence and industry your honour hath of late times given to the swaying world. There is, to my understanding, no great intricacy in my affair, in which I plainly descry the course to the shore I would land at; to which neither I nor any other can attain without the direction of our great master pilot, who will not stir much without the beloved mate sound the way. Both these, none can so well set awork as yourself, who have not only their ear, but their affection, MY LORD,-I am bold to present unto your and that with good right, as I hope in time, to hands, by this bearer, whom the law calls up, good and public porpose. It is fit likewise that some salt of wormwood, being uncertain whether your honour know all my advantages. The pre- the regard of your health makes you still continue sent incumbent is tied to me by firm promise, the use of that medicine. I could wish it otherwhich gives an impediment to the competitors, wise; for I am persuaded that all diuretics, which whereof one already, according to the heaviness carry with them that punctuous nature and caustic of his name and nature, pelit deorsum. And quality by calcination, are hurtful to the kidneys, though I be a bad courtier, yet I know the style if not enemies to the other principal parts of the of gratitude, and shall learn as I am instructed; body. Wherein, if it shall please you, for your whatsoever your honour shall undertake for me, better satisfaction, to call the advice of your I will make good; therefore I humbly and earn- learned physicians, and that they shall resolve of estly entreat your best endeavour, to assure to any medicine for your health, wherein my poor yourself and your master a servant, who both can labour may avail you, you know where your faithand will, though as yet mistaken, advance his ful apothecary dwells, who will be ready at your honour and service with advantage. Your love commandment; as I am bound both by your and wisdom is my last address; and on the real favours to myself, as also by those to my nephew, nobleness of your nature (whereof there is so whom you have brought out of darkness into light, good proof) stands my last hope. If I now find and, by what I hear, have already made him, by a stop, I will resolve it is fatum Carthaginis, and your bounty, a subject of emulation to his elder sit down in perpetual peace. In this business I brother. We are all partakers of this your kinddesire all convenient silence; for though I can ness towards him; and, for myself, I shall be ever endure to be refused, yet it would trouble me to ready to deserve it by any service that shall lie in have my name blasted. If your honour return the power of not, and you think it requisite, I will attend at court. Meantime, with all humble and hearty wishes for increase of all happiness, I kiss your Redgrave, this 19th of October, 1616 honour's hands.

Your lordship's poor nephew,

Endorsed,

EDM. BACON.

For the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon, knight, his majesty's attorney-general, and one of his most honourable privy counsellors, be these delivered at London.

TO THE KING.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY,
My continual meditations upon your majesty's
service and greatness, have, amongst other things,

Nephew of Sir Francis Bacon, being eldest son of Sir
Nicholas Bacon, eldest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord
Sir Edmund died without issue
Keeper of the Great Seal.
April 10, 1649. There are several letters to him from Sir

Henry Wotton, printed among the works of the latter.

His majesty had begun his journey towards Scotland, on the 14th of March, 1616-7.

Whereas, the late lord chancellor thought it fit to dismiss out of the chancery a cause touching Henry Skipwith, to the common law, where he desireth it should be decided; these are to entreat your lordship in the gentleman's favour, that if

* Additional instructions to Sir John Digby,—[ambassador to the court of Spain:]

Besides your instructions directory to the substance of the main errand, we would have you in the whole carriage and passages of the negotiation, as well with the king himself, as the Duke of Lerma, and council there, intermix discourse

upon fit occasions, that may express ourselves to the effect

THE LORD KEEPER TO HIS NIECE, TOUCHING HER
MARRIAGE.

GOOD NIECE,-Amongst your other virtues, I know there wanteth not in you a mind to hearken to the advice of your friends. And, therefore, you will give me leave to move you again more seriously than before in the match with Mr. Comptroller. The state wherein you now are is to be preferred before marriage, or changed for marriage, not simply the one or the other, but according as, by God's providence, the offers of marriage are more or less fit to be embraced. This gentleman is religious, a person of honour, being counsellor of state, a great officer, and in very good favour with his majesty. He is of years and health fit to be comfortable to you, and to free you of burdensome cares. He is of good means, and a wise and provident man, and of a loving and excellent good nature; and, I find, hath set his affections upon you; so as I foresee you may sooner change your mind, which, as you told me, is not yet towards marriage, than find so happy a choice. I Also, that it may be a beginning and seed (for the like ac-hear he is willing to visit you before his going tions heretofore have had less beginnings) of a holy war

following:

That you doubt not, but that both kings, for that which concerns religion, will proceed sincerely, both being entire and perfect in their own belief and way. But that there are so many noble and excellent effects, which are equally acceptable to both religions, and for the good and happiness of the Christian world, which may arise of this conjunction, as the union of both kings in actions of state, as may make the difference in religion as laid aside, and almost forgotten.

As, first, that it will be a means utterly to extinguish and extirpate pirates, which are the common enemies of mankind,

and do so much infest Europe at this time.

against the Turk; whereunto it seems the events of time do invite Christian kings, in respect of the great corruption and relaxation of discipline of war in that empire; and much

more in respect of the utter ruin and enervation of the Grand

Signor's navy and forces by sea; which openeth a way (with congregating vast armies by land) to suffocate and starve Constantinople, and thereby to put those provinces into mutiny and insurrection.

Also, that by the same conjunction there will be erected a tribunal or prætorian power, to decide the controversies which may arise amongst the princes and estates of Christendom, without effusion of Christian blood; for so much as any estate of Christendom will hardly recede from that which the two kings shall mediate and determine.

Also, that whereas there doth, as it were, creep upon the ground, a disposition, in some places, to make popular estates and leagues to the disadvantage of monarchies, the conjunction of the two kings will be able to stop and impedite the growth of any such evil.

These discourses you shall do well frequently to treat upon, and therewithal to fill up the spaces of the active part of your negotiation; representing that it stands well with the greatness and majesty of the two kings to extend their cogitations and the influence of their government, not only to their own subjects, but to the state of the whole world besides, specially the Christian portion thereof.

+ Harl. MSS. vol. 7006.

This is the first of many letters which the Marquis of Buckingham wrote to Lord Bacon in favour of persons who

into France, which, by the king's commandment,
is to be within some ten days; and I could wish
you used him kindly, and with respect. His re-
turn out of France is intended before Michaelmas.
God direct you, and be with you. I rest

Your very loving uncle and assured friend,
FR. BACON.

Dorset House, this 28th of April, 1617.

had causes depending in, or likely to come into the court of Chancery. And it is not improbable that such recommendations were considered in that age as less extraordinary and irregular than they would appear now. The marquis made the same kind of applications to Lord Bacon's successor, the Lord Keeper Williams, in whose life, by Bishop Hacket, part i. p. 107, we are informed, that "there was not a cause of moment, but, as soon as it came to publication, one of the parties brought letters from this mighty peer, and the Lord Keeper's patron.

* Sir Thomas Edmondes, who had been appointed to that office, December 21, 1616, and January 19, 1617-8, was made treasurer of the household. He had been married to Magdalen, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John Wood, knight, clerk of the signet, which lady died at Paris, De cember 31, 1614.

The proposal for a second marriage between him and the lord keeper's niece does not appear to have had success.