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account appearing, such satisfaction may be made | your lordship, the end only can prove. as shall be fit. So I rest

Your lordship's affectionate to do you faithful service, May 30, 1622.

FR. ST. ALBAN.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD Lord,

I THOUGHT it appertained to my duty, both as a subject, and as he that took once the oath of a counsellor, to make known to your lordship an advertisement, which came to me this morning. A gentleman, a dear friend of mine, whom your lordship cannot but imagine, though I name him not, told me thus much, that some English priests, that negotiated at Rome to facilitate the dispensation, did their own business, that was his phrase; for they negotiated with the pope to erect some titulary bishops for England, that might ordain, and have other spiritual faculties; saying withal most honestly, that he thought himself bound to impart this to some counsellor, both as a loyal subject, and as a catholic; for | that he doubted it might be a cause to cross the graces and mercies, which the catholics now enjoy, if it be not prevented; and he asked my advice, whether he should make it known to your lordship, or to my lord keeper, when he came back to London. I commended his loyalty and discretion, and wished him to address himself to your lordship, who might communicate it with my lord keeper, if you saw cause, and that he repaired to your lordship presently, which he resolved to do. Nevertheless, I did not think mine own particular duty acquitted, except I certified it also myself, borrowing so much of private friendship in a cause of state, as not to tell him I would do so much.

Indorsed,

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 Newhall, where his lordship is expected, but not the king, this day, or to-morrow; which place, as your lordship adviseth, may not be ill chosen for my business. For, if his lordship be not very thick of hearing, sure Newhall will be heard to speak for me.

And now, my good lord, if any thing make me diffident, or indeed almost indifferent, how it succeeds, it is this; that my sole ambition having ever been, and still is, to grow up only under your lordship, it is become preposterous, even to my nature and habit, to think of prospering or receiving any growth, either without or besides your lordship. And therefore let me claim of your lordship to do me this right, as to believe that, which my heart says, or rather swears to me, namely, that what addition soever, by God's good providence, comes at any time to my life or fortune, 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 and reverent
affections,
T. MEAUTYS.

September 11, 1622.

TO THE COUNTESS OF BUCKINGHAM,§ MOTHER 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

My letter to my lord marquis, touching business of towards me, the more, out of my love to him, I wish 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 of thanksgiving, for the continuance of your accustomed noble care of me and my good, which overtakes me, I find, whithersoever I go. But for the present itself, whereof your lordship writes, whether or no it be better than that I was wont to bring

* 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 Buckingham, 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

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.

state with this project for the Jesuits, rather than for Jesus's sake." In Essex.

Mary, daughter of Anthony Beaumont, a younger son of William Beaumont, of Cole-Orton, in Leicestershire. She was thrice married; 1. to Sir George Villiers, father of the duke of Buckingham; 2. to Sir William Rayner; and 3. to Sir Thomas Compton, knight of the Bath, a younger brother of William, earl of Northampton. She was created countess of Buckingham, July 1, 1618, and died April 19, 1632.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY Good lord,

I HAVE many things to thank your lordship for, since I had the happiness to see you; that your lordship, before your going out of town, sent my 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 for me access to him, against his Majesty comes next, which in mine own opinion, is better than if it had been now, and will be a great comfort to me, though I should die next day after: that your lordship gave me so good English for my Latin book. My humble request is, at this time, that because my lord treasurer keepeth yet his answer in suspense, though by one, he useth to me, he speaketh me fair, that your lordship would nick it with a word: for if he do me good, I doubt it may not be altogether of his own.

God ever prosper you.

I have this farther to say in the nature of an humble oblation; for things once dedicated and vowed cannot lose their character, nor be made common. I ever vowed myself to your service. Therefore,

First, if your Majesty do at any time think it fit, for your affairs, to employ me again publicly upon the stage, I shall so live and spend my time, as neither discontinuance shall disable me, nor adversity shall discourage me, nor any thing, that I shall do, give any scandal or envy upon me.

Secondly, if your Majesty shall not hold that fit; yet, if it shall please you at any time to ask my opinion, or require my propositions privately by my lord marquis, or any of your counsellors, that is my friend, touching any commission or business; for, as Ovid said, "Est aliquid luce patente minus;" I shall be glad to be a labourer, or pioneer in your service.

Lastly, and chiefly, because your Majesty is an universal scholar, or rather master, and my pen (as I may * it, passed**) gained upon the world, your Majesty would appoint me some task, or literary

Your lordship's most bounden and faithful province, that I may serve you calamo, if not consilio.

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Memorial of Access."

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

I MAY now in a manner sing nunc dimittis, now I have seen you. Before methought I was scant in state of grace, but in a kind of utter darkness. And therefore, among other your mercies and favours, I do principally thank your Majesty for this admission of me to kiss your hands.

I may not forget also to thank your Majesty for your remission of my fine, for granting of my quietus, and general pardon; and your late recommendation of my debts; favours not small, specially to a servant out of sight, and out of use.

I beseech your Majesty to give me leave to tell you what had, in my misfortunes, sustained me. Aristotle says, "Old men live by remembrance, young men by hope." And so it is true, that young men live by hope, and fallen men by remembrance. Two remembrances have sustained me: the one, that since I had the prime vote in the lower house, to be first commissioner for the union, until the last assembly of parliament, I was chosen messenger of both houses, in the petitions of religion, which were my two first and last services, having passed a number of services of importance, your Majesty never chid me; neither did ever any public service miscarry in my hands. This was the finishing act of my prosperity. The second was of my adversity, which, in few words, is this, that as my fault was not against your Majesty, so my fall was not your act; and therefore I hope I shall live and die in your favour.

This paper was written in Greek characters, soon after his access to king James I. which had been promised him in

I know that I am censured of some conceit of mine ability or worth: but I pray your Majesty, impute it to desire, possunt quia posse videntur. And again, I should do some wrong to your Majesty's school, if, in sixteen years access and near service, I should think I had learned, or laid in, nothing.

May it please your Majesty, I have borne your image in metal; and I shall keep it in my heart, while I live.

That his Majesty's business never miscarried in my hands, I do not impute to any extraordinary ability in myself; but to my freedom from particular, either friends, or ends, and my careful receipt of his Majesty's directions, being, as I have formerly said to him, but as a bucket and cistern to that fountain; a bucket to draw forth, a cistern to preserve. I may allude to the three petitions of the Litany, "Libera nos, Domine; parce mihi, Domine; et exaudi nos, Domine." First, the first, I am persuaded, his Majesty hath a mind to do it, and could not conveniently in respect of his affairs. For the second, he had done it in my fine and pardon. For the third, I had likewise performed, in restoring to the light of his countenance.

There be mountebanks, as well in the civil body as in the natural. I ever served his Majesty with modesty; no shouldering, no undertaking.

Seneca saith, "Tam otii debet constare ratio quam negotii." So I make his Majesty oblation of both. For envy, it is an almanack of the last year; and as a friend of mine said, the parliament died penitent towards me.

Of my offences, far be it from me to say, "dat veniam corvis, vexat censura Columbas:" but I will say that I have good warrant for; "they were not the greatest offenders in Israel, upon whom the wall of Shilo fell."

What the king bestowed upon me, will be farther seen, than upon Paul's steeple.

a letter of the marquis of Buckingham, from Newmarket, November 13, 1622.

My story is proud, I may thank your Majesty; for I heard him note of Tasso, that he could know which poem he made when he was in good condition, and which when he was a beggar. I doubt he could make no such observation of me. My lord hath done many things to show his greatness. This of mine is one of them, that shows his goodness.

I am like ground fresh. If I be left to myself, I will grow and bear natural philosophy: but if the king will plough me up again, and sow me on, I hope to give him some yield.

Kings do raise and pull down with reason; the greatest work is reasoning.

but

For my hap, I seek an otium, and, if it may be, a fat otium.

I am said to have a feather in my head. I pray God some are not wild in their head, that gird not well.

I am too old, and the seas are too long, for me to double the Cape of Good Hope.

Ashes are good for somewhat; for lees, for salts. But I hope I am rather embers than ashes, having the heat of good affections, under the ashes of my fortunes.

To ask leave of the king to kiss the prince's hands if he be not now present.

Indorsed,
Mem. of access.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY MOST HONOURED LORD,

SINCE my last to your lordship, I find, by Mr. Johnson, that my lord treasurer is not twice in 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 proposition, 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

Your Majesty hath power: I have faith. There- shall give herein to Sir Arthur Ingram, let them fore a miracle may be soon wrought.

I would live to study, and not study to live; yet I am prepared for date obolum Belisario; and I that have borne a bag, can bear a wallet.

FOR MY PEN:

If active, 1. The reconciling of laws.

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

2. The disposing of wards, and generally then things will mend of themselves.
education of youth.

3. Limiting the jurisdiction of courts, and
prescribing rules for every of them.

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Your lordship's, in all humbleness to honour and serve you,

This Sunday morning.

Indorsed,

T. MEAUTYS.

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 promises, doth but mean to coax me, it is his own word of old, and to saw me asunder, and to do just nothing upon his Majesty's gracious reference, nobly prolord, let it be your own deed; and, to use the prayers cured by your lordship for this poor remnant. My 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 and faithful
servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

Bedford-house, this

Indorsed,

To Buckingham, about lord treasurer Cranfield's using of him.

Remembrances of the Lord Viscount St. Alban, upon his going to the lord treasurer.*

MY LORD,

FOR past matters, they are memorial with me. I thank God I am so far from thinking to retrieve a fortune, as I did not mark where the game fell. I ascribe all to Providence. Your lordship hath greatness; and I hope you will line it with goodness. Of me you can have no use; but you may have honour by me, in using me well for my fortune is much in your hands.

For Sir G. I heard by Sir Arthur,† you thought well of my dealing to him; for so Ingram told me. But I doubt he reported somewhat amiss of me, that procured that warrant; since which he thinks he may bring me to his own conditions, never comes to me, flies from that he had agreed; so to conclude with the letter upon even terms.

For the king, I must submit. Ingram told me there should be a favour in it, till I might sue to the king.

The sequestration as much as a resumption; for if it be as in the king's hands, all will go back; so it requires a farmer.

My pension and that the rewards of my long service, and relief of my present means. In parliament he said, he would not have me know what

want meant.

LA. B.‡

Of York-house garden :

Of New-hall:

Of my being with my lord treasurer:

Of my business.

It is well begun I desire it may be your act.

It is nothing out of the king's purse it laid fair;

a third part of the profit.

I shall honour my lord with pen and words; and be ready to give him faithful and free counsel, as ready as when I had the seal; and mine ever suavibus modis for safety, as well as for greatness. The king and the prince, I hear for certain, well affected.

To dine with:

To go to New-hall.

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 most 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

The king bestows honour upon reward, one ho- shall hear farther from my lord steward, ¶ and the nour upon alms and charity.

Time, I hope, will work this, or a better.

I know my lord will not forsake me.

He can have but one mother. Friends wayfarers, some to Waltham, some to Ware, and where the ways part, farewell.

I do not desire to stage myself, nor pretensions, but for the comfort of a private life. Yet will I be ever at your and the king's call. Malcontent or busy-body, I scorn to be.

Though my lord shall have no use of me, yet he shall have honour by me.

For envy, the almanack of that year, is past. You may observe last parliament, though a high-aiming parliament, yet not a petition, not a clamour, not a motion, not a mention of me. Visitations by all the noblemen about the town.

A little will make me happy; the debts I have paid.

These are written in Greek characters.
Lady Buckingham, mother of the duke.
Henry Cary, viscount Falkland.

+ Ingram.

rest of the lords.

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Two days before the marquis of Buckingham set out pri- May 30, 1622. vately, with the prince, for Spain.

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 rich return in honour, abroad and at home, and 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 friend and

servant.

February 21, 1622.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

EXCELLENT lord,

UPON the repair of my lord of Rochford unto your lordship, whom I have ever known so fast and true a friend and servant unto you; and who knows likewise so much of my mind and affection towards your lordship, I could not but kiss your lordship's hands, by the duty of these few lines.

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 thrice-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 duty to his highness. And so God, and his holy angels, guard you both going and coming.

Indorsed, March 10, 1622.

In Spain.

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 at Gray's-Inn; which is the fulfilling of a prophecy of one Locke, a familiar of his of the same

TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO THE PRINCE.

GOOD MR. SEcretary,

THOUGH I wrote so lately unto you by lord Rochford; yet upon the going of my lord Vaughan,† 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, commending 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.

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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,

March 25, 1623.

FR. ST. ALBAN.

Indorsed,

To the king touching the provostship of Eton.§

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. The lord keeper Williams, in an unpublished letter to the marquis of Buckingham, dated 11 April, 1623, has the following passage: "Mr. Murray, the provost of Eton, is now dead: the place stayed by the fellows and myself until your lordship's pleasure be known. Whomsoever your lordship shall name I shall like of, though it be Sir William Becher, though this provostship never descended so low. The king named unto

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