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ship will be pleased to forbear pressing for a solicit-
or, since there is no cause towards the end of a
term to call for it; and because the absence of Mr.
Bacon's friends may be much to his disadvantage.
I wish your lordship all happiness, and rest
Your lordship's very assured to be commanded,
ESSEX.

Wanstead this 4th of May, 1594.

XVII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
I UNDERSTAND of some business like enough to
detain the queen to-morrow, which maketh me
earnestly to pray your good lordship, as one that
I have found to take my fortune to heart, to take
some time to remember her Majesty of a solicitor
this present day.

Our Tower employment stayeth, and hath done these three days, because one of the principal offenders being brought to confess, and the other persisting in denial, her Majesty in her wisdom thought best some time were given to him that is obstinate, to bethink himself; which indeed is singular good in such cases. Thus desiring your lordship's pardon, in haste I commend my fortune and duty to your favour.

Your lordship's most humbly to receive your commandments,

From Gray's-Inn this 13th of August, 1594.

now find by that I hear from my lord of Essex,
your lordship of your favour is willing to use for my
good, upon that satisfaction you may find in my
travels. And I now send to your lordship, together
with my humble thanks, to understand of your lord-
ship's being at leisure, what part of to-morrow, to
the end I may attend your lordship, which this after-
noon I cannot, in regard of some conference I have
appointed with Mr. Attorney-general. And so I
commend your honourable lordship to God's good
preservation.

Your good lordship's humbly at your hon[ourable]
commandments,
FR. BACON.

From Gray's-Inn the 25th
of September, Friday.

XX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.‡

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
I RECEIVED, at my lord of Essex last going from
court, a message of good assurance, which his lord-
ship sent to my brother and to myself; which was
this: That her Majesty had stedfastly promised
him to despatch my matter to-morrow.
And some-
what her Majesty said to myself, when I attended
her upon some service since, which I liked well,
though it was with some doubtfulness, as, they say,
her Majesty useth till the last hour. This I thought
FR. BACON.good to signify to your good lordship, both that your
lordship may perceive how effectual and operative
your lordship's last dealing with her Majesty was;
and also that, now the wheel is going, your lordship
would set it forward, the rather in respect of the
necessity to go presently in hand with these criminal
causes, if the commission shall hold according to
the adjournment. And if her Majesty should not
be pleased presently to give order for a patent,
yet if your lordship may by her warrant give me
warning to prepare myself, it will be some hold and
satisfaction. So thinking long to have the strength
of place, to do your lordship acceptable service, I
leave your good lordship to God's good preservation.
Your lordship's most humbly at your hon[our-
able] commandments,
FR. BACON.

XVIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.*

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
As your lordship hath at divers times helped me
to pass over contrary times, so I humbly pray you
not to omit this favourable time. I cannot bear my-
self as I should, till I be settled. And thus desiring
pardon, I leave your lordship to God's preservation.
Your lordship's most humbly at commandment,

From Gray's-Inn this 25th of August, 1594.

FR. BACON.

From Gray's-Inn this 28th
of September, 1594.

XIX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE HIS VERY
GOOD LORD, THE LORD KEEPER, &c.t

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
I was minded, according to the place of employ-
ment, though not of office, wherein I serve, for my
better direction and the advancement of the service,
to have acquainted your lordship, now before the
term, with such her Majesty's causes as are in my
hands. Which course intended out of duty, I do
Harl. MSS. Vol. 6996. No. 103. Ibid. No. 109.

XXI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.§

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

I THOUGHT good to step aside for nine days, which is the durance of a wonder, and not for any dislike in the world; for I think her Majesty hath done me as great a favour in making an end of this matter, as if she had enlarged me from some restraint. And I humbly pray your lordship, if it so Ibid. No. 110. § Ibid. Vol. 6697. No. 14.

please you, to deliver to her Majesty from me, that I would have been glad to have done her Majesty service now in the best of my years, and the same mind remains in me still; and that it may be, when her Majesty hath tried others, she will think of him that she hath cast aside. For I will take it upon that which her Majesty hath often said, that she doth reserve me, and not reject me. And so I leave your good lordship to God's good preservation. Your lordship's much bounden, FR. BACON.

From Twicknam-Park this 20th of May, 1595.

Endorsed,

Mr. Fr. Bacon, his contentation to leave the solicitorship.

XXII. A LETTER TO THE LORD TREASURER
BURGHLEY, RECOMMENDING HIS FIRST
SUIT, TOUCHING THE SOLICITOR'S PLACE.*

MY LORD,

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was but twenty-seven years old; and Mr. Brograve was now in my time called to be attorney of the duchy, when he had practised little or nothing; and yet discharged his place with great sufficiency. But these things and the like are as her Majesty shall be made capable of them; wherein, knowing what authority your lordship's commendation hath with her Majesty, I conclude with myself, that the substance of strength which I may receive, will be from your lordship. It is true, my life hath been so private, as I have had no means to do your lordship service; but yet, as your lordship knoweth, I have made offer of such as I could yield; for as God hath given me a mind to love the public; so incidently, I have ever had your lordship in singular admiration; whose happy ability her Majesty hath so long used, to her great honour and yours. Besides, that amendment of state or countenance, which I have received, hath been from your lordship. And therefore if your lordship shall stand a good friend to your poor ally, you shall but "tueri opus proprium," which you have begun. And your lordship shall bestow your benefit upon one that hath more sense of obligation than of self-love. Thus humbly desiring pardon of so long a letter, I wish your lordship all happiness. This 7th of June 1595. Your Lordship's in all humbleness to be commanded.

XXIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.t

AFTER the remembrance of my most humble duty, though I know, by late experience, how mindful your lordship vouchsafeth to be of me and my poor fortunes, since it pleased your lordship, during your indisposition, when her Majesty came to visit your lordship, to make mention of me for my employment and preferment; yet being now in the country, I do presume that your lordship, who of yourself had so honourable care of the matter, will not think it a trouble to be solicited therein. My hope is, that MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP, whereas your lordship told me her Majesty was Nor able to attend your lordship myself, before somewhat gravelled upon the offence she took at your going to the court, by reason of an ague, my speech in parliament; your lordship's favourable which offered me a fit on Wednesday morning, but and good word, who hath assured me, that for your since by abstinence, I thank God, I have starved it, own part you construed, that I spake to the best, so as now he hath turned his back, I am chasing will be as a good tide to remove her from that shelf. him away with a little physic: I thought good to And it is not unknown to your good lordship, that I write these few words to your lordship, partly to was the first of the ordinary sort of the lower house signify my excuse, if need be, that I assisted not of parliament that spake for the subsidy; and that Mr. Attorney on Thursday last in the star-chamber, which I after spake in difference, was but in cir- at which time, it is some comfort to me, that I hear cumstances of time and manner, which methinks by relation somewhat was generally taken hold of should be no great matter, since there is variety by the court, which I formerly had opened and allowed in council, as a discord in music, to make moved; and partly to express a little my conceit, it more perfect. But I may justly doubt, not so touching the news which your lordship last told me much her Majesty's impression upon this particular, from the queen, concerning a condition in law knit as her conceit otherwise of my insufficiency; which to an interest, which your lordship remembereth, though I acknowledge to be great, yet it will be the and is supposed to be broken by misfeyance. less, because I purpose not to divide myself between | Wherein surely my mind, as far as it appertaineth her Majesty and the causes of other men, as others to me, is this, that as I never liked not so much as have done, but to attend her business only: hoping the coming in upon a lease by way of forfeiture, so that a whole man meanly able, may do as well as I am so much enemy to myself, as I take no conhalf a man better able. And if her Majesty think tentment in any such hope of advantage. For as that she shall make an adventure in using one that your lordship can give me best testimony, that I is rather a man of study, than of practice and expe- never in my life propounded any such like motion, rience; surely I may remember to have heard that though I have been incited thereto; so the world my father, an example, I confess, rather ready than will hardly believe, but that it is underhand quicklike, was made solicitor of the augmentation, a court ened and nourished from me. And truly, my lord, of much business, when he had never practised, and I would not be thought to supplant any man for Rawley's Resuscitatio. + Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 18.

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XXIV. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.t

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,
THERE hath nothing happened to me in the course
of my business more contrary to my expectation,
than your lordship's failing me, and crossing me now
in the conclusion, when friends are best tried. But
now I desire no more favour of your lordship, than
I would do if I were a suitor in the chancery;
which is this only, that you would do me right.
And I for my part, though I have much to allege,
yet nevertheless, if I see her Majesty settle her
choice upon an able man, such a one as Mr. Serjeant
Fleming, I will make no means to alter it. On the
other side, if I perceive any insufficient obscure
idole man offered to her Majesty, then I think
myself double bound to use the best means I can for
myself; which I humbly pray your lordship I may
do with your favour, and that you will not disable
me farther than is cause. And so I commend your
lordship to God's preservation,

That beareth your lordship all humble respect,
From Gray's-Inn the
FR. BACON.

28th of July, 1595.

Endorsed, in Lord Keeper's hand,
Mr. Bacon wronging me.

XXV. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.§

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,

that which I hope God will give me grace to per-
form, which is, that if any idole may be offered to
her Majesty, since it is mixt with my particular, to
inform her Majesty truly, which I must do, as long
as I have a tongue to speak, or a pen to write, or a
friend to use. And farther I remember not of my
letter, except it were that I writ, I hoped your lord-
ship would do me no wrong, which hope I do still
continue. For if it please your lordship but to call
to mind from whom I am descended, and by whom,
next to God, her Majesty, and your own virtue, your
lordship is ascended; I know you will have a com-
punction of mind to do me any wrong. And there-
fore, good my lord, when your lordship favoureth
others before me, do not lay the separation of your
love and favour upon myself. For I will give no
cause, neither can I acknowledge any, where none
is; but humbly pray your lordship to understand
things as they are. Thus sorry to write to your
lordship in an argument which is to me unpleasant,
though necessary, I commend your lordship to God's
good preservation.

Your lordship's in all humble respect,
FR. BACON.

From Twicknam-Park this
19th of August, 1595.

XXVI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.||

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
I AM Sorry the opportunity permitteth me not to
attend your lordship as I minded. But I hope your
lordship will not be the less sparing in using the
argument of my being studied and prepared in the
queen's causes, for my fartherance, upon belief that
I had imparted to your lordship my travels, which
some time next week I mean to do. Neither have
I been able to confer with Mr. Attorney, as I de-
sired, because he was removing from one building
to another. And besides, he alleged his note-book
was in the country at
and so we respited it
to some time next week. I think he will rather do
me good offices than otherwise, except it be for the
township your lordship remembereth by the verse.
Thus I commend your honourable lordship to God's
good preservation.

Your Lordship's most humble at your hon[our-
able] commandment,
From Gray's-Inn this 25th
of September, 1595.

FR. BACON.

I THOUGHT it became me to write to your lordship, upon that which I have understood from my lord of Essex, who vouchsafed, as I perceive, to deal with your lordship of himself to join with him in the concluding of my business, and findeth your lordship hath conceived offence, as well upon my manner when I saw your lordship at Temple last, as upon a letter, which I did write to your lordship XXVII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE MY some time before. Surely, my lord, for my behaviour, I am well assured, I omitted no point of duty or ceremony towards your lordship. But I know too much of the court to beg a countenance in public place, where I make account I shall not receive it. And for my letter, the principal point of it was, * f. perfect. + Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 37. Ita MSS.

GOOD LORD, THE LORD KEEPER OF THE
GREAT SEAL OF ENGLAND.¶

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
My not acquainting your lordship hath proceeded
of my not knowing any thing, and of my not knowing
Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 44.
|| Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 59.

Ibid. No. 60.

of my absence at Byssam with my lady Russel, upon some important cause of her son's. And as I have heard nothing, so I look for nothing, though my lord of Essex sent me word, he would not write till his lordship had good news. But his lordship may go on in his affection, which nevertheless myself have desired him to limit. But I do assure your lordship, I can take no farther care for the matter. I am now at Twicknam-Park, where I think to stay: for her Majesty placing a solicitor, my travel shall not need in her causes, though whensoever her Majesty shall like to employ me in any particular, I shall be ready to do her willing service. This I write lest your lordship might think my silence came of any conceit towards your lordship, which, I do assure you, I have not. And this needed I not

to do, if I thought not so: for my course will not give me any ordinary occasion to use your favour, whereof nevertheless I shall ever be glad. So I commend your good lordship to God's holy preservation.

Your lordship's humble, &c.
FR. BACON.

This eleventh of October, 1595.

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XXVIII. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE last saw you, that this manner of his was only a na

LORD KEEPER, &c.*

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

I CONCEIVE the end already made, which will, I trust, be to me a beginning of good fortune, or at least of content. Her Majesty by God's grace shall live and reign long, she is not running away, I may trust her. Or whether she look towards me or no, I remain the same, not altered in my intention. If I had been an ambitious man, it would have overthrown me, but minded as I am, "Revertet benedictio mea in sinum meum." If I had made any reckoning of any thing to be stirred, I would have waited on your lordship, and will be at any time ready to wait on you to do you service. So I commend your good lordship to God's holy preservation. Your lordship's most humble at your hon[ourable] commandment,

From Twicknam-Park this

14th of October.

Endorsed:

14th October 95.

FR. BACON.

XXIX. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE LORD KEEPER, &c.t

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I RECEIVED a letter from a very friend of mine requesting me to move your lordship, to put into the commission for the subsidy, Mr. Richard Kempe, a reader of Gray's-Inn, and besides born to good estate, being also my friend and familiar acquaintHarl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No 61.

tural freedom, and plainness, which he had used with me, and in my knowledge with some other of his best friends, than any want of reverence towards your lordship; and therefore I was more curious to look into the moving cause of his style, than into the form of it: which now I find to be only a diffidence of your lordship's favour and love towards him, and no alienation of that dutiful mind which he hath borne towards your lordship. And therefore I am fully persuaded, that if your lordship would please to send for him, there would grow so good satisfaction, as hereafter he should enjoy your lordship's honourable favour, in as great a measure as ever, and your lordship have the use of his service, who, I assure your lordship, is as strong in his kindness, as you find him in his jealousy. I will use no argument to persuade your lordship, that I should be glad of his being restored to your lordship's wonted favour; since your lordship both knoweth how much my credit is engaged in his fortune, and may easily judge how sorry I should be, that a gentleman whom I love so much, should lack the favour of a person whom I honour so much. And thus commending your lordship to God's best protection, I rest,

Your lordship's very assured,
ESSEX.

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XXXI. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE THE
LORD KEEPER, &c.*

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

THE want of assistance from them which should be Mr. Fr. Bacon's friends, makes [me] the more industrious myself, and the more earnest in soliciting mine own friends. Upon me the labour must lie of his establishment, and upon me the disgrace will light of his being refused. Therefore I pray your lordship, now account me not as a solicitor only of my friend's cause, but as a party interested in this: and employ all your lordship's favour to me, or strength for me, in procuring a short and speedy end. For though I know, it will never be carried any other way, yet I hold both my friend and myself disgraced by this protraction. More I would write, but that I know to so honourable and kind a friend, this which I have said is enough. And so I commend your lordship to God's best protection, resting, At your lordship's commandment,

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other correspondence and agreeableness; which, whensoever it shall be conjoined with the other of affection, I durst wager my life, let them make what prosopopæias they will of her Majesty's nature, that in you she will come to the question of " Quid fiet homini, quem rex vult honorare ?" But how is it now? A man of a nature not to be ruled, that hath the advantage of my affection, and knoweth it; of an estate not grounded to his greatness; of a popular reputation; of a military dependence. I demand, whether there can be a more dangerous image than this, represented to any monarch living, much more to a lady, and of her Majesty's apprehension ? And is it not more evident than demonstration itself, that whilst this impression continueth in her Majesty's breast, you can find no other condition, than inventions to keep your estate bare and low; crossing and disgracing your actions; extenuating and blasting of your merit; carping with contempt at your nature and fashions; breeding, nourishing, and fortifying such instruments as are most factious against you; repulses and scorns of your friends and dependants that are true and stedfast; winning and inveigling away from you such as are flexible and wavering; thrusting you into odious employments and offices to supplant your reputation;

XXXII. TO MY LORD OF ESSEX, FROM MR. abusing you and feeding you with dalliances and deBACON, OCTOBER 4, 1596.†

MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,

I WILL no longer dissever part of that, which I meant to have said to your lordship at Barn-Elms, from the exordium which I then made; whereunto I will only add this, that I humbly desire your lordship, before you give access to my poor advice, to look about, even jealously a little if you will, and to consider; first, whether I have not reason to think, that your fortune comprehended mine? Next, whether I shift my counsel and do not constare mihi? for I am persuaded, there are some would give you the same counsel now which I shall, but that they should derogate from that which they have said heretofore. Thirdly, whether you have taken hurt, at any time, by my careful and devoted counsel; for although I remember well your lordship once told me, that you having submitted upon my well-meant motion at Nonsuch, the place where you renewed a treaty with her Majesty of obsequious kindness, she had taken advantage of it; yet I suppose you do since believe, that it did much attemper a cold malignant humour then growing upon her Majesty toward your lordship, and hath done you good in consequence. And for my being against it, now lately that you should not estrange yourself, although I give place to none in true gratulation; yet neither do I repent me of safe counsel; neither do I judge of the whole play by the first act. But whether I counsel you the best, or for the best, duty bindeth me to offer to you my wishes. I said to your lordship last time, "Martha, Martha, attendis ad plurima, unum sufficit;" win the queen if this be not the beginning of any other course, I see no end. And I will not now speak of favour of affection, but of Harl. MSS. Vol. 6997. No. 106.

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monstrations, to divert you from descending into the serious consideration of your own case; yea, and percase venturing you in perilous and desperate enterprises. Herein it may please your lordship to understand me; for I mean nothing less, than that these things should be plotted and intended as in her Majesty's royal mind towards you: I know the excellency of her nature too well. But I say, wheresoever the formerly described impression is taken in any king's breast towards a subject, these other recited inconveniences must, of necessity of politic consequence, follow; in respect of such instruments as are never failing about princes; which spy into humours and conceits, and second them: and not only second them, but in seconding increase them; yea, and many times, without their knowledge, pursue them farther than themselves would. Your lordship will ask the question, wherewith the Athenians were wont to interrupt their orators, when they exaggerated their dangers; "Quid igitur agendum est ?"

I will tell your lordship " quæ mihi nunc in mentem veniunt;" supposing nevertheless, that yourself, out of your own wisdom upon the case, with this plainness and liberty represented to you, will find out better expedients and remedies. I wish a cure applied to every of the five former impressions, which I will take not in order, but as I think they are of weight.

For the removing the impression of your nature to be opiniastre and not rulable: first and above all things I wish, that all matters past, which cannot be revoked, your lordship would turn altogether upon insatisfaction, and not upon your nature or proper disposition. This string you cannot upon every apt occasion harp upon too much. Next, whereas I have noted you to fly and avoid, in some + Rawley's Resuscitatio.

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