THe last week, by reason of my being in Kent, was a week of si∣lence; and this I think will appear unto you a week of wonder.

The Court was full of discourse and expectation, that the King being now disincumbred of the care of his Daughter; would towards this Feast of St. George fill up either all or some at least of those places that had lien vacant so long, and had been in this time of their emptiness a subject of notorious opposition between our great Vicount and the House of Suf∣folk. Thus I say ran the opinion: When yesterday about six of the Clock at Evening, Sir Thomas Overbury was from the Council-Chamber conveighed by a Clerk of the Council, and two of the Guard Page  161 to the Tower; and there by War∣rant consigned to the Lieutenant as close Prisoner: Which both by the suddainness, like a stroak of thunder, and more by the quality and rela∣tion of the person breeding in the Beholders (whereof by chance I was one) very much amazement; and being likely in some proportion to breed the like in the Hearers, I will adventure for the satisfying of your thoughts about it, to set down the fore-running and leading Causes of this accident, as far, as in so short a time I have been able to wade in so deep a water. It is conceived that the King hath a good while been much distasted with the said Gentle∣man, even in his own nature, for too stiff a carriage of his fortune; besides that scandalous offence of the Queen at Greenwich, which was never but a palliated cure. Upon which considerations, His Majesty resolving to sever him from my Page  162 Lord of Rochester, and to do it not disgracefully or violently, but in some honourable fashion; He com∣manded not long since the Arch-Bishop by way of familiar discourse, to propound unto him the Ambas∣sage of France, or of the Arch-Dukes Court; whereof the one was shortly to be changed, and the other at the present vacant: In which proposition it seemeth, though shadowed under the Arch-Bishops good will, that the King was also contented some little light should be given him of His Majesties incli∣nation unto it, grounded upon his merit. At this the Fish did not bite; whereupon the King took a rounder way, commanding my Lord Chan∣cellor, and the Earl of Pembrock to propound joyntly the same unto him (which the Arch-Bishop had before moved) as immediately from the King, and to sweeten it the more, he had (as I hear) an offer Page  163 made him of assurance before his go∣ing off the place, of Treasurer of the Chamber, which he expecteth after the death of the Lord Stanhop; whom belike the King would have drawn to some reasonable composition. Notwithstanding all which Motives and impulsives, Sir Thomas Overbury refused to be sent abroad with such terms as were by the Council inter∣preted pregnant of contemptin a case where the King had opened his will; which refusal of his, I should for my part esteem an eternal disgrace to our occupation, if withall I did not consider how hard it is to pull one from the bosom of a Favorite. Thus you see the point upon which one hath been committed standing in the second degree of power in the Court, and conceiving (as himself told me but two hours before) never better then at that present of his own fortunes & ends. Now in this whole matter, there is one main and princi∣pal Page  164 doubt, which doth travail all un∣derstandings; that is, Whether this were done without the participation of my Lord of Rochester: A point neces∣sarily infolding two different conse∣quences; for if it were done without his knowledge, we must expect of himself either a decadence or a ruine; if not, we must then expect a repa∣ration by some other great publick satisfaction, whereof the world may take as much notice. These clouds a few dayes will clear: In the mean while I dare pronounce of Sir Thomas Overbury, that he shall return no more to this Stage, unless Courts be governed every year by a new Philosophy, for our old Principles will not bear it.

I have shewed my Lord and La∣dies Sister your Letter of the 18. of April, who return unto you their affectionate remembrances, and I many thanks for it. The King hath altered his journey to Thetford, and Page  165 determineth to entertain himself till the progress nearer London. The Queen beginneth her journey upon Saturday towards Bathe. Neither the Marquess di villa (who cometh from Savoy) nor Don Pedro▪ disarmi∣ento (who shall reside here in the room of the present Spanish Ambas∣sador) are yet either arrived, or near our Coast; though both on the way: So as I can yet but cast to∣wards you a longing, and in truth an envious look from this place of such servility in the getting, and such un∣certainty in the holding of fortunes, where me-thinks we are all over∣clouded with that sleep of Jacob, when he saw some ascending, and some descending; but that those were Angels, and these are men: For in both, what is it but a Dream? And so (Sir) wishing this Paper in your hands, to whom I dare communicate the freest of my thoughts, I commit you to Page  166 Gods continual Love and Bles∣sings.