The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 101
unto me, seeing thereby I made the gain of the so full instruction from his majesty, that there is
overture and assurance of your honour's affection. nothing left for me to add in the business. And
These comforts have given new life and strength to so I rest
my hopes, which before began to faint. I know Your faithful servant,
what your honour promiseth you will undertake, GEORGE VILLIER.
and what you undertake, you seldom fail to com- Royston, the 13th of October, 1616.
pass; for such proof of your prudence and industry Endorsed,
your honour hath of late times given to the swaying To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon,
world. There is, to my understanding, no great knight, one of his majesty's privy council, and
intricacy in my affair, in which I plainly descry the his attorney-general.
course to the shore I would land at; to which neither
[ 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 SIR EDMUND BACON* TO SIR FRANCIS BACON,
these, none can so well set awork as yourself, ATTORNEY-GENERAL.
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, petit 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 faturnm 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 Your lordship's poor nephew,
court. Meantime, with all humble and hearty EDIM. BACON.
wishes for increase of all happiness, I kiss your Redgrave, this 19th of Octobr, 1616.
honour's hands. Endorsed
Your honour's humbly at command, ndored,
R. MARTIN. For the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon,
16 ekniglht, his majesty's attorney-general, and one
September 27,- 1616.
Endorsed, of his most honourable privy counsellors, be these
delivered at London.
To the Right Honourable Sir Francis Bacon,
knight, his majesty's attorney-general, and one of
his majesty's most honoturable privy council, my
singular patron at court.
TO THE KING.t
MAY IT PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY,
My continual meditations upon your majesty s
TO SIR FRANCIS BACON, ATTORNEY-GENERAL.* service and greatness, have, amongst other things,
SIR, —I have kept your man here thus long, be- * Nephew of Sir Francis Bacon, being eldest son of Sir
cause I thought there would have been some Nicholas Bacon, eldest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, Lord
occasion for me to write after Mr. Solicitor-Gene- Keeper of the Great Seal. Sir Edmund died without issue,
April 10, 1649. There are several letters to him from Sir
lal's being with the king. But he hath received Henry Wotton, printed among the works of the latter.
t His majesty had begun hisjourney towards Scotland, oin
t Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. the 14th of March, 1616-7.
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