The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 127
could so think fit. I do now receive a letter from ber; I received it this evening at six of the clock,
the Conde de Gondomar, who, thinking that it by the hands of the master of the rolls,* sealed
should find me in England, saith thus: Beso las as it is with my Lord of Suffolk's seal, and the
manes mil vezes a mi sennor, el sennor Gran Chan- master's of the rolls; but neither I, nor the master
cilor, con my coracon; como estoy en su btuena of the rolls know what is in it; but it cometh
gracia. The empress is dead long since, and the first to his majesty's sight. Only I did direct,
emperor is so sickly, or rather so sick, that they that because the authentic copy (unto which my
forbear to bury her with solem~n.ty, as conceiving, lord is sworn, according to the course of the
that he will save charge by dying shortly. They court) is not so fit for his majesty's reading, my
say here, that the business of Bohemia is grow- Lord of Suffolk should send withal a paper copy,
ing towards an end by composition. which his majesty might read with less trouble.
Brussels, this 14th of February, 1619. My Lady Suffolk is so ill of the small-pox, as
she is not yet fit to make any answer.
Bingley'st answer is come in, a long one; and,
as I perceive, with some things impertinent, yea,
TO TIE ARUIS OF BUCKINGHAMand unfit. Of that I confer with Mr. Solicitort
to-morrow; and then I will farther advertise your
MY VERY GOOD LORD, lordship. God ever preserve and prosper you.
For the services committed to Sir Lionel Cran- Your lordship's most obliged
field, after his majesty hath spoken with him, I friend and faithful servant,
shall attend and follow his majesty's pleasure and FR. VERULAM, Cane.
directions, and yield my best care, advice, and York House, this 23d of Febr. 1619,
endeavour for performance. at 9 of the clock, 1619-20.
In the pretermitted duty I have some profit, and
more was to have had, if Queen Anne had lived;
wherefore, I shall become an humble suitor to his
TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.
majesty, that I may become no loser, specially
seeing the business had been many a time and oft MOST HIONOURABLE LORD,
quite overthrown, if it had not been upheld only, I do even now receive this letter from the Conde
or chiefly by myself; so that whatsoever service de Gondomar, with direction I should send it
hath been since done, is upon my foundation. (since I am not there to deliver it) to Mr. Wyche,
Mr. Attorney* groweth pretty pert with me of that so he may present it to your lordship's hand
late; and I see well who they are that maintain at such time, as it may be of most use to him.
him. But be they flies, or be they wasps, I nei- He commands me, besides, that for his sake I
ther care for buzzes nor stings, most especially in should become an humble solicitor to your lordship
any thing that concerneth my duty to his majesty, for this friend of his; which I presume to do the
or my love to your lordship. more willingly, because this party is a great friend
I forgot not in my public charge, the last Star of mine, and so are also many of his friends my
Chamber day, to publish his majesty's honour for friends. Besides, he wills me to represent his
his late commission for the relief of the poor, and great thanks to your lordship, for the just favours
suppressing vagabonds; as also his gracious you have been pleased to vouchsafe to Mr. Wyche
intention touching informers, which I perceive already, the rather in contemplation of the Conde,
was received with much applause. That of pro- as he hath been informed. And if in the company,
jectors I spake not of, because it is not yet ripe, or rather in the attendance of so great an intercesneither doth it concern the execution of any law, sor, it be not an unpardonable kind of ill manners
for which my speech was proper. God ever pre- to intrude mryself, I presume to cast myself at
serve and prosper you. your lordship's feet, with protestation that I shall
Your lordship's most obliged be very particularly bound to your lordship's
friend and faithful servant, goodness for any favour, with justice, that he
FR. VERULAM, Cane. shall obtain.
February 17, 1619. I beseech Jesus keep your lordship ever entirely happy; and so, doing all humble reverence.
take leave.
Your lordship's most humble
TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. and most obliged servant,
TOBIE MATTHEW.
My, VERNY GOOD LORD, Brussels, this 26th of February, 1619.
I send by post this sealed packet, containing
my Lord of Suffolk's answer in the Star Chain-, Sir Julius Caesar.
f Sir John Bingley's.' Sir Henry Yelverton $. Sir Thomas Coventry.