The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 141
ways to the same good mind of yours. True it TO THE I ORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.
is, a small matter for my debts would do me MAY IT PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,
more good now than double a twelvemonth hence. Remembering that the letter your lordship put
I have lost six thousand pounds by year, besides yesterday into my hand was locked up under two
caps and courtesies. But now a very moderate or three seals, it ran in my head, that it might be
proportion would suffice; for I still bear a little business of importance, and require haste; and
of the mind of a commissioner of the treasury, not finding Mr. Matthew in town, nor any certainty
not to be overchargeable to his majesty; and two of his return till Monday or Tuesday, I thought it
things I may assure your lordship of: the one, became me to let your lordship know it, that so I
that I shall lead such a course of life, as whatso- might receive your lordship's pleasure (if need
ever the king doth for me shall rather sort to his were) to send it by as safe a hand as if it had
majesty's and your lordship's honour, than to three seals more.
envy: the other, that whatsoever men talk, I can My lord, I saw Sir Arthur Ingram, who let fall
play the good husband, and the king's bounty somewhat, as if he could have been contented to
shall not be lost. If your lordship think good have received a letter by me from your lordship,
the prince should come in to help, I know his with something in it like an acknowledgment to
highness wisheth me well; if you will let me my lord treasurer,* that by his means you had
know when, and how he may be used. But the received a kind letter from my lord marquis. But,
king is the fountain, who, I know is good. in the close, he came about, and fell rather to
God prosper you. excuse what was left out of the letter, than to
Your lordship's most bounden please himself much with what was within it.
and faithful, Only, indeed, he looked upon me, as if he did a
FR. ST. ALBAN. little distrust my good meaning in it. But that is
Gorhambury, January 30, 1621. all one to me; for I have been used to it of late from
others, as well as from him. But persons apt to
be suspicious may well be borne with; for, certainly they trouble themselves most, and lose
TO TIlE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAMP. most by it. For of such it is a hard question,
whether those be fewest whom they trust, or those
Mv VERY GOOD LORD,. who trust them. But for him, and some others,
Your lordship dealeth honourably with me in who trust them. But for him, and some others,
our lordship dealeth honourably with me in I will end in a wish, that, as to your lordship's
giving me notice, that your lordship is provided
service, they might prove but half so much
of a house,* whereby you discontinue the treaty
your lordship had with me for York EHouse, honester, as they think themselves wiser, than
although I shall make no use of this notice, as to other men.
deal with any other. For I was ever resolved
lordship should have had it, or no man. morrow or not; for they say he is full of pain in
your lordship should have had it, or no man..
his feet.
But your lordship doth yet more nobly, in assurme, you. never meant it with any the least My lord marquis came late to town last night,
ing me, you never meant it with any the ]eastv
inconvenience to myself. May it please your and goeth back this evening; and Sir Edward
lordship likewise to be assured from me, that I Sackville watcheth an opportunity to speak with
lordship likewise to be assuredhim before he go. However, he wisheth that
ever desired you should have it, and do still con- your lordship would lose no time in returning an
tinue of the same mind, your lordship would lose no time in returning an
tinuer, made all of the sweetmeats, to mny lord
I humbly pray your lordship to move his ma- answer, made all of sweetmeats, to my lord
jesty to take commiseration of my long imprison- marquis's letter, which, he is confident, will be
jesty to take commiseration of my long mprson- both tasted and digested by him. And Sir Edmet. When I was in the T ower, I was nearer ward wisheth that the other letter to my lord
help of physic; I could parley with my creditors;
I could deal with friends about my business; I marquis, for presenting your discourse of laws to
could have helps at hand for my writings and his majesty, might follow the first. I humbly rest
could have helps at hand for my writings and
Your lordship's forever truly
studies, wherein I spend my time; all whichourlordship'sforevertruly
here fail me. Good my lord, deliver me out of to honour and serve you,
this; me, who am his majesty's devout beads- Iartii 3, 1621.
man, and
Your lordship's most obliged friend
and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN. TO THIE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.
Gorhambury, this 3d of Feb., 1621. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR LORDSHIP,
I had not failed to appear this night, upon you
* Mr. Chamberlain, in a MS. letter to Sir Dudley Carleton, lordship's summons, but that my stay till to
dated at London, January 19, 1621-2, mentions, that the Marquis of Bucllsingham had contracted with the Lord and Lady
Wallingford, for their house near Whitehall, for some * Lionel, Lord Cranfield, made Lord Treasurer in October,
Ironey 1621.