The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

160 LETTERS FROM BIRCH.
ous than felt, as whereby I am not likely to be safing so to visit this poorest and unworthiest of
able to wait upon your lordship, as I desired, your servants. It doth me good at heart, that,
your lordship being the person, of whom I pro- although I be not where I was in place, yet I ant
mise myself more almost than of any other; and, in the fortune of your lordship's favour, it I may
again, to whom, in all loving affection, I desire call that fortune, which I observe to be so
no less to approve myself a true friend and ser- unchangeable. I pray hard that it may once
vant. My desire to your lordship, is to admit come in my power to serve you for it; and who
this gentleman, my kinsman and approved can tell but that, as fortis imcaginatio generat
friend, to explain to you my business, whereby casum, so strange desires may do as much t
to save further length of letter, or the trouble of Sure I am, that mine are ever waiting on your
your lordship's writing back. lordship; and wishing as much happiness as is
due to your incomparable virtue, I humbly do
your lordship reverence.
Your lordship's most obliged
TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW. D
and humble servant,
GOOD MR. MATTHEW, TOBIE MATTHEW.
The event of the business, whereof you write,
is, it may be, for the best: for seeing my lord, P. S. The most prodigious wit that ever I
of himself beoginnethe to come about, qsorsn m as knew of my nation, and of this side of the sea, is
of himself, beginneth to come about, quorsum as
yet.t I could not in my heart, suffer my Lord ofyour ships name though he be known by
Digby to go hence, without my thanks and
acknowledgments. I send my letter open, which
I pray seal and deliver. Particulars I would not TO THE LORD ARCHBISHOP OF YORK.*
touch.
Your most affectionate and assured friend, MY VERY GOOD LORD,
FR. ST. ALBAN. I must use a better style than mine own in saying,.rmor tuus undequaquc se ostendit ex literis
tuisproximis, for which I give your grace many
TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW. thanks, and so, with more confidence, continue
GOOD MRa. MATTHEW, my suit to your lordship for a lease absolute for
When you write by pieces, it showeth your twenty-one years of the house, being the number
continual care; for a flush of memory is not so of years which my father and my predecessors
much; and I shall be always, on my part, ready fulfilled in it. A good fine requires certainty of
to watch for you, as you for me. term; and I am well assured, that the charge I
I will not fail, when I write to the lord marquis, have expended in reparations, amounting to one
to thank his lordship for the message, and to name thousand marks at least already, is more than
the nuntius. And, to tell you plainly, this care hath been laid out by the tenants that have been
they speak of, concerning my estate, was more in it since my remembrance, answerable to my
than I looked for at this time; and it is that which particular circumstance, that I was born there,
pleaseth me best. For my desires reach but to a and am like to end my days there. Neither can
fat otizun. That is truth; and so would I have I hold my hand, but, upon. this encouragement,
all men think, except the greatest; for I know am like to be doing still, which tendeth to the
patents, absque aliquid inde reddendo, are not so improvement, in great measure, of the inheritance
easily granted. of your see by superlapidations, if I may so call
I pray my service to the Spanish ambassador, it, instead of dilapidations, wherewith otherwise
and present him my humble thanks for his favour. it might be charged.
I am much his servant; and ashes may be good And whereas a state for life is a certainty, and
for somewhat. I ever rest not so well seen how it wears, a term of years
Your most affectionate and assured friend, makes me more depending upon you and your
FR. ST. ALBAN. succession.
I have sought for your. little book, and cannot For the providing of your lordship and your
and it. I had it one day with me in my coach. successors a house, it is part of the former coBut sure it is safe; for I seldom lose books or venant, wherein I desired not to be released.
Bapers. So, assuring myself of your grant and perfecting of this my suit, and assuring your grace of
my earnest desire and continual readiness to
TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN. deserve well of you, and yours chiefly, and likeMOST HONOURED LORD, wise of the see in any the causes or preeminences
I have received your great and noble token and thereof, I commend your grace to God's goodadvour of the 9th of April, and can but return the ness, resting, &c.
humblest of my thanks for your lordship's vouch- * Dr. Tobie Matthew.