The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

20 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA.
For the name, his majesty's will is a law in but you may think your private fortunes establishthose things; and to speak the truth, it is a well- ed; and therefore it is now time, that you should
sounding, and noble name, both here and abroad: refer your actions to the good of your sovereign,
and being your proper name, I will take it for a and your country. It is the life of an ox or beast
good sign, that you shall give honour to your always to eat, and never exercise; but men are
dignity, and not your dignity to you. Therefore borp (and especially Christian men) not to cram
I have made it Viscount Villiers, and for your in their fortunes, but to exercise their virtues; and
barony, I will keep it for an earldom: for though yet the other hath been unworthy, and (thanks be
the other had been more orderly, yet that is as to God) sometimes unlucky hurnour of great perusual, and both alike good in law. sons in our times. Neither will your future forFor Roper's place, I would have it by all tune be the farther off; for assure yourself, that
means despatched; and therefore I marvel it fortune is of a woman's nature, and will sooner
lingereth. It were no good manners, to take the follow by slighting, than by too much wooing.
business out of my lord treasurer's hands, and And in this dedication of yourself to the public, I
therefore I purpose to write to his lordship, if I recommend unto you principally, that which I
hear not from him first, by Mr. Deckome; but if think, was never done since I was born; and
I hear of any delay, you will give me leave which, because it is not done, hath bred almost a
(especially since the king named me) to deal with wilderness and solitude in the king's service;
Sir Joseph Roper myself; for neither I, nor my which is, that you countenance, and encourage,
lord treasurers can deserve any great thanks in and advance able men, in all kinds, degrees, and
this business of yours, considering the king hath professions. For in tile time of the Cecils, the
spoken to Sir Joseph Roper, and he hath promised; father and the son, able men were by design and
and, besides, the thing itself is so reasonable, as it of purpose suppressed: and though, of late, choice
ought to be as soon done as said. I am now gotten goeth better, both in church and commonwealth,
into the country to my house, where I have some yet money and turn-serving, and cunning canlittle liberty, to think of that I would think of, and vasses and importunity, prevaileth too much.
not of that which other men hourly break their And in places of moment, rather make able and
head withal, as it was at London. Upon this honest men yours, than advance those that are otheryou may conclude, that most of my thoughts are wise, because they are yours. As for cunning and
to his majesty, and then you cannot be far off. corrupt men, you must (I know) sometimes use
God ever keep you, and prosper you: I rest them, but keep them at a distance; and let it
always, appear rather, that you make use of them, than
Your true and most dutiful servant. that they lead you. Above all depend wholly
The 5th of August, one of the happiest days. (next unto God) upon the king, and be ruled (as
hitherto you have been) by his instructions, for
that is best for yourself. For the king's care and
thoughts for you are according to the thoughts of
SIR FRANCIS BACON TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, a great king; whereas your thoughts concerning
UPON TIlE SENDING IIIS PATENT FOR VISCOUNT yourself are, and ought to be, according to the
VILLIERS TO BE SIGNED. thoughts of a modest man. But let me not weary
SIR, you: the sum is, that you think goodness the best
I have sent you now your patent, creation of part of greatness, and that you remember whence
lord Bletchly of Bletchly, and of ViscountVilliers. your rising comes, and make return accordingly.
Bletchly is your own, and I liked the sound of God keep you.
the name better than Whaddon; but the name Aug. 12, 1616.
will be hid, for you will be called Viscount Villiers. I have put them in a patent, after the manner of the patent for earls, where baronies are
joined; but the chief reason was, because I would SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING, ABOUT A CER.
avoid double prefaces, which had not been fit; TIFICATE OF MI LORD COKE'S.
nevertheless, the ceremony of robing, and other- IT MIAY PLEASE YOUR EXCELLENT MAJESTY,
wise, must be double. I send your majesty enclosed, my Lord Coke's
And now, because I am in the country, I will answers, I will not call them rescripts, much less
send you some of my country fruits, which with oracles. They are of his own hand, and offered
me are good meditations; which, when I am in to me (as they are) in writing, not required by me
the city, are choked with business. to have them set down in writing, though I am
After that the king shall have watered your glad of it, for my own discharge. I thought it
new dignities, with the bounty of the lands which my duty, as soon as I received them, instantly to
he intends you, and that some other things con- send them to your majesty, and forbear, for the
cerning your means, which are now likewise in present, to speak farther of them. I, for my part,
intention, shall be settled upon you, I do not see, (though this Moscovia weather be a little too hara