The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

26 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA.
reason is of the reformation of justice, for the a 100,000. But the judges first, and most
questioning of men of eminent place hath the of the rest, reduced it as before. I do not dislike
same terror, though not the same rigour with the that things pass moderately, and, all things conpunishment. But my case stayeth not there; for sidered, it is not amiss, and might easily hlave
my humble desire is, that his majesty would take been worse. There was much speaking of interthe seal into his hands, which is a great downfall, ceding for the king's mercy, which (in my opinion)
and may serve, I hope, in itself, for an expiation was not so proper for a sentence: I said, in conof my faults. elusion, that mercy was to come "ex moer motu,"
Therefore, if mercy and mitigation be in your and so left it. I took some other occasion pertilordships' power, and do no ways cross your ends, nent to do the king honour, by showing how
why should I not hope of your favours and com- happy he was in all other parts of his governmiserations T Your lordships may be pleased to ment, save only in the manage of his treasure by
behold your chief pattern, the king our sovereign, these officers.
a king of incomparable clemency, and whose I have s6nt the ling a new bill for Sussex, for
heart is inscrutable for wisdom and goodness. my Lord of Nottingham's certificate was true, and
You well remember, that there sat not these hun- I told the judges of it before, but they neglected
dred years before, in your house, a prince (and it. I conceive the first man (which is newly set
never such a prince) whose presence deserveth to down) is the fittest. God ever preserve and keep
be made memorable by records and acts, mixed you, etc.
of mercy and justice. Yourselves are either nobles, (and compassion ever beateth in the veins
of noble blood,) or reverend prelates, who are the sIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE LORD TREASURER
servants of him that would not break the bruised BUCKHURST, UIPON THIE SAME OCCASION OF
reed, nor quench smoking flax. SENDING HIS BOOK OF ADVANCEMENT OF
You all sit upon a high stage, and therefore LEARNING.
cannot but be more sensible of the changes of MAY IT PLEASE YOUr GoonD LORDSIP,
human condition, and of the fall of any from high I have finished a work touching the advanceplaces. Neither will your lordships forget that ment or setting forward of learning, which I have
there are "'vitia temporis," as well as "'vitia dedicated to his majesty, the most learned of a
hominis," and that the beginning of reformation sovereign, or temporal prince, that time hath
bath a contrary power to the pool of Bethseda, for known. And upon reason not unlike, I humbly
that had. strength only to cure him that first cast present one of the books to your lordship, not only
in, and this hath strength to hurt him only that is as a chancellor of a university, but as one that
first cast in; and for my part, I wish it may stay was excellently bred in all learning, which I have
there, and go no farther. ever noted to shine in all your speeches and beLastly, I assure myself, your lordships have a haviours. And therefore your lordship will yield
noble feeling of me, as a member of your own a gracious aspect to your first love, and take pleabody; and one that, in this very session, had some sure in the adorning of that wherewith yourself
taste of your loving affections, which I hope was are so much adorned. And so, humbly desiring
not a lightning before the death of them, but rather your favourable acceptation thereof, with signifia spark of that grace which now, in the conclu- cation of my humble duty, I remainsion, will more appear. And, therefore, my humble suit to your lordships is, that my voluntary
confession may be my sentence, and the loss of
the seal my punishment, and that your lordships A LETTER OF THE LIKE ARGUMENT TO THE LORD
will spare any farther sentence, but recommend CHANCELLOR.
me to his majesty's grace and pardon for all that MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
is past. And so, etc. I humbly present your lordship with a work,
Your lordships', etc wherein, as you have much commandment over
FRANCIS ST. ALBAN, Can. the author, so your lordship hath also great
interest in the argument. For, to speak without
flattery, few have like use of learning, or like
judgment in learning, as I have observed in your
THE LORD CIIANCELLOR BACON TO THE DUKTE. lordship. And, again, your lordship hath been a
MY VERY GOOD LORD, great planter of learning, not only in those places
My Lord of Suffolk's cause is this day sen- in the church which have been in your own gift,
tenced. My lord, and his lady, fined at ~30,000, but also in your commendatory vote, no man hath
with imprisonment in the Tower at their own more constantly held, "detur digniori;" and,
charges. Bingley at ~2,000, and committed to therefore, both your lordship is beholden to learnthe Fleet; Sir Edward Coke did his part, I have ing, and learning beholden to you. Which
not heard him do better; and began with a fine of maketh me presume, with good assurance, that