The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

104 LETTERS FROM BIRCH.
lie is shortly to go into Spain about some other When I had written this letter, I received your
business of his own, I farther desire your lordship lordship's letter of the third of this present, whereto give him what expedition you can, that he may in your lordship showeth your solicitous care of
"eceive no prejudice by his journey. my health, which did wonderfully comfort me.
Your lordship's ever at command, And it is true, that at this present I am very well,
G. BUCKINGHAM. and my supposed gout quite vanished.
Endorsed-M.Yay 6, 1616. I humbly pray you to commend my service,
infinite in desire, howsoever limited in ability, to
his majesty, to hear of whose health and good
TO THE LORD KEEPER.* disposition is to me the greatest beatitude which
I can receive in this world. And I humbly be5Iv HONOURABLE LORD,
I have, by reports, heard that which doth much seech his majesty to pardon me, that I do not now
grieve and trouble me, that your lordship hath, send him my account of council business, and
through a pain in one of your legs, been forced to other his royal commands, till within these four
keep your chamber. And, being desirous to un- days; because the flood of business of justice Cid
derstand the true estate of your health, which hitherto wholly possess me; which, I know,
reports do not always bring, I entreat your lord- worketh this effect, as it contenteth his subjects,
and knitteth their hearts more and more to his
ship to favour me with a word or two from your- and knitteth eir hearts more and more to his
self, which, I hope, will bring me the comfort i majesty, though, I must confess, my mind is upon
desire, who cannot but be very sensible of what- other matters, as his majesty sall know, by the
soever happeneth to your lordship, as being grace of God, at his return. God ever bless and
Your lordship's most affectionate you.
to do you service, Your lordship's true and most
G. BUCKINGHAM. devoted friend and servant,
FR. BACON,.
From Edinburgh, the 3d of June, 1617.
Whitehall, this Sth of June, 1617.
His majesty, God be thanked, is very well, and
safely returned from his hunting journey.
TO THE LORD KEEPER.
MY HONOURABLE LORD,
Your lordship will understand, by Sir Thomas
Lake's letter, his majesty's directions touching
MY VERY GOOD LORD, the surveyor's deputy of the Court of Wards.
This day I have made even with the business And though I assure myself of your lordship's
of the kingdom for common justice; not one care of the business, which his majesty maketh
cause unheard; the lawyers drawn dry of all the his own: yet, my respect to Sir Robert Naunton*
motions they were to make; not one petition maketh me add my recommendation thereof to
unanswered. And this, I think, could not be your lordship, whom I desire to give all the fursaid in our age before. This I speak, not out of therance and assistance you can to the business,
ostentation, but out of gladness, when I have that no prejudice or imputation may light upon
done my duty. I know men think I cannot continue Sir Robert Naunton, through his zealous affection
if I should thus oppress myself with business: but to attend his majesty in this journey.
that account is made. The duties of life are more I will not omit to let you know, that his majesty
than life; and if I die now, I shall die before the is very well, and receiveth much contentment in
world be weary of me, which, in our times, is his journey. And with this conclusion I rest
somewhat rare. And all this while I have been Your lordship's most affectionate
a little unperfect in my foot. But I have taken to do you service,
pains more like the beast with four legs than like G. BUCKINGHAM.
a man with scarce two legs. But if it be a gout, Edinburgh, the 11th of June, 1617.
which I do neither acknowledge, nor much disclaim, it is a good-natured gout; for I have no
rage of it, and it goeth away quickly. I have
hope it is but an accident of changing from a field TO THE LORD VISCOUNT FENTON.I
airt to a Thames air; or rather, I think, it is the MY VERY GOOD LORD,
distance of the king and your lordship from me, I thank your lordship for your courteous letter;
that doth congeal my humours and spirits. and, if I were asked the question, I would always
Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. * Surveyor of the Court of Wards.
t Gray's Inn. t Sir Thomas Erskine, who, for his service to the king, in
$ Dorset House, originally belonging to the Bishops of the attempt of the Earl of Gowry, was, upon his majesty's
Salisbury, afterwards the house of Sir Richard Sackville, accession to the throne of England, made captain of his guard
and then of his son, Sir Thomas, Earl of Dorset, and lord in the room of Sir Walter Ralegh. He was afterwards
treasurer. created Earl of Kelly.