The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 133
the Exchequer Chamber, and a dismission before jesty could raise me no higher, it was your grace
your lordship: which I was the more willing to to illustrate me with beams of honour, first makdo, because I have seen a letter of his majesty to ing me Baron Verulam, and now Viscount St.
the said Sir Richard Martin, acknowledging the Alban. So, this is the eighth rise or reach, a
good service that he did him in this kingdom, at diapason in music, even a good number, and an
the time of his majesty's being in Scotland. And accord for a close. And so I may without supertherefore I desire your lordship, that you would stition be buried in St. Alban's habit or vestgive her a full and fair hearing of her cause, and ment.
a speedy despatch thereof, her poverty being Besides the number, the obligation is increased
such, that having nothing to live on but her hus- by three notes or marks: first, that they proceed
band's debts, if her suit long depend, she shall from such a king; for honours from some kings
be enforced to lose her cause for want of means are but great chancels, or counters, set high; but
to follow it: wherein I will acknowledge your from your majesty, they are indeed dignities by
lordship's favour, and rest the co-operation of your grace. Secondly, in
Your lordship's faithful respect of the continuance of your mnajesty's
friend and servant, favour, which proceedeth as the divine favour,
G. BUCKiNGHAM. from grace to grace. And, thirdly, these splenWhitehall, the 13th of January, 1620. dours of honour are like your freest patents,
absque aliquid Cide reddendo. Offices have burdens of cares and labours; but honours have no
burden but thankfulness, which doth rather raise
TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.* men's spirits than accable them, or press them
MY HONOURABLE LonD, down.
His majesty hath commanded me to signify his Then I must say, quid retribuam?. I have nopleasure unto you, that you give present order thing of mine own. That that God hath given
to the clerk of the crown to draw a bill to be me I shall present unto your majesty; which is
signed by his majesty for Robert Heath, late care and diligence, and assiduous endeavour, and
recorder of London, to be his majesty's solicitor- that which is the chief, cor muum et viam unanm;
general. So I rest your lordship's hoping that your majesty will do, as your supefriend and servant, rior doth; that is, finding my heart upright, you
G. BUCKINGHAM. will bear with my other imperfections. And,
Theobalds, 20th of January, 1620. lastly, your majesty shall have the best of my
time, which I assure myself I shall conclude in
your favour, and survive in your remembrance.
TO THE KIN;G.t And that is my prayer for myself; the rest shall
be in prayers for your majesty.
IAY IT PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,
I thank God I number days, both in thankfulness to him, and in warning to myself. I
should likewise number your majesty's benefits, TO THE LORD CHANCELLOR.*
which, as to take them in all kinds, they are MY NOBLE LORD,
without number; so even in this kind of steps
I have showed your letter of thanks to his mao
and degrees of advancement, they are in greater
jesty, who saith there are too many thanks in it
number than scarcely any other of your subjects for so small a favour; which he holdeth too little
for so small a favour; which he holdeth too little
can say. For this is now the eighth time that
your m sto encourage so well a deserving servant. For
your majesty bh ofath raised me. myself, I shall ever rejoice at the manifestation
You formed me of the learned council extraor- of his majesty's favour toward you, and will con
of his majesty's favour toward you, and will condinary, without patent or fee, a kind of indivitribute all that is in me, to the increasing of his
duucm vagum. You established me, and brought e
me into ordinary; soon after you placed me soli- goo opinion; ever resting
citor, whr,sresvny: Your lordship's faithful friend and servant,
citor, where I served seven years: then your. BUCINHA
majesty made rme your attorney, or procurator
general; then privy counsellor, while I was
attorney; a kind of miracle of your favour, that
had not been in many ages: thence keeper of TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGIIAM.
your seal; and because that was a kind of planet, Mv VERY GOOD LORD,
and not fixed, chancellor: and when )Your ma- With due thanks for your lastvisit, this day is
* Harl. MSS. vol. 7000. a play-day for me. But I will wait on your lord
t This seems to have been written by Lord St. Albans, just ship, if it be necessary.
after he was created a viscount by that title, January 27,
1620 * Harl. MSS. vol. 7000.
M