The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

200 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS.
though the other had been more orderly, yet that faction of justice, and example to others: we
is as usual, and both alike good in law. being always graciously inclined to temper mercy
For Roper's place,* I would have it by all with justice, and calling to mind his former good
means despatched; and therefore I marvel it lin- services, and how well and profitably he hath
gereth. It were no good manners to take the spent his time since his trouble, are pleased to
business out of my lord treasurer's hands; and remove from him that blot of ignominy which
therefore I purpose to write to his lordship, if I yet remaineth upon him, of incapacity and disahear not from him first by Mr. Deccomb. But blement; and to remit to him all penalties
if I hear of any delay, you will give me leave, whatsoever inflicted by that sentence. Havespecially since the king named me, to deal ing therefore formerly pardoned his fine, and
with Sir Jotln Roper myself; for neither I nor my released his confinement, these are to will and
lord treasurer can deserve any great thanks of require you to prepare, for our signature, a bill
you in this business, considering the king hath containing a pardon, in due form of law, of the
spoken to Sir John Roper, and he hath pro- whole sentence; for which this shall be your
mised; and, besides, the thing itself is so rea- sufficient warrant.
sonableas it ought to be as soon done as said. I
am now gotten into the country to my house,
where I have some little liberty to think of
that I would think of, and not of that which other MR. FRANCIS BACON TO THIE EARL OF ESSEX.*
men hourly break my head withal, as it was at Mv LoRD,-I did almost conjecture, by your
London. Upon this you may conclude, that most silence and countenance, a distaste in the course
of my thoughts are of his majesty; and then
of my thoughts are of his majesty; and then I imparted to your lordship touching mine own
you cannot be far off. God ever keep you, and fortune; the care whereof in your lordship as it is
prosper you. I rest andmolways devotno news to me, so, nevertheless, the main effects
Your true and most devoted servant,
FR. BACON. and demonstrations past are so far from dulling
ug. 5, one of he happiest days, 1616. ACON. in me the sense of any new, as, contrariwise, every
new refresheth the memory of many past. And
for the free and loving advice your lordship hath
given me, I cannot correspond to the same with
greater duty, than by assuring your lordship, that
I will not dispose of myself without your allowTO OUR TR.USTY AND WELL BELOVED THOMAS CO- ance, not only because it is the best wisdom in
VENTRY, OUR ATTORNEY-GENERAL. any man in his own matters, to rest in the wisdom of a friend, (for who can by often looking in
the glass discern and judge so well of his own
Whereas, our right trusty and right well be- favour as another with whom he converseth?)
loved cousin, the Viscount of St. Alban, upon a but also because my affection to your lordship
sentence.iven.n t~e Upper House ofbut also because my affection to your lordship
sentence given in the Upper House of Parliament hath made mine own contentment inseparable
full three years since, and more, hath endured from your satisfaction. But, notwithstanding, I
loss of his place, imprisonment, and confinementt know it will be pleasing to your good lordship
also for a great time, which may suffice forthe satis- that I use my liberty of replying; and I do
zn that I use my liberty of replying; and I do
Si John Roper, who had for many years enjoyed ihe almost assure myself, that your lordship will rest
place of the chief clerk for enrolling of pleas in the court of persuaded by the answer of those reasons which
King's Bench, esteemed to be worth about four thousand your lordship vouchsafed to open. They were
pounds per annum, being grown old, was prevailed wiih to two, the one, that I should include
surrender it upon being created Lord Teynham, with a reservation of the profits thereof to himself during life. Upon April, 1593.
which surrender, Sir George Villiers was to have the office The rest of the letter is wanting.
granted to two of his trustees for their lives, as Carr, Earl of
Somerset, was to have had before. But the Lord Chief Justice Coke not being very forward to accept of the surrender,
or make a new grant of it upon those terms, he was, upon
the 3d of October, 1616, commanded to desist from the service THE EARL OF ESSEX TO MR. FRANCIS BACON.+
of this place, and at last removed fronm it upon the 15th of
November following. His successor, Sir Henry Montagu, MR. BAcoN,-% Your letter met me here yesterthird son of Sir Edward Montagu, of Boughtonin Northamp- day. When I came, I found the queen so waytonshire, recorder of London, and king's sergeant, being
more complaisant, Sir John Roper resigned, towards the lat- ward, as I thought it no fit time to deal with her
ter end of the same month; and Mr. Shute, and Mr. Heath, in any sort, especially since her choler grew to
who was afterwards the king's solicitor-general, being the wards myself, which I have well satisfied this
deputies and trustees of Sir George Villiers, were admitted. d
Stephens's Introduzct. p. 37. day, and will take the first opportunity I can tc
f Cabala, 270. Edw. 1663.
$ His sentence forbid his coming within the verge of the * Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq., vol. iii. fol
court. [In consequence of this letter, my Lord Bacon was 74, in the Lambeth Library.
summoned to Parliament in the first year of Bing Charles.] t Ibid. fol. 197.