The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 5
counterfeit with him; and they that can let me because, of all the accidents of state at this time,
from coming near to her, cannot let me from the labour resteth upon that most; and because
drawing nearer to him, as I hope I do daily. For. the world will make a kind of comparison beyour brother, I hold him an honest gentleman, tween those that set it out of frame, and those that'and wish him all good, much rather for your sake; shall bring it into frame: which kind of honour
yourself, I know, hath suffered more for me, and giveth the quickest kind of reflection. The transwith me, than any friend that I have: but I can ferring this honour upon yourself consisteth in two
but lament freely, as you see I do, and advise you points: the one, if the principal persons employed
not to do that I do, which is, to despair. You come in by you, and depend upon you; the other
know letters what hurt they have done me, and if your lordship declare yourself to undertake a
therefore make sure of this; and yet I could not, care of that matter. For the persons, it falleth
as having no other pledge of my love, but com- out well that your lordship hath had no interest in
municate openly with you for the ease of my the persons of imputation: For neither Sir W'ilheart and yours. liam Fitz-Williams, nor Sir John Norris was
Your loving friend, yours: Sir William Russel was conceived yours,
R. EssEx. but was curbed: Sir Coniers Clifford, as I conceive it, dependeth upon you, who is said to do
well; and if my Lord of Ormond in this interim
SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE EARL OF SALISBURY, do accommodate well, I take it he hath always
CONCERNING THE SOLICITOR'S PLACE. had good understanding with your lordship. So
MATY I~T PLEASE vOUR LORDSHIP, as all things are not only whole and entire, but of
I am not privy to myself of any such ill de- favourable aspect towards your lordship, if you
serving towards your lordship, as that I should now choose well: wherein, in your wisdom, you
think it an imprudent thing to be a suitor for your will remember there is a great difference in choice
favour in a reasonable matter, your lordship being of the persons, as you shall think the affairs to into me as (with your good favour) you cannot cline to composition, or to war. For your carecease to be: but rather it were a simple and arro- taking, popular conceit hath been, that Irish
gant part in me to forbear it. causes have been much neglected, whereby the
It is thought Mr. Attorney shall be chief justice very reputation of better care will be a strength:
of the Common-place; in case Mr. Solicitor rise, and I am sure, her majesty and my lords of the
I would be glad now at last to be solicitor: chiefly council do not think their care dissolved, when
because I think it will increase my practice, where- they have chosen whom to employ; but that they
in God blessing me a few years, I may mend my will proceed in a spirit of state, and not leave the
state, and so afterfall to my studies and ease; where- main point to discretion. Then, if a resolution be
of one is requisite for my body, and the other taken; a consultation must proceed; and the
serveth for my mind; wherein if I shall find your consultation must be governed upon information to
lordship's favour, I shall be more happy than I be had from such as know the place, and matters
have been, which may make me also more wise. in fact; and in taking of information I have always
I have small store of means about the king, and noted there is a skill and a wisdom. For I canto sue myself is not fit; and therefore I shall leave not tell what account or inquiry hath been taken
it to God, his majesty, and your lordship: for I of Sir William Russel, of Sir Ralph Bingham, of
must still be next the door. I thank God, in these the Earl of Thomond, of Mr. Wilbraham: but I
transitory things I am well resolved. So, beseech- am of opinion, much more would be had of them,
ing your lordship not to think this letter the less if your lordship shall be pleased severally to conhumble, because it is plain, I rest, etc. *fer, not obiter, but expressly, upon some caveat
FR. BACON. given them to think of it before, for,,, bene docet
qui prudenter interrogate" For the points of opposing them, I am too much a stranger to the business to deduce them: but in a topic methinks the
SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE EARL OF ESSEX, pertinent interrogations must be either of the
WHEN SIR ROBERT CECIL WAS IN FRANCE. possibility and means of accord, or of the nature
bMa SINGULAR GOOD LORD, of the war, or of the reformation of the particular
I do write, because I have not yet had time abuses, or of the joining of practice with force in
fully to express my conceit, nor now, to attend the disunion of the rebels. If your lordship doubt
you touching Irish matters, considering them as to put your sickle in other men's harvests, yet
they may concern the state; that it is one of the consider you have these advantages. First, time
aptest particulars that hath come, or can come being fit to you in Mr. Secretary's absence: next,
upon the stage, for your lordship to purchase "6 vis unita fortior:" thirdly, the business being
honour upon, I am moved to think for three mixed with matters of war, it is fittest for you:
reasons; because it is ingenerate in your house in lastly, I know your lordship will carry it with that
respect of my lord your father's noble attempts; modesty and respect towards aged dignity, and
A 2