The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO. 49
towards me; if it please him to consider what is received in your presence. I then told his mac
past, and what is to come. jesty my memory was not able to keep way with
If I would tender my profit, and oblige men his, and therefore his majesty will pardon me for
unto me by my place and practice, I could have any omission or errors, and be pleased to supply
more profit than I could devise, and could oblige and reform the same. I am preparing some other
all the world and offend none; which is a brave materials for his majesty's excellent hand concondition for a man's private. But my heart is cerning business that is coming on. For since
not on these things. Yet, on the other side, I his majesty hath renewed my heart within me,
would be sorry that worthless persons should methinks I should double my endeavours. God
make a note that I get nothing but pains and ene- ever preserve and prosper you. I rest
mies; and a little popular reputation, which Your most devoted,
followeth me whether I will or no. If any thing and bounden servant.
be to be done for yourself, I should take infinite
contentment, that my honour might wait upon
yours: But I would be loath it should wait upon
any man's else. If you would put your strength R LETTER TO SI R GEO RGE VILIERS, FOR THEAC
RESTORING OF DOCTOR BURGIS TO PREACHI.
to this business it is done; and that done many JUNE 12, 1616.
things more will begin. God keep you ever; I do think you may do yourself honour,
sSR, —I do think you may do yourself honour,
rest,
Your true and devoted servant, and (that which is more) do a good work, if you
will assist and perfect a motion begun (and that
upon a good ground, both of submission and conformity) for the restoring of Doctor Burgis to
A LETTER TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, UPON THE preach; and I wish, likewise, that if Gray's-Inn
CHOICE HIS MAJESTY GAVE HIM, WHETHER HE should think good (after he is free from the state)
WOULD BE SWORN COUNCILLOR, OR IIAVE to choose him for their preacher, his majesty
ASSURANCE TO SUCCEED THE CHANCELLOR. should not be against it; for certainly we should
JUNE 3, lfi16. watch him well if he should fly forth; so as he
SIR, —The king giveth me a noble choice, and cannot be placed in a more safe auditory. This
you are the man my heart ever told me you were. may seem a trifle, but I do assure you, I do
Ambition would draw me to the latter part of the scarce know a particular wherein you may open
choice; but in respect of my hearty wishes that more honest mouths to speak honour of you than
my lord chancellor may live long, and the small this. And I do extremely desire there may be a
hopes I have, that I shall live long myself, and full cry from all sorts of people (especially the
above all, because I see his majesty's service best) to speak and to trumpet out your commendaily and instantly bleedeth; towards which I dations. I pray you take it to heart, and do
persuade myself (vainly, perhaps, but yet in mine somewhat in it. I rest
own thoughts firmly and constantly) that I shall Your devoted and bounden servant.
give, when I am of the table, some effectual furtherance, (as a poor thread of the labyrinth, which
bath no other virtue but a united continuance,
without interruption or distraction,) I do accept A LETTER TO THE KING, TOUCHING SIR GEORGCE
of the former, to be councillor for the present, and VILLIERS' PATENT FOR BARON OF BLETCHLEY
AND VISCOUNT VILLIERS. AUGUST 12, 1616.
to give over pleading at bar: let the other matterT
rest upon my proof and his majesty's pleasure, IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MOST EXCVELLENT MAJESTY,
and the accidents of time. For, to speak plainly I have sent Sir George Villiers' patent, drawn
I would be loath that my lord chancellor, to again, containing also a barony; the name
whom I owe most after the king and yourself, Bletchley is his own, and to my thinking, soundshould be locked to his successor for any advance- eth better than Whaddon. I have included both
ment or gracing of.me. So I ever remain in one patent, to avoid a double preface, and as
Your true, and most devoted, hath been used in the patents of earls of like
and obliged servant. nature; nevertheless, the ceremony of robing,
and otherwise, is to be double, as is also used in
like cases of earls.
It resteth that I express unto your majesty my
TO HIS VERY HONOURABLE GOOD FRIEND, SIR great joy in your honouring and advancing this
GEORGE VILLIERS, MASTER OF THE HORSE TO gentleman; whom to describe, not with colours,
HIS MAJESTY, AND OF THE MOST NOBLE ORDER but with true lines, I may say this; your majesty
OF THE GARTER. JUNE 12, 1616. certainly hath found out and chosen a safe
SIR,-I send his majesty a draught of the act nature, a capable man, an honest will, generous
of council, concerning the judges' letter; penned and noble affections, and a courage well lodged;,u1 near as I could to his majesty's instructions and one, that I know, loveth your majesty
VOL. III.-7 E