The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

62 LETTERS FROM THE RESUSCITATIO.
means, I partly lean to Thales' opinion, "c that a I facta placebunt:" be it so, yet remember, that
philosopher may be rich if he will." Thus your the signing of your name is nothing unless it be
lordship seeth how I comfort myself; to the in- to some good patent or charter, whereby your
crease whereof I would fain please myself to country may be endowed with good and benefit;
believe that to be true which my lord treasurer which I speak both to move you to preserve your
writetli, which is, that it is more than a philoso- person, for further merit and service of her
lpher morally can digest; but without any such majesty and your country, and likewise to refer
high conceit, I esteem it like the pulling out of this action to the same end. And so, in most
an aching tooth, which I remember when I was true and fervent prayers, I commend your lorda child, and had little philosophy, I was glad of ship, and your work in hand, to the preservation
when it was done. For your lordship, I do think and conduct of the Divine Majesty; so much the
myself more beholding to you than to any man; more watchful, as these:actions do more maniand I say, I reckon myself as a common, (not po- festly in show, though alike in truth, depend
pular but common,) and as much as is lawful to upon his Divine providence.
be enclosed as a common, so much your lordship
shall be sure to have.
Your lordship's to obey your honourable TO MY LORD OF CANTERBURY.
commands more settled than ever.
IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GRACE,
I have considered the objections, perused the
statutes, and framed the alterations, which I
TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.
send, still keeping myself within the brevity
MvY SINGULAR GOOD LORD, of a letter and form of a narration, not entering
Your lordship's so honourable minding my poor into a form of argument or disputation; for, in
fortune the last year in the very entrance into my poor conceit, it is somewhat against the
that great action, (which is a time of less leisure,) majesty of princes' actions to make too curious
and in so liberal an allowance of your care as to and striving apologies; but rather to set them
write three letters to stir me up friends in your forth plainly, and so as there may appear an
absence; doth, after a sort, warrant me not to harmony and constancy in them, so that one part
object to myself your present quantity of affairs, upholdeth another. And so I wish your grace
whereby to silence myself from petition of the all prosperity. From my poor lodging, this, etc.
like favour. I brake with your lordship myself Your grace's most dutiful
at the Tower, and I take it my brother hath since pupil and servant.
renewed the same motion touching a fortune I
was in thought to attempt " in genere economico." ", In genere politico," certain cross winds
have blown contrary. My suit to your lordship TO MY LORD OF ESSEX.
is for your several letters to be left with me dor- MY SINGULAR GOOD LORnD,
mant, to the gentlewoman, and either of the The message it pleased your lordship to send
parents; wherein I do not doubt but as the me was to me delivered doubtfully; whether
beams of your favour have often dissolved the your lordship said you would speak with me at
coldness of my fortune, so in this argument your the Star Chamber or with Mr. Philip. If with
lordship will do the like with your pen. My me, it is needless, for gratitude imposeth upon
desire is also, that your lordship would vouchsafe me satisfaction; if with Mr. Philip, it will be too
unto me, as out of your care, a general letter to late, because somewhat must, perchance, be done
my lord keeper for his lordship's holding me, that day. This doubt not solved, maketh me
from you recommended, both in the course of write again; the rather, because I did liberally,
my practice, and in the course of my employment but yet privately affirm, your lordship would
in her majesty's service. Wherein, if your lord- write; which, if I make not good, it may be a
ship shall in any antithesis or relation, affirm that discouragement. Your lordship's letter, though
his lordship shall have no less hope of me than it have the subject of honour and justice, yet it
of any other whom he may cherish, I hope your shall have the secrecy of a thing done upon affeclordship shall engage yourself for no impossibi- tion. I shall ever, in a firm duty, submit my
lity. Lastly and chiefly, I know not whether I occasions, though great, to your lordship's
shall attain to see your lordship before your noble respects, though small; and this is my resolujourney; for ceremonies are things infinitely tion, that when your lordship doth for me, you
inferior to my love and to my zeal; this let me, shall increase my obligation; when you refuse to
with your allowance, say unto you by pen. Itis do for me, you shall increase my merit. So,
true that, in my well meaning advices, out of my leaving the matter wholly to your lordship's
love to your lordship, and perhaps out of the state pleasure, I commend your lordship to the tpreserof mine own mind, I have sometimes persuaded vation of the Divine Majesty. From Gray's Inn..a course differing:," ac tibi pro tutis insignia Your lordship's ever most humbly bounden.