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COUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY VERY HONOURED Lord,

In my letter of thanks to my lord marquis, | SIR EDWARD SACKVILLE, TO THE LORD VISwhich is not yet delivered, but to be forthwith delivered, I have not forgotten to mention, that I have received signification of his noble favour and affection, amongst other ways, from yourself, by name. If, upon your repair to the court, (whereof I am right glad,) you have any speech with the marquis of me, I pray place the alphabet (as you can do it right well) in a frame, to express my love faithful and ardent towards him. And, for York House, that whether in a straight line, or a compass line, I meant it his lordship in the way which I thought might please him best. I ever

rest

Your most affectionate and assured friend,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

March 21, 1621.

TO THE QUEEN OF BOHEMIA. IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

Longing to yield an account of my stewardship, and that I had not buried your talent in the ground, I waited yesterday the marquis's pleasure, until I found a fit opportunity to importune some return of his lordship's resolution. The morning could not afford it; for time only allowed leave to tell him, I would say something. In the afternoon I had amends for all. In the forenoon he laid the law, but in the afternoon he preached the gospel; when, after some revivations of the old distaste concerning York House, he most nobly opened his heart unto me, wherein I read that which argued much good towards you. After which revelation, the book was again sealed up, and must, in his own time, only by himself be again manifested unto you. I have leave to remember some of the vision, and am not forbidden to write it. He vowed, not courtI find in books (and books I dare allege to like, but constantly, to appear your friend so your majesty, in regard of your singular ability to much, as, if his majesty should abandon the care read and judge of them even above your sex) of you, you should share his fortune with him. that it is accounted a great bliss for a man to have He pleased to tell me, how much he had been leisure with honour. That was never my fortune, beholden to you; how well he loved you; how nor is. For time was, I had honour without unkindly he took the denial of your house, (for so leisure; and now I have leisure without honour. he will needs understand it.) But the close, for And I cannot say so neither altogether, consider all this, was harmonious, since he protested he ing there remain with me the marks and stamp would seriously begin to study your ends, now of the king's, your father's, grace, though I go that the world should see he had no ends on you. not for so much in value as I have done. But my He is in hand with the work, and therefore will, desire is now to have leisure without loitering, by no means, accept of your offer; though I can and not to become an abbey-lubber, as the old assure you, the tender hath much won upon him, proverb was, but to yield some fruit of my private and mellowed his heart towards you; and your life. Having therefore written the reign of your genius directed you right, when you wrote that majesty's famous ancestor, King Henry the Se-letter of denial unto the duke.* The king saw it; venth; and it having passed the file of his majesty's judgment, and been graciously also accepted of the prince, your brother, to whom it is dedicated, I could not forget my duty so far to your excellent majesty, (to whom, for that I know and have heard, I have been at all times so much bound, as you are ever present with me, both in affection and admiration,) as not to make unto you, in all humbleness, a present thereof, as now being not able to give you tribute of any service. If King Henry the Seventh were alive again, I hope verily he could not be so angry with me for not flattering him, as well pleased in seeing himself so truly described in colours that will last, and be believed. I most humbly pray your majesty graciously to accept of my good will; and so, with all reverence, kiss your hands, praying to God above, by his divine and most benign providence, to conduct your affairs to happy issue; and resting

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and all the rest; which made him say unto the marquis, you played an after game well; and that now he had no reason to be much offended.

I have already talked of the revelation, and now am to speak in apocalyptical language, which I hope you will rightly comment; whereof, if you make difficulty, the bearert can help you with the key of the cipher.

My Lord Falkland, by this time, hath showed you London from Highgate. If York House were gone, the town were yours; and all your straitest shackles cleared off, besides more comfort than the city air only. The marquis would be exceedingly glad the treasurer had it. This I know; but this you must not know from me. Bargain with him presently, upon as good conditions as you can procure, so you have direct motion from the marquis to let him have it. Seem not to dive into the secret of it; though you are purblind if you see not through it. I have told Mr. Meautys, how I would wish your lordship to make an end of it. From him, I beseech you,

* Of Lenox, of the 30th of January, 1621-2.
+ Probably Mr. Meautys.

take it, and from me only the advice to perform a subject and as he that took once the oath of it. If you part not speedily with it, you may counsellor, to make known to your lordship an defer the good, which is approaching near you, advertisement which came to me this morning. and disappointing other aims, (which must either A gentleman, a dear friend of mine, whom your shortly receive content, or never,) perhaps anew lordship cannot but imagine, though I name him yield matter of discontent, though you may be not, told me thus much, that some English priests indeed as innocent as before. Make the treasurer that negotiated at Rome to facilitate the dispensabelieve, that since the marquis will by no means tion, did their own business, (that was his phrase ;) accept of it, and that you must part with it, you for they negotiated with the pope to erect some are more willing to pleasure him than anybody titulary bishops for England, that might ordain, else, because you are given to understand my and have other spiritual faculties; saying withal lord marquis so inclines; which inclination, if the most honestly, that he thought himself bound to treasurer shortly send unto you about it, desire impart this to some counsellor, both as a loyal may be more clearly manifested, than as yet it subject, and as a Catholic; for that he doubted it hath been; since, as I remember, none hitherto might be a cause to cross the graces and mercies hath told you in terminis terminantibus, that the which the Catholics now enjoy, if it be not premarquis desires you should gratify the treasurer. vented: and he asked my advice, whether he I know that way the hare runs; and that my lord should make it known to your lordship, or to my marquis longs until Cranfield hath it; and so I lord keeper, when he came back to London. I wish too, for your good, yet would not it were commended his loyalty and discretion, and wished absolutely passed, until my lord marquis did send, him to address himself to your lordship, who or write, unto you, to let him have it; for then, might communicate it with my lord keeper, if you his so disposing of it were but the next degree saw cause, and that he repaired to your lordship removed from the immediate acceptance of it, and presently, which he resolved to do. Nevertheless, your lordship freed from doing it otherwise than I did not think mine own particular duty acquitted, to please him, and to comply with his own will except I certified it also myself, borrowing so and way. much of private friendship in a cause of state, as not to tell him I would do so much.

I have no more to say, but that I am, and ever will be

Your lordship's most affectionate friend

and humble servant,

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Endorsed,

My letter to my lord marquis, touching the business of estate advertised by Mr. Matthew.t

Endorsed,

E. SACKVILLE. ✨

Received the 11th of May, 1622.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY MOST HONOURED Lord,

I come in these to your lordship with the voice

TO THE LORD KEEPER, DR. WILLIAMS, BISHOP OF of thanksgiving for the continuance of your ac

LINCOLN.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I understand there is an extent prayed against

me, and a surety of mine, by the executors of one
Harrys, a goldsmith. The statute is twelve
years old, and falleth to an executor, or an execu-
tor of an executor, I know not whether. And it
was sure a statute collected out of a shop-debt,
and much of it paid. I humbly pray your lord-
ship, according to justice and equity, to stay the
extent, being likewise upon a double penalty,
till I may better inform myself touching a mat-
ter so long past; and, if it be requisite, put in
a bill, that the truth of the account appearing,
such satisfaction may be made as shall be fit. So
I rest

Your lordship's affectionate
to do you faithful service,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

May 30, 1622.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

1 thought it appertained to my duty, both as VOL. III.-19

customed noble care of me and my good, which for the present itself, (whereof your lordship overtakes me, I find, whithersoever I go. But writes,) whether or no it be better than that I was wont to bring your lordship, the end only can prove. For I have yet no more to show for it than good words, of which many times I brought your lordship good store. But because modicefideans were not made to thrive in court, I mean to lose no time from assailing my lord marquis, for which purpose I am now hovering about New-hall,‡ where his lordship is expected (but not the king) this day, or to-morrow: which place, as your

Dr. Williams, Bishop of Lincoln.

The date of this letter may be pretty nearly determined by one of the lord keeper to the Marquis of Buckingh m, dated August 23, 1622, and printed in the Cabala. The postscript to that letter is as follows: "The Spanish ambassador took the alarm very speedily of the titulary Roman bishop; and before my departure from his house at Islington, whither I went privately to him, did write both to Rome and Spain to prevent it. But I am afraid that Tobie will prove but an apocryphal, and no canonical, intelligencer, acquainting the state with this project for the Jesuits' rather than for Jesus's sake."

+ In Essex.

N

lordship adviseth, may not be ill chosen for my business. For, if his lordship be not very thick of hearing, sure New-hall will be heard to speak for me.

And now, my good lord, if any thing make me diffident, or indeed almost indifferent how it succeeds, it is this; that my sole ambition having ever been, and still is, to grow up only under your lordship, it is become preposterous, even to my nature and habit, to think of prospering, or receiving any growth, either without or besides your lordship. And, therefore, let me claim of your lordship to do me this right, as to believe that which my heart says, or rather swears to me, namely, that what addition soever, by God's good providence, comes at any time to my life or fortune, it is, in my account, but to enable me the more to serve your lordship in both; at whose feet I shall ever humbly lay down all that I have, or am, never to rise thence other than

Your lordship's in all duty

and reverent affections,

memorial to my lord treasurer: that your lordship
offered, and received, and presented my petition
to the king, and procured me a reference: that
your lordship moved his majesty, and obtained
for me access to him, against his majesty comes
next, which, in mine own opinion, is better than
if it had been now, and will be a great comfort to
me, though I should die next day after: that your
lordship gave me so good English for my Latin
book. My humble request is, at this time, that
because my lord treasurer keepeth yet his answer
in suspense, (though by one he useth to me, he
speaketh me fair,) that your lordship would nick
it with a word: for if he do me good, I doubt it
may not be altogether of his own.
God ever
prosper you.

Your lordship's most bounden
and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

4th of November, 1622.

September 11, 1622.

T. MEAUTYS.

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

MY MOST HONOURED LORD,

Since my last to your lordship, I find by Mr.

TO THE COUNTESS of BuckinGHAM, MOTHER Johnson, that my lord treasurer is not twice in

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY HONOurable good Lady,

Your ladyship's late favour and noble usage towards me were such, as I think your absence a great part of my misfortunes. And the more I find my most noble lord, your son, to increase in favour towards me, the more out of my love to him, I wish he had often by him so loving and wise a mother. For if my lord were never so wise, as wise as Solomon; yet, I find, that Solomon himself, in the end of his Proverbs, sets down a whole chapter of advices that his mother taught him.

Madam, I can but receive your remembrance with affection, and use your name with honour, and intend you my best service, if I be able, ever resting

Your ladyship's humble
and affectionate servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN.

Bedford House, this 29th of October, 1622.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I have many things to thank your lordship for, since I had the happiness to see you; that your lordship, before your going out of town, sent my

'Mary, daughter of Anthony Beaumont, a younger son of William Beaumont of Cole-Orton, in Leicestershire. She was thrice married: 1, to Sir George Villiers, father of the Duke of Buckingham; 2, to Sir William Rayner; and, 3, to Sir Thomas Compton, Knight of the Bath, a younger brother of William, Earl of Northampton. She was created Countess of Buckingham, July 1, 1618; and died April 19, 1632.

one mind, or Sir Arthur Ingram not twice in one tale. For, Sir Arthur, contrary to his speech but yesterday with me, puts himself now, as it seems, in new hopes to prevail with my lord treasurer for your lordship's good and advantage, by a proposition sent by Mr. Johnson, for the altering of your patent to a new mould, more safe than the other, which he seemed to dissuade, as I wrote to your lordship. I like my lord treasurer's heart to your lordship, so much every day worse than other, especially for his coarse usage of your lordship's name in his last speech, as that I cannot imagine he means you any good. And, therefore, good my lord, what directions you shall give herein to Sir Arthur Ingram, let them be as safe ones as you can think upon; and that your lordship surrender not your old patent, till you have the new under seal, lest my lord keeper should take toy, and stop it there. And I know your lordship cannot forget they have such a savage word among them as fleecing. God in heaven bless your lordship from such hands and tongues; and then things will mend of themselves.

Your lordship's, in all humbleness,
to honour and serve you,
T. MEAUTYS.

This Sunday morning.

Endorsed-25th of November, 1622.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I find my lord treasurer, after so many days and appointments, and such certain messages and pro

mises, doth but mean to coax me, (it is his own | which I will endeavour, upon all opportunities, word of old,) and to saw me asunder, and to do to deserve: and in the mean time do rest

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TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. EXCELLENT LORD,

Though your lordship's absence* fall out in an ill time for myself; yet, because I hope in God this noble adventure will make your lordship a

To Buckingham, about Lord Treasurer Cranfield's rich return in honour, abroad and at home, ana using of him.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM. EXCELLENT Lord,

I perceive this day by Mr. Comptroller,* that I live continually in your lordship's remembrance and noble purposes concerning my fortunes, as well for the comfort of my estate, as for countenancing me otherwise by his majesty's employments and graces; for which I most humbly kiss your hands, leaving the times to your good lordship; which, considering my age and wants, I assure myself your lordship will the sooner take into your care. And for my house at Gorhambury, I do infinitely desire your lordship should have it; and howsoever I may treat, I will conclude with none, till I know your lordship's farther pleasure, ever resting

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Your lordship's obliged

and faithful servant, FR. ST. ALBAN.

Bedford House, this 5th of Feb. 1622.+

TO THE LORD VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN. MY VERY GOOD LORD,

I have received by this bearer, the privy seal for the survey of coals, which I will lay aside, until I shall hear farther from my Lord Steward,

and the rest of the lords.

I am ready to do as much as your lordship desireth, in keeping Mr. Cottons off from the violence of those creditors: only himself is, as yet, wanting in some particular directions.

I heartily thank your lordship for your book; and all other symbols of your love and affection,

Henry Cary, Viscount Falkland.

chiefly in the inestimable treasure of the love and trust of that thrice-excellent prince; I confess I am so glad of it, as I could not abstain from your lordship's trouble in seeing it expressed by these few and hasty lines.

I beseech your lordship, of your nobleness vouchsafe to present my most humble duty to his highness, who, I hope, ere long will make me leave King Henry the Eighth, and set me on work in relation of his highness's adventures. I very humbly kiss your lordship's hands, resting ever

Your lordship's most obliged

February 21, 1622.

friend and servant.

TO THE MARQUIS OF BUCKINGHAM.

Excellent Lord,

Upon the repair of my Lord of Rochford unto your lordship, whom I have ever known so fast and true a friend and servant unto you; and who knows likewise so much of my mind and affection towards your lordship, I could not but kiss your lordship's hands, by the duty of these few lines.

My lord, I hope in God, that this your noble adventure will make you a rich return, especially in the inestimable treasure of the love and trust of that twice-excellent prince. And although, to a man that loves your lordship so dearly as I do, and knows somewhat of the world, it cannot be, but that in my thoughts there should arise many fears, or shadows of fears, concerning so rare an accident; yet, nevertheless, I believe well, that this your lordship's absence will rather be a glass unto you, to show you many things, whereof you may make use hereafter, than otherwise any hurt or hazard to your fortunes; which God grant. For myself, I am but a man desolate till your return, and have taken a course accordingly. Vouchsafe, of your nobleness, to remember my most humble

+ Two days before, the Marquis of Buckingham set out duty to his highness. And so God, and his holy privately with the prince, for Spain.

Duke of Lenox.

Probably the surety of Lord Bacon for the debt to Harrys the goldsmith, mentioned in his lordship's letter of May 30, 1622

angels guard you, both going and coming. Endorsed-March 10, 1622.

In Spain.

TO SIR FRANCIS COTTINGTON, SECRETARY TO
THE PRINCE.

GOOD MR. SECRETARY,

Though I wrote so lately unto you, by my Lord Rochford; yet, upon the going of my Lord Vaughan,* the prince's worthy and trusty servant, and my approved friend, and your so near ally, I could not but put this letter into his hand, commending myself and my fortunes unto you. You know the difference of obliging men in prosperity and adversity, as much as the sowing upon a pavement and upon a furrow new made. Myself for quiet, and the better to hold out, am retired to Gray's Inn for when my chief friends were gone so far off, it was time for me to go to a cell. God send us a good return of you all.

I ever rest, &c.

My humble service to my lord marquis, to whom I have written twice. I would not cloy him. My service also to the Count Gondomar, and Lord of Bristol.

Endorsed,

TO MR. SECRETARY CONWAY.
GOOD MR. SECRETARY,

When you did me the honour and favour to visit me, you did not only in general terms express your love unto me, but, as a real friend, asked me whether I had any particular occasion, wherein I might make use of you? At that time I had none: now there is one fallen. It is, that Mr. Thomas Murray, Provost of Eton, (whom I love very well,) is like to die. It were a pretty cell for my fortune. The college and school, I do not doubt, but I shall make to flourish. His majesty, when I waited on him, took notice of my wants, and said to me, that, as he was king, he would have care of me: this is a thing somebody would have, and costs his majesty nothing. I have written two or three words to his majesty, which I would pray you to deliver. I have not expressed this particular to his majesty, but referred it to your relation. My most noble friend, the marquis, is now absent. Next to him I could not think of a better address than to yourself, as one

To Mr. Secretary, Sir Francis Collington, March likest to put on his affection. I rest 22, 1622.

TO THE KING.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

Now that my friend is absent, (for so I may call him still, since your majesty, when I waited on

you, told me, that fortune made no difference,) your majesty remaineth to me king, and master, and friend, and all. Your beadsman therefore addresseth himself to your majesty for a cell to retire into. The particular I have expressed to my very friend, Mr. Secretary Conway. This help, which costs your majesty nothing, may reserve me to do your majesty service, without neing chargeable unto you; for I will never deny but my desire to serve your majesty is of the nature of the heart, that will be ultimum moriens

with me.

God preserve your majesty, and send you a good return of the treasure abroad, which passeth all Indian fleets.

Your majesty's most humble

March 25, 1623.

and devoted servant,. ́

Endorsed,

FR. ST. ALBAN.

To the king, touching the Provostship of Eton.‡ *He was son and heir of Walter Vaughan, of Golden Grove, in Caermarthenshire, Esq.; and was created Lord Vaughan, in the year 1620. The Lord St. Alban, after he was delivered from his confinement in the Tower, was permitted to stay at Sir John Vaughan's house, at Parson's Green, near Fulham.

† In a MS. letter of Mr. Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, March 8, 1622-3, is the following passage: "The Lord of St. Alban is in his old remitter, and came to lie in his old lodgings in Gray's Inn; which is the fulfilling of a prophecy of one Locke, a familiar of his, of the same house, that knew him intus et in cute: who, seeing him go thence in pomp, with the great seal before him, said to divers of his friends, we shall live to have him here again."

Mr. Thomas Murray, the provost of that college, having been cut for the stone, died April 1, 1623.

Your honour's very affectionate friend,
FR. ST. ALBAN.*

Gray's Inn, the 25th of March, 1623.

TO THE MArquis of BUCKINGHAM, IN SPAIN.

EXCELLENT LORD,

Finding so trusty a messenger as Sir John Epsley, I thought it my duty to put these few lines into his hands. I thank God, that those shadows, which either mine own melancholy, or my extreme love to your lordship, did put into my mind concerning this voyage of the prince and your lordship, rather vanish and diminish than otherwise. The gross fear is past of the passage of France. I think you had the ring which they write of, that, when the seal was turned to the palm of the hand, made men go invisible. Neither do I hear of any novelty here worth the esteeming.

There is a general opinion here that your lordship is like enough to return, and go again, before the prince come: which opinion, whether the business lead you to do so, or no, doth no hurt; for it keeps men in awe.

I find, I thank God, some glimmering of the

*To this letter Secretary Conway wrote an answer, acquainting the Lord Viscount St. Alban, that the king could not value his lordship so little, or conceive that he limited his desires so low; in which, however, he should have been gratified, had not the king been engaged, by the Marquis of Buckingham, for Sir William Becher, his agent in France.See Account of the Life of Lord Bacon, p. 26, prefixed to the edition of his Letters, Memoirs, &c., by Robert Stephens, Esq. The Duke of Buckingham himself, likewise, after his return from Spain, in a letter to the Lord Viscount St. Alban, dated at Hinchinbrook, October 27, 1623, expresses his concern that he could do his lordship no service in that affair, "having engaged myself," says he, "to Sir William Becher, before my going into Spain; so that I cannot free myself, unless there were means to give him satisfaction."

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