your lordship. And therefore, if your lordship shall stand a good friend to your poor ally, you shall but "tueri opus" which you have begun. And your lordship shall bestow your benefit upon one that hath more sense of obligation than of self-love. Thus humbly desiring pardon of so long a letter, I wish your lordship all happiness. Your Lordship's in all humbleness to be commanded. June 6, 1595. FR. BACON. · N N. Life, p. xxx. The author of the Biographia says, It was now that he discovered how little reason he had to trust to, or depend upon, the Cecils, and had very little cause to be well pleased with the conduct of the then Lord Keeper. Is not this observation, as far as relates to Lord Burleigh unfounded? In Essex's letter to Bacon, indorsed March 28, 1594, Essex says, "The queen said that none thought you fit for the place, but my Lord Treasurer and myself. So also in Essex's letter to Bacon, of the 18th of May, 1596, Essex says, "The queen answered that the greatness of your friends, as of my Lord Treasurer and myself, did make men even a more favourable testimony than else they would do, &c. And Bacon himself, in a letter to Sir Robert Cecil, accusing him of having been bribed, says, "You wrought in a contrary spirit to my lord your father." See also Burleigh's letter of September 27, 1593, ante, note. In a letter to Lord Burleigh, after the appointment of Fleming, Bacon says, And therefore, (my singular good lord) ex abundantia cordis," I must acknowledge how greatly and diversely your lordship hath vouchsafed to tie me unto you by many your benefits. The reversion of the office which your lordship only procured unto me, and carried through great and vehement opposition, though it yet bear no fruit, yet it is one of the fairest flowers of my poor estate; your lordship's constant and serious endeavours to have me solicitor: your late honourable wishes, for the place of the wards: together with your lordship's attempt to give me way by the remove of Mr. Solicitor; they be matters of singular obligations; besides many other favours, as well by your lordship's grants from yourself, as by your commendation to others, which I have had for my help; and may justly persuade myself out of the few denials I have received that fewer might have been, if mine own industry and good hap had been answerable to your lordship's goodness. 00. Life, p. xxxi. In a letter to Lord Burleigh, he says, If I did show myself too credulous to idle hearsays, in regard of my right honourable kinsman and good friend Sir Robert Cecil (whose good nature did well answer my honest liberty), your lordship will impute it to the complexion of a suitor, and of a tired sea-sick suitor, and not to mine own inclination. PP. Life, p. xxxi. Earl of Essex to Mr. Francis Bacon. Sir, I wrote not to you till I had had a second conference with the queen, because the first was spent only in compliments: she in the beginning excepted all business: this day she hath seen me again. After I had followed her humour in talking of those things, which she would entertain me with, I told her, in my absence I had written to Sir Robert Cecil, to solicit her to call you to that place, to which all the world had named you; and being now here, I must follow it myself; for I know what service I should do her in procuring you the place; and she knew not how great a comfort I should take in it. Her answer in playing just was, that she came not to me for that, I should talk of those things when I came to her, not when she came to me; the term was coming, and she would advise. I would have replied, but she stopped my mouth. Tomorrow or the next day I will go to her, and then this excuse will be taken away. When I know more, you shall hear more; and so I end full of pain in my head, which makes me write thus confusedly. Your most affectionate friend. The Earl of Essex to Mr. Francis Bacon.* Mr. Bacon,--Your letter met me here yesterday. When I came, I found the queen so wayward, as I thought it no fit time to deal with her in any sort, especially since her choler grew towards myself, which I have well satisfied this day, and will take the first opportunity I can to move your suit. And if you come hither, I pray you let me know still where you are. And so being full of business, I must end, wishing you what you wish to yourself. Your assured friend, ESSEX. 1593, Sept. The Earl of Essex to Mr. Francis Bacon.t Sir,—I have now spoken with the queen, and I see no stay from obtaining a full resolution of what we desire. But the passion she is in by reason of the tales that have been told her against Nicholas Clifford, with whom she is in such rage, for a matter, which I think you have heard of, doth put her infinitely out of quiet; and her passionate humour is nourished by some foolish women. Else I find nothing to distaste us, for she doth not contradict confidently; which they, that know the minds of women, say is a sign of yielding. I will to-morrow take more time to deal with her, and will sweeten her with all the art I have to make benevolum auditorem. I have already spoken with Mr. Vice-Chamberlain,‡ and will to-morrow speak with the rest. Of Mr. ViceChamberlain you may assure yourself; for so much he hath faithfully promised me. The exceptions against the competitors I will use to-morrow; for then I do resolve to have a full and large discourse, having prepared the queen to-night to assign me a time under colour of some such business, as I have pretended. In the mean time I must tell you, that I do not respect either my absence, or my showing a discontentment in going away, for I was received at my return, and I think I shall not be the worse. And for that I am oppressed with multitude of letters that are come, of which I must give the Queen some account to-morrow morning, I therefore desire to be excused for writing no more tonight to-morrow you shall hear from me again. I wish you what you wish yourself in this and all things else, and rest your most affectionate friend, : This Friday at night, Indorsed, March 29, 1594. Earl of Essex to Mr. Francis Bacon. ESSEX. Sir, I went yesterday to the queen through the galleries in the morning, afternoon, and at night. I had long speech with her of you, wherein I urged both the point of your extraordinary sufficiency proved to me not only by your last argument, but by the opinion of all men I spake withal, and the point of mine own satisfaction, which, I protested, should be exceeding great, if, for all her unkindness and discomforts past, she should do this one thing for my sake. To the first she answered, that the greatness of your friends, as of my Lord Treasurer and myself, did make men give a more favourable testimony than else they would do, thinking thereby they pleased us. And that she did acknowledge you had a great wit, and an excellent gift of speech, and much other good learning. But in the law she rather thought you could make show to the uttermost of your knowledge, than that you were deep. To the second she said, * Among the papers of Antony Bacon, esq. vol. iii. fol. 197, in the Lambeth Library. Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq. vol. iv. fol. 89, in the Lambeth Library. Sir Thomas Heneage. she showed her mislike to the suit, as well as I had done my affection in it; and that if there were a yielding, it was fitter to be of my side. I then added, that this was an answer, with which she might deny me all things, if she did not grant them at the first, which was not her manner to do. But her majesty had made me suffer and give way in many things else; which all I should bear, not only with patience, but with great contentment, if she would but grant my humble suit in this one. And for the pretence of the approbation given you upon partiality, that all the world, lawyers, judges, and all, could not be partial to you; for somewhat you were crossed for their own interest, and some for their friends; but yet all did yield to your merit. Earl of Essex to Mr. Francis Bacon.* Sir, I have received your letter, and since I have had opportunity to deal freely with the Queen. I have dealt confidently with her as a matter, wherein I did more labour to overcome her delays, than that I did fear her denial. I told her how much you were thrown down with the correction she had already given you, that she might in that point hold herself already satisfied. And because I found that Tanfield + had been most propounded to her, I did most disable him. I find the Queen very reserved, staying herself upon giving any kind of hope, yet not passionate against you, till I grew passionate for you. Then she said, that none thought you fit for the place but my Lord Treasurer and myself. Marry, the others must some of them say before us, for fear or for flattery. I told her, the most and wisest of her council had delivered their opinions, and preferred you before all men for that place. And if it would please her majesty to think, that whatsoever they said contrary to their own words when they spake without witness, might be as factiously spoken, as the other way flatteringly, she would not be deceived. Yet if they had been never for you, but contrarily against you, I thought my credit, joined with the approbation and mediation of her greatest counsellors, might prevail in a greater matter than this; and urged her, that though she could not signify her mind to others, I might have a secret promise, wherein I should receive great comfort, as in the contrary great unkindness. She said she was neither persuaded nor would hear of it till Easter, when she might advise with her council, who were now all absent; and, therefore, in passion bid me go to bed, if I would talk of nothing else. Wherefore in passion I went away, saying, while I was with her I could not but solicit for the cause and the man I so much affected; and therefore I would retire myself till I might be more graciously heard; and so we parted. To-morrow I will go hence of purpose, and on Thursday I will write an expostulating letter to her. That night or upon Friday morning I will be here again, and follow on the same course, stirring a discontentment in her, &c. And so wish you all happiness, and rest your most assured friend, Indorsed-March 28, 1594. Mr. Francis Bacon to his brother Antony. ESSEX. Good Brother, Since I saw you this hath passed. Tuesday, though sent for, I saw not the Queen. Her majesty alleged she was then to resolve with the council upon her places of law. But this resolution was ut supra; and note the rest of the counsellors were persuaded she came rather forwards than otherwise; for against me she is never peremptory but to my lord of Essex. I missed a line of my Lord Keeper's; but thus much I hear otherwise. The Queen seemeth to apprehend my travel. Whereupon I was sent for by Sir Robert Cecil, in sort as from her majesty; himself having of purpose immediately gone to London to speak with me; and not finding me there, he wrote to me. Whereupon I came to the court, and upon his relation to me of her majesty's speeches, * Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq. vol. iv. fol. 90, in the Lambeth Library. + Probably Laurence Tanfield, made Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer in June, 1607. I desired leave to answer it in writing; not, I said, that I mistrusted his report, but mine own wit; the copy of which answer I send. We parted in kindness secundum exterius. This copy you must needs return, for I have no other; and I wrote this by memory after the original was sent away. The Queen's speech is after this sort. Why? I have made no solicitor. Hath any body carried a solicitor with him in his pocket? But he must have it in his own time (as if it were but yesterday's nomination) or else I must be thought to cast him away. Then her majesty sweareth thus: "If I continue this manner, she will seek all England for a solicitor rather than take me. Yea, she will send for Heuston and Coventry to-morrow next," as if she would swear them both. Again she entereth into it, that she never deals so with any as with me (in hoc erratum non est) she hath pulled me over the bar (note the words, for they cannot be her own) she hath used me in her greatest causes. But this is Essex, and she is more angry with him than with me." And such like speeches, so strange, as I should lose myself in it, but that I have cast off the care of it. My conceit is, that I am the least part of mine own matter. But her majesty would have a delay, and yet would not bear it herself. Therefore she giveth no way to me, and she perceiveth her council giveth no way to others; and so it sticketh as she would have it. But what the secret of it is oculus aquile non penetravit. My lord continueth on kindly and wisely a course worthy to obtain a better effect than a delay, which to me is the most unwelcome condition. Now to return to you the part of a brother, and to render you the like kindness, advise you, whether it were not a good time to set in strongly with the Queen to draw her to honour your travels. For in the course I am like to take it will be a great and necessary stay to me, besides the natural comfort I shall receive. And if you will have me deal with my lord of Essex, or otherwise break it by mean to the Queen, as that which shall give me full contentment, I will do it as effectually, and with as much good discretion as I can. Wherein if you aid me with your direction, I shall observe it. This as I did ever account it sure and certain to be accomplished, in case myself had been placed, and therefore deferred it till then, as to the proper opportunity; so now that I see such delay in mine own placing, I wish ex animo it should not expect. I pray you let me know what mine uncle Killigrew will do; for I must be more careful of my credit than ever, since I receive so little thence where I deserved best. And, to be plain with you, I mean even to make the best of those small things I have with as much expedition, as may be without loss; and so sing a mass of requiem, I hope, abroad. For I know her majesty's nature, that she neither careth though the whole surname of Bacons travelled, nor of the Cecils neither. I have here an idle pen or two, specially one, that was cozened, thinking to have got some money this term. pray send me somewhat else for them to write out besides your Irish collection, which is almost done. There is a collection of King James, of foreign states, largeliest of Flanders; which, though it be no great matter, yet I would be glad to have it. Thus I commend you to God's good protection. Your entire loving Brother, Fr. BACON. From my lodging, at Twickenham Park, this 25th of January, 1594. To the right honourable my very good Lord, the Lord Keeper. My Lord,---I have, since I spake with your lordship, pleaded to the queen against herself for the injury she doth Mr. Bacon, in delaying him so long, and the unkindness she doth me in granting no better expedition in a suit which I have followed so long, and so affectionately. And though find that she makes some difficulty, to have the more thanks, yet I do assure myself she is resolved to make him. I do write this, not to solicit your lordship to stand firm in assisting me, because, I know, you hold yourself already tied by your affection to Mr. Bacon, and by your promise to me; but to acquaint your lo ship of my resolution to rest, and employ my uttermost strength t him placed before the term: so as I beseech your lordship think of tem rising course, for I shall think the Queen deals unkindly with me, if she on both give him the place, and give it with favour and some extraordinary advantage. I wish your lordship all honour and happiness, and rest, Your Lordship's very assured, ESSEX. Greenwich, this 14th of January, [1594.] Endorsed-My Lord of Essex, for Mr. Fran. Bacon to be Solicitor. Earl of Essex to Lord Keeper Puckering. My Lord,-My short stay at the court made me fail of speaking with your lordship, therefore I must write that which myself had told you; that is, that your lordship will be pleased to forbear pressing for a solicitor, since there is no cause towards the end of a term to call for it; and because the absence of Mr. Bacon's friends may be much to his disadvantage. I wish your lordship all happiness, and rest your Lordship's very assured to be commanded, ESSEX. Wanstead, this 4th of May, 1594. QQ. Life, p. xxxii. Mr. Francis Bacon to the Queen. Madam,-Remembering that your majesty had been gracious to me both in countenancing me, and conferring upon me the reversion of a good place, and perceiving that your majesty had taken some displeasure towards me, both these were arguments to move me to offer unto your majesty my service, to the end to have means to deserve your favour, and to repair my error. Upon this ground, I affected myself to no great matter, but only a place of my profession, such as I do see divers younger in proceeding to myself, and men of no great note, do without blame aspire unto. But if any of my friends do press this matter, I do assure your majesty my spirit is not with them. It sufficeth me that I have let your majesty know that I am ready to do that for the service, which I never would do for mine own gain. And if your majesty like others better, I shall, with the Lacedemonian, be glad that there is such choice of abler men than myself. Your majesty's favour indeed, and access to your royal person, I did ever, encouraged by your own speeches, seek and desire; and I would be very glad to be reintegrate in that. But I will not wrong mine own good mind so much as to stand upon that now, when your majesty may conceive I do it but to make my profit of it. But my mind turneth upon other wheels than those of profit. The conclusion shall be, that I wish your majesty served answerable to yourself. Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos. Thus I most humbly crave pardon of my boldness and plainness. God preserve your majesty. RR. Life, p. xxxii. Foulke Grevill, Esq. to Mr. Francis Bacon. Mr. Francis Bacon,—Saturday was my first coming to the court, from whence I departed again as soon as I had kissed her majesty's hands, because I had no lodging nearer than my uncle's, which is four miles off. This day I came thither to dinner, and waiting for to speak with the Queen, took occasion to tell how I met you, as I passed through London; and among other speeches, how you lamented your misfortune to me, that remained as a withered branch of her roots, which she had cherished and made to flourish in her service. I added what I thought of your worth, and the expectation for all this, that the world had of her princely goodness towards you: which it pleased her majesty to confess, that indeed you began to frame very well, insomuch as she saw an amends in those little supposed errors, avowing the respect she carried to the dead, with very exceeding gracious inclination towards you. Some comparisons there fell out besides, which I leave till we meet, which I hope shall be this week. It pleased her withal to tell of the jewel you offered her by Mr. Vice-Chamberlain, which she had refused, yet with exceeding praise. I marvel, that as a prince she should refuse those havings of her poor subjects, because it did include a VOL. XV. 4 |