or by discovering what is the motion that moveth the wheels there, if reason do not. So we must all pray for his being in good point. But in truth, my Lord, I am glad he is there; for I know his virtues, and particularly his devotion to your Lordship. God return his Highness and your Grace unto us safe and sound, and according to your heart's desires. TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.1 Good Mr. Matthew, I have received your letter of the 10th of June,2 and am exceeding glad to hear you are in so good health. For that which may concern myself, I neither doubt of your judgment in choosing the fittest time, nor of your affection in taking the first time you shall find fit. For the public business, I will not turn my hopes into wishes yet, since you write as you do; and I am very glad you are there, and, as I guess, you went in good time to his Lordship his help. Commend my service to the Count of Gondomar. For your action of the case, it will fall to the ground; for I have not heard from the Duke neither by letter nor message at this time. God keep you. I rest always Your most affectionate and faithful friend, Gray's Inn, FR. ST. ALBAN. 17th of June, 1623. I do hear from Sir Robert Carr and others how much be holden I am to you. TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.4 Good Mr. Matthew, I thank you for your letter of the 26th of June, and commend myself unto your friendship, knowing your word is good assurance, and thinking I cannot wish myself a better wish than that your power may grow to your will. 1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 187. Copy. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Mr. Matthew." 2 New style, probably. 3 Probably the suit for the Provostship of Eton. Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 232. Rough copy in Bacon's hand. No fly-leaf. Indorsed "To Mr. Matthew into Spain, 26 June." 5 Matthew probably used the new style, which would leave 10 days between his 26th and Bacon's; time enough for the journey, as we see that the Duke's letter of 29 May was in answer to one which cannot have been written earlier than the 18th. 1623.] LETTERS TO MATTHEW. 429 Since you say the Prince hath not forgot his commandment touching my History of Henry 8th, I may not forget my duty. But I find Sir Robert Cotton, who poured forth what he had in my other work, somewhat dainty of his materials in this. For these modern It is true my labours are now most set to have those works which I had formerly published, as that of Advancement of Learning, that of Henry 7th, that of the Essays being retractate and made more perfect, well translated into Latin by the help of some good pens which forsake me not. languages will at one time or other play the bank-rowtes with books and since I have lost much time with this age, I would be glad as God shall give me leave to recover it with posterity. For the essay of friendship, while I took your speech of it for a cursory request I took my promise for a compliment. But since you call for it I shall perform it. I am much beholding to Mr. Gage for many expressions of his love to me, and his company, in itself very acceptable, is the more pleasing to me because it reviveth the memory of yourself. This letter of yours of the 26th, lay not so long by you, but it hath been as speedily answered by me. So as with Sir Francis Cottington I have had no speech since the receipt of it, Your former letters, which I received from Mr. Griesley, I had answered before, and put my letter into a good hand. For the great business, God conduct it well; mine own fortune hath taught me expectation. God keep you. To MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.T Good Mr. Matthew, I have received your letter sent by my Lord of Andover, and as I acknowledge your care, so I cannot fit it with any thing that I can think on for myself; for since Gondomar who was my voluntary friend is in no credit, neither with the Prince nor with the Duke, I do not see what may be done for me there, except that which Gondomar hath lost you have found; 1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 188. Copy. Addressed in Bacon's hand. “L. St. Alban to Mr. Matthew into Spayn." and then I am sure my case is amended: so as with a great deal of confidence I commend myself to you, hoping that you will do what in you lieth to prepare the Prince and Duke to think of me upon their return. And if you have any relation to the Infanta, I doubt not but it shall be also to my use. keep you. God Your most affectionate and assured friend. 16. The last news with regard to the match was that all would be shortly concluded. On the 16th of July the Lords of the Council had been sent for to Theobalds to be made acquainted with the articles" where it is said," writes Chamberlain, "there was some sticking upon points of religion, specially by the Scottish Lords; but it was answered that it was not now to be disputed what was of convenience but what was of necessity; the Prince being in their hand, and the King's children despoiled of their patrimony; which was not to be recovered but by this means or by a bloody and uncertain war, and setting all Christendom together by the ears." On Sunday (20 July) we learn from the same authority that "the King took his oath to observe all the articles agreed upon; which were read by Secretary Calvert in Latin, and lasted almost an hour." Also that "all the Council, to the number of twenty-nine, I hear, were sworn to see all those articles performed to the best of their power," and that "the same afternoon arrived the Lord Andover out of Spain, with news that all was in good forwardness there, that the match was to be published and she proclaimed Princess of Great Britain on their St. James's day, and the contract solemnised and effected upon ours with great applause and rejoicing." Such was appearance of the business as known to those who were not behind the scenes (and Bacon had no means of knowing more, unless he heard it from Matthew) when the next letter was written. TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.1 Excellent Lord, Though I have formerly given your Grace thanks for your last letter, yet being much refreshed to hear things go so well, whereby we hope to see you here shortly, your errand done, and the Prince within the vail; I could not contain but con 1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 189. Copy. Docketed by Bacon, "L. St. Alban to the L. Buc. into Spayne." 1623.] EXPECTED RETURN OF THE PRINCE AND DUKE. 431 gratulate with your Lordship, seeing good fortune (that is God's blessing) doth still follow you. I hope I have still place in your love and favour; which if I have, for other place it shall not trouble me. I ever rest July 22, 1623. Your Grace's most obliged and faithful servant. TO MR. TOBIE MATTHEW.1 Good Mr. Matthew, I have gotten a little health (I praise God for it). I have therefore now written to his Grace that I formerly upon Mr. Clarke's despatch desired you to excuse me for not writing, and taken knowledge that I have understood from you I live in his Grace's remembrance, and that I shall be his first man that he will have care of upon his return. And although your absence be to me as uncomfortable to my mind as God may make it helpful to my fortunes, yet it is somewhat supplied by the love, freedom, and often visitations of Mr. Gage; so as when I have him I think I want you not altogether. God keep you. Your most affectionate and much obliged friend, etc. TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.2 Excellent Lord, Upon Mr. Clerke's dispatch, in troth I was ill in health, as he mought partly perceive. Therefore I wrate to my true friend and your Grace's devoted servant Mr. Matthew to excuse myself to your Grace for not writing. Since, I thank God, I am prettily recovered; for I have lain at two wards, the one against my disease, the other against my physicians, who are strange creatures. I do understand from Mr. Matthew (which rejoiceth me much) that I live in your Grace's remembrance, and that I shall be the first man that you will have care of at your return, for which I 1 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 191. Copy. 2 Gibson Papers, vol. viii. f. 191, verso. A transcript with additional corrections of f. 190, which is a fair copy in Bacon's own hand. I suppose he had rewritten the letter, altering the expression here and there, as a man does, and the transcript was corrected accordingly. most humbly kiss your hands, and hope that God Almighty, who hath hitherto blest your Grace extraordinarily in this rocky business, will bless you the rather for this good intention.1 For I have found much of his divine favour towards me both in sickness and in health, prosperity and adversity. Vouchsafe of your nobleness to present my most humble duty to his Highness. Though he stay late, it will be morning I ever rest whenever he cometh.2 Your Grace's most obliged Gray's Inn, August 29, 1623. and faithful servant, FR. ST. ALBAN. TO THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, LORD HIGH ADMIRAL OF ENGLAND.3 Excellent Lord, How much I rejoice in your Grace's safe return, you will easily believe, knowing how well I love you, and how much I need you. There be many things in this journey both in the felicity and in the carriage thereof, that I do not a little admire, and wish your Grace may reap more and more fruits in continuance answerable to the beginnings. Myself have ridden at anchor all your Grace's absence, and my cables are now quite worn. I had from Sir Tob. Matthew out of Spain, a very comfortable message, that your Grace had said, I should be the first that you would remember in any great favour after your return; and now coming from Court, he telleth me he had commission from your Lordship to confirm it: for which I humbly kiss your hands. 4 My Lord, do some good work upon me, that I may end my days in comfort, which nevertheless cannot be complete except 1 First written "which if your Grace perform I hope God Almighty, who hath hitherto extraordinarily blest you on this rocky business, will bless you the more for my sake. For I have had extraordinary tokens of his divine favour," etc. 2 First written "Vouchsafe to present my most humble duty to his Highness whose happy arrival will be a bright morning to all.” 3 Fortesque Papers. Original: own hand. "Toby Matthew was knighted at Royston not long since; but for what service God knows." Chamberlain to Carleton, 25 Oct. 1623. |