presenteth to you this letter, your majesty's heart | beth; wherein I may note much, but this at this (which is an abyssus of goodness, as I am an time, that as her majesty did always right to his abyssus of misery) towards me. I have been ever your man, and counted myself but an usufructuary of myself, the property being yours. And now making myself an oblation, to do with me as may best conduce to the honour of your justice, the honour of your mercy, and the use of your service, resting as

Clay in your majesty's gracious hands,
FR. ST. ALBAN, Can.
March 25, 1620.

SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING, UPON THE
SENDING UNTO HIM A BEGINNING OF A HIS-

TORY OF HIS MAJESTY'S TIME.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR MAJESTY,

Hearing that you are at leisure to peruse story, a desire took me to make an experiment what I could do in your majesty's times, which, being but a leaf or two, I pray your pardon, if I send it for your recreation, considering, that love must creep where it cannot go. But to this I add these petitions: first, that if your majesty do dislike any thing, you would conceive I can amend it upon your least beck. Next, that if I have not spoken of your majesty encomiastically, your majesty will be pleased only to ascribe it to the law of a history, which doth not clutter together praises upon the first mention of a name, but rather disperseth them, and weaveth them throughout the whole narration. And as for the proper place of commemoration, (which is in the period of life,) I pray God I may never live to write it. Thirdly, that the reason why I presumed to think of this oblation, was because, whatsoever my disability be, yet I shall have that advantage which almost no writer of history hath had, in that I shall write the times, not only since I could remember, but since I could observe. And, lastly, that it is only for your majesty's reading.

SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE LORD CHANCEL-
LOR, TOUCHING THE HISTORY OF BRITAIN.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

Some late act of his majesty, referred to some former speech which I have heard from your lordship, bred in me a great desire, and by strength of desire a boldness, to make an humble proposition to your lordship, such as in me can be no better than a wish; but if your lordship should apprehend it, it may take some good and worthy effect. The act I speak of, is the order given by his majesty for the erection of a tomb or monument for our late sovereign, Queen Eliza

majesty's hopes, so his highness doth, in all
things, right to her memory; a very just and
princely retribution. But from this occasion, by
a very easy ascent, I passed farther, being put in
mind, by this representative of her person, of the
more true and more perfect representative, which
is, of her life and government. For as statues
and pictures are dumb histories, so histories are
speaking pictures; wherein (if my affection be
not too great, or my reading too small) I am of
this opinion, that if Plutarch were alive to write
lives by parallels, it would trouble him, for virtue
and fortune both, to find for her a parallel amongst
women. And though she was of the passive
sex, yet her government was so active, as, in my
simple opinion, it made more impression upon
the several states of Europe, than it received
from thence. But I confess unto your lordship,
I could not stay here, but went a little farther into
the consideration of the times which have passed
since King Henry the Eighth; wherein I find
the strangest variety, that in so little number of
successions of any hereditary monarchy, hath
ever been known; the reign of a child, the offer
of a usurpation, though it were but as a diary
ague; the reign of a lady married to a foreigner,
and the reign of a lady, solitary and unmarried:
So that, as it cometh to pass, in massive bodies,
that they have certain trepidations, and waver-
ings, before they fix and settle; so it seemeth,
that by the providence of God, this monarchy
(before it was to settle in his majesty and his
generations, in which I hope it is now establish-
ed forever) hath had these preclusive changes in
these barren princes. Neither could I contain
myself here, (as it is easier for a man to multiply,
than to stay a wish,) but calling to remembrance
the unworthiness of the History of England, in
the main continuance thereof, and the partiality
and obliquity of that of Scotland, in the latest
and largest author that I have seen; I conceived,
it would be an honour for his majesty, and a
work very memorable, if this island of Great
Britain, as it is now joined in monarchy for the
ages to come, so it were joined in history for the
times past; and that one just and complete his-
tory were compiled of both nations. And if any
man think, it may refresh the memory of former
discord, he may satisfy himself with the verse,
“Olim hæc meminisse juvabit." For the case
being now altered, it is matter of comfort and
gratulation, to remember former troubles. Thus
much, if it may please your lordship, was in the
optative mood, and it was time that I should look
a little into the potential; wherein the hope that
I received was grounded upon three observations
The first, of these times, which flourish in learn-
ing, both of art, and language; which giveth
hope, not only that it may be done, but that it

remission of the sentence of the Upper House,
to the end that blot of ignominy may be
removed from me, and from my memory with
posterity, that I die not a condemned man, but
may be to your majesty, as I am to God, "nova
creatura." Your majesty hath pardoned the like
to Sir John Bennet, between whose case and mine
(not being partial to myself, but speaking out of
the general opinion) there was as much difference,
I will not say, as between black and white, but
as between black and grey, or ash-coloured; look,
therefore, down (dear sovereign) upon me also in
pity. I know your majesty's heart is inscrutable
for goodness; and my Lord of Buckingham was
wont to tell me, you were the best natured man
in the world; and it is God's property, that those
he hath loved, he loveth to the end. Let your
majesty's grace, in this my desire, stream down
upon me, and let it be out of the fountain and
spring-head, and "ex mero motu," that living or
dying, the print of the goodness of King James
may be in my heart, and his praises in my mouth.
This my most humble request granted, may make
me live a year or two happily; and denied, will
kill me quickly. But yet the last thing that will
die in me will be the heart and affection of
Your majesty's most humble and
true devoted servant,
FR. ST. ALban.

may be well done. Secondly, I do see that which nor place, nor employment; but only, after so all the world sees in his majesty, a wonderful long a time of expiation, a complete and total judgment in learning, and a singular affection towards learning, and works which are of the mind, and not of the hand. For there cannot be the like honour sought in building of galleries, and planting of elms along highways, and the outward ornaments wherein France now is busy, (things rather of magnificence than of magnanimity,) as there is in the uniting of states, pacifying of controversies, nourishing and augmenting of learning and arts, and the particular action appertaining unto these; of which kind Cicero judged truly, when he said to Cæsar, "Quantum operibus tuis detrahet vetustas, tantum addet laudibus." And, lastly, I called to mind, that your lordship, at some times, hath been pleased to express unto me a great desire, that something of this matter should be done, answerable indeed to your other noble and worthy courses and actions; joining, and adding unto the great services towards his majesty (which have in small compass of time been performed by your lordship) other great deservings, both of the church, and commonwealth, and particulars: so as the opinion of so great and wise a man doth seem to me a good warrant, both of the possibility, and worth of the matter. But all this while, I assure myself, I cannot be mistaken by your lordship, as if I sought an office or employment for myself; for no man knows better than your lordship, that if there were in me any faculty thereunto, yet July 30, 1624. neither my course of life, nor profession would permit it. But because there be so many good

SENTING HIS DISCOURSE, TOUCHING THE PLAN-
TATION OF IRELAND.

painters, both for hand and colours, it needeth SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING, UPON PREbut encouragement and instructions to give life unto it. So, in all humbleness, I conclude my presenting unto your lordship this wish, which if it perish, it is but a loss of that which is not. And so craving pardon that I have taken so much time from your lordship, I remain, etc.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR Most excellent Majesty,

I know no better way how to express my good wishes of a new year to your majesty, than by this little book, which in all humbleness I send you. The style is a style of business, rather than curious or elaborate, and herein I was en

SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE KING, ABOUT THE couraged by my experience of your majesty's

PARDON OF THE PARLIAMENT'S SENTENCE.

MOST GRACIOUS AND DREAD Sovereign,

Before I make my petition to your majesty, I make my prayers to God above, "pectore ab imo," that if I have held any thing so dear as your majesty's service, (nay) your heart's ease, and your honour, I may be repulsed with a denial. But if that hath been the principal with me, that God, who knoweth my heart, would move your majesty's royal heart to take compassion of me, and to grant my desire.

I prostrate myself at your majesty's feet; I, your ancient servant, now sixty-four years old in age, and three years and five months old in misery. I desire not from your majesty means,

former grace, in accepting of the like poor fieldfruits, touching the union. And certainly I reckon this action as a second brother to the union, for I assure myself, that England, Scotland, and Ireland, well united, is such a trefoil as no prince except yourself (who are the worthiest) weareth in his crown, "si potentia reducatur in actum." I know well that for me to beat my brains about these things, they be "majora quam pro fortuna," but yet they be "minora quam pro studio et voluntate." For as I do yet bear an extreme zeal to the memory of my old mistress, Queen Elizabeth, to whom I was rather bound for her trust than for her favour; so I must acknowledge myself more bound to your majesty, both for trust and favour; whereof I will never deceive the

reason is of the reformation of justice, for the | a £100,000. But the judges first, and most questioning of men of eminent place hath the of the rest, reduced it as before. I do not dislike same terror, though not the same rigour with the that things pass moderately, and, all things conpunishment. But my case stayeth not there; for sidered, it is not amiss, and might easily have my humble desire is, that his majesty would take been worse. There was much speaking of interthe seal into his hands, which is a great downfall, ceding for the king's mercy, which (in my opinion) and may serve, I hope, in itself, for an expiation was not so proper for a sentence: I said, in conof my faults. clusion, that mercy was to come "ex mero motu," and so left it. I took some other occasion pertinent to do the king honour, by showing how happy he was in all other parts of his government, save only in the manage of his treasure by these officers.

Therefore, if mercy and mitigation be in your ' lordships' power, and do no ways cross your ends, why should I not hope of your favours and commiserations? Your lordships may be pleased to behold your chief pattern, the king our sovereign, a king of incomparable clemency, and whose I have sent the king a new bill for Sussex, for heart is inscrutable for wisdom and goodness. my Lord of Nottingham's certificate was true, and You well remember, that there sat not these hun-I told the judges of it before, but they neglected dred years before, in your house, a prince (and it. I conceive the first man (which is newly set never such a prince) whose presence deserveth to down) is the fittest. God ever preserve and keep be made memorable by records and acts, mixed you, etc. of mercy and justice. Yourselves are either nobles, (and compassion ever beateth in the veins of noble blood,) or reverend prelates, who are the SIR FRANCIS BACON TO THE LORD TREASURER servants of him that would not break the bruised reed, nor quench smoking flax.

You all sit upon a high stage, and therefore cannot but be more sensible of the changes of human condition, and of the fall of any from high places. Neither will your lordships forget that there are "vitia temporis," as well as "vitia hominis," and that the beginning of reformation hath a contrary power to the pool of Bethseda, for that had strength only to cure him that first cast in, and this hath strength to hurt him only that is first cast in; and for my part, I wish it may stay there, and go no farther.

BUCKHURST, UPON THE SAME OCCASION OF
SENDING HIS BOOK OF ADVANCEMENT OF
LEARNING.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

I have finished a work touching the advancement or setting forward of learning, which I have dedicated to his majesty, the most learned of a sovereign, or temporal prince, that time hath known. And upon reason not unlike, I humbly present one of the books to your lordship, not only as a chancellor of a university, but as one that was excellently bred in all learning, which I have ever noted to shine in all your speeches and behaviours. And therefore your lordship will yield a gracious aspect to your first love, and take pleasure in the adorning of that wherewith yourself are so much adorned. And so, humbly desiring your favourable acceptation thereof, with signification of my humble duty, I remain

Lastly, I assure myself, your lordships have a noble feeling of me, as a member of your own body; and one that, in this very session, had some taste of your loving affections, which I hope was not a lightning before the death of them, but rather a spark of that grace which now, in the conclusion, will more appear. And, therefore, my humble suit to your lordships is, that my voluntary confession may be my sentence, and the loss of the seal my punishment, and that your lordships A LETTER OF THE LIKE ARGUMENT TO THE LORD will spare any farther sentence, but recommend me to his majesty's grace and pardon for all that is past. And so, etc.

Your lordships', etc

FRANCIS ST. ALBAN, Can.

THE LORD CHANCELLOR BACON TO THE DUKE.
MY VERY GOOD LORD,

My Lord of Suffolk's cause is this day sentenced. My lord, and his lady, fined at £30,000, with imprisonment in the Tower at their own charges. Bingley at £2,000, and committed to the Fleet; Sir Edward Coke did his part, I have not heard him do better; and began with a fine of

CHANCELLOR.

MAY IT PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,

I humbly present your lordship with a work, wherein, as you have much commandment over the author, so your lordship hath also great interest in the argument. For, to speak without flattery, few have like use of learning, or like judgment in learning, as I have observed in your lordship. And, again, your lordship hath been a great planter of learning, not only in those places in the church which have been in your own gift, but also in your commendatory vote, no man hath more constantly held, "detur digniori ;" and, therefore, both your lordship is beholden to learning, and learning beholden to you. Which maketh me presume, with good assurance, that

your lordship will accept well of these my | for me, to have done as gardeners use to do, by labours, the rather because your lordship in pri- taking their seeds and slips, and rearing them vate speech hath often begun to me, in expressing first into plants, and so uttering them in pots, your admiration of his majesty's learning, to when they are in flower, and in their best state. whom I have dedicated this work; and, whose But, forasmuch, as my end was merit of the state virtue and perfection in that kind, did chiefly of learning, to my power, and not glory; and, move me to a work of this nature. And, so with because my purpose was rather to excite other signification of my most humble duty and affec- men's wits, than to magnify my own, I was tion towards your lordship, I remain, etc. desirous to prevent the uncertainness of my own life and times, by uttering rather seeds than plants; nay, and farther, as the proverb is, by sowing with the basket, than with the hand. Wherefore, since I have only taken upon me to ring a bell, to call other wits together, (which is the meanest office,) it cannot but be consonant to

SIR FRANCIS BACON, OF THE LIKE ARGUMENT,
TO THE EARL OF NORTHAMPTON, WITH RE-

QUEST TO PRESENT THE BOOK TO HIS MA-
JESTY.

IT MAY PLEASE YOUR GOOD LORDSHIP,
Having finished a work touching the advance-
ment of learning, and dedicated the same to his
sacred majesty, whom I dare avouch (if the
records of time err not) to be the learnedest king
that hath reigned; I was desirous in a kind of
congruity, to present it by the learnedest coun-
sellor in this kingdom, to the end, that so good
an argument, lightening upon so bad an author,
might receive some reparation by the hands into
which, and by which, it should be delivered.
And, therefore, I make it my humble suit to your
lordship to present this mean, but well meant
writing to his majesty, and with it my humble
and zealous duty; and also my like humble
request of pardon, if I have too often taken his
name in vain, not only in the dedication, but in
the voucher of the authority of his speeches and

writings. And so I remain, &c.

MR. DOCTOR PLAYFER,

my desire, to have that bell heard as far as can
be. And, since that they are but sparks, which
can work but upon matter prepared, I have the
more reason to wish, that those sparks may fly
abroad, that they may the better find, and light
upon those minds and spirits which are apt to be
kindled. And, therefore, the privateness of the
language considered wherein it is written, exclud-
ing so many readers, (as, on the other side, the
obscurity of the argument, in many parts of it,
excludeth many others;) I must account it a
second birth of that work, if it might be translated
into Latin, without manifest loss of the sense and
I could not represent
matter. For this purpose,
to myself any man, into whose hands I do more
earnestly desire that work should fall, than your-
self; for, by that I have heard and read, I know
no man a greater master in commanding words
to serve matter. Nevertheless, I am not ignorant
of the worth of your labours, whether such as
your place and profession imposeth on you, or
such as your own virtue may, upon your volun-
tary election, take in hand. But I can lay before
you no other persuasions, than either the work
itself may affect you with, or the honour of his
majesty, to whom it is dedicated, or your parti-
cular inclination to myself; who, as I never took
so much comfort in any labours of my own, so I
shall never acknowledge myself more obliged in
any thing to the labour of another, than in that
which shall assist this. Which your labour if I
can, by my place, profession, means, friends,
travail, word, deed, requite unto you, I shall
esteem myself so straitly bound thereunto, as I
shall be ever most ready, both to take and seek
occasions of thankfulness. And so leaving it,
nevertheless, "Salva amicitia," (as reason is,) to
your own good liking, I remain, etc.

A great desire will take a small occasion to hope, and put in trial that which is desired. It pleased you a good while since, to express unto me, the good liking which you conceive of my book, of the Advancement of Learning, and that more significantly (as it seemed to me) than out of courtesy, or civil respect. Myself, as I then took contentment in your approbation thereof, so I should esteem and acknowledge, not only my contentment increased, but my labours advanced, if I might obtain your help in that nature which I desire. Wherein, before I set down in plain terms my request unto you, I will open myself, what it was which I chiefly sought, and propounded to myself, in that work, that you may perceive that which I now desire to be pursuant SIR FRANCIS BACON, TO SIR THOMAS BODLEY, thereupon, if I do not err. (For any judgment that a man maketh of his own doings, had need be spoken with a "Si nunquam fallit imago.") I have this opinion, that if I had sought my own commendation, it had been a much fitter course

UPON SENDING HIM HIS BOOK OF THE AD-
VANCEMENT OF LEARNING.

SIR,

I think no man may more truly say with the psalm, "multum incola fuit anima mea." For, I