67 
tunities of acquiring the favour of King James, accompanied that 
monarch on his journey from Scotland to London. His friend 
Bacon wrote a letter to him which I venture to inflict upon you, 
because it shows on what intimate terms the two were, and that 
Bacon was under some pecuniary obligation to his friend: “Sir, 
for our money matters I am assured you received no unsatisfaction, 
for you know my mind and you know my means, which now the 
openness of the time caused by this blessed content and peace 
will increase, and so our agreement according to your time be 
observed. For the present, according to the Roman adage, ‘that 
one cluster of grapes ripeneth best beside another,’ I know you 
hold me not unworthy whose mutual friendship you should cherish. 
And I for my part conceive good hope that you are likely to 
become an acceptable servant to the King our Master, not so 
much for any way made heretofore which in my judgement will 
make no great difference ; as for the stuff and sufficiency which I 
know to be in you, and whereof I know His Majesty may reap 
great service. And therefore my general request is that according 
to that industrious vivacity which you use towards your friends, 
you will further His Majesty’s good concert and inclination towards 
to whom words cannot make me known, neither mine 
own nor others; but time will be no disadvantage of any who 
shall forerun His Majesty’s experience by your testimony and 
commendation. And though occasion give you the precedence of 
doing me this special good office, yet I hope no long time will 
intercede before I shall have some means to requite your favour 
and acquit your report. More particularly having thought good to 
make oblation of my most humble service to His Majesty by a few 
lines, I desire your loving care and help by yourself or such means 
as I refer to your discretion, to deliver and present the same to 
His Majesty’s hands, of which letter I send you a copy, that you 
may know what you carry, and may take of Mr. Matthew the letter 
itself, if you be pleased to undertake the delivery. Lastly, I do 
commend to yourself and such your courtesies as occasion may 
require, this gentleman, Mr. Matthew, eldest son of my Lord 
Bishop of Duresme, and my very good friend, assuring you that 
