LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 17 



interrogat.&quot; For the points of opposing them, I am too 

 much a stranger to the business, to deduce them : but in a 

 topick methinks the pertinent interrogations must be ei 

 ther of the possibility and means of accord, or of the nature 

 of the war, or of the reformation of the particular abuses, 

 or of the joining of practice with force in the disunion of 

 the rebels. If your lordship doubt to put your sickle in 

 other men s harvests, yet consider you have these advan 

 tages. First, time being fit to you in Mr. Secretary s 

 absence: next, &quot; vis unita fortior :&quot; thirdly, the business 

 being mixt with matters of war, it is fittest for you : lastly, 

 I know your lordship will carry it with that modesty and 

 respect towards aged dignity, and that good correspondence 

 towards my dear ally, and your good friend, now abroad, as 

 no inconvenience may grow that way. Thus have T played 

 the ignorant statesman, which I do to no body but your lord 

 ship, except I do it to the queen sometimes, when she trains 

 me on. But your lordship will accept my duty and good 

 meaning, and secure me touching the privateness of that 



I write. 



Your Lordship s, to be commanded, 



FR. BACON. 



Sir Francis Bacon to the Earl of Essex, concerning 

 the Earl of Tyrone. 



Those advertisements which your lordship imparted to 

 me, and the like, I hold to be no more certain to make 

 judgment upon than a patient s water to a physician: there 

 fore for me upon one water to make a judgment, were 

 indeed like a foolish bold mountebank, or Dr. Birket ; yet 

 for willing duty s sake, I will set down to your lordship 

 what opinion sprung in my mind upon that I read. The 

 letter from the council there, leaning to distrust, I do not 

 much rely upon for three causes. First, because it is always 

 VOL. XI. C 



