LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 73 



Sir Francis Bacon to the King, upon Presenting his 

 Discourse, touching the Plantation of Ireland. 

 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 

 encouraged by my experience of your majesty s former 

 grace, in accepting of the like poor field-fruits, 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, &quot; si potentia reducatur in actum.&quot; I know well 

 that for me to beat my brains about these things, they be 

 &quot; majora quam pro fortuna,&quot; but yet they be &quot;minora quam 

 pro studio et voluntate.&quot; 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 1 must acknowledge myself more bound to your majesty, 

 both for trust and favour ; whereof I will never deceive the 

 one, as I can never deserve the other. And so in all hum 

 bleness kissing your majesty s sacred hands, I remain 



Sir Francis Bacon to the Earl of Salisbury, upon 

 sending him one of his Books of Advancement 

 of Learning. 

 It may please your good Lordship, 



I present your lordship with a work of my vacant time, 

 which if it had been more, the work had been better. It 

 appertaineth to your lordship (besides my particular respects) 

 in some propriety, in regard you are a great governor in a 



