106 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 



and sure I am, I shall never have fairer promises and hope 

 from all your lordships, and I would believe you in a far 

 greater matter : and if it were nothing else, I hope the 

 modesty of my suit deserveth somewhat ; for I know well 

 the solicitor s place is not as your lordship left it, time 

 working alteration, somewhat in the profession, much more 

 in that special place. And were it not to satisfy my wife s 

 friends, and to get myself out of being a common gaze, and 

 a speech, (I protest before God) I would never speak word 

 for it, But to conclude, as my honourable lady was some 

 mean to make me to change the name of another ; so if it 

 please you to help me, as you said, to change mine own 

 name, I cannot be but more and more bounden to you ; and 

 I am much deceived, if your lordship find not the king well 

 inclined : as for my lord of Salisbury, he is forward and 

 affectionate. Yours, etc. 



FR. BACON. 



Sir Francis Bacon to the King.* 



It may please your Most Excellent Majesty, 

 How honestly ready I have been, most gracious sove 

 reign, to do your majesty humble service to the best of my 

 power, and in a manner beyond my power, as I now stand, I 

 am not so unfortunate but your majesty knows; both in the 

 commission of union, the labour whereof for men of my 

 profession, rested most upon my hands ; and this last par 

 liament, for the bill of subsidy, both body and preamble : 

 in the bill of attainders of Tresham, and the rest ; in the 

 matter of purveyance, in the ecclesiastical petitions, in the 



* This is merely a copy of a letter, which will be found in 

 page 94, but there are some variations, which have induced me 

 to insert both of them: In the latter letter he refers to his 

 Father. 



