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194 LETTERS FROM THE BACONIANA. 



of a term, and almost the beginning of the circuits ; so that 

 the seal cannot stand still. But this may be done as here 

 tofore, by commission, till your majesty hath resolved on an 

 officer. God ever preserve your majesty. 



Your Majesty s most humble 

 subject, and bounden servant, 

 F. BACON. 



A Letter written* by the Lord Bacon to King James, 

 for Relief of his Estate. 



May it please your most excellent Majesty. 

 In the midst of my misery, which is rather assuaged by 

 remembrance than by hope : my chiefest worldly comfort is, 

 to think, that since the time I had the first vote of the Com 

 mons House of parliament for commissioner of the union, 

 until the time that I was this last parliament, chosen by 

 both houses for their messenger to your majesty in the pe 

 tition of religion (which two were my first and last services), 

 I was evermore so happy as to have my poor services gra 

 ciously accepted by your majesty, and likewise not to have 

 had any of them miscarry in my hands. Neither of which 

 points I can any ways take to myself, but ascribe the former 

 to your majesty s goodness, and the latter to your prudent 

 directions ; which I was ever careful to have and keep. 

 For as I have often said to your majesty, I was towards 

 you but as a bucket, and a cistern, to draw forth and con 

 serve, yourself was the fountain. Unto this comfort of 

 nineteen years prosperity, there succeeded a comfort even 

 in my greatest adversity, somewhat of the same nature; 

 which is, that in those offences wherewith I was charged, 

 there was not any one that had special relation to your ma 

 jesty, or any your particular commandments. For as, 

 towards Almighty God, there are offences against the first 



* About a year and half after his retirement. 



