LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 237 



collected, and the examination taken before myself and 

 Mr. Solicitor; whereby it will appear to his majesty that 

 Sir John Tyndal (as to this cause) is a kind of a martyr ; 

 for if ever he made a just report in his life, this was it. 



But the event since all this is, that this Bertram being, 

 as it seemeth, indurate or in despair, hath hanged himself 

 in prison ; of which accident, as I am sorry, because he is 

 taken from example and public justice, so yet I would 

 not for any thing it had been before his examination. So 

 that there may be otherwise some occasion taken either by 

 some declaration in the King s Bench upon the return of 

 the coroner s inquest, or by some printed book of the fact, 

 or by some other means (whereof I purpose to advise with 

 my Lord Chancellor) to have both his majesty s royal care, 

 and the truth of the fact, with the circumstances manifested 

 and published. 



For the taking a tie of my Lord Chief Justice before he 

 was placed, it was done before your letter came, and on 

 Tuesday Heath and Shute shall be admitted and all per 

 fected. 



My Lord Chancellor purposeth to be at the hall to 

 morrow, to give my Lord Chief Justice his oath ; I pray 

 God it hurt him not this cold weather. God ever prosper 

 you. 



Your true and most devoted Servant, 



Sunday night, the 17th F R . BACON. 



ot .November, lolo. 



To the Lord Viscount Villiers. 

 My very good Lord, 



I am glad to find your lordship mindful of your own 

 business, and if any man put you in mind of it, I do not 

 dislike that neither ; but your lordship may assure your 

 self in whatsoever you commit to me, your lordship s fur 

 ther care shall be needless. For I desire to take nothing 

 from my master and my friend, but care, and therein I am 

 so covetous, as I will leave them as little as may be. 



Now therefore things are grown to a conclusion, touching 

 your land and office, I will give your lordship an account 

 of that which is passed ; and acquaint your judgment 

 (which I know to be great and capable of any thing) with 

 your own business ; that you may discern the difference 

 between doing things substantially, and between shuffling 

 and talking : and first for your patent. 



First, It was my counsel and care that your book should 

 be fee-farm and not fee-simple; whereby the rent of the 



