LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 245 



My Lord Hay coming to take his leave of me two days 

 before, I told him what I was meditating, and he desired 

 me to send him some remembrance of it* and so I could 

 not but send him another copy thereof. Men tell me it 

 hath done the king a great deal of honour ; insomuch that 

 some of my friends that are wise men, and no vain ones, 

 did not stick to say to me, that there was not these seven 

 years such a preparation for a parliament; which was a 

 commendation I confess pleased me well. I pray take 

 some fit time to shew it to his majesty, because if I mis 

 understood him in any thing, I may amend it, because I 

 know his judgment is higher and deeper than mine. 



I take infinite contentment to hear his majesty is in great 

 good health and vigour; I pray God preserve and con 

 tinue it. Thus wishing you well above all men living, next 

 my master and his. I rest 



Your true and devoted Friend and Servant, 



Dorset House, which putteth FR. BACON, C. S, 



me in mind to thank your 

 lordship, for your care of 

 me touching York House. 

 May 8, 1617. 



To the Earl of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I shall write to your lordship of a business, which your 

 lordship may think to concern myself; but I do think it 

 concerneth your lordship much more. For as for me, as 

 my judgment is not so weak to think it can do me any 

 hurt, so my love to you is so strong, as I would prefer the 

 good of you and yours before mine own particular. 



It seemeth Secretary Winwood hath officiously busied 

 himself to make a match between your brother and Sir 

 Edward Coke s daughter: and as we hear he doth it 

 rather to make a faction than out of any great affection to 

 your lordship: it is true, he hath the consent of Sir Edward 

 Coke (as we hear) upon reasonable conditions for your 

 brother, and yet no better than without question may be 

 found in some other matches. But the mother s consent 

 is not had, nor the young gentlewoman s, who expecteth a 

 great fortune from her mother, which without her consent 

 is endangered. This match, out of my faith and freedom 

 towards your lordship, I hold very inconvenient both for 

 your brother and yourself. 



First, He shall marry into a disgraced house, which in. 

 reason of state is never held good. 



