LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 251 



as I was, till I heard from you. But I will rely upon your 

 constancy and nature and my own deserving, and the firm 

 tie we have in respect of the king s service. 



In the mean time I must a little complain to your lord 

 ship, that I do hear my lady your mother and your brother 

 Sir John do speak of me with some bitterness and neglect. 

 I must bear with the one as a lady, and the other as a lover, 

 and with both for your lordship s sake, whom I will make 

 judge of any thing they shall have against me. But I hope, 

 though I be a true servant to your lordship, you will not 

 have me to be a vassal to their passions, specially as long 

 as they are governed by Sir Edward Coke and secretary 

 Winwood, the latter of which I take to be the worst ; for 

 Sir Edward Coke I think is more modest and discreet. 

 Therefore your lordship shall do me right, and yet I shall 

 take it for favour, if you signify to them that you have 

 received satisfaction from me, and would have them use me 

 friendly, and in good manner. God keep us from these 

 long journeys and absence, which make misunderstandings 

 and give advantage to untruth, and God ever prosper and 

 preserve your lordship. 



Your Lordship s true and 



Gorhambury, devoted Friend and Servant, 



this 23d of Aug. 1617. FR. BACON. C. S. 



To the Earl of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I send your lordship the certificate^ touching the inrol- 

 ment of prentices. We can find no ground for it by law. 

 Myself shall ever be ready to further things that your lord 

 ship commendeth ; but where the matter will not bear it, 

 your lordship I know will think not the worse, but the 

 better of me, if I signify the true state of things to your 

 lordship ; resting ever 



Your Lordship s true Friend 

 York House, this 29th and devoted Servant, 



of October, 1617. FR. BACON, C. S. 



* The Certificate. 



According to his majesty s command, signified by your lordship s letters, we 

 have advisedly considered of the petition touching the inrolment of apprentices 

 indentures, and heard the petitioners counsel, and do find as followeth : 



1 . That the act of parliament 5 Eliz. doth not warrant the erecting of an- 

 office to inrol such indentures in cities, towns corporate, or market towns. But 

 if any such inrolment should be, it must be by the officers there, who are 

 assigned to perform sundry other things touching apprentices and servants. 



