252 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



To the Earl of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



The liking which his majesty hath of our proceeding, 

 concerning his household, telleth me that his majesty 

 cannot but dislike the declining and tergiversation of the 

 inferior officers, which by this time he understandeth. 



There be but four kinds of retrenchments : 1, the union 

 of tables ; 2, the putting down of tables ; 3, the abatement 

 of dishes to tables ; 4, the cutting off new diets and allow 

 ance lately raised : and yet perhaps such as are more 

 necessary than some of the old. 



In my opinion the first is the best and most feasible. 

 The Lord Chamberlain s table is the principal table of state. 

 The Lord Steward s table I think is much frequented by 

 Scottish gentlemen. Your lordship s table hath a great 

 attendance; and the groom of the stole s table is much 

 resorted to by the bedchamber. These would not be 

 touched ; but for the rest (his majesty s case considered) I 

 think they may well be united into one. 



These things are out of my element, but my care runneth 

 where the king s state most laboureth : Sir Lionel Cranfield 

 is yet sick, for which I am very sorry; for methinks his 

 majesty upon these tossings over of his business from one 

 to others hath an apt occasion to go on with subcommittees. 

 God ever preserve and prosper you. 



Your Lordship s true Friend 



York House, an( l devoted Servant, 



Nov. 19, 1617. FE. BACON, C. S. 



To the Earl of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



Yesterday at afternoon were read at the table his ma 

 jesty s two letters, written with his own hand, the matter 

 worthy the hand ; for they were written ex arte imperandi, 

 if I can judge ; and I hope they and the like will disen 

 chant us of the opinion, which yet sticks with us, that to 

 day will be as yesterday, and to-morrow as to-day, so as 

 there will be (as he saith) acribus initiis, jine incurioso. 



2. That in country villages (for which the suit carries most colour) we can 

 not give the suitors hope, that any profit will be there made warrantable by law. 



Thus we have (according to our duties) certified our opinions of this petition, 

 submitting the same nevertheless to his majesty s great wisdom ; and rest, 



Oct. 25, 1617. At your Lordship s command, 



FR. BACON, C. S. II. MONTAGUE, THO. COVENTRY. 



