262 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



master and officers that may take, as to the parties and 

 suitors that may give. 



It little becometh me to possess his majesty that this 

 will be to his majesty s benefit ten thousands yearly, or fif 

 teen thousands, or twenty thousands : for these rattles are 

 fitter for mountebanks of service than grave counsellors. 

 But my advices (as far as I am able to discern) tend or ex 

 tend but to thus much : this is his majesty s surest and 

 easiest way for his most good. 



Sir Miles Fleetwood, who both now and heretofore, hath 

 done very good service in this, meriteth to be particularly 

 from your lordship encouraged ; which I beseech your lord 

 ship not to forget. God ever prosper you. 



Your Lordship s most faithful 

 This 4th of bounden Friend and Servant, 



December, 1618. p R . VERULAM, CailC. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I send his majesty a volume of my lord of Bangor s and 

 my lord Sheffield, whereof I spake when I left his majesty 

 at Theobald s. His majesty may be pleased at his own 

 good time and pleasure to cast his eye upon it. I purpose 

 at my coming to London to confer with the chief justice 

 as his majesty appointed ; and to put the business of the 

 purse vants in a way, which I think will be best by a com 

 mission of Oyer and Terminer ; for the Star Chamber 

 (without confession) is long seas. I should advise that this 

 point of the pursuivants were not single, but that it be 

 coupled in the commission with the offences of keepers of 

 prisons hereabouts, it hath a great affinity ; for pursuivants 

 are but ambulatory keepers, and it works upon the same 

 party (of the papists). And it is that wherein many of 

 his majesty s and the council s severe charges have been 

 hitherto unfruitful : and it doth a great deal of mischief. 

 I have some other reasons for it. But of this it will be 

 fittest to advertise more particularly what I have resolved 

 of on advice, upon conference with the chief justice. I am 

 wonderful glad to hear of the king s good health. God 

 preserve his majesty and your lordship. I ever rest 

 Your Lordship s most obliged 



Gorhambury, this last Friend and faithful Servant, 



of July, 1619. FR. VERULAM, Cane. 



