268 LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



much to secrecy : the distribution of the business we made 

 was into four parts. 



First, The perusing of the former grievance, and of things 

 of like nature which have come in since. 



Secondly, The consideration of a proclamation with the 

 clauses thereof, especially touching elections, which clauses 

 nevertheless we are of opinion should be rather monitory 

 than exclusive. 



Thirdly, The inclusive : that is to say, what persons were 

 fit to be of the house, tending to make a sufficient and 

 well composed house of the ablest men of the kingdom, fit 

 to be advised with circa ardua regni, as the stile of the 

 writs goeth, according to the pure and true institution of a 

 parliament ; and of the means to place such persons without 

 novelty or much observation. For this purpose we made 

 some lists of names of the prime counsellors, and principal 

 statesmen or courtiers, of the gravest or wisest lawyers, of 

 the most respected and best tempered knights and gen 

 tlemen of the county. And here obiter we did not forget 

 to consider who were the boutefeus of the last session, 

 how many of them are dead, how many reduced, and how 

 many remain, and what was fit to be done concerning 

 them. 



Fourthly, The having ready of some commonwealth bills 

 that may add respect and acknowledgment of the king s 

 care ; not wooing bills to make the king and his graces 

 cheap, but good matter to set them on work, that an empty 

 stomach do not feed upon humour. 



Of these four points, that which concerneth persons is 

 not so fit to be communicated with the council table, but 

 to be kept within fewer hands. The other three may when 

 they are ripe. 



Meanwhile I thought good to give his majesty an ac 

 count what is done; and in doing, humbly craving his 

 direction if any thing be to be altered or added, though it 

 may be ourselves shall have second thoughts, this being 

 but the result of our first meeting. 



The state of his majesty s treasure still maketh me sad ; 

 and I am sorry I was not at Theobald s to report it, or that 

 it was not done by my fellows : it is most necessarily we 

 do it faithfully and freely. For to flatter in this were to 

 betray his majesty with a kiss. I humbly pray his majesty 

 to think of my former counsel, and this I will promise that 

 whomsoever his majesty shall make treasurer, if his majesty 

 shall direct him to have relation to my advice, I will continue 

 the same care and advice I do now, and much more cheer- 



