LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 315 



The Lord Keeper to his Niece, touching her Marriage. 



Good Niece, 



Amongst your other virtues, I know there wanteth not 

 in you a mind to hearken to the advice of your friends. 

 And, therefore, you will give me leave to move you again 

 more seriously than before in the match with Mr. Comp 

 troller.* The state wherein you now are is to be preferred 

 before marriage, or changed for marriage, not simply the 

 one or the other, but according as, by God s providence, 

 the offers of marriage are more or less fit to be embraced. 

 This gentleman is religious, a person of honour, being coun 

 sellor of state, a great officer, and in very good favour with 

 his majesty. He is of years and health fit to be comfort 

 able to you, and to free you of burdensome cares. He is 

 of good means, and a wise and provident man, and of a 

 loving and excellent good nature ; and, I find, hath set his 

 affections upon you ; so as I foresee you may sooner change 

 your mind, which, as you told me, is not yet towards mar 

 riage, than find so happy a choice. I hear he is willing to 

 visit you before his going into France, which, by the king s 

 commandment, is to be within some ten days : and I could 

 wish you used him kindly, and with respect. His return 

 out of France is intended before Michaelmas. God direct 

 you, and be with you. I rest 



Your very loving Uncle and assured Friend, 



Dorset House, this 28th Fil. BACON. 



of April, 1617. 



To the Lord Keeper. f 

 My honourable Lord, 



I have acquainted his majesty with your letters, who 

 liked all your proceedings well, saving only the point, for 

 which you have since made amends, in obeying his plea 

 sure touching the proclamation. His majesty would have 

 your lordship go thoroughly about the business of Ireland, 

 whereinto you are so well entered, especially at this time, 

 that the Chief Justice J is come over, who hath delivered 



* Sir Thomas Edmondes, who had been appointed to that office, December 21, 

 1616, and January 19, 1617-8, was made Treasurer of the Household. He 

 had been married to Magdalen, one of the daughters and coheirs of Sir John 

 Wood, Knight, Clerk of the Signet, which lady died at Paris, December 31, 

 1614. 



The proposal for a second marriage between him and the Lord Keeper s niece 

 does not appear to have had success. 



t Harl. MSS. vol. 7006. 



J Sir John Denham, one of the Lords Justices of Ireland in 1616. He was 

 made one of the Barons of the Exchequer in England, May 2, 1617. He died 

 January 6, 1638, in the eightieth year of his age. He was the first who set up 



