LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 343 



self; so did I (though not without difficulty) obtain thus 

 much, that he would not so far disable you from the merit 

 of your future service, as to put any particular mark of dis 

 grace upon your person. Only thus far his majesty pro- 

 testeth, that upon the conscience of his office he cannot 

 omit (though laying aside all passion) to give a kindly re 

 primand at his first sitting in council, to so many of his 

 counsellors, as were then here behind, and were actors in 

 this business, for their ill behaviour in it. Some of the 

 particular errors committed in this business he will name, 

 but without accusing any particular persons by name. 



Thus your lordship seeth the fruits of my natural incli 

 nation. I protest, all this time past it was no small grief 

 unto me to hear the mouth of so many upon this occasion 

 open to load you with innumerable malicious and detracting 

 speeches, as if no music were more pleasing to my ear, 

 than to rail of you : which made me rather regret the ill- 

 nature of mankind, that, like dogs, love to set upon them 

 that they see snatched at. 



And to conclude, my lord, you have hereby a fair occa 

 sion so to make good hereafter your reputation, by your 

 sincere service to his majesty, as also by your firm and 

 constant kindness to your friends, as I may (your lordship s 

 old friend) participate of the comfort and honour that will 

 thereby come to you. Thus I rest at last 



Your Lordship s faithful Friend and Servant, 



G. B. 



The force of your old kindness hath made me set down 

 this in writing unto you, which some, that have deserved 

 ill of me in this action, would be glad to obtain by word of 

 mouth, though they be far enough from it for ought I yet 

 see. But I beseech your lordship to reserve this secretly 

 to yourself only, till our meeting at Hampton Court, lest his 

 majesty should be highly offended for a cause that I know. 

 Indorsed A letter of reconciliation from Lord Buckingham 

 after his Majesty s return from Scotland. 



To the Lord Keeper.* 

 My honourable Lord, 



Lest Mr. Secretary t should be come away before the 

 delivery of this packet, I have thought fit to direct it to 



* Harl. MSS. Vol. 7006. 



t Sir Thomas Lake ; his collegue, Secretary Winwood, died October 27, 

 1617 ; and Sir Robert Naunton succeeded to the post of secretary, January 8, 

 1617-8, from that of surveyor of the Court of Wards. 



