LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 401 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I was so full of cold, as 1 could not attend his majesty 

 to-day. Yesterday I dispatched the proclamation with the 

 council. There was a motion to have sharpened it ; but 

 better none, than over sharp at first. I moved the council 

 also for supplying the committee for drawing of bills and 

 some other matters, in regard of my Lord Hobart s* sick 

 ness, who I think will hardly escape : which, though it be 

 happiness for him, yet it is loss for us. 



Mean while, as I propounded to the king, which he 

 allowed well, I have broken the main of the parliament 

 into questions and parts, which I send. It may be, it is 

 an over diligence ; but still methinks there is a middle 

 thing between art and chance : I think they call it provi 

 dence, or some such thing, which good servants owe to their 

 sovereign, specially in cases of importance and straits of 

 occasions. And those huffing elections, and general licence 

 of speech ought to make us the better provided. The way 

 will be, if his majesty be pleased to peruse these questions 

 advisedly, and give me leave to wait on him ; and then 

 refer it to some few of the council, a little to advise upon it. 

 I ever rest 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 



and faithful Servant, 



December 23, 1620. FR. VERULAM, Cane, 



To the Lord Chancellor.! 

 My honourable Lord, 



His majesty hath commanded me to signify his pleasure 

 unto your lordship, that Sir Thomas Coventry, now his 

 solicitor-general, be forthwith made his attorney-general: 

 and that your lordship give order to the clerk of the crown 

 to draw up a grant of the said place unto him accordingly. 

 And so I rest your Lordship s faithful 



Whitehall, Friend and Servant, 



9th of January, 1620. G. BUCKINGHAM. 



To the Lord Chancellor.^ 

 My honourable Lord, 



I have been intreated to recommend unto your lordship 

 the distressed case of the Lady Martin, widow of Sir 

 Richard Martin, deceased, who hath a cause to be heard 



* Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas, 

 t Harl. MSS. Vol. 7000. I Ibid. 



VOL. XIT. D D 



