LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 419 



To the Lord Viscount St. Alban. 

 My most honoured Lord, 



I met, even now, with a piece of news so unexpected, 

 and yet so certainly true, as that, howsoever, I had much 

 ado, at first, to desire the relater to speak probably; yet 

 now I dare send it your lordship upon my credit. It is 

 my Lord of Somerset s and his lady s coming out of the 

 Tower, on Saturday last,* fetched forth by my Lord of 

 Falkland, and without the usual degrees of confinement, 

 at first to some one place,^ but absolute and free, to go 

 where they please. I know not how peradventure this 

 might occasion you to cast your thoughts, touching your 

 self, into some new mould, though not in the main, yet in 

 something on the by. 



I beg leave to kiss your lordship s hands. 

 Your Lordship s, in all humbleness, 



for ever to honour and serve you, 



T. MEAUTYS. 



Lodowic Stuart, Duke of Lenox, to the Lord 



Viscount St. Alban. 

 My Lord, 



It is not unknown to your lordship, that, in respect I am 

 now a married man, I have more reason than before to 

 think of providing me some house in London, whereof I 

 am yet destitute ; and for that purpose I have resolved to 

 entreat your lordship, that I may deal with you for York 

 House; wherein I will not offer any conditions to your loss. 

 And, in respect I have understood, that the consideration 

 of your lady s wanting a house hath bred some difficulty in 

 your lordship to part with it, I will for that make offer 

 unto your lordship, and your lady, to use the house in 

 Canon Row, late the Earl of Hertford s, being a very com 

 modious and capable house, wherein I and my wife have 

 absolute power ; and whereof your lordship shall have as 

 long time as you can challenge or desire of York House. 

 In this I do freelier deal with your lordship, in respect I 

 know you are well assured of my well wishes to you in 

 general; and that in this particular, though I have not 

 been without thoughts of this house before your lordship 

 had it, yet I was willing to give way to your lordship s 

 more pressing use thereof then. And as I do not doubt of 



* January 6, 1621-2. Camdeni Annales Eegis Jacobi I. p. 77. 

 t Camden, ubi supra, says, &quot; that the earl was ordered to confine himself to 

 the Lord Viscount Wallingford s house, or neighbourhood.&quot; 



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