LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 421 



your lordship s honour, than to envy : the other, that what 

 soever men talk, I can play the good husband, and the 

 king s bounty shall not be lost. If your lordship think 

 good the prince should come in to help, I know his high 

 ness wisheth me well ; if you will let me know when, and 

 how he may be used. But the king is the fountain, who, 

 I know, is good. 

 God prosper you. 



Your Lordship s most bounden and faithful, 



Gorhambury, January 30, 1621. FR. ST. ALB AN. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



Your lordship dealeth honourably with me in giving me 

 notice, that your lordship is provided of a house,* whereby 

 you discontinue the treaty your lordship had with me for 

 York House, although I shall make no use of this notice, 

 as to deal with any other. For I was ever resolved your 

 lordship should have had it, or no man. But your lordship 

 doth yet more nobly, in assuring me, you never meant it 

 with any the least inconvenience to myself. May it please 

 your lordship likewise to be assured from me, that I ever 

 desired you should have it, and do still continue of the 

 same mind. 



I humbly pray your lordship to move his majesty to take 

 commiseration of my long imprisonment. When I was in 

 the Tower, I was nearer help of physic; I could parley with 

 my creditors ; I could deal with friends about my business ; 

 I could have helps at hand for my writings and studies, 

 wherein I spend my time ; all which here fail me. Good 

 my lord, deliver me out of this ; me, who am his majesty s 

 devout beadsman, and 



Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 



and faithful Servant, 



Gorhambury, this 3d of Feb. 1621. FR. ST. ALB AN. 



John Selden, Esq. to the Lord Viscount St. Alban. 



My most honoured Lord, 



At your last going to Gorhambury, you were pleased to 

 have speech with me about some passages of parliament ; 

 touching which, I conceived, by your lordship, that I should 



* Mr. Chamberlain, in a MS. letter to Sir Dudley Carleton, dated at London, 

 January 19, 1621-2, mentions, that the Marquis of Buckingham had contracted 

 with the Lord and Lady Wallingford, for their house near Whitehall, for some 

 money. 



