434 LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 



impart this to some counsellor, both as a loyal subject, and 

 as a catholic ; for that he doubted it might be a cause to 

 cross the graces and mercies which the catholics now enjoy, 

 if it be not prevented : and he asked my advice, whether 

 he should make it known to your lordship, or to my Lord 

 Keeper,* when he came back to London. I commended 

 his loyalty and discretion, and wished him to address him 

 self to your lordship, who might communicate it with my 

 Lord Keeper, if you saw cause, and that he repaired to your 

 lordship presently, which he resolved to do. Nevertheless, 

 I did not think mine own particular duty acquitted, except 

 I certified it also myself, borrowing so much of private 

 friendship in a cause of state, as not to tell him I would do 

 so much. 



Indorsed My letter to my Lord Marquis, touching the 

 business of estate advertised by Mr. Matthew.^- 



To the Lord Viscount St. Alban. 

 My most honoured Lord, 



I come in these to your lordship with the voice of thanks 

 giving for the continuance of your accustomed noble care 

 of me and my good, which overtakes me, I find, whitherso 

 ever I go. But for the present itself (whereof your lordship 

 writes,) whether or no it be better than that I was wont to 

 bring your lordship, the end only can prove. For I have 

 yet no more to shew for it than good words, of which many 

 times I brought your lordship good store. But because 

 modicefideans were not made to thrive in court, I mean to 

 lose no time from assailing my Lord Marquis, for which 

 purpose I am now hovering about New-hall,;]: where his 

 lordship is expected (but not the king) this day, or to-mor 

 row : which place, as your lordship adviseth, may not be 

 ill chosen for my business. For, if his lordship be not very 

 thick of hearing, sure New-hall will be heard to speak 

 for me. 



* Dr Williams, Bishop of Lincoln. 



t The date of this letter may be pretty nearly determined by one of the Lord 

 Keeper to the Marquis of Buckingham, dated August 23, 1622, and printed in 

 the Cabala. The postscript to that letter is as follows : &quot; The Spanish ambas 

 sador took the alarm very speedily of the titulary Roman bishop ; and before 

 my departure from his house at Islington, whither I went privately to him, did 

 write both to Rome and Spain to prevent it. But 1 am afraid, that Tobie will 

 prove but an apocryphal, and no canonical, intelligencer, acquainting the state 

 with this project for the Jesuits , rather than for Jesus s sake.&quot; 



t In Essex. 



