LETTERS FROM BIRCH. 435 



And now, my good lord, if any thing make me diffident, 

 or indeed almost indifferent how it succeeds, it is this ; that 

 my sole ambition having ever been, and still is, to grow up 

 only under your lordship, it is become preposterous, even 

 to my nature and habit, to think of prospering, or receiving 

 any growth, either without or besides your lordship. And 

 therefore let me claim of your lordship to do me this right, 

 as to believe that which my heart says, or rather swears to 

 me, namely, that what addition soever, by God s good pro 

 vidence comes at any time to my life or fortune, it is, in my 

 account, but to enable me the more to serve your lordship 

 in both ; at whose feet I shall ever humbly lay down all 

 that I have, or am, never to rise thence other than 



Your Lordship s in all duty and reverent affections, 



September 11, 1622. T. MEAUTYS. 



To the Countess of Buckingham,* mother to the 



Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very honourable good Lady, 



Your ladyship s late favour and noble usage towards me 

 were such, as I think your absence a great part of my mis 

 fortunes. And the more I find my most noble lord, your 

 son, to increase in favour towards me, the more out of my 

 love to him, I wish he had often by him so loving and wise 

 a mother. For if my lord were never so wise, as wise as 

 Solomon ; yet, I find, that Solomon himself, in the end of 

 his Proverbs, sets down a whole chapter of advices that 

 his mother taught him. 



Madam, I can but receive your remembrance with affec 

 tion, and use your name with honour, and intend you my 

 best service, if I be able, ever resting 



Your Ladyship s humble 

 Bedford House, and affectionate Servant, 



this 29th of October, 1622. FR. ST. ALB AN. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I have many things to thank your lordship for, since I 

 had the happiness to see you ; that your lordship, before 

 your going out of town, sent my memorial to my Lord 



* Mary, daughter of Anthony Beaumont, a younger son of William Beau 

 mont of Cole-Orton in Leicestershire. She was thrice married : 1. to Sir George 

 Villiers, father of the Duke of Buckingham : 2. to Sir William Rayner : and 

 3. to Sir Thomas Compton, Knight of the Bath, a younger brother of William, 

 Earl of Northampton. She was created Countess of Buckingham, July 1, 1618 ; 

 and died April 19, 1632. 



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