LETTERS FROM THE BRITISH MUSEUM. 479 



To Mr. M. Hickes.* 



Mr. Hickes, your remain shall be with you this term, but 

 I have now a further request, which, if you perform, I shall 

 think you one of the best friends I have, and yet the matter 

 is not much to you, but the timing of it is much to me ; for 

 I am now about this term to free myself from all debts, 

 which are any ways in suit or urged, following a faster 

 pace to free my credit than my means can follow to free 

 my state, which yet cannot stay long after ; I having resolved 

 to spare no means I have in hand (taking other possibilities 

 for advantage) to clear myself from the discontent, speech, 

 or danger of others. And some of my debts of most clamour 

 and importunity I have this term, and some few days be 

 fore, ordered, and in fact paid. I pray you to your former 

 favours, which I do still remember, and may hereafter re 

 quite, help me out with two hundred pounds more for six 

 months ; I will put you in good sureties, and you shall do 

 me a great deal of honesty and reputation ; I have written 

 to you the very truth and secret of my course, which to few 

 others I would have done, thinking it may move you. And 

 so with my loving commendations, I rest 



Your assured loving Friend, 



Jan. 21, 1600. F R&amp;lt; BACON. 



To Sir Robert Cotton. 

 Sir, 



Finding, during parliament, a willingness in you to con 

 fer with me in this great service concerning the union, I 

 do now take hold thereof to excuse my boldness to desire 

 that now which you offered then, for both the time as to 

 leisure is more liberal, and as to the service itself is more 

 urgent. Whether it will like you to come to me to Gray s 

 Inn, or to appoint me where to meet with you, I am indif 

 ferent, and leave it to your choice, and accordingly desire 

 to hear from you ; so I remain your very loving friend, 



Gray s Inn, this 8th of Sept. 1604. F. BACON. 



To Sir M. Hickes.f 

 Sir, 



For your travel with all disadvantages, I will put it upon 

 my account to travel twice so far, upon any occasion of 

 yours ; but your wits seemed not travelled, but fresh, by 



* Lansd.MS. Ixxxviii. art. 3. Orig. t Lansd. MS. Ixxxix. art. 78. Orig. 



