LETTERS FROM STEPHENS. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



The tobacco business is well settled in all points. For 

 the coals, they that brought the offer to Secretary Calvert 

 do very basely shrink from their words ; but we are casting 

 about to piece it and perfect it. The two goose quills, Max 

 well and Alured, have been pulled, and they have made 

 submissions in that kind which the board thought fit : for 

 we would not do them the honour to require a recantation 

 of their opinion, but an acknowledgment of their presump 

 tion. 



His majesty doth very wisely (not showing much care or 

 dreard to it) yet really to suppress this licentious course of 

 talking and writing. My old Lord Burgh ley was wont to say, 

 that the Frenchman when he hath talked he hath done; 

 but the Englishman when he hath talked, he begins. It 

 evaporateth malice and discontent in the one, and kindleth 

 it in the other. And therefore upon some fit occasion I 

 wish a more public example. The King s state, if I should 

 now die and were opened, would be found at my heart, as 

 Queen Mary said of Calais ; we find additional still, but 

 the consumption goeth on. I pray God give his majesty 

 resolution, passing by at once all impediments and less 

 respects, to do that which may help it, before it be irreme 

 diable. God ever preserve and prosper your lordship. 

 Your Lordship s most obliged Friend 



and faithful Servant, 



July 23d, 1620. FR. VERULAM, CailC. 



I have staid the thousand pounds set upon Englefield 

 for his majesty, and given order for levying it. 



To the Marquis of Buckingham. 

 My very good Lord, 



I write now only a letter of thanks to his majesty, for 

 that I hear, in my absence, he was pleased to express 

 towards me (though unworthy) a great deal of grace and 

 good opinion before his lords ; which is much to my com- 

 fort, whereunto I must ever impute your lordship as ac 

 cessary. I have also written to him what signification I 

 received from Secretary Naunton of his majesty s will and 

 pleasure, lest in so great a business there should be any 

 mistaking. 



