MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 71 



due form of law, of the whole sentence; for which this 

 shall be your sufficient warrant. 



Mr. Francis Bacon to the Earl of Essex.* 



My Lord, 



I did almost conjecture, by your silence and countenance, 

 a distaste in the course I imparted to your lordship touch 

 ing mine own fortune ; the care whereof in your lordship 

 as it is no news to me, so nevertheless the main effects and 

 demonstrations past are so far from dulling in me the sense 

 of any new, as contrariwise every new refresheth the me 

 mory of many past. And for the free and loving advice 

 your lordship hath given me, I cannot correspond to the 

 same with greater duty, than by assuring your lordship, 

 that I will not dispose of myself without your allowance, 

 not only because it is the best wisdom in any man in his 

 own matters, to rest in the wisdom of a friend (for who can 

 by often looking in the glass discern and judge so well of 

 his own favour as another with whom he converseth ?) but 

 also because my affection to your lordship hath made mine 

 own contentment inseparable from your satisfaction. But, 

 notwithstanding, I know it will be pleasing to your good 

 lordship that I use my liberty of replying ; and I do almost 

 assure myself, that your lordship will rest persuaded by the 

 answer of those reasons which your lordship vouchsafed to 

 open. They were two, the one, that I should include * * * 



April, 1593. 



The rest of the letter is wanting. 



The Earl of Essex to Mr. Francis Bacon.f 

 Mr. Bacon, 



Your letter met me here yesterday. When I came, I 

 found the Queen so wayward, as I thought it no fit time 

 to deal with her in any sort, especially since her choler 

 grew towards myself, which I have well satisfied this day, 

 and will take the first opportunity I can to move your suit. 

 And if you come hither, I pray you let me know still where 

 you are. And so, being full of business, I must end, wish 

 ing you what you wish to yourself. 



Your assured Friend, 



Sept. 1593. ESSEX, 



* Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq. vol. iii. fol. 74. in the Lambeth 

 Library. 



t Ibid. ibl. 197. 



