92 MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS. 



most tyrones, and almost all voluntaries, the officers equal 

 almost in age, quality, and standing in the wars, it is hard 

 for any man to approve himself a good commander. So 

 great is my zeal to omit nothing, and so short my sufficiency 

 to perform all, as, besides my charge, myself doth afflict 

 myself. For I cannot follow the precedents of our dissolute 

 armies, and my helpers are a little amazed with me, when 

 they are come from governing a little troop to a great ; and 

 from to all the great spirits of our state. And 

 sometimes I am as much troubled with them, as with all 

 the troops. But though these be warrants for my seldom 

 writing, yet they shall be no excuses for my fainting indus 

 try. I have written to my Lord Keeper and some other 

 friends to have care of you in my absence. And so com 

 mending you to God s happy and heavenly protection, I 

 rest 



Your true Friend, 



Plymouth, ESSEX 



this 17th of May, 1596. 



Mr. Francis Bacon to his Brother Antony.* 

 Good Brother, 



Yesternight Sir John Fortescuf told me he had not many 

 hours before imparted to the Queen your advertisements, 

 and the gazette likewise; which the Queen caused Mr. 

 John Stanhope J to read all over unto her ; and her majesty 

 conceiveth they be not vulgar. The advertisements her 

 majesty made estimation of as concurring with other adver 

 tisements, and alike concurring also with her opinion of 

 the affairs. So he willed me to return you the Queen s 

 thanks. Other particular of any speech from her majesty 

 of yourself he did not relate to me. For my Lord of Essex s 

 and your letters, he said, he was ready and desirous to do 

 his best. But I seemed to make it but a love-wish, and 

 passed presently from it, the rather, because it was late in 

 the night, and I mean to deal with him at some better 

 leisure after another manner, as you shall hereafter under 

 stand from me. I do find in the speech of some ladies and 

 the very face of the court some addition of reputation, as 

 methinks to us both ; and I doubt not but God hath an 



* Among the papers of Antony Bacon, Esq. vol. xi. fol. 29, in the Lambeth 

 Library. 



t Chancellor of the Exchequer. 



t Made Treasurer of the Chamber in July, 1596; and in May, 1605, created 

 Lord Stanhope of Harrington, in Northamptonshire. 



