XX LIFK OF BACON. 



But his application was unsuccessful ; the queen and the 

 lord treasurer, distinguished as they were for penetration 

 into character, being little disposed to encourage him to 



letter hath no further errand but to commend unto your lordship the 

 remembrance of my suit, which then I moved unto you ; whereof it also 

 pleased your lordship to give me good hearing, so far forth as to promise to 

 tender it unto her majesty, and withal to add, in the behalf of it, that which 

 I may better deliver by letter than by speech ; which is, that although it 

 must be confessed that the request is rare and unaccustomed, yet if it be 

 observed how few there be which fall in with the study of the common 

 laws, either being well left or friended, or at their own free election, or 

 forsaking likely success in other studies of more delight, and no less prefer 

 ment, or setting hand thereunto early, without waste of years; upon such 

 survey made, it may be my case may not seem ordinary, no more than my 

 suit, and so more beseeming unto it. As I forced myself to say this in 

 excuse of my motion, lest it should appear unto your lordship altogether 

 indiscreet and unadvised, so my hope to obtain it resteth only upon your 

 lordship s good affection toward me, and grace with her majesty, who, 

 methinks, needeth never to call for the experience of the thing, where she 

 hath so great and so good of the person which recommendeth it. According 

 to which trust of mine, if it may please your lordship both herein and else 

 where to be my patron, and to make account of me, as one in whose well 

 doing your lordship hath interest, albeit, indeed, your lordship hath had 

 place to benefit many, and wisdom to make due choice of lighting places 

 for your goodness, yet do I not fear any of your lordship s former experi 

 ences for staying my thankfulness borne in art, howsoever God s good 

 pleasure shall enable me or disable me, outwardly, to make proof thereof; 

 for I cannot account your lordship s service distinct from that which I to 

 God and my prince ; the performance whereof to best proof and purpose is 

 the meeting point and rendezvous of all my thoughts. Thus I take my 

 leave of your lordship, in humble manner, committing you, as daily in my 

 prayers, so, likewise, at this present, to the merciful protection of the 



Almighty. 



Your most dutiful and bounden Nephew, 



From Grey s Inn, B. FRA, 



this 16th of September, 1580. 



To Lady Burghley, to speak for him to her Lord. 



My singular good Lady, 



I was as ready to shew myself mindful of my duty, by waiting on your 

 ladyship, at your being in town, as now by writing, had I not feared lest 



