PREFACE. XV 



&quot; may be pleased to call for it to Sir Edward Sack- 

 &quot; ville when you think the time seasonable. 



&quot; I am bold likewise to present your lordship 

 &quot; with a book of my History of King Henry the 

 &quot; Seventh/ And now that, in summer was twelve 

 &quot; months, I dedicated a book to his majesty ; and 

 &quot; this last summer, this book to the prince ; your 

 &quot; lordship s turn is next, and this summer that 

 &quot; cometh (if I live to it) shall be yours. I have 

 &quot; desired his majesty to appoint me the task, other- 

 &quot; wise I shall use my own choice ; for this is the 

 &quot; best retribution I can make to your lordship. 

 &quot; God prosper you. I rest 



&quot; Your lordship s most obliged friend 

 &quot; and faithful servant, 



&quot; FR. ST. ALBAN. 

 &quot; Gorhambury,- this 20th of March, 1621.&quot; 



On September o, 1621, Bacon in a letter to the 

 Marquiss of Buckingham, says, &quot; I am much fallen 

 &quot; in love with a private life ; but yet I shall so spend 

 &quot; my time, as shall not decay my abilities for use.&quot; 



On the 8th of October, 1621, he wrote the foL 

 lowing letter to the king. 



&quot; It may please your most excellent majesty, 

 &quot; I do very humbly thank your majesty for your 

 &quot; gracious remission of my fine. I can now, T thank 

 &quot; God and you, die, and make a will. 



&quot; I desire to do, for the little time God shall 

 &quot; send me life, like the merchants of London, which, 

 &quot; when they give over trade, lay out their money 

 &quot; upon land. So, being freed from civil business, I 

 &quot; lay forth my poor talent upon those things, which 



