EARL OF SOMERSET. 225 



his majesty s state of revenue ; where my lord chief 

 justice made some relation of his collections which 

 he had made of that kind ; of which I will only say 

 this, that I heard nothing that was new to me, and I 

 found my lord chancellor in divers particulars, more 

 ready than I had found him. We grew to a distribu 

 tion both of times and of matters, for we agreed what 

 to begin with presently, and what should follow, and 

 also we had consideration what was to be holpen by 

 law, what by equity, and what by parliament ; 

 wherein I must confess, that in the last of these, of 

 which my lord chief justice made most account, I 

 make most doubt. But the conclusion was, that 

 upon this entrance I should advise and confer at large 

 with my lord chief justice, and set things in work. 

 The particulars I refer till his majesty s coming. 



The learned counsel have now attended me twice 

 at my chamber, to confer upon that which is ma 

 jesty gave us in commandment for our opinion 

 upon the case set down by my lord chancellor, 

 whether the statutes extend to it or no ; wherein 

 we are more and more edified and confirmed that 

 they do not, and shall shortly send our report to his 

 majesty. 



Sir, I hope you will bear me witness I have not 

 been idle ; but all is nothing to the duty I owe his 

 majesty for his singular favours past and present ; 

 supplying all with love and prayers, I rest, 



Your true friend and devoted servant, 

 April 13, 1616. FR. BACON. 



VOL. VI. Q 



