ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS, 



AFTERWARDS DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM, 



WHEN HE BECAME FAVOURITE TO KING JAMES. 



RECOMMENDING MANY IMPORTANT 



INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO GOVERN HIMSELF 



IN THE STATION OF PRIME MINISTER. 



WRITTEN BY SIR FRANCIS BACON, ON THE IMPORTUNITY OF 

 HIS PATRON AND FRIEND. 



NOBLE SIR, 



WHAT you requested of me by word, when I last 

 waited on you, you have since renewed by your let 

 ters. Your requests are commands unto me ; and 

 yet the matter is of that nature, that I find myself 

 very unable to serve you therein as you desire. It 

 hath pleased the king to cast an extraordinary eye of 

 favour upon you, and you express yourself very de 

 sirous to win upon the judgment of your master, and 

 not upon his affections only. I do very much com 

 mend your noble ambition herein ; for favour so bot 

 tomed is like to be lasting ; whereas, if it be built but 

 upon the sandy foundation of personal respects only, 

 it cannot be long-lived. 



[*My lord, when the blessing of God, to whom in 

 the first place I know you ascribe your preferment, 



[*What is found in crotchets is borrowed from the original 

 edition published in 4to, 1661.] 



