not think there is any thing, a greater Polycreston, ad multa utile," to your affairs, than upon a just and fit occasion, to make some example against the presumption of a judge, in causes that concern your majesty; whereby the whole body of those magistrates may be contained in better awe; and it may be, this will light upon no unfit subject, of a person that is rude, and that no man cares for.

Thirdly, if there be no one so much in fault (which I cannot yet affirm, either way, and there must be a just ground, God forbid else) yet I should think, that the very presumption of going so far in so high a cause deserveth to have that done, which was done in this very case, upon the indictment of serjeant Heale, in Queen Elizabeth's time, that the judges should answer it upon their knees before your majesty, or your council, and receive a sharp admonition; at which time also, my Lord Wrey, being then chief justice, slipt the collar, and was forborn.

Fourthly, for the persons themselves, Glanvile and Allen, which are base fellows, and turbulent, I think there will be discovered and proved against them (besides the preferring of the bill) such combination and contemptuous speeches and behaviour, as there will be good ground to call them, and perhaps some of their petty counsellors at law, into the star-chamber.

In all this which I have said, your majesty may be pleased to observe, that I do not engage you I now forbear. But two things I wish to be done; the one, that your majesty take this occasion much in the main point of the jurisdiction, for which I have a great deal of reason, which to redouble unto all your judges your ancient and true charge and rule; that you will endure no innovating in the point of jurisdiction: but will have every court impaled within their own presidents, and not assume to themselves new powers, upon conceits and inventions of law: the other that in these high causes, that touch upon state and

monarchy, your majesty give them straight charge, that upon any occasions intervenient, hereafter, they do not make the vulgar party to their contestations, by public handling them before they have consulted with your majesty, to whom the reglement of those things appertaineth. To conclude, I am not without hope, that your majesty's managing this business, according to your great wisdom, unto which I acknowlege my self not worthy to be card-holder or candle-holder, will make profit of this accident, as a thing of God's sending,

Lastly, I may not forget to represent to your Majesty, that there is no thinking of arraignments until these things be somewhat accommodated, and some outward and superficial reconciliation, at least, made between my lord chancellor and my lord chief justice; for this accident is a banquet to all Somerset's friends, But this is a thing that falleth out naturally of itself, in respect of the judges going circuit, and my lord chancellor's infirmity, with hope of recovery. And although this protraction of time may breed some doubt of mutability, yet I have lately learned, out of an excellent letter of a certain king, that the sun sheweth sometimes watery to our eyes, but when the cloud is gone, the sun is as before. God preserve your majesty. Your Majesty's most humble subject

Febr. 21, 1615.

and most bounden servant.

Your majesty's commandment speaketh for pardon of so long a letter; which yet I wish may have a short continuance, and be punished with fire.

Sir Francis Bacon the King's Attorney, to the King, touching the proceeding with Somerset. [Inserted in Vol. VI. p. 219.]

Sir Francis Bacon, the King's Attorney, to Sir George Villiers concerning the proceeding with Somerset. [Inserted in Vol. VI. p. 225.]

Sir Francis Bacon, the King's Attorney, giving Account of an Examination taken of Somerset at the Tower.

[Inserted in Vol. VI. p. 227.]

Sir Francis Bacon, the King's Attorney, to Sir George Villiers, touching the Proceeding with Somerset. [Inserted in Vol. VI. p. 233.]

Sir Francis Bacon, the King's Attorney, to Sir George Villiers, of Account and Advice to his Majesty touching Somerset's Arraignment.

[Inserted in Vol. VI. p. 235.]

Sir Francis Bacon the King's Attorney, and some great Lords Commissioners, concerning the persuasion used to the Lord of Somerset to a frank Confession.

[Inserted in Vol. VI. p. 238.]

Sir Francis Bacon to the King, upon some inclination of his Majesty, signified to him, for the Chancellor's Place.

It may please your most excellent Majesty,

The last day when it pleased your majesty to express yourself towards me in favour, far above that I can deserve, or could expect, I was surprised by the prince's coming in; I most humbly pray your majesty, therefore, to accept these few lines of acknowledgment.

I never had great thoughts for my self, farther than to maintain those great thoughts which I confess I have for your service. I know what honour is, and I know what the times are; but I thank God with me my service is the principal, and it is far from me, under honourable pretences,

to cover base desires, which I account them to be, when men refer too much to themselves, especially serving such a king, I am afraid of nothing, but that the master of the horse, your excellent servant, and myself, shall fall out about this, who shall hold your stirrup best; but were your majesty mounted, and seated without difficulties and distaste in your business, as I desire and hope to see you, I should ex animo" desire to spend the decline of my years in my studies, wherein also I should not forget to do him honour, who besides his active and politic virtues, is the best pen of kings, and much more the best subject of a pen. God ever preserve your majesty.

Your Majesty's most humble subject,

April 1, 1616.

and more and more obliged servant.

Sir Francis Bacon to Sir George Villiers, of Advice concerning Ireland, from Gorhambury to Windsor.

Sir,

Because I am uncertain whether his majesty will put to a point some resolutions touching Ireland, now at Windsor: I thought it my duty to attend his majesty by my letter, and thereby to supply my absence, for the renewing of some former commissions for Ireland, and the framing of a new commission for the wards, and the alienations, which appertain properly to me, as his majesty's attorney, and have been accordingly referred by the lords, I will undertake that they are prepared with a greater care, and better application to his majesty's service, in that kingdom, than heretofore they have been; and therefore of that I say no more. And for the instructions of the new deputy, they have been set down by the two secretaries, and read to the board, and being things of an ordinary nature, I do not see but they may pass. But there have been three propositions and councils which have been stirred, which seem to me of

very great importance, wherein I think myself bound to deliver to his majesty my advice, and opinion, if they should now come in question. The first is touching the recusant magistrates of the towns of Ireland, and the commonalties themselves, and their electors, what shall be done; which consultation ariseth from the late advertisements from the two lord justices, upon the instance of the two towns Limerick and Kilkenny; in which advertisements, they represent the danger only without giving any light for the remedy, rather warily for themselves, than agreeable to their duties and places. In this point, I humbly pray his majesty to fremember, that the refusal is not of the Oath of Allegiance, (which is not exacted in Ireland,) but of the Oath of Supremacy, which cutteth deeper into matter of conscience.

Also that his majesty, will out of the depth of his excellent wisdom and providence, think, and as it were calculate with himself, whether time will make more for the cause of religion in Ireland, and be still more and more propitious, or whether differing remedies will not make the case more difficult. For if time give his majesty the advantage, what needeth precipitation of extreme remedies; but if the time will make the case more desperate, then his majesty cannot begin too soon. Now, in my opinion, time will open and facilitate things for reformation of religion there, and not shut up or lock out the same. For first, the plantations going on, and being principally of protestants, cannot but mate the other party in time. Also his majesty's care in placing good bishops, and good divines; in amplifying the college there, and looking to the education of wards, and such like; as they are the most natural means, so are they like to be the most effectual and happy, for the weeding out of popery, without using the temporal sword; so that I think I may truly conclude, that the ripeness of time is not yet come.