LETTERS OF Sir Henry Wotton TO Sir Edmund Bacon.  
LONDON, Printed, by R. W. for F. T. at the three Daggers in Fleetstreet. 1661.   

THE PRINTER TO THE READER.  
TO remove all suspicion that may arise concerning these Letters published so long after the Author's death, these are to assure you, that they are printed from the Originals written with his own hand, though without this assurance the spirit of them will sufficiently discover their Author.  
Farewell.   

Letters.  
SIR,  
IT is very just, since I cannot Personally accompany this Gentleman; yet that I do it with my Letter: wherein if I could transport the Image of mine own mind unto you, as lively as we have often represented you unto ourselves abroad, than I should not think us asunder while you read it: But of my longing to see you I am a better feeler than a describer, as likewise of my Obligations towards you, whereof it is not the least that I have been by your mediation, and judgement, and love furnished with so excellent a Comforter of my absence, and so loving and discreet a divider and easer of my Travels; after whose separation from me, I am ready to say that which I remember the younger Pliny doth utter with much feeling, after the loss of his venerable and dearest friend Corollius Rufus; Vereor (saith he) ne posthac negligentius vivam. But herein my case is better than his: for I cannot but hope that some good occasion will bring him again nearer me: And I must confess unto you, I should be glad to see him planted for a while about the King or Prince, that so if his own fortune be not mended by the Court, yet the Court may be bettered by him in that which it doth more desperately want. Now, Sir, Besides himself, there cometh unto you with him an Italian Doctor of physic, by name Gaspero Despotini: a man well practised in his own faculty, and very Philosophical and sound in his discourses. By birth a Venetian; which though it be not Urbs ignobilis (as St. Paul said of his own Mother-City;) yet is his second birth the more excellent, I mean his illumination in Gods saving Truth; which was the only cause of his remove, and I was glad to be the conductor of him where his conscience may be free, though his condition otherwise (till he shall be known) will be the poorer. This stranger I was desirous to present unto you as my friend, in his company; whose testimony may more value him then mine own: And so committing them both to your love, and yourself with all that family to God's blessing hand, I rest,  
Your poor friend and Servant, HENRY WOTTON. From my Lodging in King-street this 2d. Apr. 1611.   

Sir,  
IT is late at night, and I am but newly come to the knowledge that my Lord is to send a Messenger unto you to morrow morning: yet howsoever, I have resolved not to be left out of this dispatch, though in truth I had rather be the footman myself, than one of the Writers. But here I am tied about mine own business; which I have told you like a true Courtier: for Right-Courtiers indeed have no other business but themselves. Our Lord Jesus bless you all as you are now together, and wheresoever you shall be.  
Your Uncle by your own Election, and your servant by mine, HENRY WOTTON. From Greenwich, the 27. May, 1611.   

March the last, 1613. Sir,  
I Returned from Cambridge to London some two hours after the King. The next day was celebrated with 20 Tilters, wherein there entered four fraternities: the Earls, Pembrock and Mongommery: my Lord Walden, Thomas and Henry Hawards, the two Riches, and the two Alexanders, as they are called (though falsely) like many things else in a Court. The rest were Lenox, Arundel, Rutland, Dorcet, Shandowes, North, hay, Dingwel, Clifford, Sir Thomas Somerset, and Sir. John Harrington. The day fell out wet to the disgrace of many fine Plumes. Some Caparisons seen before, adventured to appear again on the Stage with a little disguisement, even on the back of one of the most curious: So frugal are the times, or so indigent. The two Riches only made a speech to the King: the rest were contented with bare Impreze: whereof some were so dark, that their meaning is not yet understood; unless perchance that were their meaning, not to be understood. The two best, to my fancy, were those of the two Earls Brothers: The first a small exceeding white Pearl, and the word, Solo candore valco. The other a Sun casting a glance on the side of a Pillar, and the Beams reflecting, with this Motto, Splendente refulget. In which devices there seemed an agreement; the elder brother, to allude to his own nature, and the younger to his fortune. The day was signalised with no extraordinary accident, save only between Sr Thomas Haward, and Sr Thomas Somerset, who with a counterbuff had almost set himself out of the saddle, and made the others Horse sink under him; but they both came fairly off without any further disgrace. Of the merits of the rest I will say nothing, my Pen being very unfit to speak of Lances.  
To this solemnity of the public Ambassadors, only the Archduke's was invited, for the healing of the distaste he had taken for the preference of the Venetian at the marriage. But I doubt the Plaster be too narrow for the sore; which he seemed not much discontented that men should note in his whole countenance that day. Towards the Evening a challenge passed between Archie and a famous Knight, called Sr Thomas Parsons; the one a fool by election, and the other by necessity: which was accordingly performed some two or three days after at Tilt, Tornie, and on foot both completely armed, and solemnly brought in before their Majesties, and almost as many other meaner eyes as were at the former. Which bred much sport for the present, and afterwards upon cooler consideration much censure and discourse, as the manner is.  
The departure of the Count Palatine and my Lady Elizabeth is put off from the Thursday in the Easter-week, till the Tuesday following: which day I think will hold. The Commissioners that accompany her, have the titles of Ambassadors, to give them precedency before Sir Ralph Winwood at the Hague; and likewise in any encounters with Almaigne Princes. Sir Edward Cecil goeth as Treasurer to keep up that Office in the name, though it be otherwise perhaps from a General, rather a fall then an ascent. Before this journey there is a conceit, that the Duke of Lenox will be naturalised a Peer of our Parliament, and my Lord of Rochester be created Earl of Devonshire. The foreign matter is little increased since my last unto you from Cambridge. The Savoy Ambassador not yet arrived. The Turks designs hitherto unknown, and marching slowly according to the nature of huge Armies: In which suspense the Venetians have augmented their guard in the Gulf: enough to confirm unto the world, that States must be conserved, even with ridiculous fears. This is all that the Week yieldeth. My Lord and Lady have received those letters and loving salutations which my Footman brought. And so with mine own hearty prayers to God for you, and for that most good Niece, I commit you both to his blessing and love.  
Your faithfullest of unprofitable friends, HENRY WOTTON.  
I pray Sir remember me very particularly to my Cousin Nicholas your worthy Brother, for whose health our good God be thanked.  
Sir James Cromer is this week dead of an Aposteme in his stomach, and in him the name; unless his Lady (as she seemeth to have intention) shall revive it with matching one of her four Daughters with a Cromer of obscure fortune, which they say is latent in your shire.   

Sir,  
I Have newly received your last of the 25th of April, and acquainted my Lord with the Postscript thereof touching your Father's sickness; of which he had heard somewhat before by Sir R. Drury: who at the same time told him the like of my Lady your Mother; but we hope now that the one was never true, and that the other (which you confirm) will be light and sufferable, even at he●…vy years.  
The long-expected Ambassador from Savoy arrived yesternight at Dover: so as now I begin by the virtue of a greedy desire to anticipate beforehand, and to devour already some part of that contentment which I shall shortly more really enjoy in your sight and conversation.  
Sir Thomas Overbury is still in the Tower, and the King hath since his imprisonment been twice here, and is twice departed, without any alteration in that matter, or in other greater.  
My L. of Rochester, partly by some relapse into his late infirmity, and partly (as it is interpreted) through the grief of his mind, is also this second time not gone with the King: some argue upon it, that disassiduity in a Favourite, is a degree of declination; but of this there is no appearance: Only I have set it down to show you the hasty Logic of Courtiers.  
The Queen is on her journey towards bath.  
My Lady Elizabeth and the Count Palatine having lain long in our poor Province of Kent languishing for a Wind, (which she sees though it be but a vapour, Princes cannot command) at length on Sunday last towards evening did put to Sea. Some 8 days after, a Book had been Printed and published in London of her entertainment at Heidelberge, so nimble an age it is. And because I cannot end in a better jest, I will bid you farewell for this week, committing you and that most beloved Niece to God's dearest blessings.  
Your own in faithfullest love, HENRY WOTTON. London this Thursday the 29th of April, 1613.   

Sir,  
YOur Kinsman and friend Sir Robert Killigrew was in the Fleet from Wednesday of the last week, till the Sunday following, and no longer; which I reckon but an Ephemeral fit, in respect of his in firmity who was the cause of it; which to my judgement doth every day appear more and more hectical. Yesterday his father petitioned the King (as he came from the Chapel) that his son might have a Physician, and a servant allowed him, as being much damaged in his health by close imprisonment: which for my part I believe, for the diseases of fortune have a kind of transfusion into the body, and strong-working spirits wanting their usual objects, revert upon themselves; because the nature of the mind being ever in motion, must either do, or suffer.  
I take pleasure (speaking to a Philosopher) to reduce (as near as I can) the irregularities of Court to constant principles. Now to return to the matter: The King hath granted the Physician, but denied the servant: By which you may guests at the issue; for when graces are managed so narrowly by a King, otherwise of so gracious nature, it doth in my opinion very clearly demonstrate the asperity of the offence. Sir Gervis Elvis (before one of the Pensioners) is now sworn Lieutenant of the Tower, by the mediation of the House of Suffolk, notwithstanding that my Lord of Rochester was the commender of Sir john Keys to that charge; which the said Keys had for a good while (and this maketh the case the more strange) always supplied even by Patent in the absence of Sir William Wade. Upon which circumstances (though they seem to bend another way) the Logicians of the Court do make this conclusion: That His Majesty satisfying the Suffolcians with petty things, intendeth to repair the Viscount Rochester in the main and gross. And therefore all men contemplate Sir Henry Nevil for the future Secretary; some saying that it is but deferred till the return of the Queen, that she may be allowed a hand in his Introduction: Which likewise will quiet the voices on the other side; though surely that point be little necessary: For yet did I never in the Country, and much less in the Court see any thing done of this kind, that was not afterwards approved by those that had most opposed it: such vicissitudes there are here below, as well as of the rest, even of judgement and affection. I would say more, but I am suddenly surprised by the Secretary of the Savoy Ambassador, who I think will depart about the end of the Whitsun Holidays, for which I languish. With his businesses I can acquaint you nothing till the next week, by reason of this surpriz●…l: And besides it hath disturbed my Muses so, I must remain still in debt to my sweet Niece for that Poetic●…l Postscript that dropped out of her pen. I do weekly receive your Letters, which in truth are more comfort, than I could hope to purchase by mine: so as whereas before I had determined to continue this my troubling of you but till I should see you next, I have now made a resolution to plant a Staple, and whensoever we shall be separated, to venture my whole poor stock in traffic with you, finding the return so gainful unto me. And so committing you to God's dearest blessings, I ever rest  
Your faithfullest poor friend and servant, HENRY WOTTON. The 14 of May, 1613.   

Sir,  
I Have not yet presented to my Lord that Box which came with your Letter of this week; for he removed on Wednesday with the King and household to Greenwich: And I still remain here to show you that the Court doth like a Loadstone, draw only those that are intra orbem virtutis suae: I mean, within the compass and circle of profit.  
The Savoy Ambassador seemeth in his second audience to have discharged all his Commission; or otherwise he wanteth authority to proceed further then to a general overture, till the arrival of the Caval Battista Gabaleoni, who is hourly expected, and is here to remain as Resident for the said Duke.  
With him likewise come certain other Gentlemen of title, who should from the beginning have dignified the Ambassadors Train; but the cause of this straggling, was a sudden attempt, which the Duke immediately after the Ambassador's departure (who appointed those Gentlemen to follow him) made upon the Marquisat of Monserrato, where he surprised three Towns with the Petarde: the first time (as one writeth from Venice) that ever that pestilent invention had been put in practice beyond the Alps.  
The cause of this attempt, was for that the Cardinal Gonzaga (now Duke of Mantua) had yielded to send home the Dowager Infanta, to the Duke of Savoy her Father; but would retain her only child, a daughter of two years: in whose right, the said Duke of Savoy pretendeth colourably enough to the foresaid whole Marquisat; and clearly to all the moveables left by the late Duke of Mantua her Father, who died intestat. Into which point of Law, there entered besides some jealousy of State: being unfit for respects that would have fallen easily into the apprehension of duller Princes than the Italian, to leave a child out of the custody of her Mother, in his that was to gain by the death of it: yet am I of opinion, who have a little contemplated the Duke of Savoys complexion, that nothing moved him more in this business, than the threatenings of the French Queen, who had before commanded Didiguires to fall into the said Duke's estates by way of diversion, if he should meddle with the least Village in the Monserrato: which feminine menacement did no doubt incite him to do it out of the impatience of scorn; And withal, he built silently upon a ground, which could not well fail him; That the King of Spain would never suffer the French Soldiers to taste any more of the Grapes and Melons of Lombardie, because L'apetit vient en mangeant: which the issue of the businesses hath proved true: for the Governor of Milan, having raised a tumultuary army of horse and foot, did with it only keep things in stay from farther progress on both sides, till the agreement was made between the Duke of Mantua himself in person, and the Prince of Piedmont within the Town of Milan. The accord is advertised the King from Venice, and Paris. The conditions will be better known at the arrival of Gabaleoni; and then likewise we shall see the bottom of this errand, which hath been hitherto nothing, but a general proposition of a match between the same Lady that was formerly offered, and our Prince now living: which the Ambassador hath touched so tenderly, as if he went to manage his Master's credit. Upon the whole matter, I cannot conceive (though he seemeth to let fall some phrases of haste) that he will be gone yet this fortnight or three weeks, till when I languish. And so let me end all my letters, ever resting  
Your faithfullest poor friend and servant, HENRY WOTTON. May 21▪ 1613.   

Sir,  
IN my last I told you, that the Ambassador of Savoy was to meet the Queen at Windsor, which pains she hath spared him by her own coming yesternight to Greenwich: where I think she will settle herself a day or two before she admit him. Now, seeing the time of the Commencement at Cambridge so near as it is, & being able to determine of this Ambassador's departure within that space, I have resolved to take those Philosophical exercises in my way to you; hoping in the mean time to see Albertus admitted by oath to a Clarkship of the Council, or at least to the next vacancy: for he is now strong enough again to swear.  
Sir Robert Mansfeld, and Mr. Whitlock were on Saturday last called to a very honourable hearing in the Queen's Presence Chamber at White-Hall before the Lords of the Council, with intervention of my Lord Cook, the Lord chief Baron of the Exchequer, and Master of the Rolls, the Lord chief Justice being kept at home with some infirmity. There the Attorney and Solicitor first undertook Mr. Whitlock and the Recorder (as the King's Sergeant) Sir Robert Mansfeld; charging the one as a Counsellor, the other as a questioner in matter of the King's prerogative and Sovereignty, upon occasion of a Commission intended for a research into the administration of the Admiralty: against which the said Sir Robert Mansfeld (being himself so principal an officer therein) had sought some provision of advice, and, This was the sum of the charge: which was diversely amplified. Whitlock in his answer, spoke more confusedly, than was expected from a Lawyer, and the Knight more temperately▪ than wa●… expected from a Soldier. There was likewise some difference noted, not only in the manner, but in the substance between them: For Whitlock ended his speech with an absolute confession of his own offence, and with a promise of employing himself hereafter in defence of the King's prerogative. Sir Robert Mansfeld on the other side, laboured to distinguish between the error of his acts, and the integrity of his zeal and affection towards the King his Master: protesting he should hold it the greatest glory under Heaven to die at his feet, and that no man living should go before him, if there were occasion to advance his dominions, with some other such Martial strains, which became him well. The conclusion of his speech had somewhat of the Courtier, beseeching the Lords, if the restraint he had endured were not in their judgements a sufficient punishment of his error, that then they would continue it as long as it should please them, and add unto it any other affliction of pain or shame whatsoever; provided that afterwards he might be restored again into his Majesty's favour, and their good opinions. To tell you what they all severally said that day, were to rob from the liberty of our discourse when we shall meet. In this they generally agreed, both Counsellors and Judges, to represent the humiliation of both the Prisoners unto the King in lieu of innocency, and to intercede for his gracious pardon: Which was done, and accordingly the next day they were enlarged upon a submission under writing. This is the end of that business, at which were present as many as the room could contain, and men of the best quality; whom the King was desirous to satisfy, not only about the point in hand, but in some other things that were occasionally awaked; which I likewise reserve to our private freedom.  
The King's Officers are returned from my Lady Elizabeth; whom they left at Goltzheime the last of May, where His Majesty's expense did cease. This place was chosen for her consignment in stead of Bacherach, suspected of contagion. She was at Andernach feasted by the Elector of Cullen; at Confluence, or Cobolentz (as they call it) by the other of Trier; and at Mentz by the third of those Ecclesiastic Potentates, very Royally and kindly, and (which was less expected) very handsomely. The Count Maurice, and his Brother with troops of Horse, and a guard of Foot, accompanied her to Cullen, and entered themselves into that City with her: (I need not tell you, that though themselves were within, the Horse, and most of the Foot were without the walls) Which is here (by the wiser sort of Interpreters) thought as hazardous an act, as either of them both had done in the heat of War; and indeed no way justifiable in foro sapientiae. And therefore such adventures as these must appeal ad forum Providentiae; where we are all covered by his vigilant mercy and love: to which I commit you, and my sweet Niece in my hearty prayers.  
Your faithful poor friend, Uncle, and Servant, HENRY WOTTON.   

Sir,  
I Send you a sprig of some flowers, which I have newly received out of Piedmont, in Winter and Summer the same; and therein an excellent type of a friend.  
I am bold likewise to keep myself in the memory of my Niece, till I see her, with a poor pair of Gloves of the newest fashion:  
Inventore Henrico Wottono, Sculptore Crocio. The 18. of June, 1613.   

Friday the 25. June, 1613. Sir,  
I Told you in my last, that I would take the commencement at Cambridge in my way towards you, where I shall be God willing to morrow seven-night. This I now repeat, to save the telling of it again by the next Carrier, foreseeing that I shall then be impatient of so much delay as a line of mine own effusion, which even now doth torture me, while I contemplate some of those green Banks (that you mention) where when I have you by me (to express my contentment in the Italian phrase) Non scrivero all Papa fratello. The Ambassador of Savoy departed yesterday, making much haste homewards, or at least much show of it; where he is likely to come timely enough to the warming of his hands at that fire which his Master hath kindled; whose nature in truth doth participate much of the flint, as well as his state. But is not all this out of my way? Sir, Believe it, my spirits do boil, and I can hold my Pen no longer then till I have wished all God's blessings to be with you, and with that best Niece of the World.  
Your poor Uncle, and faithful Servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
Albertus was yesterday with me at the Court. And though there be great disproportion in the space, yet I dare conclude, that as much strength as did carry him to Greenwich, will bear him to Redgrave.   

July 2. 1613. Sir,  
WHereas I wrote unto you, that I would be at Cambridge as on Saturday next; I am now cast off again till the King's return to London, which will be about the middle of the week following. The delay grows from a desire of seeing Albertus his business settled before we come unto you, where we mean to forget all the world besides. Of this we shall bring you the account.  
Now, to let matters of State sleep, I will entertain you at the present with what hath happened this week at the banks side. The King's Players had a new Play, called All is true, representing some principal pieces of the reign of Henry 8. which was set forth with many extraordinary circumstances of Pomp and Majesty, even to the matting of the stage; the Knights of the Order, with their Georges and Garter, the Guards with their embroidered Coats, and the like: sufficient in truth within a while to make greatness very familiar, if not ridiculous. Now, King Henry making a Masque at the Cardinal Wolsey's house, and certain Chambers being shot off at his entry, some of the paper, or other stuff wherewith one of them was stopped, did light on the thatch, where being thought at first but an idle smoke, and their eyes more attentive to the show, it kindled inwardly, and ran round like a train, consuming within less than an hour the whole house to the very grounds.  
This was the fatal period of that virtuous fabric, wherein yet nothing did perish, but wood and straw, and a few forsaken cloaks; only one man had his breeches set on fire, that would perhaps have broiled him, if he had not by the benefit of a provident wit put it out with bottle Ale. The rest when we meet: till when, I protest every minute is the siege of Troy▪ God dear blessings till then and ever be with you.  
Your poor Uncle and faithful servant. HENRY WOTTON.  
I have this week received your last of the 27. of June, wherein I see my steps lovingly calculated, and in truth too much expectation of so unworthy a guest.   

June 8. 1614 Sir,  
IT is both morally and naturally true, that I have never been in perfect health and cheerfulness since we parted: but I have entertained my mind; when my body would give me leave, with the contemplation of the strangest thing that ever I beheld, commonly called in our language (as I take it) a Parliament: which hath produced nothing, but inexplicable riddles in the place of Laws. For first, it is aborted before it was born, and nullified after it had a being; insomuch, as the Count Palatine (whose naturalisation was the only thing that passed in both houses) is now again an Alien. And whereas all other Parliamenrs have had some one eminent quality that hath created a denomination: some being called in our Records mad Parliaments, some, merciless, and the like: This I think, from two properties almost insociable or seldom meeting, may be termed the Parliament of greatest diligence, and of least resolution that ever was, or ever will be; For our Committees were as well attended commonly, as full Houses in former Sessions; and yet we did nothing, neither in the forenoon, nor after, whereof I can yield you no reason, but this one, that our diversions were more than our main purposes; and some of so sensible nature as took up all our reason, and all our passion in the pursuit of them. Now, Sir, what hath followed since the dissolution of this Civil body, let me rather tell you, then lead you back into any particularities of that which is passed.  
It pleased His Majesty the very next morning, to call to examination before the Lords of his Council, divers Members of the House of Commons, for some speeches better becoming a Senate of Venice, where the Treaters are perpetual Princes, then where those that speak so irreverently are so soon to return (which they should remember) to the natural capacity of Subjects. Of these Examinants', four are committed close Prisoners to the Tower: 1. Sir Walter Chute. 2. john Hoskins. 3. One Wentworth a Lawyer. And 4. Mr Christopher Nevil, second son to my Lord of Apergavenie.  
The first made great shift to come thither: For having taken in our house some disgrace in the matter of the undertakers (of whom he would fain have been thought one) to get the opinion of a bold man, after he had lost that of a wise; he fell one morning into a declamation against the times, so insipid, and so unseasonable, as if he had been put but out of his place for it of Carver, (into which one of my L. Admiral's Nephews is sworn) I should not much have pitied him; though he be my Countryman. The second is in for more wit, and for licentiousness baptised freedom: For I have noted in our house, that a false or faint Patriot did cover himself with the shadow of equal moderation; and on the other side, irreverent discourse was called honest liberty: so as upon the whole matter, No excesses want precious names. You shall have it in Pliny's language, which I like better than mine own translation; Nullis vitiis desunt pretiosa nomina.  
The third is a silly and simple creature, God himself knows; and though his Father was by Queen Elizabeth at the time of a Parliament likewise put into the place where the son now is, yet hath he rather inherited his fortune, than his understanding. His fault was the application of certain Texts in Ezekiel and Daniel to the matter of impositions; and saying that the French King was killed like a Calf, with such like poor stuff: Against which the French Ambassador (having gotten knowledge of it) hath form a complaint with some danger of his wisdom.  
The last is a young Gentleman, fresh from the School; who having gathered together divers Latin sentences against Kings, bound them up in a long speech, and interlarded them with certain Ciceronian exclamations; as, O Tempora, O Mores.— Thus I have a little run over these accidents unto you, enough only to break out of that silence which I will not call a symptom of my sickness, but a sickness itself. How soever, I will keep it from being hectical; and hereafter give you a better account of mine own observations. This week I have seen from a most dear Niece a Letter, that hath much comforted one Uncle, and a Postscript the other. Long may that hand move, which is so full of kindness. As for my particular, Take heed of such invitations, if you either love or pity yourselves: For I think there was never Needle touched with a Loadstone that did more incline to the North, than I do to Redgrave: In the mean time, we are all here well: and so our Lord Jesus preserve you there.  
Your faithfullest poor Friend and Servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
Sir I pray remember my hearty affection to my Cousin Nicolas Bacon; and, all joy to the new conjoined.  
I shall propound unto you the next week a very possible Problem, unto which if you can devise how to attain: Non scriveremo all Papa, fratello.   

London, June 16. 1614 Sir,  
THe Earl of Northampton, having after a lingering fever spent more spirits than a younger body could well have born, by the incision of a wennish tumour grown on his thigh, yesternight between eleven and twelve of the clock departed out of this world: where, as he had proved much variety and vicissitude of fortune in the course of his life: so peradventure he hath prevented another change thereof by the opportunity of his end: For there went a general voice through the Court on Sunday last, upon the commitment of Doctor Sharp, and Sir Charles Cornwallis to the Tower, that he was somewhat implicated in that business: whereof I will give you a little account at the present as far as I have been hitherto able to penetrate. John Hoskins (of whose imprisonment I wrote unto you by the last Carrier) having at a reexamination been questioned, whether he well understood the consequence of that Sicilian vesper, whereunto he had made some desperate allusion in the House of Parliament, made answer (and I think very truly) that he had no more than a general information thereof, being but little conversant in those Histories that lay out of the way of his profession: whereupon being pressed to discover whence he then had received this information, since it lay not within his own reading, he confessed to have had it from Doctor Sharp, who had infused these things into him, and had solicited him to impress them in the Parliament: And further, that Hoskins hereupon demanding what protection he might hope for, if afterwards he were called into question; the said Doctor should nominate unto him, besides others (whose names I will spare) that Earl who hath now made an end of all his reckonings: assuring him of his assistance by the means of Sir Charles Cornwallis, with whom the Doctor was conjoined in this practice. Thus came Sir Charles into discovery: who being afterward confronted with the Doctor himself, though he could not (as they say) justify his own person, yet did he clear my Lord of Northampton from any manner of understanding with him therein upon his Salvation: which yet is not enough (as I perceive among the people) to sweep the dust from his Grave. Thus you see (Sir) the natural end of a great man, and the accidental ruin of others, which I had rather you should see in a letter, then as I did on Sunday at Greenwich: where it grieved my soul to behold a grave and learned Divine, and a Gentleman of good hopes and merits carried away in the face of the whole Court, with most dejected countenances, and such a greediness at all windows to gaze at unfortunate spectacles.  
The Earl of Northampton hath made three of his servants his Executors, with a very vast power as I hear; and for Overseers of his will, my Lord of Suffolk, my Lord of Worcester, and my Lord William Haward: to the Earl of Arundel he hath left all his land (which will amount to some 3000. of yearly revenue) besides three or four hundred to Mr. Henry Haward, whereof he had before assured him at the time of his marriage; but neither of them to enjoy a penny thereof as yet this eight year: all which time he intendeth the fruits of his estate shall be collected and distributed in legacies and pious uses according to his will, which hath not yet been seen: but thus much as I have told you was understood before his expiration. To my Lord of Suffolk he hath left his house, but hath disposed of all the moveables and furniture from him: And it is conceive, that he died in some distasteful impression, which he had taken against him upon the voices that ran of my Lord of Suffolcks' likelihood to be Lord Treasurer; which place will now assuredly fall upon him; and the world doth contemplate my Lord of Rochester for Lord Privy Seal, and Lord Warden of the five Ports. As for the Lord Chamberlainship, it is somewhat more questionable between my Lord of Pembroke, the Duke of Lenox, and my Lord Knowels. A few days will determine these ambitions. In the mean time, I commit you (who have better objects) to the contemplation of them, and to the mercy of our loving God in all your ways,  
Your faithfullest poor friend and Servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
Sir, I have (I know not how) mislayed the character which I left you: therefore I pray send me in your very next a copy. Therefore I have deferred the matter which I am to propound unto you till the next week, because I must send you some oar of lead, and iron withal, which I have not yet gotten.  
Is there no room left for the remembrance of that dear Niece▪ God forbid. And I pray (Sir) tell her besides, that a certain Uncle here (whom yet I will not suffer to love her better than myself) doth greedily expect some news from her.   

The 7. of June stile of the place. 1615. Sir,  
I Hear a little voice that you are come to London, which to me is the voice of a Nightingale: for since I cannot enjoy your presence, I make myself happy with your nearness: And yet now methinks I have a kind of rebellion against it, that we should be separated with such a contemptible distance. For how much I love you, mine own heart doth know, and God knoweth my heart. But let me fall into a passion: for what sin in the name of Christ was I sent hither among soldiers, being by my profession Academical, and by my charge Pacifical? I am within a day or two to send Cuthberd my servant home: by whom I shall tell you divers things. In the mean while, I have adventured these few lines to break the ice of silence: for in truth it is a cold fault.  
Our sweet Saviour bless you. Servidore ANIGO WOTTONI.  
My hot love to the best Niece of the World.   

Right Honourable and my very good Lord.  
HAving here lately seen the deaths of two, and the elections of two other Dukes within the compass of six weeks: I have been bold to entertain your Lordship with a little story of these changes and competitions, though with small presumption that you can take any pleasure in my simple report thereof, unless it win some favour by the freshness or the freedom. For the rest, The whole town is here at the present in horror and confusion upon the discovering of a foul and fearful conspiracy of the French against this State; whereof no less than thirty have already suffered very condign punishment between men strangled in prison, drowned in the silence of the night, and hanged in public view; and yet the bottom is invisible.  
If God's mercy had not prevented it, I think I might for mine own particular have spared my late supplication to the King about my return home towards next Winter: For I cannot hope that in the common Massacre public Ministers would have been distinguished from other men: Nay, rather we might perchance have had the honour to have our houses thought worthiest the rifling. I shall give your Lordship a better account of this in my next: Having now troubled you beyond excuse, with my poor Papers. Our blessed God keep your Lordship in his love.  
Your Lordships with all true devotion, HENRY WOTTON. Venice this 25. May, 1618.   

Sir,  
AMong those that have deep interest in whatsoever can befall you, I am the freshest witness of your unexpressible affections to my most dear Niece; whom God hath taken from us into his eternal Light and rest; where we must leave her, ●…ll we come unto her. I should think myself unworthy for ever of that love she bore me, if in this case I were fit to comfort you. But it is that only God who can reconsolate us both: Who when he hath called now one, and then another of his own creatures unto himself, will unclasp the final Book of his Decrees, and dissolve the whole. For which I hope he will rather teach us to thirst and languish, then to repine at particular dissolutions. I had in a peculiar affliction of mine own (all within the compass of little time) much consolation from you; which cannot but be now present with yourself; for I am well acquainted with the strength of your Christian mind.  
Therefore being kindly invited by the good Master of the Rolls to write by his express Messenger unto you; let me (without further discourse of our griess) only join in this with him, to wish your company divided between him and me.  
We will contemplate together when we meet our future blessedness, and our present uncertainties: And I am afraid we shall find too much argument to drown our private feelings in the public solicitude. God's love, wherein is all joy, be with us.  
Your ever true and hearty servant, HENRY WOTTON. From Westminst. this 16. Apr. 1626.   

From the College the 14. of Decemb. 1628. Sir,  
I Have received from London the favourable lines wherewith you honoured me then near your departure; which you have somewhat allayed, with the promise of your return at the beginning of the next Term, which consorteth well with a change of my purpose to Christmas in Kent, born in me as I was reading your Letter: For what should I do there in such haste after the Nuptials, when I shall come so as well in Lent? Much ado there hath been towards the point of conclusion; like that Aphorism of Hippocrates: Nox ante Chrisin est molestissima. Love's being in this like Fevers, as well as in the rest; for one definition will serve them both: Cordis accensio.  
Jack Dinely is not yet arrived, but we expect him daily as Messenger from the Queen his Mistress, of her late happy delivery, after a foul report that had been maliciously thrown abroad of her miscarriage by a fall. The Doctor likewise as yet hath given me no answer; but I will quicken him, and put life I hope into the business.  
Now, let me tell you, That the noble Sir Gervase Clifton (as in good faith he is in ipsis visceribus) hath been lately here with us, at a time when he hath been content to be entertained with the pastimes of children; a Latin and a Greek Hippolytus How often you were remembered between us, is harder for me to tell you, than I hope for you to believe. Among other discourse he showed me a little excrescence that he hath beginning upon the uttermost ball of his eyes; a filmie matter, like the rudiment of a Pinn and Webb as they call it. Whereupon fell into my memory a secret that Mr Bohan had told me his Mother knew: How to take away that evil in growth, and perchance much more in the infancy, with a Medicine applied only to the Wrists. And I have heard yourself likewise speak of a rare thing for that part. I beseech you (Sir) be pleased with all possible speed to entreat that receipt from M. Bohan, to whom we shall both be much beholden for it. And Sir Gervase Clifton is already so possessed, that he both says and thinks, that nothing will cure him better than that which any way shall come through your hand unto him. No peace as yet with either of the Kings: The more wished I think with France, the likelier perchance with Spain. No Offices disposed in Court. No Favourite but the Lord Treasurer. More news in my next. For the present, God keep you in his dear love.  
Servidore, H. WOTTON.   

On the 6. of March, 1628. Sir,  
I Beseech you, let these lines with as much affection, though with less civility, convey my good wishes after you, which I should myself have brought before your departure.  
You seem to have left the Town somewhat Prophetically, not to be near the noise of a very unhappy morning on Monday last: at which time the Parliament assembling again (which you know had been silenced till that day) was then re-adjourned by the King's especial Command till Tuesday next: Whereupon the Lower-House fell into such heat (one passion begetting another) that the Speaker (who as discharged by the Royal Power, did refuse to read a kind of Remonstrance which Sir john Eliott had provisionally set down in Paper) was forced into the Chair. It is strange to consider the lubricity of popular favour: For he that before during this whole Session (if so we may call it) and the former, was so highly commended, and even in this very act by some of the soundest and soberest of the House; yet with the general Body is so stripped of all his credit in a moment, that I have hardly seen in any Chemical work such a precipitation. What hath in sued, will be better told you by this good Captain. Some think the Parliament doth yet hang upon a thread, and may be stitched again together: But, that is an airy conceit in my opinion; yet the peace of Italy, and the preparations of France against us, are voiced so strongly, that I verily believe we shall have a new summons.  
The States of the low Provinces have since their Western great Prize, newly taken a Careck out of the East, of huge value: so as their acts are, Sub utreque sonantia Phoebo.  
I have not yet sent those Verses to Mrs Katherine Stanhope, that she may rather have them in the second Edition: For the Author hath licked them over, and you shall have a new Copy sent you by the next Carrier. We have met together once or twice since your going loco solito; but like a disjointed company, wanting one of our best pieces: God send us often cheerfully together: And so I rest  
Your hearty servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
When Jack Dinely shall return out of Lincolnshire, I will give you an account what I writ by him to the Queen of Bohemia about your Spiritous Nephew. And I will not forget to rouse the Doctor at Cambridge in the charitable intention. I pray remember my service to your whole name, and to my Noble Cousin Sir Drue: To whom I will write the next week.   

Sir,  
I Know that between us there needs little compliment: for which I am for my part so unproper and so unmoulded, that I often neglect even civil duties: as well appeared by my coming from London without taking leave of you: but yet I cannot be wanting unto yourself, nor to the least of your name in any real service, for that were too much violence to my nature: therefore before my coming from Westminster, I wrote such letters to the Queen of Bohemia about your Spiritous Frank (as I hope, together with the good offices of the bearer thereof) will place him with the Prince of Orange when he hath taken the Buss. I could have wished that his lively blood had been a little fleshed at that siege. But Jack Dinelies long stay at London for his dispatch, and at Gravesend for a wind hath lost us time. We hear that the King of Spain upon the peazing of his affairs in Italy (where a palm of ground importeth him more than a Province abroad) was resolved to make the Marquis Spinola Governor of Milan, and that the Count Henry Vanden Berge should command the Armies in chief under the Infanta. If this be so, there will be there Bella plusquam Civilia, for you know he is near of blood to the Prince of Orange, though he hath some a little nearer: for he hath one or two by his own sister, as I remember they told me in his Town of Maestrick. The other employment of the Marquis is a counsel, plainly taken rather from necessity then reason. For otherwise jealousy of state would hardly commit so much power to a Genoveses in the Confines of his own Country, unless I have forgotten my foreign Maxims.  
I have my head towards Kent, with a hope to see you first there, and afterwards at our Election: which will be the third of August. And so with my humble and hearty remembrance to that best of men, and noblest of Ladies, I rest  
Il suisceratissi manente vostro, HENRY WOTTON. This Monday night late. 1629.   

Sir,  
ALthough I intent to write again speedily, and at a little more ease unto you by James, and then to send you and Sir Gervase Clifton the Copy of a letter, which Giovanni tells me you both desire: yet lest you should send over your Frank (who hath from you all his sails and fraught) without part of his ballast from me, I have hastened the enclosed letters unto your hand, with the copy of mine to the Queen of Bohemia: the other are ad hanc formam. I could wish that he would begin with Jack Dinely, and slide first unseen to Leyden: who will bring him thence to the Queen, and acquaint him with all due respects.  
I have written to the Countess of Levistain to cherish him also: a great and assiduous Lady with the Queen, and by Title, my noble Secretary. This is all that I need say at the present. Doctor Sharp and I do threaten you the next Christmas. In the mean while  
Your humble servant. HENRY WOTTON. From the College this Tuesday. 1629.  
Optimo virorum; and to his most worthy Lady. S.   

Sir,  
THe very truth is, your love hath prevented me: for I meant by Giovanni to give you some account of what hath passed since our divorcement. When I had slept half an hour after you were gone from Danford, I found myself fresco come una rofa: but I awaked in a strange dream, that had seldom before befallen me in an Inn; finding nothing to be paid, not so much as for mine own horses: whereby the reason was plain of the paleness of my water which you observed: for none of the tincture of my gold was gone into the reckoning of the drink, as you had handled the matter.  
At the top of Shooter's hill my footman stayed, as if he had been watching the Beacon rather than for me; and told me there were good provisions made at Sir Adam Newtons' for you and me, with kind expectation of us both. But myself being desirous to reach Eton that night, as I did, (for my horses I see travail best upon an other man's purse) I blanched the house, and sent thither by Giovanni a fair excuse. True it is, we are much of a humour: Cento Bue will hardly draw us in a journey to any strange place.  
At that time likewise Will brought me a letter from Mr. Griffith, which had been expressly sent to Gravesend the night before: whereby I saw Giovanni had taken a false alarm: for he was not to be gone till the Monday morning following: so as I have had time to ballast him with letters: And I have intimated beforehand to your Jack Dinely, your purpose to pass over the spiritous Frank as soon as you can trick him. We are now towards the Festival of our Election; wherein annually I make a shift to lose four or five friends, and yet do myself no good: so as they are angry with me on the one side, and they laugh at me on the other.  
I apprehend this year a great poverty of Venison with us: for I came too late to exchange your warrant; and my Lady Throckmortons will not serve my turn.  
Since my coming, Mr. Turvil a French practical man of good erudition hath passed a day or two with me, from whom I hear a shrewd point; That the oath of peace (which should have been taken between the two neighbouring Kings upon the same day) is put off for a month: I believe the stop be in France to gain time to disturb our Treaty with Spain.  
Mr. Pim (a man whose ears are open) told me likewise yesterday a strange thing; that the Queen of Bohemia hath newly, being hunting, been chased away herself with some affrightment from Rhenen by certain Troops of the enemy that have passed the Isel. With whom it was feared the Count Henry Venden Berge would join and ravage the Fellow. Yet withal were come tidings, that the Prince of Orange at the Buss had had parley offered him. But my intelligences are Cistern waters: you are nearer the Fountain. And not only, Dulcius ex ipso Fonte bibuntur aquae, but verius too. For both will stand in the verse.  
Before I end, let me beseech you, to remember my humble and hearty devotion (in the very stile of Seneca to his Lucilius, and I shall need to say no more) Optimo Virorum. I envy your enjoyments and conversations, and most when they are privatest, for than they are freest. I hope the Noble Lady will return quickly again to her Hesperian Garden. To whom I pray, likewise let my humble service be remembered. And so I rest,  
Excep●…o quod non simul esses caetera laetus. HENRY WOTTON. From the College this Wednesday night, 1629.   

May it please Your Majesty,  
THis Bearer is that Lad, by name Frank Bacon; for whom your Majesty's intercession with the Prince of Orange, hath bound so many unto you here. It is your goodness that hath done it, and therefore he is addressed by his friends (and by me who am the meanest of them) first thorough your gracious Hands, and laid down at your Royal Feet.  
There is in him (I believe) metal enough to be cast into good form: And I hope it is of the hoblest sort, which is ever the most malleable and pliant. Only one thing I fear, that coming from a Country life, into the lustre of Courts, he will be more troubled with it, then with the hissing of Bullets.  
Now when I consider (as I do at the present) that besides your Majesty's ancienter favours towards me, and to them that have been, and are so dear unto me; some gone, and some remaining; you have lately received the child of my very worthy friend M. Griffith, about the Prince your son; and honoured this other with your especial recommendation, in such a forcible and express manner as you were pleased to do it: I say, when I consider all this, I cannot but fall into some passionate questions with mine own heart. Shall I die without seeing again my Royal Mistress myself? Shall I not rather bring her my most humble thanks, then let them thus drop out of a dull Pen? Shall such a contemptible distance, as between Eton and the Hague divide me from beholding how her virtues overshine the darkness of her fortune? I could spend much paper in this passion; but let it sleep for the present: And God bless your Majesty,  
As I am Yours. Aug. 16. 1629.  
After this humble and just acknowledgement of my obligations unto Your Maj., it were a miserable thing for me to tell you, that at our late Election, I have remembered Your Commandment in the first place; I should indeed rather ask what Your Majesty will have next done.   

My noble Nephew.  
I Am sorry that your Cast of Bucknames cannot be served at this Election: For to choose one of them (and that must have been in a low place) had been uncomfortable: they will fly best at ease together. Yet I have thought of a way the next year, in all event not to fail; which is, to divide them between Westminster and Eton. Their Election precedeth ours some three weeks; and truly upon my late observation there, I must needs say, that school mouldeth good Scholars, and of certainer preferment to either of the Universities (for some go to Oxford, and some to Cambridge) than this: out of which the issue is always hard, and the entrance not always easy. Glad I am to hear by your Letter, that you have gotten so good a Schoolmaster, that they may be well mewed in the mean while. Betwixt this and the next turn, I shall lay you down an infallible course for them. And this must content their good father at the present.  
If your Mason's Brother (who was here on Sunday) had stayed till the next morning, there was some practicable hope to have sped the Boy this year to Cambr. but some unfortunate haste, and despair of so many places as fallen open, carried him away.  
If you had not intimated your own coming to London, you might perchance have been troubled with me in the Country: But I will now languish for the hour you promise this place of seeing you here; where your Venison (which we enjoy by exchange from Mr Vice-Chamberlain) hath given us all occasion to remember you thankfully, as a Benefactor to this Board. I will entertain you with no home-novelties; but let me tell you a fresh piece of no small noise from abroad. The King of Sweden hath landed with 200 ships a great Army of some 40000 in Germany, with intention (if the Party of our Religion be not all drowsy) to redress the common Cause; or at least, to redintegrate his near Kinsman in Meckleburge, confiscated you know by the Emperor: And the opportunity is fair, while the Austrian power is diverted for the help of Spain into Italy. God bless it, and cherish it as his own business; and in his dear love I leave you: Ever remaining  
Your faithful Servant HENRY WOTTON. As intricate as a Flea in a bottom of Flax. From your College this 27. July, 1630.  
Sir, I will write to you at large after our Election, when my Brains are settled.   

Noble Sir, and my most dear Nephew.  
WE were for three weeks together so besieged at your Eton, first with an overflow of water from the West, and then with a deep snow out of the East, (contrary quarters conspiring against us) that our ordinary boats, which usually go and return twice a week, could not pass under the Bridges: whereby such a Letter from you as never man received, lay silent at my Chamber in St Martins-lane till mine own coming to London; to the utter condemnation of my unthankfulness in the mean time: Which truly I should fear, but that it is the natural property of the same heart, to be a gentle Interpreter, which is so noble an Obliger.  
Now, Sir, After I had received and read your Letter, I took some days to deliberate what I should do, and to let my judgement settle again which was distracted with so kind a surprisal: should I use a feathered quill to write unto you? or fly myself to Redgrave? for you had given me wings. At last, I resolved upon both. First, to make this true protestation by writing from my very bowels where it is engraven. That though your bounty (considered in all the circumstances, as well the form, as the matter, and the very opportunity of the time wherein it came, and especially without any imaginable pretence of desert in myself) hath been such, as never befell me before, nor can ever befall me again: yet have you therewith not enriched, but stripped and despised me for ever: Nothing that was before, either in my power or possession, being after this mine own: for it is all yours, if it were both the Indies. So as your kindness howsoever flowing from a tender affection: yet is with me like hard wax, dropped and sealed together.  
The next after this, shall be to follow it myself: but therein (after the Spanish phrase) I will take language at the Rolls, where I shall understand more punctually about what time you purpose to be here. For, I aim at the convoying of you up to your Eton. About which I will write more by the next Carrier: and prepare yourself (Sir) with patience while we live, to be troubled weekly with my letters; wheresoever I am, even when I shall have no more to say then this, which is the least that can be spoken, that I am  
Yours, HENRY WOTTON. Feb. 13. 1632.   

May the 27. Sir,  
I Do as unwillingly put my pen to tell you, as I am sure you will be to hear what hath befallen my Nephew Albertus this week. He was going on Friday last towards evening in a Coach alone: whose driver alighting (I know not upon what occasion) hard by Charing-Cross, the horses (being young) took some affrightment, and running away so furiously, that one of them tore all his belly open upon the corner of a Beer Cart, my Nephew (who in this mean while adventured to leap out) seemeth to have hung upon one of the pins of the boot, from whence struggling to get loose, he broke the waist-band of his hose behind, and so fell with the greater violence on the ground, hurting only the hindermost part of his head, by what possibility we cannot conceive, unless the motion of the Coach did turn him round in the fall. The force of the concussion took from him for some hour or thereabouts the use of his voice and sense, which are now well restored; only, there yet remaineth in his left arm a kind of Paralitical stupefaction, and his right eyelid is all black with some knock that he took in the agitation of the Coach; which peradventure may have been the motive to make him leap out. But these external evils do not so much trouble us, as an inward pungent and pulsatory ache within the skull, somewhat lower than the place of his hurt; which hath continued more or less since his fall, notwithstanding twice letting blood, and some nights of good rest, and shaving of his head for the better transpiration; which we doubt the more, because it cometh sine ratione, his hurt being only in the fleshy part, and very sleight, without fracture of the skull, without inflammation, without any fever, and all the principal faculties, as memory, discourse, imagination untainted. The King hath in this time much consolated us both with sending unto him, and with expressing publicly a gracious feeling of his case: but we must fetch our true comforts from him, who is Lord of the whole: And so I leave it.  
Since my last unto you, I am sure you hear how Sir Robert Mansfield hath been twice or thrice convented before the Lords, and committed to the Marshalsea; partly for having consulted with M. Whitlock the Lawyer about the validity of a Commission drawn for a re-search into the Office of the Admiralty, whereof himself is an Accountant; and partly for denying to reveal the name of the said Lawyer his Friend; who before had been committed to the Fleet for another case much of the same nature. The point toucheth a limb of the King's Prerogative, and immediate Authority. Sir Robert mansfield's Answers (by report) had as much of the Philosopher, or of the Hermit, as of the Soldier, or Courtier; professing openly his little care of this World, or of his own fortunes in it; and divers other phrases of that complexion. Sir Thomas Overbury is still where he was, and as he was, without any alteration: The Viscount Rochester yet no way sinking in the point of favour; which are two strange consistents.  
Sir R. Drury runneth at the Ring, corbeteth his horse before the King's window, haunteth my L. of Rochester's chamber, even when himself is not there; & in secret divideth his observances between him & the House of Suffolk: And all this (they say) to be Ambassador at Brussels. So as super tota materia, I see appetites are not all of a kind: Some go to the Tower for the avoiding of that which another doth languish to obtain. I will end with my Paper, and by the next Carrier either tell you precisely when I shall see you, or prevent the telling of it. And so our sweet Saviour bless you and my dear Niece.  
From St. Martin's by the Fields, this 18. of Apr. 1633. HENRY WOTTON.   

To my Noble Nephew long and cheerful Years. Sir, From St. Martin's by the Fields, this 18. of Apr. 1633.  
BY beginning first with Philosophy, I will discover the Method of my nature, preferring it before the speculations of State.  
Take any Vegetable whatsoever, (none excepted in the effect, though some difference in the degree) express the juice; put that in any vessel of Wood or Stone, with a narrow neck and mouth, not closed at the top, but covered with any thing, so as it may work out above: Set it afterwards in some cold hole in a Cellar, let it stand there some three weeks, or a month, till by fermentation it have both purged itself upwards, and by sediment downwards. Then decant from it the clear juice, and put that in a Limbeck in Balneo Maris, or in Balneo Roris. The first that riseth will be Aqua arden's, useful perchance according to the quality of the Plant; as of Wormwood for the stomach, of Succory, or any of those Incubae for the Liver. And on the sides of the Limbeck will hang a salt; this is the extracting of salt without calcination; which otherwise certainly must needs consume all the active powers of any Vegetable, and leave nothing but a plastic and passive virtue.  
For the point of preserving that salt afterwards from resolution by air into water, I hold it impossible, notwithstanding the proper examples that you allege; which yet must of necessity yield to it. For as your excellent Uncle says, and says well, in not the least of his works (though born after him) of his experiments: Air is predatory.  
I have forgotten (for memoria primo senescit) whether I told you in my last a pretty late experiment in Arthritical pains: It is cheap enough. Take a roasted Turnip (for if you boil it, it will open the pores, and draw too much.) apply that in a Poultice to the part affected, with change once in an hour or two, as you find it dried by the heat of the flesh, and it will in little time allay the pain.  
Thus much in our private way, wherein I dare swear, if our Medicines were as strong as our wishes, they would work extremely.  
Now, for the Public, where peradventure now and then there are distempers as well as in natural bodies.  
The Earl of Holland was on Saturday last (the day after your Posts departure) very solemnly restored at Council-Table (the King present) from a kind of Eclipse, wherein he had stood since the Thursday fortnight before: All considered, the obscuration was long, and bred both various and doubtful discourse; but it ended well. All the cause yet known, was a verbal challenge sent from him by Mr Henry german in this form: To the now Lord Weston newly returned from his foreign employments. That since he had already given the King an account of his Embassage, he did now expect from him an account of a Letter of his, which he had opened in Paris, and he did expect it at such a time, even in the Spring-garden (close under his father's Window) with his sword by his side.  
It is said (I go no farther in such tender points) that my Lord Weston sent him by Mr Henry Percy (between whom and the said L. Weston had in the late journey (as it seems) been contracted, such friendship as overcame the memory that he was Cousin-german to my L. of Holland) a very fair and discreet answer: That if he could challenge him for any injury done him before, or after his Ambassage, he would meet him as a Gentleman, with his sword by his side where he should appoint. But for any thing that had been done in the time of his Ambassage, he had already given the King an account thereof, and thought himself not accountable to any other. This published on Thursday was fortnight, the Earl of Holland was confined to his Chamber in Court, and the next day morning to his house at Kensington, where he remained without any further circumstance of restraint, or displeasure Saturday and Sunday: on which days being much visited, it was thought fit on Monday to appoint M. Dickenson one of the Clerks of the Council, to be his Guardian thus far, that none without his presence should accost him. This made the vulgar judgements run high, or rather indeed run low, That he was a lost and discarded man, judging as of Patients in Fevers, by the exasperation of the fits. But the Queen (who was a little obliquely interested in this business, for in my Lord of Holland's Letter, which was opened, she had one that was not opened, nor so much (as they say) as superscribed; and both the Queens and my L. of Hollands were enclosed in one from M. Walter Montague (whereof I shall tell you more hereafter.) The Queen I say, stood nobly by him, and as it seems pressed her own affront. It is too intricately involved for me so much as to guests at any particulars. I hear generally discoursed, that the opened dispatch was only in favour (if it might be obtained) of Monsieur de Chateau Neuf, and the Chevalier de Jar; (who had both been here) but written with caution (and surely not without the King's knowledge) to be delivered, if there were hope of any good effect, and perchance not without order from His Majesty to my Lord Weston; afterwards to stop the said Letters, upon advertisement that both Cateau Neuf, & the Jar were already in the Bastille. But this I leave at large, as not knowing the depth of the business▪  
Upon Monday was seven-night fell out another quarrel, nobly carried (branching from the former) between my L. Fielding and M. Goring, son and heir to the Lord of that name. They had been the night before at supper. I know not where together; where M. Goring spoke something in diminution of my L. Weston, which my L. Fielding told him, it could not become him to suffer, lying by the side of his sister. Thereupon, these hot hearts appoint a meeting next day Morning, themselves alone, each upon his Horse. they pass by Hyde-park, as a place where they might be parted too soon, and turn into a lane by Knightsbridge; where having tied up their Horses at a hedge or gate, they got over into a Close; there stripped into their shirts, with single Rapiers, they fell to an eager Duel, till they were severed by the Host and his servants of the Inn of the Prince of Orange, who by mere chance had taken some notice of them. In this noble encounter, wherein blood was spent though (by God's providence) not much on either side there passed between them a very memorable interchange of a piece of courtesy, if that word may have room in this place: Says my Lord Fielding, M. Goring, If you leave me here, let me advise you not to go back by Piccadillia-hall, lest if mischance befall me, and be suddenly noised (as it falleth out in these occasions now between us) you might receive some harm by some of my friends that lodge thereabouts.  
My Lord (replies Goring) I have no way but one to answer this courtesy: I have here by chance in my pocket a Warrant to pass the Ports out of England without a name (gotten I suppose upon some other occasion before,) If you leave me here, take it for your use, and put in your own name. This is a passage much commended between them, as proceeding both from sweetness and stoutness of spirit, which are very compatible. On the solemn day of Saturday last, both this difference and the Original, between the Earl of Holland and the Lord Weston, were fairly reconciled and forgiven by the King, with shaking of hands, and such Symbols of agreement: And likewise Sir Maurice Dromand, who had before upon an uncivil rupture on his part, between him and my Lord of Carlisle been committed to the Tower, was then delivered at the same time: and so it all ended, as a merry fellow said, in a Maurice. But whether these be perfect cures, or but skinnings over and Palliations of Court, will appear hereafter: Nay, some say very quickly, for my Lord weston's Lady, being since brought to bed of a daughter, men stand in a kind of suspense, whether the Queen will be the Godmother after so crude a reconcilement, which by the King's inestimable goodness, I think may pass in this forgiving week.  
For foreign matter, there is so little and so doubtful, as it were a misery to trouble you with it. The States confuted Treaty is put to the stock; and the Prince of Orange (by account) gone to the field two days since, having broken the business (as they say) by three demands; the resignment of Breda and Gelder, the dismantling of Rheynberg, and the equality of free exercise of Religion on either side. The States are strong in arms, weak in money, owing above six hundred thousand pounds sterling in bare interest, besides the Capital. The enemy hath neither money, nor men, nor agreement. Arena sine calce, yet I hear (and ex bonis Codicibus) that the States are absolutely resolved to besiege no Town this year, unless it be some such place, as may haply fall gently into their lap. They will range with divided troops.  
I will have a care in my letters to the King's only sister (for that is now her published stile even in Sermons) so to commend your Frank unto her (whom she was wont to call, when he went first over, her little Pig) that he may speedily have a Captain's place.  
God bless him, and bless your whole name; to which I am so much tied, both by the alliance of the sweetest Niece that ever man had, and by your own kindness since her departure to Heaven. And so I rest,  
Your indissoluble servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
Your Hester is re-entered into the green-sickness, fault de je seay quoy.  
I pray burn this hasty letter when you have read it.   

Sir,  
If you have (as I remember once you told me) the Will of Sir William Pickering; I pray favour me with a Copy of it for a certain purpose: out of which, if I pick any good, you shall be partaker of it.  
I have been for the most part sick since I wrote last unto you, but am now cheerful again.   

To my Noble Nephew many cheerful years. Sir,  
IT is worth the noting, how commonly the casual firings of houses in Towns do follow one another: And so (methinks) do the inflammations of spirits in Courts: for after the solemn quenching of our late quarrels, there is fallen out a new, and shrewdly pursued between Mr. Harbert Price a Sewer to the Queen, and Mr. Eliot, Page to the King.  
The beginning they say was upon very sleight occasion: but because a young Lady is an ingredient in the story, I will pass it over. To field they went two days since upon hot and hasty blood (which somewhat saves it from a deliberate Duel) both shooting the Bridge in several boats; yet the matter being before suspected, my Lord-Chamberlain sent one Mr. Haies (a Scotishman and a good Surgeon, though of late an ordinary Courtier on the Queen's side) in guest of them: who found them both on the Surry side a mile or two below bridge closed, and (I hear) on the ground. But Mr. Price already hurt in three places; in one of his sides, in his face, and in three of his fingers: the other is come off untouched. This Price hath been formerly bred a Soldier, and sometimes (they say) a Lieutenant in the low Provinces. Mr. Eliot scarce yet a man in years: but for height and strength at his full prime, and in both above the common scantling. The King is herewith highly offended: succeeding so freshly upon the late reconcilements. And it is doubted, they will at least lose their places.  
The journey to Scotland continueth hotly, and his Majesty removeth house to Theobalds', that way on Saturday come fortnight. But first must be censured the Bishop of Lincoln for too many words, and the Citizens of London in their undertake in Ireland for too few deeds, which I believe will both trench deep. I shall stay long enough in London (not intending to be gone before the King's remove) to tell you the event: and truly without your beneficent courtesy, I had been wrapped in a strange riddle: for I could neither have stayed nor departed.  
I received at the Communion in St. bartholomew's on Sunday last (being Easter-day) in the same Pew with your Hester and her mother; your Hester, either becomes a little tincture of the Green-sickness well, or that becomes her well: well she looks I am sure, and in my fancy draws towards the countenance of her sister Stanhop more and more, but stealingly. My Niece Margaret is come home from her Artisan in Southwark, with some pretty amendment. The manner of his cure in those imperfections is somewhat strange: He useth no bindings, but oils and strokings: of which I take him to be (in all my reading) both the instrument and the Author. My Niece Ann will prove one of the handsomest creatures of the world: being much grown, and having rectified a little squinting or oblique look which she had in one of her eyes so far, as the remainder will turn to a beauty. Her mother hath of late been much troubled (and I think as much in her fancy, which is the greater cure as in her body) with a pain in her right side; which changeth place, and therefore is sure, but a flatuous infirmity: yet it hasteneth her removing to better air.  
From my Lady my sister at Canterbury we hear nothing; I believe she is in travail with her own thoughts about defacing the inscription of the Tomb, as far as Catholico and Catholica amount unto. And I could wish, as she took your advice in the invention and word upon the Marble, she had done so in the rest: but in that you were no apt Counsellor.  
Now, for foreign matters. We have fair tidings from Germany; that the Princes hold fast together, and things go well: and I am of opinion, that when those parts have learned as well as the lower Provinces, to spend a Summer upon the siege of a Town, the war will nestle there as well as below. For they abound in strong places, and war itself is a great refiner of spirits in little time.  
The States are in the field earlier than heretofore: and in all judgement, it importeth no less, than the countenancing and covering of a general revolt of the geheerten Provinces, as they call them: of that more in my next. And so (Sir) leaving you in our blessed Saviour's love, I rest,  
Your Sviscerato servidore, HENRY WOTTON. From my lodging in St. Martins-Lane by the fields, April 25. 1633.  
Sir, When I have sent you (as I will do by the next Carrier) a new character, I will open my files.   

St. Martins-lane by the Fields, the 3. of June, 1633. To my Noble Nephew, long and cheerful years. Sir,  
THis other day at the Cockpit in Shoe-lane (where myself am rara avis) your Nephew M. Robert Bacon came very kindly to me, with whom I was glad to refresh my acquaintance; though I had rather it had been in the Theatre of Redgrave.  
I asked him of his Brother, your Frank; and he told me he had been so hindered by winds, as he thought he was not yet gotten over: At which I was sorry, for he hath lost the honour of taking Rheinberge: He may come yet timely enough to see Gelder's yielded, and after that, to have his share in Juliers, which they write from the Camp, will be the next piece, and so the States will be Masters of all the tract that lies between the Maese and the Rhine; and backed with one of the fattest Provinces of Christendom. Besides, we hear they have recovered their former footing in Brasiel, and beaten the Spanish Fleet. It is hard to say, into what these prosperities will run out: For surely, if they can establish a right correspondency with the upper Armies of Germany, and either both hold out, or neither agree without the other; even this Summer will breed notable effects, and among other I hope, the restitution of the Palatinate; where as much as the Swede had taken, is offered for 16000 Dalers; whereof the half is paid already by the Duke of Simmern, Administrator to the young Palatin in his minority, and the other moiety is expected from hence. One thing I must not omit to tell you, that the said young Prince was at the siege of Rheinberge to initiate him in action. The young Cardinal Infante is come you know to Milan, and they say will there reside as Governor till he can recover Casale and Pignerolo, and purge Italy of the French: So as I believe he will come to Brussels (for thither he finally tends) in the Spanish pace. Having thus a little skimmed over our foreign news, give me leave now to enternain you with some novelties of Art. I send you herewith two printed Caps, A triangular Salt-seller, and the top of an Ambar-Ring. The Caps is a pretty fresh invention of a very easy rate; for they will run shortly at some six pence apiece: and they say the sale is monopolised by a woman at Amsterdam; which may come to some pretty perfection in the ornament of Curtains and Valances of Beds▪ or in some fine historified Tablecloth for a Banquet, or the like. In the invention of the Salt-seller you have an interest yourself; for I remember (Sir) you showed me a whole furniture of Marble-Saltsellers for a Table of your bespeaking: But there is one that hath only gone beyond you in the cheapness of the Material: For this which you now receive, is but of Seacole, and it is strange to see what a polishment so base a stuff doth take, like the ennobling of a Clown. To the broken Ring there belongs a little more discourse. I bought for a trifle in Lombardstreet long since, because it had a Fly entombed in the sealing part; which if it had been precisely in the middle, would have showed like the sculpture of the signet itself. Now a while since by a fall from a Table to the ground, it broke, though in a boarded room. Whereupon, there fell a conceit into my mind, that the Ring was Artificial Amber, and not Natural; as indeed my servant Giovanni and I have since plainly discovered. Now I cannot choose but smile when I think how much more the first Seller of it might have had from me for the falsehood (if he would have said so) then for the truth. For surely many rare things may be made of this composition, and entire insectils of any greatness, and in any posture be enclosed therein; which I am sure will inflame you, as it hath set me on fire already to find the way how to clarify the Pasta, which seems to be of Rosin, and perchance some dust of true Amber. And thus you see what easy ways I take to please myself, while I am conversing with you. Let me add to these a strange thing to be seen in London for a couple of pence; which I know not whether I should call a piece of Art or Nature: It is an English man like some swabber of a ship come from the Indies, where he hath learned to eat fire as familiarly as ever I saw any eat cakes; even whole glowing Brands, which he will crash with his teeth, and swallow. I believe he hath been hard famished in the Terra de Fuego, on the South of the Magellan-strait.  
Sir, I have heard (I know not by whom) that you had a purpose to be here this Whitsuntide; but imagining that at least M. Chitock may meet you by the way, I have ventured the trouble of these Lines unto you. For mine own estate, I must acquaint you, (because whether well or ill I am yours) that of late I have been much troubled with certain splenetic vapours, mounting to the top of my stomach when it is empty: For which I am in a course of gentle Physic at the present, remembering that of Galen, Ego soleo hortari amicos meos, ut in melancholicis affectionibus abstineant à validioribus remediis. My best Physic will be your company,  
To whom there is none bound in truer service than HENRY WOTTON.   

OH (my most dear Nephew: for so I still glory to call you: while Heaven possesseth her who bound us in that Relation) How have I of late after many vexations of a fastidious infirmity, been at once rend in pieces by hearing that you were at London: what? said I, and must it be at a time when I cannot fly thither to have my wont part of that conversation: wherein all that know him enjoy such infinite contentment? Thus much did suddenly break loose from the heart that doth truly honour you. And now (Sir) let me tell you both how it hath gone with me, and how I stand at the present. There is a triple health. Health of body, of mind, and of fortune: you shall have a short account of all three.  
For the first: it is now almost an whole Cycle of the Sun, since after certain fits of a Quotidian Fever, I was assailed by that Splenetic Passion, which a Country good fellow that had been a piece of a Grammarian meant, when he said he was sick of the Flatus, and the other hard Word: for Hypocondriacus stuck in his teeth: it is the very Proteus of all Maladies; shifting into sundry shapes, almost every night a new, and yet still the same; neither can I hope, that it will end in a solar Period; being such a Saturnine Humour: but though the Core and Root of it be remaining, yet the Symptoms (I thank my God) are well allayed: and in general, I have found it of more contumacy than malignity; only since the late cold weather, there is complicated with it a more Asthmatical straitness of respiration then heretofore: yet those about me say, I bear it well, as perchance custom hath taught me: being now familiarized and domesticated evils: In the Tragedians expression: Jam mansueta Mala. And thus much of the Habit of my Body. On the other side: My mind is in a right Philosophical Estate of health: that is, at an equal distance, both from desire and hope; and ambitious of nothing, but of doing nothing, and of being nothing: yet I have some employment of my thoughts to keep them from mouldering, as you shall know before I close this letter. But first, touching the third kind of health. My condition or fortune was never better, then in this good Lord Treasures time: the very reverse of his proud Predecessor, that made a scorn of my poverty, and a sport of my modesty; leaving me in bad case: and the world, so as though we now know by what Arts he lived, yet are we ignorant to this hour by what Religion he died, save only that it could not be good, which was not worthy the professing. This free passage let me commit to your noble breast, remembering that in confidence of the reciever, I have transgressed a late Counsel of mine own which I gave to a young friend, who ask me casually of what he should make him a suit, as he was passing this way towards London; I told him that in my opinion, he could not buy a cheaper nor a more lasting stuff there then silence. For I loved him well, and was afraid of a little freedom that I spied in him. And now, Sir, I must needs conclude (or I shall burst) with letting you know, that I have divers things in wild sheets that think and struggle to get out of several kinds, some long promised, and some of a newer conception: but a poor exercise of my pen (wherewith I shall only honour myself by the dedication thereof unto your own person) is that which shall lead the way by mine and your good leave, intending (if God yield me his favour) to print it before It be long in Oxford, and to send you thence, or bring you a Copy to our Redgrave. What the subject is you must not know beforehand: for I fear it will want all other grace, if it lose virginity. And so the Lord of all abundant joy keep you long, con quella buona Ciera, which this my servant did relate unto me,  
Who live, at all your commands, HENRY WOTTON. From your College this Ash-wednesday. 1637.  
Postscript.  
Mr. Clever one of the now Fellows of this College (where have been divers changes since it had the honour and the gladness to receive you) being this day returned hither from the Excellent Lord Keeper, to whom we had addressed him about a business that concerneth us: Tells me even at this instant in the account of his journey; that it pleased his good Lordship to inquire of him twice or thrice very graciously touching my health. I beseech you (My Noble Nephew) let his Lordship see, if it please you, this whole letter (for I dare trust his indulgent goodness, both with my liberties and with my simplicities) and that will tell him my present Estate: which by making it any part of his care, is for ever at his most humble service.   

Noble Sir; above all the most honoured and loved.  
UPon the receipt of a letter from you (which came late, and I know not by what misadventure, half drowned to my hands) with advertisement, that you had been at Sudbury in your passage homewards assailed with a Quartan: I resolved immediately to visit you by this bearer the best of my flights, and lately well acquainted himself with farther travellers, who yet hath been kept here after my said resolution, that he might bring you a full account of the business touching my inviol●…t Niece so dear unto us both, which was a part of your foresaid letter, and wherein I am confident you will receive very singular contentment out of the very Originals of some, and true Copies of other letters which I send you by this my said inward servant; and if he were not so, I would not have entrusted him with so tender Papers. The rest of his stay, was only that I might collect among my poor memorials and experiments something conducible to the recovery of your health, wherein I reckon myself as much interessed as in any one thing of this world. I will not say unto you, Courage, as the French use to speak: for you have enough of that within yourself: Nor, be merry, in our English phrase (for you can impart enough of that even to others in the incomparable delight of your conversation) But let me give you two comforts, though needless to the serenity of your spirits. The first, That I hope your infirmity will not hold you long, because it comes (as I may speak, according to the barbarous translators of Avicenna) In complexionato suo: that is in the very season of the revolution of melancholic humours, for Omnis Morbus contra complexionatum Patientis vel Temporis, est periculosus aut longus. The other, That it hath not succeeded any precedent caustick disease, because those Quartans are of all the most obstinate which arise out of the Incineration of a former Ague. The rest I have committed to the instructions and memory of this bearer, being himself a Student in Physic: and though I dare not yet call him a good Counsellor, yet I assure you, he is a good relator: with this dispatch I will intermingle no other vulgar subject, but hereafter I will entertain you with as jolly things, as I can scamble together. And so, Sir, for the present, commending you into the sweet and comfortable preservation of our dear God: I rest  
Your faithful poor servant HENRY WOTTON. From the College this 6. of Novemb. 1638.   

On Tuesday, the 16th. of November. Sir,  
AN express Messenger will ease us both of the trouble of a cipher: But I was in pain whether I should send another, or be that Messenger myself, being now as near you as Royston, and scant able to obtain pardon of mine own severity for not passing farther; yet this may be said for me, that the present occasion required little noise; and besides, I am newly engaged into some business, whereof I will give you a particular account, when I shall first have discharged that part which belongeth to yourself.  
My Lord, my Brother having been acquainted with the matter enclosed in your last to me, dispatched the very next day M. Pen down to Boughton for such writings as had passed at your marriage; which having consulted with his Lawyers, he found those things to stand in several natures according to the annexed Schedule.  
For the point of your coming up, he referreth that to your own heart, and I have only charge from him to tell you, that without any such occasion as this, which seemeth to imply your affectionate respect of his Daughter, your own person and conversation shall be ever most welcome and dear unto him.  
As for my Lady, through whose knowledge, and myself, through whose hands you have passed this point of confidence; if you could behold us, and compare us with my Lord, you should see, though no difference in the reality, yet some in the fashion. For to him you must allow the sober forms of his age and place; but we on the other side are mad with gladness, at the hope we have now taken by this occasion of enjoying both you and my Niece this Winter at London; and we are contented to profess it as profusely as it is possible for a better Pen to set it down: Nay for my part (who in this case have somewhat single) I flatter myself yet farther, that the Term (whereof not much now remaineth) will accelerate your coming: Which if you resolve, I pray then let me only by this Bearer know it, that I may provide you some fit Lodgings at a good distance from White-Hall; for the preservation of blessed liberty, and avoidance of the cumber of kindness: which in troth (as we have privately discoursed) is no small one. Now touching myself.  
It may please you Sir to understand, That the King, when he was last at Hampton, called me to him, and there acquainted me with a general purpose that he had to put me again into some use. Since which time, the French Ambassador (and very lately) having at an Audience of good length besought His Majesty (I know not whether voluntarily, or set on by some of our own) to disincumber himself of frequent accesses by the choice of some confident servant, to whom the said Ambassador might address himself in such occurrences as did not require the King's immediate ear. It pleased him to nominate me for that charge, with more gracious commendation than it can beseem me to repeat; though I write to a friend, in whose breast I dare depose even my vanities. But lest you should mistake, as some others have been apt to do here, in the present constitution of the Court (which is very ombragious) the King's end in this application of me, I must tell you that it is only for the better preparing of my insufficiency and weakness for the succeeding of Sir Thomas Edmunds in France; towards which, His Majesty hath thought meet, first to endue me with some knowledge of the French businesses, which are in motu. And I think my going thither will be about Easter.  
Thus you see (Sir) both my next remove, and the exercise of my thoughts, till then; wherewith there is joined this comfort, besides the redemption from expense and debt at home (which are the Gulfs that would swallow me) that His Majesty hath promised to do something for me before I go.  
I should now according to the promise of my last tell you many things, wherewith my Pen is swollen; but I will beg leave to defer them till the next opportunity after my coming to London: And they shall all give place now to this one question: Whether there be any thing in this intended journey, that you will command? Which having said, I will end; ever resting  
Your faithfullest poor Friend and Servant, HENRY WOTTON.   

Cambridge Sunday at night. Sir,  
TO divert you from thinking on my faults, I will entertain you with some news out of a Letter which I have here received from Venice, of much consequence divers ways.  
The Bishop of Bamberge, a practical Almayn-Prelate (of which kind there be enough of that coat, though not in that Country) was treating in Rome a League against the Protestant Princes of Germany, with whom His Majesty (you know) was first by Articles, and is now by alliance more nearly confederate: His Commission he had from the Emperor, Sotto parole tacit as they call it. Now, while this matter was there moulding, a Chiaus arrives at the Emperor's Court, with a Letter from the Turk; importing a denunciation of War, grounded upon a heap of complaints easily found out between Princes that do not intend to agree. And accordingly the Turk is departed in Person from Constantinople into Hungary with great Forces (as my Friend writeth) on a morning quando nevicava a furia (by which appeareth the sharpness of the humour) having made a levy before his going of 5000 youths out of the Seragli; a thing never seen before. He hath left behind him Nasuf Bassa as Precedent of his affairs, who told the Baiolo of Venice there resident, that his Master was but gone to hunt: and seemeth to have healed the same language with the other Ambassadors: whether out of mere wantonness of conceit, or as esteeming a war with Christians, but a sport in respect of that which he had newly concluded with the Persian, I know not: howsoever, this is likely to quash the Bishop's business, and I fear it will fall heavy upon Germany: which first in itself was never more disunited; and besides, the Emperor in small good will with those that should help him. It will likewise in my conjecture hasten the departure of the Count Palatine, or at least (if it so please him) it may well serve his turn for that purpose.  
This is all that I have for your entertainment: To morrow morning I depart hence towards London: whence I determine to write by every Carrier to you, till I bring myself.  
In your last you mentioned a certain Courtier that seemeth to have spoken somewhat harshly of me; I have a guess at the man▪ and though for him to speak of such as I am in any kind whatsoever was a favour: yet I wonder how I am fallen out of his estimation; for it is not long since he offered me a fair match within his own tribe, and much addition to her fortune out of his private bounty; when we meet, all the world to nothing we shall laugh, and in truth (Sir) this world is worthy of nothing else. In the mean time and ever our sweet Saviour keep us in his love.  
Your poor faithful friend and Servant H. WOTTON.   

My Noble, Honoured, Loved, ever Remembered, ever desired Nephew.  
I Shall give to morrow morning Matthew Say our Boat-man before his going a shilling, and promise him another at his return to deliver this small packet with his own hands at the Green- Dragon in Bishopsgate-street according to the form of your address, not for any value of mine own Papers, but for some things therein contained, which I wish may come safely and quickly to you. And first, I send you your immortal Uncle's confession of his faith; which I did promise you at Canterbury, solidly and excellently couched; as whatsoever else had the happiness to fall under his Meditation, and Pen. Next; you receive a letter freshly written me from Cambridge, with mention (God bless us) of a Jesuit of your name: who seems (as all that comes from any of you is piercing) to have sent over lately some pretty iusinuative book in matter of Theological Controversy, perchance better dressed then any before, and with more relish commended to the vulgar taste, but I believe it will be the same to the stomach: for well they may change their form, but it is long since we have heard their substance over and over, still the same ad fastidium usque. I shall languish to know how he toucheth upon your Name and stirp. The name of my friend who writ me the said letter, I have defaced for the censure of some other things therein, which I should be sorry to adventure at large: but you shall know him from me hereafter; and believe it, he will be worth your knowing.  
I cannot forbear to tell you a thing (I know not whether I should call it news, because it is nearer you than to us) but strange in truth, written me from the said University at the same time by the Provost of King's College there; between whom and me doth pass much familiar correspondency. It is of a weekly Lecture there performed heretofore by the Person of Mr. Christopher Goad, and lately deposed with severe commandment (as it should seem) from above, whereupon the women especially by way of of revenge for that restraint do flock to St. Mary's in such troops, and so early, that the Masters of Art have no room to sit; so as the Vicechancellor and Heads of houses were in deliberation to repress their shoaling thither. Methinks, it is a good thing, when zeal in a land grows so thick and so warm. But soft, if I launch any farther, I may perchance run (which yet were a great mistake) into the name of a Puritan. For that very Lecturer which is now deposed, did live heretofore with me at my table upon especial choice: being in truth a man of sweet conversation, and of sober solidity.  
Now, for other things, Nicolas Oudard brought me the Friday after his departure from you the glad tidings of your Agues discharge, as you then conceived it would be at the twentieth Access, according (as you seem to have told him) to a common observation with you there: so as in Suffolk, I see you count Quartan fits, as you do your sheep, by the score. I could heartily wish you would take for some time after it Alternis Diebus, my preparation of the Lignum Sanctum, with addition likewise of the roots of China, Enula Campana, and a sprig of Tamarisque, all in the decoction of Barleywater, and quickened with a little sprinkling of a Lemon: a rare Receipt to corroborat the Viscera, and to keep the Stomach in Tono. My said Nicolas tells me likewise, that you began to chirp upon being in London the next Term. I should be glad with your favour to know that point precisely: for having a purpose (by God's dear blessing) to visit you at Redgrave (which will be the best Cordial I took in long time) I would shape my course circularly, either from Suffolk to Kent, or from Kent to Suffolk, as I shall hear of your motions towards the beginning of next Lent. For novelties of Court and State, all men's minds at the present with us seem magnetical, looking towards the North. Order is come down this day to the Justices of this Shire, about a general muster at Alisbury the next week, and for especial watch at the Beacons: so as any burning of a bush by chance near one of them, would set the whole Province in an alarm; but notwithstanding these good providences, we hope well of the issue: and the rather, for that a pretty strong conceit runneth, that the Deanery of Durham is reserved for Doctor Belkanquel, as a reward of his travails to and fro in this great business. While we are uniting our ceremonious breaches, The Kings of France and Spain abroad treat hard this Winter about a peace, as one writeth; (and I believe very truly) without consideration of any other Prince or State but themselves. If this be so, and take effect in that manner, then is Charles de Lorraine Exutus Lepidus, stripped to his shirt, the Count Palatine lest at large, and the Swede must stand upon his own feet. But Brevibus Moment is summa vertuntur: all depends upon the taking, or not taking of Brisach, the Helena of Germany: and though a Town indeed of great strength and advantage; yet a poor price for so much blood as hath been lost about it. While I am talking of war, let me tell you what I hear, that your Sir Jacob Ashley is grown a great man at Court in private introducements to the King, together with the Earl Martial: our good Sovereign will feel a sufficient man quickly. The States lie still and close oppressed with the adversities of the last year; and with nothing more, than the late ruin of forty well laden ships by the Texel, wherein with deploration of the whole Province were lost one thousand Mariners.  
Touching the subject whereof I sent you an account by Nicolas, I have heard nothing since to increase my hope, and much less my faith. You shall have more the next week. Till when and ever our sweet Jesus have you in his love.  
Your servant alla suiscerata HENRY WOTTON. From your College, Decem. 5. 1638.  
Sir,  
Since I concluded this, Mr. Hales (our Bibliotheca Ambulans, as I use to call him) came to me by chance, and told me that the Book of Controtroversies issued under the name of Baconus, hath this addition to the said name, Alias Southwel. As those of that society shift their names as often as their shirts. And he says, it is a very poor thing, only graced with a little method.   

Sir,  
YOur friend Sir Robert Killigrew hath been committed to the Fleet, for conferring with a close prisoner in a strange language: which were (as I hear) the two circumstances that did aggravate his error.  
Of his case whose love drew him into it, I can yet make no judgement. The humour seemeth to be sharp, and there is wisdom enough in those that have the handling of the patient to manage the matter, so that at length, his banishment from the Court may be granted as a point of grace. The nature of his alteration was (as you rightly judge it) in the first access somewhat apoplectical, but yet mingled in my opinion with divers properties of a lethargy; whereof we shall discourse more particularly when we meet, which I now long for, besides other respects, that we may lay aside these Metaphors.  
This very morning shall be heard at the Star-chamber the case of Sir Peter Buck an inhabitant at Rochester, an officer (as I take it) of the Navy, who hath lain some good while in prison for having written to a friend of his at Dover a letter containing this news, that some of the Lords had kneeled down to the King for a toleration in Religion: besides some particular aspersion in the said letter of my Lord privy Seal: whom likewise of late a Preacher or two have disquieted: whereby he hath been moved besides his own nature, and (as some think also) besides his wisdom, to call these things into public discourse: quae spreta exolescunt, if ancient grave sentences do not deceive us.  
My Lady of Shrewsbury, my Lord Grace, and the Lady Arabella remain still close prisoners since their last restraint, which I signified unto you in a little ticquet. Sir William Wade was yesternight put from the Lieutenancy of the Tower.  
I set down these accidents barely as you see without their causes, which in truth is a double fault, writing both to a friend, and to a Philosopher: but my lodging is so near the Star-chamber, that my pens shake in my hand: I hope therefore the Ambassador of Savoy (who hath already had two audiences) will quickly be gone, that I may fly to you, and ease my heart. By the next Carrier I shall tell you all his business. In the mean while, and ever, our dear Saviour bless you.  
Your faithful poor friend to serve you, HENRY WOTTON.  
This Friday morning, May 7. in such haste, that I must leave my dear Niece unanswered, till I can better assemble my spirits, and call the aid of the Muses.   

Sir,  
AFter the rest of your trouble at the present, there remaineth a proposition to be consulted with you: about which I should esteem the charge of an express messenger not ill expended, though you were at Jerusalem. And both Mr. Harison and myself think no man living more proper to solve it, than our Sir Edmund Bacon. The Question is this: whether there may not be found some natural Philosophical way to determine the measure of a minute, or quarter, or half, or entire hour, or any portion of time more precisely and uniformly, and infallibly then hath been yet invented by any Mechanical and Artificial motion? And particularly, whether it may not be done by the descent of drops through a Filter, either in Manica Hippocratis, or in a Tongue of cloth equally thick, with consideration likewise of all circumstances in that liquid substance which must sink through it. If this may be done, there will be a mighty point obtained in the rectifying of the Longitudes of the Earth, which depend upon the thoment of the Lunar Eclipses; and Mose, upon the exact determination of the beginning and ending of an hour: for which purpose the great Tycho Brach composed divers Horologies, and hour-glasses, some running with simple water, some with distilled spirits, some with pulverised metals, and some with crude Mercury; but never to any infallible satisfaction of the point propounded: which likewise would be of singular use in divers Astronomical observations, if it could be once justly regulated. This we commend to your curious judgement. My servant Nicolas and I hope to send you some good Flints to be Agatized by your miraculous invention.  
I pray, Sir, If you have any of those Island stones which you mentioned unto me at Canterbury, bestow a few upon me. But above all forget not to let me know where you will be about the beginning of Lent.  
Iterum & Iterum vale.   

A late letter written towards the end of Lent, by Sir Henry Wotton Provost of his Majesty's College at Eton: To the Right worthy his ever truly honoured, Sir Edmund Bacon Knight and Baronet: touching the loss of friends, and final resignation of ourselves.  
Sir,  
ALL the faculties of my mind (if they had ever been of any value) and all the strength of my body, must yield to the signory and sovereignty of time over us: But the last thing that will die or decay in me, is the remembrance, how amidst that inestimable contentment which I enjoyed (as all others do) in the benefit and pleasure of your Conversation (being then with you at Redgrave in Suffolk, both your delightful Mansion and Philosophical retreat, where you are best, because there you are most yourself, though every where well imparted to your friends) I was then surprised with advertisement from Court of the death of Sir Albertus Morton, my dear Nephew in the vernality (as I may term it) of his employments and fortunes under the best King and Master of the World. And how no great time after (as adversities are seldom solitary) there succeeded in the same place the departure of my no less dear Niece, your long, and I dare say, your still beloved Consort (for love and life are not conterminable) as well appeareth by your many tender expressions of that disjuncture, and by that Monument of your own excellent invention which you have raised to her memory.  
This (Sir) ever freshly bleeding in me, and withal revolving often in my retired thoughts, how I have long since overlived my loving Parents, all mine Uncles, Brothers, and Sisters, besides many of mine especial Friends and Companions of my youth, who have melted away before me; and that I am now myself arrived near those years which lie in the suburbs of Oblivion, being the sole Masculine Branch of my good Father's house in the County of Kent: So as that poor Name and Reputation which my Ancestors have heretofore sustained by God's permission, must expire and vanish in my unworthiness: I say (Sir) again and again debating often these Circumstances with myself (and truly not without the common weaknesses & passions of humanity, from which I am of all men least exempted) an extreme desire did lately assail me to entertain between my other Private Studies some such discourse as might work upon mine own mind, and at least abstract awhile, if not elevate my cogitations above all earthly objects. Whereupon, towards the end of this last Lent (a time of contracted thoughts) I fell to think of that Theme, which I have now entitled, The loss of Friends and final Resignation of ourselves. Intending, though it be the highest and uttermost point of Christian Philosophy to familiarize it between us as much as I can, and to address it in form of a letter to yourself. For, with whom can I treat of this matter more properly, being both of us almost precisely of equal age, and by the love which you are pleased to bear me, all Joy in the Fruition, and all Grief in the Privation of Friends common between us.  
Now Sir, etc.   

Sir,  
NOw I begin: but why not before? That question shall be answered by the next Carrier, or by a special messenger the next week, at which time you shall have an account of all that hath passed, and some prognostication also upon the future: for my pen is grown bold and eager with rest, as dogs that are tied up.  
At the present all my care is to let you know that I have received your last with the enclosed: which although I well understand myself, yet I have not had time since the deciphering to acquaint the party with it, which shall be done as soon as I have sealed this, and sent it to the Carriers.  
I thought now to have said no more: but lest it lose the grace of freshness, I pray let me tell you, that yesterday morning the Viscount Rochester was very solemnly in the Banqueting-hall in the sight of many great ones and small ones created Earl of Somerset; and in the afternoon for a farther honouring and signalizing of the day, my Lord Cook (brought in by the said Earl) was sworn a privy Counsellor: to counterpoise the difference of the profit between the Common pleas, and the King's Bench.  
I will turn over the leaf though I die for it, to remember the heartiest love of my soul to that good Niece, to that sweet Niece; to whom I have much to say by the next opportunity. Our dear Saviour keep you both in his continual love.  
Your faithfullest Servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
Touching the project of our house, believe it Sir, I boil in it; and am ready to begin again that I may tell you how busy I have been in the matter: but let this also be put over till the following week, which is likely to fall heavy upon you.  
Written on the day of our great preservation, for which our God be ever glorified.   

On Midsummer morning.  
Sir,  
LIke a woman great with child I have threatened you almost every week with a proposition of profit: in which kind of breed, methinks I am of hard birth: but I hope to be brought to bed by the next Carrier. This week hath yet yielded in the public small effects to entertain you withal; only, some change of opinion about the future great Officers, which are now thus discoursed.  
The Earl of Suffolk is still beheld as a Lord Treasurer, and that conjecture hath never fainted since the very first rising of it. But it is thought, that the dignity of Privy Seal shall lie vacant as it did in the Cecilian times, and that the execution thereof with the title of Lord Chamberlain, shall be laid on my Lord of Somerset; for if my Lord of Suffolk should remove from the King's Privacy to a place of much distraction and cumber without leaving a friend in his room, he might peradventure take cold at his back: which is a dangerous thing in a Court, as Ruygomez de silva was wont to say, that great Artisan of humours. Of the Office of five Ports, I dare yet pronounce nothing. My Lord, my brother will none of it (as I heard him seriously say) though it were offered him, for reasons which he reserveth in his own breast: yet the late Northampton did either so much esteem it, or thought himself to receive so much estimation from it, as he hath willed his body to be laid in the Castle of Dover.  
Chute, Hoskins, Sharp, & Sir Charles Cornwallis are still in the Tower, and I like not the complexion of the place. Out of France we have the death of Doctor Carrier; whose great imaginations abroad have had but a short period. And so (Sir) commending you and that dearest Niece to God's continual blessings, and love. I rest  
Your own in faithfullest affection. HENRY WOTTON.   

John Hoskins to his little child Benjamin from the Tower.  
Sweet Benjamin, since thou art young And hast not yet the use of tongue, Make it thy slave while thou art free, Imprison it, lest▪ it do thee.   

A Hymn made by H. W. in the nights of a great sickness abroad.  

ETernal MOVER, whose diffused glory  
(To show our grovelling reason what THOU art)  
Unfolds itself in clouds of Nature's Story,  
Where Man thy proudest Creature acts his part:  
Whom yet, alas, I know not why we call  
The world's contracted sum, the little All.   

For what are we but lumps of walking clay?  
Where lie our vaunts? whence should our spirits rise?  
Are not brute beasts as strong, and birds as gay?  
Trees longer lived, and creeping things as wise?  
Only was given our souls more inward light  
To feel our weakness, and confess thy might.   

THOU then our strength FATHER of life and death,  
To whom our thanks, our vows, ourselves we owe,  
From me thy Tenant of this fading breath  
Accept these lines, which by thy goodness flow:  
And thou that wert thy Regal Prophet's Muse,  
Do not thy praise in weaker strains refuse.   

Let these poor notes ascend unto thy THRONE,  
Where Majesty doth sit with Mercy crowned,  
Where my REDEEMER lives, in whom alone  
The errors of my wand'ring life are drowned.  
Where all the CHOIR of Heaven resound the same,  
That none but THINE, THINE is the saving Name.   

Therefore my SOUL, joy in the midst of pain,  
Thy CHRIST that conquered Hell shall from above  
With greater Triumph yet return again  
And conquer his own justice with his love,  
Commanding Earth and Seas to render those  
Unto his bliss for whom he paid his woes.   

Now have I done, now are my thoughts at peace,  
And now my joys are stronger than my grief:  
I feel those comforts that shall never cease  
Future in hope, but present in belief.  
THY words are true, THY promises are just,  
And THOU wilt know thy dearly bought in dust.    

My dearly and worthily ever honoured Nephew.  
THis is that Saturnine time of the year which most molesteth such splenetic bodies (as mine is) by the revolution of melancholic blood, which throweth up fastidious fumes into the head, whereof I have had of late my share. Howsoever this trusty fellow of our Town being hired by one about some business to Cambridge (as he is often hither and thither) and acquainting me commonly with his motions, I have gladly stretched his present journey as far as the Redgrave: hoping by him to have an absolute account of your well being, which Nicolas my servant left in a fair disposition.  
Let me therefore by this opportunity entertain you with some of our newest things: but briefly: for I dare not trust my brains too much.  
First, for the affairs of Scotland: Est bene non potuit dicere, dixit, Erit. The wisest Physicians of State are of opinion that the Crisis is good; and I hope your Sir Jacob Ashley, and my Sir Thomas Morton will have a fine employment upon the borders; Honour by the choice of their persons, money by their journal pay, little pains, and no danger. Our Court mourneth this whole Festival with sad frugality for the untimely death of the young Duke of Savoy, our Queen's Nephew, hastened they say by the Cardinal his Uncle, who would first have illegitimated him, and that not taking effect by the supportment of Spain, he fell to other Roman Arts; so as the said Cardinal to decline this black report, is gone a wand'ring; and as it is thought, will visit barefoot the Holy-Land. In the mean time, methinks I see him with a crew of Banditi and Bravi in his company; and his own conscience a continual Hangman about him. The Queen Mother stirreth little between Majesty and age: She hath published a short Manifesto touching the reasons of her recess from Brussels; wherein is one very notable conceit: That she had long born silently the affronts done her by the Prince, Cardinals, Counsellors, and under-Officers, upon no other reason then the very shame to have received them. Of himself she speaketh with good respect, but I know not how the Character of Humility (which she giveth him) will be digested: For perchance he had rather have been painted like a Lion then a Lamb. Our Queen's delivery approacheth; in a good hour be it spoken. There is newly sworn her servant, a lovely Daughter of Sir Richard Harisons, our neighbour in Berkshire; to answer Madamoiselle Darci on her Mother's side. The Count Palatine since his late defeat, is gotten in disguised habit to Hamborough, and as they say, hath been there visited by the King of Denmark amidst that cold assembly of Ambassadors. But in his passage between the said Town and Bremen, was like to have been taken by an ambush of Freebooters, who no doubt would have made sale of him. Certain it is, that his Brother Prince Rupert fought very nobly before he yielded: Whereof such notice was taken, even by the Count of Hatfeld himself, that he hath ever since been kept by him in a strong place, rounded day and night with a guard of naked Swords; yet in the Tablets of one that had leave to visit him, the Prince made a shift to comfort the Queen his Mother with a line or two to this sense: That whatsoever became of himself, he would never change his Religion nor his Party. We hear my Lord Craven hath made his composition under 20000. l. As for Ferents, I believe his own head must ransom him, or his heels. The Pope's Treaty at Colen goes Il passo del Gambaro, rather backward then forward. And all deliberatives of State seem to depend much upon the event of Brisach; which I use to call the Germane Helena, long wooed, but for aught I hear yet an Imperial Virgin. These are our foreign Rhapsodies: I will end in somewhat nearer us. You receive herewith the Copy of my last or second Letter to M. Carie Raleigh, and his answer thereunto. Believe it Sir, (what conceit soever his actions shall breed) that he is a Gentleman of dextrous abilities, well appearing in the management of a business so tender and delicate, as that which now runneth between us; which for my part I resolve to press no further. For (to depose my mind as plainly as I may safely in your breast) I never could observe any great good effect to ensue upon violent dissuasions in businesses of this nature, but rather an obduration than an abversion: Howsoever I would fain (as the occasion suggesteth) propound unto your judgement a pretty Moral doubt, super tota materia, which I have heard discussed and resolved affirmatively among some sk●…lfull Humorists, who knew the world well. The Question was this, Whether in such a case precisely as ours of mere scandal, without apparent truth, som●…●…nclining to think the worst, and some the best, there be left room for any middle imagination between Good and Ill? In the solution of which point, I will crave pardon to reserve a secret till we meet; at which I believe you will smile.  
We are here (God be blessed) all well: Our Audit ended a little before Christmas-day, more troublesome than fruitful, after the fashion. The same Officers as the year before, every man of them your servant, or otherwise they had wanted my voice. M. Harison hath been of late somewhat more than heretofore troubled with certain Nephritical fits; but they are transient and light, Et jam mansueta mala. M. Powel speaketh of you with much devotion, as all other whom you have once touched with your Magnetical virtue. In the Conclusion let me, as with a Box of Marmalade, close up your stomach with one of the Genialest pieces that I have read in my life time, of the same unaffected and dishevelled kind, (as I may term it) sent me newly from London; which if you have seen before, I am out of countenance. And so (Sir) wishing you (for I cannot wish you better on earth) after the sweet apprehension of God's continual favour, the fruition of yourself: I rest  
At what distance soever, Your unseparable Servant, HENRY WOTTON. From the College on the Eve of the New year, through which God send you a blessed passage, and many more.   

YEt my mind and my spirits give me against all the combustions of the World, that before I die I shall kiss again your Royal hand, in as merry an hour as when I last had the honour to wait upon your gracious eyes at Heidelberge.  
I will now take the boldness to conclude my poor lines with a private and humble suit unto your Majesty; which I bring with me out of Suffolk from Sir Edmund Bacon's house, and that whole Family; among whom your Majesty's name and virtues are in singular admiration.  
There is of that House a young Plant of some sixteen years; well natured, and well moulded both for face and limbs, and one of the bravest spirited boys in Christendom. It is their joint ambition, and they have made me their Intercessor, that your Majesty would be pleased to take him for one of your Pages. They want not means otherways to bestow him, but their zeal towards your Majesty, and their judgements guide them to this humble desire, for his more virtuous and noble nurture. And lest the ordinary number of your Majesty's Attendants in that kind, being perhaps full, might retard their hope of this high favour; I have commission to assure your Majesty, that their meaning is not to aggravate your charge, for he shall have yearly a competent provision allowed to maintain him in good fashion. If my Niece Bacon of dearest memory were alive, (whom God took not long after my Nephew Albertus into his eternal bliss) I am sure she would join in this suit unto your Majesty, that all Sexes might enter into the obligation: But it is your Majesties own goodness, from which only we can hope for a favourable answer: And so with all our prayers, and with my particular obliged devotion, I most humbly commit your Majesty to Gods reserved blessings, and continual love, ever resting  
Your Majesty's poor Servant in all truth and zeal, HENRY WOTTON.   

Sir,  
I Must now acknowledge it true which our Navigators tell us, that there be indeed certain variations of the compass: for I think there was never point of a needle better touched than you have touched me, having ever since I parted from you been looking towards you, and yet still by something or an other, I am put out of my course. I will therefore hereafter not promise you any more to come unto you, but I will promise myself it: because indeed I have no other means to be at peace with myself: for I must lay this heavy note upon your conversation, that I am the unquieter for it a good while after.  
This is the first part of what I meant to say. After which I would fain tell you, That I send this Footman expressly unto you to redeem some part of my fault for not answering your late kind Letter by the Messenger that brought it: But the truth is, I had some special occasion to send to Berry: And therefore I will set no more upon your account then his steps from thence to Redgrave, where perhaps you now are. See what a real Courtier I am, and whether I be likely to prosper. Well, howsoever, let me entertain you a little by this opportunity, with some of our discourses. The King departed yesterday from hence towards you; having as yet, notwithstanding much voice, and some wagering on the other side, determined nothing of the vacant places: Whereupon the Court is now divided into two opinions; the one, that all is reserved for the greater honour of the marriage; the other, that nothing will be done till a Parliament, or (to speak more precisely) till after a Parliament: Which latter conceit, though it be spread without either Author or ground, yet as many things else of no more validity, it hath gotten faith enough on a sudden. I will leave this to the judicial Astrologers of the Court, and tell you a tale about a subject somewhat nearer my capacity.  
On Sunday last at night, and no longer; some sixteen Apprentices (of what sort you shall guests by the rest of the story) having secretly learned a new Play without book, entitled, The Hog hath lost his Pearl; took up the White-Fryers for their Theatre: and having invited thither (as it should seem) rather their Mistresses then their Masters; who were all to enter per buletini for a note of distinction from ordinary Comedians towards the end of the Play, the Sheriffs (who by chance had heard of it) came in (as they say) and carried some six or seven of them to perform the last act at Bridewell; the rest are fled. Now it is strange to hear how sharpwitted the City is, for they will needs have Sir John Swinerton the Lord Maior be meant by the Hog, and the late Lord Treasurer by the Pearl. And now let me bid you good night, from my Chamber in King-street this Tuesday, at Eleven of the night,  
Your faithfullest to serve you, HENRY WOTTON.  
Francisco hath made a proof of that green which you sent me; against which he taketh this exception, That being tried upon glass, (which he esteemeth the best of trials) it is not translucent; arguing (as he saith) too much density of the matter, and consequently, less quickness and spirit then in colours of more tenuity.   

Sir,  
BY the next Carrier (for yet I must say so again) you shall hear when this Ambassador will be gone. The mean while let me entertain you with the enclosed Paper, which the Duke of Savoy hath published in his own defence; joining together the Sword and Reason.  
Sir Robert Mansfeld is still in restraint. Sir Thomas Overbury not only out of liberty (as he was) but almost now out of Discourse.  
We have lately started at a dispatch from Ireland, importing a variance there, about the choice of a Speaker in the summoned Parliament; which came to so sharp a point, that the Deputy was fain to fetch wisdom from hence. Sure it is that the humours of that Kingdom are very hover, and much awaked with an apprehension taken that we mean to fetter them with Laws of their own making; which in truth were an ingenious strain of State. My Lord and Lady are stolen down into Kent for a few days to take in some fresh air. They go not this next Progress, if my Brother can get leave of the King to see his grandchildren; where he intends to spend some fortnight, and the rest of the time between Boughton and Canterbury.  
A match treated and managed to a fair probability between my Lord Cooks heir, and the second Daughter of Sir Arthur Throckmorton is suddenly broken; the said Lord Cook having underhand entertained discourse about the Daughter of the late Sir Thomas Bartlet, who in defect of her Brother, shall be heir of that name.  
I have nothing more to say, and therefore God keep you and my sweet Niece in his continual love.  
Your poor Uncle, faithful Friend, and Willing Servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
Albertus (God be thanked) groweth better and better: And in the midst of his own pains, hath remembered those in Suffolk, whom we both so much honour.   

From my Chamber this Thursday, St. George his Eve. Sir,  
THe last week, by reason of my being in Kent, was a week of silence; and this I think will appear unto you a week of wonder.  
The Court was full of discourse and expectation, that the King being now disincumbred of the care of his Daughter; would towards this Feast of St. George fill up either all or some at least of those places that had lain vacant so long, and had been in this time of their emptiness a subject of notorious opposition between our great Viscount and the House of Suffolk. Thus I say ran the opinion: When yesterday about six of the Clock at Evening, Sir Thomas Overbury was from the Council-Chamber conveyed by a Clerk of the Council, and two of the Guard to the Tower; and there by Warrant consigned to the Lieutenant as close Prisoner: Which both by the suddainness, like a stroke of thunder, and more by the quality and relation of the person breeding in the Beholders (whereof by chance I was one) very much amazement; and being likely in some proportion to breed the like in the Hearers, I will adventure for the satisfying of your thoughts about it, to set down the forerunning and leading Causes of this accident, as far, as in so short a time I have been able to wade in so deep a water. It is conceived that the King hath a good while been much distasted with the said Gentleman, even in his own nature, for too stiff a carriage of his fortune; besides that scandalous offence of the Queen at Greenwich, which was never but a palliated cure. Upon which considerations, His Majesty resolving to sever him from my Lord of Rochester, and to do it not disgracefully or violently, but in some honourable fashion; He commanded not long since the Archbishop by way of familiar discourse, to propound unto him the Ambassage of France, or of the Archduke's Court; whereof the one was shortly to be changed, and the other at the present vacant: In which proposition it seemeth, though shadowed under the Arch-Bishops good will, that the King was also contented some little light should be given him of His Majesty's inclination unto it, grounded upon his merit. At this the Fish did not bite; whereupon the King took a rounder way, commanding my Lord Chancellor, and the Earl of Pembrock to propound jointly the same unto him (which the Archbishop had before moved) as immediately from the King, and to sweeten it the more, he had (as I hear) an offer made him of assurance before his going off the place, of Treasurer of the Chamber, which he expecteth after the death of the Lord Stanhop; whom belike the King would have drawn to some reasonable composition. Notwithstanding all which Motives and impulsives, Sir Thomas Overbury refused to be sent abroad with such terms as were by the Council interpreted pregnant of contemptin a case where the King had opened his will; which refusal of his, I should for my part esteem an eternal disgrace to our occupation, if withal I did not consider how hard it is to pull one from the bosom of a Favourite. Thus you see the point upon which one hath been committed standing in the second degree of power in the Court, and conceiving (as himself told me but two hours before) never better than at that present of his own fortunes & ends. Now in this whole matter, there is one main and principal doubt, which doth travail all understandings; that is, Whether this were done without the participation of my Lord of Rochester: A point necessarily infolding two different consequences; for if it were done without his knowledge, we must expect of himself either a decadence or a ruin; if not, we must then expect a reparation by some other great public satisfaction, whereof the world may take as much notice. These clouds a few days will clear: In the mean while I dare pronounce of Sir Thomas Overbury, that he shall return no more to this Stage, unless Courts be governed every year by a new Philosophy, for our old Principles will not bear it.  
I have showed my Lord and Lady's Sister your Letter of the 18. of April, who return unto you their affectionate remembrances, and I many thanks for it. The King hath altered his journey to Thetford, and determineth to entertain himself till the progress nearer London. The Queen beginneth her journey upon Saturday towards bath. Neither the Marquis di villa (who cometh from Savoy) nor Don Pedro▪ disarmiento (who shall reside here in the room of the present Spanish Ambassador) are yet either arrived, or near our Coast; though both on the way: So as I can yet but cast towards you a longing, and in truth an envious look from this place of such servility in the getting, and such uncertainty in the holding of fortunes, where methinks we are all overclouded with that sleep of Jacob, when he saw some ascending, and some descending; but that those were Angels, and these are men: For in both, what is it but a Dream? And so (Sir) wishing this Paper in your hands, to whom I dare communicate the freest of my thoughts, I commit you to God's continual Love and Blessings.  
Your faithful poor Friend and Servant, HENRY WOTTON.  
I pray (Sir) let me in some corner of every Letter tell my sweet Niece that I love her extremely, as God judge me.  
FINIS.