<B CORNWALL>

[^THE PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCE OF JANE LADY CORNWALLIS; 1613-1644.
ED. BY GRIFFIN, RICHARD, LORD BRAYBROOKE. LONDON: S. & J.
BENTLEY, WILSON, & FLEY. 1842.^]

<Q COR 1613 JCORNWALLIS>
<A JANE CORNWALLIS>
<P 1>
[} [\I. JANE LADY CORNWALLEYS TO MR. PARR.\] }] 
   M=r= Parr, - I hope you do so well remember what I said to
you, at your being here, as that you have not given no
incoregement to the gentleman to prosede in that matter, for,
as, I tould you then, I saye now, that sinc Sir Willem
Cornwaleys's death I neaver as yet had a thought of changing the
course of life which I now lede. What may be my fortune herafter
I know not, for it is onli known to Him which is the disposer of
all things; whom I beseche so to direct me in all my courses as
may be most to his glori: but this gentleman being so desierous
to see me, as you said he was, I thought then, and so I do now,
it ware uncivell
<P 2>
part of me to forbid him coming, but lef it, you know, to
himselfe, and so I do still.
   Yo=r= asseured frend, Ja. Cornwaleys.
[\1613.\]
   To my kind frend, M=r= Parr, at Palgrave.

<Q COR 1613 JCORNWALLIS>
<A JANE CORNWALLIS>
<P 2>
[} [\II. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^JANE CORNWALLIS TO
ELNATHAN PARR^]
   M=r= Parr, - I am sorry that my last gaive you soch destast
as by your last I parceave it did; it was no part of my meaning
that it should do so: and wareas you saye that Sir Nicholas and
my La. expects their son should have soch grate prefarment by
me, I must answer againe, that they have made it seeme other
wayes to me, in asseuring me that it was myselfe, and not my
fortune, which they desiered; but, I confess, by several
circumstances I maye justly feare that I shall find my fortune
to be the chiefe motive which hath persuaded them to this;
besides which, if I do, yet it will much discourage me for
persevering any furder in it.
   Thus, being in hast, I rest y=r= asseured frend as long as
you are as I take you to be,
   Ja. Cornwaleys.
   Pray let my love be remembered to M=rs= Parr.
[\1613.\]
To my varie kind frend, M=r= Parr.

<Q COR 1613 JCORNWALLIS>
<A JANE CORNWALLIS>
<P 3>
[} [\III. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^JANE CORNWALLIS TO MR.
PARR^]
   M=r= Parr, - I thanck you for part of your letter, as farre
as you ware indifferent in this busines; but I must tell you
that I did never expect that you would have ben a persuader of
me to a gave awaye the increase of my owne estate, being you
have eaver heard me earnestli to protest that I would not,
though I had married to a much grater fortune then Sir Nicholas
Bacon doth offer with his son; for I would never have done my
child so much wronge, though I might have had all the good of
the world by it. This is no new thinge to you, for you know that
before I eaver saw M=r= Bacon that this was my mind, and from
which I neaver will be removed. Besides, whatsoeaver you and the
rest of M=r= Bacon's frends think of my fortune in present, I
know any indifferent bodi will saye it doth desarve farre grater
offers then hath yet ben made me; and in it I shall not nede to
include that money which Sir Charles is to paye, neaver in
these. Besides, you know how often you have brought me word from
M=r= Bacon that I should do with my own estate, besides my
child's, what I would; which, if it should now apear to me that
all this was but done to entice my affection, would be a grate
<P 4>
reson to direct it another waye, and I fere I shall find such
hard mesure; but, howsoever, (yet) yf you carry yourself justly,
you shall eaver find me your frend to my power, Ja. Cornewaleys.
[\1613\] .
To my loveing frend, M=r= Parr, at Palgrave in Suffolk, this
give.

<Q COR 1613 EPARR>
<A ELNATHAN PARR>
<P 4>
[} [\IV. MR. PARR TO ANNE LADY BACON.\] }] 
   Madam, - I receaved a letter from your La. by the hands of
M=r= Bacon about the 15th of October last, since which tyme it
hath pleased God to make me unserviceable both for the public
duties of my calling, and also for private offices towards my
friends, even to the time of writing this letter, being the
Lord's close prisoner in my chamber, not being able to indure so
much light as might serve to read one line for my comfort. I
beseech his Heavenly Majestie to sanctify his fatherly
punishment to his own glorie and the good of my soul. I am so
much the more bold to answer your letter, in as much as it has
pleased you first to use me, and my La. Cornwalleys after to
suffer me, as an instrument in this weighty buisnes, to the
which I wish so well that I would contentedly go a hundred miles
on my bare foot for the good accomplyshing of the same. For your
letter, Madam, first, I thanke your La. for it; and then,
<P 5>
I desier you to know, that you writt nothing that might grieve
me as concerning myself, but my grief was for the ill speeding
of the buisnes, which your letter did portend. For my La.
Cornwalleys her favour towards me, though I had great cause to
fear the loss of it, yett I certify your La. that I have it as
amply as ever I had, I humbly thank God for it. And whereas your
La. writes of amends and satisfaction to be made to me for my
trouble undertaken, I answer that, first, I give your La. many
thanks, and then I protest before God, who knoweth harts, that I
never aymed at any such thing, neyther have been carried to this
so much as in hope of any preferment. But if you will needes
know what were my ends, they were these: first, the approbation
of my service to Sir N. Bacon and your La.; secondly, and more
chiefly the glory of God and his Gospel to be more advanced by
this mach, besides the general good of the country by so worthy
a gentleman, together with the persuaded content of all parties
to insue upon the same. And therfore, that you may be well
persuaded of my integrity herein, I do hereby freely and
willingly discharge your La. of all care and thought of any
satisfaction to be made for my paynes herein, though I despise
not your love; desiering that whatsoever you have intended this
way towards me, may, with much more, be added to the enlargement
of conditions
<P 6>
in this busines. The rest of your La=ps= letter, is, that you
offer what you are able, and that you are not capable how my La.
Cornwalleys could be offended att any thing and that you referr
it to the providence of God. For these things I humbly beseech
you, good Madam, give me leave to speak boldly to your Christian
hart, being as ready to use the like boldness to my La.
Cornwalleys if ther lay such impediment on that. For your
ability, Madam, though you know best your own estate, yett the
whole contry, you even show with fayre reason to be partial on
your side, judge that you are able conveniently to give full
satisfaction. For my La. Cornwalleys her offence at the
conditions; first, they are farr under the proportion of their
valew, beside short in some thing of what formerly had been
spoken of. Secondly, they were bredd from an erroneous
supposition of her estate; and therefore she concludes thus: If
error, being less, bring forth such conditions, etc. then truth,
being more, requires an enlargement. And truly, Madam, might it
please you to give me leave to be so bold, if you were as wise
as Solomon, what could you alledge why you should not amplify
the conditions, considering the worthiness both of the person
and estate? Not want of ability, for the contrary is more than
evident; not the envy of others, for, first, you may do it with
a good conscience, and
<P 7>
that which you give M=r= Bacon already, breedes as much envy as
if you should give him as much more. Not the provision of other
kindred; for, first, that is nearest; secondly, more necessary;
thirdly, they may also be relieved, though not so largely. Now,
whether this be first to be regarded or such kindred, this I
say, by which so great good may redound to yourselves, the
family, and the whole contry, he who is impartial will easily
determine on this side. But you will say, how can the La.
Cornwalleys proportion on her part, conditions expected in case
of death? To this I answer, that either she must perform what is
fit and reasonable, or if upon capitulation you shall not be
able, then you must be contented with such as are offered. I
know, as you shall find her wise and courteous, so conscionable
and plaine in every thing. If you shall say, the worth of M=r=
Bacon is great, I confes it, and greater than I will write, to
avoyde suspicion of flattery; but sure then you will compare
herselfe? And thus much I oft have heard her say, that, had it
not been out of a special regard of his worthines, and out of a
great deale of respect to Sir N. Bacon and yourselfe, she would
never have entertayned it thus far, upon greater conditions then
yett have been spoken of by any. Surely, Madam, there is great
reason, you very well know, that you should strayne yourself for
the effecting of this 
<P 8>
mach; for, as I have often expressed on M=r= Bacon's behalfe to
her, that I think she should be as happy for an husband as a
woman might be, so I expressed on her behalfe to you, that M=r=
Bacon should be as happy for a wyfe as any man in England. Now
for the last point, concerning casting yourself and the buisnes
upon the providence of God; it is well done, but yett, good
Madam, call to mynde that which you know as well as myself, that
meanes likely, fitt, lawful, and profitable are to be used, or
else we do err in the practice of our fayth, or the providence
of God. God hath made a way for you in this buisnes; follow you
the good hand of God, using such aforenamed meanes, and then
commit it to his providence. A word of this is enough to you
that understand and desyer to practise according to sound
knowledge. And now, to cease to be teadious farther to you and
troublesome to myselfe, I eaven humbly beseeche Sir N. Bacon and
your La. with impartial counsellors, to consider of this weighty
affair, and not to lett slip so fayre an occasion of glory to
God, good to the contry, preferment to your sonne, and comfort
to yourselves. I would to God it might enter into your mynde to
make some worthy additions to your former proffers. I beseche
the Lord Jesus of his eternal Spirit to directe you in the
managing of this matter to the accomplishing of it, if it be His
<P 9>
good pleasure. And thus, praying God for the continual encrease
of your temporal and spiritual prosperity, I present the
remembrance of my humble duty to Sir N. Bacon and your Ladyship,
and rest,
   Your Ladyshypps to be commanded in what I may, 
   Elnathan Parr.
[\1613.\] 

<Q COR 1613 A2BACON>
<A ANNE BACON>
<P 9>
[} [\V. ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR.\] }] 
   M=r= Parr, - I have received your letter, and I am very sory
that any losse of favour or otherwise any hurt should be to you,
I am sure my letter could import no such thing. I cannot give
you so large an answer to every poynt in your letter as wear
fytt, but you shall hear from me againe very shortly when I have
spoaken to my sonne, when I will truly answer your letter from
poynt to poynt. I praye you co~mend my love to the Lady
Cornwaleys, whose love I desyre to continew, though she will not
yeelde it me in that sort I desyer. And thus, in hast, fare
well. God hath the disposing of all things, and to Him I co~mitt
this and all other. Yo=r= assured
   Anne Bacon.
[\1613.\]
   To my assured freind M=r= Parr.

<Q COR 1613 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 10>
[} [\VI. NATHANIEL BACON TO MR. PARR.\] }] 
   M=r= Parr, - I have sent to you according to my promise,
being desirous to understand the estate of the supposed sicke
person, of whose health my well wishes have not as yet geven me
leave to despair. I praye send me word whether our intelligence
did fayle or not, and how the determination for the jorney
houldeth, or, if the party be evilye affected, whether shee will
be visitable this afternoone or not? Thus, not desiring you
further trouble at this tyme, I commyt you to God. Yo=r= assured
friend, 
   Nath. Bacon.
[\1613.\]
   To his much respected friend M=r= Parr, at Palgrave, gev
this.

<Q COR 1613 A2BACON>
<A ANNE BACON>
<P 10>
[} [\VII. ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR.\] }] 
   Sir, - If my busynes had not bene much, and my stay at
Redgrave very littill I hade purposed to have sene you at
Palgrave. But, I humbly thanke God, I did heare there you wear
somthing amended; I praye God to perfect your recovery. I have
received your letters, but I have not leysure neyther to reade
them as I shoulde, nor to wright
<P 11>
an answer as I would, my house being full of strangers; but, if
God will, I will wright shortly. My sonne Nath. as I thinke is
at London, if he be not gonne beyond the seas, which he did
purpose, as I percieved by his letters the last weak. Soon his
distance will be very great, so as we are content to lett hym
travell for his recreation. You shall hear from me shortly: till
then, fare well! By a dim candle, and old eyes going to bedd.
Yo=r= assured freind,
   Anne Bacon.
[\1613.\]
   To my very lovinge freind M=r= Parr, the Minister of God's
word in Palgrave.

<Q COR 1613 A2BACON>
<A ANNE BACON>
<P 11>
[} [\VIII. ANNE LADY BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
   The greatest treasur vnder y=e= sunn (which is) the loue of
God, the peace of consince and joy in the Holy Ghost, be w=th=
you to yo=r= eternall comfort.
My good La.
   I do percive that the olde proverbis be not alwaies trewe,
for I do fynde y=t= the absence of my Nath. doth brede in me the
more continuall remembrance of hym: and I cannot thinke of hym
but I must do the lyke of yo=r= La=pp=. who I knowe is lodged in
the principall p=t= of his hart. But how yo=u= stande affected
vnto hym I knowe not, 
<P 12>
otherwise then his resolution to travill makith me to suspect
it. But, howsoever, I do and ever shall loue you vnfainedly and
most deerly in the Lorde, and ame and shal be alwaies redy to do
any kindness or servis that one Christian freind may perform
vnto another. And I wishe from my hart that I wear abill to
obtain yo=u= to my selfe as my owne, if I myght be so happy. But
what I cannot have by alliance, yo=u= shall have by Christian
bande. And I wishe my sonnes estate wear awnswerable to yo=r=
content. In shorte, I hope to enioy yo=u= as I would; for a
trewer husband, and on that louved yo=u= better, shall yo=u=
never have. But I comend hym and yo=u= bothe vnto the disposing
of Almighty God, who sitteth in y=e= heavens and oderth althings
in this wicked world for the good of his children and for the
distruction of his enimies, howsoever for a tyme thay seeme to
flourishe. To this merciful God I comend yo=r= La=pp=. w=th= my
littill swete cosen yo=r= prety sonn; and do rest, Ever yo=rs=,
   Anne Bacon.
Culford, y=e= 22 of Octobr a=o= 1613.
   To my very nobill good freind the Lady Cornwallis, at M=rs=
Cooke hir howse, neer to the Earle of Northampton's Howse by
Charinge Crosse.

<Q COR 1613 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 13>
[} [\IX. NATHANIEL BACON TO MR. PARR.\] }] 
   M=r= Parr, - I am hartely sorry that I have lived so long in
ignorance of yo=r= estate, that I must necessarilie doubt of
your well beinge; but my continuall prayers and well wishes in
ther effects have promised so perfect a recovery, that my doubt
resteth in part diminished. The success of my busines here hath
so assured me of the constancie of fortune in myne endevors,
that I do remaine desperate, wherfore I have undertaken that
course for Antwerp which I intended, wherin I desier, by your
well wishes, the continuance of your affection, of which I am
already truely sensible, that my actions shall not in any thinge
be more happily employed then to endevor a requitall. If you
come to London, I desier to heare from you, which you may easily
do by the means of M=r= Quester, the postmaster of Antwerpe,
dwelling in Fillpot Lane. In the meane tyme, good angels guard
you. Yo=r= assured friend,
   Nath. Bacon.
From London, October [\1613\] .
   To his much respected friend M=r= Parr, Preacher at Palgrave
in Suffolk, deliver this, at Sir Nicolas Bacon's howse, to be
convayed unto him. 

<Q COR 1613 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 14>
[} [\X. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Madam,
   The pretiousness of a faier winde & a good ship, especially
at this tyme of the year, hath constrayned to me (by the
suddayneness of the occasion offered) to transgress all the
bounds of loue & ciuillitye in that I haue not bin able to kyss
yo=e= sweetest hands before my departure; but these
circumstances, I do not doubt shall sufficiently satisfie yo=e=
discretion and howld me excused. Deare Madam, all my happyness
hath bin purchased by yo=e= fayth to what I haue proffessed,
wherefore farther protestations ar altogether unnecessarye;
onely lett constancie still seeme my cheifest vertue, w=ch= I do
persewade my self shalbe easilye able to make good, or better
yo=e= greatest expectations. My retourne shall rest altogether
vppon yo=e= command & the conueniencye of farther proceedinges,
vntill when I leaue you w=th= M=rs= Cooke & yo=e= pretty sonne,
w=th= my best seruisse, and prayers for all blessinges temporal
and spirituall most religiously attended. From Grauesend, ready
to depart for Flushing, this 29 Nouembre. Yours absolutelye,
   Nath. Bacon.
[\1613.\]
   Yo=e= La=pp= may be pleased to lett M=r= Cuckow
<P 15>
enquire at M=r= Quester's howse, the postmaster of Antwerp,
dwellinge in Fillpot Lane, once in eight or ten dayes, wher he
shall vnderstand of my letters.
   To the much honoured Lady the Lady Cornwallis, at M=rs=
Cookes howse by Charinge Cross, geue these. London.

<Q COR 1613 A2BACON>
<A ANNE BACON>
<P 15>
[} [\XI. ANNE LADY BACON TO MR. PARR.\] }] 
   M=r= Parr, - I have deffered my writting unto you, desyring
to heare from my sonne, who hath, byne at London ever synce the
La. went up, and is either ther still, or else going over the
sea, which he purposed when I last heard from hym. We have
offered what we are abell, and what we can and will faythfully
performe. If it be accepted, we shall rejoyse much therein; if
not, we must be contented without grudging, asseuring ourselves
it is the Lord's doing. And although the juell layd before us be
never so riche, if we be not abill to buy it we must be content
to forbeare it. We must not laye out all our stocke upon one
purchas, having so many others to provide for. God blesse the
good La. with a richer choyse, that may bringe a happy content
to hyr mind. I do honor and love hyr with my holle hart, and I
know an honester and trew harted husband shall she never have.
But this I leave unto hyr La.
<P 16>
consideracion; resting much indebted unto you for your kinde and
faythfull love, which you shall finde as occasion dothe serve.
   Yo=rs= asseuredly, Anne Bacon.
[\1613.\]
   To my much approved freind M=r= Parre, at Palgrave, give
this.

<Q COR 1613 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 16>
[} [\XII. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Hart,
   I thincke you haue already vnderstood what vse I made of the
litter, & I confess I was not able by any meanes to endure the
tediousness of yt any farther; wherfore I made vse of the coach,
according to yo=e= adwise, & cam well to Chelmsford, wher I mett
w=th= my Lady Withipoole, w=th= whome I was enforced by her
importunity to supp; butt thatt night, after I was in bedd, a
distemper cam uppon me, so as I slept little till the morninge.
I could not impute yt vnto any thing but diet & ale of hers,
w=ch= she com~ended vnto me, & w=ch= I veryly beleiue caused yt,
althoug I would not lett her vnderstand so much. This day I haue
very well passed ouer my journy, & got a better stomach than I
had this month, that I hope now a
<P 17>
bettering in my health euery day; w=ch= I hartely also wish vnto
you, desiring you to be carefull of yt, & to geue yo=e=self the
best content the place affordeth. Uppon Fryday or Satturday I
purpose to depart. Com~end my best loue to yo=e=self, w=th= the
rest of my good friends, & comand him, who is alwaies & oneley
Yo=rs=,
   Nath. Bacon.
[\1613.\]
   My brother Killigrew kyses thye hands, w=th= my sister,
sending you many thanks for yo=e= kind tokens.
   To his most respected friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at her
lodginge in the Strand.

<Q COR 1614 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 17>
[} [\XIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Madam,
   W=th=out circumstances I am her the same man as I parted from
you, beinge not able to make my self more worthy of yo=e= loue
then before. I haue found base enimyes in myne absence beyond
expectation, but my cheifest friends firme onely in what they
haue intended, & encrease of loue, although not of fortunes.
Deare Madam, I am reasonably sensible of yo=e= deseruings & what
<P 18>
concerneth my self; wherfore be perswaded of my best endeuors
fore the satisfaction or furtherance of eyther. I haue freely
imparted (not w=th=out great reasons) the success of my business
to my father & mother, the entertaynement of w=ch= I will refer
to yo=e= owne experience at yo=e= retourne into the contry, wher
I shall be easily able to iustifie whatsoeuer I haue eyther
protested for my self or promised for my friends. Vntill when
all good angells guard you. From Culford, January xuiij. Yours,
   Nath. Bacon.
[\1613-14.\]
   I desier you to kyss the hands of the L. of Bedford of my
part, & lett her vnderstand that at this instant I am prouidinge
to do her seruise.
   To his much honoured Lady, the Lady Cornwalleys, at Twitnam.

<Q COR 1614? A2BACON>
<A ANNE BACON>
<P 18>
[} [\XIV. ANNE LADY BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Madam,
   I cannot forbear to signify unto you how welcom my sonne
Nathaniel with your favor is unto me, for without it I thinke I
should not have seen hym a great while. And now, Madam,
<P 19>
as you shall find us in love reddy to perform all things as we
have spoaken unto you, so shall I not cease to praye unto the
Lorde Almighty for the increase of faythfull love between you
with all spiritual graces and happiness in this life, and in the
life to come, endles felicity to you and yours, in the presence
of the Blessed Trinity, whear is fulnes of joy, and at whose
right hand are unspeakable pleasures for evermore. And if it
shall please you to take Culford in your returne from London,
you shall be most entirely welcom and I shall much rejoyce in
it; and Nath. will meete you on the way to direct you thether.
And thus, good Lady, with more trew love in hart then I can
expresse in words, I leave you to the blessed direction of
Almighty God, and do rest Yo=r= ever loving freind,
   Anne Bacon.
[\1613-14.\]
   To my deerly beloved freind the Lady Jane Cornwallis give
this, at London.

<Q COR 1614 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 19>
[} [\XV. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
   The neglect of my weekely promise, sweetest Madam, maketh me
somewhat ashamed of the approbation of myne honesty by yo=e=
letter; but I am suer reason ther was, w=ch= I desier you will
at the least imagine worthy an excuse. The owld 
<P 20>
prouerbe, (^Out of sighte out of mynde,^) I haue proued
directlye contrary, for I haue bin so wholely possesed in this
absence w=th= the trewe consideration of yowr deservinges, that
the desier of yo=e= presence is nowe inexpressible, & I do rest
in a more troubled estate then yo=e= credit to my greatest
protestations can make you sensible of. The tyme maketh me happy
in the expectation of yo=e= sodayne cominge downe, w=ch= I wish
for many respects may be made by this way: lett me vnderstand
perticularly of yt, & I will warrant you safe conduct; vntill
when I leaue you w=th= my best wishes & prayers moste
religiously attended.
   Yowrs entyrely,
   Nath. Bacon.
Culford, this February 6 [\1613-14\] .
   Speak yo=e= mynde to the Lady of Bedford in my behalf, & tell
her that the weather hath bin very vnfauorable to the
proceedinges of her picture. 
   To the much honored Lady, the Lady Cornwalleys, geue these.

<Q COR 1614 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 20>
[} [\XVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Madam,
   The vnwished for newes in o=e= contrye maketh me desier the
entertaynement of my speciale condolements w=th= you for the
vntymelye death
<P 21>
of the Lord Harrington, & leaueth me so sensible of ou=e= frayle
estate in this lyfe that I cannot but w=th= my gratest oratory
solycite a better assurance for the enioyinge of yo=e= sweetest
companye. Deare Madam, make me happy in my chiefest desiers by
yo=e= speedy retourne, w=ch= is equally enuited by other
conueniences. My father & mother ar determyned to make a longe
journeye to Maubourne hilles presently after the feast of o=e=
Lady, before w=ch= tyme I thincke yo=e= presence is neccessarily
required. Remember y=oe= promise in cominge downe by my fathers,
w=ch= seemeth specially conuenient unto me. The hast of the
messenger biddeth me kyss yo=e= hands, wishinge you all
happyness & restinge entyerly yours, Nath. Bacon.
   Culford, March 6 [\1613-14\] .
   For my Lady of Bedford, let my best seruise attend her, & my
continual prayers for all comfort spiritual & temporal.
   To the most honoured Lady, the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, at
M=rs= Cookes house by Charing Cross, geue these.

<Q COR 1614? A2BACON>
<A ANNE BACON>
<P 22>
[} [\XVII. ANNE LADY BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Madam,
   Yo=r= delaye in cominge downe hath caused you once againe to
be trobled with my deer Nath=l= at London. I am sorry that your
busynes doth carye you another way that I shall not see you at
Culford in your jorney towards Broome. But it shall not be longe
I trust in God before I see you in a neerer affinity then yett
ever I did, in which I joye muche now; and I doubt not but you
shall muche more joye in it, when I am with the Lord God in
Heaven. My husband commends hym very kindly unto you, and we
bothe doe very willingly give unto you the juill of our deer
sonne. God blesse you together with abbundance of all felicity
in this lyfe, and in the lyfe to come the presence of the
Blessed Trinity, a greater happiness cannot be to any. Deer La.
the blessed God be with you for ever. Yo=rs=,
   Anne Bacon
[\1613-14.\]
   To my most deerly beloved the Lady Jane Cornwallis give this,
at London.

<Q COR 1614 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 23>
[} [\XVIII. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\]
}] 
Deare Cornewallis,
   The K. of Denmarcke's unexpected coming hath constrayned me
to defer my setting forward towards Rutland from the 8=th= of
August to the tenth, which is Wensday comse'night, and so itt
will be the 11=th= before I shall be at Huntingdon, whear I
promis myselfe the contentment of meeting you; whearof to have a
confirmation, and that you may not be ignorant of this
alteration, I send this bearer, whom lett me intreatt you to
dispatch as soone as you may: and suffer not any thing lesse
then necessity to change your purpos, and M=r= Bacon's, to take
this jorney for her sake that will ever be to you both a most
assured and affectionate freind, L. Bedford.
   My mistres comanded me not to forget her kindest comendations
to you.
Bedford House, in haste, this Saterday morneinge 30th July
[\1614\] .
   To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 

<Q COR 1614 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 24>
[} [\XIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Cornewallis,
   I know you thinke itt strange that you have not all this
while hearde from me; but, so I know too, when you know the
occasions, you will acquitte me of deserving much blame. When I
went from hence itt was with a full resolution, if God
contradicted not my purpos, to have seen you at Broome before my
retorne heather, and to have intreated you to have made a
journey to Exton to have been my gueste; but, because I could
not sett a sertaine day for my goeing with you, I deferred my
wrighting to you still I cam into the contry, wheare within 8
days the K. overtooke me; against whos coming, and during his
stay att my house, all my tyme and litle witt was so taken up
about the busnes of house; keepinge as itt made me lay all else
aside. Within 3 days after, my promis carried me to my Lo. of
Huntingdon's, wheare I intended to have made but 2 days' stay,
and then to have retorned to Exton; but ther I mett with a
peremtory comandement from the Queene to wayte upon her at
Woodstocke, which I
<P 25>
did, though with so ill health as I had much adoe to get heather
to use the helpe of some phisicke: yett I thanke God he
strengthened me to beare out the exteam distempers I was in till
I camme to this house of mine, where I thought to have rested
but a very few days, and so have gonne into Rutland againe
wheare I left my Lord; but itt pleased God to order itt
otherwise, for within 2 days after my arrivall here I fell so
extream sick as I was forced to take my bed, out of which I have
not for the space of these 6 weekes binne 3 days together, nor
yett have ventured out of my chamber; though I thanke God my
health is much better then when I cam heather. Thus, Madam, may
you see what hath soe long withheld me from sending to you, who
I now hope winter will bring to this towne, which I should be
extream glad to have confirmed by this bearer, and to hear that
you and yours have escaped free from the danger or canker of
this sickly tyme, wherein my people every whear have binne
vissited with much sickness, which hath concluded at Exton with
the death of poor Francke Markham, the newse whearof camme to me
yesterday and brought me a great deale of sorrow, haveing ever
had cause to hope, if God had spared her lyfe, she wold have
repayd my care of her with honnor
<P 26>
and comfort; whearin at her ende she hath not deseaved me,
though my hope of seeing her happily bestowed be frustrate. Had
she lived till Allhollandtyde she had died a wyfe, for I had
concluded such a match for her, as I had reason to beleive she
should have lived contentedly; but He that disposeth all things
hath provided far better for her. Other then sad newse I cannot
sende you, the rest I have to wrighte being that my mother goes
presently into Germany by my La. Elizabeth's extreame earnest
desier, and the K.'s comandement; which, the season of the yeare
considered, is so cruell a jorney I much feare how she will
passe itt. But her affection to her Highnes keeps her from being
frighted with any difficultie; and her spiritt caries her body
beyond what almost could be hoped att her years, which I trust
will not faile her in this no more then in other labors; which
my weake hand begins to do me, and makes me remember how
unexcusable my teadiousnes is, if part of the cause of itt weare
not my care to satisfie you, who shall never have cause to acuse
me of leaveing you unsatisfied, howsoever I may faile in
seremonis, in any real proofe I may give you that I am
unchangeably
   Your La=ps= most affectionat and faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
   Deare Madam, do me the honnor to keepe me in M=r= Bacon's
favor, whos good opinion I should
<P 27>
be proude to deserve in any thing wherin I can be of use to him.
Kisse litle Fred. from me, and desier him to weare the token I
send him, that he may somtymes remember he hath such a freind. I
hartely beseech Allmighty God to make him, your other, and all
He shall give you, lasting comforts.
(^Bedford House^) , from whence I shall remoove as I am able to
Harington House, and ther winter, this 9th of Sept. [\1614\] .
   To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, at Broome.

<Q COR 1614 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 27>
[} [\XX. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deare Sister,
   It is now all most a yeare since I heard from you, but have
written often to you, yett not lately by reson of the remotenes
of this plase, where I have lain in with my company this 16
weakes which hath bin the cause I coulde not wryght. I shall be
extreame glad to hear that yourselfe and little sonn is in good
helth, which is one of the cheafest occasyons of this
messenger's goinge, for England; whome I have gyven order to
macke a jorny downe to your howse in the country, if his fortune
be not to find you in London. His staye is not to be longer then
to bringe me answer of some letters which I have sent him with
to the Corte. I could wish my fortune answerable to my
affectyon, that I might show it by doing you 
<P 28>
servis Thus, commending myself very affectionately to yourselfe
and little Fredderyck, I rest in hast, Your lovinge brother, 
   T. Meautys
Julyers, October 17, 1614.
   To my deare sister, y=e= Ladie Cornewallis, present these, at
Broome Haull in Souffolcke or elsewhere.

<Q COR 1614 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 28>
[} [\XXI. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deare Lady, 
   You should not have had so just cause to acuse me for being
thus long without sending to you could I have told what sertayne
acount to have given you of my fortune, which finding in
ballance att my retorne out of Rutland, I still wayted to see 
which way itt would setle before I writte. Now I thanke God I
can say, that out of a very great and almost hopeles danger my
Lord of Bedford hath recovered so much health and strength as we
are out of all fear of him, and doe conseave that the violent
fever he hath had hath done him some good for his palsy, his
speach being better then itt was before he fell sick, though his
lamenes be nothing amended. His present state setts me at
liberty to follow my terme busnesses, which daylie are
multiplied upon me, and make me heavile feel the burden of a
broken estate; yett
<P 29>
doe I not doubt but by the assistance of Almighty God I shall
ear long overcum all those difficulties which at the present
contest with me. Though yesterday Sir John Haryngton hath
begunne a course in the Chaunsery against my mother, but indeed
most conserning me, wherby he will gett nothing but lost labor,
nor will itt cost me more then som few lawyers' fees and a litle
troble, which I am borne to, and therfore imbrace it as part of
my portion. I extreamly desier to hear wheather your ill health
this sommer have had so happy an issue as I hoped it wold, which
lett me intreatt you by this bearer I may, and wheather you have
any purpos to see London this winter or no, be cause, if you
have not, I will then send to you againe before the ende of the
terme. Your cousin Killegrew is gonne to see your neyghbour for
a while, nothing altered. My La. Uvedale is become the fonde
mother of a sonne. My La. Marquis
<P 30>
of Winchester is dead, and our noble freind my Lord Mounteagle
very ill of a swelling in his throat. John Elviston died on
Tuesday last, to the great griefe of all good daunsers. My La.
of Roxbrough grows big, and lookes her for about the latter ende
of the next month or begineing of December, which I fear will
draw me to more attendance then of late I have putt myselfe
unto. My mother affectionately salutes you, and this is all the
nuese this dull towne afords; else by this you may see I should
be easily invited to lengthen my letter, which now I will
conclude with my best wishes to M=r= Bacon, little Fred., and
yourselfe, that have no whear a faithfuller freind then 
   L. Bedford 
Bedford House, this 27th of October [\1614\] .
   To my worthy freind the La. Cornewallis att Broome.

<Q COR 1614 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 31>
[} [\XXII. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dere Sister,
   Yors by my footeman I receved the 2. of this month. You maye
conceve how wellcome theye were to me, that have nott receved
any from you allmost in a yeare before, though I vnderstand by
yor letters that you haue wrytten many; and if it will please
you to giue creditt to what I wright, for hathe there bin writt
by me vnto yo=r= selfe, w=th= assewrence I speacke it, aboue 20,
far be it from any thought of mine to neglect you, soe mucth as
you charge me w=th= it in yo=r= letter; butt yf you haue nott
receued soe often from me as I haue sent, lett yo=r= charytie be
soe mucth to yor absent brother as nott to macke an ill
construcktion of his affectionate indevours, w=ch= will be ever
sucth as shall still gane from you more open loufe. As for any
ill newes that you did forbare to wright, I thanck God, and I
hope I haue known the worst of all that I coulde hear, and
therfore when I vnderstud by my footeman that yo=r= selfe and
little Frederic was in health, I assewered my selfe that you
coulde right me nothinge that was ill; but my lackee tolde me
newes as I coulde scase beleue, till it was confermed vnder
yo=r= hand, that you weare maryed, w=ch= was newes too on that I
had som assewerence too the contrary. I shall
<P 32>
wish you yo=r= content in all thinges, and will praye for it, as
all soe for the health and well fare of yo=r= little sonn, whome
I hear grows grate. You may imagen how dificult a thinge it is
for me too send over vnto you, for from the place from whence
this coms it is very nere 250 myles too the seae side. I shall
for this time troble you noe furder; butt dooe intreat that I
maye be remembered vntoo my sister Shute. From home I haue nott
harde sence I left England. Soe in hast I rest yo=r= very
lovinge brother,
   T. Meautys.
Julyers, Desember the 7, 1614.
   If you please, you maye returne a rememberance from me too
yo=r= husband, if that in yo=rs= came by his direction.
   To my dere sister the Ladie Cornwallis, att her house att
Broome in Suffolcke, these.

<Q COR 1615 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 32>
[} [\XXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
   Neither the convenyencies of the plase, nor the opertunytie
of messengers, dear sister, hath afforded me meanes too send
vnto you; besides, I haue. bin haulfe discurridged in regarde
that I haue receeved noe ansers of my letters this twellmonth
<P 33>
w=ch= I haue sent onto you, yett I hope that I am nott holy
forgotten, but rather I thincke that you want the comoditie to
send as well as my selfe. You shall favour me mutch to haue a
charytable oppinnyon of me, and to salute little Fredireck from
me, whome I wish maye remaine to yo=r= mutch comfort.
   Yo=r= assewred lovinge brother,
   T. Meautys.
Julyers, October the 2. 1615.

<Q COR 1615 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 33>
[} [\XXIV. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }]
Bedford House, this [^BLANK IN THE TEXT^] of December [\1615.\]
Deare Cornewallis,
   Because your woeman went so sodainely out of the towne as my
letters fayled comming tyme enough to goe by her, I send this
bearer, by whos jorney I shall not only have the means to bring
myselfe to your remembrance, whear I desier to live as your most
affectionat freind, but the contentment to hear how you and
yours doe. If I might also by him understand that M=r= Bacon and
you wold shortly be in towne, itt wold be very wellcome newse to
me that am like to be a Londoner the most of this winter, to
ayer my house at Twicknam against the spring. I am shuer the
<P 34>
busnesses now a foote hear flie over all the kingdom, and
therfore cannot be unknown to you; yett Sir Thomas Monson's
being sent this morning to the Tower perhaps will not be so
soone with you by any other hand as by this letter; therfore itt
tells you of that, and that the change of his prison is a signe
ther is more to be laid to his charge then what consernes
Overbury's death only. My La. of Somersett is not yett brought
to bed, but this is her last day of reckoning. Whear and when
this tragedy will ende I thinke God only knows; to whom, with my
best devotion, I com~ende you, and beg of you that no omission
of seremonis may make you thinke me the lesse
   Your faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
   Sweet Madam, comend me to M=r= Bacon and continue me in his
good opinion, which I will be ever ready to deserve by any
office of an affectionat freind.

<Q COR 1616 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 35>
[} [\XXV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Cornewallis,
   Had I not continually for a long tyme expected your coming
up, it had been more needfull for me then you to have excused so
long a silence. Now, having that to allege for myselfe, I will
tell you that I cannot so easily forgett the many proofes I have
had of your affection as for the omission of any seremony to
suspect itt. I should have binne extream sorry to hear of your
children not being well, if withall I had not heard so good
newse of ther amendment, whos health I will hartely pray may so
fast increase as I may see both you and them shortly hear, which
I know cannot be but that I shall have M=r= Bacon's company too,
whos good opinion and love I shall ever declare my redines to
observe whensoever I shall be so happy as to know any ocation
whearby I may wittnes what I am to him for his owne worth and
your sake, whos 
   Most faithfull and affectionat freind I am,
   L. Bedford.
Whight hall, in hast, this Good-friday at 12 o'clock [\1616\] .
   My La. of Roxbrough is so near her tyme as she is not able to
wait, which tyes me to a very strickt attendance. Her sonne is
dead. My La.
<P 36>
of Somersett is sent to the Tower, and will be very shortly
arraigned. The Queen's leg is holle; to prevent a relapse, as
soone as the K. is gonne, she retornes to Grenwich and enters
into a diet this spring. This is all the newse I can wright you.
   To my worthy friend the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1616 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 36>
[} [\XXVI. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dere Sister,
   The commoditie of this bearer, whome I vnderstand to be of
yo=r= partes, hath made me to wright vnto you; for, sence som
letters w=ch= I wrytt in Desember last by Dennis that was my
footeman, I haue not hard from you, neither of him that I
imployed, w=ch= is now nere haulfe a yeare sence his goinge over
that I haue vnderstood of him. Yo=u= shall favour me beyounde my
merritt to lett me vnderstand of yo=r= helth w=th= the wellfare
of yo=r= sonn, and the rest, yf God hath sent yo=u= any by this
yo=r= husbande. I shall for my perticular, beinge absent, praye
effectually that all the contentments in this worlde maye attend
you and those that shall com of you; therefore I must ende, and
rest allwayes,
   Yo=r= faythfull lovinge brother, T. Meatys.
Julyers, Maye the 9. 1616.
   To the Ladie Cornwallis att Broome, my affectionate dere
sister, giue these, in Suffolke.

<Q COR 1616 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 37>
[} [\XXVII. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\]
}] 
Deare Cornewallis,
   This day I could not meet you because the rest of our company
could not be ther, and tomorrow my La. of Roxborough's busnes,
whom I must not forsake, will passe a triall, so as I can
neither goe my jorney nor hope to see you, if you goe away on
Wensday, before your retorne into the contry, which I am extream
sory for; but I will in the morninge send to you againe eyther
my farewell or to reseave the good newse that you goe not so
soone, which if you doe not, I will, God willing, com to you on
Wensday, till when I kisse your hands. In extream hast, with the
best affection of Your most faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford. 
Grenwidge, this Monday night att 7 o'clock [\1616\] .

<Q COR 1616? LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 38>
[} [\XXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   Because I putte you by such a messenger to a needles troble
to read thes lines, they shall only beseech you to take from him
all the assurance of my love, and desier to manifest itt, that
an honest hart can professe, till I have the happines to see you
myselfe, which I hope God will not denie me before your tyme of
deliverance; though I am not able to sett a sertain day when, by
reason of my building and som busnes I have with the dilatory
Chancellor of the Exchequer. So soone itt cannot be as I wish,
that long extreamly to tell you how unalterably I am
   Your most affectionat freind to serve you,
   L. Bedford.
From the More, this Wensday morning, in hast.
   To my noble and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1616 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 38>
[} [\XXIX. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deere Sister,
   I haue receued yo=rs= by this post, and in readinge of it I
remaned awhyle betwyxt hope and dispare till sutch time as I
grew towards the eand of yo=r= letter, whereby I founde the
grate cause yo=u= had to feare the well farr of my littl kinsman
in regard
<P 39>
of his longe sickness; butt, vnderstandinge that it was an
ageue, I hope that you shall nott need to doubte any danger of
him att this present. Yf my prayers may any waye availe him or
yo=u= or yo=rs=, I coulde be contented to tourne beadsman all my
life for to dooe yo=u= that charitable servis; in the meane tim
my earnest indeavou att all tims shall nott be wantinge booth
for yo=u= and all yo=rs=. Yo=r= kinde concleution in yo=r=
letter I must eauer rest yo=r= debtor for; it is yo=r= worth,
and nott my meritt, that eauer coulde deserve soe mutch loue
from you. Conserneinge Rosseter whome I did imploye for England
3 months agoe, w=th= speciall letters booth to yo=r= selfe and
other frinds, I haue nott since his goinge eauer hearde from him
nor whatt is becom of my letters, w=ch= mackes me to more then
wounder att this discomfitir, for I made choyse of him as on
that I did asshewer myselfe I might repose trust in; and yf that
hee haue plaide the knaue w=th= me, if eauer villin deserved to
be broken upon a wheele hee deserves it. I will att this time
forbeare to troble you any furder, intreating yo=u= that my
affection and loue may be remembered to yo=r= selfe, my brother,
and my little kindred, whome I praye God to send yo=u= much joy
and comfort of in this worlde. Soe in hast I rest, 
   Yo=r= affectionate louinge brother to my last ower, 
   T. Meautys.
[\1616.\]
   To his deere sister the Ladie Cornewalleys at Broome,
Suffolcke, these.

<Q COR 1616 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 40>
[} [\XXX. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deare Cornewallis,
   If your lines are ever exceedinge wellcome to me, both
because they comme from you and that they bringe with them the
assurance of the continuance of your affection to me, which I
infinitly prise and will never live not to deserve with the best
proofes I can ever give you of mine, which I must acknowledge
but a dew debt to you, as is the vissit I owe you at your owne
house; which that I have not according to my promis performed
ther hath binne no fault in my will, nor other hindrance then
His that disposeth of His, att His, not our pleasure, and, as I
formerly writte to you, made my health such all the last sommer,
and till itt was within this very few weakes, as I was forsed to
setle hear and breake all my purposes to recover my selfe owt of
a very ill state of body; which I thanke God I have now so donne
as I hope I shall be as well able to travell againe as ever, and
if I be so I will, if beyond my power to helpe I be not againe
prevented, see you att Broome before my goeinge into Germany,
wheather my duty to my mother and her Highnes will carry me this
springe if I be forsed, as I thinke I shall, to use the helpe of
the Spaw for the confirmacion of my health and 
<P 41>
prevention of som infirmities I have of late years been subject
to, for which Mayerne counsells me to goe theather, which I
shall doe with much the more willingnes that I may wayte by that
ocasion on my mother, who crossed the sea theatherward on
Thursday last, and I hope landed well that night at Callis,
though I have not yett heard so much. I have not forgotten to
putte the Queen in mind of her promis to you, but in that as all
others she is sloe in performance; I will not be so in
soliciting her till you have your desier in that as I wishe itt
you in all else with as much unfainednes as I do any good to,
   Your most affectionat, most faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
   Doe me the favor to comend me affectionatly to M=r= Bacon.
   (^Bedford House^) , whear I am stayed in expectation of the
Queen's daylie remoove to Wight Hall, which hath binne hindred
by paine in, her foote; this Sunday morninge, in hast [\1616\] .
   To my dear and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1616 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 41>
[} [\XXXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   I thinke myself infinitely beholding to you for your kindly
sending this bearer; but indeed you doe me wrong to beleive I
should have been gladder of any bodie's company in my jorney
then of yours,
<P 42>
and should sooner have invited any of my freinds to have donne
me that honor. But till very lately I was not assured wheather I
should have gotten leave to goe or no, and, when I did obtaine
itt, itt was with this condicion, that I should not invite
others to the like jorney, which I do so punctually observe as I
take nonne eyther man or woeman with me but my owne servants; so
as you see I have not binne left to my owne liberty in this,
which if I had, be assured I should have intreated both you and
M=r= Bacon to have seen the Hage with me, as thos of whos
willingnes to doe me all honnor I am most confident, and whos
companies wold have binne of extream contentment to me. If M=r=
Bacon passe this way this sommer, I wish itt may be while I am
ther, wheather, if God give me health, I intend to sett forward
from hence on Tusday or Wensday comse'night, and to stay ther
till towards the 20th of August, before the end of which month I
must, if I live, of necessity be in England; from whence, though
ther be litle ods between crossing the Theams and sea, I part
not without so settling my estate as, whatsoever becom of me,
every one shall be shewr of ther owne, and you not be prejudised
by your kindnes to me, to whos days and comforts I beseech God
Almighty to adde many, and to give me means to expresse how
affectionatly I am Your most faithfull and thankefull freind,
   L. Bedford.
<P 43>
   I will not faile to obey you to the Queen of Bohemia, nor to
make such mention of you as become my love and knowledge of you.
Harington House, this 12th of July [\1616\] .
   To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1617 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 43>
[} [\XXXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY CONTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   It troubled me much that you should thinke me so negligent as
not to have written to you againe upon so many sommons as itt
semes the messenger of your last sayth he gave me: but in my
excuse I must first say, the letter was left hear in my absence,
and sertainly so hath his caulings binne for an answer, if at
all; for I have examined all my servants to whom I thought itt
likely he might have addressed himselfe, and neyther I nor they
can remember any such matter. Yett perhaps the fault hath not
binne his neyther, soe he may well have binne often hear and
missed me; for som litle building I have in hand att the More,
or other busnesses thear, against our goeing theather this
sommer, hath for thes many weekes carried me often from hom.
Shewr I am neyther want of affection or desier to make all
demonstrations therof hath kept my letters from you, which I
desier you will believe, and that the long 
<P 44>
deferring of my promis to vissitt you hath binne inforsed by
those occasions I could not avoid; but this sommer I hope to
find a tyme more freely mine to dispose of, though I cannot yett
name any, being to attend a bargain I am making with my Lo. of
Buckingham's officers for the fee farme of Combe, which will
carry me sooner or later theather, as we conclude or breake: but
I will first injoine you to give me your word, that you shall
not make my coming eyther a troble or a charge for you. This
dull towne afords nothing worthy the wrighting, for ther is
almost nobody of quality left in itt. Of the Queen's court I can
say litle good, for her resolution to part with Roxbrough still
continues, which makes her looke big upon all she thinkes loves
that good woeman, and they attend her very seldom: of which
matter I am one that price her favor, but upon such an occasion
cannot be sorry for her frownes, which are now 
<P 45>
litle to me, all my court busnesses being so dispatched as they
will not much requier my attendance ther; and I am growne to
love my ease and liberty so well as no measuer of favor could
often invite me theather, whear ther is no hope of any good to
be donne. My Lo. Mownteagle and my Lo. Chandos are very shortly
goeing to the Spaw, though not togethear; for my Lo. Mownteagle
is growne so in love with a plentifull fortune and a privat
injoyeing therof, as he shuns all other conversation. When they
are gonne ther will scarse be a gentleman to be seen about this
towne, whence I shall not stirre till after Midsommer terme. Out
of Scotland I hear no newse but that the Inglish of quality are
very kindly and royally entertained by the nobility, but the
meaner sort not so well used by the common people; which trobles
the K. extreamly, who entertains all the noblemen went with him
not as servants but guests. This is all his jorney hath yett
brought forth. By the next you can send to London by, lett me
know when you looke you, that I may not apoint to com to you att
an unseasonable tyme; and I beseech you be more confident in my
love to you then to suspect the declination therof upon the
omission of any seremony, which I confesse I am often guilty of
towards my freinds, though never willingly of any such neglect
as may
<P 46>
give them a just cause to suspect me; which you shall never
have, but all the proofes in my power that I am as much as you
can wishe, or is in me to be to any,
   Your most faithfull and affectionat freind,
   L. Bedford.
   I am very glad to hear by M=rs= Kendrick that your children
are so well. He that hath given them you, give you with them all
the comforts children can be to a mother. Lett my best wishes be
remembred to M=r= Bacon as I make them for him, and give me
leave to entreate you to do me the favor to lett som servant of
yours carry the ten peeses I have delivered this bearer to
Norwidge, whence I have had two letters lately from the fine
M=r= Russell who itt seems the fayr Queen hath forsaken, for he
wrights me word he is ther prisoner, in the under sheriff's
house, in great necessity; and it wear a great pitty so
compleate a foole should starve, yett I am loth to send on
purpose so farre to his worship.
Harington House, this 26th of May [\1617\] .
   To my dear and worthy freind the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1617 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 47>
[} [\XXXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Madam, - I have nothing to acuse you of, though you cannot
but condemne me as a promis breaker, and so unmannerly a one as
not
<P 47>
so much as to have excused myselfe to you; but I must treuly
protest that every weeke since my coming out of Warwickshier I
have binne setting a day to com to you. From thence I was forsed
to follow the K. by his com~andement for the setling of a busnes
I have long had in hand for his servis and my profitt, and so
could not gett the liberty of 2 or 3 days to goe into Rutland,
nor since my coming to this towne to leave itt so many days as
wold have brought me to you and backe againe; which I protest I
have as much desired as I now do any thing, and resolve if you
com up this winter, which I am putte in som hopes you will, to
lett you see neither winter weather nor ways can fright me from
performing before Chrismas what I could not in the sommer;
though I should be extream glad to hear we should meete in this
good towne, because then I should hope to be much the longer in
your company, and to have your advise and M=r= Bacon's in my
workes att the More, whear I have binne a patcher this sommer,
and I am still adding som trifles of pleasure to that place I am
so much in love with, as, if I wear so fond of any man, I wear
in hard case. The last busness of this letter is, to beg of you
the knowledge how you and yours doe, and the favor I may be
affectionatly remembred to M=r= Bacon, and ever by you, as in
all essentiall things I will be found, the trewest of your
freinds,
   L. Bedford.
<P 48>
   The Queene hath binne very ill of late, but is now well
againe. The noble Lady Roxbrough is in Scotland, which makes me
perfectly hate the court.
Bedford House, this 22d of October [\1617\] .
   To my very worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1618 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 48>
[} [\XXXIV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   Itt wold have eased me of a great deale of care if I might by
your servant have heard that you had recovered better health;
which good newse since I cannot yett reseave, I will content
myselfe with this hope, that this sicknes will in the ende pay
you much comfort for the payne and troble it putts you to, and
so make me amends that am by itt denied your company, which I so
much desired, as I also did M=r= Bacon's, but not with the least
wishe to deprive you in this state of your greatest comfort. Som
other tyme, I hope, will be more fortunat to me then this any
way is, and nonne shall I esteem more so then that which may
bring forth an oportunity for me to testify the unfaynednes of
that respect hath so often binne vowed unto you by your most
affectionat and faythfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Huntingdon, this 11th of April [\1618\] .
<P 49>
   My Lo. Mownteagle and Sir Francis Goodwinne affectionatly
kisse your hands, as I do M=r= Bacon's. You have sent me a
present I so much esteem as I know not how to find you
sufficient thankes for itt, and can only acknowledge itt to be
the finest I ever saw of this kind.
   To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 

<Q COR 1618 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 49>
[} [\XXXV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   I thinke the tyme too long since I heard from you and cannot
longer rest doubtfull how you and yours do, which makes me send
this messenger, by whom I also desier to understand wheather you
intend to com to London this spring as I was told, which I
should be extream glad of, because I should the oftener and
longer have your company; but, if you do not, I have now so
setled those letts of my busnesses have heatherto hindred the
performance of my promis to vissitt you, as I can now, if God
Almighty continue my health, make good may word whensoever you
will after S=t= George's day, when the ways will be fairer and
the weather better for a jorney, by which I promis myselfe a
great deale of pleasure in surveinge your good huswyfery: sooner
I could and wold comme to you, if you wold have itt so, but that
som occasions
<P 50>
of my owne and my freinds make me not a free woeman till the K.
goe to Newmarkett or Theatford, which will not be before that
tyme. Till then, if ther be any thing hear whearin I may serve
you, lett me know itt; and if I do itt not with as much care and
affection as possible for a faithfull freind, never beleeve
again that I have any treuth in me, or am worthy to bear the
title of your most unfainedly loveing freind, L. Bedford.
Bedford House, this 7th of March [\1617-18\] .
   I had almost forgotten an earnest request I am to make by you
to M=r= Bacon, but that a tricke my Lo. of Arundell putt upon me
yesterday to the cusning me of some pictures promissed me, putt
me in mind of itt. I was told the last night that your father in
law was like to die, and that he had som peeses of painting of
Holben's; which I am shewr, as soon as Arundell hears, he will
trye all means to gett: but I beseech you entreate M=r= Bacon,
if they will be parted with to any, to lay hold of them afore
hand for me, who better than any other I am shewr may prevale
with his brother, to whos share I conseave they will falle; for
I am a very diligent gatherer of all I can gett of Holben's or
any other excellent master's hand; I do not care at what rate I
have them for price, but shall thinke itt an extraordinary favor
if M=r= 
<P 51>
Bacon can procure me those, or any others, if he know any such
therabouts, upon any conditions; whos judgement is so
extraordinary good as I know nonne can better tell what is worth
the haveing. Som of those I have, I found in obscure places, and
gentleman's houses, that, because they wear old, made no
reckoning of them; and that makes me thinke itt likely that ther
may yett be in divers places many excellent unknown peeses, for
which I lay wayghte with all my freinds; and when M=r= Bacon
coms to London, he shall see that though I be but a late
beginner, I have prety store of choise peeses. Dear Madam, lett
me hear by this bearer, wheather I have not binne misinformed
concerning thes pictures, and if I have not, make them shewr
eyther for me or nobody; and be not curious to thinke I may pay
too much, for I had rather have them then juels. If any copies
of them be desired, I will retorne such as he must
extraordinarily well know paintings, that shall distinguish them
from the originalls.
   To my dear and worthy friend the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1618 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 51>
[} [\XXXVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Cornewallis, 
   If this honest man had not offered me a means to convaigh
these lines to you, I had sent a footeman
<P 52>
of my owne with them, to lett you know that though business hear
falls out crossely to my purpos of coming to you this tyme as
can be, (the K.=s= jorney to Theatford being stayed,) yett
nothing shall make me leave you longer in doubt that I make
promisses to you I intend not to performe; therefore you may be
confident that if the hand of God Almighty impose not the
contrary, I will be with you about a fortnight hence, though I
cannot yett name the certain day, because I can~ot well leave
this towne till the Court removes to Grenwidge, which will be
about that tyme, but no day yett sett; my stay with you will be
so short as I wish you wold resolve my journey might be to fetch
you to London; whear I might have yo=r= company longer, for
necessity will compel me to goe and come post, and rest but one
day with you; which I know you will alowe when you shall
understand the occasions command my being hear, which I reserve
till we meet; hoping that desired tyme to be now so near, yett
so long I will not defer all my thankes to M=r= Bacon; of whos
care to do me the kindnes I unmannerly desired of him for some
good pieses of paintinge, your chaplain hath been a faithful
relator and made me a thankelesser debtor; which you both shall
find if ever it be in my power to witness how unfeignedly I am 
   Your faithfullest freind, L. Bedford.
[\April 1618.\]
   To my dear and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis. 

<Q COR 1618 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 53>
[} [\XXXVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Cornewallis,
   You may see how unable they are to dispose of their own tymes
that attend debts and other occasions, by my no sooner sending
you word when I will be with you, which now I intend, by God's
permission, to be on Tuesday com se'night att night, & staying
with you all Wensday; but on Thursday you must give me leave to
retorne homewards, for I must needs be hear againe on Friday
night. I wright this in extream haste, therefore excuse me that
I saye no more but that I will ever be found 
   Y=r= most affectionat & faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Bedford House, this 7th of May [\1618\] .
   To my honorable frend the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1618 MBOURCHIER>
<A MARY BOURCHIER>
<P 54>
[} [\XXXVIII. MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\]
}]
Sweet Syster,
   I must needs give you great thaynks for your rare and
bountefull present; no meat in the woorld coold have ben so
welcome. Evne at such a tyme as I coold not bee pleased with any
meat to pleas my stomake, notwithstandyng I was sike of a cheken
yester night, yet I coold eat thys with desyre, and yet not sike
of it, but my fitts never of mee. God give me paciens. I pray
God send you a happy jorny and a safe and quik retorn. I have
adventured to send you thys poor playn cakes, not so good as I
wish thay were. Had I had any thynge of worth, I woold in deed
have ... which in thees ragget lyns I seek to excuse. I have so
many charges as I am determined to let my gowne aloane; but if
you will doo mee the favour to by mee so much meane stufe,
canvas, or what stufe you pleas, of black and whyt, to make mee
a wastcot for everye daye, you shall doo mee a great favour. I
have stufe by mee will serv for thys loan plas, to make mee a
playn gowne. If you pleas to get mee a black fann bought, I will
leve troblyng of your La. but never leve lovyng you. I wished,
as I comanded thys bearer to tell you, that you shoold not loose
so much of your
<P 55>
presias tyme of entertaynyng and injoying so honorable a
parsnach, but put it in your poket till you come at London; and
so I bid you a harty farwell, resting your La'ps lovyng
unfortunat syster,
   Mary Bathon.
xx of May [\1618\] .
   I am bold to send thees letters to which of your attendans
you pleas to comand, to get them delyvered.
   To my lovyng honorable syster, the La. Cornwaleys, give
these.

<Q COR 1618 MBOURCHIER>
<A MARY BOURCHIER>
<P 55>
[} [\XXXIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^MARY BATHON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Syster,
   Love doth most perfitly shyne when it is steeled in
adversity. Age in thys world is of most young folkes much
declined. The strongest estat I stand in maketh mee of no
esteem, and that which I profes, and cannot, without
desemulacion to God and the world, bee otherwise, maketh mee
condemned of the most base; but our Savyor's example, if I were
as I shoold bee, might make mee thynke myselfe to suffer for Hym
that suffered for us all; but my weknes is such as, were not my
hope in His mercye that He will not suffer mee to put up with my
cruell fitts, were able to distract me. I protest your kind
vesetacion ded much
<P 56>
relieve my vexed mind, which made mee apeer to your L. as
impotent in mynd as body, which your good dysposecion I well
perseved tooke commisseracion on, and made you pleased to troble
yourselfe to give mee comfort in desyryng mee to come upon
Monday, which daye or any daye I will, if you pleas to send, and
shall, if my fitts bee not too vement, by God's gras come; but,
were it your pleasure, I had rather defer it till Thursdaye, but
that by that tyme I dought your strangers will bee come, and I
cannot but thynke compynyghe shoold bee troblesum to you at thys
tyme, if you knowe any comynge. Sweet La. doo not send for mee.
When you come home agayne, by God's gras you shall not keepe mee
so long from seeing your, who will ever remayn 
   Your fathfull lovyng syster f=m= hart, the
   most unfortunat Mary Bathon.
[\1618.\]
   To my honorable lovyng syster, the La. Cornwaleys.

<Q COR 1618 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 56>
[} [\XL. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dear Madam,
   I send this messenger to bring me word how you, M=r= Bacon, &
all your little ones doe, and by him send my servant Fred. a
sword to defend him from the malice of the buckes in this their
<P 57>
colericke season. This monthe putts me in minde to intreate the
performance of your promisse for som of the little white single
rose rootes I saw att Brome, & to chalenge M=r= Bacon's promis
for som flowers, if about you ther be any extraordinary ones;
for I am now very busy furnishing my gardens. Thus you see itt
is not good being too free an offerer to a free taker; but be
not discouraged, for I shall be as free a requiter whensoever
you shall make me know itt is in my power. I can not send you
much newse from hence: the best is, that after many difficultis
I have made an end, according to my wishes, of my busness with
the K. & reseaved his graunt, with many excuses for the delays
it hath had, and so much complimente as hath made amends; the
worst, that the Queen hath bled extreamly of late, wh=h= hath so
weakened her as I much fear how she will recover itt, for I
never saw her look so dangerously ill, w=ch= makes me oftener a
courtier than I intended, and, with my other ocasions, will, I
think, draw me to winter att London, whear I should be glad to
hear you minded to go. Howsoever, I thinke I shall invite you
towards the spring to do my niese an honor, if I can compose
things according to my wishes; an offer being made me for her
pleases me well, & I doubt not will take effect, if her
unreasonable father can be brought to do what he ought, which if
love
<P 58>
will not make him, I hope fear will prevaile: but of this lett
no speache passe you, because itt is yett too early days; but as
soone as itt is settled to any certainty, & that the K. hath
declared himselffe, whos work it is, you shall hear of itt more
perticularly from me, to whom itt will be of a great deal of use
& comfort, if itt pleas God to prosper itt. So may He blesse all
yo=r= indevors, & continue to adde to yo=r= happiness which is
not more hartily wished by any than by your most affectionat &
faithful freind, L. Bedford.
More Lodge, this 4th of October [\1618\] .
   To my noble & dear freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Brome.

<Q COR 1618 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 58>
[} [\XLI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Cornewallis,
   I must not lett this bearer retorne without my intreaty to
you that to mine you will joyne your thankes to M=r= Bacon for
the favor he hath donne me in furnishing me with such helpes for
my garden, and lett me beg itt of you both that you will believe
that I shall be gladder to deserve then reseave obligacions from
you, though the demonstrations of good will to me are not
wellcommer
<P 59>
from any then your selves, whos love I infinitely prise, and
requite with the best affection of 
   Your most affectionat and faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford. 
Bedford House, in haste, this 6th of November [\1618\] .
   To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att
Broome.

<Q COR 1619 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 59>
[} [\XLII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Cornwallis,
   It is one of my misfortunes, and such a one as I assure you I
am very sensible of, to be thus farre from you in a tyme
whearein I perseave your love wold have made me that to you
which I as affectionatly desier to be as to have myselfe the
comfort of a freind by me, when any opresion lies heavy on my
hart, to whom I might trust my cares, and be shuer they should
not only be safely lodged, but begett a desier to ease them as
farre as wear possible, or at leaste advise how to make them
lightest. I remember well what itt was you feared at your last
being in towne, and I am sorrier then I can tell you, that ther
is such a resemblance in our destines as makes you, like me, a
trew professer to yourselfe of ills to comme, whearin I have
seldom failed. But, for all that, you must not loose couradge,
nor let your kind sensiblenes, which if the self-wordingest
thing, make 
<P 60>
you so unkind to yourselfe and yours as to yeald up the strength
of your resisting reason, and consent to sincke under that
melancoly such heartofore unexpected distaste must needes breed
in you, which I grieve hartely to heare hath already rought so
ill effects upon your health, and so strong aprehencions in your
minde, though I trust our good God will with a safe deliverance
of a happy bearth restore you the one, and, if you be not
wanting to yourselfe, so assist you as you shall to your
contentment overcomme what causes the other; and which, when you
have recovered strengthe of body againe, if you finde to
continue, in my opinion you should do well to remoove heather,
whear you will have better meanes to prevail, and shall have my
servis, if you finde itt may be fitt for you to imploye me, or
shall finde that of others of more power then my owne, by
declaring that I have ingaged them to take care of you, may
becomme of use to you in this ocacion, who I dare undertake
shall do itt very willingly and readily, and perhaps itt wold
not be to ill purpos if ther be cause. I am shuer you beleeve
ther are not many for whom I durst ingadge my word to you so
freely, and therfore will easily judge that I offer you the
servis but of two; but if those two give you not a good acount
of what I promis in ther names, sett it on my score as a
falsehoode. I should be glad you would resolve
<P 61>
to bringe up your children and familie, because I thinke itt
wold be best for them and you; but if on the sodain you cannot
acomodate yourselfe with a convenient house for them all, if itt
please you to lett me have your companie heare while you are
provideing yourselfe with a convenient dwelling for your hole
companie, you shall do me a very great pleasure, and, though my
Lord should be in towne, no whitt straiten me, for I can well
spare your wonted lodgings. Therfore, if you love me, be not
scrupulous to make use of them. Itt is now high tyme that I
acknowledge the reseit of both your letters by this bearer, and
withall how I aprehend your kindnes so many ways expressed to me
in them; but no words can do itt, and so I beseech you to
believe, because itt is trew; and, besides that, I am farre from
undervaluing, for misinterpret I cannot, the liberality you
therein have used towards me, which is much more then ever I was
a debtor for to any that aught itt not unto me, or then I have a
hart or will to accept, if I durst at this tyme say I wold
refuse what you so presse, which your kindnes only and the
knowledge of your disposicion takes off the shame I have so long
detained, yett I will now keepe itt in my hands as you will have
me; though I must still as your tresurer, not as a legacy, and
that you will live to give me tyme when I shall leave the world,
[{and{] be wittnes I am not behind hand with 
<P 62>
you in affection, and desier to live in your memory ... be
confident that ther is nonne of yours to whom I will be more
wanting in any thing I may do for them then I wold have binn to
my owne if God had continued me a mother; and whear as your
request is in general, and extends to nothing but what I hope
you believe not so ill of me as to thinke I wold not without itt
have donne, and more, I beseech you; if you can thinke itt to
any purpos, impose something more perticularly on me, for I will
perform itt as I desier God should have mercie on me, joyfullie
I confesse in your life, but as faithfully if I outlive you;
which wheather I doe or not, they shall be no loosers by what
you have donne for me, that have at the present but prayers to
the Almighty to repaye you with, which shall be offered up with
the best devocyon of 
   Your faithfully loving and thankfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Harington House, this 20th of January [\1618-19.\]
   I will, God willing, the next week send to inquier of your
state, of which I hope to heare as I desier.
   To my worthy and dear friend the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1619 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 63>
[} [\XLIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Cornewallis,
   I send this bearer to inquire of my sicke freinds, into which
number I am extream sorry to hear M=r= Bacon is fallen, both for
his own sake and yours, and as desirous as any can be to hear of
his amendement, which I hartely pray for, and hope to reseave
the good newse of att this messenger's retorne. I heard not of
his being ill till my Lo. Chamberlain told me of itt, and that
upon that occasion you had excused your selfe from coming to the
Queen's funeral, whear I hoped to have seen you, and am doubly
sory upon this occasion to faile of that contentment; ear long I
trust a happier one will bring us with gladnes to meete, which I
wish to you in as great a measure as I do to
   Your most affectionat freind and servant,
   L. Bedford.
   The K. is earnest to have the funeral hastened, and sayth itt
shall be on Saturday com se'night; but, for all that, I thinke
itt will not be till this day fortnight.
Bedford House, in haste, this Thursday morning,
[\April 1619.\]

<Q COR 1619 MBOURCHIER>
<A MARY BOURCHIER>
<P 64>
[} [\XLIV. MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Lady,
   I desyre much to here of your perfit recovery of helth and
strenth after your great payne, and God send you much joye of
your last sonn, and no less of your first. I hard latly by Roben
Cornwaleys you sent to have borowed my plat, which I ded
fathfully offer, and such poor lynnen as I hade. Because you sed
nothynge, I ded put it bye, and carry awaye the keys; but,
knowing mee as thaye ded, thaye myght have broken up the loke. I
was, I protest, hartyly ayngry thaye ded not; and yet, if you
have any furder cause, I have willed you shall have it of my
fayth, and take any desyre from you in such kynde, as I doo
thynke you love mee, otherwayes I woold not have bene so bold
with you as I have bene many tymes. Sweet Lady, if you have
cause to use it before I come home, I have sent the keys by thys
bearer to the same purpose. I hope to bee at home the
latterendyng or the begynynge of thys next weeke. I have had my
helthe very well ever syns I came hether till the last
Weddensdaye; syns, I have bene very ill, and am not well at thys
present. God
<P 65>
give mee gras to submit my will too hys pleasure; and I beseech
Almightie God send Sir Edmund Bacon to escape hys peryles
syknes, and you helth and many years. I praye remember mee to my
brother Bacon and prety Frede; and so I will take my leve. My
syster desyrs to be remembred to you and my brother, not
forgettyng my littill nevewe.
   Your unfortunat lovyng syster,
   Mary Bathon
xvi of September [\1619\] .

<Q COR 1620 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 65>
[} [\XLV. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dear Madam,
   As full of just sorrow as my hart can bear, I retorne you
affectionat thankes for your kind sending. What a mother I have
lost I need not tell you, that know what she was in herselfe,
and to me. Yett God, that sees no affliction to worke
sufficiently upon me, hath this last night added another heavie
one to my former woe, having taken my Lord Chamberlain's sonne.
Yett with 
<P 66>
this mersy to him, that he hath given him the hope of another,
my Lady. being, as we thinke, with child againe. But alas! this
is but a fearfull comfort to him and his freinds, considering
her estate, which gives him too much cause of doubt wheather she
will ever bring any well into the world or no, for sertainly
this tooke much harme by her unrulynes both in the breeding and
bearth. Yett God is all sufficient, and I trust will blesse so
good a father with the joye of leaveing som of his owne to
succeed him; and the rather am I incouraged to be confident He
will show favor to him and to the prayers of his freinds therin,
because though he was very fond of this, yett, in those tymes of
fear the child's being subject to som infirmities gave us, he
ever kept a mind ready prepared to resigne att God's pleasure so
unexpected a blessing. Now itt is com to the trial I am
confident he will show well tempered effects of that religious
resolution, and bear with pacience what the Almighty hath donne,
though itt be more to him then the losse of an only sonne to
another father. My losse of a dear mother camme not so
unexpectedly as my Lord Chamberlain's did att this tyme, for to
outward apearance his child mended, but my mother so manifestly
decayed daylie as I could not flatter myselfe with hope she
could continue long; though I looked not her ende wold have
binne so sodaine, yett the
<P 67>
disease she was subject to threatened no lesse, which I, sorting
with that opinion she ever had since I knew her, that her ende
wold be sodaine, made itt, I thanke God, not so to her, who hath
left many seremonis how well she was prepared for itt, which is
my unspeakeable comfort. Itt now rests for me to follow as well
as I can her good example, which God graunt I may, in liveing
for his servis, that I may die in his favor, whom I beseech to
blesse you and yours, and you to comende me affectionatly to
M=r= Bacon, who made me hope att his last seeing in June I
should have seen you hear before this tyme, whear you have not
so true a friend as you shall ever find your sad servant,
   L. Bedford.
Harington House, in hast, this 1st of June [\1620\] .
   To my honorable dear freind the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1620 MBOURCHIER>
<A MARY BOURCHIER>
<P 67>
[} [\XLVI. MARY COUNTESS OF BATH TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Lady,
   Your letter of acknowlegen more then I have or can deserve,
maketh mee ashamed of thanks for nothyng, syns I have reseved 
to frendsheps of substance for my poor thoutes of love, which is
all I can requit my best frynd withal. Sweet syster, my hart
bled when I last see you; you ded with your presenc lyten ...
from the
<P 68>
affliction of a most fearful mallyngcoly ... is now more
oppressed with the foulest abuse that ever was offred to so
innosent a person, a discors that wold take a great deal of tyme
to set down, if you will here how your poor unfortunat syster,
who hath been intolerable wronged by the Earl of Bath, who is my
lawfull husband, and nowe by a knave, who sath he is hys sonn
and I am hys mother; who hath, in my consyens, lyne abought my
house to kill mee thys month, the most ill favored knave that
ever was seene. Syster, I had never child by my Lo. and, I take
God to bee my witness, am as innosent of thys beast, who wanteth
not much of fifty, as any chyld thys night born. And so, good
syster, bear with my unsensible wrytynge, and God in hevn
preserv you and all yours.
   Your lovyng syster, the most unfortunat
   Mary Bathon.
Thorp, thys xviii of June [\1620\] .

<Q COR 1620 MBOURCHIER>
<A MARY BOURCHIER>
<P 68>
[} [\XLVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^MARY BATHON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Lady,
   I thaynke you for your late vesetacion after your late long
journey, as lykwise for your wyse systerly cownsell, w=ch= my
reson doth asarten mee
<P 69>
to be the best I dought not hys love ... bee so littill too mee,
that bee woold not doo any thynge I shoold requir in so innosent
a cause as thys; but such a base roge as thys, who is known ...
was born and crestened ... of hys kinsmane, who brought them
into the contry, whos testymony I send you here inclosed, as
lykwise hys exammenacion before the iusteses of Bery, as lykwise
by them that ded comit him too the iayll, my thaynks, any on
that is a frynd to iustes ... innosensy were enough, syns my
lord cheef iustes is ... aquaynted with my woorst evill by my
neerest frynd ... lond, as my woost enymes withall ther malles,
brybes, and trayns coold or ded proove agaynst me; w=ch= snare
had not I ben trecheresly caught in, I had not ben left of my
frynds, though such a man of powr ... playe that tyn ... ther
alas no repugnyngsy, so myght thay doo and prove what thay woold
agaynst so abiect a woman, who hath ever syns not known what an
howr's true content, but sorrowe and syknes, and such an
aflykted mynde as shoold rather move ... compacion then furder
malles, to set roges to intytell them selves myne. Syster, I
here my brother hath nether coch nor horses, and, as I am told,
is abought a matter of moment for hymself, w=ch= maketh me staye
my desyne of hys being ther;
<P 70>
and for sume other resons ... cosen Thomas Cornwaleys shall
denygh mee, or els ... shall be ther by God's suffrens. If any
frynds els ... stepe in to helpe to get such a knave punneshed,
wherin my innosensy shall appeer to the woorld, I shall have
cause to thynk my self beholdyng to them, and I hope God will
reward theme. It is enough for a Crystyon ... saye that I desyre
never too see the face of God if ther bee any chyld of myn in
thys world. It hath pleased G... knowe too send or suffer
trobles of infamee, who hath as ... as I coold carryed my self
thys xxxix year unrep... Nowe for my conscyens, w=ch= I can no
more at ... without vtter dispayr of salvacion. If you can no
way helpe, yet, sweet syster, pety me; if my tears wooll wryt
black, I need no inke. Fear not thys paper, though the masels
is in my hows. I nor my howsold cam never neere the infekted;
but I pray God you nor my sweet nevew tooke no hurte, it ca...
knowlege, nether was it but suspekted ... were newly syted. I
desyre to knowe howe you ... bearer, and before my going to
Hengrave I desyre to have thees wrytyngs agayn. Accordyng to
your fryndly offer I am bold this next weeke too desyre your
horses, if you maye spare them; if I can ... any th... comand
any thyng of mee or myne
<P 71>
as your own. And so God in heven bles you and all yours rem ...
wish of all good to my bro ... Bacon.
   Your lovyng vnfortunat syster,
   Mary Bathon.
   I have sent you too of my brother's ... hard to read, w=ch=
if I in ... send a ... a pa... the daye, and I will se ... or
them and the other coppyes; and then I will namyn the daye I
shall desyre your horses, if you ... spare them, or els I besech
you let me knowe when it shall be lese convenyent to you.
[\Thorp,\] July [\1620\] .

<Q COR 1620 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 71>
[} [\XLVIII. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\]
}] 
Deare Cornewallis,
   I know that by this tyme I have deserved and undergonne much
of your censuer, if I have not lost all your favor; which to
redeem I do protest unto you that the only cause you have binne
so long without hearing from me was, that I was ashamed to send
till I could retorne you that part of your wealth you have so
long binne pleased to trust me with; to whom alone I had binne
beholding for a curtesy of this natur. Now, if you be so
crewell as you cannot forgive me this fault, 
<P 72>
please yourselfe in imposeing any punishment on me you thinke my
offence deserves, and I shall willingly undergoe itt, so itt may
purchas my pardon, which I affectionatly beg, under promis never
to be a trespasser in this kind againe. I hope to reseave itt
signed, by this bearer, who can give you an acount how I have
spent my tyme this many months; att whos retorne to me if I
might hear that you wold be shortly att London, itt wold bring
an infinit deale of contentment to 
   Your most faithfully loveing freind,
   L. Bedford
Leister, this 12th of September [\1620\] .
   To my worthy and dear freind the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1620 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 72>
[} [\XLIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   I was long in much hope that you wold have held your purpos
of coming to London this spring, wheare I have binne constrained
to be almost all this tyme since your going hence; which has
made me the greater looser by the change of your purpos, as I am
much the sorrier for that losse, since your want of health hath
binne the occasion to keep you both from hence and the More, the
places in this kingdom you may justlie chalendge to be wellcom
to while they are mine, and whear you should find yourself payd
with most affection,
<P 73>
as in all others whearsoever I am to injoye your companie; which
if I did not believe you wear confident of, itt wold be an
extreame increase of misfortune to me, since you could not
imagine any good to be in one that should requite. with less so 
many real proofes of affection as I have reseaved from you, and
for which I can make no requital I but that of loveing you very
hartely, and that I am sure I doe, and doubt not of your being
so assured; after which no more is needful to be sayd, since
that includes all in my power. You have sent me the finest litle
beaste that ever I saw, whos beauty may excuse many faults, if
she have any. How well she will play I long to be at libertie to
trie; and, howsoever she proove, she shall be much made of for
the hands' sake she comes from. Thus I am ever reseaving
kindnesses from you, for which I have no better retornes then
thankes to make; of those, dear Cornewallis, reseave the
affectionat one I send you, and when you can find any subject to
exsercise your interest in me on, be not sparing to make such
full trials from what a hart they comm. I know you have heard of
the mariadge of your neise to Sir John Radcliffe's son, and how
slightly my Lo. of Buckingham hath performed the protection
promissed to him. For the first, I assure you, your newe nephew
is as fine and towardly a youth as any I 
<P 74>
know; and for the other, my Lo. Hamilton, my Lo. Chamberlain,
and my Lo. of Mongommery have donne ther best, and will do
still, to keep off all the blows they can others' malice aymes
at her; but what the successe will be I dare not promis, so
strongly is the K. insensed and so bitter yett in the
prosecution; but I will assure you, if ther wear no other ground
but that of her blood, itt shall make me keepe warmest in my
freinds desiers to save her from publick shame, and I beseech
you, since your own vertue exsempts you from all reproch in her,
be so just to yourself as not to be afflicted with her danger. I
can wright no longer, companie interrupting me; therefore, dear
madam, farewell, and love still 
   Your most faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Harington House, in hast, this present Tuesday [\1620\] .
   If you deliver not my affectionat salutacions to M=r= Bacon
and your sonne Fred. itt shall be the ground of a greater quarel
betwixt us then yett we ever had.
   To my dear freind the lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1620 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 75>
[} [\L. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Dear Madam,
   If you will do me the favor to lett me have your companie
hear while your busnes stayeth you in towne, your lodgings will
be ready for you tomorrow night, [{to{] which I hope you beleeve
you shall be as wellcom as ever you wear to any place, and may
as freely co~mand as when they wear your owne: so may you still,
I assure you, esteem them, as long as they be in the possession
of 
   Your trewly loveing freind,
   L. Bedford. 
Harington House, this Thursday morning [\1620\] .
   To my noble & worthy freind the La. Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1621 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 75>
[} [\LI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Madam,
   I thinke itt long since I heard of you and yours, whos well
beings and happines I most hartely desier, and send this bearer
to inquier of, beseeching you to beleeve that no abscence nor
lengthe of tyme can diminish that affection in me I have so many
years professed and you so well deserved; for, whensoever you
shall have occasion to make trial therof, you shall find all in
my power 
<P 76>
in yours to com~ande for your servis to the uttermost it can be
extended, and that I shall reckon itt a good fortune to me to be
employed by you in any thing that may give you assurance how
unfainedly I love you, whereof itt wear an extream contentment
to me if we wear nearer neighbours, that I might often tell itt
you, which I can doe no more. But itt is in this, as much more,
my happe to have much of what I wishe not, and want what I
desier. Yett I hope eare long sum good occasion will bring you
to London, from whence, exsept it be somtymes for a day or two,
I shall not sturre till after Easter terme; my neese, her
father, and I haveing bargained, she with him for the present
posession of her land, and I with her for her posibility in the
lease of Combe, which to setle thoroughly, and provide to pay
for, will coste me so long a stay heare. This donne, I intend to
turn Combe wholly into money, bothe to make myself a free woman
from debt, and with the rest of itt to rayse as good an estate
for lyfe as I can, having now nonne but myselfe to provide for;
those designes I had for my neese being crossed by her father's
untowardnes, and her owne porcion being sufficient for any
matche. Nor do I fear finding this any searious worke for her,
having a thing so well known, as I have already many offerers
for itt. So as, dear
<P 77>
Madam, the favor you have so long binne pleased to doe me, I
trust nowe very shortly to answer with a just account and
payment of your owne, and will all my lyfe remember with dewe
thankefullnes, and requite by the best means I can, having been 
donne me in such a fashion as I owne not the like to any other,
which is unfainedly acknowledged by Your greatly loveing
faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Harington House, this 20th February [\1620-1\] .
   Sweet Madam, com~ende me affectionatly to M=r= Bacon, and
blesse your sonne Fred. in my name, as I beseech God to doe all
yours. 
   The worthy Lady Cornewallis, my noble freind.

<Q COR 1621 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 77>
[} [\LII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF BEDFORD
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
   Dear Madam, - I am extream sorry to hear you have binne so
ill, but with as much gladnes thank God for your good recovery,
whos health and happines is not more hartely wished by any
freind you have in the world; nor indeed can any be more engaged
to desier all good to you, since your constant affection to me
challenges all the thankefull retornes an indebted freind
sensible of such kindnes can make, which though I confes myselfe
in expressing seremoniously, yet I will never be found gilty of
neglecting any real proofes I 
<P 78>
may give therof when eyther you or my good fortune may calle me
to do so. I have myselfe had an unhealthfull spring of this,
which I hope will not end in a lame leg, and that of that too I
shall not long have cause to complaine. The greatest nuse I can
send from hence is, that this day my Lo. of Arundel is com~itted
to the Tower by the Upper House of Parlement for refusing to
make a submission to the House, and give satisfaction according
to the order of the House, for som reprochefull speaches he had
ther used to my Lo. Spencer; in which, nor his refusal to make a
fitting reparacion, he hath not played the part of so wise a man
as for his noble Ladie'st sake I wish he had. Sir Robert
Chichester's scurvie dealing
<P 79>
hath broken up the match betwixt his daughter and my Lo. of
Arran, which drives me to play my game another way than I had
layed my cards, and will hold me a Londoner till the ende of the
next terme; before which you shall hear from me againe; and I am
not unmindful of what any way I owe you, which is more than can
be requited by your trewly loveing friend,
   L. Bedford.
   Doe me the favor to reco~mend me affectionatly to M=r= Bacon,
and thanke him for his kind remembering me. Sir Thomas Fraser,
our oulde fellow, is eyther dead, or cannot passe this night, of
an imposthume, the fisicians conclude, in the mesentery.
Harington House, this 17th of May [\1621\] .
   To my Worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1622 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 79>
[} [\LIII. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deere Sister,
   Not aboue 3 dayes beefore I receued yors by this poste, I
spent sow tyme in pervsinge sertaine letters of myne longe sence
receued from my good freind, & amongst others I founde som 100
of yo=rs= that were rytten beinge a maide, a
<P 80>
wyfe, & a widdowe. Theise letters cost mee an afternounes worke
to reede them over, & it did much comfort mee to finde by those
lines that I wounce had a sister whose loue & affection in those
dayes was nott to bee eaqualysed, & was glad to thincke w=th= my
selfe that I had not as yett one my parte giuen any cause to the
contrary. In regarde that yo=u= retourned noe answer of my
lettes by Salman, whom I imployed in England, I made my
reckoninge that you (had) tacken your leaue of wryghttinge, and
seeing the retourne of the ordinary courryer to com lickwise
vaquant, it confermed my fyrst oppinyon and made it the
stronger; but sence I perseve by yo=r= last that it was onely
want of commoditye & nothinge else that was the cause, yf it
shoulde soe faule out that my occations this winter shoulde 
cale me in to England, I dooe imagen that yo=u= wille thincke it
noe dishonnor to yo=u= to see mee com in good equypage. This
last sommer yo=u= were neere beeinge quitt of a brother, but it
hath pleased God, contrary to my one expectation, to restore
mee. Thus, w=th= my loue to yo=r= selfe and those of yo=rs=, I
rest
   Yo=r= trew affectionate 
   T. Meautys.
Arnheim, November the 7, 1622.

<Q COR 1623 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 81>
[} [\LIV. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
   Deeare Madam, - The constancies of my feares do enuite me
continually, as occasion is offered, to a desier for the
understanding of yo=e= estate, especially in these extremityes,
of w=ch= I do fynde my self very sensible, & next for my most
honored friend the L. of Bedford, vnto whom my prayers do dayly
entreat a talent of patience, equall or exceedinge her worst
fortunes. I am already very weary of vncertayntyes, w=ch= maketh
me hartely wish for a determined tyme of yo=e= cominge downe,
the delay of w=ch= hath made me feele the inconuenience. My
moother saluteth you, & desireth the entertaynement of this
token of her loue. My father hath recouered his hearinge, & much
longeth for yo=e= presence. The newes of my elder brother's
beinge aliue, w=ch= was long since traueled, hath bin approued
by iij or iiij merchants w=th= so great probabilityes that it
must necessarily be he or his counterfeit; the tyme since his
departure, his years, hayer, complexion, stature, qualletyes, &
many perticular circumstances concerninge his friends,
justifyinge yt w=th= such assurances that my father is
determyned
<P 82>
mediately to send a man onto him. If my conuersation her may
perceiue more then yo=e= imagination, be perswaded that yo=e=
retourne is uery necessary; vntill when I leave you w=th= my L.
of Bedford, attended by my best loue and seruise, and do rest
constantly yours,
   Nath. Bacon.
Culford, March 14, 1622-3.
   To the much honored lady the Lady Jane Cornwalleys, giue
these.

<Q COR 1623 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 82>
[} [\LV. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
   Dear Madam, - I think itt very long since I heard of you, and
therefore send this messenger to bring me word how you doe, from
whom I should not have binne so many months without hearing, but
that for this two last I have had so much ill health and paine
as made me for a good part of the tyme unable to wright, and
yett hath left me but a lame woeman. Better nuse I hope to
reseave of you and yours, which I pray for, and shall wellcom
with a great deale of gladness for this fatall yeare keepes me
in continual fears for those I love, which if I did not you
hartely, I wear more than unworthy to have a freind. M=r= Bacon,
I trust, hath by this tyme perfectly recovered his long sicknes,
which, both for his owne sake and the comfort of your lyfe, I
cannot but with much
<P 83>
affection inquier after, and do so to know when you intend to
bee att London; where or hear I hope wee shall meete this spring
att the fardest, if the towne and these parts continue so cleane
from the sicknes as, God be thanked, att the present they are;
though all the markett townes about us, and many small villages,
Richmondsworth exsepted, have all this summer continued infected
as well as the citie, which kept me from sending to those I
hoped wear farder from danger for feare of convaighing any to
them, though God of his great goodnes spared my owne familie,
and hath yett reserved me, I hope, for his servis: if itt may be
also to doe you any, I assure you I shall love my lyfe the
better, and be much the more your contented, that am
   Y=r= most affectionat servant and faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
More Lodge, this 16th of January [\1622-3\] .
   To my noble & worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att Broome.

<Q COR 1623? NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 83>
[} [\LVI. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Hart,
   Hauinge this opportunitie by M=r= Chittock, I thought these
my letters myght come to yo=e= hands before yo=e= retourne,
being assured you would be very glad to heare of o=e= estate
here in the contry. For my self, therfore, you may vnderstand
that I
<P 84>
am reasonably well, but cannot quite my self of my distempers,
although they be very small. Vppon Tuesday last also, in the
night, I voyded some bloud to the quantitye of 5 or 6 dropps,
but yt stopt agayne imediately, & so hath contineued euer since.
I am now at Redgraue, wher I haue bin (ij nights excepted) euer
since my retourne, & wher I begin to grow very restless; for,
the discourse being long since spent, continuall repetitions
proue so tedious vnto me that some tyme I am so unmannerly as
not to geue audience. O=e= childeren ar well; & little Nick hath
cast his cote, and seemeth metamorphosed into a grasshopper.
Jane is a very modest mayden, & is wholely taken vpp w=th=
trauailinge by her self, w=ch= she perfourmeth very hansomely, &
wil be ready to runn at yo=e= comand when you retourne. Thus
w=th= my best love & prayers I leaue, resting alwaies & onely
   Yo=es= Nath. Bacon.
[\1622-3.\]
   To his best respected friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at her
lodginge ouer agaynst York Howse, at the signe of the Stirrop.

<Q COR 1623 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 84>
[} [\LVII. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
   Deare Cornewallis, - I am sorry M=r= Bacon and you are so
punctual observers of the comandement
<P 85>
empties this towne, which itt is now too late, in regard of the
state you are in, to tell you, that if I had thought that had
binne any stay to your being a Londoner this winter, I wolde.
have donne you the servis to have gotten you a dispensation;
whos companie I should have binne extream glad to have had hear,
whear I shall be for the most part till the spring: and though
in this I am a greate looser, yett itt trobles me more to hear
how aprehensive you are of a danger itt hath pleased God to
carry you so often safely through, and so I doubt not will
againe, though you may do yourselfe and yours much harme, by
those doubtings and ill companions for all persons, and worst
for us splenetick creatures. Therfore, dear Cornewallis, lett
not this melancholy prevale with you to the begetting or
nourishing of those mistrusts will turne more to your hurt than
that you feare, which I hope will passe with safety and end to
your comfort, unto which if I could tell how hear or thear to
advise any thing, I wold affectionatly endeavour att in absence,
and readily undertake a longer jorney to you than itt is to
Broome; for though I have long suffered under a condicion hath
maimed me of all means in real effects to express itt, and hath
almost made me
<P 86>
hate fruitles professions, yett ther is no freind more sensible
of what they owe to another, nor fuller of earnest desiers to
deserve well of them, than my hart can wittnes I am towards you,
to whom I am not in so much despayre of making itt appear as I
have binne, nor, I hope; are you lesse confident that itt is an
unfained truth, that I am, 
   Yo=r= most affectionatly faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Harington House, this 28 of November [\1623\] .
   I will write you no newse, for that I leave to M=r= Bacon,
who may hear in the towne very near as much as I know, since
what is like a secret passeth underneath, and so sounds not so
farre as this end of the towne, only I will give you my
testimony that the Prince is the most improved man that ever I
saw, and that my Lo. of Buckingham recovers much of what he had
lost, so as you may see that the only Wyse, who brings light out
of darknes, can favour us by ways we could not imagine could
have produced such happy effects. The litle juel you sent me is
a tresure, being the finest and best that I thinks was ever of
her kind, for which since I cannot thanke you enuffe, I will use
no words to thanke you for at all.
   To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1624 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 87>
[} [\LVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^LUCY COUNTESS OF
BEDFORD TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Madam,
   I have binne hindered from sending to you as I purposed,
first for want of a footeman, and sinse by the sadde accident of
my Lo. of Richmond's death, which tied me to give my tyme to the
performance of the charitable offices I could to his La. Now I
send with a great deale of earnest longing for the retorne of
this bearer, because by your brother I hear you have binne ill
since your being delivered; but I truste itt is no other then
som indisposition incident to childe bed, and that I shall hear
you have recovered better health, which I wish as hartely att
the leaste as the continuance of my owne. Howsoever, since the
very season of the yeare invites you to itt, lett mee perswade
you as soone as you are able to comme to London, wheare the best
meanes are for the recovery or confirmacion of your health. You
know your olde lodgeings, which, or as convenient a one if I
keepe you out of that, shall be ready for you, and I infinitely
gladde of your companie and M=r= Bacon's. I never so much longed
to speake with
<P 88>
you, and to have you out of that solitarie place, wheare I heare
melancholie getts two much ground of you, which is so dangerous
an enemie as I extreamlie desier to have you so neare me as I
might offer you my best assistance and servis to overcom itt in
yourself, and remove the causes if itt be possible. Therefore
againe I pray you to resolve to chandge place for a while; som
divertisments att the leaste you will finde heare, from whence I
shall not, I thinke, remove till after Midsommer terme. Som
acount of what passeth hear, to entertaine you, I will make unto
you. First, my La. of Richmond's losse, though it weare such a
blow from Heaven as I must confesse I never knew given, will not
kille her, of so strandge resisting stue are our hartes made.
She was the happiest woman I thinke that lived, for by her owne
confession she acknowledged, that if she should have sitte doune
and studied what to aske of God for outward blessings and
inwarde comforts of this world more then she enjoyed, she could
find nothing to desier but a child; and it was true, for she had
of glorie and greatnes as much as a subject was capable of,
wealth of all kinds in abundance, health and extraordinary
beautie even at this adge, and, above all, a noble
<P 89>
husband, that was the love of her harte, and doted on her with
the same pasion to the last ower of his lyfe that he did the
first month of his being in love with her. Out of those loveing
armes she rose not two owers before he died, and left him, as
she thought, well, only troubled with a litle paine in his head,
which made him desirous to sleep a litle longer; which and his
death was so quiet, as his man sitting close to his bedside knew
not when he departed, but fearing, because itt was the day
apointed for the parliment, that he might wake too late, called
in a gentleman of his chamber that used to wake him, who drawing
the curtain found him starke dead. I lay by chaunce that night
att the Cockepitte, whither instantly this nuse was brought me,
and I presently went to the Duches, in whos lodgeings was to be
seen all that an unexpected calamity could show of sorrow. I 
much feared the first violence might have distracted her, but
her pasion had so liberal vent as I thinke itt wrought the less
inwardly. Her haire, in discharge of a vowe she had formerly
made, she cutte of close by the rootes that afternoone, and told
us of som other vowes of retirednes she had made if she should
be so miserable as to outlive him, which I hope she will as
punctually performe. For my part, I confesse I incouradge her to
itt, which, som say, hereafter she will love me nothing the
better for; but itt is the counsel I should take to myselfe in
her case, and 
<P 90>
therfore I cannot spare to give itt. She offers to deall very
nobly with my Lo. of Lenox, yett I imagine ther will grow
differences betwixt them out of his Lady's over greediness, for
they already refuse to accept condisions they had subscribed to,
though, if she have not very harsh and unusual measure offered
her, itt is in her choise wheather to part with any thing to
them or no. My Lo. of Buckingham hath made his declaracion to
the parlement, who yett aplaude itt because itt tends to the
final breach of the match with Spaine. The Houses have sitt so
short a tyme as what they do is not yett to be judged, but I
trust things will succeed well both for the Church and the
Commonwealth. The Lord Marquis Hamilton is Lord Steward, so as
that staffe hath had the good fortune to passe from a noble to a
worthie hand, wheare I hope itt will long remaine. But I fear
I do ill to wearie you with so many lines; therfore, deare
Cornewallis, I will not for the present say more then that I
love you as your owne meritt and the obligacions I owe you
justly deserves, and will never be wanting to you in any trial
you may have cause to make of
   Y=r= most affectionat and faithful freind,
   L. Bedford.
<P 91>
   Wee have much hope that the Prince will show himselfe of such
a temper as will be his owne glorie and the good of these
kingdoms.
   My Lord Steward hath taken from me your olde servant Jeames
Henly, and George Purser, whom he should not have had, if they
had not binne such as but for his sake I should very unwillingly
have parted with. Com~ende me, sweet Cornewallis, very kindly to
M=r= Bacon; and to my freind Fredericke, whom and the rest of
yours I beseech God to blesse.
   Harington House, this 28 of February [\1623-4\] .

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 91>
[} [\LIX. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Hart, 
   I do long much to heare how you do, w=th= little Jane;
wherfore I haue sent this messenger, by whom I desier to receiue
an answer. Vppon Weddensday last my Lo. Marshall was here at
Bury, onely to see me I thinck, for this place was out of his
way to Thetford, whither he went: he would haue come vnto me to
M=r= Pead's, but I preuented him by attendinge him at his inn,
wher he was pleased to fauor me beyond my expectation. All the
afternoone I waited vppon him about the ruines of the Abby. I
presented him w=th= yo=e= casket; w=ch=, in respect yt was
yo=rs=,
I could hardly fasten vppon 
<P 92>
him, had not M=r= Short wittenessed that yt was before sett
apart for him. I exercised more yesterday by walking than I haue
these 4 monethes, & I haue very well endured yt (God be
thancked), being at this tyme euery way better & better. If the
childe be very sick, I pray do not hasten yo=e= cominge hither,
for yo=e= presence may better be spared her than ther. I com~end
my best loue vnto you, w=th= my continuall prayers for you &
yo=rs= and rest,
   Yo=e= most affectionate,
   Nath. Bacon.
[\Bury, 1624.\] 
   To his best friend the La. Cornewalleys, at Broome, geue
these.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 92>
[} [\LX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^] 
Sweet Harte,
   By the first ocasion I am desirous to com~end vnto you the
good health of o=e= childeren, w=th= my self, who longingely
doth expect to heare of yo=e= safe arriuall at London w=th= some
happy progress of o=e= troublesome business. My brother Coleby
is to come vpp this next weeke, beinge yesterday arrested at
S=r= Henry Felton's sute, who I am sure
<P 93>
wilbe ready to do you any seruise if he shalbe at London in
tyme. You may heare of him in the Middle Row in Holeborne, at a
shoomaker's. Payne hath retowrned from London, & brought you a
letter from yo=e= brother Dormer; w=ch= I haue not sent you,
because he himself, w=th= his wife, lieth in London, wher you
shall se him. Instead of newes, (wherof this country affordeth
non,) accept the remembrance of my old loue, w=ch= shall neuer
be estranger vnto you, & w=th= w=ch= I do at this tyme so much
labour that I hope I shall make some good vse of this vacancie
in my meditations for some better manifestation of yt; w=th= my
earnest desiers to be wholely
   Yo=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
May 6 [\1624\] .
   To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at Harington
Howse, geue these. Leaue this w=th= M=r= James Henly, at
Harington Howse, to be delieuered.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 93>
[} [\LXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^] 
Sweet Hart,
   I haue now receiued yo=e= letters w=th= much sattisfaction to
my desiers, by vnderstandinge of yo=e= health & safe ariuall at
London after so troublesome a journey; & do retourne vnto the
healthfull estate of o=e= childeren & my self, who haue since
yo=e= departure (thancks be to God) suffered very little in my
brest. I do wonder much that the
<P 94>
com~ission was not retourned in the prescribed tyme, since I my
self beinge at Norwich w=th= M=r= Morse did so much vrge yt to
M=r= Sherwood, who promised to retourne yt w=th=out fayle;
neyther haue I hearde any thinge of yt since yo=e= departure,
being not able to com~end any thing concerninge that business
but my many wishes for yo=e= frutefull endeauors in the
proceeding. My father her hath taken me so wholy vpp to his
seruise, hauinge at this tyme 50 men at worke in castinge his
great pond, that I can hardly haue tyme to look home, being my
self also studious to obserue him w=th= my best wits for the
better effecting of myne & yo=e= desiers. You shall receiue by
this bearer yo=e= wastecote, hauinge receiued yt this day from
Broome w=th= the health of o=e= childeren. I could gladly
vnderstande some tyme for the expectation of yo=e= retourne,
but I do expect uncertayntye in yt from the vncertaynety of o=e=
business; being assured that w=th= its licence ou=r= mutuall
loues shall receiue quickly ther mutuall desiers in each other's
presence. In the meane tyme I leaue yt, w=th= my self, wholely
to yo=e= disposing; and you=e= self attended w=th= the best
prayers of him who wilbe alwaies Yo=e= Nath. Bacon.
   I pray speak to John Fenn to buy me 3 ownces of masticott
more than I wrote for, & it need not be of the best sort, yt
being for yo=e= seate, w=ch= was
<P 95>
sett vpp the last Satterday. We haue payed a subsidie & halfe to
the beneuolence. My seruice to all w=th= you.
Culford, May 15 [\1624\] .
   To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady
Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 95>
[} [\LXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^] 
Sweet Hart,
   The tyme since yo=e= departure seemeth longe, & my desiers
for yo=e= company maketh me desier also you=e= resolution for a
retourne. I know not the second success of o=e= business, but I
am fully persuaded that it is no less troublesome to you than
the former, w=ch= maketh me still wish that yo=e= patience may
so digest yt that yt may prevent any inconvenience w=ch= eyther
body or mynde may from thence suffer, & wherin I should be much
satisfied if I might vnderstand of any content intermixt w=th=
this yo=e= trouble. News o=r= country affordeth none but this,
that we both are presented by the churchwardens at this last
visitation, the Archdeacon being present, urging yt, for not
keepinge o=e= church in the after noone. My neece Nann Gawdy
also is, I thinck, certayne of a husband, w=ch= is M=r=
Stanhope. Myself with o=e= children ar in perfect
<P 96>
health at this present. I haue not yett receued any letter from
you this week by reason of my beinge now at Broome, wherefore I
cannot by this make any particular answer, onely I commend, by
any occasion offered, my harty prayers for yo=e= health w=th=
Fred's, & desier alwaies the contineuance of yo=e= favorable
affection to him, who, although weak in desert yet stronge in
hart, shall ever be onely, You=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
[\1624.\]
   I pray lett Johnsen have this thred inclosed, w=ch= is the
length of my pistolls, whereby he may gett y` cases for them;
the pistolls ar of the biggness of breach pistols.
   To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady
Cooke's house by Charing Cross, London.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 96>
[} [\LXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^] 
Myne owne Sweet Hart,
   I belieue this tyme (affording for the moste part diuersity
of messengers) hath fayled yo=e= expectation in hearing oftener
from me, w=ch= I do assure you hath not bin my fault, I hauinge
bin continually inquisitiue this last week for a priuate
messenger, wherin I fayled; & now w=th= the first, I do com~end
vnto you the good estate of o=e= childeren, w=th= some
betteringe of myne owne, as also of
<P 97>
my sister Waldegraue's, whose best loue, w=th= my sister
Drurye's, do attend you. I am sorry to heare of yo=e= head ach,
for w=ch= I belieue S=r= Charles Cornewalleys will proue no good
phisitian. My brother Nick was maryed vppon Satterday last to
M=rs= Darcey; & for contry newes, you may vnderstand, if you
haue not already, that for certayne the States of Holland wer,
the last Sunday was a seuennight, w=th= the King, wher, takinge
occasion
<P 98>
from the estate of the Pallatines, they offered ther seruise to
the K. agaynst the K. of Spayne, who moste graciously receiued
them, & acknoweledged vnto them the affront done by the K. of
Spayne, but differed any conclusion vntill the retourne of M=r=
Porter; in the meane tyme assured them of the continuation of a
moste firme league duringe his lyfe, & hath honored many w=th=
knightwod, & some other of the cheifest ar to receiue yt by
pattent for them & ther posterity. I haue sent you her inclosed
a bill of exchange, by w=ch= you may receiue o=e= mony due from
my father. Thus, w=th= my best wishes for good success in yo=e=
troublesome business, & my prayers for the recouery &
continuance of yo=e= health, I leaue you. I pray, retourne my
best service to my cosin Glouer & his wife & the rest of my
friends, & rest alwaies yo=er= 
   Nath. Bacon.
[\1624.\]
   To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at London

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 98>
[} [\LXIV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^] 
Sweet Hart,
   I receiued yo=e= letter, wherby I vnderstand of the slow
proceeding of o=e= business; &, for myne
<P 99>
owne part her, I cannot be so well pleased but I much desier
dayly to be w=th= you, wherfore I desier you to send me word by
the next whether my cominge may be inconuenient or not, & how
longe you meane to stay. For my cominge, I cannot wright any
thinge certayne; for my horses ar infected w=th= other sick
horses, & so extreamely sick that I know not whether they will
liue or not. For my health, I cannot wright as I did last; for
this last week I suffered more payne in my teeth then euer, &
this night I slept not one hower, & am now goinge to the
mountebanck at Bury to draw them out. For y=e= childeren, they
ar in very good health. Nick sends you word of a brood of young
chickens, & of a disaster he escaped at my beinge w=th= him; for
he eate so much milk porrage at supper that he cryed out, (O
Lord!) I think I haue almost broake myne guutt; & I was fayne to
walk him a turne or ij about the chamber to digest yt.
   Newes I cann wright none; wherfore I desier you onely to
entertayne my earnest desiers to enioy you=e= company, then
w=ch= nothing can be more pleasing to him who is & shall be
allwaies onely 
   You=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
[\1624.\]
   To his moste noble friend the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, at
Haringeton Howse, geue these.

<Q COR 1624 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 100>
[} [\LXV. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dear Madam,
   I sent to Wight Halle presently after you went from hence on
Friday, but my La. of Lenox was not retorned from Litleton, so
as I could not gett her second letter to the Keeper, but I hope
I shall hear her first had the effect you desired. If more you
wold have done by her on Tuesday, when the K. is gone from
Grenwidge, I will find her out and bring you what you desier of
her. Therfore lett me know how your busnes hath gonne, and what
furder servis may be donne you by your La=ps= loveing freind, 
L. Bedford.
   This is like to proove as busy a weeke with me, as, if I see
you not hear, I doubt I shall not at that ende of the towne.
Harington House, this 23d of June [\1624\] .
   To my worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 100>
[} [\LXVI. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Hart,
   For the business, although the success hath not yett
sattisfied my desiers, yet it hath so far
<P 101>
equalled my expectation that I cannot but be fully perswaded of
your moste great care & dilligence, wherby it hath attayned this
present estate. For your retourne, myne owne disposition
teacheth me to be best pleased with your best sattisfaction;
yet, in these my desiers, the end of your last letter maketh me
to crave a favorable construction. Little newes I can wright;
only the marriage of my neece Gawdy, & the death of Pearse &
Franck Woodhowse.
   My self with the children ar in perfect health, God be
thancked; the which I shall dayly wish a pray to you & Fred,
with my best endevors to be so much my self, that I may fully
perswade you that my greatest happiness shall alwaies consist in
being Your Nath. Bacon.
[\1624.\]
   To his noble friend Lady Cornewallis.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 101>
[} [\LXVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   In some haste & fewe words I do retourne you many thanckes
for yo=e= letter receiued by M=r= Baylife, together w=th= the
newes, but especially for the
<P 102>
abundance of yo=e= loue therin professed; w=ch= I desier you to
beleue is so wellcome vnto me that the meditation therof must be
vnto me my cheifest comfort in this yo=e= absence, & that my
best endeuors shall allwaies ayme at some meanes to my pore
power both to requite & deserue yt. O=e= childeren w=th my self
ar in health (God be thancked), w=th= the rest of yo=e= friends.
I wish you good success w=th= yo=e= business, & in the meane
tyme content both w=th= the place & proceedinges. Excuse my
shortness, beinge com~anded by the day & tyme; & entertayne the
best prayers of him who is alwaies 
   Yo=es=,
   Nath. Bacon.
Thrandeston, May 19 [\1624\] .
   M=r= Parr, M=rs= Parr, & M=r= Greenhill remember ther best
seruise. My seruise to all my friends, & bid Jhon Fenn to send
my coullers so soone as possible.
   To his most worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady
Cooke's howse by Charinge Cross, geue these, London.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 102>
[} [\LXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Harte,
   I am very sorry that you haue suffered so much in yo=e=
health since yo=e= comminge to London; w=ch= 
<P 103>
beinge joyned w=th= yo=e= troublesome business cannot, I am
certayne, but make this journy uery tedious vnto you. For S=r=
Charles Cornwalleys, I am glad that the justness of o=e= case
hathe appeared, and should be glad to understand of some remedy;
although from him yt is hardly to be exspected, he remayninge
moste constant (as yt seemeth) in his fraudulent courses. O=e=
children wer well in health uppon Moonday last, when I saw them.
Nic hath been troubled with illness, but perfectly recouered,
thankes be to God. I was desirous to haue seen you for a day at
London, the journy being not much from Cambridge, wher I now am;
but the extremity of the weather hath so disfauoured me that I
cannot neyther with conueniency nor security, attempt yt, being
altogether unprouided for these uery fowle waies: wherfore I
desire you to excuse me, and to entertayne these few lynes, by
w=ch= moste affectionately I do com~end my best prayers and
wishes for yo=e= perfect health, content, and safe retourne,
wherin I shall more joy than in any other earthly blessinge, and
w=th= my best power endeauour onely
   Yo=e=
   Nath. Bacon.
   From Cambridge, wher I haue bin by M=r= Greenhill moste well
entertayned. June 3 [\1624\] .
   To his moste noble friend the Lady Cornwalley's at the Lady
Cooke's howse by Charinge Cross, geue these

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 104>
[} [\LXIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   I receiued yo=e= letter by Murdock, by w=ch= I vnderstand the
troublesome proceedinge of o=e= business, for w=ch= I am sorry,
but especially; for the tediousness that you ar affected w=th=
by reason of the trouble in yt & you longe stay by yt; &
although I am euery hower in expectation of yo=e= presence, yet
I could not but venter the arrivall of these lynes before yo=e=
departure, by w=ch= you may vnderstand of the perfect health of
myself & o=e= children & the rest of yo=e= friends her, & the
sweet estate of yo=e= howse & gardin, w=ch= to the best endeuors
of my self & yo=e= seruants hath bin prepared to geue you a
pleasinge welcom, together w=th= 14 yonge fesants, w=ch=
peepinge do much desier ther M=rs= presence. Thus all of vs
rests in the hopes of yo=e= sodayne retourne, w=ch= by how much
the more desired by so much the more yo=e= welcome shall be
endeuored, but especially by him the perfection of whose
happynes resteth in yo=e= loue & the deseruing yt, and in beinge
   Oneley yo=rs=,
   Nath. Bacon.
Broome. June 5 [\1624\] .
   To his noble friend the Lady Cornewalleys, at the Lady
Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 105>
[} [\LXX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   I haue long expected to heare from you of yo=e= health, but
haue not yett receiued any thing since my departure. I would be
loth to omitt any occasion, w=ch= maketh me venture this letter;
otherwise being almost perswaded of yo=e= retourne before this
shall come to yo=e= hands: so howsoeuer, if you receiue yt, you
may vnderstand my health to be euery way equall w=th= that
before yo=e= going upp, if not better. O=e= childeren also ar
all in good health: Nick hath well recouered his ague; & M=rs=
Mop is a much fyner girle than euer, & more familliar w=th= me,
& I hope before strawberyes go out I shall win her hart for
euer. I haue no more to wright but my many prayers & wishes for
yo=e= health & happy retourne, w=ch= God grant vnto you. Thus,
w=th= my best loue & servise to yo=e= self w=th= the rest of my
friends, I leaue, resting onely
   Yo=es=, Nath. Bacon.
Redgraue, June 13 [\1624\] .
   To his best respected friend the La. Cornewalleys, at her
lodging oueragaynst York Howse, at the signe of the Stirrop,
geue these, London.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 106>
[} [\LXXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   The tyme of expectinge yo=e= retourne, beinge hastened by
myne owne desiers, doth now approach: yett, not vnderstandinge
how yo=e= expectation for the proceedinge in yo=e= business hath
bin favored, I must reste still doubtfull of yo=e= presence her
vntill I shall heare fardher from you. This gentleman hath
brought me a letter from S=r= Thomas Meautys, the contents
wherof if you do not already vnderstand, I must conceale vntill
o=e= next meetinge; yt beinge nothinge necessary to com~end them
to you in wrighting at this tyme, I hauinge also desired this
messenger to excuse myne answer vntill Payne's retourne in to
the Low Countryes. Newes we haue none, onely the sodeyne
retourne of my brothers out of the Low Countryes before they cam
ther, ther voiage not exceeding Yarmouth. My perfect health,
w=th= o=e= children's, you may receiue by these, w=h= my dayly
prayers for yo=es=, & my moste earnest desiers that you may
entertayne the necessity of this distance of place w=th= the
vertu of beinge content; & that you will be merry, & remember me
once a day in a cup of clarrett, the pledg of w=ch= I shall in
conceipt retourne vnto you w=th= many thanckes. Com~end my loue
& servise to my friends, & be
<P 107>
assured that I shall not be more happy in any thing than in the
manifestation of the moste secrett sincerity of my hart, whereby
I cannot appeare other to you then yo=e= onely
   Nath. Bacon.
Culford, this present Fryday [\1624\] .
   To his moste worthy friend the Lady Cornewalleys, att the
Lady Cooke's howse by Charing Cross, geue these.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 107>
[} [\LXXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   W=th= my many desiers to salute you by all occasions offered,
I do com~end these lines w=th= my present health, w=ch= at this
my beinge in London hath bin moste constant, thancks be to God.
I haue bin w=th= yo=e= kynsman, M=r= Thom Meautys, and he tould
me that S=r= Thomas Meautys determined to be in England 10 dayes
after the wrightinge of his letter, w=ch= he receiued by Payne,
since w=ch= tyme he hath not heard of him. I spake also w=th=
him concerning the Sherifes, and he tould me that the last yeare
the Kinge himself disliked much the pricckinge of those whose
names wer not geuen in vnto him, & that he would warrant me
free, vnless my name wer geuen in to him by the L. Keepere,
w=ch= I cannot yett know; howsoeuer, I perceiue great meanes
made of all hands, & I shall endeuor the best I can for myself.
For newes her is
<P 108>
very little, but some hopes that the stronge report of the kinge
and princes death of Polonia may proue vntrue, for her hath
lately arriued a ship out of these contries, w=ch= relateth no
such thinge; & besides, the Spanish embassador hath no such
intelligence. The report is also of an embassador out of Spayne
for the Low Countryes, to treat of peace; for whose
entertaynement ther is ther great preparation. A confirmation
also of the sea fight betwixt the Frenche Kinge & the
Rocchellers, 6 of the Kinge's shipps being sunck, & iij taken; &
also of the other newes I last wrote, of another nauiie of
shipps is also preparinge, the intent vncertayne, some say for
Spayne, the match proceeding according to the comon report. For
my retourne, yt resteth onely vpon this business of the
Sherifes, otherwise yt should be imediate, beinge so fully
satisfied w=th= this place, that I do assure you yt is rather
tedious to me than plesant. The lady of Bedford is not yet come
to the towne, nor is expected vntill Wedensday next. No other
things I can com~end vnto you, but the best loue of him who must
alwaies be entirely
   Yo=e=, Nath. Bacon.
From the Raynebow, in bow lane, October 26 [1624].
   Tell Nan I haue bought her a fine new gowne, wherfore I shall
expect a great forwardness in her book at my retourne.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 109>
[} [\LXXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   Not expectinge the retourne of the messenger, nor reckoning
of the opportunity of the carrier, I do com~end vnto you these,
wherby you may vnderstand of the safe arriuall & present health 
of o=e= childeren: for my self, I am still accompanyed w=th= my
constant companions, the tooth ach & head ach, of whose society
I begin to grow so weary that I shall not any longer geue them
quiet entertaynement, but vnwillingely call in the ayde of the
phisitian. I longingely desier to hear the end of yo=e=
troublesome journy, w=th= yo=e= present estate; vppon w=ch= my
best wishes haue attended, & w=ch= I do expect to vnderstand
very shortly by Cock. Newes the contry affordeth small: onely my
nephew Bass. Gawdy, I vnderstand, is come ouer & hath sould his
cullars; I vnderstand also that Ensigne Rosseter was slayne at
Berghen. My sister Waldegraue remayneth in her former estate,
whose best loue, w=th= my sister Drurye's, doth attend you.
Thus, w=th= my many desiers for yo=e= 
<P 110>
cheerfull patience in yo=e= troublesom business, & my continuall
prayers for yo=e= health & good success in them, I leaue you to
God's protection, resting happy in any occasion wherby I may
express my desiers to be 
   Onely yo=es=,
   Nath. Bacon.
Culford, Nouembre 20 [\1624\] .
   I pray remember my loue & seruisse to all my friends.
   To his moste noble freind the Lady Jane Cornewalleys, geue
these.

<Q COR 1624 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 110>
[} [\LXXIV. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deere Sister,
   Yo=rs= by my cosen Meautys beeinge com to my hands, I woulde
not lett this carryer goe w=th=out theise, w=ch= must retourne
yo=u= thancks for yo=rs=, that I shall eauer thincke myselfe
moste happye yf I maye any daye dooe yo=u= servis to requite the
affection you beare mee; and longer then reciperecoly I maye
answere yo=rs= I shall not desier to bee happye, neather in this
worlde nor in the worlde to come. I vnderstand that my brother
is suddenly well recouered and beeyounde expectation, the w=ch=
I dooe ingenyously confes that I am glad of; and soe, I praye,
remember my loue to him. I did receue letters from Coventrye,
but none from my
<P 111>
mother, for I am informed that shee is very ill sence yo=r=
goinge from London. Shee sent mee a letter, w=ch= I shoulde a
sent vnto yo=u= but it had gotten a myschance by the waye,
haueinge bin, as it shoulde seame, bin lett fall in the durt,
and was holely vnfitt to bee sent. I haue informed hir of it,
that shee maye right againe. Thus, w=th= the trew affection of a
lovinge brother, I rest allwayes reddy to macke good my
oblygatyon till the tyme come that I shall bee called awaye to
render an account of the sencerytye of my hart w=ch= I own
towards you beefore Him that is the judger of all men's harts;
till then I am 
   Yo=r= moste affec=t= brother & servant,
   T. Meautys. 
London, Desember the 23, 1624.
   To my deere Sister the Lady Jane Cornewallyes, for the
present att M=r= Peade's howse in Berry, giue these.

<Q COR 1624 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 111>
[} [\LXXV. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO MR. BACON.\] }] 
S=r=.
   I see your freinds had need be moderat in ther requests to
you, that have so liberal a hand in the satisfieinge them; for
my part, I must give you the discouragement to say you have
gotten nothing by your care so plentifully to furnishe me with
what I
<P 112>
desired, but a bare acknowledgement of my thankfullness; since
my desier to deserve well of you, and sence of the obligations I
ought you, wear att that height before, as they can reseave no
increase: yett this do we the right to believe, that though
this must stand at a stay, my endevors shall not do so, if ever
they may find such employment as may witnesse me to be in deed
as well as in words, Sir, the thankefullest and most assured of
your freinds, L. Bedford.
Bedford House, in haste, this 6th of November [\1624\] .
   When you come next to town we shall be able to shew you some
good new pieses of painting at Harington House.
   To my much esteemed freind M=r= Bacon, att Broome.

<Q COR 1624 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 112>
[} [\LXXVI. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Hart,
   I am very glad to vnderstand of yo=e= safe though troublesome
arriuall at London, as allso of the recovering estate of yo=e=
sister so much contrary to yo=e= expectation, and I pray God
continew yt. Since yo=e= departure yt was reported at Bury so
confidently that yt was Sir Thomas Meautys that was sick, and
not yo=e= sister, as I had almost belieued
<P 113>
yt before I receiued yo=e= letter reportinge the contrary. O=r=
children ar all well, God be thanked, with my self, who haue bin
these ij last passed dayes verry well and much better than when
you left me or better than I haue bin these 14 dayes. I haue
vsed garlick agayne w=th= much benifite. The Lady Jermine hath
entertayned yo=e= bitch w=th= all thanckfullness. I haue cast
vpp superficially the inuentory of all the stock and mouables of
Culford w=th= the legacies to be payed out, the plate xcepted,
and yt amounteth vnto 1200,40 and odd pounds. My brother Coleby
hath offered to buy the stock of kyne and horses and to hyre so
much ground as now resteth in myne owne hands, but I have
differed my resolution.
   Thus leaving you w=th= my best loue, wishes and prayers, I
rest, being alwaies
   Onely yo=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
Culford, this Sunday [\Dec=r= 1624\] .
   My loue and servis I pray to all my friends. Sweet Hart, geue
order to M=r= Morse I pray for the payment of 20 marks to M=r=
Chitting, the fee due to the Herralds upon my father's death.

<Q COR 1625 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 114>
[} [\LXXVII. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dear Sister,
   This is only to lett you understand that, since I hear that
my sister of Sussex is nott quickly to part with her greate
belly as yett, I doe pourpose, God willinge, upon the retourne
of this messenjer, to goe downe to Coventry, &, before my
cominge back, to marry with the eldest daughter of Sir Richard
Burneby. The reasons that endeuceth mee to it is bee cause I am
assured that a good foundation will all ways stand, and by that
meanes I am in hope to preserve the name in my father's lyne,
the which I doe much desire, with God's favorable assystance.
Her portyon is but +L1500, which is not much; yett, when I
consider the breadinge, discretyon, and disposityon of the
jentle woman, and havinge likewise made a calculatyon of my own
means and abyllytyes, I must confes that shee is rich in
comparrason of my selfe. My sister of Sussex hath, with the
consent of my Lorde, afforded mee +L200 a years annujty, to mee
and my ayers for eaver, in present, the which I will assure to
my wyfe for a parte of her joynture, and as much more as I can
inrich her with. Now, if it shall please you to sett to your
helpinge hand
<P 115>
for to sett us up, or to be a means to preserve us from fallinge
in regarde that our estats will not bee grate, you shall binde
her as much as myselfe all ways to dooe you servis, and wee will
acknolidg it with all thankfullness, and valleu you as one of
our best benefactuers. In regard of my long staye out of the Low
Countryes, monye is grown short with me at this present; if it
will please you to think upon mee in regarde of my occasyon, and
use it att this tyme, you shall much favour mee. This, with my
love to you & all yours first.
   Your moste affectionate brother & servant,
   T. Meautys.
Jan. the 6, 1624-5.
   To my dear the Lady Cornewallys, at Brome or els where, give
these.

<Q COR 1625 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 115>
[} [\LXXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^] 
Deere Sister,
   The sayme daye I receued yo=r= last by my footman I fell
extreame ill of a scouringe, w=ch= hath continued upon mee eauer
sence, but, I thanck God, it beegins somethinge to lessen it
selfe of it selfe, w=ch= was the cause yo=u= haue not herd from
mee till now; haueinge eauer sence kept my lodgeinge by reason
of a soreness in my throte, and 
<P 116>
horseness w=th=all, that did macke mee holely vnfitt for
company; yett, for all this, I durst not adventuere to put my
selfe in to the docktor's hands, but hath lett Nateure worcke
his wille w=th= mee, and I hope for the best. Yo=r= noble &
discreete proffer & presentation I must moste lovingly and
affectyonately imbrace; and w=th=all, retourning yo=u= the
thanckes I dare not saye due to yo=r= merrytt, but all that my
merrytt is capable to render you for soe worthy a respect of
yo=rs= to mee, for conclusyon, my wyfe that shall bee shall
remayne yo=r= servant and joythfull pentyoner; for I haue
constytuted the benevolence yo=u= haue bestowed upon mee to hir
present pertyceuler vseses and pryvate mayntenance, for the
w=ch= shee shall in pertyceuler hereafter retourne yo=u= hir
thanckes, w=th= as much loue to you from hir parte, beinge hir
sister, as shee can beare to my selfe, whome shee exspects to
haue to bee hir husband, or else shee cannot loue mee soe much
as shee professeth. And though all bee but thanckes w=ch= can
com from mee to you, yett lett mee macke that apeere as much as
I can in all, w=ch= is to shew my gratitude to you for yo=r=
present asistance allsoe, w=ch= I haue receued, as yo=r=
dyrectyons was. I praye God contynue me gratefull to you, w=ch=
yf I shoulde fayle in shewen, I shoulde drawe a punyshment upon
my one hed, beecause I have the contrary in another. For newes,
S=r= Joh. Radclyfe is deade, and his
<P 117>
sonne hath his company; the Counte Mansfeldes bysnis goes not
forward as it aught; the French kinge hath refeused him landinge
and passage in France, soe that hee is now to shypp his troopes
for Hamborough. God speed them well, and send them good succkses
att there eand! As for ther beeginninge, it is but vntoward,
w=th= lyttle hope of good suckses. I pray remember my loue to my
brother and to all yo=r= lyttle ones. Att Clarekenwell, I
beelieue, they heere nothinge of my cosen Glover's goinge
towards yo=u=, whome, I thincke, will send you this. Soe, deere
sister, I rest,
   Yo=r= moste affecty=te= brother & servant,
   T. Meautys.
This 18=th= Jan=y= 1624-5.
   To yo=r= worthy selfe.

<Q COR 1625 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 117>
[} [\LXXIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^] 
My deere & worthy Sister,
   Yo=r= cordiall & lovinge letter I haue receued, but w=th=
some hazard, for I knowe not by whoes hands it was sent mee.
Y=r= lines are in all things licke yo=r= selfe, confortable &
loving. Now, deere sister, sence yo=u= haue bin pleased to send
my wyfe and mee soe many good wishes, w=th= a promyse that yo=u=
will in yo=r= meditatyons thincke upon vs, I will therefore now
tacke the boldness to desier
<P 118>
yo=u= to holde yo=r= word, for I dooe receue it as an artycule
of my beeleafe, & am confident, that wee shall prosper much the
better for yo=r= good prayers. My wyfe hath a longinge desier
for to see yo=u=, but wee knowe not how to compass it, my tyme
goeing soe fast upon mee to bee gon for the Low Countryes, soe
that shee is for this season allmoste out of hope; but myselfe
will wayght upon yo=u=, God willing, as soone as I can. I praye
lett my loue bee remembered to my brother Bacon, and to all my
prittie kindred; and receue these from yo=r= affect=y= brother,
that dooth moste loue & honor yo=u=, T. Meautys.
Coventry, the 17=th= of March 1624-5.
   To my much honored deere sister the Lady Cornewallis giue
these.

<Q COR 1625 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 118>
[} [\LXXX. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deare Madam,
   I acknowledge that I feele so to the quicke this last
afliction God hath pleased to lay upon me as no worldly comfort
will ever be able to prevaile against itt, for I have lost the
best and worthiest freind that ever breathed, whom I could not
love enoffe for what he was to me, nor sufficiently
<P 119>
admire for what he was in himselfe and to all the world; nor can
I ever by any sorrow satisfie my owne hart that itt is such as I
ought to have for such a heavie crosse, which yett I trust will
be a means to fitt me the sooner for heaven, because I am sure
nothing on earth will ever be able to recover much hold on me;
not that God hath not yett in mercie leaft me freinds I love
better then ever I did myselfe, but this hath made me see that I
must have the best freinds in the world but to loose them I know
not how soone, for he that was so sodainly taken from me, both
for his years, strength, health and temper, was like to have
lived to much greater adge than any I have left and so I think
would, had not his noble hart binne too great for thes tymes and
his fortunes in them. But he is, I doubt not, now wheare nothing
of felicity is grudged him, and hath left behind him more trewly
sorowfull harts of both nacions then any man's death now living
can make againe, and many of us yett know not how to indure one
another's sight, being deprived of his; for myselfe I must
trewly say I am a maimed body and worse, and so is my Lo.
Chamberlain, the last person left of power that I can relie on
for the worth of his affection and friendship to me; and, to
speake freely to you, the only honest harted man imployed that I
know now left to God and his countrie, in which I believe you
will hear 
<P 120>
of a great change before this letter comme to your hands, for I
heard this morning from Tibaults that the King was this morning
in so weake estate, as there was no hope of his lyfe, though
till his 3 last fitts there was no [{more{] doubt of his safety
then of every man's that hath an ordinarie tercian ague, so
fatal a yeare is this to great persons as well as meaner. The
Lo. therfore give us all grace not to delay preparing to be
ready whensoever He shall please to call us, and then the sooner
He takes us out of the misserable world the more cause we shall
have to magnifie his compacion. Deare Madam, retorn my thankes
and affectionat salutacions to your husband, and believe that,
though itt will be with a sadder hart, I shall ever continue to
love you as your kindnes hath from tyme to tyme given me cause,
which is all so unfortunat a woman as I am can deserve itt by;
but of that you shall never want any real proofe can be given by
   Yo=r= most affectionat and thankefull freind, 
   L. Bedford.
   I know I need not tell you that I take your kinde sending as
kindly as is posible, and that I thanke you more for itt then I
can sett downe. 
   More Lodge, this 23 of March 1624-5.

<Q COR 1624 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 121>
[} [\LXXXI. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\]
}]
Deare Cornewallis,
   The good nuse of M=r= Bacon's amendement was exceeding
wellcome to me, that have a lively sence of all that concerns
you, in whos discomforts I shall ever have a share, and so have
now of gladnes for the good signes of his recoverie, which lett
not your affection make you distrustfull of, when himselfe,
others, and you, too, find a betteringe of his health and
strength; for, when nature winnes upon the disease, itt is an
argument that the worst is past, though lingering sicknesses are
not shaked off att an instant, but commonly weare away by
degrees as they camme. Therfore have pacience, and afflict not
yourselfe; while God, I hope, intends you your hart's desier,
not to take from you yett that you hold so deare, who have
already learnt so well to submit your will to His, as so sharpe
a precept needes not to teach you obedience. But, howsoever the
only wise God shall please to deale with you, you shall have my
infirme prayers that He will never leave to speake peace unto
your soule, nor to give you joyefull
<P 122>
assurances of His favor, whearof, if it be His will, I beseech
Him now, as an earnest to hear what you aske for your husband;
to whom I praye you com~ende me very affectionatly, and tell
him, as I did you, that if itt please him to make trial of
chandge of ayr, or that remedy which hear grows daylie more and
more in request through the general good successe itt hath, I
desier, exsept you will be in London to have him that ministers
that, the oftener with him, that he will choose More Park to be
the place he will remoove unto, which I hope you both take for
one of your homes. But if you had rather be in towne under this
roofe, you may commande all I calle mine, which is not farre
neither from my cosin Kellway's house, who I dare undertake will
be carefull to doe you and M=r= Bacon all the servis he can. I
give you many thankes for the reseit, which with your last I
reseaved. For all your kindneses I can but love you, which I doe
and ever shall hartely while ther is breath in
   Your most affectionat and faithfull freind,
   L. Bedford.
Harington House, in haste, this Saterday morning [\1624\] .
   Since your goeing my Lo. of Kensington is comme out of
France, who brings word that they
<P 123>
are so desirous of that mache as I believe itt will presently be
both concluded, and she hear, eare long, upon less ill
condicions then Spaine insisted on for matter of religion. I
intend, God willing, within ten or twelve days at fardest, to be
fixed at More Park, from whence I will send to you. My Lo. of
Kensington retornes instantly againe into France.
   To my noble and worthy freind the Lady Cornewallis, att
Broome.

<Q COR 1625 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 123>
[} [\LXXXII. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
My deere & worthy Sister, 
   Soe seldome or neavor dooth the occatyon present it selfe
that any trustye messengers travells in to the parts where you
are, from that quarter about Coventrie where I now am, that I
must of nessessitye imploye one expres to inquyer of y=r= good
health, or else it weare impossible allmoste to partycypate of
the knowledg thereof; but att this tyme, haueing soe good an
occatyon offered mee by yo=r= worthy selfe in sending soe fayre
a toeken to my wyfe I must confes for vs booth that wee are
joyntly in payne vntill that shee & I haue retourned ower harty
& loving thanckes for yo=r= kinde remembrance of hir; & indeede,
my good sister, I aknoledg my selfe infynytly beeholding to
yo=u= for it, for yo=u= haue booth grased mee much & 
<P 124>
lickewyse honored mee by that favour, & I praye to God that I
maye but liue to deserve & to bee thanckfull vnto yo=u= for
yo=r= loving respect shewed vnto vs booth. I haue left yo=r=
sister to hir selfe for to bee thanckfull vnto yo=u= in hir one
selfe; but I dout it will not bee in many lynes, hir health
haveing bin none of the best of late, occationed by a disaster
gotten by ryding in hir coach, w=ch= did cause a grate pane in
hir back, w=ch= caused hir to keepe hir bed for three or foure
dayes; & the learned saye shee must tacke hir leaue of hir coach
for one month or too. It trobles hir not a lyttle, haueing, upon
the recepte of yo=r= laste to vs booth, perswaded w=th= mee that
shee myght come vp to London, onely to see yo=u= & haue the
happynes to bee acquainted w=th= you; but it weare to grate a
happyness booth for mee & hir to attayne to. I praye, deere
sister, let mee eauer be entertayned in yo=r= good oppinyon, for
I am, and will allwayes remayne,
   Yo=r= moste affect' brother and humble servant,
   T. Meautys.
   I praye lett mee bee kindly remembered vnto all my lyttle
cosens.
Coventry, Apryll the 7=th=, 1625.
   To my deere & much honored sister the Lady Jane Cornewallys
att Brome in Suffolcke, these.

<Q COR 1625 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 125>
[} [\LXXXIII. COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Dear Cornwalleis,
   I have written as effectually as I could to my Lo.
Chamberlains who I thinke, if it be in his power, will do what
you desier. What the King's resolucion is yett for his owne and
his father's servants, he hath not declared farder then the
whight staves, which are to remaine as they wear; but for the
greene cloth, and other inferior officers both of the household
and chamber, itt is thought he will imploye his owne and
dismisse his father's, because he hath caused the latter to be
all removed to Denmarke House to attende the body; and lodged
the former about himselfe att Whitehalle: and, for aught any
body yett can discover, he makes his owne determinacions and is
very stiff in them; having already changed the whole face of the
court very near to the same forme itt had in Queene Elizabeth's
tyme, suffering nonne but the counsell and his bedchamber to
come further than the privie chamber, whear he continually
abides; nor the councell to go furder than the privie galerie,
and causes itt to be strictly kept likewise. Into the presence
no more are admitted than his owne servants and gentlemen of
quality. Of his bedchamber he hath sworn nonne more than he had
<P 126>
before but the Duke of Buckingham, whom he uses very well; but,
it is hoped, will be governed by no man, nor will he admitt any
of the rest as is thought. After the funerall itt is expected
that he will make som alterations among the great officers, and,
the com~on voice is, change my Lord Chamberlain's staffe into
that I shall never but with sorrow see in other hand than that
that held itt last, and bestow his upon his brother. Yett so far
he hath not yett declared himself; but, if this be, I have taken
order that, if any power remane in the Chamberlaine for the
gentlemen ushers' places, whethersoever of them hold that
staffe, itt shall be alike for your request; and this I did
because I think the chamber will not be settled till the
principal officer be so. The King is pleased to use my Lord
Chamberlain that is as graciously as any man; which gives many
much confidence, seeing the King so well inclined to favour
honest men, which he is known to be, and one that will never
abuse his trust. Besides, (which, indeed, is the chiefe,) he
manifests much care of God's servise, and never failes, morning
and evening, coming to prayers to the little closett, nor being
an attentive hearer att sermons; so as ther is all good signs
that God hath set him over this kingdom for a blessing. This, I
know, you will be glad to hear from one you believe would wright
no untruth to you, and that hath made me (though I am not
<P 127>
much disposed to wright newse) sett down this much. To which I
will adde, that our destined Queene is with all possible speede
expected hear, for whos com~ing; the coronation will be stayed,
that that, and her mariadge and entrie, may be all but one
charge: but the first mariadge in France will be instantly, the
King having sent his procsey to the King of France, that either
his brother or the Duke of Chevreux (which is Prince Joinville
that was here) may dispach that, so as the next month she is
expected; all else being fully concluded, and they in France
hastening the espousals. I am very glad to hear M=r= Bacon hath
recovered so good health, whos welcom shall ever be such whear I
am as I owe to his meritt and you; whos labor I do not pittie so
much but that I wish you would beare him companie to this
solitarie place, whear I do not desier to see many now living,
but yourselfe very much. I writt to my Lord Chamberlaine to lett
John Fenne know his answer, because he came not back hither;
and, had I binne sure when I should have seene him, I would
rather have spoken than writt, though I know in effect it will
be all one, for he knows by my lines as well as he could have
done by speach that I as earnestly affect the successe of my
recomendacion as I can doe any thing in his power to doe; and I
was so loth M=r= Glover should have any thing to impute to my
least delay, as I
<P 128>
writt so late the last night to my Lord Chamberlain, and
dispached John Fenne, as I could not send this from hence with
him, who went earlier than I was awake this morning, but make
haste itt may overtake him att London. The lying Papists cannot
be content to want my Lord Stuartt in the beadrole of those they
wold have thought for their glorie; but whosoever knew him
living, I hope, will reseave no such false opinion now he is
dead, who, eaven after he was speechless, gave evident
demonstracion (being asked by his chaplain) that he believed to
be saved by the meritts of Christ: yett, by the follie or
villeinie of a ficisian wayted on him (who was Popish), have
they got some colour to invent this slander, which I trust will
be cleared to all the world, as it is clear in itselfe to those
friends from whom he had not a reserved thought, and that knew
how far both in sound judgment as well as practise he was from
approving any point of their doctrine disagreeing with the creed
we profess. I pray God they knew him not so well to be the
boldest opposer of their ends as they used means for the
shortening of his noble dayes, which that they
<P 129>
wear unnaturally cutte off ther are strong suspicions in the
most; because being att first, by the testimonie of all the
surgeons phisicians and his owne servants, as fayer a corse as
ever their eyes beheld, in the space of three owres his hoole
body, head, and every part swelled so strangely and gangrened so
generally as it astonished them all; though the phisicians
affirme to have seene the like in pestilential fevers, when the
spots break not out afore death, and impute part of the cause to
the expedient of chafing his body, att least for the space of an
hour before he departed, with hotte cloths, and keeping itt to
close in the bed after. God only knows the truth, who, if he had
any wrong, I trust will in his justice declare it. It is true
that, when he was opened in his stomack and head, there appeared
nothing to confirm this jealosie, which makes the phisicians
confident it could be no poison they are in these parts
acquainted with; yett both myselfe and many other of his friends
rest not clear of doubt, though, but upon some farder evidence,
it is not to be stirred in; but if ever the least light can be
gotten, the feare of all mortal men should not hinder our just
prosecucion of so abominable a fact: which yett, if it wear so,
hastened our losse but a little; for all his vital parts wear so
decayed, as, by the judgment of the doctors, he could hardly
have lived out a year, which nobody that looked on him could 
<P 130>
have suspected; yett he himselfe told me this last winter that
he found such an inward decaye in himselfe as he knew he should
live but awhile; but, God knows, I conceived it to be but a
melancholy aprehension, seeing his health better to my thinking
than it had beene a year or two before, for his spleene seemed
to trouble him lesse. But now I have many reasons to assure
myself he expected not to live out this year, though he was
sparingest to utter that to those he knew loved him best for
grieving them; yett now I call to mind many speeches of his I
heeded not when they wear spoken, might have made me take more
hold what his opinion was of his short continuance on earth
where he hath not left such another; nor any creature so great a
loser as I in the death of a friend, whom, if it had pleased God
to have longer spared us, would at this tyme both to the publick
and his private friends have binne that wee must not look to see
any other. But God saw us not worthy of such a blessing, whos
will, as itt is ever best, whatsoever itt apear to oure sense,
so must wee submitt ourselves to itt in all things, though it is
the hardliest practised lesson of all we learne in religion. My
thoughts are, and ever will be, full of his memorie, which makes
me tedious when any thing draws me into discourse of him; yett
will I not excuse this temper, because it is a duty I owe him in
this detracting tyme, when those
<P 131>
that durst not have breathed amis on his leaste action while he
lived will now ventur as much as in them lies to slubber his
fame, when they shall thinke themselves out of the hearing of
those would make them keepe in their venom, or make them smart
for uttering it at the least. And now I have donne this, it is
tyme I ende, whos love and respect to you shall be endless, in
which, to my sorrow, you cannot have so much advantage as I have
satisfaction to know myselfe for your most affectionate and
faithful, though most unfortunate friend, L. Bedforde.
   P.S. Dear Madam, com~ende me affectionately to M=r= Bacon,
whom if you will bring hither this springe, I hope you would
both find good by our ayr, which hitherto hath held free from
infection; and should be glad to see any of yours, too, with
you.
More Lodge, this 12=th= of April [\1625\] .

<Q COR 1625 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 131>
[} [\LXXXIV. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
My most honored Lady,
   I can let noe mesenger pass without the remembrance of my
loue and seruis to you. This toune afords noe newes, onely this,
which I thinke you
<P 132>
will be sory for, that M=rs= Anne and M=rs= Ueare Cooks are
become soe much the prouder sins thay weare aires; for thar
brother is uery latly deade of a burning feauor, and the land
fales betwene them. My ould Lady Cook presents her seruis to
you, and is a sade woman for the ruine of her howes. My Lady
Nethersole is not yet gone, but goes shortly. Thus, with the
remembrans of my neuer enough aknowledged loue and seruis to
you, I rest your most faithfull frend and humble seruant,
Dorothe Randolph.
[\1625.\]

<Q COR 1625 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 133>
[} [\LXXXV. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Deare Sister,
   I am very sorry in deed to understand by your servant that
you are not in good health, & the more bee cause I heare that it
is an ague that travills you att this present: it is the desease
that dooes att this tyme moste predomynate, for wee heare, the
Lorde bee praysed for it! that the plague is lessenned att the
leste 3000 a week of the proportyon of what it hath bin. Your
servant founde mee att Colchester this daye, beeing Sondaye,
where I have bin eaver sence Frydaye night past. I am inployed
to survaye these marrytanyan parts, for to rayse sutch workes or
take sutch order as I shall thincke fyttest for the presurvatjon
of the towne & haven of Colchester. I have with mee 500 foote &
a troope of hors, beesids 200 foote which I founde in the towne
beefore my aryvall. The daye after I came theather beeing
Satterdaye, I spent it sollely inspecting the harbore & the
towne: the sayme night I received letters from my Lord of
Warrick to hasten my retourne to the army with all expedytyon,
for that, hee rights, since my coming from that, the enymye is
drawne downe with more forses to Donkerick, & 
<P 134>
that all there fleet is drawne out of their harbore, & lyes
underneath the castle of the towne, reddy to seet sayle; upon
which newes I have sent a curryer this daye back to my Lord, to
advertis him of the present estate of the place, & to lett him
know that one Tusedaye morning by bracke of the daye, God
willing, I pourpose to bee att the army. The troops are not
lyckely to seaver this good whyle yett. You maye bee assured to
heere from mee, as occasion shall offer it selfe to me,
contjneually: but I dooe want the assistance of servants
excedingly; my Lord of Warrick was fayne to lend mee his page to
attend mee this jorny. I have received the fortje pounde from
your servant which I wrjt unto you for; for the which I am much
your servant, & I must desier you to paye your selfe againe with
your one money. My pore wyfe I am shewer is much distresed for
that shee hath not hard from mee neaver sence my coming from
hir; neather dooe I knowe how to send unto hir, pore creature!
to comforte hir. I praye, remember my love to my brother Bacon &
to all your lyttle ones; &, I praye, entertayne the treu love of
   Your eaver: affec' brother & servant,
   T. Meautys.
Colchester, Sept. the 18=th= 1625.
   To my deare sister the Lady Cornewallis, att her howse att
Browme, these, Suffolk.

<Q COR 1626 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 135>
[} [\LXXXVI. FREDERIC CORNWALLIS TO HIS MOTHER, JANE LADY
CORNWALLIS.\] }]
Maddam,
   To give your La=pp= a testimonie that as I grow older in
yeares, soe I doe the like in filiole affection and dutie
towards you, I thought it became mee not to discontinue my
accustomed pledge therof in an humble and ioyfull congratulation
of your La=pp's= arrivall (by God's good providence) in health
and happines unto the end of this ould yeaur, w=th= a noe lesse
happy and propiceious entrance into the new. And because to
honor father and mother is the first commandem=nt= with promise,
as alsoe for that I may not forget that your Ladiship hath beein
to mee insteade of both even from my cradle hitherto, it is of
noe small consequence to the length and happines of my owne life
to pay this duty, both yearly and dayly, of offering up my
prayers to Almighty God for the continuance and preservation of
yours; and doe therfore heare pray from the bottome of my heart
that this new yeare may be as noe yeare to your age, and as a
yeare of many harvests to your content and comfort. I presume
likewise (so priviledged by the usuall ceremony of this time) to
p'sent your La=pp= w=th= a petty newyear's-gift hearinclosed, as
unworthy (I confess) your La=pp's= wearing or owning as is hee
<P 136>
that pursents it; but the approach and admission to your
La=pp's= presence and benigne acceptance may give worth to both.
Soe humbly asking your blessing, I am, with the trouth of my
heart,
   Your La=pp's= not lesse dutifull than obliged humble sonne,
   F. Cornwalleis.
[\Jan=y= 1625-6.\]

<Q COR 1626 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 136>
[} [\LXXXVII. NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY CORNWALLIS.\] }] 
Sweet Hart,
   For the business w=ch= called me from you so suddaynely, I
may truely say, I cam vpp w=th= a full resolution to auoyd yt;
but my Lo. Marshall was unsatisfiable, assuring me of honor to
descend to you from thence, & not the contrary, & preferring
this order farr beyond the barronetts, as being the most antient
of this land. Vppon his com~ands, w=th= the perswasion of my
other friends, I haue embarqued my self in yt, God send me good
shipping! yt being already a greater trouble to me then fitts
w=th= my disposition; but I must now go thorough, w=ch=
perforemed I shall not be long absent from you. In the meane
tyme, I desier yo=e= assurance of my true affection, who am
   Onely yo=es=, Nath. Bacon.
<P 137>
   Newes little. My Lo. of Essex's business compounded. The
French King geueth no sattisfaction to o=e= embassadors, nor
will retourne o=e= shipps. Great grumbling on both sides. The
Queen will not be crowned w=th= o=e= cerimonies, wherfore her
coronation is putt off. Cecill generally taxed.
[\January 1625-6.\]
   To his best respected friend the La. Cornewalleys, at Broome,
geue these.

<Q COR 1626 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 137>
[} [\LXXXVIII. SIR NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   I haue, I belieue, much deceiued yo=e= expectation concerning
my retourne, but I haue had a just excuse, the extremity of the
weather & myne owne indisposition of body; notw=th=standing
w=ch=, I should haue ventured my retourne as this day, had not
the King strayghtly com~anded all of o=e= order, both new &
ould, to attend this day at Westminster, furnished w=th= horse &
footmen after the best 
<P 138>
manner, from whence we ar to ride by torch light to the Lo.
Maior's to a great feast ther specially prepared for vs. Some
other attendance also is reported to be geuen the K. the next
day by vs, but yt is not yett certayne. Newes her is little;
nothing done in parliament. The peace betwixt the French King &
Rochell certaynly concluded. The Duke de Rohan made prime peer
of France. Mounseir Subise to receiue a yearly pension of
100,000 crownes. O=e= shipps retourned from Rochell. Tomorrow or
Weddensday the Queen's mask is to be shewen, w=ch= is in the
manner of a play, she being a speciall actor in yt. Nothing
more, but to tell you I neuer had a greater desier to be w=th=
you, w=ch= I desier you to belieue as from him who is
   Onely you=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
February [\1\] [\1625-6\] , this Moonday.
   To his best respected friend the Lady Jane Bacon, at Broome,
geue these.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 138>
[} [\LXXXIX. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   Rather then send away this messenger empty, I scribble you
such newes as I have picked up by the highway, and that the
coronation houlds, both of King and Queene, on Candlemas day,
with as
<P 139>
little noyse and ceremony as possibly may bee; the L=ds=, as is
sayd, being spared the charge of roabes, and required onely to
wear their coronets. My Lo. of Holdernes is alive againe. The
syde saddle is a making, and wee talked of nothing last night
but that and bathing, which I sweate to hear. My Lo. of Essex,
they say, is at court, and no speach of any quarrell thear. All
this I present to you as I reseaved it last night from our
Knight of the Bath and Nedde Eltenhead, who mett us last night
at Pukeridge from London; but theyr intelligence and relations
were soe ill putt together as did little edify me, eyther in
belief or knowledge. I take leave to kisse your hands, and to
have my love and servise cordially recom~ended to your best
beloved; from whose presence and conversacions, more acceptable
and agreeable to mee then any I can meete with till I meete them
againe, I am so newly weaned as that I have much adoe not to bee
froward, and to
<P 140>
cry Mam, Dadde, Dub. deare, if any body anger mee.
   Your La=pp's=, &c. T. M.
[\Feb=ry= 1, 1625-6.\]

<Q COR 1626 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 140>
[} [\XC. SIR NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   I am very glad of yo=e= health in the contry. I do also
conclude of the welfare of all ours w=th= you, otherwise, I
perswade myself, I should haue vnderstoode yt by you; &, for
little Jane in perticular, I should haue bin glad to haue
vnderstood some of her new language. My Lady of Bedford is well
& in towne, vnto whome I haue presented yo=e= servise. The Kinge
was crowned yesterday w=th= greate pomp at Westminster. For
other newes her is little; some do say that the Earle of Holland
hath compounded the business betwixt the French King & Rochell,
& that o=e= shipps ar retourning. God grant yt may be true!
Vppon the next Sunday earles ar to be created, some say 8. The
next weeke I intend to see you; in the meane tyme I com~end vnto
you the most true affection of him who is onely
   Yo=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
February 3 [\1625-6.\]
   To his best respected friend the Lady Bacon, at Broome, geue
these.

<Q COR 1626 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 141>
[} [\XCI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   I have not receiued any letter from you this week, w=ch=
maketh me hope that you & yo=rs= ar well, otherwise I presume I
should haue vnderstood yt: for my self & the rest of yo=e=
friends her, we ar all in health (God be thancked), my La. of
Bedford excepted, who hath bin excedingly ill of the gout, & is
little recouvered yett. For news, we haue very little, nothing
being as yett done in parliament. Ther hath bin 8 earles
created, the Lo. Wentworth, Andouer, the Treasurer, Mandiuill,
and others. Yesterday ther was a quarrell at Medlye's ordenary
betwixt the Lo. Henry Paulett & S=r= Will. Sturton; they went
secretly in to a chamber & fought. Paulett is 
<P 142>
runn thorough the body, not likely to liue; the other, hurt in
iij places, is apprihended. I am now almost sattisfied w=th=
London, & do intend this next week to retourne; in the meane
tyme I com~end vnto you my best loue, wishes, & prayers for all
health & happiness, & am
   Onely yo=rs=, Nath. Bacon.
February 10 [\1625-6\] .
   To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome,
geue these.

<Q COR 1626 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 142>
[} [\XCII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NATHANIEL BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   At my last wrightinge vnto you I thought to haue seen you
before this tyme, but by reason of the extremity of the weather
I haue bin enforced to stay longer, hauing gotten a great could,
common to moste her, by reason of w=ch= I haue bin constrayned
to keep my chamber these 4 dayes, & wher I haue bin honored
w=th= a speciall visite by my Lo. Marshall & my Lo. Maltreuers.
I haue sent one of my seruants w=th= these to lett you
vnderstand the cause of my stay, & I do intend to follow my self
so soone as I dare, w=ch= I hope wil be about the beginning of
Shrouetyde. For newes, little is yett done in parliament but
snarling on
<P 143>
both sides, & much muttering agaynst the Duke, vnto whome ther
happened, in his going to parliament, an accedent, by many
reputed ominous; for betwixt the court & Westminster his bridle
would not hould vppon his horse's head, but being twise mended,
at the last yt fell quite of, w=th= the plume of feathers, to
the ground. Ther hath bin some distaste betweene the King &
Queene by meanes of the French embassador, who left the court in
a pett & departed for France, but was enforced to retourne, M=r=
Mountague being sent in his stead. The Admirall's shipp of
Dunkirke was lately blowne vp & quite lost, by meanes of ij
Hollanders w=ch= serued in her & now wer desirous to do ther
contry seruise, both w=ch= escaped. My La. of Bedford is yett
verry ill of the goute, & my La. of Sussex very ill of a could.
I long much to be at home w=th= you, which shal be so soone as
possible w=th= my health I may: in the meane tyme my dayly
prayers to attend you, & I desier to be esteemed in all
affection onely
   Yo=es=, Nath. Bacon.
February 16 [\1625-6\] .
   To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome,
geue these.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 144>
[} [\XCIII. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   In my last to your La=p= last weeke by the Berry carrier I
did, in a sort, resolve not to write againe untill I had been
repayd with a lyne or two from your hand, for some three or
fower letters your La=p= is in arriere to me; but to show that
all occasions offered of doing you servise winne ground upon me
against any resolucyons whatsoever to the contrary, I could not
possibly omitt the oportunity offered me by this bearer of
scribbling to you rather nothing than not at all. Our parlament
falls not as yett upon the mayne of busynes, it being but early
days with us and many members absent. Onely Sir Edward Cooke's
election hath bene debated, and is like to be determined against
him, within ten dayes; and yf he and the rest of his fellow
sheriffs be excluded, as it is conceaved they will, we shall
have a tame howse, and the King will master his own ends without
much adoe. My cosin's health did prophesy of this cold weather
some few days ago, for his cough beganne to trouble him, and
makes him wish himselfe at Broome. Myne is after the oulde rate,
now and
<P 145>
then a fitt of short breathinge. God in heaven maintaine you in
health and all yours!
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all ever, T. M.
Feb=ry= 16 [\1625-6\] .

<Q COR 1626 LRUSSEL>
<A LUCY RUSSEL>
<P 145>
[} [\XCIV. THE COUNTESS OF BEDFORD TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Madam,
   I take extreme kindly your sending to visit mee, which I
should not have delayed an ower thanking you for, but that itt
is so busy a tyme heare, both about what consernes the publicke 
and my owne privat, as I have, against my will, binne hindered
from dispatching your man according to my desier and purpos; but
the assurance he carries of my present health I know will make
you excuse the length of his staye. My feare of relapsing makes
me content to punish myselfe this spring by following a course
of phisicke Sir Theodor Mayerne hath putt mee into, though I am
very incredulous that itt can prevent my having more fitts of
the goute; howsoever, when I am trobled with any, they are
accompanied with such accidents of sicknes as shows they proseed
from such humors as phisicke uses to correct, against which I
have too rebellious a spleene I doubt to be brought into such
obedience as not faster to
<P 146>
power out the souernes therof into my stomache, and distill itt
into other parts, then all the poticarie's drugs will be able to
correct. What I do, therfore, is rather because itt shall not be
layd to my charge that I neglect the meanes of health, then out
of any great hope of cure by itt, which weather I have or no,
God, I trust, will give mee thankfulnes to Him and patience till
His apointed tyme of releasing mee from all misserie; of which
wee are yett like to have in generall more and more, if this
Parlement and the King part not upon better termes then yett
they stand, the King having declared himselfe stiffe one way,
and they growing stronger and stronger in their resolucions
another. They have had som way given them, which is understood
by them as a good signe of the King's relenting, who may, if he
please, have of them what none of his predecessors ever had of
their people, so they may with all have their bargaine, without
which they thinke all their liberality would be no better then
cast away: what the event will be, a fewe dayes more will show.
In the mean tyme my Lo. Marshall remains att the
<P 147>
Tower, though my Lo. Chamberlain is laboring to gett his prison
changed to his owne house at Highgate. I wishe another tyme had
binne taken for that hasty busynes, in regard of the want of so
able a man at this tyme in the upper house, wheather ther is no
probability he will be suffered to com this secion though he
wear enlarged. All other kind of nuse for the present lies dead
hear, exsept itt have some relacion to the Parlement, and my
ower of persecution is com; therfore, deare Lady, farwell. Lett
your love to me, and confidence in myne to you, continue alike;
for, truste me, the one is highly valued, and to lessen the
other you shall never have just cause given you by
   Your most affectionat, faithful freind and servant,
   L. Bedford.
   Believe mee, your son Fred. hath my prayers that he may be so
blessed from heaven as that your comfort in him may daylie
increase. With many thankes to S=r= Nathaniel Bacon, do mee the
favor to retorne my best salutacions, to whom I was extreme
sorry I could not, at his being heare, do those litle servises I
ought to your husband,
<P 148>
and my respect of himselfe; but itt was so late before I knew
att all of his being in the list of the Knights of the Bath,
after which I inquired not, and so lived in ignorance till his
owne coming to me, as on that alone I can charge my ill hap.
S=t= Jeames's Streete, this last of March [\1626\] .
   I cannot close my letter without being a begger to you to
helpe me, if you can, to another good and fine tumbler, being a
comodity not to be gotten in thes parts. Thus, you see, I cannot
leave my custum of robbing you.
   To my noble and deare freind the Lady Bacon, att Broome.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 148>
[} [\XCV. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I am righte gladde that I have found out at last, which I
understood by yours receaved last night, the way and stile to
make my letters acceptable, which is, I perceave - for such was
that letter you seeme to approove - by being short, and making
profession of my desire and happines to contribute any thing
towards your health and welfare, which I doe as cordially affect
now as then, and shall ever doe the same while I am, T. Meautys.
[\April 1626.\]
<P 149>
   Your brother went for the Low Countries yesterday, with hope
to retourne some 6 weekes hence. His lady remaynes with my Lady
Sussex. My Lo. S=t= Alban is dead and buried.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 149>
[} [\XCVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I receaved your La=pp's= by the carrier of Berry, by whome I
send thease; it came to my hands some minutes before my going
into the country, which makes me retourne thease in more
scribbling wise then otherwise I should. And although I perceave
by yours that you cannot find in your heart, or at leaste in
your penne, to invite me to Broome, though I did in a sorte
begge it of you in my last; and that the proverbe, which sayeth
that "He is an ill dogge that's not worth whistling," makes me
conceave that you think little lesse of me, that think me not
worth the inviting;
<P 150>
yett, to show you that I cannot find in my heart to take any
thing in ill part at your hands longer then needes must, I will
endeavour to obtaine of myself and my occasions to waite on you
somtimes this so~mer, yf I may understand from you by your next
how you dispose of your owne residence this vacacion, for by
this day fortnight I shall retourne for London with my Lord
Wentworth, who is then to goe for Fraunce, and will then hope to
meete with a lyne or two from you hear, that may reassure me of
your health. And for the rest that concernes myself, synce it
comes so dryly and cautiously from you, I shall arme myself with
as much patience as I may, and as you may expect from y=r=
La=pp's= all and ever to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys.
   Thear came a messenger last night from my Lord Veere, who
brings good newes of a blowe given the enemy, to the cutting off
two thousand of theyr men at least, some of them persons and
com~aunders of the best quality, with the loss of 5 or 6 of the
States' side, comon souldiers, only; ffor
<P 151>
the water fought for them, and did the execution without blowes.
   Pray let my cosin Randolph understand that his father is soe
ill that thear is little hope of his recovery, and I think it
wear considerable for him, in relation to his office, to come up
and take it into his care.
[\April 1626.\]

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 151>
[} [\XCVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ex=lnt= good Lady and Cosin,
   I wrote to your La=pp= last weeke by the Berry carrier, and
inclosed it in my cosin Frederick's letter, but understood that
the carrier of Disse called afterwards at my house, and, hearing
I had putt my letters into the hands of the Berry carrier,
resolved to call for it from him and soe deliver it himselfe.
How they have agreed on it I know not, but would have been
willing to understand in your next wheather it came to your
hande. I wrote to my cosin, your husband, and put it into M=r=
Chetwin's hands on Monday last. The King is not at leasure to
thinke of my Lord of Arundell's reduction from the Tower, but he
is, mee thinks, as a man forgotten already. Our Parlement
proceedings are froward enough; and those businesses we embrace
first, and please ourselves best in, which have a left eye upon
the Duke. 
<P 152>
But we barke hitherto against the moone, which is above our
reach. We shall, within a day or two, bee roundly put to it for
a present supply to defend the kingdome and setting of a new
fleete to sea; for our daungers threaten us by the great
preparacyons of our enemy, whearof thear is dayly advertisement.
My Lord Generall Cecill hath not yett been admitted to kisse the
King's hands. Hee was on Monday last before the counsell table,
with the rest of the com~anders and officers in chief in that
ymployment. Thear was demaunded of him a particular journall and
account of the counsells and actions since the going out of the
fleete. Hee broke outt into a confused and passionate discourse
of his hard condicion, to be prejudged and decried in com~on
voyce, as himself said hee was, even as farr as to balletts; but
was withall very confident to give theyr Lordships a good
account of his conducting the whole affayre, and doubted not but
to come off with honor for his particular carriage, though it
pleased not God to give successe to the enterprize; and soe
desired a furder day, for that his papers and bookes, whearin
his proceedings wear exactly registred, wear not yett come a
shoare. The Plate fleete, I perceave, was theyr chiefest design,
and they steered, it seemes, soe right a course for it as that
they had 7 of theyr shipps in chase; but ours being
<P 153>
leaky, and marriners weake, and victualls spent, could not reach
them. Sir Thomas Meautys and his lady are in town, at M=r=
Deake's, an upholsterer in Fleete Streete. His lady is now
daungerously ill of a burning feavor. Shee hath been visited
from Clerkenwell, and Sir Thomas hath been thear; and wee are
all friends, soe long as it will last. And soe I greet you, and
all yours, with the sincerest affection and devocyon to serve
you & yours, T. M. 
[\April 1626.\]

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 153>
[} [\XCVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My very best Lady and Cosin,
   I receaved yours by M=r= Proud, the minister, and purpose to
write to you then againe by him. In the mean time, I take the
freedom to tell you, that yf upon the death of M=r= Cotton, of
whose office in our chamber I had a second reversion, I proceed,
as I am in treaty, to buy him out that is in possession, and so
to gett it for three lives of my own name, when I will reckon
upon your La=pp's= purse to assist mee with the loane of 600+L,
for
<P 154>
about that sum I must deposit at first, and 300+L more
afterwards, which is the full rate I must pay; and for security
I will eyther make over the 200+L p=r= ann. of my brother
Glover's, the office itself, or any other security your counsell
shall advise. Yt concernes mee to hear by the next carrier,
which I would gladly wear by him of Berry, on Thursday, how
farre you are like to pleasure mee hearin; and yf you take this
to be any over freedome with you, onely pardon it, and I will
take it for a warning till I may have furder merited it at your
hands.
   However, I shall rest at yo=r= La=pp's= devotion altogether
to serve you, T. Meautys.
   I have one fetter more put upon my legge to imprison mee in
London, for thear is a new Counsell of Warre instituted, and I
pointed out for one to attend it. Yt consists all of privy
counsellors, unless 3, namely, Wimbledon, Tilberry, and Colonell
Ogle.
Friday [\May 1626\] .

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 154>
[} [\XCIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My singular good and noble Lady,
   I cannot acknowledge inough your readines to pleasure mee
with the sum you write of, nor cannot take thought inough to
find myself good for nothing whearin to pleasure you againe.
Onely this I have to offer uppe to you, and yett it is noe
<P 155>
more then you had long since, namely, whatsoever I am, or may
bee, to bee at your disposing. For security however, you are
pleased, in confidence of mee and favor to mee, to decline it;
yett I must take leave to deale as safely for you as you have
done lovingly and suerly with mee, and upon the receipt of the
moneyes am resolved to send you sealed a bond from my eldest
brother and myself, to such person as you shall nominate to have
the bond made, and this with as little noyse or notice of the
favor done mee as you shall direct or wish. For the moneyes the
sooner they come the welcomer; but, by cause I could not collect
from your letter whether they mought be with most conveniency
sent up by som servant of your own, or otherwise that I could
send a servant of myne to receave them theare, I am somwhat at a
stand untill I may find by your next what course you will
propound on that behalf. Thus, with a heart as full of affection
to serve you, as a head full of payne and aking, being scarcely
out of a sharpe fitt of tertian ague, which hath held me all
this morning I rest, 
   Your La=pp's= in sicknes and health, living and dying, all
and ever, T. Meautys.
This Friday, May 19th, from my house in the Strand [\1626\] .
   The inclosed from Sir Thomas Meautys I send, to the end my
cosin may extract the newes of those parts out of them; and so
retourne me the letters, yf you please.
<P 156>
   Yesterday it was debated in the upper house, wheather the
Duke should be com~itted, or at least sequestered from the house
during the examination and proceeding against him. Hee carried
it by voyses, and yett had no use of proxies, whearof hee hath,
as is sayd, 15 in store, which shows his case is not desperate.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 156>
[} [\C. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever dearest Lady and Cosin,
   This messenger going from Toddington to my Lady Smith's in
Norfolk, and Culford not being much out of his way, gives mee
the meanes of sending thease, together with such occurrences as
I meet with hear, sent mee from London. You may, if you please,
at your best convenience impart them to Sir Drue, and thearby
acquitte mee to him in part of some payments of this kind. Thus,
waiting all occasions and minutes to serve you, I aske leave to
kisse your deare and precious
<P 157>
hands, together with all those made out of them, whearby you
have obliged,
   Y=or= La=pp's= for ever to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys. 
May [\1626\] .
   The instructions concearning preaching, though some say they
are to be printed, yett are not to be authorized and published,
as was conceaved, by proclamacyon, but to bee recom~ended onely
by letters under his Ma=ties= signature to the two archbishops.
   I am this morning going with my Lord of Cleveland for London;
his Lady goes not till the Kinge's retourne from Newmarkett.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 157>
[} [\CI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My best Lady and Cosin, 
   I receaved both yours by Nutte, the carrier, and in answer to
the first, which is soe carefull and sollicitous of my health, I
can but first thanke you in as much earnest as you are pleased
to expresse on my behalf, and then lett you know that I am,
<P 158>
God be thanked! much better now then when I fell sicke; this
ague having, apparently, evacuated much of that humour whearwith
my lungs wear wont to labour, whearby I am grown friendly with
it, and think of it, now 'tis past, rather as my physician then
a disease. I am sorry to find, both by your letter and by the
messenger, that my cosin's health is noe better; but I comfort
myself in that observacion he makes of the time, as hoping that
I shall hear by the next that we are twynnes as well in
recovering together as in falling sick, otherwise he will but
bind me over in good manners to undergoe a relapse, for I shall
take the lesse comfort in my recovery that it hath gotten the
start of his. As for the moneyes, I will send sometimes the next
weeke by an immediate messenger from hence. Our Parlament was
this day adjourned till Thursday next. The upper howse is not
satisfied with the reasons of the King's detayning my Lo. of
Arundell from them, and are resolved to press it furder. The
King withdrawes not his countenance or protection one jotte from
the Duke. God send us all the light of His countenance, and then
all will end well.
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever, T. Meautys.
Strand, this Thursday [\June 2, 1626\] .
   My sister Glover desires to be excused for not wrighting by
this passage, which she confesseth 
<P 159>
she both ought, but that she was called away to hould a Lady
Butler's back, one of the last sisters of the Bath. 
   Sir John Eliott is released, and restored to the howse.

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 159>
[} [\CII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best and dearest Lady and Cosin,
   I reseaved yours by my man, Knight, accompanied with that
horse load of favor and friendly curtesy, which you pleased to
mention in your former letters; which seasonable piece of
friendshipp expressed by your La=pp= towards mee and my
occasions although I can never acknowledge, yett give me leave
to reckon of it but as treasure in silver in comparison of that
other in gould, which was the hopes you gave mee of kissing your
hands hear ere long; whearin however you have somwhat fayled,
for though, mee thinks, with mee, who number dayes and howers
till I see you, it is already a great while since I drank in
those hopes, yett will hope on still, and leave you thus farr
without excuse as to tell you that thear are two houses in the
Strand at your devotion, my own and Sir
<P 160>
Thomas Wilson's, who lyeth and his family at Whitehall, though I
must confesse I shall wish my own house on fier every time I see
you passe by it to sleepe in any other. Thearfore, as you tender
my rest and happines, sweete Madam, think not, I beseech you, of
resting yourselfe under any other roofe, and be pleased rather
to lett mee see you then hear from you againe. And now lett me
presume to putt a new piece of trouble upon you, which is to
cause your servant to learne certaynly the day of M=r= Cotton's
death, and to lett me understand it by the next; for ever since
that day the profitts of the office belong to mee, and are to be
accounted to mee by his deputy and clerks, and the difference of
a few dayes may in or out of my way half a hundred pounds. M=r=
Morse was much conversant with him, as I have heard him say, and
can, peradventure, satisfy this question. The Duke hath this day
made his answere to our charge against him; an ingenuous and
cleare answere, and very satisfactory, as is conceaved, to all
indifferent eares. My Lord of Arundell was this day restored to
the house; it appeares not as yett wheather he be in ... or not
against the Duke, or how he will play his game. We talk much of
great forces both by sea and land in readines to come from
Spayne. We have 30 sayle of good shippes shortly to putt to sea.
Our house quarrells the election of the Duke to be Chancellor of
<P 161>
Cambridge, as an affront done to the house; the King hath sent
messages to our house to forbear questioning it. Tomorrow we
are, I understand, to debate what is to be done in it. The King
hath sent the University a letter of thanks for electing him; 
and so doe I to you, for continuing mee in your good favor and
affections, who am
   All your own, T. M.
[\June 8=th= 1626.\]

<Q COR 1626 EBACON>
<A EDMUND BACON>
<P 161>
[} [\CIII. SIR EDMUND BACON TO SIR NATHANIEL BACON.\] }]
Brother Nath.
   Yt was tolde me yesterday from Burye, that one cause of your
goinge up to London ys to cut of the intayle of Culforde and the
rest of the landes, which in much love weare confer'd upon you.
Whether I have any interest or not therin ys utterly unknowne
unto me, for in my father's tyme I never was made acquainted
with any parte of the conveyances; and yf I be in remaynder, my
dayes are so farre spent, that yt weare too partiall a thinge
for me to feed myselfe with any expectation: but yt ys like yt
concernes others, for in what belonges to myselfe I finde that
he hath had a very strict desyre to uphold his famyly in the
meanes he left, which I signify unto you, that you might
<P 162>
have a greate care how you proceede in this busynes, which
importes a good parte of the estate. But no more of this matter:
it concernes me more to have you respecting your health, and to
entreate you to have a care that you oppresse not your body or
your mynd with too much agitac~on, for they are both greate
enemyes to weake spirites.
   The proroginge of the Parlament hath given me lybertye to
take a vewe of Rotten Thornage before I goe to London, whether I
am setting forwarde this morning. And thus I rest,
   Y=r= very loveing brother,
   E D M. Bacon.
[\June 1626.\]

<Q COR 1626 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 162>
[} [\CIV. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I reseaved your La=pp's= by M=r= Morse, with the note
inclosed, touching M=r= Cotton's death. This morning M=r= Morse
advertized mee in post hast that thear was a messenger going
towards Broome; hee tooke mee napping, and, before I was broad
<P 163>
awake, for his post's sake I had finished thease. Your
hospitality to my sister and hers hath unhappily deprived mee, I
perceave, of dayes, if not weekes, of your company hear, who
shall count every daye a weeke till I see you; the rather for
that, after this month ended, my month of attendance being next,
and the King meaning to lye most part of that month at
Greenwich, I shall spend most of my dayes thear, and soe loose
more of your company, which vexeth mee aforehand to think of,
and will vex mee more when it happeneth then otherwise, yf you
had come to town sooner, I could have done: onely my comfort
will be, that I can remember, when I am absent, that you are
pleased to sleep under my roofe, and that my house doth you some
service instead of mee. Our Parlement is in pieces and quite
dissolved. My Lo. of Bristow close prisoner in the Tower. My Lo.
of Arundell confined to his mother's house, as before. No lower
house men com~itted as yett, but some of the most active amongst
them com~anded not to depart the town till his Ma=ties= pleasure
furder known. The King borrowes a hundred thousand pounds of the
city, for which he pawnes his juells and plate: this chiefly to
sett out a fleete of 30 sayle, whearunto 20 sayle of Hollanders
are ready to joyne. Present my affectionate
<P 164>
love and service, good Madam, to my good cosin; and tell him, yf
he comes to town, I will shew him melons forwarder then his at
Broome, and procure him the receipt how to improve his owne,
which is a journey, I hope, not altogether lost.
   I rest your La=pp's= all and ever, T. M.
This Monday morning, June 19 [\1626\] .
   Pray be pleased to salute my sister Claxton and her husband
from mee, yf they be still with you. I think it wear no ill wish
to wish them at Livermore againe, for that they had wont to take
it for granted that the mother's death would much mend theyr
case.

<Q COR 1626 NA2BACON>
<A NATHANIEL BACON>
<P 164>
[} [\CV. SIR N. BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sweet Hart,
   Uppon Thursday last I left London, thincking to haue bin
w=th= you this day, but, at my taking horse, I raysed by
coughing a little bload, w=ch= made me come that night but to
Burntwood. The next day in the morning I found myself disposed
to bleed agayne, w=ch= made me venture no farther than
Esterford, wher, presently after my coming in, the vayne opened
agayne, wher I raysed some half a spoonfull. Now, this day I
intend to come no farther then Colchester, wher I shall haue
Doctor Duke's help, if need require. Uppon Monday, God willing,
I intend to reach Bury, whither I desier you to send me, uppon
Tuesday morning
<P 165>
next, yo=e= coach, to bring me home w=th= the more ease. All
yo=e= friends in London do salute you. The Lady of Bedford is
reasonably well. The business of the Navie is now in question in
Parliament, but nothing done. Thus, with my best loue I leaue
you, desiring to be excused for briefness, being now in my bed;
from whence I desier you not to conclude any danger in me, for
my bleeding is stopped, & my cough less then yt hath bin any
tyme these iij. weeks. Bless ours, & kiss little Jane from me; &
so I rest,
   In all trew affection only y=rs=,
   Nath. Bacon.
Esterford, this Satterday morning [\June 1626\] .
   To his best respected friend the La. Jane Bacon, at Broome,
geu these.

<Q COR 1626 PCOTTON>
<A PHILIPPE COTTON>
<P 165>
[} [\CVI. PHILIPPE COTTON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deere & worthie Dawghter,
   I do acknowlidg my self much bownd to God, that hath given me
such a child to be so respective of so aged & infirme a mother
as I am, to belp & succor me, not being able, by reason of manie
greeuances, to stirr from home, w=ch= hath much afflicted me
that I cowld not frequent the howse of God as formerlie I have
donn; w=ch= now, by God's permision, and as w=th= helth He shall
inable me, y=or= good meanes egging me forward, I purpose to
redeeme. Deere dawghter, if I should stodi so
<P 166>
long tyme as I cowld stodie no longer, I should never be able to
find good words suffitient to express the well deservings of
y=or= liberall bownti w=ch= manie ways y=ou= have aforded me,
this y=or= greate and worthie present, w=ch= at this tyme y=ou=
have sent me, not being the lest; wheare of I shall have dayeli
occation to be putt in minde of, lifting up my hart to God w=th=
dayelie prayers to bless y=ou=, both in heaven & earth, to His
glori, for all y=or= comforts aforded me. Good dawghter, lett me
intreate y=ou= not to be offended w=th= y=or= mann for staying
so long, for I was the cawse, he being dayelie desierous to be
gonn; whose going I still hindred, for that I was desierous to
lett y=ou= know that my first iorney in it was to church, w=ch=
cowld not be effected no sooner. I pray y=ou= reme~ber my much
respected love to my worthie sonn Baconne & my good nephew
Meautys; my manie kinde thancks to him for his venison w=ch= he
sent me. So, from my hart praying God to bless y=ou= & all
y=ors=, I ever remain, y=e= trewlie affected mother,
   Philippe Cotton.
   I praie y=ou=, lett me heere of y=or= coming to London, & as
often as y=ou= cann; & I hope my nephew Meautys will be so good
as his word to me, w=ch= was that he wold bring y=ou= & the rest
of all my good children hether to me this sommer. Good dawghter,
I have given y=or= man fortie shillings, both for his charges
coming and going, & also in
<P 167>
gratuitie of the present hee browght me; had I benn better
provided w=th= monie, my rewarde should have beenn greator.
Stoke, October 23 [\1626\] .
   To my deere & worthie dawghter the Lady Jane Baconne, these.

<Q COR 1626 PCOTTON>
<A PHILIPPE COTTON>
<P 167>
[} [\CVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^PHILIPPE COTTON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Right deere & worthie Daughter,
   I do not well know how to find a good word out sufficient for
so worthie a child, which hath made her mother, if anie mother
cann be, bownd to her child. You have enchained me with such a
bound to you never to be dissolved, such is the rare vertue of
your so often benignities extended towards me, never to be
forgotten. By your brother Meautys I understand of your safe
being att London, with all your sweete children. Hoping now I
shall the oftener heere from you, I much desire, good daughter,
to be allowed to make a motion unto you, now you are in London,
a place of most conveniencie for such a purpose. My desire is
this, you wolde be pleased to aford me your picture; not for
that it might put in mind of you, for that needeth not, I having
you alreaddie so imprinted on my hart never to be forgotten, but
that I maie with comfort behoulde the aspecte of so worthie a
child. This is the end of my desires, which I hope you will not
denie me. I desire likewise to
<P 168>
be remembered to my good sonne Bacon, not forgetting my nephew
Meautys, with all yours, whome, with yourselfe, I humblie pray
the eternall God to bless with all felisities both in heaven and
earth: and so I ever live your trewlie loving mother, 
   Philippe Cotton.
Coventry, Novemb. 17, 1626.

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 168>
[} [\CVIII. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I receaved yours by Nutte, and am sorry that his soddaine
departure hath soe turned my hower glasse that I have not time
to inquire and send you worde, so distinctly as otherwise I
would, of that which I assure myself would be wellcomest to you
in this letter, as it was in my last; namely, the health of your
best friend. Onely thus much I can say of it from M=rs= Dixon,
from whom I heard it some two dayes sinse, that it was in the
way of increasing to a perfect recovery. I should have been
right glad to have heard the like of my cosin's health, for
which, as for that of your La=p= and all yours, I shall dayly
pray as for myne owne, and remayne all and ever
   Yo=r= La=p's= to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys.
April 5th, 1627.

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 169>
[} [\CIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   The oportunity of this messenger, whoe is to be back by
Tuesday night at Riddlesworth, and promised me to make Culford
in his way, invites me to gratulate your well coming to the end
of your first daye's journey, which I understood from Sir Thomas
Meautys, and to hope the like of your journey next day, and that
you found all well at Culford. Next, I take leave to tell you,
that I understand this night, upon speach with M=rs= Tucker,
that my Lady of Bedford wynnes still upon her health, and missed
her fitt yesterday. This I knew would mend the welcome of my
letter, and thearfore supping this night at my aunt Thomson's,
and hearing her accidentally speake of M=rs= Tucker, and that
she dwelt hard by, I tooke advantage of it to inquire of that
Lady's health. Black Pusse is apprehended and carried before Sir
Thomas Wilson, and convicted for a runaway; but, hir case being
baylable, my cosin
<P 170>
Randolph and myself have bayled hir, and soe you may require her
at my cosin Randolph's hands, with whom she is a sojourner.
Madam, I am so newly weaned from the company of my best friend,
that you may imagine how indisposed and froward I mought well
be, and that I could find nothing to still me but by busying
myself in writing, or doing something that mought look towards
the serving of you, then which nothing can be for ever more
acceptable to,
   Your La=pp's= to dispose as you list, 
   T. Meautys.
Easter night [\1627\] .
   Pray present my most affectionate love and servise to my
cosin Bacon.

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 170>
[} [\CX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I begged of you, in my last by Nutte the carriere, that I
mought partake of the happy tidings of your recovery soe soone
as it should please God to send it you; but, not having receaved
any lyne from you sinse, I am not a little perplexed what to
thinke of your health. I understood onely, by a letter from my
cosin, that it was a setled tertian ague, and that some fitts
had been very sharpe. I will both hope and pray that I may hear
that they
<P 171>
have done theyr worst then, and that you are in way of
recoverie; till when I shall be in a cold fitt of feare and
expectation touching the event of your sicknes. Next, lett me
impart to you, and aske your pardon, that, without your privity
and direction, I have presumed to apply the favour meant me long
synce by the Duke, for making a baronett, to the servise, I
hope, of my cosin Frederick. Quarrell me you may, as you use to
doe, for my forwardnes to affect and serve you and yours, for
other offence towards you I was never guilty of; but for this,
it is too late to intreat it, yf, peradventure, in disfavour of
me, you had a mind to it, for it hath already passed the signet
and privy seale, and will be to morrow by noone passed the great
seale. That which prevented me from acquainting you with it soe
seasonably as otherwayes I had done, was, that I was surprised
myselfe in this resolution to make use of Duke's promise in that
kinde on my cosin's behalfe, for, hearing that Sir Robert Crane,
young Wingfield, Drue Drurie's nephew, and some others of
Suffolk wear laboring for that dignity to be conferred upon
them, I concluded that no time must be lost; which, though it
seeme a circumstance, yett is substance in these cases, poynt of
precedency being noe indifferent thing, whearin I have handled
it that he shall be the first of that county of this last
edition of baronetts. And
<P 172>
least any apprehension, which you, by your favour, are apt
enough to take, should possess you, as yf I had hearin rather
endeavoured to picke a thank of your sonne officiously, then to
give you a clear argument of my affections to doe him a servise
for your sake; or least you should be in suspence whether any
disadvantage should hearby ensue to you in poynt of the
wardshipp eyther of his body or lands; be pleased to believe
that, for the first, he neyther knows from me of any the least
intention of myne to sett this on foote, neyther doe I want soe
much respect and love to yourself, or soe much piety to preserve
and endeare a sonne to a mother, as to handle it soe that every
circumstance of this worke should not appear to be derived
immediately and totally from your love and indulgence; and, for
the latter, that I am not soe precipitate or indifferent in that
which concernes you in point of interest as not first to have
advised, and been clearly resolved and satisfied without all
scruple and question by those who best know it, and particularly
by M=r= Attorney Generall and M=r= Attorney of the Court of
Wards, that thear is nothing of prejudice that can hearby ensue
to you touching his wardship eyther of body or lands. By the
next I purpose to send you the patent under the great seale; and
soe hearwithall send you, under the privy seale of my heart, the
<P 173>
most entire and sincere affections to serve you and yours, of
yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever to dispose of,
   T. Meautys.
May 4=th=, 1627.
   My Lo. of Bedford died on Tuesday last: my Ladie's recovery
is much doubted; her strength and spiritts being, as they say,
farre spent, and wearing out dayly by an untoward cough, which
is almost continuall. This I understood from M=rs= Dixon.

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 173>
[} [\CXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   Your not vouchafing, eyther by letter or message, to take
knowledge of the contents of my last to you touching my cosin
Fred., reprooves mee sufficiently of being in my last an
officious foole; and although, Madam, I shall take it for a
warning, yett when I reflect as well upon the affection and
singleness of heart whearwith I did it, as also upon the motives
which confined mee in point of time from acquainting you first
thearwithall, I plead not guilty of having deserved at your
La=pp's= hands to have my well meaning hearein to be soe passed
by as not worthy of a lyne or a message. And least those motives
should seem to be altogether fayned and imaginary, as I did
touch upon them then, soe I now offer them to your view in
thease payre
<P 174>
of letters from Sir Drue Drury to me, both concerning himself
and his nephew Wingfield; which I onely insist on to excuse mee
for acting the busines I before my acquainting and receaving
commission from you. And I was not ignorant that time in thease
cases, though it seeme a circumstans, yett is indeed substance;
precedency being a principall verbe, which my cosin Fred's
patent hath, both of Drue, and Wingfield, and of Sir Rob=t=
Crane; which in my poore discretion; considering they are all of
a county, was somwhat, and which had been lost if I had stayed
to send and to have heard from you first. And now, my dearest
friend, Lady, and cosin, I come to that which both affects and
perplexes mee more then any other thing in this woorld which can
come crosse upon mee, namely, the ill tidings of your want of
health, and the dayly fears, and apprehensions I have of your
growing worse; agaynst which I have no refuge but to Almighty
God with my dayly and instant prayers, which I shall as
earnestly doe as for my own soule; and, being obtained, give Him
thanks as for the greatest temporall blessing to mee upon earth.
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever to love and serve you, 
   T. Meautys.
May 10=th=, 1627
<P 175>
   My cosin Fred=s= patent beares date the 4=th= of this
present; Drue's the 7=th= following; Wingfield's and Crane's are
not yet passed the seale. I could not send it now, as I
intended, by reason the inrolment of it, both in the Exchequer
and the Rowles, take up more time then I expected.
   I am not a little troubled to hear of my cosin Bacon's ill
health, and that I am good for nothing that may conduce to his
recovery; onely my prayers for him shall bee in as good earnest
as for the dearest friend and brother I have. 
   To my much hon=rd= Lady and Cosin the Lady Jane Bacon, at
Broome Hall, Suff. 

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 175>
[} [\CXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever dearest Lady and Cosin,
   The oportunity of this messenger being sent to Saxum gives me
as much time as serves to be accountable to your La=pp= of
myselfe and my journey, being now at Toddington, from whence I
am injoyned to make retourne to your La=pp= of the love and
respects of the Right Noble Lord and Lady hear. I reached
Hartford on Saturday before five o'clock, whear I was not the
less welcome for the place I came from, and your La=pp's=
friendly and loving remembrance which accompanied mee
<P 176>
thither; for with Harry Meautys's I send you the best and all
the retourne he can make, which is, to find an innermost roome
for you and yours in his dayly prayers. Soe, beseeching your
La=pp= to doe the like for him and mee, in yours, and desirous
to be numbered in the catalogue of your family, I ask your
blessing with the very mouth of my heart, and remain,
   Your La=pp's= all and ever, T. M.
   My Lord's brother arrived hear out of the Low Countries last
night, by whom I find that there was not such a thing as an army
on foot for the affayres of the Palatinate, all theyre's being
now in garrison. The peace between Spayne and them hovers
aloofe, and, if at all, not likely to be concluded in hast.
   Madam,
   If it may be without your trouble, I would gladly hear how it
fares with M=r= Claxton.
   Monday night [\1627\] .

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 176>
[} [\CXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   This bearer some weekes since having delivered mee a letter
from your La=pp=, and calling upon mee this day to know whether
I would retourne an
<P 177>
answere, therby gave mee an opportunity, which left mee without
excuse yf I had now omitted to write. And because it is not
unwoorthy your knowing, nor the repeating, though you may know
it already, nor unacceptable to you, what we have done and are
doing in Parliament, thease take leave to tell you, that on
Saturday last the King gave a full and satisfactory answer to
our petition concerning the liberty of the subject, and
propriety and exemption of his person and estate from any
illegal courses, which caused such expression of joy in
generall, as, whear tongue left, bells and bonfires began; and
the proceeding with the subsidies, which wear till then at a
stand, followed the next day in Parliament, and are ready to be
passed entirely within two or three days. Neverthelesse, wee goe
on with a remonstrance or informacion to his Ma=tie= contayning
the generall grievance of the realme, which wee have reduced to
thease heads, namely, fear of innovation of religion, and the
ill successes of our late forrain enterprizes, the ill state and
decay of our forts and castles, the generall want of powder and
all other sorts of ammunition requisite for the defence of the
realme, the decay of trade, the great losse and decay of the
shipping of the realme, the ill guarding of the narrow seas; and
ended in these very termes, that the excessive power of the Duke
of Buck=m= and the abuse of that power is the chief cause of
these
<P 178>
evils and daungers to the King and kingdome. This was the woorke
of this day, and held us without stirring out of the house from
8 this morning till this hower, being now 7 at night; soe that,
it being now high time to goe to dynner, I end the more
abruptly, and rest, 
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever to serve you, 
   T. Meautys.
   The inclosed, for those few words which are in French, and
for which you want noe interpreter, was the King's answer to our
petition; the rest was somewhat which hee spake before and after
the answer given. I heard speech of your purpose to come to
town: if such part of my house as is empty may pleasure you, you
may command it.
   June 11 [\1627\] .

<Q COR 1627 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 178>
[} [\CXIV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I have, almost ever since my coming from Culford, been dayly
in journeys, and am, at the writing of thease, soe newly
alighted from my horse, that I have scarse time, considering the
carrier's hower is at hand, to scribble this. I am not a little
compatible with my friends thear to find, by a letter from my
cosin Fred, that my cosin Bacon's health still declines, and
that your La=pp= hath hurt your
<P 179>
foot, which puts you to much payne. Madam, weare I good for any
thing that mought bee of use towards eyther of your recoveries,
I would not fayle to hasten to you and make a tender in person
of my best endeavours and most affectionat service; but, since I
am not, my onely resort must bee with my dayly prayers, upon the
knees of my heart, to the Great Physician Himself. Nevertheless,
I have hearwithall sent some of that syropp of ela campane, of
my sister's making, which I have myself, and some other of my
friends, found so much good of, and have withall sent the
receipt herinclosed by which it is made; and if thear bee any
thing in it hurtful to my cosin's infirmity, yett I am perswaded
it will do your La=pp= good for that rheume whearwith I heard
you complayne you wear troubled a mornings. And by cause I saw
my cosin was allowed to take tobacco somtimes, I, having had
some sent mee from a friend for special good, have hearwithall
likewise sent some porcion of it, and, yf my cosin like it, I
will send him more. Soe, wishing with all my soule a share in
eyther of your sufferings and discomforts of body or mynd, so
that your parts therby might be the more tolerable, I com~end
you to the consolacion and protection of God Almighty, and rest,
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys.
June 22 [\1627\] .
<P 180>
   The Duke, we say, sette sayle on Weddensday, and the King is
expected hear tomorrow. Yt is no newes to you, I conceave, that
Sir Thomas Meautys is father of a brave boy, and that my Lady of
Sussex hath, in congratulacion thearof, descended from her
greatnes, and is like to be well again with him.

<Q COR 1627 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 180>
[} [\CXV. SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Sister,
   I am very sorry to understand by your letter of the death of
my brother, your husband; yet, againe, in the same letter you
did send me a consolation ever to bee rejoysed for, and that is
the peacable, quiet, and relygeous end that he made att his
departure out of this worlde, to tacke possession of that most
blessed inherytance which God hath prepared for all those that
die in His favour. Sister, whereas you wright me in your letter
that he hath left you behind him his widdow, full of greefe and
sorrow, to morne for yourself and not for him, indeed I was glad
to hear you saye soe; for a man to lament the departure of a
freind with extremytie of greefe, when his own eye is a wittnes,
and his hart lykewyse tells him, that his freind hath exchanged
his sosietie for a more happy one, and 
<P 181>
hath left this worlde, soe full of troble and miserye, to goe
tacke possession of a kingdom, the joyes of which are not to be
expressed, that person that shall sorrow soe much for the los of
his freind, certainly he cannot be esteemed a trew freind at
all, for yf a husband shall study to make his wyfe happy, or a
wyfe her husband, all the dayes of their lyfe, after their
departure let them endevor to lyve soe as they may dye the
servants of Almightie God. I have often called to minde a
sayinge of you unto me, which for the pyousnes of it I must
never forget, it being upon the death of your fyrst husband,
when myselfe was with you and saw how exceedingly you greeved
for the los of him; and I well remember that I was a lyttle
mouved at your pacion, to which you replyed, "O brother! you
must holde me excused yf soe be that I greeve for him, but yet
it is not soe much for his death, as for the manner of his
death;" which was a worthy saying, and com~endable in the ears
of all those that ever heard it. But, deere sister, in this your
last husband that feare is tacken awaye and greefe abolyshed,
and joye sent in place of sorrow from God to comfort yourselfe
and all the rest of his freinds left behinde him; and we will
all of us greeve with you, but, as we ought, with a moderate and
discreet greef, for otherwyse we should appear brutal to the
worlde; and surely a sorrow is allowed to every one of us to
sorrow for our freinds
<P 182>
departed. My wyfe desiers to have her love remembered to you,
who is but weake as yet; but my child is, I praise God, helthy
and strong. I am sorry to hear that you should be driven to
tacke up money to serve your present tourne; in what a case then
must your brother bee, in that he hath no rents at all to
reseave. I protest before the Almightie God, that I was never so
neere to bee ruinated and cast under foot as I am at this
present for my company in the Low Countryes, as you may see by
this enclosed letter, which I reseaved not above 10 dayes agoe,
in what case I stand; yet yf I can but goe over now with Lord
Vere, who attends the Dutch Ambassador's retourne, I may speede
reasonably well, yf I had but 100+L to settle my affayres before
my going, and to leave my wyfe provyded for: therfore let me
intreate you imploye your creditt for soe much for me till
Michaelmas, and I will see it discharged without any prejudice
at all to you, for I have 3 or 400+L due unto me in the Low
Countries since my coming from thence, the which I can reseave
no part of it till my owne retourne; and you shall make me very
much your servant.
   Y=r= affectionat brother, T. Meautys.
Clerkenwell, July the 2d, 1627.

<Q COR 1627 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 183>
[} [\CXVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Sister,
   By this you shall receive an account of the present that you
left with me for the Queene of Bohemia. As soone as she saw me
come into the roome where hir Ma=tie= was, her second words was,
"How dooth my Lady Cornwallis?" I gave her your present, and
told her that I had left you with a hart charged with griefe for
the death of your husband, but with a minde full of will and
reddynes to doe her Majesty service. She tooke the box, and
before all the company that was there did open it, and did very
much commend the property of it, and retourne you many thanks;
for that I saw that it was a gyft very agreeable to her, for the
same day at my Lord Ambassador's howse, where the King and
Queene and Princes of Orange did dyne, she tooke occasion to
speake of it againe, and said that the old love between you two
must not be forgotten. I pray, therefore, continue this
interchange to her as often as you shall find occasion, for,
upon my soul! if it laye in her power to doe you a good office,
she would not be sparing to performe it. She lookes her within
this month or 6 weekes to be brought a bed. God send her a safe
and happy ower, yf it be His 
<P 184>
will! I left a letter with my wyfe, in which I desired you to
lend her 50+L, in regard I left her but ill provided. I pray God
to bles you with His spiritual and temporal blessings; and soe I
rest,
   Y=r= most affect=e= brother and servant,
   T. Meautys.
Hage, July 25, 1627.
   To my deare sister Lady Bacon, at Broome.

<Q COR 1628 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 184>
[} [\CXVII. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best and dearest Lady,
   I receaved yours in answer to myne about the picture, and
having no better way to satisfy the Lord I mentioned, that I had
dealt clearly with him in doing my endeavor, I shewed him so
much of your letter as related thearunto; one passage whearof he
was willing to lay hould of as giving him some kind of hopes
that the picture mought be procured from those hands it was
meant to by your noble husband; and thearfore, yf you please to
lett me know by your next to whose hands it is come, and that I
may likewise understand what is meant by these wordes in your
letter, (^"I thinke they will not part with it upon those termes
would be
<P 185>
pleasing to you,"^) it would enable me to give full satisfaction
to that Lord whether it be to be had on any termes or noe,
whearin he now flatters himselfe with some little hope derived
from those wordes in your foresayd letter. Yt is, I conceave, no
newes to you, that on Friday last we resolved in the howse on
giving the King 5 subsidies, the time not then agreed on, but
the inclinacyon of the howse was to pay them all, or 4 of them,
betweene this and Christmas; since then, which is now some
dayes, we have not spoken a word more of them, but gone on with
our own busines to provide for the liberty of the subject both
in his person and estate, both which have been infringed by the
late busines of the loanes and billeting of souldiers, as is
insisted upon by the howse. The King, taking it in ill part that
we goe not on with the subsidies, requires us to sitt all this
Easter, and not to breake up for a weeke, as we intended, which
men are not pleased withall; and however, in conformity with the
King's message, we shall continue together without adjourning
our howse, yett it is so unwillingly, as that I doubt the King's
busines will hardly gett any steppes forward; which yf the King
find, he is resolved, I perceave by those who know his mind near
hand, to putt us roundly to it by some message to the howse;
which yf it take not effect, which I feare to think of, our
Parlement will not be long lived.
<P 186>
   The enclosed is somewhat that passed from the King and the
Duke at the Counsell table the next day after we resolved to
give the 5 subsidies. I am the shorter in newes, because I
understand by your last that you want not our Parlement newes
from better and readier hands.
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever,
   T. Meautys.
Good Friday [\1628\] .

<Q COR 1628 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 186>
[} [\CXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever dearest Lady and Cosin,
   In my last to you, which it seemes hath miscarried, I
expressed that my Lord of Dorsettt was the Lord that affected
the picture; and did likewise in that letter bemoane the
sicknes, and desire your prayers for the recovery of my deare
sister Glover, who was then very sick of the small pox, whearof
with eyes fraught with teares of grieffe I must in the first
place acquaint you, she departed this life on this day
fortnight, and yett tell you withall, with eyes noe lesse filled
with teares of joye and comfort, that she hath assuredly changed
this life for a better, and that she is now a saynt in heaven,
<P 187>
witnessed to all that heard her infallibly by those Christian
conflicts and heavenly conferences between God and her soule for
divers dayes together, even to the period of her life ending, in
the unspeakable and lively feeling and assurance of that haven
of eternall happines whearunto she was saylyng. I am, thearfore,
now indeavouring what possibly I may, under so great an
affliction as this is to me, to practise that which I advise
other friends that loved her, namely, to forgett what we have
lost by remembring what she hath gayned. She died at Kellett's,
the apothecarie's, neare Paule's, whear her daughter Anne at
this present lyeth ill of the same disease, but is, God be
thanked! past all daunger and almost able to goe abroad. Yt
rests that, in relation to those of her little wandring flock
she hath left behind her, I make the like suit to your La=p=
that I doe to the rest of my friends, which is, to lend me so
much of their advice and helpe as they can spare me for the
disposing and breeding of some of them; and yf your La=p= can
find in your harte to ease me somewhat, without charge to you at
all, of the care of breeding that little harmlesse one which was
dear to her, and is no less soe to me, and ever was, the rather
peradventure because she hath in favour been sayd and believed
to resemble you, I shall be at some harte's ease, which at this
time I have neede of, being like one that hath lost a 
<P 188>
wife as well as a deare sister, finding the difference now for a
moneth together between solitude and the conversacyon and
comfort of a matchless friend; and wear it not for the relief I
have found from some disconsolate howers by the neighbourhood
and noble favors of my Lord and Lady Cleveland, of whose family
I reckon myself, and have done all this while, thear being
nothing but solitude under my own roofe, I should by this time
have resolved to become as weary of this part of the world as
some friends alive, nearest and dearest unto me, have shewed of
late to be of me. I receaved letters this morning from Sir
Thomas Meautys, dated the 25th of March: he and his lady are
both well, and she ready to make worke for the midwife about the
end of July next as she writes, and hath invited me to come over
and christen her childe; whearof I can yett retourne noe direct
answer untill I have settled some tearme busines concerning my
Lord S=t= Albane's creditors, and taken order for the disposing
of some of my sister's children, and seeing to the maintenance,
which is 100+L, and amongst them, left in trust with me and my
eldest brother for their educacyon. However, against that time
lett me bespeake your letters into those parts, for rather your
brother in some letters to me complaines of being so unhappy as
not to have receaved any letters lately from you. And now, my
best and dearest friend, I take leave to kisse
<P 189>
your pretious hands, and to wish from the bottom of my soul all
true happines and blisse both in this life and a better to you
and all yours, whom I doe most sincerely and entirely love;
resolving, in what part of the world soever it shall please God
to dispose me, to live and dye
   All and ever yo=r= La=pp's=,
   T. Meautys.
Apr=ll= 16=th= [\1628\] .
   The L=ds= of the upper howse are this day in serious debate,
which hath held them some days together, whether they shall
joyne with us to the King in that part of our petition for the
restrayning of the King's power of com~itment in all cases
without shewing cause upon the com~itment. Yf they joyne, all
will end well; otherwise we are like to break within very few
dayes. 

<Q COR 1628 EBACON>
<A EDMUND BACON>
<P 189>
[} [\CXIX. SIR EDMUND BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sister,
   I had a purpose to have seene you in the ende of this weeke;
but, finding a disposition to the goute, I have bene driven to
take physike these 4 days by way of prevention. This I hope
shall excuse me to you, who am goinge towards London, God
willinge, the day after the fast; where, yf yt
<P 190>
shall please you to com~ande me any thing, I shall be ready to
serve you. In the mean tyme I entreat you that M=r= Fenne may
come to me, for I can now give him satisfaction concerninge the
lyvery, M=r= Barrie having bene here with me to that purpose. Yt
will be necessarye that the inventory of my father's goods be at
London; yf you will sende yt to me, I will carrye yt; or
otherwise I desyre you yt may be there. I hope all thinges will
be in so good a forwardnes that the next tearme shall dispach
the busynes, of which I immagine you thinke I am by this tyme
wearye. And thus I rest,
   Y=r= lovinge brother, ready to doe you service,
   Ed. Bacon.
   There are thankes to be given under my hande for the best and
fattest pike that ever was eaten: he had a fish hooke in the
fatt on y=e= outside of his rivett.
Redgrave, this 19 of April 1628.

<Q COR 1628 EBACON>
<A EDMUND BACON>
<P 190>
[} [\CXX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^EDMUND BACON TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sister,
   I being to pay much money into the Exchequer for the debt of
my father to the K., I am tould I am like to be releived out of
the estate my father left, eyther personal or his lands
disposed. The distribution
<P 191>
of the charge must be ordered by the Barons of the Exchequer,
from whence this morning I was delivered a subpoena to be sent
unto you that there might be cleere dealings amongst us. I have
acquainted M=r= Morse this morning how the proceedings in the
business are like to be, and withall I have tould him that in
all the wayes I shall proceed no otherwise then as I shall be
willing to declare myselfe to any man of judgment. These shall
be presently speedily sent to my brothers to make answere for
what concernes them. I am glad to hear this morning that Nicke
begins to recover.
   Your very loveing brother,
   Ed. Bacon.
Rowlls, this 14 of May 1628.

<Q COR 1628 JCORNWALLIS>
<A JANE CORNWALLIS>
<P 191>
[} [\CXXI. JANE LADY BACON TO SIR EDMUND BACON.\] }] 
Brother,
   I received your letter with your unkind token, which I think
I did not deserve, I haveing been as forward, if not forwarder,
to a peacable end then any body els; but since you have made
choice of this way to walk in, I will go with you along upon as
faire and frendly tearmes as you will; and rest, 
   Yo=r= very loveing sister,
   Ja. Bacon.
[\May 1628.\]

<Q COR 1628 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 192>
[} [\CXXII. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My best Lady and Cosin,
   I have found even minutes enough, and that's all, between the
Parlament howse and the Consell chamber to scribble over these
confused lines, and to tell you what hath passed in Parlament,
viz. almost a moneth; for onely time, and not busines, hath
hetherto passed. Tomorrow Sir Ed. Cooke's election will be
determined of, and it is taken for graunted he will be excluded
and another chosen in his roome. The counsell of warre, as well
such of them as are of the upper howse as the rest, are tomorrow
to appear in the lower howse, and to answere to such questions
as shall thear be asked them touching the yssuing and expending
of the late subsidies. The lower howse hath busied themselves
most part of this weeke in examining the stay of a French shipp
hear, laden with merchandise of the valew of 400,000+L, which
stay hath caused an arest of all our merchants' goods in
Fraunce, to the valew of above 300,000+L. The stay of that shipp
having produced this ill effect, it hath heated the howse
against those who made the seazure therof, which is found to be
the Lo. Admirall; whearupon a message was this daye sent to him
from our howse to demaund his reason of that stay, with a
purpose, in case he gives us not
<P 193>
the better satisfaction, to present it up to the King as a
publique greevance; the yssue whearof can proove nothing but the
loozing our breath and the shewing of our good wills to the
Duke, for he will easily answer it to the King and upper howse
though we be deaf to him. Pray, Madam, lett me understand in
your next of my cosin's safe and healthfull arrival at Broome,
and in the mean time present him with the best affections of
   His and yours to serve you ever,
   T. Meautys.
   The Earl of Devonsheere is dead.
[\June 21, 1628.\]
   Pray direct your letters to Kellett's the apothecary, on
Ludgate Hill.

<Q COR 1628 EBACON>
<A EDMUND BACON>
<P 193>
[} [\CXXIII. SIR EDMUND BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sister,
   I make no doute but M=r= Morse hath tolde you in what
forwardnes I was towards a composition at his beinge at London,
which since I have perfected; and though yt be a good sum of
monye, 3100+L, yet, all things considered, I complayne not of
the bargaine. To conclude, the next tearme ther was proces
appointed to be sent downe
<P 194>
to the shreyfe, to charge those in possession of my father's
landes to make awnsweare why they should not be chargable to the
debt to the K., and that the conveyances of the landes should be
brought up. I was bolde, without your privitye, to stay the
proces concerning you, as I did the rest for my brothers, by
engaging myselfe to awnsweare for them. Yf you like of the same
course, I will retourne your awnsweare. Yf you shall be pleased
to have one at London some 5 days before the tearme, with the
conveyance made to my brother upon your marriage, as also that
which concernes the stock, I must certifye M=r= Vernon by the
carriers that goe from Bury the next week what you will doe, and
so desyre you to let me understande y=r= resoluc~on by Sunday
night at the furthest. 
   My brother's monument goeth well forwarde; I sawe yt, so much
as ys done, the day before I came out of towne. And yesterday,
betwixt this & Burye, Tom Shorte tolde me the good nues that my
nephewe Nick growes strong, which I am hartely glad of.
   Your very lovinge brother to serve you,
   Ed. I. Bacon.
[\June 1628.\]

<Q COR 1628 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 195>
[} [\CXXIV. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best and dearest Lady, 
   As thear is nothing more naturall with me then to be best
pleased when I am doing you servise, soe be pleased to believe
that thear hath nothing since I saw you occurred oftener to my
thoughts and wishes then the hope of seeing and serving yours
ere long. I write thease from Hampton Court, wheare the King and
Queene intend to stay till Alhollandtide, and whear I am afrayd
I shall be for the most part attending; and thearfore, yf that
part of my house which is at my own disposing, and which, by
making up of doors and passages, is sequestered intirely from
that part my Lo. of Cleveland hath, may pleasure you, you may
com~and it, wholly furnished as it is; and, when I retourne to
it againe, I shall love every roome the better whearin I shall
conceave you have eyther trodde or breathed. All this without
courtshippe, as is and shall be for ever whatsoever else lyeth
within the power which may be acceptable unto you of
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys.
   The Parlament is adjourned till the 20=th= of January, and a
proclamacyon going out to that effect. Thear is nothing certaine
of the fleete, other then 
<P 196>
that on Monday was se'nnight they wear seene within some few
leagues of the Isle of Retz, coming so late as, it seemes, to
take advantage of the late spring tides, and expecting till the
oportunity of the next, which by the seamen's calculacyon begun
yesterday. My Lo. Brooke departed this life on Tuesday morning.
October 2, 1628.
   Pray, Madam, kisse M=rs= Randolph for me, and injoyne her to
do the like for me to all my cosins, exsept Sir Frederick. 

<Q COR 1628 ARANDOLPH>
<A AMBROSE RANDOLPH>
<P 196>
[} [\CXXV. AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most hon=rd= Lady,
   Upon Munday last I received 15+L of M=r= Morse and gave him
an acquittance for it, and imediatly payed it to M=rs= Burnibie
and had her discharge. I have also sent your letter to Sir T.
Meautys; and can assure you that M=rs= Glover had your letter
long sinse, but I left her sick, which may be the cause you hear
not from her. The Lady Barrington, and y=e= Lady Crofts that
shall be the next week,
<P 197>
present again their service to you=r= La=sp=, whose
neighbourhood was a great advancement to the match, as they
confesseth. From beyond sea we only heare that the Sweths and
the French King are united, and their articles agreed upon. Here
at home Sir John Suckling, in place of repairing his honor, hath
lost his reputation for ever, and drawne himself in dainger of
the law. On Tuesday last he waie layed M=r= Digby, that had
formerly strook him, and, as he came from the play, he, with
many more, set upon M=r= Digby; in which quarell Sir John
Suckling had a man rune through, som say he is dead. The King
goeth this day, being Friday, to Cobam, where the Duke festes
him this night; then he comes hether again, wher I remain,
   Yo=r= La=p's= most affectionat kinsman to serve you and
yours,
   Ambr. Randolph.
21 of Novembr. [\1628\] .

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 199>
[} [\CXXVII. T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My noble Lady and Cosin,
   Yf it weare as easy for me to passe through Suffolk without
asking leave to salute you and to inquire of your welfare, as it
is for you to deny me leave, I had peradventure forborne to put
upon you at this time the trouble of reading thease; but by
cause, be you what you please towards me, I can be no other in
my heart towards you then what, upon best understandings
formerly between us as friends, we have formerly professed, you
may please to pardon me yf upon that foundacyon, which on my
part was layd too deep to be shaken with every tempest of
unkindnes, much lesse with one guste of breath, I take leave to
build agayne some lower roomes for myself in your accustomed
friendly and much desired affections. And yf I may be soe happy
as to perceave, upon the retourne of this bearer, that the
porter at Broome hath not in charge to shutte the gates
<P 200>
against me when I come thither, I shall peradventure sett apart
one hower before I retourne to London to waite on you and kisse
your hands, then which nothing, since I had the favor to doe it
last, hath occurred more acceptable, or is more longed for by
   Yo=r= La=pp's= for ever to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys.
Norfolke, Armingland, May 25, 1629.

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 200>
[} [\CXXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I am not a little troubled that I have heard nothing since my
departure from Broome concerning your health, though I had my
cosin Randolph's promise, and partly yours, that I should. I was
severall times at my Lady Nethersole's lodging to have delivered
your letter with my own hands, but, not finding her within, I
sent it her at length by my man Matthewe, who was intrusted to
give her an account of your present health, and of the circuit
that letter had rode before it came to her hands. She tould my
man shee would this day write to you and send the letter to mee;
but I hear nothing of it, and thearfore I conceave shee may have
found some readyer way to convey it to your hands. The inclosed,
from your brother came to
<P 201>
my hands some dayes since; whearin by cause to hear somthing
concerning his child, I thought it not unreasonable to impart it
to you. Onely, yf in any letter to him you reply to any thing
contayned in this of his to mee, you may bee pleased not to
acknowledge that I transmitted to you the whole letter. That Sir
Thomas Edmonds goes ambassador for Fraunce, I think, is noe
newes. The Queene comes abroad on Sunday next, and hath been so
well, beyond expectacion, all the time of her lying-in, as that
it was a second labor to her to keep in all this time. You will,
peradventure, hear speach of an ambassador arrived here from the
Arch Duchesse, but it is onely Reubens, the famous painter,
appearing onely in his own quality; and Jerbir, the Duke's
painter, master of the ceremonies to entertaine him. My Lady
Barrington injoyned mee last night not to omitt her servise to
you; and I should say as much for her to my cosin Randolph, but
that I owe her not soe much service, for fayling of her promise
in giving mee an account this weeke of your La=pp's= health,
then which nothing in the world can bee more welcome to Yo=r=
La=pp's= all and ever to love and serve you,
   T. Meautys. 
June [\1629.\]

<Q COR 1629 BLONG>
<A BRIDGET LONG>
<P 202>
[} [\CXXIX. BRIDGET LONG TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Good Madam, 
   I haue lately receeved both the letters you sent me, and
yo=r= letter that is directed to my Lady Meautys, w=ch= about a
fortnight hence I will most carefully send to Forneham by the
foote post that lately came to me from her, and will call on me
before he retorne. I also lately received a letter from M=rs=
Suzanna, my Ladie's sister, w=ch= I make bold herewith to send
yo=r= La=p=, that you maye thereby take notice of the death of
Sir Richard Burnaby, as also that you may truely knowe what
intentions are towardes the poore childe on that syde; butt I
leaue the consideration therof to yo=r= La=p's= wisedome, for I
do this onely of my owne heade, and yo=r= La=p= may doe as you
please for all me: butt truely itt is high tyme the childe were
nowe taken into some better keepinge, for albeitt the nurse doth
her parte to the vttmost, yett he nowe beginnes to growe, and
will looke for better com~ons then her wages will beare. I sente
for him and he was w=th= me a fortnight att Whitsontyde last,
and I perceiued how well a little tyme of chaunge did alter him:
he is very well (I thanke God) and comes on apace; he can goe
and prattle a little, 
<P 203>
and is very pretty companye, and thrives the better for his good
aunte Bacon's allowance, w=ch= is weekely sent his nurse for
him. And thus, good Madam, I am redy to serue you, if in any
thinge you haue occasion to comaund me: in the meane tyme I doe
humbly take my leaue.
   Yo=r= La=p's= to be comaunded,
   Bridgett Longe.
This 17=th= of June 1629.
   To the righte worthye and my much honored good ladye, the
Ladye Bacon, att her house in Suffolke, &c. &c.
   M=r= Longe remembers his humble seruice vnto you.

<Q COR 1629 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 203>
[} [\CXXX. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady and dearest Frend, 
   I retorne you humble thankes for your coach, which brought us
well to Coulchester, where I met M=r= Randolph with another, but
not one that will bring us to London before Saturday night. I
perseave nothing by him that should cause my stay in London
longer then to see my mother and doe my duty to her, for she
finds good frends to helpe her to money out of the Exchequer,
and that is all she is like to expect, he tells me; yet I am
resolved to trie what may be done for her, and then make hast to
kiss your hands at Brome again, which I hope to doe within a
fortnight or three weekes.
<P 204>
My father, to my great joye, made his last actions sutable to
his former, which was, he did his indevor to sell his offis,
which was made over to M=r= Randolph before, and came so neer it
as the man was in the howse with money to paie for it, when at
the instant he failed of words and breath, soe nothing was done.
If M=r= Randolph had not gone as he did, it seemes he had lost
his offis; for my Lord Carlisle com~ended one to the King, which
he apointed to posses my father's plase, M=r= Randolph being
such a stranger as I think they knew not what right he had to
it; but now they are perswaded to let the man paie for it and be
his partner, and reseave half the benefit, which he might have
possesed alone had he not neglected it, as he doth all things;
but he seemes glad ther is one to do the busines for him, that
he may live like a drone as he did.
   I am your most true harted cosin and humblest servant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
[\1629.\]

<Q COR 1629 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 204>
[} [\CXXXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   My desires and intentions have bene to have waighted on you
long agoe, for I thought my
<P 205>
mother and her busines would have liene better settled sooner;
but all things are yet as they weare, and nothing to be done
about her money till the King come, and till she know what to
trust to: so she will by noe means let me leave her.
   I have no hope of seeing your Ladyship suddenly, except some
good occasion bring you to towne. Sir William Plaiter will
acquaint you with the busines of my Lord Banning's daughters,
which we thinke very good marages, and not hard to be gotten by
you, because you have a great many frends to make way for you,
as my Lord of Dorsett and Sir Henry German, that are nere
kinsmen to them. Sir Harbottle Grimston hath a
<P 206>
greate deale of interest there, and will be as redee to do you
servis as any bodie. Thar is a report my Lord of Dorchester
shall marry the widow; which if he doe, you will be still the
stronger. If this or any thing else perswade you to come to
towne, I think you cannot be better lodged any whear then heare
with this woman; and you may sojorn with her, or she will
provide you diet. She hath made a fine lodging of the parler and
furnished it daintily, which you may have, and that within it,
and the romes over where you lay before; but they will not be
long unlet, for theare is many desires them; but, if I can
possibly, I will make a stay of them till I hear from you; till
which time, and ever, I will be
   Y=r= Ladyship's most faythfull frend and humble servant,
   Dorothe Randolph. 
[\1629.\]
   My mother presents her humble servis to your Ladyship; so
doth M=r= Randolph, whoe is in danger
<P 207>
to become a statesman, for he will not spare any frend or
occasion one hower from his offis. I am promised to speake with
a very good cooke, that served in a Lord's house ayght yeares.

<Q COR 1629? DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 207>
[} [\CXXXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   I am now, I thanke God, soe well rid of my paine that I am
able to give you an acount at larg of all the busines you wright
about; which I had done sooner, but that I reseaved not your
letter, which I imagine should have come on Wednesday or
Thursday, as they use to doe. I went sins to visit M=rs=
Dickson, and in discors fell upon the ould busines; but she made
answer ther was no good to be done for the two elder daughters,
ther was now a treaty of marage betwene my Lord North's sone for
one, and Sir Gervis Clifton's for
<P 208>
another, and the third was too young. I spake with M=r= Chitting
about Sir Thomas Barrington's neese; he semes to thinke she is
worth seven thousand pounds, but he will wright to you the
perticulers. But I beleve my inteligens will prove better then
his, for my Lady Barrington, who is now in town, and presents
her most afectionat servis to you, tould me M=r= Chitting had
some speach with her concerning the gentlewoman, and would have
had her wright to you about it; to which she made answer she
would not propound it to you, but, if upon her informacion you
toke liking to it, she would be redy to do you any servis, and
would show how glad she would be that any that had relation to
her might be soe happy as to come under your government. I asked
her what her portion was: she tould me she had one thousand
pounds in money and a hundred pounds a year land of inheritans,
and they valued this at five thousand pounds or therabouts. I
made answer; I had not heard any thing of it from you, but I
thought you would not aksept of soe small a portion with any
body; besides, you would rather have money then land: but this I
said from myself. You may give what answer you please, and, if
you like not of it, you need retorne noe answer to M=r= Chitting
for I have putt off my Lady Barrington from any hope of it;
tharfore, if pleas you, let M=r= Chitting say nothing that he
hath acquainted you
<P 209>
with it, becaus I think you will denie it, and I would have
nothing hinder the proseding of a busines which I have some hope
may come to good, which is this: As I was with my Lady
Barrington, ther came in Sir William Curtene, a Dutchman, and
two of his daughters, the one of which was soe conveniently
handsome that I wished her my cosin's wife if shee had ten
thousand pounds; to which Lady Barrington answered, they were
reported to have so much a piece, and ther father might give
them more if he liked the condicions, for he is very rich. I
asked the lady if shee had so much intrest in them as to
propound such a business with hope of suckses, and whether she
would be pleased to favor her frends soe much as to doe it: to
which she answered, she had some power ther, and would use her
best endeavors if she might reseave full com~ition from me,
which I must first reseave from you, and so will prosede by your
direction. Now, to give you some acount of your frends and
servants here, of which my mother is one that retornes you many
thankes for your kind wishes to her and her busines, in which
yet
<P 210>
we can do nothing. The letter you sent my cosin Meautys was
unsealed. You sent three open, one to him, one to Sir William
Plaiters, and one to me; but I delivered them to them both with
my own hands, and I think they both beleved I looked not in
them; for, if I did not, my cosin was very testy at the
reseaving of it, which had I known I would have sealed it for
him. I think he meanes to come quarrell with you for it if he
can find noe greater matter, for he intends to come to you as
soon as the tearme is done. Sir William Plaiters is in this
towne, and hath bene ever sins he came from you, but he hath.
bene ill of late with soare eyes. And now my paper reminds me I
have bine so teadious to you, and bids me say noe more but that
I am
   Your most loving, faithfull, & humble servant,
   Dorothe Randolph.

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 210>
[} [\CXXXIII. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   At my coming to London on Weddensday last, and not before, I
understood of yo=r= La=pp's= being at Coventry by M=r=
Greenhill, whoe telling me he had letters to convey to you, I
purposing at that time, and having oportunity, to send to my
Lord of 
<P 211>
Dunsmore's, not farre from thence, gladly tooke upon me, and
bespoke of him, the truste of conveying them unto you, the
rather that I moughte thearby be occasioned to attend upon them
with a letter of my owne, making tender of my accustomed
profession to love and serve you and yours with the most sincere
and unchangeable affections of a friend and kinsman, and of my
desires to receave and doe your com~andments with as much gust
and appetite as that whearwith I feede upon my dayly bread.
Next, I take leave to congratulate with yo=r= La=pp= and my
exc=lent= good aunt your noble mother the happy and, as I can
witnesse on both partes, the long looked for hower that hath
brought you together, and the many howers of joye and content
which dayly accompany soe happy a meeting; only, I confesse I am
not without some regrette that, eyther by yo=r= La=pp's=
election or my misfortune, it falls out at such a time when I am
not soe much at liberty, as yo=r= La=pp= well knows, nor soe
much master of myself, as to waite upon you thear, as I professe
I did infinitely desire to have done, and had not failed to doe
at any other time which I mought call my owne. For newes, I
meete with little hear, other then that
<P 212>
the Spanish embassador, Don Carlos de Colona, who was formerly
hear, is so near his arrivall as that thear is a howse in Broad
Street already prepared to receave him; and Sir Francis
Cottington, we say, goes for Spayne some time next weeke. You
may, peradventure, have heard a rumour of some sharpe encounter
betweene the Prince of Orange and Vanderburgh's army, and of
blood drawn deeply betweene them, but the receaved opinion hear
is that thear is no such thing. The King goes on Weddensday next
to More Park, whear he stayes till Friday, hunts and feasts.
Soe, asking leave for thease to kiss your hands, together with
my worthy aunt's, and the rest of my best and dearest cosins
under that roofe, especially those of my pretious cosin Anne at
the least thrice over for the bracelett that goes thrice about,
   I rest, yo=r= La=pp's= all & ever, 
   T. Meautys.
Hampton Court, Oct=r= 2, 1629.
   To Lady Bacon, at Coventry.

<Q COR 1629 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 213>
[} [\CXXXIV. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   There was one question my Lady Barrington asked me when she
was in towne that I would desire to be provided of answer from
you for her against she come. She desired to know, if Sir
William Curteen asked what portion you would demand, what she
should say. We looke for her every day; and my cosin Meautys's
man put me in hope I should see you here between this and
Easter, which was very welcome newes to me. I have enquired
after matches in other places if this should faile, but can hear
of none but some of the nobility, which I harkened not to,
becaus I thinke you desire not to match with them; yet thear was
one Lord whoes daughters weare so much co~mended to me that I
did not absolutely denie it, but thought good to let you know.
It is my Lord of Bridgwater; and Sir Henry St. George is he
propounded it, whoe is well acquainted with him, and thinkes he
will give six thousand pounds.
<P 214>
When you come I hope you will met with one to your liking, which
I hope will be shortly; till which time, and ever, I am and will
be
   Your humble servant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
[\1629.\]

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 216>
[} [\CXXXVI. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My noble Lady and Cosin,
   I cannot tell what to conceaue of it that I haue neuer a
friend left at Broome that will vouchsafe mee a lyne or two
touching the state of yo=r= health, w=ch= is soe pretious vnto
mee, and the recouery wherof I soe affectionatly long for. I
wrote to yo=r= La=pp= the last weeke, and sent it inclosed in
one to S=r= Fredrick. I mett w=th= M=r= Long, whoe tould mee
that S=r= Rich. Burnaby was dead, and that the Lady would now
take home yo=r= godsonne into hir care; but that, this beeing
but discourse as yett, when it grewe to bee resolued on hee
woulde advertize yo=u= therof by letter. Yt is currantly
reported that both Colonell Morgan and the King of Sweeden haue
giuen a blowe of noe small consequence in seuerall places to the
Empero=r's= forces; this I had more perticularly from S=r= James
Fullerton yesterday, at dynner, at my Lord of Cleueland's. I
rest,
   Yo=r= La=pp's= for euer to loue and serue you,
T. M.
[\Nov=r= 1629.\]

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 217>
[} [\CXXXVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best and deerest Lady,
   Yt is harder, I perceave, to gett an invitacion from your
La=pp= then a welcome; witness your last, which turned the
invitacion I bespoke in myne into an expostulacyon, not invited
or drawn on by any thing in my letter to your La=pp=, rightly or
friendly interpreted. But letting that passe as you please to
understand it, I come now to tell you somewhat of what we doe
hear. In my last I tould you of the restraint of some noblemen
and others about a discourse of a pernicious nature that had
passed from hand to hand, teaching a king by the examples of
forraine tiranyes to oppresse his subjects, and to rayse moneyes
without parlaments. This being conceaved to be a malevolent
devise of some ill affected persons to putt envy upon the King
and state in a time when sinister impressions are easily
entertayned, as yf the King intended to goe those wayes, hath
caused a proceeding in Star Chamber against those Lords and
others, whoe are now at liberty to follow theyr cause, and are
ready to putt in theyr answers. On Monday the King feasted the
Queene, and solemnized hir birthday with running at ring and
other triumphs. Yesterday
<P 218>
being the King's birthday, the K. feasted him againe at Denmarke
House. The last weeke, my Lady Cooke's eldest daughter married,
much to her mother's discomfort, to Nedde Sidnam, formerly the
King's page, now equery. They wear married in Whitehall; and my
Lord of Holland and my Lord Goring wear, by the King and
Queene's appointment, present at it. Thear hath been much
courting the Lady Cooke sinse, with promises from the King to
make Sidnam a fortune woorthy hir daughter: last night my Lord
of Holland brought hir some fruit therof, viz. a graunt of 600+L
a year fee farm for both theyr lives, and an assurance of a
present of 600+L woorth of juells from the Queene.
   Y=r= La=pp's= all and ever, T. M.
   Yt beginnes to be currently spoken and believed that the
Queene is with childe.
[\Nov=r=. 20, 1629.\]

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 218>
[} [\CXXXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^THOMAS MEAUTYS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   My last to your La=pp=, being rightly interpreted, was rather
a bemoaning of my owne misfortune then reproving another's
faulte. This comes to
<P 219>
give you thankes that you have at length been pleased to impart
soe much of your minde to mee as gives mee ayme whear to find
you when I shall bee at liberty to waite on you, whearin if I
fayle toward the end of the terme, I shall indeed reckon it
among my misfortunes, though your La=pp= peradventure place it
among my faultes; neyther will I then, or at any time doubt of
my welcome, though I meet with nothing in any of your letters
like an invitation, and though, comparing them with letters from
other friends to whom I am less professed, full of invitations,
they seeme to speake colder then they meane, and mought somtimes
a little trouble mee did I not conclude that it wear alike
erroneous to judge of the store and inside of your affections
and cordialnes to your friend by the outside of your
expressions, as to judge of the stores of a rich goldsmith or
jeweller by that onely which appeares upon his stall toward the
streete. And now, my dearest Cosin and friend, fearing to renew
those paines of your head by the reading of thease, which wear
soe troublesome to you at the writing of your last, I forbear to
say for the present any thing else in thease then what my heart
now and at all times inforceth mee to say, namely, that I am
really all and ever
   Your La=pp's= to serve you, T. M.
November [\1629\] .
<P 220>
   You may peradventure hear of commitments of my Lo. of Clare
to the B=p= of Winchester, my Lo. of Somersett to the B=p= of
London, my Lo. of Bedford to the M=r= of the Roules, Sir Rob.
Cotton and one M=r= S=t= John, a lawyer, to other places, which
is all true; the cause not yett apparent, voyced generally to
bee for some writing or discourse passed from hand to hand,
counterprerogative and seditious, now discovered. Our Parlement
men shall, they say, be proceeded with speedily upon an
informacion in the King's Bench.
   For yo=r= hon=d= self, deere Madam.

<Q COR 1629 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 220>
[} [\CXXXIX. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   When I resaued your letter on Thursday, that I might giue you
the better acount of the busines, I went to deliuer my Lady
Barrington's letter my selfe, whome I could not meete with at
home, but found her at a ladie's, wheare thare was soe much
<P 221>
company I could not speake with her as I desired; but I find by
her shee meanes to doe you the best seruis she can in that
busines. She intends to speake with S=r= William Curtene
spedily, and to wright you word how she prosedes; and, becaues
she goeth out of toune shortly, I desired her, if she found the
father forward in the busines, shee would let him know in her
absens I could informe him of any thing, or M=r= Randolph, if
she thought him fitter; to which shee made answer she would
study the best way, for shee did not more truly desire to serue
any body. Shee cometh to toune againe the next tearme, and then
I hope what is now begune will then hapily be ended, for which I
shall be as truly glad as if it conserned my selfe. I doubt not
but S=r= Fredrick and S=r= William Plaiters are long before this
safely with you, and that my cosen will stay theare till some
good ocasion bring you to toune; which I hope will be shortly,
for, sins my mother's ocasions denies me yet the coming to you,
I will pleaes my selfe with an expectation of seeing you heare,
and will be heare and euery wheare 
   Euer your faithfull and humble seruant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
London, this 1st of Desember [\1629\] .
   My mother presents her seruis to your Ladeship, and is yet
not gone one step forward in her busines, but rests at my Lord
Treasoror's unmersifull mercy.

<Q COR 1629 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 222>
[} [\CXL. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My euer best and dearest Lady,
   I receaued by this messenger, a seruant of my brother
Claxton's, an earnest sumons to come to Liueremore vpon the
death of the ould man, whearof they aduertized mee, pretending
it concerned them to haue a friend at hand to aduize w=th=all as
things now stand; but, it soe falling out that I must
necessarily bee at London on Weddensday next at the furdest, I
haue ouerruled my self and my desires, (though not w=th=out some
difficulty,) considering that Culford is in my way to Liuermore,
in taking a journey to gratify my friends thear, and hope it may
suffize for theyr affayres to recomend to S=r= Drue (w=ch= I
haue doon by letter) the care of them as there shall bee
occasion, desiring yo=r= La=pp=, when yo=u= see him next, to
second my recomendacon thearin by the power yo=u= haue ouer him.
I comend yo=r= La=pp=, and all yo=rs=, my dear and precious
cosins, to God's goodnes and protection, and remayne noe lesse
by affections then by obligac~ons Yo=r= La=pp's= all and euer,
   T. Meautys.
Toddington, this 7th of Decem=br= [\1629\] .
   For yo=r= dearest self.

<Q COR 1629 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 224>
[} [\CXLII. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   The Lady Barrington made soe short a stay in London after the
receipt of your letter, that shee could doe littell in the
busines: what shee did I hope she hath or will shortly let you
know, yet I thought fitt to tell you what I know conserning it
from her. Shee went to the father and tould him that out of her
loue to him, and the good opinion she had of his daughter, she
came to propound a worthy match to him for her, which she knew
he would giue her thanckes for, when he knew wher it was; which
before he should doe, she desired to know if she weare free, or
he had noe treaty with any for her, to which he replied, he
could not yet giue her any answer, but retorned her many thankes
for her offer, though I thinke he knew not whoe it was she
wished him. She is extreame sory she could doe noe more in it
now; but at the next tearme she will be heare againe and then
shee tould me she would doe you the best seruis she could: in
the meane time, if I heare of any other, I
<P 225>
will lett you know of it, for I doe most ernestly desire to se
him maried, becaues I persaued a wandring humor in him when he
was at London, and a resolution this spring to goe into France,
yet not without your leaue, as he saied. I resaued this muff
from my cosen Copinger latly, and, sins you weare pleased to
like the other that came from thens, I venture to present this
to you, and with it the best seruis of 
   Your most louing, faithfull, and humbell seruant, 
   Dorothe Randolph. 
Desember 7 [\1629.\]

<Q COR 1630? DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 225>
[} [\CXLIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   I much wonder the Lady Barrington reseaved so drie an answer
from Curtene, for shee was very confident it would have bene
thankfully entertained, and that an extraordinary portion would
have bene given, because shee knew he gave five thousand pounds
with a daughter to one that had 
<P 226>
but twelve hundred pounds a year, and shee thought he would give
ratably according to the estate: but this is the cause, I
perseave, why he makes a stay; he hath a brother latly dead in
the Low Contryes, and his sone is gone thither to see how things
are, and till his retorne he will conclude of nothing, for it is
reported he hath left him forty or fifty thousand pounds, and
then he will looke very hie for his daughters; yet Lady
Barrington said he gave her many thankes and did not at all
refues, but made a stay; but it is not worth your further
expectation. I hope a better will come in your way in the meane
time; and, if a good offer comes, I presume you will not delay
it, for it is hard to meet with one whose person and portion is
without exseption. If some such good occasion bring you not to
town, I intend, if pleas God to give me leave, to waight on you
at Culford between this and Easter ...
   Your most faithful and humble servant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
[\1629-30.\]
   To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon, at her howes at
Culford, present this.

<Q COR 1630? DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 226>
[} [\CXLIV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   I am most hartely sorry to heare you are soe ill as your
letter tells me, which I reseaved with the
<P 227>
dainty pott of jely, for which, as for the rest of your favors,
I can only retorne thankes and continue constantly yours. I sent
a letter to you last weeke, fastened to a little box, which I
make question whether you reseaved or noe, becaus I heard
nothing. Ther was some busines concerning my Lady Barrington,
who will be in towne by the time this letter come to you; and I
know not whether your resolution hould conserning the match she
propounded or noe, and I am suer she will aske me whether she
shall prosede in it, which I will say nothing to till I hear
from you. I heare of a very prety gentillwoman that hath six
hundred pounds a year, and her father and mother dead; but ther
is eighteen hundred pounds to be paid to her grandmother for her
wardship, some of it. If you like of this, I think ther might be
meanes found to propound it. M=r= Randolph went to see her, and
com~ends her for very hansome, and sixteen years ould. My mother
is very ill with the gout, I am afraid I shall not enjoy her
long. Thus, with my faithful love recommended to you, I rest,
   Your Ladyship's humble serv=t=,
   Dorothe Randolph.
[\1629-30.\]
   To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon, Culford.

<Q COR 1630 T2MEAUTYS>
<A THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 228>
[} [\CXLV. THOMAS MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My ever best Lady and Cosin,
   I rejoyse to perceave by your last that you are journey
proofe, it giving us hope hear that we may ere long see you at
London, whearof when you shall vouchafe to give me light, or
think me worthy the knowledge, I shall as gladly waite on you
part of the way, as be ready to serve you while I remayne hear,
or while I remayne in this world, and that with those affections
whearwith I have long since vowed myself
   Yo=r= La=pp's= all and ever to serve you and yours,
   T. Meautys.
Feb=ry= 19 [\1629-30\] .
   Madam, I gladly kissed the outside as well as the inside of
your letter, as supposing the superscription to be my cosin
Anne's handwriting. If I wear mistaken, lett the next make me
amends, or ells she is still in my debt for the well meaning of
it.

<Q COR 1630 BLONG>
<A BRIDGET LONG>
<P 228>
[} [\CXLVI. BRIDGET LONG TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Good Madam,
   Havinge lately received letters from Sir Thomas Meautys
touchinge his little sonne, that eyther yo=r= La=p= will take
him into yo=r= care, or els that he be
<P 229>
sent over to him, as also that a some of 8=li= of his, w=ch=
fell out to remaine in M=r= Longe's handes & was kept for the
vse of the nurse, shold be deliuered to this bearer, his
sergeaunt, I haue thought itt my parte, in discharge of that
that I do and haue vndertaken for the childe, to move yo=r=
La=p= y=t= you wold please (if itt may stand w=ch= yo=r=
lykeinge) to take the childe to yo=r= custody, or if there be,
as p~adventure there may be, some raason why you shold not, then
to give yo=r= advice what shalbe done w=th= itt, for I will haue
no hande in sendinge itt to sea, where I dare not goe my self;
and that whereas about Michellmas last yo=r= La=p= sent me 5=li=
to provide for him w=th=all, I haue layde out aboue half of itt
for clothes for him, & made accounte to laye oute that 8=li= of
his father's about the childe, w=ch= he now sends for to be
deliuered to his sergeaunt, & I haue accordingly lett him haue
3=li=, w=ch= is all that is left either of yo=r= La=p's= 5=li=
or his 8=li=, & so you may perceive I am a bare boorde, wherof I
thought fytt to acquainte yo=r= La=p= that such further order
may be taken as you shall thinke meete. And thus, w=th= myne &
M=r= Longe's our hartye thankes to yo=r= La=p= for yo=r=
remembraunce of vs, and myne moste p~=r=ticuler for the gloues
yo=r= La=p= sent me, I take my leave. Yo=r= La=p's= to comannde,
   Bridgett Longe.
2 April 1630.
   To the very worthy Lady, her very good freinde, the Lady
Bacon, theis.

<Q COR 1631 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 230>
[} [\CXLVII. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deare mother,
   When I consider in what a contradictorie waie I haue gone to
your La=pp's= commands and my one ingagments, I cannot but bee
extremly troubbled at my one misfortune, in that it appears to
you (and I confesse it may verie well appeare so) that I am the
worst of children to the best of mothers; yet I beeseech your
La=pp= bee pleased once more to give mee leave to bege that by
my letters which I had rather a great deale doe upon my kneese,
(but that I feare my sight wold bee rather a cause of adding
more affliction unto you, then of reastoring my selfe to my
selfe by your pardon,) which is, that your La=pp= would be
pleased to forgive this last act of mine, it beeing done by the
commands of the King and the Queene, whoo had appointed the time
at mie last beeing in the countrie, it not beeing in my power to
alter it, espetially at that time both of them beeing pleased to
express there favor so farre as to give us a +L1000 for ievells,
and +L2000 in monie, all which with our selves we shall bee
readie to cast downe at your La=pp's= feete, and bee holie at
your La=pp's= disposing. I beseech you doe not cast of and lose
your childe, who neither can nor will bee happie without your
La=pp's= favor, and whoo with that regained will ever strive
<P 231>
and I hope shall prove to bee as great a comfort as heether tow
hee hath proved otherwise; this is the onelie act which hath
manifested mee to bee as you please to tearme it your unnaturall
childe. This now beeing finished, your La=pp= shall not bee so
readie to command as I shall bee studious to obay; thearfore for
God's sake, and for your poore child's sake, who once had the
happinesse to bee dearly loved by you, bee pleased to restore
mee to your favor, and make us both so happie as to give us
leave to fech you either at Newmarket or at Broome; which beeing
done, I make no question but wee shall have cause to say and
thinke, that noe children are more blessed in a mother, and I
hope your La=pp= will thinke noe mother happier in children. And
now, deare mother, hoping and praying for that happie hower, I
restt, and ever shall,
   Your most obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwalleis.
[\January 1630-31.\]
   For my ever honored Ladie and Mother the Ladie Bacon.

<Q COR 1631? ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 231>
[} [\CXLVIII. ELIZABETH LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }]
[^TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Madam,
   Both dutie and desire dooth, by the asshurans that your soon
hath euer gifen me of your La=p's= goodnes and loue to him, giue
me confidens by thes to beg your blessinge and his pardon, hoo 
<P 232>
thinks himselfe most vnhappy in your La=p's= displesure, which I
most humbly beseech yo=r= La=p= to forgeef to him, that so much
loufs and hono~rs you as that, withthout your La=p's= loue and
fauor restorde to him, hee will neuer ioye in any thing ether
hee dooth ore shall posses; therfor, I besech your La=p=, let vs
not any loungger suffer the want of that which will make vs so
infinitly happy: and thoue, by want of the good fortune of being
known to your La=p=, I coulde not hitherto hope of any fauor
from you, yet now my indeuors shall euer bee such towards you as
that I will all wais aprooue my selfe to bee
   Yo=r= La=p's= most obedient daughter and humble saruant,
   Eliza Cornwalleis.
[\1630-31.\]
   Madam, if your La=p= will be plesed to make vs so happie as
to let vs know when we shall haue the hono~r of seing you heare,
we will com down to fetch you vp, or wait of yo=r= La=p=
whersoeuer you will apoynt; and so ons more I kis your hands,
and by all humble intreattis beg your La=p's= pardon.
   For my much honored mother the Lady Bacon, thes.

<Q COR 1631? ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 232>
[} [\CXLIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Madame,
   Coming to see my cosen Randolph, shee gave me incurragment
that by lines ons more to tender
<P 233>
my humble respects to your La=p= wold not bee ill taken; which
if I may have the happines to know from you, I shall not faile
in this sarvis, or any that I think your La=p= will exsepte of.
And for the last letter I sent you, I ashure your La=p= your
sonne had no hand in it, for it was written before he came home,
and sent to the carrier's after he was gon, and so I gave it to
my cosen Randolph to send; being very sorry that it was your
La=p's= plesure to give ocasion to wright to you in that style,
for ther was nothing more contrary to my will, and I hope it
shall bee the last in that kind that shall pas between us: but
while you are plesed to stand at this distans, I feare my
husband will not do that which his hart most desirs, for he does
ashure himself that affection you ons had to him is clear gon,
and that it is hopeles for him to seek your love. I hope by your
goodnes thes doughts shall bee taken away; and if the King and
Queen's promis to yourselfe, of doing that for us as soon as
they can, will bee any satisfaction to your La=p=, I will
procure them to you, if your La=p's= ocasion bring you to town,
wher I shall be happy with your sonne to wait on you; or else I
am afraid you will not meet a great while, for he dares not com
down any more: therfore I shall wish for som good ocasion that
may bring you together, and make a harty frendshippe amongst us.
But give me leave, I besech you, but not to hinder the
<P 234>
speediest that I can getting of what we have promised to your
La=p=, to wish that the frendshipp might be before, otherwise I
must confes to your La=p= that I shall not joy in it; and give
me leave to say, that you will do yourselfe as much right as you
will give your sonn comfort and happines. But your La=p= is
wise, and knows what is fittest for you; and I can but wish you
the greatest happines, which I shall ever wish, that am
   Yo=r= La=p's=, if you ples to exsept it, affectionate and
obedient daughter,
   E. Cornwalleis.
1630-31.
   For my honored mother the Lady Bacon, at her house at Broome,
these. 

<Q COR 1631? ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 238>
[} [\CLIV. ELIZABETH LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }]
[^TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Madame, 
   As I concluded with your La=p= at my coming from you, so will
I continue to pray to God to give you helth and us your favor;
in which we shall bee at the highte of our ambytion, to the
obtaning wherof we shall never willingly omightt any thing that
may witnes our desiers therto; and to that end I will endevor
all I can the speedy getting of the 3 thousand pounds which the
King and Queen hath ben plesed to promis us, the which so soon
as we have we shall most gladly present to your La=p=; till when
I besech you exsept of our desiers, and by thes my humble sarvis
<P 239>
and thanks for the noble welcom and favor which, for my gratious
mistrise's sake, at this time your La=p= gave me. But, Madam, I
hope the next time will bee for your sonne and my owne; in
confidens wherof I will ever bee,
   Yo=r= La=p's= most affectionat daughter to com~ande, 
   E. Cornwalleis.
[\1630-31.\]
   Madame, Sir Thomas Stafford, my cosen Villers, and M=r=
Elleiot all kis your La=p's= hands, and humbly thank your La=p=
for your coach.
   For the Lady Bacon, my much honored mother, these.

<Q COR 1631 ARANDOLPH>
<A AMBROSE RANDOLPH>
<P 239>
[} [\CLV. AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most honoured Lady,
   I knowing youre love to the truth of newse, rather then first
or common report of it, shall, as you wisht me, send you a
relation of the King of Swedland's great victory, the 7th of
September, as it was tould by him that brought the newse to our
King since my cominge to towne; an Englishman, whoe the King
hath now knighted, his name Sir John Castell. The 4=th= of
September last, Tilley having taken by force the town of
Lipswitch belonging to the Duke of Saxe, he, being puffed up
with the victory, sent presently to the King of 
<P 240>
Sweth, and willed the messenger to tell the King that now he had
nosed and dishonoured him, and the 7=th= of that month he would
be in God's fielde, if he durst meete him there. The King of
Sweth sent him word againe that the loss of Lipswitch was noe
dishonor to him, for he never had the protection thereof, nor
any thing to doe with it; and as for meeting him in the fielde,
he, being a King, would not be at the calle of a dog, for so he
ever esteemed of him since his inhumane cruelty at Megelberge,
yet it was twenty to one he would be on that fielde the same
day. Thereupon Tilly with his army of 44 thousand was first in
the field; then came the King of Sweth with 38 thousand, and the
Duke of Saxe with 12 thousand, whoe led the vanguard and gave
the onsett upon Tilly; but he speedily drove the Duke and all
his men out of the field, except three of his regiments. Which
the King of Sweth seeing, presently assaulted that part of
Tilly's armie where his artillery was, yet he had the repulse
for awhile; but at the last the King took the artillery and
turned it upon Tilly's men, and so routed them all, and slew in
the field 12 thousand, and tooke 7 thousand prisoners: which
newse the Duke of Saxe hearing, came back againe, and gave the
King three horses laden with gold, and promised to paye his army
5 months. When this messenger came
<P 241>
away, that saw all the fight, Tilly was alive, and had been
prisoner half an houre, but, being unknown, escaped, hurt in the
neck, arme, and shoulder, which his chyrurgeon, who is now
prisoner, sayeth doth gangrene so that he cannot live. There
remaynes yet 22 thousand of Tilly's men, but it is not known
whoe is their commander. The King of Sweth is come from
Frankford, which towne doth now contribute to him, and neare the
Palatinat. It is sayd that the Lord Craven hath bought armes for
two thousand men, and that he will goe to the King. It is feared
that Marquis Hambeldon hath lost many, if not most of his men,
by sicknes. Colonel Morgan is made governour of Bergen up some.
Sir Francis Nethersole and his Lady are come to towne; they
landed at Yarmouth, and meant to have seen your Ladyship, but
were hindered by some disaster. My wife, with myselfe, present
our humble services and many thanks for your constant favors.
She went
<P 242>
to her mother, that is not very well, Wensday was seavennight;
the Lady Weston not being come to towne, by whose meanes she was
in hope to have pleasured her mother: but neither she nor
myselfe can yet get any money, which makes me by force to crave
your Ladyship's patience for my non paiment, having had good
words and a promise from the Lord Tresorer, which I feare will
prove slow in performance, as it doth to many others. I
delivered your La=p's= comands to M=r= Chitting, whoe is a sad
man for his cosin Short, and much the sadder, he being like to
loose some monys that he is ingaged to the marchant for him for
Twillops for him, Sir William Spring and others, which came so
late to him in his sicknes, that be feares they will miscarrye.
Thus, most humbly kissing your hands, I rest,
   Yo=r= La=p's= most affectionat servant, desirous to be
commanded, Ambrose Randolph.
November the 3=d=, 1631.
   The Duke of Vendome and his sonn are landed. He was sonne to
Henry IV. by Madame Gabriell.

<Q COR 1631 ARANDOLPH>
<A AMBROSE RANDOLPH>
<P 243>
[} [\CLVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most honored Ladye, 
   Understanding this second time, not without some wonder, how
frustrat your La=p's= expectations of my letters hath beene by
reason of the messenger's neglect rather then my owne, I am now
determined to transgress by troubling you with them rather then
still be thought unmindfull of that duty which I must ever
acknowledge most due to your La=p=, that being the only and best
expression I can make to so noble a freinde. I therfore omitting
to speake of the new reformation on the King and Queen's side in
this court and of the Kinge's voyage into Scotland about the
midst of Aprill next, with the Queene's bringing him to Yorke,
if not further, and his going to Newmarket in March; as also of
the Duke de Vandome's goinge on Monday next to Bagshaws to hunt
for a weeke, and of his Lady's coming hither; all which I doubt
not but your Ladyship hath heard of, if not of the great
preparation of the Painted Chamber for the Marshall's Court
there apointed to sitt, with the Lord Leynsey, Constable, and
divers
<P 244>
others, to judge the lawfulness of single combats, and then, if
it be thought fitt to proceed that way with the L=ds= Massey and
Ramsey, to apoint the time, place, and weapon; all which will be
on Thursday next, or the Thursday after the tearme. Pure
discourse here now is of the great overthrow the Hollanders have
given the Spanyards in the West Indies, where they have sunk and
dispersed the Spanish fleet they went to meet, so that it cannot
be agayne repaired in many yeares, and have taken 2 very rich
carracks. Of the Kinge of Swethland's continewed victorys I sent
word in my former letter, if not of the present he sent Sir.
Tho. Roe, it being valewed at four and twenty hundred pounds, if
it continew not still copper, but be turned into plate, as the
King com~anded; for he sent as much copper as was worth 3000+L,
with a letter which he esteemes farr above the present, wherein
the King did thanke him for his good counsell and perswasions,
to which, next under God's owne hand, he doth impute all his
<P 245>
happy proseedinge: to whose best protection I committ your
Ladyship, resting
   Your most humble and affectionat serv=t=,
   Ambrose Randolph.
Novemb. 17 [\1631\] .
   Your window cushill shall be sent by M=r= Morse.

<Q COR 1631 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 245>
[} [\CLVII. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My deare Mother,
   In obedience to your La=p's= comands I take the libertie to
tell you that my wife and my selve, with all we have, are verie
well, thanks be to God! and a great deale the better since we
heard of your good health, which we shall both pray may continue
to make him happy, who is
   Your most affectionate and obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwalleis.
   I humbly thanke you, sweet Maddam, for the monie you weare
pleased to send me by M=r= Morse. Maddam, heere is noe newes but
of the duelists, who they say must fight. I and some of my
fellowes are comanded to goe to Winsor with the Duke of Vandome
on Monday, to hunt all the weeke the stag.
[\Nov=r= 1631.\]

<Q COR 1632? DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 246>
[} [\CLVIII. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   Though I writ soe latlye by the carier, that my letters will
tread upon one another's heeles, yet I coulde not negleckt the
presenting of my seruis to you, hauing soe fitt a messenger as
S=r= Fredrick's man, which he sent to me; but him selfe I saw
not sins the day he came to London from Brome, therfore can say
nothing of him, but that I hope he continewes in the same minde
and dutifull respeckt to you that he profest the last time I
spake with him. I cannot but hope to see you at London shortly,
where I feare I shall be inforsed to stay till the end of next
tearme, to se if I can bring my mother's busines to some thing,
for yet we have done littil, by reson my Lady Weston was out of
toune and soe could never come to have my Lord and shee
together. I am in hope to bring my housband at last to the
busines you sent for him to Brome, for conserning his eastate;
which if he doe, I shall thinke it worth my jornye, and when it
is done I shall wish my selfe with you. In the meane time, where
soeuer I am, I am and euer will be, Your Ladiship's faithfull
frend 
   and humble seruant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
[\1631-2.\]
   To my most honored frend the Lady Bacon.

<Q COR 1632? DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 247>
[} [\CLIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^] 
My most honored Lady,
   Of the busines I most desire I can as yet give you the least
acount, for I have not seene eyther Sir Frederick or his Lady
sins I came to towne, onlie ons him in Hide Park with a company
of gentlewomen in a coach; he came and inquired of your health
and my cosin's, and that was all that passed: but he was ons to
see me when I was from home; and I beleve shortly she will come
to me, for I heard she did intend it, but she was ill of a soare
throat and the tooth-ache. Some say she is with child. I ons
thought to have gone to Grenwich to her because she was not
well, but sins I resolved to stay and see what they would doe.
The King's being at Grenwich hath made every bodie almost leave
London, that I am put to great deale of troble to find out those
that should ende my mother's busines, and the more becaus I have
bin ill after the manner I was, ever sins I left your Ladiship
at Brome. My Lady Barrington is not in towne, nor will be this
tearme; but M=r= Randolph has promised I shall come that way as
I come downe againe, which shall be as soon as I can. My cosen
Peter Meautys hath your letters and a copie of the paper you
sent; he staies but for a
<P 248>
winde. I spake to M=rs= West, who desired me to retorne you
humble thanks for your favour and bounty to her and her nece;
her house will be emty within a fortnight, she saith, if pleas
you to com~and it. I have sent you some patterns of stuff such
as is worne by many, but not much laes upon those wrought stufs;
but the newest fashion is plaine satine, of what collor one
will, imbroydered all over with alcomedes, but it is not like to
hould past summer. They weare whit sattine wascots, plaine,
rased, printed, and some imbroydered with laes, more then any
one thing, and whit holland ones much. M=r= Chitting com~ends
his services to you, and will bring the musition with him; which
when I have done, and inquired of Sir Charles Seasar, whom he
serves, of his condishions, I will send you worde, and will be
most carefull of all the com~ands you have or will be pleased to
favour me with, or what else may give testimony
   I am your faithfull frend and humble servant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
[\1631-2.\]
   Sins I writ this letter my Lady Cornwalies came to me, but
not Sir Fredrick; for he plaies least in sight, for feare, I
thinke, that I should tell him his owne, but I am like to doe it
the more, next time I see him. I tould his Lady the manner
<P 249>
of his carage at Brome, and that it was his own fault he came
away upon noe better termes. She professes she knowes his hart
much desires a sincere reconcilment; and the contrary, if it
continue soe, will shorten his life: yet I perseave not him to
be soe forward as she; but I know nothing but that he is soe
backward to come to me, where he might further that he soe much
desires. It will be too tedious to committ to wrighting all that
passed betwene my Lady Cornwalies and me; only this in generall,
she much desires, as she saieth, still to doe any thing that
might give you satisfaction. For the money, when she could get
it, you should have it; and, if in the meane time the King and
Queen's promis from their own mouthes to you will any way give
you content, she will not faile to procure that, and she desired
me to wright you word soe, which I made answer it was better for
her to writ it herselfe. I knew not how you would like it, yet I
let it goe on, that you might take that ocasion to speake with
the King; and I thinke it may serve you for the money well, and
be a meanes to get it sooner then they can otherwise, and it
will be a caus that any bodie will thinke sufficient to bring
you to towne. My Lady was afraid any thing that she should writ
would be unpleasing to you, but I strived to perswade her from
that; becaus, if you should accept any thing that she offers,
you might have it under her owne hand. for 
<P 250>
she might forget what she saied to me, and I might be accused
for mistaking.
   I thinke you weare never trobled with so tedious a letter,
and therfore now I will conclude, with a hartie wish of all
hapines to you and yours; and soe, sweet Madam, ons more
farewell.

<Q COR 1632 ARANDOLPH>
<A AMBROSE RANDOLPH>
<P 250>
[} [\CLX. AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most hon=red= lady,
   I should think it a great happines to me if [{I{] could any
waye merit the thanks which I receyued by your last letter, for
there can neuer any thing happen within y=e= small compass of my
abillity to performe, that I shall not most willingly effecte to
doe your La=yp= seruice, or inwardly condemne my selfe of much
ingratitude. The newse we haue now a dayes is so variously
reported, that euen from good hands we cannot well be assured of
it; yet, rather then to be altogether silent, I haue both now
and y=e= last weeke sent your La=yp= what I heare, but, y=e=
carryer beinge gone before my man came to him, I haue here
inclosed it. Since which time it is reported, that Papinham hath
from y=e= Emperour releued the towne of Magdenbirg to his owne
cost; for, after he had with 8000 entred the cittie and spoiled
it, he blewe vp the cheefe churche and ruined all y=e= best
buldings, and then
<P 251>
tooke all y=e= welth of y=e= towne with him, and so ment to haue
returned in great triumph; but y=e= troopes of y=e= Duke of
Saxon and Count Horne surprised his treasure, and did defeate
all his men with a great slaughter. This, with my humbly and
most affectionat seruice, is the all I can present at this time,
resting
   You=r= La=yp's= most humble seruant,
   Ambrose Randolph.
February 8, 1631-2.

<Q COR 1632 ARANDOLPH>
<A AMBROSE RANDOLPH>
<P 251>
[} [\CLXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^AMBROSE RANDOLPH TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most honored Lady, 
   If I had much newse, it were now superfluous to write it,
your La=yp= having so many of the courte y=t= can exactely
relate it. I therfore will only acquaint yor La=yp= with my owne
misfortune, that this night at 11 of y=e= cloke lost my best
freinde the Lo=rd= of Dorchester, his Lady beinge very great
with child. To which sad euent I may also add an other greefe,
which doth with y=e= former much press me, and y=t= is the
breache of promise from y=e= Lord Treasorer, whoe sayed I should
have my mony this last tearme, but now I have small hope of it a
good while, if all be true y=t= is sayd of the Exchequer. I must
therfore crave yo=r= La=pe's= pardon that I have not yet
discharged y=e= debte of mony which I 
<P 252>
so much desyre to paye to your La=yp=, but cannot yet so much as
sett a certaine daye to doe it; but, when you please to com~and
it, I shall most willingly procure it, and most thankfully rest,
   Your La=yp's= most affectionat and humble seruant to command,
   Ambrose Randolph.
Feb. y=e= 26, 1631-2.

<Q COR 1632 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 252>
[} [\CLXII. SIR T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Sister,
   I cannot but let you know what an afflycted and grieved lady
the Queene of Bobemia is for the death of the King, who dyed at
Mentz in Germany. Certainly no whoman shoulde tacke the death of
a husband more to hart then this Queene doth. I would that it
lay in your power any waye in these her sorrows to bee a comfort
to her, for I do asshewer you that you are much bound to her for
her good opinnyon of you; for, not long before the newes came of
the King's death, I had the honnor to wayghte upon her at her
court at Rine, where she then was, and, amongst other discourse
that her Majestie was pleased to move unto me, she asked me when
I heard from you, and wheather my sonne were with you still or
noe. I toulde her that he was: "Otherwaies," said her Ma=tie=,
"you neede tacke no care for him." I made her
<P 253>
answer that my care for him was the les, in regarde that I knew
him to bee with soe good a friend. And said she, "Your sister is
one of the best dispositions in the world, and every way I doe
love her very well, and better then any lady in England that I
knowe, and have a great deale of reason to doe soe." This was
her Ma=tie's= discours of you at that time before the Princes
and the rest of the ladies there present. Now, I pray, give me
leave to ask you a question, and that is, How you lyke my lyttle
girle that is with my wyfe? I must tell you that she hath bin
lapt in the skirts of her father's shirt, for she is beloved
where she comes, and I love her very well, and soe doth she me;
and yet somtymes I can wipp her and love her too. You must
excuse me for using this language, for, when I cannot see my
children, it does me good to talke of them. Now, as M=r= Mayor
of Dover tolde my Lord of Essex that he had a better cup of wine
in his sellar then that he had given his Lordship at that tyme
to drynck of, soe I must say I have another girle at home that
is as prettie as Nan, which God make me thankful to Him for, and
bles me with meanes as may provyde for them! And soe, with my
love and affection to you and all yours, I committ you to God,
and rest,
   Yours, T. Meautys.
Arnheim, the 2=d= of Desember 1632.
   To my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, geve these.

<Q COR 1633 EBACON>
<A EDMUND BACON>
<P 254>
[} [\CLXIII. SIR EDMUND BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Sister,
   This eveninge the messenger I sent to London is retourned;
what I have learnd of his sendinge ys, that the busynes wherin
my cosin dealt was the treaty of a match betweene M=r= Philip
Woodhouse and the daughter of the L. Lovelace, wherof I sayde
somewhat to you when we last mett. That gentlewoman is nowe
assured to one of the country where my L. lyveth, so that there
ys an end of that negotiation. This ys the awnsweare to what I
promised to enquire after. I will seale up these lynes unto you
with a larg acknowledgment of y=e= debt I owe you for your kinde
visitacion, and so leave you for this tyme, being
   Y=r= very loving brother, Ed. Bacon.
   I remember well the busynes treated on at Hacqueneye, and the
portion was 500+L. There was some difference about the payment
of some part of yt, which was the speciall cause why the match
went not forward.
Redgrave, Feb. 2, 1632-3.

<Q COR 1632 DRANDOLPH>
<A DOROTHE RANDOLPH>
<P 255>
[} [\CLXIV. DOROTHE RANDOLPH TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My most honored Lady,
   I find my Lady Cornwalies in the same minde still of desiring
your fauor, and a willingnes to haue you come up, but not to
haue the King send for you; but I doubt not but shee will be
easilie aduised to make it her sutt to you to come, that you may
resaue the King and Queene's promis for the mony; but I persaue
shee is a littell afraid you should falle upon business past
when you shall speake with the King, not as it conserns S=r=
Fredrick but him selfe, in the matter of his iniuring you. But I
shall neede say noe more of anything, sins I asure myselfe you
haue resaued satisfacktion by S=r= Fredrick; therfore I will now
say noe more then that which I shall euer be redy to make good,
which is, that 
   I am your Ladiship's faithfull frend and humble seruant,
   Dorothe Randolph.
   My mother and housband present thar seruis to you. Thar died
of the plage but three. 
Maye the 25 [\1632\] .
   To my most honored frend, the Lady Bacon, at Brome.

<Q COR 1632 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 256>
[} [\CLXV. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
   According to my promise, I will not faile to let you
understand of my proseedings last week, which was the first
opportunity I could get to come unto the speech of my Lord of
Dorset, who was pleased to tell me how much his Lordship had
travailed in M=r= Meautys's behalf to his Majestie for the
making of a baronet, the which his Majestie will by no means
grant; so for that I am allredie answered. Now for Sir Alexander
Radcliffe and my Lady: so soone as I came to London, I did write
unto them, and sent those letters of M=r= Meautys's enclosed,
which, as it should seeme, they like of very well; for he is
come to London, and tells me the cheefe part of his bissines is
to take me down into the country, my Lady being very desirous to
see I me, so that now I resolve to goe along with him. Thus,
entreating you to let me hear from you as often as your leisure
will permit, I rest, 
   Your affectionate loving sister, 
   Anna Meautys.
London, Nov=r= 24, 1632.
   To my deare and much honoured sister, the Lady Bacon. 

<Q COR 1632 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 257>
[} [\CLXVI. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   In obedience to your La=p's= comands, I sende this messenger
to tell you that I am appointed to goe w=th= my Lord Marshall to
the Hage to fech the Queene of Bohemia; and therefore I humbly
bege your leave and blessing, and desire to knowe if your La=p=
will comand mee any services. My warning is so short that I
cannot have time to come kisse your hands my selve, for I knew
not of it untill w=th=in this hower, and wee must goe awaie upon
Wensday. Thus, with the presentments of mine and my wife's
humble dutie and respects to your La=p=, whoo desiers to be
excused for not writing, I rest,
   Your most affectionately obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwalleis.
[\December 1632.\]

<Q COR 1632 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 257>
[} [\CLXVII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   My Lord Marshall making so much hast, I have onelie time to
tell your La=p= that wee are this
<P 258>
morning imbarking, having a good winde and faire weethere, so
that I hope wee shall bee at the Brill w=th=in 30 or 40 howres,
and then I shall with the next messenger give you an account of
our journey againe; till w=ch= time, and ever, I shall humbly
beg your La=p's= blessing for my boy and
   Your most obedient sonne, 
   F. Cornwalleis.
Marget, this Sunday morning, 30 day December [\1632\] .

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 258>
[} [\CLXVIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   I must not omitt any oportunitie to present my humble dutie
and respects to your La=p=, and so give you an account of my
selve. This night wee are savely (thankes bee to God!) arrived
at Delph, w=ch= is w=th=in a mile of the Hage, and my Lord
Imbassador is gone privately to the Queene: in the morning he
retournes to us againe, and then the Prince and the States comes
to fech us to the court. This is all I know yet or have time to
write; only to bege your La=p's= blessing upon
   Your most obedient sonne, 
   F. Cornwalleis.
Delph, this New Year's night [\1632-3\] .

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 259>
[} [\CLXIX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   The winde hath been so contrarie that I had noe means all
this time to tell your La=p= that my selve and all our company
are verie well, and now verie shortly coming for England, but
w=th=out her wee came for; the cause I know not in particular,
but I finde in generall matters have bin ill carried, and that
is as much as wee dare inquire into. My Lord Goring is going in
a great hurrie, and I have onelie time to say I am
   Your La=p's= most obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwallis.
[\1632-3.\]

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 259>
[} [\CLXX. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   I besheech you excuse my scribling, for I broke my thumb in
Holland, and I cannot yet hould my pen allmost so longe as to
tell your La=p= that the Queene commends her love to you, and
hath sent you the last cheane shee wore: but my cabinet is not
yet come, and, if it weare, I should desire to deliver it and
her one language my selve, which I shall doe as soone as I am
but a littell rested; for 
<P 260>
wee weare forteene daies at sea, and truely I am extreame sore
with tumbling. Madam, I humbly beg your blessing for mee and my
boy.
   Your La=p's= most obedient sonne to love and serve you, 
   F. Cornwallis.
[\1632-3.\] 

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 260>
[} [\CLXXI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   It was not Hide Parke, nor any other foolerie, that kept mee
the last weeke from presenting my respects to your La=p=, but I
was at Kensington w=th= my Lord of Holland, who is still heare
for sending my Lord Weston a challenge; but I hope wee shall
have him againe at court w=th=in one day or two. Wee are mainly
factious heere and disordered w=th= this; but I dare write noe
more, onely, humbly beging your La=p's= blessing for mee and
Charles, I rest, 
   Your most affectionately obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwallis.
[\1632-3.\]
   For my deere and honored mother the Ladie Bacon, at Culforde,
these. 

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 261>
[} [\CLXXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My dere Mother,
   My hand is just well inough to present my humble dutie and
respects to your La=p=, and to tell you that all our Lords heere
are made frinds againe and restored to the King's favor; which
is all the newes wee have. Now, Maddam, I humbly bege your
La=p's= praiers and blessing for Charles and Your affectionately
obedient sonne, 
   F. Cornwallis.
[\1632-3.\]

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 261>
[} [\CLXXIII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^FREDERIC CORNWALLIS
TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   Will you give these leave to beg my pardon for not waiting on
you this night; for this morning the Duchesse and my Lord of
Holland are gon to London, and laied there comands upon mee to
waite of my Lord Dunlusse (my Lord Savage not being at home) as
longe as he staied, 
<P 262>
which will bee till Twesday, and then I shall not fule to waite
on you; in the meane time, and ever, I shall humbly beg your
La=p's= blessing for Charles and Your obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwallis.
[\1632-3.\]
   If there come any letters from my wife, I pray open them and
sende them to mee; and, if your La=p= can, I besheech you lend
mee 20=l=, for the truth is I have lost all my monie.
   For my honored deere mother the Ladie Bacon.

<Q COR 1633 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 262>
[} [\CLXXIV. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Most deare Sister,
   Not long since I had the happines to receve a letter from
you, the which I was not a little joyfull of. In that I was soe
far remote from you, I must confess it did grieve me, in that my
being was so long in England; but now, since it hath pleased God
to bring me so far as London in my way towards the Low
Countries, my desier is to receve your commands, for, soe soone
as I can get convenient shipping, I will make all the haste over
that I can. Deare Sister, I must aquaint you with the bissines
concerning Sir Alexander Radcliffe and my Lady; as yet I
understand by them how their estate is so much encombered, first
by
<P 263>
the occasion of their debtes, and then the redeeming of their
land, the which her father mortgaged unto the very dores of his
house, that, until such time as their own estate be settled,
they saye they shall not be able to establish any sartintie upon
me or mine; but so soone as they can take order for it, which
this terme they intend to do, then they have both promised me
seriously they will not faile to performe all that they can for
me. For them, I wish them much happines; and I must acknowledge
I have bine very kindly entertained of them both all the time of
my being there. Now, deare Sister, when you shall see them in my
absence, will you please to put them in mind of me, for their
intent is to see you this somer. Deare Sister, I must confess
that I am ashamed now againe to trubble you, but my necessitie
is such, occasioned by my living and teduous travels, that I
must intrete you to, if you please, to send me the money which
is to be receved at Midsomer. Were it that I did know how to
help myselfe, I would not bespeake one ower's time that you have
prefixed, but now I hope that you will take me into your
consideration. And thus, wishing you the blessings of this life,
and honor hereafter, I rest,
   Your most affectionate and truly sister ever to serve you,
   Anna Meautys.
London, April 16, 1633.

<Q COR 1633 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 264>
[} [\CLXXV. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^ANNE MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most deare Sister,
   These are to intreate you, that, in my absence, you would be
pleased to show this letter to Sir Alexander and my Lady when
they shall come unto you, which is to remember them of those
promises made unto me at my being with them. The first was my
Lady whom I did acquaint, I telling her how much my case was to
be commisserated, the promises of my Lord and her mother being
now violated, the which they had with soe many solemn
protestations vowed to performe to me, concerning the jointure
of 200+L a yeare, and that if it should please God to take away
my husband, what would become of me and my poore children; and
withall I told her how much I did relie upon her goodnes, whom I
did assure myselfe did love me soe well that she would take my
case into her consideration: she said she would do what might be
done for me, and that she would tell Sir Alexander of it, who,
she knew, would not be against any good that she should intend
to any kindred of hers. Then I did breake with him myselfe, and
I must confes I found him very noble in his answer, sayeing that
soe soone as he had but settled his bissines, which he hoped to
dispach this terme, he would conferme something upon
<P 265>
me, which he said must be some of his own inheritance, for the
rest, he said, was all intailed, only Diss, upon his sone, which
is 80+L a yeare. He did solemnly swear to me he would not faile
to do for me all that laye in his power, and soe did my Lady
too; soe that, when they have settled their occasions, that then
they will really conferme something upon me. I and mine shall be
ever obliged to them, and I am assured God will prosper them the
better for their charitable performance. And soe, beseeching you
to be an assistance to me in this bissines, I shall, now and
ever, continew 
   Y=r= most affectionate and truely loving sister to be
commanded, Anna Meautys.
London, May 6, 1633.
   To my deare and much honoured sister, Lady Bacon.

<Q COR 1633 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 265>
[} [\CLXXVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^ANNE MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Most deare Sister,
   I have receved that money which you was pleased to send me by
M=r= Greenhill, which came soe conveniently as I could wish. The
shipping is now come which I have soe long expected; and on
Saturday next I meane, with God's permission, to goe for the Low
Countries. I have been much beholding unto my Lady Cornwalies,
who was
<P 266>
pleased to come and see me, and after brought me to kiss the
King and Queen's hands. The King is gone for Scotland; and for
the other nuse att court concerning M=r= Villiers and M=r=
Garman, I thinke you will heare the relacion of it before these
shall come unto you, so that I shall not neede further to write
to you of it. Deare Sister, I give you thankes for all your real
favours, and all happines attend you and all yours; and soe,
being called away by the hasty marriners, I must desist to
write, but never to love you.
   Yo=r= most assured in all true affection,
   Anna Meautys.
From London, May 9, 1633.
   To my deare and much honoured sister, Lady Bacon.
   Favor me, sweete Sister, soe much to recommend my kind
respectes unto my sweete neveu and my neece; and, if you will
please to kisse pretie Charles and Hercules for my sake, I shall
be your servant.

<Q COR 1633 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 266>
[} [\CLXXVII. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   I am just now come from waiting of the King into Scotland;
and, meeting w=th= the carrier, have made him stay so long as to
tell your La=p= that I 
<P 267>
will very shortly waite of you, and humbly bege my selve your
La=p's= blessing for Charles and 
   Your La=p's= most affectionately obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwallis.
[\June, 1633.\]

<Q COR 1634 ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 267>
[} [\CLXXVIII. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }]
[^TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Mother,
   I hoope, by God's great marsy to us, our sweete babs are as
well as thay seem; I humbly beseech Him to bless them with His
sauinge grace. But, Madam, it dus hartily greefe me that you are
so sade, becas I know it will hurte you, and then our suffrings
muste bee more: therfor, good Mother, for God sake cheere up
yo=r= sperrets, and striue all you possible can to forgeete what
is not to be helpte; for, Madam, I hope God will bee so gratious
to us as to keepe our deere Frede, and bring him to us again in
safty, and then, Madam, wee shall bee joyfull again. I wod to
God I wear ene with you, for trwly I wod doo ore say any thing
to cheere you up, for I haue more oblygation to yo=r= La=pe=
then euer datter in law had to a mother; and by that I bege of
you that you put an ende to all sade thouts for me, for, Madam,
God hath so infinitly blest us, that to[{morrow{] the thurd
parte of my greattest trubel will be ouer, and, I think,
withhout any suspission att all; I humbly beseech God
<P 268>
that I may neuer forgeet His great marsy in it. Madam, this is
heere a huge day of triounfe, and I haue taken so much hart and
currage as a leettell to appeer amongst them, thoo it be but
stagaring. My Lady Mary and my Lorde Charles are married, and
thay say thers more brauery then has been seene a loung time.
So, praing for yo=r= helth and dessyre of yo=r= blessing and
prayars for and to us all, I humbly kis yo=r= La=p's= hands as,
Madam,
   Yo=r= La=pe's= true affectinate datter and most humble
saruante,
   Eliza Cornewalleis.
[\January 8, 1633-4.\]
   Madam, I think it best not to send any letters to my husband
till we know whear he bee.

<Q COR 1634 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 268>
[} [\CLXXIX. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deare Mother,
   Since my comeing out of England I have been so happy as to
receive five letters from your La=p=; and in your last your
La=p= is pleased to take notise
<P 269>
of a letter of mine which it should seeme bore no date, and
thearfore your La=p= makes some question that it was written
before I came awaie. I will assure you, Madam, my journie was so
sudden, that I had not time to write for your La=p's= leave and
blessing, which were a great deale more considerable to me then
all the rest of my fortune. That made me send my wife to make my
excuse, and in my name to beg it: but for that omission I hope,
Madam, I shall easily obteine your La=p's= belief and pardon,
when I tell you I was so much distracted with the sense of my
own misfortune, that caused me to be giltie of so much
importunitie to your La=p=, that I hardly durst venture at all
to send it, but that the assurance of your La=p's= goodness
incouraged me to be confident that nothing can divert your
affection.
   Madam, your most obedient sonne, to dispose of as you like,
   F. Cornwalleis.
   Madam, I humbly beg your La=p's= blessing for myself and all
mine, which I am sure will make us all verie happy.
Paris, March 19,1633-4.

<Q COR 1634 ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 270>
[} [\CLXXX. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Mother,
   I hade last Satterday broute me by a Londonere a bill of
exchange, as they cale it, for tow hunderd pounds, presently to
bee paid to the barare therof, becas hee had alredy hade the
munie. I must confes the hand is so licke my husband's, that I
ueryly beleue it came from him, but whear hee shude thinke I
shud haue the munny I cannot imagen; and, to, one of thos
letters I sente to y=r= La=pe= last was datted the same daye
that the marchant's note was, which was the 24 of May, and in
that hee spack of noe suche thinge. Now what in the worlde to
saye to this marchant for the presente I knowe not, becas they
say that if bills bee not presently paide heare, thay send back
and protest them thear, and then nobody will trust them for any
thinge. Now, if that wod bring him home, it weare noe matter;
but, alas! I fear it will note: therfore I tould the man, more
to delay the time awhile, then for any hops that I hade of the
munny, becas I think thear is more paide alredy to him and for
him then is dwe to him of his halfe year's reuenue, that I
myselfe was alltogether unprouided of such a sume of munny, and
that hee sed nothing of it in his letter to me; but I wode
<P 271>
sende doun to them that had the ordring of his bisnes, to see if
ther weare any munny to be had, but named nobody. I tould him it
wode be neere a fortnite before I coulde heare an ansor, which
time hee was contente to stay before hee sent backe to protest
him. Now I beseech you, Madam, gife me yo=r= aduis what to say
to him, for I know not whear to haue the munny; for, as for that
that I am to haue for the halfe yeare, I haue so long promised
paiment of what I can possibly spare, that I shud bee loth to
faile them, if I wantted not food for my saruants and myselfe,
being my husband has a compidens besides; for out of 150+L I am
shur I haue promised abufe 6 score pound, shift as I can, and
thay com and send daily for it, but as yet we can geet none out
of the Exchecer. I humbly beseech God to presarue my poore
husband, and bring him hom in saftie to us; but, Madam, thes 2
munths are mity loung. But, good Mother, I beseech you, be you
chearly and make much of yo=r= selfe; and with thes resaue my
humble thanks for our poore sweete babs, whom I most humbly
beseech Almighty God to bles with His sauing grace. Trwly,
Madam, I loung to see them and you, and you and them: and I hope
the Queene's being with childe, which now begins to bee
publeckly spoken of, shall bee noe hindrans to my coming to
yo=r= La=pe=, thoe I fear it will be to my stay with you; for
the Queene had gifen me leaue 
<P 272>
to a com to y=r= La=pe= when shee had gon her progres, and then
I shud a had too munths ore 6 weeks to af staide with you, and
now I fear I shall be cut shorte of that time. Here is much
talking of forren wars and armis joyning, yet on sartentie; but
I humbly beseech God kepe our Fred from amongst them and all
harm. My Lady Harborte, with all her youth and buttie, is deed
of a spotted feuer, I which is uery rife at London: she is much
lamented. M=r= Tressurer is taken in his rite hand with a ffitt
of the ded palsie, as he was sitting down to supper. I haue
sente yo=r= La=e= a littill barrell of Seffill oullifs: thay say
thay are uery good for the spleene, if thay bee eaten in a
morning
fasting, and disgested by sum exsersise. S=r= Thomas Stafford
and M=r= Gorge Elliot presents ther saruis to yo=r= La=pe= and
my faire sister, to whoom with my saruis I wish all happie
suckses, and bege yo=r= blessing for and too us all, and so
humbly kis yo=r= La=p's= 
<P 273>
hands as, Madam, Yo=r= La=p's= trv affectinate dautter and
humble saruant, Eliza Cornewalleis.
   The King has sente M=r= Harry Murry to see his sister the
Queene of Boheme: she has had many fits of ane ague. The Dutches
of Richman is uery uell recouered againe.
   Grinwich, the 4 of June [\1634\] .

<Q COR 1635 N3BACON>
<A NICHOLAS BACON>
<P 273>
[} [\CLXXXI. NICHOLAS BACON TO JANE LADY BACON, HIS MOTHER.\] }]
[^TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Mother,
   I might bee accused of a greate deale of negligence if I
shoulde not, as often as I have any occasion, present my most
humble duty unto your La=p=; and I doe hope, Maddame, to
performe your La=p's= promise to my tutor for mee in regaining
y=e= time I have lost. Maddame, y=e= tailor saieth, for gownes,
either a wrought silke grogorine or a tuffe taffety in graine,
y=e= colour greene or tawny, which your La=p= pleaseth; for
sowing hee requireth 2 yardes of velvet or plush, which your
La=p= pleaseth: he requireth fourteen yardes for y=e= gowne,
besides the facings, of half a yarde broade. N. B.
Cambridge, May 23 [\1635\] .

<Q COR 1635 N3BACON>
<A NICHOLAS BACON>
<P 274>
[} [\CLXXXII. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NICHOLAS BACON TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Mother,
   I never faile as oft as occasions shew themselves of
presenting my humble duty to your La=p=. I doe count it a great
happinesse, that, whilst I am deprived of your La=p's= sight, I
have the oportunity to doe so in writing; and I very much wishe,
Maddam, I could as well expresse it in words as it is really in
my heart: but your La=p= knoweth my dissability that way, and
therefore I hope you will excuse all faults committed in the
writing. Thus, Maddam, humbly craving your La=p's= blessing, I
rest, Maddam, 
   Yo=r= La=p's= most obedient childe,
   Nic. Bacon,
   My aunt Walgrave presents her humble service. Maddam, I shall
desire yo=r= La=p= to buy mee a blacke hatt, for that bever I
have begins to decay.
[\1635.\]
   To my deare and loving mother, the Lady Bacon, presente
these.

<Q COR 1635 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 274>
[} [\CLXXXIII. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Sister,
   These are to intrete you to let M=r= Meautys and myselfe to
understand the sertintie of your
<P 275>
determinate resolution, whether you will be pleased to assist us
in sending us one 100+L, and to paye yourselfe againe, as he
hath formerly writt unto you ... I can write noe nuse, but that
there is in these parts many trubbles: the Prince of Orringe his
armies and the French are joined together, but, before they did
meete, the King of France his armie did give unto the King of
Spaine's armie a great overthrow, in number slane and maimed
9000 men. I was very lately by her Ma=tie= the Queen of Bohemia,
who hath bine very sicke of an ague. She was pleased to tell me
she had bine that day 6 weekes sicke that I was with her
Ma=tie=, and that in the time she had 23 fits; first she was soe
extreme ill, that every fit held her Ma=tie= 12 houres long. Her
Ma=tie= told me she was so weake that she was not able to stand
upon her legs; but now, praised be God! she begins to mend
finelie. I must needes tell you I am much her Ma=tie's= humble
servant, for she is pleased to use me with a great deal of
favour. Her Ma=tie= hath done me the honor to give me some of
her own linen to make me clothes, and likewise some of her own
wareing linen for myselfe, which she had wont to ware herselfe
in child-bed. And although it hath pleased the Lord to laye many
trubbels and afflictions upon my deare husband & myselfe, yet I
thanke God it is His mercie towards us to give us a good repute.
My sweethart is now away from 
<P 276>
me, but I hope his absence will not be long. I am much your
servant that you are pleased to let me understand of the
wellfare and towardlynes of my son Hercules; for my other
littell sonne, I have never bine so happie as once to heare
whether he is dead or alive, since my coming over; &, although I
have written diverse letters to my neece Radcliffe, I have never
receaved any from her. I am so tedious, but love has no bounds
in my affection to you, and soe
   I remain infinitely yours,
   Anna Meautys.
Delft, June 1, 1635.
   I hope my sweete neece Anne is married before this; in which,
if it be so, I wish her much happines. 
   To my deare sister the Lady Bacon, at Culfourd.

<Q COR 1636 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 277>
[} [\CLXXXIV. SIR T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Syster,
   It was my fortune to come home att the same tyme my wyfe
receued y=r= letter and bill of exchange of a hundred pounds for
the three haulfe yeares due att Mid Sommer next, for w=ch= I
giue y=u= many kinde thancks; and, vntill that came, wee weare
holly out of moneys, in regarde of the ill payement w=ch= the
Stats macks vnto vs. I am sorry to reede in y=r= letter to my
wyfe, that my sonne is soe hard to learne, but I heere that it
proceeds not from deulnes of spiritt, but rather from wildnes,
w=ch= tyme may allter in him; for, yf I bee not deseued, hee is
licke vnto his second sister, whome, I prayse God for, is a fine
quick spiryted childe, but some thing hard to learne: but then
my eldest gyrle is much the contrary, and of a good memory, and
learnes more then I can finde meanes to haue tought hir, and I
maye saye hath all reddie sooed all hir wylde oats, soe much a
whoman is shee grone, God bles hir! My wyfe and my selfe are
much troubled in regarde wee cannot heere any thinge of ower
childe in Lankess-shire, wee haueinge sent soe many letters
theather, but can receue one ansour att all againe, neather dooe
wee knowe for the present weare to direct ower letters. 
<P 278>
I confes that I loue my children well, but I had rather to haue
none att all, then to haue them soe; but att my cominge for
Ingland I will cause him, yf that hee be aliue, to be fetched
from the place weare hee is. Thus, w=th= the remembrance of my
loue to y=u=, I rest
   Y=r= affect=e= lovinge brother,
   T. Meautys.
Delfe, the ij of June 1636.
   For my deere syster the Lady Bacon, att hir howse att
Coulfurd in Suffolcke, these.
 
<Q COR 1635 N3BACON>
<A NICHOLAS BACON>
<P 278>
[} [\CLXXXV. NICHOLAS BACON TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Mother,
   I, according to your Ladyships commands and my humble former
promises, present my respects dutifull to your Ladyship. 'Tis a
troublesome time, I confesse, now; yet nothing may hinder a
ready hart from breaking out into this paper service. I suppose
your Ladyship expects to heare something concerning Dr. Sibes:
the newes is the worst we can send, for God hath removed him
from a mastership here to the fellowship of Himself and blessed
angels. A post this night gave us notice of his departure this
morning. God turne all to the best. My tutor & M=r= Pots
recommend
<P 279>
their humble service to your Ladyship; and I, as duty bindes me,
close my letter with nothing but this, that I resolve to remaine
   Yo=r= Ladyship's most obedient sonne,
   Nich. Bacon.
Cambridge, July 6, 1635.
   To my deare mother, the Lady Bacon, at Culforde, present
these.

<Q COR 1635 N3BACON>
<A NICHOLAS BACON>
<P 279>
[} [\CLXXXVI. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^NICHOLAS BACON TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Mother,
   I humbly desire your La=p= not to thinke it out of any
neglect that there came no letter from me this weeke, for I had
written, and the carrier was gone to bedd and would not rise.
Madam, we have, I hope, a very good master, which is some
comfort to us for the losse of D=r= Sibes. Madam, I shall desire
to waight upon your La=p= when my brother & sister come downe,
if it please your La=p=; for I shall herein, and all other
things, submit I myselfe to your La=p's= pleasure, that so I may
performe the part of 
   Yo=r= La=p's= most obedient sonne, 
   Nicholas Bacon.
Cambridge, July 15, 1635.

<Q COR 1635 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 280>
[} [\CLXXXVII. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Mother,
   I hope your La=p= was pleased to receiue my wiefe's excuse, &
so to pardon mee that I had not the honor to write to your La=p=
the last weeke; for, iust as I was aboute it, the Kinge sent mee
in a greate deale of haste to my Lorde Sauage, whoo, for all my
speede, I founde deade beefore I came. Hee hath leafte noe will,
& they say that his debts are a greate deale more then his
fortune will bee after my Lord Riuers his death, espetially if
hee shoulde die beefore my Ladie. Madam, all the other newes is
of the ariuall of the Prince Elector, whoo came to the court
vpon Saterday night. I was sente w=th= a message a Friday to
meet him at Rochester; and vpon Saterday morning my Lorde of
Douer, my Lo=rd= Maltravers, w=th= ther gentillmen, did fech him
to Gravesend, wheare my Lord Marshall met him from the King, &
my Lorde Goring from the Queene, w=th= diuers Earls, Lords, &
gentillmen, whoo did bring him to the Tower by water; and there
weare the King's & Queene's coches to receive him, w=th= thirtie
coches more, 
<P 281>
having 6 horsesse a pice. Hee was received at Whitehall w=th= a
greate deale of state in generall, w=ch= hath giuen the worlde
much satisfaction & makes all men think that this iourney will
conduce much to the good of his affaiers. Wee are all now at
Theobals, wheare wee shall stay till Saterday, & then retourne
againe to London, &, I thinke, the next weeke to Hamton Court.
Madam, this is all the newes; for that w=ch= I shall say to you
of my selve will bee none, w=ch= is, that I haue bin faine to
pay away all the little monie that M=r= Morse brought to stop
some few people's mouths, & yet it will not halfe satisfie them;
so that I haue not a shilling left for my selve, nor know not
what to doe, vnlesse your La=p= will bee plesed to take mee into
your consideration, w=ch= if your La=p= shall please to doe now
at this time, you will eternaly oblige, Madam,
   Your La=p's= most affectionately obedient sonne, 
   F. Cornwalleis.
   Madam, I will not faile to waite on your La=p= at Broom at
the awdit.
   Theobals, November 26, 1635.

<Q COR 1636 ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 281>
[} [\CLXXXVIII. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }]
[^TO JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Mother,
   It was your favore to me that made me sende to the carrier to
inquire after my letters, which I 
<P 282>
shulde be much to blame to neglect without just excuse, sins you
are pleased to give them so good acceptans; but I beleave the
carriers, or some belonging to them, very faulty. I am sure they
have been so to me this winter. I had my man Woddull at
Newmarket this weak, and it was sum trubble to my mind that he
shuld com so neere and not waite of yo=r= Ladyship; but his
bisnes was not mine, but my Lady Holland's, for she borrod him
to go to Cambrey upon the report that the Prins Elector wod not
go there. Madam I humbly thanck you for yo=r= good news of my
husband and his bairns, and for yo=r= love and favor to us all,
which I beseech God to rewarde you for us all with His saving
grace; and I beleave, that yf my husband had staide lounger with
yo=r= La=p=, which I shud a bene glad of, he wod a bene cleane
well: but I heare he means to be hear Satterday, therefore I
will not write to him. Madam, I have not seene M=r= Morse, but
I did much feare that he wod be so neare coming up when my
husband came down, that there wod be nothing now don in his
bisnes: and M=r= Morse tould me that yo=r= La=p= might have
assurance and the remainder settled there as well as here, which
I was very glad of; for I know yo=r= La=p= cannot com here but
with much trubble and charge, and we had nede be as sparing of
that as we can in small matters, sins
<P 283>
nesessity forses us to crave yo=r= assistans in so great a
proportion; for trewly, Madam, if you do not helpe, I much feare
all will be naught. But trewly, Madam, my husband is very good;
but, if he put his estat into a stranger's hand, I shall never
looke to see any part of it againe: but for yo=r= favor to me in
desiring to keep my joynture free, I cannot saye enuff, but I
shall laye it up in a thankful harte with yo=r= many other
kindnesses. But I hope my husband will be willing to give yo=r=
La=p= any assurance that you pleas, and trewly, Madam, the more
tie you have upon him and his estate the gladder I shall be, for
I veryly beleve it will be [{best{] for him; and I pray God give
us all a happie meeting. But when I think how troublesome I have
been, and how unplesing company I must yet be to every body, I
recall my wishes, and hope that God will give me that hapines
when I shall be more capable of it then now I could, being so
often ill: but, Madam, if I do think of any thing that my
stomach will sarve me to eat, I will make such use of your kind
favour, for which I humbly thank you=r= La=p=, that you shall be
sure to hear of me. My sister Jarvess and her husband wear with
me this day; they both present ther sarvis to yo=r= La=p=.
Gordon, the oulde blade, presents his humble sarvis and thanks
for the chees; and says yo=r= La=p's= kindness is much more to
him then the chees, and that one of thes
<P 284>
days he will present you with an eppissell. My Lord Carlell is
hugely amended after his fissick, and, they say now, will not
die at this time. Sum says hear that the Tresurer's stafe shall
be carred by a paire of lawn slevess. I have given my cosen
Randolph yo=r= La=p's= letters. I humbly kiss your hands, as
   Yo=r= La=p's= most affectionate daughter, 
   Eliza Cornwalleis. 
   Pray, Madam, be pleased to bles and bus the babs for me. Sir
Thomas Stafford presents his sarvis: he is pitteously in love,
and som times he's in hope and som times in despare, and
what will be his ende I know not. The Prins of the Temple, they
say, has sent to offer his sarvis to my cosen Semer, and they
say she has refused him; but they say that by Ester, or before,
we shall have two of our French women married to Inglishmen,
Crittian to S=r= Thom=s= Shelly's son, and Cattoe to M=r= Arpe.
The Quene went this day to Wallingforde, but in her chaire.
S=t= James's, on Thursday the 4 of February 1635-6.

<Q COR 1636 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 285>
[} [\CLXXXIX. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother,
   I am extreame sorrie that this occation is hapened, which
makes me sende this messenger to kisse your hands and to tell
you that I believe Sir Arthur Capell is uncapable either to
serve your La=p= or his nephew by reason of an unfortunate
accident which hath happened to him lately, which was the
killing of Sir John Jenithrope in a duel, which although it wear
fairly and with a great deal of pressing, so that he is not in
danger for his life, yet by it, till after his trial, he is
uncapable to follow any sute in law, and he himself is much
disordered by it; the more because the gentillman that he killed
and he had been a long time verie good friends. The particular
relation I leave to my wife's man.
   Now, Madam, I have nothing more to say, not being able to
advise, only to expect yo=r= La=p's= commands, which shall be
obeied by, Madam, 
   Yo=r= affectionate and obedient sonne,
   F. Cornwalleis.
S=t= James's, May 4, 1636.

<Q COR 1636 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 286>
[} [\CXC. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Sister,
   Although I haue wriet diuers letters vnto y=o=, of w=ch= as
yet I haue not receiued any answare of them, yet such is my
affection to y=o=, y=t= I can omit noe vpportunitie to doe y=o=
seruies. M=r= Meautys is in y=e= feeld before y=e= Conac, y=t=
y=e= enime hath taken this summer agin from vs. I haue not seene
him this halfe yeare, and I feere a winter campayn will detaine
him y=e= longer from mee, in y=t= he hath y=e= command ouer
those companies y=t= lies there. Y=e= Queene of Bohemia is now
in y=e= Hage; she was pleased to doe me y=t= honor to be
godmother to my child, y=e= w=ch= I was ignorrant of vntill y=e=
Queene's retorne from Rine. I told her M=tie= y=t= y=o= was y=e=
other godmother, y=e= w=ch= shee was very well pleased to
vnderstand; her Ma=tie= telling of mee y=t= shee did know y=o=
to bee a lady y=t= was indued w=th= a great dell of honour and
virtue, & y=t= in her knowledg y=o= did loue yo=r= brother very
well, w=ch= was a thing most commandible in y=o=: indeede,
Sister, her Ma=tie= doth use you w=th= much fauor, and hath
promised me y=t= what soeuer doth lie in her power to doe mee
good shee will not faile to perform it: shee was pleased to giue
vnto my littell Jane a fine present, w=ch= M=r= Meautys did send
mee from Arnheim.
<P 287>
Deare Sister, in my other letters I did desier y=o= to send vs
ouer y=e= monie; w=ch=, if y=o= please, should bee very wellcome
vnto vs. Thus, wishing much happiness vnto y=o= and y=ors=,
   I remaine redy to doe y=o= seruise in all true affection to
my end,
   Anna Meautys.
Deft, y=e= 9=th= of June 1636.
   Deare Sister, if y=o= please, send mee word how my Hercules
doth, to whome I send my blessing. 
   To the Lady Bacon, at Culford.

<Q COR 1637 ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 287>
[} [\CXCI. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Mother,
   I hope you have by this time recovered the werines of your
jurney, and given our babs leave to come to you. My Lady
Nuport's daughters' was not the plague, thanks be to God! Truly,
Madam, I did much feare your being very wery of so long and
solitary a jurny; and my husband said that he was sorry he was
putt to ask to stay, for that case staies him still in town, as
he says to me, for I have not as yet seen him sins that day that
you wente out of towne; but he on Sunday sent M=r= Tom Howard to
me, that I would be reddy to goe,
<P 288>
into the beginning of the nexte weeke. I sent him worde I would
do what I could; but now, I thinke, I shall not come so soone,
because the Queene is now resolved to stay hear till Michlemas,
and I have been some times away of late, so that I shude do well
to wait a fortnight or 3 weeks, and besides I wod willingly know
what will become of my mother's appearle affair, so that I wrote
to my husband by this messenger not to stay for me after he have
dispatched his owne affayres; and when I am coming down, I will
beg the favor of your cotche's meeting me at ... Madam, I can
say nothing of Sir Tho., only, as soone as you were gone, he
went to lead me up to your chamber, and then he said to me and I
to him as before, and soe he went away, and I saw him noe more.
Then my husband and I went to bed into your bed, and at nine
o'clock I rose and sent for M=r= Morse, who read all the
writings to my husband as he lay, and then he sealed them, and
bade M=r= Morse put them with the writings. I wished the fine
and all had bene passed, but I hope it will. The King went
yesterday to Tibal's, and comes not till Saterday. The Queene is
much delighted with her howse. Madam, I reseved, I humbly thanke
you, your ring by Tom Howard, and he tould me that your La=p=
meant to goe through that night. Truly, my good Mother, I very
much long to hear how you
<P 289>
do, and how you got home; and so I hope I shall by him that
carries this to London. Truly, Madam, I am so much bound to you
for your love and care of me and mine, as no creature is more;
therfore all I can say is so littell. But God rewarde you, and I
humbly besech God to bless us all with His saving grace, and to
give us all a happie meeting. Madam,
   Y=r= La=p's= true affectionat daughter and humble sarvant,
   Eliza Cornwaleis.
Otlands, the 11 of Julye 1637.

<Q COR 1639 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 289>
[} [\CXCII. SIR T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Sister, 
   Sence the rytinge of my last, allthough I much desired it, I
haue not harde from y=u=. My retourne to the Hage beinge upon
the sudden, occationed by the death of one of my children, that
giues mee meanes to rite att this time vnto y=u=, and to desier
y=u= that the haulfe yeare's anewytie, w=ch= will be dew att
this somer next, maye be transported ouer vnto my wyfe in my
absence by a letter of exchange, whoes acquittance y=u= shall
receue for the same. Y=r= frinds, M=r= Laurence and his wife,
are in good health att Arnheim, the ayer of w=ch= place is uery
agreeable vnto them, as to the rest of the
<P 290>
good sosietye that liue there: they speeke honourably of y=u=
and I dooe perswade myselfe woulde be glad to dooe y=u= any
servis in their power. Thus, kissinge y=r= hands, I rest
   Y=r= affecty=e= brother and servant,
   T. Meautys.
Hage, this 6 Maye 1639.
   For my deere sister, the Lady Bacon, att Culfourd.

<Q COR 1639 ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 290>
[} [\CXCIII. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Mother,
   I humbly thanke you for your kind letter and desire of my
company, which truly, Madam, is very pleasinge to me, and I
shude be very glad to see pratteling Frede, yo=r= La=p=, and all
the rest of my good frends at cheerly Culford, if I coulde: but,
alas! Madam, I feare I shall not this somere, because it is so
near spent, and now M=rs= Arpe looks within a weeke, and my
poore Lady Shelly is going away for a month to Sir Thomas
Shelly's, to see if that air will do her any good for her case;
if not, she must presently away for France, for Doctor Caddiman
says, if she lose this season, it will be too late for her to
go; so that, Madam, by these resons yo=r= La=p= may know that I
must do as I may. But, Madam, though I see not our babs, yet my
comforte is that within 2 months I 
<P 291>
shall have the happines of seeing her that, under God, is the
preserver of our babs; for whom with myselfe I give to yo=r=
La=p= humble thanks, humbly beseching God to bless us all with
His saving grace, and to give us happie meetings when it shall
please Him. I am sorry silly Harriote is still so great a
wagler, for now I shall feare her not out growing it; but God's
will be done: and for Frede, I think the best is your opinion of
not letting him use them till it shall please God to give him
more strength. I beseche yo=r= La=p= to bless them all, and be
pleased to present my sarvis to my sister and brother. I have
sente him his sworde by the carrior. I have obaied your com~ands
to me. Lady Denbigh remembers her sarvis to yo=r= La=p=, and
gives you many thanks for your fine recete. My Lady Duches yet
houlds out still; she is yet at her aunte of Richmond's, so that
now we see her but seldom. Monday was my Lord Felding's marage
day; but so private, that his mother did
<P 292>
not know, or at lest pretended ignorans to every body: theare
was nobody at the marage but the 2 fathers, the man and the
woman, and one doctor, at a church in London. The which daye
thear had like to have bene a great duell fought on horseback
betwene my Lord of Holland and my Lord Nucasell; but, God be
thanked! by His marsy it was prevented, for they had fought 3
to 3, and it might have begott many quarels: it seams it was
something about their cullears flying at the army; but now all
is well, and they good frends againe, The Knight Marshall should
have bene second to my Lord Holland, and one M=r= Palms to my
Lord Nucasell; and M=r= Walter Mountagu, taking a supposition on
Sunday night upon seeing Palms with my Lord Holland, on Monday
by daye light went to my Lord Holland, and hung on him like a
bur that is not to be shaken off, by which meanes before they
could finde one to fight with him, they wear found out by my
Lord Nuport and M=r= Wilmotte; but the brute first ran about the
towne that it was my Lord Essex and Holland, because, as it
seems, that M=r= Palms keeps much with Essex. Madam, I shude
have sente yo=r= La=p= worde last weeke of 2 warrants that my
husband has given, one to M=r= Fenne, our clarke, and one to
M=r= Cosin,
<P 293>
M=r= Treasurer's stuarde; 'twas partly by my meanes. Madam, I
now have the writing for the stuardshepe of Aye from the
atturney, and have sente it to M=r= Lucas for my Lord to present
to the Queene for her hande, with telling him that, as soone as
her Ma=tie's= hand was at it, I shude send to him again from
you, meaning the hundred pound; which he semed willing to
understand, for his answer was, that if his Lord did not get the
Queene's hand within 3 or 4 dayes, he wode returne it to me
againe to presente to the Queene, for her hand must be to it
before we can get the seales. So, Madam, yesterday I wrote to
M=r= Fenne to pray him to provide a hundred pound against the
end of this weeke or the begin~ing of the next; but he gave it
to Josias, and I shall kepe it till next weeke that I reseave
your plesure, though it be signed in the meane time; and for
M=r= Lucas's own rewarde, I shall, according to your directions,
eyther give him what you plese, or tell him that you will be his
debtor till Michaelmas tearme that you come up: but, Madam, the
wrighting this makes me sweate, because we are so chargeable
every way that I am ashamed of it. I pray God give us gras to be
thankfull, and in good time to make good use of your love and
favour to us, for, truly, Madam, many wod be wery of doing so
much; for all which, with your huge kindnes, God
<P 294>
rewarde you! And, my good Mother, I must now conclude with
beging your prayers and blessing to and for us all, and so I
humbly kis your hands as, Madam,
   Yo=r= La=p's= tru affectionat daughter and humble sarvante,
   Eliza Cornwaleis.
White-Hall, the 15 of August 1639.
   I beleve Charles will think M=r= Fenne's absence very long;
and, yf I had thought of his going there, I should have beged of
your La=p= that, going or coming, he might have looked upon our
new purchas: it is just as forward as the stuardeshepe, and yet,
for aught I know, it may be a fortnight ere they get all the
seales, because some of the lessees are yet out of towne. Madam,
this is all the papers that has bene found about the chambor
sins your going. George Elliote's sarvis must not be forgot. I
say nothing of my husband, because he says he will write
himselfe. I thanke God he is very vell.

<Q COR 1641 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 294>
[} [\CXCIV. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My deare sister,
   I give you manie thanks for your kind letter, which I receved
by M=r= Meautys's ancient, who tells me he is very much your
servant for your kind
<P 295>
intertanement of him, the which we both take really as done to
ourselves. I understand by him my niece is maried; I pray God
make her happie, and I doe sincerely wish that all things may
fall out to your contentment. This gentellman doth not fale to
acquaint me how judissially carefull you are of the education of
our sonne, and by his relation gives me much hope and comfort of
him: therfore, in the first degree, I render God the prayse for
the present comfort, not doubting, if the Lord shall be pleased
to increse the number of his dayes, your haveing layed soe good
a foundation, but that the expectation of his futer time shall
be blessed in honoring of his Maker; and, secondly, in rendering
you all humble and dutiefull thanks for your tender care and
true affection which you have been pleased to bestow upon him.
   Thus, with my prayers to the Almightie for you and all yours,
I kiss your hands, 
   Yo=r= most affectionate and truly loving sister, ever to
serve you, 
   Anna Meautys.
Hage, 19 of Maye 1641.

<Q COR 1641 FCORNWALLIS>
<A FREDERIC CORNWALLIS>
<P 296>
[} [\CXCV. SIR F. CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
My deere Mother, 
   I am extream sensible of your La=p's= indisposition of
health, and truly I should omitt so much of my dutie, if, with
all the power I have, I should not importune you, even on my
knees, to doe somthing speedily for your La=p's= preservation.
Madam, I heare by my sister, whome I have had time but just to
see, and also by my wife's letters, that your La=p= is
inclinable to a dropsie. I neede not tell you how dangerous that
disease is, if not timely prevented; but, Madam, give me leave
to desire you most humbly, if not for your own sake, yet for
your children's sake, for my pore children's sake, nay, even for
God's sake, that you will be pleased to come up to this towne
and aske the advise of our phisitians here, who say that the
waters at Tunbrige are extreame good for your condition. Madam,
this I should have saide to you myselfe, but that in good faith
we are here in such disorder, and nobody left, that the King
will not let me bee awaie, not for a night; but, as soon as I
can get but two daies' libertie, I will not faile to be with
you. Madam, I have but one thing more to say; that is, humbly to
beg, that, when your La=p= hears of our greate disorders and
troubles here, you will be pleased to believe that hitherto I
have carried myselfe
<P 297>
with a reasonable clear reputation on both sides, I meane the
King's and Parliament's; so I shall continue still to doe
nothing that may render me unworthy either of my mother or
countrie, or for your La=p= not still to esteem me, Madam, 
   Y=r= most affectionately obedient childe,
   F. Cornwalleis.
Whitehall, June 18, 1641.
   For my honored mother, the Lady Bacon.
   I refer for newes to Church his letter.

<Q COR 1641 ECORNWALLIS>
<A ELIZABETH CORNWALLIS>
<P 299>
[} [\CXCVII. ELIZA LADY CORNWALLIS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO
JANE CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Mother,
   What to say to your busines I do not as yet know, for we are
still fed with hopes, which to me are no satisfaction till I see
performans; for all this weeke we have been tould by Lorde -,
that he wode do all that in him laye as much as for himselfe,
and that I shud never know all that he wod say to them, but if
they shude go from their words, that then he wod have a bill put
in, and then he wode make short worke with them. I desired that
if theare were a meeting appoynted, that it might be heare in
his chamber, that I and my brother might be theare too. I
carried M=r= Fenne to him at his chamber heare on Friday, that
he might be the better known to his Lordship, and tould him that
he and your solissitor had no other busines in towne but the
attendans of this: and every day sins M=r= Fenne has sought him
at his chamber, and I in the galleries, and Josias at
Westminster, yet we missed him, and still put
<P 300>
from day to day by one ocation or other that we coulde not
exsepte against; and to night he tould me that M=r= Cappell had
bene with him to day againe, and that Sir Tho. wod be in towne
tomorrow, and that then they wod 4 or 5 of them meete aboute it,
and that he need not doubt but that they shude make a good and
peasable end, and that tomorrow night or Saturday they wode
waite of his Lordship againe; and my Lord has promised me that
if theare be any meeting appoynted before him, which I tould him
I extremely desired, that he might see and judge of the justnes
and resonablenes of the accounte, that I shude have notice of
the time, and I wish words may be kept of all sides, which till
I see done I cannot much credit. Madam, I ask your pardon for
not giving you all this time an account of our cosin's husband;
truly I had it 2 or 3 times in my hede when I went to write, and
still like a best forgot it: but, Madam, he had not the plas,
for the Kinge wod not speake, nor ever did he say he wode, as it
seemed; for, when I came to put the Queene in minde of what they
tould me she had already promised, she toulde me, No indeed, she
had not promised at all, for all she said was to Doctor Caddiman
that she wode speak to the King, but she was much afraid he wode
not do it, because he did not love to do it. And now, my good
Mother, with your pardon I also bege your
<P 301>
prayers and blessing to and for us all: so humbly kisse your
hands as, Madame,
   Yo=r= La=p's= true affectionate daughter and humble sarvante,
   Eliza Cornwaleis.
   My Earle of Cumberland is dead, and, they say, the King of
Spaine. Madame Wantlete and George Elliote presents there sarvis
to your La=p=. Mine, I beseche yo=r= La=p=, to my brother and
sister and our bairns. The King's children come to towne on
Tuesday for all winter; the Prins and Duke York to Durham House,
the two daughters and your master to Somerset. My Lady Shelton
has the small pox; they feared the Prins, but he is well.
[\1641.\]

<Q COR 1642 T1MEAUTYS>
<A SIR THOMAS MEAUTYS>
<P 301>
[} [\CXCVIII. SIR T. MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deere Sister,
   The opertounytye faveringe the occation, after too years'
space that I haue receued noe lynes from you, I woulde not pas
by it w=th=out rytinge somethinge that maye onely let you knowe
y=t= you haue a brother yet alyue and in health, to dooe y=u=
service, and reddy to expres his loue vnto y=u= upon
<P 302>
occation yf y=u= shall commande him. The tymes as they now are,
or maye be, may invyte y=u= to vse me booth by waye of fact and
counsell; yf it dooe, I will not fayle y=u= in neather to the
vtmost of my abillytye and power. Thus in haste I rest
   Y=r= affect' lovinge brother and servant, 
   T. Meautys.
Hage, the 28 of Aprill 1642. 
   For my deere sister, the Lady Bacon these.

<Q COR 1642 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 302>
[} [\CXCIX. ANNE LADY MEAUTYS TO JANE LADY BACON.\] }] [^TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Sister,
   The ernest desier I haue to heare of yo=r= health makes mee
indeuore to find out y=e= securest meanes y=t= these lines may
come w=th= saftie into yore handes, y=e= times afording mee soe
conuenient an vpportunitie by y=e= occation of my neese
Cornwalles being here, whose sosietie is soe exceeding good,
y=t=, were it not pregudiciall to hir y=t= I soe much loue and
honor, I wish I might allwayes inioy y=e= happienes of soe
deserueing a friend; but this age of mutilletie permites vs noe
sertintie of comfort long, and therefore w=th= patience I must
condicend to what is determyned by y=e= greater Power. My neue
Bacon is very well, and is pleased some times to come
<P 303>
and visset his vnkle and mee. I should take it very well if y=u=
would spare soe much time as to write to mee: I haue recomended
diuers letters vnto y=o= sence I receued those monies w=ch= was
due att Chrismas last, and likewise acknowlidgeing my selfe much
ingaged to y=o= for yo=r= gift y=o= was pleased to send mee, and
w=th= God's permission I will not deseest in my prayers y=t= Hee
would restore it againe to y=o= and yo=rs= y=e= good y=t= you
are pleased to doe to mee and mine. Now I desier y=o=, deare
Sister, y=t= monies, w=ch= will be due att Midsomer next, y=o=
will bee pleased to giue order to him y=t= y=o= shall command,
y=t= I may receue it against y=e= day, in y=t= M=r= Meautys hath
disposed of those monies to my youse and my children's, and y=t=
those monies may bee retorned vnto mee according to y=t= rate
y=t= y=e= exchange is now att, and by y=e= same partie y=t= I
receued it last of. Thus, commiting y=o= and all yo=rs= into
y=e= protection of y=e= Allmightie, I conclude now and euer to
bee
   Yo=r= most affectshonate loueing sister to serue y=o= to my
end,
   Anna Meautys.
Hage, the 25=th= of Maye 1642.
   My deare sister, the Lady Bacon, at Colford, these.

<Q COR 1644 AMEAUTYS>
<A ANNE MEAUTYS>
<P 304>
[} [\CC. THE SAME TO THE SAME.\] }] [^ANNE MEAUTYS TO JANE
CORNWALLIS^]
Deare Sister,
   Although I cannot bee soe happie to receiue yo=e= lines, yett
yo=e= kind rememberance hath not failed to give mee an assured
testimonie of yo=e= ferme and conciderable affection in
condicending vnto my request, coming in a time soe acceptable,
y=t=, had it not bine, I and mine had not had where w=th=all to
haue subsisted; therefore thinke y=t= y=e= haue releeued soe
many dieing soules, w=ch= had suffered, had not God ordained
y=o= to bee y=e= meanes of our presaruation. To this day my
husband is still att Arnheim, and is so misearablely intreted by
there iniustice, y=t= in this spase of a yeare hee hath not bine
able to send mee any monie or to come vnto mee, and through his
heuie troubbles and wantes hee is grone very sickelie, and hath
of late bine soe extreme ill, y=t= those y=t= ware neere him was
doubtfull of his recouerie; and allthough it is in these partes
ill trauelling in y=e= winter sesone, y=et= I doe intend to goe
and see him, and to leaue my chilldren att my howse in y=e= Hage
vntill my retorne, for there is noe venturing to take them w=th=
me; but my resolution is to come suddinelie bake againe. Thus,
w=th= my prayers vnto the Allmightie to presarue y=o= and all
yo=rs= in these dangerous times from
<P 305>
all calamities, I commit yo vnto His protection, and rest Yo'
most affectshonatt sister to my end,
   Anna Meautys.
Hage, y=e= 5=th= of Jenuary, y=e= nue stile, 1644.
   To my most deare and much honoured sister, the Lady Bacon,
att Culford.



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