I thank you for your horses. I send you a hogshead of November beer, methinks good, and a barrel also of the same brewing which I did cause the brewer then to tun of the first tap of the same brewing, and so strong, because at that time it was thought you would come to Redburn, and I meant it to you: it is so strong as I would not drink ordinarily to my meals, but do you use it to your most good; in any wise when these two vessels be empty let them be returned by the cart. I cannot want [do without] them indeed, and they be strong, besides divers other vessels of mine sent to your sundry places. I did at one time send six together, if not seven, to Redburn, and I paid viis. for heading and hooping and seasoning of them ; howsoever they make you pay afterward. I did so in truth. I pray remember Groom's ill handling, and curb it well for all his naughty and tippling mates. I wrong my men, living well and Christianly in their honest vocation, to suffer them to be ill entreated and myself contemned; I mean not so. Crosby purposeth to be with you on Monday if God will, and your corn ready.

Your mother,

A. B.

Yesterday, seeing my sister Russell at the Blackfriars house, after the sermon, I found her very much grieved, and her words charging my Lord Treasurer of very unkind dealing in a matter very chargeable to [her], and a slight end procured, she said to her hurt, with tears on account of him. I saw her so lamenting, I said I would write to Sir

Y

APP.

II. 11.

Robert Cecil. "No, no," said she, "it is too late; he hath
marred all, and that against my counsel's liking at all.”
But [do] not you nor your brother intermeddle in it nor be
a knowing of it. I pray you show your brother this, and
let him not take knowledge lest you both set on work;
and for that HOWARD, once again be very ware as of a
subtle serpent. Burn all, for fear of the servants. Be
not hasty to remove. Your drink well used, and not set
abroach all at once, above the bung first, then by degrees
lower once or twice, will be better and last long, saith the
brewer. York House lease is not here, as I said to my
cousin Kemp. Mr. Bayley hath seen every place pur-
posely to satisfy my Lord Keeper. I do not remember
that ever I saw any lease from the Bishop sealed, but by
parley and trust betwixt both. Farewell.
Farewell. The brewer,
who is now here, saith that your beer now sent, well
handled, will drink well a month's space. Let not your
servants beguile you secretly or openly. Use your legs in
any wise and daily, lest they fail you when you would;
neglect not in time, and serve the Lord with all your
heart.

II. 12.

LADY BACON TO ANTHONY BACON.

(Orig. Lambeth MSS. 651, fol. 102.)

May, 1595.

Grace, and the love of the Lord in Christ.-Your beer, well handled I trust, is meant to be sent to-morrow early. The brewer hath been careful himself. I had no brewing, I dare say these twelve months, more diligently attended upon of my servants; if the carriers do their part, and all were well watched and looked to in the cellar, it is thought for your own special use it will last till nigh Michaeltide, both for quantity and quality. As

LADY BACON TO ANTHONY BACON.

323

you appointed it is brewed, 8 hogsheads in all, and of the chiefest beer 2 hogsheads, marked with an S on each side of the wheel mark; the third, somewhat less strong, being a second, is marked, likewise with chalk, with a smaller wheel mark, and one only S, by it to know it rightly. All the other five alike. God give you the right use of all His gifts to God's glory and your own farther advancement and true comfort.

The rowelled horse I had no mind to indeed, nor the horse Master Spencer rode on. Lawson thrust in here his and others smuttled and spoiled beast. The horse is full of windgalls, a token of very spoiling in riding and dressing. Grass is here yet but poor and scant, and I must turn out shortly my two service geldings of necessity. I will not change my own faulty husband's horse for yours, both heavy and stumbling, and never broken for such a toward horse when you first had him. Diverse of my folk now sickly. God increase your health I pray God, and be merciful to us both.

I thank you for your comely mastiff; it is supposed he will hunt after sheep; he is too old; I durst not prove him yet.

App.

II. 12.

Your mother,

You had a mind to have the long carpet and the ancient learned philosopher's picture from hence: but, indeed, I had no mind thereto, yet have I sent them, very carefully bestowed and laid in a hamper for safety in carriage.

APP.

For the carpet, being without gold, you shall not I II. 13. think have the like at this time in London, for the right,

and not painted, colours; which is too common in this age in more things than carpets, and such it is for all not of late bought worth you to buy. Such implements as your father left I have very diligent locked in and kept. You have now bared this house of all the best; a wife would have well regarded such things, but now they shall serve for use of gaming or tippling upon the table of every common person, your own men as well as others, and so be spoiled as at Redburn. I would think that John, your tailor, should be fittest to look well to your furniture. God, I humbly beseech Him, increase in you daily spiritual store, and also the comfort of bodily health and other comforts of this life to His own good pleasure, to whose fatherly love in Christ I commend you.

I wish the hamper were not opened till yourself were at Chelsea, to see it done before you; for the pictures are put orderly within the carpet. You have one long carpet already. I cannot think what use this should be. It will be an occasion of mockery that you should have a great chamber, called and carpeted. What I say is not foolish. Draw no charge till God better enable you; but observe narrowly both for your health and purse. Surely your vis beer is no ordinary drink for your house no time of the year specially, and usually too strong for you; but Podagra will bestir him. Seeing God hath given you some good abilities, I would, I trow, watch over my diet and everything to put them in use by health to God's glory and your own more credit.

If her Majesty have resolved upon the negative for your brother, as I hear, truly, save for the brust a little, I am glad of it. God, in His time, hath better in store I

LADY BACON TO ANTHONY BACON.

325

trust. For, considering his kind of health and what cumber pertains to that office, it is best for him I hope. Let us all pray the Lord we make us to profit by His fatherly correction; doubtless it [is] His hand, and all for the best, and love to His children that will seek Him first, and depend upon His goodness. Godly and wisely love ye like brethren, whatsoever [happen], and be of good courage in the Lord with good hope.

Farewell! take diligent heed of your health; be master of yourself and act most prudently.

Your mother,

APP.

II. 13.

A. BACON, Widow.

Do not readily relinquish or grant your town house to any one.

LADY BACON TO ANTHONY BACON.

(Orig. Lambeth MSS. 657, fol. 203.)

Gorhambury, July 30, 1595.

I most humbly thank God and much rejoiced when I heard by Crosby you do more exercise your body and your legs, and that in your course you go to the Earl yourself at occasions; surely soon, by the grace of God, you shall find great help by bodily exercise in season, and much refreshing both to body and mind, and be more accepted of. I would advise you went sometimes to the French church, and have there, and bash not your necessaries for warmth to hear the public preaching of the word of God, as it is His own ordinance, and, armed so with prayer for understanding, it maketh the good hearers wise to God, and enables them to discern how to walk in their worldly vocation, to please God, and to be accepted of man, indeed, which God grant to you both.

II. 14.