Catalogue description ANTHONY BACON to LORD WILLOUGHBY.

--Seeing this bearer, my ancient dear friend,* returneth full freighted with all kind of occurents, and because I know that so soon as he shall see your Lordship he will put off the reservedness of a public person and discourse freely, I mean not to forestall his relation, but will only signify to you what his modesty would not let him say of himself, "that notwithstanding the subject of his message was very ticklish and harsh, and that he came in a disadvantageous time, after Mr. Bruz* had stirred up coals, yet what with the temper of his own private, respective carriage and the happy mixture of his negotiation with the Queen and Council, showing himself interchangeably as her Majesty's humours and his business required, sometimes free, sometimes reserved, sometimes dutiful, sometimes stout and resolute, as both the Queen and her Council have graced his manner of carriage with good acceptance and liking, howsoever they could have been content the matters committed to his delivery should have been buried in silence. . . .

"Albeit in regard of his public charge he hath been constrained to play many parts, and to attire himself in divers fashions, yet his ancient, entire devotion to the worthy Earl, and his Lordship's special confidence and favour towards him, are so far from having been shaken, as that . . . his Lordship hath made a new and extraordinary demonstration of his exceedingly love and trust, and the other renewed and sealed his former dutiful entire vows."

It having pleased the worthy Earl to impart to me the contents of his kind, generous, and (in a word) self-like letter to your Lordship, I need trouble your good nature no longer, since you will receive by Mr. Howe so acceptable a demonstration from the very spring head. I pray you accept the enclosed most fresh, particular and true French occurences, sent me by an ancient good friend of mine, now returned to Paris. Seal with monogram.

*Apparently James Sempill of Beltreis, sent to England by James VI., in the autumn of 1599. Mr. Bruz is either Robert Bruce (the plotter) or Edward Bruce (late Scottish ambassador).