age, so that if ye will have good of them, put them off handsomely when they come to any age; for young ones are ever most tractable; and, in earnest, you will find that nothing can more conduce to the beginning of a new than the well ending of a former parliament: wherefore, now that we are well, let us content ourselves therewith.

I have read and considered your proposition for the guarding of the Irish coast, and (upon one condition) like it very well; that they should be subordinate and accountable to the admiralty here: for (by your favour) I do not hold it fit to sever the jurisdiction of the sea. So that if you can make it good with this condition, I shall esteem it a very good service; only I pray let us not imitate the king of Spain in the sea of discipline.

Concerning Fort Inoland, since my last to you. speaking with me about Irish affairs, put me in mind of some engagements I had to about this. But whether it were absolute or on condition of his finding it on his own charge, I do not now well remember; wherefore, go on to put it into my hands, and then, as I shall find my engagement and the fitness of the thing, I shall dispose of it accordingly; only see that none in the mean time, upon whatsoever pretence, snatch it up.

As for the reserved rent ye put upon the new plantations, I like it well, and that no undertaker should have too great a proportion. But now I desire that you send me particularly the number of acres I am this time to dispose of, as also, by way of articles, the conditions that I am to tie every undertaker to perform.

For the tallow, I can assure you that, for anything I know, you are misinformed, for I never heard you taxed to have a private end in it; but indeed I think you are mistaken in the business; but I leave the disputing part of it to others.

Lastly, I forgot in my last to satisfy you that what I did concerning the stopping of the horse and foot companies that last fell, was not by court importunity, for the truth is, that I intend it for Jacob Ashley. I say this to no other end than to clear you that there was no practice in the thing to your disadvantage, as likewise to desire you to put me in mind when anything shall fall in that kingdom fit for me to give such a man; for I have had this long time a desire to call him home to my service. So having answered, as I think, all your despatch, I assure you likewise that I shall not fail to answer your services in being really

Your most assured friend,

London, 22nd January, 1634-5.

CHARLES REX.

Charles I. to the Earl of Pembroke.1

My Lord,

May, 1636. I cannot use a better argument of my care of you and your family, than by taking into consideration that

1 Clarendon State Papers, vol. i., p. 547. It was not unusual in former times for the sovereigns of England to turn match-makers, and recommend not only gentlemen to ladies but ladies to gentlemen for their wives. We have had instances of this practice in the letters of Henry VIII.

which mostly concerns you, and that is the marriage of your son, the Lord Herbert, which, though perhaps at this time may seem unseasonable, considering he is not yet out of his mourning and true sorrow for the loss of his late dear and virtuous lady; yet, because afflictions must have an end, and those that wish well to persons in his condition cannot do a better office than to minister occasions of diversion, I have thought fit to propose this unto you, leaving the time and other circumstances to yourself. The person that I would recommend unto you is Mrs. Dorothy Savage, daughter of the Lady Savage, whose birth and virtues are so well known, that there can be no doubt but when such a couple as your son and she shall come together, the conjunction will be very happy. I know your son so dutiful (and he owes to you, considering how noble a father you have been to him) that he will not so much as think upon bestowing himself without your knowledge and liking, and therefore you shall do well of yourself to sound his affections, and if you find him well inclined, further it as much as you can, which I shall take very well; and you may be confident I will be ever cherishing my own work, both for your own and my Lady Savage's sake, who shall know nothing of this until you shall think fit; but I would have my lady, your wife, know and take to herself what I write to you; and, howsoever this succeed, I will never be unmindful of yours and your son's continual readiness to do me service, and you shall ever find me,' &c.

'A rough draught, endorsed by Windebank," May, 1636; Lo: Herbert."

Charles I. to Lord Wentworth.''

Wentworth,

Certainly I should be much to blame not to admit so good a servant as you are to speak with me;2 since I deny it to none there is not a just exception against, yet I must freely tell you, that the cause of this desire of yours, if it be known, will rather hearten than discourage your enemies; for, if they can once find that you apprehend the dark setting of a storm, when I say no, they will make you leave to care for anything in a short while but for your fears. And, believe it, the marks of my favours that stop malicious tongues are neither places nor titles, but the little welcome I give to accusers, and the willing ear I give to my servants. This is not to disparage those favours (for envy flies most at the fairest mark) but to show their use; to wit, not to quell envy, but to reward service; it being truly so, when the master without the servant's importunity does it otherwise, men judge it more to proceed from the servant's wit, than the master's favour.

I will end with a rule that may serve for a statesman,

1 Earl of Strafford's Letters, vol. ii., p. 32.

2" As for your coming over, certainly your good services (at least) deserve so much as not to be employed as a prisoner. Therefore, if it were only the occasion of your own affairs that required it, I shall most willingly yield to it: so that I give you free leave to come; yet I think the less you are out of that country, until the business be perfected that ye have begun, it will be the better."- Letter of Charles to Wentworth.

a courtier, or a lover-never make a defence or apology before you be accused. And so I rest,

Your assured friend,

Lindhurst, 3rd September, 1636.

CHARLES R.

For my Lord Marshal, as you have armed me, so I

warrant you.

Charles I. to Lord Wentworth.1

Wentworth,

I thought it not necessary to reply to yours of the 31st of March, because the occasion is not, as I think, very near; but I would not be too long without writing

to

you, and the rather to tell you, that I am now resolved to take the lands, and not the money, from the Londoners. For I will not lose, for the use of a little present money, so good a bargain, though I confess I imagined the lands were more worth than I find by your letters that they

are.

Now to end with that purpose, I begin withal, I thank you for your considerations concerning war and peace ; but, by your favour, ye mistake the question. For it is not whether I should declare war to the house of Austria or not, but whether I shall join with France and the rest of my friends to demand of the house of Austria my nephew's restitution, and so hazard (upon refusal) a declaration of war. Howsoever, your conclusion is very