<His friends.>

[844]His intimate acquaintance and friends were:—

When Serjeant Hoskyns was a prisoner in the Tower, he was Sir Walter's Aristarchus.

<Copy of a letter by him.>

[846]A copie[LXXVIII.] of Sir W. Ralegh's letter, sent to Mr. Duke, in Devon, writt with his owne hand.

[LXXVIII.] I thinke I sent the originall to Anthony Wood.

Mr. Duke,

I wrote to Mr. Prideaux to move you for the purchase of Hayes[LXXIX.], a farme sometime in my father's possession. I will most willingly give whatsoever in your conscience you shall deeme it worth, and if at any time you shall have occasion to use me, you shall find me a thankefull friend to you and yours. I am resolved, if I cannot entreat you, to build at Colliton; but for the naturall disposition I have to that place, being borne in that house, I had rather seate myselfe there then any where els; I take my leave, readie to countervaile all your courtesies to the utter of my power.