THE MOST PROBABLE FACTS.

roboration. Unless the late Chancellor, therefore, had the use of these, it is difficult to understand how he could have obtained so explicit and withal so inaccurate an

account.

Chamberlain's version is much more simple. It is

this:

-The daughter was first carried away to the Lady Withipole's, from thence privily to a house of the Lord of Arple's, by Hampton Court, whence her father, by a warrant from M:. Secretary, fetched her; but, indeed, went further than his warrant, and brake open divers doors before he got her. His lady was at his heels, and, if her coach had not held in the pursuit after him, there was like to be strange tragedies. He delivered his daughter to the Lady Compton, Sir John's mother; but the next day Edmondes, clerk of the council, was sent with a warrant to have the custody of her at his own house.

"The Lord Coke and his lady hath great wars at the council table. I was there on Wednesday, but by reason of the Lord Keeper's absence there was nothing done. What passed yesterday I know not yet; but the first time she came accompanied with the Lord Burleigh and his lady, the Lord Danvers, the Lord Denny, Sir Thomas Howard and his lady, with I know not how many more, and declaimed bitterly against him, and so carried herself that divers said Burbage could not have acted better. Indeed, it seems he (Sir Edward) hath carried himself very simply, to say no more, in divers matters; and no doubt he shall be sifted thoroughly, for

*The great actor.

COURT GOSSIP OF THE DAY.

419

the King is much incensed against him, and by his own weakness he hath lost those few friends he had.

"The next day being all convened before the council, she (Frances the daughter) was sequestered to Mr. Attorney, and yesterday, upon a palliated agreement twixt Sir Edward Coke and his lady, she was sent to Hatton House, with order that the Lady Compton should have access to win her and wear her.

"It were a long story to tell all the passages of this business, which hath furnished Paul's, and this town very plentifully the whole week. The Lord Coke was in great danger to be committed for disobeying the council's order, for abusing his warrant, and for the violence used in breaking open the doors; to all which he gave reasonable answers; and for the violence, will justify it by law, though orders be given to prefer a bill against him in the Star Chamber. He and his friends complain of hard measure from some of the greatest at that Board, and that he was too much trampled upon with ill language. And our friend (Winwood?) passed not scot free from the warrant, which the greatest there (Bacon) said was subject to a præmunire, and, withal, told the Lady Compton that they wished well to her and her sons, and would be ready to serve the Earl of Buckingham with all true affection, whereas others did it out of faction and ambition.* About three weeks after† the same correspondent writes again: That the daughter is staying with Sir Robert Coke, Sir Edward's son by his first wife, and that Lady Hatton is with her all day, to prevent the **John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carleton, July 17, 1617. † August 9th.

420

FIRST INKLING OF BACON'S INJUSTICE.

access of others. That, finding her friends are deserting her, and that she struggles in vain" against the king's will she begins to come about," and "upon some conditions will double her husband's portion and make up the match and will give it her blessing." 66 'But it seems the Lady Hatton would have all the honour and thanks, and so defeat her husband's purposes, towards whom, of late, she has carried herself very strangely, and, indeed, neither like a wife nor a wise woman."

...

From the temper of this letter, it will seem the writer bears no ill-will to Bacon. Yet in this very missive we have evidence of Bacon's conduct on the bench since he has acted as judge. As it has been alleged that Bacon's downfall was the result of a conspiracy-a supposition that only the utmost stretch of ignorance could have conceived, or believe-it will be well to insert the writer's opinion of Bacon, only some three months since he has been actively engaged in his new career.

"The Lord Keeper hath been this fortnight at Gorhambury, and means to continue there a fortnight or three weeks longer.

"The world begins already to complain of some encroaching courses, and say, if things should thus proceed and hold on, that we should have, as it were, all men's estates in scrinio pictoris.' The distaste continues still twixt him and the boisterous secretary' (Winwood), as he terms him, though some friends have meditated a reconciliation. But, at the worst the world is of opinion, that if they should come to jostle, both of them are made of as brittle metal the one as the other."

Meanwhile Lady Hatton applies to Bacon for redress.

THE ADVICE OF AN ENEMY.

421

Bacon, eager to punish his adversary, issues a warrant to sue Coke in the King's name into the Star Chamber. Coke is not afraid to defend himself, but has sufficient knowledge of law to desire to keep out of its toils. Bacon, eager to overthrow the whole project, and pushing his zeal to an indiscreet extent, writes to Buckingham, to inform him of the project, and to advise him against it. He had written to Buckingham on the 8th June, and Buckingham having been apprised of his dealing, writes early in July, on the 5th, a business letter, somewhat cooler than those which have preceded it, to his agent and instrument, the Lord Keeper. For once the courtier's zeal is overrunning his discretion; his hate blinds him. He sees no danger in Villiers' letter; yet rightly construed, its bated courtesy is an evil omen. It is curt-almost uncivil, when even a word or a phrase might portend ruin. Heedless, however, Bacon will thrust advice on the favourite. Older and wiser he will warn him. So on the 12th of July writes that "Secretary Winwood has busied himself with a match between Sir John Villiers and Sir Edward Coke's daughter, rather to make a faction than out of any good affection to your lordship. The lady's consent is not gained, nor her mother's, from whom she expecteth a great fortune."

"This match, out of my faith and freedom to your lordship, I hold very inconvenient, both for your mother, brother, and yourself.

"First. He shall marry into a disgraced house, which, in reason of state, is never held good.

"Next. He shall marry into a troubled house of man and wife, which, in religion and Christian discretion, is not liked.

422

HATE AS BLIND AS LOVE.

Thirdly. Your lordship will go near to lose all such of your friends as are adverse to Sir Edward Coke (myself only except, who, out of a pure love and thankfulness, shall ever be firm to you).”

Oh, how the Lord Keeper is overreaching himself! A little three months ago, no man in the realm was so humble, so servile, so grateful for service. Already, three months of the air of a palace has turned his brain. Like a too eager player, he must strike more than home. He dares, in his hate of Coke, to cross Villiers and the King, trusting to his own subtlety to bear him through. "And lastly and chiefly, believe it. It will greatly weaken and distract the King's service; for though in regard of the King's great wisdom and depth, I am persuaded those things will not follow which they imagine; yet opinion will do a great deal of harm and cast the King back, and make him relapse into those inconveniences which are now well on to be recovered."

Surely the Lord Keeper, in his great zeal for his master's service, overcalculates the danger of this match. It is hardly likely to convulse the realm. Who cares, except the scandalmongers, whether Villiers or Oxford marries Frances Coke? Coke is not so unpopular; but Bacon's zeal and love to the King make him blind.

"Therefore my advice is, and your lordship shall do yourself a great deal of honour, if, according to religion and the law of God, your lordship will signify unto my lady, your mother, that your desire is that the marriage be not pressed or proceeded in without the consent of both parents, and so either break it altogether, or defer any further delay in it till your lordship's return: and this

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