440 "THE FORCE AND ROAD OF CASUALTY.”

he had his pardon. Then was he again reconciled, and since that time so very a slave to the duke and all that family, that he durst not deny the command of the meanest of his kindred, nor oppose anything (they desired).

"By this you see a base spirit is ever concomitant with the proudest mind, and surely never have so many parts and so base and abject a spirit tenanted together in any one earthern cottage as in this one man. I shall not forget his baseness being out of his place (after his disgrace), of pinning himself, for very scraps in that noble gentleman, Sir Julius Cæsar's hospitality, that at last he was forced to get the king's warrant to remove him out of his house; yet in his prosperity he (Bacon) being Chancellor, and Sir Julius Cæsar Master of the Rolls, he had so served and abused him, as to reverse everything the other did."*

This then is Weldon's account of Bacon's apology for this error; of Bacon's grand effort to retrieve himself in the favourite's graces, and to avert that ruin which his presumption has hurried him into; for although Bacon might have stood as proudly independent in his position as Chancellor, as Coke had done as Chief Justice, his practical knowledge of law and his public character have not been sufficient to warrant his promotion, or to warrant his present place. He has already confessed the envy of some in certain particulars; he knows well enough he is what he is by favour and not by merit; by secret chicanery, not by honest industry and

Sir Anthony Weldon's Court and Character of James,' pp. 132 and 133.

THE UNHOLY COMPACT.

441

integrity; that though crafty, he is not in favour with the judges, nor beloved by the people; that though he has made all his creatures judges, and advanced his followers well, according to the policy laid down in his Essays, yet that his foundations are not securely laid.

Of

This reference of his indebtedness to Sir Julius Cæsar, who married Bacon's niece, seems to have been justified not merely by such facts as are at our disposal to day, but by anecdotes which have variously descended. Bacon's reconciliation, immediately after Buckingham's return, and neither before nor after, there can be no doubt. Whether it took place with every circumstance of humiliation here narrated, there must be some little doubt. Sir Anthony, so far as he saw, was unimpeachable, and no doubt from his narrative saw Bacon sitting ignominiously among the servants. Whether he witnessed or was only told of his kissing Villiers' feet is not certain; yet all his story has coherence. His offending Winwood, his subsequent animosity to that secretary, Winwood's dislike, the King's displeasure, hardly to be accounted for by the mere correspondence on the Villiers and Coke marriage, are all corroborative. Villiers pardoned Bacon on the ground on which he placed him in his post-his servility. He knew him and used him. That he did so is shown by his correspondence; and if it need further confirmation, it will be found in Weldon in the Appendix.

Desperate diseases require desperate remedies. Bacon gains back Villiers' apparent confidence, by Weldon's account, by a personal interview with Buckingham. His reconciliation is only explicable, however, by the supposition that Villiers knew him; that Villiers despised him,

442

THE TERMS OF OFFICE.

but would continue to make him his tool, because he was more servile than any other man.

To explain this, we must refer to Weldon again. He alleges that Villiers obtained for him the Keepership on the distinct ground of his subserviency. That, with his usual outspoken daring, knowing and despising Bacon, he sent to him a messenger with this message, "That he knew him to be a man of excellent parts, and, as the times were, fit to serve the King in the keeper's place; but he also knew him of a base and ungrateful disposition, and an arrant knave, apt in his prosperity to ruin any that had raised him from adversity; yet, for all this, knowing him a good servant, had obtained the seals for him, but would give him this assurance, that should Bacon requite his, the Earl's, services as he had done some others to whom he had been more bound, he would cast him down as much below scorn, as he had now raised him high above any honour he could ever have expected."

This Sir Anthony states as of his own knowledge, how derived he does not say: the story is certainly most probable, being eminently characteristic. That the language was only in effect, and not precisely as stated, may, however, be considered probable. Bacon's answer to this direct and open insult, according to Weldon, was no less in accordance with his character.

Bacon, at this time Attorney-General, patiently hearing the messenger, replied: "I am glad my noble lord deals so friendly and freely with me, and hath made that choice of so noble and discreet a friend, that hath delivered his message in so plain a manner; but saith he, can, my lord,

* Weldon, Court and Time of James,' 1650.

VILLIER'S COMPACT WITH BACON.

443

know these abilities in me and can he think, when I have attained the highest preferment my profession is capable of, I shall so much fail in my judgment and understanding as to lose these abilities, and my ingratitude cast myself headlong from the top of that honour to the very bottom of contempt and scorn? Surely my lord cannot think so meanly of me." The gentleman replied: "I deliver you nothing from myself, but the words are put into my mouth by his lordship, to which I neither add nor diminish; for had it been left to my own discretion, surely, though I might have given you the substance, yet should I have apparelled it in a more modest attire; but as I have faithfully delivered my lord's to you, so will I as faithfully return yours to his lordship."

Weldon, while on the theme, proceeds to explain that this conduct of the Earl's was based on his knowledge of Bacon's ungratefulness to Essex, "for the Earl saved him from starving," for which he requited him in such a manner as his (Bacon's) Apology must witness. Had there been no crime, there needed no such defence, "and only an age worthless and corrupt in men and manners could have thought him worthy of such a place of honour."

I know not how to refuse this testimony, coming commended, as it does, with every probability. Men cannot so conceal their crimes that they shall not gain wind. Buckingham knew of Bacon's conduct to Essex; it must have been, as we see from Yelverton's letter, common talk. Lord Southampton, Essex's friend, is at the court still: there be many as well as he, to tell the tale. But the favourite wanted a tool to enrich his family and himself.

444

THE PARDON CONCEDED.

Bacon was the precise man, yet it was necessary to guard against his treachery by an open explanation. Buckingham is no such fool as the King, to be gulled by fair words and flattery, and profane allusions to Scripture, and devout scraps of piety. He demands acts. Will Bacon lend himself? He will. Then the bargain is made; but it is so ill dealing with a knave that Bacon has already played Buckingham false; and the point is, shall he hurl him down, or continue to use him?

He decides on the latter course; he restores him to some degree of favour, writes at once in behalf of certain suitors in Chancery, and uses him altogether as his lackey and slave. This is undeniable. Here is the letter, showing that pardon has been granted.

66

TO THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAM.

My ever best lord, none better than yourself,—

"Your lordship's pen, or rather pencil, hath portrayed towards me such magnanimity and nobleness and true kindness, as methinketh I see the image of some ancient virtue, and not anything of these times. It is the line of my life, and not the line of my letter, that must express my thankfulness; wherein, if I fail, then God fail me, and make me as miserable as I think myself at this time happy, by this reviver, through his Majesty's singular clemency, and your incomparable love and favour. God preserve you, prosper you, and reward you for your kindness to your raised and infinitely obliged friend and ser"FR. BACON.

vant,

"Sept. 22, 1617."

September 5.-A letter of Buckingham's at Warwick shows that Bacon, in his anxiety, has sent a great number of letters begging him to reconciliation. Another, undated, refers to the very interview which Weldon pro