ESSEX S RETURN. li 



trouble and storm abroad, that he found a sweet calm at 

 home. He had another conference for an hour with the 

 Queen before midday, from which he returned well con 

 tented with his future prospects, receiving the visits of the 

 whole court, Cecil and his party excepted. (b) 



During the day the Queen saw her ministers, (c) After Confine- 

 dinner he found her much changed : she received him ^ t ^ 

 coldly, and appointed the lords to hear him in council that his chain- 

 very afternoon. After sitting an hour, they adjourned the 

 court to a full council on the next day; but, between eleven 

 and twelve at night, an order came from the Queen that 

 Essex should keep his chamber, (d) 



On the next day the lords met in council, and presented TO York 

 a favourable report to the Queen, who said she would House - 

 pause and consider it, Essex still continuing captive in his 

 chamber, (e) from whence the Queen ordered him to be 

 committed into custody, lest, having his liberty, he might 

 be far withdrawn from his duty through the corrupt coun 

 sels of turbulent men, not however to any prison, lest she 

 might seem to destroy all hope of her ancient favor, but to 

 the Lord Keeper s, at York House, to which in the after 

 noon he was taken from Nonsuch, (f) 



Bacon s steady friendship again manifested itself. He Bacon s 

 wrote to Essex the moment he heard of his arrival,, and in steady 

 an interview between them, he urged the advice which he 

 had communicated in his letter. This letter and advice 

 are fortunately preserved. In his letter he says : My Lord, 

 conceiving that your lordship eame now up in the person 

 of a good servant to see your sovereign mistress, which 



(6) See Sydney Papers, 117 127. Camden and Birch. 



(c) See Sydney Papers. Michaelmas day at noon, (vol. ii. p. 127) 

 containing the account of the different persons who hastened to court on 

 that day. 



(d) Sydney Papers, vol. ii. p. 129. 



0) Sydney Papers, 130133 (/) Sydney Papers, 131-9. 



