COMMITTAL TO LORD KEEPER. liii 



as by a coercion or wrench, she should think herself enforced 

 to send you back into Ireland ; but leave it to her. Thirdly, 

 seek access, importune, opportune, seriously, sportingly, 

 every way. I remember my lord was willing to hear me, 

 but spake very few words, and shaked his head sometimes, 

 as if he thought I was in the wrong; but sure I am, he 

 did just contrary in every one of these three points. &quot;(a) 



After his committal to the Lord Keeper s there was great Private in 

 fluctuation of opinion with respect to his probable fate, ^star l 

 On one day the hope of his restoration to favour prevailed; Chamber. 

 on the next, as the Queen, by brooding over the miscon 

 duct of Essex, by additional accounts of the consequences 

 of his errors in Ireland, by turbulent speeches and seditious 

 pamphlets, was much exasperated, his ruin was predicted. 

 Pamphlets were circulated and suppressed ; there were 

 various conferences at York House ^between the different 

 statesmen and Essex ; and it was ultimately determined 

 that the matter should be investigated, not by public accu 

 sation, but by a declaration in the Star Chamber, in the 

 absence of Essex, of the nature of his misconduct. Such 

 was the result of the Queen s conflict between public 

 opinion and her affection for Essex. (6) 



In this perplexity she consulted Bacon, who from this, Bacon ob- 

 and from any proceeding, earnestly dissuaded the Queen, J ects - 

 and warned her that, from the popularity of Essex and 

 this unusual mode of accusation, it would be said that 

 justice had her balance taken from her; and that, instead of 

 promoting, it would interrupt the public tranquillity. She 

 heard and was offended with his advice, and acted in 

 direct opposition to it. At an assembly of privy councellors, A. D. 

 of judges, and of statesmen, held on the 30th of November, 1597 - 

 they declared, without his being heard in his defence, the 

 nature of Essex s misconduct; a proceeding which, as 



() &quot;Bacon s Apology, vol.jri. p. 254. (6) Sydney Papers, 131 139. 



