Hv LIFE OF BACON. 



Bacon foretold, and which the Queen too late acknowledged, 

 aggravated the public discontent. At this assembly Bacon 

 was not present, which, when his absence was mentioned 

 by the Queen, he excused by indisposition, (g) 



Bacon s account of this proceeding is as follows : &quot; Im 

 mediately after the Queen had thought of a course (which 

 was also executed) to have somewhat published in the 

 Star Chamber, for the satisfaction of the world, touching 

 my lord of Essex his restraint, and my lord of Essex not 

 to be called to it, but occasion to be taken by reason of 

 some libels then dispersed; which when her majesty pro 

 pounded unto me, I was utterly against it, and told her 

 plainly that the people would say, that my lord was 

 wounded upon his back, and that justice had her balance 

 taken from her, which ever consisted of an accusation and 

 defence, with many olher quick and significant terms to 

 that purpose ; insomuch that I remember I said, that my 

 lord in foro fama was too hard for her ; and therefore 

 wished her, as I had done before, to wrap it up privately : 

 and certainly I offended her at that time, which was rare 

 with me ; for I call to mind that both the Christmas, Lent, 

 and Easter Term following, though I came divers times to 

 her upon law business, yet me thought her face and manner 

 was not so clear and open to me, as it was at the first. But 

 towards the end of Easter term, her majesty brake with 

 me, and told me that she had found my words true, for 

 that the proceeding in the Star Chamber had done no 

 good, but rather kindled factious bruits, as she termed 

 them, than quenched them.&quot; (A) 



If the partizans of Essex had acted with the cautious 

 wisdom of Bacon, the Queen s affections undisturbed 

 would have run kindly into their old channel, but his 



(g) Bacon s Apology, vol. vi. p. 262. 

 (K) Sydney Papers, vol. ii. p. 138164. 



