LIFE OF BACON. 



me to them more ; and it would be said I gave in evidence 

 mine own tales. It was answered again with good shew, 

 that because it was considered how I stood tied to my 

 lord of Essex, therefore that part was thought fittest for 

 me, which did him least hurt ; for that whereas all the rest 

 was matter of charge and accusation, this only was but 

 matter of caveat and admonition. Wherewith though I 

 was in mine own mind little satisfied, because I knew well 

 a man were better to be charged with some faults, than 

 admonished of some others; yet the conclusion binding 

 upon the queen s pleasure directly, volens nolens/ I 

 could not avoid that part that was laid upon me.&quot; (a) 

 June, On the 5th of June, 1600, this trial took place. It was 

 j t 40 marked by the same indecision that had characterised the 

 Trial of whole of the Queen s conduct. To give effect to her wishes 



1^ 



that Essex should be censured, not sentenced, each man 

 had his part allotted ; and lest this mark of her disappro 

 bation should hereafter be urged against him, she com 

 manded that no official record should be kept of the pro 

 ceedings, that he might not be rendered incapable of 

 bearing office in her household. 



The privy council met at the lord keeper s house, and 

 were assisted by noblemen selected for that purpose. The 

 commissioners were eighteen, the auditory about two hun 

 dred ; there was much state and solemnity in the assembly, 

 and much humility and contrition on the part of Essex, 

 who knelt while the commission was opened, and so re 

 mained till he had leave to rise. From this mode of 

 conduct, which, doubtless, had been prescribed to him, he 

 never departed but once during his examination, and he 

 was then reminded by the lord treasurer of the course he 

 was expected to pursue. 



(a) See Bacon s Apology, vol. vi. 264. 



