LIFE OF BACON. 



determined on resistance.&quot; Deaf to all remonstrances, and 

 urged by his faction, he seized and confined the officers of 

 state, and, without plan, without arms, and with a small 

 body of conspirators, he proceeded into the city, calling 

 upon the citizens to join him, but calling in vain. Disap 

 pointed in his hopes, and proclaimed a traitor, after a 

 fruitless attempt to defend himself, he was seized, and 

 committed to the Tower. 



No man knew better, or felt more deeply the duties of 

 friendship, than Bacon: he did not think friendships 

 mere abstractions, metaphysical nothings, created for con 

 templation only; he felt, as he has taught, that friendship 

 is the allay of our sorrows, the ease of our passions, the 

 sanctuary of our calamities; (a} that its fruits are peace in 

 the affections, counsel in judgment, and active kindness; 

 the heart, the head, and the hand. His friendship, there 

 fore, both in words and acts, Essex constantly experienced. 

 In the wildest storm of his passions, while others suffered 

 him to drive onward, the voice of the pilot might be heard, 

 pointing out the sunken rocks which he feared would wreck 

 him ; and when, at last, bound hand and foot, he was cast 

 at the feet of the Queen, to undergo her utmost indigna 

 tion, he still walked with him in the midst of the fire, and 

 would have borne him off unhurt, but for the evil spirits 

 which beset him. 



It is impossible to form a correct judgment of the conduct 

 of Bacon at this unfortunate juncture, without considering 

 the difficulties of his situation, and his conflicting duties. 

 Men of the highest blood and of the fairest character were 

 implicated in the treasons of Essex : men who were like 

 himself highly favoured by the Queen, and in offices of 

 great trust and importance. Bacon s obligations to Essex, 



() See J. Taylor s beautiful Essay on Friendship. 



