ACCOUNT OF THE TREASON. XC111 



after the death of Essex, or moved by some other cause, 

 was desirous that a full statement should be made of the 

 whole course of his treasons, and commanded Bacon to 

 prepare it. He says, &quot; her majesty taking a liking of my 

 pen, upon that which I had done before concerning the 

 proceeding at York House, and likewise upon some other 

 declarations, which in former times by her appointment I 

 put in writing, commanded me to pen that book, (b) which 

 was published for the better satisfaction of the world: which 

 I did but so, as never secretary had more particular, and 

 express directions and instructions in every point how to 

 guide my hand in it : and not only so, but after that I had 

 made a first draught thereof and propounded it to certain 

 principal councillors, by her majesties appointment, it was 

 perused, weighed, censured, altered, and made almost a new 

 writing, according to their lordships better consideration : 

 wherein their lordships and myself both were as religious 

 and curious of truth, as desirous of satisfaction : and myself 

 indeed gave only words and form of style in pursuing their 

 direction. And after it had passed their allowance, it was 

 again exactly perused by the Queen herself, and some alte 

 rations made again by her appointment : after it was set to 

 print, the Queen, who as she was excellent in great matters, 

 so she was exquisite in small, noted that I could not forget 

 my ancient respect to my Lord of Essex, in terming him 

 ever my Lord of Essex, my Lord of Essex almost in every 

 page of the book, which she thought not fit, but would have 

 it made, Essex, or the late Earl of Essex : whereupon of 

 force it was printed de novo, and the first copies suppressed 

 by her peremptory commandment.&quot; He concludes the 

 whole with these words, &quot;had I been as well believed 

 either by the Queen or by my lord, as I was well heard by 



(ft) See vol. vi. p. 274. 



