V1LL1ERS. C lxxix 



down magistrates, and chaunting the psalm, &quot; Let us bind 

 the kings in chains, and the nobles in fetters of iron.&quot; 



During this year an event occurred, which materially 

 affected the immediate pursuits and future fate of Sir 

 Francis Bacon, the King s selection of a new favourite. 



George Villiers, a younger son of Sir George Villiers 

 and Mary Beaumont, on each side well descended, was 

 born in 1592. Having early lost his father, his education 

 was conducted by Lady Villiers, and, though he was natu 

 rally intelligent and of quick parts, more attention was 

 paid to the graces of manner and the lighter accomplish 

 ments which ornament a gentleman, than the solid learning 

 and virtuous precepts which form a great and good man. 

 At the age of eighteen he travelled to France, and, having 

 passed three years in the completion of his studies, he 

 returned to the seat of his forefathers, in Leicestershire, 

 where he conceived an intention of settling himself in 

 marriage; but, having journeyed to London, and consulted 

 Sir Thomas Gresham, that gentleman, charmed by his 

 personal beauty and graceful deportment, advised him to 

 relinquish his intention, and try his fortune at court. 

 Shrewd advice, which he, without a sigh, obeyed. He 

 sacrificed his affections at the first temptation of ambition. 

 The King had gradually withdrawn his favour from 

 Somerset, equally displeased by the haughtiness of his 

 manners, and by an increasing gloom that obscured all 

 those lighter qualities which had formerly contributed to 

 his amusement, a gloom soon after fatally explained. 

 Although powerfully attracted by the elegance and gaiety 

 of Villiers, yet James had been so harassed by complaints 

 of favouritism, that he would not bestow any appointment 

 upon him, until solicited by the Queen and some of the 

 gravest of his councillors. In 1613 Villiers was taken 

 into the King s household, und ro,se rapidly to the highest 



