clxXX LIFE OF BACON. 



honours. He was nominated cupbearer, received several 

 lucrative appointments ; the successive honours of knight 

 hood, of a barony, an earldom, a marquisate, and was 

 finally created Duke of Buckingham. 



From the paternal character of Bacon s protection of the 

 new favourite, it is probable that he had early sought his 

 assistance and advice; as a friendship was formed between 

 them, which continued with scarcely any interruption till 

 the death, and, indeed, after the death of Bacon: (a) a 

 friendship which was always marked by a series of the 

 wisest and best counsels, and was never checked by the 

 increased power and elevation of Villiers. 



This intimacy between an experienced statesman and 

 a rising favourite was naturally looked upon with some 

 jealousy, but it ought to have been remembered that there 

 was never any intimacy between Bacon and Somerset. In 

 the whole of his voluminous correspondence, there is not 

 one letter of solicitation or compliment to that powerful 

 favourite, or any vain attempt to divert him from his own 

 gratifications to the advancement of the public good ; but 

 in Villiers he thought he saw a better nature, capable of 

 such culture, as to be fruitful in good works. Whatever 

 the motives were in which this union originated, the records 

 extant of the spirit by which it was cemented are honour 

 able to both. In the courtesy and docility of Villiers, 

 Bacon did not foresee the rapacity that was to end in his 

 own disgrace, and in the violent death of the favourite. 



About this period, Sir George Villiers personally and by 

 letter, importuned his friend to communicate his senti 

 ments respecting the conduct which, thus favoured by the 

 King, it would be proper for him to observe; and, con 

 sidering these requests as commands, Bacon wrote a letter 



(o) See Bacon s will. 



