CCXV111 LIFE OF BACON. 



may amend it, because I know his judgment is higher and 

 deeper than mine.&quot; 



The approbation of the King was immediately communi 

 cated by Buckingham, (a) 



Spanish Before the King s departure for Scotland he had ap- 

 match. 



pointed commissioners for managing the treaty of marriage 



between the Prince his son, and the Infanta of Spain. 

 The Lord Keeper, who had too much wisdom not to per 

 ceive the misfortunes which would result from this union, 

 prudently and honestly advised the King not to proceed 

 with the treaty, (b) stating the difficulties which had 

 already occurred from a disunited council ; but the King 

 fell into the snare which the politic Gondomar had pre 

 pared for him, and persisted to negociate an alliance, in 

 opposition to his own interests, the advice of his ablest 

 councillors, and the universal voice of his people. A more 

 unequal game could not be played, than between the 

 childish cunning of this blundering, obstinate, good- 

 humoured king, and the diplomacy of the smooth, intel 

 lectual, determined Gondomar, graceful, supple, and fatal 

 as a serpent. 



Bacon, who was fully aware of the envy which pursued 

 his advancement, was careful to transmit an exact account 

 of his proceedings, and, in dispatches which appeared only 

 to contain a narrative of passing events, conveyed to the 

 King and his favourite many sound maxims of state 

 policy. His royal master, who was not insensible of his 

 services, greatly commended him, and Buckingham ex 

 pressed his own admiration of the wisdom and prudence 

 of his counsels. 



This sunshine was, however, soon after clouded by a 

 circumstance, which is worth noting only as it shows 



() Vol. xiii. p. 10. 



(6) Letter of 19th April, 1617, vol. xii. p. 243. 



