CCCXX LIFE OF BACON. 



than Wraynham, (a) by whom he was slandered, or Lord 

 Clifford, by whom he was threatened to be assassinated ? (b) 

 Might he not have called upon th.e house for protection 

 against these calumnies at a time when the excited people 

 wished for some sacrifice, as a tribute to public opinion, an 

 atonement for public wrongs, and a security for better 

 times ? 



The people are often censured for their selection of a 

 victim, but, where they contend for a principle, they lose 

 sight of the individual. It is this dangerous indifference 

 that enables bad men to direct, for private ends, a popular 

 tumult. The Jewish people demanded merely their annual 

 privilege ; it was the priests who said, &quot; Save Barrabas.&quot; 



On the 17th of March the Chancellor presided, for the 

 last time, in the House of Lords. The charges which he 

 had at first treated with indifference, were daily increasing, 

 and could no longer be disregarded. From the pinnacle 

 on which he stood, he could see the storm gathering round 

 him : old complaints were revived, and new accusations 

 industriously collected ; and, though he had considered 

 himself much beloved in both houses of parliament, he felt 

 that he had secret enemies, and began to fear that he had 

 false friends. He resolved, therefore, to meet his accusers ; 

 but his health, always delicate, gave way, and instead of 

 being able to attend in person, he was obliged by writing 

 to address the House of Peers. 



To the Right Honourable his very good Lords, the Lords 

 Spiritual and Temporal in the Upper House of Parliament 

 assembled. 

 My very good Lords, I humbly pray your lordships all 



to make a favourable and true construction of my absence. 



(a) Ante, p. 104. (b) Ante, p. 241. 



