CCCXXV1I1 LIFE OF BACON. 



displeasure which, in both houses, seemed strong against 

 the Chancellor. () 



The proceedings within the house were suspended, but 

 the Chancellor s opponents, unchecked or secretly encou 

 raged by his pretended friends, continued their exertions, 

 actuated either by virtuous indignation at the supposition 

 of his guilt, or by motives less pure, the hope of gaining 

 by his fall, or envy of the greatness which overshadowed 

 them. 



The state of the Chancellor s mind during this storm 

 has been variously represented; (b) by some of his con 

 temporaries he is said to have been depressed ; by others 

 that he was merry, and not doubting that he should be 

 able to ride safely through the tempest. His playfulness 



(a) Adjourned from the 27th of March to the 18th of April. The marquis 

 had an eye in it upon the Lord Chancellor, to try if time would mitigate 

 the displeasure which in both houses was strong against him. Hackett. 



(6) March 24, 1621. Strange bills against him : Thursday and Friday 

 was se ennight the days that shook him, and himself sick in bed, and 

 swoln in his body and suffering none to come at him. Some say he desired 

 his gentlemen not to take any notice of him, but altogether to forget him, 

 and not hereafter to speak of him, or to remember there was ever any such 

 man in the world. Strange to hear that they talk at London of his former 

 actions, and now of his present sickness. Vanity of vanities, all is vanity ! 

 Happy are you who live as it were out of the jurisdiction of these great 

 temptations, and walk not upon these dangerous pinnacles of these tottering 

 pyramids of such false happy dignities. 



The following is an extract from a letter from Nathaniel Brent to Sir 

 Richard Beaumont, of Whitley Hall, Yorkshire, dated London, March 23, 

 1620. Brent held an office under Abbot, Archbishop of Canterbury. 

 &quot; On Thursday next the parliament wil be adjorned for three weekes ; but 

 before they dissolve, Mem. Parsons the fugitive must receave his doome in 

 his absence, which is like to be exceeding severe. Your good friend the 

 Lord Chancelor hath so many grievous accusations brought against him, 

 that his ennemies do pittie him, and his most judicous frends have alreadie 

 given him for gon. Notwithstanding, himself is merrie, and doubteth not 

 that he shall be able to calme al the tempests raysed against him.&quot; From 

 the original, in possession of the Rev. B. Baudinell. 



