274 SIR FRANCIS BACON S APOLOGY 



restraint, but be set at liberty ; and many other 

 parts, which, I am well assured of, stood with the 

 duty of an honest man. But indeed I will not deny 

 for the case of Sir Thomas Smith of London, the 

 queen demanding my opinion of it, I told her, I 

 thought it was as hard as any of the rest. But 

 what was the reason ? Because at that time I had 

 seen only his accusation, and had never been present 

 at any examination of his ; and the matter so stand 

 ing, I had been very untrue to my service, if I had 

 not delivered that opinion. But afterwards upon 

 a re-examination of some that charged him, who 

 weakened their own testimony, and especially hear 

 ing himself &quot; viva voce,&quot; I went instantly to the 

 queen, out of the soundness of my conscience, not 

 regarding what opinion I had formerly delivered, 

 and told her majesty, I was satisfied and resolved in 

 iny conscience, that for the reputation of the action, 

 the plot was to countenance the action farther by 

 him in respect of his place, than they had indeed any 

 interest or intelligence with him. It is very true 

 also, about that time her majesty taking a liking of 

 my pen, upon that which I formerly had done con 

 cerning the proceeding at York-house, and likewise 

 upon some other declarations, which in former times 

 by her appointment I put in writing, commanded 

 me to pen that book, which was published for the 

 better satisfaction of the world ; which I did, but 

 so, as never secretary had more particular and ex 

 press directions and instructions in every point how 

 to guide my hand in it ; and not only so, but after 



