, 1861-03-21

1
promotion TO Chief Justice of the Kings Bench
which was done accordingly, and Bacon and Ho
bart also were raised one step higher the fOrmel
to Attorney General, the latter to the Common
Pleas. In all this Bacon had been figuring fol
his own advancement and succeeded, which greatly
embittered Coke's hate; for although he was go
ing up to higher and more honorable position
it was less lucrative and at The same time his en-
emy was promoted. Coke aspired to the higher
Office of lord High Chancellor; but Bacon's
envenomed hatred and subtle intrigues not only
defeated his object, but caused him. Nov l6
| 1916, to he dismissed from the Kings Bench.
Coke. in early life, before he had reached SC
high rank, practiced the most abjcct servility tC
| the crown; but now, grown rich and powerful
he had become rather independent, and manifested
towards the King and Parliament rebelious spirit
Thus we have seen that mercy and magnanimity
are wanting in all the acts of his life.
As Coke fell, Bacon rose majestically upon his
ruins. Coke never reached the Chancellorship
but Bacon, says Keightly who united the no
blest genius with the mcanest soul who was tho
first philosopher and statesman, and at the same
time one of the most servile fatterers of his age
was made, on the death of Lord Ellcsmere, Lord
Keeper of the Great Seal and afterwards Lord
Chancellor, and thus obtained the summit of his
ambition" While Coke was gricving over his
loss and adding fuel to the flames Of his wrath
Bacon was chuckling over his triumph. Coke,
however, was not conquered, though "dOwn in
the fight" His enemy should not remain above
him basking in the sunshine Of the royal favor,
and he degraded. He endeayored 10 regain the
favor of the King, and the high position be had
lost, by compelling his daughter to marry Sir
John Villiers eldest brother to the Duke of Buck
ingham. Sir John was poor, but that mattered
not so long as his bride would bring him q vast
fortune which surely would give her father favor
with the Duke, who was rich and mighty, and
whose influence might again raise him to high po-
sitiOn aud power. Why did he so particularly
desire this elevation? That he might possess not
only an equality in Office with his enemy, but the
superiority over him; and thus be able to prove
his downfall and ruin Bacon. alarmed at this
dcel laid scheme tried to break off the engage
ment, but in vain. 1t was still fresh in his mem
Ory that he had been rejected by the mother many
years previous, and Coke accepted. He used all
bis subtle arts and wiley schemes with mother and
daughter to estrange them from Sir John and the
Duke, his brother. A family rumpus ensued !;
the mother secretly stole away the daughter and
concealed her; but the father pursued and brought
her back by force. Bacon, by directing the At
torney General to take certain steps against Coke,
brought down upon himself both the dsapproba-
ton Of the King and the displeasure Of Bucking-
ham. Bacon's great wisdom and profound knowL
edge had been lulled to Sleep by the tide Of pros
perity which hurried him on to power. But he
was now suddenly brought to his senses. He
promptly sought reconciliation to the King by an
humble apology. He had seemed for the time to
forget the power and influence Of Buckingham
but now sensible Of his error, and awake to his
own interest, for two whole days he eagerly sought
the Duke, sitting on wooden box in an ante
chamber with group Of servants, with the Great
SnoI Iof Enulonl az psIa u,osNsuor o1rnitNonNo
to the Dukes presence. When at length admit
ted, he threw himself at Buckinghams feet, which
he kissed and vowed he would not leave him until
he had received his forgiveness. But let us return
to the marriage. Sir John and the Duke favored
the match, for the lady possessed a princely for
tune; and all opposition being oiled, the nuptials
were celebrated at Hampton Court, in the pres
ence of the King and Queen, and all the chiel
nobility Of England. The daughter was young
and Sir John old enough to be her father; but be
was only following the example Of Coke, who at
the age Of fOrty-nine had married fortune with q
wifeOf twenty. COkes ambitious schemes. however
were only partially successful. His fondest hopes
were never realized for he was restored only to the
priyy council receiving no Judicial appointment
Coke, If he had any paterlal love in his nature
must have felt deeply the wrong he had done his
daughter. for she and John Villiers never passed
happy day together; and the unhappy wife
soon clipping with Sir John Howard Travelled
abroad in mems attire, to conceal her guilt and Ia
elude her pursuers; and died young, leaving sOr
who came not to the estate and honorable pOsi;io.
of her husband, on the ground OF illcgitimacy.
CoSe's chagrin and modification at defeat were
now developed into the most relentless hate. Ba-
con was his enemy and the chief object Of his
maevoleace; and whatever honoFs or prefermcnt
he might receive, would avail him nothing so long
as he saw Bacon sitting at the Kings gate. Ba
con rose to the office Of Lord High Chancellor
still being Lord Keeper Of the Great Seal, in thC
year 1919, with the title Of Lord Verulam; dur
ing which time Coke was dismissed from the sun
shine of the royal favor, to mourn his misOrtunes
and to cOncOct new schemes in the shade
| The Parliament had elected him only member
| for the borough of Liskeard, instead of giving
| him the Office Of Lord Treasurer, which he hat
expected. Ills Indignation now rose tO its high
est pitch. The Puritans were gaining power il
the House Of Commons. and Coke, q high church
man while it suited his interests, now headed thcr
ranks, ready for deadly warfare against all oPp0
/ s'tion.
Bacon, having now reached the summit of hi
ambition. was in the zenith Of his glory. He had
risen TO the highest Office in the kingdom, next tt
the crown. lie dreamed not Of danger. lie wa
| ignorant of the dark and fearful cloud that wa
gathering over him. ready to burst upon his head
| lie lived in great pOmp and splendOr. lie ha'
erected and fitted up, at an expense Of GlO,00O,
studio where to prosecute bis literary and scicn
tiic pursuits scqucs;crcd from the world.
/ Having reached the loftiest pinnacle Of carthl.
fame for the present, he was ambitions to leay
something to hand down with impcrishable fam
/ TO pUslcrity. His immortal worn. the NOrum Or
| gaHHm, was now completed ani would sooa b
/ published. Ills enemy knew this. aud he ais
knew the celebrity il would gain for iis author
I This still more aggravated bis antag-niSlD. Ha
cons habits Of prodigality aHd want of economy
his casineSs with his servants AMI the conagarHl
cxJrcmliturOs all thsr thnss incurred. cansd hin
to accept many valuable prcs'nis anl bribes hol
Iarti,s having suits ia chancgry. 10 keep up b
high style Of living
.| ] -. r Y =.