speak to her; and that, on another occasion, she would not listen to him, and told him that none but Burleigh and Essex thought Bacon fit for the place. If the ground of the queen's estrangement was the conduct of Bacon in the late session of parliament, it could not appear unreasonable to Robert Cecil, whose motions, as the queen's minister, had been opposed by his kinsman. * From Bacon's letter of complaint, it would appear a reprehension of his turn for "speculation" had been ascribed to Elizabeth; and Cecil somewhere terms him a speculative man," indulging himself in philosophical reveries, and calculated more to perplex than promote public business." *

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It is not improbable but that the queen, eminent, as well as Robert Cecil, in the class of practical politicians, applied the epithet of " speculative" to Bacon's constitutional objection to the interference of the lords in a matter of supply. In modern times, such conduct in parliament, and the avowed attachment to a rival leader, would amply justify the denial of promotion; and it would not have been expected that the conduct of a minister towards his kinsman should have been even "all kindly outward." Cecil did as much as Bacon had a right to expect; and, if he was in any respect blameable, it was in not distinctly telling his truant kinsman that he ought not to expect more. Plain dealing

was not the virtue of the age.

However, during the christmas holidays of 1596, Bacon had received “gracious usage" from the queen; and Cecil had professed an oblivion of all misconceits passed. Such was the state of feeling among the

* Parl. Hist. i. 881. See Hallam's Constitutional History, i. 376. + See Montagu's Bacon, xvi. 26.

Birch, ii. 241.; and see 337. Other branches of the Bacon family were suitors to Robert Cecil. The following is an answer returned, a few years later, to an application concerning the office of clerk of the alienations, held by Edward Bacon. "The request of Mr. E. Bacon contains two parts; the latter more easy than the other. For where he feareth that some other shall procure a reversion over his head of his office, I do not distrust my poor credit so much, as not to be able, by representation of the merit of his worthy father to her majesty, to hinder any such matter. For the second, which is to obtain it for his son, I dare not promise to effect it; for that is a direct suit, wherein I am neither fortunate nor forward." 24th of April, 1597. Birch, ii, 337.

competitors for royal favour, when the still further advancement of the successful Cecil revived the jealousy of Essex. In June, 1596, that enterprising commander had sailed on the expedition to Cadiz, for the success of which the queen offered up the prayer which has been already recorded elsewhere*; wherein Elizabeth solemnly declared that " no motive of revenge, no quittance of injury, nor desire of bloodshed, nor greediness of lucre, hath bred the resolution of our now set-out army; but a need fulcare, and wary watch that no neglect of foes, nor over-surety of harm, might breed either danger to us, or glory to them.

If we may believe Cecil, it was without the queen's knowledge, or permission, that he obtained a sight of this prayer, and transmitted it to Essex, in a letter which I would willingly suppress. I have some difficulty in believing that so much blasphemous flattery was written to be seen by none but Essex. "My very good lord," "I send you herein a worthy encouragement for you that go forth, with an exceeding comfort for us that remain: for there is nothing that so much pleaseth the Almighty as prayers; no prayer so fruitful as that which proceedeth from those who do nearest in nature and power approach him; none so near approach his place and essence as a celestial mind in a princely body. And as his divine Majesty hath an eye more singular to actions of princes, so hath he doubtless an ear more gracious to their prayers. Put forth, therefore, my lord, with comfort and confidence, having your sails filled with his heavenly breath for your forewind. You have left alone in her sufficient wisdom at home for the security of the state, and godliness, which is great riches, both perfectly united in her royal breast. That which was meant a sweet sacrifice for one, I have presumed (not of trust) to participate with her: it came

*Southey, iv. 44. The prayer is from Strype (Annals, iv. 502.), who says that it was found among lord Burleigh's MS. In the same vol. (p. 440.) there is another prayer, said to be" of the queen's composing, and in the queen's stiff affected language." It is difficult to believe that the two were written by the same person at the same age.

to my hands accidentally. I dare scarce justify the sight, much less the copy. Consider, however, my condition; and if I may reap silence from any adventure, I will ever be found your lordship's humble, to do you service."*

It was during the absence of Essex, upon this expedition †, that sir Robert Cecil, whose influence had been improving daily, at last obtained the office of secretary of state. On the other hand, her reception of Essex did not correspond with his pretensions. At first, the queen was delighted; she thanked the Dutch admiral for his friendship for her cousin, the earl of Essex, whom he conveyed to Plymouth after his separation from the fleet; and she assured her own generals that they had, by their great victory, so pleased her mind, as if she had a great treasure, she would leave it for it." §

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But it soon appeared that the glory did not outweigh the treasure. When Elizabeth found that, instead of deriving pecuniary gain from the expedition, in the shape of booty and ransom, she was called upon to make further disbursements on account of it, she grew angry with Essex, and began to depreciate his services. || Ralegh, and the naval commanders, were now praised, at the expense of the land officers. In reference to this dispute, Essex writes to Bacon:- "I was more braved by your little cousin Cecil, than I ever was by any man in my life; but I am not, nor was not, angry, which is all the advantage I have of him." ¶ If Essex kept his temper, so probably did Cecil, whom I take to have been habitually placid and cool, and probably without very warm feelings. Notwithstanding these ups and downs. of Essex's displeasure, he continued to appear friendly to

*Birch's Memoirs, ii. 18.

It sailed on the 1st of June, and returned on the 8th of August, 1506. See Naval Hist. iv. 39. Murdin, 809.

Sidney letters. February and March, 1596-7. ii. 17. 28. (Southey, 73.

Birch, ii. 93. 96. 140. Southey, 75.

¶ Birch, 131.

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him; nor is there sufficient ground for pronouncing his friendship hollow.*

Then occurred one of those instances of royal caprice, against which few ministers could stand, and which had well nigh driven from his post even the placid and prudent Burleigh. Elizabeth, disappointed of her share of plunder, first reproached her ministers with the loss of this golden opportunity; and then, when perhaps observing her renewed favour towards Essex, they supported his claim to the ransom of the prisoners, she turned round upon her aged minister with those harsh and unfeminine expressions which have already been recorded. †

In

It has been mentioned as a reproach to the Cecils, and to Essex, that their rivalry was not occasioned by any difference of principle, or opinion upon public affairs, but was a mere contest for influence and power. modern times, we hold such contests to be justifiable, and even useful, provided that no treacherous or dishonourable means are used. In truth, however, there was a difference of opinion and political principle between the two parties. Essex, ardent for military glory, and reckless of consequences, would have led England into extensive and interminable hostilities with Spain. The Cecils, cautious and frugal, were for confining within the narrowest limits the war which religious controversy and personal pique, rather than any substantial interest, had generated between Elizabeth and Philip.+

*The following are from sir William Knollys's letters to Essex, evidently written in July or August, 1597 :

"The queen liketh Mr. Secretary going to you exceedingly kindly, and saith she will love him the better while she knoweth him, which argueth her great love and favour to you. And if you lived not in a cunning world, I should assure myself that Mr. Secretary were wholly yours, as seeming to rejoice at every thing that may succeed well with you, and to be grieved at the contrary, and doth, as I hear, all good offices he may for you to the queen. I pray God it may have a good foundation, and then he is very worthy to be embraced. I will hope the best, yet will I observe him as narrowly as I can; but your lordship knows best the humour both of the time and the person, and so I leave him to the better judgment.

"Mr. Secretary remaineth in all show firm to your lordship, and no doubt will so long as the queen is well pleased with you." Birch's Mem. ii. 350. Vol. i. p. 331.

+ Camden, 606.

Yet Cecil was now the more anxious to make a friend of Essex, because he was about to make a journey into France, and was apprehensive of the injury which might be done to him by Essex during his absence. * His advances were coldly received. A reconciliation, however, between the rivals, probably not very cordial, was effected by sir Walter Ralegh, who had recently been presented again to the queen by Cecil, and permitted to resume his functions as captain of the guard. It was supposed that Cecil frequently listened to his advice. † The presents and lucrative contracts, conferred soon afterwards upon Essex, were perhaps the fruit of this arrangement.

A more important consequence was the appointment of Essex to the command of a fleet which Elizabeth was, with difficulty, persuaded by her council to equip, for the purpose of acting against Philip, who gave some indications of planning a second Armada. The expedition, which obtained the name of the Island Voyage §, was not prosperous. It failed to intercept the treasure ships, which were perhaps among its chief inducements; and did not prevent the Spanish fleet from insulting the coasts of England. Essex quarrelled with Ralegh, and Cecil was appointed to the chancellorship of the duchy of Lancaster ||; and this favour done to one rival, with the advancement of the lord admiral Howard to the earldom of Nottingham, again estranged the wayward favourite from Elizabeth and her ministers.¶

* Sidney Papers, ii. 89.

+March, 1596-7. Sidney Papers, ii. 17.22. 24. 42. 44. 51. 54.93. "This day being Monday, sir Robert Cecil went with Essex in his coach to his house, where Ralegh came, and they dined there together. After dinner they were very private all three for two hours, when the treaty of peace was confirmed." R. Whyte, 19th of April, 1597, and 8th of May: "R. Cecil has in some sort appeased Essex in his opposition against him." 14th of May: Exceeding great kindness continues between him and Cecil."

Sidney Papers, 83. 21st of January, 1597-8. Essex was to have all the cochineal and indigo-cochineal, 50,000lbs. at 18s., which sold for 30s. and 40s. 7,000l. paid as her majesty's free gift out of the cochineal. p. 89.; and see Birch, ii. 350. and 380.

It sailed 10th of July, 1597, but was driven back. It finally returned to England in October. Camden in Kennett, ii. 597. Southey, iv. 80.

|| October 8. 1597. Sidney Papers, ii. 64.

1 November 5.; December 21. 1597. ib. 75. 77.