. Historical portraits ... the lives of Fletcher .. . at the outset be charged withthe sycophancy of which later he was freely accused. He combatedthe proposal for a joint conference of the two Houses on a questionof supply, and declared it to be prejudicial to the privileges of theCommons. Thus he gained the disfavour of the Queen, whicheffectually barred his legal advancement, and even the Earl of Essex,whose devoted friendship he had won, could not move Elizabeth bythe most ardent advocacy of his claims. Essex, however, insisted onpresenting him with a small estate as a consolation,
. Historical portraits ... the lives of Fletcher .. . at the outset be charged withthe sycophancy of which later he was freely accused. He combatedthe proposal for a joint conference of the two Houses on a questionof supply, and declared it to be prejudicial to the privileges of theCommons. Thus he gained the disfavour of the Queen, whicheffectually barred his legal advancement, and even the Earl of Essex,whose devoted friendship he had won, could not move Elizabeth bythe most ardent advocacy of his claims. Essex, however, insisted onpresenting him with a small estate as a consolation, and Baconssubsequent treatment of Essex has been regarded as one of thegravest blots on his character. The truth seems to be that his un-emotional temper rendered him incapable of whole-hearted devotionand undiscriminating loyalty. He accepted benefits with measuredgratitude, and gave advice of a mundane and practical kind in , however, Essexs impetuosity led him to disregard suchwarnings and to engage in treasonable dealings both in Ireland and. FRANCIS BACONFrom llic poitrail by Paul van Sonicr in llic National Portrait Gallery Face p. SI FRANCIS BACON 53 at home, Bacon considered himself to be absolved from personalallegiance, and justified in prosecuting one who was dangerous tothe realm. As the result of his unsparing attack, Essex was con-demned and executed (1601). Though it be admitted that loyaltyto the Queen rather than fears for his own safety actuated Bacon onthis occasion, yet his cold-blooded indifference to the claims offriendship is as unpleasant as it is undeniable. Throughout the reign of James I he strove to reconcile the Crownand the Commons. His ideas were in advance of those of his con-temporaries, as is shown by his efforts towards a closer union withScotland, and by the tolerance of his religious views; but his faithin the excellence of Monarchy obscured his judgement of themonarch. He hoped for reforms through the King, and consequentlyupheld
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Keywords: ., boo, bookcentury1900, bookdecade1900, booksubjectportraitpainting
