which was his conduct in the _praemunire_ question. He
acknowledged his error on that head, and made little defence. On the 30th
he was suspended from council and bench, and ordered to employ his leisure
in revising certain obnoxious opinions in his reports. He did not perform
the task to the king's satisfaction, and a few months later he was
dismissed from office.

Bacon's services to the king's cause had been most important; and as he
had, at the same time, acquired great favour with Villiers, his prospects
looked brighter than before. According to his custom, he strove earnestly
to guide by his advice the conduct of the young favourite. His letters, in
which he analyses the various relations in which such a man must stand, and
prescribes the course of action suitable for each, are valuable and
deserving of attention.[22] Very striking, in view of future events, are
the words[23] in which he gives him counsel as to his dealing with judges:
"By no means be you persuaded to interpose yourself by word or letter in
any cause depending, or like to be depending, in any court of justice, nor
suffer any man to do it where you can hinder it; and by all means dissuade
the king himself from it, upon the importunity of any, either for their
friends or themselves. If it should prevail, it perverts justice; but if
the judge be so just, and of so undaunted a courage (as he ought to be) as
not to be inclined thereby, yet it always leaves a taint of suspicions and
prejudice behind it." It is probable that Villiers at this time had really
a sense of the duties attaching to his position[24] and was willing to be
guided by a man of approved wisdom. It was not long before an opportunity
occurred for showing his gratitude and favour. Ellesmere resigned the
chancellorship on the 5th of March 1616/7, and on the 7th the great seal
was bestowed upon Bacon, with the title of lord keeper. Two months later he
took his seat with great pomp in the chancery court, and delivered a
weighty and impressive opening discourse. He entered with great vigour on
his new labours, and in less than a month he was able to report to
Buckingham that he had cleared off all outstanding chancery cases. He
seemed now to have reached the height of his ambition; he was the first law
officer in the kingdom, the accredited minister of his sovereign, and on
the best terms with the king and his favourite. His course seemed perfectly
prosperous and secure, when a slight storm