arising opened his eyes to the
frailty of the tenure by which he held his position.

Coke was in disgrace but not in despair; there seemed to be a way whereby
he could reconcile himself to Buckingham, through the marriage of his
daughter, who had an ample fortune, to Sir John Villiers, brother of the
marquess, who was penniless or nearly so. The match was distasteful to Lady
Hatton and to her daughter; a violent quarrel was the consequence, and
Bacon, who thought the proposed marriage most unsuitable, took Lady
Hatton's part. His reasons for disapproval he explained to the king and
Buckingham, but found to his surprise that their indignation was strongly
roused against him. He received from both bitter letters of reproof; it was
rumoured that he would be disgraced, and Buckingham was said to have
compared his present conduct to his previous unfaithfulness to Essex.
Bacon, who seems to have acted from a simple desire to do the best for
Buckingham's own interests, at once changed his course, advanced the match
by every means in his power, and by a humble apology appeased the
indignation that had been excited against him. It had been a sharp lesson,
but things seemed to go on smoothly after it, and Bacon's affairs
prospered.

On the 4th of January 1617/8 he received the higher title of lord
chancellor; in July of the same year he was made Baron Verulam and in
January 1620/1 he was created Viscount St Albans. His fame, too, had been
increased by the publication in 1620 of his most celebrated work, the
_Novum Organum_. He seemed at length to have made satisfactory progress
towards the realization of his cherished aims; the method essential for his
Instauration was partially completed; and he had attained as high a rank in
the state as he had ever contemplated. But his actions in that position
were not calculated to promote the good of his country.

Connected with the years during which he held office is one of the
weightiest charges against his character. Buckingham, notwithstanding the
advice he had received from Bacon himself, was in the habit of addressing
letters to him recommending the causes of suitors. In many cases these seem
nothing more than letters of courtesy, and, from the general tone, it might
fairly be concluded that there was no intention to sway the opinion of the
judge illegally, and that Bacon did not understand the letters in that
sense. This view is supported by consideration of the few answers to them