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the King and the Commons, on the subject of the King’s debts. Bacon spoke in favour of supply, and in defence of the King’s right of imposition. Towards the end of August this year his mother died, and to the summer vacation Mr. Spedding refers ‘The beginning of the History of Great Britain.’ What were his occupations in 1611 we have no certain information. Perhaps he amused himself with elaborating his Essays, of which he published a much enlarged edition: in the following year. His letter to the King touching Sutton’s Estate, a report on the scarcity of silver at the Mint, and a charge on opening the Court of the Verge, show that his professional duties were not neglected. Salisbury’s death in 1612 left an opening for the appointment of a Secretary of State, and Bacon offered his services to the King. The office was not filled up immediately, and soon after the Mastership of the Wards, vacant from the same cause, was given to Sir George Carey, though popular rumour assigned it to Bacon, who had drawn up a frame of declaration and instructions for the new Master. In the trial of Lord Sanquhar for murder (June 27, 1612), Bacon appeared in his capacity of Solicitor General as counsel for the prosecution. Three days later he made a speech before the Council and Judges, on the refusal of the Countess of Shrewsbury to be examined for aiding the Lady Arabella Stewart in her attempt to escape.

The proposed marriage of the Princess Elizabeth to the Elector Palatine in 1612, gave Bacon additional employment in drawing up Instructions to the Commissioners for collecting the Aid which was levied on the occasion. Probably towards the end of November he published the second edition of his Essays. It was his intention to have dedicated them to Prince Henry; but the Prince’s unexpected death on the 6th of November prevented him from carrying this intention into effect, and the Essays were addressed to Sir John Constable, who had married Lady Bacon’s sister. ‘They must have appeared in the interval between the death of the Prince and the 17th of December, when they are referred to in one of Chamberlain’s letters.