The promotion was
obvious, but the Common Pleas suited Coke better, and the place was more
lucrative. Bacon's advice was followed. Coke, very reluctantly, knowing
well who had given it, and why, "not only weeping himself but followed
by the tears" of all the Court of Common Pleas, moved up to the higher
post. The Attorney Hobart succeeded, and Bacon at last became Attorney
(October 27, 1613). In Chamberlain's gossip we have an indication, such
as occurs only accidentally, of the view of outsiders: "There is a
strong apprehension that little good is to be expected by this change,
and that Bacon may prove a dangerous instrument."
CHAPTER V.
BACON ATTORNEY-GENERAL AND CHANCELLOR.
Thus, at last, at the age of fifty-two, Bacon had gained the place which
Essex had tried to get for him at thirty-two. The time of waiting had
been a weary one, and it is impossible not to see that it had been
hurtful to Bacon. A strong and able man, very eager to have a field for
his strength and ability, who is kept out of it, as he thinks unfairly,
and is driven to an attitude of suppliant dependency in pressing his
claim on great persons who amuse him with words, can hardly help
suffering in the humiliating process.
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