Page:Essays of Francis Bacon 1908 Scott.djvu/44

Rh wise will but laugh at you both; being but trouble, besides your debts, long journeys, and private persons. Earls be earls." (September 7, 1594.) Essex generously offered to relieve Bacon's financial straits. "You shall not deny to accept a piece of land which I will bestow upon you." Bacon demurred, but in the outcome he accepted an estate from Essex which he afterwards sold for £1800. His letter of acceptance is of importance in explaining his relations with Essex, because it shows that even at this time Bacon foresaw that he might have to choose between his friendship for Essex and his loyalty to the Queen's government. "My Lord," he said, "I see I must be your homager and hold land of your gift: but do you know the manner of doing homage in law? Always it is with a saving of his faith to the King and his other Lords: and therefore, my Lord (said I), I can be no more yours than I was, and it must be with the ancient savings."

In the summer of 1596, the Earl of Essex commanded the land forces in the expedition against Cadiz, the most brilliant military exploit of Elizabeth's reign. But the capture of Cadiz added nothing to Essex's reputation as a soldier. Rather it proved clearly what Elizabeth and Cecil and Bacon had all along thought, that Essex was impossible as a military leader. He was indeed brave and daring, but he was impatient of advice, he exceeded his instructions, and he was so jealous of his subordinate officers that he could not get on with any of them. His enemies at Court had not been idle during his Rh