days of Queen Bess, for at no period do we read of so many masques,
revels, and such like entertainments as during the reign of our maiden
Queen.
Men of all ages and ranks, even those devoted to the learned and
severe study of the law, indulged themselves to the full in these
amusements. Judges and statesmen condescended to arrange and fashion
the festivities, and occasionally indeed took part in them, nothing
daunted by the fact that they not unfrequently ended in brawls and
fighting. Men fought fiercely too in these turbulent times, and the
arms then in common use were formidable weapons. It was the custom to
carry bucklers with a point or poke, as it was called, in the centre,
from ten to twelve inches in length. Every haberdasher sold these
bucklers, and their use became so much abused, that, in the eighth year
of Elizabeth, a proclamation was issued prohibiting the sale of any of
which the poke exceeded two inches in length. At the same time, the
length of swords was limited to one yard and half a quarter, nor was
any dagger to have a blade above twelve inches long.
In the records we have respecting many of these gay doings and
magnificent festivals, Gray's Inn and the Temple appear to have taken
the lead, and at last a sort of union was entered into between the two
Inns. Over the great gates of the gardens of the Inner Temple appears
the "Griffin" of Gray's Inn, whilst over the principal entrance in
Gray's Inn Square, is carved in bold relief the "Winged Horse" of the
Inner Temple.
A curious pamphlet, published in 1594, commemorates this union. It
is entitled, "Gesta Grayorium, or the History of the High and Mighty
Prince, Henry Prince of Purpoole, etc."
It gives a very detailed account of a grand masque that took place on
the 20th December, with a minute description of the rich and quaint
costumes worn by the actors who took part therein.
There is reason to think that Lord Bacon himself organised this revel,
and also assisted in its preparation.
On the said 20th December, it being St. Thomas's Eve, the Prince of
Purpoole, as he is termed (Purpoole being the name of the property on
which Gray's Inn was built), accompanied by a long train of courtiers
and followers, marched in procession from his lodgings in the Inn to
the Great Hall, where all things had with fitting dignity been prepared
for his reception.
Here he seated himself on a magnificent throne, having over his head
a canopy made of rich cloth of state. His great Lords and Councillors
grouped themselves around him. Below the daïs were seated his learned
council and his learned lawyers, while the numerous officers and
attendants of his Court were arranged becomingly in their proper places.
The narrator dilates with much enthusiasm on the magnificence and
beauty of the spectacle, and we can well believe the effect must have
been fine. Still, in these prosaic days, we find it difficult to
understand the Lord High Chancellor and the Queen's Judges of the High
Court of Justice giving much thought and time to an entertainment of
this description.
However, there is no doubt that in these same riotous, fighting,
turbulent, and yet romantic times such spectacles did excite prodigious
interest. Our chronicler continues to relate, that common report had so
cried up the merits of this especial performance, that the expectation
of strangers, both English and foreign, was greatly excited, insomuch
that it became necessary to repeat it, and to have many grand nights
especially arranged for the entertainment of distinguished strangers.
Unhappily however, then, as is sometimes the case now, the crowd of
spectators greatly exceeded the space provided for their accommodation.
The multitude of beholders, indeed, was so considerable that there was
not convenient room for those who were actors. Many of the performers
among the Templarians (as they were then called) left the Hall so
displeased and angry that their discontent resulted in blows, and the
fighting became so furious that the next day it was found necessary to
have an inquiry into the cause of "these disorders."
Nothing daunted, however, by the ill-success of their opening night,
the revellers organised another grand performance on the 3rd January
following, in honour of a great number of ambassadors, knights,
ladies, and other worshipful personages, amongst whom were the Lord
Keeper, the Lords Shrewsbury, Burleigh, Cumberland, most of the
officers of State and of the Queen's household, and it is said all
these guests had convenient places and very good entertainment.
The Temple and Gray's Inn were now reconciled and had become friendly
again, so the day after this entertainment the Prince of Purpoole,
accompanied by the "Ambassadors of Templaria," and attended by eighty
gentlemen of Gray's Inn and the Temple (each of them wearing a plume on
his head), dined in state with the Lord Mayor at Crosby Place.
The next grand night was upon Twelfth Night, on which occasion there
was again a great company of lords, ladies, and knights; and at
Shrovetide the Prince and his company visited Queen Elizabeth at
Greenwich.
After the performance Her Majesty "willed the Lord Chamberlain that the
gentlemen should be invited on the next day, and that he should present
them to her," which was done, and Her Majesty gave them her hand to
kiss, with most gracious words of commendation to them, "particularly
and in general of Gray's Inn, as an house that she was much beholden
unto, for that it did always study for some sports to present unto her."
The same night there was fighting at "Barriers," at which the Prince
behaved so valiantly and skilfully that the prize, a jewel set with
seventeen diamonds and four rubies, was presented to him by the Queen.
The following order of Pension, to defray the expenses of the above
entertainment, was made on February 9th, 37th Elizabeth.
"At this Pension it is ordered that every Reader of this House, towards
the charges of the shows and sports before Her Majesty at Shrovetide
last year, shall pay ten shillings, and every Ancient six shillings and
eightpence, and every Utter Barrister five shillings, and every other
Gentleman of this Society, three shillings and sixpence before the end
of this term."
There is a tradition in Gray's Inn that the screen already mentioned
under the gallery in the Great Hall, as well as the dining tables now
used in the Hall, were given to the Society by that Queen as tokens of
Her Majesty's regard.
Queen Elizabeth's memory is still held in much affection by the ever
loyal subjects in Gray's Inn, and on the Grand Day of each term "the
glorious, pious, and immortal memory of good Queen Bess" is still
solemnly given in Hall.
In 1613, "the Maske of Flowers was presented by the Gentlemen of
Graie's Inn, in the Banqueting House, at the Court of Whitehall, on
the occasion of the marriage of the Earle of Somerset with the Lady
Frances, daughter of the Earl of Suffolk."
In "The Court and Times of King James I.," there is a letter from I.
Chamberlaine, dated 23rd December, 1613, in which he says:
"Sir Francis Bacon prepares a masque to honour their marriage which
will stand him in above £2,000, and, although he has been offered some
help by the House, and especially by Mr. Solicitor Sir Henry Yelverton,
who would have sent him £500, yet he would not accept it."
The story of this masque was published the following year, with a
dedication "to the verie honourable Sir Francis Bacon, His Majesty's
Attorney-General."
The dedication states:
"That you have graced in general the Societies of the Innes of Court in
continuing them still as third persons with the nobility and Court, in
doing the King honour, and particularly Graie's Inne, which, as you
have formerly brought to flourish both in the ancienter and younger
sort by countenancing virtue in every quality, so now you have made a
notable demonstration thereof in the lighter and less serious kind."
The members of this learned Society did not always, it appears, amuse
themselves in so discreet a manner, for there is a letter in the same
book, "The Court and Times of James I.," relating that:
"The gentlemen of Gray's Inn, to make an end of Christmas, on Twelfth
Night, at the dead time of the night, shot off all the chambers (small
cannon), which they had borrowed from the Tower, being as many as
filled four carts.
"The King, awakened by this noise, started out of his bed, and cried:
'Treason! treason!' So the City was in an uproar, in such sort, as it
is said, that the whole Court was raised, and almost in arms, the Earl
of Arundel running to the bed-chamber, with his sword drawn, as to
rescue the King's person."
The following sketch of a ticket of admission to the masque at Gray's
Inn on the 2nd February, 1682, is taken from Nichol's "Progresses of
Elizabeth:"
[Illustration: Ticket]
This entertainment is thus alluded to by Luttrell in his diary:
"On Saturday the 4th inst., the revells began at Graie's Inn. On 23rd
January, Sir Richard Gipps, master of the revells at Graie's Inn,
attended by his revellers and comptrollers, went to Whitehall in one
of His Majesty's coaches, with several noble men's coaches, and six
horses, to invite the King and Queen, the Duke (York) and Duchesse,
and the rest of the Court, to a mask at Graie's Inn, on Candlemas Day;
and accordingly there was great preparation that day, diverse of the
nobility and gentry in masks attended, who danced in the Hall, and
afterwards were entertained with a splendid banquet."
Evelyn had already spoken of these revels in terms of contempt and
disapprobation, terming them "solemn fooleries," and regretting that
the King countenanced them and the deep play that usually concluded the
evening. He says:
"6th January, 1661-2.--This evening, according to custome, His Majesty
opened the revells (at Lincoln's Inn) of that night, by throwing the
dice himself in the privy chamber, where was a table set on purpose,
and lost his £100 (the year before he won £1,500). The ladies also
plaid very deepe.... Sorry I am that such a wretched custome as play
to that excess should be countenanced in a Court that ought to be an
example of virtue to the rest of the Kingdom."
During the troubled reign of James II., and during the first year
of that of William III., men's minds were too harassed by political
anxieties to allow them much time, or indeed inclination, to indulge
in such costly and somewhat tedious entertainments. Money was scarce
in England, and the few who had any, cautiously concealed even the
semblance of riches, not knowing what changes a few years might produce.
Who, indeed, could predict with reasonable probability what King would
rule over the land, or, indeed, which Church would gain the supremacy?
From this period these masques fell into disrepute, and the last record
of so many gay revels is in 1773, on the occasion of Mr. Talbot being
elevated to the woolsack.
After a long and elaborate dinner, every member of each mess had a
flask of claret, besides the usual allowance of port and sack.
The Benchers then all assembled in the Great Hall, and a large ring was
formed round the fireplace, when the Master of the Revels taking the
Lord Chancellor by the right hand, he with his left took Mr. Justice
Page, who, joined to the other Serjeants and Benchers, danced about the
coal fire according to the old ceremony three times, while the ancient
song, accompanied with music, was sung by one Tony Aston, dressed as a
barrister.
It is difficult to understand so dignified a personage as the Lord High
Chancellor inaugurating his accession to office by such an after-dinner
dance.
Perhaps the extra flask of claret, following the usual port wine and
sack, may have had something to do with so singular a proceeding.
At any rate, after this remarkable festival, all such hilarious
proceedings ceased, and henceforward the great dinners were given with
all befitting and solemn dignity.
If the grand old Hall may be deemed the heart of Gray's Inn, then the
jewelled crown that is the noblest ornament of this time-honoured abode
of learning may be said to have been created by the distinguished men
who have grown up under her fostering care, whose studies have been
matured within the shelter of her old walls.
Names are inscribed here--on the panels, on the windows, in the
hall--the very sight of which must fire the heart of many a student
with pride and hope.
However poor he may be, however lowly his birth, however destitute
he may be of everything, save of the divine spark of genius and of
that safest attendant upon genius--resolute perseverance--the path of
success is open to him.
The Temple of Fame is before him. He may seize the prize it contains,
if he will; but the road is steep and hard to climb, and the thorns
that beset it are many and sharp.
What stories might be told of the early struggles, of the early
hardships of many of those who have ultimately attained the highest
places in the State and in the Law!
How many of those whose names will never die while England has a
history, might relate how keen, nay, how terrible had been their
sufferings when they first started in their career.
With what difficulty they obtained even necessary clothing. How hard
it was to earn the daily bread. How many sacrifices had to be made,
how many privations endured, ere the books could be bought that were
absolutely essential for their legal studies.
And if it is thus hard for those who win, what tales of bitter woe
and anguish might be written of those who labour and fail. Of those
who, having both talent and application, yet lack, alas! the peculiar
genius that enables the great lawyer to grasp a subject or legal point
with a rapidity, and a perspicuity that is truly marvellous to the
unlearned!
What hours of anxious study, what fevered days and terrible nights must
the unsuccessful, struggling man endure. Conscious, in all probability,
of his own deficiencies, and yet hoping on--ever hoping on, not daring
to confess even to himself that the studies of years have been of no
avail, that the tree is barren, and will never bear fruit.
These are the unhappy men who eventually sink into the crowd of poor
legal hacks. These are indeed the jackals who must cater and work for
the lions of their order.
NOTE.--Those who are interested in the history and customs of this old
Inn of Court are referred to an admirable work on the subject, namely,
"Notes on Gray's Inn," by W. R. Douthwaite, Esq., librarian.
THE TWO BROTHERS, ANTHONY AND FRANCIS BACON.
The most notable of the many distinguished names recorded in Gray's Inn
is that of Francis Bacon, afterwards Lord Verulam, Viscount St. Albans,
and Lord High Chancellor of England.
The son of a distinguished and learned gentleman, he was also happy
in having in his mother a woman alike remarkable for her piety, her
domestic virtues, and her great learning. Accomplished in no common
degree in the charming arts of music and painting, few scholars of the
day excelled Lady Bacon in intimate knowledge of Latin and Greek.
Francis, her second son, was born in 1561, and so early gave tokens of
such exceptional talent that when very young he was honoured by the
notice of Queen Elizabeth. Whatever the faults, errors, and meannesses
of Queen Elizabeth as a woman, in her character of sovereign, in one
respect at least, she showed herself to be well worthy to wear a crown,
well worthy to govern a great people, inasmuch as she possessed to a
rare extent that inestimable quality in those who have to rule, the
power of appreciating genius.
Under no reign has learning been more fostered, under no reign have
talented men so clustered round the throne, as during the reign of this
maiden Queen.
Elizabeth appreciated the powers of, and knew when she had a
distinguished statesman, and though she might ill-treat him, show
herself most niggardly towards him, not unfrequently betraying cruel
ingratitude, yet she ever respected his talents and caused them to be
respected by others.
Both Francis Bacon and his elder brother Anthony were educated at
Trinity College, Cambridge.
Anthony was a man of good and even brilliant parts, but being the
eldest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, who, besides a great legal position,
had large landed estates in several of the midland counties, young
Anthony was not destined to any profession. He spent much of his time
in travelling, and thus became personally acquainted with most of the
learned persons of the age.
In 1579, being then twenty-one, to the annoyance of his family he
resolved to reside entirely in Paris, and there he remained for some
years. He then went to Bourges and Geneva, and, at the latter place,
lodged in the house of the celebrated Theodore Beza.
From Geneva he successively removed to Montpellier, Marseilles,
Bordeaux, and Montauban, having become by this time a sort of
recognised Government correspondent, constantly communicating to the
English ministry intelligence of any importance.
In 1585 he went to Bearn on a visit to Henry of Navarre, afterwards the
great Henry IV. of France, and here made acquaintance with the learned
Lambert Dansens, who, as a mark of esteem, dedicated several of his
works to his English friend.
Here, too, began for poor Sir Anthony the great romance of his life.
It was at this Court that he became acquainted with a beautiful French
lady, whose many charms and winning graces broke the poor baronet's
heart. With some rare and gifted natures love is an integral part of
life. When it is clear that love must die, life in a great measure dies
too, and so it was with Sir Anthony Bacon.
His love was unsuccessful; so, sore-hearted and with broken health he
left the scene of his brief happiness and of his enduring grief, and
returned to England, never again to leave it. He took up his residence
at Essex House, and after a time rallied sufficiently from his
disappointment to resume his correspondence with some of his foreign
friends. Amongst these his most constant and valued correspondent was
King Henry IV. of France; but the sorrowful love romance had destroyed
the most brilliant portion of his existence, and Sir Anthony never
quite recovered from the pain he had then suffered.
His more celebrated brother was framed in harder mould. Before Francis
was seventeen he had not only traversed the whole circle of the liberal
arts as then taught, but he had begun to perceive how fallacious
was the recognised philosophy of the day. And these fallacies he
subsequently effectually exposed.
When the time came for leaving Cambridge, his father sent him first to
France, and afterwards allowed him to make, what was called, the grand
tour.
So well did he profit by his travels, that he wrote a general view of
the state of Europe before he was nineteen.
He had intended carrying his researches still farther abroad,
projecting a journey to Egypt and India, but the death of his father
obliging him to return to England, he applied himself to the study of
Common Law at Gray's Inn.
Even in these early days, the lucidity of his reasoning, the keenness
of his intellect attracted the notice of many leading men.
The Earl of Essex in particular, who was a great discerner of merit,
became his intimate friend, and endeavoured, though unsuccessfully, to
procure for Bacon the office of Queen's Solicitor.
Failing in this, Lord Essex, to console his _protégé_ under such a
disappointment, generously conferred on him a present of land to the
value of £1,800.
Notwithstanding, however, the friendship of so powerful a patron,
and notwithstanding the favour with which the Queen already regarded
him, young Francis had, during the earlier years of his career, many
obstacles to contend against.
Talents so remarkable, such great patronage, and especially the favour
of the monarch, created a host of enemies, all of whom decried the
young aspirant with the spiteful bitterness and venom of envy. They
represented him as an essentially unpractical enthusiast, whose head
was filled with philosophical and speculative ideas. As one far more
likely therefore to perplex, than to forward public business.
So many cabals resulted in his being unable to obtain for a
considerable period either office or preferment, and he was over forty
years of age before Lord Burleigh, who was then Lord Treasurer,
bestowed upon him the place of Registrar to the Star Chamber.
This appointment was worth about £1,600, but its duties were both
onerous and unpleasant. It so happened that to Bacon they became
especially distasteful, for the critical moment arrived when he had
to decide whether he would resign his preferment, or disregard every
sacred claim of honour and friendship.
Unhappily the choice he made at this juncture has tarnished for ever a
name, that in other respects he rendered so illustrious, and ultimately
it, in fact, proved the ruin of this great and gifted man.
Even in the events of this world, how often do our own faults become
the very lashes that scourge us. How frequently does the evil we have
done to others return upon us fourfold.
"Cast thy bread upon the waters," says the preacher, "and after many
days it shall come back to thee," and this applies to evil as well as
to good deeds.
During the larger part of Queen Elizabeth's reign, both in Court and
State, two great parties were for ever struggling to obtain supremacy.
The two Cecils were at the head of one of these parties.
The leader of the other was first the Earl of Leicester, and
subsequently, his son-in-law, the Earl of Essex.
Bacon's undoubted genius excited both the jealousy and the dislike of
his relatives, the Cecils, and the intimate friendship he had formed
with Lord Essex also much increased their covert animosity, although
they did not care to exhibit it openly against so near a connection.
Still, though outwardly courteous, Bacon was well aware that in them he
had formidable enemies, and he knew that his future prosperity mainly
depended upon his being able to convert these enemies into friends.
Essex, with the generosity that was his distinguishing characteristic,
had not only exerted himself strenuously on his friend's behalf, but
had also, as already mentioned, by a noble gift, sought to console him
for his disappointment in failing to obtain place.
But after years of prosperity and power, the fatal day came when the
favourite was to share the fate of most Royal favourites, Essex was
disgraced and fell into deep misfortune.
That a man could write as Bacon afterwards wrote of "Friendship,"
and of "Honour and Reputation," and yet permit himself, at the base
dictates of ambition, to desert, nay, even to betray his earliest and
most generous friend, must seem to every noble heart a fact almost
incredible; but it is unhappily an undoubted fact, that when Essex
was at the bar of the House of Lords to be tried for his life. Bacon,
in his professional capacity, appeared _against_ his generous and
affectionate friend and patron.
Nor was even this the extent of his unworthy treason.
For some time previously, and also after the unhappy favourite had
expiated his follies by a shameful death, discontent and irritation had
been spreading amongst all classes, and the Government grew daily more
and more unpopular.
At length the clamours of the people became so loud and deep, not only
against ministers, but also against the Queen herself, that it was
deemed necessary to make a formal vindication of the proceedings of the
Administration.
For this end all the blame, all the obloquy of every administrative
failure must be thrown upon the dead man.
Bacon accepted the discreditable, nay, disgraceful duty that had
been assigned to him. He allowed himself to vilify the name of
his benefactor, his early friend. He agreed to cast the odium of
treason upon one from whom he had accepted gifts, and for whom he had
professed, and professed for years, the most ardent friendship.
In a skilful and masterly paper he justified the proceedings of the
Government, and drew up a declaration of the treason of which Essex had
been found guilty, and for which he had duly suffered.