e in London was the cession of York House--not to
Buckingham, but of all men in the world, to Lionel Cranfield, the man
who had been so bitter against Bacon in the House of Commons. This is
Sir Edward Sackville's account to Bacon of his talk with Buckingham; it
is characteristic of every one concerned:

"In the forenoon he laid the law, but in the afternoon he preached
the gospel; when, after some revivations of the old distaste
concerning York House, he most nobly opened his heart unto me;
wherein I read that which augured much good towards you. After
which revelation the book was again sealed up, and must in his own
time only by himself be again manifested unto you. I have leave to
remember some of the vision, and am not forbidden to write it. He
vowed (not court like), but constantly to appear your friend so
much, as if his Majesty should abandon the care of you, you should
share his fortune with him. He pleased to tell me how much he had
been beholden to you, how well he loved you, how unkindly he took
the denial of your house (for so he will needs understand it); but
the close for all this was harmonious, since he protested he would
seriously begin to study your ends, now that the world should see
he had no ends on you. He is in hand with the work, and therefore
will by no means accept of your offer, though I can assure you the
tender hath much won upon him, and mellowed his heart towards you,
and your genius directed you aright when you writ that letter of
denial to the Duke. The King saw it, and all the rest, which made
him say unto the Marquis, you played an after-game well; and that
now he had no reason to be much offended.

"I have already talked of the Revelation, and now am to speak in
apocalyptical language, which I hope you will rightly comment:
whereof if you make difficulty, the bearer can help you with the
key of the cypher.

"My Lord Falkland by this time hath showed you London from Highgate.
_If York House were gone, the town were yours_, and all your
straitest shackles clean off, besides more comfort than the city air
only. The Marquis would be exceeding glad the Treasurer had it. This
I know; yet this you must not know from me. Bargain with him
presently, upon as good conditions as you can procure, so you have
direct motion from the Marquis to let