It must not, indeed, be forgotten that conventionalities, as well as insincerity, differ in their forms in different times; and that insincerity may lurk behind frank and clear words, when they are the fashion, as much as in what is like mere fulsome adulation.

But words mean something, in spite of forms and fashions.

When a man of great genius writes his private letters, we wish generally to believe on the whole what he says; and there are no limits to the esteem, the honour, the confidence, which Bacon continued to the end to express towards Cecil.

Bacon appeared to trust him--appeared, in spite of continued disappointments, to rely on his good-will and good offices.

But for one reason or another Bacon still remained in the shade.