viii good:-but these expectations may be the illusions of a lover; and it is not given to man to love and to be wise.--There are, however, pleasures of which nothing can bereave me; the consciousness that I have endeavoured to render some assistance to science and to the profession, the noble, intellectual profession of which I am a member. How deeply, how gratefully do I feel; with what a lofty spirit and sweet content do I think of the constant kindness of my many, many friends! And now, for the last time, I use the words of Lord Bacon: "Being at some pause, looking back into that I have passed through, this writing seemeth to me, 'si nunquam fallit imago,' as far as a man can judge of his own work, not much better than the noise or sound which musicians make while they are tuning their instruments, which is nothing pleasant to hear, but yet is a cause why the music is sweeter afterwards: so have I been content to tune the instruments of the muses, that they may play that have better hands." To posterity and distant ages Bacon bequeathed his good name, and posterity and distant ages will do him ample justice. Wisdom herself has suffered in his disgrace, but year after year brings to light proof of the arts that worked Bacon's downfall, and covered his character with obloquy. He will find some future historian who, assisted by the patient labours of the present editor, with all his zeal and tenfold his ability; with power equal to the work, and leisure to pursue it, will dig the statue from the rubbish which may yet deface it; and, obliterating one by one the paltry libels scrawled upon its base, will place it, to the honour of true science, in a temple worthy of his greatness. November 17, 1834. B. MONTAGU. CONTENTS OF VOL. I. CHAPTER II. From the Death of his Father till he engaged His admission at Gray's Inn. His occupations vi Parties at court. Member for Middlesex. In his first speech recommends improvement of the law. Justitia Universalis. Speech as to the subsidies, which offends the Queen. His dignified conduct. Ben Jonson's description of him as a speaker. Exertions to be Soli- citor General. Applies to the Lord Keeper, Lord Burleigh, Sir Robert Cecil. Essex's exertions. Fleming appointed. Essex gives him an estate at Twickenham. Returns to Twickenham. Invents barometer and other instruments. Resumes his professional la- bours. Employed by the Queen. Effort to secure a vacancy. M. A. of Cambridge. Work on Elements of the Law. Essex ap- pointed to command in Spain. The Essays. Sacred Meditations. Colours of Good and Evil. Proposal of marriage to Lady Hat- ton. Reading on Statute of Uses. Essex solicits command in Ireland. Interruption i con dissuades Essex from accepting the command. Essex appointed Lord Lieu- From the Accession of James till the Publica- tion of the Wisdom of the Ancients. Bacon's prospects. Approach of the King. Parliament. Visit to Eton. Letter to Sa- ville. Education. Greatness of Britain. Extent of Territory. Compactness. Mai tial valour. Riches. His parliamentary exertions. Advancement of Learning. De- cision. Dedication. Objections from Di- vines. Politicians, Errors of learned men. Study of words. Government. Posthu- mous fame. Analysis of Science of Man. Exertions in active life. Ireland. Scotland, Church reform. Church controversies. Edi- fication of the Church. Solicitor General. X CHAPTER II. From the publication of the Wisdom of the An- Marshalsea. Charter House. Death of the Page CHAPTER III. From the publication of the Novum Organum to Resolution to publish Novum Organum. Liter- lviii Page stances, solitary, travelling, journeying, con- lxxv CHAPTER IV, From his Fall to his Death. Liberation. Re- 1. History relating to the memory 2. Poetry relating to the imagination.... 192 WHAT HAS BEEN DONE for the advancement of learning, and what omitted...... ... 184 MAN IN SOCIETY Persons of the learned Natural history considered as to the subject 187 Natural history considered as to its use .. 188 Ecclesiastical history. Speculative natural philosophy Metaphysique. Operative natural philosophy 131 166 169 172 174 OF THE WILL 176 The Cyclops, or the Ministers of Terror.. 288 The Sister of the Giants, or Fame. Page 205 207 207 209 209 209 210 239 255 |
