In this fable he explains the common but erroneous supposition, that knowledge and the conformity of the will, knowing and acting, are convertible terms.-Of this error he, in his essay of "Custom and Education," admonishes his readers, by saying, "Men's thoughts are much according to their inclination; their discourse and speeches according to their learning and infused opinions, but their deeds are after as they have been accustomed; Æsop's damsel, transformed from a cat to a woman, sat very demurely at the board-end till a mouse ran before her."—In the fable of the Syrens he exhibits the same truth, saying, "The habitation of the Syrens was in certain pleasant islands, from whence, as soon as out of their watch-tower they discovered any ships approaching, with their sweet tunes they would first entice and stay them, and, having them in their power, would destroy them; and, so great were the mischiefs they did, that these isles of the syrens, even as far off as man can ken them, appeared all over white with the bones of unburied carcasses: by which it is signified that albeit the examples of afflictions be manifest and eminent, yet they do not sufficiently deter us from the wicked enticements of pleasure." (a)

(a) See note CCC at the end, for the various editions of this work, and observations upon them. See vol. iii. p. 1, for the English, and vol. xi. p. 271, for the Latin.

cli

CHAPTER II.

FROM THE PUBLICATION OF THE WISDOM OF THE
ANCIENTS TO THE PUBLICATION OF

THE NOVUM ORGANUM.

In consequence of the limitation, in the court of King's MarshalBench, (a) of the jurisdiction of the Marshalsea court to sea. the officers of the King's household, a new court of record was erected by letters patent, styled "Curia virgi palatii summi Regis," to extend the jurisdiction; and the judges nominated by the letters patent were Sir Francis Bacon the Solicitor General, and Sir James Vavasour, then Marshal of the Household. (b) In this office he delivered a learned and methodical charge to a jury upon a commission of oyer and terminer, in which he availed himself of an opportunity to protest against the abuse of capital punishment. (c) "For life," he says, "I must say unto you in general that it is grown too cheap in these times; it is set at the price of words, and every petty scorn and disgrace can have no other reparation; nay, so many men's lives are taken away with impunity, that the very life of the law, the execution, is almost taken away."

When Solicitor he argued in the case of Sutton's Hos- Charter pital, or the Charter House, (d) against the legality of the

(a) Michelbonn's case, 6 Co. 20.

(b) A history of this court, its officers, &c. may be found in a tract pub

lished by Clarke and Co. Law-booksellers, Portugal Street, A.D. 1812. See also Buckley on Jurisdiction of Marshalsea, 1827.

(c) See vol. vi. p. 85.

(d) 10 Co. 1.

House.

1612.

Æt. 52.

foundation, and, fortunately for the advancement of charity and of knowledge, he argued without success, as its validity was confirmed; and in 1611 this noble institution was opened, to the honour of its munificent founder, who preferred the consciousness of doing good to the empty honours which were offered to divert him from his course. (a) It seems, however, that Bacon's objections to the charity were not confined to his argument at the bar, but were the expression of his judgment, as he afterwards addressed a letter of advice to the King, pointing out many imaginary or real defects of the project, (b) in which he says, " I wish Mr. Sutton's intentions were exalted a degree; and that which he meant for teachers of children, your majesty should make for teachers of men; wherein it hath been my ancient opinion and observation, (c) that in the universities of this realm, which I take to be of the best endowed universities of Europe, there is nothing more wanting towards the flourishing state of learning than the honourable and plentiful salaries of readers in arts and professions; for, if you will have sciences flourish, you must observe David's military law, which was, that those which staid with the carriage should have equal part with those which were in the action."" (c)

In the year 1612, he published a new edition of his essays, enlarged and enlivened by illustrations and imathe Prince, gery, (d) which, upon the sudden death of Prince Henry, (e)

Death of

and

Essays.

(a) See note AAAA at the end.

(b) See vol. v. p. 374.

(c) Advancement of Learning, vol. ii. p. 94.

(d) See note 3 I at the end.

(e) Prince Henry died 6th Nov. 1612. See the intended dedication, in note 3 I at the end. See the character of Prince Henry, in Hume's history. See Wilson's history.

to whom it was intended to be dedicated, he inscribed to his brother. (a)

In this year he, as Solicitor General, appeared on behalf of the crown, upon the prosecution of the Lord Sanquhar, a Scottish nobleman, for murder; and his speech, which has been preserved, is a specimen of the mildness ever attendant upon knowledge. (b) After having clearly stated the case, he thus concludes: "I will conclude toward you, my lord, that though your offence hath been great, yet your confession hath been free, and your behaviour and speech full of discretion; and this shews, that though you could not resist the tempter, yet you bear a christian and generous mind, answerable to the noble family of which you are descended. (c)

(a) To my loving Brother, Sir John Constable, Knight.*

My last essays I dedicated to my dear brother, Master Anthony Bacon, who is with God. Looking amongst my papers this vacation, I found others of the same nature; which, if I myself shall not suffer to be lost, it seemeth the world will not, by the often printing of the former. Missing my brother, I found you next, in respect of bond both of near alliance and of straight friendship and society, and particularly of communication in studies, wherein I must acknowledge myself beholding to you; for as my business found rest in my contemplations, so my contemplations ever found rest in your loving conference and judgment. So wishing you all good, I remain

Your loving brother and friend, Fra. Bacon.†

See the dedication to Goldsmith's Traveller.

(b) See note (c), next page.

(c) He was executed before Westminster Hall-gate. The reader, for his fuller information in this story of the Lord Sanquhar, is desired to peruse

* Brother to Lady Bacon.

+ See note 3 I at the end.

Attorney

During the time he was Solicitor, he composed, as it seems, his "Confession of Faith." (a)

Bacon as Solicitor naturally looked forward to the office General. of Attorney General, to which he succeeded on the 27th of October, upon the promotion of Sir Henry Hobart to the Chief Justiceship of the Common Pleas. (b) Never was man more qualified for the office of Attorney General than Bacon. With great general knowledge, ever tending to humanize (c) and generate a love of improvement; (d) with great insight into the principles of politics (e) and of universal justice, (e) and such worldly experience as to enable him to apply his knowledge to the times in which he lived. "Non in republicâ Platonis; sed tanquam in fæce Romuli;" with long unwearied professional exertion in the law of England, publications upon existing parts of the law, and efforts to improve it, he entered upon the duties of his office with the well founded hope in the profession, that he would be an honour to his name and his country,

the case in the ninth book of the Lord Coke's reports; at the end of which
the whole series of the murder and trial is exactly related. See also vol.
vi.
P. 167.

(a) See the preface to vol. vii. p. xix.

(b) There are extant two letters to Lord Salisbury (see vol. xii. p. 63), one to the Chancellor, vol. xii. p. 105, and one to the King, vol. xii. p. 106, respecting this appointment.

(c) Advancement of Learning, vol. ii. p. 80. "It is an assured truth which is contained in the verses:

'Scilicet ingenuas didicisse fideliter artes,

Emollit mores, nec sinit esse feros."

It taketh away the wildness and barbarism and fierceness of men's minds; but indeed the accent had need be upon 'fideliter:' for a little superficial learning doth rather work a contrary effect."

"The unlearned man

(d) Advancement of Learning, vol. ii. p. 82. knows not what it is to descend into himself, or to call himself to account; nor the pleasure of that suavissima vita, indies sentire se fieri meliorem."" (e) See note C C at the end.