Hecontinuedtopleadhispatron’scausewiththeQueenaslongashethoughtthatbypleadingthatcausehemightservehimself。Nay，hewentfurther;forhisfeelings，thoughnotwarm，werekind;hepleadedthatcauseaslongashethoughtthathecouldpleaditwithoutinjurytohimself。ButwhenitbecameevidentthatEssexwasgoingheadlongtohisruin，Baconbegantotrembleforhisownfortunes。Whathehadtofearwouldnotindeedhavebeenveryalarmingtoamanofloftycharacter。Itwasnotdeath。Itwasnotimprisonment。ItwasthelossofCourtfavour。Itwasthebeingleftbehindbyothersinthecareerofambition。ItwasthehavingleisuretofinishtheInstauratioMagna。TheQueenlookedcoldlyonhim。Thecourtiersbegantoconsiderhimasamarkedman。Hedeterminedtochangehislineofconduct，andtoproceedinanewcoursewithsomuchvigourastomakeupforlosttime。Whenoncehehaddeterminedtoactagainsthisfriend，knowinghimselftobesuspected，heactedwithmorezealthanwouldhavebeennecessaryorjustifiableifhehadbeenemployedagainstastranger。HeexertedhisprofessionaltalentstoshedtheEarl’sblood，andhisliterarytalentstoblackentheEarl’smemory。
Itiscertainthathisconductexcitedatthetimegreatandgeneraldisapprobation。WhileElizabethlived，indeed，thisdisapprobation，thoughdeeplyfelt，wasnotloudlyexpressed。Butagreatchangewasathand。ThehealthoftheQueenhadlongbeendecaying;andtheoperationofageanddiseasewasnowassistedbyacutementalsuffering。ThepitiablemelancholyofherlastdayshasgenerallybeenascribedtoherfondregretforEssex。
Butwearedisposedtoattributeherdejectionpartlytophysicalcauses，andpartlytotheconductofhercourtiersandministers。
TheydidallintheirpowertoconcealfromhertheintrigueswhichtheywerecarryingonattheCourtofScotland。Butherkeensagacitywasnottobesodeceived。Shedidnotknowthewhole。Butsheknewthatshewassurroundedbymenwhowereimpatientforthatnewworldwhichwastobeginatherdeath，whohadneverbeenattachedtoherbyaffection，andwhowerenowbutveryslightlyattachedtoherbyinterest。Prostrationandflatterycouldnotconcealfromherthecrueltruth，thatthosewhomshehadtrusted，andpromotedhadneverlovedher，andwerefastceasingtofearher。Unabletoavengeherself，andtooproudtocomplain，shesufferedsorrowandresentmenttopreyonherhearttill，afteralongcareerofpower，prosperity，andglory，shediedsickandwearyoftheworld。
Jamesmountedthethrone:andBaconemployedallhisaddresstoobtainforhimselfashareofthefavourofhisnewmaster。Thiswasnodifficulttask。ThefaultsofJames，bothasamanandasaprince，werenumerous;butinsensibilitytotheclaimsofgeniusandlearningwasnotamongthem。Hewasindeedmadeupoftwomen，awitty，well—readscholar，whowrote，disputed，andharangued，andanervous，drivellingidiot，whoacted。IfhehadbeenaCanonofChristChurchoraPrebendaryofWestminster，itisnotimprobablethathewouldhaveleftahighlyrespectablenametoposterity;thathewouldhavedistinguishedhimselfamongthetranslatorsoftheBible，andamongtheDivineswhoattendedtheSynodofDort;andthathewouldhavebeenregardedbytheliteraryworldasnocontemptiblerivalofVossiusandCasaubon。
Butfortuneplacedhiminasituationinwhichhisweaknesscoveredhimwithdisgrace，andinwhichhisaccomplishmentsbroughthimnohonour。Inacollege，mucheccentricityandchildishnesswouldhavebeenreadilypardonedinsolearnedaman。Butallthatlearningcoulddoforhimonthethronewastomakepeoplethinkhimapedantaswellasafool。
BaconwasfavourablyreceivedatCourt;andsoonfoundthathischanceofpromotionwasnotdiminishedbythedeathoftheQueen。
Hewassolicitoustobeknighted，fortworeasonswhicharesomewhatamusing。TheKinghadalreadydubbedhalfLondon，andBaconfoundhimselftheonlyuntitledpersoninhismessatGray’sInn。Thiswasnotveryagreeabletohim。Hehadalso，toquotehisownwords，\"foundanAlderman’sdaughter，ahandsomemaiden，tohisliking。\"Onboththesegrounds，hebeggedhiscousinRobertCecil，\"ifitmightpleasehisgoodLordship，\"tousehisinterestinhisbehalf。Theapplicationwassuccessful。
Baconwasoneofthreehundredgentlemenwho，onthecoronation—
day，receivedthehonour，ifitistobesocalled，ofknighthood。Thehandsomemaiden，adaughterofAldermanBarnham，soonafterconsentedtobecomeSirFrancis’slady。
ThedeathofElizabeth，thoughonthewholeitimprovedBacon’sprospects，wasinonerespectanunfortunateeventforhim。ThenewKinghadalwaysfeltkindlytowardsLordEssex，and，assoonashecametothethrone，begantoshowfavourtotheHouseofDevereux，andtothosewhohadstoodbythathouseinitsadversity。EverybodywasnowatlibertytospeakoutrespectingthoselamentableeventsinwhichBaconhadbornesolargeashare。ElizabethwasscarcelycoldwhenthepublicfeelingbegantomanifestitselfbymarksofrespecttowardsLordSouthampton。
Thataccomplishednobleman，whowillberememberedtothelatestagesasthegenerousanddiscerningpatronofShakspeare，washeldinhonourbyhiscontemporarieschieflyonaccountofthedevotedaffectionwhichhehadbornetoEssex。Hehadbeentriedandconvictedtogetherwithhisfriend;buttheQueenhadsparedhislife，and，atthetimeofherdeath，hewasstillaprisoner。
AcrowdofvisitorshastenedtotheTowertocongratulatehimonhisapproachingdeliverance。WiththatcrowdBaconcouldnotventuretomingle。Themultitudeloudlycondemnedhim;andhisconsciencetoldhimthatthemultitudehadbuttoomuchreason。
HeexcusedhimselftoSouthamptonbyletter，intermswhich，ifhehad，asMr。Montaguconceives，doneonlywhatasasubjectandanadvocatehewasboundtodo，mustbeconsideredasshamefullyservile。Heownshisfearthathisattendancewouldgiveoffence，andthathisprofessionsofregardwouldobtainnocredit。\"Yet，\"sayshe，\"itisastrueasathingthatGodknoweth，thatthisgreatchangehathwroughtinmenootherchangetowardsyourLordshipthanthis，thatImaysafelybethattoyounowwhichIwastrulybefore。\"
HowSouthamptonreceivedtheseapologieswearenotinformed。ButitiscertainthatthegeneralopinionwaspronouncedagainstBaconinamannernottobemisunderstood。Soonafterhismarriageheputforthadefenceofhisconduct，intheformofaLettertotheEarlofDevon。Thistractseemstoustoproveonlytheexceedingbadnessofacauseforwhichsuchtalentscoulddosolittle。
ItisnotprobablethatBacon’sDefencehadmucheffectonhiscontemporaries。Buttheunfavourableimpressionwhichhisconducthadmadeappearstohavebeengraduallyeffaced。Indeeditmustbesomeverypeculiarcausethatcanmakeamanlikehimlongunpopular。Histalentssecuredhimfromcontempt，histemperandhismannersfromhatred。Thereisscarcelyanystorysoblackthatitmaynotbegotoverbyamanofgreatabilities，whoseabilitiesareunitedwithcaution，goodhumour，patience，andaffability，whopaysdailysacrificetoNemesis，whoisadelightfulcompanion，aserviceablethoughnotanardentfriend，andadangerousyetaplacableenemy。Wallerinthenextgenerationwasaneminentinstanceofthis。IndeedWallerhadmuchmorethanmayatfirstsightappearincommonwithBacon。TothehigherintellectualqualitiesofthegreatEnglishphilosopher，tothegeniuswhichhasmadeanimmortalepochinthehistoryofscience，Wallerhadindeednopretensions。ButthemindofWaller，asfarasitextended，coincidedwiththatofBacon，andmight，soto，speak，havebeencutoutofthatofBacon。Inthequalitieswhichmakeamananobjectofinterestandvenerationtoposterity，theycannotbecomparedtogether。
Butinthequalitiesbywhichchieflyamanisknowntohiscontemporariestherewasastrikingsimilaritybetweenthem。
Consideredasmenoftheworld，ascourtiers，aspoliticians，asassociates，asallies，asenemies，theyhadnearlythesamemerits，andthesamedefects。Theywerenotmalignant。Theywerenottyrannical。Buttheywantedwarmthofaffectionandelevationofsentiment。Thereweremanythingswhichtheylovedbetterthanvirtue，andwhichtheyfearedmorethanguilt。Yet，evenaftertheyhadstoopedtoactsofwhichitisimpossibletoreadtheaccountinthemostpartialnarrativeswithoutstrongdisapprobationandcontempt，thepublicstillcontinuedtoregardthemwithafeelingnoteasilytobedistinguishedfromesteem。ThehyperboleofJulietseemedtobeverifiedwithrespecttothem。\"Upontheirbrowsshamewasashamedtosit。\"
Everybodyseemedasdesiroustothrowaveilovertheirmisconductasifithadbeenhisown。Clarendon，whofelt，andwhohadreasontofeel，strongpersonaldisliketowardsWaller，speaksofhimthus:\"Thereneedsnomoretobesaidtoextoltheexcellenceandpowerofhiswitandpleasantnessofhisconversation，thanthatitwasofmagnitudeenoughtocoveraworldofverygreatfaults，thatis，sotocoverthemthattheywerenottakennoticeoftohisreproach，viz。，anarrownessinhisnaturetothelowestdegree，anabjectnessandwantofcouragetosupporthiminanyvirtuousundertaking，aninsinuationandservileflatterytotheheightthevainestandmostimperiousnaturecouldbecontentedwith……Ithadpowertoreconcilehimtothosewhomhehadmostoffendedandprovoked，andcontinuedtohisagewiththatrarefelicity，thathiscompanywasacceptablewherehisspiritwasodious，andhewasatleastpitiedwherehewasmostdetested。\"Muchofthis，withsomesoftening，might，wefear，beappliedtoBacon。TheinfluenceofWaller’stalents，manners，andaccomplishments，diedwithhim;
andtheworldhaspronouncedanunbiassedsentenceonhischaracter。Afewflowinglinesarenotbribesufficienttopervertthejudgmentofposterity。ButtheinfluenceofBaconisfeltandwilllongbefeltoverthewholecivilisedworld。
Lenientlyashewastreatedbyhiscontemporaries，posterityhastreatedhimmorelenientlystill。Turnwherewemay，thetrophiesofthatmightyintellectarefullinfew。WearejudgingManliusinsightoftheCapitol。
UnderthereignofJames，Bacongrewrapidlyinfortuneandfavour。In1604hewasappointedKing’sCounsel，withafeeoffortypoundsayear;andapensionofsixtypoundsayearwassettleduponhim。In1607hebecameSolicitor—General，in1612
Attorney—General。HecontinuedtodistinguishhimselfinParliament，particularlybyhisexertionsinfavourofoneexcellentmeasureonwhichtheKing’sheartwasset，theunionofEnglandandScotland。Itwasnotdifficultforsuchanintellecttodiscovermanyirresistibleargumentsinfavourofsuchascheme。HeconductedthegreatcaseofthePostNatiintheExchequerChamber;andthedecisionofthejudges，adecisionthelegalityofwhichmaybequestioned，butthebeneficialeffectofwhichmustbeacknowledged，wasinagreatmeasureattributedtohisdexterousmanagement。WhileactivelyengagedintheHouseofCommonsandinthecourtsoflaw，hestillfoundleisureforlettersandphilosophy。ThenobletreatiseontheAdvancementofLearning，whichatalaterperiodwasexpandedintotheDeAugmentis，appearedin1605。TheWisdomoftheAncients，aworkwhich，ifithadproceededfromanyotherwriter，wouldhavebeenconsideredasamasterpieceofwitandlearning，butwhichaddslittletothefameofBacon，wasprintedin1609。InthemeantimetheNovumOrganumwasslowlyproceeding。Severaldistinguishedmenoflearninghadbeenpermittedtoseesketchesordetachedportionsofthatextraordinarybook;and，thoughtheywerenotgenerallydisposedtoadmitthesoundnessoftheauthor’sviews，theyspokewiththegreatestadmirationofhisgenius。SirThomasBodley，thefounderofoneofthemostmagnificentofEnglishlibraries，wasamongthosestubbornConservativeswhoconsideredthehopeswithwhichBaconlookedforward，tothefuturedestiniesofthehumanraceasutterlychimerical，andwhoregardedwithdistrustandaversiontheinnovatingspiritofthenewschismaticsinphilosophy。YetevenBodley，afterperusingtheCogitataetVisa，oneofthemostpreciousofthosescatteredleavesoutofwhichthegreatoracularvolumewasafterwardsmadeup，acknowledgedthatin\"thoseverypoints，andinallproposalsandplotsinthatbook，Baconshowedhimselfamaster—workman\";
andthat\"itcouldnotbegainsaidbutallthetreatiseoverdidaboundwithchoiceconceitsofthepresentstateoflearning，andwithworthycontemplationsofthemeanstoprocureit。\"In1612aneweditionoftheEssaysappeared，withadditionssurpassingtheoriginalcollectionbothinbulkandquality。NordidthesepursuitsdistractBacon’sattentionfromaworkthemostarduous，themostglorious，andthemostusefulthatevenhismightypowerscouldhaveachieved，\"thereducingandrecompiling，\"tousehisownphrase，\"ofthelawsofEngland。\"
Unhappilyhewasatthatverytimeemployedinpervertingthoselawstothevilestpurposesoftyranny。WhenOliverSt。JohnwasbroughtbeforetheStarChamberformaintainingthattheKinghadnorighttolevyBenevolences，andwasforhismanlyandconstitutionalconductsentencedtoimprisonmentduringtheroyalpleasureandtoafineoffivethousandpounds，Baconappearedascounselfortheprosecution。Aboutthesametimehewasdeeplyengagedinastillmoredisgracefultransaction。Anagedclergyman，ofthenameofPeacham，wasaccusedoftreasononaccountofsomepassagesofasermonwhichwasfoundinhisstudy。Thesermon，whetherwrittenbyhimornot，hadneverbeenpreached。Itdidnotappearthathehadanyintentionofpreachingit。Themostservilelawyersofthoseserviletimeswereforcedtoadmitthatthereweregreatdifficultiesbothastothefactsandastothelaw。Baconwasemployedtoremovethosedifficulties。Hewasemployedtosettlethequestionoflawbytamperingwiththejudges，andthequestionoffactbytorturingtheprisoner。
ThreejudgesoftheCourtofKing’sBenchweretractable。ButCokewasmadeofdifferentstuff。Pedant，bigot，andbruteashewas，hehadqualitieswhichboreastrong，thoughaverydisagreeableresemblancetosomeofthehighestvirtueswhichapublicmancanpossess。Hewasanexceptiontoamaximwhichwebelievetobegenerallytrue，thatthosewhotrampleonthehelplessaredisposedtocringetothepowerful。Hebehavedwithgrossrudenesstohisjuniorsatthebar，andwithexecrablecrueltytoprisonersontrialfortheirlives。ButhestoodupmanfullyagainsttheKingandtheKing’sfavourites。Nomanofthatageappearedtosolittleadvantagewhenhewasopposedtoaninferior，andwasinthewrong。But，ontheotherhand，itisbutfairtoadmitthatnomanofthatagemadesocreditableafigurewhenhewasopposedtoasuperior，andhappenedtobeintheright。Onsuchoccasions，hishalf—suppressedinsolenceandhisimpracticableobstinacyhadarespectableandinterestingappearance，whencomparedwiththeabjectservilityofthebarandofthebench。Onthepresentoccasionhewasstubbornandsurly。Hedeclaredthatitwasanewandhighlyimproperpracticeinthejudgestoconferwithalaw—officeroftheCrownaboutcapitalcaseswhichtheywereafterwardstotry;andforsometimeheresolutelykeptaloof。ButBaconwasequallyartfulandpersevering。\"Iamnotwhollyoutofhope，\"saidheinalettertotheKing，\"thatmyLordCokehimself，whenIhaveinsomedarkmannerputhimindoubtthatheshallbeleftalone，willnotbesingular。\"AftersometimeBacon’sdexteritywassuccessful;andCoke，sullenlyandreluctantly，followedtheexampleofhisbrethren。ButinordertoconvictPeachamitwasnecessarytofindfactsaswellaslaw。Accordingly，thiswretchedoldmanwasputtotherack，and，whileundergoingthehorribleinfliction，wasexaminedbyBacon，butinvain。Noconfessioncouldbewrungoutofhim;andBaconwrotetotheKing，complainingthatPeachamhadadumbdevil。Atlengththetrialcameon。Aconvictionwasobtained;butthechargesweresoobviouslyfutile，thattheGovernmentcouldnot，forveryshame，carrythesentenceintoexecution;andPeacham，wassufferedtolanguishawaytheshortremainderofhislifeinaprison。
AllthisfrightfulstoryMr。Montagurelatesfairly。Heneitherconcealsnordistortsanymaterialfact。ButhecanseenothingdeservingofcondemnationinBacon’sconduct。Hetellsusmosttrulythatweoughtnottotrythemenofoneagebythestandardofanother;thatSirMatthewHaleisnottobepronouncedabadmanbecauseheleftawomantobeexecutedforwitchcraft;thatposteritywillnotbejustifiedincensuringjudgesofourtime，forsellingofficesintheircourts，accordingtotheestablishedpractice，badasthatpracticewas;andthatBaconisentitledtosimilarindulgence。\"Topersecutetheloveroftruth，\"saysMr。
Montagu，\"foropposingestablishedcustoms，andtocensurehiminafteragesfornothavingbeenmorestrenuousinopposition，areerrorswhichwillneverceaseuntilthepleasureofself—
elevationfromthedepressionofsuperiorityisnomore。\"
WehavenodisputewithMr。Montaguaboutthegeneralproposition。Weassenttoeverywordofit。Butdoesitapplytothepresentcase？IsittruethatinthetimeofJamestheFirstitwastheestablishedpracticeforthelaw—officersoftheCrowntoholdprivateconsultationswiththejudges，touchingcapitalcaseswhichthosejudgeswereafterwardstotry？Certainlynot。
IntheverypageinwhichMr。Montaguassertsthat\"theinfluencingajudgeoutofcourtseemsatthatperiodscarcelytohavebeenconsideredasimproper，\"hegivetheverywordsofSirEdwardCokeonthesubject。\"Iwillnotthusdeclarewhatmaybemyjudgmentbytheseauricularconfessionsofnewandpernicioustendency，andnotaccordingtothecustomsoftherealm。\"IsitpossibletoimaginethatCoke，whohadhimselfbeenAttorney—Generalduringthirteenyears，whohadconductedafargreaternumberofimportantStateprosecutionsthananyotherlawyernamedinEnglishhistory，andwhohadpassedwithscarcelyanyintervalfromtheAttorney—Generalshiptothefirstseatinthefirstcriminalcourtintherealm，couldhavebeenstartledataninvitationtoconferwiththeCrown—lawyers，andcouldhavepronouncedthepracticenew，ifithadreallybeenanestablishedusage？Wewellknowthat，wherepropertyonlywasatstake，itwasthenacommon，thoughamostculpablepractice，inthejudges，tolistentoprivatesolicitation。Butthepracticeoftamperingwithjudgesinordertoprocurecapita;convictionswebelievetohavebeennew，first，becauseCoke，whounderstoodthosemattersbetterthananymanofhistime，assertedittobenew;andsecondly，becauseneitherBaconnorMr。Montaguhasshownasingleprecedent。
Howthenstandsthecase？Eventhus:Baconwasnotconformingtoanusagethengenerallyadmittedtobeproper。Hewasnoteventhelastlingeringadherentofanoldabuse。Itwouldhavebeensufficientlydisgracefultosuchamantobeinthislastsituation。Yetthislastsituationwouldhavebeenhonourablecomparedwiththatinwhichhestood。Hewasguiltyofattemptingtointroduceintothecourtsoflawanodiousabuseforwhichnoprecedentcouldbefound。Intellectually，hewasbetterfittedthananymanthatEnglandhaseverproducedfortheworkofimprovingherinstitutions。But，unhappily，weseethathedidnotscrupletoexerthisgreatpowersforthepurposeofintroducingintothoseinstitutionsnewcorruptionsofthefoulestkind。
Thesame，ornearlythesame，maybesaidofthetorturingofPeacham。IfitbetruethatinthetimeofJamestheFirsttheproprietyoftorturingprisonerswasgenerallyallowed，weshouldadmitthisasanexcuse，thoughweshouldadmititlessreadilyinthecaseofsuchamanasBaconthaninthecaseofanordinarylawyerorpolitician。Butthefactis，thatthepracticeoftorturingprisonerswasthengenerallyacknowledgedbylawyerstobeillegal，andwasexecratedbythepublicasbarbarous。MorethanthirtyyearsbeforePeacham’strial，thatpracticewassoloudlycondemnedbythevoiceofthenationthatLordBurleighfounditnecessarytopublishanapologyforhavingoccasionallyresortedtoit。But，thoughthedangerswhichthenthreatenedtheGovernmentwereofaverydifferentkindfromthosewhichweretobeapprehendedfromanythingthatPeachamcouldwrite，thoughthelifeoftheQueenandthedearestinterestsoftheStatewereinjeopardy，thoughthecircumstancesweresuchthatallordinarylawsmightseemtobesupersededbythathighestlaw，thepublicsafety，theapologydidnotsatisfythecountry;andtheQueenfounditexpedienttoissueanorderpositivelyforbiddingthetorturingofState—prisonersonanypretencewhatever。Fromthattime，thepracticeoftorturing，whichhadalwaysbeenunpopular，whichhadalwaysbeenillegal，hadalsobeenunusual。Itiswellknownthatin1628，onlyfourteenyearsafterthetimewhenBaconwenttotheTowertolistentotheyellsofPeacham，thejudgesdecidedthatFelton，acriminalwhoneitherdeservednorwaslikelytoobtainanyextraordinaryindulgence，couldnotlawfullybeputtothequestion。WethereforesaythatBaconstandsinaverydifferentsituationfromthatinwhichMr。Montagutriestoplacehim。Baconwasheredistinctlybehindhisage。Hewasoneofthelastofthetoolsofpowerwhopersistedinapracticethemostbarbarousandthemostabsurdthathaseverdisgracedjurisprudence，inapracticeofwhich，intheprecedinggeneration，ElizabethandherMinistershadbeenashamed，inapracticewhich，afewyearslater，nosycophantinalltheInnsofCourthadtheheartortheforeheadtodefend。[SincethisReviewwaswritten，Mr。JardinehaspublishedaverylearnedandingeniousReadingontheuseoftortureinEngland。Ithasnot，however，beenthoughtnecessarytomakeanychangeintheobservationsonPeacham’scase。
Itisimpossibletodiscusswithinthelimitsofanote，theextensivequestionraisedbyMr。Jardine。Itissufficientheretosaythateveryargumentbywhichheattemptstoshowthattheuseoftherackwasancientlyalawfulexertionofroyalprerogativemaybeurgedwithequalforce，nay，withfargreaterforce，toprovethelawfulnessofbenevolences，ofship—money，ofMompesson’spatent，ofEliot’simprisonment，ofeveryabuse，withoutexception，whichiscondemnedbythePetitionofRightandtheDeclarationofRight。]
Baconfarbehindhisage！BaconfarbehindSirEdwardCoke！Baconclingingtoexplodedabuses！Baconwithstandingtheprogressofimprovement！Baconstrugglingtopushbackthehumanmind！Thewordsseemstrange。Theysoundlikeacontradictioninterms。Yetthefactisevenso:andtheexplanationmaybereadilyfoundbyanypersonwhoisnotblindedbyprejudice。Mr。MontagucannotbelievethatsoextraordinaryamanasBaconcouldbeguiltyofabadaction;asifhistorywerenotmadeupofthebadactionsofextraordinarymen，asifallthemostnoteddestroyersanddeceiversofourspecies，allthefoundersofarbitrarygovernmentsandfalsereligions，hadnotbeenextraordinarymen，asifnine—tenthsofthecalamitieswhichhavebefallenthehumanracehadanyotheroriginthantheunionofhighintelligencewithlowdesires。
Baconknewthiswell。Hehastoldusthattherearepersons\"scientiatanquamangelialati，cupiditatibusverotanquamserpentesquihumireptant\";[DeAugmentis，Lib。v。Cap。I。]anditdidnotrequirehisadmirablesagacityandhisextensiveconversewithmankindtomakethediscovery。Indeed，hehadonlytolookwithin。ThedifferencebetweenthesoaringangelandthecreepingsnakewasbutatypeofthedifferencebetweenBaconthephilosopherandBacontheAttorney—General，Baconseekingfortruth，andBaconseekingfortheSeals。Thosewhosurveyonlyone—halfofhischaractermayspeakofhimwithunmixedadmirationorwithunmixedcontempt。ButthoseonlyjudgeofhimcorrectlywhotakeinatoneviewBaconinspeculationandBaconinaction。Theywillhavenodifficultyincomprehendinghowoneandthesamemanshouldhavebeenfarabovehisageandfarbehindit，inonelinetheboldestandmostusefulofinnovators，inanotheronethemostobstinatechampionofthefoulestabuses。
Inhislibrary，allhisrarepowerswereundertheguidanceofanhonestambition，ofallenlargedphilanthropy，ofasincereloveoftruth。There，notemptationdrewhimawayfromtherightcourse。ThomasAquinascouldpaynofees。DunsScotuscouldconfernopeerages。TheMasteroftheSentenceshadnorichreversionsinhisgift。FardifferentwasthesituationofthegreatphilosopherwhenhecameforthfromhisstudyandhislaboratorytominglewiththecrowdwhichfilledthegalleriesofWhitehall。Inallthatcrowdtherewasnomanequallyqualifiedtorendergreatandlastingservicestomankind。Butinallthatcrowdtherewasnotaheartmoresetonthingswhichnomanoughttosuffertobenecessarytohishappiness，onthingswhichcanoftenbeobtainedonlybythesacrificeofintegrityandhonour。
Tobetheleaderofthehumanraceinthecareerofimprovement，tofoundontheruinsofancientintellectualdynastiesamoreprosperousandamoreenduringempire，tobereveredbythelatestgenerationsasthemostillustriousamongthebenefactorsofmankind，allthiswaswithinhisreach，Butallthisavailedhimnothing，whilesomequibblingspecialpleaderwaspromotedbeforehimtothebench，whilesomeheavycountrygentlemantookprecedenceofhimbyvirtueofapurchasedcoronet，whilesomepandar，happyinafairwife，couldobtainamorecordialsalutefromBuckingham，whilesomebuffoon，versedinallthelatestscandaloftheCourt，coulddrawalouderlaughfromJames。
Duringalongcourseofyears，Bacon’sunworthyambitionwascrownedwithsuccess。Hissagacityearlyenabledhimtoperceivewhowaslikelytobecomethemostpowerfulmaninthekingdom。HeprobablyknewtheKing’smindbeforeitwasknowntotheKinghimself，andattachedhimselftoVilliers，whilethelessdiscerningcrowdofcourtiersstillcontinuedtofawnonSomerset，Theinfluenceoftheyoungerfavouritebecamegreaterdaily。Thecontestbetweentherivalsmight，however，havelastedlong，butforthatfrightfulcrimewhich，inspiteofallthatcouldbeeffectedbytheresearchandingenuityofhistorians，isstillcoveredwithsomysteriousanobscurity。ThedescentofSomersethadbeenagradualandalmostimperceptiblelapse。Itnowbecameaheadlongfall;andVilliers，leftwithoutacompetitor，rapidlyrosetoaheightofpowersuchasnosubjectsinceWolseyhadattained。
Thereweremanypointsofresemblancebetweenthetwocelebratedcourtierswho，atdifferenttimes，extendedtheirpatronagetoBacon。ItisdifficulttosaywhetherEssexorVillierswasmoreeminentlydistinguishedbythosegracesofpersonandmannerwhichhavealwaysbeenratedincourtsatmuchmorethantheirrealvalue。Bothwereconstitutionallybrave;andboth，likemostmenwhoareconstitutionallybrave，wereopenandunreserved。
Bothwererashandhead—strong。Bothweredestituteoftheabilitiesandoftheinformationwhicharenecessarytostatesmen。Yetboth，trustingtotheaccomplishmentswhichhadmadethemconspicuousintilt—yardsandball—rooms，aspiredtoruletheState。Bothowedtheirelevationtothepersonalattachmentofthesovereign;andinbothcasesthisattachmentwasofsoeccentricakind，thatitperplexedobservers，thatitstillcontinuestoperplexhistorians，andthatitgaverisetomuchscandalwhichweareinclinedtothinkunfounded。Eachofthemtreatedthesovereignwhosefavourheenjoyedwitharudenesswhichapproachedtoinsolence。ThispetulanceruinedEssex，whohadtodealwithaspiritnaturallyasproudashisown，andaccustomed，duringnearhalfacentury，tothemostrespectfulobservance。ButtherewasawidedifferencebetweenthehaughtydaughterofHenryandhersuccessor。Jameswastimidfromthecradle。Hisnerves，naturallyweak，hadnotbeenfortifiedbyreflectionorbyhabit。Hislife，tillhecametoEngland，hadbeenaseriesofmortificationsandhumiliations。
Withallhishighnotionsoftheoriginandextentofhisprerogatives，hewasneverhisownmasterforaday。Inspiteofhiskinglytitle，inspiteofhisdespotictheories，hewastothelastaslaveatheart。Villierstreatedhimlikeone;andthiscourse，thoughadopted，webelieve，merelyfromtemper，succeededaswellasifithadbeenasystemofpolicyformedaftermaturedeliberation。
Ingenerosity，insensibility，incapacityforfriendship，EssexfarsurpassedBuckingham。Indeed，Buckinghamcanscarcelybesaidtohavehadanyfriend，withtheexceptionofthetwoprincesoverwhomsuccessivelyheexercisedsowonderfulaninfluence。
Essexwastothelastadoredbythepeople。Buckinghamwasalwaysamostunpopularman，exceptperhapsforaveryshorttimeafterhisreturnfromthechildishvisittoSpain。EssexfellavictimtotherigouroftheGovernmentamidstthelamentationsofthepeople。Buckingham，execratedbythepeople，andsolemnlydeclaredapublicenemybytherepresentativesofthepeople，fellbythehandofoneofthepeople，andwaslamentedbynonebuthismaster。
ThewayinwhichthetwofavouritesactedtowardsBaconwashighlycharacteristic，andmayservetoillustratetheoldandtruesaying，thatamanisgenerallymoreinclinedtofeelkindlytowardsoneonwhomhehasconferredfavoursthantowardsonefromwhomhehasreceivedthem。EssexloadedBaconwithbenefits，andneverthoughtthathehaddoneenough。Itseemsnevertohavecrossedthemindofthepowerfulandwealthynoblethatthepoorbarristerwhomhetreatedwithsuchmunificentkindnesswasnothisequal。Itwas，wehavenodoubt，withperfectsinceritythattheEarldeclaredthathewouldwillinglygivehissisterordaughterinmarriagetohisfriend。Hewasingeneralmorethansufficientlysensibleofhisownmerits;buthedidnotseemtoknowthathehadeverdeservedwellofBacon。OnthatcrueldaywhentheysaweachotherforthelasttimeatthebaroftheLords，Essextaxedhisperfidiousfriendwithunkindnessandinsincerity，butneverwithingratitude。Eveninsuchamoment，morebitterthanthebitternessofdeath，thatnobleheartwastoogreattoventitselfinsuchareproach。
Villiers，ontheotherhand，owedmuchtoBacon。Whentheiracquaintancebegan，SirFranciswasamanofmatureage，ofhighstation，andofestablishedfameasapolitician，anadvocate，andawriter。Villierswaslittlemorethanaboy，ayoungersonofahousethenofnogreatnote。Hewasbutjustenteringonthecareerofcourtfavour;andnonebutthemostdiscerningobserverscouldasyetperceivethathewaslikelytodistanceallhiscompetitors。ThecountenanceandadviceofamansohighlydistinguishedastheAttorney—General，musthavebeenanobjectofthehighestimportancetotheyoungadventurer。ButthoughVillierswastheobligedparty，hewasfarlesswarmlyattachedtoBacon，andfarlessdelicateinhisconducttowardsBacon，thanEssexhadbeen。
Todothenewfavouritejustice，heearlyexertedhisinfluenceinbehalfofhisillustriousfriend。In1616SirFranciswasswornofthePrivyCouncil，andinMarch1617，ontheretirementofLordBrackley，wasappointedKeeperoftheGreatSeal。
OntheseventhofMay，thefirstdayofterm，herodeinstatetoWestminsterHall，withtheLordTreasureronhisrighthand，theLordPrivySealonhisleft，alongprocessionofstudentsandushersbeforehim，andacrowdofpeers，privy—councillors，andjudgesfollowinginhistrain。Havingenteredhiscourt，headdressedthesplendidauditoryinagraveanddignifiedspeech，whichproveshowwellheunderstoodthosejudicialdutieswhichheafterwardsperformedsoill。Evenatthatmoment，theproudestmomentofhislifeintheestimationofthevulgar，and，itmaybe，eveninhisown，hecastbackalookoflingeringaffectiontowardsthosenoblepursuitsfromwhich，asitseemed，hewasabouttobeestranged。\"Thedepthofthethreelongvacations，\"
saidhe，\"Iwouldreserveinsomemeasurefreefrombusinessofestate，andforstudies，arts，andsciences，towhichofmyownnatureIammostinclined。\"
TheyearsduringwhichBaconheldtheGreatSealwereamongthedarkestandmostshamefulinEnglishhistory。Everythingathomeandabroadwasmismanaged。FirstcametheexecutionofRaleigh，anactwhich，ifdoneinapropermanner，mighthavebeendefensible，butwhich，underallthecircumstances，mustbeconsideredasadastardlymurder。Worsewasbehind:thewarofBohemia，thesuccessesofTillyandSpinola，thePalatinateconquered，theKing’sson—in—lawanexile，theHouseofAustriadominantontheContinent，theProtestantreligionandthelibertiesoftheGermanicbodytroddenunderfoot。Meanwhile，thewaveringandcowardlypolicyofEnglandfurnishedmatterofridiculetoallthenationsofEurope。TheloveofpeacewhichJamesprofessedwould，evenwhenindulgedtoanimpoliticexcess，havebeenrespectable，ifithadproceededfromtendernessforhispeople。Butthetruthis，that，whilehehadnothingtospareforthedefenceofthenaturalalliesofEngland，heresortedwithoutscrupletothemostillegalandoppressivedevices，forthepurposeofenablingBuckinghamandBuckingham’srelationstooutshinetheancientaristocracyoftherealm。Benevolenceswereexacted。Patentsofmonopolyweremultiplied。Alltheresourceswhichcouldhavebeenemployedtoreplenishabeggaredexchequer，atthecloseofaruinouswar，wereputinmotionduringthisseasonofignominiouspeace。
ThevicesoftheadministrationmustbechieflyascribedtotheweaknessoftheKingandtothelevityandviolenceofthefavourite。ButitisimpossibletoacquittheLordKeeperofallshareintheguilt。Forthoseodiouspatents，inparticular，whichpassedtheGreatSealwhileitwasinhischarge，hemustbeheldanswerable。Inthespeechwhichhemadeonfirsttakinghisseatinhiscourt，hehadpledgedhimselftodischargethisimportantpartofhisfunctionswiththegreatestcautionandimpartiality。Hehaddeclaredthathe\"wouldwalkinthelight，\"
\"thatmenshouldseethatnoparticularturnorendledhim，butageneralrule。\"Mr。MontaguwouldhaveusbelievethatBaconacteduptotheseprofessions，andsaysthat\"thepowerofthefavouritedidnotdetertheLordKeeperfromstayinggrantsandpatentswhenhispublicdutydemandedthisinterposition。\"DoesMr。Montaguconsiderpatentsofmonopolyasgoodthings？ordoeshemeantosaythatBaconstaideverypatentofmonopolythatcamebeforehim？Ofallpatentsinourhistory，themostdisgracefulwasthatwhichwasgrantedtoSirGilesMompesson，supposedtobetheoriginalofMassinger’sOverreach，andtoSirFrancisMichell，fromwhomjusticeGreedyissupposedtohavebeendrawn，fortheexclusivemanufacturingofgoldandsilverlace。Theeffectofthismonopolywasofcoursethatthemetalemployedinthemanufacturewasadulterated，tothegreatlossofthepublic。Butthiswasatrifle。Thepatenteeswerearmedwithpowersasgreatashaveeverbeengiventofarmersoftherevenueintheworstgovernedcountries。Theywereauthorisedtosearchhousesandtoarrestinterlopers;andtheseformidablepowerswereusedforpurposesvilerthaneventhoseforwhichtheyweregiven，forthewreakingofoldgrudges，andforthecorruptingoffemalechastity。WasnotthisacaseinwhichpublicdutydemandedtheinterpositionoftheLordKeeper？AnddidtheLordKeeperinterpose？Hedid。HewrotetoinformtheKing，thathe\"hadconsideredofthefitnessandconveniencyofthegoldandsilverthreadbusiness，\"\"thatitwasconvenientthatitshouldbesettled，\"thathe\"didconceiveapparentlikelihoodthatitwouldredoundmuchtohisMajesty’sprofit，\"that，therefore，\"itweregooditweresettledwithallconvenientspeed。\"Themeaningofallthiswas，thatcertainoftheHouseofVilliersweretogoshareswithOverreachandGreedyintheplunderofthepublic。
Thiswasthewayinwhich，whenthefavouritepressedforpatents，lucrativetohisrelationsandtohiscreatures，ruinousandvexatioustothebodyofthepeople，thechiefguardianofthelawsinterposed。Havingassistedthepatenteestoobtainthismonopoly，Baconassistedthemalsointhestepswhichtheytookforthepurposeofguardingit。Hecommittedseveralpeopletocloseconfinementfordisobeyinghistyrannicaledict。Itisneedlesstosaymore。Ourreadersarenowabletojudgewhether，inthematterofpatents，Baconactedconformablytohisprofessions，ordeservedthepraisewhichhisbiographerhasbestowedonhim。
Inhisjudicialcapacityhisconductwasnotlessreprehensible。
HesufferedBuckinghamtodictatemanyofhisdecisions。Baconknewaswellasanymanthatajudgewholistenstoprivatesolicitationsisadisgracetohispost。Hehimself，beforehewasraisedtothewoolsack，representedthisstronglytoVilliers，thenjustenteringonhiscareer。\"Bynomeans，\"saidSirFrancis，inaletterofadviceaddressedtotheyoungcourtier，\"bynomeansbeyoupersuadedtointerposeyourself，eitherbywordorletter，inanycausedependinginanycourtofjustice，norsufferanygreatmantodoitwhereyoucanhinderit。Ifitshouldprevail，itpervertsjustice;butifthejudgebesojust，andofsuchcourageasheoughttobe，asnottobeinclinedthereby，yetitalwaysleavesataintofsuspicionbehindit。\"YethehadnotbeenLordKeeperamonthwhenBuckinghambegantointerfereinChancerysuits;andBuckingham’sinterferencewas，asmighthavebeenexpected，successful。
Mr。Montagu’sreflectionsontheexcellentpassagewhichwehavequotedaboveareexceedinglyamusing。\"Noman，\"sayshe，\"moredeeplyfelttheevilswhichthenexistedoftheinterferenceoftheCrownandofstatesmentoinfluencejudges。HowbeautifullydidheadmonishBuckingham，regardlessasheprovedofalladmonition！\"Weshouldbegladtoknowhowitcanbeexpectedthatadmonitionwillberegardedbyhimwhoreceivesit，whenitisaltogetherneglectedbyhimwhogivesit。WedonotdefendBuckingham;butwhatwashisguilttoBacon’s？Buckinghamwasyoung，ignorant，thoughtless，dizzywiththerapidityofhisascentandtheheightofhisposition。Thatheshouldbeeagertoservehisrelations，hisflatterers，hismistresses，thatheshouldnotfullyapprehendtheimmenseimportanceofapureadministrationofjustice，thatheshouldthinkmoreaboutthosewhowereboundtohimbyprivatetiesthanaboutthepublicinterest，allthiswasperfectlynatural，andnotaltogetherunpardonable。Thosewhointrustapetulant，hot—blooded，ill—
informedladwithpower，aremoretoblamethanheforthemischiefwhichhemaydowithit。Howcoulditbeexpectedofalivelypage，raisedbyawildfreakoffortunetothefirstinfluenceintheempire，thatheshouldhavebestowedanyseriousthoughtontheprincipleswhichoughttoguidejudicialdecisions？BaconwastheablestpublicmanthenlivinginEurope。Hewasnearsixtyyearsold。Hehadthoughtmuch，andtogoodpurpose，onthegeneralprinciplesoflaw。Hehadformanyyearsborneapartdailyintheadministrationofjustice。Itwasimpossiblethatamanwithatitheofhissagacityandexperienceshouldnothaveknownthatajudgewhosuffersfriendsorpatronstodictatehisdecreesviolatestheplainestrulesofduty。Infact，aswehaveseen，heknewthiswell:heexpresseditadmirably。Neitheronthisoccasionnoronanyothercouldhisbadactionsbeattributedtoanydefectofthehead。Theysprangfromquiteadifferentcause。
Amanwhostoopedtorendersuchservicestootherswasnotlikelytobescrupulousastothemeansbywhichheenrichedhimself。HeandhisdependantsacceptedlargepresentsfrompersonswhowereengagedinChancerysuits。Theamountoftheplunderwhichhecollectedinthiswayitisimpossibletoestimate。Therecanbenodoubtthathereceivedverymuchmorethanwasprovedonhistrial，though，itmaybe，lessthanwassuspectedbythepublic。Hisenemiesstatedhisillicitgainsatahundredthousandpounds。Butthiswasprobablyanexaggeration。
Itwaslongbeforethedayofreckoningarrived。DuringtheintervalbetweenthesecondandthirdParliamentsofJames，thenationwasabsolutelygovernedbytheCrown。TheprospectsoftheLordKeeperwerebrightandserene。Hisgreatplacerenderedthesplendourofhistalentsevenmoreconspicuous，andgaveanadditionalcharmtotheserenityofhistemper，thecourtesyofhismanners，andtheeloquenceofhisconversation。Thepillagedsuitormightmutter。TheausterePuritanpatriotmight，inhisretreat，grievethatoneonwhomGodhadbestowedwithoutmeasurealltheabilitieswhichqualifymentotaketheleadingreatreformsshouldbefoundamongtheadherentsoftheworstabuses。
Butthemurmursofthesuitorandthelamentationsofthepatriothadscarcelyanyavenuetotheearsofthepowerful。TheKing，andtheMinisterwhowastheKing’smaster，smiledontheirillustriousflatterer。Thewholecrowdofcourtiersandnoblessoughthisfavourwithemulouseagerness。Menofwitandlearninghailedwithdelighttheelevationofonewhohadsosignallyshownthatamanofprofoundlearningandofbrilliantwitmightunderstand，farbetterthananyploddingdunce，theartofthrivingintheworld。
Once，andbutonce，thiscourseofprosperitywasforamomentinterrupted。ItwouldseemthatevenBacon’sbrainwasnotstrongenoughtobearwithoutsomediscomposuretheinebriatingeffectofsomuchgoodfortune。Forsometimeafterhiselevation，heshowedhimselfalittlewantinginthatwarinessandself—commandtowhich，morethaneventohistranscendenttalents，hiselevationwastobeascribed。Hewasbynomeansagoodhater。
Thetemperatureofhisrevenge，likethatofhisgratitude，wasscarcelyevermorethanlukewarm。Buttherewasonepersonwhomhehadlongregardedwithananimositywhich，thoughstudiouslysuppressed，wasperhapsthestrongerforthesuppression。Theinsultsandinjurieswhich，whenayoungmanstrugglingintonoteandprofessionalpractice，hehadreceivedfromSirEdwardCoke，weresuchasmightmovethemostplacablenaturetoresentment。
AboutthetimeatwhichBaconreceivedtheSeals，Cokehad，onaccountofhiscontumaciousresistancetotheroyalpleasure，beendeprivedofhisseatintheCourtofKing’sBench，andhadeversincelanguishedinretirement。ButCoke’soppositiontotheCourt，wefear，wastheeffectnotofgoodprinciples，butofabadtemper。Perverseandtestyashewas，hewantedtruefortitudeanddignityofcharacter。Hisobstinacy，unsupportedbyvirtuousmotives，wasnotproofagainstdisgrace。Hesolicitedareconciliationwiththefavourite，andhissolicitationsweresuccessful。SirJohnVilliers，thebrotherofBuckingham，waslookingoutforarichwife。Cokehadalargefortuneandanunmarrieddaughter。Abargainwasstruck。ButLadyCoke，theladywhomtwentyyearsbeforeEssexhadwooedonbehalfofBacon，wouldnothearofthematch。Aviolentandscandalousfamilyquarrelfollowed。Themothercarriedthegirlawaybystealth。
Thefatherpursuedthem，andregainedpossessionofhisdaughterbyforce。TheKingwastheninScotland，andBuckinghamhadattendedhimthither。BaconwasduringtheirabsenceattheheadofaffairsinEngland。HefelttowardsCokeasmuchmalevolenceasitwasinhisnaturetofeeltowardsanybody。Hiswisdomhadbeenlaidtosleepbyprosperity。Inanevilhourhedeterminedtointerfereinthedisputeswhichagitatedhisenemy’shousehold。Hedeclaredforthewife，countenancedtheAttorney—
GeneralinthefilinganinformationintheStar—Chamberagainstthehusband，andwroteletterstotheKingandthefavouriteagainsttheproposedmarriage。Thestronglanguagewhichheusedinthoselettersshowsthat，sagaciousashewas，hedidnotquiteknowhisplace，andthathewasnotfullyacquaintedwiththeextenteitherofBuckingham’spower，orofthechangewhichthepossessionofthatpowerhadproducedinBuckingham’scharacter。Hesoonhadalessonwhichheneverforgot。ThefavouritereceivedthenewsoftheLordKeeper’sinterferencewithfeelingsofthemostviolentresentment，andmadetheKingevenmoreangrythanhimself。Bacon’seyeswereatonceopenedtohiserror，andtoallitspossibleconsequences。Hehadbeenelated，ifnotintoxicated，bygreatness。Theshocksoberedhiminaninstant。Hewasallhimselfagain。Heapologisedsubmissivelyforhisinterference。HedirectedtheAttorney—GeneraltostoptheproceedingsagainstCoke。HesenttotellLadyCokethathecoulddonothingforher。Heannouncedtoboththefamiliesthathewasdesiroustopromotetheconnection。Havinggiventheseproofsofcontrition，heventuredtopresenthimselfbeforeBuckingham。Buttheyoungupstartdidnotthinkthathehadyetsufficientlyhumbledanoldmanwhohadbeenhisfriendandhisbenefactor，whowasthehighestcivilfunctionaryintherealm，andthemosteminentmanoflettersoftheworld。
ItissaidthatontwosuccessivedaysBaconrepairedtoBuckingham’shouse，thatontwosuccessivedayshewassufferedtoremaininanantechamberamongfootboys，seatedonanoldwoodenbox，withtheGreatSealofEnglandathisside;andthatwhenatlengthhewasadmitted，heflunghimselfonthefloor，kissedthefavourite’sfeet，andvowednevertorisetillhewasforgiven。SirAnthonyWeldon，onwhoseauthoritythisstoryrests，islikelyenoughtohaveexaggeratedthemeannessofBaconandtheinsolenceofBuckingham。Butitisdifficulttoimaginethatsocircumstantialanarrative，writtenbyapersonwhoaversthathewaspresentontheoccasion，canbewhollywithoutfoundation;and，unhappily，thereislittleinthecharactereitherofthefavouriteoroftheLordKeepertomakethenarrativeimprobable。ItiscertainthatareconciliationtookplaceontermshumiliatingtoBacon，whonevermoreventuredtocrossanypurposeofanybodywhoborethenameofVilliers。Heputastrongcurbonthoseangrypassionswhichhadforthefirsttimeinhislifemasteredhisprudence。HewentthroughtheformsofareconciliationwithCoke，anddidhisbest，byseekingopportunitiesofpayinglittlecivilities，andbyavoidingallthatcouldproducecollision，totametheuntameableferocityofhisoldenemy。
Inthemain，however，Bacon’slife，whileheheldtheGreatSeal，was，inoutwardappearance，mostenviable。InLondonhelivedwithgreatdignityatYorkHouse，thevenerablemansionofhisfather。Hereitwasthat，inJanuary1620，hecelebratedhisentranceintohissixtiethyearamidstasplendidcircleoffriends。HehadthenexchangedtheappellationofKeeperforthehighertitleofChancellor。BenJonsonwasoneoftheparty，andwroteontheoccasionsomeofthehappiestofhisruggedrhymes。
Allthings，hetellsus，seemedtosmileabouttheoldhouse，\"thefire，thewine，themen。\"Thespectacleoftheaccomplishedhost，afteralifemarkedbynogreatdisaster，enteredonagreenoldage，intheenjoymentofriches，power，highhonours，undiminishedmentalactivity，andvastliteraryreputation，madeastrongimpressiononthepoet，ifwemayjudgefromthosewell—
knownlines:
\"England’shighChancellor，thedestinedheir，Inhissoftcradle，tohisfather’schair，WhoseeventhreadtheFatesspinroundandfullOutoftheirchoicestandtheirwhitestwool。\"
IntheintervalsofrestwhichBacon’spoliticalandjudicialfunctionsafforded，hewasinthehabitofretiringtoGorhambury。Atthatplacehisbusinesswasliterature，andhisfavouriteamusementgardening，whichinoneofhismostinterestingEssayshecalls\"thepurestofhumanpleasures。\"Inhismagnificentgroundsheerected，atacostoftenthousandpounds，aretreattowhichherepairedwhenhewishedtoavoidallvisitors，andtodevotehimselfwhollytostudy。Onsuchoccasions，afewyoungmenofdistinguishedtalentsweresometimesthecompanionsofhisretirement;andamongthemhisquickeyesoondiscernedthesuperiorabilitiesofThomasHobbes。
Itisnotprobable，however，thathefullyappreciatedthepowersofhisdisciple，orforesawthevastinfluence，bothforgoodandforevil，whichthatmostvigorousandacuteofhumanintellectswasdestinedtoexerciseonthetwosucceedinggenerations。
InJanuary1621，Baconhadreachedthezenithofhisfortunes。HehadjustpublishedtheNovumOrganum;andthatextraordinarybookhaddrawnforththewarmestexpressionsofadmirationfromtheablestmeninEurope。Hehadobtainedhonoursofawidelydifferentkind，butperhapsnotlessvaluedbyhim。HehadbeencreatedBaronVerulam。HehadsubsequentlybeenraisedtothehigherdignityofViscountSt。Albans。Hispatentwasdrawninthemostflatteringterms，andthePrinceofWalessigneditasawitness。TheceremonyofinvestiturewasperformedwithgreatstateatTheobalds，andBuckinghamcondescendedtobeoneofthechiefactors。PosterityhasfeltthatthegreatestofEnglishphilosopherscouldderivenoaccessionofdignityfromanytitlewhichJamescouldbestow，and，indefianceoftheroyalletterspatent，hasobstinatelyrefusedtodegradeFrancisBaconintoViscountSt。Albans。
InafewweekswassignallybroughttothetestthevalueofthoseobjectsforwhichBaconhadsulliedhisintegrity，hadresignedhisindependence，hadviolatedthemostsacredobligationsoffriendshipandgratitude，hadflatteredtheworthless，hadpersecutedtheinnocent，hadtamperedwithjudges，hadtorturedprisoners，hadplunderedsuitors，hadwastedonpaltryintriguesallthepowersofthemostexquisitelyconstructedintellectthathaseverbeenbestowedonanyofthechildrenofmen。Asuddenandterriblereversewasathand。A
Parliamenthadbeensummoned。Aftersixyearsofsilencethevoiceofthenationwasagaintobeheard。OnlythreedaysafterthepageantwhichwasperformedatTheobaldsinhonourofBacon，theHousesmet。