Wantofmoneyhad，asusual，inducedtheKingtoconvokehisParliament。Itmaybedoubted，however，whether，ifheorhisMinistershadbeenatallawareofthestateofpublicfeeling，theywouldnothavetriedanyexpedient，orbornewithanyinconvenience，ratherthanhaveventuredtofacethedeputiesofajustlyexasperatednation。Buttheydidnotdiscernthosetimes。IndeedalmostallthepoliticalblundersofJames，andofhismoreunfortunateson，arosefromonegreaterror。DuringthefiftyyearswhichprecededtheLongParliamentagreatandprogressivechangewastakingplaceinthepublicmind。ThenatureandextentofthischangewasnotintheleastunderstoodbyeitherofthefirsttwoKingsoftheHouseofStuart，orbyanyoftheiradvisers。Thatthenationbecamemoreandmorediscontentedeveryyear，thateveryHouseofCommonswasmoreunmanageablethanthatwhichhadprecededit，werefactswhichitwasimpossiblenottoperceive。ButtheCourtcouldnotunderstandwhythesethingswereso。TheCourtcouldnotseethattheEnglishpeopleandtheEnglishGovernment，thoughtheymightoncehavebeenwellsuitedtoeachother，weresuitedtoeachothernolonger;thatthenationhadoutgrownitsoldinstitutions，waseverydaymoreuneasyunderthem，waspressingagainstthem，andwouldsoonburstthroughthem。Thealarmingphaenomena，theexistenceofwhichnosycophantcoulddeny，wereascribedtoeverycauseexceptthetrueone。\"InmyfirstParliament，\"saidJames，\"Iwasanovice。Inmynext，therewasakindofbeastscalledundertakers\"andsoforth。InthethirdParliamenthecouldhardlybecalledanovice，andthosebeasts，theundertakers，didnotexist。YethisthirdParliamentgavehimmoretroublethaneitherthefirstorthesecond。
TheParliamenthadnosoonermetthantheHouseofCommonsproceeded，inatemperateandrespectful，butmostdeterminedmanner，todiscussthepublicgrievances。Theirfirstattacksweredirectedagainstthoseodiouspatents，undercoverofwhichBuckinghamandhiscreatureshadpillagedandoppressedthenation。ThevigourwithwhichtheseproceedingswereconductedspreaddismaythroughtheCourt。Buckinghamthoughthimselfindanger，and，inhisalarm，hadrecoursetoanadviserwhohadlatelyacquiredconsiderableinfluenceoverhim，Williams，DeanofWestminster。Thispersonhadalreadybeenofgreatusetothefavouriteinaverydelicatematter。BuckinghamhadsethisheartonmarryingLadyCatherineManners，daughterandheiressoftheEarlofRutland。Butthedifficultiesweregreat。TheEarlwashaughtyandimpracticable，andtheyoungladywasaCatholic。
Williamssoothedtheprideofthefather，andfoundargumentswhich，foratimeatleast，quietedtheconscienceofthedaughter。FortheseserviceshehadbeenrewardedwithconsiderableprefermentintheChurch;andhewasnowrapidlyrisingtothesameplaceintheregardofBuckinghamwhichhadformerlybeenoccupiedbyBacon。
Williamswasoneofthosewhoarewiserforothersthanforthemselves。Hisownpubliclifewasunfortunate，andwasmadeunfortunatebyhisstrangewantofjudgmentandself—commandatseveralimportantconjunctures。Butthecounselwhichhegaveonthisoccasionshowednowantofworldlywisdom。Headvisedthefavouritetoabandonallthoughtsofdefendingthemonopolies，tofindsomeforeignembassyforhisbrotherSirEdward，whowasdeeplyimplicatedinthevillaniesofMompesson，andtoleavetheotheroffenderstothejusticeofParliament。Buckinghamreceivedthisadvicewiththewarmestexpressionsofgratitude，anddeclaredthataloadhadbeenliftedfromhisheart。HethenrepairedwithWilliamstotheroyalpresence。TheyfoundtheKingengagedinearnestconsultationwithPrinceCharles。TheplanofoperationsproposedbytheDeanwasfullydiscussed，andapprovedinallitsparts。
ThefirstvictimswhomtheCourtabandonedtothevengeanceoftheCommonswereSirGilesMompessonandSirFrancisMichell。ItwassometimebeforeBaconbegantoentertainanyapprehensions。
HistalentsandhisaddressgavehimgreatinfluenceintheHouseofwhichhehadlatelybecomeamember，asindeedtheymusthavedoneinanyassembly。IntheHouseofCommonshehadmanypersonalfriendsandmanywarmadmirers。Butatlength，aboutsixweeksafterthemeetingofParliament，thestormburst。
AcommitteeofthelowerHousehadbeenappointedtoinquireintothestateoftheCourtsofJustice。OnthefifteenthofMarchthechairmanofthatcommittee，SirRobertPhilips，memberforBath，reportedthatgreatabuseshadbeendiscovered。\"Theperson，\"
saidhe，\"againstwhomthesethingsareallegedisnolessthantheLordChancellor，amansoenduedwithallparts，bothofnatureandart，asthatIwillsaynomoreofhim，beingnotabletosayenough。\"SirRobertthenproceededtostate，inthemosttemperatemanner，thenatureofthecharges。ApersonofthenameofAubreyhadacasedependinginChancery。Hehadbeenalmostruinedbylawexpenses，andhispatiencehadbeenexhaustedbythedelaysofthecourt。Hereceivedahintfromsomeofthehangers—onoftheChancellorthatapresentofonehundredpoundswouldexpeditematters。Thepoormanhadnotthesumrequired。
However，havingfoundoutanusurerwhoaccommodatedhimwithitathighinterest，hecarriedittoYorkHouse。TheChancellortookthemoney，andhisdependantsassuredthesuitorthatallwouldgoright。Aubreywas，however，disappointed;for，afterconsiderabledelay，\"akillingdecree\"waspronouncedagainsthim。AnothersuitorofthenameofEgertoncomplainedthathehadbeeninducedbytwooftheChancellor’sjackalstomakehisLordshipapresentoffourhundredpounds，andthat，nevertheless，hehadnotbeenabletoobtainadecreeinhisfavour。Theevidencetothesefactswasoverwhelming。Bacon’sfriendscouldonlyentreattheHousetosuspenditsjudgment，andtosendupthecasetotheLords，inaformlessoffensivethananimpeachment。
OnthenineteenthofMarchtheKingsentamessagetotheCommons，expressinghisdeepregretthatsoeminentapersonastheChancellorshouldbesuspectedofmisconduct。HisMajestydeclaredthathehadnowishtoscreentheguiltyfromjustice，andproposedtoappointanewkindoftribunalconsistingofeighteencommissioners，whomightbechosenfromamongthemembersofthetwoHouses，toinvestigatethematter。TheCommonswerenotdisposedtodepartfromtheirregularcourseofproceeding。OnthesamedaytheyheldaconferencewiththeLords，anddeliveredintheheadsoftheaccusationagainsttheChancellor。AtthisconferenceBaconwasnotpresent。Overwhelmedwithshameandremorse，andabandonedbyallthoseinwhomhehadweaklyputhistrust，hehadshuthimselfupinhischamberfromtheeyesofmen。Thedejectionofhismindsoondisorderedhisbody。Buckingham，whovisitedhimbytheKing’sorder，\"foundhisLordshipverysickandheavy。\"Itappears，fromapatheticletterwhichtheunhappymanaddressedtothePeersonthedayoftheconference，thatheneitherexpectednorwishedtosurvivehisdisgrace。Duringseveraldaysheremainedinhisbed，refusingtoseeanyhumanbeing。Hepassionatelytoldhisattendantstoleavehim，toforgethim，neveragaintonamehisname，nevertorememberthattherehadbeensuchamanintheworld。Inthemeantime，freshinstancesofcorruptionwereeverydaybroughttotheknowledgeofhisaccusers。Thenumberofchargesrapidlyincreasedfromtwototwenty—three。TheLordsenteredontheinvestigationofthecasewithlaudablealacrity。SomewitnesseswereexaminedatthebaroftheHouse。Aselectcommitteewasappointedtotakethedepositionsofothers;andtheinquirywasrapidlyproceeding，whenonthetwenty—sixthofMarch，theKingadjournedtheParliamentforthreeweeks。
ThismeasurerevivedBacon’shopes。Hemadethemostofhisshortrespite。HeattemptedtoworkonthefeeblemindoftheKing。HeappealedtoallthestrongestfeelingsofJames，tohisfears，tohisvanity，tohishighnotionsofprerogative。WouldtheSolomonoftheagecommitsogrossanerrorastoencouragetheencroachingspiritofParliaments？WouldGod’sanointed，accountabletoGodalone，payhomagetotheclamorousmultitude？
\"Those，\"exclaimedBacon，\"whonowstrikeattheChancellorwillsoonstrikeattheCrown。Iamthefirstsacrifice。IwishImaybethelast。\"Butallhiseloquenceandaddresswereemployedinvain。Indeed，whateverMr。Montagumaysay，wearefirmlyconvincedthatitwasnotintheKing’spowertosaveBacon，withouthavingrecoursetomeasureswhichwouldhaveconvulsedtherealm。TheCrownhadnotsufficientinfluenceovertheParliamenttoprocureanacquittalinsoclearacaseofguilt。
AndtodissolveaParliamentwhichisuniversallyallowedtohavebeenoneofthebestParliamentsthateversat，whichhadactedliberallyandrespectfullytowardstheSovereign，andwhichenjoyedinthehighestdegreethefavourofthepeople，onlyinordertostopagrave，temperate，andconstitutionalinquiryintothepersonalintegrityofthefirstjudgeinthekingdom，wouldhavebeenameasuremorescandalousandabsurdthananyofthosewhichweretheruinoftheHouseofStuart。Suchameasure，whileitwouldhavebeenasfataltotheChancellor’shonourasaconviction，wouldhaveendangeredtheveryexistenceofthemonarchy。TheKing，actingbytheadviceofWilliams，veryproperlyrefusedtoengageinadangerousstrugglewithhispeople，forthepurposeofsavingfromlegalcondemnationaMinisterwhomitwasimpossibletosavefromdishonour。HeadvisedBacontopleadguilty，andpromisedtodoallinhispowertomitigatethepunishment。Mr。MontaguisexceedinglyangrywithJamesonthisaccount。Butthoughweare，ingeneral，verylittleinclinedtoadmirethatPrince’sconduct，wereallythinkthathisadvicewas，underallthecircumstances，thebestadvicethatcouldhavebeengiven。
OntheseventeenthofApriltheHousesreassembled，andtheLordsresumedtheirinquiriesintotheabusesoftheCourtofChancery。
Onthetwenty—second，BaconaddressedtothePeersaletter，whichthePrinceofWalescondescendedtodeliver。Inthisartfulandpatheticcomposition，theChancelloracknowledgedhisguiltinguardedandgeneralterms，and，whileacknowledging，endeavouredtopalliateit。This，however，wasnotthoughtsufficientbyhisjudges。Theyrequiredamoreparticularconfession，andsenthimacopyofthecharges。Onthethirtieth，hedeliveredapaperinwhichheadmitted，withfewandunimportantreservations，thetruthoftheaccusationsbroughtagainsthim，andthrewhimselfentirelyonthemercyofhispeers。\"Uponadvisedconsiderationofthecharges，\"saidhe，\"descendingintomyownconscience，andcallingmymemorytoaccountsofarasIamable，IdoplainlyandingenuouslyconfessthatIamguiltyofcorruption，anddorenouncealldefence。\"
TheLordscametoaresolutionthattheChancellor’sconfessionappearedtobefullandingenuous，andsentacommitteetoinquireofhimwhetheritwasreallysubscribedbyhimself。Thedeputies，amongwhomwasSouthampton，thecommonfriend，manyyearsbefore，ofBaconandEssex，performedtheirdutywithgreatdelicacy。Indeed，theagoniesofsuchamindandthedegradationofsuchanamemightwellhavesoftenedthemostobduratenatures。\"MyLords，\"saidBacon，\"itismyact，myhand，myheart。IbeseechyourLordshipstobemercifultoabrokenreed。\"
Theywithdrew;andheagainretiredtohischamberinthedeepestdejection。Thenextday，thesergeant—at—armsandtheusheroftheHouseofLordscametoconducthimtoWestminsterHall，wheresentencewastobepronounced。Buttheyfoundhimsounwellthathecouldnotleavehisbed;andthisexcuseforhisabsencewasreadilyaccepted。Innoquarterdoesthereappeartohavebeenthesmallestdesiretoaddtohishumiliation。
Thesentencewas，however，severe——themoresevere，nodoubt，becausetheLordsknewthatitwouldnotbeexecuted，andthattheyhadanexcellentopportunityofexhibiting，atsmallcost，theinflexibilityoftheirjustice，andtheirabhorrenceofcorruption。Baconwascondemnedtopayafineoffortythousandpounds，andtobeimprisonedintheTowerduringtheKing’spleasure。HewasdeclaredincapableofholdinganyofficeintheStateorofsittinginParliament:andhewasbanishedforlifefromthevergeofthecourt。Insuchmiseryandshameendedthatlongcareerofworldlywisdomandworldlyprosperity。
EvenatthispassMr。Montagudoesnotdeserthishero。HeseemsindeedtothinkthattheattachmentofaneditoroughttobeasdevotedasthatofMr。Moore’slovers;andcannotconceivewhatbiographywasmadefor，\"if’tisnotthesameThroughjoyandthroughtorment，throughgloryandshame。\"
HeassuresusthatBaconwasinnocent，thathehadthemeansofmakingaperfectlysatisfactorydefence，thatwhen\"heplainlyandingenuouslyconfessedthathewasguiltyofcorruption，\"andwhenheafterwardssolemnlyaffirmedthathisconfessionwas\"hisact，hishand，hisheart，\"hewastellingagreatlie，andthatherefrainedfrombringingforwardproofsofhisinnocence，becausehedurstnotdisobeytheKingandthefavourite，who，fortheirownselfishobjects，pressedhimtopleadguilty。
Now，inthefirstplace，thereisnotthesmallestreasontobelievethat，ifJamesandBuckinghamhadthoughtthatBaconhadagooddefence，theywouldhavepreventedhimfrommakingit。
Whatconceivablemotivehadtheyfordoingso？Mr。MontaguperpetuallyrepeatsthatitwastheirinteresttosacrificeBacon。Butheoverlooksanobviousdistinction。ItwastheirinteresttosacrificeBacononthesuppositionofhisguilt;butnotonthesuppositionofhisinnocence。JameswasveryproperlyunwillingtoruntheriskofprotectinghisChancelloragainsttheParliament。ButiftheChancellorhadbeenable，byforceofargument，toobtainanacquittalfromtheParliament，wehavenodoubtthatboththeKingandVillierswouldhaveheartilyrejoiced。Theywouldhaverejoiced，notmerelyonaccountoftheirfriendshipforBacon，whichseems，however，tohavebeenassincereasmostfriendshipsofthatsort，butonselfishgrounds。
NothingcouldhavestrengthenedtheGovernmentmorethansuchavictory。TheKingandthefavouriteabandonedtheChancellorbecausetheywereunabletoaverthisdisgrace，andunwillingtoshareit。Mr。Montagumistakeseffectforcause。HethinksthatBacondidnotprovehisinnocence，becausehewasnotsupportedbytheCourt。ThetruthevidentlyisthattheCourtdidnotventuretosupportBacon，becausehecouldnotprovehisinnocence。
Again，itseemsstrangethatMr。Montagushouldnotperceivethat，whileattemptingtovindicateBacon’sreputation，heisreallycastingonitthefoulestofallaspersions。Heimputestohisidoladegreeofmeannessanddepravitymoreloathsomethanjudicialcorruptionitself。Acorruptjudgemayhavemanygoodqualities。Butamanwho，topleaseapowerfulpatron，solemnlydeclareshimselfguiltyofcorruptionwhenheknowshimselftobeinnocent，mustbeamonsterofservilityandimpudence。Baconwas，tosaynothingofhishighestclaimstorespect，agentleman，anobleman，ascholar，astatesman，amanofthefirstconsiderationinsociety，amanfaradvancedinyears。Isitpossibletobelievethatsuchamanwould，togratifyanyhumanbeing，irreparablyruinhisowncharacterbyhisownact？Imagineagrey—headedjudge，fullofyearsandhonours，owningwithtears，withpatheticassurancesofhispenitenceandofhissincerity，thathehasbeenguiltyofshamefulmalpractices，repeatedlyasseveratingthetruthofhisconfession，subscribingitwithhisownhand，submittingtoconviction，receivingahumiliatingsentenceandacknowledgingitsjustice，andallthiswhenhehasitinhispowertoshowthathisconducthasbeenirreproachable！Thethingisincredible。Butifweadmitittobetrue，whatmustwethinkofsuchaman，ifindeedhedeservesthenameofman，whothinksanythingthatkingsandminionscanbestowmorepreciousthanhonour，oranythingthattheycaninflictmoreterriblethaninfamy？
OfthismostdisgracefulimputationwefullyacquitBacon。Hehadnodefence;andMr。Montagu’saffectionateattempttomakeadefenceforhimhasaltogetherfailed。
ThegroundsonwhichMr。Montagureststhecasearetwo:thefirst，thatthetakingofpresentswasusual，and，whatheseemstoconsiderasthesamething，notdiscreditable;thesecond，thatthesepresentswerenottakenasbribes。
MrMontagubringsforwardmanyfactsinsupportofhisfirstproposition。HeisnotcontentwithshowingthatmanyEnglishjudgesformerlyreceivedgiftsfromsuitors，butcollectssimilarinstancesfromforeignnationsandancienttimes。HegoesbacktothecommonwealthsofGreece，andattemptstopressintohisservicealineofHomerandasentenceofPlutarch，which，wefear，willhardlyservehisturn。ThegoldofwhichHomerspeakswasnotintendedtofeethejudges，butwaspaidintocourtforthebenefitofthesuccessfullitigant;andthegratuitieswhichPericles，asPlutarchstates，distributedamongthemembersoftheAtheniantribunals，werelegalwagespaidoutofthepublicrevenue。WecansupplyMr。Montaguwithpassagesmuchmoreinpoint。Hesiod，who，likepoorAubrey，hada\"killingdecree\"
madeagainsthimintheChanceryofAscra，forgotdecorumsofarthatheventuredtodesignatethelearnedpersonswhopresidedinthatcourt，asBasileasdorophagous。PlutarchandDiodorushavehandeddowntothelatestagestherespectablenameofAnytus，thesonofAnthemion，thefirstdefendantwho，eludingallthesafeguardswhichtheingenuityofSoloncoulddevise，succeededincorruptingabenchofAthenianjudges。WeareindeedsofarfromgrudgingMr。MontagutheaidofGreece，thatwewillgivehimRomeintothebargain。WeacknowledgethatthehonourablesenatorswhotriedVerresreceivedpresentswhichwereworthmorethanthefee—simpleofYorkHouseandGorhamburytogether，andthatthenolesshonourablesenatorsandknightswhoprofessedtobelieveinthealibiofClodiusobtainedmarksstillmoreextraordinaryoftheesteemandgratitudeofthedefendant。Inshort，wearereadytoadmitthat，beforeBacon’stime，andinBacon’stime，judgeswereinthehabitofreceivinggiftsfromsuitors。
Butisthisadefence？Wethinknot。TherobberiesofCacusandBarabbasarenoapologyforthoseofTurpin。TheconductofthetwomenofBelialwhosworeawaythelifeofNabothhasneverbeencitedasanexcusefortheperjuriesofOatesandDangerfield。Mr。Montaguhasconfoundedtwothingswhichitisnecessarycarefullytodistinguishfromeachother，ifwewishtoformacorrectjudgmentofthecharactersofmenofothercountriesandothertimes。Thatanimmoralactionisinaparticularsociety，generallyconsideredasinnocent，isagoodpleaforanindividualwho，beingoneofthatsociety，andhavingadoptedthenotionswhichprevailamonghisneighbours，commitsthataction。Butthecircumstancethatagreatmanypeopleareinthehabitofcommittingimmoralactionsisnopleaatall。WeshouldthinkitunjusttocallSt。Louisawickedman，becauseinanageinwhichtolerationwasgenerallyregardedasasin，hepersecutedheretics。WeshouldthinkitunjusttocallCowper’sfriend，JohnNewton，ahypocriteandmonster，becauseatatimewhentheslave—tradewascommonlyconsideredbythemostrespectablepeopleasaninnocentandbeneficialtraffic，hewent，largelyprovidedwithhymn—booksandhandcuffs，onaGuineavoyage。ButthecircumstancethattherearetwentythousandthievesinLondonisnoexcuseforafellowwhoiscaughtbreakingintoashop。Nomanistobeblamedfornotmakingdiscoveriesinmorality，fornotfindingoutthatsomethingwhicheverybodyelsethinkstobegoodisreallybad。But，ifamandoesthatwhichheandallaroundhimknowtobebad，itisnoexcuseforhimthatmanyothershavedonethesame。Weshouldbeashamedofspendingsomuchtimeinpointingoutsoclearadistinction，butthatMr。Montaguseemsaltogethertooverlookit。
Now，toapplytheseprinciplestothecasebeforeus;letMr。
Montaguprovethat，inBacon’sage，thepracticesforwhichBaconwaspunishedweregenerallyconsideredasinnocent，andweadmitthathehasmadeouthispoint。Butthiswedefyhimtodo。Thatthesepracticeswerecommonweadmit;buttheywerecommonjustasallwickednesstowhichthereisstrongtemptationalwayswasandalwayswillbecommon。Theywerecommonjustastheft，cheating，perjury，adulteryhavealwaysbeencommon。Theywerecommon，notbecausepeopledidnotknowwhatwasright，butbecausepeoplelikedtodowhatwaswrong。Theywerecommon，thoughprohibitedbylaw。Theywerecommon，thoughcondemnedbypublicopinion。Theywerecommon，becauseinthatagelawandpublicopinionunitedhadnotsufficientforcetorestrainthegreedinessofpowerfulandunprincipledmagistrates。Theywerecommon，aseverycrimewillbecommonwhenthegaintowhichitleadsisgreat，andthechanceofpunishmentsmall。But，thoughcommon，theywereuniversallyallowedtobealtogetherunjustifiable;theywereinthehighestdegreeodious;and，thoughmanywereguiltyofthem，nonehadtheaudacitypubliclytoavowanddefendthem。
Wecouldgiveathousandproofsthattheopinionthenentertainedconcerningthesepracticeswassuchaswehavedescribed。Butwewillcontentourselveswithcallingasinglewitness，honestHughLatimer。Hissermons，preachedmorethanseventyyearsbeforetheinquiryintoBacon’sconduct，aboundwiththesharpestinvectivesagainstthoseverypracticesofwhichBaconwasguilty，andwhich，asMr。Montaguseemstothink，nobodyeverconsideredasblamabletillBaconwaspunishedforthem。Wecouldeasilyfilltwentypageswiththehomely，butjustandforciblerhetoricofthebraveoldbishop。Weshallselectafewpassagesasfairspecimens，andnomorethanfairspecimens，oftherest。\"Omnesdiliguntmunera。Theyalllovebribes。Briberyisaprincelykindofthieving。Theywillbewagedbytherich，eithertogivesentenceagainstthepoor，ortoputoffthepoorman’scause。
Thisisthenobletheftofprincesandmagistrates。Theyarebribe—takers。Nowadaystheycallthemgentlerewards。Letthemleavetheircolouring，andcallthembytheirChristianname——
bribes。\"Andagain。\"Cambyseswasagreatemperor，suchanotherasourmasteris。Hehadmanylord—deputies，lord—presidents，andlieutenantsunderhim。ItisagreatwhileagosinceIreadthehistory。Itchancedhehadunderhim，inoneofhisdominions，abriber，agift—taker，agratifierofrichmen;hefollowedgiftsasfastashethatfollowedthepudding，ahand—makerinhisofficetomakehissonagreatman，astheoldsayingis:Happyisthechildwhosefathergoethtothedevil。Thecryofthepoorwidowcametotheemperor’sear，andcausedhimtoflaythejudgequick，andlaidhisskininthechairofjudgment，thatalljudgesthatshouldgivejudgmentafterwardsshouldsitinthesameskin。Surelyitwasagoodlysign，agoodlymonument，thesignofthejudge’sskin。IprayGodwemayonceseetheskininEngland。\"\"Iamsure，\"sayshe，inanothersermon，\"thisisscalainferni，therightwaytohell，tobecovetous，totakebribes，andpervertjustice。Ifajudgeshouldaskmethewaytohell，I
wouldshowhimthisway。First，lethimbeacovetousman;lethisheartbepoisonedwithcovetousness。Thenlethimgoalittlefurther，andtakebribes;and，lastly，pervertjudgment。Lo，hereisthemother，andthedaughter，andthedaughter’sdaughter。
Avariceisthemother:shebringsforthbribe—taking，andbribe—
takingpervertingofjudgment。Therelacksafourththingtomakeupthemess，which，sohelpmeGod，ifIwerejudge，shouldbehangumtuum，aTyburntippettotakewithhim;anitwerethejudgeoftheKing’sBench，myLordChiefJudgeofEngland，yea，anitweremyLordChancellorhimself，toTyburnwithhim。\"Wewillquotebutonemorepassage。\"Hethattookthesilverbasinandewerforabribe，thinkeththatitwillnevercomeout。
ButhemaynowknowthatIknowit，andIknowitnotalone;
therebemorebesidemethatknowit。Oh，briberandbribery！
Hewasneveragoodmanthatwillsotakebribes。NorcanI
believethathethatisabriberwillbeagoodjustice。ItwillneverbemerryinEnglandtillwehavetheskinsofsuch。
Forwhatneedethbribingwheremendotheirthingsuprightly？\"
Thiswasnotthelanguageofagreatphilosopherwhohadmadenewdiscoveriesinmoralandpoliticalscience。Itwastheplaintalkofaplainman，whosprangfromthebodyofthepeople，whosympathisedstronglywiththeirwantsandtheirfeelings，andwhoboldlyutteredtheiropinions。Itwasonaccountofthefearlesswayinwhichstout—heartedoldHughexposedthemisdeedsofmeninerminetippetsandgoldcollars，thattheLondonerscheeredhim，ashewalkeddowntheStrandtopreachatWhitehall，struggledforatouchofhisgown，andbawled，\"Haveatthem，FatherLatimer！\"Itisplain，fromthepassageswhichwehavequoted，andfromfiftyotherswhichwemightquote，that，longbeforeBaconwasborn，theacceptingofpresentsbyajudgewasknowntobeawickedandshamefulact，thatthefinewordsunderwhichitwasthefashiontoveilsuchcorruptpracticeswereeventhenseenthroughbythecommonpeople，thatthedistinctiononwhichMr。Montaguinsistsbetweencomplimentsandbribeswaseventhenlaughedatasamerecolouring。TheremaybesomeoratoricalexaggerationinwhatLatimersaysabouttheTyburntippetandthesignofthejudge’sskin;butthefactthatheventuredtousesuchexpressionsisamplysufficienttoprovethatthegift—
takingjudges，thereceiversofsilverbasinsandewers，wereregardedassuchpestsofthecommonwealththatavenerabledivinemight，withoutanybreachofChristiancharity，publiclypraytoGodfortheirdetectionandtheircondignpunishment。
Mr。Montagutellsus，mostjustly，thatweoughtnottotransfertheopinionsofouragetoaformerage。Buthehashimselfcommittedagreatererrorthanthatagainstwhichhehascautionedhisreaders。Withoutanyevidence，nay，inthefaceofthestrongestevidence，heascribestothepeopleofaformerageasetofopinionswhichnopeopleeverheld。ButanyhypothesisisinhisviewmoreprobablethanthatBaconshouldhavebeenadishonestman。Wefirmlybelievethat，ifpapersweretobediscoveredwhichshouldirresistiblyprovethatBaconwasconcernedinthepoisoningofSirThomasOverbury，Mr。Montaguwouldtellusthat，atthebeginningoftheseventeenthcentury，itwasnotthoughtimproperinamantoputarsenicintothebrothofhisfriends，andthatweoughttoblame，notBacon，buttheageinwhichhelived。
Butwhyshouldwehaverecoursetoanyotherevidence，whentheproceedingagainstLordBaconisitselfthebestevidenceonthesubject？WhenMr。MontagutellsusthatweoughtnottotransfertheopinionsofouragetoBacon’sage，heappearsaltogethertoforgetthatitwasbymenofBacon’sownage，thatBaconwasprosecuted，tried，convicted，andsentenced。Didnottheyknowwhattheirownopinionswere？Didnottheyknowwhethertheythoughtthetakingofgiftsbyajudgeacrimeornot？Mr。
MontagucomplainsbitterlythatBaconwasinducedtoabstainfrommakingadefence。But，ifBacon’sdefenceresembledthatwhichismadeforhiminthevolumebeforeus，itwouldhavebeenunnecessarytotroubletheHouseswithit。TheLordsandCommonsdidnotwantBacontotellthemthethoughtsoftheirownhearts，toinformthemthattheydidnotconsidersuchpracticesasthoseinwhichtheyhaddetectedhimasatallculpable。Mr。Montagu’spropositionmayindeedbefairlystatedthus:——ItwasveryhardthatBacon’scontemporariesshouldthinkitwronginhimtodowhattheydidnotthinkitwronginhimtodo。Hardindeed;andwithalsomewhatimprobable。WillanypersonsaythattheCommonswhoimpeachedBaconfortakingpresents，andtheLordswhosentencedhimtofine，imprisonment，anddegradationfortakingpresents，didnotknowthatthetakingofpresentswasacrime？
Or，willanypersonsaythatBacondidnotknowwhatthewholeHouseofCommonsandthewholeHouseofLordsknew？NobodywhoisnotpreparedtomaintainoneoftheseabsurdpropositionscandenythatBaconcommittedwhatheknewtobeacrime。
ItcannotbepretendedthattheHouseswereseekingoccasiontoruinBacon，andthattheythereforebroughthimtopunishmentonchargeswhichtheythemselvesknewtobefrivolous。Innoquarterwastherethefaintestindicationofadispositiontotreathimharshly。ThroughthewholeproceedingtherewasnosymptomofpersonalanimosityoroffactiousviolenceineitherHouse。
Indeed，wewillventuretosaythatnoState—TrialinourHistoryismorecreditabletoallwhotookpartinit，eitherasprosecutorsorjudges。Thedecency，thegravity，thepublicspirit，thejusticemoderatedbutnotunnervedbycompassion，whichappearedineverypartofthetransaction，woulddohonourtothemostrespectablepublicmenofourowntimes。Theaccusers，whiletheydischargedtheirdutytotheirconstituentsbybringingthemisdeedsoftheChancellortolight，spokewithadmirationofhismanyeminentqualities。TheLords，whilecondemninghim，complimentedhimontheingenuousnessofhisconfession，andsparedhimthehumiliationofapublicappearanceattheirbar。SostrongwasthecontagionofgoodfeelingthatevenSirEdwardCoke，forthefirsttimeinhislife，behavedlikeagentleman。NocriminaleverhadmoretemperateprosecutorsthanBacon。Nocriminaleverhadmorefavourablejudges。Ifhewasconvicted，itwasbecauseitwasimpossibletoacquithimwithoutofferingthegrossestoutragetojusticeandcommonsense。
Mr。Montagu’sotherargument，namely，thatBacon，thoughhetookgifts，didnottakebribes，seemstousasfutileasthatwhichwehaveconsidered。Indeed，wemightbecontenttoleaveittobeansweredbytheplainestmanamongourreaders。Demosthenesnoticeditwithcontemptmorethantwothousandyearsago。
Latimer，wehaveseen，treatedthissophistrywithsimilardisdain。\"Leavecolouring，\"saidhe，\"andcallthesethingsbytheirChristianname，bribes。\"Mr。Montaguattempts，somewhatunfairly，wemustsay，torepresentthepresentswhichBaconreceivedassimilartotheperquisiteswhichsuitorspaidtothemembersoftheParliamentsofFrance。TheFrenchmagistratehadalegalrighttohisfee;andtheamountofthefeewasregulatedbylaw。Whetherthisbeagoodmodeofremuneratingjudgesisnotthequestion。Butwhatanalogyistherebetweenpaymentsofthissort，andthepresentswhichBaconreceived，presentswhichwerenotsanctionedbythelaw，whichwerenotmadeunderthepubliceye，andofwhichtheamountwasregulatedonlybyprivatebargainbetweenthemagistrateandthesuitor？
Again，itismeretriflingtosaythatBaconcouldnothavemeanttoactcorruptly，becauseheemployedtheagencyofmenofrank，ofbishops，privycouncillors，andmembersofParliament;asifthewholehistoryofthatgenerationwasnotfullofthelowactionsofhighpeople;asifitwasnotnotoriousthatmen，asexaltedinrankasanyofthedecoysthatBaconemployed，hadpimpedforSomerset，andpoisonedOverbury。
But，saysMr。Montagu，thesepresents\"weremadeopenlyandwiththegreatestpublicity。\"ThiswouldindeedbeastrongargumentinfavourofBacon。Butwedenythefact。Inone，andoneonly，ofthecasesinwhichBaconwasaccusedofcorruptlyreceivinggifts，doesheappeartohavereceivedagiftpublicly。ThiswasinamatterdependingbetweentheCompanyofApothecariesandtheCompanyofGrocers。Bacon，inhisConfession，insistedstronglyonthecircumstancethathehadonthisoccasiontakenapresentpublicly，asaproofthathehadnottakenitcorruptly。Isitnotclearthat，ifhehadtakenthepresentsmentionedintheotherchargesinthesamepublicmanner，hewouldhavedweltonthispointinhisanswertothosecharges？Thefactthatheinsistssostronglyonthepublicityofoneparticularpresentisofitselfsufficienttoprovethattheotherpresentswerenotpubliclytaken。Whyhetookthispresentpubliclyandtherestsecretly，isevident。Heonthatoccasionactedopenly，becausehewasactinghonestly。Hewasnotonthatoccasionsittingjudicially。Hewascalledintoeffectanamicablearrangementbetweentwoparties。Bothweresatisfiedwithhisdecision。Bothjoinedinmakinghimapresentinreturnforhistrouble。Whetheritwasquitedelicateinamanofhisranktoacceptapresentundersuchcircumstances，maybequestioned。Butthereisnogroundinthiscaseforaccusinghimofcorruption。
Unhappily，theverycircumstanceswhichprovehimtohavebeeninnocentinthiscaseprovehimtohavebeenguiltyontheothercharges。Once，andonceonly，heallegesthathereceivedapresentpublicly。Thenaturalinferenceisthatinalltheothercasesmentionedinthearticlesagainsthimhereceivedpresentssecretly。Whenweexaminethesinglecaseinwhichheallegesthathereceivedapresentpublicly，wefindthatitisalsothesinglecaseinwhichtherewasnogrossimproprietyinhisreceivingapresent。Isitthenpossibletodoubtthathisreasonfornotreceivingotherpresentsinaspublicamannerwasthatheknewthatitwaswrongtoreceivethem？
Oneargumentstillremains，plausibleinappearance，butadmittingofeasyandcompleterefutation。Thetwochiefcomplainants，AubreyandEgerton，hadbothmadepresentstotheChancellor。Buthehaddecidedagainstthemboth。Therefore，hehadnotreceivedthosepresentsasbribes。\"Thecomplaintsofhisaccuserswere，\"saysMr。Montagu，\"notthatthegratuitieshad，butthattheyhadnotinfluencedBacon’sjudgment，ashehaddecidedagainstthem。\"
Thetruthis，thatitispreciselyinthiswaythatanextensivesystemofcorruptionisgenerallydetected。Apersonwho，byabribe，hasprocuredadecreeinhisfavour，isbynomeanslikelytocomeforwardofhisownaccordasanaccuser。Heiscontent。
Hehashisquidproquo。Heisnotimpelledeitherbyinterestedorbyvindictivemotivestobringthetransactionbeforethepublic。Onthecontrary，hehasalmostasstrongmotivesforholdinghistongueasthejudgehimselfcanhave。Butwhenajudgepractisescorruption，aswefearthatBaconpractisedit，onalargescale，andhasmanyagentslookingoutindifferentquartersforprey，itwillsometimeshappenthathewillbebribedonbothsides。Itwillsometimeshappenthathewillreceivemoneyfromsuitorswhoaresoobviouslyinthewrongthathecannotwithdecencydoanythingtoservethem。Thushewillnowandthenbeforcedtopronounceagainstapersonfromwhomhehasreceivedapresent;andhemakesthatpersonadeadlyenemy。
Thehundredswhohavegotwhattheypaidforremainquiet。Itisthetwoorthreewhohavepaid，andhavenothingtoshowfortheirmoney，whoarenoisy。
ThememorablecaseoftheGoezmansisanexampleofthis。
BeaumarchaishadanimportantsuitdependingbeforetheParliamentofParis。M。Goezmanwasthejudgeonwhomchieflythedecisiondepended。ItwashintedtoBeaumarchaisthatMadameGoezmanmightbepropitiatedbyapresent。Heaccordinglyofferedapurseofgoldtothelady，whoreceiveditgraciously。Therecanbenodoubtthat，ifthedecisionofthecourthadbeenfavourabletohim，thesethingswouldneverhavebeenknowntotheworld。Buthelosthiscause。Almostthewholesumwhichhehadexpendedinbriberywasimmediatelyrefunded;andthosewhohaddisappointedhimprobablythoughtthathewouldnot，forthemeregratificationofhismalevolence，makepublicatransactionwhichwasdiscreditabletohimselfaswellastothem。Theyknewlittleofhim。Hesoontaughtthemtocursethedayinwhichtheyhaddaredtotriflewithamanofsorevengefulandturbulentaspirit，ofsuchdauntlesseffrontery，andofsucheminenttalentsforcontroversyandsatire。HecompelledtheParliamenttoputadegradingstigmaonM。Goezman。HedroveMadameGoezmantoaconvent。Tillitwastoolatetopause，hisexcitedpassionsdidnotsufferhimtorememberthathecouldeffecttheirruinonlybydisclosuresruinoustohimself。Wecouldgiveotherinstances。
Butitisneedless。Nopersonwellacquaintedwithhumannaturecanfailtoperceivethat，ifthedoctrineforwhichMr。Montagucontendswereadmitted，societywouldbedeprivedofalmosttheonlychancewhichithasofdetectingthecorruptpracticesofjudges。
Wereturntoournarrative。ThesentenceofBaconhadscarcelybeenpronouncedwhenitwasmitigated。HewasindeedsenttotheTower。Butthiswasmerelyaform。Intwodayshewassetatliberty，andsoonafterheretiredtoGorhambury。HisfinewasspeedilyreleasedbytheCrown。
HewasnextsufferedtopresenthimselfatCourt;andatlength，in1624，therestofhispunishmentwasremitted。HewasnowatlibertytoresumehisseatintheHouseofLords，andhewasactuallysummonedtothenextParliament。Butage，infirmity，andperhapsshame，preventedhimfromattending。TheGovernmentallowedhimapensionoftwelvehundredpoundsayear;andhiswholeannualincomeisestimatedbyMr。Montaguattwothousandfivehundredpounds，asumwhich。wasprobablyabovetheaverageincomeofanoblemanofthatgeneration，andwhichwascertainlysufficientforcomfortandevenforsplendour。Unhappily，Baconwasfondofdisplay，andunusedtopayminuteattentiontodomesticaffairs。Hewasnoteasilypersuadedtogiveupanypartofthemagnificencetowhichhehadbeenaccustomedinthetimeofhispowerandprosperity。NopressureofdistresscouldinducehimtopartwiththewoodsofGorhambury。\"Iwillnot，\"hesaid，\"bestrippedofmyfeathers。\"HetravelledwithsosplendidanequipageandsolargearetinuethatPrinceCharles，whooncefellinwithhimontheroad，exclaimedwithsurprise，\"Well;dowhatwecan，thismanscornstogooutinsnuff。\"ThiscarelessnessandostentationreducedBacontofrequentdistress。
HewasunderthenecessityofpartingwithYorkHouse，andoftakinguphisresidence，duringhisvisitstoLondon，athisoldchambersinGray’sInn。Hehadothervexations，theexactnatureofwhichisunknown。Itisevidentfromhiswillthatsomepartofhiswife’sconducthadgreatlydisturbedandirritatedhim。
But，whatevermightbehispecuniarydifficultiesorhisconjugaldiscomforts，thepowersofhisintellectstillremainedundiminished。Thosenoblestudiesforwhichhehadfoundleisureinthemidstofprofessionaldrudgeryandofcourtlyintriguesgavetothislastsadstageofhislifeadignitybeyondwhatpowerortitlescouldbestow。Impeached，convicted，sentenced，drivenwithignominyfromthepresenceofhisSovereign，shutoutfromthedeliberationsofhisfellownobles，loadedwithdebt，brandedwithdishonour，sinkingundertheweightofyears，sorrows，anddiseases，BaconwasBaconstill。\"Myconceitofhisperson，\"saysBenJonsonveryfinely，\"wasneverincreasedtowardshimbyhisplaceorhonours;butIhaveanddoreverencehimforthegreatnessthatwasonlypropertohimself;inthatheseemedtomeever，byhiswork，oneofthegreatestmenandmostworthyofadmiration，thathadbeeninmanyages。InhisadversityIeverprayedthatGodwouldgivehimstrength;forgreatnesshecouldnotwant。\"
TheserviceswhichBaconrenderedtolettersduringthelastfiveyearsofhislife，amidsttenthousanddistractionsandvexations，increasetheregretwithwhichwethinkonthemanyyearswhichhehadwasted，tousethewordsofSirThomasBodley，\"onsuchstudyaswasnotworthyofsuchastudent。\"HecommencedaDigestoftheLawsofEngland，aHistoryofEnglandunderthePrincesoftheHouseofTudor，abodyofNaturalHistory，aPhilosophicalRomance。HemadeextensiveandvaluableadditionstohisEssays。HepublishedtheinestimableTreatiseDeAugmentisScientiarum。Theverytrifleswithwhichheamusedhimselfinhoursofpainandlanguorborethemarkofhismind。Thebestcollectionofjestsintheworldisthatwhichhedictatedfrommemory，withoutreferringtoanybook，onadayonwhichillnesshadrenderedhimincapableofseriousstudy。
Thegreatapostleofexperimentalphilosophywasdestinedtobeitsmartyr。Ithadoccurredtohimthatsnowmightbeusedwithadvantageforthepurposeofpreventinganimalsubstancesfromputrefying。Onaverycoldday，earlyinthespringoftheyear1626，healightedfromhiscoachnearHighgate，inordertotrytheexperiment。Hewentintoacottage，boughtafowl，andwithhisownhandsstuffeditwithsnow。Whilethusengagedhefeltasuddenchill，andwassoonsomuchindisposedthatitwasimpossibleforhimtoreturntoGray’sInn。TheEarlofArundel，withwhomhewaswellacquainted，hadahouseatHighgate。TothathouseBaconwascarried。TheEarlwasabsent;buttheservantswhowereinchargeoftheplaceshowedgreatrespectandattentiontotheillustriousguest。Here，afteranillnessofaboutaweek，heexpiredearlyonthemorningofEaster—day，1626。Hismindappearstohaveretaineditsstrengthandlivelinesstotheend。Hedidnotforgetthefowlwhichhadcausedhisdeath。Inthelastletterthatheeverwrote，withfingerswhich，ashesaid，couldnotsteadilyholdapen，hedidnotomittomentionthattheexperimentofthesnowhadsucceeded\"excellentlywell。\"
Ouropinionofthemoralcharacterofthisgreatmanhasalreadybeensufficientlyexplained。Hadhislifebeenpassedinliteraryretirement，hewould，inallprobability，havedeservedtobeconsidered，notonlyasagreatphilosopher，butasaworthyandgood—naturedmemberofsociety。Butneitherhisprinciplesnorhisspiritweresuchascouldbetrusted，whenstrongtemptationsweretoberesisted，andseriousdangerstobebraved。
Inhiswillheexpressedwithsingularbrevity，energy，dignity，andpathos，amournfulconsciousnessthathisactionshadnotbeensuchastoentitlehimtotheesteemofthoseunderwhoseobservationhislifehadbeenpassed，and，atthesametime，aproudconfidencethathiswritingshadsecuredforhimahighandpermanentplaceamongthebenefactorsofmankind。Soatleastweunderstandthosestrikingwordswhichhavebeenoftenquoted，butwhichwemustquoteoncemore。\"Formynameandmemory，Ileaveittomen’scharitablespeeches，andtoforeignnations，andtothenextage。\"
Hisconfidencewasjust。Fromthedayofhisdeathhisfamehasbeenconstantlyandsteadilyprogressive;andwehavenodoubtthathisnamewillbenamedwithreverencetothelatestages，andtotheremotestendsofthecivilisedworld。
ThechiefpeculiarityofBacon’sphilosophyseemstoustohavebeenthis，thatitaimedatthingsaltogetherdifferentfromthosewhichhispredecessorshadproposedtothemselves。Thiswashisownopinion。\"Finisscientiarum，\"sayshe，\"anemineadhucbenepositusest。\"[NovumOrganum，Lib。i。Aph。81。]Andagain，\"Omniumgravissimuserrorindeviationeabultimodoctrinarumfineconsistit。\"[DeAugmentis，Lib。i。]\"Necipsameta，\"saysheelsewhere，\"adhuculli，quodsciam，mortaliumpositaestetdefixa。\"[Cogitataetvisa。]Themorecarefullyhisworksareexamined，themoreclearly，wethink，itwillappearthatthisistherealcluetohiswholesystem，andthatheusedmeansdifferentfromthoseusedbyotherphilosophers，becausehewishedtoarriveatanendaltogetherdifferentfromtheirs。
WhatthenwastheendwhichBaconproposedtohimself？Itwas，tousehisownemphaticexpression，\"fruit。\"Itwasthemultiplyingofhumanenjoymentsandthemitigatingofhumansufferings。Itwas\"thereliefofman’sestate。\"[AdvancementofLearning，Booki。]Itwas\"commodishumanisinservire。\"[DeAugmentis，Lib。vii。
Cap。i。]Itwas\"efficaciteroperariadsublevandavitaehumanaeincommoda。\"[Ib。，Lib。ii。Cap。ii。]Itwas\"dotarevitamhumanamnovisinventisetcopiis。\"[NovumOrganum，Lib。i。，Aph。81。]Itwas\"genushumanumnovisoperibusetpotestatibuscontinuodotare。\"[Cogitataetvisa。]Thiswastheobjectofallhisspeculationsineverydepartmentofscience，innaturalphilosophy，inlegislation，inpolitics，inmorals。
TwowordsformthekeyoftheBaconiandoctrine，UtilityandProgress。Theancientphilosophydisdainedtobeuseful，andwascontenttobestationary。Itdealtlargelyintheoriesofmoralperfection，whichweresosublimethattheynevercouldbemorethantheories;inattemptstosolveinsolubleenigmas;inexhortationstotheattainmentofunattainableframesofmind。Itcouldnotcondescendtothehumbleofficeofministeringtothecomfortofhumanbeings。Alltheschoolscontemnedthatofficeasdegrading;somecensureditasimmoral。OnceindeedPosidonius，adistinguishedwriteroftheageofCiceroandCaesar，sofarforgothimselfastoenumerate，amongthehumblerblessingswhichmankindowedtophilosophy，thediscoveryoftheprincipleofthearch，andtheintroductionoftheuseofmetals。Thiseulogywasconsideredasanaffront，andwastakenupwithproperspirit。
Senecavehementlydisclaimstheseinsultingcompliments。[Seneca，Epist。90。]Philosophy，accordingtohim，hasnothingtodowithteachingmentoreararchedroofsovertheirheads。Thetruephilosopherdoesnotcarewhetherhehasanarchedrooforanyroof，Philosophyhasnothingtodowithteachingmentheusesofmetals。Sheteachesustobeindependentofallmaterialsubstances，ofallmechanicalcontrivances。Thewisemanlivesaccordingtonature。Insteadofattemptingtoaddtothephysicalcomfortsofhisspecies，heregretsthathislotwasnotcastinthatgoldenagewhenthehumanracehadnoprotectionagainstthecoldbuttheskinsofwildbeasts，noscreenfromthesunbutacavern。Toimputetosuchamananyshareintheinventionorimprovementofaplough，aship，oramillisaninsult。\"Inmyowntime，\"saysSeneca，\"therehavebeeninventionsofthissort，transparentwindows，tubesfordiffusingwarmthequallythroughallpartsofabuilding，shorthand，whichhasbeencarriedtosuchaperfectionthatawritercankeeppacewiththemostrapidspeaker。Buttheinventingofsuchthingsisdrudgeryforthelowestslaves;philosophyliesdeeper。Itisnotherofficetoteachmenhowtousetheirhands。Theobjectofherlessonsistoformthesoul。Nonest，inquam，instrumentorumadususnecessariosopifex。\"Ifthenonwereleftout，thislastsentencewouldbenobaddescriptionoftheBaconianphilosophy，andwould，indeed，verymuchresembleseveralexpressionsintheNovumOrganum。\"Weshallnextbetold，\"exclaimsSeneca，\"thatthefirstshoemakerwasaphilosopher。\"Forourownpart，ifweareforcedtomakeourchoicebetweenthefirstshoemakerandtheauthorofthethreebooks\"OnAnger，\"wepronouncefortheshoemaker。Itmaybeworsetobeangrythantobewet。Butshoeshavekeptmillionsfrombeingwet;andwedoubtwhetherSenecaeverkeptanybodyfrombeingangry。
ItisveryreluctantlythatSenecacanbebroughttoconfessthatanyphilosopherhadeverpaidthesmallestattentiontoanythingthatcouldpossiblypromotewhatvulgarpeoplewouldconsiderasthewell—beingofmankind。HelabourstoclearDemocritusfromthedisgracefulimputationofhavingmadethefirstarch，andAnacharsisfromthechargeofhavingcontrivedthepotter’swheel。Heisforcedtoownthatsuchathingmighthappen;anditmayalsohappen，hetellsus，thataphilosophermaybeswiftoffoot。Butitisnotinhischaracterofphilosopherthatheeitherwinsaraceorinventsamachine。No，tobesure。Thebusinessofaphilosopherwastodeclaiminpraiseofpovertywithtwomillionssterlingoutatusury，tomeditateepigrammaticconceitsabouttheevilsofluxury，ingardenswhichmovedtheenvyofsovereigns，torantaboutliberty，whilefawningontheinsolentandpamperedfreedmenofatyrant，tocelebratethedivinebeautyofvirtuewiththesamepenwhichhadjustbeforewrittenadefenceofthemurderofamotherbyason。
Fromthecantofthisphilosophy，aphilosophymeanlyproudofitsownunprofitableness，itisdelightfultoturntothelessonsofthegreatEnglishteacher。WecanalmostforgiveallthefaultsofBacon’slifewhenwereadthatsingularlygracefulanddignifiedpassage:\"Egocerte，utdemeipso，quodresest，loquar，etiniisquaenuncedo，etiniisquaeinposterummeditor，dignitatemingeniietnominismei，siquasit，saepiussciensetvolensprojicio，dumcommodishumanisinserviam;quiquearchitectusfortasseinphilosophiaetscientiisessedebeam，etiamoperarius，etbajulus，etquidvisdemumfio，cumhaudpaucaquaeomninofierinecessesit，aliiautemobinnatumsuperbiamsubterfugiant，ipsisustineametexsequar。\"[DeAugmentis，Lib。
vii。Cap。i。]Thisphilanthropia，which，ashesaidinoneofthemostremarkableofhisearlyletters，\"wassofixedinhismind，asitcouldnotberemoved，\"thismajestichumility，thispersuasionthatnothingcanbetooinsignificantfortheattentionofthewisest，whichisnottooinsignificanttogivepleasureorpaintothemeanest，isthegreatcharacteristicdistinction，theessentialspiritoftheBaconianphilosophy。WetraceitinallthatBaconhaswrittenonPhysics，onLaws，onMorals。Andweconceivethatfromthispeculiarityalltheotherpeculiaritiesofhissystemdirectlyandalmostnecessarilysprang。
ThespiritwhichappearsinthepassageofSenecatowhichwehavereferredtaintedthewholebodyoftheancientphilosophyfromthetimeofSocratesdownwards，andtookpossessionofintellectswithwhichthatofSenecacannotforamomentbecompared。ItpervadesthedialoguesofPlato。ItmaybedistinctlytracedinmanypartsoftheworksofAristotle。Baconhasdroppedhintsfromwhichitmaybeinferredthat，inhisopinion，theprevalenceofthisfeelingwasinagreatmeasuretobeattributedtotheinfluenceofSocrates。OurgreatcountrymanevidentlydidnotconsidertherevolutionwhichSocrateseffectedinphilosophyasahappyevent，andconstantlymaintainedthattheearlierGreekspeculators，Democritusinparticular，were，onthewhole，superiortotheirmorecelebratedsuccessors。[NovumOrganum，Lib。i。Aph。71，79。DeAugmentis，Lib。iii。Cap。iv。Deprincipiis，atqueoriginibus。Cogitataetvisa。Redargutiophilosophiarum。]