Thisisnolongerthecase。Allpoliticalandreligiouscontroversyisnowconductedinthemodernlanguages。Theancienttonguesareusedonlyincommentsontheancientwriters。ThegreatproductionsofAthenianandRomangeniusareindeedstillwhattheywere。Butthoughtheirpositivevalueisunchanged，theirrelativevalue，whencomparedwiththewholemassofmentalwealthpossessedbymankind，hasbeenconstantlyfalling。Theyweretheintellectualallofourancestors。Theyarebutapartofourtreasures。OverwhattragedycouldLadyJaneGreyhavewept，overwhatcomedycouldshehavesmiled，iftheancientdramatistshadnotbeeninherlibrary？AmodernreadercanmakeshiftwithoutOedipusandMedea，whilehepossessesOthelloandHamlet。IfheknowsnothingofPyrgopolynicesandThraso，heisfamiliarwithBobadil，andBessus，andPistol，andParolles。IfhecannotenjoythedeliciousironyofPlato，hemayfindsomecompensationinthatofPascal。IfheisshutoutfromNephelococcygia，hemaytakerefugeinLilliput。Weareguilty，wehope，ofnoirreverencetowardsthosegreatnationstowhichthehumanraceowesart，science，taste，civilandintellectualfreedom，whenwesay，thatthestockbequeathedbythemtoushasbeensocarefullyimprovedthattheaccumulatedinterestnowexceedstheprincipal。WebelievethatthebookswhichhavebeenwritteninthelanguagesofwesternEurope，duringthelasttwohundredandfiftyyears，——translationsfromtheancientlanguagesofcourseincluded，——areofgreatervaluethanallthebookswhichatthebeginningofthatperiodwereextantintheworld。
　　WiththemodernlanguagesofEuropeEnglishwomenareatleastaswellacquaintedasEnglishmen。When，therefore，wecomparetheacquirementsofLadyJaneGrey。withthoseofanaccomplishedyoungwomanofourowntime，wehavenohesitationinawardingthesuperioritytothelatter。Wehopethatourreaderswillpardonupthisdigression。Itislong;butitcanhardlybecalledunseasonable，ifittendstoconvincethemthattheyaremistakeninthinkingthatthegreat—great—grandmothersoftheirgreat—great—grandmothersweresuperiorwomentotheirsistersandtheirwives。
　　FrancisBacon，theyoungestsonofSirNicholas，wasbornatYorkHouse，hisfather’sresidenceintheStrand，onthetwenty—secondofJanuary1561。ThehealthofFranciswasverydelicate;andtothiscircumstancemaybepartlyattributedthatgravityofcarriage，andthatloveofsedentarypursuitswhichdistinguishedhimfromotherboys。EverybodyknowshowmuchsobrietyofdeportmentandhisprematurereadinessofwitamusedtheQueen，andhowsheusedtocallhimheryoungLordKeeper。Wearetoldthat，whilestillamerechild，hestoleawayfromhisplayfellowstoavaultinSt。James’sFields，forthepurposeofinvestigatingthecauseofasingularechowhichhehadobservedthere。Itiscertainthat，atonlytwelve，hebusiedhimselfwithveryingeniousspeculationsontheartoflegerdemain;asubjectwhich，asProfessorDugaldStewarthasmostjustlyobserved，meritsmuchmoreattentionfromphilosophersthanithaseverreceived。Thesearetrifles。ButtheeminencewhichBaconafterwardsattainedmakestheminteresting。
　　InthethirteenthyearofhisagehewasenteredatTrinityCollege，Cambridge。ThatcelebratedschooloflearningenjoyedthepeculiarfavouroftheLordTreasurerandtheLordKeeper，andacknowledgedtheadvantageswhichitderivedfromtheirpatronageinapublicletterwhichbearsdatejustamonthaftertheadmissionofFrancisBacon。ThemasterwasWhitgift，afterwardsArchbishopofCanterbury，anarrowminded，mean，andtyrannicalpriest，whogainedpowerbyservilityandadulation，andemployeditinpersecutingboththosewhoagreedwithCalvinaboutchurch—government，andthosewhodifferedfromCalvintouchingthedoctrineofReprobation。Hewasnowinachrysalisstate，puttingofftheworm，andputtingonthedragon—fly，akindofintermediategrubbetweensycophantandoppressor。HewasindemnifyinghimselfforthecourtwhichhefounditexpedienttopaytotheMinistersbyexercisingmuchpettytyrannywithinhisowncollege。Itwouldbeunjust，however，todenyhimthepraiseofhavingrenderedaboutthistimeoneimportantservicetoletters。HestoodupmanfullyagainstthosewhowishedtomakeTrinityCollegeamereappendagetoWestminsterschool;andbythisact，theonlygoodact，asfarasweremember，ofhislongpubliclife，hesavedthenoblestplaceofeducationinEnglandfromthedegradingfateofKing’sCollegeandNewCollege。
　　IthasoftenbeensaidthatBacon，whilestillatcollege，plannedthatgreatintellectualrevolutionwithwhichhisnameisinseparablyconnected。Theevidenceonthissubject，however，ishardlysufficienttoprovewhatisinitselfsoimprobableasthatanydefiniteschemeofthatkindshouldhavebeensoearlyformed，evenbysopowerfulandactiveamind。Butitiscertainthat，afteraresidenceofthreeyearsatCambridge，Bacondeparted，carryingwithhimaprofoundcontemptforthecourseofstudypursuedthere，afixedconvictionthatthesystemofacademiceducationinEnglandwasradicallyvicious，ajustscornforthetriflesonwhichthefollowersofAristotlehadwastedtheirpowers，andnogreatreverenceforAristotlehimself。
　　InhissixteenthyearhevisitedParis，andresidedthereforsometime，underthecareofSirAmiasPaulet，Elizabeth’sMinisterattheFrenchCourt，andoneoftheablestandmostuprightofthemanyvaluableservantswhomsheemployed。Francewasatthattimeinadeplorablestateofagitation。TheHuguenotsandtheCatholicsweremusteringalltheirforceforthefiercestandmostprotractedoftheirmanystruggles;whiletheprince，whosedutyitwastoprotectandtorestrainboth，hadbyhisvicesandfolliesdegradedhimselfsodeeplythathehadnoauthorityovereither。Bacon，however，madeatourthroughseveralprovinces，andappearstohavepassedsometimeatPoitiers。WehaveabundantproofthatduringhisstayontheContinenthedidnotneglectliteraryandscientificpursuits。
　　Buthisattentionseemstohavebeenchieflydirectedtostatisticsanddiplomacy。ItwasatthistimethathewrotethoseNotesontheStateofEuropewhichareprintedinhisworks。Hestudiedtheprinciplesoftheartofdecipheringwithgreatinterest，andinventedoneciphersoingenious，that，manyyearslater，hethoughtitdeservingofaplaceintheDeAugmentis。InFebruary1580，whileengagedinthesepursuits，hereceivedintelligenceofthealmostsuddendeathofhisfather，andinstantlyreturnedtoEngland。
　　Hisprospectsweregreatlyovercastbythisevent。Hewasmostdesiroustoobtainaprovisionwhichmightenablehimtodevotehimselftoliteratureandpolitics。HeappliedtotheGovernment;anditseemsstrangethatheshouldhaveappliedinvain。Hiswishesweremoderate。Hishereditaryclaimsontheadministrationweregreat。HehadhimselfbeenfavourablynoticedbytheQueen。HisunclewasPrimeMinister。HisowntalentsweresuchasanyMinistermighthavebeeneagertoenlistinthepublicservice。Buthissolicitationswereunsuccessful。ThetruthisthattheCecilsdislikedhim，anddidallthattheycoulddecentlydotokeephimdown。IthasneverbeenallegedthatBaconhaddoneanythingtomeritthisdislike;norisitatallprobablethatamanwhosetemperwasnaturallymild，whosemannerswerecourteous，who，throughlife，nursedhisfortuneswiththeutmostcare，andwhowasfearfuleventoafaultofoffendingthepowerful，wouldhavegivenanyjustcauseofdispleasuretoakinsmanwhohadthemeansofrenderinghimessentialserviceandofdoinghimirreparableinjury。Therealexplanation，webelieve，isthis。RobertCecil，theTreasurer’ssecondson，wasyoungerbyafewmonthsthanBacon。Hehadbeeneducatedwiththeutmostcare，hadbeeninitiated，whilestillaboy，inthemysteriesofdiplomacyandcourt—intrigue，andwasjustatthistimeabouttobeproducedonthestageofpubliclife。ThewishnearesttoBurleigh’sheartwasthathisowngreatnessmightdescendtothisfavouritechild。ButevenBurleigh’sfatherlypartialitycouldhardlypreventhimfromperceivingthatRobert，withallhisabilitiesandacquirements，wasnomatchforhiscousinFrancis。ThisseemstoustheonlyrationalexplanationoftheTreasurer’sconduct。Mr。Montaguismorecharitable。HesupposesthatBurleighwasinfluencedmerelybyaffectionforhisnephew，andwas"littledisposedtoencouragehimtorelyonothersratherthanonhimself，andtoventureonthequicksandsofpolitics，insteadofthecertainprofessionofthelaw。"IfsuchwereBurleigh’sfeelings，itseemsstrangethatheshouldhavesufferedhissontoventureonthosequicksandsfromwhichhesocarefullypreservedhisnephew。Butthetruthisthat，ifBurleighhadbeensodisposed，hemighteasilyhavesecuredtoBaconacomfortableprovisionwhichshouldhavebeenexposedtonorisk。Anditiscertainthatheshowedaslittledispositiontoenablehisnephewtolivebyaprofessionastoenablehimtolivewithoutaprofession。
　　ThatBaconhimselfattributedtheconductofhisrelativestojealousyofhissuperiortalents，wehavenotthesmallestdoubt。
　　InaletterwrittenmanyyearslatertoVilliers，heexpresseshimselfthus:"Countenance，encourage，andadvanceablemeninallkinds，degrees，andprofessions。ForinthetimeoftheCecils，thefatherandtheson，ablemenwerebydesignandofpurposesuppressed。"
　　WhateverBurleigh’smotivesmightbe，hispurposewasunalterable。ThesupplicationswhichFrancisaddressedtohisuncleandauntwereearnest，humble，andalmostservile。Hewasthemostpromisingandaccomplishedyoungmanofhistime。Hisfatherhadbeenthebrother—in—law，themostusefulcolleague，thenearestfriendoftheMinister。ButallthisavailedpoorFrancisnothing。Hewasforced，muchagainsthiswill，tobetakehimselftothestudyofthelaw。HewasadmittedatGray’sInn;
　　andduringsomeyears，helabouredthereinobscurity。
　　Whattheextentofhislegalattainmentsmayhavebeenitisdifficulttosay。Itwasnothardforamanofhispowerstoacquirethatverymoderateportionoftechnicalknowledgewhich，whenjoinedtoquickness，tact，wit，ingenuity，eloquence，andknowledgeoftheworld，issufficienttoraiseanadvocatetothehighestprofessionaleminence。ThegeneralopinionappearstohavebeenthatwhichwasononeoccasionexpressedbyElizabeth。
　　"Bacon，"saidshe，"hathagreatwitandmuchlearning;butinlawshowethtotheutmostofhisknowledge，andisnotdeep。"TheCecils，wesuspect，didtheirbesttospreadthisopinionbywhispersandinsinuations。Cokeopenlyproclaimeditwiththatrancorousinsolencewhichwashabitualtohim。Noreportsaremorereadilybelievedthanthosewhichdisparagegenius，andsoothetheenvyofconsciousmediocrity。Itmusthavebeeninexpressiblyconsolingtoastupidsergeant，theforerunnerofhimwho，ahundredandfiftyyearslater，"shookhisheadatMurrayasawit，"toknowthatthemostprofoundthinkerandthemostaccomplishedoratoroftheagewasveryimperfectlyacquaintedwiththelawtouchingbastardeigneandmulierpuisne，andconfoundedtherightoffreefisherywiththatofcommonpiscary。
　　Itiscertainthatnomaninthatage，orindeedduringthecenturyandahalfwhichfollowed，wasbetteracquaintedthanBaconwiththephilosophyoflaw。Histechnicalknowledgewasquitesufficient，withthehelpofhisadmirabletalentsandofhisinsinuatingaddress，toprocureclients。Heroseveryrapidlyintobusiness，andsoonentertainedhopesofbeingcalledwithinthebar。HeappliedtoLordBurleighforthatpurpose，butreceivedatestyrefusal。Ofthegroundsofthatrefusalwecan，insomemeasure，judgebyBacon’sanswer，whichisstillextant。
　　ItseemsthattheoldLord，whosetemper，ageandgouthadbynomeansalteredforthebetter，andwholovedtomarkhisdislikeoftheshowy，quick—wittedyoungmenoftherisinggeneration，tookthisopportunitytoreadFrancisaverysharplectureonhisvanityandwantofrespectforhisbetters。Francisreturnedamostsubmissivereply，thankedtheTreasurerfortheadmonition，andpromisedtoprofitbyit。Strangersmeanwhilewerelessunjusttotheyoungbarristerthanhisnearestkinsmanhadbeen。
　　Inhistwenty—sixthyearhebecameabencherofhisInn;andtwoyearslaterhewasappointedLentreader。Atlength，in1590，heobtainedforthefirsttimesomeshowoffavourfromtheCourt。
　　HewassworninQueen’sCounselextraordinary。Butthismarkofhonourwasnotaccompaniedbyanypecuniaryemolument。
　　Hecontinued，therefore，tosolicithispowerfulrelativesforsomeprovisionwhichmightenablehimtolivewithoutdrudgingathisprofession。Hebore，withapatienceandserenitywhich，wefear，borderedonmeanness，themorosehumoursofhisuncle，andthesneeringreflectionswhichhiscousincastonspeculativemen，lostinphilosophicaldreams，andtoowisetobecapableoftransactingpublicbusiness。AtlengththeCecilsweregenerousenoughtoprocureforhimthereversionoftheRegistrarshipoftheStar—Chamber。Thiswasalucrativeplace;but，asmanyyearselapsedbeforeitfellin，hewasstillunderthenecessityoflabouringforhisdailybread。
　　IntheParliamentwhichwascalledin1593hesatasmemberforthecountyofMiddlesex，andsoonattainedeminenceasadebater。
　　Itiseasytoperceivefromthescantyremainsofhisoratorythatthesamecompactnessofexpressionandrichnessoffancywhichappearinhiswritingscharacterisedhisspeeches;andthathisextensiveacquaintancewithliteratureandhistoryenabledhimtoentertainhisaudiencewithavastvarietyofillustrationsandallusionswhichweregenerallyhappyandapposite，butwhichwereprobablynotleastpleasingtothetasteofthatagewhentheyweresuchaswouldnowbethoughtchildishorpedantic。Itisevidentalsothathewas，asindeedmighthavebeenexpected，perfectlyfreefromthosefaultswhicharegenerallyfoundinanadvocatewho，afterhavingrisentoeminenceatthebar，enterstheHouseofCommons;thatitwashishabittodealwitheverygreatquestion，notinsmalldetachedportions，butasawhole;thatherefinedlittle，andthathisreasoningswerethoseofacapaciousratherthanasubtlemind。
　　BenJonson，amostunexceptionablejudge，hasdescribedBacon’seloquenceinwords，which，thoughoftenquoted，willbeartobequotedagain。"Therehappenedinmytimeonenoblespeakerwhowasfullofgravityinhisspeaking。Hislanguage，wherehecouldspareorpassbyajest，wasnoblycensorious。Nomaneverspokemoreneatly，morepressly，moreweightily，orsufferedlessemptiness，lessidleness，inwhatheuttered。Nomemberofhisspeechbutconsistedofhisowngraces。Hishearerscouldnotcoughorlookasidefromhimwithoutloss。Hecommandedwherehespoke，andhadhisjudgesangryandpleasedathisdevotion。Nomanhadtheiraffectionsmoreinhispower。Thefearofeverymanthatheardhimwaslestheshouldmakeanend。"Fromthementionwhichismadeofjudges，itwouldseemthatJonsonhadheardBacononlyattheBar。IndeedweimaginethattheHouseofCommonswasthenalmostinaccessibletostrangers。ItisnotprobablethatamanofBacon’sniceobservationwouldspeakinParliamentexactlyashespokeintheCourtofQueen’sBench。Butthegracesofmannerandlanguagemust，toagreatextent，havebeencommonbetweentheQueen’sCounselandtheKnightoftheShire。
　　Bacontriedtoplayaverydifficultgameinpolitics。HewishedtobeatonceafavouriteatCourtandpopularwiththemultitude。Ifanymancouldhavesucceededinthisattempt，amanoftalentssorare，ofjudgmentsoprematurelyripe，oftempersocalm，andofmannerssoplausible，mighthavebeenexpectedtosucceed。Norindeeddidhewhollyfail。Once，however，heindulgedinaburstofpatriotismwhichcosthimalongandbitterremorse，andwhichheneverventuredtorepeat。TheCourtaskedforlargesubsidiesandforspeedypayment。TheremainsofBacon’sspeechbreatheallthespiritoftheLongParliament。
　　"Thegentlemen，"saidhe，"mustselltheirplate，andthefarmerstheirbrasspots，erethiswillbepaid;andforus，weareheretosearchthewoundsoftherealm，andnottoskimthemover。Thedangersarethese。First，weshallbreeddiscontentandendangerherMajesty’ssafety，whichmustconsistmoreintheloveofthepeoplethantheirwealth。Secondly，thisbeinggrantedinthissort，otherprinceshereafterwilllookforthelike;sothatweshallputanevilprecedentonourselvesandourposterity;andinhistories，itistobeobserved，ofallnationstheEnglisharenottobesubject，base，ortaxable。"TheQueenandherMinistersresentedthisoutbreakofpublicspiritinthehighestmanner。Indeed，manyanhonestmemberoftheHouseofCommonshad，foramuchsmallermatter，beensenttotheTowerbytheproudandhot—bloodedTudors。Theyoungpatriotcondescendedtomakethemostabjectapologies。HeadjuredtheLordTreasurertoshowsomefavourtohispoorservantandally。HebemoanedhimselftotheLordKeeper，inaletterwhichmaykeepincountenancethemostunmanlyoftheepistleswhichCicerowroteduringhisbanishment。Thelessonwasnotthrownaway。Baconneveroffendedinthesamemanneragain。
　　Hewasnowsatisfiedthathehadlittletohopefromthepatronageofthosepowerfulkinsmenwhomhehadsolicitedduringtwelveyearswithsuchmeekpertinacity;andhebegantolooktowardsadifferentquarter。AmongthecourtiersofElizabethhadlatelyappearedanewfavourite，young，noble，wealthy，accomplished，eloquentbrave，generous，aspiring;afavouritewhohadobtainedfromthegrey—headedQueensuchmarksofregardasshehadscarcevouchsafedtoLeicesterintheseasonofthepassions;whowasatoncetheornamentofthepalaceandtheidolofthecity。whowasthecommonpatronofmenoflettersandofmenofthesword;whowasthecommonrefugeofthepersecutedCatholicandofthepersecutedPuritan。ThecalmprudencewhichhadenabledBurleightoshapehiscoursethroughsomanydangers，andthevastexperiencewhichhehadacquiredindealingwithtwogenerationsofcolleaguesandrivals，seemedscarcelysufficienttosupporthiminthisnewcompetition;andRobertCecilsickenedwithfearandenvyashecontemplatedtherisingfameandinfluenceofEssex。
　　Thehistoryofthefactionswhich，towardsthecloseofthereignofElizabeth，dividedhercourtandhercouncil，thoughpregnantwithinstruction，isbynomeansinterestingorpleasing。Bothpartiesemployedthemeanswhicharefamiliartounscrupulousstatesmen;andneitherhad，orevenpretendedtohave，anyimportantendinview。Thepublicmindwasthenreposingfromonegreateffort，andcollectingstrengthforanother。Thatimpetuousandappallingrushwithwhichthehumanintellecthadmovedforwardinthecareeroftruthandliberty，duringthefiftyyearswhichfollowedtheseparationofLutherfromthecommunionoftheChurchofRome，wasnowover。TheboundarybetweenProtestantismandPoperyhadbeenfixedverynearlywhereitstillremains。England，Scotland，theNorthernkingdomswereononeside;Ireland，Spain，Portugal，Italy，ontheother。Thelineofdemarcationran，asitstillruns，throughthemidstoftheNetherlands，ofGermany，andofSwitzerland，dividingprovincefromprovince，electoratefromelectorate，andcantonfromcanton。Francemightbeconsideredasadebatableland，inwhichthecontestwasstillundecided。Sincethattime，thetworeligionshavedonelittlemorethanmaintaintheirground。Afewoccasionalincursionshavebeenmade。Butthegeneralfrontierremainsthesame。Duringtwohundredandfiftyyearsnogreatsocietyhasrisenuplikeoneman，andemancipateditselfbyonemightyeffortfromthesuperstitionofages。Thisspectaclewascommoninthesixteenthcentury。Whyhasitceasedtobeso？Whyhassoviolentamovementbeenfollowedbysolongarepose？ThedoctrinesoftheReformersarenotlessagreeabletoreasonortorevelationnowthanformerly。Thepublicmindisassuredlynotlessenlightenednowthanformerly。WhyisitthatProtestantism，aftercarryingeverythingbeforeitinatimeofcomparativelylittleknowledgeandlittlefreedom，shouldmakenoperceptibleprogressinareasoningandtolerantage;thattheLuthers，theCalvins，theKnoxes，theZwingles，shouldhaveleftnosuccessors;thatduringtwocenturiesandahalffewerconvertsshouldhavebeenbroughtoverfromtheChurchofRomethanatthetimeoftheReformationweresometimesgainedinayear？Thishasalwaysappearedtousoneofthemostcuriousandinterestingproblemsinhistory。Onsomefutureoccasionwemayperhapsattempttosolveit。Atpresentitisenoughtosaythat，atthecloseofElizabeth’sreign，theProtestantparty，toborrowthelanguageoftheApocalypse，hadleftitsfirstloveandhadceasedtodoitsfirstworks。
　　Thegreatstruggleofthesixteenthcenturywasover。Thegreatstruggleoftheseventeenthcenturyhadnotcommenced。TheconfessorsofMary’sreignweredead。ThemembersoftheLongParliamentwerestillintheircradles。ThePapistshadbeendeprivedofallpowerintheState。ThePuritanshadnotyetattainedanyformidableextentofpower。Trueitisthatastudent，wellacquaintedwiththehistoryofthenextgeneration，caneasilydiscernintheproceedingsofthelastParliamentsofElizabeththegermofgreatandevermemorableevents。Buttotheeyeofacontemporarynothingofthisappeared。Thetwosectionsofambitiousmenwhowerestrugglingforpowerdifferedfromeachotheronnoimportantpublicquestion。BothbelongedtotheEstablishedChurch。BothprofessedboundlessloyaltytotheQueen。BothapprovedthewarwithSpain。Thereisnot，asfarasweareaware，anyreasontobelievethattheyentertaineddifferentviewsconcerningthesuccessiontotheCrown。Certainlyneitherfactionhadanygreatmeasureofreforminview。Neitherattemptedtoredressanypublicgrievance。Themostodiousandperniciousgrievanceunderwhichthenationthensufferedwasasourceofprofittoboth，andwasdefendedbybothwithequalzeal。Raleighheldamonopolyofcards，Essexamonopolyofsweetwines。Infact，theonlygroundofquarrelbetweenthepartieswasthattheycouldnotagreeastotheirrespectivesharesofpowerandpatronage。
　　NothinginthepoliticalconductofEssexentitleshimtoesteem;
　　andthepitywithwhichweregardhisearlyandterribleendisdiminishedbytheconsideration，thatheputtohazardthelivesandfortunesofhismostattachedfriends，andendeavouredtothrowthewholecountryintoconfusion，forobjectspurelypersonal。Still，itisimpossiblenottobedeeplyinterestedforamansobrave，high—spirited，andgenerous;foramanwho，whileheconductedhimselftowardshissovereignwithaboldnesssuchaswasthenfoundinnoothersubject，conductedhimselftowardshisdependantswithadelicacysuchashasrarelybeenfoundinanyotherpatron。Unlikethevulgarherdofbenefactors，hedesiredtoinspire，notgratitude，butaffection。Hetriedtomakethosewhomhebefriendedfeeltowardshimastowardsanequal。Hismind，ardent，susceptible，naturallydisposedtoadmirationofallthatisgreatandbeautiful，wasfascinatedbythegeniusandtheaccomplishmentsofBacon。Aclosefriendshipwassoonformedbetweenthem，afriendshipdestinedtohaveadark，amournful，ashamefulend。
　　In1594theofficeofAttorney—Generalbecamevacant，andBaconhopedtoobtainit。Essexmadehisfriend’scausehisown，sued，expostulated，promised，threatened，butallinvain。ItisprobablethatthedislikefeltbytheCecilsforBaconhadbeenincreasedbytheconnectionwhichhehadlatelyformedwiththeEarl。RobertwasthenonthepointofbeingmadeSecretaryofState。HehappenedonedaytobeinthesamecoachwithEssex，andaremarkableconversationtookplacebetweenthem。"MyLord，"
　　saidSirRobert，"theQueenhasdeterminedtoappointanAttorney—Generalwithoutmoredelay。IprayyourLordshiptoletmeknowwhomyouwillfavour。""Iwonderatyourquestion，"
　　repliedtheEarl。"Youcannotbutknowthatresolutely，againstalltheworld，Istandforyourcousin，FrancisBacon。"
　　"GoodLord！"criedCecil，unabletobridlehistemper，"IwonderyourLordshipshouldspendyourstrengthonsounlikelyamatter。Canyounameoneprecedentofsorawayouthpromotedtosogreataplace？"Thisobjectioncamewithasingularlybadgracefromamanwho，thoughyoungerthanBacon，wasindailyexpectationofbeingmadeSecretaryofState。TheblotwastooobvioustobemissedbyEssex，whoseldomforboretospeakhismind。"Ihavemadenosearch，"saidhe，"forprecedentsofyoungmenwhohavefilledtheofficeofAttorney—General。
　　ButIcouldnametoyou，SirRobert，amanyoungerthanFrancis，lesslearned，andequallyinexperienced，whoissuingandstrivingwithallhismightforanofficeoffargreaterweight。"SirRoberthadnothingtosaybutthathethoughthisownabilitiesequaltotheplacewhichhehopedtoobtain，andthathisfather’slongservicesdeservedsuchamarkofgratitudefromtheQueen;asifhisabilitieswerecomparabletohiscousin’s，orasifSirNicholasBaconhaddonenoservicetotheState。Cecilthenhintedthat，ifBaconwouldbesatisfiedwiththeSolicitorship，thatmightbeofeasierdigestiontotheQueen。"Digestmenodigestions，"saidthegenerousandardentEarl。"TheAttorneyshipforFrancisisthatImusthave;andinthatIwillspendallmypower，might，authority，andamity;andwithtoothandnailprocurethesameforhimagainstwhomsoever;
　　andwhosoevergetteththisofficeoutofmyhandsforanyother，beforehehaveit，itshallcosthimthecomingby。Andthisbeyouassuredof，SirRobert，fornowIfullydeclaremyself;andformyownpart，SirRobert，IthinkstrangebothofmyLordTreasurerandyou，thatcanhavethemindtoseekthepreferenceofastrangerbeforesonearakinsman;forifyouweighinabalancethepartseverywayofhiscompetitorandhim，onlyexceptingfivepooryearsofadmittingtoahouseofcourtbeforeFrancis，youshallfindinallotherrespectswhatsoevernocomparisonbetweenthem。"
　　WhentheofficeofAttorney—Generalwasfilledup，theEarlpressedtheQueentomakeBaconSolicitor—General，and，onthisoccasion，theoldLordTreasurerprofessedhimselfnotunfavourabletohisnephew’spretensions。Butafteracontestwhichlastedmorethanayearandahalf，andinwhichEssex，tousehisownwords，"spentallhispower，might，authority，andamity，"theplacewasgiventoanother。Essexfeltthisdisappointmentkeenly，butfoundconsolationinthemostmunificentanddelicateliberality。HepresentedBaconwithanestateworthneartwothousandpounds，situatedatTwickenham;
　　andthis，asBaconownedmanyyearsafter，"withsokindandnoblecircumstancesasthemannerwasworthmorethanthematter。"
　　ItwassoonaftertheseeventsthatBaconfirstappearedbeforethepublicasawriter。Earlyin1597hepublishedasmallvolumeofEssays，whichwasafterwardsenlargedbysuccessiveadditionstomanytimesitsoriginalbulk。Thislittleworkwas，asitwelldeservedtobe，exceedinglypopular。Itwasreprintedinafewmonths;itwastranslatedintoLatin，French，andItalian;anditseemstohaveatonceestablishedtheliteraryreputationofitsauthor。But，thoughBacon’sreputationrose，hisfortuneswerestilldepressed。Hewasingreatpecuniarydifficulties;and，ononeoccasion，wasarrestedinthestreetatthesuitofagoldsmithforadebtofthreehundredpounds，andwascarriedtoaspunging—houseinColemanStreet。
　　ThekindnessofEssexwasinthemeantimeindefatigable。In1596
　　hesailedonhismemorableexpeditiontothecoastofSpain。Attheverymomentofhisembarkation，hewrotetoseveralofhisfriends，commending，tothem，duringhisownabsence，theinterestsofBacon。Hereturned，afterperformingthemostbrilliantmilitaryexploitthatwasachievedontheContinentbyEnglisharmsduringthelongintervalwhichelapsedbetweenthebattleofAgincourtandthatofBlenheim。Hisvalour，histalents，hishumaneandgenerousdisposition，hadmadehimtheidolofhiscountrymen，andhadextortedpraisefromtheenemieswhomhehadconquered。[SeeCervantes’sNoveladelaEspanolaInglesa。]Hehadalwaysbeenproudandheadstrong;andhissplendidsuccessseemstohaverenderedhisfaultsmoreoffensivethanever。ButtohisfriendFrancishewasstillthesame。Baconhadsomethoughtsofmakinghisfortunebymarriage，andhadbeguntopaycourttoawidowofthenameofHatton。Theeccentricmannersandviolenttemperofthiswomanmadeheradisgraceandatormenttoherconnections。ButBaconwasnotawareofherfaults，orwasdisposedtooverlookthemforthesakeofheramplefortune。Essexpleadedhisfriend’scausewithhisusualardour。TheletterswhichtheEarladdressedtoLadyHattonandtohermotherarestillextant，andarehighlyhonourabletohim。"If，"hewrote，"sheweremysisterormydaughter，IprotestIwouldasconfidentlyresolvetofurtheritasInowpersuadeyou";andagain，"Ifmyfaithbeanything，I
　　protest，ifIhadoneasnearmeassheistoyou，Ihadrathermatchherwithhim，thanwithmenoffargreatertitles。"Thesuit，happilyforBacon，wasunsuccessful。Theladyindeedwaskindtohiminmorewaysthanone。Sherejectedhim;andsheacceptedhisenemy。Shemarriedthatnarrow—minded，bad—heartedpedant，SirEdwardCoke，anddidherbesttomakehimasmiserableashedeservedtobe。
　　ThefortunesofEssexhadnowreachedtheirheight，andbegantodecline。Hepossessedindeedallthequalitieswhichraisementogreatnessrapidly。Buthehadneitherthevirtuesnortheviceswhichenablementoretaingreatnesslong。Hisfrankness，hiskeensensibilitytoinsultandinjustice，werebynomeansagreeabletoasovereignnaturallyimpatientofopposition，andaccustomed，duringfortyyears，tothemostextravagantflatteryandthemostabjectsubmission。Thedaringandcontemptuousmannerinwhichhebadedefiancetohisenemiesexcitedtheirdeadlyhatred。HisadministrationinIrelandwasunfortunate，andinmanyrespectshighlyblamable。ThoughhisbrilliantcourageandhisimpetuousactivityfittedhimadmirablyforsuchenterprisesasthatofCadiz，hedidnotpossessthecaution，patience，andresolutionnecessaryfortheconductofaprotractedwar，inwhichdifficultiesweretobegraduallysurmounted，inwhichmuchdiscomfortwastobeendured，andinwhichfewsplendidexploitscouldbeachieved。Forthecivildutiesofhishighplacehewasstilllessqualified。Thougheloquentandaccomplished，hewasinnosenseastatesman。Themultitudeindeedstillcontinuedtoregardevenhisfaultswithfondness。ButtheCourthadceasedtogivehimcredit，evenforthemeritwhichhereallypossessed。Thepersononwhom，duringthedeclineofhisinfluence，hechieflydepended，towhomheconfidedhisperplexities，whoseadvicehesolicited，whoseintercessionheemployed，washisfriendBacon。Thelamentabletruthmustbetold。Thisfriend，soloved，sotrusted，boreaprincipalpartinruiningtheEarl’sfortunes，insheddinghisblood，andinblackeninghismemory。
　　ButletusbejusttoBacon。Webelievethat，tothelast，hehadnowishtoinjureEssex。Nay，webelievethathesincerelyexertedhimselftoserveEssex，aslongashethoughtthathecouldserveEssexwithoutinjuringhimself。Theadvicewhichhegavetohisnoblebenefactorwasgenerallymostjudicious。HedidallinhispowertodissuadetheEarlfromacceptingtheGovernmentofIreland。"For，"sayshe，"Ididasplainlysee，hisoverthrowchainedasitwerebydestinytothatjourney，asitispossibleforamantogroundajudgmentuponfuturecontingents。"
　　Thepredictionwasaccomplished。Essexreturnedindisgrace。
　　BaconattemptedtomediatebetweenhisfriendandtheQueen;and，webelieve，honestlyemployedallhisaddressforthatpurpose。
　　Butthetaskwhichhehadundertakenwastoodifficult，delicate，andperilous，evenforsowaryanddexterousanagent。Hehadtomanagetwospiritsequallyproud，resentful）andungovernable。AtEssexHouse，hehadtocalmtherageofayoungheroincensedbymultipliedwrongsandhumiliations）andthentopasstoWhitehallforthepurposeofsoothingthepeevishnessofasovereign，whosetemper，neververygentle，hadbeenrenderedmorbidlyirritablebyage，bydeclininghealth，andbythelonghabitoflisteningtoflatteryandexactingimplicitobedience。Itishardtoservetwomasters。SituatedasBaconwas，itwasscarcelypossibleforhimtoshapehiscoursesoasnottogiveoneorbothofhisemployersreasontocomplain。Foratimeheactedasfairlyas，incircumstancessoembarrassing，couldreasonablybeexpected。
　　Atlengthhefoundthat，whilehewastryingtopropthefortunesofanother，hewasindangerofshakinghisown。Hehaddisobligedboththepartieswhomhewishedtoreconcile。Essexthoughthimwantinginzealasafriend:Elizabeththoughthimwantingindutyasasubject。TheEarllookedonhimasaspyoftheQueen;theQueenasacreatureoftheEarl。Thereconciliationwhichhehadlabouredtoeffectappearedutterlyhopeless。Athousandsigns，legibletoeyesfarlesskeenthanhis，announcedthatthefallofhispatronwasathand。Heshapedhiscourseaccordingly。WhenEssexwasbroughtbeforethecounciltoanswerforhisconductinIreland，Bacon，afterafaintattempttoexcusehimselffromtakingpartagainsthisfriend，submittedhimselftotheQueen’spleasure，andappearedatthebarinsupportofthecharges。Butadarkerscenewasbehind。Theunhappyyoungnobleman，maderecklessbydespairventuredonarashandcriminalenterprise，whichrenderedhimliabletothehighestpenaltiesofthelaw。WhatcoursewasBacontotake？Thiswasoneofthoseconjunctureswhichshowwhatmenare。Toahigh—
　　mindedman，wealth，power，court—favour，evenpersonalsafety，wouldhaveappearedofnoaccount，whenopposedtofriendship，gratitude，andhonour。SuchamanwouldhavestoodbythesideofEssexatthetrial，wouldhave"spentallhispower，might，authority，andamity"insolicitingamitigationofthesentence，wouldhavebeenadailyvisitoratthecell，wouldhavereceivedthelastinjunctionsandthelastembraceonthescaffold，wouldhaveemployedallthepowersofhisintellecttoguardfrominsultthefameofhisgenerousthougherringfriend。AnordinarymanwouldneitherhaveincurredthedangerofsuccouringEssex，northedisgraceofassailinghim。Bacondidnotevenpreserveneutrality。Heappearedascounselfortheprosecution。Inthatsituation，hedidnotconfinehimselftowhatwouldhavebeenamplysufficienttoprocureaverdict。Heemployedallhiswit，hisrhetoric，andhislearning，nottoensureaconviction，——forthecircumstancesweresuchthataconvictionwasinevitable，——
　　buttodeprivetheunhappyprisonerofallthoseexcuseswhich，thoughlegallyofnovalue，yettendedtodiminishthemoralguiltofthecrime，andwhich，therefore，thoughtheycouldnotjustifythepeersinpronouncinganacquittal，mightinclinetheQueentograntapardon。TheEarlurgedasapalliationofhisfranticactsthathewassurroundedbypowerfulandinveterateenemies，thattheyhadruinedhisfortunes，thattheysoughthislife，andthattheirpersecutionshaddrivenhimtodespair。Thiswastrue;andBaconwellknewittobetrue。Butheaffectedtotreatitasanidlepretence。HecomparedEssextoPisistratus，who，bypretendingtobeinimminentdangerofassassination，andbyexhibitingself—inflictedwounds，succeededinestablishingtyrannyatAthens。Thiswastoomuchfortheprisonertobear。Heinterruptedhisungratefulfriendbycallingonhimtoquitthepartofanadvocate，tocomeforwardasawitness，andtotelltheLordswhether，inoldtimes，he，FrancisBacon，hadnot，underhisownhand，repeatedlyassertedthetruthofwhathenowrepresentedasidlepretexts。Itispainfultogoonwiththislamentablestory。BaconreturnedashufflinganswertotheEarl’squestion，and，asiftheallusiontoPisistratuswerenotsufficientlyoffensive，madeanotherallusionstillmoreunjustifiable。HecomparedEssextoHenryDukeofGuise，andtherashattemptinthecitytothedayofthebarricadesatParis。
　　WhyBaconhadrecoursetosuchatopicitisdifficulttosay，Itwasquiteunnecessaryforthepurposeofobtainingaverdict。ItwascertaintoproduceastrongimpressiononthemindofthehaughtyandjealousprincessonwhosepleasuretheEarl’sfatedepended。ThefaintestallusiontothedegradingtutelageinwhichthelastValoishadbeenheldbytheHouseofLorrainewassufficienttohardenherheartagainstamanwhoinrank，inmilitaryreputation，inpopularityamongthecitizensofthecapital，boresomeresemblancetotheCaptainoftheLeague。
　　Essexwasconvicted。Baconmadenoefforttosavehim，thoughtheQueen’sfeelingsweresuchthathemighthavepleadedhisbenefactor’scause，possiblywithsuccess，certainlywithoutanyseriousdangertohimself。Theunhappynoblemanwasexecuted。Hisfateexcitedstrong，perhapsunreasonablefeelingsofcompassionandindignation。TheQueenwasreceivedbythecitizensofLondonwithgloomylooksandfaintacclamations。Shethoughtitexpedienttopublishavindicationofherlateproceedings。ThefaithlessfriendwhohadassistedintakingtheEarl’slifewasnowemployedtomurdertheEarl’sfame。TheQueenhadseensomeofBacon’swritings，andhadbeenpleasedwiththem。HewasaccordinglyselectedtowriteADeclarationofthePracticesandTreasonsattemptedandcommittedbyRobertEarlofEssex，whichwasprintedbyauthority。Inthesucceedingreign，Baconhadnotawordtosayindefenceofthisperformance，aperformanceaboundinginexpressionswhichnogenerousenemywouldhaveemployedrespectingamanwhohadsodearlyexpiatedhisoffences。Hisonlyexcusewas，thathewroteitbycommand，thatheconsideredhimselfasameresecretary，thathehadparticularinstructionsastothewayinwhichhewastotreateverypartofthesubject，andthat，infact，hehadfurnishedonlythearrangementandthestyle。
　　WeregrettosaythatthewholeconductofBaconthroughthecourseofthesetransactionsappearstoMr。Montagunotmerelyexcusable，butdeservingofhighadmiration。Theintegrityandbenevolenceofthisgentlemanaresowellknownthatourreaderswillprobablybeatalosstoconceivebywhatstepshecanhavearrivedatsoextraordinaryaconclusion:andwearehalfafraidthattheywillsuspectusofpractisingsomeartificeuponthemwhenwereporttheprincipalargumentswhichheemploys。
　　Inordertogetridofthechargeofingratitude，Mr。MontaguattemptstoshowthatBaconlayundergreaterobligationstotheQueenthantoEssex。Whattheseobligationswereitisnoteasytodiscover。ThesituationofQueen’sCounsel，andaremotereversion，weresurelyfavoursveryfarbelowBacon’spersonalandhereditaryclaims。TheywerefavourswhichhadnotcosttheQueenagroat，norhadtheyputagroatintoBacon’spurse。ItwasnecessarytorestElizabeth’sclaimstogratitudeonsomeotherground;andthisMr。Montagufelt。"Whatperhapswashergreatestkindness，"sayshe，"insteadofhavinghastilyadvancedBacon，shehad，withacontinuanceofherfriendship，madehimbeartheyokeinhisyouth。SuchwerehisobligationstoElizabeth。"Suchindeedtheywere。
　　BeingthesonofoneofheroldestandmostfaithfulMinisters，beinghimselftheablestandmostaccomplishedyoungmanofhistime，hehadbeencondemnedbyhertodrudgery，toobscurity，topoverty。Shehaddepreciatedhisacquirements。Shehadcheckedhiminthemostimperiousmanner，wheninParliamentheventuredtoactanindependentpart。Shehadrefusedtohimtheprofessionaladvancementtowhichhehadajustclaim。Toheritwasowingthat，whileyoungermen，notsuperiortohiminextraction，andfarinferiortohimineverykindofpersonalmerit，werefillingthehighestofficesoftheState，addingmanortomanor，rearingpalaceafterpalace，hewaslyingataspunging—houseforadebtofthreehundredpounds。AssuredlyifBaconowedgratitudetoElizabeth，heowednonetoEssex。IftheQueenreallywashisbestfriend，theEarlwashisworstenemy。
　　WewonderthatMr。Montagudidnotpressthisargumentalittlefurther。HemighthavemaintainedthatBaconwasexcusableinrevenginghimselfonamanwhohadattemptedtorescuehisyouthfromthesalutaryyokeimposedonitbytheQueen，whohadwishedtoadvancehimhastily，who，notcontentwithattemptingtoinflicttheAttorney—Generalshipuponhim，hadbeensocruelastopresenthimwithalandedestate。
　　Again，wecanhardlythinkMr。MontaguseriouswhenhetellsusthatBaconwasboundforthesakeofthepublicnottodestroyhisownhopesofadvancement，andthathetookpartagainstEssexfromawishtoobtainpowerwhichmightenablehimtobeusefultohiscountry。Wereallydonotknowhowtorefutesuchargumentsexceptbystatingthem。Nothingisimpossiblewhichdoesnotinvolveacontradiction。ItisbarelypossiblethatBacon’smotivesforactingashedidonthisoccasionmayhavebeengratitudetotheQueenforkeepinghimpoor，andadesiretobenefithisfellow—creaturesinsomehighsituation。AndthereisapossibilitythatBonnermayhavebeenagoodProtestantwho，beingconvincedthatthebloodofmartyrsistheseedoftheChurch，heroicallywentthroughallthedrudgeryandinfamyofpersecution，inorderthathemightinspiretheEnglishpeoplewithanintenseandlastinghatredofPopery。ThereisapossibilitythatJeffreysmayhavebeenanardentloverofliberty，andthathemayhavebeheadedAlgernonSydney，andburnedElizabethGaunt，onlyinordertoproduceareactionwhichmightleadtothelimitationoftheprerogative。ThereisapossibilitythatThurtellmayhavekilledWeareonlyinordertogivetheyouthofEnglandanimpressivewarningagainstgamingandbadcompany。ThereisapossibilitythatFauntleroymayhaveforgedpowersofattorney，onlyinorderthathisfatemightturntheattentionofthepublictothedefectsofthepenallaw。
　　Thesethings，wesay，arepossible。ButtheyaresoextravagantlyimprobablethatamanwhoshouldactonsuchsuppositionswouldbefitonlyforSaintLuke’s。Andwedonotseewhysuppositionsonwhichnorationalmanwouldactinordinarylifeshouldbeadmittedintohistory。
　　Mr。Montagu’snotionthatBacondesiredpoweronlyinordertodogoodtomankindappearssomewhatstrangetous，whenweconsiderhowBaconafterwardsusedpower，andhowhelostit。SurelytheservicewhichherenderedtomankindbytakingLadyWharton’sbroadpiecesandSirJohnKennedy’scabinetwasnotofsuchvastimportanceastosanctifyallthemeanswhichmightconducetothatend。Ifthecasewerefairlystated，itwould，wemuchfear，standthus:Baconwasaservileadvocate，thathemightbeacorruptjudge。
　　Mr。MontagumaintainsthatnonebuttheignorantandunreflectingcanthinkBaconcensurableforanythingthathedidascounselfortheCrown，andthatnoadvocatecanjustifiablyuseanydiscretionastothepartyforwhomheappears。WewillnotatpresentinquirewhetherthedoctrinewhichisheldonthissubjectbyEnglishlawyersbeorbenotagreeabletoreasonandmorality;whetheritberightthatamanshould，withawigonhishead，andabandroundhisneck，doforaguineawhat，withoutthoseappendages，hewouldthinkitwickedandinfamoustodoforanempire;whetheritberightthat，notmerelybelievingbutknowingastatementtobetrue，heshoulddoallthatcanbedonebysophistry，byrhetoric，bysolemnasseveration，byindignantexclamation，bygesture，byplayoffeatures，byterrifyingonehonestwitness，byperplexinganother，tocauseajurytothinkthatstatementfalse。Itisnotnecessaryonthepresentoccasiontodecidethesequestions。Theprofessionalrules，betheygoodorbad，arerulestowhichmanywiseandvirtuousmenhaveconformed，andaredailyconforming。
　　If，therefore，Bacondidnomorethantheserulesrequiredofhim，weshallreadilyadmitthathewasblameless，or，atleast，excusable。Butweconceivethathisconductwasnotjustifiableaccordingtoanyprofessionalrulesthatnowexist，orthateverexistedinEngland。Ithasalwaysbeenheldthat，incriminalcasesinwhichtheprisonerwasdeniedthehelpofcounsel，andaboveall，incapitalcases，advocateswerebothentitledandboundtoexerciseadiscretion。ItistruethataftertheRevolution，whentheParliamentbegantomakeinquisitionfortheinnocentbloodwhichhadbeenshedbythelastStuarts，afeebleattemptwasmadetodefendthelawyerswhohadbeenaccomplicesinthemurderofSirThomasArmstrong，onthegroundthattheyhadonlyactedprofessionally。ThewretchedsophismwassilencedbytheexecrationsoftheHouseofCommons。"Thingswillneverbewelldone，"saidMr。Foley，"tillsomeofthatprofessionbemadeexamples。""Wehaveanewsortofmonstersintheworld，"saidtheyoungerHampden，"haranguingamantodeath。TheseIcallbloodhounds。Sawyerisverycriminalandguiltyofthismurder。"
　　"Ispeaktodischargemyconscience，"saidMr。Garroway。"Iwillnothavethebloodofthismanatmydoor。Sawyerdemandedjudgmentagainsthimandexecution。Ibelievehimguiltyofthedeathofthisman。Dowhatyouwillwithhim。""Iftheprofessionofthelaw，"saidtheelderHampden，"givesamanauthoritytomurderatthisrate，itistheinterestofallmentoriseandexterminatethatprofession。"Norwasthislanguageheldonlybyunlearnedcountrygentlemen。SirWilliamWilliams，oneoftheablestandmostunscrupulouslawyersoftheage，tookthesameviewofthecase。Hehadnothesitated，hesaid，totakepartintheprosecutionoftheBishops，becausetheywereallowedcounsel。Buthemaintainedthat，wheretheprisonerwasnotallowedcounseltheCounselfortheCrownwasboundtoexerciseadiscretion，andthateverylawyerwhoneglectedthisdistinctionwasabetrayerofthelaw。Butitisunnecessarytociteauthority。Itisknowntoeverybodywhohaseverlookedintoacourtofquarter—sessionsthatlawyersdoexerciseadiscretionincriminalcases;anditisplaintoeverymanofcommonsensethat，iftheydidnotexercisesuchadiscretion，theywouldbeamorehatefulbodyofmenthanthosebravoeswhousedtohireouttheirstilettoesinItaly。
　　Baconappearedagainstamanwhowasindeedguiltyofagreatoffence，butwhohadbeenhisbenefactorandfriend。Hedidmorethanthis。Nay，hedidmorethanapersonwhohadneverseenEssexwouldhavebeenjustifiedindoing。Heemployedalltheartofanadvocateinordertomaketheprisoner’sconductappearmoreinexcusableandmoredangeroustotheStatethanitreallyhadbeen。Allthatprofessionaldutycould，inanycase，haverequiredofhimwouldhavebeentoconductthecausesoastoensureaconviction。ButfromthenatureofthecircumstancestherecouldnotbethesmallestdoubtthattheEarlwouldbefoundguilty。Thecharacterofthecrimewasunequivocal。Ithadbeencommittedrecently，inbroaddaylight，inthestreetsofthecapital，inthepresenceofthousands。Ifevertherewasanoccasiononwhichanadvocatehadnotemptationtoresorttoextraneoustopics，forthepurposeofblindingthejudgmentandinflamingthepassionsofatribunal，thiswasthatoccasion。
　　Whythenresorttoargumentswhich，whiletheycouldaddnothingtothestrengthofthecase，consideredinalegalpointofview，tendedtoaggravatethemoralguiltofthefatalenterprise，andtoexcitefearandresentmentinthatquarterfromwhichalonetheEarlcouldnowexpectmercy？Whyremindtheaudienceoftheartsoftheancienttyrants？Whydenywhateverybodyknewtobethetruth，that:apowerfulfactionatCourthadlongsoughttoeffecttheruinoftheprisoner？Whyaboveall，instituteaparallelbetweentheunhappyculpritandthemostwickedandmostsuccessfulrebeloftheage？WasitabsolutelyimpossibletodoallthatprofessionaldutyrequiredwithoutremindingajealoussovereignoftheLeague，ofthebarricades，andofallthehumiliationswhichatoopowerfulsubjecthadheapedonHenrytheThird？
　　ButifweadmitthepleawhichMr。MontaguurgesindefenceofwhatBacondidasanadvocate，whatshallwesayoftheDeclarationoftheTreasonsofRobert，EarlofEssex？Hereatleasttherewasnopretenceofprofessionalobligation。Eventhosewhomaythinkitthedutyofalawyertohang，draw，andquarterhisbenefactors，foraproperconsideration，willhardlysaythatitishisdutytowriteabusivepamphletsagainstthem，aftertheyareintheirgraves。Baconexcusedhimselfbysayingthathewasnotanswerableforthematterofthebook，andthathefurnishedonlythelanguage。Butwhydidheendowsuchpurposeswithwords？Couldnohackwriter，withoutvirtueorshame，befoundtoexaggeratetheerrors，alreadysodearlyexpiated，ofagentleandnoblespirit？Everyageproducesthoselinksbetweenthemanandthebaboon。EveryageisfertileofOldmixons，ofKenricks，andofAntonyPasquins。ButwasitforBaconsotoprostitutehisintellect？Couldhenotfeelthat，whileheroundedandpointedsomeperioddictatedbytheenvyofCecil，orgaveaplausibleformtosomeslanderinventedbythedastardlymalignityofCobham;hewasnotsinningmerelyagainsthisfriend’shonourandhisown？Couldhenotfeelthatletters，eloquence，philosophy，werealldegradedinhisdegradation？
　　Therealexplanationofallthisisperfectlyobvious;andnothingbutapartialityamountingtoarulingpassioncouldcauseanybodytomissit。ThemoralqualitiesofBaconwerenotofahighorder。Wedonotsaythathewasabadman。Hewasnotinhumanortyrannical。Heborewithmeeknesshishighcivilhonours，andthefarhigherhonoursgainedbyhisintellect。Hewasveryseldom，ifever，provokedintotreatinganypersonwithmalignityandinsolence。Nomanmorereadilyhelduptheleftcheektothosewhohadsmittentheright。Nomanwasmoreexpertatthesoftanswerwhichturnethawaywrath。Hewasnevercharged，byanyaccuserentitledtothesmallestcredit，withlicentioushabits。Hiseventemper，hisflowingcourtesy，thegeneralrespectabilityofhisdemeanour，madeafavourableimpressiononthosewhosawhiminsituationswhichdonotseverelytrytheprinciples。Hisfaultswere——wewriteitwithpain——coldnessofheart，andmeannessofspirit。Heseemstohavebeenincapableoffeelingstrongaffection，offacinggreatdangers，ofmakinggreatsacrifices。Hisdesiresweresetonthingsbelowwealth，precedence，titles，patronage，themace，theseals，thecoronet，largehouses，fairgardens，richmanors，massyservicesofplate，gayhangings，curiouscabinets，hadasgreatattractionsforhimasforanyofthecourtierswhodroppedontheirkneesinthedirtwhenElizabethpassedby，andthenhastenedhometowritetotheKingofScotsthatherGraceseemedtobebreakingfast。Fortheseobjectshehadstoopedtoeverythingandenduredeverything。Forthesehehadsuedinthehumblestmanner，and，whenunjustlyandungraciouslyrepulsed，hadthankedthosewhohadrepulsedhim，andhadbeguntosueagain。Fortheseobjects，assoonashefoundthatthesmallestshowofindependenceinParliamentwasoffensivetotheQueen，hehadabasedhimselftothedustbeforeher，andimploredforgivenessintermsbettersuitedtoaconvictedthiefthantoaknightoftheshire。Forthesehejoined，andfortheseheforsook，LordEssex。