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。]