The Mystery of Francis Bacon

compositions succeed each other without any considerable interval, and in following them we shall accompany him step by step through his life. What are the compositions which Speddi

of Christendom[19]

ce to the Quee

he Controversies of the Chu

r. Bacon in praise of Knowledge, and Mr. Bacon's

e upon a libel published

stable Treason intended b

hich are printed by Spedding in

device,

Earl of Rutland on hi

company him step by step through those seventeen years which should be the most important years in a man's life! He coul

be the most fruitful years of his life? Following his profession at the Bar? His affections did not that way tend. Spedding expresses the opinion that he had a distaste for his profession, and, writing of the circumstances with which he was surrounded in 1592, says: "I do not find that he was getting into practice. His mai

no practice in the Courts; what proof he had given of professional proficiency was confined to his readings and exercises in Grays Inn.... Law, far from

had never entered the place of battle.'[20] Whether this was because he could not find clients or did not seek them I cannot say." In order to meet the objectio

584 to 1597 five Parliaments were summoned. Bacon sat in each. In his twenty-fifth year he was elected member for Melcombe, in Dorsetshir

s upon which he was appointed would absorb but a small portion of his time. It must be patent, therefore, that Spedding does not a

even of extravagance. On the contrary, all testimony would point to the conclusion that he was following the path of a strictly moral and s

ion of the money dividable, by which means he lived in some straits and necessities in his younger years. It is not clear whether the "money dividable" was only that separated by Sir Nicholas, or whether he left other sums which went to augment the fund divisible amongst the brothers. His other children were well provided for. Francis was not, however, without income. Sir Nicholas had l

you, and that she borrowed the last money of seven several persons." Whatever her resources were, they had by then been exhausted for her sons. Anthony was apparently a man of considerable means. He was master of the mano

ilities. There is an account showing that in eighteen months, about 1593, Anthony lent Francis ￡373, equivalent to nearly ￡3,000 at to-day's value. In 1597 Francis was arrested by the

and 1590[23]-relate to one subject, and are of great significance. The first is dated from Grays Inn, 16th September, 1580, to Lady Burghley. In it young Francis, now 19 years of age, makes this request: "That it would please y

me day-is addressed to Lord Burgh

e and unaccustomed, yet if it be observed how few there be which fall in with the study of the common laws either being well left or friended, or at their own free election, or forsaking likely success in other studies of more delight and no less preferment, or setting hand thereunto early without waste of years upon such survey made, it may be my case may not seem ordinary, no more than my suit, and so m

surer, and the personal notice which he had himself received from the Queen, would naturally lead him to look.... The proposition, whatever it was, having been explained to Burghley in conversation, is only alluded to in these letters. It seems to have been so far out of the common way as to require an apology, and

. The Queen could not have "experience of the thing," and Bacon solicited Burghley's recommen

he Queen, for there is a letter dated 18th Octo

ur leisure gave me not leave to show how I was affected therewith, yet upon every representation thereof it entereth a

the Queen; and that the Queen, who though slow to bestow favours was careful always to encourage hopes, entertained the motion graciously and retur

ht consequence, and admits that he can throw no light upon it. But he points out that it was "so far out of the common way as to require a

r of any course rare and unaccustomed. Referring in his letter to this, Bacon's parenthetical clause beginning "either being well left or friended," etc., is confession and avoidance. In effect he says:-Few study the common laws who have influence; few at their own free election; few desert studies of more delight and no less preferment; and few devote themselves to that study from their earliest years. S

ny case it involves an apology for the abandonmen

singham, principal secretary to her Majesty, and is dated from Grays

y prevented him from settling his course of life. From the following letter to Walsingham we may gather two things more concerning it: it was something which had been objected

s the

ay doth in this respect concern me, because I am thereby hindered to take a course of practice which, by the leave of God, if her Majesty like not my suit, I must and will follow: not for any necessity of estate, but for my credit sake, which I know by living out of action will wea

njecture. With regard to its fate, my own conjecture is that he presently gave up all hope of success in it, a

n of Bench and Bar; his mind was full of matters with which they could have no sympathy, and the shy and studious

which it will be seen that the last had not been heard of the motion. Burghley had been remonst

that they were delivered by men that did misaffect me and besides were to give colour to their own doings. But because your Lordship did mingle therewith both a late motion of mine own and somewhat which you had otherwise heard, I know it to be my duty (and so do I stand affected) rather to prove your Lordship's admonition effectual in my doings hereafter than caus

necessity) of coming within Bars." The phrase "an ease in" is very unusual, and unless it was a term used in connection with the Inns it is diffic

six was written. It is undated, but an observation in it shows that it w

n of the reversion of the office of Clerk to the Counsel in the Star Chamber. This was worth about ￡1,600 per annum and executed

ndence which show that the brothers were residing at Grays Inn,

ty, Francis had a lodge at Twickenham. Many of his letters are subsequently addr

is in it described by Bacon as "the second founde

andment of more wits than of a man's own, which is the thing I greatly affect. And for your Lordship, perhaps you shall not find more strength and less encounter in any other. And if your Lordship shall find now, or at any time, that I do seek or affect any place, whereunto any that is nearer to your Lordship shall be concurrent, say then that I am a most dishonest man. And if your Lordship will not carry me on, I will not do as Anaxagoras did, who reduced himself

im along he has definitely decided on his course of action. The law is not now even referred to. If the object of the suit was not stated in 1580, there cannot be much doubt now but that it had to do with the making of books and pion

any that is nearer unto your Lordship shall be concurrent, say then that I am a most dishonest man." Surely this was an assurance on Baco

rs evident from th

that his knowledge was abnormally great, and that his wit, memory, an

h means and the opportunity to carry out some great work upon the achievement of which he had set his heart. The work wa

t, which was rare and unaccustomed, until eventually he was compelled

ne holding place of any reasonable countenance. He therefore sought through Burleigh place accompa

in his profession or in State affairs to any appreciable extent, and yet there do not exist any acknowledged works as the resu

resources of his mother and brother, which were not inconsiderable, to the utmost, exhausted

ed that, failing obtaining some sinecure office, he would sell the inheritance he had, purchase some lease of quick revenue or office of gain tha

k of the works"; but whatever his contemplative ends were there is nothing known

omething more was on his mind than the works he published after he had arrived at sixty years of age. "I am no vain promiser," he said. Where can the fulfilment of his promise