tical ambition. But even at this time, only three or four months before thus renouncing politics, he does not think it amiss to practise some of the precepts of the Architect of Fortune. Among the courses enjoined by that art is morigeration, or applying oneself to one's superiors. Bacon justified morigeration on principle. To apply oneself to others is good: but he adds an important qualification, so it be with demonstration that a man doth it upon regard, and not upon facility. Yet in practice Bacon disregards this qualification, and carries his flattery to an unscientific excess of which a master of the art would have been ashamed. When the Queen died, and new favourites were expected to come into power, it was perhaps natural that he should wish to strengthen his connection with Cecil, and to conciliate a few Scotchmen of influence. But was it like a scientific Architect of Fortune to exaggerate his liking for Cecil-between whom and himself there was probably a physical antipathy 1– so far as to write to Cecil's secretary, Let him know that he is the personage in this State which I love most; and this, as you may easily judge, proceedeth not out of any straits of my occasions, as might be thought in times past, but merely out of the largeness and fulness of my affections ?? And again, in writing to the Earl of Northumberland, who was at first expected to have great influence with the new King, there is something quite naïve in the simplicity with which Bacon suddenly discovers that there hath been covered in my mind, a long time, a seed of affection and zeal towards your Lordship. In such morigeration

1

3

Life, Vol. iv. p. 52. Yet (Ib. p. 12) he can say to Cecil : I do esteem whatsoever I have or may have in the world as trash, in comparison of having the honour and happiness to be a near and well-accepted kinsman to so rare and worthy a counsellor, governor, and patriot. For having been a studious, if not curious observer, as well of antiquities of virtue as of late pieces, I forbear to say to your Lordship what I find and conceive. 2 Ib. Vol. iii. p. 57. Ib. Vol. iii. p. 58..

as this, there is little demonstration that it is done upon regard. It is refreshing to find Bacon, in spite of all his study, such a child in the art of flattery; but these and other letters seem to indicate that, although he had resolved to give up politics for philosophy, yet he wished so far to keep his footing in the political world as to make his retirement not irrevocable.

Accordingly, he is soon called back to politics. The very year after his ambition was quenched, he was appointed an ordinary member of the King's Counsel, and is found drawing up an Act for the better grounding of a further union to ensue between the Kingdoms of Englana and Scotland; and three years afterwards he is made Solicitor-General. Thus in 1607 we find him drawn once more away from Philosophy. And now in the following year, at the beginning of a vacation, Bacon sits down in his practical scientific way to review his prospects. After his fashion he relates himself to a note-book, and the note-book has been preserved. During four consecutive days in July, 1608, he jots down entries as they occur to him, about money matters, health, politics, moral maxims, tricks of rhetoric, forms of compliment, great men to be conciliated, philosophy, farming, building, and what not, all unarranged. It is not too much to say that no account of Bacon, however brief and incomplete, can afford to pass over this Diary; for, if we bear in mind steadily, throughout the perusal of it, Bacon's peculiar nature and his entire concentration on science, we shall gain more knowledge of him from these few pages than from any other of his works. The following is a summary of the entries.

Beginning with a determination to make a stock of 2,000l. always in readiness for bargains and occasions, he proceeds to touch next on the means of obtaining access to the King, and the names of the Scotchmen who

can help him here; he makes notes of the notions and likings of the King and of Salisbury; he reminds himself to have ever in readiness matter to minister talk with every of the great counsellors respective, both to induce familiarity, and for countenance in public place; also, to win credit comparate to the Attorney in being more short, round, and resolute. (All this is nothing except) (there is more);1 and again, a few lines lower down, to have in mind and use the Attorney's weakness. It must be remembered that Bacon wishes to succeed the Attorney, and then this will explain the following notes of the Attorney's weak points, to be used as occasion should arise—The coldest examiner,weak in Gunter's cause, weak with the Judges, Arbe (Arabella) cause, too full of cases and distinctions, nibbling solemnly, he distinguisheth but apprehends not. Salisbury's friendship seemed most important to him at this time, and accordingly he makes a note: to insinuate myself to become privy to my Lord of Salisbury's estate, and again, to correspond with Salisbury in a habit of natural but noways perilous boldness, so as to get rid of the obstruction; or, to quote Bacon's words, to free the stands in his cousin's suspicious nature. Soon afterwards follows a detailed account of the effect of certain medicines upon his constitution, and then-to think of matters against next Parliament for satisfaction of King and people in my particular (and) otherwise with respect to policy e gemino-i.e., the double policy of replenishing the exchequer and also of contenting the people. Then follow some notes about letting lands and houses, and building. Then he reminds himself to send message of compliments to my Lady Dorset the widow, and jots down a form appropriate to the occasion: Death comes to young men, and old men go to death, that

1 The bracketed words are, I suppose, the phrases in which Bacon intended to correct the Attorney's inadequacies.

is all the difference. Then follow more forms, then another note about his health, then legal notes, then the titles of his different literary works, and plans for the arrangement of future note-books, and thus he comes round at last to his own subject, Science, and to the business of securing allies for scientific works. Making much of Russell that depends upon Sir David Murray, and by that means drawing Sir David, and by him and Sir Thomas Chaloner, in time, the Prince. Getting from Russell a collection of phainomena, of surgery, distillations, mineral trials, the setting on work my Lord of Northnd and Ralegh, and therefore Harriot, themselves being already inclined to experiments. Acquainting myself with Poe, as for my health, and by him learning the experiments which he hath of physic, and gaining entrance into the inner of some great persons. Seeing and trying whether the Archbishop of Canterbury may not be affected in it, being single and glorious and believing the sense, not desisting to draw in the Bishop Andrews, being single, rich, and sickly, a professor to some experiments. Query, of physicians to be gained, the likest is Paddy, Dr. Hammond. Query, of learned men beyond the seas to be made, and hearkening who they be that may be so inclined. Then follow great plans of literary works, after which comes this note : Laying for a place to command wits and pens, Westminster, Eton, Winchester, specially Trinity College in Cambridge, St. John's in Cambridge, Magdalene College in Oxford, and bespeaking this betimes with the King, my Lord Archbishop, my Lord Treasurer. Then follow notes as to the proposed College of Science, its order and discipline, its travelling fellows, vaults, furnaces, terraces

1 Life, Vol. iv. p. 63. Mr. Spedding says, 'The reading here is doubtful, but I think Launcelot Andrews must be meant. He was at this time Bishop of Chichester.'

1

for insulation; after which he passes into a Scheme of Legitimate Investigation, and proceeds, in accordance with the scheme, to investigate the nature of motion. Close upon this follow some notes on high politics, beginning with the bringing of the King low by poverty and empty coffers, and passing on to Bacon's favourite suggestion of a Monarchy in the West formed by Great Britain together with a civilized Ireland and the Low Countries annexed. Next come notes on Recusants, plans for building and landscape-gardening, practising to be inward with my Lady Dorset per Champners ad utilit. testam.-i.e., by means of Champners for testamentary purposes Then follow copious memorial notes of health and lists of his rents, jewels, debts, improvements. Then more notes about the Recusants, and a second edition of the notes against the Attorney, entitled Hubbard's Disadvantage. The entries conclude with a list of creditors and debts owing to them, preceded by a note of Services on foot, and another of customs fit for me individually (custumæ aptæ ad individuum). Our extracts shall conclude with these :-To furnish my Lord of Suffolk with ornaments for public speeches. To make him think how he should be reverenced by a Lord Chancellor, if I were; prince-like To have particular occasions, fit and grateful and continual, to maintain private speech with every the great persons, and sometimes drawing more than one of them together. Query, for credit; but so as to save time; and to this end not many things at once, but to draw in length. . . At

1 It is not necessary to suppose that Bacon hoped to derive any personal advantage from Lady Dorset any more than from the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop Andrews mentioned above, one as being single and glorious, and the other as single and sickly. But science might profit by legacies, and science was in Bacon's mind.

In Essay xxxiv. 1. 98, Bacon expressly blames fishing for testaments: but there he is blaming fishing for one's own sake. Bacon would fish for the sake of science.