ness of Britain. Extent of Territory. Compactness. Chapter II. From the publication of the Wisdom of the Marshalsea. Charter House. Death of the Prince. cli to assassinate the Chancellor. Law Reporters. Ordi- Chapter III. From the publication of the Novum Organum Resolution to publish Novum Organum. Literate His will. Silence of cel Imprisonment of Bacon. Liberation. Release of LIFE OF BACON. CHAPTER I. FROM HIS BIRTH TILL THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER. 1560 to 1580. FRANCIS BACON was born at York-House,(a) in the Strand, 1560-1. on the 22nd of January, 1560. He was the youngest son of His birth. Sir Nicholas Bacon, and of Anne, a daughter of the learned and contemplative Sir Anthony Cooke, tutor to King Edward the Sixth. (b) Of Sir Nicholas, it has been said, that he was a man full of wit and wisdom, a learned lawyer, and a true gentleman; of a mind the most comprehensive to surround the merits of a cause; of a memory to recollect its least circumstance;* of the deepest search into affairs of any man at the council table, and of a personal dignity so well suited to his other excellencies, that his royal mistress was wont to say, "My Lord keeper's soul is well lodged." (c) He was still more fortunate in the rare qualities of his mother,(d) for Sir Anthony Cooke, acting upon his favorite (a) See note A at the end. (b) See note B at the end. * "He who cannot contract his sight as well as dilate it, wanteth a great faculty;" says Lord Bacon. (c) See note C at the end. VOL. XV. (d) See note D at the end. b |