may

be ranked under more than one of the headings. But this basis of division enables us to attempt some sort of classification, in accordance with which the Essays may be methodically studied in closely allied groups.

The first-named class is of course the largest, including as it does the relations of mankind to the physical world and also those mutual relations constituting Society as a whole. As representative of the that would fall under this category may papers be named those on "Seditions and Troubles," "Great Place," "Empire," "Friendship," "Plantations," ""Parents and Children," "Building," "Gardens," Suitors," 'Judicature," Discourse," 'Faction," &c.

Under the second group, would be ranked the papers dealing with Man the individual, in his intellectual and moral relations. The Essays regarded as representative of this class would be such as: Regimen of Health," "Studies,' Ambition," "Wisdom for Man's Self," "Seeming Wise," Adversity," "Revenge," "Honour and Reputation," "Deformity," &c.

Under the third heading, Man's relation to his Maker and the Unseen World-such papers as these would be ranked: "Death,' Unity in Religion," "Atheism," "Superstition," "Prophecies," "Nature in Men," "Goodness," &c.

Bacon's Essays, we repeat, should be read according to some such scheme of classification, because thereby papers on cognate or allied themes are studied consecutively, and the development of the main ideas are thus traced from inception to conclusion. On the other hand, by reading them without any definite plan of study, fish, flesh, and sweets, so to speak, are devoured indiscriminately, and mental indigestion too often ensues. The epigrammatic aphorisms with which Bacon's Essays abound make them a favourite magazine for quotations. Many of the nuggets of proverbial wisdom which bestud our current conversation, on examination will be found to have been dug originally from the Baconian mine. We have space only for one or two of these. The following popular proverbial sayings, which one scarce can open a book without meeting, are all from the Essays: "Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested; Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and writing an exact man;" 2 "There is but one case wherein a man may commend himself with good grace, and that is in commending virtue in another; "3" Virtue is like a rich stone, best plain set;

"4

"A man young in

years may be old in hours if he have lost no time;" 5

1 P. 215.

2 P. 215.

5 P. 181.

4 P. 184.

3 P. 142.

" 2

"He that hath wife and child hath given hostages to fortune;"1 "The joys of parents are secret, and so are their griefs and fears; they cannot utter the one, they will not utter the other; "A man's nature runs either to herbs or weeds, therefore let him seasonably water the one and destroy the other." 3

Finally, Bacon's Essays are the work of a man, who in precept, at least, had a deep reverence for moral principle. None other than one entertaining such sentiments could have said as he has done : "A man that hath no virtue in himself ever envieth virtue in others." 4 "Power to do good is the true and lawful end of aspiring, for good thoughts (though God accept them) yet towards men are little better than good dreams, except they be put in act; and "The desire of power in excess caused the angels to fall; the desire of knowledge in excess caused man to fall; but in charity (goodness) there is no excess, neither can angel or man come in danger by it." The writer of these Essays was also a man who theoretically cherished a profound love and respect for justice: "The principal duty of a judge is to suppress force and fraud;"""Let no man weakly conceive that just laws and true policy have any antipathy, for they are like the spirits and

"5

sinews that one moves with the other; "1 "Suspicions among thoughts are like bats among birds; they ever fly by twilight. They dispose kings to tyranny, husbands to jealousy, wise men to irresolution and melancholy." 2

Bacon, moreover, always maintains the Sanctity of Truth alike in scientific investigation and the intercourse of life: "Truth which only doth judge itself, teacheth that the enquiry of truth, which is the love-making or wooing of it, the knowledge of truth which is the presence of it, and the belief of truth which is the enjoying of it, is the sovereign good of human nature "3 or in moral conduct: "It is heaven upon earth to have a man's mind move in charity, rest in providence, and turn upon the poles of truth."4

Francis Bacon, if he had sinned greatly, had suffered greatly, and it is pleasant to think that in the end the benediction of heavenly peace had descended on him. No man could write about Religion as he has done without having the root of the matter in his own heart: "It is peace which containeth infinite blessings; it establisheth faith, it kindleth charity, the outward peace of the Church distilleth into peace of conscience: " "The parts and signs of goodness are many if a man

3 P. 2.

easily pardons and remits offences, it shows that his mind is planted above injuries. But, above all, if he have St. Paul's perfection that he would wish to be anathema from Christ for the salvation of his brethren, it shows much of a Divine nature, and a kind of conformity with Christ himself."1

And so we leave Francis Bacon! Had he left us no other literary legacy than those wonderful Essays, he would have established a claim upon the gratitude, not alone of his fellowcountrymen, but of his fellow-men-a claim the years will ever strengthen

and time will aye confirm!