. Church, _op. cit._; H. Heussler, _F.
Bacon und seine geschichtliche Stellung_ (Breslau, 1889); H. Hoeffding,
_History of Modern Philosophy_ (Eng. trans., 1900); J. M. Robertson, _Short
History of Freethought_ (Lond., 1906); Sidney Lee, _Great Englishmen of the
16th century_ (Lond., 1904). For the relations between Bacon and Ben Jonson
see _The Tale of the Shakespeare Epitaphs by Francis Bacon_ (New York,
1888); for Bacon's poetical gifts see an article in the _Fortnightly
Review_ (March 1905).

For the Bacon-Shakespeare controversy see SHAKESPEARE.

(R. AD.; J. M. M.)

[1] See _Nic. Eth._ iv. 3. 3. 1123b.

[2] "I wax now somewhat ancient; one-and-thirty years is a great deal of
sand in the hour-glass.... I ever bare a mind (in some middle place that I
could discharge) to serve her majesty; not as a man born under Sol, that
loveth honour; nor under Jupiter, that loveth business (for the
contemplative planet carrieth me away wholly); but as a man born under an
excellent sovereign, that deserveth the dedication of all men's
abilities.... Again the meanness of my estate doth somewhat move me; for
though I cannot accuse myself that I am either prodigal or slothful, yet my
health is not to spend, nor my course to get. Lastly, I confess that I have
as vast contemplative ends as I have moderate civil ends; for I have taken
all knowledge to be my province; and if I could purge it of two sorts of
rovers, whereof the one with frivolous disputations, confutations and
verbosities, the other with blind experiments and auricular traditions and
impostures, hath committed so many spoils, I hope I should bring in
industrious observations, grounded conclusions and profitable inventions
and discoveries--the best state of that province. This, whether it be
curiosity, or vain-glory, or nature, or (if one take it favourably)
_philanthropia_, is so fixed in my mind as it cannot be removed. And I do
easily see, that place of any reasonable commandment doth bring commandment
of more wits than of a man's own.

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
convenient, say then that I am a most dishonest man. And if your lordship
will not carry me on,... this I will do, I will sell the inheritance that I
have, and purchase some lease of quick revenue, or some office of gain that
shall be executed by deputy, and so give over all care of service, an