登陆注册
5406800000210

第210章 FRANCIS BACON(10)

Nothing in the political conduct of Essex entitles him to esteem;and the pity with which we regard his early and terrible end is diminished by the consideration, that he put to hazard the lives and fortunes of his most attached friends, and endeavoured to throw the whole country into confusion, for objects purely personal.Still, it is impossible not to be deeply interested for a man so brave, high-spirited, and generous; for a man who, while he conducted himself towards his sovereign with a boldness such as was then found in no other subject, conducted himself towards his dependants with a delicacy such as has rarely been found in any other patron.Unlike the vulgar herd of benefactors, he desired to inspire, not gratitude, but affection.He tried to make those whom he befriended feel towards him as towards an equal.His mind, ardent, susceptible, naturally disposed to admiration of all that is great and beautiful, was fascinated by the genius and the accomplishments of Bacon.A close friendship was soon formed between them, a friendship destined to have a dark, a mournful, a shameful end.

In 1594 the office of Attorney-General became vacant, and Bacon hoped to obtain it.Essex made his friend's cause his own, sued, expostulated, promised, threatened, but all in vain.It is probable that the dislike felt by the Cecils for Bacon had been increased by the connection which he had lately formed with the Earl.Robert was then on the point of being made Secretary of State.He happened one day to be in the same coach with Essex, and a remarkable conversation took place between them."My Lord,"said Sir Robert, "the Queen has determined to appoint an Attorney-General without more delay.I pray your Lordship to let me know whom you will favour." "I wonder at your question,"replied the Earl."You cannot but know that resolutely, against all the world, I stand for your cousin, Francis Bacon.""Good Lord!" cried Cecil, unable to bridle his temper, "I wonder your Lordship should spend your strength on so unlikely a matter.Can you name one precedent of so raw a youth promoted to so great a place?" This objection came with a singularly bad grace from a man who, though younger than Bacon, was in daily expectation of being made Secretary of State.The blot was too obvious to be missed by Essex, who seldom forbore to speak his mind."I have made no search," said he, "for precedents of young men who have filled the office of Attorney-General.

But I could name to you, Sir Robert, a man younger than Francis, less learned, and equally inexperienced, who is suing and striving with all his might for an office of far greater weight." Sir Robert had nothing to say but that he thought his own abilities equal to the place which he hoped to obtain, and that his father's long services deserved such a mark of gratitude from the Queen; as if his abilities were comparable to his cousin's, or as if Sir Nicholas Bacon had done no service to the State.Cecil then hinted that, if Bacon would be satisfied with the Solicitorship, that might be of easier digestion to the Queen."Digest me no digestions," said the generous and ardent Earl."The Attorneyship for Francis is that I must have; and in that I will spend all my power, might, authority, and amity; and with tooth and nail procure the same for him against whomsoever;and whosoever getteth this office out of my hands for any other, before he have it, it shall cost him the coming by.And this be you assured of, Sir Robert, for now I fully declare myself; and for my own part, Sir Robert, I think strange both of my Lord Treasurer and you, that can have the mind to seek the preference of a stranger before so near a kinsman; for if you weigh in a balance the parts every way of his competitor and him, only excepting five poor years of admitting to a house of court before Francis, you shall find in all other respects whatsoever no comparison between them."When the office of Attorney-General was filled up, the Earl pressed the Queen to make Bacon Solicitor-General, and, on this occasion, the old Lord Treasurer professed himself not unfavourable to his nephew's pretensions.But after a contest which lasted more than a year and a half, and in which Essex, to use his own words, "spent all his power, might, authority, and amity," the place was given to another.Essex felt this disappointment keenly, but found consolation in the most munificent and delicate liberality.He presented Bacon with an estate worth near two thousand pounds, situated at Twickenham;and this, as Bacon owned many years after, "with so kind and noble circumstances as the manner was worth more than the matter."It was soon after these events that Bacon first appeared before the public as a writer.Early in 1597 he published a small volume of Essays, which was afterwards enlarged by successive additions to many times its original bulk.This little work was, as it well deserved to be, exceedingly popular.It was reprinted in a few months; it was translated into Latin, French, and Italian; and it seems to have at once established the literary reputation of its author.But, though Bacon's reputation rose, his fortunes were still depressed.He was in great pecuniary difficulties; and, on one occasion, was arrested in the street at the suit of a goldsmith for a debt of three hundred pounds, and was carried to a spunging-house in Coleman Street.

同类推荐
  • 南统大君内丹九章经

    南统大君内丹九章经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 观涛奇禅师语录

    观涛奇禅师语录

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 怀星堂集

    怀星堂集

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 金刚针论

    金刚针论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 韩非子

    韩非子

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 心目论

    心目论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 本妃很痞很狂野

    本妃很痞很狂野

    【本文纯属虚构,请勿模仿】穿!穿!穿!暴力少女野火穿越在鸟蛋,成了没翅膀的鸟族公主。据说在天空之城,人人以鸟为做骑。她,她竟然是这里唯一的一只火凤凰!
  • 谜语实用集锦(中国民间文化丛书)

    谜语实用集锦(中国民间文化丛书)

    本书主要从以下几方面介绍中国的谜语文化:自然谜、植物谜、动物谜、常用物谜、工矿交通谜、军事武器谜、商业贸易谜、海外港台谜、文化体育谜、书报刊谜、字谜、词语谜、歇后语谜等。
  • 动物:动物的丰富学问(青少年科学探索营)

    动物:动物的丰富学问(青少年科学探索营)

    本书以拟人化的形式,介绍了原生动物、腔肠动物、线形动物、软体动物、节肢动物、鱼类软骨鱼纲动物、鱼类硬骨鱼纲动物、两栖类无尾目动物、爬行类有鳞目动物、鸟类突胸总目动物、哺乳类原兽亚纲动物、哺乳类真兽亚纲动物等内容。
  • 赏誉

    赏誉

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 侦探传说

    侦探传说

    天才学生协助警方推理破案,谁才是最高智商?
  • 缘起经

    缘起经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 乞神录

    乞神录

    我欲上天!欲与天公肩并肩!(一个少年的成神之路)
  • dei公主殿下哪里逃

    dei公主殿下哪里逃

    本文的主人公嘞,就是天界人见人闪,调皮捣蛋,集万千宠爱于一身的天帝小八女儿,天尛白,人称小白、小小白、小…白。人如其名,别的没什么优点就是人有点‘白’不对,是仙有点‘白’,这个你懂得~本人嘞,没什么特别的爱好,就是有点点调皮捣蛋而已外加有那么一点点的爱财。没事就是喜欢牵牵红线,练练丹什么的…告诉你们一个秘密,太上老君的炼丹炉实在不咋么滴!我只是轻轻的触碰一下,将东西放进去,然后就轰隆了!!差点没把本公主轰分了尸,不行得找太上老头要损失费去!!!谁知把自己也给搭进去!!呜呜~得不偿失啊!!太上老头还有月老,你们两个最好祈祷表被偶逮到!!否者老娘扒光你们的衣服把你们买到窑子里去!救命啊!!!~~
  • 開原縣志

    開原縣志

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。