Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1881-05-24
Tor the OXFORD DEMOCRAT.
FRANCIS BACON.
l56l-l626.

Macauiay SPEAKS vi onaheSpcaIe anu ia
con, as ''Those two incompatible men, the
Prince of Poets and the Prince OF Philoso-
piers, who made the Elizabethan age a
more glorious and important era, In the
history of the human mind, than the age
of Pericles, OF Augustus or of Leo
Francis Bacon, born in 1861, was the
youngest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon. His
health in childhood and throughout his
life very delicate, but from his earliest
years he was characterized by great intel
lectual powers.
While vet child he was presented to
Queen Elizabeth and when asked by her
how old he was, replied 1.-TWO years young
er than your Majesty's happy reign. At
the age of eleven he specialized on the
Imagination; at twelve he entered Trinity
College. Here he was studious, but
thought for himself, and early conceived a
strong dislike for the philosophy of Arts
totle. and some claim that before his six
teenth year, such was the maturity of his
intellect, that he had already planned his
system philosophical reform.
After graduating from college he trav-
clei In France and wrote treatise on
THE State Of Europe" and also one on
"Cyphus" In 1850 at the are of nineteen
he become student of law at Gray's Inn
At tweuty-three he became a member CT
the House OF Commons. Here he distin'
guished himself rs a speaker. \ writer OF
his own times says, "No man even spakc
more neatly or suffered idlenesS in what
h uttered. The fear of every man tina,
heard him was lest he should make Al
end"
His advancement from one position of
trust to another was rapid until he wa
made Lord High Chancellor. lie was c'c-
waited TO the pccrage with the title Of Baron
OF V,rulum and in 1921 the higher title OF
Viscouut of 81, Albau> was conferred upon
him.
lie now lived in great masniticenee ana
extraveganily spent his royal neon,
His improyidcucc betrayed him into
most disgracefu f5ll. lie accepted brides
in the discharge OF his official duties and
when his case came 20 trial he abandoned
his defence and plead guilty. lie was sen
fenced TO pay i fine OF $40 600 and impri-
soumcnt in the tower during the kings
pleasure. lie was released after . day.
Imprisonment aud the fine was subsequent
IN RENTED. bu, ne was humiliated and his
spirit broken by his fall.
The remainder Of his life, with the cx-
cepiiou OF u brief period passed IN parlia-
meut, was spent in retirement writing and
revising those of his works already writ
ten.
Lord Bacon presents the melancholy
spectacle OF man possessed of gigantic
intellectual powers yet weak in his moral
nature. No man had clearer idea OF
moral requirmeuts yct-he was lead to com
nit the most slaring faults.
Bacon's writings are Of great value
His philosophical works show marked
scientific grasp and insight. lie antici-
pateS many later discoveries; for instance
he clearly invented thermometer. he
suspected the law OF universal attraction.
foresaw the true explanation of the tides
and the cause Of colorS.
The most permanently valuable part OF
I l. q, Tho first
edition Of these was issued In 1896 and
contained only ten essays. These were
revised and added 10 from time 20 time and
received their final touches in his last
years Some OF his finest and most poeti-
cal conceptions were among these later
additions His was an intellect that could
produce ripened fruit in youth and flowers
i'm old age
These Essays" treat OF some OF the
most lofty and important subjects and
some OF the most common, as he said him.
self "they come home to mems business
and boSoms". They are replete with com
mon sense and profound philosophy, and
treat the most profound subjects so clearly
that we forget that they are profound
Duguld Stewart SAYS OF them "They NAV
be read from beginning TO end in few
hours, vet after the twentieth reading one
seldom fails 70 remark something new in
them. Game speaking of Bacon's style
says that il Is "of Such admirable richness,
gravity and vigor. that there is nothing in
English prose superior to his diction.
Archbishop Whately, one of the most
vigorous and lucid of English writer and
great admirer Of Bacon, has written an
notationS on these essays which greatly
enhance their value. President Porter af-
ter speaking Of Bacon's Essays as standing
at the head of works of this class in Eng
fish literature and being one OF the wisest
and most thoughtful books, adds, Whate-
ley's edition may be ftly called Bacon
adapted 70 modern times by writer of
marked good sense, whose comments are
solid and interesting character, and never
unworthy OF Bacon. Probably the best
edition OF Bacon's Essays is that Of Lee &
Shepard, Boston, known as the students
Edition." II contains the annotations of
Whately. and Heard's notes. Price, $3.50. |
A young lady, who is much annoyed