of his assertion that "there is little friendship in the world That which is, is between superior and inferior, whose fortunes may comprehend the one the other." But the sentence that will most of all help us to understand Bacon's conduct in 1596 is one in the Essay on Faction, "Mean men must adhere,1 but great men that have strength in themselves were better to maintain themselves indifferent and neutral. Yet even in beginners to adhere so moderately as he be a man of the one faction, which is passablest with the other, commonly giveth best way.”

This appears to give us the key to Bacon's course of action in this and in the following years. He had tried "adhering," and it had not answered. Now he intended to try a different course. He would either be neutral, or " adhere" to Essex in such a way as not to forfeit the favour of the Cecils. It is creditable to Bacon's judgment that he should have resolved on this course as early as 1596, when Essex was in the zenith of his power. But the event justified his decision. Whatever course he might take, he was sure of the affection of Essex. Not only could he command the Earl through his brother Anthony, but Essex was drawn irresistibly towards him, whether by fascination or by choice. Being therefore certain of Essex, but not certain of the Cecils, he was obviously acting wisely—at least with a view to the architecture of his fortune-in appearing outwardly to decline any active support from the Earl, and in making as little shew of adherence to him as possible. It was probably with this view that he dedicated the first edition of his Essays, not to Essex, but to his brother Anthony.

The third edition of the Essays he dedicated to the Duke of Buckingham; the second he dedicated at first to the Prince of Wales, and only dedicated it to Constable afterwards because of the Prince's unexpected death: why then did he not dedicate the first to Essex? Because of the insignificance of the volume? It is not like Francis Bacon to shrink from dedicating small volumes to great names. The Wisdom of the Ancients he dedicates to the University of Cambridge and Lord Salisbury. The Advancement of Learning he dedicates to the King.

1 I quote of course from the edition of 1597. See my edition of the Essays, vol. ii. p. 75. The later editions insert the words "in their rising."

2 II. 192.

Moreover we must remember that along with the Essays were published the Religious Meditations and Colours of Good and Evil-so that the volume would not have been so very insignificant. Be the reason for Bacon's dedication to Anthony what it may, thus much is certain, that Anthony himself did not think the volume unworthy of the Earl's acceptance; and in a very significant letter he re-dedicates it to Essex.

"MY SINGULAR GOOD LORD,—I am bold, and yet out of a most entire and dutiful love (wherein my germain brother and myself stand infinitely bound unto your Lordship) to present unto you the first right and taste of such fruit as my brother was constrained to gather, as he professeth himself, before they were ripe, to prevent stealing; and withal most humbly to beseech your Lordship that, as my brother, in token of a mutual firm brotherly affection, hath bestowed by dedication the property of them upon myself, so your Lordship, to whose disposition and commandment I have entirely and inviolably vowed my poor self, and whatever appertaineth unto me, either in possession or right-that your Lordship, I say, in your noble and singular kindness towards us both, will vouchsafe first to give me leave to transfer my interest unto your Lordship, then humbly to crave your honourable acceptance and trustworthy protection. And so I most humbly take my leave." I

1 Works, vi. 521. Docketed 8th February.

CHAPTER VII.

BACON'S MONEY MATTERS.

We have seen that Trott, the kind and brotherly creditor of the two Bacons, was disappointed in January, 1595, of the expectation of succeeding to Bacon's reversion; and when he found Francis Bacon unsuccessful in his suit for the Solicitorship, he became alarmed for his money. To compensate him for his disappointment the two brothers appear in April, 1595, to have supported him in a suit for the Clerkship of the Council of the North. But in June the Cecilian faction, up in the North, petitions Lord Burghley against Trott, alleging that Trott is favoured by the Earl of Essex,1 and by the Cecilian candidate Trott is accordingly beaten.2

Thus cast adrift a second time, poor Trott becomes more anxious than ever. He has been, it would seem, not so much Bacon's creditor as Bacon's agent, borrowing money from others, and in particular from his own brother, to lend it to Bacon; and he now wants some security that all this money will be repaid. This not unnatural desire on the part of Trott causes a certain coldness between him and Francis. "If," writes Trott to Anthony, "this cloud between your brother and me clear or be overblown by honesty (which I despair not of, and so much less if you shall deal effectually with him and satisfy me, that require nothing but mine own, and that in some time, so I be competently assured), both this mortgage may be prolonged for a year or more, and I may return to that confidence and readiness wherewith I have always served you." A few days

1 S. P. O. Domestic, June 6, 1595. 2 Murdin's Burghley Papers, p. 807. 3 Lambeth MSS. 652], 141.

afterwards Trott, importuned by the brother from whom he has borrowed money for Francis, again implores Anthony to have consideration for his credit, "With which all the means I have, and all the state of my poor friends, hath been employed and adventured for you and at your entreaty."1

In the following year, 1596, a new friend appears to relieve the monetary distress of the two brothers. This is a cousin of theirs, Mr. Robert Bacon by name. Mr. Robert has a cause pending in Chancery, relating to some wards of his, in which cause the intercession of his influential cousins may be useful. On the other hand he has a certain office, the profits of which he can make over to the two cousins in return for their services. On the 1st August, 1596, he makes over to them the profts and receipts of the Office of the Fleet, amounting to £600 a year.2 A few days before the date of this document, Anthony tries (22nd July) to rouse Francis to a sense of what is owing to their cousin Robert in return for his kindness. But finding that Francis has done nothing, Anthony writes again :

"GOOD BROTHER,-Having understood by my cousin, Robert Bacon, that he had seen you this morning, I thought verily you and he had been at a point; till, asking of him whether you were both satisfied, he answered that the matter of the bond was not spoken of, and persisteth still in demanding the same of us, protesting that otherwise he shall be utterly unsatisfied. Whereof I thought meet to certify you. Also that Mr. Trott was with me this morning marvellously discontented, usque ad lacrymas, charging me very deeply to have been cause sine quâ non he fell into the labyrinth of encumbers with you, and therefore challenging my earnest and effectual mediation of sufficient assurance of his speedy satisfaction; which if you deny him further, I find him resolved to a desperate course unseemly and inconvenient for you both." 3

But once more Francis is too busy to heed this second remonstrance, and Anthony has to step forward and do his brother's work. "I will not forget," he writes to Robert Bacon, on the 22nd September, 1596, to do my part, which my brother, belike by reason of his strangeness with my Lord Treasurer and my Lady Russell, or of his sickness, or of his daily state-business and foreign despatches, hath let softly slide from himself upon me."

1 Ibid. 642] 69.

Add. MSS. 4114, 28th October, 1595. 2 Add. MSS. 4120] 140.

3 Endorsed 7th December, 1596. Add. MSS. 4122] 186.

G

It is possible, no doubt, that Francis may have been prevented by a feeling of just pride from interfering with the course of law by recommending his cousin, Robert Bacon, to the Lord Treasurer. But that is hardly likely. Bacon does not scruple to recommend, on other occasions, friends who have cases pending. We shall also hereafter find him not deterred apparently by such scruples when his own interests are at stake.2 Moreover, it seems clear that he participated with Anthony in the benefit of some transaction of Robert's on the condition of doing something which he now declined or neglected to perform.

Trott is satisfied in the same way as Robert Bacon. Francis being unable or unwilling to do anything, Anthony has to do his brother's work. From the tone of the following letter it seems clear that Anthony, though kind and affectionate as usual, has done some service for his younger brother, which he feels that the latter ought not to have required :—

"GOOD BROTHER,-What I wish and would effectuate as a brother and a friend betwixt you and Mr. Trott I mean not to profess, but leave to yourself and him to believe. But how far my endeavour prevaileth with him I think necessary you should know. Upon the hour of supper, after he had read my respective answer to his passionate letter, he came unto me, and after some acknowledgment and protestation from me in mine own behalf, accompanied with a true declaration of my grief if this breach should grow any wider betwixt you, he with some earnestness offered, very respectively, first to send me to-morrow the last points of intended agreement, then to accept my covenant for the performance of whatsoever should be now concluded. Which, as I took thankfully, so referred I my resolution till I had spoken and conferred with you. And so I wish you good rest.” 3

That what Anthony had done for Francis was in some way a "burdening of himself," is proved by an extract from a letter of his to his cousin Robert Bacon. Robert, it seems, had warned Anthony that he was in danger of entangling himself in some pecuniary difficulty for the sake of Francis, and the following reply from Anthony to Robert proves that the warning had been verified :

"What hath passed betwixt my brother and him (Trott) I doubt not but you have partly understood from himself, and therefore I will only

1 See i. 315.

2 See p. 87, below.

3 The letter is endorsed 7th December, 1596. Add. MSS. 4122] 186.