VI. THE FABLE OF ICARUS, AND THAT OF SCYLLA AND CHARYBDIS. Explained of Mediocrity in Natural and Moral Philosophy VII. THE FABLE OF PROTEUS. Explained of Matter and its Causes VIII. THE FABLE OF CUPID. Explained of the Corpuscular Philosophy 484 X. THE FABLE OF SPHINX. Explained of the Sciences XI. THE FABLE OF PROSERPINE. Explained of the Spirit included in XIII. THE FABLE OF TYTHONUS. Explained of Predominant Passions 492 XIV. THE FABLE OF NARCISSUS. Explained of Self Love XV. THE FABLE OF JUNO'S COURTSHIP. Explained of Submission and XVIII. THE FABLE OF DIOMED. Explained of Persecution, or Zeal for XIX. THE FABLE OF ACTION AND PENTHEUS. Explained of Curiosity, or .. XXI. THE FABLE OF JUPITER AND METIS. Explained of Princes and XXII. THE FABLE OF ENDYMION. Explained of Court Favourites XXIII. THE FABLE OF NEMESIS. Explained of the Reverses of Fortune XXIV. THE FABLE OF CYCLOP'S DEATH. Explained of Base Court Officers Detraction Explained of War by Invasion .. XXIX. THE FABLE OF DIONYSIUS. Explained of the Passions THE HERE are many men in literature who are much spoken of, and but little known. Of this illustrious list, is Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Alban, and Lord High Chancellor of England. We have had many editions, more or less complete, of his works; and some extended reviews have appeared in the leading critical authorities. Lives and memoirs have been published, the latest being those of Mr. Hepworth Dixon and Mr. James Spedding. The editions of his works issued at various times have been fairly successful; the reviews have been duly read; and the lives, written by friends or foes, have been loosely studied. Confined to a small circle of literators, scientists, or statesmen, is the smallest knowledge of the writings of Bacon. The general reader knows him not: the great body of the public is unacquainted with his words of wisdom. The story of his life is new to nine men out of ten; his essays, spoken of by everybody, nobody, outside a studious knot, has read. Pope's lines, which we are almost ashamed to quote, so utterly worn are the words, are the finger-post for those persons who would not for the world betray ignorance of the scientific, historical, and literary paths which Bacon either discovered or enlarged. For the majority of people, the couplet has sufficient of warning and information: "If parts allure you, think how Bacon shined, The wisest, brightest, meanest of mankind." Having read this, few seek to increase their knowledge, or probe the truth of the description. After the poet's lines, Lord Macaulay's great review in "The Edinburgh" for July, 1837, is that which has guided the judgment concerning the Chancellor's deeds and works. The world of readers is at present in the position of having heard the pleadings of two counsel for the prosecution against the noble writer ; but the jury has not examined any evidence, nor heard the counsel for the defence. We do not say that there is no evidence; for, indeed, there is plenty, already examined and yet to be examined. We do not say that no counsel have spoken in behalf of Bacon; for since Macaulay's grand attack, the Chancellor has found several defenders. But we affirm that the general opinion of mankind has not been given; the decision of the great democracy of readers, always the ultimate assessors of fame, has not been delivered. To the end of increasing the acquaintance with some of the happiest efforts of Lord Bacon-works which will endure as long as the words in which they are written this cheap edition is presented to the public. Young students, and old scholars, and "Times'" correspondents will no longer be able to make excuses, or cast blame, because there is not in England a fairly printed volume of Bacon's best reputed works at the smallest possible price. But little space now remains to us for a short account of the life of the great man, whose writings, as well as whose character, belongs to the world. In his boyhood he attracted the notice of Elizabeth, who admiringly called him her little Lord Keeper. His father, the real Keeper of the Great Seal, was one of the Queen's wisest counsellors, and one of * Letters appeared, we believe, a year or two ago, in the "Times," reproaching the purveyors of literature with the absence on the bookstalls of such works as Bacon's Essays. The reproach was merited, but it was equally the fault of readers, editors, and publishers, that cheap editions of standard works were not plentiful. We have done something to remove the cause of reproach; it rests with the reading community to do their part; so that we may continue the publication, in the cheapest form, of the great English classics. |