Francis Bacon.

BORN A. D. 1561.—DIED a. D. 1626.

THIS illustrious person, the chief ornament of the age in which he flourished, and one of the most eminent examples of intellectual greatness which his nation or his species has ever produced, was the youngest son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, lord-keeper of the great seal in the reign of Queen Elizabeth, and of Anne, one of the learned daughters of Sir Anthony Cook, tutor to King Edward VI. another of whom was married to the celebrated Burleigh. He was born at York-house, in the Strand, London, on the 22d of January, 1561. Important as were the external advantages under which he came into the world, it soon became manifest that nature had endowed him still more bountifully with the nobler gift of genius. While yet a child, the vivacity and force of his remarks made him be regarded as a little wonder; and Queen Elizabeth, who delighted to converse with him, is said to have been wont playfully to distinguish him by the title of her young lord-keeper. In 1573, being only in the thirteenth year of his age, he was entered of Trinity college, Cambridge-and here he remained till he was sixteen, having, by the ardour and success with which he prosecuted his studies, fulfilled the fondest hopes which had been formed of him, and given new promise of a brilliant manhood. It is even asserted that he had already at this early age laid the foundation of that fabric of philosophy which has immortalized his name. On leaving college, he was

sent by his father to visit France in the train of Sir Amias Powlet, the English ambassador at that court; and this gentleman was soon led to entertain so high an opinion of his ability and discretion, that having a message of importance to transmit to his sovereign, he selected Bacon, young as he was, to be its bearer. Having satisfactorily acquitted himself of this commission, he immediately returned to Paris. During the remainder of his stay in France, he did not confine himself to the capital, but visited various parts of the country. He was yet abroad, when in the spring of 1579, he was recalled home by the news of the sudden death of his father. On his arrival in England, he found himself deprived of the greater part of the provision which he had expected, in consequence of his father not having had time before he expired to complete his intended disposition in his favour. The sequel of Bacon's history warrants us in considering this accident as an unfortunate event for his happiness and his fame. His father's purpose probably had been to bequeath him such a competency as would have raised him above the necessity of giving himself up to a profession, and left him at liberty to dedicate his time and his powers to literature and philosophy. In many, perhaps it may be said in most cases, the exchange of such a destination for the duties of what is called active life, would deserve to be regarded rather as an escape than as a calamity. But there was no danger that Bacon would in any circumstances have spent his days in idleness and insignificance. His full and producing mind, the overflow of which in all highest speculation could not be repressed by all the burthens of business and of ambition, would have given forth of its