times appointed; go through with that which is in hand; interlace not business but of necessity. For cor- [21] ruption, do not only bind thine own hands or thy servant's hands from taking, but bind the hands of suitors also from offering; for integrity used doth the one, but integrity professed, and with a manifest detestation of bribery, doth the other; and avoid not only the fault, but the suspicion. Whosoever is found variable, [22] and changeth manifestly without manifest cause, giveth suspicion of corruption; therefore, always, when thou changest thine opinion or course, profess it plainly, and declare it, together with the reasons that move thee to change, and do not think to steal it. A servant [23] [21.] For: See above. Offering: Supply the ellipsis. Used: exercised. Avoid, &c.: How sadly Bacon violated in his own judicial functions this excellent counsel, may be seen in the Sketch of his Life prefixed to these Essays. [22.] Profess it plainly: Considering that the course Bacon here recommends is not only the most ingenuous and dignified, but also the most prudent with a view to men's approbation, it is wonderful how often this maxim is violated. Many persons will rather back out of an opinion or course of conduct, by the most awkward shifts, than frankly acknowledge a change of mind. They seem to dread nothing so much as a suspicion of what they call 'inconsistency,' i. e. owning one's self to be wiser to-day than yesterday.—Whately. Manifestly: This word is redundant, or, if retained, the word manifest should be changed to sufficient or satisfactory. Steal it: to do it secretly, to accomplish it unobserved. [23.] Inward: intimate, familiar. In this sense the word is now obsolete. 'He had occasion, by one very inward with him, to know in part the discourse of his life.'-Sidney. All my inward friends abhorred me.'-Job, 19:19. "Who is most inward with the noble duke."-Shakespeare. And no other Supply the words necessary to make good Close Synonyme? ['Servus gratiosus, et apud sense. or a favourite, if he be inward, and no other apparent cause of esteem, is commonly thought but a by-way to [24] close corruption. For roughness, it is a needless cause of discontent: severity breedeth fear, but rough[25] ness breedeth hate. Even reproofs from autho[26] rity ought to be grave, and not taunting. As for facility, it is worse than bribery, for bribes come but now and then; but if importunity or idle respects lead a man, he shall never be without; as Solomon saith, "To respect persons it is not good, for such a man will [27] transgress for a piece of bread." It is most true dominum potens, si non extet aliqua favoris causa manifesta, reputatur plerumque nihil aliud quam via obliqua ad corruptelas.'-Latin Edition.] [24.] For, &c.: Compare § 20. Needless: &c.: It is not necessary to employ roughness; and moreover it is a cause of discontent. [25.] Authority: a man of authority and power. ['De loco superiore.'-Latin Edition.] [26.] Facility: readiness of compliance; easiness to be persuaded, or, too great easiness of access. 'It is a great error to take facility for good nature; tenderness without discretion is no more than a mere pardonable folly.'-L'Estrange. Idle respects: trifling considerations, or, undeserved predilections. 'Whatsoever secret respects were likely to move them.'-Hooker. "To the public good Private respects must yield."-Milton. Without Supply the ellipsis. pare Prov. 28: 21. To respect, &c.: Com Some, &c.: [27.] That: used for 'what,' or 'that which.' Paraphrase the clause. Omnium, &c.: 'By the consent of all, he would have been judged capable of ruling, if he had not ruled.' Solus, &c.: 'Vespasian alone of emperors was changed for the better;' (or, 'of the emperors, Vespasian alone changed for the better, after his accession.'-D.) that was anciently spoken, "A place showeth the man; and it showeth some to the better, and some to the worse:""omnium consensu, capax imperii, nisi imperasset," saith Tacitus of Galba; but of Vespasian he saith, "solus imperantium Vespasianus mutatus in melius;" though the one was meant of sufficiency, the other of manners and affection. It is an assured [28] sign of a worthy and generous spirit, whom honour amends; for honour is, or should be, the place of virtue; and as in nature things move violently to their place, and calmly in their place, so virtue in ambition is violent, in authority settled and calm. All [29] Affection feeling, tenderness. The Antitheta has this sentiment: 'Honores faciunt et virtutes et vitia conspicua; itaque illas provocant, hæc refrænant;' i. e.‘High place makes conspicuous both virtues and vices; accordingly it incites to the one and restrains the other.' [28.] Amends: Give a synonyme. Whom honor, &c.: Better: When a man is amended by honor.' In ambition: in the pursuit of place, or honor. In authority: Supply the ['Ita virtus in ambitu violentior est, in honore ellipsis. [29.] To side a man's self: to lean towards one side or party. Sir Walter Scott (in 'Kenilworth') describes the policy of Elizabeth as conforming to the policy here indicated :—“ Elizabeth, like many of her sex, was fond of governing by factions, so as to balance two opposing interests, and reserve in her own hand the power of making either predominate, as the interest of the state, or perhaps as her own female caprice (for to that foible even she was not superior) might finally determine. To finesse-to hold the cards-to oppose one interest to anotherto bridle him who thought himself highest in her esteem, by the fears he must entertain of another equally trusted, if not equally beloved, were acts which she used through her reign, and which enabled her, though frequently giving way to the rising to great place is by a winding stair; and if there be factions, it is good to side a man's self whilst he is in the rising, and to balance himself when he is placed. [30] Use the memory of thy predecessor fairly and tenderly; for if thou dost not, it is a debt will sure be [31] paid when thou art gone. If thou have colleagues, respect them; and rather call them when they look not for it, than exclude them when they have reason to look [32] to be called. Be not too sensible or too remembering of thy place in conversation and private answers to suitors; but let it rather be said, "When he sits in place he is another man. weakness of favoritism, to prevent most of its evil effects on her kingdom and government.”—Chap. XIV. Balance himself: to incline to neither party. [30.] Sure be paid: surely be paid. How paid.and by whom? [31.] Look, &c.: Give an equivalent expression. [32.] Too remembering. &c.: Express the idea in other words. Condescension, affability, and familiarity in private intercourse are here enjoined. Sits in place: attends to official and public duties. Paraphrase the last clause. [Ne sis loci tui nimis memor, aut crebram de eo mentionem facias, in quotidianis sermonibus, aut conversatione privata; sed, &c.—Latin Edition.] 1. Analyse the Essay, and divide it correctly into paragraphs. 2. Re-write the Essay in a clear, and ornate style, such as would suit the cultivated taste of the present day, presenting faithfully the thoughts of the Author. 3. Point out the obsolete words or phrases, or those that have become changed in meaning, since Bacon's time. 4. Point out examples of the balanced sentence. 5. Examine the Essay, and ascertain where it may be improved by increasing or reducing the number of sentences. 6. Point out examples of the condensed sentence or clause, involving Ellipsis. Bacon seems to affect brevity, condensation, point. He leaves often to his reader the task of supplying words necessary to a full expression of the thought. Such a style, however, is not to be indulged too freely, nor at the expense of clearness. ESSAY VII. ATHEISM. ANALYSIS. Why God never wrought miracles to refute Atheism. The comparative influence of a superficial and of a profound acquaintance with philosophy. The Greek school most accused of Atheism, bears conclusive evidence to religion. The testimony of Scripture in regard to the Atheist. Atheism dwells upon the lip rather than in the understanding. Why Atheism strives to gain disciples, and atheists are willing sometimes to suffer rather than to recant. The opinion of Epicurus respecting Deity. Plato's opinion. Indian savages take part with acute Pagan philosophers against Atheists. Contemplative Atheists are fewer than they seem to be. The reason given. The causes of Atheism are (1) the many divisions in religion; (2) the scandalous lives of priests; (3) the custom of scoffing in holy matters; (4) learning, combined with peace and prosperity. They who deny a God deny the nobility of man, destroy magnanimity and progress in moral improvement. in nations as well as individuals. I HAD rather believe all the fables in the [1] Legend, and the Talmud, and the Alcoran, than that [1.] I had rather: What is a preferable form of expression? Legend: (Lat. legenda, things to be read), a book recording the lives of saints and martyrs, and portions of which were appointed to be read in Romish churches. Though containing many ridiculous and miraculous stories, it was much studied in monasteries, and recommended to the people as affording evidence in support of the Romish faith. The Golden Legend (written by the Archbishop of Genoa in the thirteenth century), though abounding in silly stories, was very popular for two hundred years, but afterwards fell into neglect. Some of the stories, however, are said to be of a highly poetic character, |