EARLY COMPOSITIONS.
It is at this stage that the mystery of Francis Bacon begins to develop.
Every channel through which information might be expected appears to be blocked. Besides a few pamphlets, in the production of which little time would be occupied, there came nothing from his pen until 1597 when, at the age of 37, the first edition of the essays was published--only ten short essays containing less than 6,000 words. In 1605, when 45, he addressed to James I. the "Two Books on the Advancement of Learning,"
containing less than 60,000 words. It would require no effort on Bacon"s part to write either of these volumes. He could turn out the "Two Books of the Advancement of Learning" with the same facility that a leader writer of the _Times_ would write his daily articles. He was to all intents and purposes unoccupied. Until 1594 he had not held a brief, and he never had any practice at the Bar worth considering. He was a member of Parliament, but the House seldom sat, and never for long periods.
Bacon"s life is absolutely unaccounted for. It is now proposed, by the aid of the literature of the period from 1576 to 1620, and with the help of information derived from his own handwriting, to trace, step by step, the results of his industry, and to supply the reason for the concealment which he pursued.
There is an entry in the Book of Orders of Gray"s Inn under date 21st November, 1577, that Anthony and Francis Bacon (who had been admitted members 27th June, 1576, "_de societate magistrorum_") be admitted to the Grand Company, _i.e._, to the Degree of Ancients, a privilege to which they were ent.i.tled as sons of a judge. From a letter subsequently written by Burghley, it is known that one Barker was appointed as their tutor of Law. Apparently it was intended that they should settle down to a course of legal training, but this plan was abandoned, at any rate, as far as Francis was concerned. Sir Amias Paulet, who was Chancellor of the Garter, a Privy Counsellor, and held in high esteem by the Queen,[8]
was about to proceed to Paris to take the place of Dr. Dale as Amba.s.sador at the Court of France. There is a letter written from Calais, dated 25th September, 1576, from Sir Amias to Lord Burghley, in which this paragraph appears: "My ordinary train is no greater than of necessity, being augmented by some young gentlemen, whereof one is Sir Nicholas Throgmorton"s son, who was recommended to me by her Majesty, and, therefore, I could not refuse him. The others are so dear to me and the most part of them of such towardness, as my good hope of their doing well, and thereafter they will be able to serve their Prince and country, persuades me to make so much to excuse my folly as to entreat you to use your favour in my allowance for my transportations, my charges being increased by these extraordinary occasions."
Francis Bacon was one of this group of young gentlemen. Rawley states that "after he had pa.s.sed the circle of the liberal arts, his father thought fit to frame and mould him for the arts of state; and for that end sent him over into France with Sir Amyas Paulet then employed Amba.s.sador lieger into France."
There are grounds for believing that Bacon"s literary activity had commenced before he left England. There is abundant evidence to prove that it was the custom at this period for authors who desired to conceal their authorship to subst.i.tute for their own names, initials or the names of others on the t.i.tle-pages. Two instances will suffice: "The Arte of English Poesie" was published in 1589, but written several years previously. The author says:--"I know very many notable Gentlemen in the Court that have written commendably, and suppressed it agayne, or els suffred it to be publisht without their owne names to it as if it were a discredit for a Gentleman to seeme learned, and to shew himself amorous of any learned Art." There is a bare-faced avowal of how names were placed on t.i.tle-pages in a letter which exists from Henry Cuffe to Mr.
Reynolds. Cuffe, an Oxford scholar of distinction, was a close companion and confidant of Ess.e.x. After the capture and sacking of Cadiz by Ess.e.x and Howard, the former deemed it important that his version of the affair should be the first to be published in England. Cuffe, therefore, started off post haste with the ma.n.u.script, but was taken ill on his arrival at Portsmouth, and could not proceed. He despatched the ma.n.u.script by a messenger with a letter to "Good Mr. Reynoldes," who was a private Secretary of Ess.e.x. He was to cause a transcript to be made and have it delivered to some good printer, in good characters and with diligence to publish it. Reynoldes was to confer with Mr. Greville (Fulke Greville, afterwards Lord Brooke) "whether he can be contented to suffer the two first letters of his name to be used in the inscription."
"If he be unwilling," adds Cuffe, "you may put R.B. which some no doubt will interprete to be Beale, but it skills not." That this was a common practice is admitted by those acquainted with Elizabethan literature. If any of Bacon"s writings were published prior to the trifle which appeared in 1597 as Essaies, his name was suppressed, and it would be probable some other name would appear on the t.i.tle-page. There is a translation of a cla.s.sical author, bearing date 1572, which is in the Baconian style, but which need not be claimed for him without further investigation.
The following suggestion is put forward with all diffidence, but after long and careful investigation. Francis Bacon was the author of two books which were published, one before he left England, and the other shortly after. The first is a philosophical discourse ent.i.tled "The Anatomie of the Minde." Newlie made and set forth by T.R. Imprinted at London by I.C. for Andrew Maunsell, 1576, 12mo. The dedication is addressed to Master Christopher Hatton, and the name of Tho. Rogers is attached to it. There was a Thomas Rogers who was Chaplain to Archbishop Bancroft, and the book has been attributed to him, apparently only because no other of the same name was known. There was published in 1577 a translation by Rogers of a Latin book "Of the Ende of the World, etc."
and there are other translations by him published between then and 1628.
There are several sermons, also, but the style of these, the matter, and the manner of treatment are quite distinct from those of the book under consideration. There is nothing of his which would support the a.s.signment to him of "The Anatomie of the Mind." It is foreign to his style.
Having regard to the acknowledged custom of the times of putting names other than the author"s on t.i.tle-pages, there is no need for any apology for expressing doubt as to whether the book has been correctly placed to the credit of the Bishop Bancroft"s chaplain. In the address To the Reader the author says: "I dyd once for my profite in the Universitie, draw into Latin tables, which since for thy profite (Christian Reader) at the request of a gentleman of good credite and worship, I have Englished and published in these two books." There is in existence a copy of the book with the printer"s and other errors corrected in Bacon"s own handwriting.
Bearing date 1577, imprinted at London for Henri c.o.c.kyn, is an octavo book styled, _"Beautiful Blossoms" gathered by John Byshop from the best trees of all kyndes, Divine, Philosophicall, Astronomicall, Cosmographical, Historical and Humane that are growing in Greece, Latium, and Arabia, and some also in vulgar orchards as wel fro these that in auncient time were grafted, as also from them which with skilful head and hand beene of late yeare"s, yea, and in our dayes planted: to the unspeakable, both pleasure and profite of all such as wil vouchsafe to use them._ On the t.i.tle-page are the words, "The First Tome," but no further volume was published. As to who or what John Byshop was there is no information available. His name appears on no other book. The preface is a gem of musical sounding words. It contains the sentence, "let them pa.s.s it over and read the rest which are all as plaine as Dunstable Way." Bacon"s home was within a few miles of Dunstable Way, which was the local term for the main road.
It is impracticable here to give at length the grounds upon which it is believed that Francis Bacon was the author of these two books. Each of them is an outpouring of cla.s.sical lore, and is evidently written by some young man who had recently a.s.similated the writings of nearly every cla.s.sical author. In this respect both correspond with the manner of "The French Academie," to which the attention of the reader will shortly be directed, whilst in "The Anatomie of the Minde" the treatment of the subject is identical with that in the latter. Failing actual proof, the circ.u.mstantial evidence that the two books are from the same pen is almost as strong as need be.
Some time in October, 1576, Sir Amyas Paulet would reach Paris, accompanied by Bacon. The only fragment of information which is given by his biographers of any occurrence during his stay there is obtained from Rawley. He states that "Sir Amias Paulet after a while held him fit to be entrusted with some message, or advertis.e.m.e.nt to the Queen, which having performed with great approbation, he returned back into France again with intention to continue for some years there." In his absence in France, his father, the Lord Keeper, died. This was in February, 1578-9. If he returned shortly after news of his father"s death reached him, his stay on the Continent would cover about two and a-half years.
As to what he was doing nothing is known, but Pierre Amboise states that "France, Italy, and Spain as the most civilised nations of the whole world were those whither his desire for Knowledge carried him."
FOOTNOTES:
[8] It was to Sir Amias that the custody of Mary Queen of Scots was committed.
CHAPTER VI.
BACON"S "TEMPORIS PARTUS MAXIMUS."
Francis Bacon was at Blois with Sir Amias Paulet in 1577. In the same year was published the first edition of the first part of "Academie Francoise par Pierre de la Primaudaye Esceuyer, Seignor dudict lieu et de la Barree, Gentilhomme ordinaire de la chambre du Roy." The dedication, dated February, 1577 (_i.e._, 1578) is addressed, "Au Tres-chrestien Roy de France et de Polongne Henry III. de ce nom." The first English translation, by T. B., was "published in 1586[9], imprinted at London by Edmund Bollifant for G. Bishop and Ralph Newbery." Other parts of "The Academy" followed at intervals of years, but the first and only complete edition in English bears date 1618, and was printed for Thomas Adams. Over the dedication is the well-known archer emblem. It is a thick folio volume, with 1,038 pages double columns. It may be termed the first Encyclopaedia which appeared in any language, and is, perhaps, one of the most remarkable productions of the Elizabethan era. Little is known of Pierre de la Primaudaye. The particulars for his biography in the "Biographie Nationale" seem to have been taken from references made to the author in the "French Academie"
itself. In the French Edition, 1580, there is a portrait of a man, and under it the words "Anag. de L"auth. Par la priere Dieu m"ayde." The following is an extract from the dedication:--
"The dinner of that prince of famous memorie, was a second table of Salomon, vnto which resorted from euerie nation such as were best learned, that they might reape profit and instruction. Yours, Sir, being compa.s.sed about with those, who in your presence daily discourse of, and heare discoursed many graue and goodly matters, seemeth to be a schoole erected to teach men that are borne to vertue. And for myselfe, hauing so good hap during the a.s.semblie of your Estates at Blois, as to be made partaker of the fruit gathered thereof, it came in my mind to offer vnto your Maiestie a dish of diuers fruits, which I gathered in a Platonicall garden or orchard, otherwise called an ACADEMIE, where I was not long since with certaine yoong Gentlemen of Aniou my companions, discoursing togither of the inst.i.tution in good maners, and of the means how all estates and conditions may liue well and happily. And although a thousand thoughts came then into my mind to hinder my purpose, as the small authoritie, which youth may or ought to haue in counsell amongst ancient men: the greatnes of the matter subject, propounded to be handled by yeeres of so small experience; the forgetfulness of the best foundations of their discourses, which for want of a rich and happie memorie might be in me: my iudgement not sound ynough, and my profession vnfit to set them downe in good order: briefly, the consideration of your naturall disposition and rare vertue, and of the learning which you receiuve both by reading good authors, and by your familiar communication with learned and great personages that are neere about your Maiestie (whereby I seemed to oppose the light of an obscure day, full of clouds and darkness, to the bright beames of a very cleere shining sonne, and to take in hand, as we say, to teach Minerua). I say all these reasons being but of too great weight to make me change my opinion, yet calling to mind manie goodlie and graue sentences taken out of sundry Greeke and Latine Philosophers, as also the woorthie examples of the liues of ancient Sages and famous men, wherewith these discourses were inriched, which might in delighting your n.o.ble mind renew your memorie with those notable sayings in the praise of vertue and dispraise of vice, which you alwaies loued to heare: and considering also that the bounty of Artaxerxes that great Monarke of the Persians was reuiued in you, who receiued with a cheerfull countenance a present of water of a poore laborer, when he had no need of it, thinking to be as great an act of magnanimitie to take in good part, and to receiue cheerfully small presents offered with a hartie and good affection, as to giue great things liberally, I ouercame whatsoeuer would haue staied me in mine enterprise."
It appears, therefore, that the author by good hap was a visitor at the Court of Henry III. when at Blois; that he was there studying with certain young gentlemen of Anjou, his companions; that he was a youth, and of years of small experience; that his memory might not be sufficiently rich and happy, his judgment not enough, and his profession unfit in recording the discourses of himself and his companions.
"The Author to the Reader" is an essay on Philosophy, every sentence in which seems to have the same familiar sound as essays which subsequently appeared under another name. The contents of the several chapters are enumerated thus: "Of Man," "Of the Body and Soule," etc.
The first chapter contains a description of how the "Academie" came about. An ancient wise gentleman of great calling having spent the greater part of his years in the service of two kings, and of his country, France, for many and good causes had withdrawn himself to his house. He thought that to content his mind, which always delighted in honest and vertuous things, he could not bring greater profit to the Monarchie of France, than to lay open and preserve and keep youth from the corruption which resulted from the over great license and excessive liberty granted to them in the Universities. He took unto his house four young gentlemen, with the consent of their parents who were distinguished n.o.blemen. After he had shown these young men the first grounds of true wisdom, and of all necessary things for their salvation, he brought into his house a tutor of great learning and well reported of his good life and conversation, to whom he committed their instruction.
After teaching them the Latin tongue and some smattering of Greek he propounded for their chief studies the moral philosophy of ancient sages and wise men, together with the understanding and searching out of histories which are the light of life. The four fathers, desiring to see what progress their sons had made, decided to visit them. And because they had small skill in the Latin tongue, they determined to have their children discourse in their own natural tongue of all matters that might serve for the instruction and reformation of every estate and calling, in such order and method as they and their master might think best. It was arranged that they should meet in a walking place covered over with a goodly green arbour, and daily, except Sundays, for three weeks, devote two hours in the morning and two hours after dinner to these discourses, the fathers being in attendance to listen to their sons. So interesting did these discussions become that the period was often extended to three or four hours, and the young men were so intent upon preparation for them that they would not only bestow the rest of the days, but oftentimes the whole night, upon the well studying of that which they proposed to handle. The author goes on to say:--"During which time it was my good hap to be one of the companie when they began their discourses, at which I so greatly wondered that I thought them worthy to be published abroad." From this it would appear that the author was a visitor, privileged, with the four fathers and the master, to listen to the discourses of these four young men. But, a little further on the position is changed; one of the four young men is, without any explanation, ignored, and his father disappointed! For the author takes his place, as will be seen from the following extract:--
"And thus all fower of us followed the same order daily until everie one in his course had intreated according to appointment, both by the precepts of doctrine, as also by the examples of the lives of ancient Sages and famous men, of all things necessary for the inst.i.tution of manners and happie life of all estates and callings in this French Monarchie. But because I knowe not whether, in naming my companions by their proper names, supposing thereby to honour them as indeede they deserve it, I should displease them (which thing I would not so much as thinke) I have determined to do as they that play on a Theater, who under borrowed maskes and disguised apparell, do represent the true personages of those whom they have undertaken to bring on the stage. I will therefore call them by names very agreeable to their skill and nature: the first ASER which signifieth _Felicity_: the second AMANA which is as much to say as _Truth_: the third ARAM which noteth to us _Highness_; and to agree with them as well in name as in education and behaviour. I will name myself ACHITOB[10] which is all one with _Brother of goodness_. Further more I will call and honour the proceeding and finishing of our sundry treatises and discourses with this goodlie and excellent t.i.tle of Academie, which was the ancient and renowned school amongst the Greek Philosophers, who were the first that were esteemed, and that the place where Plato, Xenophon, Poleman, Xenocrates, and many other excellent personages, afterward called Academicks, did propound & discourse of all things meet for the instruction and teaching of wisdome: wherein we purposed to followe them to our power, as the sequele of our discourses shall make good proofe."
And then the discourses commence.
"Love"s Labour"s Lost" was published in 1598, and was the first quarto upon which the name of Shakespeare was printed. The t.i.tle-page states that it is "newly corrected and augmented," from which it may be inferred that there was a previous edition, but no copy of such is known. The commentators are in practical agreement that it was probably the first play written by the dramatist.
There are differences of opinion as to the probable date when it was written. Richard Grant White believes this to be not later than 1588, Knight gives 1589, but all this is conjecture.
The play opens with a speech by Ferdinand:--
"Let Fame that all hunt after in their lives, Live registred upon our brazen Tombes, And then grace us, in the disgrace of death: When spight of cormorant devouring time, Th" endevour of this present breath may buy: That honour which shall bate his sythes keene edge, And make us heyres of all eternitie.
Therefore brave Conquerours, for so you are, That warre against your own affections, And the huge Armie of the worlds desires.
Our late Edict shall strongly stand in force, Navar shall be the wonder of the world.
Our Court shall be a little Achademe, Still and contemplative in living Art.
You three, Berowne, Doumaine, and Longavill, Have sworne for three yeeres terme, to live with me, My fellow Schollers, and to keepe those statutes That are recorded in this schedule heere.
Your oathes are past, and now subscribe your names; That his owne hand may strike his honour downe, That violates the smallest branch heerein: If you are arm"d to doe, as sworne to do, Subscribe to your deepe oathes, and keepe it to."
Four young men in the French "Academie" a.s.sociated together, as in "Love"s Labour Lost," to war against their own affections and the whole army of the world"s desires. Dumaine, in giving his acquiescence to Ferdinand, ends:--
"To love, to wealth, to pompe, I pine and die With all these living in Philosophie."
Philosophie was the subject of study of the four young men to the "Academie."
Berowne was a visitor, for he says:--
"I only swore to study with your grace And stay heere in your Court for three yeeres" s.p.a.ce."
Upon his demurring to subscribe to the oath as drawn, Ferdinand retorts:--
Well, sit you out: go home, Berowne: adue."
To which Berowne replies:--
No, my good lord; I have sworn to stay with you."
Achitob was a visitor at the Academie in France. There are other points of resemblance, but sufficient has been said to warrant consideration of the suggestion that the French "Academie" contains the serious studies of the four young men whose experiences form the subject of the play.
The parallels between pa.s.sages in the Shakespeare plays and the French "Academie" are numerous, but they form no part of the present contention.
One of these may, however, be mentioned. In the third Tome the following pa.s.sage occurs[11]:--
Psal. xix.: "It is not without cause that the Prophet said (The heavens declare the glory of G.o.d, and the earth sheweth the workes of his handes) For thereby he evidently teacheth, as with the finger even to our eies, the great and admirable providence of G.o.d their Creator; even as if the heavens should speake to anyone. In another place it is written (Eccles. xliii.): (This high ornament, this cleere firmament, the beauty of the heaven so glorious to behold, tis a thing full of Majesty)."
On turning to the revised version of the Bible it will be found that the first verse is thus translated: "The pride of the height, the cleare firmament the beauty of heaven with his glorious shew." The rendering of the text in "The French Academy" is strongly suggestive of Hamlet"s famous soliloquy. "This most excellent canopy, this brave o"erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fritted with golden fire, why it appears to me no other than a foul and pestilent congregation of vapours." The author has forsaken the common-place rendering of the Apocrypha, and has adopted the same declamatory style which Shakespeare uses. It is strongly reminiscent of Hamlet"s famous speech, Act II., scene ii.