PREFACE. 13 



the works of this philosopher may, without inter 

 fering with academical studies, be deemed deserving 

 the consideration of our universities, framed, as they 

 so wisely are, for the diffusion of the knowledge of 

 our predecessors. Perhaps some opulent member of 

 the university, when considering how he may extend 

 to future times the blessings which he has enjoyed in 

 his pilgrimage, may think that in the University of 

 Cambridge, a Verulamian Professorship might be 

 productive of good : but these expectations may be 

 the illusions of a lover ; and it is not given to man to 

 love and to be wise. There are, however, pleasures 

 of which nothing can bereave me ; the consciousness 

 that I have endeavoured to render some assistance to 

 science and to the profession, the noble intellectual 

 profession of which I am a member. How deeply, how 

 gratefully do I feel; with what a lofty spirit and 

 sweet content do I think of the constant kindness of 

 my many, many friends. 



And now, for the last time, I use the words of 

 Lord Bacon, &quot; Being at some pause, looking back 

 into that I have passed through, this writing seemeth 

 to me, si nunquam fallit imago, as far as a man 

 can judge of his own work, not much better than the 

 noise or sound which musicians make while they are 

 tuning their instruments, which is nothing pleasant 

 to hear, but yet is a cause why the music is sweeter 

 afterwards : so have I been content to tune the 

 instruments of the muses, that they may play that 

 have better hands.&quot; 



To posterity and distant ages Bacon bequeathed 

 his good name, and posterity and distant ages will 



