LIFE OF BACON. 



CHAPTER I. 



FROM HIS BIRTH TILL THE DEATH OF HIS FATHER. 



1560 to 1580. 



FRANCIS BACON was born at York-House,O) in the Strand, 1560-1. 

 on the 22nd of January, 1560. He was the youngest son of H 

 Sir Nicholas Bacon, and of Anne, a daughter of the learned 

 and contemplative Sir Anthony Cooke, tutor to King 

 Edward the Sixth, (b) 



Of Sir Nicholas, it has been said, that he was a man 

 full of wit and wisdom, a learned lawyer, and a true 

 gentleman; of a mind the most comprehensive to sur 

 round the merits of a cause ; of a memory to recollect its 

 least circumstance ; * of the deepest search into affairs of 

 any man at the council table, and of a personal dignity so 

 well suited to his other excellencies, that his royal mis 

 tress was wont to say, &quot; My Lord keeper s soul is well 

 lodged.&quot; (c) 



He was still more fortunate in the rare qualities of his 

 mother,(d) for Sir Anthony Cooke, acting upon his favorite 



(a) See note A at the end. (6) See note B at the end. 



* &quot; He who cannot contract his sight as well as dilate it,, wanteth a 

 great faculty ;&quot; says Lord Bacon. 



(c) See note C at the end. (d) See note D at the end. 



VOL. XV. b 



