CXX11 LIFE OF BACON. 



When speaking of the error of common minds retiring 

 from active life, he says, &quot; Pythagoras, being asked what 

 he was, answered, that if Hiero were ever at the Olympic 

 games, he knew the manner, that some came as merchants 

 to utter their commodities, and some came to make good 

 cheer, and some came to look on, and that he was one of 

 them that came to look on ; but men must know, that in 

 this theatre of man s life, it is reserved only for God and 

 angels to be lookers-on.&quot; (c) So, when explaining the danger 

 to which intellect is exposed of running out into sensuality 

 on its retirement from active life, he says, in another work, (a) 

 &quot; When I was chancellor I told Gondomar, the Spanish 

 ambassador, that I would willingly forbear the honour to 

 get rid of the burthen ; that I had always a desire to lead 

 a private life. Gondomar answered, that he would tell 

 me a tale ; My lord, there was once an old rat that would 

 needs leave the world : he acquainted the young rats that 

 he would retire into his hole, and spend his days in soli- 



Of his quick objects hath the mind no part, 



Nor his own vision holds what it doth catch ; 



For if it see the rud st or gentlest sight, 



The most sweet favour, or deform st creature, 



The mountain or the sea, the day or night, 



The crow, or dove, it shapes them to your feature. 

 Incapable of more, replete with you, 

 My most true mind thus maketh mine untrue.&quot; 



So too, Fuller, speaking of the divine, says, &quot; His similes and illus 

 trations are alwaies familiar, never contemptible. Indeed reasons are the 

 pillars of the fabric of a sermon, but similitudes are the windows which 

 give the best lights.&quot; 



I somewhere, but where I forget, have read that the mind of a celebrated 

 divine was first excited to religious meditation by some Dutch tiles which 

 ornamented the fireplace in his nursery. 



(c) Advancement of Learning, vol. ii. p. 275. 

 () See vol. i. pp. 347 and 454. 



