CC LIFE OF BACON. 



as a man well deserving, and of able gifts to become profit 

 able in the church ; and there being fallen within my gift 

 the rectory of Frome St. Quintin with the chapel of Ever- 

 shot, in Dorsetshire, which seems to be a thing of good 

 value, eighteen pounds in the king s books, and in a good 

 country, I have thought good to make offer of it to you ; 

 the rather for that you are of Trinity college, whereof my 

 self was some time ; and my purpose is to make choice of 

 men rather by care and inquiry, than by their own suits 

 and commendatory letters. So I bid you farewell. 



From your loving friend, FR. BACON, C. S.&quot; 

 From Dorset House, 23rd April, 1617. 



Upon sending to Buckingham his patent for creating 

 him a viscount, he says, &quot; I recommend unto you prin 

 cipally, that which I think was never done since I was 

 born, and which, because it is not done, hath bred almost 

 a wilderness and solitude in the King s service ; which is 

 that you countenance and encourage, and advance able 

 men, in all kinds, degrees, and professions. For in the 

 time of the Cecils, the father and the son, able men were 

 by design and of purpose suppressed ; and though of late 

 choice goeth better, both in church and commonwealth, 

 yet money and time-serving, and cunning canvasses and 

 importunity prevaileth too much. And in places of mo 

 ment, rather make able and honest men yours, than advance 

 those that are otherwise, because they are yours.&quot; 



And in his appointment of judges, it will be seen that he 

 was influenced only by an anxiety to select the greatest 

 ability and integrity, &quot; science and conscience,&quot; (#) for these 

 important trusts. 



In the exercise of this virtue there was not any merit 

 peculiar to Bacon. It was the common sympathy for 



(a) Fuller. 



