CCCXCIV LIFK OF BACON. 



During the progress of the work considerable expectation 

 of his history was excited : (a) in the composition of which 

 he seems to have laboured with much anxiety, and to 

 have submitted his manuscript to the correction of various 

 classes of society ; to the King, (6) to scholars, and to the 



realm; and for all offences of praemunire ; and for all misprisions, riots, &c. 

 with a restitution of all his lands and goods forfeited by reason of any the 

 premises; except out of the same pardon all treasons, murders, rapes, 

 incest; and except also all fines, imprisonments, penalties, and forfeitures 

 adjudged against the said Viscount St. Alban by a sentence lately made in 

 the parliament. Teste Rege apud Westm. 17 die Octob. anno Regni 

 suo 19. Per lettre de private sigillo. 



() Dr. Rawley, in his life of Bacon, says, &quot; His fame is greater, and 

 sounds louder in foreign parts abroad than at home, in his own nation ; 

 thereby verifying that divine sentence, a prophet is not without honour, 

 save in his own country and in his own house. Concerning which I will 

 give you a taste only, out of a letter written from Italy (the storehouse of 

 divine wits), to the late Earl of Devonshire, then the Lord Cavendish. 

 I will expect the new Essays of my Lord Chancellor Bacon, as also his 

 history, with a great deal of desire; and whatsoever else, he shall compose. 

 But in particular, of his history, I promise myself, a thing perfect, and 

 singular; especially in Henry the Seventh, where he may exercise the 

 talent of his divine understanding.&quot; 



(6) It appears by a letter from his faithful friend, Sir Thomas Meautys, 

 that the King did correct the manuscript. The letter is dated January 7, 

 1621-2, and directed to the Lord Viscount St. Alban. It contains the 

 following passage : &quot; Mr. Murray tells me, the King hath given your book 

 to my Lord Brooke, and enjoined him to read it, recommending it much 

 to him, and then my Lord Brooke is to return it to your lordship; and so 

 it may go to the press when your lordship pleases, with such amendments 

 as the King hath made, which I have seen and are very few, and those 

 rather words, as epidemic, and mild instead of debonnaire, &c. Only that 

 of persons attainted, enabled to serve in parliament by a bare reversal of 

 their attainder, the King by all means will have left out. I met with my 

 Lord Brooke, and told him that Mr. Murray had directed me to wait upon 

 him for the book when he had done with it. He desired to be spared this 

 week, as being to him a week of much business, and the next week I 

 should have it; and he ended in a compliment, that care should be taken, 

 by all means, for good ink and paper to print it in, for that the book 

 deserveth it. I beg leave to kiss your lordship s hands.&quot; 



