PREFACE xix 



combination of philosoplier and orator which consti- 

 tutes the essence of Bacon's style, with its masculine 

 and clear expression, its weight and dignity, its force 

 and authority, its wealth of thought and richness of 

 diction, and, over all, its philosophic calm and philan- 

 thropy, born of knowledge and love of mankind. 



This is not to say that Bacon was perfect. As a 

 man he waa very far from it. In philosophy, his 

 judicious realism would satisfy neither modern 

 materialism nor modern idealism. Even his style 

 to our ears may sound too pedantic and oracular : his 

 own mother spoke of his ' enigmatical folded writing ' ^. 

 But, after all, what books, if not Bacon's Essays and 

 Bacon's Advancement of Learning, are to be placed 

 first among specimens of English prose, for combined 

 matter and style, for the truest thoughts expressed in 

 the grandest language, for the light of science regu- 

 lated by the law of eloquence ? 



' Lady Bacon in a letter to his brother Anthony. 



