48 BACON'S ESSAYS 



hath a dependance of foreign authority ; or where the 

 churchmen come in and are elected, not by the collation of 

 the king, or particular patrons, but by the people. 



For their Nobles ; to keep them at a distance, it is not 

 amiss ; but to depress them, may make a king more 

 absolute, but less safe ; and less able to perform any thing 

 that he desires. I have noted it in my History of King 

 Henry the Seventh of England, who depressed his nobility; 

 whereupon it came to pass that his times were full of 

 difficulties and troubles ; for the nobility, though they 

 continued loyal unto him, yet did they not co-operate with 

 him in his business. So that in effect he was fain to do all 

 things himself. 



For their Second-Nobles; there is not much danger from 

 them, being a body dispersed. They, may sometimes dis- 

 course high, but that doth little hurt ; besides, they are a 

 counterpoise to the higher nobility, that they grow not too 

 potent ; and, lastly, being the most immediate in authority 

 with the common people, they do best temper popular 

 commotions. 



For their Merchants ; they are vena porta ; and if they 

 flourish not, a kingdom may have good limbs, but will 

 have empty veins, and nourish little. Taxes and imposts 

 upon them do seldom good to the king's revenue ; for 

 that that he wins in the hundred he leeseth in the shire ; 

 the particular rates being increased, but the total bulk of 

 trading rather decreased. 



For their Commons ; there is little danger from them, 

 except it be where they have great and potent heads ; or 

 where you meddle with the point of religion, or their 

 customs, or means of life. 



For their Men of War ; it is a dangerous state where 

 they live and remain in a body, and are used to donatives ; 

 whereof we see examples in the janizaries, and pretorian 

 bands of Rome ; but trainings of men, and arming them in 

 several places, and under several commanders, and without 

 donatives, are things of defence, and no danger. 



Princes are like to heavenly bodies, which cause good or 

 evil times ; and which have much veneration, but no rest. 



