Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

134 FBANCIS BACON
and temperately, he was at one time forced to get help from the
Jews. Though Anthony was hetter off and able to help him,
Francis could hardly contrive to live as a gentleman and at the
same time to publish and carry forward scientific researches as we
find him doing. Anthony was performing the part of secretary
to the Earl of Essex, a work in which his brother shared, Anthony
writing his letters and drafting his despatches to secret agents
in foreign lands ; Francis aiding him in getting information, and
in steering his course through the shifting sands of the political
stream. He drew up for Essex that remarkable paper on his
conduct at court, which should have been the rule, and would
certainly have been the salvation, of his life. 1 These services,
occasional on the part of Francis, daily on the part of Anthony,
led them into expenses which they ought to have been repaid.
No salary had been fixed for Francis, but Anthony was to have
received a thousand pounds a year, none of which was ever
paid him. 2 It was probably on account of the large outstanding
debt to the brothers that Essex sued to the Queen for the places
of Solicitor-General or Attorney-General for Francis Bacon. It is
probable that, had it not been for his interference, Bacon would at
this time have been appointed to the former of these offices. But
the injudicious and arrogant behaviour of Essex, which was a
constant subject of remonstrance from Bacon, now again destroyed
Bacon's hopes of obtaining a substantial position and
means of livelihood. The Queen would not be driven, nor suspected
of bestowing offices at the bidding of her fascinating but
troublesome kinsman. Bacon was again passed over, and retired
much hurt, and feeling disgraced in the eyes of the world,
to Twickenham, where, perhaps, he employed himself in writing
some of his comedies. For in consequence, perhaps, of this
episode, or in part payment of his large debt to the brothers, Essex
granted Francis a piece of land worth about £1,800, adjoining
the estate of his half-brother, Edward Bacon, at Twickenham.
i Hepworth Dixon, Story, p. 53. Ath. Cant. ii. 315. Devereux, Lives of
the Earls of Essex, i. 277. Sydney Papers, i. 360.
2 It is very probable in view of the Rosicrucian rules, which we shall consider
further on, that the Bacons would not be paid for this work.