Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

AND HIS SECRET SOCIETY. 55
James. " (Macaulay, 336, 317, 429; Campbell, pp. 3, 5, 25, etc.;
Sortaine, 93, etc.)
Generous, open-hearted — Regardless of money, place or pomp,
for their own sakes.
11 1 will hereafter write to your lordship what I think of that
supply; to the end that you may, as you have begun, to your
great honour, despise money where it crosseth reason of state or
virtue. "
(Francis Bacon to Villiers, Nov. 29, 1616.) i
" Money is like muck — not good except it be spread. " (Essay
of Seditions. See Essays, Riches, Expense, etc.)
" To his easy liberality in the spending, was added a carelessness
in the keeping, which would be hardly credible, " etc.
Spedding, L. L. vii. 563, etc.)
(See
Basil Montagu, Prof. Fowler, Hepworth Dixon, Storr, all
bear the same witness.
" He was most desirous to obtain a provision which might
enable him to devote himself to literature aud politics. . . . His
wishes were moderate." (Maeaulay, 298.)
He strove for money, position, etc., that by their means he
might advance learning, science, and religion. (Anthony Bacon's
correspondence. Dr. Rawley, Basil Montagu, Spedding, Fowler,
Craik, Abbott, Wigston, etc.)
" Having all the thoughts of that large heart of his set upon
adorning the age in which he lives, and benefiting, as far as possible,
the whole human race." (Sir T. Matthew's preface to an
Italian translation of the Essays.)
He was successful in his endeavours after loealth and place.
" During a long course of years Bacon's unworthy ambition
was crowned with success. ... He was elated if not intoxicated
by greatness." (Macaulay, 336, 347, etc.) "Bacon deliberately
sat down to build his fortunes . . . and, as we shall see,
succeeded." The truth is, admiration for place and power had
dazzled his intellect and confounded his judgment. (Dr. Abbott's
introduction to Essays.)
1 Compare Coriolanus, ii. 3. Money or wealth " the much of the world."