Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

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80 FRANCIS BACON
Bacon's enlarged view of church controversies. ... In
thus stating his comprehensiveness of charity, we must again
add that it was most remote from indifferentism." (Rev. J. Sortain.)
This is the same author who shows in the same book (Life
of Francis Bacon) that Bacon's weak point was want of religion
and earnest faith.
Amongst the many proofs of the intense admiration and
affection, esteem and reverence, which Francis Bacon inspired
in those who were personally intimate with him, none are more
satisfactory than those contained in the voluminous, but still
unpublished, correspondence of Anthony Bacon, in the library at
Lambeth Palace.
Here we find him spoken of as "Monsieur le Doux, " and
" Signor Dolce;" his extreme kindness, sweetness of disposition
and heavenly-mindedness being continual subjects of comment.
His followers and disciples vow fidelity to him from simple love
of him and his cause ; they are willing to go through the greatest
perils and sufferings, as indeed we find them doing, in order
to aid in the objects and plans which are most dear to him
the propagation of Christian truth and of a wide-spread and
liberal education. 1
11
For my name and memory, I leave it to men's charitable
speeches, and to foreign nations and the next ages; " or, as in
another copy of his will, " and to mine own countrymen, after
some time be past."
These prophetic words seem now to be in process of fulfilment.
Englishmen must regret that with " foreign nations"
lies the honour of first and fully appreciating the genius
of Francis Bacon, and of being the first willing or eager
to hear, and to investigate the claims which have been
brought forward with regard to his authorship of the " Shakespeare
Plays. " What Dr. Rawley said in 1637 is true even now:
" His fame is greater and sounds louder in foreign parts abroad,
than at home in his own nation ; thereby verifying that divine
l The following is reprinted from a little pamphlet published by the present
writer in 1884.