Sir Francis Bacon's Journals - Sir Francis Bacon's New ...

Lochithea 87To Portugal and D. Antonio, elect King, thrust out by the King of Spain, of forty-fi ve yearsof age, a mild spirit, sober and discreet: he is now in France, where he has levied soldiers,whereof part are embarked, hoping by the favour of that King, and the good will thePortugals, do bear him, to be restored again.To Poland and its King, Stephen Batoaye, a Baron of Hungary, by the favour of the Turkchosen King of the Pollacks, after the escape made by the French King; a Prince of thegreatest value and courage of any at this day, of competent years, suffi cient wisdom, thewhich he has showed in the siege of Danske, and the wards with the Moscovite. He toleratesall religions; himself heareth the mass, but is not thought to be a Papist: he had agreat part of his education in Turke, after served the last Emperor.To Denmark and Frederic II., of forty-eight years, King of Denmark and Norway; the chiefestabout him, Nicolas Cose his chancellor, in whose counsel he dose much repose. He hasalways 800 horse about his Court, to whom he gives ten dolars the month. His navy of sixgreat ships of 1.500 ton, and fi fteen smaller, ten galleys with sail to pass the Straits.To Sweden and John, King, son of Gustavus. He is advised by no council, but governethaltogether like a tyrant. Religion nearest the Greek Church, full of supersition andidolatry.Dr. Dee did speak these words: he hath dreamed of his death, and afterward hisbowels taken out; he walked and talked with diverse, and among other with the LordTreasurer who was come to his house to burn his books when he was dead, and thoughthe looked sourly on him. It may well appear that Dr. Dee overshoots for his books, howsoeverhe causes his dreams and noises in his chambers to be on the appearance of thesun that hath crept in between the day of Christ his birth regarding the place of the sun,and which a civil equation, but mathematically and religiously to be substantiated to befor the true term of the periods of annual revolutions of the sun since the day of Christhis birth. 166A successful sweep hath been organised: a general Act in punishing the vagrant hasbeen applied since 1572; therefore, stateth uncle Burghley, a net over a hundred rogues ofwhom only twelve come from London. 167 My self should be included to allow for thirteenvagrants who come from London; my European journey thoroughly gnaws my pockets; Itry consoling myself: riches are a good handmaid, but the worst mistress. 168’Tis time: I graduate from Gray’s Inn and am called upon to the Bar as Utter Barristerof Gray’s Inn. There is an aghast publication of a virulent attack upon the Earl of Leicester,his licentious life and unbridled ambitions that arrive in England. The publication fi rstappears abroad, and is promptly attributed to the Jesuits, prominent Romish religious166167168Halliwell: The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee, 1842See Liza Picard: Elizabeth’s London, 2003Francis Bacon: The Dignity and Advancement of Learning, book vi