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

Lochithea 147those Apes imitate your past excellence, and never more acquaint them with your admiredinventions.I know the best husband of you all will never prove an usurer, and the kindest of themall will never seek you a kind nurse: yet whilst you may, seek you better Master; for it ispity men of such rare wits, should be subject to the pleasure of such rude grooms.*And so much for Robert Greene. This is a most probable year of my good servant andsecretary’s birth, Sir Thomas Meautys, K.B., of whom I shall have the privilege, in myelder years, to know this gent of intimate friendship and of his loyal service to a friendshould be. 21 In the meantime, I may do well to dwell into writing a pamphlet entitled: AConference of Pleasure, 22 defending my uncle Burghley, as Anthony cometh from beyond theseas; being a gentleman whose ability the world takes knowledge of for matters of State,specially foreign. I do likewise knit his service to be at Essex’ disposing. 23 I commendEssex as Xenophon commended the State of his country; which was this: that having chosenthe worst form of government of all others, they governed the best in that kind. Hoc,pace, et venia tuâ, according to my charter. Anthony agrees to acquaint Essex. I am desirousfor mine own better satisfaction of which had me indebted to Essex as I returneth toParliament for Middlesex, a wealthy shire in England, and rise immensely at Brentford tospeak to free holders who knoweth my name. Mother hasteth not in writing to Anthony:“I am glad and thank God of your amendment; but my man said he heard you rose at threeof the clock. I thought that was not well, so suddenly from bedding much, to rise so earlynewly out of your diet. Extremities be hurtful to whole, more to the sickly. If you be notwise and discreet for your diet and seasoning of your doings, you will be weakish I fear agood while. Be wise and Godly too, and discern what is good and what not for your health.Avoid extremities. What a great folly were it in you to take cold to hinder your amendment,being not compelled, but upon voluntary indiscretion, seeing the cost of physic ismuch, your pain long, and your amendment slow, and your duty not yet done. Give noneoccasion by negligence. You go, as is commonly said, of your own errands. Your man formoney, and somebody else for their vain credit, will work you but displeasure and loss, andthey have thanks. Learn to be wise in things of this sort, and do nothing rashly. In haste.Late this Sabbath. Farewell. Take care of your health and please God.”Francis Bacon Essay XXX: Of Regiment of Health.There is a wisdom in this beyond the rules of physic: a man’s own observation, what hefi nds good of, and what he fi nds hurt of, is the best physic to preserve health. But it is asafer conclusion to say, This agreeth not well with me, therefore I will not continue it; than212223A. Chambers Bunten: Sir Thomas Meautys, Secretary to Lord Bacon, and his friends, 1918The pamphlet was published in 1870. According to Dixon, it was never referred to in his lettersto Burghley, in 1592, when in urgent need for a promotionExtract from The Apology of Francis Bacon