CHAPTER I.

bacon's "new ATLANTIS;" OR, "LAND OF THE ROSICRUCIANS."
" To come down hidden amongst crowds is sublime, To come down hidden amongst crowds from distant generations is doubly sublime." — De
QUINCEY.
If direct proof were necessary, that Bacon belonged, or was at the head of some secret society, it would seem as if the sort of proofs the sceptical world require were wanting. Yet just the sort of proof that the world cannot overlook, or blanch, is fortun- ately forthcoming in this case, — that is conclusive proof, given by almost a contemporary, not in a few words, but in an entire narrative, word for word, and line for line, with a few exceptions and changes, in names of places and people only. The " New Atlantis " of Bacon has always figured as a remarkable work, — but only to a very few minds, has it represented much beyond an ideal vision of an impossible Utopia or Eepublic. No doubt Masons have recognized signs of their craft in the College of the six days, in Solomon's House, and indeed Nicolai (an authority upon the subject) claims Bacon, not only to be the founder of modern Freemasonry, but a Rosicrucian. This we point out elsewhere. Nobody has ventured to deliberately affirm, that in the " New Atlantis," the society he hints at, is no other than the Bosicrucians themselves. The " New Atlantis " has been hitherto read as a visionary dream, but we now propose to place it before the public in a totally new light, as the secret society of men known by the name of the Bosicrucians, and of whom Bacon was probably the head. The discovery, we imagine, is so important, as to be impossible to over-estimate. For it throws a new light upon Bacon's life, his aims and his works, to say nothing that the so-called Shakespeare plays are included in the enigma. In our
2 BACONS " NE W ATLANTIS^
work, " A New Study of Shakespeare," we professed years ago, to have diseovered the Eosicrucian character of the plajrs and poems. So keenly did we feel this that it is the real under- current of the whole book, particularly hinted at in certain chapters. We propose, therefore, to now present the public with the proofs. And first as to their source and head.
In a recent work, entitled the " Real History of the Rosicru- cians," Mr A. E. Waite (the author), presents us with an examina- tion, of the historical grounds, upon which the society first came into notice. Amongst the apologists, or defenders of the Kosicru- cians, appears one John Heydon, whose works are well known to students of this class of subject. He appears to have been bom a gentleman, " descended from a noble family of London," and very far from being a likely person to indulge in imposture or romance, for the sake of notoriety or unworthy fame. We refer (for want of space) the reader to Mr Waiters interesting work, where he will find many curious things about Heydon. We now propose to give Heydon's " Voyage to the Land of the Rosicru- , cians/' side by side with Lord Bacon's "New Atlantis," whereby the extraordinary discovery will be made, that without an effort at disguise, these narratives go word for word, line by line, with each other, as perfect duplicates. The only difference existing, is that Heydon's Land is the Land of the Rosicru cians, and that a few names of places are altered.
Our first intention was to have given, the whole of Bacon's " New Atlantis," side by side with John Heydon's " Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians," and perhaps it had been better, if we could have effected this. But it would have added formidable dimensions to the plan of our work, and wearied the reader. There is no difference of any real importance as to text between the two narratives. The names are sometimes different — and the reader, has only to purchase Mr Waites " Real History of the Rosicrucians " and collate Heydon's narrative with Bacon's '' New Atlantis," to arrive at the conclusion they are identical narratives. It may be suggested, and of course will be suggested, that Heydon
BA CON'S ''NEW A TLANTIS. " 3
was an impostor, desiring to give importance, colouring, and romance, to the society to which he belonged, or pretended to belong, and seeking notoriety. Everything goes to contradict such a theory. In the "Life of John Heydon," written by Frederick Talbot, Esq., and prefixed to the "Wise Man's Crown," ^ we read : —
" John Heydon, the son of Francis and Mary Heydon, now of Sidmouth in Devonshire, is not basely but nobly descende^^. Antiquaries derive them from Julius Heydon, King of Hungaiy iuid Westphalia, that were descended from the noble family of Caesar Heydon in Eome, and since this royal race the line runs down to the Hon. Sir Christopher Heydon of Heydon, near North wick ; Sir John Heydon, late lord-lieutenant of the king's Tower of London, and the noble Chandlers in Worcestershire of the mother's side, which line spread by marriage into Devonshire, among the Collins, Ducks, Drues, and Bears. He had one sister, named Anne Heydon, who dyed two years since, his father and mother being yet living. He was born at his father's house in Green- Arbour, London, and baptized at S. Sepulchre's, and so was his sister, both in the fifth and seventh years of the reign of King Charles I, He was educated in Warwickshire, among his mother's friends, and so careful were they to keep him and his sister from danger, and to their books, that they had one continually to wait upon them, both to the school and at home.
" He was commended by Mr John Dennis, his tutor in Tardebick, to Mr George Linacre, priest of Cougheton, where he learned the Latine and Greek tongues. The war at this time began to molest the universities of this nation. He was then articled to Mr Michael Petty, au attorney at Clifford's Inn, with eighty pound, that at live years' end he should be sworn before Chief Justice EolL Being very young, he applyed his minde to learning, and by his happy wit, obtained great knowledge in all arts and sciences. Afterwards he followed the armies of the King, and for his valour commanded in the troops. When he was by these means famous for learning and arms, he travelled into Spain,
4 BA CON'S ''NEW A TLANTIS. "
Italy, Arabia, -^gypt, and Persia, gave his minde to writing, and composed, about twenty years since, 'The Harmony of the World.' "
His character appears to have been a high one, if we can believe this writer : —
" He writes now from Hermeapolis, a place I was never at. It seems, by the word, to be the City of Mercury, and truly he hath been in many strange places, among the Eosie Crucians, and at their castles, holy houses, temples, sepulchres, sacrifices ; all the world knows this gentleman studies honourable things, and faithfully communicates them to others ; yet, if any traduce him hereafter, they must not expect his vindication. He hath referred his quarrel to the God of Nature ; it is involved in the concern- ments of his truths, and he is satisfied with the peace of a good conscience. He hath been misinterpreted in his writing ; with studied calumnies, they disparage his person whom they nevir saw, nor perhaps will see. He is resolved for the future to suffer, for he says, *God condemns no man for his patience.' His enemies are forced to praise his vertue, and his friends are sorry he hath not ten thousand pounds a year. He doth not resent the common spleen ; and when the world shall submit to the general tribunal, he will find his advocate where they shall find their judge. Wh^ I writ this gentleman's life, God can bear me witness, it was unknown to him, and for no private ends. I was forced to it by a strong admiration of the mistery and majesty of Nature written by this servant of God and secretary of Nature. I began his life some years since, and do set it down as I do finde it. If any man oppose this I shall answer ; if you are for peace, peace be with you ; if you are for war, I have been so too (Mr Heydon doth resolve never to draw sword again in England, except the King command him). Now, let not him that puts on the armour boast like him that puts it off. Gaudd 2)atieniia duris is his motto, and thus I present myself a friend to all artists, and enemy to no man." We have made no particular selections from the "New Atlantis"
BA CON'S ''NEW A TLANTISr 5
of BacoD, or of Hejdon's narrative. Both the accounts might, and ought, to stand side by side, from first to last, and our choice is a random one, falling upon those paragraphs, which bring in the name of the Eosicrucians or Eosy Cross. It is to be hoped that the critic,- will at once test the truth of our statement at its fountain head, and convince himself without deky. It appears Hey don lived after Bacon. A study of his narrative in the original, will convince the critic Heydon was a fellow of the society, and knew what he was writing about. At least that is our belief
HeYDON's " VOTAOE TO THE
Land of the Eosicrucians."
"The morrow after our three dayes, tlfere came to us a new man, cloathed in azure, save that his turban was white with a small red crosse at the top. He had al80 a tippet of fine linnen. He did bend to us a little, and put his arms broad ; we saluting him in a very lowly manner. He de- sired to speak with some few of us, whereupon six onely stayed, and the rest avoided the room. He said : — * I am by office governour of this house of Btrangers, and by vocation a Christian priest of the Order of tlie Eosie Crosse, and am come to offer you my service, as strangers and chiefly as Christians. The State, hath given you licence to stay on land for the space of six weeks, and let it not trouble you if your occasions ask further time, for the law in this point is not precise. Ye shall also understand that the strangers' house is at this time rich and much aforehand, for it hath laid up revenue these 36000 years — so long it is since
Bacon's *' New Atlantis."
"The morrow after our three days were past, there came to us a new man that we had not seen before, clothed in blue as the former was, save that his turban was white, with a small red cross on the top ; he had also a tippet of fine linen. At his coming in he did bend to us a little, and put his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted him in a very lowly and submissive manner, as looking that from him we should receive sentence of life or death. He desired to speak with some few of us ; whereupon six of us only stayed, and the rest avoided the room. He said : * I am by office governor of this House of Strangers, and by vocation I am a Christian priest ; and therefore am come to you to offer you my service both as strangers, and chiefly as Christians. Some things I may tell you, which I think you will not be unwilling to hear. The state hath given you licence to stay on land for the space of six weeks. And let it not trouble
BACON'S ''NEW ATLANTIS:'
Hetdon's " Voyage to the Land of the Rosicrucians."
any straDger arrived in this part. Therefore take ye no care ; the State will defray you all the time you stay. As for any merchandize ye have brought, ye shall be well used, and have your return either in merchandize or gold and silver, for to us it is all one. If you have any other request to make, hide it not, onely this I must tell you that none of you must go above a juld, or karan (that is with them a mile and an half), from the walls of the city without especial I leave.' "
" * ** Lord Grod of Heaven and earth. Thou hast vouchsafed of Thy grace to those of our order to know Thy works of creation and the secrets of them, and tx) discern (as far as appertaineth to the generation of men) between divine miracles, works of Nature, works of art, and impostures and illu- sions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge and testifie before this people, that the thing which
Bacon's " New Atlantis."
you if your occasions ask further time, for the law in this point is not precise ; and I do not doubt but myself shall be able to obtain for you such further time as shall be convenient. Ye shall also understand that the Strangers'- House is at this time rich and much aforehand, for it hath laid up revenue these thirty-seven years ; for so long it is since any stranger arrived in this part. And, therefore, take ye no care, the state will defray you all the time you stay, neither shall you stay one day less for that. As for any merchandise you have brought, ye shall be well used, and have your return either in merchandise, or in gold and silver ; for to us it is all one. And if you have any other request to make, hide it not, for ye shall find we will not make your countenance to fall by the answer ye shall receive. Only this I must tell you, that none of you must go above a karan [that is with them a mile and a half J from the walls of the city without special leave.'*'
" * " Lord God of heaven and earth, thou hast vouchsafed of thy grace to those of our order to know thy works of creation, and true secrets of them, and to discern (as far as appertaineth to the generations of men) between divine miracles, works of Nature, works of illusions of all sorts ! I do here acknowledge and testify before this people, that the thing we now
BACON'S ''NEW ATLANTISP
HeTDON'S " VOTAOB TO THE
Land of the Rosicrucians.'' '
we DOW see is Thy finger and a true miracle. And for as much as we learn in our books that Thou never workest miracles but to a divine and excellent end (for the laws of Nature are Thine own laws, and Thou exoeedest them not but upon great cause), we most humbly beseech Thee to prosper this great signe, and to give us the interpretation and use of it in mercy, which Thou doest in some part promise by sending it unto u&"
" * When he had made his prayer, he presently found the boat he was in unbound, whereas the rest remained still fast Taking that for leave to approach, he caused the boat to be softly rowed to- wards the pillar, but ere he came near the pillar and crosse of light brake up, and cast itself abroad into a firmament of many stars, which also soon vanished, and there was nothing left but a small ark of cedar, not wet at all with water, though it swam. In the fore-end of it grew a small green branch of palme, and when the Eosie Crucian had taken it with all reverence into his boat, it opened of itself, and there were found a book and letter, both written in fine parchment, and wrapped in suidons of linnen, the