L. L. VII. 576 ; Hepworth Dixon, Story, 482, etc.)

The following rather grinding version is from a usually hostile critic of Francis Bacon : " Bacon's better traits have to be inferred from the brief testimony of one or two of his most intimate friends, whose disinterested eulogies, after his disgrace and death, prove that, to them, at least, he seemed not only genial, kindly, and affectionate, but also a bright example of
AND HIS SECRET SOCIETY. 61
lofty virtue. There seems something in the nature of a problem in the contradiction between Bacon as he appeared to his friends, and Bacon as he appears to us.* We have already noted the spirit of genuine affection which breathes through the short memoir of him written by his chaplain, Rawley. His domestic apothecary and secretary, Peter Boener, expresses a wish that a statue of him may be erected, not for his learning and researches, but ' as a Inemorable example to all of virtue, kindness, peacefulness, and patience.' Ben Jonson speaks in the same strain of his ' virtue.' ... To the same effect writes Sir Tobie Matthew, one of his most intimate friends, who was in the secret of his philosophic projects, and to whom he dedicated his Essay on Friendship. ' It is not his greatness that I admire, but his virtue. It is not the favours that I have received of him that have enthralled and enchained my heart, but his whole life and character ; which are such that, if he were of an inferior condition, I could not honour him the less, and if he were mine enemy, I could not the less love, and endeavour to serve him.' With all his faults . . . neither his formal works nor his private letters convey more than a fraction of the singular charm with which his suavity of manner and gracious dignity fascinated his contemporaries and riveted the affections of some whom it must have been hardest to deceive. . . . His enthusiasm for truth in Nature ennobled his inter- course with his associates, and placed them on a footing of such cordial fellowship with his brother workers that he really loved them. At least it is certain that he made them love him." (Abbott, Francis Bacon, 319, 33, etc.)
His cruelty — Want of feeling for animals — Vivisection.
"He seems to have no liking for birds or beasts, wild or tame. The torture of a long-billed fowl by a waggish Christian, who called down on himself the resentment of the Turks by his cruelty, inspires him with no deeper feeling than amusement." (See the passage quoted below, of which this is the exposition, in the Introduction to Dr. Abbott's edition of the Essays.)
* This must depend upon who the " us,11 the modern reporter and critic, may be. The " us " at present writing sees nothing inharmonious in the character of Bacon, but " we " do perceive that, as a rule, very little is known of his real life and character, and that accounts of him have been intentionally "disguised and veiled."
62 FRANCIS BACON
" The restrictions on aviaries have been treated as an indica- tion that Bacon had a strong love for animals ; but it would seem he did not object to cages, provided the want of ' nestling ' and ' foulness ' do not obtrude themselves on the spectator." (Abbott, Notes to Ess. of Gardens.)
" While condemning vivisection of men, he assumes its lawfulness when applied to animals, without restriction or justification." (Abbott, Notes to Ess. of Goodness.)
Macaulay, Campbell, and others, charge Bacon with aiding and abetting the torturing of Peacham.
His kindness and tenderness of heart — Love of animals, flowers — Vivisection.
Bacon is showing that " The inclination to goodness is imprinted deeply in the nature of man ; insomuch that, if it issue not towards men, it will take unto other living creatures : as it is seen in the Turks, a cruel people, who nevertheless are kind to beasts, and give alms to dogs and birds ; insomuch, as Busbechius reporteth, a Christian boy in Constantinople had like to have been stoned for gagging, in a waggishness, a long- billed fowl." (Essay of Goodness and Goodness of Nature.)
"I love the birds as the French king doth." (Spedding,