count of lord Bacon's principal works,— not a mere naked abstract, for that would present little or no attraction to the general reader; but an account illustrated, when necessary, with examples drawn from those splendid discoveries in science which have been made since the introduction of the Baconian System. Some remarks are likewise offered on the influence of lord Bacon's Philosophy upon the progress of knowledge, chiefly with the view of showing how destitute of foundation is the opinion, that it did not accelerate the advancement of science-an opinion, indeed, so glaringly erroneous, that it could scarcely have justified any consideration, had it not been broadly and unhesitatingly avowed by sir Da vid Brewster, in his late Life of New ton. The curious verses by lord Bacon, which will be found at page 297, were first printed in Farnaby's Florilegium Epigrammatum, etc., together with a Greek version, in rhyme, by that singularly gifted man, and published in 1629. They are not, I believe, inserted any edition of Bacon's works, nor do in any of his biographers appear to have been aware of their existence. Having unsuccessfully sought for the Florilegium in the Library of the British Museum, and several other extensive collections, I at length discovered, from a reference in the last excellent edition of Wood's Athene Oxonienses, that a copy was preserved in the Bodleian Library, from which I have been favoured with a transcript both of Bacon's poem and Farnaby's version, through the courtesy and kindness of the reverend Dr. Bliss, of St. John's College, Oxford. For the beautiful medal by Mr. Wyon, of the Mint, from which the head of Bacon in the title-page has been engraved, I am indebted to that gentleman; who obligingly directed a fresh impression to be struck, for the purpose of the present work. LINCOLN'S INN, June 30th, 1835. LORD BACON: HIS LIFE AND WORKS. 'FOR my burial,' said lord Bacon,-these are the words of his last will,- For my burial, I desire it may be in St. Michael's Church, St. Albans: there was my Mother buried, and it is the parish-church of my manor-house of Gorhambury, and it is the only Christian church within the walls of Old Verulam. For my name and memory, I leave it to men's charitable speeches, to foreign nations, and the next ages.' A legacy so splendid the world never before received. It is the name of one who was, emphatically, the minister and inter B |