The Mystery of Francis Bacon

aye Esceuyer, Seignor dudict lieu et de la Barrée, Gentilhomme ordinaire de la chambre du Roy." The dedication, dated February, 1577 (i.e., 1578) is addressed, "Au Tres-chr

,038 pages double columns. It may be termed the first Encyclop?dia which appeared in any language, and is, perhaps, one of the most remarkable productions of the Elizabethan era. Little is known of Pierre de la Primaudaye. The particulars for his biography in the "Biographie N

thousand thoughts came then into my mind to hinder my purpose, as the small authoritie, which youth may or ought to haue in counsell amongst ancient men: the greatnes of the matter subject, propounded to be handled by yeeres of so small experience; the forgetfulness of the best foundations of their discourses, which for want of a rich and happie memorie might be in me: my iudgement not sound ynough, and my profession vnfit to set them downe in good order: briefly, the consideration of your naturall disposition and rare vertue, and of the learning which you receiuve both by reading good authors, and by your familiar communication with learned and great personages that are neere about your Maiestie (whereby I seemed to oppose the light of an obscure day, full of clouds and darkness, to the bright beames of a very cleere shining sonne, and to take in hand, as we say, to teach Minerua). I say all these reason

th certain young gentlemen of Anjou, his companions; that he was a youth, and of years of small experience; that his memory might not be

e the same familiar sound as essays which subsequently appeared under another name. The co

tion, to whom he committed their instruction. After teaching them the Latin tongue and some smattering of Greek he propounded for their chief studies the moral philosophy of ancient sages and wise men, together with the understanding and searching out of histories which are the light of life. The four fathers, desiring to see what progress their sons had made, decided to visit them. And because they had small skill in the Latin tongue, they determined to have their children discourse in their own natural tongue of all matters that might serve for the instruction and reformation of every estate and calling, in such order and method as they and their master might think best. It was arranged that they should meet in a walking place covered over with a goodly green arbour, and daily, except Sundays, for three weeks, devote two hours in the morning and two hours after dinner to these discourses, the fathers being in att

determined to do as they that play on a Theater, who under borrowed maskes and disguised apparell, do represent the true personages of those whom they have undertaken to bring on the stage. I will therefore call them by names very agreeable to their skill and nature: the first Aser which signifieth Felicity: the second Amana which is as much to say as Truth: the third Aram which noteth to us Highness; and to agree with them as well in name as in education and behaviour. I will name myself Achitob[10] which is all one with Brother of goodness. Further more I will c

e discourse

-page states that it is "newly corrected and augmented," from which it may be inferred that there was a previous edition, but no

it was written. Richard Grant White believes this to be not

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; I have sworn t

ficient has been said to warrant consideration of the suggestion that the French "Academie" con

e plays and the French "Academie" are numerous,

entioned. In the third Tome the

dently teacheth, as with the finger even to our eies, the great and admirable providence of God their Creator; even as if the heavens should speake to anyone. In an

rench Academy" is strongly suggestive of Hamlet's famous soliloquy. "This most excellent canopy, this brave o'erhanging firmament, this majestical roof fritted with golden fire, why it appears to me no other than a foul and pestilent

er, writing in 1844, points out that the dramatist in "As You Like It," describing the seven a

uth of immature experience, but the contents bear evidence of a wide knowledge of classical authors and their works, a close acquaintance with the ancient philosophies, and a store of general information which it would be impossible for any ordinary youth of such an age to possess. But was not th

t 1625 that this work is heard of. Bacon writes: "Equidem memini me, quadraginta abhinc annis, juvenile opusculum

of the chief accomplices in the Earl of Essex's treason) was speaking when he said that 'a fool could not have written i

tion of the first edition in English. If Cuffe's remark was intended to apply to the "

ppears to have been more popular in England than it was in France. Brunet in his 1838 edition mentions neither the book nor the author, Primaudaye. The question as to whether there was at this time a reading public in England sufficiently wide to absorb an edition in numbers large enough to make

l in idiom and style that it appears to be an original rather than a translation. In 1586 how many men were there who could write such English? The marginal notes are in the exact style of Bacon. "A similitude"-"A notable compari

-and, with the exception of the small pamphlet containing his versification of certain Psalms, the last publication during his life-was printed, that identical wood block (Fig. II.) was again used to print the first letter in the dedication of that book

g.

lation of the "French Academie," 1586. Printed at London by G. Bollifant. The block is

g.

cation of the 1625 edition of Bacon's Es

re printed from

hy and his last book by printing the firs