THE MODERN STUDENT'S LIBRARY

EDITED BY

WILL D. HOWE

PROFESSOR OF ENGLISH AT INDIANA UNIVERSITY

THE ESSAYS OF FRANCIS BACON

THE MODERN STUDENT'S LIBRARY

EACH VOLUME EDITED BY A LEADING AMERICAN AUTHORITY

This series is composed of such works as are conspicuous in the province of literature for their enduring influence. Every volume is recognized as essential to a liberal education and will tend to infuse a love for true literature and an appreciation of the qualities which cause it to endure.

A descriptive list of the volumes published in this series appears in the last pages of this volume

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

THE MODERN STUDENT'S LIBRARY

THE ESSAYS OF FRANCIS BACON

EDITED WITH INTRODUCTION AND NOTES

BY

MARY AUGUSTA SCOTT, Ph.D.

LATE PROFESSOR OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE IN SMITH COLLEGE

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

Copyright, 1908, by

CHARLES SCRIBNER'S SONS

Printed in the United States of America

IN MEMORY OF

MY MOTHER

JULIA ANNE BOYER SCOTT

CONTENTS.