The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

156 OF GENERAL NATURALIZATION.
ing the infinite infesting troubles of that kingdom, practices and other engines and machinations, to
never offered to break again. the disturbance of this state? As for that other
We see the like effect in all the kingdoms of inconvenience of his rnajesty's engagement to this
Spain, which are mutually naturalized, as Leon, action, it is too binding and too pressing to be
Castile, Valentia, Andalusia, Granada, Murcia, spoken of, and may do better a great deal in your
Toledo, Catalonia, and the rest, except Arragon, minds than in my mouth, or in the mouth of any
which held the contrary course, and therefore had man else; because, as I say, it doth press our liberty
the contrary success, as was said, and Portugal, too far. And, therefore, Mr. Speaker, I come now
of which there is not yet sufficient trial. And, to the third general part of my division, concernlastly, we see the like effect in our own nation, ing the benefits which we shall purchase by this
which never rent asunder after it was once united; knitting of the knot surer and straiter between
so as we now scarce know whether the heptarchy these two kingdoms, by the communicating of
were a true story or a fable. And, therefore, naturalization: the benefits mayappear to betwo,
Mr. Speaker, when I revolve with myself these the one surety, the other greatness.
examples and others, so lively expressing the ne- Touching surety, Mr. Speaker, it was well
cessity of a naturalization to avoid a relapse into said by Titus Quintius the Roman, touching the
a separation; and do hear so many arguments and state of Peloponnesus, that the tortoise is safe
scruples made on the other side; it makes me within her shell,,"Testudo intra tegumen tuta
think on the old bishop, which, upon a public dis- est;" but if there be any parts that lie open,
putation of certain Christian divines with some they endanger all the rest. WTe know well, that
learned men of the heathen, did extremely press although the state at this time be in a happy
to be heard; and they were loath to suffer him, peace, yet for the time past, the more ancient
because they knew he was unlearned, though other- enemy to this kingdom hath been the French,
wise a holy and well-meaning man: but at last, and the more late the Spaniard; and both these
with much ado, he got to be heard; and when he had as it were their several postern gates, wherecame to speak, instead of using argument, he did by they might have approach and entrance to
only say over his belief; but did it with such as- annoy us. France had Scotland, and Spain had
surance and constancy, as it did strike the minds Ireland; for these were the two accesses which
of those that heard him more than any argument did comfort and encourage both these enemies to
had done. And so, Mr. Speaker, against all assail and trouble us. We see that of Scotland
these witty and subtle arguments, I say, that I do is cut off by the union of these two kingdoms, if
believe, and I would be sorry to be found a that it shall be now made constant and permaprophet in it, that except we proceed with this nent; that of Ireland is cut off likewise by the
naturalization, though perhaps not in his majesty's convenient situation of the west of Scotland
time, who hath such interest in both nations, yet towards the north of Ireland, where the sore was:
in the time of his descendants these realms will be which we see, being suddenly closed, hath conin continual danger to divide and break again. tinued closed by means of this salve; so that as
Now if any man be of that careless mind, ", Maneat now there are no parts of this state exposed to
nostros ea cura nepotes;" or of that hard mind, to danger to be a temptation to the ambition of
leave things to be tried by the sharpest sword; foreigners, but their approaches and avenues are
sure I am, he is not of St. Paul's opinion, who taken away: for I do little doubt but those foafiTrmeth, that whosoever useth not foresight and reigners which had so little success when they
provision for his family, is worse than an un- had those advantages, will have much less combeliever; much more, if we shall not use foresight fort now that they be taken from them: and so
for these two kingdoms, that comprehend in them much for surety.
so many families, but leave things open to the peril For greatness, Mr. Speaker, I think a man may
of future divisions. And thus have I expressed speak it soberly and without bravery, that this
unto you the inconvenience, which, of all others, kingdom of England, having Scotland united,
sinketh deepest with me as the most weighty: Ireland reduced, the sea provinces of the Low
neither do there want other inconveniences, Mr. Countries contracted, and shipping maintained,
Speaker, the effects and influence whereof, I fear, is one of the greatest monarchies, in forces truly
will not be adjourned to so long a day as this thaf esteemed, that hath been in the world. For cerI have spoken of: for I leave it to your wisdom to tainly the kingdoms here on earth have a resemconsider whether you do not think, in case, by the blance with the kingdom of heaven, which our
denial of this naturalization, any pique, alienation, Saviour compareth, not to any great kernel or
or unkindness, I do not say should be, but should nut, but to a very small grain, yet such a one as
be thought to be, or noised to be between these is apt to grow and spread; and such do I take to
two nations, whether it will not quicken and excite be the constitution of this kingdom; if indeed
all the envious and malicious humours, whereso- we shall refer our counsels to greatness and
ever, which are now covered, against us, either power, and not quench them too much with the
fo-eign or at home; and so open the way to consideration of utility and wealth. For, Mr.