The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS. 37a
that were present at the execution, he exaggerated explained to us, that it was a leprosy that had init with four epithets, desiring God to forgive him fected far and near.
his great, his bloody, his crying, and his infectious'HOMAS MONFORD, WILLIAM BARLOW,
sin; which word "infectious" he privately had ABDY ASHTON, his chaplain.
ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS,
AFTERWARDS DUKE OF BUCKINGIAM,
WHEN HE BECAME FAVOURITE TO KING JAMES;
RECOMMENDING MANY IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO GOVERN HIMSELF
IN THE STATION OF PRIME MINISTER.
WRITTEN BY SIR FRANCIS BACON, ON THE IMPORTUNITY OF HIS PATRON AND FRIEND.
NOBLE SIR, You know, I am no courtier, nor versed in state
What you requested of me by word, when I last affairs: my life hitherto hath rather been contemwaited on you, you have since renewed by your plative than active; I have rather studied books
letters. Your requests are commands unto me: than men; I can but guess, at the most, at these
and yet the matter is of that nature, that I find things in which you desire to be advised; nevermyself very unable to serve you therein as you theless, to show my obedience, though with the
desire. It hath pleased the king to cast an extra- hazard of my discretion, I shall yield unto you.
ordinaly eye of favour upon you, and you express Sir, in the first place, I shall be bold to put you
yourself very desirous to win upon the judgment in mind of the present condition you are in. You
of your master, and not upon his affections only. are not only a courtier, but a bed-chamber man,
I do very much commend your noble ambition and so are in the eye and ear of your master; but
herein; for favour so bottomed is like to be last- you are also a favourite; the favourite of the time,
ing; whereas, if it be built upon the sandy foun- and so are in his bosom also. The world hath so
dation of personal respects only, it cannot be voted you, and doth so esteem of you; for kings
long-lived. and great princes, even the wisest of them, have had
[* My lord, when the blessing of God, to whom, their friends, their favourites, their privadoes, in
in the first place, I know you ascribe your prefer- all ages; for they have their affections as well as
ment, and the king's favour, purchased by your other men. Of these they make several uses;
noble parts, promising as much as can be expected sometimes to communicate and debate their
from a gentleman, had brought you to this high thoughts with them, and to ripen their judgments
pitch of honour, to be in the eye and ear, and even thereby; and sometimes to ease their cares by imin the bosom of your gracious master: and you parting them; and sometimes to interpose them
had found by experience the trouble of all men's between themselves and the envy or malice of their
confluence, and for all matters, to yourself, as a people; for kings cannot err; that must be dismediator between them and their sovereign you charged upon the shoulders of their ministers; and
were pleased to lay this command upon me; first, they who are nearest unto them must be content
in general, to give you my poor advice for your to bear the greatest load. [Remember then what
carriage in so eminent a place, and of so much your true condition is. Thekinghimselfisabove
danger, if not wisely discharged. Next, in particu- the reach of his people, but cannot be above their
lar, by what means to give despatches to suitors of censures; and you are his shadow, if either he
all sorts, for the king's best service, the suitors' commit an error, and is loath to avow it, but excuses
satisfaction, and your own ease. I humbly return it upon his ministers, of which you are first in the
you mine opinion in both these, such as a her- eye; or you commit the fault, or have willingly
mit, rather than a courtier can render.] permitted it, and must suffer for it; and so per
Yet in this you have erred, in applying your- haps you may be offered a sacrifice to appease the
self to me, the most unworthy of your servants, to multitude.] But truly, sir, I do not believe or
give assistance upon so weighty a subject. suspect that you are chosen to this eminency out
* What is found in crotchets is borrowed from the original of the last of these considerations; for you serve
edition, published in 4to, 1661. 1 such a master, who by his wicsdom and goodness