Critical and Historical Essays IV. [antikvár]

CRITICAL AND HISTORICAL ESSAYS coiitributed to THE EDINBURGH REVIEW. LORD BACON. (JULY, 1837.) The. Worlcs of Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor of England. Anew Edition. By Basil Montagu, Esq. 16 vols. 8vo. London: 1825— 1834. We ret,urn our hearty thanks to Mr. Montagu for this truly valuable work. From the opinions which he expresses as a biographer we often dissent. But about his merit as a collector of the materials out of which opinions are formed, there can be no dispute; and we readily acknowledge that Ave are in a great measure Indebted to his minute and accurate researches for the means of refuting what we cannot but consider as his errors. The labour which has been bestowed on this volume has been alabour of love. The writer Is evidently enamoured of the subject. It fills his heart. It constantly overflows from his lips and his pen. Those who are acquainted with the Courts in which Mr. Montagu practises with so much ability and success well know how often he enlivens the discussion of a point of law by citing some weighty aphorism, or some brilliant illustration, from the De Augmentis or the Novum Oi'-ganum. The Life before us doubtless owes much of its value Macaulay, Essays. IIL 1