eral poems, a great number of sonnets, and many plays, as well comedies as tragedies. In respect to some that are attributed to him, there has been much learned controversy, whether they were his or not. Most of these questions have at last been settled, and his authentic works are now in almost every library. It is one of the results of the art of printing, and the progress of education in our country, that any daylaborer, in these United States, may possess the fruits of the mightiest genius that has shed its light over the world.

In closing our sketch of the greatest genius of modern times, and, perhaps, of all time, it may be well to remark that Shakspere was not only a man of genius, but a good man, a good citizen, and a Christian. He was a man of business, attentive to all its details, and of that care, vigilance and assiduity, which insured thrift. Who, after this great example, will feel that it is humiliating, an evidence of dulness and commonness, to show forth these homely qualities? Shakspere was honest, faithful, punctual ;-who will now pretend that genius must be eccentric, faithless, thriftless? Shakspere was a firm believer in Christianity; let those who fancy that scepticism implies smartness, read his solemn words,—

The tongues of dying men

Enforce attention like deep harmony,—

and then let them read the following passages from his last will and testament:

"In the name of God, Amen. I, William Shakspere, at Stratford-upon-Avon, in the county of Warwick,

gent.; in perfect health and memory, God be praised! do make and ordain this, my last will and testament, in manner and form following; that is to say:

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First, I commend my soul into the hands of God my Creator, hoping, and assuredly believing, through the only merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour, to be made partaker of life everlasting; and my body to the earth whereof it is made."

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THIS celebrated man was born at York House, in the Strand, London, 22d Jan., 1561. His father, Nicholas Bacon, was an eminent lawyer, and lord keeper of the great seal, during the first twenty years of Elizabeth's reign.

In boyhood, Francis Bacon was remarkable for sprightliness and the smartness of his observations. The queen, who was much taken with him, used to try him with questions on various subjects. Upon

one occasion, she asked him how old he was; his reply conveyed an ingenious compliment. "I am just two years younger than your majesty's happy reign," said he. This occurred when he was about six years old.

We know little of Bacon's early education; but as his father was a distinguished statesman, and his mother a woman of superior mind, as well as of learning and piety, there is little doubt that he had every advantage. In his thirteenth year, he was sent to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he studied with diligence and success. In his sixteenth year, he expressed great dislike to the philosophy of Aristotle, "not for the worthlessness of the author, to whom he would ever ascribe all high attributes-but for the unfruitfulness of the way-being a philosophy not only strong for disputations and contentions, but barren of the productions of works for the life of

man.'

There are few instances on record, evincing a power of mind, at the age of sixteen, equal to this. The philosophy of Aristotle had governed the world for almost two thousand years, yet this youth had already burst its bonds, and was preparing to enter upon the great work he was destined to accomplish— the overthrow of a false and bewildering system, which taught men to begin with theory in their search after truth, and the substitution of a wiser course to commence with facts, and establish principles upon the sure foundation of observation and experience.

On leaving Cambridge, Bacon entered Gray's inn,

as a student at law.

He soon after went to Paris, in

the suite of the British ambassador, and travelled in several countries on the continent. His father died in 1579; he then returned to London, and found that he was the only one of the family unprovided for. This compelled him to rely upon his own efforts. He devoted himself earnestly to the study of the law; but yet the love of philosophy was in him, and at this early period, he planned his great work, the Organon, and which, in the exultation of his youthful fancy, he proposed to call The greatest Birth of Time.

He was duly called to the bar, and soon rose to distinction in his profession. Being, however, nephew to Lord Burleigh, and cousin to Sir Robert Cecil, two of Elizabeth's ministers, he sought preferment through them. These persons, however, represented him as a mere dreamer to the queen, and his hopes were deferred. He enjoyed the friendship of the generous-hearted Earl of Essex, who first endeavored to obtain for him the situation of solicitorgeneral, and failing in this, presented him with the noble estate of Twickenham Park, which was worth eighteen hundred pounds a year, and in point of beauty, as Bacon himself called it, "a garden of Paradise."

It is a painful part of the great philosopher's story, that when his noble friend was arraigned for treason he appeared as counsel against him. This, it is true, was by the queen's command; and when she read the declaration drawn up by Bacon against the Earl, she remarked, "I see old love is not easily forgotten." It was found necessary to embitter the