Francis Bacon. By B. G. Lovejoy, LL.B. (T. Fisher Unwin.)—
Mr. Lovejoy has tried to carry out a somewhat difficult system, a biography which shall deal separately with Bacon's intellect and his character. He is, of course, full of praise for Bacon's intellec- tual gifts ; and takes, also, great pains to show Bacon's treachery, corruption, and servility, by means of extracts from his lettere. Hence Mr. Lovejoy's righteous indignation with the receiver of bribes is alternated with unstinted admiration of the philosopher. This may be, indeed, the correct manner of judging Bacon. Cer- tainly, as the writer says, no man has more fully condemned him- self. The great philosopher scarcely seems to have realised this; it is, indeed, a curious study in psychology. The most unpleasant feature of his character was his want of heart. This evidently touche; the writer most, though he has treated fully all the phases of Bacon's character with great fairness, if with unrelenting severity. Some selections complete the book.
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