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Roger Bacon was born near
Ilchester in Somerset, in 1214. In his boyhood he
displayed remarkable precocity, and in due time, having
entered the order of St. Francis, he studied mathematics
and medicine in Oxford and Paris. Returning to England, he
devoted attention to philosophy and also wrote Latin,
Greek, and Hebrew Grammars. He was a pioneer of astronomy
and was acquainted with the properties of lenses, so that
he may have foreshadowed the telescope. In the region of
the mechanical sciences, his prophecies are noteworthy
since he not only speaks of boats whjch may be propelled
without oars, but of cars which may move without horses,
and even of machines to fly in the air. To him we are
indebted for important discoveries in the science of pure
chemistry. His name is for ever associated with the making
of gunpowder, and if the honour cannot be wholly afforded
him, his experiments with nitre were at least a far step
towards the discovery. His study of alchemical subjects
led him, as was natural, to a belief in the philosopher's
stone by which gold might be purified to a degree
impossible by any other means, and also to a belief in the
elixir of life whereby on similar principles of
purification, the human body might be fortified against
death itself. Not only might man become practically
immortal by such means but, by knowledge of the
appropriate herbs, or by acquaintance with planetary
influences, he might attain the same consummation. As was
natural in an ignorant age, Bacon was looked on with
considerable suspicion which ripened into persecution. The
brethren of his order practically cast him out, and he was
compelled to retire to Paris, and to submit himself to a
regime of repression. A prolific penman, he was forbidden
to write, and it was not till 1266 that Guy de Foulques,
the papal legate in England—subsequently Pope Clement
IV.—hearing of Bacon's fame, invited him to break his
enforced silence. Bacon hailed the opportunity and in
spite of hardship and poverty, finished his Opus Majus,
Opus Minus and Opus Terlium. These works seem to have
found favour with Clement, for the writer was allowed to
return to Oxford,. there to continue his scientific
studies and the composition of scientific works. He
essayed a compendium of philosophy of which a part
remains, but its subject-matter was displeasing to the
ruling powers and Bacon's misfortunes began afresh. His
books were burned and again he was thrown into prison,
where he remained for fourteen years, and during that
period it is probable that he continued to write. About
1292 he was again at liberty, and within the next few
years—probably in 1294—he died. Bacon's works were
numerous and, while many still remain in manuscript, about
a dozen have been printed at various times. Many are
obscure treatises on alchemy and deserve little attention,
but the works he wrote by invitation of Clement are the
most important. The Opus Majus is divided into six parts
treating of the causes of error, the relation between
philosophy and theology, the utility of grammar,
mathematics, perspective and experimental science. The
Opus Minus, of which only part has been preserved, was
intended to be a summary of the former work. The Opus
Terlium though written after the other two, is an
introduction to them, and also in part supplementary to
them. These works, large though they be, seem to have been
only the forerunners of a vast work treating of the
principles of all the sciences, which, however, was
probably little more than begun. Much of Bacon's work and
many of his beliefs must, of coursa, be greatly
discounted, but judging the man in relation to his time,
the place he takes is a high one. His devotion to the
experimental sciences was the point wherein he differed
from most from his contemporaries, and to this devotion is
to be accounted the fame which he then possessed and still
possess.
But no sketch of Bacon's life would be complete without
some account of the legendary material which has gathered
around his name, and by virtue of which he holds rank as a
great magician in the popular imagination. When, in the
sixteenth century, the study of magic was pursued with
increased zeal, the name of Friar Bacon became more
popular, and not only were the traditions worked tip into
a popular book, entitled The History of Friar Bacon, but
one of the dramatists of the age, Robert Green, founded
upon them a play, which was often acted, and of which
there are several editions. The greater part of the
history of Friar Bacon, as far as it related to that
celebrated personage, is evidently the invention of the
writer, who appears to have lived in the time of Queen
Elizabeth ; he adopted some of the older traditions, and
filled up his narrative with fables taken from the common
story books of the age. We are here first made acquainted
with two other legendary conjurers, Friars Bangay and
Vander-mast; and the recital is enlivened with the pranks
of Bacon's servant Miles.
According to this legendary history, Roqer Bacon was the
son of a wealthy farmer in the West of England, who had
placed his son with the parish priest to gain a little
scholarship. The boy soon showed an extraordinary ability
for learning, which was encouraged by the priest, but
which was extremely disagreeable to the father, who
intended him for no other profession but that of the
plough. Young Bacon fled from home, and took shelter in a
monastery, where he followed his studies to his heart's
content, and was eventually sent to complete them at
Oxford. There he made himself a proficient in the occult
sciences, and attained to the highest proficiency in
magic. At length he had an opportunity of exhibiting his
skill before the court, and the account of his exploits on
this occasion may be given as a sample of the style of
this quaint old history.
" The king being in Oxfordshire at a nobleman's house, was
very desirous to see this famous friar, for he had heard
many times of his wondrous things that he had done by his
art, therefore he sent one for him to desire him to come
to the court. Friar Bacon kindly thanked the king by the
messenger, and said that he was at the king's service and
would suddenly attend him, 'but. sir,' saith he to the
gentleman, ' I pray you make haste or else I shall be two
hours before you at the court.' ' For all your learning",
answered the gentleman, ' I can hardly believe this, for
scholars, old men, and travellers, may lie by authority.'
' To strengthen your belief' said Friar Bacon, ' I could
presently show you the last wench that yon kissed withal,
but I will not at this time.' ' One is as true as the
other,' said the gentleman, ' and I would laugh to see
either.' ' You shall see them both within these four
hours,' quoth the friar, ' and therefore make what haste
you can.' ' I will prevent that by my speed,' said the
gentleman, and with that he rid his way; but he rode out
of his way, as it should seem, for he had but five miles
to ride, and yet was he better than three hours a-riding
them, so that Friar Baton by his art was with the king
be/ore he came.
" The king kindly welcomed him, and said that he long
time had desired to see him, for he had as yet not heard
of his like. Friar Bacon answered him, that fame had
belied him, and given him that report that his poor
studies had never deserved, for h" believed that art had
many sons more excellent than himself was. The king
commended him for his modesty, and told him that nothing
could become a wise man less than boasting: but yet withal
he requested him now to be no niggard of his knowledge,
but to show his queen and him some of his skill ' I were
worthy of neither art or knowledge,' quoth Friar Bacon, '
should I deny your majesty this small request; I pray seat
yourselves, and you shall see presently what my poor skill
can perform.' The king, queen, and nobles sat them all
down. They having done so, the friar waved his wand, and
presently was heard such excellent music, that they were
all amazed, for they all said they had never heard the
like. ' This is,' said the friar, ' to delight the sense
of hearing,—I will delight all your other senses ere you
depart hence.' So waving his wand again, there was louder
music heard, and presently five dancers entered, the first
like a court laundress, the second like a footman, the
third like a usurer, the fourth like a prodigal, the fifth
like a fool. These did divers excellent changes, so that
they gave content to all the beholders, and having done
their dance they all vanished away in their order as they
came in. Thus feasted two of their senses. Then waved he
his wand again, and there was another kind of music heard,
and whilst it was playing, there was suddenly before them
a table, richly covered with all sorts of delicacies. Then
desired he the king and queen to taste of some certain
rare fruits that were on the table, which they and the
nobles there present did, and were very highly pleased
with the taste; they being satisfied, all vanished away on
the sudden. Then waved he his wand again, and suddenly
there was such a smell, as if all the rich perfumes in the
whole world'had been then prepared in the best manner that
art could set them out. Whilst he feasted thus their
smelling, he waved his wand again, and there came divers
nations in sundry habits, as Russians, Polanders, Indians,
Armenians, all bringing sundry kinds of furs, such as
their countries yielded, all which they presented to the
king and queen. These furs were so soft to the touch that
they highly pleased all those that handled them. Then,
after some odd fantastic dances, after their country
manner, they vanished away. Then asked Friar Bacon the
king's majesty if that he desired any more of his skill.
The king answered that he was fully satisfied for that
time, and that he only now thought of something that he
might bestow on him, that might partly satisfy the
kindness he had received. Friar Bacon said that he desired
nothing so much as his majesty's love, and if that he
might be assured of that, he would think himself happy in
it. ' For that,' said the king. ' be thou ever sure, in
token of_which receive this jewel," and withal gave him a
costly jewel from his neck. The friar did with great
reverence thank his majesty, and said, ' As your majesty's
vassal you shall ever find me ready to do you service;
your time of need shall find it both beneficial and
delightful. But amongst all these gentlemen I see not the
man that your grace did send for me by; sure he hath lost
his way, or else met with some sport that detain? him so
long; I promised to be here before him, and all this noble
assembly can witness I am as good as my word—I hear him
coming. With that entered the gentleman, all bedirted, for
he had rid through ditches, quagmires, plashes, and
waters, that he was in a most pitiful case. He, seeing the
friar there, looked full angrily, and bid a plague on all
his devils, for they had led him out of his way, and
almost drowned him. ' Be not angry, sir,' said Friar
Bacon, ' here is an old friend of yours that hath more
cause, for she hath tarried these three hours for
you,'—with that he pulled up the hangings, and behind him
stood a kitchen-maid with a basting-ladle in her hand—'
now am I as good as my \vord with you, for I promised to
help you to your sweetheart,— how do you like this ?' ' So
iU,' answered the gentleman, ' that I will be avenged of
you.' ' Threaten not,' said Friar Bacon, ' lest I do you
more shame, and do you take heed how you give scholars the
lie again; but because I know not how well you are stored
with money at this time, I will bear your wench's charges
home.' With that she vanished away."
This may be taken as a sort of exemplification of the
class of exhibitions which were probably the result of a
superior knowledge of natural science, and which were
exaggerated by popular imagination. They had been made, to
a certain degree, familiar by the performances of the
skilful jugglers who came from the east, and who were
scattered throughout Europe; and we read not un-frequently
of such magical feats in old writers. When the Emperor
Charles IV. was married in the middle of the fourteenth
century to the Bavarian Princess Sophia in the city of
Prague, the father of the princess brought a waggon-load
of magicians to assist in the festivities. Two of the
chief proficients in the art, Zytho the great Bohemian
sorcerer, and Gouin the Bavarian, were pitted against each
other, and we are told that after a desperate trial of
skill, Zytho, opening his jaws from ear to ear, ate up his
rival without stopping till he came to his shoes, which he
spit out, because, as he said, they had not been cleaned.
After having performed this strange feat, he restored the
unhappy sorcerer to life again. The idea of contests like
this seems to have been taken from the scriptural
narrative of the contention of the Egyptian magicians
against Moses.
The greater number of Bacon's exploits are mere
adaptations of mediaeval stories, but they show,
nevertheless, what was the popular notion of the
magician's character. Such is the story of the gentleman
who, reduced to poverty and involved in debt, sold himself
to the evil one, on condition that he was to deliver
himself up as soon as his debts were paid. As may be
imagined without much difficulty, he was not in haste to
satisfy his creditors, but at length the time came when he
could put them off no longer, and then, in his despair, he
would have committed violence on himself had not his hand
been arrested by Bacon. The latter, when he had heard the
gentleman's story, directed him to repair to the place
appointed for his meeting with the evil one, to deny the
devil's claim, and to refer for judgment to the first
person who should pass " In the morning, after that he had
blessed himself, he went to the wood, where he found the
devil ready for him. So soon as he came near, the devil
said : ' Now, deceiver, are you come ? Now shall thou see
that I can and will prove that thou hast paid all thy
debts, and therefore thy soul belongest to me.' ' Thou art
a deceiver,' said the gentleman,-' and gavest me money to
cheat me of my soul, for else why wilt thou be thine own
judge ?—let me have some others to judge between us.' '
Content,' said the devil, ' take whom thou wilt.' ' Then I
will have,' said the gentleman, ' the next man that cometh
this way.' Hereto the devil agreed. No sooner were these
words ended, but Friar Bacon came by, to whom this
gentleman spoke, and requested that he would be judge in a
•weighty matter between them two. The friar said he was
content, so both parties were agreed ; the devil told
Friar Bacon how the case stood between them in this
manner. ' Know, friar, that I seeing this prodigal like to
starve for want of food, lent him money, not only to buy
him victuals, but also to redeem his lands and pay his
debts, conditionally that so soon as his debts were paid,
that he should give himself freely to me; to this, here is
his hand '—showing him the bond. ' Now, my time is
expired, for all his debts are paid, which he cannot
deny.' ' This case is plain, if it be so that his debts
are paid.1 ' His silence confirms it,' said the devil, '
therefore give him a just sentence.' ' I will,' said Friar
Bacon, ' but first tell me,'—speaking to the gentleman—'
didst thou never yet give the devil any of his money back,
nor requite him in any ways ?' ' Never had he anything of
me as yet,' answered the gentleman. ' Then never let him
have anything of thee, and thou art free. Deceiver of
mankind,' said he, speaking to the devil, ' it was thy
bargain never to meddle with him so long as he was
indebted to any ; now how canst thou demand of him
anything when he is indebted for all that he hath to thee
? When he payeth thee thy money, then take him as thy due;
till then thou hast nothing to do with him, and so I
charge thee to be gone.' At this the devil vanished with
great horror, but Friar Bacon comforted the gentleman, and
sent him home with a quiet conscience, bidding him never
to pay the devil's money back, as he valued his own
safety."
Bacon now met with a companion, Friar Bungay, whose tastes
and pursuits were congenial to his own, and'with his
assistance he undertook the exploit for which he was most
famous. He had a fancy that he would defend England
against its enemies, by walling it with brass, preparatory
to which they made a head of that metal. Their intent was
to make the head speak, for which purpose they raised a
spirit in a wood, by whose directions they made a
fumigation, to which the head was to be exposed during a
month, and to be carefully watched, because if the two
friars did not hear it before it had ceased speaking,
their labour would be lost. Accordingly, the care of
watching over the head while they slept was entrusted to
Bacon's man Miles. The period of utterance unfortunately
came while Miles was watching. The head suddenly uttered
the two words, " Time is." Miles thought it was
unnecessary to disturb his master for such a brief speech,
and sat still. In half an hour, the head again broke
silence with the words, " Time was." Still Miles waited
until, in another half hour, the head said, " Time is
past," and fell to the ground with a terrible noise. Thus,
through the negligence of Miles, the labour of the two
friars was thrown away.
The king soon required Friar Bacon's services, and the
latter enabled him, by his perspective and
burning-glasses, to take a town which he was besieging. In
consequence of this success, the kings of England and
France made peace, and a grand court was held, at which
the German conjurer, Vandermast, was brought to try his
skill against Bacon. Their performances were something in
the style of Bacon's former exhibition before the king and
queen. Vandermast, in revenge, sent a soldier to kill
Bacon, but in vain. Next follow a series of adventures
which consist of a few mediaeval stories very clumsily put
together among which are that known as the Friar and the
Boy, that which appeared in Scottish verse, under the
title of The Friars of Berwick, a tale taken from the
Gesta Romanorum, and some others. A contention in magic
between Vandermast and Bungay, ended in the deaths of
both. The servant Miles next turned conjurer, having got
hold of one of Bacon's books, and escaped with a dreadful
fright, and a broken leg. Everything now seemed to go
wrong. Friar Bacon " had a glsrs which was of that
excellent nature that any man might behold anything that
he desired to see within the compass of fifty miles round
about him." In this glass he used to show people what
their relations and friends were doing, or where they
were. One day two young gentlemen of high birth came to
look into the glass, and they beheld their fathers
desperately fighting together, upon which they drew their
swords and slew each other. Bacon was so shocked that he
broke his ;.>v glass, and hearing about the same time of
the deaths of
* Vandermast and Bungay, he became melancholy, and at
length he burnt his books of magic, distributed his wealth
among poor scholars and others, and became an anchorite.
Thus ended the life of Friar Bacon, according to " the
famous history," which probably owed most of its incidents
to the imagination of the writer.
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