[50] Lord Bacon has either translated this passage of Lucretius from memory or has purposely paraphrased it. The following is the literal translation of the original: “’Tis a pleasant thing, from the shore, to behold the dangers of another upon the mighty ocean, when the winds are lashing the main; not because it is a grateful pleasure for any one to be in misery, but because it is a pleasant thing to see those misfortunes from which you yourself are free: ’tis also a pleasant thing to behold the mighty contests of warfare, arrayed upon the plains, without a share in the danger; but nothing is there more delightful than to occupy the elevated temples of the wise, well fortified by tranquil learning, whence you may be able to look down upon others, and see them straying in every direction, and wandering in search of the path of life.” [51] Michael de Montaigne, the celebrated French Essayist. His _Essays_ embrace a variety of topics, which are treated in a sprightly and entertaining manner, and are replete with remarks indicative of strong native good sense. He died in 1592. The following quotation is from the second book of the _Essays_, c. 18: “Lying is a disgraceful vice, and one that Plutarch, an ancient writer, paints in most disgraceful colors, when he says that it is ‘affording testimony that one _first_ despises God, and then fears men;’ it is not possible more happily to describe its horrible, disgusting, and abandoned nature; for, can we imagine anything more vile than to be cowards with regard to men, and brave with regard to God?” [52] St. Luke xviii. 8: “Nevertheless, when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith upon the earth?” [53] A portion of this _Essay_ is borrowed from the writings of Seneca. See his _Letters to Lucilius_, B. iv. Ep. 24 and 82. [54] “The array of the death-bed has more terrors than death itself.” This quotation is from Seneca. [55] He probably alludes to the custom of hanging the room in black where the body of the deceased lay, a practice much more usual in Bacon’s time than at the present day. [56] Tacit. Hist. ii. 49. [57] Ad Lucil. 77. [58] “Reflect how often you do the same things; a man may wish to die, not only because either he is brave or wretched, but even because he is surfeited with life.” [59] “Livia, mindful of our union, live on, and fare thee well.”—_Suet. Aug. Vit._ c. 100. [60] “His bodily strength and vitality were now forsaking Tiberius, but not his duplicity.”—_Ann._ vi. 50. [61] This was said as a reproof to his flatterers, and in spirit is not unlike the rebuke administered by Canute to his retinue.—_Suet. Vespas. Vit._ c. 23. [62] “I am become a Divinity, I suppose.” [63] “If it be for the advantage of the Roman people, strike.”—_Tac. Hist._ i. 41. [64] “If aught remains to be done by me, dispatch.”—_Dio Cass._ 76, _ad fin._