7. What was the extent of his education? 8. Why did he permit the persecution of the Christians? 9. What circumstances indicate the nobility of his character? 10. What other author wrote a work for the instruction of his son, and, like Aurelius, was blind to the son's faults? III, 240. 11. Summarize his character. STYLE AND WORKS 1. To what are his literary remains confined? 2. Were they written in Latin? 3. Under what circumstances were the "Meditations" composed? 4. For what purpose were they written? 5. In what form have they come down to us? 6. Does Aurelius consider that the absence of an overruling Providence would relax moral obligations? 7. What position do the "Meditations" hold in the world's literature? 8. What is the spirit of the philosophy which they breathe? 9. Probably no other book of the ancients is as widely read to-day. Why is this? 10. Do its defects of form detract from its value? FROM "MEDITATIONS" 1. From the viewpoint of this philosopher, are poverty, death, and sickness inflicted on people as punishment for sins? 2. To what frame of mind does a righteous person school himself? 3. What prescription is given for the making of a happy man? 4. Would Marcus Aurelius have been in sympathy with the medieval custom of pious people who shut themselves up in monasteries or other secluded places? 5. Explain the relationship of man to his fellow beings. 6. Does this environment have an influence in the altering of an adult's character? 7. Why does each of us live a complete life, whether we die young or old? 8. Judging the Emperor's character from his writings, would you consider him a wise ruler? FOR REFERENCE "Essays in Criticism."--ARNOLD. "Marcus Aurelius and the Later Stoics."--BUSSELL. "Seekers after God."--FARRAR. "Glimpses of Truth."--SPALDING. "Excursions in Art and Letters."--STORY. FRANCIS BACON (1561-1626) Francis Bacon was born three years before his great contemporary, William Shakespeare, but survived him many years. He was born in high station and had every educational advantage which the times afforded. He was the nephew of William Cecil, Elizabeth's great minister, and, entering public life, himself became the favorite minister of James I and Lord High Chancellor of England. But his character was not in keeping with his literary merits and ability. He was venal and corrupt, took bribes as a judge and sold justice for a price. He has been called the wisest and meanest of mankind.