Sir Nicholas Bacon died on or about the 17th of February, 1578-9. How or where this news reached Francis is not recorded, but on the 20th of the following March he left Paris for England, after a stay of two and a-half years on the Continent. He brought with him to the Queen a despatch from Sir Amias Paulet, in which he was spoken of as being "of great hope, endued with many and singular parts," and one who, "if God gave him life, would prove a very able and sufficient subject to do her Highness good and acceptable service."[18] FOOTNOTES: [17] Sir Thomas Smith (1512-1577) was Secretary of State under Edward VI. and Elizabeth--a good scholar and philosopher. He, when Greek lecturer and orator at Cambridge, with John Cheke, introduced, in spite of strong opposition, the correct way of speaking Greek, restoring the pronunciation of the ancients. [18] State Paper Office; French Correspondence. CHAPTER IX. BACON'S SUIT ON HIS RETURN TO ENGLAND, 1580. Spedding states that the earliest composition of Bacon which he had been able to discover is a letter written in his 20th year from Grays Inn. From that time forward, he continues, compositions succeed each other without any considerable interval, and in following them we shall accompany him step by step through his life. What are the compositions which Spedding places as being written but not published up to the year 1597, when the first small volume of 10 essays containing less than 6,000 words was issued from the press? These are they:-- Notes on the State of Christendom[19] (date 1580 to 1584). Letter of Advice to the Queen (1584-1586). An Advertisement touching the Controversies of the Church of England (1586-1589). Speeches written for some Court device, namely, Mr. Bacon in praise of Knowledge, and Mr. Bacon's discourse in praise of his Sovereign (1590-1592). Certain observations made upon a libel published this present year, 1592. A true report of the Detestable Treason intended by Dr. Roderigo Lopez, 1594. Gesta Grayorum, 1594, parts of which are printed by Spedding in type denoting doubtful authorship. Bacon's device, 1594-1598. Three letters to the Earl of Rutland on his travels, 1595-1596. That is all! These are the compositions which follow each other without considerable interval, and by which we are to accompany him step by step through those seventeen years which should be the most important years in a man's life! He could have turned them out in ten days or a fortnight with ease. We expect from Mr. Spedding bread, and he gives us a stone!