Rawley, in his "Life of Bacon" (1657), attributes an exactly similar habit to the philosopher, and almost in identical phrase: "For he would ever interlace a moderate relaxation of his mind with his studies as walking, or taking the air abroad in his coach or some other befitting recreation; and yet he would lose no time, inasmuch as upon his first and immediate return he would fall to reading again, and so suffer no moment of time to slip from him without some present improvement." It is difficult to approach any phase of the life of Bacon without being confronted with what appears to be evidence of careful preparation to obscure the facts. This observation does not result from imagination or prejudice; Bacon's movements are always enshrouded in mystery. Investigation and research will, however, eventually establish as a fact that there was a closer connection between Burghley and Bacon than historians have recognised, and that they had a strong attachment for each other. FOOTNOTES: [37] Harl. MSS., 537, pp. 26 and 71; additional MSS., 4,263, p. 144; Harl. MSS., 6,401; Harl. MSS., 6,854, p. 203; Cambridge Univ. Lib., Mm. V. 5; Cotton MSS., Tit., Chap. VII., p. 50 b; Harl. MSS., 859, p. 40; Cotton MSS., Jul., F. VI., p. 158. [38] See page 72. [39] See pages 70, 72. [40] See Appendix. [41] If you, O Mildred, will take care to send back to me him whom I desire, You will be my good, my more than good, my only sister; But if, unfortunately, by doing nothing you keep him back and send him across the sea, You will be bad, more than bad, nay no sister at all of mine. If he comes to Cornwall, peace and all joys be with you, But if he goes by sea to Sicily I declare war. Farewell. [42] One note on this book contains an interesting historical fact hitherto unknown. On page 279 the text states: "Among the Conspirators was Nicholo Fedini whom they employed as Chauncellor, he persuaded with a hope more certaine, revealed to Piero, all the practice argreed by his enemies, and delivered him a note of all their names." Bacon has made the following note in the margin: "Ex (_i.e._, Essex) did the like in England which he burnt at Shirfr Smiths house in fenchurch Street." CHAPTER XVI. THE 1623 FOLIO EDITION OF SHAKESPEARE'S PLAYS.