[246] “’Tis the especial virtue of a prince to know his own men.”
[247] In his disposition, or inclination.
[248] Liable to opposition from.
[249] “According to classes,” or, as we vulgarly say, “in the lump.” Lord Bacon means that princes are not, as a matter of course, to take counsellors merely on the presumption of talent, from their rank and station; but that, on the contrary, they are to select such as are tried men, and with regard to whom there can be no mistake.
[250] “The best counsellors are the dead.”
[251] “Are afraid” to open their mouths.
[252] “Night-time for counsel.”—ἐν νυκτὶ βουλή. Gaisf. Par. Gr. B. 359.
[253] On the accession of James the Sixth of Scotland to the throne of England in 1603.
[254] A phrase much in use with the Romans, signifying, “to attend to the business in hand.”
[255] A tribunitial or declamatory manner.