No. 121.
FRANCIS BACON, BARON VERULAM, AND
VISCOUNT ST. ALBANS.
BORN 1561, DIED 1626.
Black dress. Ruff. Cloak. High hat.
THE second son of Sir Nicholas Bacon, by Anne, daughter of Sir Anthony Cooke, sister-in-law to Lord Burghley. Nicholas was Keeper of the Great Seal to Queen Elizabeth, who, visiting him one day at Gorhambury, observed that the house was too small for him. ‘No, Madam,’ replied the courtier, ‘it is you who have made me too big for my house.’
The Queen had a great liking for little Francis, and delighted in asking him questions, which the boy generally answered pertinently.
‘Come hither,’ she said to him one day, ‘and tell me how old you are.’
‘Just two years younger than your Majesty’s happy reign.’