This complete collection of Francis Bacon's essays is superbly presented and meticulously faithful to the original publication. An intellectual possessed of a staggering breadth of knowledge and learning, Francis Bacon wrote many essays on a range of topics. Subjects as diverse as married life, child rearing, the sins of envy and vainglory, and the virtues of friendship, love and good counsel are all thoughtfully expounded upon and detailed in these essays. Cautionary writings on the subjects of anger and revenge are also present. Bacon notably makes an impassioned plea for true justice, noting that the quality of mercy is a far higher virtue than the 'wild justice' born of angry revenge. Reflecting the early colonial times in which Francis Bacon lived, we also witness essays upon the subjects of travel, Empire, ambition and commerce. Well-traveled and curious about distant lands, it is also with experience that Bacon imbues color and depth to his essays.