18. According to classes.

19. The best counsellors are the dead (a saying about books attributed to Alonso of Aragon, d. 1458: see Works, VII.140).

20. Flatter or gloss over.

21. In the night there is counsel (i.e. the interval of a night brings counsel for the following day).

22. In 1603 James VI of Scotland became King of England: a year later Bacon assisted the commission set up to consider the union of the kingdoms.

23. State.

24. Concentrate on the business in hand.

25. Impartial.

26. Or be turbulent in behaviour (like tribunes).

27. Disturb.