counsels out of their particular professions, (as lawyers, seamen, mintmen,[1] and the like,) be first heard before committees; and then, as occasion serves, before the counsel. And let them not come in multitudes, or in a tribunitious[2] manner, for that is to clamour[3] counsels, not to inform them. A long table and a square table, or seats about the walls, seem things of form, but are things of substance; for at a long table a few at the upper end, in effect, sway all the business; but in the other form there is more use of the counsellors' opinions that sit lower.[4] A king, when he presides in counsel, let him beware how he opens his own inclination too much in that which he propoundeth; for else counsellors will but take the wind of him, and instead of giving free counsel, sing him a song of placebo.[5]
- ↑ Mintman. One skilled in coining or in coins; a coiner.
- ↑ Tribunitious. Characteristic of a tribune, or of his power or functions. We do not get the wisest counsel from tribunes or demagogues, as Bacon goes on to say.
- ↑ Clamour. To disturb with clamour; to din.
"Clamoured the livelong night."
Shakspere. Macbeth. ii. 1. - ↑ "At Hawarden the G. O. M. [Grand Old Man, Gladstone] was somewhat hoarse, but cheerful and full of interesting talk on various topics. The geology of Norway and Psychical Research appeared to be the subjects that interested him most, but he told us one or two noteworthy things of a political bearing,—e.g. that the Cabinet now sit round a table, whereas they used to sit on chairs in a circle; he thinks the change a mistake, as leading to a less steady concentration of attention." Henry Sidgwick. A. Memoir by A. S. and E. M. S. Diary for September 30, 1885. p. 425.
- ↑ I will please. In the Roman Catholic Church, the vesper hymn for the dead, beginning, Placebo Domino in regione vivorum.
