Instaurare paras--Instaura leges justitiamque prius_."[5] The charge of corruption was as completely a surprise to Bacon as it was to the rest of the world.

And yet, as soon as the blot was hit, he saw in a moment that his position was hopeless--he knew that he had been doing wrong; though all the time he had never apparently given it a thought, and he insisted, what there is every reason to believe, that no present had induced him to give an unjust decision.

It was the power of custom over a character naturally and by habit too pliant to circumstances.

Custom made him insensible to the evil of receiving recommendations from Buckingham in favour of suitors.

Custom made him insensible to the evil of what it seems every one took for granted--receiving gifts from suitors.