Did he not maintain a theory of the universe which even that perilous speculator and political schemer, Francis Bacon, sneered at as nugatory?
[Footnote 95: Printed in the _Explicatio triginta Sigillarum_.] In spite of academical opposition, Bruno enjoyed fair weather, halcyon months, in England.

His description of the Ash Wednesday Supper at Fulke Greville's, shows that a niche had been carved out for him in London, where he occupied a pedestal of some importance.

Those gentlemen of Elizabeth's Court did not certainly exaggerate the value of their Italian guest.

In Italy, most of them had met with spirits of Bruno's stamp, whom they had not time or opportunity to prove.

He was one among a hundred interesting foreigners; and his martyrdom had not as yet set the crown of glory or of shame upon his forehead.