counsel the State (as if he had been still at the helm) by letters; as appears by some epistles of his which are extant. Seneca indeed, who was condemned for many corruptions and crimes, and banished into a solitary island, kept a mean; and though his pen did not freeze, yet he abstained from intruding into matters of business; but spent his time in writing books, of excellent argument and use for all ages; though he might have made better choice (sometimes) of his dedications.' These examples confirmed me much in a resolution (whereunto I was otherwise inclined) to spend my time wholly in writing; and to put forth that poor talent, or half talent, or what it is, that God hath given me, not as heretofore to particular exchanges, but to banks or mounts of perpetuity, which will not break. Therefore having not long since1 set forth a part of my Instauration; which is the work, that in mine own judgment (si nunquam fallit imago) I do most esteem; I think to proceed in some new parts thereof. And although I have received from many parts beyond the seas, testimonies touching that work, such as beyond which I could not expect at the first in so abtruse an argument; yet nevertheless I have just cause to doubt, that it flies too high over men's heads: I have a purpose therefore (though I break the order of time) to draw it down to the sense, by some patterns of a Natural Story and Inquisition. And again, for that my book of Advancement of Learning may be some preparative, or key, for the better opening of the Instauration; because it exhibits a mixture of new conceits and old; whereas the Instauration gives the new unmixed, otherwise than with some little aspersion of the old for taste's sake; I have thought good to procure I licet aliquos eorum dedicaverit, minus pro dignitate. 2 concessum mihi tempus. 3 utque talentum a Deo concreditum, non ut prius Trapezitis particularibus, sed excambiis publicis, quæ nunquam exhaurientur et usuram pro certo reddent, committerem. ♦ ante annos aliquot. 5 decrevi certe in cæteris ejus partibus minime defatisci. 6 Quod etiam nunc ago. For "I think to proceed" the Cambridge MS. has "I have proceeded." quibus non potuerim majra, cum tam insigni approbatione et honore pectare. 7 hominum, præsertim vulgaris judicii. ex 8 per exempla quædam et portiones Naturalis Historia, et Inquisitiones super eam. quod etiam ex parte feci. The Historia Ventorum was published about the beginning of November 1622, and the Historia Vitæ et Mortis about the end of the following January; after the English version of this letter was written, probably, and before it was translated. In the Cambridge MS., which appears to be of an earlier date than Rawley's copy, the last sentence stands thus: "I have taken a course to draw it down to the sense, which cannot fail." a translation of that book into the general language', not without great and ample additions2 and enrichment thereof, especially in the second book, which handleth the Partition of Sciences; in such sort, as I hold it may serve in lieu of the first part of the Instauration, and acquit my promise in that part.3 Again, because I cannot altogether desert the civil person that I have borne; which if I should forget, enough would remember; I have also entered into a work touching Laws, propounding a character of Justice, in a middle term, between the speculative and reverend discourses of philosophers, and the writings of lawyers which are tied and obnoxious to their particular laws.1 And although it be true, that I had a purpose to make a particular digest or recompilement of the laws of mine own nation; yet because it is a work of assistance, and that that I cannot master by mine own forces and pen", I have laid it aside. Now having in the work of my Instauration had in contemplation the general good of men in their very being, and the dowries of nature: and in my work of Laws, the general good of men likewise in society, and the dowries of government; I thought in duty I owed somewhat unto mine own country, which I ever loved; insomuch as although my place hath been far above my desert, yet my thoughts and cares concerning the good thereof were beyond. and over and above my place: so now being (as I am) no more able to do my country service, it remained unto me to do it honour: which I have endeavoured to do in my work of The reign of King Henry the Seventh. As for my Essays, and some other particulars of that nature. I count them but as the recreations of my other studies, and in that sort purpose to 1 consentaneum putavi opus illud in linguam generalem ex vernacula vertere. The Cambridge MS. has "not without seme ad lition." • idque ita cumulate præstiti, ut juliem librim ilon, jom in plures divisum, pro prind Instaurationis parte haberi posse; quam Partitionum Scientiarum nomine antea insignivi; et sic fidem mean in hão parte alcrari conțido. At pe hoc etiam j m per action est. The De Augmentis Scicntiarum was published in the autumn of 1623. Hrastow qus, quoniam etine alt, tyre prave ere le re t. infectum reliqui: continue them'; though I am not ignorant that those kind of writings would with less pains and embracement (perhaps) yield more lustre and reputation to my name than those other which I have in hand. But I account the use that a man should seek of the publishing of his own writings before his death, to be but an untimely anticipation of that which is proper to follow a man and not to go along with him." But revolving with myself my writings, as well those which I have published, as those which I had in hand, methought they went all into the city, and none into the temple3; where because I have found so great consolation, I desire likewise to make some poor oblation. Therefore I have chosen an argument mixt of religious and civil considerations; and likewise mixt between contemplative and active. For who can tell whether there may not be an Exoriere aliquis? Great matters (especially if they be religious) have (many times) small beginnings: and the platform may draw on the building. This work, because I was ever an enemy to flattering dedications, I have dedicated to your lordship, in respect of our ancient and private acquaintance; and because amongst the men of our times I hold you in special reverence. Your lordship's loving friend, FR. ST. ALBAN. 1 Quantum vero ad librum illum jampridem editum, cui antea titulus Delibationes Morales et Civiles, nunc autem Sermones Fideles sive Interiora Rerum inscribitur; eum etiam multipliciter auxi et ditavi: et in linguam quoque Latinam e vernacula verti curavi. Illud autem scriptorum genus animi reficiendi et levandi causa subinde tracto. The enlarged edition of the Essays was published in 1625 with the title Essays or Counsels Civil and Moral. The Latin translation may possibly have been going on at the same time, though it was not published during Bacon's life. It would seem however from this addition that the Latin version of this dedicatory letter was one of Bacon's latest writings. 2 This sentence is omitted in the translation; and instead of it the following is inserted. Quinetiam libellum meum De Sapientia Veterum, ut ab interitu tutior esset, in Tomo Operum meorum Moralium et Politicorum rursus edendum curavi. Exceptis paucis (the translation adds) alicubi inspersis, quæ ad Religionem spectant. • Tractatum scilicet De Bello Sacro. AN ADVERTISEMENT1 TOUCHING AN HOLY WA R. The Persons that speak. EUSEBIUS. GAMALIEL. ZEBEDEUS. MARTIUS. EUPOLIS. POLLIO. Characters of the Persons. Eusebius beareth the character of a Moderate Divine. Gamaliel of a Protestant Zelant. Zebedæus of a Romish Catholic Zelant. Martius of a Militar Man. Eupolis of a Politique. Pollio of a Courtier.2 THERE met at Paris (in the house of Eupolis) Eusebius, Zebedæus, Gamaliel, Martius, all persons of eminent quality, but of several dispositions. Eupolis himself was also present; and while they were set in conference, Pollio came in to them from court; and as soon as he saw them, after his witty and pleasant manner, he said: POLLIO. Here be four of you, I think were able to make a good World; for you are as differing as the four Elements, and yet you are friends. As for Eupolis, because he is temperate and without passion, he may be the Fifth Essence. EUPOLIS. If we five (Pollio) make the Great World, you alone may make the Little; because you profess and practise both, to refer all things to yourself. POLLIO. And what do they that practise it, and profess it not? ' Dialogus. Orthodoxus et moderatus. 2 Zebedæus Romano-Catholicus, fervidus et Zelotes. Gamaliel, in Religione Reformatá, fervidus item et Zelotes. Eusebius, Theologus Martius, vir Militaris. Eupolis, Politicus. Pollio, Aulicus. Romano-Catholici, VOL. VII. Omnes præter Gamalielem |