Wanting an English Book for my Scholars to Tranflate, which might improve them in Senfe and Latin at once, (Two Things which Should never be divided in Teaching) I thought nothing more proper for that Purpose than BACON's ESSAYS, provided the English, which is in fome Places grown obfolete,« were a little reformed, and made" more fafbionable. Accordingly bav ing by me his Lordship's Latin Volume of the Effays, (which as it was à later, so seems to be a per feater Book) I fell to Tranflating it, not tying my self strictly to the Latin, but comparing both Languages together, and Setting down that Senfe Senfe & where there was any Difference) that seem'd the fulleft and plainest. And so much for the First Volumes ou} For the Second, it is Tranflated all from his Lordship's Nine Books de Augmentis Scientiarum, exceptingTM the last two or three Pages, which are wanfcribed from his Lordship's Advancement of Learning, written at first and published in Two Books in the English Tongue. The whole Nine Books I found rendred into English by Dr. Gilbert Wats of Oxford; to which Version I am fo much obliged, as not to think my Self at Liberty to mention the Faults of it. As for the Original Essays, (and the Continued Ones are nothing inferior to them) his Lordship is bold to say, That he conceives that the Latin Volume of them (being in the Univerfal Language) may laft as long as Books lat. And the English Volumes too may laftas long as the English Tongue, if any one, once in a Century or two,; would take the fame Paius that I have done, to repair the Decays of a fleeting Language. As to my Part, which is Fidelity to my Author, and Correctness of English, without any Apology of School-Avocations, I have endeavour'd Both to the utmost of my Power, Power, and hope to have given Satisfaction: But if I should not, I can't Say I shall repent me of my Labour; fince I have gained thereby what I value much above the Credit of a good Translator; I mean, an Opportunity of difcharging, in fome fort, an indifpenfable Duty, even that of Gratitude, to as Great, and as Good a Man, (and I thank God I flatter no Body) as this Nation can boast of. 紫 A |