THE EPISTLE DEDICATORIE TO M. ANTHONY BACON, HIS DEARE BROTHER. LOUING and beloued brother, I doe nowe like some that haue an orcharde ill neighbored, that gather their fruit before it is ripe, to preuent stealing. These fragments of my conceite were going to print: to labour the staie of them had bin troublesome, and subject to interpretation: to let them passe had beene to adventure the wrong they mought receive by vntrue coppies, or by some garnishment which it mought please any one that should set them forth to bestow vpon them; therefore I held it best discreation to publish them my selfe, as they passed long agoe from my pen, without any further disgrace then the weaknesse of the Author. And as I did euer hold, there mought be as great a vanitie in retiring and withdrawing men's conceites (except they bee of some nature) from the world, as in obtruding them: so in these particulars I have played my selfe the inquisitor, and find nothing to my vnderstanding in them contrarie or infectious to the state of Religion or manners, but rather (as I suppose) medicinable. Only I disliked now to put them out, because they will bee like the late new halfe-pence, which though the siluer were good, yet the peeces were small. But since they would not stay with their Master, but would needes trauaile abroade, I haue preferred them to you that are next my selfe ; Dedicating them, such as they are, to our loue, in the depth whereof (I assure you) I sometimes wish your infirmities translated vpon my selfe, that her Majestie mought haue the seruice of so actiue and able a mind; and I mought be with excuse confined to these contemplations and studies, for which I am fittest: so commend I you to the preseruation of the Divine Majestie. From my Chamber at Graies Inne, this 30. of Januarie. 1597. Your entire louing brother, FRAN. BACON. TO MY LOUING BROTHER, SIR JOHN CONSTABLE, KNIGHT. My last Essaies I dedicated to my deare brother Master Anthony Bacon, who is with God. Looking amongst my papers this vacation, I found others of the same nature: which if I my selfe shall not suffer to be lost, it seemeth the world will not; by the often printing of the former. Missing my brother, I found you next; in respect of bond, both of neare alliance, and of straight friendship and societie, and particularly of communication in studies; wherein I must acknowledge my selfe beholding to you. For as my business found rest in my contemplations, so my contemplations euer found rest in your louing conference and judgement. So wishing you all good, I remaine Your louing brother and friend, FRA. BACON. 1612. SALOMON saies, a good name is as a precious oyntment; and I assure myselfe such wil your Graces name bee with Posteritie. For your Fortune and Merit both haue been Eminent. And you haue planted Things that are like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which of all my other workes, haue beene most Currant; for that, as it seemes, they come home to Mens Businesse and Bosomes. I haue enlarged them both in number and weight, so that they are indeed a New Worke. I thought it, therefore, agreeable to my Affection, and Obligation to your Grace, to prefix your name before them both in English and in Latine. For I doe conceiue, that the Latine Volume of them (being in the Vniuersall Language) may last as long as Bookes last. My Instauration I dedicated to the King; my Historie of Henry the Seuenth (which I haue now also translated into Latine) and my Portions of Naturall History, to the Prince; and these I dedicate to your Grace; Being of the best Fruits, that, by the good Encrease which God giues to my Pen and Labours, I could yeeld. God leade your Grace by the Hand. Your Graces most obliged and faithfull Seruant, FR. ST. ALBAN. 1625. THE TABLE. I. Of Truth.............................1625.......................... II. Of Death.. ......1612; enlarged 1625............ ....... III. Of Unity in Religion......Of Religion, 1612; re- VII. Of Parents and Children...1612; enlarged 1625 VIII. Of Marriage and Single Life...1612; slightly enlarged 1625........... IX. Of Envy..... X. Of Love.... PAGE 6 40 9 45 53 .1612; rewritten 1625...................................... XI. Of Great Place ......1612; slightly enlarged 1625. XIII. Of Goodness and Goodness of Nature...1612; en- XIV. Of Nobility............1612; rewritten 1625.. XVI. Of Atheism............1612; slightly enlarged 1625...... 63 XVII. Of Superstition ......1612; slightly enlarged 1625...... 68 XVIII. Of Travel.......... ..1625........ 71 1612; much enlarged 1625...... 74 1612; enlarged 1625......... 1625........... 1612; rewritten 1625.. ....... 82 89 90 XXIII. Of Wisdom for a Man's Self...1612; enlarged 1625... 97 |