The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

ADVICE TO SIR GEORGE VILLIERS.
for it; justice is the best protector of it at home, as persons unnecessary for the time; let -r:.rs a d
and providence for war is the best prevention of ammunition of all sorts be provided and sto red uI,.
it from abroad. as against a day of battle; let the ports arid forts
4. Wars are either foreign or civil. For the be fitted so, as if by the next wind we should
foreign war by the king upon some neighbour na- hear of an alarm. Such a known providence is
tion, I hope we are secure. The king, in his pious the surest protection. But of all wars, let bothb
and just disposition, is not inclinable thereunto. prince and people pray against a war in our own
tIis empire is long enough, bounded with the bowels. The king by his wisdomn, justice, and
ocean, as if the very situation thereof had taught moderation, must foresee and stop such a storm,
the king and people to set up their rests, and say, and if it fall, must allay it; and the people, by
6 "Ne plus ultra." their obedience, must decline it. And for a fo5. And for a war of invasion from abroad; only reign war, intended by an invasion, to enlarge
vwe must not be over secure; that is the way to the bounds of our empire, which are large enough,
invite it. and are naturally bounded with the ocean, I have
6. But if we be always prepared to receive an no opinion either of the justness or fitness of it;
enemy, if the ambition or malice of any should and it were a very hard matter to attempt it with
incite him, we may be very confident we shall hope of success, seeing the subjects of this kinglong live in peace and quietness, without any at- dom believe it is not legal for them to be enforced
tempts upon us, to go beyond the seas, without their own consent,
7. To make the preparations hereunto the more upon hope of an unwarranted conquest; but to reassured: in the first place, I will recommend unto sist an invading enemy, or to suppress rebels, the
you the care of our outworks, the navy royal and subjects may and must be commanded out of the
shipping of our kingdom, which are the walls counties where they inhabit. The whole kingdom
thereof; and every great ship is an impregnable is but one entire body; else it will necessarily be
fort; and our many safe and commodious ports verified, which elsewhere was asserted, 4, Dum
and havens, in every of these kingdoms, are as the singuli pugnamus, omnes vincimur."]
redoubts to secure them. 14. Our strict league of amity and alliance with
8. For the body of the ships, no nation of the our near neighbours, the Hollanders, is a mutual
world doth equal England for the oaken tilmber strength to both. The shipping of both in conwherewith to build them; and we need not borrow juncture, being so powerful, by God's blessing,
of any other iron for spikes or nails to fasten them as no foreigners will venture upon. This league
together; but there must be a great deal of pro- and friendship must inviolably be observed.
vidence used, that our ship timber be not unne- 15. From Scotland we have had in former times
cessarily wasted. some alarms and inroads into the northern parts
9. But for tackling, as sails and cordage, we of this kingdom; but that happy union of both
are beholden to our neighbours for them, and kingdoms under one sovereign, our gracious king,
do buy them for our money; that must be fore- I hope, hath taken away all occasions of breach
seen, and laid up in a store against a time of need, between the two nations. Let not the cause arise
and not sought for when we are to use them; but from England, and I hope the Scots will not adwe are much to blame that we make them not at venture it; or if they do, I hope they will find,
home. Only pitch and tar we have not of our own. that although to our king they were his first-born
10. For the true art of building of ships, for subjects, yet to England belongs the birthright;
burden and service both, no nation in the world but this should not be any cause to offer any
exceeds us. Shipwrights and all other artisans injury to them, nor to suffer any from then,.
belonging to that trade must be cherished and en- 16. There remains then no danger, by the blesscouraged. ing of God, but a civil war, from which God of
11. Powder and ammunition of all sorts we can his mercy defend us, as that which is most dehave at home, and in exchange for other home sperate of all others. The king's wisdom and
-ommodities we may be plentifully supplied from justice must prevent it, if it may be; or if it should
our neighbours, which must not be neglected. happen, ", quod absit," he must quench that wild12. With mariners and seamen this kingdom is fire with all the diligence that possibly can be.
plentifully furnished. The constant trade of 17. Competition to the crown there is none, nor
merchandising will furnish us at a need; and na- can be, therefore it must be a fire within the bowvioable rivers will repair the store, both to the els, or nothing; the cures whereof are these, 64 renavy royal and to the merchants, if they be set on medium preveniens," which is the best physic,
work, and well paid for their labour, either to a natural body, or to a state, by just and
13. Sea captains and commanders, and other equal government to take away the occasion; and.
)fficers must be encouraged, and rise by degrees, " remedium puniens," if the other prevail not.
is their fidelity and industry deserve it. rThe service and vigilancy of the deputy lieute[Let brave spirits that have fitted themselves nants in every county, and of the high sheriff, will
for command, either by sea or land, not belaid by, contribute much herein to our security.