The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

30 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA.
in all kind of literature, and of those there is not stand well assured (for the tenor and subject of
now so much as one pamphlet (only some parcels your main discourse) you are not able to impanel
of the Bible excepted) remaining to posterity. a jury in any university that will give up a verAs then there was not in like manner to be found diet to acquit you of error; yet it cannot be gainany footing of millions of authors that were long said, that all your treatise over doth abound with
before Solomon, and yet we must give credit to choice conceit of the present state of learning,
that which he affirmed; that whatsoever was then and with so worthy contemplations of the means
or before, it could never be truly pronounced of to procure it, as may persuade with any student
it, 4" Behold, this is new." Whereupon I must to look more narrowly to his business, not only
for my final conclusion infer, seeing all the en- by aspiring to the greatest perfection, of that
deavours, study, and knowledge of mankind, in which is now-a-days divulged in the sciences,
whatsoever art or science, have ever been the but by diving yet deeper, as it were, into the
same as they are at this present, though full of bowels and secrets of nature, and by enforcing of
mutabilities, according to the changes and acci- the powers of his judgment and wit to learn of
dental occasions of ages and countries, and clerks' St. Paul, "6 Consectari meliora dona:" which
dispositions; which can never but be subject to course, would to God (to whisper so much into
intention and remission, both in their devices and your ear) you had followed at the first, when
practices of their knowledge. If now we should you fell to the study of such a study as was not
accord in opinion with you; first, to condemn worthy such a student. Nevertheless, being so
our present knowledge of doubt and incertitude as it is, that you are therein settled, and your
(which you confer but by averment) without country soundly served; I cannot but wish with
other force of argument, and then to disclaim all all my heart, as I do very often, that you may
our axioms and maxims, and general assertions gain a fit reward to the full of your deserts, which
that are left by tradition from our elders to us; I hope will come with heaps of happiness and
which, (for so it is to be pretended) have passed honour.
all probations of the sharpest wits that ever were Yours to be used, and commanded,
Abecedarii, by the frequent spelling of particulars, THO. BODLEY.
to come to the notice of new generals, and so Froim Fulham, Feb. 19, 1607.
afresh to create new principles of sciences, the
end of all would be, that when we should be dis- SIR,-One kind of boldness doth draw on
possessed of the learning which we have, all our another; insomuch as methinks I should offend
consequent travail will but help us in a circle, to to signify, that before the transcript of your book
conduct us to the place from whence we set for- be fitted for the press, it will be requisite for you
wards, and bring us to the happiness to be to cast a censor's eye upon the style and the elorestored ", in integrum," which will require as cution; which, in the framing, of some periods,
many ages as have marched before us, to be per- and in divers words and phrases, will hardly go
fectly achieved. And this I write, with no dis- for current, if the copy brought to me be just the
like of increasing our knowledge with new-found same that you would publish.
devices, (which is undoubtedly a practice of THO. BODLEY.
high commendation) in regard of the benefit they
will yield for the present, that the world hath
ever been, and will forever continue, very full of
such devisers; whose industry that way hath
been very obstinate and eminent, and hath pro- SIn FRANCIS BACON TO TINE nIIop OF ELY, UPON
duced strange effects, above the reach and the SENDING IS WRITING INTITULED, COGITATA
ET VISA.
hope of men's common capacities; and yet our
notions and theorems have always kept in grace MY VERY GOOD LORD,
both with them, and with the rarest that ever Now, your lordship hath been so long in the
were named among the learned. church and the palace, disputing between kings
By this you see to what boldness I am brought and popes, methinks you should take pleasure to
by your kindness; that (if I seem to be too saucy look into the field, and refresh your mind with
in this contradiction) it is the opinion that I hold some matter of philosophy; though that science
of your noble disposition, and of the freedom in be now, through age, waxed a child again, and
these cases, that you will afford your special left to boys and young men. And because you
friend, that hath induced me to it. And although are wont to make me believe you took liking to
I myself, like a carrier's horse, cannot baulk the my writings, I send you some of this vacation
beaten way, in which I have been trained, yet fruits, and thus much more for my mind and pursince it is my censure of your Cogitata that I pose.,"I hasten not to publish, perishing I
must tell you, to be p.ain, you have very much would prevent." And I am forced to respect as
wronged yourself and the world, to smother such well my times, as the matter; for with me it is
a treasure so long in your coffer: for though I thus, and I think with all men, in my case: if I