To the King

The second Booke of Francis Bacon; of the proficience or advancement of Learning, Divine and Humane. To the King.

It might seeme to have more convenience, though it come often otherwise to passe, (Excellent King) that those which are fruitfull in their generations, & have in themselves the fore sight of Immortalitie, in their descendents, should likewise be more carefull of the good estate of future times; unto which they know they must transmitte and commend over their dearest pledges. Queene Elizabeth was a sojourner in the world in respect of her unmaried life: and was a blessing to her owne times; & yet so as the impression of her good governement, besides her happie memorie, is not without some effect, which doth survive her. But to your Majestie, whom God hath alreadie blessed with so much Royall issue, worthie to continue and represent you for ever: and whose youthfull and fruitfull bedde doth yet promise manie the like renovations: It is proper and agreeable to be conversant, not only in the transitory parts of good government: but in those acts also, which are in their nature permanent & perpetuall. Amongst the which (if affection do not transport mee,) there is not any more worthie, then the further endowement of the world with sound and fruitfull knowledge: For why should a fewe received Authors stand up like Hercules Columnes, beyond which, there should be no sayling, or discovering, since wee have so bright and benigne a starre, as your Ma: to conduct and prosper us? To returne therefore where wee left, it remaineth to consider of what kind those Acts are which have bene undertaken, & performed by Kings and others, for the increase and advancement of learning, wherein I purpose to speake actively without digressing or dylating.

Let this ground therfore be layd, that all workes are overcommen by amplitude of reward, by soundnesse of direction, and by the conjunction of labors. The first multiplyeth endevour, the second preventeth error, and the third supplieth the frailty of man. But the principal of these is direction: For Claudus in via, anteuertit cursorem extra viam: And Salomon excellently setteth it downe; If the Iron be not sharpe, it requireth more strength: But wisedome is that which prevaileth: signifying that the Invention or election of the Meane, is more effectuall then anie inforcement or accumulation of endevours. This I am induced to speake; for that (not derogating from the noble intention of any that have beene deservers towards the State of learning) I do observe neverthelesse, that their workes and Acts are rather matters of Magnificence and Memorie, then of progression and proficience, and tende rather to augment the masse of Learning in the multitude of learned men, then to rectifie or raise the Sciences themselves.

The Works or Acts of merit towards learning are conuersant about three objects, the Places of learning; the Bookes of learning; and the Persons of the learned. For as water, whether it be the dewe of heaven, or the springs of the earth, doth scatter and leese it selfe in the ground, except it be collected into some Receptacle, where it may by union, comfort and sustaine it selfe: And for that cause the Industry of Man hath made & framed Spring heads, Conduits, Cesternes, and Pooles, which men have accustomed likewise to beautifie and adorne with accomplishments of Magnificence and State, as wel as of use and necessitie: So this excellent liquor of knowledge, whether it descend from divine inspiration, or spring from humane sense, would soone perishe and vanishe to oblyvion, if it were not preserved in Bookes, Traditions, Conferences, and Places appoynted, as Universities, Colledges, and Schooles, for the receipt & comforting of the same.

The works which concerne the Seates and Places of learning, are foure; Foundations, and Buyldings, Endowments with Revenewes, Endowments with Franchizes and Priviledges, Institutions and Ordinances for government, all tending to quietnesse and privatenesse of life, and discharge of cares and troubles, much like the Stations, which Virgil prescribeth for the hyving of Bees.

The workes touching Bookes are two: First Libraries, which are as the Shrynes, where all the Reliques of the ancient Saints, full of true vertue, and that without delusion or imposture, are preserved, and reposed; Secondly, Newe Editions of Authors, with more correct impressions, more faithfull translations, more profitable glosses, more diligent annotations, and the like.

The workes pertaining to the persons of learned men (besides the advancement and countenancing of them in generall) are two: The reward and designation of Readers in Sciences already extant and invented: and the reward and designation of Writers and Enquirers, concerning any partes of Learning, not sufficiently laboured and prosecuted.

These are summarilie the workes and actes, wherein the merites of manie excellent Princes, and other worthie Personages have beene conversant. As for any particular commemorations, I call to minde what Cicero saide, when hee gave generall thanks. Difficile non aliquem; ingratum quenquam præterire: Let us rather according to the Scriptures, looke unto that parte of the Race, which is before us; then looke backe to that which is alreadie attained.

First therfore amongst so many great Foundations of Colledges in Europe, I finde strange that they are all dedicated to Professions, and none left free to Artes and Sciences at large. For if men judge that learning should bee referred to action, they judge well: but in this they fall into the Error described in the ancient Fable; in which the other parts of the body did suppose the stomache had beene ydle, because it neyther performed the office of Motion, as the lymmes doe, nor of Sence, as the head doth: But yet notwithstanding it is the Stomache that digesteth and distributeth to all the rest: So if any man thinke Philosophie and Universalitie to be idle Studies; hee doth not consider that all Professions are from thence served, and supplyed. And this I take to bee a great cause that hath hindered the progression of learning, because these Fundamental knowledges have bene studied but in passage. For if you will have a tree beare more fruite then it hath used to do; it is not any thing you can do to the boughes, but it is the styrring of the earth, and putting newe moulde about the rootes, that must worke it. Neyther is it to bee forgotten, that this dedicating of Foundations and Dotations to professory Learning, hath not onely had a Maligne aspect, and influence upon the growth of Scyences, but hath also beene prejudiciall to States and governments. For hence it proceedeth that Princes find a solitude, in regard of able men to serve them in causes of estate, because there is no education collegiate, which is free; wher such as were so disposed, mought give themselves to Histories, moderne languages, bookes of pollicie and civile discourse, and other the like inablements unto service of estate.

And because founders of Colledges doe plant, and founders of Lectures doe water: it followeth wel in order to speake of the defect, which is in Publique Lectures: Namely, in the smalnesse and meanesse of the salary or reward which in most places is assigned unto them: whether they be Lectures of Arts, or of Professions. For it is necessary to the progression of Scyences, that Readers be of the most able and sufficient men; as those which are ordained for generating, and propagating of Scyences, and not for transitorie use. This cannot be, except their condition, & endowment be such, as may content the ablest man, to appropriate his whole labour, and continue his whole age in that function and attendance, and therefore must have a proportion answerable to that mediocritie or competencie of advancement, which may be expected from a Profession, or the Practize of a Profession: So as, if you wil have Scyences flourish, you must observe Davids military lawe, which was, That those which staied with the Carriage, should have equall part with those which were in the Action: else will the carriages be ill attended: So Readers in Scyences are indeede the Gardyans of the stores and provisions of Scyences, whence men in active courses are furnished, and therefore ought to have equall entertainment with them; otherwise if the fathers in Scyences be of the weakest sort, or be ill maintained.

Et Patrum inualidi referent jejunia nati.

Another defect I note, wherin I shall neede some Alchimist to helpe me, who call upon men to sell their Bookes, and to build Fornaces, quitting and forsaking Minerua, and the Muses, as barreyne virgines, and relying upon Vulcan. But certaine it is, that unto the deepe, fruitefull, and operative studie of many Scyences, specially Naturall Phylosophy and Physicke, Bookes be not onely the Instrumentals; wherein also the beneficence of men hath not beene altogether wanting: for we see, Spheares, Globes, Astrolabes, Mappes, and the like, have bene provided, as appurtenances to Astronomy & Cosmography, as well as bookes: We see likewise, that some places instituted for Physicke, have annexed the commoditie of Gardeins for Simples of all sorts, and do likewise command the use of dead Bodies for Anatomyes. But these doe respect but a few things. In generall, there will hardly be any Mayne proficience in the disclosing of nature, except there be some allowance for expences about experiments; whether they be experiments appertaining to Vulcanus or Dedalus, Furnace or Engyne, or any other kind; And therefore as Secretaries, and Spyalls of Princes and States bring in Bills for Intelligence; so you must allowe the Spyalls and Intelligencers of Nature, to bring in their Billes, or else you shall be ill advertised.

And if Alexander made such a liberall assignation to Aristotle of treasure for the allowance of Hunters, Fowlers, Fishers and the like, that he mought compile an Historie of Nature, much better do they deserve it that travailes in Arts of nature.

Another defect which I note, is an intermission or neglect in those which are Governours in Universities, of Consultation, & in Princes or superior persons, of Visitation: To enter into account and consideration, whether the Readings, exercises, and other customes appertayning unto learning, aunciently begunne, and since continued, be well instituted or no, and thereupon to ground an amendement, or reformation in that which shall be found inconvenient. For it is one of your Majesties owne most wise and Princely Maximes, that in all usages, and Presidents, the Times be considered wherein they first beganne, which if they were weake, or ignorant, it derogateth from the Authoritie of the Usage, and leaveth it for suspect. And therefore in as much, as most of the usages, and orders of the Universities were derived from more obscure times, it is the more requisite, they be reexamined. In this kind I will give an instance or two for example sake, of things that are the most obvious & familiar: The one is a matter, which though it bee ancient and generall, yet I hold to be an errour, which is, that Schollers in Universities come too soone, & too unripe to Logicke & Rhetoricke; Arts fitter for Graduates then children, and Novices: For these two rightly taken, are the gravest of Sciences, beeing the Arts of Arts, the one for Judgement, the other for Ornament: And they be the Rules & Directions, how to set forth & dispose matter: & therfore for mindes emptie & unfraught with matter, & which have not gathered that which Cicero calleth Sylva and Supellex, stuffe and varietie to beginne with those Artes (as if one should learne to weigh, or to measure, or to painte the Winde) doth worke but this effect: that the wisedome of those Arts, which is great, & universal, is almost made contemptible, & is degenerate into childish Sophystrie, & ridiculous affectation. And further, the untimely learning of them hath drawen on by consequence, the superficiall and unprofitable teaching & writing of them, as fitteth indeed to the capacity of children: Another, is a lacke I finde in the exercises used in the Universities, which do make to great a divorce betweene Invention & Memory: for their speeches are either premeditate in Verbis conceptis, where nothing is left to Invention, or meerly Extemporall, where little is left to Memory: wheras in life & action, there is least use of either of these, but rather of intermixtures of premeditation, & Invention: Notes & Memorie. So as the exercise fitteth not the practize, nor the Image, the life; and it is ever a true rule in exercises, that they bee framed as nere as may be to the life of practise, for otherwise they do pervert the Motions, and faculties of the Minde, and not prepare them. The truth whereof is not obscure, when Schollars come to the practises of professions, or other actions of civill life, which when they set into, this want is soone found by themselves, and sooner by others. But this part touching the amendment of the Institutions and orders of Universities. I will conclude with the clause of Cæsars letter to Oppius and Balbus, Hoc quemadmodum fieri possit, nonnulla mihi in mentem veniunt, & multa reperiri possunt: de ijs rebus rogouos, ut cogitationem suscipiatis.

Another defect which I note, ascendeth a little higher then the precedent. For as the proficience of learning consisteth much in the orders and institutions of Universities, in the same States & kingdoms: So it would bee yet more advanced, if there were more Intelligence Mutual betweene the Universities of Europe, then now there is. We see, there be many Orders and Foundations, which though they be devided under severall soveraignties, & territories, yet they take themselves to have a kind of contract, fraternitie, & correspondence, one with the other, insomuch as they have Provincials and Generals. And surely as Nature createth Brotherhood in Families, & Arts Mechanicall contract Brotherhoods in communalties, and the Anoyntment of God superinduceth a Brotherhood in Kings & Bishops: So in like manner there cannot but bee a fraternitie in learning and illumination, relating to that Paternitie, which is attributed to God, who is called the Father of illuminations or lights.

The last defect which I wil note, is; that there hath not been, or very rarely been, any Publique Designation of Writers or Enquirers, concerning such parts of knowledge, as may appeare not to have bin alreadie sufficiently laboured or undertaken, unto which point it is an Inducement; to enter into a view and examination, what parts of learning have bin prosecuted, and what omitted; For the opinion of plentie is amongst the causes of want; and the great quantitie of Bookes maketh a shewe rather of superfluitie then lacke, which surcharge neverthelesse is not to be remedied by making no more bookes, but by making more good books, which as the Serpent of Moses, mought devour the Serpents of the Inchantors.

The removing of all the defects formerly enumerate, except the last, and of the active part also of the last (which is the designation of Writers) are Opera Basilica; towards which the endevors of a private man may be, but as an Image in a crosse way; that may point at the way, but cannot goe it. But the inducing part of the latter (which is the survay of Learning), may bee set forwarde by private travaile; Wherefore I will now attempt to make a generall and faithfull perambulation of learning, with an inquiry what parts therof lye fresh and wast, and not improved & converted by the Industrie of man; to the end that such a plotte made and recorded to memorie, may both minister light to anie publique designation: and also serve to excite voluntary endevours; wherin neverthelesse my purpose is at this time, to note onely omissions and deficiences; and not to make any redargution of Errors, or incomplete prosecutions: For it is one thing to set forth what ground lyeth unmanured; and another thing to correct ill husbandry in that which is manured.

In the handling & undertaking of which worke, I am not ignorant, what it is, that I doe now moove and attempt, nor insensible of mine own weakenes, to susteine my purpose: But my hope is, that if my extreame love to learning carrie me too farre, I may obtaine the excuse of affection; for that It is not granted to man to love, and to bee wise. But I know well I can use no other libertie of Judgement, then I must leave to others, & I for my part shall be indifferentlie glad eyther to performe my selfe, or accept from another, that dutie of humanitie: Nam quierranti comiter monstrat viam: &c. I doe foresee likewise, that of those things, which I shall enter & Register, as Deficiences and Omissions: Many will conceive and censure, that some of them are alreadie done & extant: others to bee but curiosities, and things of no great use: and others to bee of too great difficultie, and almost impossibilitie to bee compassed and effected: But for the twoo first, I referre my selfe to the particulars. For the last, touching impossibilitie, I take it, those things are to bee held possible, which may be done by some person, though not by everie one: and which may be done by many, though not by any one: and which may be done in succession of ages, though not within the houre-glasse of one mans life: and which may be done by publique designation, though not by private endevour. But notwithstanding, if any Man will take to himselfe rather that of Salomon, Dicit piger, Leo est in via, then that of Virgil, Possunt, quia posse videntur: I shall be content that my labours bee esteemed, but as the better sorte of wishes: for as it asketh some knowledge to demaund a question, not impertinent; so it requireth some sense, to make a wish not absurd.