62 Bacon 



and by the conjunction of labours. The first multiplieth 

 endeavour, the second preventeth error, and the third 

 supplieth the frailty of man: but the principal of these is 

 direction : for Claudus in via antevertit cursor em extra viam ; 

 and Salomon excellently setteth it down, // the iron be not 

 sharp, it requircth more strength ; but wisdom is that which 

 prevaileth ; 1 signifying that the invention or election of the 

 mean is more effectual than any inforcement or accumula 

 tion of endeavours. This I am induced to speak, for that 

 (not derogating from the noble intention of any that have 

 been deservers towards the state of learning) I do observe, 

 nevertheless, that their works and acts are rather matters of 

 magnificence and memory, than of progression and pro- 

 ficience ; and tend rather to augment the mass of learning 

 in the multitude of learned men, than to rectify or raise the 

 sciences themselves. 



The works or acts of merit towards learning are conver 

 sant about three objects: the places of learning, the books 

 of learning, and the persons of the learned. For as water, 

 whether it be the dew of heaven, or the springs of the earth, 

 doth scatter and leese itself in the ground, except it be 

 collected into some receptacle, where it may by union com 

 fort and sustain itself, (and for that cause the industry of 

 man hath made and framed spring-heads, conduits, cisterns, 

 and pools, which men have accustomed likewise to beautify 

 and adorn with accomplishments of magnificence and state, 

 as well as of use and necessity) so this excellent liquor of 

 knowledge, whether it descend from divine inspiration, or 

 spring from human sense, would soon perish and vanish to 

 oblivion, if it were not preserved in books, traditions, con 

 ferences, and places appointed, as universities, colleges, and 

 schools, for the receipt and comforting of the same. 



The works which concern the seats and places of learning 

 are four; foundations and buildings, endowments with 

 revenues, endowments with franchises and privileges, insti 

 tutions and ordinances for government; all tending to 

 quietness and privateness of life, and discharge of cares and 

 troubles; much like the stations which Virgil prescribeth 

 for the hiving of bees : 



Principle sedes apibus statioque petenda, 

 Quo neque fit ventis aditus, etc. 2 

 1 Eccl. x. 10. a Virg. Georg. iv. 8. 



