80 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 



upon so bad an author, might receive some reparation by 

 the hands into which, and by which, it should be delivered. 

 And therefore I make it rny humble suit to your lordship to 

 present this mean, but well meant writing to his majesty, 

 and with it my humble and zealous duty; and also my like 

 humble request of pardon, if I have too often taken his 

 name in vain, not only in the dedication, but in the voucher 

 of the authority of his speeches and writings. And so I 

 remain, &c. 



Sir Francis Bacon, his Letter of request to Doctor 

 Playfer, to translate the Book of Advancement of 

 Learning into Latin. 



Mr. Doctor Playfer, 



A great desire will take a small occasion to hope, and 

 put in trial that which is desired. It pleased you a good 

 while since, to express unto me, the good liking which you 

 conceive of my book, of the Advancement of Learning, and 

 that more significantly (as it seemed to me) than out of 

 courtesy, or civil respect. Myself, as I then took contents 

 ment in your approbation thereof, so I should esteem and 

 acknowledge, not only my contentment increased, but my 

 labours advanced, if I might obtain your help in that nature 

 which I desire. Wherein before I set down in plain terms 

 my request unto you, I will open myself, what it was which 

 I chiefly sought, and propounded to myself, in that work, 

 that you may perceive that which I now desire to be 

 pursuant thereupon, if I do not err. (For any judgment 

 that a man maketh of his own doings, had need be spoken 

 with a &quot; Si nunquam fallit imago,&quot;) I have this opinion, 

 that if I had sought my own commendation, it had been a 

 much fitter course for me, to have done as gardeners use to 

 do, by taking their seeds and slips, and rearing them first 

 into plants, and so uttering them in pots, when they are in 



