82 LETTERS FROM THE CABALA. 



labour if I can, by my place, profession, means, friends, 

 travail, word, deed, requite unto you, I shall esteem myself 

 so straitly bound thereunto, as I shall be ever most ready, 

 both to take and seek occasions of thankfulness. And so 

 leaving it, nevertheless, &quot; Salva amicitia&quot; (as reason is) to 

 your own good liking, I remain etc. 



Sir Francis Bacon to Sir Thomas Bodley, upon 

 sending him his Book of the Advancement of 

 Learning. 



Sir, 



I think no man may more truly say with the psalm, 

 &quot; multum incola fuit anima rnea.&quot; For I do confess, since 

 I was of any understanding, my mind hath in effect, been 

 absent from that I have done, and in absence errors are 

 committed, which I do willingly acknowledge ; and amongst 

 the rest, this great one that led the rest; that knowing 

 myself by inward calling to be fitter to hold a book, than to 

 play a part, I have led my life in civil causes, for which I 

 was not very fit by nature, and more unfit by the pre 

 occupation of my mind. Therefore, calling myself home, 

 I have now for a time enjoyed myself, where likewise I 

 desire to make the world partaker ; my labours (if so I may 

 term that which was the comfort of my other labours) I 

 have dedicated to the king, desirous if there be any good 

 in them, it may be as fat of a sacrifice incensed to his 

 honour; and the second copy I have sent unto you, not only 

 in good affection, but in a kind of congruity, in regard of 

 your great and rare desert of learning : for books are the 

 shrines where the saint is, or is believed to be. And you 

 having built an ark, to save learning from deluge, deserve, 

 in propriety, any new instrument or engine, whereby 

 learning should be improved or advanced. So, etc. 



