226 LETTERS FROM THE BACONIAN A. 



Latin, in the first edition of the Natural History, having 

 some suspicion of the fidelity of an unknown author. I 

 will, in the second edition, repeat them, and with just 

 severity animadvert upon them: that they, into whose 

 hands that work comes, may know it to be supposititious, 

 or rather patched up of many distinct pieces ; how much 

 soever the author bears himself upon the specious title of 

 Verulam. 



Unless, perhaps, I should particularly suggest in your 

 name, that these words were there inserted, by way of 

 caution ; and lest malignity and rashness should any way 

 blemish the fame of so eminent a person. 



Si me, fata, meis, paterentur ducere vitam auspiciis 

 (to use the words of Virgil). If my fate would permit me 

 to live according to my wishes, I would fly over into 

 England, that I might behold whatsoever remaineth in 

 your cabinet of the Verulamian workmanship, and at least 

 make my eyes witnesses of it, if the possession of the mer 

 chandise be yet denied to the public. 



At present I will support the wishes of my impatient 

 desire, with hope of seeing, one day, those [issues] which 

 being committed to faithful privacy, wait the time till 

 they may safely see the light, and not be stifled in their 

 birth. 



I wish, in the mean time, I could have a sight of the 

 copy of the Epistle to Sir Henry Savil, concerning the 

 Helps of the Intellectual Powers : for I am persuaded, as 

 to the other Latin remains, that I shall not obtain, for 

 present use, the removal of them from the place in which 

 they now are. Farewell. 



Maestricht, March 20, 

 New Style, 1655. 



