62 THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



signifying that the invention or election of the mean is more 

 effectual than any enforcement or accumulation 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 proficience, and tend rather to augment the 

 mass of learning in the multitude of learned men than to 

 rectify or raise the sciences themselves. 



3. The works or acts of merit towards learning are conversant 

 about three objects the places of learning, the books of learn 

 ing, 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 comfort and sustain 

 itself ; and for that cause the industry of man hath made and 

 framed springheads, conduits, cisterns, and pools, which men 

 have accustomed likewise to beautify and adorn with accom 

 plishments 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 pre 

 served in books, traditions, conferences, and places appointed, 

 as universities, colleges, and schools, for the receipt and com 

 forting of the same. 



4. The works which concern the seats and places of learning 

 are four foundations and buildings, endowments with re 

 venues, endowments with franchises and privileges, institutions 

 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 : 



&quot; Principle sedes apibus statioque petenda, 

 Quo neque sit ventis aditus, &c.&quot; 



5. The works touching books are two first, libraries, which 

 are as the shrines where all the relics of the ancient saints, full 

 of true virtue, and that without delusion or imposture, are 

 preserved and reposed ; secondly, new editions of authors, with 

 more correct impressions, more faithful translations, more 

 profitable glosses, more diligent annotations, and the like. 



6. The works pertaining to the persons of learned men (be 

 sides the advancement and countenancing of them in general) 

 are two the reward and designation of readers in sciences 

 already extant and invented ; and the reward and designation 



