182 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. [XIX. i. 



tradition of knowledge, the one critical, the other pedant- 

 ical. For all knowledge is either delivered by teachers, 

 or attained by men s proper endeavours: and therefore 

 as the principal part of tradition of knowledge concerneth 

 chiefly writing of books, so the relative part thereof con 

 cerneth reading of books ; whereunto appertain incidently 

 these considerations. The first is concerning the true 

 correction and edition of authors ; wherein nevertheless 

 rash diligence hath done great prejudice. For these 

 critics have often presumed that that which they under 

 stand not is false set down: as the priest that, where 

 he found it written of S. Paul Demissus est per sportam, 

 mended his book, and made it Demissus est per portam ; 

 because sporta was an hard word, and out of his reading : 

 and surely their errors, though they be not so palpable 

 and ridiculous, yet are of the same kind. And therefore, 

 as it hath been wisely noted, the most corrected copies 

 are commonly the least correct. 



The second is concerning the exposition and explic 

 ation of authors, which resteth in annotations and com 

 mentaries : wherein it is over usual to blanch the obscure 

 places and discourse upon the plain. 



The third is concerning the times, which in many cases 

 give great light to true interpretations. 



The fourth is concerning some brief censure and judge 

 ment of the authors ; that men thereby may make some 

 election unto themselves what books to read. 



And the fifth is concerning the syntax and disposition 

 of studies ; that men may know in what order or pursuit 

 to read. 



2. For pedantical knowledge, it containeth that differ 

 ence of tradition which is proper for youth ; whereunto 

 appertain divers considerations of great fruit. 



