DE AUGMENTIS. CCCC1X 



dedicated, the Prince, the Duke of Buckingham, Trinity 



the Advancement and Proficience of Learning, or the Partitions of 

 Sciences, ix Bookes. Written in Latin by the most illustrious and famous 

 Lord Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Vicont St. Alban, Counsilour 

 of Estate and Lord Chancellor of England. Interpreted by Gilbert Wats. 

 Multi pertransibunt et augebitur scientia. Oxford, printed by Leon. 

 Lichfield, printer to the University for Rob. Young, and Ed. Forrest. 



CICIOC XL.&quot; 



In the year 1674 another edition of the translation by Wats was pub 

 lished in London, but instead of the engravings which were prefixed to the 

 edition of 1640, there is prefixed to the annexed title page only a portrait 

 of Lord Bacon. The following is the title page : &quot; Of the Advancement 

 and Proficience of Learning : or the Partitions of Sciences. Nine Books. 

 Written in Latin by the most eminent, illustrious and famous Lord Francis 

 Bacon, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Alban, Counsellor of Estate and 

 Lord Chancellor of England. Interpreted by Gilbert Wats. London, 

 printed for Thomas Williams, at the Golden Ball in Osier Lane, 1674.&quot; 



Of these translations Archbishop Tenison thus speaks in the Baconiana : 

 &quot; The whole of this book was rendered into English by Dr. Gilbert Wats, 

 of Oxford, and the translation has been well received by many ; but some 

 there were, who wished that a translation had been set forth, in which the 

 genius and spirit of the Lord Bacon had more appeared. And I have seen 

 a letter, written by certain gentlemen to Dr. Rawley, wherein they thus 

 importune him for a more accurate version, by his own hand. l It is our 

 humble suit to you, and we do earnestly solicit you to give yourself the 

 trouble to correct the too much defective translation of De Augmentis 

 Scientiarum, which Dr. Wats hath set forth. It is a thousand pities that 

 so worthy a piece should lose its grace and credit by an ill expositor; since 

 those persons who read that translation, taking it for genuine, and upon 

 that presumption not regarding the Latin edition, are thereby robbed of 

 that benefit which, if \ou would please to undertake the business, they 

 might receive. This tendeth to the dishonour of that noble lord, and the 

 Advancement of Learning. &quot; 



Of the correctness or incorrectness of these observations, some estimate 

 may be formed from the following specimens : 



The Instauratio Magna thus begins : &quot; Franciscus de Verulamio sic 

 cogitavit&quot; Translation by Wats : &quot; Francis Lord Verulam consulted thus.&quot; 



Another specimen : Advancement of Learning. &quot; We see in all other 

 pleasures there is satiety, and after they be used their verdure departeth ; 

 which sheweth well they be but deceits of pleasure, and not pleasures, and 

 that it was the novelty which pleased, and not the quality; and therefore 



