NOTES 3 G 3 II 3 I. 



beginning come to the study of the laws of this realm, with a desire no less, if I 

 could attain unto it, that the same laws should be the better for my industry, 

 than that myself should be the better for the knowledge of them ; 1 do not find 

 that, by mine own travel, without the help of authority, 1 can in any kind 

 confer so profitable an addition unto that science. 



The same grateful feeling is expressed by Sir E. Coke, who says, &quot; If this or 

 any other of my works, in any sort, by the goodness of Almighty God, who 

 hath enabled me hereunto, tend to some discharge of that great obligation of 

 duty wherein I am bound to my profession, I shall reap some fruits from the 

 tree of life, and I shall receive sufficient compensation for all my labours.&quot; 



Different Editions and MSS. 



Editions of it were published in 1636 and 1639 ; of this work there are the 

 following MSS. In Harleian MSS. vol. 2227, there is MSS. of Maxims of 

 the Law, written by Sir Francis Bacon, and by him inscribed to Queen Eliza 

 beth, 8th January, 1596. There are some other observations relating to law at 

 the end of the book. Use of the Law, Cat. 291. Sloane s MSS. 



There is also a MSS. in the University Library, Cambiidge, entitled &quot; Maxims 

 of Law.&quot; 



It is thus noticed by Archbishop Tennison, when enumerating Lord Bacon s 

 law works in the Baconiana : The fourteenth is, the Elements of the Common 

 Laws of England, in a double tract : the one of the rules and maxims of the 

 common law, with their latitude and extent. The other, of the use of common 

 law, for the preservation of our persons, goods, and good names. These he dedi 

 cated to her majesty, whose the laws were, whilst the collection was his. 



3 H. Life, p. xxxvi. 



Sir, I have thought the contemplation of the art military harder than the 

 execution. But now I see where the number is great, compounded of sea and 

 land forces, the most tyrones, and almost all voluntaries, the officers equal 

 almost in age, quality, and standing in the wars, it is hard for any man to 

 approve himself a good commander. So great is my zeal to omit nothing, and 

 so short my sufficiency to perform all, as besides my charge, myself doth afflict 

 myself. For I cannot follow the precedents of our dissolute armies, and my 

 helpers are a little amazed with me, when they are come from governing a little 



troop to a great ; and from to all the great spirits of our state. And 



sometimes I am as much troubled with them, as with all the troops. But 

 though these be warrants for my seldom writing, yet they shall be no excuses 

 for my fainting industry. I have written to my Lord Keeper and some other 

 friends to have care of you in my absence. And so commending you to God s- 

 happy and heavenly protection, I rest your true friend, ESSEX. 

 Plymouth, this 17th of May, 1596. 



As specimens of the correspondence between them, see Bacon s letter to 

 Essex, vol. xii. p. 17, and Bacon s letter, ibid. p. 20. 



3 I. Life, p. xxxvii. 



The following account of the Essays, collected with much labour, will, it is 

 hoped, be acceptable to the reader. 



First edition, 1597. 



Essayes. Religious Meditations. Places of perswasion and disswaswn. Seene 

 and allowed. At London Printed for Hunifrey Hooper, and are to be sold at 

 the black Beare in Chancery Lane. 1597. 



The first edition of the Essays was published in the year 1597. 



The Epistle Dedicatorie. &quot; To M. Anthony Bacon his deare Brother. 



&quot; Louing and beloued brother I do now like some that haue an orcharde il 

 neighbored, that gather their fruit before it is ripe, to preuent stealing. These 

 fragments of my conceits were going to print : to labour the stay of them had 

 bene troublesome, and subiect to interpretation : to let them passe had bin to 



