XXIV PREFACE. 



Tenison s observation upon Dr. Playfer s attempt 

 to translate the &quot; Advancement of Learning.&quot; 



&quot; Men generally come short of themselves when 

 &quot; they strive to outdo themselves. They put a 

 &quot; force upon their natural genius, and, by straining 

 &quot; of it, crack and disable it.&quot; 



If however in the history of Henry the Seventh, 

 it is vain to look for the vigour or beauty with 

 which the Advancement of Learning abounds : if 

 there is not such nervous language as &quot; the honest 

 &quot; and just bounds of observation by one person 

 &quot; upon another, extend no farther but to under- 

 &quot; stand him sufficiently whereby not to give him 

 &quot; offence, or whereby to be able to give him faithful 

 * counsel, or whereby to stand upon reasonable 

 ff guard and caution in respect of a man s self: but 

 ft to be speculative into another man, to the end to 

 &quot; know how to work him, or wind him, or govern 

 &quot; him, proceedeth from a heart that is double and 

 &quot; cloven, and not entire and ingenuous.&quot; 



If there is not such beauty as &quot; men have entered 

 &quot; into a desire of learning and knowledge, some- 

 &quot; times upon a natural curiosity, and inquisitive 

 &quot; appetite ; sometimes to entertain their minds with 

 &quot; variety and delight ; sometimes for ornament and 

 ee reputation ; and sometimes enable them to 

 &quot; victory of wit and contradiction ; and most times 

 &quot; for lucre and profession ; and seldom sincerely to 

 &quot; give a true account of their gift of reason, to the 

 &quot; benefit and use of men : as if there were sought 

 &quot; in knowledge a couch, whereupon to rest a search- 



