116 DEDICATION. 



between the speculative and reverend discourses of 

 philosophers, and the writings of lawyers, which are 

 tied and obnoxious to their particular laws. And 

 although it be true, that I had a purpose to make a 

 particular digest, or recompilement of the laws of 

 mine own nation ; yet because it is a work of assist 

 ance, and that which I cannot master by mine own 

 forces and pen, I have laid it aside. Now having in 

 the work of my Instauration had in contemplation 

 the general good of men in their very being, and the 

 dowries of nature ; and in my work of laws, the ge 

 neral good of men likewise in society, and the 

 dowries of government ; I thought in duty I owed 

 somewhat unto my own country, which I ever loved; 

 insomuch as although my place hath been far above 

 my desert, yet my thoughts and cares concerning the 

 good thereof were beyond, and over, and above my 

 place : so now being, as I am, no more able to do my 

 country service, it remained unto me to do it honour : 

 which I have endeavoured to do in my work of The 

 reign of King Henry the seventh. As for my 

 Essays, and some other particulars of that nature, 

 I count them but as the recreations of my other stu 

 dies, and in that sort purpose to continue them ; 

 though I am not ignorant that those kind of writ 

 ings would, with less pains and embracement, per 

 haps, yield more lustre and reputation to my name 

 than those other which I have in hand. But I ac 

 count the use that a man should seek of the publish 

 ing of his own writings before his death, to be but 



