PREFACE 



LIKE all great philosophical works, the Advancement 

 of Learning is constructed on a systematic plan, of 

 which the analysis is as follows : 



BOOK I. THE DIGNITY OF LEARNING. 



To the King : introductory (p. 3). 



A.. Negative part : the discredits of learning 

 (pp. 6-40). 



1. from divines (p. 6). 



2. from politics (p. 11). 



3. from learned men themselves (p. 18). 



1) from their fortune (p. 18). 



2) from their manners (p. 21). 



3) from their studies (p. 26), including 



(1) three diseases of learning (p. 26). 



(2) its peccant humours or errors 



(p. 35). 



B. Positive part: the dignity of knowledge (pp. 40- 

 66). 



1. Divine evidences (p. 40). 



2. Human proofs (p. 47). 



BOOK II. THE SURVEY OF LEARNING. 



To the King: acts performed by Kings and others 



for the advancement of learning (p. 67). 

 Three parts of human learning (p. 75) : 



A. History (p. 76). 



1. Natural. 



2. Civil. 



