64 The Advancement of Learning 



boughs, but it is the stirring of the earth and putting new 

 mould about the roots that must work it. Neither is it to 

 be forgotten, that this dedicating of foundations and dota- 

 tions to professory learning hath not only had a malign 

 aspect and influence upon the growth of sciences, but hath 

 also been prejudicial to states and governments. For 

 hence it proceedeth that princes find a sohtude in regard of 

 able men to serve them in causes of state, because there is 

 no education collegiate which is free; where such as were 

 so disposed might give themselves to histories, modern 

 languages, books of pohcy and civil discourse, and other the 

 like enablements unto service of estate. 

 9. And because F ounders of Colleges do plant, and Foun ders 

 of Lectures do wate r, it foUoweth well in order to speak of 

 the defect which is in public lectures; namely, in the small- 

 ness and meanness of the salary or reward which in most 

 places is assigned unto them; whether they be lectures of 

 arts, or of professions. For it is necessary to the progres- 

 sion of sciences that Readers be of the most able and suffi- 

 cient men ; as those which are ordained for generating and 

 propagating of sciences, and not for transitory use. This 

 cannot be, except their condition and endowment be such 

 as may content the ablest man to appropriate his whole 

 labour and continue his whole age in that function and 

 attendance ; and therefore must have a proportion answer- 

 able to that mediocrity or competency of advancement, 

 which may be expected from a profession or the practice of 

 a profession. So as, if you will have sciences flourish, you 

 must observe David's military law, which was, That thos e 

 which staid with the carriage should have equal part with th ose 

 which were in the antinn^^ else will the carriages be^ i ll 

 attended. So Readers in sciences are indeed the guardians 

 of the stores and provisions of sciences, whence men in 

 active courses are furnished, and therefore ought to have 

 equal entertainment with them : otherwise if the fathers in 

 sciences be of the weakest sort, or be ill-maintained, 



Et patnim invalidi referent jejunia nati." 



10. Another defect I note, wherein I shall need some alche- 

 mist to help me, who call upon men to sell their books, and 

 to build furnaces; quitting and forsaking Minerva and the 

 » I Sam. XXX. 22. ■ Virg. Georg. iii. 128. 



