1 5 o The Advancement of Learning 



g. FormulcB are but decent and apt passages or convey- 

 ances of speech, which may serve indifferently for differing 

 subjects; as of preface, conclusion, digression, transition, 

 excusation, etc. For as in buildings, there is great pleasure 

 and use in the well casting of the staircases, entries, doors, 

 windows, and the like; so in speech, the conveyances and 

 passages are of special ornament and effect. 



A conclusion in a deliberative. 

 So may we redeem the faults passed, and prevent the incon- 

 veniences future. 



XIX. I. There remain two appendices touching the tradition of 

 knowledge, the one critical, the other pedantical. For all 

 knowledge is either dehvered by teachers, or attained by 

 men's proper endeavours: and therefore as the principal 

 part of tradition of knowledge concerneth chiefly writing 

 of books, so the relative part thereof concerneth reading 

 of books ; whereunto appertain incidently these considera- 

 tions. The first is concerning the true correction and 

 edition of authors; wherein nevertheless rash diligence 

 hath done great prejudice. For these critics have often 

 presumed, that that which they understand not is false set 

 down: as the priest that, where he found it written of 

 St. Paul, Demissus est per sportam ^ mended his book, and 

 made it Demissus est per portam ; because sporta was a 

 hard word, and out of his reading: and surely their errors, 

 though they be not so palpable and ridiculous, are yet of 

 the same kind. And therefore, as it hath been wisely noted, 

 the most corrected copies are commonly the least correct. 



The second is concerning the exposition and expHcation 

 of authors, which resteth in annotations and commen- 

 taries: wherein it is over usual to blanch the obscure places, 

 and discourse upon the plain. 



The third is concerning the times, which in many cases 

 give great light to true interpretations. 



The fourth is concerning some brief censure and judg- 

 ment of the authors; that men thereby may make some 

 election unto themselves what books to read. 



And the fifth is concerning the syntax and disposition 

 of studies; that men may know in what order or pursuit 

 to read. 



> Acts ix. 2$. 



