44 BACON'S ESSAYS 



adamant of acquaintance. Let him sequester himself from 

 the company of his countrymen, and diet in such places 

 where there is good company of the nation where he 

 travelleth. Let him upon his removes from one place to 

 another, procure recommendation to some person of 

 quality residing in the place whither he removeth ; that he 

 may use his favour in those things he desireth to see or 

 know. Thus he may abridge his travel with much profit. 

 As for the acquaintance which is to be sought in travel ; 

 that which is most of all profitable, is acquaintance with the 

 secretaries and employed men of ambassadors : for so in 

 travelling in one country he shall suck the experience of 

 many. Let him also see and visit eminent persons in all 

 kinds, which are of great name abroad ; that he may be 

 able to tell how the life agree th with the fame. For 

 quarrels, they are with care and discretion to be avoided. 

 They are commonly for mistresses, healths, place, and 

 words. And let a man beware how he keepeth company 

 with choleric and quarrelsome persons ; for they will 

 engage him into their own quarrels. When a traveller 

 returneth home, let him not leave the countries where he 

 hath travelled altogether behind him ; but maintain a 

 correspondence by letters with those of his acquaintance 

 which are of most worth. And let his travel appear rather 

 in his discourse than in his apparel or gesture ; and in his 

 discourse let him be rather advised in his answers, than 

 forward to tell stories ; and let it appear that he doth not 

 change his country manners for those of foreign parts ; but 

 only prick in some flowers of that he hath learned abroad 

 into the customs of his own country. 



XIX 

 OF EMPIRE 



IT is a miserable state of mind to ha/e few things to 

 desire, and many things to fear ; and yet that commonly is 

 the case of kings ; who, being at the highest, want matter 



