88 BACON'S ESSAYS 



come tumbling upon a man. But it mought be applied 

 likewise to Pluto, taking him for the devil. For when 

 riches come from the devil (as by fraud and oppression 

 and unjust means), they come upon speed. The ways to 

 enrich are many, and most of them foul. Parsimony is 

 one of the best, and yet is not innocent ; for it with- 

 holdeth men from works of liberality and charity. The 

 improvement of the ground is the most natural obtaining 

 of riches ; for it is our great mother's blessing, the earth's ; 

 but it is slow. And yet where men of great wealth do 

 stoop to husbandry, it multiplieth riches exceedingly. I 

 knew a nobleman in England, that had the greatest audits 

 of any man in my time ; a great grazier, a great sheep- 

 master, a great timber man, a great collier, a great corn- 

 master, a great lead-man, and so of iron, and a number of 

 the like points of husbandry. So as the earth seemed a 

 sea to him, in respect of the perpetual importation. 



It was truly observed by one, that himself came very 

 hardly to a little riches, and very easily to great riches. For 

 when a man's stock is come to that, that he can expect the 

 prime of markets, and overcome those bargains which for 

 their greatness are few men's money, and be partner in the 

 industries of younger men, he cannot but increase mainly. 



The gains of ordinary trades and vocations are honest ; 

 and furthered by two things chiefly ; by diligence, and by 

 a good name for good and fair dealing. But the gains of 

 bargains are of a more doubtful nature ; when men shall 

 wait upon others' necessity, broke by servants and instru- 

 ments to draw them on, put off others cunningly that 

 would be better chapmen, and the like practices, which are 

 crafty and naught. As for the chopping of bargains, when 

 a man buys not to hold but to sell over again, that com- 

 monly grindeth double, both upon the seller and upon the 

 buyer. Sharings do greatly enrich, if the hands be well 

 chosen that are trusted. Usury is the certainest means of 

 gain, though one of the worst ; as that whereby a man 

 doth eat his bread in sudore vultus alieni; and besides, doth 

 plough upon Sundays. But yet certain though it be, it 

 hath flaws ; for that the scriveners and brokers do value 



