THE SECOND BOOK 229 



of the world with sound and fruitful knowledge : for why 

 should a few received authors stand up like Hercules' 

 Columns, beyond which there should be no . sailing or 

 discovering, since we have so bright and benign a star 

 as your Majesty to conduct and prosper us ? To return 

 therefore where we left, it remaineth to consider of what 

 kind those acts are, which have been undertaken and 

 performed by kings and others for the increase and 

 advancement of learning : wherein I purpose to speak ; 

 actively without digressing or dilating. 



Let this ground therefore be laid, that all works are 

 overcome by amplitude of reward, by soundness of 

 direction, and by the conjunction of labours. The first 

 multiplieth endeavour, the second preventeth error, and 

 the third supplieth the frailty of man. But the principal 

 of these is direction : for claudus in via antevertit cursorem 

 extra viam ; and Solomon excellently setteth it down, ' If 

 the iron be not sharp, it requireth more strength ; but 

 wisdom is that which prevaileth ' ; signifying that the 

 invention or election of the mean is more effectual than 

 any inforcement or accumulation of endeavours. This I 

 am induced to speak, for that (not derogating from the 

 noble intention of any that have been deservers towards 

 the state of learning) I do observe nevertheless that their 

 works and acts are rather matters of magnificence and 

 memory than of progression and proficience, and tend 

 rather to augment the mass of learning in the multitude of 

 learned men than to rectify or raise the sciences themselves. 



The works or acts of merit towards learning are con- 

 versant about three objects; the places of learning, the 

 books of learning, and the persons of the learned. For as 

 water, whether it be the dew of heaven or the springs 

 of the earth, doth scatter and leese itself in the ground, 

 except it be collected into some receptacle, where it may 

 by union comfort and sustain itself; and for that cause 

 the industry of man hath made and framed spring-heads, 

 conduits, cisterns, and pools, which men have accustomed 

 likewise to beautify and adorn with accomplishments of 

 magnificence and state, as well as of use and necessity ; 



