THE SECOND BOOK 317 



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 stair-cases, 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 

 inconveniences future. 



There remain two appendices touching the tradition 

 of knowledge, the one Critical, the other Pedantical. For 

 all knowledge is either delivered 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 pre- 

 sumed 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 an 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 explication 

 of authors, which resteth in annotations and commentaries; 

 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. 



