70 ESSAYS CIVIL AND MORAL. 



perpetual spur in himself, to rescue and deliver himself from scorn : 

 therefore all deformed persons are extreme bold. First, as in their 

 own defence, as being exposed to scorn ; but in process of time, by a 

 general habit. Also it stirreth in them industry, and especially of this 

 kind, to watch and observe the weakness of others, that they may have 

 somewhat to repay. Again, in their superiors it quencheth jealousy 

 towards them, as persons that they think they may at pleasure despise ; 

 and it laycth their competitors and emulators asleep ; as never believ 

 ing they should be in possibility of advancement, till they see them in 

 possession. So that, upon the matter, in a great wit deformity is an 

 advantage to rising. Kings in ancient times, and at this present, in 

 some countries, were wont to put great trust in eunuchs, because they 

 that are envious towards all, are more obnoxious and officious towards 

 one. But yet their trust towards them hath rather been as to good 

 spials and good whisperers, than good magistrates and officers. And 

 much like is the reason of deformed persons. Still the ground is, they 

 will, if they be of spirit, seek to free themselves from scorn ; which 

 must be either by virtue or malice. And therefore let it not be mar 

 velled, if sometimes they prove excellent persons ; as was Agesilaus, 

 Zanger the son of Solyman, yEsop, Gasca president of Peru; and 

 Socrates may go likewise amongst them, with others. 



XLV. OF BUILDING. 



Houses are built to live in, and not to look on ; therefore let use be 

 preferred before uniformity, except where both may be had. Leave 

 the goodly fabrics of houses for beauty only, to the enchanted palaces 

 of the poels : who build them with small cost. He that builds a fair 

 house upon an ill seat, committeth himself to prison. Neither do I 

 reckon it an ill seat only, where the air is unwholesome, but likewise 

 where the air is unequal ; as you shall see many fine scats, set upon 

 a knap of ground, environed with higher hills round about it, whereby 

 the heat of the sun is pent in, and the wind gathereth as in troughs ; 

 so as you shall have, and that sudd nly, as great diversity of heat and 

 cold, as if you dwelt in several places. Neither is it ill air only 

 that makcth an ill scat ; but ill ways, ill markets ; and, if you will con 

 sult with Momus, ill neighbours. I speak not of many more ; want 

 of water, want of wood, shade, and shelter; want of fruitfulncss, and 

 mixture of grounds of several natures ; want of prospect ; want of level 

 grounds; want of places at some near distance for sports of hunting, 

 hawking, and races ; too near the sea, too remote ; having the commo 

 dity of navigable rivers, or the discommodity of their overflowing; too 

 far off from great cities, which may hinder business; or too near them, 

 which lurcheth all provisions, and maketh everything dear ; where a 

 man hath a great living laid together, and where he is scanted; all 

 which, as it is impossible perhaps to find together, so it is good to 

 know them, and think of them, that a man may take as many as he 

 can : and if he have several dwellings, that he sort them so, that what 

 he wanteth in the one, he may find in the other. Lucullus answered 



