1 1 J ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING. 



lixity of entry, I wish the seeds of the several arguments to be cast up 

 into some brief and acute sentences, not to be cited, but to be as scancs 

 or bottoms of thread, to be umvindcd at large when they come to be 

 oscd ; supplying authorities and examples by reference. 



PRO VERBIS LEGIS. 



Non est interprctatio, scd divinatio, qunerccedit a literal 

 Cum rcccditur a litera judcx transit in legislatorem. 



PRO SENTENTIA LEGIS. 



Kx omnibus verbis cstcliciendus scnsus, qui intcrprctatur singula. 



Formula are but decent and apt passages or conveyances of 

 speech, which may serve indifferently for differing subjects ; as of 

 preface, conclusion, digression, transition, accusation, etc. For as in 

 buildings there is great pleasure and use in the well-casting of the 

 staircases, 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 rcdecai 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 concerncth 

 chiefly writing of books, so the relative part thereof concerncth reading 

 of books : whereunto appertain incidcntly these considerations. The 

 first is concerning the true correction and edition of authors, wherein 

 nevertheless rash diligence hath done great prejudice. For these 

 critics have often presumed that that which they understand not, is 

 false set down. As the priest, that where he found it written of St. 

 Paul, &quot; Dcmissus cst per sportam,&quot; mended his book, and made it 

 &quot; Dcmissus cst 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, yet are 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 rcsteth 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 judgment of the 

 authors, that men thereby may make some election unto themselves 

 what books to read. 



And the fifth is concerning the syntax and disposition of studies, 

 that men may know in what order or pursuit to read. 



For pedantical knowledge, it containeth that difference of tradition 



