Page:The Works of Francis Bacon (1884) Volume 1.djvu/409

 EDITOR S PREFACE. 281 majesty, and a work very memorable, if this island of Great Britarn, as it is now joined in monan-hy for the ages to come, so it were joined in history for the times past: and that our just ami i-niiiplrte history were compiled- of both nations. And if any man perhaps should think it may refresh th memory of former discords, he may satisfy himself with the verse olim hsec meminisse juv.ibit: for the case being now altered, it is matter of comfort and gratulation to remember former troubles. Thus much, if it may please your lordship, is in the optative mood; and it is time that I did look ;i little into the potential; wherein the hope which I conceived was grounded upon three observations. The first, the nature of these times, which flourish in learning, both of art and language; which giveth hope not only that it may be done, but that it may be well done. Secondly, I do see that which all the world sees in his majesty, both a wonderful judgment in learning, and a singular affection towards learning, and works which are of the mind more than of the hand. For there cannot be the like honour sought and found, in building of galleries, 1 and planting of elms along high-ways, and in those outward ornaments, wherein France is now so busy, things rather of mag nificence than of magnanimity, as there is in the uniting of states, 8 pacifying of controversies, 8 nourishing and augmenting of learning and arts, and the particular actions appertaining to these; of which kind Cicero judged truly, when he said to Caesar, Quantum operibus tuis detrahet ve- tustas, tantum addet laudibus. And lastly, I call to mind, that your lordship at some times hath been pleased to express unto me a great desire, that something of this nature should be performed ; answerable indeed to your other noble and worthy courses and actions : joining and adding unto the great services towards his majesty, which have, in small compass of time, been performed by your lordship, other great deservings both of the church and commonwealth, and particulars; so as the opinion of so great and wise a man doth seem to me a good warrant both of the possibility and worth of the matter. But all this while I assure myself, I cannot be mistaken by your lordship, as if I sought an office or employment for myself; for no man knows better than your lordship, that if there were in me any faculty thereunto, yet neither my course of life nor profession would per mit it; but because there be so many good painters both for hand and colours, it needeth but encou ragement and instructions to give life unto it. So in all humbleness I conclude my presenting unto your lordship this wish ; which, if it perish, it is but a loss of that which is not. And so craving pardon that I have taken so much time from your lordship, I remain &quot; The next letter is &quot;To the king, upon sending unto him a beginning of the history of his majesty s times. &quot;It may please your majesty, &quot;Hearing that your majesty is at leisure to peruse story, a desire took me to make an experiment what I could do in your majesty s times, which being but a leaf or two, I pray your pardon, if I send it for your recreation ; considering that love must creep where it cannot go. But to these I add these petitions : First, that if your majesty do dislike any thing, you would conceive I can amend it upon your least beck. Next, that if I have not spoken of your majesty encomiastically, your majesty would be pleased only to ascribe it to the law of a history ; which doth not cluster together praises upon the first mention of a name, but rather disperseth and weaveth them through the whole narrative. And as for the proper place of commemoration, which is in the period of life, I pray God I may never live to write it. Thirdly, that the reason why I presumed to think of this oblation, was because whatsoever my disability be, yet I shall have that advantage which almost no writer of history hath had ; in that I shall write of times not only since I could remember, but since I could observe. And lastly, that it is only for your majesty s reading.&quot; Of this tract, Archbishop Tenison says, &quot;This was an essay, sent to King James, whose times it considered. A work worthy his pen, had he proceeded in it; seeing (as he saith) he should have written of times, not only since he could remember, but since he could observe ; and by way of introduction, of times, as he further noteth, of strange variety; the reign of a child ; the ofifei of usurpation by the Lady Jane, though it were but as a diary ague; the reign of a lady married to a foreigner, and the reign of a lady solitary and unmarried. &quot; His lordship, who had given such proof of his skill in writing a History of England, leaving the world, to the unspeakable loss of the learned part of it; his late majesty, a great favourer of that work, and wise in the choice of fit workmen, encouraged Sir Henry Wotton to endeavour it, by his royal invitation, and a pension of 500/. per annum. This proposal was made to that excellent man, in his declining years; and he died after the finishing some short characters of some few kings; which characters are published in his Remains. &quot;The magnificent eallery at the T.rmvre in Paris, built by Henry IV.&quot; &quot;The union of England and Scotland.&quot; &quot;The conference at HamptoH Court held between the bishops and puritans as they were then called, soon after (fee kind s coming to the crown of England, and where his majesty was the moderator.&quot; Stephen*. VOL. I. 3G r 2 A 2