PREFACE. THE annotated edition of Bacon's Essays in the 'London Series of English Classics' is, I believe, the only edition which contains two literary helps that ought not to be omitted in any edition of a great English classic-first, an alphabetical Index; second, lines numbered for the purpose of ready reference. The advantages of these simple mechanical contrivances are so great that it has been deemed desirable to reprint the simple text of that edition, without notes, for the use of those who do not want commentary or explanation, but who desire a cheap and handy copy of Bacon's Essays, in which the Index will enable them at a glance to obtain a general notion of what Bacon says on any subject, while the lines in each essay will enable them to refer to the exact passage with rapidity and precision. To The Right Honourable my very good Lord the DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM his Grace, Lord High Admiral of England. EXCELLENT LORD, SALOMON says, A good name is as a precious ointment; and I assure myself such will your Grace's name be with posterity. For your fortune and merit both have been eminent, and you have planted things like to last. I do now publish my Essays, which, of all my works, have been most current, for that, as it seems, they come home to men's business and bosoms. I have enlarged them both in number and weight, so that they are indeed a new work. I thought it therefore agreeable to my affection and obligation to your Grace, to prefix your name before them both in English and in Latin. For I do conceive that the Latin Volume of them (being in the universal language) may last as long as books last. My Instauration I dedicated to the King; my History of Henry the Seventh (which I have now also translated mto Latin) and my portions of Natural History, to the Prince; and these I dedicate to your Grace, being of the best fruits that, by the good increase which God gives to my pen and labours, I could yield. God lead your Grace by the hand. Your Grace's most obliged and faithful servant, |