SALOMON saies; A good Name is as a precious oyntment; And I assure my selfe, such wil your Graces Name bee, with Posteritie. For your Fortune, and Merit both, have been Eminent. And you have planted Things, that are like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which, of all my other workes, have beene most Currant: For that, as it seemes, they come home, to Mens Businesse, and Bosomes. I have enlarged them, both in Number, and Weight; So that they are indeed a New Worke. I thought it therefore agreeable, to my Affection, and Obligation to your Grace, to prefix your Name before them, both in English, and in Latine. For I doe conceive, that the Latine Volume of them, (being in the Universall Language) may last, as long as Bookes last. My Instauration, I dedicated to the King: My Historie of Henry the Seventh, (which I have now also translated into Latine) and my Portions of Naturall History, to the Prince: And these I dedicate to your Grace; Being of the best Fruits, that by the good Encrease, which God gives to my Pen and Labours, I could yeeld. God leade your Grace by the Hand. Your Graces most Obliged and faithfull Servant,
Solomon says that a good name is like a precious ointment. I am certain that Your Grace’s name will be just as precious to future generations. For both your good fortune and your merit have been outstanding. And you have established things that are likely to endure. I now publish my Essays, which have been more widely read than any of my other works. This seems to be because they speak directly to people’s affairs and hearts. I have increased both their number and their substance, so they are truly a new work. I therefore thought my affection and my debt to Your Grace made it fitting to place your name before them. I have done so in both English and Latin. I believe the Latin edition, written in the universal language, may last as long as books last. I dedicated my Instauration to the King. I dedicated my History of Henry the Seventh and my sections of Natural History to the Prince. I have now also translated the History of Henry the Seventh into Latin. These Essays I dedicate to Your Grace. They are among the best fruits I could produce through the growth God grants my writing and work. May God lead Your Grace by the hand. Your Grace’s most indebted and faithful servant,
FR. ST. ALBAN
FRANCIS ST. ALBAN
CONTENTS Of Truth Of Death Of Unity In Religion Of Revenge Of Adversity Of Simulation And Dissimulation Of Parents And Children Of Marriage And Single Life Of Envy Of Love Of Great Place Of Boldness Of Goodness and Goodness Of Nature Of Nobility Of Seditions And Troubles Of Atheism Of Superstition Of Travel Of Empire Of Counsel Of Delays Of Cunning Of Wisdom For A Man's Self Of Innovations Of Dispatch Of Seeming Wise Of Friendship Of Expense Of the True Greatness Of Kingdoms And Estates Of Regiment Of Health Of Suspicion Of Discourse Of Plantations Of Riches Of Prophecies Of Ambition Of Masques And Triumphs Of Nature In Men Of Custom And Education Of Fortune Of Usury Of Youth And Age Of Beauty Of Deformity Of Building Of Gardens Of Negotiating Of Followers And Friends Of Suitors Of Studies Of Faction Of Ceremonies, And Respects Of Praise Of Vain-glory Of Honor And Reputation Of Judicature Of Anger Of Vicissitude Of Things Of Fame A Glossary Of Archaic Words And Phrases
CONTENTS On Truth On Death On Religious Unity On Revenge On Adversity On Pretense and Concealment On Parents and Children On Marriage and Single Life On Envy On Love On High Office On Boldness On Goodness and a Good Nature On Nobility On Rebellions and Civil Unrest On Atheism On Superstition On Travel On Ruling a State On Advice On Delays On Cunning On Self-Serving Wisdom On Innovations On Getting Things Done On Seeming Wise On Friendship On Spending On the True Greatness of Kingdoms and States On Maintaining Health On Suspicion On Conversation On Establishing Colonies On Riches On Prophecies On Ambition On Masques and Pageants On Human Nature On Habit and Education On Fortune On Lending at Interest On Youth and Age On Beauty On Physical Deformity On Building On Gardens On Negotiating On Followers and Friends On Petitioners On Study On Factions On Ceremonies and Courtesies On Praise On Vanity and Boasting On Honor and Reputation On Administering Justice On Anger On the Changing Nature of Things On Fame A Glossary of Outdated Words and Phrases