Billeder på siden
PDF
ePub

found that some of the sayings, especially those of the ancient philosophers, are assigned to the wrong persons. But what is interesting or memorable in them depends in general so little upon the persons who spoke them; and the traditional sayings of famous wits must always be in great part so apocryphal; that I have not thought it worth while to investigate the authorities, or expedient to encumber the text with notes of that kind. The authenticity of the anecdotes relating to persons of more recent times would be better worth investigation; but in these cases Bacon is himself (either as a personal witness or as a preserver of traditions then current) one of the original authorities, whom it would not be easy to correct by a better. In these cases also his memory is less likely to have deceived him.' But the whole collection is to be read with this qualification. Dr. Tenison adds that it was one morning's work. But he does not tell us upon what authority; and certainly Dr. Rawley has left no such statement on record. Perhaps he was confounding what Dr. Rawley said of "The beginning of the History of Henry VIII." with what he said about the Apophthegms, and so put the two together. The statement is not to be believed without very good and very express authority.

The use and worth of the collection will be best understood by those who have studied Bacon's own manner of quoting apophthegms, to suggest, illustrate, or enliven serious observations. And it was greater in his time than it is now, not only because they were fresher then and carried more authority in popular estimation, but also because the ingenuities of the understanding were then more affected and in greater request. A similar collection adapted to modern times would be well worth making.

I have however noted two or three cases in which he appears to have relied upon an imperfect recollection of the Floresta española; a circumstance which was pointed out to me by Mr. Ellis.

NOTE.

In this edition, where a note is signed R., it means that such is the reading of the Resuscitatio, ed. 1661. The numbers within brackets are the numbers by which the several apophthegms are distinguished in that collection. The apophthegms marked † are not contained in it at all.

APOPHTHEGMES

NEW AND OLD.

COLLECTED BY

THE RIGHT HONOURABLE

FRANCIS LO. VERULAM VISCOUNT ST. ALBAN.

LONDON.

Printed for Hanna Barret and Richard Whittaker, and are to be sold at the King's

Head in Paul's Church-yard.

1625.

APOPHTHEGMS NEW AND OLD.

His Lordship's Preface.'

JULIUS CESAR did write a Collection of Apophthegms, as appears in an epistle of Cicero. I need say no more for the worth of a writing of that nature. It is pity his book is lost: for I imagine they were collected with judgment and choice; whereas that of Plutarch and Stobæus, and much more the modern ones, draw much of the dregs. Certainly they are of excellent use. They are mucrones verborum, pointed speeches. Cicero prettily calls them salinas, saltpits; that you may extract salt out of, and sprinkle it where you will. They serve to be interlaced in continued speech. They serve to be recited upon occasion of themselves. They serve if you take out the kernel of them, and make them your own. I have, for my recreation in my sickness, fanned the old; not omitting any because they are vulgar, (for many vulgar ones are excellent good,) nor for the meanness of the person, but because they are dull and flat; and added many new, that otherwise would have died."

6

So R. There is no heading in the original.

So did Macrobius, a Consular man. R.

3 Cæsar's book. R.

The words of the wise are as goods, saith Solomon. (Added in R.)

s I have for my recreation, amongst more serious studies, collected some few of them; therein fanning the old. R. 6 adding. R. 'This collection his LP made out of his memory, without turning any book. R. Note in margin.)

APOPHTHEGMS NEW AND OLD.

†1. WHEN Queen Elizabeth had advanced Ralegh, she was one day playing on the virginals, and my Lo. of Oxford and another nobleman stood by. It fell out so, that the ledge before the jacks was taken away, so as the jacks were seen: My Lo. of Oxford and the other nobleman smiled, and a little whispered: The Queen marked it, and would needs know What the matter was? My Lo. of Oxford answered; That they smiled to see that when Jacks went up Heads went down.

2. (16.) Henry the Fourth of France his Queen was great1 with child. Count Soissons, that had his expectation upon the crown, when it was twice or thrice thought that the Queen was with child before, said to some of his friends, That it was but with a pillow. This had some ways come to the King's ear; who kept it till when the Queen waxed great; called3 the Count Soissons to him, and said, laying his hand upon the Queen's belly, Come, cousin, it is no pillow. Yes, Sir, (answered the Count of Soissons,)5 it is a pillow for all France to sleep upon.

3. (26.) There was a conference in Parliament between the Upper house and the Lower 6, about a Bill of Accountants, which came down from the Lords to the Commons; which bill prayed, that the lands of accountants, whereof they were seized when they entered upon their office, mought be liable to their arrears to the Queen. But the Commons desired that the bill mought not look back to accountants that were already, but extend only to accountants hereafter. But the Lo. Treasurer said, Why, I pray", if you had lost your purse by the way, would you look forwards, or would you look back? The Queen hath lost her purse. 4. (1.) Queen Elizabeth, the morrow of her coronation, went to the chapel; and in the great chamber, Sir John Rainsford, set on by wiser men, (a knight that had the liberty of a buffone,)

1

young.

R.

2 such time as. R.

4 is this a pillow?

R.

Then he called. R. 5 The C. of S. answered, Yes Sir, &c. R. 6 between the Lords' House and the House of Commons. R.

7

I pray you.

R.

« ForrigeFortsæt »