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best way;' neither changing at once anything that is established, merely because of some evils actually existing, without considering whether we can substitute something that is, on the whole, better; nor, again, steadily rejecting every plan or system that can be proposed, till one can be found that is open to no objections at all. For nothing framed or devised by the wit of Man ever was, or can be, perfect; and therefore to condemn and reject everything that is imperfect, and has some evils attending on it, is a folly which may lead equally-and indeed often has led to each of two opposite absurdities: either an obstinate adherence to what is established, however bad, because nothing absolutely unexceptionable can be substituted; or again, a perpetual succession of revolutions till we can establish which is totally impossible-some system completely faultless, or so framed as to keep itself in good order. To conceive such a system, whether actually existing or ideal, is to be beset by the same chimerical hope in human affairs that has misled so many speculators in mechanics,-the vain expectation of attaining the perpetual motion.

To avoid the opposite evils of rash changes, and of bigoted and blind adherence to whatever is established,-to give the requisite stability to laws and institutions, yet without preclud ing needful alterations-this is the problem which (as I have said above) politicians have been vainly attempting to solve for many centuries. A solution of it is suggested in the little Work above alluded to, The Southlanders. The system there described is this: all the laws of the supposed State are divided into two classes; the ordinary laws, and the fundamental laws. These latter, the Legislature has no power, directly and immediately, to enact, alter, or annul; but it is competent to any Member to move that this or that ordinary-law shall, at the end of the Session, be enrolled in the list of fundamental laws; or, that such and such a fundamental law, shall, at the end of the Session, be removed from the list, and become an ordinary-law; still binding; but open to repeal. But (as a still further safeguard) no such motion can pass but by an absolute majority of the whole House; all who do not vote for it, being reckoned, whether present or absent, as voting against it.

Thus a legitimate mode is provided for introducing, when

thought needful, any great change, warily and deliberately, but not hastily and rashly.

The scheme is developed in pp. 96-108 of the Work referred to.

This essay of Bacon's is one of the most instructive and most generally useful; 'coming home,' as he himself expresses it, 'to men's business and bosoms.' For though few men are likely to be called on to take part in the reformation of any public institutions, yet there is no one of us but what ought to engage in the important work of self-reformation. And according to the well-known proverb, 'If each would sweep before his own door, we should have a clean street.' Some may have more and some less, of dust and other nuisances to sweep away; some of one kind, and some of another. But those who have the least to do, have something to do; and they should feel it an encouragement to do it, that they can so easily remedy the beginnings of small evils before they have accumulated into a great one.

Begin reforming, therefore, at once: proceed in reforming, steadily and cautiously, and go on reforming for ever.

A

ESSAY XXV. OF DISPATCH.

FFECTED dispatch is one of the most dangerous things to business that can be: it is like that which the physicians call predigestion, or hasty digestion, which is sure to fill the body full of crudities, and secret seeds of diseases; therefore, measure not dispatch by the time of sitting, but by the advancement of the business and as in races it is not the large stride, or high lift, that makes the speed, so in business, the keeping close to the matter, and not taking of it too much at once, procureth dispatch. It is the care of some, only to come off speedily for the time, or to contrive some false periods of business, because they may seem men of dispatch: but it is one thing to abbreviate by contracting, another by cutting off; and business so handled at several sittings or meetings goeth commonly backward and forward in an unsteady manner. I knew a wise man that had it for a by-word, when he saw men hasten to a conclusion, 'Stay a little, that we may make an end the sooner.' 2

On the other side, true dispatch is a rich thing; for time is the measure of business, as money is of wares; and business is bought at a dear hand where there is small dispatch. The Spartans and Spaniards have been noted to be of small dispatch: 'Mi venga la muerte de Spagna,'3 for then it will be sure to be long in coming.

Give good hearing to those that give the first information in business; and rather direct them in the beginning than interrupt them in the continuance of their speeches; for he that is put out of his own order will go forward and backward, and be more tedious while he waits upon his memory, than he could have been if he had gone on in his own course. But sometimes it is seen that the moderator is more troublesome than the actor. Iterations are commonly loss of time: but there is no such

1 Because. That; in order that. The multitude rebuked them, because they should hold their peace.'-Matt. xx. 31.

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gain of time as to iterate often the state of the question; for it chaseth away many a frivolous speech as it is coming forth. Long and curious speeches are as fit for dispatch as a robe or mantle with a long train is for a race. Prefaces, and Prefaces, and passages, and excusations, and other speeches of reference to the person, are great wastes of time; and though they seem to proceed of3 modesty, they are bravery. Yet beware of being too material' when there is any impediment or obstruction in men's wills; for pre-occupation of mind ever requireth preface of speech, like a fomentation to make the unguent enter.

Above all things, order and distribution, and singling out of parts, is the life of dispatch, so as the distribution be not too subtle; for he that doth not divide will never enter well into business, and he that divideth too much will never come out of it clearly. To choose time is to save time; and an unseasonable motion is but beating the air. There be three parts of business-the preparation, the debate, or examination, and the perfection, whereof, if you look for dispatch, let the middle only be the work of many, and the first and last the work of few. The proceeding upon somewhat conceived in writing doth for the most part facilitate dispatch; for though it should be wholly rejected, yet that negative is more pregnant of direction than an indefinite, as ashes are more generative than dust.6

1 Passages. Introductory approaches.

And with his pointed dart
Explores the nearest passage to her heart.'

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* Excusations. Excuses; apologies. The punishment of his excusations.”— Brown.

Of. From. 'I have received of the Lord that which I also delivered unto you'-1 Cor. xi. 23. A blow whose violence grew not of fury, not of strength; or of strength proceeding of fury.'—Sidney.

✦ Bravery. Boasting. For a bravery upon this occasion of power they crowned their new king in Dublin.'—Bacon.

5 Material. Full of matter.

'A material fool.'-Shakespere.

His speech even charmed his cares,

So order'd, so material.'-Chapman's version of the 24th Iliad.

He means doubtless wood-ashes, which are a fertilizing manure.

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ANNOTATIONS.

'Time is the measure of business.'

'To choose time is to

save time, and unseasonable motion is but beating the air.

Some persons are what is called 'slow and sure;' sure, that is, in cases that will admit of leisurely deliberation; though they require so much time for forming a right judgment, and devising right plans, that in cases where promptitude is called for, they utterly fail. Buonaparte used to say, that one of the principal requisites for a general, was, an accurate calculation of time; for if your adversary can bring a powerful force to attack a certain post ten minutes sooner than you can bring up a sufficient supporting force, you are beaten, even though all the rest of your plans be never so good.

So also, if you are overtaken by an inundation, ten minutes spent in deciding on the best road for escaping, may make escape impossible.

Some again, are admirable at a bright thought—a shrewd guess-an ingenious scheme hit off on the spur of the moment, but, either will not give themselves time for quiet deliberation in cases where there is no hurry, or cannot deliberate to good purpose. They can shoot flying, but cannot take deliberate aim.

And some again there are who delay and deliberate, when promptitude is essential, and make up for this by taking a hasty step when they have plenty of time before them; or they are bold first, and prudent afterwards; first administering the strong dose, and then, when the step cannot be re-called, carefully examining the patient's tongue and pulse.

It is worth remarking, that many persons are of such a disposition as to be nearly incapable of remaining in doubt on any point that is not wholly uninteresting to them. They speedily make up their minds on each question, and come to some conclusion, whether there are any good grounds for it or not. And judging-as men are apt to do, in all matters-of others, from themselves, they usually discredit the most solemn assurances of any one who professes to be in a state of doubt on some question; taking for granted that if you do not adopt their opinion, you must be of the opposite.

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