TO T H E R I G H T Η Ο Ν Ο R Α Β L Ε Μ Υ VERY GOOD LO. THE DVKE

of Buckingham his Grace, Lo.

High Admirall of England.

EXCELLENT LO.

SA

ALOMON 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, haue beene Eminent. And you haue planted Things, that are like to last. I doe now publish my Essayes; which of all my other workes, haue beene most Currant: For that, as it seemes, they come home, to Mens Businesse, and Bosomes. I haue 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 conceiue, that the

xxviii The Epistle Dedicatorie Latine Volume of them, (being in the Vniuersall Language) may last, as long as Bookes last. My Instauration, I dedicated to the King: My Historie of HENRY the Seuenth, (which I haue 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 giues to my Pen and Labours, I could yeeld. God leade your Grace by the Hand.

Your Graces most Obliged and
faithfull Seruant,

FR. ST. ALBAN.

THE TABLE

PAGE

2

5

14

16

18

23

26

29

36

Of Truth .

Of Death . 3 Of Vnitie in Religion 4 Of Reuenge 5. Of Aduersitie 6. Of Simulation and Dissimulation

Of Parents and Children . 8 Of Marriage and Single Life 9 Of Enuie. 10 Of Loue. H Of Great Place . 12 Of Boldnesse 13 Of Goodnesse, and Goodnesse of Nature 14 Of Nobilitie 15 Of Seditio

and Troubles 16 Of Atheisme By Of Superstition 18 Of Trauaile 19 Of Empire 20 Of Counsell

-39

.

-47 51.54. 6468

.

75 82

PAGE

89 91 96 99 IOI

.

104 106 116

PT Of Delaies
21 Of Cunning
23 Of Wisdome for a Mans Selfe
24 Of Innouations
25 Of Dispatch
20 Of Seeming Wise
24 Of Frendship
28 Of Expence
29 Of the true Greatnesse of Kingdomes and

Estates
30 Of Regiment of

Health 31 Of Suspicion 32 Of Discourse 33 Of Plantations 34 Of Riches 35 Of Prophecies 36 Of Ambition 31 Of Maskes and Triumphs

Of Nature in Men 39 Of Custome and Education 40 Of Fortune 41 Of Vsury. 42 Of Youth and Age 43 Of Beautie 44 Of Deformitie. 45 Of Building 46 Of Gardens 47 Of Negotiating 48 Of Followers and Frends 49, Of Sutours

Of Studies

38

118 131 134 136 139 144 149 153 156 159 162 165 168 173 176 178 180 186 195 198

.

.

201

204