In the year 1735, an English edition of the Philosophical Works was published by Dr. Shaw, a great admirer of the philosophy of Lord Bacon, and intimately acquainted with his writings. This edition does not contain the whole works of Lord Bacon It does not contain any of the Latin Philosophical Works, although the preface says,

“ there has been a difference of opinion as to the merits of Lord Bacon, principally owing to this, that in this country we read only the English, and foreigners only the Latin Works of the Author.”—It does not even profess to contain correct translations.-The translations are not good of those parts which are attempted to be translated ; and the arrangement and titles of various parts are not the works of Lord Bacon, but fancied improvements by the editor (c) Upon the

(c) Dr. Shaw's Preface. The method observed in thus rendering them into English, is not that of a direct translation ; but a kind of open version, &c.

The liberty sometimes taken, not of abridging (for just and perfect writings are incapable of abridginent,) but of dropping or leaving out some part of the author's writings, may require greater excuse. But this was done to shorten the works, &c. I subjoin the following specimen of translations :Advancement of Learn ng.

Dr. Shaw's Translation. The honest and just bounds The honest and just limits of of observation, by one person observation in one person upon upon another, extend no farther another, extend no farther than but to understand him suffi- to understand him sufficiently so ciently, whereby not to give him as to give him no offence, or to offence, or whereby to be able to be able to counsel him or to stand give him faithful counsel, or upon reasonable guard and cauwhereby to stand upon reasonable tion with respect to a man's self: guard and caution in respect of a but to pry deep into another man, man's self; but to be speculative to learn to work, wind, or govern into another man, to the end to him, proceeds from a double know how to work him, or wind heart. him, or govern him, proceedeth from a heart that is double and cloven, and not entire and ingenuous.

haste in which the octavo edition was printed, it is unnecessary to make any observation.

With the hope to remedy these defects; to rectify the arrangement, and to supply a translation of the whole Instauration, this prospectus is most respectfully submitted to public consideration.“ Men, says Lord Bacon, “ have entered into a desire of

learning and knowledge, sometimes upon a natu“ ral curiosity, and inquisitive appetite : sometimes “ to entertain their minds with variety and delight : “ sometimes for ornament and reputation : and some5 times to enable them to victory of wit and contra“ diction; and most times for lucre and profession; “ and seldom sincerely to give a true account of their

gift of reason to the benefit and use of man: as if

Specimens of Dr. Shaw’s Variation, from Lord Bacon's arrangement

and Tilles. The Essays by Dr. Shaw are without any of the dedications; are not the English of Lord Bacon, and are arranged into-1. Moral2. Economical- and 3. Political : which arrangement is not by Lord Bacon, but by Dr. Shaw.

The treatise “ De Augmentis," instead of being divided according to Lord Bacon’s division into nine books, is divided into twentynine sections, with a title to each section.

a

“ there were sought in knowledge a couch where“ upon to rest a searching and restless spirit; or a "terras for a wandering and variable mind to walk

up and down with a fair prospect; or a tower of “ state for a proud mind to raise itself upon; or a “ fort or commanding ground, for strife and conten

tion; or a shop for profit or sale; and not a rich “ store-house for the glory of the Creator, and the " relief of man's estate. But this is that which will “ indeed dignify and exalt knowledge, if contempla“ tion and action may be more nearly and straightly

conjoined and united together than they have been: “a conjunction like unto that of the two highest

planets, Saturn, the planet of rest and contem

plantion; and Jupiter, the planet of civil society “ and action : howbeit, I do not mean, when I speak “ of use and action, that end before mentioned of the “ applying knowledge to lucre and profession : for

I am not ignorant how much that diverteth and “ interrupteth the prosecution and advancement of “ knowledge, like unto the golden ball thrown before “ Atalanta, which, while she goeth aside and stoopeth “ to take it up, the race is hindered:

“ Declinat cursus, aurumque volubile tollit.”

These volumes are not published from the hope of pecuniary gain, but, with a certainty of great expense to the editor, from a desire to complete an edition of Lord Bacon's works worthy of the age in which we live, a desire in which the Editor trusts that the friends of literature will participate, and particularly the admirers of him who left his name and memory to men's charitable speeches, to foreign nations and the next ages."

66

10

CONDITIONS. I. This Work will be printed in the best manner upon superfine laid

paper, deiny 8vo and will be comprised, as nearly as can be ascertained, in twelve volumes, each containing about four hundred

and eighty pages. II. Each volume will be charged to Subscribers 8s. in extra boards. III. The first volume containing the Advancement of Learning, &c.

will be published on the 10th of May, 1825; and will be continued on the 10th of every alternate month, until the work

be completed. IV. To the work will be prefixed a Life of Lord Bacon, and an exami

nation of his Writings, Portraits, Fac-similes, &c. V: One hundred copies will be printed on the finest imperial paper,

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