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Bacon, if it be not exactly done. I would have the imitator be as the son of the father, not the ape of a man; that is, to put on the likeness of a child, not of an ape: for the ape only imitates the deformities and the ridiculous actions of man, the son represents all the graces of the face, gesture, and every figure of his father; and, in this representation, he hath something of himself too. I shall add but one caution more, and that is this-as he can never run well who shall resolve to set his foot in the footsteps of one that went before, so neither shall any man write well, who precisely and superstitiously ties himself to another's words. And with this liberty I wish you still happy.

17th. And such will all your studies be, if you constantly put in practice this my last admonition, which I reserved purposely for this place. It is, that you be careful every night, before you go to bed, or perform your devotions, to withdraw yourself into your closet, or some private part of your chamber, and there call memory, your steward, to account what she has heard or read that day worthy of observation; what she hath laid up, what she spent ; how the stock of knowledge improves, where and how she decays. A notable advantage will this bring to your studies at present, and hereafter (if that way employed) to your estate. But if this course be

strictly observed each night between God and your soul, there will the true advantage appear. Fail not, therefore, Frank, what employment soever you have, every night, as in the presence of God and his holy angels, to pass an inquisition on your soul what ill it hath done, what good it hath left undone; what slips, what falls it hath had that day; what temptations hath prevailed upon it; and by what means, or after what manner. Ransack every corner of thy dark heart, and let not the least peccadillo, or kindness to a sin, lurk there, but bring it forth, bewail it, protest against it, detest it, and scourge it by a severe sorrow. Thus each day's breach between God and your soul being made up, with more quiet and sweet hope thou mayst dispose thyself to rest. Certainly, at last, this inquisition (if steadily pursued) will vanquish all customary sins, whatever they be. I speak it upon this reason, because I presume thou wilt not have the face to appear before God every night confessing the same offence; and thou wilt forbear it, lest thou mayst seem to mock God, or despise him, which is dreadful but to imagine. This finished, for a delightful close to the whole business of the day, cause your servant to read something that is excellently written or done, to lay you to sleep with it, that, if it may be, even your dreams may be profitable

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or learned. This you will find, by your own experience, true, that things will appear more naked to the eye of the soul, when the eye of the body is shut; which, together with the quiet of the night, that time is rendered a most fit season for contemplation and contrivance. As a great advantage, not only to your book, but health and business also, I cannot but advise and enjoin you to accustom yourself to rise early; for, take it from me, no lover of his bed did ever yet form great and noble things. Now, though I allowed eight hours for your bed, with the preparation to it and from it, yet this was rather to point out the utmost limits beyond which you should not go, rather than to oblige you to observe such a proportion exactly. Borrow, therefore, of these golden morning flowers, and bestow them on your book. A noble person, of all others, has need of learning, and therefore should contribute most time to it; for, besides that it gilds his honour, and sets off his birth, it becomes his employment, which a nobleman, of all others, must not want, if he will secure his soul, honour, and estate, all which are in most certain danger from idleness, the rock of nobility, considering the plenty of his table, and society, with all sorts of temptation; if, therefore, he be a hard student, he is not at leisure to be vitious; the devil knows it is to no purpose to tempt a busy

man; be always, therefore, employed; and because some are triflingly active, that you may not with them be idly busy, your book will instruct you how. O Frank, did you but hear the complaints of excellent personages, for missing of that opportunity which you are now master of; or could you but suppose yourself old and ignorant, how tender would you be of the loss of one minute! what would you not give to return to these years you now enjoy! Let this consideration sink deep and settle in you. Be more curious of the expense of your time than of your gold; time being a jewel whose worth is invaluable, whose loss is irreparable; therefore secure the present time, that you may not hereafter lose more by a vain bewailing of the past. Now, because the best of learning is to study yourself, and I have reason to believe I have some skill in you, having so curiously observed your nature and inclination, I shall make some useful discourse in order to this knowledge, by which you may both see your defects and amend them.

YOURSELF.

The most profitable and necessary in the world is to know and study thyself; wherefore, with all the plainness, sincerity, and observation you can make in your best temper of mind and body, lay yourself open to yourself; take an impartial

survey of all your abilities and weaknesses, and spare not to expose them to your eye by writing, which I conceive is the best done by framing your own character, and so to draw the picture of your mind, which I recommend to your yearly practice during your life. This, Frank, if you flatter not yourself, will be your best looking-glass, and must needs have a singular influence upon your religion, and serve your soul extremely well to very high purposes; for, by this means, your growth or decay in virtue will be discovered, and, consequently, ways for the increase of that growth, or for repairing those decays and breaches in the soul, will more readily be found out, and more easily cured. When you have found both your forces and infirmities, then look with one eye upon them, and with the other on the realms you live in, whereby, comparing yourself with the general state of affairs, you shall soon discern whether there may be a correspondency and compliance between you and them, that you may thereupon either draw yourself within your private walls, to enjoy the happiness of an holy, quiet, and innocent repose, in case the times are rough and dangerous to sail ; or else, if calm and suitable, to engage yourself in some public employment, for the service of your country and advancement of your family; though, if I may guess at the future con

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