witty, the mathematics subtile, natural philosophy deep, moral grave, logic and rhetoric able to contend. Abeunt studia in mores. Nay there is no stand or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought out by fit studies; like as dis eases of the body may have appropriate exercises. Bowling is good for the stone and reins, shooting for the lungs and breast, gentle walking for the stomach, riding for the head, and the like. So, if a man's wit be wandering, let him study the mathematics; for in demonstrations, if his wit be called away never so little, he must begin again. If his wit be not apt to distinguish or find differences, let him study the schoolmen, for they are cymini sectores. If he be not apt to beat over matters, and to call up one thing to prove and illustrate another, let him study the lawyers' cases; so every defect of the mind may special receipt.

have a

LORD BACON.

WE may gather out of history, a policy no less wise than eternal, by the comparison and application of other men's miseries, with our own like errors and ill deservings.

SIR WALTER RALEGH.

PHILOSOPHY we are warranted to take heed of; not that philosophy which is true and sound knowledge, attained by natural discourse of reason; but that philosophy which, to bolster heresy or error, casteth a fraudulent show

of reason upon things which are, indeed, unreasonable, and by that mean, as by a stratagem, spoileth the simple, which are not able to withstand such cunning. Take heed, lest any spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. He that exhorteth to beware of an enemy's policy, doth not give counsel to be impolitic, but rather to use all prudent foresight and circumspection, lest our simplicity be over-reached by cunning sleights. The way not to be inveigled by them that are so guileful through skill, is thoroughly to be instructed in that which maketh skilful against guile, and to be armed with that true and sincere philosophy which doth teach against that deceitful and vain which spoileth.

HOOKER.

I WOULD have you every morning read a portion of the Holy Scriptures, till you have read the Bible from the beginning to the end: observe it well, read it reverently and attentively, set your heart upon it, and lay it up in your memory, and make it the direction of your life; it will make you a wise and a good man. I have been acquainted somewhat with men and books, and have had long experience in learning and in the world: there is no book like the Bible, for excellent learning, wisdom, and use, and it is want of understanding in them that think or speak otherwise.

SIR MATTHEW Hale.

IT is good to have translations, because they serve as a comment so far as the judgment of the man goes.

SELDEN.

IN quoting of books, quote such authors as are usually read, others you may read for your own satisfaction, but not name them.

IBID.

QUOTING of authors, is most for matter of fact, and then I write them as I would produce a witness, sometimes for a free expression; and then I give the author his due, and gain myself praise by reading him,

IBID.

To quote a modern Dutchman, where I may use a classic author, is as if I were to justify my reputation, and neglect all persons of note and quality that know me, and bring the testimonial of the scullion in the kitchen.

IBID.

PATIENCE is the chiefest fruit of study. A man that strives to make himself a different thing from other men, by much reading, gains this chiefest good, that in all fortunes he hath something to entertain and comfort himself withal.

IBID.

TIME.

What is a man,

If his chief good, and market of his time

Is but to sleep and feed? a beast, no more.
Sure, He that made us with such large discourse,
Looking before and after, gave us not

That capability and god-like reason,
To rust in us unus'd,

SHAKSPEARE

The time of life is short;

To spend that shortness basely, 'twere too long

If life did ride upon a dial's point;

Still ending at the arrival of an hour.

IBID.

BE frugal of your time; it is one of the best jewels we have; and to that end avoid idleness, it consumes your time, and lays you open to worse inconveniences; let your recreations be healthy, and creditable, and moderate, without too much expense of time or money. Go not to stage plays, they are a most profuse wasting of time.* Value time by that estimate we would have of it when we want it; what would not a sick man give for

The opinion of Sir Matthew Hale, in matters of jurisprudence, being always received with the greatest veneration in our courts of law, I see no reason why his observation on the entertainments of the theatre should not be entitled to some respect, seeing he was as great a judge in the court of morality, as he has ever been allowed to be in a court of justice.

those portions of time of health, that he had formerly improvidently wasted?

SIR MATHEW HALE,

MUCH time might be saved and redeemed in retrenching the necessary expenses thereof, in our ordinary sleep, attiring, and dressing ourselves; and the length of our meals, as breakfasts, dinners, suppers; which, especially in this latter age, and among people of the better sort, are protracted to an immoderate and excessive length. There is little less than ten or twelve hours every day, spent in these refections, and their appendencies, which might be fairly reduced to much less..

Take heed of entertaining vain thoughts, which are a very great consumption of time, and is very incidental to melancholy and fanciful persons, whom I have known to sit the greatest part of several days in projecting what they would do, if they had such estates, honours, or places, and such kind of unprofitable and vain meditations; which humour is much improved in them that lie long in bed in a morning.

Beware of too much recreation. Some bodily exercise is necessary, for sedentary men especially, but let it not be too frequent, nor too long. Gaming, taverns, and plays, as they are pernicious, and corrupt youth; so, if they had no other fault, yet they are justly to be declined, in respect of their excessive expense of time, and habituating