SALOMON 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 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. S+t+. ALBAN.
The Table.
1 OF Truth. Page 1
2 Of Death. 6
3 Of Vnitie in Religion. 10
4 Of Reuenge. 19
5 Of Aduersitie. 22
6 Of Simulation and Dissimulation. 25
7 Of Parents and Children. 32
8 Of Marriage and Single Life. 36
9 Of Enuie. 40
10 Of Loue. 50
11 Of Great Place. 54
12 Of Boldnesse. 62
13 Of Goodnesse, and Goodnesse of Nature. 66
14 Of Nobilitie. 72
15 Of Seditions and Troubles. 76
16 Of Atheisme. 90
17 Of Superstition. 96
18 Of Trauaile. 100
19 Of Empire. 105
20 Of Counsell. 115
21 Of Delaies. 125
22 Of Cunning. 127
23 Of Wisdome for a Mans Selfe. 135
24 Of Innouations. 139
25 Of Dispatch. 142
26 Of Seeming Wise. 146
27 Of Frendship. 149
28 Of Expence. 164
29 Of the true Greatnesse of Kingdomes
30 Of Regiment of Health. 187
31 Of Suspicion. 191
32 Of Discourse. 194
33 Of Plantations. 198
34 Of Riches. 205
35 Of Prophecies. 212
36 Of Ambition. 218
37 Of Maskes and Triumphs. 223
38 Of Nature in Men. 227
39 Of Custome and Education. 231
40 Of Fortune. 235
41 Of Vsury. 239
42 Of Youth and Age. 247
43 Of Beautie. 251
44 Of Deformitie. 254
45 Of Building. 257
46 Of Gardens. 266
47 Of Negotiating. 280
48 Of Followers and Frends. 284
49 Of Sutours. 288
50 Of Studies. 292
51 Of Faction. 296
52 Of Ceremonies and Respects. 300
53 Of Praise. 304
54 Of Vain-Glory. 308
55 Of Honour and Reputation. 312
56 Of Iudicature. 316
57 Of Anger. 325
58 Of Vicissitude of Things. 329