First edition, 1597, genuine.
There are two copies of this edition in the university library at
Cambridge; and there is Archbishop Sancroft’s copy in Emanuel Library;
there is a copy in the Bodleian, and I have a copy.
Second edition, 1598, genuine.
Third edition, 1606, pirated.
Fourth edition, entitled “The Essaies of Sir Francis Bacon, Knight, the
Kings Solliciter Generall. Imprinted at London by Iohn Beale, 1612,”
genuine. It was the intention of Sir Francis to have dedicated this
edition to Henry, Prince of Wales; but he was prevented by the death
of the prince on the 6th of November in that year. This appears by the
following letter:—
_To the Most High and Excellent Prince, Henry, Prince of Wales,
Duke of Cornwall, and Earl of Chester._
It may please your Highness: Having divided my life into the
contemplative and active part, I am desirous to give his Majesty
and your Highness of the fruits of both, simple though they be.
To write just treatises, requireth leisure in the writer and
leisure in the reader, and therefore are not so fit, neither in
regard of your Highness’s princely affairs nor in regard of my
continual service; which is the cause that hath made me choose
to write certain brief notes, set down rather significantly than
curiously, which I have called Essays. The word is late, but the
thing is ancient; for Seneca’s Epistles to Lucilius, if you mark
them well, are but Essays; that is, dispersed meditations though
conveyed in the form of epistles. These labors of mine, I know,
cannot be worthy of your Highness, for what can be worthy of you?
But my hope is, they may be as grains of salt, that will rather
give you an appetite than offend you with satiety. And although
they handle those things wherein both men’s lives and their
persons are most conversant; yet what I have attained I know not;
but I have endeavored to make them not vulgar, but of a nature
whereof a man shall find much in experience and little in books;
so as they are neither repetitions nor fancies. But, however, I
shall most humbly desire your Highness to accept them in gracious
part, and to conceive, that if I cannot rest but must show my
dutiful and devoted affection to your Highness in these things
which proceed from myself, I shall be much more ready to do it in
performance of any of your princely commandments. And so wishing
your Highness all princely felicity, I rest your Highness’s most
humble servant,