the one with frivolous disputations, confutations, and verbosities,
the other with blind experiments and auricular traditions and
impostures, hath committed so many spoils, I hope I should bring in
industrious observations, grounded conclusions, and profitable
inventions and discoveries: the best state of that province. This,
whether it be curiosity or vain glory, or nature, or (if one take
it favourably) _philanthropia_, is so fixed in my mind as it cannot
be removed. And I do easily see, that place of any reasonable
countenance doth bring commandment of more wits than of a man's
own; which is the thing I greatly affect. And for your Lordship,
perhaps you shall not find more strength and less encounter in any
other. And if your Lordship shall find now, or at any time, that I
do seek or affect any place whereunto any that is nearer unto your
Lordship shall be concurrent, say then that I am a most dishonest
man. And if your Lordship will not carry me on, I will not do as
Anaxagoras did, who reduced himself with contemplation unto
voluntary poverty, but this I will do--I will sell the inheritance
I have, and purchase some lease of quick revenue, or some office of
gain that shall be executed by deputy, and so give over all care of
service, and become some sorry book-maker, or a true pioneer in
that mine of truth which (he said) lay so deep. This which I have
writ unto your Lordship is rather thoughts than words, being set
down without all art, disguising, or reservation. Wherein I have
done honour both to your Lordship's wisdom, in judging that that
will be best believed of your Lordship which is truest, and to your
Lordship's good nature, in retaining nothing from you. And even so
I wish your Lordship all happiness, and to myself means and
occasions to be added to my faithful desire to do you service. From
my lodgings at Gray's Inn."