er. Some books are to be tasted, others to be
swallowed, and some few to be chewed and digested: that is, some books
are to be read only in parts; others to be read, but not curiously; and
some few to be read wholly, and with diligence and attention. Some
books also may be read by deputy, and extracts made of them by others:
but that would be only in the less important arguments and the meaner
sort of books: else distilled books are like common distilled waters,
flashy things. Reading maketh a full man, conference a ready man, and
writing an exact man. And therefore, if a man write little, he had
need have a great memory; if he confer little, he had need have a
present wit; and if he read little, he had need have much cunning, to
seem to know that he doth not. Histories make men wise, poets witty,
the mathematics subtle, natural philosophy deep, moral grave, logic and
rhetoric able to contend: _Abeunt studia in mores_. Nay, there is no
stond or impediment in the wit, but may be wrought {19} out by fit
studies: like as diseases 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 school-men; 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 have a special receipt.

(_Essays_.)

WILLIAM DRUMMOND 1585-1649

MEDITATION ON DEATH

If on the great theatre of this earth among the numberless number of
men, _to die_ were only proper to thee and thine, then undoubtedly thou
had reason to repine at so severe and partial a law. But since it is a
necessity, from which never any age by-past hath been exempted, and
unto which they which be, and so many as are to come, are thralled (no
consequent of life being more common and familiar), why shouldst thou
with unprofitable and nought-availing stubbornness, oppose so
inevitable and necessary a condition? This is the high-way of
morality, and our general home: Behold what millions have trod it
before thee, what multitudes shall after thee, with them which at that
same ins