Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

AND HIS SECRET SOCIETY. 175
Civil history, though pre-eminent amongst modern writings,
he finds to be " beset on all sides by faults, " and that there is
nothing rarer than a true civil history, which he subdivides into
Memorials, Commentaries, Perfect History, and Antiquities.
" For memorials are the rough drafts of history, and antiquities
are history defaced, or remnants of history, which, like the spars
of a shipwreck, have recovered somewhat from the deluge of
time.
No defects need be noticed in the annals, chronologies, registers,
and collections of antiquities, which he classes with " imperfect
histories." They are of their very nature imperfect, but they
are not to be condemned like epitomes, "things which have
fretted and corroded the bodies of most excellent histories, and
wrought them into unprofitable dregs. " There are many collections,
annals, chronologies, chronicles, commentaries, registers,
etc., which began to appear in Bacon's time, in accordance with
his instructions and suggestions, if not with direct help from
him.
" Just and perfect history is of three kinds, according to the
object which it propoundeth or pretendeth to present; for it presenteth
either a time or a person or an action. The first of these
we call Chronicles, the second Lives, and the third Narratives.
Though the first be the most complete, and hath most glory, yet
the second excelleth it in use, and the third in truth. For history
of times representeth the greatness of actions, and the public faces
and behaviour of persons; it passeth over in silence the smaller
events and actions of men and matters. But such being the
workmanship of God, that He doth hang the greatest weight
upon the smallest wires, 1 it comes to pass that such histories do
rather set forth the pomp of business than the true and inward
resorts (or springs) thereof. Insomuch that you may find a truer
picture of human life in some satires than in such histories."
But well-written " lives and histories are likely to be more
purely true, because their argument is within the knowledge
and observation of the writer. 2 All three kinds of history are,
1 " Thus hast thou hang'd our life on brittle pins." Translation of Psl. SC.
"The whole frame stands upon pins." 2d Henry IV. iii. 2.
2 Advt. ii. 1.