The Essayes or Counsels, Civill and Morall (The Oxford Francis Bacon, Vol. XV)

This edition of Francis Bacon's (1561-1626) __The Essayes or Counsels, Civill and Morall__, a re-issue of the first critical edition since the nineteenth century, uses modern editorial standards to establish an authoritative, unmodernized text. The textual apparatus includes a comprehensive, chronological record of the substantive readings of all these manuscripts and editions, so that for the first time the evolution of Bacon's texts may be studied conveniently in detail. "Bacon's Essays have attracted an eager readership since their publication in 1625. They sum up a lifetime's observations on the whole range of human activity, by one of the keenest minds of the Renaissance. In their third and final revision Bacon designed the Essays to fill some of the gaps he had diagnosed in the study of mankind, such as the formative influences on individual behaviour of birth and temperament, of environment, social exchange, leisure, business, and politics. Bacon's approach varies greatly from essay to essay, juxtaposing systematic analysis with brilliant apercus, in styles ranging from the detached and laconic to the passionately engaged, especially when expressing his moral beliefs."--BOOK JACKET. "This closely annotated edition is based on Brian Vickers's Oxford Authors text and includes appendices containing extracts from the Essays (1597), the Essays (1612) and 'Antitheses of Things' (1623)."--BOOK JACKET. Based On Collation And Analysis Of The Original Editions, This Critical Edition Uses Modern Editorial Standards To Establish An Authoritative, Unmodernised Text. References, Abbreviations, And Symbols -- List Of Sigla -- General Introduction -- Textual Introduction -- Comparative Table Of The Essayes -- The Essays Or Counsels, Civill And Morall -- Commentary -- Appendix -- Glossary -- Index To The Essays -- General Index To Introduction And Commentary. [francis Bacon] ; Edited With Introduction, Notes, And Commentary By Michael Kiernan. Includes Bibliographical References And Indexes.