Francis Bacon, "Of Travel": From The Essayes, or Counsels Civill and Morall ( )

Francis Bacon, Of Travel
from The Essayes, or Counsels Civill and

Morall ()
Travel, in the younger sort, is a part of education, in the elder, a part of
experience. He that travelleth into a country, before he hath some entrance
into the language, goeth to school, and not to travel. That young men
travel under some tutor, or grave servant, I allow well; so that he be such a
one that hath the language, and hath been in the country before; whereby
he may be able to tell them what things are worthy to be seen, in the coun-
try where they go; what acquaintances they are to seek; what exercises, or
discipline, the place yieldeth. For else, young men shall go hooded, and
look abroad little. It is a strange thing, that in sea voyages, where there is
nothing to be seen, but sky and sea, men should make diaries; but in land-
travel, wherein so much is to be observed, for the most part they omit it; as
if chance were fitter to be registered, than observation. Let diaries, there-
fore, be brought in use. The things to be seen and observed are: the courts
of princes, especially when they give audience to ambassadors; the courts
of justice, while they sit and hear causes; and so of consistories ecclesias-
tic; the churches and monasteries, with the monuments which are therein
extant; the walls and fortifications of cities, and towns, and so the heav-
ens and harbors; antiquities and ruins; libraries; colleges, disputations, and
lectures, where any are; shipping and navies; houses and gardens of state
and pleasure, near great cities; armories; arsenals; magazines; exchanges;
burses; warehouses; exercises of horsemanship, fencing, training of soldiers,
and the like; comedies, such whereunto the better sort of persons do re-
sort; treasuries of jewels and robes; cabinets and rarities; and, to conclude,
whatsoever is memorable, in the places where they go. After all which, the

FRANCIS BACON, OF TRAVEL 2
tutors, or servants, ought to make diligent inquiry. As for triumphs, masks,

feasts, weddings, funerals, capital executions, and such shows, men need
not to be put in mind of them; yet are they not to be neglected. If you
will have a young man to put his travel into a little room, and in short
time to gather much, this you must do. First, as was said, he must have
some entrance into the language before he goeth. Then he must have such
a servant, or tutor, as knoweth the country, as was likewise said. Let him
carry with him also, some card or book, describing the country where he
travelleth; which will be a good key to his inquiry. Let him keep also a
diary. Let him not stay long, in one city or town; more or less as the place
deserveth, but not long; nay, when he stayeth in one city or town, let him
change his lodging from one end and part of the town, to another; which
is a great adamant of acquaintance. Let him sequester himself, from the
company of his countrymen, and diet in such places, where there is good
company of the nation where he travelleth. Let him, upon his removes from
one place to another, procure recommendation to some person of quality,
residing in the place whither he removeth; that he may use his favor, in
those things he desireth to see or know. Thus he may abridge his travel,
with much profit. As for the acquaintance, which is to be sought in travel;
that which is most of all profitable, is acquaintance with the secretaries and
employed men of ambassadors: for so in travelling in one country, he shall
suck the experience of many. Let him also see, and visit, eminent persons
in all kinds, which are of great name abroad; that he may be able to tell,
how the life agreeth with the fame. For quarrels, they are with care and
discretion to be avoided. They are commonly for mistresses, healths, place,
and words. And let a man beware, how he keepeth company with choleric
and quarrelsome persons; for they will engage him into their own quarrels.
When a traveller returneth home, let him not leave the countries, where he
hath travelled, altogether behind him; but maintain a correspondence by
letters, with those of his acquaintance. which are of most worth. And let
his travel appear rather in his discourse, than his apparel or gesture; and
in his discourse, let him be rather advised in his answers, than forward to
tell stories; and let it appear that he doth not change his country manners,
for those of foreign parts; but only prick in some flowers, of that he hath
learned abroad, into the customs of his own country.

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Francis Bacon, Of Travel

from The Essayes, or Counsels Civill and

tutors, or servants, ought to make diligent inquiry. As for triumphs, masks,

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