Essay XIX. Of Empire.—See Antitheta, No. 8. vol. viii. p. 358.
"And the like was done by that league, which Guicciardini saith was the security of Italy," &c.] The league alluded to, is that of 1485. See Guicciardini, lib. i. c. 1.
"Neither is the opinion of some of the school-men to be received, that a war cannot justly be made but upon a precedent injury or provocation.">[ Grotius lays down the same doctrine as Bacon, De J. B. et P., ii. 1. §§ 2, 3. Query, What school-men are here referred to?
Essay XX. Of Counsel.—See Antitheta, No. 44. vol. viii. p. 377.
Jupiter and Metis.] See Sap. Vet., vol. xi. p. 354.
"For which inconveniences, the doctrine of Italy, and practice of France, in some kings' times, hath introduced cabinet councils: a remedy worse than the disease." By "cabinet councils" are here meant private meetings of selected advisers in the king's own apartment.
"Principis est virtus maxima nosse suos.">[ From Martial, viii. 15.
"It was truly said, 'Optimi consiliarii mortui.'">[ Compare Apophthegms, No. 105.: "Alonzo of Arragon was wont to say of himself, that he was a great necromancer; for that he used to ask counsel of the dead, meaning books."
Essay XXI. Of Delays.—See Antitheta, No. 41. vol. viii. p. 376.
"Occasion (as it is in the common verse) turneth a bald noddle," &c.] See "N. & Q.," Vol. iii., pp. 8. 43., where this saying is illustrated.