I have adverted to this circumstance, because it ought to be remembered that an Essay, in the original and strict sense of the word, — an Essay such as Bacon's, and also Montaigne's, was designed to be suggestive of further remarks and re?ections, and, in short, to set the reader a-thin/cing on the subject. It consisted of observations loosely thrown out, as in conversation and inviting, as in conversation, the observations of others on the subject. With an Essay, in the modern sense of the word, it is not so. If the reader of what was designed to be a regular and complete treatise on some subject (and which would have been so entitled by our forefathers) makes additional remarks on that subject, he may be understood to imply that there is a deficiency and imperfection — a something wanting — in the work before him; whereas, to suggest such further remarks — to give outlines that the reader shall fill up for himself — is the very object of an Essay, properly so called — such as those of Bacon. A commentary to explain or correct, few writings need less but they admit of, and call for, expansion and development. They are gold-ingots, not needing to be gilt or polished, but requiring to be hammered out in order to display their full value.
