Montaigne and Bacon Essays

I can honestly say that I loved Francis Bacon's writing and didn't like Montaigne.  Montaigne was long winded and stuffy.  I think he lost me after the story about Marie Germane in "Of Force of Imagination." The writing was unclear at points and didn't grab my attention nearly as much as Bacon's.   

The writings I liked the most were "Of Travel" and "Of Studies," though I will say that I also really enjoyed "Of Plantations" and "Of Friends."  I wish that I had read "Of Travel" before I had studied abroad in Rome.  All of his suggestions for travel were incredibly accurate to how people still travel, and I couldn't help but think of Rick Steve's or Go Europe! when he was describing a book of the city people should carry with them.  His description of a servant or person who knows the area just reminded me of different tour guides people use when traveling, and its not uncommon to bring at least a phrase book with you to have some knowledge of the country's language. I know that I personally kept a journal while studying abroad, as did other girls, and I don't know anyone who regretted doing that.  I really like his suggestion at the end to keep the culture with you, not in dress or souvenirs, but in how you act and carry yourself. 

"Of Studies" was also incredibly interesting to read.  He really seemed to sum up society's views of education when he said "Crafty men contemn studies, simple men admire them, and wise men use them; for they teach not their own use; but that is a wisdom without them, and above them, won by observation."  He seems to be discussing street smarts versus book smarts, with a strong undertone of being in favor of book smarts.  Its stereotypical, but I think that it still rings true for some, all the same.  

I really enjoyed Bacon as a writing.  His writing style was structured and yet it read much more easily than Montaigne's.  His diction was quote-worthy and he stuck to the point. It was an overall good read.