Circulus Universalis

"First therefore, among so many noble foundations of colleges in Europe, I find it strange that they are all dedicated to professions, and none left free to the study of arts and sciences at large. For if... any man think that Philosophy and Universality are idle and unprofitable studies, he does not consider that all arts and professions are from thence supplied with sap and strength. And this I take to be a great cause, which has so long hindered the more flourishing progress of learning; because these fundamental knowledges have been studied but in passage, and not drunk deeper of... Neither is it to be forgotten that this dedication of colleges and societies to the use of professory learning has not only been inimical to the growth of the sciences*, but has also been prejudicial to states and governments. For hence it proceeds that princes when they have to choose men for business of state, find a wonderful dearth of able men around them; because there is no collegiate education designed for these purposes, where men naturally so disposed and affected might (besides other arts) give themselves especially to histories, modern languages, books of policy and civil discourse; whereby they might come better prepared and instructed to offices of state."

-Francis Bacon, De Augmentis Scientiarum (1623)

*Bacon's use of the term sciences refers to all branches of knowledge, not the specific disciplines that we today understand to fall under the umbrella of science.