Baconiana, or, Certain genuine remains of Sr. Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, and Viscount of St. Albans in arguments civil and moral, natural, medical, theological, and bibliographical now for the first time faithfully published ...

The Rule (or Form) of the Alpha••et.

After this manner we compose and dispose our Alphabet.

We begin solely with History and Expe∣riments.

These, if they exhibit an enume∣ration and series of particular Things, are dispos'd into Tables; otherwise they are ta∣ken seperately, and by themselves.

But seeing we are often at a loss for Hi∣story and Experiments, especially such as are Luciferous [or Instructive] and [as we call them] Instances of the Cross; by which the Understanding might be helped in the knowledg of the true Causes of Things: We propose the task of making new Expe∣riments. These may serve as an History in Design. For what else is to be done by us who are but breaking the Ice?

For the mode of any more abstruse, Ex∣periment, we explain it, lest any mistake arise about it; and to the intent also that we may excite others to excogitate better Methods.

Also we interspect certain Admonitions and Cautions concerning such Fallacies of Things, and Errors in Invention, as we meet with in our way.

We subjoin our Observations upon Histo∣ry and Experiments, that the Interpretation of Nature may be the more in readiness and at hand.

Likewise we lay down Canons (but not such as are fixed and determin'd) and Axioms which are, as it were, in Embrio:

Such as offer themselves to us in the quality of Inquirers, and not of Iudges. Such Ca∣nons and Axioms are profitable, though they appear not yet manifestly, and upon all ac∣counts true.

Lastly; We meditate sometimes certain Essays of Interpretation, though such as are low and of small advance, and by no means to be honour'd (in our opinion) with the very name of Interpretation.

For what need have we of Arrogance or Imposture, seeing we have so often pro∣fessed, that we have not such a supply of History and Experiments as is needful; and that without these, the Interpretation of Nature cannot be brought to perfection. Wherefore it is enough for us, if we are not wanting to the beginning of Things.

Now, for the sake of Perspicuity, and Or∣der, we prepare our way by Avenues, which are a kind of Prefaces to our In∣quisitions. Likewise we interpose bonds of Connexion, that our Inquisitions may not seem abrupt and dis-jointed.

Also we suggest for use, some Hints of Practice. Furthermore, we propose wishes of such things as are hitherto only desired and not had, together with those things which border on them, for the exciting the Industry of Man's Mind.

Neither are we ignorant, that those In∣quisitions are sometimes mutually entangled; so that some things of which we inquire [even the same things] belong to several Ti∣tles. But we will observe such measure, that (as far as may be) we may shun both the nau∣seousness of Repetition, and the trouble of Rejection, submitting notwithstanding to either of these, when in an Argument so obscure, there is necessity of so doing, in order to the more intelligible teaching of it.

This is the Form and Rule of our Alpha∣bet.

May God, the Creator, Preserver, and Renewer of the Universe, protect and go∣vern this Work, both in its ascent to his Glory, and in its descent to the Good of Mankind, for the sake of his Mercy and good Will to Men, through his only Son [Immanuel] God-with-us,

Notes

• See Nov. Organ. l. 2. Aph. 36. p. 254. Lugd. Bat.