The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

430 INTERPRETATION OF NATURE.
been, almost as much as men, the discoverers of of their countries from long standing evils, denature's operations, nor have men in this matter throners of tyrants, and the like, reached not bemade much use of their prerogative. We must, yond the rank of heroes. Nor has this distinction
however, examine what is done. And, first, of in old time been made without reason, seeing that
the simple and untaught mode of invention which the gifts of the former fell upon the whole human
is common with men, it is no other than that he race, those of the latter upon limited districts and
who girds and prepares himself for an invention, patches of society: the former to pour blessings
first inquires and learns what others have said $n on human life without violence or uproar, wthile
the subject, then adds his own reflection. But the latter are not commonly introduced but with
for a man to commit himself to the guidance of struggle and tumult. Now if the utility of any
others, or to entreat and almost invoke his own single invention so moved men, that they accountspirit to give him oracles, is a proceeding ed more than man him who could include the
without ground. Next follows the invention in whole human race in some solitary benefit, that
use with logicians, which has only a nominal invention is certainly much more exalted, which
connexion with the matter in hand. For it is not by a kind of mastery contains within itself all
of principles and axioms, of which arts consist, particular inventions, and delivers the mind from
but only of what seems agreeable to them. For bondage, and opens it a road, that under sure and
logic, with a well known response, drives the unerring guidance it may penetrate to whatever
curious and importunate, and lovers of business can be of novelty and further advancement. For
to yield their faith, as it were allegiance to some as in the early ages, when sailors steered their
art. There remains simple experience, which, if course only by observations of the heavenly bounforeseen, is called chance, if sought, experi- dies, they coasted along the shores of the old conment. And this is no more than, as they say, tinent, or ventured across some small internal
the faggot unbound. Nay, more, they who are seas: but it was necessary that the use of the
assiduously employed in opening and bringing to compass should be known, as a more certain guide
light' some nature or work, by a long and desul- of the passage, before the ocean could be crossed
tory course of experiments, are either fixed in and the tracts of the new world discovered: in
amazement, or run round in giddiness, sometimes like manner, all that has been hitherto invented in
eager, at others confused; and always find matter human arts and sciences might have been found out
for further inquiry. Nor can it well be other- by instinct, experience, observation, meditation,
wise. For it is an aimless and very foolish being more obvious to sense; but before we may
speculation, to search for the nature of a thing in stretch across to the more distant and secret
itself: for the same nature is hidden in some, in regions of nature, it is a necessary provision, that
others open, and as it were palpable; and causes some better and more perfect application and maadmiration in the latter, in the former not even nagement of the human mind be found out.
attention. Thus that quality of bodies which Wherefore such an invention as this would be,
resists separations seems a very subtle thing, and without doubt, a most noble and truly masculine
ingenious in bubbles of water, which for this offspring of time.
purpose throw themselves into thin films in the Again, in the Holy Scripture he saw that Soloform of a hemisphere. The same quality is mon the king, while in the pride of his power, his
little marked in stone or wood, but goes under riches, his magnificent works, his guards, his
the name of solid. Wherefore he saw that a household, his exact distribution and arrangement
certain ill fortune rather than ignorance is to be of slaves and domestics, his fleet moreover, the
imputed to men, since they have been drawn renown of his name, and the greatest honour from
from the appointed path by mischance or tempta- men; thought none of these his true glory, but
tions, but, within its bounds, have not shown said, that "' the glory of God is to conceal a thing,
themselves wanting in energy. but the glory of the king is to find it out," as if
He thought also, that some limit must be set to the Divine nature took delight in the innocent and
despondency, or at least to complaint; and that playful sport of children, who hide themselves
it must rather be considered whether we are to that they may be found out; and from his indulstop altogether, and use what we have already; gence and graciousness to men, chose the human
or to mare trial and devise something by which soul his playfellow. And the glory of inventions
the matter may proceed better. And, first, it is is that they raise human nature, without hurting
right to mark the excellency and value of the end any one, (as civil affairs commonly do,) and do
and purpose, that in a dry matter and difficult at- not press or sting a man's conscience, but bestow
tempt there may be a greater supply of industry. on all rewards and blessings without the sacrifice.
And he remembered that in ancient times, the af- or injury, or sorrow of one. For the natuie of
fection and zeal of men exceeding moderation: light is pure and harmless, it may be perverted in
divine honours were paid to inventors. But those its use, but not polluted in itself.
who had deserved well in civil affairs, as the foun- Again, taking note of the purposes and ambiders of cities and empires, legislators, deliverers tions of men, he observed three kinds of ambition,