The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

434 INTERPRETATION OF NATURE.
friom the particulars digested into tables, to the was handling a subject which it were unbecominquisition after new particulars, (which is never- ing to defile with any ambition or affectation;
theless itself a useful thing, and like a kind of but yet that he must needs descend to the recollearned experience,) but that we should first pro- lection, (unless indeed he were very inexperienced
ceed to general and large comprehensions, and so in affairs an6 minds, and would begin his journey
far indulge the natural bent of the understanding. without any search,) that inveterate errors, like
But at the same time he saw that the natural but the ravings of the lunatic, must be subdued by
v' -'us motion and impulse of the mind to jump art and contrivance, and are aggravated by viofrom particulars to high and general comprehen- lence and opposition. We must, therefore, use
sions, (such as what are called the first principles prudence, and humour them, (as far as we can
of arts and things,) and to get at the rest by de- with simplicity and candour,) that contradictions
scending through the middle ones, must be alto- may be extinguished before they are inflamed.
gether checked; but the nearest comprehensions For this object he is preparing a work on nature,
must be first drawn out and discovered, and then which may destroy errors with the least harshthe middle ones, and we must climb the true lad- ness, and enter the senses of mankind without
der by repeated steps. For the paths of thought violence; which would be easier from his not
and understanding almost agree with that twofold bearing himself as a leader, but bringing and
way in morals, sung by the ancients; for one scattering light from nature herself, so that there
road, smooth at the entrance, leads to pathless may be no future need of a leader. But as time
wilds, the other, steep and difficult at first, ends meanwhile glides away, and he has been more
in level road. engaged in business than he wished; it seems a
He thought that such a form of induction long work; especially when he considers the
should be introduced as should conclude gene- uncertainty of life, and pants to lay up something
rally from certain instances, so that it can be in safety. It therefore seemed to him that someproved that there cannot be found a contradictory thing simpler might be proposed which, though
instance, lest by chance we pronounce from not uttered to the many, might perchance at
fewer than are adequate, and from those which least be sufficient to preserve so salutary a matter
are at our feet; and (as one of the ancients said) from abortion. And after considering the matter,
seek knowledge in our private worlds, and not in and weighing it long and attentively, it seemed
the public one. He saw that that comprehension to him the best way that tables of invention, or
only should be approved of and received, which formulae of just inquisition, that is, a mass of
was not made and fitted to the measure of the particulars, arranged for the work of the underparticulars from which it was derived, but standing, should be offered in some subjects, by
which was rather more ample and lax, and sup- way of an exemplar and almost visible descripported its amplitude and laxity by the designation tion of the work. For nothing can be found to
of new particulars, as a sort of suretiship, lest place in a clearer light the right road or the wanwe should stop at what is already known, or derings of error; or show more plainly that
perchance in too wide an embrace catch shadows what is offered is but words: nor which would
and abstract forms. He saw that many things be more carefully avoided by the man who either
besides these should be invented to work notably, mistrusted his scheme, or desired it to be caught
not so much to the perfecting of the matter, as to at and celebrated above its deserts. But, if it is
the shortening of the labour, and to the speeding not allowed him to complete his designs, as there
of men's harvest from it. And whether all this are nevertheless human minds of a strong and
be rightly thought or otherwise, we must, if lofty character, it may be that, even without more
need be, appeal from the opinions, and stand by assistance, taking the hint from what is offered,
the effects. they may be able to look for and master the rest
He thought, also, that what he is treating of is of themselves. For he is almost of opinion (as
rather performance than opinion, and that it lays some one said) that this will be enough for the
the foundations, not of any sect or school, but of wise, though even more would not be for the
immense utility and enlargement. Wherefore dull. But he saw that it would be too abrupt to
thought must be taken not only about accomplish- begin his teaching with the tables themselves;
ing the matter, but about communicating and and, therefore, that he should say-something suittransmitting it, which is of equal consequence. able by way of preface, which he thinks he has
But he found that men minister to their love of now done, and that all which has been hitherto
fame and pomp by sometimes publishing, some- said leads only thither. Lastly, he saw that, if
times concealing the knowledge of things which any good be found in what has been or shall be
they think they have got; and that they who said, it should be dedicated as the fat of the sapropose what is least solid are, more than others, crifice to God, and to men in God's similitude,
used to barter what they offer in an obscure and who procure the good of mankind by true affecdoubtful light, that they may more easily swell tion and benevolence.
the sails of their vanity. But he thought that he G. W.