The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

CENT. X. NATURAL HISTORY. 129
the effects of them. Sixthly, they seem tu be of some of them, go so far as to hold that the spirit
so tender and weak a nature, as they affect only of the lover doth pass into the spirits of the persuch a rare and attenuate substance, as is the spi- son loved; which causeth the desire of return into
rit of living creatures. the body whence it was emitted; whereupon followeth that appetite of contact and conjunction
Exertments in consort touching the emission ofm-which is in lovers. And this is observed likemateriate virtues from the minds and spirits of wise, that the aspects which procure love, are not
wnen, either by affections, or by imaginations, or gazings, but sudden glances and dartings of the
by other zimpresszons. eye, as for envy, that emitteth some malign and
939. It is mentioned in some stories, that poisonous spirit, which taketh hold of the spirit
where children have been exposed, or taken away of another: and is likewise of greatest force when
young from their parents; and that afterwards the cast of the eye is oblique. It hath been noted
they have approached to their parents' presence, also, that it is most dangerous when an envious
the parents, though they have not known them, eye is cast upon persons in glory, and triumph,
have had a secret joy or other alteration there- and joy. The reason whereof is, for that at such
upon. times the spirits comeforth most into the outward
940. There was an Egyptian soothsayer, that parts, and so meet the percussion of the envious
made Antonius believe, that his genius, which eye more at hand: and therefore it hath been
otherwise, was brave and confident, was, in the noted, that after great triumphs, men have been
presence of Octavianus Casar, poor and coward- ill-disposed for some days following. We see
ly; and therefore, he advised him to absent him- the opinion of fascination is ancient, for both efself as much as he could, and remove far from him. feats; of procuring love; and sickness caused by
This soothsayer was thought to be suborned by envy: and fascination is ever by the eye. But
Cleopatra, to make him live in Egypt, and other yet if there be any such infection from spirit to
remote places from Rome. Howsoever, the con- spirit, there is no doubt but that it worketh by
ceit of a predominant or mastering spirit of one presence, and not by the eye alone: yet most forman over another, is ancient, and received still, cibly by the eye.
even in vulgar opinion. 945. Fear and shame are likewise infective;
941. There are conceits, that some men that for we see that the starting of one will make anare of an ill and melancholy nature, do incline the other ready to start: and when one man is out of
company into which they come to be sad and ill- countenance in a company, others do likewise
disposed; and contrariwise, that others that are blush in his behalf.
of a jovial nature, do dispose the company to be
merry and cheerful. And again, that some men Now we will speak of the force of imagination
are lucky to be kept company with and employed; upon other bodies, and of the means to exalt and
and others unlucky. Certainly, it is agreeable strengthen it. Imagination, in this place, I underto reason, that there are at the least some light stand to be, the representation of an individual
effluxions from spirit to spirit, when men are in thought. Imagination is of three kinds: the first
presence one with another, as well as from body joined with belief of that which is to come: the
to body. second joined with memory of that which is past:
942. It hath been observed, that old men who and the third is of things present, or as if they
have loved young company, and been conversant were present: for I comprehend in this, imaginacontinually with them, have been of long life; tions feigned, and at pleasure, as if one should
their spirits, as it seemeth, being recreated by imagine such a man to be in the vestments of a
such company. Such were the ancient sophists pope, or to have wings. I single out, for this
and rhetoricians; which ever had young auditors time, that which is with faith or belief of that
and disciples; as Georgias, Protagoras, Isocrates, which is to come. The inquisition of this subject
&c., who lived till they were a hundred years in our way, which is by induction, is wonderful
old. And so likewise did many ofthehe grammarians hard: for the things that are reported are full of
and school-masters; such as was Orbilius, &c. fables; and new experiments can hardly be made,
943. Audacity and confidence doth, in civil bu- but with extreme caution, for the reason which
siness, so great effects, as a man may reasonably we will hereafter declare.
doubt, that besides the very daring, and earnest- The power of imagination is of three kinds; the
ness, and persisting, and importunity, there should first upon the body of the imaginant, including
be some secret binding, and stooping of other likewise the child in the mother's womb; the
men's spirits to such persons. second is, the power of it upon dead bodies, as
944. The affections, no doubt, do make the plants, wood, stone, metal, &c.; the third is, the
spirits more powerful and active; and especially power of it upon the spirits of men and living
those affections which draw the spirits into the creatures: and with this last wewlll only meddle.
eyes: which are two; love, and envy, which is The problem therefore is, whether a man con
called occulus malus. As for love, the Platonists, stantly and strongly believing that such a thing
Vol.. II. 17