The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

550 INTERPRETATION OF NATURE.
to ambition, and my age was matured, and my of nature, in the first ascent before arriving at a
disordered health also admonished me of my un- certain degree of generals, should be kept pure
happy slowness, and I next considered that I and separate from all application to works. Morenowise fulfilled my duty, while I was neglecting over, I know that all those who have in some
that by which I could through myself benefit measure committed themselves to the waters of
men, and applying myself to the things which experience, seeing they were infirm of purpose, or
depended upon the will of another, I altogether desirous of ostentation, have at the entrance unweaned myself from those thoughts, and wholly reasonably sought pledges of works, and have
betook myself to this work, according to my thence been confounded and shipwrecked. But
former principle. Nor is my resolution diminish- if any requires at least particular promises, let
ed, by foreseeing in the state of these times, a him know that by that knowledge, which is now
sort of declination and ruin of the learning which in use, men are not skilled enough even for wishis now in use; for although I dread not the in- ing. But, what is of less moment, should any
cursions of barbarians, (unless, perhaps, the em- of the politicians, whose custom it is from perpire of Spain should strengthen itself, and oppress sonal calculations to estimate every thing, or from
and debilitate others by arms, itself by the burden,) examples of like endeavours to form conjecture,
yet from civil wars (which, on account of certain presume to interpose his judgment in a matter of
manners not long ago introduced, seem to me this sort, I would have told that ancient saying,
about to visit many countries) and the malignity "i claudus in via, cursorem extra viam antevertit,"
of sects, and from those compendiary artifices and and not to think about examples, since the matter
cautions which have crept into the place of learn- is without example. But the method of publishing, no less a tempest seems to impend over ing these things is, to have such of them as tend
letters and science. Nor can the shop of the to seize the correspondences of dispositions, and
typographer suffice for those'evils. And that purge the areas of minds, given out to the vulgar
unwarlike learning, which is nourished by ease, and talked of; to have the rest handed down
and flourishes by praise and reward, which sus- with selection and judgment. Nor am I ignorant
tains not the vehemency of opinion, and is the that it is a common and trite artifice of impostors
sport of artifices and impostures, is overcome by to keep apart from the vulgar certain things which
the impediments which I have mentioned. Far are nothing better than the impertinences they set
different is the nature of the knowledge whose forth to the vulgar. But without any imposture,
dicnity is fortified by utility and operation. And from sound providence, I foresee that this formula
from the injuries of time I am almost secure; but of interpretation, and the inventions made by it,
for the injuries of men I am not concerned. For will be more vigorous and secure when contained
should any say that I savour things too high, I within legitimate and chosen devices. Yet I
reply simply, in civil affairs there is place for undertake these things at the risk of others. Fcr
modesty, in contemplations for truth. But if any none of those things which depend upon externals
one wequire works immediately, I say, without concerns me: nor do I hunt after fame, or, like
any imposture, that I, a man not old, frail in the heretics, take delight in establishing a sect;
health, involved in civil studies, coming to the and to receive any private emolument from so
obscurest of all subjects without guide or light, great an undertaking, I hold to be both ridiculous
have done enough, if I have constructed the ma- and base. Sufficient for me is the consciousness
chine itself and the fabric, though I may not have of desert, and the very accomplishment itself of
employed or moved it. And with the same can- things, which even fortune cannot withstand.
dour, I profess that the legitimate interpretation J. A. C.