The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

556 INTERPRETATION OF NATURE.
axioms inferred and trained down to particular in upon our mind, that what is now done, fromn
and practical uses, by process of reasoning, the supreme importance of the good it contains to
should yield only a sort of guesses, exceedingly man, is manifestly of God. And in His workobscure and imperfect. Whereas an axiom drawn ings, every the most insignificant germ of the
from particulars to new and corresponding ones, future is pregnant with results.
leads on investigation in a broad and indestructible Now, in the redargution of' the received philopath. The other premonition is this, that we re- sophies which we intend, we scarcely know
member that, in the active branch of the inquiry, whither at first to turn ourselves, since the avenue
the business is to be accomplished by means of to confutation of the same, which was to others
the ladder of descent, the use of which we waived open, is to us inhibited. And, besides, so many
in the contemplative. For every operation is and so vast are the troops of error which present
occupied about individual experiments whose themselves, that we must overthrow and dislodge
place is at the bottom of all. We must, therefore, them, not in close detail but in mass: and if we
descend the steps that lie between general truths would draw near unto them, and try conclusions,
and these. Nor, again, is it practicable to get at hand to hand, with each of them individually, it
these by means of axioms taken unconnectedly; were in vain: the rule of all reasoning being set
for every practical operation, and the mode of per- aside, differing as we do from them in our prinforming it, is at once suggested and effected by ciples, and repudiating as we do the very forms
applying a combination of isolated axioms. With and authority of their proofs and demonstrations.
these preliminaries, then, we come to our three- And if (which seems to be the only thing left for
fold exposition of the doctrine of active interpreta- us to do) we attempted to infer and derive from
tion. The first part propounds a defined and ap- experience the truths we maintain, we are only
propriate method of inquiry, in which not the turning back to the starting point. And, forgetting
cause or governing axiom, but the effecting of any what we have discoursed of the preparing of
operation is the object in view, and is submitted men's minds, we are found going directly the
to examination. The second shows the way of opposite way: and falling all at once and premamaking general tables with a special view to turely on nature; to which we have pronounced
practice, in which may be much more easily and it absolutely necessary that we open up and pave
readily found all sorts of suggestions and indica- a way, because of the obdurate prejudices and
tions of works. The third subjoins a mode of impediments of the minds of men. Nevertheless,
ascertaining and striking out new practical uses, we shall not be wanting to ourselves, but shall
an incomplete mode, no doubt, and yet not with- try to confront them, and prove our strength, in
out utility, which travels from one experiment to manner accommodated to our design, both by proanother, without deducing of axioms. For, as ducing certain tokens from which an estimate
from axiom to axiom, so from experiment to ex- may be formed of these philosophies, and meanperiment, there is presented and opened up a while noting among the philosophies themselves,
passage to discovery, narrow indeed and slippery, so as to shake their authority, certain prodigies
yet not to be wholly passed over in silence. And of perversion, and laughingstocks to intelligence,
here we conclude the ministration to practice, which they furnish.
being the last in the order of distribution. This, Yet it escapes us not that the mass of such
then, is a plain and succinct abstract of the second errors is too much consolidated to be at once overbook. thrown; especially as among learned men, it is
These things being unfolded, we trust to have no unusual or unheard-of arrogance, wilfully to
well constructed and furnished withal, the mar- reject opinions which they cannot shake. Nor
riage chamber of mind and the universe, the shall we offer aught too light or low for the grandivine goodness not disdaining to be bridemaid. deur of the interest which is at stake, nor in this
Let it then be the votive part of the nuptial hymn, sort of redargution attempt to make converts to
that from their union may rise and descend a our creed, hoping only meantime to conciliate
progeny of helps to man's life, a line, so to speak, patience and candour, and that only in minds of a
of heroes to conquer and command the wants and more commanding and decisive order. For no
the miseries of humanity. one can betake himself to us, fresh from the haAt the conclusion, we shall add some remarks bitual and unceasing companionship of such eron the combination and the succession of scientific rors, with such openness and greatness of mind,
efforts. For then, and not till then, shall men as not to retain some bias to his impressions and
know their own strength, not when multitudes opinions in favour of inveterate and established
devote themselves as now to the same tasks, but systems. You cannot inscribe fresh characters
when some shall appropriate what is neglected on the writing-tablet without expunging the forby the rest. Nor, truly, have we abandoned hope mer ones; but, in the mind, you will scarcely
of aftertimes, that there shall rise up men to obliterate the first drawn characters, save by inadvance to a nobler state a work commencing scribing others.
from such slender beginnings. For it is borne This bias, as we think, ought to be counteracted,