The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

PHENOMENA OF TIlE UNIVERSE. 559
and workings of nature are discerned, and not the two admonitions which I would give on this head,
effects only. And, besides, all the subtlety of as at other times, so especially now, in proceed.
mechanics stops short of the object which we ing to this very thing: first, that we should disseek. For the person thus employed being intent miss that motion, which, though so thoroughly
upon his work and object, neither raises his mind false and destructive, easily takes possession of
nor stretches forth his hand to other things, and the mind, that the investigation of particular
which perchance avail more to the investigation objects is an infinite and endless task: when the
of nature. There is need, therefore, of greater truth rather is, that there is no bound to mere
care and choice kinds of examination and even of opinions and disputes, but that those fantasies are
expense, and moreover of the greatest patience. condemned to perpetual error and endless uncerFor this hath rendered every thing in the depart- tainty: but that those particular objects and the
ment of experiment useless, that men have from informations of sense (taking out individuals and
the beginning sought out experiments for the degrees of things, which suffices for the investisake of gain and not of knowledge, and have gation of truth) certainly admit of comprehension,
been intent upon brineing out something magnifi- and that neither too wide and extensive, nor toe
cent, not upon revealing the oracles of nature, difficult and adventurous. And, secondly, that
which is the work of works, and comprehends all men frequently bear the object in mind, and thar
power in itself. And this evil hath been occa- when they fall upon the consideration of very
sioned by the fastidious curiosity of men, in many of the most ordinary, small, and apparently
generally turning their attention to the secrets trivial and even low subjects, and which, as Arisand rarities of nature, and in expending all their totle says, seem to require a previous apology,
research upon these, passing over experiments they will not think that I am trifling, or taking
and ordinary observations with contempt. And down the dignity of the human mind. For these
they seem to have been determined to this choice things are not sought out or described for their
either from the pursuit of applause, or from having own sakes, but no other way is open to the human
fallen into this error, that the office of philosophy understanding, nor any other method left of puris as much to trace the cause of ordinary occur- suing this work; since we are attempting an
rences and the remoter causes of those causes, as object of unrivalled importance, and most worthy
it is to harmonize extraordinary with ordinary of the human mind, to kindle in this our age,
events. But the cause of this universal complaint through means offered and applied by the Deity
respecting natural history is chiefly this, that men himself, the pure light of nature, the name indeed
have not merely erred in their mode of proceed- the boast of men, the thing itself entirely uning, but in their design. For that natural history known. Nor do I dissemble my opinion that
-which now exists seems to have been composed that preposterous subtlety of arguments and imaeither on account of the profitableness of experi- ginations in the time of which the subtlety and
Mnents or the pleasure of details, and to have been truth of the first information or true induction was
made for its own sake, and not to serve as the either passed over or ill set on foot, can never
elements, and as it were to be the nurse of phi- effect a restoration, though all the genius of past
losophy and the sciences. It is therefore my ages should unite in the design; but that nature
design, as far as lies in my power, to supply this like fortune has her hair only upon her forehead.
deficiency. For I have long since made up my It remains, therefore, that the work be entirely
opinion as to the province of abstract philoso- recommenced, and that, with greater helps, and
phies: it is my intention also to adhere to the laying aside the heats of opinion, an entrance be
methods of true and good induction, in which are opened into the kingdom of philosophy and of the
contained all things; and, as it were, by the help sciences, (in which all the wealth of man is stored,
of instruments, or, by a clue to a labyrinth, to for nature is overcome only by yielding,) in the
assist as much as possible the power of the human same manner as into the kingdom of heaven, into
understanding, of itself inadequate and very une- which we cannot enter but as little children. But
qual to the attainment of the sciences. And I am the profit of this work, that plebeian and promisat the same time aware that if I would include in cuous advantage derived from experiments themthat restoration of the sciences, which I have in selves, we do not altogether condemn, since it can
contemplation, any greater scope, 1 might indeed doubtless marry desirable suggestions to the obreap the greater honour. servation and invention of men according to their
But since it has pleased God to give me a mind various arts and talents. But we deem it exthat can learn to yield to circumstances, and out tremely small in comparison of that entrance into
of a sense of real desert and confidence of success human knowledge and power, which, through
to reject with readiness what is only plausible, I the divine mercy, we look for. And of that
have taken upon myself that part of the work mercy we again desire, that it may see fit to
which would probably have been passed over by enrich anew the human family through our hands.
others altogether, or would not have been treated The nature of things is either free, as in species.
in accordance with my design. And there are or confused, as in monsters, or straightened, as in