The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

BooK I1. NOVUM ORGANUAM. 407
to attention, observation, and proper inquiry: as, two defects in practice, and as many divisions of
for instance, that a little drop of ink should be important instances. Practice is either deceptive
drawn out into so many letters; that silver merely or too laborious. It is generally deceptive, (espegilt on its surface should be stretched to such a cially after a diligent examination of natures,) onil
length of gilt wire; that a little worm, such as account of the power and actions of bodies being
you may find on the skin, should possess both a ill defined and determined. Now, the powers and
spirit and a varied conformation of its parts; that actions of the bodies are defined and determined.
a little saffron should imbue a whole tub of wateri either by space or by time, or by the quantity at
with its colour; that a little musk or aroma should a given period, or by the predominance of energy;
imbue a much greater extent of air with its per- and if these four circumstances be not well and
fume; that a cloud of smoke should be raised by diligently considered, the sciences may indeed be
a little incense; that such accurate differences beautiful in theory, but are of no effect in practice.
of sounds as articulate words should be conveyed We call the four instances referred to this class,
in all directions through the air, and even pene- Inatlemnalical instances and instances of measure.
trate the pores of wood and water, (though they Practice is laborious either from the multitude
become much weakened;) that they should be of instruments, or the bulk of matter and submoreover reflected, and that with such distinct- stances requisite for any given work. Those inness and velocity; that light and colour should stances, therefore, are valuable, which either
for such an extent, and so rapidly pass through direct practice to that which is of most consesolid bodies, such as glass and water, with so quence to mankind, or lessen the number of ingreat and so exquisite a variety of images, and struments, or of matter to be worked upon. We
should be refracted and reflected; that the mag- assign to the three instances relating to this class
net should attract through every description of the common name of propizious or benevolent
body, even the most compact; but (what is still instances. We will now separately discuss these
more wonderful) that in all these cases the seven instances, and conclude with them that
action of one should not impede that of another part of our work which relates to the prerogative
in a common medium, such as air; and that or illustrious instances.
there should be borne through the air, at the 45. In the twenty-first rank of prerogative
saine time, so many images of visible objects, so instances, we will place the instances of the rod
many impulses of articulation, so many different or rule, which we are also wont to call the
perfumes, as of the violet, rose, &c., besides cold instances of completion, or non-ultra. For the
and heat, and magnetic attractions; all of them, powers and motions of bodies do not act and take
i say, at once, without any impediment from effect through indefinite and accidental, but
each other, as if each had its paths and peculiar through limited and certain spaces; and it is of
passage set apart for it, without infringing great importance to practice that these should be
against or meeting each other. understood and noted in every nature which is
To these lancing instances, however, we are investigated; not only to prevent deception, but
wont, not without some advantage, to add those to render practice more extensive and efficient.
which we call the limits of such instances. For it is sometimes possible to extend these
Thus, in the cases we have pointed out, one powers, and bring the distance, as it were, nearer,
action does not disturb or impede another of a as in the example of telescopes.
different nature, yet those of a similar nature sub- Many powers act and take effect only by actual
due and extinguish each other; as the light of touch, as in the percussion of bodies; where the
the sun does that of the candle, the sound of a one does not remove the other, unless the impelcannon that of the voice, a strong perfume a more ling touch the impelled body. External applicadelicate one, a powerful heat a more gentle one, tions in medicine, as ointment, and plasters, do
a plate of iron between the magnet and other iron not exercise their efficacy, except when in conthe effect of a magnet. But the proper place for tact with the body. Lastly, the objects of touch
mentioning these will be also amongst the supports and taste only strike those senses when in conof induction. tact with their organs.
44. We have now spoken of the instances Other powers act at a distance, though it be
which assist the senses, and which are principal- very small, of which but few hlave, as yet, been
ly of service as regards information; for informa- noted, although there be more than nien suspect;
tion begins from the senses. But our whole this happens (to take every day-instances) when
labour terminates in practice, and as the former amber or jet attract straws, bubbles dissolve
is the beginning, so is the latter the end of our bubbles, some purgative medicines draw husubject. The following instances, therefore, will mours fiom above, and the like. The magnetic
be those which are chiefly useful in practice. power by which iron and the magnet, or two
Thev are comprehended in two classes, and are magnets, are attracted together, acts within a
seven in number. WVe call them all by the gene- definite and narrow sphere; but if there be any
ral name of practical instances. Now, there are magnetic power emanating from the earth, a littler