The works of Francis Bacon, lord chancellor of England.

lxxviii LIFE OF BACON.
struction of idols, or modes by which the judg- With respect to the defects of the senses, hl
ment is warped from the truth. 2dly. By con- says that things escape theircognisance by seven
sidering facts on both sides; as if the inquiry be modes:
into the nature of heat, by considering all the affirmative and negative instances of heat. 1st. From distance; which is remedied by
substitutes, as beacons, bells, telegraphs,,/fflrmative Table..Megative Table. &C.
2d. By the interception of interposing bodies;
The Sunr's direct rays. The Moon's rays.
Blood of Terrestrial Animals. Blood of Fish. which is remedied by attention to outward
Living Animals, Dead Animals, or visible signs, as the internal state of the
&c. &c. body by the pulse, &c.
3dly. By explaining the mode in which the facts 3d. By the unfitness of the body: or,
presented to the senses ought by certain rules to 4th. Its insufficiency in quantity to impress the
be examined, sense, as the air and the vital spirit, which
As the commander of an army, before he com- is imperceptible by sight or touch.
imences an attack, considers the strength and 5th. From the insufficiency of time to actuate the
number of his troops, both regular and allies; the sense, either when the motion is too slow,
spirit by which they are animated, whether they as in the hand of a clocl or the growth of
are the lion, or the sheep in the lion's skin; the grass, or too rapid, as a bullet passing
power of the enemy to which he is opposed: their the air.
walled towns, their stored arsenals and armories, Gth. From the percussion of the body being too
their horses and chariots of war, elephants, ord-powerful for the sense, as in looking at the
nance and artillery, and their races of men; and midday sun; which is remedied by rethen in what mode he shall commence his attack moving the object from the sense; or by
and proceed in the battle: so, before man directs diminishing its force by the interposition
his strength against nature, and endeavours to of a medium, as smoking tobacco through
take her high towers and dismantle her fortified water; or by reflection, as the suns rays
in a mirror or basin of water: andholds, and thus enlarge the borders of his do- in a mirror or basin of water: andminion, he ought duly to estimate, 7th. Because the sense is pre-occupied by another object, as by the use of perfumes.
1st. His powers, natural and artificial, for the
discovery of truth. The defects of the judgment he investigates
2d. His different motives for the exercise of in a more laborious inquiry. "6There are," he
his powers. says, " certain predispositions which beset the
3d. The obstacles to which he is opposed; mrind of man; certain idols which are constantly
and, operating upon the mind and warping it from the
4th. The mode in which he can exert his truth; for the mind of man, drawn over and
powers with most efficacy, or the Art of clouded with the sable pavilion of the body, is so
Invention. far from being like smooth, equal, and clear glass,
which might sincerely take and reflect the beams
Of these four requisites, therefore, a perfect of things according to their true incidence, that it is
work upon the conduct of the understanding rather like an enchanted glass, full of superstiought, as it seems, to consist: but the Novum tions, apparitions, and impostures; which idols
Organum is not thus treated. To system Bacon are of such a pernicious nature, that, if they
was not attached: for " As young men, when they once take root in the mind, they will so possess
knit and shape perfectly, do seldom grow to a it that truth can hardly find entrance; and, even
farther stature, sb knowledge, while it is in should it enter, they will again rise up, choke,
aphorisms and observations, it is in growth; but and destroy it."
when it once is comprehended in exact methods, These idols are of two sorts: 1st. Common to
it may perchance be farther polished and illuts- all men, therefore called Idols of the Tribe, intrated, and accommodated for use and practice; eluding the defects of words, called Idols of the
but it increaseth no more in bulk and substance. Market; 2d. Peculiar to peculiar individuals,
Instead of explaining our different powers, our either from their original conformation, or from
Senses, our Imagination, our Reason, there are in their education and pursuits in life, called Idols
the Novum Organum only some scattered observa- of the Den, including the errors from particular
tions upon the defects of the senses; —upon the opinions, called Idols of the' Theatre. So that
different causes or idols by which the judgment his doctrine of idols may be thus exhibited:
is always liable to be warped, and some sugges-e Tribe.-Of the Market
tions as to the artificial helps to our natural pow- 2. Of the Den.-Of the Theatre.
the senses. Tle Idols of the Tribe, or warps to the judgment,