Gforttcll Mttioeraitg ffiihtatij LIBRARY OF LEWIS BINGLEY WYNNE A. B.. A.M., -COLUMBIAN COLLEGE."71 . '73 WASHINGTON. D. C. THE GIFT OF MRS. MARY A. WYNNE AND JOHN H. WYNNE CORNELL '98 1922 Cornell University Library B 11531864 V.I Works.Collected and edited by James Sped 3 1924 024 495 495 Cornell University Library The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924024495495 THE WOKKS OF FRAIN^CIS BACOIN^ ■i7M.a/?wrt"oW.:rti"'" THE RICHIE HflNiiURABLE I LORDE HICHE CIK1AMGELL®VS? OF ENCLANDE, and i.rid of his i\Ia'^=inost hon"-!? pnvie counsell. ROBE II I l.\ .H i. [ vJ ELI ! -. . M . ■'. . r»oi'«i, • ■- hvMam hkat0. '*!!■: ;^ '- ■ tJ;i«i ■. . --.Ay. -"S!,^ ^ £k^ '^- /^a r^-^^/^^'^ ^-^ ^ THE y, , ^ „ FRANCIS BACON, BARON OP VERULAM, TrSCOUNT ST. AUIANS, AND LORD HIGH CHANCELLOR OP ENGLAND. SolUcteH anti 3St)[teIi BY JAMES SPEDDING, M. A. OF TKISITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; ROBERT LESLIE ELLIS, M.A. LATE FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE; AND DOUGLAS DENON HEATH, BA KRISTER- AT-LAW; LATE FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, OAMBRIDUK. VOLUME L r • * ^m 1 1 tei ^H iip^ r**\ ii# NEW YORK: HURD AND HOUGHTON, 401 Broadway. BOSTON: TAGGAED AND THOMPSON. MDCCOLXIV. ^^^'T.GS^ RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE : STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY H 0. HOUGHTON. HISTORY AND PLAN THIS EDITION. Bacon's works were all published separately, and never collected into a body by himself ; and though he 'had determined, not long before his death, to distribute them into consecutive volumes, the order in which they were to succeed each other was confessedly irregular ; a volume of moral and political writings being intro- duced between the first and second parts of the In- stav/ratio Magna, quite out of place, merely because he had it ready at the time.-' In arranging the col- lected works therefore, every editor must use his own judgment. Blackbourne, the first editor of an Opera Omnia^ took the Distributio Operis as his groundwork, and endeavoured first to place the various unfinished por- 1 " Debnerat sequi Novum Organum : interpoaui tamen Scripta mea Mo- ralia et Politica, quia magis erant in promptu. . . . Atque hie tomns (ut diximus) interjectus est et non ex ordine Instaurationis." — Ep. ad Fair- gentiwn, Opuscula, p. 172. 2 Francisci Baconi, ^c, Opera Onrna, quatttor volumimbus camprehenta. Londini, mdccxxx. vi HISTORY AND PLAN tions of the Instauratio Magna in the order in which they would have stood had they been completed ac- cording to the original design; and then to marshal the rest in such a sequence that they might seem to hang together, each leading by a natural transition to the next, and so connecting themselves into a kind of whole. But the several pieces were not written with a view to any such connexion, which is alto- gether forced and fanciful ; and the arrangement has this great inconvenience — it mixes up earlier writ- ings with later, discarded fragments with completed works, and pieces printed from loose manuscripts found after the author's death with those which were published or prepared for publication by himself. Birch, the original editor of the quarto edition in five volumes^ which (reprinted in ten volumes oc- tavo) has since kept the market and is now known as the " trade edition," followed Blackbourne's ar- rangement in the main, — though with several varia- tions which are for the most part not improvements. The arrangement adopted by Mr. Montagu^ is in these respects no better, in all others much worse. M. Bouillet, in his (Euvres PMlosopMques de Fran- gois Baeon,^ does not profess to include all even of the Philosophical works ; and he too, though the best editor by far who has yet handled Bacon, has 1 The Works of Francis Bacon, &c., in five volumes. London, 1763. 2 The Works of Francis Bacon, Lord Chancellor of England. A new edition by Basil Montagu, Esq. Loudon, 1825-34. 8 Paris, 1834. OF THIS EDITION. vii aimed at a classification of the works more system- atic, as it seems to me, than the case admits, and has thus given to some of the smaller pieces a promi- nence which does not belong to them. In the edition of which the first volume is here offered to the public, a new arrangement has been attempted ; the nature and grounds of which I must now explain. Wlien a man publishes a book, or writes a letter, or delivers a speech, it is always with a view to some particular audience by whom he means to be understood without the help of a commentator. Giv- ing them credit for such knowledge and capacity as they are presumably furnished with, he himself sup- plies what else is necessary to make his meaning clear ; so that any additional illustrations would be to that audience more of a hindrance than a help. If however his works live into another generation or travel out of the circle to which they were original- ly addressed, the conditions are changed. He now addresses a new set of readers, differently prepared, knowing much which the others were ignorant of, ignorant of much which the others knew, and on hoih accounts requiring explanations and elucidations of many things which to the original audience were sufficiently intelligible. These it is the proper busi- ness of an editor to supply. This consideration suggested to me, when con- sulted about a new edition of Bacon, the expediency viii HISTOEY AND PLAN of arranging his works with reference — not to sub- ject, size, language, or form — but to the different classes of readers whose requirements he had in view when he composed them. So classified, they will be found to fall naturally into three principal divisions. First, we have his works in philosophy and general literature; addressed to mankind at large, and meant to be intelligible to educated men of all generations. Secondly, we have his works on legal subjects ; ad- dressed to lawyers, and presuming in the reader such knowledge as belongs to the profession. Thirdly, we have letters, speeches, charges, tracts, state-papers, and other writings of business ; relating to subjects so various as to defy classification, but agreeing in this — they were all addressed to particular persons or bodies, had reference to particular occasions, as- sumed in the persons addressed a knowledge of the circumstances of the time, and cannot be rightly understood except in relation to those circumstances. In this division every thing will find a place which does not naturally fall into one of the two former ; and thus we have the whole body of Bacon's works arranged in three sufficiently distinguishable classes, which may be called for shortness, 1st, The Philo- sophical and Literary ; 2nd, The Professional ; and 3rd, The Occasional. In each of these there is work for an editor to do, but the help he can render difiers in the several cases both in nature and amount, and requires qual- OF THIS EDITION. ix ifications differing accordingly. To understand and illustrate the Philosophical works in their relation to this age, a man must be not only well read in the history of science both ancient and modern, but him- self a man of science, capable of handling scientific questions. To produce a correct text of the Profes- sional works and supply what other help may be necessary for a modern student, a man must be a lawyer. To explain and interpret the Occasional works, and set them forth in a shape convenient for readers of the present generation, a man must have leisure to make himself acquainted by tedious and minute researches among the forgotten records of the time with the circumstances in which they were written. Now as it would not be easy to find any one man in whom these several qualifications meet, it was thought expedient to keep the three divisions separate, assigning each to a separate editor. It was agreed accordingly that the Philosophical works should be undertaken by Mr. Robert Leslie Ellis ; the Pro- fessional works by, Mr. Douglas Denon Heath; the Occasional and the Literary works by me ; each di- vision to be made complete in itself, and each editor to be solely responsible for his own part of the work. Such was our original arrangement. It was con- cluded in the autumn of 1847 ; and Mr. Ellis, whose part was to come first, had already advanced so far that he expected to have it ready for the press with- X HISTORY AND PLAN in another half year, when unhappily about the end of 1849 he was seized with a rheumatic fever, which left him in a condition of body quite incompatible with a labour of that kind. At which time, though the greater portion was in fact done, he did not con- sider any of it fit to be published as it was ; many blanks having been left to be filled up, and some doubtful notes to be corrected, in that general re- vision which the whole was to have undergone be- fore any part were printed. It was long before he could finally resolve to abandon his task. As soon as he had done so, he handed all his papers over to me, with permission to do with them whatever I thought best. And hence it is that my name ap- pears in connexion with the Philosophical works ; with which otherwise I should not have presumed to meddle. As soon however as I had arranged and examined his papers, I felt that, however imperfect they might be compared with his own ideal and with what he would himself have made them, they must on no ac- count be touched by anybody else; for that if any other man were allowed to make alterations in them, without notice, according to his own judgment, the reader could have no means of knowing when he was reading the words of Mr. Ellis and when those of his editor, and so their peculiar value would be lost. Per- fect or imperfect, it was clear to me that they must be kept as he loft them, clear of all alien infusion ; and OF THIS EDITION. xi not knowing of any one who was likely to take so much interest or able to spend so much time in the matter as myself, I proposed to take his part into ray own hands and edit it; provided only that I might print his notes and prefaces exactly as I found them ; explaining the circumstances which had prevented him from completing or revising them, but making no alter- ation whatever (unless of errors obviously accidental which I might perhaps meet with in verifying any of the numerous references and quotations) without his express sanction. That the text should be carefully printed from the proper authorities, and all the biblio- graphical information supplied which was necessary to make the edition in that respect complete, — this I thought I might venture to promise. And although I could not undertake to meddle with purely scientific questions, for which I have neither the acquirements nor the faculties requisite, or to bring any stores of learning, ancient or modern, to bear upon the various subjects of inquiry, — although I had no means, I say, of supplying what he had left to be done in those de- partments, and must therefore be content to leave the work so far imperfect, — yet in all matters which lay within my compass I promised to do my best to complete the illustration and explanation of the text ; adding where I had anything to add, objecting where I had anything to object, but always distinguishing as my own whatever was not his. To this proposal he agreed, as the best course that xii HISTOBY AND PLAN could be taken in the circumstances. Early in 1853 I took the work in hand; and in the three volumes which follow, the reader will find the result. The things then for which in this division I am to be held responsible are — 1st. All notes and prefaces marked with my initials, and all words inserted between brackets, or otherwise distinguished as mine. 2dly. The general distribution of the Philosophical works into three parts, — whereby all those writings which were either pubhshed or intended for pubhcation by Bacon himself as parts of the Great Instauration are (for the first time, I believe) exhibited separately, and distinguished as well from the independent and collateral pieces which did not form part of the main scheme, as from those which, though originally designed for it, were afterwards superseded or abandoned. Sdly. The particular arrangement of the several pieces within each part ; which is intended to be ac- cording to the order in which they were composed ; — a point however which is in most cases very dif- ficult to ascertain. For the grounds on which I have proceeded in each case, and for whatever else in my part of the work re- quires explanation, I refer to the places. B\it there are two or three particulars in which this edition differs from former ones, and which may be more conven- iently explained here. OF THIS EDITION. xiii In the third and last division of the entire works, according to the scheme already explained, every au- thentic writing and every intelligibly reported speech of Bacon's (not belonging to either of the other divis- ions) which can be found in print or in manuscript will be set fofth at ^11 length, each in its due chron- ological place ; with an explanatory narrative running between, in which the reader will be supplied to the best of my skill and knowledge with all the informa- tion necessary to the right understanding of them. In doing this, — since the pieces in question are very numerous, and scattered with few and short intervals over the whole of Bacon's life, — I shall have to enter very closely into all the particulars of it ; so that this part when finished will in fact contain a complete biog- raphy of the man, — a biography the most copious, the most minute, and by the very necessity of the case the fairest, that I can produce ; for any material mis- interpretation in the commentary will be at once con- fronted and corrected by the text. The new matter which I shall be able to produce is neither little nor unimportant ; but more important than the new matter is the new aspect which (if I may judge of other minds by my own) will be imparted to the old matter by this manner of setting it forth. I have generally found that the history of an obscure transaction becomes clear as soon as the simple facts are set down in the order of their true dates ; and most of the dilficulties presented by Bacon's life will be found to disappear xiv HISTORY AND PLAN when these simple records of it are read m their natural sequence and in their true relation to the business of the time. By this means a great deal of controversy which would disturb and encumber the narrative, and help to keep alive the memory of much ignorant and superficial criticism which had better be forgotten, will I hope be avoided. And until this is done I do not think it desirable to attempt a summary biography in the ordinary foi'm. Such a biography may be easily added, if necessary, in a supplemental volume ; but I am persuaded that the best which could be written now would be condemned afterwards as altogether unsatisfactory. It is true however, that a reader, before entering on the study of an author's works, wants to know some- thing about himself and his life. Now there exists a short memoir of Bacon, which was drawn up by Dr. Rawley in 1657 to satisfy this natural desire, and pre- fixed to the Resuscitatio, and is still (next to Bacon's own writings) the most important and authentic evi- dence concerning him that we possess. The origin of Dr. Rawley's connexion with Bacon is not known, but it must have begun early. It was in special compli- ment to Bacon that he was presented on the 18th of January, 1616-17, (being then 28 years old,) to the rectory of Landbeach ; a living in the gift of Benet's College, Cambridge.^ Shortly after, Bacon becoming 1 " Ad quam prsesentatus fuit per honorand. virum Franciscum Bacon mil. Kegiie inaj. advocatum generalem, cjusdem vicarise [rectorioe] pro hac OF THIS EDITION. XV Lord-Keeper selected him for his chaplain ; and during the last five years of his life, which were entirely occu- pied with literary business, employed him constantly as a kind of literary secretaiy. Nor did the connexion cease with life ; for after Bacon's death Rawley was intrusted by the executors with the care and publica- tion of his papers. Rawley's testimony must therefore be regarded as that of a witness who, however favour- able and afiectionate, has the best right to be heard, as speaking not from hearsay but fi-om intimate and familiar knowledge during many years and many changes of fortune ; and as being moreover the only man among Bacon's personal acquaintances by whom any of the particulars of his life have been recorded. This memoir, which was printed by Blackbourne, with interpolations from Dugdale and Tenison, and placed in front of his edition of 1730, but is not to be found I think in any more modern edition, I have printed entire in its original shape ; adding some notes of my own, by help of which it may serve a modern reader for a sufficient biographical introduction. The Latin translation of it, published by Rawley in 1658 as an introduction to a little volume entitled Opuscula PMlosophica, and now commonly prefixed to the De Augmentis Scientiarum, I have thought it super- fluous to reproduce here ; this edition' being of little unica vice, ratione concessionis magistri et sociorum Coll. C. C. (uti assere- batur) patronus." Collections prefixed to Blackboume's edition 1730, i. 218. Bacon's father was a member and benefactor of Benet's; which accounts for this compliment. xvi HISTORY AND PLAN use to those who cannot read English, and the transla- tion being of no use to those who can. And this brings me to the second innovation which I have ventured to introduce. Bacon had no confidence in the permanent vitality of English as a classical language. " These modern languages," he said, " will at one time or other play the bankrupts with books." Those of his works therefore which he wished to Hve and which were not originally written in Latin, he translated or caused to be translated into that language — " the universal language," as he called it. This, for his own time, was no doubt a judicious precaution. Appearances however have greatly changed since ; and though it is not to be feared that Latin will ever become ob- solete, it is certain that English has been rapidly gain- ing ground upon it, and that of the audience whom Bacon would in these days have especially desired to gather about him, a far greater number would be ex- cluded by the Latin dress than admitted. Consider- ing also the universal disuse of Latin as a medium of oral communication, and the almost universal disuse of it as a medium of communication in writing, even among learned men, and the rapid spreading of Eng- lish over both hemispheres, it is easy to predict which of the two languages is likely to play the bankrupt first. At any rate the present edition is for the Eng- lish market. To those who are not masters of Eng- lish it offers few attractions; while of those who are OF THIS EDITION. xvii not one I suppose in a hundred would care to read a translation even in Baconian Latin, when he had the choice of reading the original in Baconian Eng- lish. And since the translations in question would increase the bulk of this work by four or five hundred pages and the cost in proportion, it has been thought better to leave them out. In one respect, it is true, they have a value inde- pendent of the English originals. Having been made later and made under Bacon's own eye, the differ- ences, where they are greater than can be naturally accounted for by the different idiom and construction of the languages, must be considered as corrections ; besides which, when the meaning of the original is obscure or the reading doubtful, they serve sometimes as a glossary to decide it. This being an advantage which we cannot afford to sacrifice, I have thought it my duty in all instances to compare the translation carefully with the original, and to quote in foot-notes those passages in which the variation appeared to be material ; and as this is a labour which few readers would take upon themselves, I conceive that by the course which I have adopted the English student will be a gainer rather than a loser. I have also departed from the practice of former editors in not keeping the Latin and English works separate. Such separation is incompatible with the chronological arrangement which I hold to be far preferable. I see no inconvenience in the change VOL. 1. 2 Xviii HISTORY AND PLAN which is at all material; and I only mention it here lest any future publisher, out of regard to a super- ficial symmetry, should go hack to the former prac- tice and so destroy the internal coherency of the present plan. It may be thought perhaps that in arranging the works which were to form parts of the Great Instaura- tion, I ought to have followed the order laid down in the Distributio Opens, marshalling them according to their place in the scheme rather than the date of com- position ; and therefore that the Be Augmentis Seien- tiarum which was meant to stand for the first part, should have been placed before the two books of the Novum Organum, which were meant for the com- mencement of the second. But the truth is that not one of the parts of the Great Instauration was com- pleted according to the original design. All were more or less abortive. In every one of them, the JDe Aug- mentis and the Novum Organum itself not excepted, accidental difficulties, and considerations arising out of the circumstances of the time, interfered more or less with the first intention and induced alterations either in form or substance or both. They cannot be made to fit their places in the ideal scheme. It was the actual conditions of Bacon's life that really moulded them into what they are ; and therefore the most nat- ural order in which they can be presented is that in which they stand here ; first, the Distributio Operis, setting forth the perfect work as he had conceived it in OF THIS EDITION. xix his mind, and then the series of imperfect and irregular efforts which he made to execute it, in the order in which they were made. The text has heen corrected throughout from the original copies, and no verbal alteration (except in case of obvious errors of the press) has been introduced into it without notice. The spelling in the English works has been altered according to modern usage. I have endeavoured however to distinguish those variations which belong merely to the fashion of orthography from those which appear to involve changes in the forms of words. Thus in such words as president (the mvariable spelling in Bacon's time of the substantive which is now invariably written precedent, and valuable as showing that the pronunciation of the word has not changed), prcejudice, fained, mathematiques, chymist, &c., I adopt the modern form ; but I do not substitute fose for leese, politicians for politiques, external for ex- terne, Solomon for Salomon, accommodated for the past participle accommodate; and so on ; these being changes in the words themselves and not merely in the manner of writing them. In the spelling of Latin words there are but few differences between ancient and modern usage ; but I have thought it better to preserve the original form of all words which in the original are always or almost always spelt in the same way ; as foelix, author, cJiymista, chymicus, S^c. In the matter of punctuation and typography, though I have followed the example of all modern editors in XX HISTORY AND PLAN altering at discretion, I have not attempted to reduce them entirely to the modern form ; which I could not have done without sometimes introducing ambiguities of construction, and sometimes deciding questions of construction which admit of doubt. But I have endeavoured to represent the effect of the original arrangement to a modern eye, with as little departure as possible from modern fashions. I say endeavoured ; for I cannot say that I have succeeded in satisfying even myself. But to all matters of this kind I have attended personally ; and though I must not suppose that my mind has observed everything that my eyes have looked at, I am not without hope that the text of this edition will be found better and more faithful than any that has hitherto been produced. It was part of our original design to append to the Philosophical works an accurate and readable transla- tion of those originally written in Latin ; at least of so much of them as would suffice to give an English reader a complete view of the Baconian philosophy. Mr. Ellis made a selection for this purpose. Arrange- ments were made accordingly ; and a translation of the Novum Organum was immediately begun. As succes- sive portions were completed, they were forwarded in the first instance to myself ; were by me carefully ex- amined ; and then passed on to Mr. Ellis, accompanied with copious remarks and suggestions of my own in the way of correction or improvement. Of these coi^ OF THIS EDITION. xxi rections Mr. Ellis marked the greater part for adop- tion, improved upon others, added many of his own, and then returned the manuscript to be put into shape for the printer. But as he was not able to look over it again after it had received the last corrections, and as the translator did not wish to put his own name to it, and as this edition was to contain nothing for which somebody is not personally responsible, I have been obliged to take charge of it myself. In my final revis- ion I have been careful to preserve all Mr. Ellis's cor- rections which affect the substance and sense of the translation. In matters which concern only the style and manner of expression, I have thought it better to follow my own taste ; a mixture of different styles be- ing commonly less agreeable to the reader, and mine (as the case now stands) being necessarily the predom- inating one. For the same reason I have altered at discretion the translation of the prefaces, &c. which precede the Novum Organum ; which were done by another hand, and have not had the advantage of Mr. Ellis's revision. For those which follow, the translator (Mr. Francis Headlam, Fellow of University College, Oxford) will himself be responsible. Though this volume is already twice as thick as I would have had it, I must add a few words concern- ing the portraits of Bacon ; a subject which has not received the attention which it deserves, and upon which, if picture-dealers and collectors and inheritors xxii HISTOEY AND PLAN of family portraits would take an interest in it, some valuable light might probably be thrown. The portrait in the front of the volume is taken from an old engraving by Simon Pass ; which came, (as Mr. Smith of Lisle Street informed me, from whom I bought it some years ago,) out of a broken- up copy of Holland's Baziliologia} The original has a border, bearing the words honoeatiss : D^ fran- CISCUS BACON : EQUES ATT : MAG : SIGILL : ANGL : cusTos. Above are his arms, with the motto moniti MELiORA. Below the chancellor's bag, on which the left hand rests. These accessories, as being presuma^ bly the device of the engraver and not suitable to the modern style which has been preferred for the copy, have been dispensed with ; but the inscription under- neath has been copied verbatim,^ and enables us to fix the date of the work. Bacon was created Lord Chfincellor on the 4th of January, 1617—18, and Baron Verulam on the 12th of the following July ; and as it is not to be supposed that his newest title would have been omitted on such an occasion, we 1 This work was published in 1618; and though one would not expect from the title to find Bacon there, Brunet mentions a copy in the Biblioth. du Eoi at Paris " qui, outre les portraits qui composent ordinairement le recueil, renferme encore d'autres portraits du m6me genre, representants des reines, des princes du sang, et des seigneurs de la cour des Rois Jacques I™ et Charles I»f," &c. The copy in the British Museum has no portrait of Bacon ; but as the plates are not numbered, and there is no table of contents, one cannot be sure that any copy is perfect. 2 The righte Honourable S' Frauncis Bacon knight, Lorde highe Chancellour of Englande and one of Ms Ma^s" most honW« privie Coun- eell. OF THIS EDITION. XXIU may infer with tolerable certainty that the engraving was published during the first half of the year 1618. Below this inscription are engraved in small letters the words " Simon Passceus sculpsit L. Are ■ to be sould hy John Sudbury and Greorge Humble at the signe of the white horse in Pope's head Ally." The plate appears to have been used afterwards for a frontis- piece to the Sylva Sylvarum, which was published in 1627, the year after Bacon's death. At least I have a copy of the second edition of that work (1628) in which the same print is inserted, only with the border and inscription altered; the title which originally sur- rounded it, together with the Chancellor's bag and the names of the engraver and publishers, being erased ; the coat of arms altered ; and the words underneath being changed to The right Hon'''' Francis Lo. Verulam, Viscount S' Alban. Mortuus 9° Aprilis, Anno Dni 1626, Annaq, Aetat. 66. It is probable that the rapid demand for the Sylva Sylvarum wore out the plate ; for none of the later editions which I have seen con- tain any portrait at all ; and that which was prefixed to the Resuscitatio in 1657, though undoubtedly meant to be a fac-simile of Simon Pass's engraving, has been so much altered in the process of restoration, that I took it for a fresh copy until Mr. Holl showed me that it was only the old plate retouched. The lower part of the face has entirely lost its individuality and physiognomical character; the outline of the right cheek has not been truly followed; that of the nose Xxiv HISTOEY AND PLAN has lost its shapeliness and delicacy ; and the first lin&- and-half of the inscription underneath has apparent- ly been erased in order to give the name and titles in Latin. Nevertheless the adoption by Dr. Rawley of this print sufficiently authenticates it as a likeness at that time approved ; only the hkeness must of course be looked for in the plate as Simon Pass left it, — not in restorations or copies. This Mr. Holl has endeav- oured faithfully, and in my opinion very successfully, to reproduce ; it being understood however that his aim has been to give as exact a resemblance as he could, not of the old engraving (the style of which has little to recommend it), but of the man whom the engraving represents. I selected this likeness by preference, partly because original impressions are scarce, and none of the others which I have seen give a tolerable idea of it ; whereas the rival, portrait by Van Somer is very fairly repre- sented by the engraving in Lodge's collection ; but chiefly because I have some reason to suspect that it was made from a painting by Cornelius Janssen, and some hope that the original is still in existence and that this notice may lead to the discovery of it. Jans- sen is said to have come over to England in 1618, the year in which, as I have said, the engraving must have been published. Bacon did sit for his portrait to some- body (but it may no doubt have been to Van Somer) about that time ; at least 33^, was " paid to the pic- ture drawer for his Lp's-picture," on the 12th of Sep- OF THIS EDITION. XXV tember, 1618.^ Now I have in my possession an en- graving in mezzotinto, purporting to be a portrait of Bacon, representing him in the same position and at- titude, and the same dress (only that the figure on the vest is different), and having a similar oval frame with the same kind of border. In the left-hand cor- ner, where the painter's name is usually given, are the words Cornelius Johnson pinxit. The engraver's name is not stated ; but there is evidence on the face of the work that he was a poor performer. In all points which require accuracy of eye and hand, and a feeling of the form to be described, it differs much from Pass's work, and is very inferior ; but in those which the most unskilful artist need never miss, — such as the quantity of face shown, the disposition of the hair, and generally what may be called the cortv- position of the picture, — there is no more difference between the two than may be well accounted for by the difficulty which is often found in ascertaining the true outlines of the obscure parts of a dark or dam- aged picture, or by the alterations which an engraver will often introduce when the size of his plate obliges him to cut off the lower part of the figure. The hat, for instance, which is dark against a dark background, sits differently on the head ; sits in fact (in the mez- zotint) as it could not possibly have done in nature ; and the flap of the brim follows a somewhat different line, though the irregularity is of the same kind ; also 1 See a boot of accounts preserved in the State Paper Office. XXVI HISTORY AND PLAN the light and shadow are differently distributed over the folds of the frill ; the for hangs differently ; the figure is cut off too short to admit the hand ; and the ribbon round the neck, the lower part of which is con- cealed in Pass's print, is changed into a George and Garter.i But such varieties as these are of ordinary occurrence in copies of the same picture by different hands ; especially where one copier is attending chiefly to the outlines of the forms without caring to represent the effect of the picture (the practice I think of en- gravers in Simon Pass's time), and the other is at- tending to the effect of the picture without caring, or without being able, to preserve the individual details, according to the practice of the popular engravers of the eighteenth century ; whereas in two independent and original portraits of the same face the correspond- encies which I have mentioned can hardly occur. But however that may be, this mezzotinto appears at least to prove that when it was made there was in existence a portrait which somebody believed to be a portrait of Bacon by Cornelius Johnson,— that is (no doubt) Cor- nelius Janssen. When it was made becomes therefore an interesting question ; and I regret to say that it is a question which I have no data for determining, be- yond the fact that it is in mezzotinto (an art of com- paratively modern invention) ; that it was " sold by J. Cooper in James Street Covent Garden ; " and 1 If the original picture really has this badge, we may conclude, I sup- pose, that it was not a portrait of Bacon at aU. And I should not be very much surprised if it turned out to be a Charles I. OF TfflS EDITION. xxvii that there was an Enghsh engraver called Richard Cooper, who flourished about the year 1763, and among whose engravings a portrait of Francis Bacon Lord Keeper and Chancellor is mentioned as one.^ With reference to this subject of portraits, I may- add that the various engravings of Bacon are all (with one exception which I will mention presently) derived directly or through successive copies from one or other of two originals. One is Simon Pass's print ; the fea- tures of which may be traced through many genera- tions of copies, each less like than its predecessor ; though always to be identified by the hat with irregu- lar brim curving upwards towards the sides, and bound with a scarf. The other is a portrait by Van Somer ; the same I suppose that Aubrey saw at Gorhambury in 1656 ; which has become the parent of two separate families ; one wearing a hat with a brim describing a regular curve downwards towards the sides, which suf- ficiently distinguishes it from Pass's portrait; the other without any hat ; the composition being in other re- spects the same. Of both these the originals are at Gorhambury ; and they are both ascribed to Van Somer. But the latter is so very inferior to the former in every quality of art, that unless there be some evidence of the fact more to be relied on than an ordinary family tradition, I shall never be able to believe that it is by the same hand. It seems to me far more probable that at some later period when the fash- 1 See Bryan's Painters and Engrave/ri. xxviii HisTOEr and plan ion of painting people with the head covered had gone out, some one, wishing to have a portrait of Bacon without his hat, employed the nearest artist to make a copy of Van Somer's picture (Van Somer himself died in 1621, two or three years after it was painted, about the time when Bacon was in the Tower) with that alteration ; and that this is the work he produced. That he was not a skilful artist is sufficiently apparent from the execution of those parts which were intended to be copies ; the peculiar character and expression of eyebrows, eyes, nose and mouth, being entirely missed ; and the whole handling being weak and poor, and with- out any sense of form. Moreover the hair is of a dif- ferent texture ; and although we have neither any description nor any drawing of the upper part of Ba- con's full-grown head, we know what it was like in his boyhood from two very admirable representations, quite independent of each other and yet exactly agree- ing ; and it is plain that such a head could never have grown into a shape at all like that which the painter has invented. However, they were both called portraits by Van Somer ; and the first (which is a very good work, as far as the painting goes) was engraved by Houbraken ; the last by Vertue. Unfortunately, these two artists, whose style of execution made them very popular and gave them almost a monopoly of English historical por- traiture in the 18th century, were both utterly with- out conscience in the matter of likeness. And though OF THIS EDITION. xxix many of their works are brilliant specimens of effect in line-engraving, yet regarded as likenesses of the men, they are all alike worse than worthless. The original from which Vertue's engraving of Bacon was taken, being itself destitute of all true physiognomical chai^ acter, is indeed represented well enough. But if any one wishes to form a notion of Bacon's face as in- terpreted by Van Somer, he must consult the more modem engraving in Lodge's collection, which is at least a conscientious attempt to translate it faithfully ; Houbraken's can only mislead him. The other engraving to which I have alluded as not derived from either of the originals above mentioned, is the small head engraved for Mr. Montagu's edition of Bacon's works. This was taken from a miniature by Hilliard then in the possession of John Adair Haw- kins, Esq., representing Bacon in his eighteenth year ; a work of exquisite beauty and delicacy. But here also, I regret to say, the laudable attempt to bring an image of it within reach of the general public has been attended with the same infelicity. The engraver has so completely failed to catch either expression, feature, character, or drawing, that I think no one can have once seen the original without wishing, in justice both to subject and artist, that no one who has not seen it may ever see the copy. Judging from the issue of Mr. Montagu's attempt to obtain an engraving of this miniature, it is perhaps for- tunate that he did not fulfil the intention which he XXX HISTORY AND PLAN OF THIS EDITION. announced of giving an engraving of a bust in terra cotta representing Bacon in his twelfth year, which is at Gorhambury, in the possession of the Earl of Veru- 1am. But this also is a work of great merit, and ex- tremely interesting. It is coloured, and (like Hilliard's miniature) shows the head. I have been told by artists that it is probably of Italian workmanship ; and cer- tainly the work of an accomplished sculptor, who had a delicate perception of form and character. A faith- ful representation of it would be one of the most valuable contributions which could be made to our collections of the faces of memorable men. There are other portraits of Bacon in existence, but I have not myself seen any which can be relied upon as authentic or which appear to have any independent value. If the foregoing remarks should be the means of bringing any such out of their hiding-places, I shall think them well bestowed ; and I need scarcely add that I should be most happy to receive any communi- cation on the subject, and to afford what help I can towards putting them in their true light. JAMES SPEDDING. 60. Lincoln's Inn Fields, January, 1857. CONTENTS THE FIRST VOLUME. PAGE Life of the Right Honourable Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, by William Rawley, D. D. S3 PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. General Preface to the Philosophical Works, BY Robert Leslie Ellis 61 PART L WOEKS PUBLISHED, OK DESIGNED FOR PUBLICATION, AS PARTS OF THE INSTAUliATIO MAGNA. NOVUM ORGANUM. Prepack to the Novum Organum, by Robert Les- lie Ellis 131 Instauratio Magna 195 Prsefatio 199 Distributio Operis . . . • • .212 Pars Secunda Operis, qu.e dicitur Novum Organum 231 Prsfatio 233 Aphorismi de Interpretatione Naturae et Regno Hom- inis ... 241 Liber Secundus Aphorismorum de Interpretatione Naturae sive de Regno Hominis . . .341 THE LIFE OF THE EIGHT HONOURABLE FRANCIS BACON, BABON OE VEEULAM, VISCONNT ST. ALBAN. BY WILLIAM EAWLET, D.D. HIS lordship's first and last chaplain and of late his MAJESTIES CHAPLAIN IN ORDINARY. [This is the title of an edition printed in 1670, after Dr. RawJey's death, and prefixed to the ninth edition of the Sylva Sylvamim. The text of the Life itself is taken from the second edition of the Eesuscitatio, the latest with which Rawley had anything to do. I have, however, modernised the spelling; altered at discretion the typographical arrangement as to capitals, italics, and punctuation, which is very perplexing to a modern eye and has nothing to recommend it; and ^.dded the notes. — J- S'\ VOL. I. 3 THE LIFE OF THE HONOUKABLE AUTHOE.^ Feancis Bacon, the glory of his age and nation, the adorner and ornament of learning, was born in York House, or York Place, m the Strand, on the two and twentieth day of January, in the year of our Lord 1560. His father was that famous counsellor to Queen Elizabeth, the second prop of the kingdom in his time, Sir Nicholas Bacon, knight, lord-keeper of the great seal of England ; a lord of known prudence, sufficiency, moderation, and integrity. His mother was Anne, one of the daughters of Sir Anthony Cook ; unto whom the erudition of King Edward the Sixth had been com- mitted ; a choice lady, and eminent for piety, virtue, and learning ; being exquisitely skilled, for a woman, 1 This Life was first published in 1G57, as an introduction to the volume entitled " Eesuscitatio ; or bringing into public light several pieces of the works, civil, historical, philosophical, and theological, hitherto sleeping, of the Right Honourable Francis Bacoh, Baron of Verulam, Viscount St. Al- ban; according to the best corrected copies." Of this volume a second edi- tion, or rather a re-issue with fresh titlepage and dedication, and several sheets of new matter inserted, appeared in 1661 ; the " Life of the Honour- able Author" being prefixed as before, and not altered otherwise than by the introduction of three new sentences ; to make room for which two leaves were cancelled. A third edition was brought out in 1671 by the original publisher, containing a good deal of new matter; for which however Dr. Rawley, who died in 1667, is not answerable. 36 DK. KAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. in the Greek and Latin tongues. These being the parents, you may easily imagine what the issue was Hke to be ; having had whatsoever nature or breeding could put into him. His first and childish years were not without some mark of eminency ; at which time he was endued with that pregnancy and towardness of wit, as they were presages of that deep and universal apprehension which was manifest in him afterward ; and caused him to be taken notice of by several persons of worth and place, and especially by the queen ; who (as I have been in- formed) delighted much then to confer with him, and to prove him with questions ; unto whom he delivered himself with that gravity and maturity above his years, that Her Majesty would often term him. The young Lord-heeper. Being asked by the queen Jww old he was, he answered with much discretion, being then but a boy. That he was two years younger than Her Majes- ty's happy reign; with which answer the queen was much taken.^ At the ordinary years of ripeness for the university, or rather something earlier, he was sent by his father to Trinity College, in Cambridge,^ to be educated and bred under the tuition of Doctor John White-gift, then master of the college ; afterwards the renowned arch- bishop of Canterbury ; a prelate of the first magnitude 1 This last sentence was added in the edition of 1661. The substance of it had appeared before in the Latin Life prefixed to the Opuscula Philo- sophica in 1658, which is only a free translation of this, with a few correc- tions. 2 He began to reside in April 1573 ; was absent from the latter end of August 1574 till the beginning of March, while the plague raged; and left the university finally at Christmas 1575, being then on the point of sixteen. See Whitgift's accounts, printed in the British Magazine^ vol. xxxii. p. 365., and xxxiii. p. 444. for sanctity, learning, patience, and humility ; under whom he was observed to have been more than an ordinary proficient in the several arts and sciences. Whilst he was commorant in the university, about six- teen years of age, (as his lordship hath been pleased to impart unto myself), he first fell into the dislike of the philosophy of Aristotle ; not for the worth- lessness of the author, to whom he would ever as- cribe all high attributes, but for the unfiruitfulness of the way ; being a philosophy (as his lordship used to say) only strong for disputations and contentions, but barren of the production of works for the benefit of the life of man ; in which mind he continued to his dying day. After he had passed the circle of the liberal arts, his father thought fit to frame and mould him for the arts of state ; and for that end sent him over into France with Sir Amyas Pauleft then employed ambassador lieger into France ; ^ by whom he was after awhile held fit to be entrusted with some message or adver- tisement to the queen ; which having performed with great approbation, he returned back into France again, with intention to continue for some years there. In his absence in France his father the lord-keeper died,^ having collected (as I have heard of knowing persons) a considerable sum of money, which he had separated, with intention to have made a competent purchase of land for the livelihood of this his youngest son (who was only unprovided for ; and though he was the youngest in years, yet he was not the lowest in his 1 Sir Amyas landed at Calais on the 25th of September 1576, and suc- ceeded Dr. Dale as ambassador in France in the following February. See BurgUey's Diary, Murdin, pp. 778, 779. 2 In February 1678-9. 38 DR. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. father's affection) ; but the said purchase being unac- complished at his father's death, there came no greater share to him than his single part and portion of the money dividable amongst five brethren ; by which means he lived in some straits and necessities in his younger years. For as for that pleasant site and man- or of Gorhambury, he came not to it till many years after, by the death of his dearest brother, Mr. Anthony Bacon,^ a gentleman equal to him in height of wit, though inferior to him in the endowments of learning and knowledge ; unto whom he was most nearly con- joined in affection, they two being the sole male issue of a second venter. Being returned from travel, he applied himself to the study of the common law, which he took upon him to be his profession ;^ in which he obtained to great ex- cellency, though he made that (as himself said) but as an accessary, and not his principal study. He wrote several tractates upon that subject : wherein, though some great masters of the law did out-go him in bulk, and particularities of cases, yet in the science of the grounds and mysteries of the law he was exceeded by none. In this way he was after awhile sworn of the queen's council learned, extraordinary ; a grace (if I err not) scarce known before.^ He seated himself, 1 Anthony Bacon died in the spring of 1601. See a letter from Mr. John Chamberlain to Sir Dudley Carlton, in the State Paper Office dated 27th May 1601. 2 He had been admitted de socieiale introrum of Gray's Inn on the 27th of June 1576; commenced his regular career as a student in 1579; became "utter barrister" on the 27th of June 1582; bencher in 1586; reader in 1588; and double reader in 1600. See Harl. MSS. 1912, and Book of Or- ders, p. 56. 8 In the Latin version of this memoir, for " after a while " Eawley substi- tutes nondum tijrocmiwm in lege egressus, by which he seems to assign a DR. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 89 for the commodity of his studies and practice, amongst the Honourable Society of Gray's-Inn, of which house he was a member ; where he erected that elegant pile or structure commonly known by the name of The Lord Bacon's Lodgings, which he inhabited by turns the most part of his life (some few years only ex- cepted) unto his dying day. In which house he carried himself with such sweetness, comity, and gen- erosity, that he was much revered and beloved by the readers and gentlemen of the house. Notwithstanding that he professed the law for his livelihood and subsistence, yet his heart and affection very early period as the date of this appointment. But I suspect he was mistaken, both as to the date and the nature of it. The title he got no doubt from a letter addressed by Bacon to King James, about the end of January 1620-1. " You found me of the Learned Council, Extraordinary, without patent or fee, a kind of indiriduum vugum. You established me and brought me into Ordinary." Coupling this probably with an early but undated letter to Burghley, in which Bacon thanks the queen for " appro- priating him to her ser\'ice," he imagined that the thanks were for the ap- pointment in question. This however is incredible. A copy of this letter in the Landsdowne Collection gives the date, — 18 October 1580; at which time Bacon had not been even a student of law for more than a year and a half, and could not therefore have been qualified for such a place ; still less could such a distinction have been conferred upon him without being much talked of at the time and continually referred to afterwards. Moreover, we have another letter of Bacon's to King James, written in 1606, in which he speaks of his " nine years' service of the crown." This would give 1597 as the year in which he began to serve as one of the learned council ; at which time it was no extraordinary favour, seeing that he had been recommended for solicitor-general three or four years before, both by Burghley and Eger- ton. It appears however to have been no regular or formal appointment. He was not sworn. He had no patent; not even a written warrant. His tenure was only raiixme verbi regit Elizaheihm (see Kymer, A. D. 1604, p. 121.). Elizabeth, who "looked that her word should be a warrant," chose to employ him in the business which belonged properly to her learned council, and he was employed accordingly. His first service of that nature, — the firet at least of which I find any record, — was in 1594. In 1597 he had come to be employed regularly, and so continued till the end of the reign, and was familiarly spoken of as " Mr. Bacon of the learned council." 40 DR. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. was more carried after the affairs and places of estate ; for which, if the majesty royal then had been pleased, he was most fit. In his younger years he studied the service and fortunes (as they call them) of that noble but unfortunate earl, the Earl of Essex ; unto whom he was, in a sort, a private and free counsellor, and o-ave him safe and honourable advice, till in the end the earl incHned too much to the violent and precipi- tate counsel of others his adherents and followers ; which was his fate and ruin.' His birth and other capacities qualified him above others of his profession to have ordinary accesses at court, and to come fi-equently into the queen's eye, who would often grace him with private and free com- munication, not only about matters of his profession or business in law, but also about the arduous affairs of estate ; from whom she received fi-om time to time great satisfaction. Nevertheless, though she cheered him much with the bounty of her countenance, yet she never cheered him with the bounty of her hand ; hav- ing never conferred upon him any ordinary place or ' The connexion between Bacon and Essex appears to have commenced about the year 1590 or 1591, and furnishes matter for a long stoiy — too long to be discussed in a note. His conduct was much misunderstood at the time by persons who had no means of Ijnowing the truth, and has been much misrepresented since by writers who cannot plead that excuse. The case is not however one on which a unanimous verdict can be expected. Always, where choice has to be made between fidelity to the state and fidel- ity to a party or person, popular sympathy will run in favour of the man who chooses the narrower duty ; for the narrower duty is not only easier to comprehend, but, being seen closer, appears the larger of the two. But though sentiments will continue to be divided, facts may be agreed upon ; and for the correction of all errors in matter of fact, I must refer to the Occasional Works, where the whole story will necessarily come out in full detail. In the mean time I may say for myself that I have no fault to find with Bacon for any part of his conduct towards Essex, and I think many people will agree with me when they see the case fairly stated. means of honour or profit, save only one dry reversion of the Register's Office in the Star Chamber, worth about 1600?. per annum, for which he waited in expec- tation either fully or near twenty years ; ^ of which his lordship would say in Queen Elizabeth's time. That it was like another man's ground huttalling upon his house, which might mend his prospect, hut it did not fill his ham ; (nevertheless, in the time of King James it fell unto him) ; which might be imputed, not so much to Her Majesty's averseness and disaffection towards him, as to the arts and policy of a great statesman then, who laboured by all industrious and secret means to suppress and keep him down ; lest, if he had risen, he might have obscured his glory.^ But though he stood long at a stay in the days of his mistress Queen Elizabeth, yet after the change, and coming in of his new master King James, he made a great progress ; by whom he was much comforted in places of trust, honour, and revenue. I have seen a letter of his lordship's to Bang James, wherein he makes acknowledgment, That he was that master to him, that had raised and advanced him nine times ; thrice in dignity, and six times in office. His offices (as I conceive) were Counsel Learned Extraordinary^ to 1 The reversion, for which he considered himself indebted to Burghley, was granted to him in October 1589. He succeeded to the ofBce in July 1608. In the Latin version Rawley adds that he administered it by deputy. 2 The person here alluded to is probably his cousin Robert Cecil, who, though he always professed an anxiety to serve him, was supposed (appar- ently not without reason) to have thrown obstacles secretly in the way of his advancement. s See note 3. p. 38. Kawley should rather have said " counsel learned, no longer extraordinary." It is true indeed that King James did at his first entrance confirm Bacon by warrant under the sign manual in the same office which he had held under Elizabeth by special commandment. But it was the " establishing him and bringing him into ordinary" with a sal- 42 DR. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. His Majesty, as he had been to Queen Elizabeth.; King's SoKcitor-General ; His JMajesty's Attorney- General ; Counsellor of Estate, being yet but Attor- ney ; Lord-Keeper of the Great Seal of England; lastly. Lord Chancellor ; which two last places, though they be the same in authority and power, yet they dif- fer in patent, height, and favour of the prince ; since whose time none of his successors, until this present honourable lord,-'^ did ever bear the title of Lord Chan- cellor. His dignities were first Knight, then Baron of Verulam ; lastly. Viscount St. Alban ; besides other good gifts and bounties of the hand which His Majesty gave him, both out of the Broad Seal and out of the Alienation Office,^ to the value in both of eighteen hundred pounds per annum ; which, with his manor of Gorhambury, and other lands and possessions near thereunto adjoining, amounting to a third part more, he retained to his dying day. Towards his rising years, not before, he entered into a married estate, and took to wife Alice, one of the daughters and coheirs of Benedict Barnham, Esquire and Alderman ^f London ; with whom he received a sufficiently ample and liberal portion in marriage.^ Children he had none ; which, though they be the aiy of 40?., which he reckons as first in the series of advancements. This was in 160i. He was made solicitor in 1607, attorney in 1613, counsellor of state in 1616, lord-keeper in 1617, lord chancellor in 1618. His suc- cessive dignities were conferred respectively in 1603, 1618 and 1620-1. 1 Sir Edward Hyde, made Lord Chancellor June 1. 1660. This clause was added in 1661 ; the leaf having been cancelled for the purpose. 2 Here the paragraph ended in the first edition. The rest was added in 1661. 8 It appears, from a manuscript preserved in Tenison's Library, that he had about 2202. a-year with his wife, and upon her mother's death was to have about 140?. a-year more. DR. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 43 means to perpetuate our names after our deaths, yet he had other issues to perpetuate his name, the issues of his brain ; in which he was ever happy and admired, as Jupiter was in the production of Pallas. Neither did the want of children detract from his good usage of his consort during the intermarriage, whom he prosecuted with much conjugal love and respect, with many rich gifts and endowments, besides a robe of honour which he invested her withal ; which she wore unto her dying day, being twenty years and more after his death.^ The last five years of his life, being withdrawn from civil affairs ^ and from an active life, he employed 1 By the "robe of honour" is meant, I presume, the title of viscountess. It appears however that a few months before Bacon's death his wife had given him some cause of grave offence. Special provision is made for her in the body of his will, but revoked in a codicil, "for just and great causes," the nature of which is not specified. Soon after his death she man'ied Sir John Underwood, her gentleman-usher. She was buried at Eyworth in Bedfordshire on the 29th of June 1650. 2 On the 3rd of May 1621, Bacon was condemned, upon a charge of cor- ruption to which he pleaded guilty, to pay a fine of 40,000?.; to be impris- oned in the Tower during the king's pleasure; to be for ever incapable of sitting in parliament or holding office in the state; and to be banished for life from the verge of the court. From that time his only business was to find means of subsistence and of satisfying his creditors, and to pursue his studies. His ofifence was the taking of presents from persons who had suits in his court, in some cases while the suit was still pending; an act which un- doubtedly amounted to corruption as corruption was defined by the law. The degree of rtuyral crimiuality involved in it is not so easily ascertained. To judge of this, we should know, First, what was the understanding, open or secret, upon which the presents were given and taken, — for a gift, though it be given to a judge, is not necessarily in the nature of a bargain to pervert justice: Secondly, to what extent the practice was prevalent at the time, — for it is a rare virtue in a man to resist temptations to which all his neighbours yield: Thirdly, how far it was tolerated, — for a practice may be universally condemned and yet universally tolerated; people may be known to be guilty of it and yet received in society all the same : Fourthly, how it stood with regard to other abuses prevailing at the same time, — for it is hard to reform all at once, and it is one thing for a man to leave a single abuse unreformed while he is labouring to remove or resist 44 DR. R.VWLET'S LIFE OF BACON. wholly in contemplation and studies — a thing where- of his lordship would often speak during his ai-tive life, as if he aflFected to die in the shadow and not in the lio-ht : which also mar be found in several passages of his works. In which time he composed the greatest part of his books and writings, both in English and Latin, which I will enumerate (as near as I can) in the just order wherein they were written : ^ — The His- tory of the Reign of King Henry the Seventh ; Ahceda- greater ones, and another tiling to introduce it anew, or to leave all as it was, making no effort to remove any. Now all tliis is from the nature of the case very difficult to ascertain. But the whole question, as it regards Bacon's diaracter, must be considered in connexion with the rest of his po- litical life. Mid will be fully discussed in its place in the Occasional works; where all the evidence I can find shall be faithfully exhibited. In this place it may be enough to say tliat he himself always admitted the taking of presents as he had taken them to be indefensible, the sentence to be just. and the example salutary; and yet always denied that he had been an un- just judge, or " had ever had bribe or reward in his eye or thought when he pronounced any sentence or order; " and that I cannot lind any ix^ason for doubting that this was ti'ue. It is stated, indeed, in a manuscript of Sir Matthew Hale's, published by Hargrave, that the censure of Bacon "for many decrees made upon most gross bribery and corruption . . . gave such a discredit and brand to the decrees thus obtained that they were easily set aside;" and it is true that some bills were brought into tlie House of Commons /tw thu purpose of setting aside such decrees; but I can- not find that any one of them reached a third ivadiug ; and it is clear from Sir ^latthew's own argument that he could not produce an instance of one reversed by the House of Lords; and if any had been revereed by a royal commission appointed for the purpose (which according to his statement was the only remaining way), it must surely have been heard of; yet where is the record of any such commission ? Now if of all tlie decrees so discredited none were revei-sed, it is difficult to resist tlie conclusion that they had all been made boitA fide with regard only to tlie merits of the cases, and were in fact unimpeachably just ; imd we may believe tliat Bacon pronounced a true judgment on his own case wlien ho said to his friends (as I lind it recorded in a commonplace book of Dr. Rawley's in the Lambeth Libraiy), " I was the justest judge that was in England these fifty yeai-s; but it was the justest censure in parliament that was these two hundred years." 1 In the Latin version Eawley adds, quam prtasens obsei-varl ; which gives this list a peculiar value. DE. RAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 45 rium Naturce, or a Metaphysical piece which is lost ; ^ Historia Ventorum ; JEstoria Vitce et Mortis; Mstoria Bend et Bari, not yet printed ; ^ Historia Gravis et Levis, which is also lost ; ^ a discourse of a War with Spain; a Dialogue touching an Holy War; the Fable of the New Atlantis ; a Preface to a Digest of the Laws of England; the beginning of the History of the Rdgn of King Henry the Eighth; De Augmentis Scientiarwm, or the Advancement of Learning, put into Latin,* with several enrichments and enlargements ; Counsels Civil and Moral, or his book of Essays, likewise enriched and enlarged ; the Conversion of certain Psalms into English Verse; the Translation into Latin of the History of King Henry the Seventh, of the Counsels Civil and Moral,^ of 1 A fragment of this piece was recovered and printed by Tenison in the Baamiana ; and will appear in this edition after the Historia Ventorum, which it was intended to accompany. 2 This was true in 1657 ; but it was printed the next year in the Opuscvkt Philosophica ; and, therefore, for " not yet printed," the Latin version sub- stitutes jam ^^rimwrn tt/pis mandata. In the edition of 1661 a corresponding alteration ought to have been made in the English, but was not ; and as the words occur in one of the cancelled leaves they must have been left by oversight. 8 This was probably the tract which Gruter says he once had in his hands, and which he describes as merely a skeleton, exhibiting heads of chapters not filled up. " De Gravi et Levi in maniius habui integi'um et grande wlumen, sed quod, prtEter iivdam delineate fdbriem compagem ex iitulis materiam proud earn conceperat Baconus ahsolventibus, nihil descrip- iionis continebat/^ See his letter to Rawley, May 29. 1652, in the Ba- coniana, p. 223. * In this edition I have placed the De Augmentis before the Historia Ven~- lorum; because, though published after, it was prepared and arranged, and in that sense composed, before. And in this view I am supported by a slight variation which is introduced here in the Latin version, viz. " Inter- venerat opus de Augmentis Scientiarum,^' &c. We learn also from the Latin version that Bacon worked at the transla- tion of the Advancement of Learning himself : in quo e lingua vernaculd, proprio Mai-te, in Laiinam transferendo honoratissimus auctor plurimvm desudavit. 5 These were the Essays as they appeared in the third and last edition; 46 DE. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. the Dialogue of the Holy War, of the Fable of the New Atlantis, for the benefit of other nations ; ^ his revising of his book De Sapientid Veterum ; Inquisitio de Mag- nete ; Topica Itiquisitionis de Luce et Lumine ; both these not yet printed ; ^ lastly, Sylva Sylvarum, or the Natural History. These were the fruits and produc- tions of his last five years. His lordship also designed, upon the motion and invitation of his late majesty, to have written the reign of King Henry the Eighth ; but that work perished in the designation merely, God not lending him life to proceed farther upon it than only in one morning's work ; whereof there is extant an ex ungue leoriem, already printed in his lordship's Mis- cellany Works. There is a commemoration due as well to his abili- ties and virtues as to the course of his life. Those abilities which commonly go single in other men, though of prime and observable parts, were all con- joined and met in him. Those are, sharpness of wit, memory, judgment, and elocution. For the former three his books do abundantly speak them ; which ^ with what sufficiency he wrote, let the world judge ; but with what celerity he wrote them, I can best tes- tify. But for the fourth, his elocution, I will only set down what I heard Sir Walter Raleigh once speak of but he gave tliem a weightier title when he had them translated into " the general language: " exinde dicti, sermonesJideleSj sive inierwra rerum. 1 The Latin version adds, apud quos expeli audiverat. 2 These words are omitted in the Latin version, and must have been left by oversight in the edition of 1661 ; for they occur in one of the cancelled leaves; and the works in question had been printed in 1658. The error is the more worth noticing because it shows that wherever the English and the Latin differ, the Latin must be regarded as the later and better authority. * The Latin version adds, ut de Julio Ccesare Hirtius. DE. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 47 Mm by way of comparison (whose judgment may well be trusted), That the Earl of Salisbury was an excellent speaker, hut no good penman ; that the Earl of North- ampton (the Lord Henry Howard^ was an excellent pero- man, but no good speaker ; but that Sir Francis Bacon was eminent in both. I have been induced to think, that if there were a beam of knowledge derived from God upon any man in these modern times, it was upon him. For though he was a great reader of books, yet he had not his knowledge from books,^ but from some grounds and notions from within himself; which, notwithstanding, he vented with great caution and circumspection. His book of Instauratio Magna^ (which in his own ac- count was the chiefest of his works) was no slight imagination or fancy of his brain, but a settled and concocted notion, the production of many years' labour and travel. I myself have seen at the least twelve copies of the Instauration, revised year by year one after another, and every year altered and amended in the frame thereof, till at last it came to that model in which it was committed to the press ; as many liv- ing creatures do lick their young ones, till they bring them to their strength of limbs. In the composing of his books he did rather drive at a masculine and clear expression than at any fineness or affectation of phrases, and would often ask if the 1 i. e. not from books only; Ex Ubris tamen golis scientiam suam depromp- sisse haudqimquam concedere licet. 2 i'or Instauratio Magna in this place, and also for Instauration a few lines further on, the Latin version substitutes Novum Organum. Rawley, when he spoke of the Instauration^ was thinking, no doubt, of the volume in which the Novum Organum first appeared, and which contains all the pieces that stand in this edition before the De Augmtntis. 48 DE. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. meaning were expressed plainly enough, as being one that accounted words to be but subservient or minis- terial to matter, and not the principal. And if his style were polite,^ it was because he would do no otherwise. Neither was he given to any light con- ceits, or descanting upon words, but did ever purposely and industriously avoid them ; for he held such things to be but digressions or diversions from the scope in- tended, and to derogate from the weight and dignity of the style. He was no plodder upon books ; though he read much, and that with great judgment, and rejection of impertinences incident to many authors ; for he would ever interlace a moderate relaxation of his mind with his studies, as walking, or taking the air abroad in his coach,^ or some other befitting recreation ; and yet he would lose no time, inasmuch as upon his first and im- mediate return he would fall to reading again, and so suffer no moment of time to slip from him without some present improvement. His meals were refections of the ear as well as of the stomach, like the jS^octes Atticce, or Comivia Deipiuh sophistarum, wherein a man might be refreshed in his mind and understanding no less than in his body. And I have known some, of no mean parts, that have professed to make use of their note-books when they have risen from his table. In which conversations, and otherwise, he was no dashing man,^ as some men 1 The Latin version adds: Siqttithin apud nostrates eloquii Anglicani m-H- J'ex habitu:^ tst, ' In the Latin version Kawley adds gentle exercise on horseback and playing at bowls: Eqmtationem, non citam sed lentam, ghborum hisiim, etid ffentts €xerc!tia. ' The word dash is used here in the same sense in which Costard uses it in Love's Labour's Losl : " There, an't please you; a foolish, mild man; an DR. RAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 49 are, but ever a countenancer and fosterer of another man's parts. Neither was he one that would appro- priate the speech wholly to himself, or delight to outvie others, but leave a liberty to the co-assessors to take their turns. Wherein he would draw a man on and allure him to speak upon such a subject, as wherein he was peculiarly skilful, and would delight to speak. And for himself, he contemned no man's observations, but would light his torch at every man's candle. His opinions and assertions were for the most part binding, and not contradicted by any ; rather like oracles than discourses ; which may be imputed either to the well weighing of his sentence by the scales of truth and reason, or else to the reverence and esti- mation wherein he was commonly had, that no man would contest with him ; so that there was no argu- mentation, or fro and con (as they term it), at his table : or if there chanced to be any, it was carried with much submission and moderation. I have often observed, and so have other men of great account, that if he ' had occasion to repeat another man's words after him, he had an use and faculty to dress them in better vestments and apparel than they had before ; so that the author should find his own speech much amended, and yet the substance of it still retained ; -^ as if it had been natural to him to honest man, look you, and soon dashed: " Rawley means that Bacon was jiot a man who used his wit, as some do, to put his neighbours out of countenance : Conmvantiwn nemlnem aut alios coUoquentium pudore suffun- dere glories Mbi duxit^ sicut nonnuUi gestiunt. 1 This is probably the true explanation of a habit of Bacon's which seems at first sight a fault, and perhaps sometimes is ; and of which a great manv instances have been pointed out by Mr. Ellis; — a habit of inaccurate quotation. In quoting an author's words, — especially where he quotes them merely by way of voucher for his own remark, or in acknowledgment VOL. I. i 50 DR. EAWLET'S LIFE OF BACON. use good forms, as Ovid spake of his faculty of versify- ing, " Et quod tentabam scribere, versus erat." When his office called him, as he was of the king's council learned, to charge any offenders, either in crim- inals or capitals, he was never of an insulting and domineering nature over them, but always tender- hearted, and carrying himself decently towards the parties (though it was his duty to charge them home), but yet as one that looked upon the example with the eye of severity, but upon the person with the eye of pity and compassion. And in civil business, as he was counsellor of estate, he had the best way of ad- vising, not engaging his master in any precipitate or grievous courses, but in moderate and fair proceedings : the king whom he served giving him this testimony, That he ever dealt in business suavibus modis ; whioli was the way that was most according to his own heart. Neither was he in his time less gracious with the subject than with his sovereign. He was ever accept- able to the House of Commons ^ when he was a mem- of the source whence he derived it, or to suggest an allusion which may give a better eifect to it, — he very often quotes inaccurately. Sometimes, no doubt, this was unintentional, the fault of his memory ; but more fre- quently, I suspect, it was done deliberately, for the sake of presenting the substance in a better form, or a form better suited to the particular occa- sion. In citing the evidence of witnesses, on the contraiy, in support of a narrative statement or an argument upon matter of fact, he is always verj' careful. 1 The Latin version adds, in quo S(epe peroi'avit.^ non sine magna applausii; a statement of the truth of which abundant evidence may be found in all the records which remain of the proceedings of the House of Commons. The first parliament in which he sate was that of 1584: after which he sate in every parliament that was summoned up to the time of his fall. As an edition of Bacon would hardly be complete unless it contained Ben Jonson's famous description of his manner of speaking, I shall insert it here : — '"Yet there happened in my time one noble speaker who was DE. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 61 ber thereof. Being the king's attorney, and chosen to a place in parhament, he was allowed and dispensed with to sit in the House ; which was not permitted to other attorneys. And as he was a good servant to his master, being never in nineteen years' service (as himself averred) rebuked by the king for anything relating to His Majesty, so he was a good master to his servants, and rewarded their long attendance with good places freely ^ when they fell into his power ; which was the cause that so many young gentlemen of blood and quality sought to list themselves in his retinue. And if he were abused by any of them in their places, it was only the error of the goodness of his nature, but the badges of their indiscretions and intemperances. This lord was religious : for though the world be apt to suspect and prejudge great wits and politics to have somewhat of the atheist, yet he was conversant with God, as appeareth by several passages through- out the whole current of his writings. Otherwise he should have crossed his own principles, which were, That a little philosophy maketh men apt to forget Grod, as attributing too much to second causes ; hut depth of philosophy hringeth a man hack to God again. Now I full of gravity in his speaking. His language (where he could spare or pass by a jest) was nobly censorious. No man ever spake more neatly, more pressly, more weightily, or suffered less emptiness, less idleness, in what he uttered. No member of his speech but consisted of his own graces. His hearers could not cough, or look aside from him, without loss. He commanded where he spoke ; and had his judges angry and pleased at his devotion." No man had their affections more in his power. The fear of every man that heard him was, lest he should make an end." — Dis- coveries: under title Dominus Vemlamius. 1 Gratis, in the Latin version ; i. e. without taking any money for them ; an unusual thing in Bacon's time, when the sale of offices was a principal source of all great men's incomes. 52 DE. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. am sure there is no man that will deny him, or account otherwise of him, but to have him been a deep philosopher. And not only so ; but he was able to render a reason of the hope which was in him, which that writing of his of the Confession of the Faith doth abundantly testify. He repaired frequently, when his health would permit him, to the service of the church, to hear sermons, to the administration of the sacrament of the blessed body and blood of Christ ; and died in the true faith, established in the church of England. This is most true — he was free from malice, which (as he said himself) he never bred norfed.^ He was no revenger of injuries ; which if he had minded, he had both opportunity and place high enough to have done it. He was no heaver of men out of their places, as delighting in their ruin and undoing. He was no defamer of any man to his prince. One day, when a great statesman was newly dead, that had not been his friend, the king asked him. What he thought of that lord which was gone? he answered. That he would never have made His Majesty's estate better, but he was sure 1 " He said he had breeding swans and feeding swans ; but for malice, he neither bred it nor fed it." From a commonplace book of Dr. Rawley's in the Lambeth Library. " Et posso dir," says Sir Tobie Matthew, in his dedication to Cosmo de' Medici of an Italian translation of the Essays and Snpientia Veterum, 1618, " et posso dir con verita (per haver io havute V honore di pratticarlo molti anni, et quando era in minoribus, et hora quando sta in colmo et iiore della sua grandezza) di non haver mai sco- perto in lui animo di vendetta, per qualsivoglia aggravio che se gli fosse fatto ; nfe manco sentito uscirgli di bocca parola d' ingiuria contra veruno, che mi paresse venire da passione contra la tal persona; ma solo (et questo ancora molto scarsamente) per giudicio fattone in sangue freddo. Non 6 gia la sua grandezza quel che io ammiro, ma la sua virtii ; non sono li favori fattimi da lui (per infiniti che siano) che mi hanno posto il cuore in questi ceppi et catene in che mi ritrovo ; ma si bene il suo procedere in com- mune ; che se egli fosse di conditione inferiore, non potrei manco honorarlo e se mi fosse nemico io dovrei con tutto ci6 amar et procurar di servirlo." DR. EA^EY'S LIFE OF BACON. 53 he would have kept it from being worse ; which was the worst he would say of him : which I reckon not among his moral, but his Christian virtues. His fame is greater and sounds louder in foreign parts abroad, than at home in his own nation ; thereby veri- fying that divine sentence, A prophet is not without hon- our, save in his own countri/, and in his own house. Con- cerning which I will give you a taste only, out of a letter written from Italy (the storehouse of refined wits) to the late Earl of Devonshire, then the Lord Candish : I will expect the new essays of my Lord Chan- cellor Bacon, as also his History, with a great deal of desire, and whatsoever else he shall compose: hut in par- ticular of his .History I promise myself a thing perfect and singular, especially in Henry the Seventh, where he m,ay exercise the talent of his divine understanding. This lord is more and more known, and his hooks here more and more delighted in; and those m&n that have more than ordinary knowledge in human affairs, esteem him one of the most capable spirits of this age ; and he is truly such. Now his fame doth not decrease with days since, but rather increase. Divers of his works have been anciently and yet lately translated into other tongues, both learned and modern, by foreign pens. Several persons of quality, during his lordship's life, crossed the seas on purpose to gain an opportu- nity of seeing him and discoursing with him ; whereof one carried his lordship's picture from head to foot ^ over with him into France, as a thing which he fore- saw would be much desired there, that so they might enjoy the image of his person as well as the images of his brain, his books. Amongst the rest. Marquis 1 This picture was presented to liim by Bacon himself, according to the Latin version. 54 DR. RAWLBY'S LIFE Of BACON-. Fiat, a French nobleman, who came ambassador into England, in the beginning of Queen Mary, wife to King Charles, was taken with an extraordinary desire of seeing him; for which he made way by a friend; and when he came to him, being then through weak- ness confined to his bed, the marquis saluted him with this high expression. That Ms lordship had been ever to him like the angels; of whom he had often heard, and read much of them in hooks, hut he never saw them. Af- ter which they contracted an intimate acquaintance, and the marquis did so much revere him, that besides his frequent visits, they wrote letters one to the other, under the titles and appellations of father and son. As for his many salutations by letters from foreign wor- thies devoted to learning, I forbear to mention them, because that is a thing common to other men of learn- ing or note, together with him. But yet, in this matter of his fame, I speak in the comparative only, and not in the exclusive. For his reputation is great in his own nation also, especially amongst those that are of a more acute and sharper judgment ; which I will exemplify but with two tes- timonies and no more. The former, when his History of King Henry the Seventh was to come forth, it was delivered to the old Lord Brook, to be perused by him ; who, when he had dispatched it, returned it to the author with this eulogy, Commend me to my lord, and bid him take care to get good paper and ink, for the work is incomparable. The other shall be that of Doctor Samuel Collins, late provost of King's Col- lege in Cambridge, a man of no vulgar wit, wlio af- firmed unto me,'' That when he had read the book of the 1 In the Latin version Eawley lias thoiiglit it worth while to add that this may have been said p'ayfully: Sive festive sive seHo. DR. KAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 55 Advancement of Learning, he found himself in a case to begin his studies anew, and that he had lost all the time of his studying before. It hath been desired, that something should be sig- nified touching his diet, and the regimen of his health, of which, in regard of his universal insight into nature, he may perhaps be to some an example. For his diet, it was rather a plentiful and liberal diet, as his stomach would bear it, than a restrained ; which he also com- mended in his book of the History of Life and Death. In his younger years he was much given to the finer and lighter sort of meats, as of fowls, and such like ; but afterward, when he grew more judicious,^ he pre- ferred the stronger meats, such as the shambles af- forded, as those meats which bred the more firm and substantial juices of the body, and less dissipable ; upon which he would often make his meal, though he had other meats upon the table. You may be sure he would not neglect that himself, which he so much ex- tolled in his writings, and that was the use of nitre ; whereof he took in the quantity of about three grains in thin warm broth every morning, for thirty years together next before his death. And for physic, he did indeed live physically, but not miserably ; for he took only a maceration of rhubarb,^ infused into a draught of white wine and beer mingled together for the space of half an hour, once in six or seven days, immediately before his meal (whether dinner or sup- per), that it might dry the body less ; which (as he said) did carry away frequently the grosser humours IMore judicious (that is) by experience and observation: experientid edoctus is the expression in the Latin version. 2 In the Latin version Eawley gives the quantity : Bhabariari sesguir drachmam. 56 DK. RAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. of the body, and not diminish or carry away any of the spirits, as sweating doth. And this was no griev- ous thing to take. As for other physic, in an ordi- nary way (whatsoever hath been vulgarly spoken) he took not. His receipt for the gout, which did constantly ease him of his pain within two hours, is already set down in the end of the Natural History. It may seem the moon had some principal place in the figure of his nativity : for the moon was never in her passion, or eclipsed,^ but he was surprised with a sudden fit of fainting ; and that, though he observed not nor took any previous knowledge of the eclipse thereof; and as soon as the eclipse ceased, he was restored to his former strength again. He died on the ninth day of April in the year 1626, 1 Lord Campbell (who appears to have read Eawley's memoir only in the Latin, where the words are quoiies luna defeclt dm ecUpsin passa est), suppos- ing defecit to mean waned, discredits this statement, on the ground that "no instance is recorded of Bacon's having fainted in public, or put off the hearing of any cause on account of the change of the moon, or of any ap- proaching eclipse, visible or invisible." And it is true that if defectus lunm meant a change of the moon, or even a dark moon (which it might have meant well enough if the Romans had not chosen to appropriate the word to quite another meaning), the accident must have happened in public too often to pass unnoticed. But Eawley was too good a scholar to misapply so common a word in that way. He evidently speaks of eclipses only, and of eclipses visible at the place. Now it is not at all likely that lunar eclipses visible at Westminster would have coincided with important business in which Bacon was conspicuously engaged, often enough (even if he did faint every time) to establish a connexion between the two phe- nomena. Of course Eawle3''s statement is not sufficient to prove the reality of any such connexion ; but there is no reason to suppose it an invention, and the fact of the fainting-fits may be fairly taken, I think, as evidence of the extreme delicacy of Bacon's temperament, and its sen- sibility to the skiey influences. That Bacon himself never alluded to this relation between himself and the moon is easily accounted for by suppos- ing that he was not satisfied of the fact. He may have observed the co- incidence, and mentioned it to Rawley; and Eawley (whose common- place book proves that he had a taste for astrology) may have believed in the physical connexion, though Bacon himself did not. DE. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. 57 in the early morning of the day then celebrated for our Saviour's resurrection, in the sixty-sixth year of his age, at the Earl of Arundel's house in Highgate, near London, to which place he casually repaired about a week before ; God so ordaining that he should die there of a gentle fever, accidentally accompanied with a great cold, whereby the defluxion of rheum fell so plentifully upon his breast, that he died by suflFocation ; and was buried in St. Michael's church at St. Albans ; being the place designed for his burial by his last will and testament, both because the body of his mother was interred there, and because it was the only church then remaining within the precincts of old Verulam : where he hath a monument erected for him in white marble (by the care and gratitude of Sir Thomas Meautys, knight, formerly his lordship's secretary, afterwards clerk of the King's Honourable Privy Council under two kings) ; representing his full portraiture in the posture of studying, with an inscription composed by that accomplished gentleman and rare wit, Sir Henry Wotton.^ FRANCISCUS BACON, BAEO DE VERULAM, S'. AI.BANI VIC"", SEU NOTIOKIBUS TITULIS SCIENTIAEUM LUMEN FACCKDI^ LEX SIC SEDEBAT. QUI POSTQUAM OMNIA NATURALIS SAPIENTIjB ET CIVILIS AKCANA EVOLVISSET NATUEiB DECBETUM EXPLEYIT COMPOSITA SOLVANTUE AN. DNI M.DC.XXVI. ^a:AT" LXVI. TAHTI VIEI MEM. THOMAS MBAUTTJS SUPEKSTITIS CULTOB DEFUNCTI ADMIEATOK H. P. 58 DR. EAWLEY'S LIFE OF BACON. But howsoever his body was mortal, yet no doubt his inemory and works will live, and will in all proba- bilitv last as loner as the world lasteth. In order to which I have endeavoured (after my poor ability) to do this honour to his lordship, by way of conduc- ing tc> the same. FINIS. PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS FEANCIS BACON. GENERAL PREFACE TO BACON'S PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. BY ROBERT LESLIE ELLIS. (1.) Our knowledge of Bacon's method is much less complete than it is commonly supposed to be. Of the Novum Organum, which was to contain a complete statement of its nature and principles, we have only the first two books ; and although in other parts of Bacon's writings, as for instance in the Cogitata et Visa de Interpretatione Naturce, many of the ideas contained in these books recur in a less systematic form, we yet meet with but few indications of the nature of the sub- jects which were to have been discussed in the others. It seems not improbable that some parts of Bacon's system were never perfectly developed even in his own mind. However this may be, it is certain that an at- tempt to determine what his method, taken as a whole, was or would have been, must necessarily involve a conjectural or hypothetical element ; and it is, I think, chiefly because this circumstance has not been suffi- ciently recognised, that the idea of Bacon's philosophy has generally speaking been but imperfectly appre- hended. 62 GENERAL PREFACE TO (2.) Of the subjects which were to have occupied the remainder of the Novum Organum we learn some- thing from a passage at the end of the second book. " Nunc vero," it is said at the conclusion of the doc- trine of prerogative instances, " ad adminicula et rectifi- cationes inductionis, et deinceps ad concreta, et latentes processus, et latentes schematismos, et reliqua quae aph- orismo xxi ordine proposuimus, pergendum." On re- ferring to the twenty-first aphorism we find a sort of table of contents of the whole work. " Dicemus ita- que primo loco, de prserogativis instantiarum ; secundo, de adminiculis inductionis ; tertio, de rectificatione in- ductionis ; quarto, de vai'iatione inquisitionis pro natura subjecti ; quinto, de prserogativis naturarum quatenus ad inquisitionem, sive de eo quod inquirendum est prius et posterius ; sexto, de terminis inquisitionis, sive de synopsi omnium naturarum in universo ; septimo, de deductione ad praxin, sive de eo quod est in ordine ad hominem ; octavo, de parascevis ad inquisitionem ; pos- tremo autem, de scala ascensoria et descensoriS, axioma- tum." Of these nine subjects the first is the only one with which we are at all accurately acquainted. (3.) Bacon's method was essentially inductive. He rejected the use of syllogistic or deductive reasoning, except when practical applications were to be made of the conclusions, axiomata, to which the inquirer had been led by a systematic process of induction. " Log- ica quae nunc habetur inutilis est ad inventionem sci- entiarum Spes est una in inductione vera."^ It is to be observed that wherever Bacon speaks of an " ascending " process, he is to be understood to mean induction, of which it is the character to proceed from 1 Nov. Org. i. 11. and 14. that which is mMs notius to that which is notius simpU- citer. Contrariwise when he speaks of a descent, he always refers to the correlative process of deduction. Thus when in the Partis seoundce Delineatio he says, . . . "■ meminerint homines in inquisitione activS, ne- cesse esse rem per scalam descensoriam (cujus usum in contemplativa sustulimus) confici : omnis enim operatio in individuis versatur quae infimo loco sunt," — we are to understand that in Bacon's system deduction is only admissible in the inquisitio activa ; that is, in practical applications of the results of induction. Similarly in the Distributio Operis he says, " Rejicimus syllogis- mum ; neque id soliim quoad principia (ad quae nee illi earn adhibent) sed etiam quoad propositiones me- dias." Everything was to be established by induction. " In constituendo autem axiomate forma inductionis alia quam adhuc in usu fuit excogitanda est, eaque non ad principia tantiim (quae vocant) probanda et invenienda, sed etiam ad axiomata minora, et media, denique omnia. "^ (4.) It is necessary to determine the relation in which Bacon conceived his method to stand to ordinary induction. Both methods set out " a sensu et particu- laribus," and acquiesce " in maxime generalibus ; " ^ but while ordinary induction proceeds " per enum- erationem simpKcem," by a mere enumeration of particular cases, " et precario concludit et periculo exponitur ab instantia contradictorili," the new method " naturam separare debet, per rejectiones et exclusiones debitas; et deinde post negativas tot quot sufficiunt super affirmativas concludere."^ A form of induction was to be introduced, " quse ex aliquibus generaliter concludat ita ut instantiam contradictoriam 1 Not. Org. i. 105. 2 jSTov. Org. i. 22. » Nov. Org. i. 105. 64 GENERAL PREFACE TO inveniri non posse demonstretur."^ In strong contrast with this method stands " the induction which the logi- cians speak of," which " is utterly vicious and incom- petent." ..." For to conclude upon an enumeration of particulars, without instance contradictory, is no conclusion, but a conjecture." ..." And this form, to say truth, is so gross, as it had not been possible for wits so subtile as have managed these things to have offered it to the world, but that they trusted to their theories and dogmaticals, and were imperious and scorn- ful tovwards particulars."^ We thus see what is meant by the phrase " quot sufSciunt" in the passage which has been cited from the Novum Organum ; it means " as many as may suffice in order to the attainment of certainty," it being necessary to have a method of in- duction, " quae experientiam solvat et separet, et per exclusiones et rejectiones debitas necessario concludat."^ Absolute certainty is therefore one of the distinguishing characters of the Baconian induction. Another is that it renders all men equally capable, or nearly so, of at- taining to the truth. "Nostra vero inveniendi scientias ea est ratio ut non multum ingeniorum acumini et ro- bori relinquatur; sed qu£e ingenia et intellectus fere exsequet; "* and this is illustrated by the difficulty of describing a circle libera manu, whereas every one can do it with a pair of compasses. " Omnino similis est nostra ratio." The cause to which this peculiarity is owing, is sufficiently indicated by the illustration : the 1 Cogitata et Visa, § 18. 2 Advancement of Learning. The corresponding passage in the De Augm. is in the 2nd chap, of the 5th book. 8 Distrib. Opens, \ 10. 4 Nov. Org. i. 61., and comp. i. 122. Also the Inquisitio legitima de Jlotu, and Valerius Terminus, c. 19. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 65 method " exsequat ingenia," " cum omnia per certis- simas regulas et demonstrationes transigat." (5.) Absolute certainty, and a mechanical mode of procedure such that all men should be capable of employing it, are thus two great features of the Ba- conian method. His system can never be rightly understood if they are neglected, and any explanation of it which passes them over in silence leaves unex- plained the principal difficulty which that system pre- sents to us. But another difficulty takes the place of the one which is thus set aside. It becomes impossible to justify or to understand Bacon's assertion that his method was essentially new. " Nam nos," he says in the preface to the Novum Organum, " si profiteamur nos meliora afferre quam antiqui, eandem quam illi viam ingressi, nulla verborum arte efficere possimus, quin inducatur quaedam ingenii, vel excellentise, vel facultatis comparatio, sive contentio. . . . Verum ciim per nos illud agatur, ut alia omnino via intellectui ape- riatur illis intentata et incognita, commutata tota jam ratio est," &c. He elsewhere speaks of himself as being " in h§,c re plane protopirus, et vestigia nullius sequutus." ^ Surely this language would be out of place, if the difference between him and those who had gone before him related merely to matters of detail ; as, for instance, that his way of arranging the facts of observation was more convenient than theirs, and his way of applying an inductive process to them more systematic. And it need not be remarked that induc- tion in itself was no novelty at all. The nature of f^he act of induction is as clearly stated by Aristotle as by any later writer. Bacon's design was surely much larger 1 Not. Org. i. 113. VOL. I. 5 66 GENERAL PREFACE TO than it would thus appear to have been. Whoever considers his wi'itings without reference to their place in the histoiy of philosophy will I think be convinced that he aimed at giving a wholly new method, — a method universally applicable, and in all cases infal- lible. By this method, all the knowledge which the human mind is capable of receiving might be attained, and attained without unnecessary labour. Men were no longer to wander from the truth in helpless uncer- tainty. The publication of this new doctrine was the Tempons Partus Masculus ; it was as the rising of a new sun, before which " the borrowed beams of moon and stars " were to fade away and disappear.^ (6.) That the wide distinction which Bacon con- ceived to exist between his own method and any which had previously been known has often been but slightly noticed by those who have spoken of his philosophy, arises probably from a wish to recognise in the history of the scientific discoveries of the last two centuries the fulfilment of his liopes and prophecies. One of his early disciples however, who wrote before the scientific movement which commenced about Bacon's time had assumed a definite form and character — I mean Dr. Hooke — has explicitly adopted those portions of Ba- con's doctrine which have seemingly been as a stum- bling-block to his later followers. In Hooke's General Scheme or Idea of the Present State of Natural Philos- ophy,^ which is in many respects the best commentary on Bacon, we find it asserted that in the pursuit of 1 See, for instance,- the PrafaHo GeneraUs, where Bacon compares his method to the mariner's compass, until the discovery of which no wide sea could be crossed ; an image probably connected with his favourite device of a ship passing through the pillars of Hercules, with the motto " Plus ultra." 2 Published posthumously in 1705. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 67 knowledge, the intellect " is continually to be assisted by some method or engine which shall be as a gnide to regulate its actions, so as that it shall not be able to act amiss. Of this engine no man except the incompar- able Verulam hath had any thoughts, and he indeed hath promoted it to a very good pitch." Something however still remained to be added to this engine or art of invention, to which Hooke gives the name of philosophical algebra. He goes on to say, " I cannot doubt but that if this art be well prosecuted and made use of, an ordinary capacity with industry will be able to do very much more than has yet been done, and to show that even physical and natural inquiries as well as mathematical and geometrical will be capable also of demonstration ; so that henceforward the business of invention will not be so much the effect of acute wit, as of a serious and industrious prosecution."^ Here the absolute novelty of Bacon's method, its de- monstrative character, and its power of reducing all minds to nearly the same level, are distinctly recog- nised. (7.) Before we examine the method of which Bacon proposed to make use, it is necessary to determine the nature of the problems to which it was, for the most part at least, to be applied. In other words, we must endeavour to determine the idea which he had formed of the nature of science. Throughout his writings, science and power are spoken of as correlative — " in idem coincidunt ; " and the reason of this is that Bacon always assumed that the knowledge of the cause would in almost all cases enable us to produce the observed effect. We shall see 1 Present State of Nat. Phil. pp. 6, 7. 68 GENERAL PEEFACE TO hereafter how this assumption connected itself with the whole spirit of his philosophy. I mention it now be- cause it presents itself in the passage in which Bacon's idea of the nature of science is most distinctly stated. " Super datum corpus novam naturam, sive novas na- turas, generare et superinducere, opus et intentio est humanas potentise. Datse autem naturas formam, sive diflferentiam veram, sive naturam naturantem, sive fon- tem emanationis, (ista enim vocabula habemus quae ad indicationem rei proximo accedunt) invenire, opus et intentio est humanse scientise." This passage, with which the second book of the Novum Organum com- mences, requires to be considered in detail. In the first place it is to be remarked, that natura signifies " abstract quality," — it is used by Bacon in antithesis with corpus or " concrete body." Thus the passage we have quoted amounts to this, that the scope and end of human power is to give new qualities to bodies, while the scope and end of human knowledge is to ascertain the formal cause of all the qualities of which bodies are possessed. Throughout Bacon's philosophy, the necessity of making abstract qualities (nature) the principal object of our inquiries is frequently insisted on. He who studies the concrete and neglects the abstract cannot be called an interpreter of nature. Such was Bacon's judgment when, apparently at an early period of his life, he wrote the Temporis Partus Masculus ; ^ and in the Novum Organum he has expressed an equivalent 1 Mr. Ellis alludes, I think, to tlie De Interpretaiione Natural Sentential XII., which M. Bouillet prints as part of the Temporis Partus Masculus. My reasons for differing with M. Bouillet on this point, and placing it by itself, and assigning it a later date, will be found in a note to Mr. Ellis's Preface to the Novum Orgamum. — J. S. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 69 opinion : " quod iste modus operandi, (qui naturas in- tuetur simplices licet in corpore concreto) procedat ex iis quae in natura sunt constantia et seterna et catholica, et latas prsebeat potentise humanse vias." ^ Quite in accordance with this passage is a longer one in the Ad- vancement of Learning, which I shall quote in extenso, as it is exceedingly important. " The forms of sub- stances, I say, as they are now by compounding and transplanting multiplied, are so perplexed as they are not to be inquired ; no more than it were either possi- ble or to purpose to seek in gross the forms of those sounds which make words, which by composition and transposition of letters are infinite. But on the other side to inquire the form of those sounds or voices which make simple letters is easily comprehensible, and being known induceth and manifesteth the forms of all words which consist and are compounded of them. In the same manner, to inquire the form of a lion, of an oak, of gold — nay of water, of air — is a vain pursuit ; but to inquire the forms of sense, of voluntary mo- tion, of vegetation, of colours, of gravity and levity, of density, of tenuity, of heat, of cold, and all other natures and qualities which like an alphabet are not many, and of which the essences upheld by matter of all creatures do consist, — to inquire, I say, the true forms of these, is that part of metaphysique which we now define of." And a little farther on we are told that it is the prerogative of metaphysique to consider " the simple forms or difference of things " (that is to say, the forms of simple natures), " which are few in number, and the degrees and co-ordinations whereof make all this variety." 1 Nov. Org. ii. 5. 70 GENERAL PREFACE TO We see from these passages why the study of sim- ple natures is so important — namely because they are compai-atively speaking few in number, and because, notwithstanding this, a knowledge of their essence would enable us, at least in theory, to solve every problem which the universe can present to us. As an illustration of the doctrine of simple natures, we may take a passage which occurs in the Silva Sil- varwm. " Gold," it is there said, " has these natures : greatness of weight, closeness of parts, fixation, pliant- ness or softness, immunity from rust, colour or tinc- ture of yellow. Therefore the sure way, though most about, to make gold, is to know the causes of the sev- eral natures before rehearsed, and the axioms concern- ing the same. For if a man can make a metal that hath all these properties, let men dispute whether it be gold or no." ^ Of these simple natures Bacon has given a list in the third book of the De Augmentis. They are divided into two classes : schematisms of matter, and simple motions. To the former belong the abstract qualities, dense, rare, heavy, light, &c., of which thirty-nine are enumerated, the list being concluded with a remark that it need not be carried farther, " neque ultra rem extendimus." The simple motions — and it will be observed that the word " motion " is used in a wide and vague sense — are the motus antitypise, which se- cures the impenetrability of matter ; the motus nexus, commonly called the motus ex fuga vacui, &c. ; and of these motions fourteen are mentioned. This list how- ever does not profess to be complete, and accordingly in the Novum Organum (ii. 48.) another list of sim- ^ Compare Nov. Org. ii. 5. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 71 pie motions is given, in which nineteen species are recognised. The view of which we have now been speaking — namely, that it is possible to reduce all the phenomena of the universe to combinations of a limited number of simple elements — is the central point of Bacon's whole system. It serves, as we shall see, to exjjlain the peculiarities of the method which he proposed. (8.) In what sense did Bacon use the word " Form ? " This is the next question which, in con- sidering the account which he has given of the nature of science, it is necessary to examine. I am, for rea- sons which will be hereafter mentioned, much disposed to believe that the doctrine of Forms is in some sort an extraneous part of Bacon's system. His peculiar method may be stated independently of this doctrine, and he has himself so stated it in one of his earlier tracts, namely the Valerius Terminus. It is at any rate certain, that in using the word " Form " he did not intend to adopt the scholastic mode of employing it. He was much in the habit of giving to words already in use a new signification. " To me," he re- marks in the Advancement of Learning, " it seemeth best to keep way with antiquity usque ad aras, and therefore to retain the ancient terms, though I some- times alter the uses and definitions." And thus though he has spoken of the scholastic forms as figments of the human mind,i he was nevertheless willing to employ the word " Form " in a modified sense, " prsesertim quum hoc vocabulum invaluerit, et familiariter oc- currat." ^ He has however distinctly stated that in speaking of Forms, he is not to be understood to speak 1 Nov. Org. i. 51. ^ Nov. Org. ii. 2. 72 GENERAL PREFACE TO of the Forms " quibus hominum contemplationes et cogitationes hactenus assueverunt." ^ As Bacon uses the word in his own sense, we must endeavour to interpret the passages in which it occurs by means of what he has himself said of it ; and this may I think be satisfactorily accomplished. We may begin by remarking that in Bacon's sys- tem, as in those of many others, the relation of sub- stance and attribute is A'irtually the same as the relation of cause and effect. The substance is conceived of as the causa immanens of its attributes,^ or in other words it is the formal cause of the qualities which are re- ferred to it. As there is a difference between the properties of different substances, there must be a cor- responding difference between the substances them- selves. But in the first state of the views of which we are speaking this latter difference is altogether unimaginable : " distincte quidem intelligi potest, sed non explicari imaginabiliter."' ^ It belongs not to nat- ural philosophy, but to metaphysics. These views however admit of an essential modifi- cation. If we divide the qualities of bodies into two classes, and ascribe those of the former class to sub- stance as its essential attributes, while we look on those of the latter as connected with substance by the rela- tion of cause and effect — that is, if we recognise the distinction of primary and secondary qualities — the state of the question is changed. It now becomes pos- sible to give a definite answer to the question, Wherein 1 Nov. Org. ii. 17. 2 See Zimmerman's Essay on the Monadology of Leibnitz, p. 86. (Vien- na, 1807). 3 Leibnitz, De ipsS, Natura. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 73 does the difference between different substances, corre- sponding to tiie difference between their sensible quah- ties, consist ? The answer to this question of course involves a ref- erence to the qualities which have , been recognised as primary ; and we are thus led to the principle that in the sciences which relate to the secondary qualities of bodies the primary ones are to be regarded as the causes of the secondary.^ This division of the qualities of bodies into two classes is the point of transition from the metaphysical view from which we set out to that of ordinary phys- ical science. And this transition Bacon had made, though not perhaps with a perfect consciousness of having done so. Thus he has repeatedly denied the truth of the scholastic doctrine that Forms are incog- noscible because supra-sensible ; ^ and the reason of this is clearly that his conception of the nature of Forms relates merely to the primary qualities of bodies. For instance, the Form of heat is a kind of local motion of the particles of which bodies are composed,^ and that of whiteness a mode of arrangement among those particles.* This peculiar motion or arrangement cor- responds to and engenders heat or whiteness, and this in every case in which those qualities exist. The state- ment of the distinguishing character of the motion or arrangement, or of whatever else may be the Form of a given phenomenon, takes the shape of a law ; it is the law in fulfilling which any substance determines the existence of the quality in question. It is for this 1 Whewell, Phil. Ind. Science, [book iv. oh. i.] 2 See Scaliger, Exercit. in Cardan. * [Nov. Org. ii. 20.] * [Valerias Terminus, iL 1.] 74 GENERAL PREFACE TO reason that Bacon sometimes calls the Form a law ; he has done this particularly in a passage which will be mentioned a little farther on. With the view which has now been stated, we shall I think be able to understand every passage in which Bacon speaks of Forms ; — remembering however that as he has not traced a boundary line between primary and secondary qualities, we can only say in general terms that his doctrine of Form.s is founded upon the theory that certain qualities of bodies are merely sub- jective and phenomenal, and are to be regarded as necessarily resulting from others which belong to sub- stance as its essential attributes. In the passage from which we set out,^ the Form is spoken of as vera dif- ferentia, the true or essential difference, — as natura naturans — and as the fons emanationis. The first of these expressions refers to the theory of definition by genus and difference. The difference is that which gives the thing defined its specific character. If it be founded on an accidental circumstance, the definition, though not incorrect if the accident be an inseparable one, will nevertheless not express the true and es- sential character of its subject ; contrariwise, if it involve a statement of the formal cause of the thing defined. The second of these phrases is now scarcely used, except in connexion with the philosophy of Spinoza. It had however been employed by some of the scholastic writers.^ It is always antithetical to natura naturata, and in the passage before us serves not inaptly to ex- 1 [Nov. Org. ii. 1.] 2 See Vo.ssius, De Vitiis Serm. in voce Naturare ; and Castansus, Distino- tiones in voc. Natura. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 75 press the relation in which the Form stands to the phe- nomenal nature which results from it. The phrase fons emanationis does not seem to require any explanation. It belongs to the kind of philosoplii- cal language which attempts, more or less successfully, to give clearness of conception by means of metaphor. It is unnecessary to remark how much this is the case in the later development of scholasticism. A little farther on in the second book of the Novum Organum than the passage we ha\'e been considering, — namely in the thirteenth aphorism, — Bacon asserts that the " forma rei " is " ipsissima res," and that the thing and its Form differ only as " apparens et existens, aut exterius et interius, aut in ordine ad hominem et in ordine ad universum." Here the subjective and phe- nomenal character of the qualities whose form is to be determined is distinctly and strongly indicated. The principal passage in which the Form is spoken of as a law occurs in the second aphorism of the same book. It is there said that, although in nature noth- ing really exists (vere existat) except " corpora indi- vidua edentia actus puros individuos ex lege," yet that in doctrine this law is of fundamental importance, and that it and its clauses (paragraplii) are what he means when he speaks of Forms. In denying the real existence of anything beside individual substances, Bacon opposes himself to the scholastic realism ; in speaking of these substances as " edentia actus," he asserts the doctrine of the essential activity of substance ; by adding the epithet " puros " he separates what Aristotle termed IvTf.Xix'^LaL from mere motions or Ktn^crets, thereby by implication denying the objective reality of the latter ; and, lastly, by using the 76 GENERAL PEEFACE TO word "individuos," he implies that though in contem- plation and doctrine the form law of the substance (that is, the substantial form) is resoluble into the forms of the simple natures which belong to it, as into clauses, yet that this analysis is conceptual only, and not real. It will be observed that the two modes in which Bacon speaks of the Form, namely as ipsissima res and as a law, differ only, though they cannot be reconciled, as two aspects of the same object. Thus much of the character of the Baconian Form. That it is after all only a physical conception appears sufficiently from the examples already mentioned, and from the fact of its being made the most important part of the subject-matter of the natural sciences. The investigation of the Forms of natures or ab- stract qualities is the principal object of the Baconian method of induction. It is true that Bacon, although he gives the first place to investigations of this nature, does not altogether omit to mention as a subordinate part of science, the study of concrete substances. The first aphorism of the second book of the Novum Orga- num sufficiently explains the relation in which, as he conceived, the abstract and the concrete, considered as objects of science, ought to stand to one another. This relation corresponds to that which in the De Augmentis [iii. 4. J, he had sought to establish between Physique and Metaphysique, and which he has there expressed by saying that the latter was to be conversant with the formal and final causes, while the former was to be confined to the efficient cause and to the material. It may be asked, and the question is not easily answered, Of what use the study of concrete bodies was in Ba- THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 77 con's system to be, seeing that the knowledge of the Forms of simple natures would, in effect, include all that can be known of the outward world ? I believe that, if Bacon's recognition of physique as a distinct branch of science which was to be studied apart from metaphysique or the doctrine of Forms, can be ex- plained except on historical grounds, — that is, except by saying that it was derived from the quadripartite division of causes given by Aristotle,^ — the explana- tion is merely this, that he believed that the study of concrete bodies would at least at first be pursued more hopefully and more successfully than the abstract in- vestigations to which he gave the first rank.^ However this may be, it seems certain that Bacon's method, as it is stated in the Novum Organum, is pri- marily applicable to the investigation of Forms, and that when other applications were made of it, it was to be modified in a manner which is nowhere distinctly ex- plained. All in fact that we know of these modifica- tions results from comparing two passages which have been already quoted ; ^ namely the two lists in which Bacon enumerates the subjects to be treated of in the latter books of the Novum Organum. It wiU be observed that in one of these lists the sub- ject of concrete bodies corresponds to the " variation of the investigation according to the nature of the sub- ject " in the other, and from this it seems to follow that Bacon looked on his method of investigating Forms as the fundamental type of the inductive process, from which in its other applications it deviated more or less 1 For an explanation of which, see note on De Augmentis, iii. 4. — J. 8. 2 See, in illustration of this, Nov. Org. ii. 5. ' Vide supra, § 2. 78 GENERAL PREFACE TO according to the necessity of the case. This being un- derstood, we may proceed to speak of the inductive method itself. (9.) The practical criterium of a Form by means of which it is to be investigated and recognised, reduces itself to this, — that the form nature and the phenome- nal nature (so to modify, for the sake of distinctness, Bacon's phraseology) must constantly be either both present or both absent ; and moreover that when either increases or decreases, the other must do so too.-^ Set- tins aside the vacjueness of the second condition, it is to be observed that there is nothing in this criterium to decide which of two concomitant natures is the Form of the other. It is true that in one place Bacon re- quires the form nature, beside being convertible with the given one, to be also a limitation of a more general nature. His words are " natura alia quse sit cum na- tura data convertibilis et tamen sit limitatio naturae notioris instar generis veri."^ Of this the meaning will easily be apprehended if we refer to the case of heat, of which the form is said to be a kind of motion — motion being here the natura notior, the more gen- eral natura, of which heat is a specific limitation ; for wherever heat is present there also is motion, but not vice versS.. Still the difficulty recurs, that there is nothing in the practical operation of Bacon's method which can serve to determine whether this subsidiary condition is fulfilled ; nor is the condition itself alto- gether free from vagueness. To each of the three points of that which I have called the practical criterium of the Form corresponds one of the three tables with which the investigation 1 Nov. Org. ii. 4, 13, 16. 2 Nov. Org. ii. i. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 79 commences. The first is the tdble " essentiae et prse- sentiae," and contains all known instances in which the given nature is present. The second is the table of declination or absence in like case (declinationis sive absentiae in proximo), and contains instances which re- spectively correspond to those of the first table, but in which, notwithstanding this correspondence, the given nature is absent. The third is the table of degrees or comparison (tabula graduum sive tabula comparativse), in which the instances of the given nature are aiTanged according to the degree in which it is manifested in each. It is easy to see the connexion between these ta- bles, which are collectively called tables of appearance, " comparentise," and the criterium. For, let any in- stance in which the gi^'en nature is present (as the sun in the case of heat, or froth in the case of whiteness) be resolved into the natures by the aggregation of which our idea of it is constituted ; one of these na- tures is necessarily the form nature, since this is always to be present when the given nature is. Similarly, the second table corresponds to the condition that the Form and the given nature are to be absent together, and the third to that of their increasing or decreasing together. After the formation of these tables, how is the pro- cess of induction to be carried into effect ? By a method of exclusion. This method is the essential point of the whole matter, and it will be well to show how much importance Bacon attached to it. In the first place, wherever he speaks of ordinary induction and of his own method he always remarks that the former proceeds " per enumerationem sim- 80 GENERAL PREFACE TO plicem," that is, by a mere enumeration of particular cases, while the latter makes use of exclusions and rejections. This is the fundamental character of his method, and it is from this that the circumstances which distinguish it from ordinary induction neces- sarily follow. Moreover we are told that whatever may be the privileges of higher intelligences, man can only in one way advance to a knowledge of Forms : he is absolutely obliged to proceed at first by negatives, and then only can arrive at an affirmative when the process of exclusion has been completed (post omnim- odam exclusionem).^ The same doctrine is taught in the exposition of the fable of Cupid. For according to some of the mythographi Cupid comes forth fi-om an egg whereon Night had brooded. Now Cupid is the type of the primal nature of things ; and what is said of the egg hatched by Night refers, Bacon affirms, most aptly to the demonstrations whereby our knowledge of him is obtained ; for knowledge obtained by exclusions and negatives results, so to speak, from darkness and from night. We see, I think, from this allegorical fancy, as clearly as fi-om any single passage in his writings, how firmly fixed in his mind was the idea of the importance, or rather of the necessity, of using a method of exclusion. It is not difficult, on Bacon's fundamental hypoth- esis, to perceive why this method is of paramount im- portance. For assuming that each instance in which the given nature is presented to us can be resolved into (and mentally replaced by) a congeries of elementary natures, and that this analysis is not merely subjective or logical, but deals, so to speak, with the very essence 1 Nov. Org. ii. 15. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 81 of its subject-matter, it follows that to determine the form nature among the aggregate of simple natures which we thus obtain, nothing more is requisite than the rejection of all foreign and unessential elements. We reject every nature which is not present in every affirmative instance, or which is present in any nega- tive one, or which manifests itself in a greater degree when the given nature manifests itself in a less, or vice versa. And this process when carried far enough will of necessity lead us to the truth ; and meanwhile every step we take is known to be an approximation towards it. Ordinary induction is a tentative process, because we chase our quarry over an open country ; here it is confined within definite limits, and these limits become as we advance continually narrower and narrower. From the point of view at which we have now ar- rived, we perceive why Bacon ascribed to his method the characters by which, as we have seen, he conceived that it was distinguished fi-om any which had previ- ously been proposed. When the process of exclusion has been completely performed, only the form nature will remain ; it will be, so to speak, the sole survivor of all the natures combined with which the given na- ture was at first presented to us. There can therefore be no doubt as to our result, nor any possibility of con- founding the Form with any other of these natures. This is what Bacon expresses, when he says that the first part of the true inductive process is the exclusion of every nature which is not found in each instance where the given one is present, or is found where it is not present, or is found to increase where the given nature decreases, or vice vers§,. And then, he goes 82 GENERAL PREFACE TO Oil to say, when this exclusion has been duly pe]> formed, there will in the second part of the process remain, as at the bottom, all mere opinions having been dissipated (abeuntibus in fumum opinionibus vola- tilibus), the affirmative Form, which will be solid and true and well defined.^ The exclusion of error will necessarily lead to truth. Again, this method of exclusion requires only an attentive consideration of each " instantia," in order first to analyse it into its simple natures, and secondly to see which of the latter are to be excluded — pro- cesses which require no higher faculties than ordinary acuteness and patient diligence. There is clearly no room in this mechanical procedure for the display of subtlety or of inventive genius. Bacon's method therefore leads to certainty, and may be employed with nearly equal success by all men who are equally diligent. In considering the only example which we have of its practical operation, namely the investigation of the form of heat,^ it is well to remark a circumstance which tends to conceal its real nature. After the three tables of Comparentia, Bacon proceeds to the Exclusiva, and concludes by saying that the process of exclusion can- not at the outset (sub initiis) be perfectly performed. He therefore proposes to go on to provide additional assistance for the mind of man. These are manifestly to be subsidiary to the method of exclusions ; they are to remove the obstacles which make the Exclusiva de- fective and inconclusive. But in the meanwhile, and as it were provisionally, the intellect may be permitted to attempt an affirmative determination on the subject 1 Nov. Org. ii. 16. 2 Nov. Org. ii. 11—20. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 83 before it : " Quod genus tentamenti Permissionem Intellectus, sive Interpretationem inchoatam, sive Vin- demiationem primam, appellare consuevimus." The phrase Permissio Intellectus sufficiently indicates that in this process the mind is siifFered to follow the course most natural to it ; it is relieved from the restraints hitherto imposed on it, and reverts to its usual state. In this Vindemiatio we accordingly find no reference to the method of exclusion : it rests immediately on the tlu-ee tables of Couiparentia ; and though of course it does not contradict the results of the Exclusiva, yet on the other hand it is not derived from them. If we lose sight of the real nature of this part of the investigation, which is merely introduced by the way " because truth is more easily extricated from error than from confu- sion," we also lose sight of the scope and purport of the whole method. All that Bacon proposes henceforth to do is to perfect the Exclusiva ; the Vindemiatio prima, though it is the closing member of the example which Bacon makes use of, is not to be taken as the type of the final conclusion of any investigation which he would recognise as just and legitimate. It is only a parenthesis in the general method, whereas the Ex- clusiva, given in the eighteenth aphorism of the second book, is a type or paradigm of the process on which every true induction (inductio vera) must in all cases depend. It may be well to remark that in this example of the process of exclusion, the table of degrees is not made use of. Bacon, as we have seen, admits that the Exclusiva must at first be in some measure imperfect ; for the Exclusiva, being the rejection of simple natures, cannot 84 GENERAL PKEFACE TO be satisfactory unless our notions of these natures are just and accurate, whereas some of those which occur in his example of the process of rejection are ill-defined and vague.i In order to the completion of his method, it is necessary to remove this defect. A subsidiary method is required, of which the object is the formation of scientific conceptions. To this method also Bacon gives the name of induction ; and it is remarkable that induction is mentioned for the first time in the Novum Organum in a passage which relates not to axioms but to conceptions.'^ Bacon's induction therefore is not a mere hrayuyy-rj, it is also a method of definition ; but of the manner in which systematic induction is to be employed in the formation of conceptions we learn nothing from any part of his writings. And by this circumstance our knowledge of his method is rendered imperfect and unsatisfactory. We may perhaps be per- mitted to believe that so far as relates to the subject of which we are now speaking. Bacon never, even in idea, completed the method which he proposed. For of all parts of the process of scientific discovery, the for- mation of conceptions is the one with respect to which it is the most difficult to lay down general rules. The process of establishing axioms Bacon had succeeded, at least apparently, in reducing to the semblance of a mechanical operation ; that of the formation of concep- tions does not admit of any similar reduction. Yet these two processes are in Bacon's system of co-or- dinate importance. All commonly received general scientific conceptions Bacon condemns as utterly worth- 1 Nov. Org. ii. 19.; and compare i. 15., which shows the necessity of a complete reform. 2 Nov. Org. i. 14., and comp. i. 18. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 85 less.^ A complete change is, therefore, required ; yet of the way in which induction is to be employed in order to produce this change he has said nothing. This omission is doubtless connected with the kind of realism which runs through Bacon's system, and which renders it practically useless. For that his method is impracticable cannot I think be denied, if we reflect not only that it never has produced any re- sult, but also that the process by which scientific truths have been established csannot be so presented as even to appear to be in accordance with it. In all cases this process involves an element to which nothing cor- responds in the tables of comparence and exclusion ; namely the application to the facts of observation of a principle of arrangement, an idea, existing in the mind of the discoverer antecedently to the act of induction. It may be said that this idea is precisely one of the naturae into which the facts of observation ought in Bacon's system to be analysed. And this is in one sense true ; but it must be added that this analysis, if it be thought right so to call it, is of the essence of the discovery which results from it. To take for granted that it has already been effected is simply a petitio prin- cipii. In most cases the mere act of induction follows as a matter of course as soon as the appropriate idea has been introduced. If, for instance, we resolve Kep- ler's discovery that Mars moves in an ellipse into its constituent elements, we perceive that the whole diffi- culty is antecedent to the act of induction. It con- sists in bringing the idea of motion in an ellipse into connexion with the facts of observation ; that is, in showing that an ellipse may be drawn through all the 1 Nov. Org. i. 16, 16. ;86 GENERAL PREFACE TO observed places of the planet. The mere act of induc- tion, the iirayuiyri, is perfectly obvious. If all the ob- served places lie on an ellipse of which the sun is the focus, then every position which the planet successively occupies does so too. This inference, which is so ob- vious that it must have passed through the mind of the discoverer almost unconsciously, is an instance of in- duction " per enumerationem simplicem ; " of which kind of induction Bacon, as we have seen, has said that it is utterly vicious and incompetent. The word realism may perhaps require some ex- planation. I mean by it the opinion, which Bacon undoubtedly entertained, that for the purposes of in- vestigation, the objects of our thoughts may be re- garded as an assemblage of abstract conceptions, so that these conceptions not only correspond to realities, which is of course necessary in order to their having any value, but may also be said adequately to represent them. In his view of the subject, ideas or conceptions (notiones) reside in some sort in the objects from which we derive them ; and it is necessaiy, in order that the work of induction may be successfully accomplished, that the process by which they are derived should be carefully and systematically j)erformed. But he had not perceived that which now at least can scarcely be doubted of, that the progress of science continually re- quires the formation of new conceptions whereby new principles of arrangement are introduced among the results which had previously been obtained, and that from the necessary imperfection of human knowledge our conceptions never, so to speak, exhaust the essence of the realities by which they are suggested. The notion of an alphabet of the universe, of which Bacon THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 87 has spoken more than once, must therefore be given up ; it could at best be only an alphabet of the present state of knowledge. And similarly of the analysis into abstract natures on which the proctess of exclusion, as we have seen, depends. No such analysis can be used in the manner which Bacon prescribes to us ; for every advance in knowledge presupposes the introduction of a new conception, by which the previously existing analysis is rendered incomplete, and therefore erroneous. We have now, I think, succeeded in tracing the cause both of the peculiarities of Bacon's method, and of its practical inutility. Some additional information may be derived from an examination of the variations with which it is presented in different parts of his writ- ings ; — less however than if we could arrange his smaller works in chronological order. Nevertheless two results, not without their value, may be thus ob- tained ; the one, that it appears probable that Bacon came gradually to see more of the difficulties which beset the practical application of his method ; and the other, that the doctrine of Forms is in reality an ex- traneous part of his philosophy. (10.) In the earliest work in which the new method of induction is proposed, namely, the English tract en- titled Valerius Terminus, no mention is made of the necessity of correcting commonly received notions of simple natures. The inductive method is therefore presented in its simplest form, unembarrassed with that which constitutes its principal difficulty. But when we advance from Valerius Terminus to the Partis secundoe Delineatio et Argumentum, which is clearly of a later date, we find that Bacon has become aware of the necessity of having some scientific method for the 88 OENKUAl. rKKl-ACK TO due ooiistviR-tion of absti'iu-t com-options. It is thoro Siud that the "pai-s informaus," tl\at is, the dosiTiptions of the now metiu>d, will bo divided into tluvo parts — the ministration to tho sonsos, tho niinistit\tion to tl\o inomorv, and tlxo ministration to tho reason. In tho tii-st of thoso, tliroo tilings aro to bo tanglit ; ami of those tliroo tho firet is how to oonstruot and elicit from facts a dniy formed abstract conception (^bona notio) ; the six"- ond is how tho sonsos may be assisted : and tho third, how to tbrm a satisfactory ooUoction of facts. Ho tlien proposes to go on to the other two ministrations. Thus the construction of conceptions would have formed the fii-st part of the tlion designed Xorum ()/•- ifixniim : and it would seem that this arrangement \tos not followed when the Xoviim Ort/aiium was actually written, because in tlie nioantinic Bacon had soon that tliis part of the work involved greater ditHculties than he had at tirst supposed. For the general di\ isiou into " ministi-ationos " is preserved in tho XocHin Orflaiiinii,^ tliough it has tJiore become less prominent than in tJie tiiict of which we have boon speaking. In the minis- tration to tho senses, as it is mentioned in the later work, nothing is expressly iu^•ludod but a good and sufficient natural and oxporiuiontal historia ; the theory of the formation of conceptions has altogether disap- peared, and both this ministration and that to the niomory lu'o postponed to tho last of tho throe, which contains tho theory of the inductive process itself. Wo must set out, Bacon says, from the conclnsiou, and proceed in a retrograde order to tho other parts of the subjct't. Ho now scents to have pcrccixed that tho theory of the limnation of conceptions and that 1 Niiv. Ovg. ii. 10. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 89 of the establishment of axioms are so intertwined to- gether, that the one cannot be presented independently of the other, although in practice his method abso- lutely requires these two processes to be carried on separately. His view now is, that at first axioms must be established by means of the commonly received conceptions, and that subsequently these conceptions must themselves be rectified bj- means of the ulterior aids to the mind, the fortiora auxilia in usum intellectus, of which he has spoken in the nineteenth aphorism of the second book. But these fortiora auxilia were never given, so that the difficulty which Bacon had once pi'o- posed to overcome at the outset of his undertaking remained to the last unconquered. The doctrine of the Novum Organum (that we must first employ com- monly received notions, and afterwards correct them) is expressly laid down in the De Interpretatione Natures Sententke Diwdecim} Of this however the date is uncertain. It is clear that while any uncertainty remains as to the value of the conceptions (notiones) employed in the process of exclusion, the claim to absolute immu- nity from error which Bacon has made on behalf of his general method, must be more or less modified; and of this he seems to have been aware when he wrote the second book of the Novum Organum? (11.) Thus much of the theory of the formation of conceptions. With regard to the doctrine of Forms, it is in the first place to be observed that it is not men- tioned as a part of Bacon's system, either in Valerius Terminus or in the Partis secundce Delineatio, or in the Be Interpretatione Naturce Scntentice Duodecim, although 1 Vide 5 viii. of this tract. ^ Nov. Org^, ii- 19. 90 GENERAL PREFACE TO in the two last-named tracts the definition of science which is found at the outset of the second book of the Novum Organwm is in substance repeated. This defi- nition, as we have seen, makes the discovery of Forms the aim and end of science ; but in both cases the word form is replaced by causes. It is however to be ad- mitted that in the Advancement of Learning, published in 1605, Forms are spoken of as one of the subjects of Metaphysique. Their not being mentioned except ex obliquo in Valerius Terminus is more remarkable, be- cause Bacon has there given a distinct name to the process which he afterwards called the discovery of the Form. He calls it the freeing of a direction, and re- marks that it is not much other matter than that which in the received philosophies is termed the Form or formal cause. Forms are thus mentioned historically, but in the dogmatic statement of his own view they are not introduced at all.^ The essential character of Bacon's philosophy, name- ly the analysis of the concrete into the abstract, is nowhere more prominent than in Valerius Terminus. It is there said " that every particular that worketh any effect is a thing compounded more or less of di- verse single natures, moi-e manifest and more obscure, and that it appeareth not to whether (which) of the natures the effect is to be ascribed." ^ Of course the great problem is to decide this question, and the method of solving it is called " the freeing of a direc- tion." In explanation of this name, it is to be ob- served that in Valerius Terminus the practical point 1 1 refer to my preface to Valerius Terminus for an illustration of some of the difficulties of this very obscure tract. 2 Val. Ter. c. 17. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 91 of view predominates. Every instance in which a given nature is produced is regarded as a direction for its artificial production. If air and water are mingled together, as in snow, foam, &c., whiteness is the result. This then is a direction for the production of white- ness, since we have only to mingle air and water to- gether in order to produce it. But whiteness may be produced in other ways, and the direction is therefore not free. We proceed gradually to free it by rejecting, by means of other instances, the circumstances of this which are unessential : a process which is the exact counterpart of the Exclusiva of the Novum Organum. The instance I have given is Bacon's, who developes it at some length. Here then we have Bacon's method treated entirely from a practical point of view. This circumstance is worthy of notice because it serves to explain why Bacon always assumes that the knowledge of Forms would greatly increase our command over nature, that it " would enfranchise the power of man unto the greatest possibility of works and effects." It has been asked what reason Bacon had for this assumption. " Whosoever knoweth any Form," he has said in the Advancement, " knoweth the utmost possibility of su- perinducing that nature upon any variety of nature." Beyond question, the problem of superinducing the nature is reduced to the problem of superinducing the Form ; but what reason have- we for supposing that the one is more easy of solution than the other ? If we knew the Form of malleability, that is, the conditions which the intimate constitution of a body must fulfil in order that it may be malleable, does it follow that we could make glass so? So far as these questions 92 GENERAL PREFACE TO admit of an answer, Valerius Terminus appears to sug- gest it. Bacon connected the doctrine of Forms with practical operations, because this doctrine, so to speak, represented to him his original notion of the freeing of a direction, which, as the phrase itself implies, had alto- gether a practical significance. Even in the Novum Organum the definition of the Form is made to correspond with the prseceptum ope- randi, or practical direction.^ The latter is to be " cer- tum, liberum, et disponens sive in ordine ad actionem." Now a direction to produce the Form as a means of producing the given nature is certain, because the pres- ence of the Form necessarily determines that of the nature. It is free, because it requires only that to be done which is necessary, since the nature can never be present unless its Form is so too. Thus far the agree- ment between the practical and the scientific view is satisfactory. But to the third property which the practical direction is to possess, namely its being in ordine ad actionem, or such as to facilitate the pro- duction of the proposed result, corresponds the condi- tion that the Form is to be " the limitation of a more general nature ; " that is to say, the Form presents it- self as a limitation of something more general than the given nature, and as determining, not merely logically but also causatively, the existence of the latter. At this point the divergence between the practical and the scientific view becomes manifest; practical operations do not, generally speaking, present to us anything anal- ogous to the limitation here spoken of, and there is no reason to suppose that it is easier to see how this limi- 1 Nov. Org. ii. 4., which is the best comment on the dictum, Knowledge is power. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 93 tation is to be introduced than to see how the orieinal a problem, the i^ apx^^ irfioKiL/ievov, may be solved. But this divergence seems to show that the two views are in their oi-igin heterogeneous ; that the one contains the fundamental idea of Bacon's method, while the other represents the historical element of his philosophy. We shall however hereafter have occasion to suggest con- siderations which may seem to modify this conclusion. (12.) In a survey of Bacon's method it is not ne- cessary to say much of the doctrine of prerogative instances, though it occupies the greater part of the second book of the Novum Organum. It belongs to the unfinished part of that work ; at least it is prob- able that its practical utility would have been explained when Bacon came to speak of the Adminicula Induc- tionis. Twenty-seven kinds of instances are enumerated, which are said to excel ordinary instances either in their practical or their theoretical usefulness. To the word instance Bacon gives a wide range of signification. It corresponds more nearly to observation than to any other which is used in modern scientific language. Of some classes of these instances collections are to be made for their own sake, and independently of any investigation into particular natures. Such, for in- stance, are the instantise conformes ; Bacon's exam- ples of which are mostly taken from comparative anatomy. One of them is the analogy between the fins of fishes, the feet of quadrupeds, and the feet and wings of birds ; another, the analogy of the beak of birds and the teeth of other animals, &c.^ 1 Not. Org. ii. 27. It does not seem that Bacon added much to what he found in Aristotle on the subject of these analogies. 94 (iKNKUAl, I'liK.K.UlK TO 'riic (illiiM- cliissrs cii' priTooiitivt' inslniici'M liiivo os- |K'cliil rornviici' Id iiiii'liculni- invoHtio-iilitin, iuid mh^ to he colli'cli'cl when indiviiliuil liililcs ol' conipiirciico uiv foniu'd. It would si'oin IVoiii lliis tliiit, tlu- tlicory ol' prcrofrn- t.ivc liislMMccs is liid'iidcd lo !j;iiidi^ us iu tlii' roi'uintioii of tlu'sc tiililcs. Hut it is (liHlcult U> sec liow tlii" i-ir- ciunsliuicrs wliicli ^ivc any lusliuu'ii ils jircrnnntivd could iiavo ln'cu ii|ipivi'iMli'd a priori. An iiisliiutia ciMicis,' to tiiki^ llio most ccU'ltrMlcd ol' m11, liiis its dis- tiuo'uisliiufi; cliiiriu'lci- oidy in so liu- us it is vii'wcd with rfl'iTcucc to two couh^ndiuii; iiypollu'si's. In I'onTiing at tho outset of an inquii-y liio appfopriiili' lidilcs, notli- inj;- would liavn l<'d tlio iutcrprclci' to pi'rcoivcf its ])or,u- liar vnluc. Tliis llii'ory, wiiati'vci' may l>o its praclical utility, may su[i))ly us witli new iilusti'iitions ol' tla^ iuiporlauco in Hacoirs uu'lluid of tile process til' exclusions. At tlie liead of tlu^ list — and ])l!iced tliei'e, we may presuuie, from tlie inipoiiiince ol' llie end which they promote — stand the iuslaulia' solilaria', whose jM'ia'off- ative it is to accelerate tlio lOxclusiva.''' These arc instances which exhibit the f;'iven nature in snhjecis which liave ru)lhiu- isfied by this distinction. Bacon has emphatically condemned it. " There is," he affirms, " no such opposition between God's word and his works." Both come from Him who is the father of lights, the foun- tain of all truth, the author of all good ; and both are therefore to be studied with diligence and humility. To those who wish to discourage philosophy in order that ignorance of second causes may lead men to refer all things to the immediate agency of the first. Bacon puts Job's question, " An oportet mentiri pro Deo," — will you offer to the God of truth the unclean sacrifice of a lie ? The religious earnestness of Bacon's writings be- comes more remarkable when we contrast it with the tone of the most illustrious of his contemporaries. Galileo's works are full of insincere deference to au- thority and of an affected disbelief in his own discov- eries. Surely he who loves truth earnestly will be slow to believe that the cause of truth is to be served by irony. But we must not forget the difference be- tween the circumstances in which the two men were placed. Next to his determination of the tme end of natural philosophy and of the relation in which it stands to nat- ural and to revealed theology, we may place among Bacon's merits his clear view of the essential unity of science. He often insists on the importance of this 124 GENEKAL PREFACE TO idea, and has especially commended Plato and Par- menides for affirming "that all things do by scale ascend to unity." The Creator is holy in the multi- tude of his works, holy in their disposition, holy in their unity : it is the prerogative of the doctrine of Forms to approach as nearly as possible towards the unity of Nature, and the subordinate science of Physics ought to contain two divisions relating to the same subject. One of these ought to treat of the first principles which govern all phenomena, and the other of the fabric of the universe.^ All classifi- cations of the sciences ought to be as veins or mark- " ings, and not as sections or divisions ; nor can any object of scientific inquiry be satisfactorily studied apart from the analogies which connect it with other similar objects. But the greatest of all the services which Bacon rendered to natural philosophy was, that he perpetu- ally enforced the necessity of laying aside all pre- conceived opinions and learning to be a follower of Nature. These counsels could not to their full extent be followed, nor has he himself attempted to do so. But they contain a great share of truth, and of truth never more needful than in Bacon's age. Before his time doubtless the authority of Aristotle, or rather that of the scholastic interpretation of his philosophy, was shaken, if not overthrown. Nevertheless the sys- tematising spirit of the schoolmen still survived, and of the reformers of philosophy not a few attempted to substitute a dogmatic system of their own for that from which they dissented. Nor were these attempts unsuccessful. For men 1 The latter is in effect what is now called Kosmos. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 125 still leaned upon authority, and accepted as a test of truth the appearance of completeness and scien- tific consistency. This state of things was one of transition ; and probably no one did more towards putting an end to it than Bacon. To the dealers in systems and to their adherents he opposed the solemn declaration, that they only who come in their own name will be received of men. He constantly exhorted the seeker after truth to seek it in intercourse with Nature, and has repeatedly professed that he was no founder of a sect or school. He condemned the arrogance of those who thought it beneath the dignity of the philosopher to dwell on matters of observation and experiment, and reminded them that the sun " seque palatia et cloacas ingreditur; nee tamen pol- luitur." We do not, he continues, erect or dedicate to human pride a capitol or a pyramid ; we lay the foundations in the mind of man of a holy temple, whereof the exemplar is the universe. Throughout his writings the rejection of systems and authority is coupled with the assertion, that it is beyond all things necessary that the philosopher should be an humble fol- lower of Nature. One of the most remarkable parts of the Novum Organum is the doctrine of Idola. It is an attempt to classify according to their origin the false and ill-defined notions by which the mind is commonly beset. They come, he tells us, from the nature of the human mind in general, from the pecu- Harities of each man's individual mind, from his inter- course with other men, fi-om the formal teaching of the received philosophies. All these must be re- nounced and put away, else no man can enter into the kingdom which is to be founded on the knowl- 126 GENERAL PREFACE TO edge of Nature.^ Of the four kinds of idols Mersenne has spoken in his VSritS des Sciences, published in 1625, as of the four buttresses of the Organum of Verulam. This expression, though certainly inaccu- rate, serves to show the attention which in Bacon's time was paid to his doctrine of idola.^ His rejection of syllogistic reasoning in the proposed process for the establishment of axioms, was not without utility. In the middle ages and at the reform of phi-- losophy the value of the syllogistic method was unduly exalted. Bacon was right in denying that it was possi- ble to establish by a summary process and a priori the first principles of any science, and thence to deduce by syllogism all the propositions which that science could contain ; and though he erred in rejecting deductive reasoning altogether, this error could never have ex- erted any practical influence on the progress of science, while the truth with which it was associated was a truth of which his contemporaries required at least to be reminded. The reason of his error seems to have been that he formed an incorrect idea of the nature of syllogism, regarding it rather as an entirely artificial process than as merely a formal statement of the steps necessarily involved in every act of reasoning. How- ever this may be, it is certain that whenever men attempted to set aside every process for the discovery of truth except induction, they must always have been led to recognise the impossibility of doing so. Lastly, the tone in which Bacon spoke of the future destiny of mankind fitted him to be a leader of the age 1 Nov. Org. i. 68. The word idolon is used by Bacon in antithesis to idea. He does not mean by it an idol or false object of worship. 2 Gomnare Gassendi, Inst. Log. THE PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. 127 in which he lived. It was an age of change and of hope. Men went forth to seek in new-found worlds for the land of gold and for the fountain of youth ; they were told that yet greater wonders lay within their reach. They had burst the bands of old au- thority ; they were told to go forth from the cave where they had dwelt so long, and look on the light of heaven. It was also for the most part an age of faith; and the new philosophy upset no creed, and pulled down no altar. It did not put the notion of human perfectibility in the place of religion, nor de- prive mankind of hopes beyond the grave. On the contrary, it told its followers that the instauration of the sciences was the free gifl; of the God in whom their fethers had trusted — that it was only another proof of the mercy of Him whose mercy is over all his works. PHILOSOPHICAL WORKS. PART I. WORKS PUBLISHEB, OR DESIGNED FOE PUBLICATION, AS PARTS OP THE rNSTATTRATIO MAGNA ; ARRANGED ACCORDING TO THE OKDEB IN WHICH THEY WERE WRITTEN, Consilium est uuiversum opue Instaurationis potius promoyere in multis quam perficere in pancis : hoc perpetuo maximo cum ardore (qmalem Deua mentibus ut plane confidimus addere solet) appetentes ; ut quod adhuc nunquam tentatum sit id ne jam frustra tentetur. — Auctoris Monitum, 1622. NOVUM ORGANUM. NOTE. Mb. Ellis's preface to the Novum Organum was written when he was travelling abroad and had not his books of reference about him. He was at work upon it the night he was taken ill at Men- tone, and was not afterwards able either to finish or to revise it. I have added a page or two at the end, by which the analysis of the first book is completed. Of the second book it was not neces- sary to say anything ; the subject of it being Bacon's method, which has been fully discussed in the General Preface. A few bibliographical inaccuracies of little consequence in themselves I have corrected, either in notes or by the insertion of words within brackets. These were merely oversights, hardly avoidable in the first draft of a work written in such circumstances. But there are also a few opinions expressed incidentally in which I cannot altogether concur, though they hare evidently been adopted de- liberately. With regard to these (Mr. Ellis not being in a con- dition to enter into a discussion of them) I had no course but to explain the grounds of my dissent, and leave evei-y man to decide for himself upon the questions at issue. To avoid inconvenient interruptions however, I have thrown my arguments into an ap- pendix, and contented myself in the foot notes with marking the particular expressions which I hold to be questionable. — /. & PREFACE TO THE NOVUM ORGANUM. BY ROBERT LESLIE ELLIS. The Novum Organum was pubEshed in 1620. Cer- tain prolegomena to the whole of the Instanratio were prefixed to it, namely a Prooemium beginning " Fran- ciscus de Verulamio sic cogitavit," a dedication to King James, a general preface, and an account, entitled Dis- tributio Operis, of the parts of which the Instanratio was to consist. Of these the Novum Organum is the second ; the De Augmentis, which was not then pub- lished, occupying the place of the first. Accordingly in most editions of Bacon's works the prolegomena are prefixed, not to the Novum Organum, but to the De Augmentis; and this is doubtless their natural place. Nevertheless as Bacon's general design was not com- pleted, it seems better to allow them to remain in their original position, especially as in the Prooemium Bacon explains why he publishes one portion of the Instanra- tio apart from the rest. " Decrevit," he there says, speaking of himself, " prima qu»que quae perficere licuit in publicum edere. Neque hffic festinatio am- bitiosa fuit, sed sollicita, ut si quid illi humanitus accid- eret, exstaret tamen designatio qusedam ac destinatio rei quam animo complexus est," &c. After the Prooemium and the dedication we come to 132 PREFACE TO the Prsefatio Generalis, in which Bacon speaks of the unprosperous state of knowledge and of the necessity of a new method ; and then follows the Distributio Operis. The Instauratio is to be divided into six por- tions, of which the first is to contain a general survey of the present state of knowledge. In the second men are to be taught how to use their understanding aright in the investigation of Nature. In the third all the phenomena of the universe are to be stor^^d up as in a treasure-house, as the materials on which the new method is to be employed. In the fourth examples are to be given of its operation and of the results to which it leads. The fifth is to contain what Bacon had ac- complished in natural philosophy without the aid of his own method, but merely " ex eodem intellectus usu quem alii in inquirendo et inveniendo adhibere consue- verunt." It is therefore less important than the rest, and Bacon declares that he will not bind himself to the conclusions it contains. Moreover its value will alto- gether cease when the sixth part can be completed, wherein will be set forth the new philosophy — the result of the application of the new method to all the phenomena of the universe. But to complete this, the last part of the Instauratio, Bacon does not hope : he speaks of it as a thing " et supra vires et ultra spes nostras coUocata." The greater part of the plan traced in the Distri- butio remained unfulfilled. Not to speak of the last division of the Instauratio, no part of Bacon's writings can properly be referred either to the fourth or fifth, except two prefaces which are found among the frag- ments published by Gruter.^ To the fifth division 1 Francisci Baconi de Verulamio Scripta in natural! et universal! Phil- THE NOVUM ORGANDM. 133 however M. Bouillet^ is disposed to refer several of Bacon's philosophical writings ; as, for instance, the tracts entitled Be Fluxu el Befluxu Maris, and Thema Cceli. But though they correspond with the descrip- tion which Bacon gives of the contents of the fifth part of the Instauratio, there is no reason to suppose that they would have been comprised in it. They were written a considerable time before the publication of the Novum Organum ; the Thema Cceli being clearly of the same date as the Bescriptio G-loU intellectualis, written in 1612,^ and the Be Fluxu, et Befluxu Maris being probably written before Bacon had become ac- quainted with Galileo's theory of the tides. This theory was published in 1616 ; and it is reasonable to suppose that Bacon, who speaks of it in the Novum Organum., would have mentioned it in the Be Fluxu, if the latter had not been written either before it was published, or but a short time afterwards.^ These tracts, and the others which M. Bouillet mentions, are clearly occasional writings not belonging to the circuit of the Instauratio. osophia. Amst. 1653. For a particular account of this volume, see my preface to Part III. — J. S. 1 CEuvres Philosophiques de Bacon, publi^es d'apr^s les textes originaux, avec notice, sommaires et ^claircissemens, par M. N- Bouillet. Paris, 1834. -J. S. 2 See the Preface to the Descripiio Ghbi intelUetudb. — J. S. 8 That the De Fluxu was written before the Thema Cceli is almost proved by the allusion to it in the following passage: " Veinim hujusce rei demon- strationes et evidentias in anticipatione nostr^ de fluxu et refluxu maris plene tractavimus." I say almosf proved, because Bacon in writing a piece which was designed to come after another which was not yet written, would sometimes refer to that other as if it were already done. But it is not likely that he should have done so here ; for in any general scheme the Thema Cali would have come before the De Fluxu. In a letter to Bacon, dated 14th April 1619, Tobie Matthew speaks of Galileo's having answered Ba- con's discourse touching the flux and reflux of the sea : but he alludes ap- parently to a discourse of Galileo's on that subject which had never been printed. — J. S. 134 PEEFACE TO To the fourth part have been referred the Eistoria Vmtorum, the Eistoria Vitoe et Mortis, &c. This however is contrary to Bacon's description of them in the dedication to Prince Charles prefixed to the Eistoria Ventorum. They are there spoken of as the "primitias Historise nostrfe naturalis." Even the general title with which the Eistoria Ventorum and the titles of five other Historise were published, shows that they belong not to the fourth but to the third part of the Instauratio. It is as follows : — Eistoria Nab- uralis ad eondendam Philosophiam, dve PJuBrwrmna Universi, quce est Instaurationis Magnce pars tertia. It is moreover manifest that as the fourth part was to contain applications to certain subjects of Bacon's method of induction, these treatises, in which the method is nowhere employed, cannot belong to it. M. Bouillet, though he justly dissents from Shaw's^ arrangement, by whom they are referred to the fom'th part, nevertheless commits an error of the same kind by introducing into this division of the Instauratio a fragment on Motion, published by Gruter with the title Filwm LahyrintJii, sive Inquisitio legitima de Motu. This fragment, which is doubtless anterior to the Novum Organum, contains many thoughts and expressions which are found more perfectly developed either in the Novum Organwn itself, or in the Dis- tributio Operis. It is not to be supposed that Bacon, after thus expressing himself in the Distributio — " Neque enim hoc siverit Deus ut phantasise nostrse somnium pro exemplari mundi edamus ; sed potius 1 The Philosophical "Worlts of Francis Bacon, Baron of Verulam, &c.; methodised and made English from the Originals, by Peter Shaw, M.D. London, 1733. — X S. THE NOVUM OEGANUM. 135 benigne faveat ut apocalypsim ac veram visionem vestigiorum et sigillorum Creatoris super creaturas scribamus " — would have repeated this remarkable sentence with scarcely anj alteration in another part of the Instauratio ; ^ nor that he would have repeated in a somewhat less finished form the whole substance of the hundred and twenty-fifth aphorism of the first book of the Novum Organum. Yet we must admit this improbable supposition, if we decide on giving to the Inquisitio legitima the place which M. Bouillet has assigned to it. The truth is, that many of Ba- con's shorter tracts preserved by Gruter and others are merely, so to speak, experimental fragments, of which the substance is embodied in his more finished writings. Of the fourth and fifth parts of the Instauratio nothing, as I have already remarked, has been pre- served except the prefaces, if indeed any other por- tion of them ever existed. But of the third, though it is altogether incomplete, we have nevertheless large fi"agments. Two years after the publication of the Novum Organum Bacon published the Historia Natu- ralis ad condendam PMbsopMam, which has been al- 1 I doubt whether this argument can be safely relied upon. Among the works which were certainly meant to stand as part of the Instauratio sev- eral remarkable passages occur twice and more than twice. But there are other grounds for concluding that the Inquisitio de Mofu was written soon after the Cogiiata et Visa (1607). In the Commentariiis solutus, a kind of diaiy which will be printed among the Occasional Works, I find the fol- lowing entry under the date July 26. 1608 : — " The finishing the 3 tables De Motu, De Cahre et Frigore, De Sorto." After which follow (July 27.) several pages of notes for an Inquisitio legitima de Motu. It would seem that this Inquisitio was designed originally to be the example in which the new method was to be set forth (see last section of Cogltrdn et Visa), but that the Ivquisitio de Cahre et Frigore was afterwards preferred; probably as more manageable. — J. S. 136 PREFACE TO ready mentioned. In this however only the Mistona Ventorum is contained in extenso ; and of the five other Historise of which Bacon speaks in the dedica- tion, and of which he proposed to pubhsh one every, month, only two are now in existence, namely the Historia Vitce et Mortis, published in 1623, and the Eistoria Densi et Rari which is contained in Rawley's Opuscula varia posthuma, published in 1658. Of the other three, namely the Historic Gravis et Levis, Sym- pathioR et Antipathice Rerum, and Sulphuris Mercurii et Salis, we have only the prefaces, which were published in the same volume as the Historia Ventorum. These Historise, and the Sylva Sylvaram, published soon after Bacon's death by Rawley, are the only works which we are entitled to refer to the third part of the Instauratio. With respect to the former we have the authority of Bacon's own title page and dedication ; and Rawley's dedication of the latter to King Charles shows that it is included under the general designation of Historia Naturalis ad conden- dam PMlosophiam} Other tracts however, of more or less importance, have been placed in the third part of the Instauratio, as for instance a fragment, published by Rawley in 1658, entitled Historia et Inquisitio prima de Sono et Auditu et de Formd Soni et latente processu Sard, sive Sylva Soni Auditus. But the substance of this frag- ment occurs also in the Sylva Sylvarum, and therefore 1 " The whole body of the Natural History, either designed or written by the late lord Viscount St. Albans, was dedicated to Your Majesty, in the book De Ventis, about four years past, when Your Majesty was prince, so as there needed no new dedication of this work, but only in all humble- ness to let Your Majesty know that is yours." — Dedication to the King of the Sylva Sylvarum. THE NOVUM ORGAJifUM. 137 it cannot have been Bacon's intention to publish both as portions of his Sistoria Naturalis. It is probable that the Sistoria de Sono et Auditu was originally written as a portion of the general scheme of natural history 1 which was to form the third part of the Instauratio ; but it is certainly superseded by the Sylva Syharum, and is therefore not entitled to the position which has generally been assigned to it. So, too, the Ristorice Naturalis ad condendam Philosophiam Proefatio destinata,^ published by Gruter, is clearly irreconcilable with the plan laid down in the dedica- tion to Prince Charles of the Sistoria Naturalis. For Bacon's intention when he wrote the preface which Gruter has published was plainly to commence his Natural Sistory by treating of density and rarity, and not of the natural history of the winds. Subse- quently he changed his plan ; and the first published portion of the third part of the Instauratio is, as we have seen, the Sistona Ventorum. But this change of plan plainly shows that he had determined to cancel the fragment preserved by Gruter. "When- ever what an author publishes or prepares for publi- cation supersedes or contradicts unpublished and un- finished papers, these ought beyond all question to be set aside, and if published at all to be published ^ It was probably the table Be Sono referred to in the CommentaHus solutus, July 26. 1608 (see note 1. p. 135.), and designed, like the tables De Motu and De Galore et Frigore, for an example of the new method. — J.S. 2 See Bouillet, vol. ii. p. 264. The preface in question is the introduc- tion to the Tabula Exporreclionis et Expansvmis Materia, a rudiment of the Eistoria Densi et Mari. It was published by Gruter, before the Hi&- ioria Densi et Rari appeared, among the Impetus Philosqphici; with the title, PJuen&meTia Universi ; sive Bistaria Naturalis ad condendam Philoso- phiam. Prafatto. M. Bouillet gives the preface only. The whole tract as given by Gruter will be found in Part III. of this edition. — J. S. 138 PREFACE TO apart from his other writings. Against some of the other fragments included in the third part of the Instauratio there is no such direct evidence as there is against those of which we have been speaking ; but it only gives rise to needless confusion to mix up with what we know it was Bacon's intention to publish as portions of his Historia Naturalis, loose fragments touching which we have no information whatever. From what has been said it is manifest that what we possess of the third part of the Instauratio is merely a fragment — for the Sylva Sylvarum, a mis- cellaneous collection of observations gathered for the most part out of books, nowise completes Bacon's general design. In truth it is a design which cannot be completed, there being no limit to the number of the " Phaenomena universi " which are potentially if not actually cognisable ; and it is to be observed that even if all the facts actually known at any instant could be collected and systematised (and even this is plainly impossible), yet still Bacon's aim would not be attained. For these facts alone would be insuffi- cient as materials for the sixth part of the Instauratio, in which was to be contained all the knowledge of Na- ture man is capable of. Every day brings new facts to light not less entitled than those previously known to find a place in a complete description of the phe- nomena of the universe.^ From many places in Ba- 1 This would be true, I think, of all new facts which were not obviously reconcilable with laws previously known. But is it not conceivable that so complete a knowledge might be attained of the laws of Nature, that it could not be increased or affected by the discovery of auy new y*aci in Nature? If we had as complete a knowledge of other laws of Nature as we have of gravitation, for instance, new fact« would still come to light, but with re- spect to the laws themselves they would all say the same tiling, and there- THE NOVUM dRGANUM. 139 con's writings it appears, as I have elsewhere re- marked, that he had formed no adequate conception of the extent and variety of Nature. In a letter to R. P. Baranzan, who had apparently remarked by way of objection to Bacon's scheme of philosophy that a complete natural history would be a work of great extent and labour, Bacon observes that it would perhaps be sixfold as voluminous as that of Pliny. We have here therefore a sort of estimate of the limits which, in his judgment, the third part of the Instauratio would not exceed. What now exists of it is perhaps one twentieth in magnitude of this estimate. Even the second part of the Instauratio, the Novum Organum itself, is incomplete. The second book con- cludes with the doctrine of prerogative instances. But in its twenty-first aphorism a number of subjects are mentioned of which this doctrine is the first, the last being the " Scala ascensoria et descensoria axiom- atum." Neither this, nor any of these subjects after the first, except the last but one, is anywhere discussed in Bacon's writings ; and our knowledge of his method is therefore incomplete. Even the penultimate divis- ion of the Novum Organum, which was published along with the first two books, and which treats " de par- ascevis ad inquisitionem," has all the appearance of being a fragment, or at least of being less developed than Bacon had intended it to be. fore bring no new knowledge. Every new application of mechanical power contains some new fact more or less connected with gravitation ; yet unless a machine can be made which shall produce results not only new (i. e. such as had never been produced before) but inexplicable by the received theory of gravitation, are we not entitled to say that we know all that can be known about gravitation ? — J. S. 140 PREFACE TO The first part of the Instatiratio is represented, not inadequately, by the Be Augmentis, published about three years after the Distributio Operis and the Novum Organum. It is a translation with large additions of the Advancement of Learning, published in 1605 ; and if we regard the latter as a development of the ninth chapter of Valerius Terminus, which is an early frag- ment containing the germ of the whole of the Instau- ratio,^ the Be Augmentis wil] appear to belong naturally to the p-reat work of which it now forms the first and only complete portion. In the preface prefixed to it by Rawley it is said that Bacon, finding " the part relat- ing to the Partitions of the Sciences already executed, though less solidly than the dignity of the argument demanded, . . . thought the best thing he could do would be to go over again what he had written, and to bring it to the state of a satisfactory and completed work. And in this way he considers that he fulfils the promise which he has given respecting the first part of the Instauration." ^ From this general view of the different parts of the Instauratio, as described in the Distributio Operis, we proceed to consider more particularly the Novum Or- ganum. Although it was left incomplete, it is never- theless of all Bacon's works that upon which he be- stowed the most pains. In the first book especially every word seems to have been carefully weighed ; and 1 I should rather say, the germ of all that part of the Instauratio which treated of the Interpretation of Nature. For I cannot find in the Valerius Terminus any traces of the Jirsi part, of which the Advancement of Learn- ing was the germ. See Note A. at the end. — J. S. 2 My own reasons for thinking that the De Augmentis did net form part of the original design, together with the circumstances which, as I suppose, determined Bacon to enlarge that design so as to take it in, will be explained in the preface to the De Augmentis. — J. S. THE NOVUM ORGANUM. 141 it would be hard to omit or to change anything without injuring the meaning which Bacon intended to convey. His meaning is not always obvious, but it is always ex- pressed with singular precision and felicity. His chap- lain, Rawley, says that he had seen among his papers at least twelve yearly revisions of the Novum Orgcb- num?- Assuming, which there is no reason to doubt, that this statement may be relied upon, it would seem to follow that the composition of the Novum Organum commenced in 1608. And this agrees tolerably well with the circumstance that the Cogitata et Visa was sent to Bodley in 1607, as we learn from the date of Bodley's reply to it. K we suppose that the tract pub- lished with this title by Gruter is the same as that which was sent to Bodley, a passage near the end acquires a significance which has not I think been remarked. In the Cogitata et Visa Bacon speaks of the considerations whereby he had been led to perceive the necessity of a reform in philosophy, and goes on to say that the ques- tion as to how his new method might be most fitly given to the world had been much in his thoughts. " Atque diu," he proceeds, "et acriter rem cogitanti et perpen- denti ante omnia visum est ei tabulas inveniendi, sive legitimse inquisitionis formulas ... in aliquibus subjectis 1 " Ipse reperi m archivis Dominationis suae a utographa plusminiis du- odecim Organi nom, de anno in annum elaborati et ad incudem revocati ; et singulis annis ulteriore lima subinde politi et castigati." In the preceding sentence, he calls it " multorum annorum et laboris improbi proles." — Auc- toris Vita, prefixed to the Ojmseula varia posthuma, 1658. In the English Life prefixed to the Sesuscitatio, which was published the year before, he says " I myself have seen at the least twelve copies of the Instauration ; re- vised year by year, one after another; and every year altered and amended in the" frame thereof." I doubt whether we can fairly infer from these ex- pressions that these twelve several copies were made in twelve several years; but substantially they bear out the inference drawn from them. -J.S. 142 PEEFACE TO proponi tanquam ad exemplum et operis descriptionem fere visibilem.' . . . Visum est autem, nimis abruptuin esse ut a tabulis ipsis docendi initium sumatur. Itaque idonea qusedam prsefari oportuisse, quod et jam se fecisse arbitratur." It was Bacon's intention therefore when he wrote the Cogitata et Visa, and when apparently some years later ^ he communicated it to Bodley, to publish an example of the application of his method to some particular subject — ap intention which remained unfulfilled until the publication of the Novum Orga- num. We may therefore conjecture that it was about this time that Bacon addressed himself to the great work of composing the Novum Organum;^ and this agrees with what Rawley says of its having been twelve years in hand. This view also explains why the whole 1 In the Commeniarius solutus, under date July 26, 1608, 1 find the follow- ing memorandum: — " Seeing and trying whether the B. of Canterb. may not be affected in it, being single and glorious, and believing the sense. " Not desisting to draw in the Bp. Awnd. [Bishop Andrews, probably] being single, rich, sickly, and professor to some experiments : this after the table of motion or some other in part set in forwardness,^^ Some other memoranda in the same place relate to the gaining of phy- sicians^ and learning from them experiments of surgery and physic ; which explains the epithet " sickly " in the above extract. — J. S. 2 Bodley's answer is dated Feb. 19. 1607 ; i. e. 1607-8 ; in which he says, " I must tell you, to be plain, that you have very much -wronged yourself and the world, to smother such a treasure so long in your coffer." But I do not think we can infer from this that the Cogitata et Visa had been written " some years " before. Bodley may only allude to his having kept such thoughts so long to himself. — J. S. s In the Commentarius soluius, under date July 26. 1608, 1 find the fol- lowing memorandum : — " The finishing the Aphorisms, Clavis interpreia- iionis, and then setting forth the book," and in the same page, a little after, " Imparting my Cogitaiaei Visa, with choice, utvidebitur." The aphorisms here spoken of may have been the " Aphorismi et Consilia de auxiliis mentis et accensione luminis naturalis ; " a fragment containing the substance of the first, second, and third aphorisms of the first book of the Novum Organnm, and the first, third, and sixteenth of the second. Clavis interpretalimis was probably the name which was afterwards exchanged for Novum Or- ganum. — J. S. THE NOVUM ORGANUM. 143 substance of the Cogitata et Visa is reproduced in the first book of the Novum Organum ; for this tract was designed to be an introduction to a particular example of the new method of induction, such as that which we find near the beginning of the second book. Bacon's purpose in writing it was therefore the same as that which he had in view in the first book of the Novum Organum, — namely to procure a favourable reception for an example and illustration of his method. What has been said may be in some measure confirmed by comparing the Cogitata et Visa with an earlier tract, — namely the Partis secundce Delineatio et Argumentum, When he wrote this tract Bacon did not propose to set forth his method merely by means of an example ; on the contrary, the three ministrations to the sense, to the memory, and to the reason, of which the last is the new method of induction, were to be set forth in order and didactically. Whereas in the Novum Organum Bacon remarks, " incipiendum est a fine " (that is, the method of induction must be set forth before the method of collecting facts and that of arranging them so as best to assist the memory) ; and having said this, he goes on at once to his example, — namely, the investigation of the Form of heat. Thus it appears that after Bacon had not only decided on writing a great work on the reform of philosophy, but had also determined on divid- ing it into parts of which the second was to contain the exposition of his new method, he in some measure changed his plan, and resolved to set forth the essential and operative part of his system chiefly by means of an example. This change of plan appears to be marked by the Oogitata et Visa, — a circumstance which makes this tract one of the most interesting of the precursors of the Novum Organum. 144 PREFACE TO That the Partis seeundce Delineatio is earlier than the Cogitata et Visa appears plainly from several con- siderations which M. Bouillet, who expresses a contrary- opinion, seems to have overlooked. In the iirst place, whole sentences and even paragraphs of the Cogitata et Visa are reproduced with scarcely any alteration in the Novum Organuni ; whereas this is by no means the case with any passage of the Partis seeundce Delineatio. But as it may be said that this difference arises from the different character of the two tracts, of which the one is simply a summary of a larger work, whereas the more developed style of the other resembles that of the No- vum Organum, it may be well to compare them some- what in detail. In speaking of the prospects which the reform of philosophy was to open to mankind. Bacon thus ex- presses himself in the Novum Organum : — "Quinetiam prudentia civilis ad consilium vocanda est et adhibenda, quae ex prsescripto diffidit, et de rebus humanis in dete- rius conjicit." The corresponding sentence in the Oog- itata et Visa is, " Consentaneum enim esse, prudentiam civilem in hac parte adhibere, quse ex prsescripto diffidit et de humanis in deterius conjicit." Again, in the Partis seeundce Delineatio the same idea is thus ex- pressed, " Si quis sobrius (ut sibi videri possit), et civi- lis prudentise diffidentiam ad hsec transferens, existimet haec quEe dicimus votis similia videri," &c. Here the somewhat obscure phrase " civilis prudentise diffiden- tiam " is clearly the germ of that by which it is re- placed in the other two passages, namely, " prudentia civilis quae ex prsescripto diffidit." Again, in the Partis seeundce Delineatio Bacon affirms that ordinary induc- tion " puerile quiddam est et precario concludit, peric- THE NOVUM ORGANDM. 145 ulo ab instanti^ contradictoriS exposita : " in the Qoqi- tata et Visa, that the logicians have devised a form of induction " admodum simphcem et plane puerilem, quse per enumerationem tantum procedat, atqne propterea precario non necessario concludat." The clause " quse per enumerationem tantum procedat," which adds greatly to the distinctness of the whole sentence, is retained in the Distributio Operis, in which it is said that the induction of the logicians, " qufe procedit per enumerationem simplicem, puerile quiddam est, preca- rio concludit, et periculo ab instantia contradictoriS, ex- ponitur." To take another case : in the Partis seeundce Delineatio, Bacon, speaking of those who might object to his frequent mention of practical results as a thing unworthy of the dignity of philosophy, affirms that they hinder the accomplishment of their own wishes. " Quin etiam illis, quibus in contemplationis amorem effusis frequens apud nos operum mentio asperum quid- dam atque ingratum et mechanicum sonat, monstrabi- mus quantum illi desideriis suis propriis adversentur, quum puritas contemplationum atque substructio et in- ventio operum prorsus eisdem rebus nitantur, ac simul perficiantur." In the Cogitata et Visa, this sentence recurs in a modified and much neater form : — "Si quis autem sit cui in contemplationis amorem et veneratio- nem efFuso ista operum frequens et cum tanto honore mentio quiddam asperum et ingratum sonet, is pro certo sciat se propriis desideriis adversari ; etenim in naturS., opera non tantum vitse beneficia, sed et veritatis pignora esse." On comparing these two sentences, it is difficult to believe that Bacon would have omitted the antithesis with which the latter ends in order to introduce the somewhat cumbrous expressions which VOL. I. 10 146 PREFACE TO correspond to it in the former, especially as we find this antithesis reproduced, though with another context, in the Novum Organwn. " Opera ipsa," it is there said, " pluris facienda sunt quatenus sunt veritatis pignora quam propter vitae commoda." ' These instances will probably be thought sufficient to justify us in concluding that the Partis secundce De- lineatio, in which no mention is made of the plan of setting forth the new method of induction by means of an example, is of earlier date than the Gogitata et Visa, in which this plan, actually employed in the No- vum Organum, is spoken of as that which Bacon had decided on adopting. This question of priority is not without interest ; for if the Partis secundce Delineatio is anterior to the Cogitata et Visa, the general plan of the Instauratio must have been formed a considerable time before 1607, about which time Bacon probably commenced the composition of the Novum Organum. If we could determine the date of Valerius Terminus, we should be able to assign limits within which the formation of this plan, so far as relates to the division of the work into six portions, may be supposed to lie. For the first book of Valerius Terminus was to include all that was to precede the exposition of the new method of induction, which was to be the subject of the second ; that is, it was to comprehend, along with the first part of the Instauratio,^ the general reflexions and precepts which form the subject of the first book 1 Nov. Org. i. 124. It is well to mention that some of tlie expressions in this aphorism which do not occur in the Cogitata et Visa will be found in the Partis secundos Delineatio. But it will be observed that I am only compar- ing passages which occur in all three works. Of the greater general resem- blance of the Cogitata et Visa to the Novum Organum there can be no question. 2 Query. See Note A. at the end, § 1. — /. S. THE NOVUM OEGANDM. 147 of the Novum Organum. Nor does it appear that Va- lerius Terminus was to contain anything corresponding to the last four parts of the Instauratio ; ^ it was a work, as its title ^ shows, on the Interpretation of Nature ; that is, it was to be a statement of Bacon's method, without professing either to give the collection of facts to which the method was to be applied, or the results thereby obtained. Unfortunately, there appears to be no evidence tending to enable us to assign the time at which (or not long after it) Valerius Terminus was written. That it is earlier than the Advancement of Learning seems to follow from the circumstance that Bacon, when he wrote it, designed to include in a single chapter the general survey of human knowledge which in the Advancement is developed into two books.^ Bacon has on all occasions condemned epitomes, and it is therefore altogether improbable that after writing the Advancement of Learning he would have endeavoured to compress its contents, or even those of the second book, within the limits proposed in Valerius Terminus. On the other hand, we may suppose that before writing the Advancement he had not seen how much he had to say on the subject ' to which it relates. We may con- clude therefore, on these and other grounds, that Vale~ rius Terminus was written some time before 1605 : how much before cannot be known; but as by com- paring the Partis secundce Belineatio and the Cogitata et Visa with the Novum Organum we have seen reason to conclude that the general plan of the Instauratio was formed before Bacon had decided on propounding 1 Query. See Note A. at the end, § 2. — X S. 2 " Valerius Terminus of tlie Interpretation of Nature; with the Anno- tations of Hermes Stella. A few fragments of the first book, viz.," &c. ' Query. See Note A. at the end, § 1. — J- S. 148 PREFACE TO his method by means of an example, so by comparing the first-named of these three works with Valerius Ter- minus, we perceive that the idea of the work on the Interpretation of ]N"ature, that is, on the new method of induction, was anterior in Bacon's mind to that of the Instauratio. And this conclusion is confirmed by all we know of Bacon's early writings. In the earliest of all, (if we assume that the Temporis Partus Masculus, published by Gruter,^ is the same as the Temporis Partus Maxi- mus mentioned by Bacon in his letter to Fulgenzio,) the most prominent notion is that true science consists in the interpretation of Nature — a phrase by which Bacon always designates a just method of induction. But nothing is said either there or in any early frag- ment whereby we are led to suppose that Bacon then thought of producing a great work like the Instauratio. On the contrary, in the De Interpretatione Naturce Prooemium he proposes to communicate his peculiar method and the results to which it was to lead, only to chosen followers ; giving to the world merely an exoteric doctrine, namely the general views of science which afterwards formed the substance of the Cogitata et Visa and ultimately of the first book of the Novum Organum? From what has been said it follows that we should form an inadequate conception of the Novum Organum if we were to regard it merely as a portion of the In- stauratio. For it contains the central ideas of Bacon's system, of which the whole of the Instauratio is only the developement. In his early youth Bacon formed 1 Say rather, " the several tracts collected by M. Bouillet under the title Temporis Partus Masculus.'^ See Note A. at the end, § 3. — J. S. 2 See Note A. at the end, ^i. — J. S. THE NOVUM ORGANUM. 149 the notion of a new method of induction, and from that time forth this notion determined the character of all his speculations. Later in life he laid the plan of a great work, within the limits of which the materials to which his method was to be applied and the results thereby to be obtained might be stored up, together with a statement of the method itself. But of this great plan the interpretation of Nature was, so to speak, the soul, — the formative and vivifying principle ; not only because Bacon conceived that the new method only could lead to the attainment of the great ends which he had in view, but also because it was the pos- session of this method which had suggested to him the hopes which he entertained.^ There seems some rea- son to believe that his confidence in his peculiar method of induction did not increase as he grew older ; that is to say, he admits in the Novum Organum that the in- terpretation of Nature is not so much an artificial pro- cess as the way in which the mind would naturally work if the obstacles whereby it is hindered in the pursuit of truth were once set aside.^ So that his pre- 1 1 quite agree in this, but not quite on the same grounds. In N"ote A. at the end of this preface, the reader will find a statement, too long for a foot- note, of such points in the foregoing argument as I consider disputable. It was the more necessary to point them out, because the arrangement of the pieces in this edition, for which I am responsible, will otherwise create a difficulty; being in some respects inconsistent with the opinions here ex- pressed. — J. S. 2 Nov. Org. i. 130. " Est enim Interpretatio verum et naturale opus men- tis, demptis lis quas obstant." But compare the following passage in Vale- rius Terminus, c. 22. " that it is true that interpretation is the ver}' natural and direct intention, action, and progression of the understanding, de- livered from impediments. And that all anticipation is but a reflexion or declination by accident." So that if we may infer from the passage in the Novum Organum that his confidence had abated, we must suppose that when he wrote the Valerius Terminus it had not risen to its height. But for my own part I doubt whether his opinion on this point ever changed. — /. S. 152 PREFACE TO necessity of forming correct notions of simple natures, — the method of exclusions then doubtless appearing to contain all that is necessary for the investigation of Nature. Bacon may also have been influenced by other con- siderations. We have seen that he was at first unwil- ling that his peculiar method should become generally known. In the De Interpretatione Natarce Prooemium he speaks of its being a thing not to be published, but to be communicated orally to certain persons.^ In Valerius Terminus his doctrine was to be veiled in an abrupt and obscure style,^ such as, to use his own ex- pression, would choose its reader, — that is, would re- main 'unread except by worthy recipients of its hidden meaning. This aifected obscurity appears also in the Temporis Partus Masculus. In this unwillingness openly to reveal his method Bacon coincided with the common feeling of his own and earlier times. In the middle ages no new discovery was freely published. All the secrets, real or pretended, of the alchemists were concealed in obscure and enigmatic language ; and to mention a well-known instance, the anagram in which Roger Bacon is supposed to have recorded his knowledge of the art of making gunpowder is so obscure, that its meaning is even now more or less doubtful. In Bacon's own time one of the most re- markable discoveries of Galileo — that of the phases of Venus — was similarly hidden in an anagram, 1 See Note B. at the end, extract 4th, and the concluding remarks in ■which I have explained my own view of the kind of reserve which Bacon at this time meditated. — /. S. 2 See the same note, extract 1st. I cannot think it was by " abruptness and obscurity " that he proposed to effect the desired separation of readers either in Valerius Terminus or in the Temporis Partus Mnsculus. — J. 5. THE NOVUM ORGANUM. I53 though the veil in this case was more easily seen through. This disposition to conceal scientific dis- coveries and methods is connected with the views which in the middle ages were formed of the nature of science. To know that which had previously been unknown was then regarded as the result not so much of greater industry or acuteness as of some fortunate accident, or of access to some hidden source of infor- mation : it was like finding a concealed treasure, of which the value would be decreased if others were allowed to share in it. Moreover the love of the mar- vellous inclined men to believe in the existence of wonderful secrets handed down by tradition from for- mer ages, and any new discovery acquired something of the same mysterious interest by being kept back fi:om the knowledge of the vulgar. Other causes, which need not here be detailed, increased this kind of reserve ; such as the dread of the imputation of un- lawful knowledge, the facility which it gave to decep- tion and imposture, and the like. The manner in which Bacon proposed at one time to perpetuate the knowledge of his method is also in accordance with the spirit of the middle ages. In the writings of the alchemists we meet continually with stories of secrets transmitted by their possessor to one or more disciples. Thus Artefius recoi-ds the conver- sation wherein his master, Boemund, transmitted to him the first principles of all knowledge ; and it is remarkable that in this and similar oases the disciple is called "mi fill" by his instructor — a, circumstance which shows fi'om what source Bacon derived the phrase " ad filios," which appears in the titles of sev- eral of his early pieces. Even in the De Augmentis 154 PEEFACE TO the highest and most effectual form of scientific teach- ing is called the " methodus ad filios." ^ When he wrote the Cogitata et Visa, Bacon seems to have perceived ^ how much of vanity and imposture had always been mixed up with this affectation of con- cealment and reserve. " Reperit autem," he there says, " homines in rerum scientia quam sibi videntur adepti, interdum proferenda interdum occultanda, famse 1 Lib. vi. c. 2. I cannot think however that the merit of this method had anything to do witli secresy. For the distinctive object of it is stated to he the " continnatio et ulterior progressus " of knowledge; and its distinctive characteristic, the being " solito apertior.^^ Its aim was to transfer knowl- edge into the mind of the disciple in the same form in which it grew in the teacher's mind, like a plant with its roots on, that it might continue to grow. Its other name is " traditio lampadis," alluding to the Greek torch- race; which was run, as I understand it, not between individuals, but be- tween what we call sides. Each side had a lighted torch; they were so arranged that each bearer, as he began to slacken, handed it to another who was fresh ; and the side whose torch first reached the goal, still a-light, was the winner. The term "filii," therefore, alludes, I think, to the successive generations, not who should inherit the secret, but who should carry on the work. Compare the remarks in the Sapientia Veferum (Fab. xxvi. near the end,) upon the torch-races in honour of Prometheus. " Atque continet in se monitum, idque prudentissimum, ut perfectio scientiarum a successi- one, non ah unius alicujus pernicitate aut facultate, expectetur Atque optandum esset ut isti ludi in honorem Promethei, sive hun^anse naturae, instaurarentur, atque res certamen, et cemulationem, et honam foriunam re- ciperet; neque ex unius cujuspiam face tremul^ atque agitata penderet." To me, I must confess, the explanation above given of Bacon's motives for desiring a select audience seems irreconcilable both with the objects which he certainly had in view and with the spirit in which he appears to have pursued them. "Fit audience, though few," he no doubt desired; audi can easily believe that he wished not only to find the fit, but also to ex- clude the unfit. But the question is, whether his motive in so selecting and BO limiting his audience was unwillingness to part with his treasure, or solicitude for the furtherance of his work. To decide this question I have brought together all the passages in which he speaks of the " singling and adopting " of the " fit and legitimate reader." But the collection, with the remarks which it suggests, being too long for a foot-note, I have placed them at the end of this preface. See Note B. — ./. S. 2 See Note B., extract 7th. But observe that in the 1st, 3rd, and 4th, he shows himself quite as sensible of the vanitjf and imposture which such secresy had been made to subserve. — J. S. THE NOVUM OEGANUM. 155 et ostentationi servire ; quin et eos potissimum qui minus solida proponunt, solere ea quae afferunt obscura et ambigua luce venditare, ut facilius vanitati suas veliti- care possint." The matter which he has in hand, he goes on to say, is one which it were nowise fitting to defile by affectation or vain glory ; but yet it cannot be forgotten that inveterate errors, like the delusions of madmen, are to be overcome by art and subtlety, and are always exasperated by violence and opposition. The result of this kind of dilemma is that the method is to be propounded in an example, — a decision in which it is probable that he was still more or less in- fluenced by the example of those whom he here con- demns. Tlius much of the connexion between the plan of the Novum Organum and that which Bacon laid down in the Cogitata et Visa. That there is no didactic ex- position of his method in the whole of his writings has not been sufficiently remarked by those who have spoken of his philosophy ; probably because what he himself regarded as a sort of exoteric doctrine, namely the views of science contained in the first book of the Novum Organum, have received much more attention than the method itself, which is nevertheless the car- dinal point of his whole system. Bacon is to be re- garded, not as the founder of a new philosophy, but as the discoverer of a new method ; at least we must remember that this was his own view of himself and of his writings. I proceed to give some account of the structure of the Novum Organum and of the parts into which it may be most conveniently divided. After the preface, in which Bacon professes that it is 156 PREFACE TO not his intention to destroy the received philosophy, but rather that from henceforth there should be two coexisting and allied systems, — the one sufficient for the ordinary purposes of life, and such as would satisfy those who are content with probable opinions and com- monly received notions ; the other for the sons of sci- ence, who desire to attain to certainty and to an in- sight into the hidden things of Nature, — we come to the Novum Organum itself; which commences with some weighty sentences concerning the relation of Man to Nature. The first aphorism, perhaps the most often quoted sentence in the Novum Organum, occurs twice in the fragments published by Gruter; namely in the Aphorismi et Oonsilia de Auxiliis Mentis, and again in a less perfect form in the Be Interpretatione Naturm Sententics XII., both which fragments are in- cluded [by M. Bouillet] ^ under the title Temporis Partus Masculus, though they are clearly of different dates. The wording of the aphorism in the former is almost precisely the same as in the Novum Organum. In all three places man is styled " naturse minister et interpres." He is nature interpres, because in every object which is presented to him there are two things to be considered, or rather two aspects of the same thing, — one the phenomenon which Nature presents to the senses — the other the inward mechanism and action, of which the phenomenon in question is not only the result but also the outward sign. To pass therefore from the phenomenon to its hidden cause is to interpret the signs which enable us to become ac- quainted with the operations of Nature. Again, he is the minister naturas, because in all his works he can 1 Not so included by Gruter. See note A. at the end, § 3. — J. S. THK NOVUM OEGANDM. 157 only arrange the things with which he deals in the order and form which Nature requires. All the rest comes from her only ; the conditions she requires hav- ing been fulfilled, she produces new phenomena accord- ing to the laws of her own action. Thus the two words minister and interpres refer respectively to works and contemplation — to power and knowledge — the substance of Bacon's theory of both being compressed into a single phrase. The third and fourth aphorisms are developments of the first ; the second relating not to the theory of knowledge, but to the necessity of providing helps for the understanding. Then follow (5 — 10.) reflections on the sterility of the existing sciences, and (11 — 17.) remarks on the inutility of logic. In (14.) Bacon asserts that every- thing must depend on a just method of induction. From (18.) to (37.) he contrasts the only two ways in which knowledge can be sought for ; namely anti- cipations of Nature and the interpretation of Nature. In the former method men pass at once fi-om partic- ulars to the highest generalities, and thence deduce all intermediate propositions ; in the latter they rise by gradual induction and successively, from particu- lars to axioms of the lowest generality, then to in- termediate axioms, and so ultimately to the highest. And this is the true way, but as yet untried. Then fi:om (38.) to (68.) Bacon developes the doc- trine of idols. It is to be remarked that he uses the word idolon in antithesis to idea, the first place where it occurs being the twenty-third aphorism. "Non leve quiddam interest," it is there said, "inter hu- manse mentis idola et divinse mentis ideas." He no- where refers to the common meaning of the word, 158 PEEFACE TO namely the image of a false god. Idols are with him " placita quaedam inania," or more generally, the false notions which have taken possession of men's minds. The doctrine of idols stands [he says] in the same relation to the interpretation of Nature, as the doc- trine of fallacies to ordinary logic. Of idols Bacon enumerates four kinds, — the idols of the tribe, of the cave, of the market-place, and of the theatre ; and it has been supposed that this classi- fication is borrowed from Roger Bacon, who in the be- ginning of the Opus Majus speaks of four hindrances whereby men are kept back from the attainment of true knowledge. But this supposition is for several reasons improbable. The Opus Majus was not printed until the eighteenth century, and it is unlikely that Francis Bacon would have taken the trouble of read- ing it, or any part of it, in manuscript.^ In the first place there is no evidence in any part of his works of this kind of research, and in the second he had no high opinion of his namesake, of whom he has spoken with far less respect than he deserves. The only work of Roger Bacon's which there is any good rea- son for believing that he was acquainted with is a tract on the art of prolonging life, which was pub- lished at Paris in 1542, and of which an English translation appeared in 1617. The general resem- 1 1 can hardly think that he would have omitted to look into a work like the Ojyiis Majus, if he had had the opportunity. But it is very probable that no copy of it was procurable; possible that he did not even know of its existence. The manner in which he speaks of Roger Bacon in the Temporis Partus Afasculus, as belonging to the " utile genus " of experi- mentalists, " qui de theoriis non admodum solicit! mechanicd quadam sub- tilitate reruvi inrentarum exfensiones prekenduni,^' seems rather to imply that he knew of him at that time chiefly by Ms reputation for mechanical inventions. — J, S. THE NOYUM OEGANUM. 159 blance between the spirit in which the two Bacons speak of science and of its improvement is, notwith- standing what has sometimes been said, but sHght. Both no doubt complain that sufficient attention has not been paid to observation and experiment, but that is all ; and these complaints may be found in the writ- ings of many other men, especially in the time of Francis Bacon. Nothing is more clear than that the essential doctrines of his philosophy — among which that of idols is to be reckoned — are, so far as he was aware, altogether his own. There is moreover but little analogy between his idols and his namesake's hindrances to knowledge. The principle of classifi- cation is altogether different, and the notion of a real connexion between the two was probably suggested simply by there being the same number of idols as of hindrances.! It is therefore well to remark that in the early form of the doctrine of idols there were only three. In the Partis secundoe Delineatio the idols wherewith the mind is beset are said to be of three kinds : they either are inherent and innate or adsci- titious ; and if the latter, arise either from received opinions in philosophy or from wrong principles of demonstration. This classification occurs also in Vor- lerius Terminus.'^ 1 That the two may be the more conveniently compared, I have quoted Eoger Bacon's exposition of his " offendicula," in a note upon the 39th aphorism, in which the names of the four "Idols " first occur. How slight the resemblance is between the two may be ascertained by a very simple test. If you are already acquainted with Francis Bacon's classification, try to assign each of the " offendicula " to its proper class. If not, try by the help of Roger's classification to find out Francis's. — /. S. 2 Not in Valenus Terminus. It occurs in the Distrilmtio Operis, iind may be traced though less distinctly in the Advancement and the Ve Aug- meniis. See Note C. at the end. — J. S. 160 PREFACE TO The first of these three classes corresponds to the first and second of those spoken of in the Novum Or- ganum. The idols of the tribe are those which be- long, as Aristotle might have said, to the human mind as it is human, — the erroneous tendencies com- mon more or less to all mankind. The idols of the cave arise from each man's mental constitution : the metaphor being suggested by a passage in the [open- ing of the seventh book of Plato's Repuhlic.'\ ^ Both classes of extraneous idols mentioned in the Partis secundce Delineatio are included in the idola theatri, and the idola fori correspond to nothing in the earlier classification.^ They also are extraneous idols, but result neither fi-om received opinions nor erroneous forms of demonstration, but from the influence which words of necessity exert. They are called idols of the market-place because they are caused by the daily intercourse of common life. "Verba," remarks Ba- con, " ex captu vulgi imponuntur." It is only when we compare the later with the ear- lier form of the doctrine of idols that we perceive the principle of classification which Bacon was guided by, namely the division of idols according as they come from the mind itself or from without.^ In the Novum Organum two belong to the former class and two to 1 Mr. Ellis had written " in the of Aristotle." But the words of the Be Augmentis (v. 4.) (" de specu Platmis ") prove that it was the passage in Plato which suggested the metaphor. — J. S. 2 i. e. in the classification adopted in the Partis secundce Delineatio ; for they coiTespond exactly with the third kind of fallacies or false appear- auces mentioned in the Advancement, and with the idols of tlie palace in Valerius Terminus. And I think they were meant to be included among the " Inhffirentia et Innata " of the Delineatio. See Kote C. — J. S. 8 Rather, I think, as they are separable or inseparable from our nature and condition in life. See Note C. — J. S. THE NOVUM OKGANUM. 161 the latter, so that the members of the classification are better balanced^ than in the previous arrange- ment : in both perhaps we perceive a trace of the dichotomizing principle of Ramus, one of the seem- ing novelties which he succeeded in making popular.^ After enumerating the four kinds of idols, Bacon gives instances of each (45 — 67.) ; and speaking in (62.) of idols of the theatre, introduces a triple clas- sification of false philosophies, to which he seems to have attached much importance, as we find it referred to in many parts of his writings. False philosophy is sophistical, empirical, or superstitious ; sophistical, when it consists of dialectic subtleties built upon no better foundation than common notions and every-day ob- servation ; empirical, when it is educed out of a few experiments, however accurately examined ; and su- perstitious, when theological traditions are made its basis. In the Gogitata et Visa he compares the ra- tional philosophers (that is, those whose system is sophistical, — the name implying that they trust too much to reason and despise observation) to spiders whose webs are spun out of their own bodies, and the empirics to the ant which simply lays up its store and uses it. Whereas the true way is that of the bee, which gathers its materials from the flowers of the field and of the garden, and then, ex propria facultate, elaborates and transforms them.^ The third kind of 1 Compare the Distributio Operis, where the classification is retained, with the Novum Organum, where it is not alluded to, and 1 think it will be seen that Bacon did not intend to balance the members in this way. See Note C. at the end. — J. S. 2 Bacon alludes to Ramus in the De Augmeniis vi. 2., " De unica methodo et dichotomiis perpetuis nil attinet dicere. Fuit enim nubecula quaidam doctrinas quae cito transiit: res certe simul et scientiis damnosissima," &c. 8 In the Advancement of Learning and the De Augmenlii, the schoolmen VOL. I. 11 162 PREFACE TO false philosophy is not here mentioned. In the Novum Organum Bacon perhaps intended particularly to refer to the Mosaical philosophy of Fludd, who is one of the most learned of the Cabalistic writers.^ In (69.) Bacon speaks of faulty demonstrations as the defences and bulwarks of idols, and divides the common process for the establishment of axioms and conclusions into four parts, each of which is defective. He here describes in general terms the new method of induction. In the next aphorism, which concludes this part of his subject, he condemns the way in which experimental researches have commonly been carried on. The doctrine of idols seems, when the Novum Or- ganum was published, to have been esteemed one of its most important portions. Mersenne at least, the earliest critic on Bacon's writings, his Certitude des Sciences having been published in 1625,^ speaks of the four idols, or rather of Bacon's remarks upon them, as the four buttresses of his philosophy. In Bacon's own opinion this doctrine was of much im- portance. Thus in the De Interpretatione Naturae Sententice Buodecim he says, in the abrupt style of his earlier philosophical writings, " Qui primum et in particular are compared to tlie spider ; a passage which has been mis- understood by a distinguished writer, whose judgments seem not unfre- quently to be as hastily formed as they are fluently expressed, and who conceives that Bacon intended to condemn the study of psychology. In speaking of the iield and the garden, Bacon refers respectively to ob- servations of Nature and artificial experiment; an instance of the " curiosa felicitas" of his metaphors. 1 Fludd's work, entitled Phihsophia Moysaica, was published in 1638. 2 In the Biographie Utpverselle (Mersenne) it is incorrectly said that this work was published in 1636, and an idle story is mentioned that it was in reality wi-itten, not by Mersenne, but by Lord Herbert of Cherbury, — a story sufiiciently refuted by its scrupulous and submissive orthodoxy. THE NOVUM OEGANUM. 163 ante alia omnia animi motus humani penitus non ex- plorarit, ibique scientiiB meatus et errorum sedes ac- curatissime descriptas non habuerit, is omnia larvata et veluti incantata reperiet ; fascinum ni solvent in- terpretari non poterit.^ From (71.) to (78.) he speaks of the signs and tokens whereby the defects and worthlessness of the received sciences are made manifest. The origin of these sciences, the scanty fruits they have borne, the little progress they have made, all testify against them ; as likewise the confessions of the authors who have treated of them, and even the general consent with which they have been received. " Pessimum," says Bacon, " omnium est augurium, quod ex consensu cap- itur in rebus intellectualibus." ^ From (78.) to (92.) Bacon speaks of the causes of the errors which have hindered the progress of science ; intending thereby to show that there is no reason to doubt the value of the reform which he is about to propose, because though in itself seemingly plain and obvious it has nevertheless remained so long imthought of. On the contrary, there is, he affirms, good reason for being surprised that even now any one should have thought of it. The first of these causes is the comparative shortness of the periods which, out of the twenty-five centuries which intervene between Thales and Bacon's own 1 So also in the Valerius Terminus, c. 17. : " That if any have had or shall have the power and resolution to fortify and inclose his mind against all anticipations, yet if he have not been or shall not be cautioned by the full understanding of the nature of the mind and spirit of man, and therein of the seats, pores, and passages both of knowledge and error, he hath not been, nor shall not be, possibly able to guide or keep on his course aright." — /. S. 2 He however excepts matters political and religious. 164 PREFACE TO time, have been really favourable to the progress of science. The second, that even during the more fa- vourable times natural philosophy, the great mother of the sciences, has been for the most part neglected ; men having of late chiefly busied themselves with the- ology, and among the Greeks and Romans with moral philosophy, "qua3 ethnicis vice theologiae erat." More- over, even when men occupied themselves the most with natural philosophy (Bacon refers to the age of the early Greek physicists), much time was wasted through controversies and vain glory. Again, even those who have bestowed pains upon natural philos- ophy have seldom, especially in these latter times, given themselves wholly up to it. Thus, natural phi- losophy having been neglected and the sciences there- by severed from their root, it is no wonder that their growth has been stopped. Another cause of their scanty progress is, that their true end, the benefit and relief of man's estate, has not been had in remembrance. This error Bacon speaks of in the Advancement as the greatest of all, coupling however there with the relief of man's estate the glory of the Creator. Again, the right path for the advance- ment of knowledge has not only been neglected but blocked up, men having come not only to neglect expe- rience but also to despise it. Also the reverence for antiquity has hindered progress ; and here Bacon re- peats the remark he had made in the Advancement, that antiquity was the world's youth, and the latter times its age.^ 1 This remark is in itself not new; we read, for instance, in the book of Esdras, that the world has lost its youth, and that the times begin to wax old. Nor is it new in the application here made of it. Probably several writers in the age which preceded Bacon's had already made it, for in that THE NOVUM OEGANDM. 165 Again, the progress of science has been hindered by too much respect for what has been already accom- phshed. And this has been increased by the ap- pearance of completeness which systematic writers on science have given to their woi'ks, and also by the vain and boastful promises of some who have pretended to reform philosophy. Another reason why more has not been accomplished, is that so little has been attempted. To these hindrances Bacon adds three others, — su- perstitious bigotry, the constitution of schools, univer- sities, and colleges, and the lack of encouragement ; and then concludes this part of the subject with that which he afSrms to have been the greatest obstacle of all, namely despair of the possibility of progress. To remove this, he goes on to state the grounds of hope for the future, — a discussion which extends from (93.) to (115.). " Principium autem," he begins, " sumendum a Deo ; " that is to say, the excellence of the end pro- posed is in itself an indication that the matter in hand is from God, nor is the prophecy of Daniel concern- ing the latter times to be omitted, namely that many shall go to and fro and knowledge shall be increased. Again, the errors committed in time past are a reason age men were no longer "willing to submit to the autliority of antiquity, and still felt bound to justify their dissent. Two writers may at any rate be mentioned by whom the thought is as distinctly expressed as by Bacon, namely Giordano Bruno and Otto Casmann ; the former in the Cena di Centre, the latter in the preface to his Problemata Marina, which was pub- lished in 1596, and therefore a few years later than the Cena, with which however it is not liljely that Casmann was acquainted. Few writers of celebrity comparable to Bruno's appear to have been so little read. I have quoted both passages in a note on the corresponding passage in [the first book of] the De Augmentis : that in the Cena di Cenere was first noticed by Dr. Whewell. See his Philosophy of the Inductive Sciences, ii. 198. 166 PREFACE TO for hoping better things in the time to come. He therefore sets forth these errors at some length (95 — 107.)- This enumeration begins with the passage al- ready mentioned [as occurring in the Cogitata et Visa], in which the true method is spoken of as intermediate to those of the dogmatici or rationales, and of the em- pirici. There will be, he concludes, good ground for hope when the experimental and reasoning faculties are more intimately united than they have ever yet been. So likewise when natural philosophy ceases to be al- loyed with matter extraneous to it, and when any one can be found content to begin at the beginning and, putting aside all popularly received notions and opin- ions, to apply himself afresh to experience and par- ticulars. And here Bacon introduces an illustration which he has also employed elsewhere, comparing the regeneration of the sciences to the exploits of Alexan- der, which were at first esteemed portentous and more than human, and yet afterwards it was Livy's judg- ment that he had done no more than despise a vain show of difficulty. Bacon then resumes his enumera- tion of the improvements which are to be made, each of which will be a ground of hope. The first is a bet^ ter natural history than has yet been composed ; and it is to be observed that a natural history which is de- signed to contain the materials for the instauration of philosophy differs essentially from a natural history which has no such ulterior end : the chief difference is, that an ordinary natural history does not contain the experimental results furnished by the arts. In the sec- ond place, among these results themselves there is a great lack of experimenta lucifera, that is of experi- ments which, though not practically useful, yet serve THE NOVUM ORGANUM. 167 to give light for the discovery of causes and axioms : hitherto men have busied themselves for the most part with experimenta fructifera, that is experiments of use and profit. Thirdly, experimental researches must be conducted orderly and according to rule and law, and not as hitherto in a desultory and irregular manner. Again, when the materials required have been col- lected, the mind will not be able to deal with them without assistance and memoriter: all discoveries ought to be based upon written records — " nulla nisi de scrip to inventio probanda est." This is what Bacon calls experientia litterata,-^ his meaning apparently be- ing that out of the storehouse of natural history all the facts connected with any proposed subject of investiga- tion should be extracted and reduced to writing before anything else is done. Furthermore, all these facts must not only be reduced to writing, but arranged tabularly. In dealing with facts thus collected and arranged, we are to regard them chiefly as the mate- rials for the construction of axioms, our path leading us upwards from particulars to axioms, and then down- wards from axioms to works ; and the ascent from par- ticulars to axioms must be gradual, that is axioms of a less degree of generality must always be established before axioms of a higher. Again a new form of in- duction is to be introduced; for induction by simple 1 " Ilia vero in usum veniente, ab experientia facia demvm literatd, me- lius sperandum." In Montagu's edition literatd is printed incorrectly with a capital letter; which makes it seem as if the experientia facta literata here spoken of were the same as the experientia quam vocamus literatam in Aph. 103. But they are, in fact, two different things ; the one being op- posed to experience which proceeds without any written record of its re- sults ; the other to vaga experientia et se tanivm sequens — experience which proceeds without any method in its inquiries. See my note on Aph. 101. ~J.S. 168 PREFACE TO enumeration is childish and precarious. But true in- duction analyses nature by rejections and exclusions, and concludes affirmatively after a sufficient number of negatives. And our greatest hope rests upon this way of induction. Also the axioms thus established are to be examined whether they are of wider generality than the particulars employed in their construction, and if so, to be verified by comparing- them with other facts, " per novorum particularium designationem,-' quasi fide- jussione quMam." Lastly, the sciences must be kept in connexion with natural philosophy. Bacon then goes on (108 — 114.) to state divers grounds of hope derived from other sources than those of which he has been speaking, namely, the errors hitherto committed. The first is that without any method of invention men have made certain notable discoveries ; how many more, then, and greater, by the method now to be proposed. Again, of discoveries already made, there are many which before they were made would never have been conceived of as possible, which is a reason for thinking that many other things still remain to be found out of a nature wholly unlike any hitherto known. In the course of ages these too would doubtless some time or other come to light ; but by a regular method of discovery they will be made known far more certainly and in far less time, — propere et subito et simul. Bacon mentions particularly, as discoveries not likely to have been thought of be- forehand, gunpowder, silk, and the mariner's compass ; remarking that if the conditions to be fulfilled had been 1 1 understand designatio here to mean discovery. The test of the truth of the axiom was to be the discovery by its light of new particulars. See Valerius Terminus, ch. xii., quoted in note on Aph. 106. — J. 8. THE NOVUM ORGANUM. 169 stated, men would have sought for something far more akin than the reality to things previously known : in the case of gunpowder, if its effects only had been de- scribed, they would have thought of some modification of the battering-ram or the catapult, and not of an ex- pansive vapour ; and so in the other cases. He also mentions the art of printing as an invention perfectly simple when once made,- and which nevertheless was only made afler a long course of ages. Again, we may gain hope from seeing what an infinity of pains and labour men have bestowed on far less matters than that now in hand, of which if only a portion were given to the advancement of sound and real knowledge, all diffi- culties might be overcome. This remark Bacon makes with reference to his natural and experimental history, which he admits will be a great and royal work, and of much labour and cost. But the number of partic- ulars to be observed ought not to deter us ; on the con- trary, if we consider how much smaller it is than that of the figments of the understanding, we shall find even in this groimds for hope. To these figments, commenta ingenii, the phsenomena of Nature and the arts are but a mere handful. Some hope too. Bacon thinks, may be derived from his own example ; for if, though of weak health, and greatly hindered by other occupations, and moreover in this matter altogether " protopirus " and following no man's track nor even communicating these things with any, he has been able somewhat to advance therein, how much may not be hoped for from the conjoined and successive labours of men at leisure from all other business ? Lastly, though the breeze of hope from that new world were fainter than it is, still it were worth while to follow the ad- 170 PREFACE TO venture, seeing how great a reward success would bring. And here (115), Bacon says, concludes the pulling- down part, pars destruens, of the Instauration. It consists of three confutations ; namely, of the nat- ural working of the mind, of received methods of demonstration, and of received theories or philoso- phies. In this division we perceive the influence of the first form of the doctrine of Idols. As the Novum Organum now stands, the pars destruens cannot be divided into three portions, each containing one of the confutations just mentioned. Thus, for instance, the docti-ine of Idols, which undoubtedly forms a dis- tinct section of the whole work, relates to all three. Errors natural to the mind, errors of demonstration, errors of theory, are all therein treated of; and Bacon then goes on to another part of the subject, in which, though from a different point of view, they are all again considered. The sort of cross division here introduced is explained by a passage in the Partis secundcB Delineatio, in which the doctrine of Idols is introduced by the remark, " Pars destruens triplex est secundum triplicem naturam idolorum qu® men- tem obsident." And then, after dividing idols into the three classes already mentioned, he proceeds thus : — " Itaque pars ista quam destruentem appellamus tribus redargutionibus absolvitur, redargutione philosophia- rum, redargutione demonstrationum, et redargutione rationis humanse native." When the doctrine of Idols was thrown into its present form it ceased to afford a convenient basis for the pars destruens; and accordingly the substance of the three redargutiones is in the Novum Organum less systematically set forth THE NOVUM OEGANUM. 171 than Bacon purposed that it should be when he wrote the Partis seeundm Delineatio} It is to be remarked that Redargviio PMlosophiarum is the title of one of the chapters in the third and last of the tracts pub- lished by Gruter with the title TempoHs Partus Mas- culus? and that it is also the title of a tract published [by Stephens in 1734, and reprinted] by Mallet [in 1760^], and evidently of a later date than the other of the same name. From (116) to (128) Bacon endeavours to obviate objections and unfavourable opinions of his design. In the first place he plainly declares that he is no founder of a sect or school, — therein difiering from the ancient Greeks, and from certain new men, namely Telesius, Patricius, and Severinus. Abstract opinions 1 I think this apparent discrepancy may be better explained. It appears to me that the number of idols was originally three, — the Tribe, the Cave, and the Market-place; all belonging to the ratio humana naiiva ; fallacies innate or inherent, in the human understanding, — to be guarded against, but not to be got rid of; and that a fourth -was added afterwards, but of quite a diiferent kind; consisting of fallacies which have no natural affin- ity to the understanding, but come from without and may be turned out again ; impressions derived from the systems which men have been taught to accept as true, or from the methods of demonstration which they have been taught to rely upon as conclusive. These are the Idols of the Thea- tre, and the sole objects of the two Kedargutiones which stand first in the DeliTieatio, and last in the Novum Organum. If this be true, the Hedargu- tio Tationis humancB nativce (or I should rather say, the part of the Novum Organum which belongs to it) extends from the 40th to the 60th aphorism ; and the Redargutio Phihsqphiarum and Demmistraiimum from the 61st to the 115th. For a fuller explanation and justification of this view, see NoteC — /. roli rCyv apaxvMV ixpaofiasiv elKa^tv, oiidiv fiev xPV<^il^'^i< ^io-i' ^^ TexfiKoiic (perhaps xp'/<'i-l^oii and TexvMolg). — Stobicus, Floril. § 82. Compare Be Augmentis, v. 2. NOVUM ORGANUM. 307 et notiones communes penitus abolere, et intellectum abrasum et asquum ad particularia de integro applicare. Itaque ratio ilia humana quain habemus, ex multa fide et multo etiam casu, nee non ex puerilibus quas primo hausimus notionibus, farrago quasdam est et congeries. Quod si quis aetate matura et sensibus integris et mente repurgata se ad experieutiam et ad particularia de integro applicet, de eo melius sperandum est. Al> que hac in parte nobis spondemus fortunam Alexandri Magni : neque quis nos vanitatis arguat, antequam ex- itum rei audiat, quae ad exuendam omnem vanitatem spectat. Etenim de Alexandro et ejus rebus gestis ^schines ita loquutus est : iVbs certe vitam mortalem non vivimus ; sed in hoc nati sumus, ut posteritas de nobis portenta narret et prcedicet : perinde ac si Alexandri res gestas pro miraculo habuisset.^ At aevis sequentibus Titus Livius melius rem advertit et introspexit, atque de Alexandro hujusmodi quippiam dixit : ^um non aliud quam bene ausum vana conr temnere? Atque simile etiam de nobis judicium fu- turis temporibas factum in existimamus : nos nil magni fedsse, sed tantum ea quce pro magnis habentur mi- noris fedsse. Sed interim (quod jam diximus) non est spes nisi in regeneratione scientiarum ; ut eae scilicet ab Experientia certo ordine excitentur et rursus condan- tur : quod adhuc factum esse aut cogitatum nemo (ut arbitramur) affirmaverit. XCVIIl. Atque Experientise fandamenta (quando ad banc 1 jEschines, De Corona, p. 72. Ed. H. Stpphan. 2 Lib. ix. ^. 17. 308 NOVUM OEGANUM. omnino deveniendum est) aut nulla aut admodum in- firma adhuc fuerunt ; nee particularium sylva et mate- ries, vel numero vel genere vel certitudine, informando intellectui competens aut ullo modo sufficiens, adhuc quaesita est et congesta. Sed contra homines docti (supini sane et faciles) rumores quosdam Experientise, et quasi famas et auras ejus, ad philosophiam suam vel constituendam vel confirmandam exceperunt, atque illis nihilominus pondus legitimi testimonii attribuerunt. Ac veluti si regnum aliquod aut status non ex Uteris et relationibus a legatis et nuntiis fide-dignis missis, sed ex urbanorum sermunculis et ex triviis, consilia sua et ne- gotia gubernaret ; omnino talis in philosophiam admin- istratio, quatenus ad Experientiam, introducta est. Ml debitis modis exquisitum, nil verificatum, nil numera- tum, nil appensum, nil dimensum in Naturali Historia reperitur. At quod in observatione indefinitum et Vagum, id in informatione fallax et infidum est. Quod si cui hsec mira dictu videantur et querelas minus justse propiora, cum Aristoteles, tantus ipse vir et tanti regis opibus subnixus, tarn accuratam de Animalibus histo- riam confecerit, atque alii nonnulli majore diligentia (licet strepitu minore) multa adjecerint, et rursus alii de plantis, de metallis, et fossilibus, historias et narra- tiones copiosas conscripserint ; is sane non satis atten- dere et perspicere videtur quid agatur in prsesentia. Alia enim est ratio Naturalis Historias quae propter se confecta est ; alia ejus quse collecta est ad infornian- dum intellectum in ordine ad condendam philosophiam. Atque hse duse historise turn aliis rebus, tum prsecipue in hoc differunt ; quod prima ex illis specierum natu- ralium varietatem, non artium mechanicarum experi- menta, contineat. Quemadmodum enim in civilibus NOVUM OEGANUM. 309 ingenium cuj usque et occultus animi affectuumque sen- sus melius elicitur cum quis in perturbatione ponitur, quam alias : simili modo, et occulta naturae magis se produnt per vexationes artium, quam cum cursu suo meant. Itaque turn demum bene sperandum est de Naturali Philosophia, postquam Historia Naturalis (quas ejus basis est et ftindamentum) melius instructa fuerit ; antea vero minime. xcix. Atque rursus in ipsa experimentorum mechanicorum copia, summa eorum qu» ad intellectus informationem maxime faciunt et juvant detegitur inopia. Mechanicus enim, de veritatis inquisitione nuUo modo sollicitus, non ad alia quam quae operi suo subserviunt aut animum erigit aut manum porrigit. Tum vero de scientiarum ulteriore progressu spes bene fundabitur, quum in His- toriam Naturalem recipientur et aggregabuntur com- plura experimenta, quse in se nullius sunt usus, sed ad inventionem causarum et axiomatum tantum faciunt ; quae nos ludfera experimenta, ad difFerentiam fructif- erorum, appellare consuevimus. Ilia autem miram habent in se virtutem et conditionem ; banc videlicet, quod nunquam fallant aut frustrentur. Cum enim ad hoc adhibeantur, non ut opus aliquod efficiant sed ut causam naturalem in aliquo revelent, quaquaversum cadunt, intentioni aeque satisfaciunt ; cum qusestionem terminent. c. At non solum copia major experimentorum quserenda est et procuranda, atque etiam alterius generis, quam adhuc factum est ; sed etiam metbodus plane alia et ordo et processus continuandse et provehendas Experi- 310 NOVUM OEGANUM. entise introducenda. Vaga enim Experientia et se tan- tum sequens (ut superius dictum est) niera palpatio est, et homines potius stupefacit quam informat. At cum Experientia lege certa procedet, seriatim et continen- ter, de scientiis aliquid melius sperari potent. CI. Postquam vero copia et materies Historic Naturalis et Experientise, talis qualis ad opus intellectus sive ad opus philosophicum requiritur, prsesto jam sit et parata ; tamen nuUo modo sufficit intellectus, ut in illam mate- riem agat sponte et memoriter ; non magis, quam si quis computationem alicujus ephemeridis memoriter se tenere et superare posse speret. Atque hactenus tamen potiores meditationis partes quam scriptionis in inveni- endo fuerunt ; neque adhuc Experientia literata ^ facta est : atqui nulla nisi de scripto inventio probanda est. Ilia vero in usum inveniente, ab Experientia facta demum literata melius sperandum. en. Atque insuper cum tantus sit particularium numerus et quasi exercitus, isque ita sparsus et diffusus, ut intel- lectum disgreget et confiindat, de velitationibus et levi- bus motibus et transcursibus intellectus non bene speran- dum est ; nisi fiat instructio et coordinatio, per tabulas 1 " Experientia literata " does not appear to be used here in the same sense as in Aph. 103., or in the D& Aufjmentis, v. 2. : " Cum quis experi- menta omnigena absque ulla serie aut methodo tentet, ea demum raera est palpatio: cum vero nonnuUa utatur in experimentando directione et or- dine, perinde est ac si manu ducatur. Atque hoc ipsum est quod per Ex- perientiam Literatam intelligimus." Here it is used merely for a mode of experimenting in which the results are recorded in writing. The " experi- entia literata" of the De Augmmtis answers to the " experientia certa lege procedens" of the last aphorism. — J. S. KOVDM ORGANUM. 311 inveniendi idoneas et bene dispositas et tanquam vivas, eorum quse pertinent ad subjectum in quo versatur in- quisitio, atque ad harum tabularum auxilia prteparata et digesta mens applicetiu-. cm. Verum post copiam particulai'ium rite et ordine vel- uti sub oculos positorum, non statim transeundum est ad inquisitionem et inventionem novorum particularium aut operum ; aut saltern, si lioc fiat, in eo non acqui- escendum. Neque enim negamus, postquam omnia omnium artium experimenta collecta et digesta fiierint atque ad unius hominis notitiam et judicium pervene- rint, quin ex ipsa traductione experimentorum unius artis in alias multa nova inveniri possint ad humanam vitam et statum utilia, per istam Experientiam quam vocamus Literatam ; ^ sed tamen minora de ea speranda sunt ; majora vero a nova luce Axiomatum ex particu- laribus illis certa via et regula eductorum, quai rursus nova particularia indicent et designent. Neque enim in piano via sita est, sed ascendendo et descendendo ; ascendendo primo ad Axiomata, descendendo ad Opera. CIV. Neque tamen permittendum est, ut intellectus a par- ticularibus ad axiomata remota et quasi generalissima (qualia sunt principia, quse vocant, artium et rerum) saliat et volet ; et ad eorum immotam veritatem axiom- ata media probet et expediat : quod adhuc factum est, prono ad hoc impetu naturali intellectus, atque etiam ad hoc ipsum, per demonstrationes qu£e hunt per syllo- 1 Here " experientia literata" is the same as in the De Augmeniis. See the last note. — J. S. 312 NOVUM OEGANUM. gismum, jampridem edocto et assuefacto. Sed de sci- entiis turn demum bene sperandum est, quando per scalain veram, et per gradus continues et non intermis- sos aut hiulcos, a particularibus ascendetur ad axiom- ata minora, et deinde ad media, alia aliis superiora, et postremo demum ad generalissima. Etenim axiomata infiraa non multum ab experientia nuda discrepant. Suprema vero ilia et generalissima (quas habentur) notionalia sunt et abstracta, et nil habent solidi. At media sunt axiomata ilia vera et solida et viva, in quibus humansB res et fortunse sitae sunt ; et supra hsec quoqtie, tandem ipsa ilia generalissima ; talia scil- icet quas non abstracta sint, sed per hsec media vere limitantur.' Itaque liominum intellectui non plumas addendse, sed plumbum potius et pondera ; ut cohibeant omnem sal- tum et volatum. Atque hoc adhuc factum non estj quum vero factum fuerit, melius de scientiis sperare Hcebit. cv. In constituendo autem axiomate, forma Inductionis alia quam adhuc in usu fait excogitanda est; eaque non ad principia tantum (quae vocant) probanda et invenienda, sed etiam ad axiomata minora et media, denique omnia. Inductio enim quae proeedit per enu- merationem simplicem res puerilis est, et precario con- cludit, et periculo exponitur ab instantia contradictoria, et plerumque secundum pauciora quam par est, et ex his tantummodo quae praesto sunt, pronunciat. At In- ductio quae ad inventionem et demonstrationem scien- tiarum et artium erit utilis naturam separare debet, per 1 That is, of which these intermediate axioms are really limitations, i. c. particular cases. NOVUM OEGANUM. 313 rejectiones et exclusiones debitas ; ac deinde, post neg- ativas tot quot sufficiunt, super affirmativas concludere ; quod adhuc factum non est, nee tentatum certe, nisi tantummodo a Platone, qui ad excutiendas definitiones et ideas, hac certe forma inductionis aliquatenus utitur.^ Verum ad hujus inductionis, sive demonstrationis, in- structionem bonam et legitimam, quamplurima adhi- benda sunt quae adbuc nullius mortalium cogitationem subiere ; adeo ut in ea major sit consumenda opera, quam adbuc consumpta est in syllogismo. Atque hujus inductionis auxilio, non solum ad axiomata invenienda, verum etiam ad notiones terminandas, utendum est.^ Atque in bac certe Inductione spes maxima sita est. cvi. At in axiomatibus constituendis per banc induc- tionem, examinatio et probatio etiam facienda est, utrum quod constituitur axioma aptatum sit tantum et ad mensuram factum eorum particularium ex qui- bus extrabitur ; an vero sit amplius et latius. Quod si sit amplius aut latius, videndum an earn suam am- plitudinem et latitudinem per novorum particularium designationem, quasi fide-jussione quadam, firmet ; ^ ne 1 This is one of many passages -which show that Bacon was very far from asserting that he was the first to propose an inductive method. It is re- markable that M. de St. Hilaire in his translation of the treatise De Anima of Aristotle has repeated the popular assertion that Bacon claimed to be the first discoverer of induction. 2 "Ad notiones terminandas " may be rendered " in order to the forma- tion of conceptions." This passage, especially when compared with the 14th Aphorism, shows that Bacon contemplated a twofold application of induction, though he has left nothing on the subject of the formation of conceptions. 8 The meaning of this will be made clearer by comparing it with the following passage in Valerius Terminus ; — " That the discovery of new works or active directions not known before 314 NOVUM OEGANUM. vel in jam notis tantum hsereanius, vel laxiore fortasse complexu umbras et formas abstractas, non solida et determinata in materia, prensemus. Hsec vero cum in usum venerint, solida turn demum spes merito afFul- serit. CVII. Atque hie etiam resumendum est, quod superius dictum est de Naturali Philosophia producta, et scien- tiis particularibus ad eam reductis, ut non fiat scissio et truncatio scientiarum ; nam etiam absque hoc minus de progressu sperandum est. CVIII. Atque de desperatione tollenda et spe facienda, ex prseteriti temporis erroribus valere jussis aut rectifi- -catis, jam dictum est. Videndum autem et si quae aha sint quse spem faciant. Ihud vero occurrit ; si hominibus non quarentibus, et ahud agentibus, muha utiha, tanquam casu quodam aut per occasionem, in- venta sint ; nemini dubium esse posse, quin iisdem quEerentibus et hoc agentibus, idque via et ordine, non impetu et desultorie, longe plura detegi necesse sit. Licet enim semel aut iterum accidere possit, ut quis- piam in id forte fortuna incidat, quod magno conatu et de industria scrutantem antea fugit; tamen in sum- is the only trial to be accepted of; and yet not that neither in case where one particular giveth light to another, but where particulai's induce an axiom or observation, which axiom found out discovereth and designeth new particulars. That the nature of this trial is not only on the point whether the knowledge be profitable or no, but even upon the point whether the knowledge be true or no. Not because you may always con- clude that the axiom which discovereth new instances is true; but con- trariwise you may safely conclude that, if you discover not any new in- stance, it is vain and untrue. That by new instances are not alwaj'S to be understood now recipes, but new assignations ; and of the diversity be- tween these two." — Val. Tei:, abridgment of the 12th chapter of the first book. J. S. NOVUM ORGANUM. 315 ma rerum proculdubio contrarium invenitur. Itaque longe plura et meliora, atque per minora intervalla, a ratione et industria et directione et intentione hominum speranda sunt, quam a casu et instinctu animalium et hujusmodi, quae hacteniis principium inventis dedemnt. cix. Etiam illud ad spem trahi possit, quod nonnulla ex his quae jam inventa sunt ejus sint generis ut antequam invenirentur haud facile cuiquam in mentem venisset de iis aliquid suspicari ; sed plane quis ilia ut impos- sibilia contempsisset. Solent enim homines de rebus novis ad exemplum veterum, et secundum phantasiam ex iis prgeceptam et inquinatam, hariolari ; quod genus opinandi fallacissimum est, quandoquidem multa ex his quae ex fontibus rerum petuntur per rivulos consuetos non fluant. Veluti si quis, ante tormentorum igneorum inven- tionem, rem per eiFectus descripsisset, atque in hunc modum dixisset : inventum quoddam detectum esse, per quod muri et munitiones quseque maximse ex longo intervallo concuti et dejici possint ; homines sane de viribus tormentorum et machinarum per pondera et rotas et hujusmodi arietationes et impulsus multipli- candis, multa et varia secum cogitaturi fuissent ; de vento autem igneo, tam subito et violeriter se ex- pandente et exsufflante, vix unquam aliquid alicujus imaginationi aut phantasia occursurum fuisset; utpote cujus exemplum in proximo non vidisset,^ nisi forte in terrse motu aut fulmine, quas, ut magnalia naturae et non imitabilia ab homine, homines statim rejecturi fuissent. 1 As a thing to which he had seen nothing immediately analogous. 316 NOVUM OEGANTJM. Eodem modo si, ante fill bombycini inventionem, quispiam hujusmodi sermonem injecisset : esse quod- dam fill genus inventum ad vestium et supellectilis usum, quod filum linteum aut laneuin tenuitate et ni- hilominus tenacitate, ac etiam splendore et mollitie, lono-e superaret; homines statim aut de serico aliquo veo-etabili, aut de animalis alicujus pilis delicatioribus, aut de avium plumis et lanugine, aliquid opinaturi fuis- sent ; verum de vermis pusilli textura, eaque tarn co- piosa et se renovante et anniversaria, nil fuissent certe commenturi. Quod si quis etiam de vermi verbum aliquod injecisset, ludibrio certe futurus fuisset, ut qui novas aranearum operas somniaret. Similiter, si ante inventionem acus nautic« quispiam hujusmodi sermonem intulisset : inventum esse quoddam instrumentum, per quod cardines et puncta cceli exacte capi et dignosci possint ; homines statim de magis exqui- sita fabricatione instrumentorum astronomicorum, ad multa et varia, per agitationem phantasiae, discursuri fuissent ; quod vero aliquid inveniri possit, cujus motus cum coelestibus tam bene conveniret, atque ipsum tamen ex coelestibus non esset, sed tantum substantia lapidea aut metallica, omnino incredibile visum fuisset. At- que hsec tamen et similia per tot mundi setates homines latuerunt, nee per philosophiam aut artes rationales inveiita sunt, sed casu et per occasionem ; stintque illius (ut diximus) generis, ut ab iis quae antea cognita fuerunt plane heterogenea et remotissima sint, ut prse- notio aliqua nihil prorsus ad ilia C9nducere potuisset. Itaque sperandum omnino est, esse adhuc in naturae sinu multa excellentis usus recondita, quas nullam enm jam inventis cognationem habent aut parallelismum, sed omnino sita stmt extra vias phantasise ; quas tamen NOVUM OEGANUM. 317 adhuc inventa non sunt; quae proculdubio per multos SEeculorum circuitus et ambages et ipsa quandoque prodibmit, sicut ilia superiora prodierunt ; sed per viam quam nunc tractamus, propere et subito et simul reprsesentari ' et anticipari possunt. ex. Attamen eonspiciuntur et alia inventa ejus generis quae fidem faciant, posse genus humanum nobilia in- veiita, etiam ante pedes posita, prseterire et transilire. Utcunque enim pulveris tormentarii vel fili bombycini vel acus nauticse vel sacchari vel papyri vel similium inventa quibusdam rerum et naturse proprietatibus niti videantur, at certe Imprimendi artificium nil liabet quod non sit apertum et fere obvium. Et nihilominus homines, non advertentes literarum modulos difEcilius scilicet collocari quam literse per niotum manus scri- bantur, sed hoc interesse, quod literarum moduli semel collocati infinitis impressionibus, literae autem per ma- num exarat^ unicae tantum scriptioni, sufSciant ; aut fortasse iterum non advertentes atramentum ita in- spissari posse, ut tingat, non fluat ; prsesertim Uteris resupinatis et impressione facta desuper ; hoc pulcher- rimo invento (quod ad doctrinarum propagationem tantum facit) per tot ssecula caruerunt. Solet autem mens humana, in hoc inventionis cur- rieulo, tarn laeva ssepenumero et male composita esse, 1 /. 6. to be presented at once, before the regular time. Thus Pliny, 31.2., "Thespiarum fons conceptus mulieribns reprasentat ; " i. e. makes them conceive at once. And Cicero, Ep. ad Fam. v. 16., " neque debemus expectare temporis modicinam, quam repi'msentare ratione possimus." And again Phil. 2., " Corpus libenter obtulerira, si reprcesentari morte mei libertas civitatis potest; " i. t. to be recovered at once; or at least the re- covery hastened. Many other examples are given by Facciolati, showing that this was a very common use of the word. — J. S. 318 NOVUM OEGANUM. ut primo diffidat, et paulo post se contemnat ; atque primo incredibile ei videatur aliquid tale inveniri posse, postquam autem inventum sit, incredibile rursus vide- atur id homines tamdiu fugere potuisse. Atque hoc ipsum ad spem rite trahitur; superesse nimirum ad- huc magnum inventorum cumulum, qui non solum ex operationibus incognitis eruendis, sed et ex jam cognitis transferendis et componendis et applicandis, per eam quam diximus Experientiam literatam de- duci possit. CXI. Neque illud omittendum ad faciendam spem : repu- tent (si placet) homines infinitas ingenii, temporis, facultatum expensas, quas homines in rebus et studiis longe minoris usus et pretii collocant ; quorum pars quota si ad sana et solida verteretur, nulla non diffi- cultas superari possit. Quod idcirco adjungere visum est, quia plane fatemur Historias Naturalis et Experi- mentalis coUectionem, qualem animo metimur et qua- lis esse debet, opus esse magnum, et quasi regium, et multse operse atque impensse. ex II. Interim particularium multitudinem nemo reformi- det, quin potius hoc ipsum ad spem revocet. Sunt enim artium et naturae particularia Phsenomena ma- nipuli instar ad ingenii commenta, postquam ab ev- identia rerum disjuncta et abstracta fuerint. Atque hujus vias exitus in aperto est, et fere in propinquo; alterius exitus nullus, sed implicatio infinita. Homi- nes enim adhuc parvam in Experientia moram fece- runt, et eam leviter perstrinxerunt, sed in meditati- onibus et commentationibus ingenii infinitum tempus NOVUM ORGANUM. 319 contriverunt. Apud nos vero si esset prassto quis- piam qui de facto naturte ad interrogata responderet,^ paucorum annorum esset inventio causarum et scienti- arum omnium. CXIII. Etiam nonnihil hominibus spei fieri posse putamus ab exemplo nostro proprio ; neque jactantite causa hoc dicimus sed quod utile dictu sit. Si qui diffi- dant, me videant, liominem inter homines setatis mese civilibus negotiis occupatissimum, nee firma admodum valetudine (quod magnum habet temporis dispendium), atque in hac re plane protopirum, et vestigia nullius sequutum, neque hsec ipsa cum ullo mortalium com- municantem, et taraen veram viam constanter ingres- sum et ingenium rebus submittentem, haec ipsa ali- quatenus (ut existimamus) provexisse ; et deinceps videant, quid ab hominibus otio abundantibus, atque a laboribus consociatis, atque a temporum successione, post hsec indicia nostra expectandum sit ; prsesertim in via quae non singulis solummodo pervia est (ut fit in via ilia rationali), sed ubi hominum labores et operse (prsesertim quantum ad experientiae collectani) optime distribui et deinde componi possint. Tum enim homi- nes vires suas nosse incipient, cum non eadem infiniti, sed alia alii prsestabunt. cxiv. Postremo, etiamsi multo infirmior et obscurior aura spei ab ista Nova Continente spiraverit,^ tamen omnino 1 The allusion is to judicial examination on interrogatories. Nature is to be construed with de facto, and not with interrogata. "Interrogata naturae" cannot be rendered our " interrogations of nature," which is Mr. Wood's translation. 2 Bacon refers to what Peter Martyr Anghiera has related, that Colum- 320 NOVUM oeganum: experiendum esse (nisi velimus animi esse plane ab- jecti) statuimus. Non eniin res pari periculo non tentatur, et non succedit ; cum in illo ingentis boni, in hoc exigufe Immanse operse, jactura vertatur. Ve- rum ex dictis, atque etiam ex non dictis, visum est nobis spei abunde subesse, non tantum homini strenuo ad experiendum, sed etiam prudenti et sobrio ad cre- dendum. cxv. Atque de desperatione tollenda, quae inter causas potentissimas ad progressum scientiarum remorandum et inhibendum fuit, jam dictum est. Atque simul sermo de signis et causis errorum, et inertise et igno- rantias quse invaluit, absolutus est ; prsBsertim cum subtiliores causse, et quse in judicium populare aut ob- servationem non incurrunt, ad ea quse de Idolis animi humani dicta sunt referri debeant. Atque hie simul pars destruens Instaurationis nos- tras claudi debet, quse perficitur tribus redargutioni- bus; redargutione nimirum Humance Rationis Nativm et sibi permissse ; ^ redargutione Demonstrationum ; et redargutione Theoriarwm, sive philosophiarum et doc- trinarum quse receptse sunt. Redargutio vero earum talis fuit qualis esse potuit ; videlicet per signa, et evidentiam causarum ; cum confutatio alia nulla a no- bus observing the west-winds which blow at certain times of the year on the coast of Portugal, came to the conclusion that there must be land to generate them. i For an explanation of this passage, as connected with the first form of the doctrine of Idols when they were divided into three kinds to each of which one of these confutations corresponded, see the preface. In compar- ing it with the corresponding passages in the Pariis secuTidce delineatio, and the Dlstributw opens, it will be observed that the order of the confutations is inverted. The first of these redargutions extends from the 40th to the 60th aphorism ; the other two, which are not kept distinct, end here. — J.S. NOVUM ORGANUM. 321 bis (qiii et de principiis et de demonstrationibus ab aliis dissentimus) adhiberi potuerit. Quocirca tempus est, ut ad ipsam artem et normam Interpretandi Naturam veniamus ; et tamen nonnihil restat quod prsevertenduin est. Quum enim in hoc primo Aphorismorum libro illud nobis propositum sit, ut tarn ad intelligendum quam ad recipiendum ea quae sequuntur mentes hominum prseparentur ; expurgata jam et abrasa et sequata mentis area, sequitur ut mens sistatur in positione bona, et tanquam aspectu benevolo, ad ea quae proponemus. Valet enim in re nova ad prffijudicium, non solum prseoccupatio fortis opinionis veteris, sed et prseceptio sive prjefiguratio falsa rei quae affertur. Itaque conabimur efficere ut habeantur bonte et verse de iis quae adducimus opin- iones, licet ad tempus tantummodo, et tanquam usura- riae,^ donee res ipsa pernoscatur. CXTl. Prime itaque postulandum videtur, ne existiment homines nos, more antiquorum Graecorum, aut quo- rundam novorum hominum, Telesii, Patricii, Seve- rini,* sectam ahquam in philosophia condere velle. Neque enim hoc agimus; neque etiam multum inter- esse putamus ad hominum fortunas quales quis opin- iones abstractas de natura et rerum principiis habeat ; neque dubium est, quin multa hujusmodi et Vetera 1 Compare Distr. Op., p. 226.: "At qninta pars ad tempus tantum, donee reliqua perficiantur, adhibetur; et tanquam fcenus redditur usque dum sors haberi possit." See also the next aphorism, in which the same expression occurs. 2 See De Aug. iv. 3. for a rather fuller mention of these philosophers, and the note upon the passage. See also, for Telesius, the preface to Fabula Cali et Cupidinis ; for Patricius, the JDescriptio GloU inteUectualis ; for Sev- erinus, the Temporis Partus Masculus. — /. 8. VOL. I. 21 322 NOVUM ORGANUM. revocari et nova introduci possint ; quemadmodum et complura themata coeli supponi possunt, qua; cum phsenomenis sat bene conveniunt, inter se tamen dis- sentiunt. At nos de hujusmodi rebus opinabilibus, et simul imitilibus, non laboramus. At contra nobis consti- tutum est experiri, an revera potentiee et amplitu- dinis humanse firmiora fundamenta jacere ac fines in latius proferre possimus. Atque licet sparsim et in aliquibus subjectis specialibus, longe veriora habea- mus et certiora (ut arbitramur) atque etiam magis fructuosa quam quibus homines adhuc utuntur, (quae in quintam Instaurationis nostrse partem congessi- mus,) tamen theoriam nullam universalem aut inte- gram proponimus. Neque enim huic rei tempus ad- huc adesse videtur. Quin nee spem habemus vitse producendaa ad sextam Instaurationis partem (quae philosophise per legitimam Naturae Interpretationem inventaj destinata est) absolvendam ; sed satis habe- mus si in mediis sobrie et utiliter, nos geramus, atque interim semina veritatis sincerioris in posteros sparga- mus, atque initiis rerum magnarum non desimus. CXVII. Atque quemadmodum sectse conditores non sumus, ita nee operum particularium largitores aut promis- sores. Attamen possit aliquis hoc mode occurrere ; quod nos, qui tam SEepe operum mentionem faciamus et omnia eo trahamus, etiam operum aliquorum pig- nora exhibeamus. Verum via nostra et ratio (ut ssepe perspicue diximus et adhuc dicere juvat) ea est; ut non opera ex operibus sive experimenta ex experi- mentis (ut empirici), sed ex operibus et experimentis NOVUM OEGANUM. 323 causas et axiomata, atque ex causis et axiomatibus rursus nova opera et experimenta (ut legitimi Nature Interpretes), extrahamus. Atque licet in tabulis nostris inveniendi (ex quibus quarta pars Instaurationis consistit), atque etiam ex- emplis particularium (quae in secunda parte addux- inius), atque insuper in observationibus nostris super historian! (quae in tertia parte operis descripta est), quivis vel mediocris perspicaciis et solertise complurium operum nobilium indicationes et designationes ubique notabit ; ingenue tamen fatemur, historiam naturalem quam adhuc habemus, aut ex libris aut ex inquisitione propria, non tarn copiosani esse et verificatam, ut legit- ime Interpretationi satisfacere aut ministrare possit. Itaque si quis ad mechanica sit magis aptus et paratus, atque sagax ad venanda opera ^ ex conversatione sola cum experimentis, ei permittimus et relinquimus illam industriam, ut ex historia nostra et tabulis multa tan- quam in via decerpat et applicet ad opera, ac veluti foenus recipiat ad tempus, donee sors haberi possit. Nos vero, cum ad majora contendamus, moram omnem praeproperam et prsematuram in istiusmodi rebus tan- quam Atalantee pilas (ut ssepius solemus dicere) dam- namus. Neque enim aurea poma pueriliter afFectamus, sed omnia in victoria cursus artis super naturam poni- mus ; neque museum aut segetem herbidam demetere festinamus, sed messem tempestivam expectamus. cxviii. Occurret etiam alicui proculdubio, postquam ipsam 1 Compare Temporis Partus jWascuiits ; — " Siquidem utUe genus eorum est qui de theoriis non admodum soliciti, mechanica, quadam subtilitate reram inventarum extensiones prehendunt; qualis est Bacon." — J. S. 324 NOVUM ORGANUM. histoi'iam nostram et inventionis tabulas perlegerit, ali- quid in ipsis experimentis minus certum, vel omnino falsum ; atque propterea secum fortasse reputabit, fun- damentis et principiis falsis et dubiis inventa nostra niti. Verurn hoc nihil est ; necesse enim est talia sub initiis evenire. Simile enim est ac si in scriptione aut impres- sione una forte litera aut altera perperam posita aut collocata sit ; id enim legentem non multum impedire solet, quandoquidem errata ab ipso sensu facile corri- guntur. Ita etiam cogitent homines multa in historia naturali experimenta falso credi et recipi posse, quae paulo post a causis et axiomatibus inventis facile ex- punguntur et rejiciuntur. Sed tamen verum est, si in historia naturali et experimentis magna et crebra et continua fuerint errata, ilia nulla ingenii aut artis foelic- itate corrigi aut emendari posse. Itaque si in historia nostra naturali, quae tanta diligentia et severitate et fere religione probata et collecta est, aliquid in particulari- bus quandoque subsit falsitatis aut erroris, quid tandem de naturali historia vulgari, quae prae nostra tam negli- gens est et facilis, dicendum erit ? aut de philosophia et scientiis super hujusmodi arenas (vel syrtes potius) asdificatis ? Itaque hoc quod diximus neminem mo- voat. CXIX. Occurrent etiam in historia nostra et experimentis plurimse res, primo leves et vulgatse, deinde viles et illi- berales, postremo nimis subtiles ac mere speculativse, et quasi nullius usus : quod genus rerum, hominum studia avertere et alienare possit. Atque de istis rebus quse videntur vulgatse, illud homines cogitent ; solere sane eos adhuc nihil aliud agere, quam ut eorum quse rara sunt causas ad ea quse NOVUM ORGANUM. 325 frequenter fiunt referant et accommodent, at ipsorum qusB frequenter eveniunt nullas causas inquirant, sed ea ipsa recipiant tanquam concessa et admissa. Itaque non ponderis, non rotationis coelestium, non caloris, non frigoris, non luminis, non duri, non mollis, non tenuis, non densi, non liquidi, non consistentis, non animati, non inanimati, non similaris, non dissimilaris, nee demum organici, causas quasrunt ; sed illis, tan- quam pro evidentibus et manifestis, receptis, de ceteris rebus quae non tam frequenter et familiariter occurrunt disputant et judicant. Nos vero, qui satis scimus nullum de rebus raris aut notabilibus judicium fieri posse, multo minus res novas in lucem protrahi, absque vulgarium rerum causis et causarum causis rite examinatis et repertis, necessario ad res vulgarissimas in historiam nostram recipiendas compellimur. Quinetiam nil magis philosophise ofFe- cisse deprehendimus quam quod res quae familiares sunt et frequenter occurrunt contemplationem hominum non morentur et detineant, sed recipiantur obiter, neque earum causae quaeri soleant : ut non saepius requiratur informatio de rebus ignotis, quam attentio in notis. cxx. Quod vero ad rerum vilitatem attinet, vel etiam tur- pitudinem, quibus (ut ait Plinius) honos prasfandus est ; ' eae res, non minus quam lautissimae et pretiosissi- mse, in historiam naturalem recipiendae sunt. Neque propterea polluitur naturalis historia : sol enim aeque palatia et cloacas ingreditur, neque tamen polluitur. 1 " Eeruin natura, hoc est, vita narratur, et hsec sordidissima sui parte, ut plurimarum rerum aut rusticis vocabulis aut externis, imo barbaris, etiam cum honoris pr^fatione ponendis." — Plin. Hist. Nat. i. ad init. Compare also Aristot. De Part. Animal, i. 5. 326 NOVUM ORGAXUM. Nos autem non Capitolium aliquod aut Pyramidem hominum superbise dedicamus aut condimus, sed tern- plum sanctum ad exemplar mundi in intellectu humano ftindamus. Itaque exemplar sequimur. Nam quicquid essentia dignum est, id etiam scientia dignum, quse est essentise imago. At vilia seque subsistunt ac lauta. Quinetiam, ut e quibusdam putridis materiis, veluti musco et zibetho, aliquando optimi odores generantur ; ita et ab instantiis vilibus et sordidis quandoque eximia lux et infonnatio emanat. Verum de hoc nimis multa ; cum hoc genus fastidii sit plane puerile et effcemina- tum. cxxi. At de illo omnino magis accurate dispiciendum ; quod plurima in historia nostra captui vulgar!, aut etiam cuivis intellectui (rebus prsesentibus assuefacto), videbuntur curiosse cujusdam et inutilis subtilitatis. Itaque de hoc ante omnia et dictum et dicendum est ; hoc scilicet ; nos jam sub initiis et ad tempus, tantnm ludfera experimenta, non fruetifera quserere ; ad ex- emplum creationis divinaa, quod ssepius diximus, quas primo die lucem tantum produxit, eique soli unum integrum diem attribuit, neque illo die quicquara ma- teriati operis immiscuit. Itaque si quis istiusmodi res nuUius esse usus putet, idem cogitat ac si nullum etiam lucis esse usum censeat, quia res scilicet solida aut materiata non sit. Atque revera dicendum est, simplicium naturarum cogni- tionem bene examinatam et definitam instar lucis esse ; quae ad universa operum penetralia aditum prsebet, atque tota agmina operum et turmas, et axiomatum nobilissimorum fontes, potestate quadam complectitur et post se trahit ; in se tamen non ita magni usus est. NOVUM OEGANUM. 327 Quin et literarum elementa per se et sepaiatim nihil significant nee alicujus usus sunt, sed tamen ad omnis sermonis compositionem et apparatum instar materias primse sunt. Etiam semina rerum potestate valida, usu (nisi in processu suo) niliili sunt. Atque lucis ipsius radii dispersi, nisi coeant, beneficium suum non imper- tiuntur. Quod si quis subtilitatibus speculativis ofFendatur, quid de scholasticis \iris dicendum erit, qui subtilitati- bus immensum indulserunt ? quae tamen subtilitates in verbis, aut saltern vulgaribus notionibus (quod tantun- dem valet), non in rebus aut natura consumptse fue- runt, atque utilitatis expertes erant, non tantum in origine, sed etiam in consequentiis ; tales autem non fuerunt, ut haberent in prsesens utilitatem nullam, sed per eonsequens infinitam ; quales sunt ese de quibus loquimur. Hoc vero sciant homines pro certo, omnem subtilitatem disputationum et discursuum mentis, si ad- hibeatur tantum post axiomata inventa, seram esse et pr«posteram ; et subtilitatis tempus verum ac propri- um, aut saltern prsecipuum, versari in pensitanda ex- perientia et inde constituendis axiomatibus ; nam ilia altera subtilitas naturam prensat et captat, sed nun- quam apprehendit aut capit. Et verissimum certe est quod de occasione sive fortuna dici solet, si transfe- ratur ad naturam : videlicet, earn a frmite comatam, ah ocdpitio calvam esse. Denique de contemptu in naturali historia rerum aut vulgarium, aut vilium, aut nimis subtilium et in origin- ibus suis inutilium, ilia vox mulierculse ad tumidum principem, qui petitionem ejus ut rem indignam et •majestate sua inferiorem abjecisset, pro oraculo sit ; Desine ergo rex esse : quia certissimum est, impe- 328 NOVUM OEGANDM. rium in naturam, si quis hujusmodi rebus ut nimis exilibus et minutis vacare nolit, nee obtineri nee geri posse. CXXII. Occurrit ' etiam et illud ; mirabile quiddam esse et durum, quod nos omnes scientias atque omnes authores simul ac veluti uno ictu et impetu summoveamus : idque non assumpto aliquo ex antiquis in auxilium et presidium nostrum, sed quasi viribus propriis. Nos autem scimus, si minus sincera fide agere voluis- semus, non difficile fuisse nobis, ista quse afferuntur vel ad antiqua SEecula ante Grsecorum tempera (y.nm sci- entia? de natura magis fortasse sed tamen majore cum silentio floruerint, neque in Grsecorum tubas et fistulas adhuc incidissent), vel etiam (per partes certe) ad ali- quos ex Grsecis ipsis referre, atque astipulationem et honorem inde petere : more novorum hominum, qui nobilitatem sibi ex antiqua aliqua prosapia, per genealo- giarum favores, astruunt et affingunt. Nos vero rerum evidentia freti, omnem commenti et imposturae condi- tionem rejieimus ; neque ad id quod agitur plus inter- esse putamus, utrum qua?, jam invenientur antiquis olim cognita, et per rerum vieissitudines et ssecula occiden- tia et orientia sint, quam hominibus eurse esse debere, utrum Novus Orbis ftierit insula ilia Atlantis et veteri mundo cognita, an nunc primum reperta. Rerum enim inventio a naturae luce petenda, non ab antiqui- tatis tenebris repetenda est. Quod vero ad universalem istam reprehensionem at- tinet, certissimum est vere rem reputanti, earn et magis probabilem esse et magis modestam, quam si facta fiiis- set ex parte. Si enim in primis notionibus errores radi- 1 So in tlie original edition. I tliink it should be occurret. — J. S. NOVUM ORGANUM. 329 cati non fuissent, fieri non potuisset quin nonnulla recte inventa alia perperam inventa correxissent. Sed cum errores fundamentales fuerint, atque ejusmodi ut homi- nes potius res neglexerint ac prseterierint, quam de illis pravum aut falsum judicium fecerint ; minime mirum est, si homines id non obtinuerint quod non egerint, nee ad metam pervenerint quam non posuerint aut col- locarint, neque viam emensi sint quam non ingressi sint aut tenuerint. Atque insolentiam rei quod attinet ; certe si qiiis manus constantia atque oculi vigore lineam magis rec- tam aut circulum magis perfectum se describere posse quam alium quempiam sibi assumat, inducitiir scilicet facultatis comparatio : quod si quis asserat se adhibita regula aut circumducto circino lineam magis rectam aut circulum magis perfectum posse describere, quam aliquem alium vi sola oculi et manus, is certe non ad- mbdum jactator fuerit. Quin hoc quod dicimus non solum in hoc nostro conatu primo et incoeptivo locum habet ; sed etiam pertinet ad eos qui huic rei posthac incumbent. Nostra enim via inveniendi scientias ex- sequat fere ingenia, et non multum excellentise eorum relinquit: cum omnia per certissimas regulas et de- monstrationes transigat. Itaque hasc nostra (ut ssepe diximus) fcslicitatis cujusdam sunt potius quam facul- tatis, et potius temporis partus quam ingenii. Est enim certe casus aliquis non minus in cogitationibus humanis, quam in operibus et factis. CXXIIl. Itaque dicendum de nobis ipsis quod ille per jocum dixit, prsesertim cum tarn bene rem secet : fieri non po- test ut idem sentiant, qui aquam et qui vinum bibant. 330 NOVUM ORGANUM. At cseteri homines, tam veteres quam novi, liquorem biberunt crudem in scientiis, tanquam aquam vel sponte ex intellectu manantem, vel per dialecticam, tanquam per rotas ex puteo, haustam. At nos liquorem bibimus et propinamus ex infinitis confectam uvis, iisque ma- turis et tempestivis, et per racemes quosdata colleetis ac decerptis, et subinde in torculari pressis, ac postremo in vase repurgatis et clarificatis. Itaque nil miruni si nobis cum aliis non conveniat. cxxiv. Occurret proculdubio et illud : nee metam aut sco- pum scientiarum a nobis ipsis (id quod in aliis repre- hendimus) verum et optimum, prtefixum esse. Esse enim contemplationem veritatis omni operum utilitate et magnitudine digniorem et celsiorem : longam vero istam et sollicitam moram in experientia et materia et rerum particularium fluctibus, mentem veluti humo afSgere, vel potius in Tartarum quoddam confusionis et perturbationis dejicere ; atque ab abstractfe sapientise serenitate et tranquillitate (tanquam a statu multo di- viniore) ai'cere et summovere. Nos vero huic rationi libenter assentimur ; et hoc ipsum, quod innuunt ac prseoptant, prsecipue atque ante omnia agimus. Ete- nim verum exemplar mundi in intellectu humano fundamus ; quale invenitur, non quale cuipiam sua propria ratio dictaverit. Hoc autem perfici non potest, nisi facta mundi dissectione atque anatomia diligentis- sima. Modules vero ineptos mundorum et tanquam simiolas, quas in philosophiis phantasise hominum ex- truxerunt, omnino dissipandas edicimus. Sciant itaque homines (id quod superius diximus) quantum intersit inter humanse mentis Idola, et divinse mentis Ideas. NOVUM OEGANDM. 331 Ilia enim nihil aliud sunt quam abstractiones ad placi- tum : hje autem sunt vei-a signacula Creatoris super creaturas, prout in materia per lineas veras et exquisi- tas imprimuntur et terminantur. Itaque ipsissimae res sunt (in hoc genere) Veritas et utilitas : ^ atque opera ipsa pluris facienda sunt, quatenus sunt veritatis pig- nora, quam propter vit£e commoda. cxxv. Occurret fortasse et illud : nos tanquam actum agere, atque antiques ipsos eandem quam nos viam tenuisse. Itaque verisimile putabit quispiam etiam nos, post tan- tum motum et molitionem, deventuros tandem ad ali- quam ex illis philosophiis quse apud antiques valuerunt. Nam et illos in meditationum suarum principiis vim et copiam magnam exemplorum et particularium para- 1 Compare Partis Instauratioins Seoundce Delineatio : — " Quinetiam illis quibus in contemplationis amorem effusis frequens apud nos operum mentio asperum quiddam et ingratum et mechanicum sonat, monstrabimus quan- tum illi desideriis suis propriis adversentur, cum puriias contemplationum atque svhstruciio et inventio operwn prorsus eisdem rebus nitantur et simul perfruantur." In a corresponding passage in the Cogitata et Visa we find, instead of the last clause, " etenim in natura Opera non tantum vitse bene- ficia sed et veritatis pignora esse. . . Veritatem enim per Operum indica- tionem magis quam ex argumentatione aut etiam ex sensu et patefieri et probari. Quare unam tandemqtie ratianem et conditUmis humance et ^nentis dotandm esse." Compare also Nov. Org. ii. 4. : " Ista autem duo pronuntiata, Activum et Contemplativum, res eadem sunt ; et quod in operando utilissimum id in sciendo verissimum." I do not think that the use of ipsissimae here can be justified : if the mean- ing be (as I think it must) that truth and utility are (in this kind) "the ver}' same things." If ipsissirruB be used correctly, the meaning must be that things themselves, the very facts of nature, are truth and utility both. But in that case we should expect " et Veritas et utilitas." Mr. Ellis pro- poses to render the phrase thus: " Truth and utility are in this kind the very things we seek for." But to me it seems less probable that Bacon would have expressed such a meaning by such a phrase than that he used the word ipsissiTme incorrectly in the sense I have attributed to it. — J. 8. 332 NOVUM OEGANUM. visse, atque in commentarios per locos et titulos diges- sisse, atque inde philosophias suas et artes confecisse, et postea, re comperta, pronuntiasse, et exempla ad fidem et docendi lumen sparsim addidisse ; sed particularium notas et codicillos ac commentarios suos in lucem edere supervacuum et molestum putasse ; ideoque fecisse quod in ffidificando fieri solet, nempe post sedificii structuram machinas et scalas a conspectu amovisse. Neque aliter factum esse credere certe oportet. Verum nisi quis omnino oblitus fuerit eorum quae superius dicta sunt, huic objectioni (aut scrupulo potius) facile respondebit. Formam enim inquirendi et inveniendi apud antiques et ipsi profitentur,^ et scripta eorum prse se ferunt. Ea autem non alia fuit, quam ut ab exemplis quibusdam et particularibus (additis notionibus communibus, et for- tasse portione nonnulla ex opinionibus receptis quae maxime placuerunt) ad conclusiones maxime general es sive principia scientiarum advolarent, ad quorum veri- tatem immotam et fixam conclusiones inferiores per media educerent ac probarent ; ex quibus artem con- stituebant. Tum demum si nova particularia et exem- pla mota essent et adducta quae placitis suis refragaren- tur, ilia aut per distinctiones aut per regularum suarum explanationes in ordinem subtiliter redigebant, aut de- mum per exceptiones grosso modo summovebant : at rerum particularium non refragantium causas ad ilia principia sua laboriose et pertinaciter accommodabant. Verum nee historia naturalis et experientia ilia erat, quam fuisse oportebat, (longe certe abest,) et ista advo- latio ad generalissima omnia perdidit. 1 " Profitemur" in the original edition; obviously a misprint. Compare the corresponding passage in Inquisitio legitima de Motu. NOVUM ORGANUM. 333 CXXVI. Occurret et illud: nos, propter inhibitionem quan- dam pronuntiandi et principia certa ponendi donee per medios gradus ad generalissima rite perventum sit, sus- pensionem quandam judicii tueri, atque ad Acatalep- siam rem deducere. Nos vero non Acatalepsiam, sed Eucatalepsiam meditamur et proponimus : sensui enim non derogamus, sed ministramus ; et intellectum non contemnimus, sed regimus. Atque melius est scire quantum opus sit, et tamen nos non penitus scire putare, quam penitus scire nos putare, et tamen nil eorum quae opus est scire. CXXVII. Etiam dubitabit quispiam, potius quam objiciet, utrum nos de Natural! tantum Philosophia, an etiam de scien- tiis reliquis, Logicis, Ethicis, Politicis, secundum viam nostram perficiendis loquamur. At nos certe de uni- versis hsec quEe dicta sunt intelligimus : atque quemad- modum vulgaris logica, quae regit res per Syllogismum, non tantum ad naturales, sed ad omnes scientias per- tinet ; ita et nostra, quae procedit per Inductionem, omnia complectitur. Tam enim historiam et tabulas inveniendi conficimus de Ira, Metu, et Verecundia, et similibus ; ac etiam de exemplis rerum Civilium : nee minus de motibus mentalibus Memorise, Compo- sitionis et Divisionis,^ Judicii, et reliquorum : quam de Calido et Frigido, aut Luce, aut Vegetatione, aut si- milibus.2 Sed tamen cum nostra ratio Interpretandi, ^ Synthesis and analysis ? 2 This passage is important because it shows that Bacon proposed to ap- ply his method to mental phenomena; which is in itself a sufficient refuta- tion of M. Cousin's interpretation of the passage in which, when censuring 334 NOVUM ORGANUM. post historiam prseparatam et ordinatam, non mentis tantum motus et discursus (ut logica vulgaris), sed et rerum naturam intueatur ; ita mentem regimus, ut ad rerum naturam se, aptis per omnia modis, applicare possit. Atque propterea multa et diversa in doctrina Interpretationis prsecipimus, quse ad subjecti de quo inquirimus qualitatem et conditionem, modum inveni- endi nonnulla ex parte applicent. CXXVIII. At illud de nobis ne dubitare quidem fas sit ; utrum nos philosophiam et artes et scientias quibus utimur destruere et demoliri cupiamus : contra enim, earum et usum et cultum et lionores libenter amplectimur. Neque enim ullo modo officimus, quin istse quse inval- uerunt et disputationes alant, et sermones ornent, et ad professoria munera ac vitse civilis compendia adhib- eantur et valeant ; denique, tanquam numismata quse- dam, consensu inter homines recipiantur. Quinetiam significamus aperte, ea quae nos adduciraus ad istas res non multum idonea fiitura; cum ad vulgi captum de- duci omnino non possint, nisi per efFecta et opera tan- tum. At hoc ipsum quod de affectu nostro et bona voluntate erga scientias receptas dicimus quam vera profiteamur, scripta nostra in pubhcum edita (prseser- tim hbri de Progressu Scientiarum) fidem faciant. Ita- que id verbis amphus vincere non conabimur. Illud interim constanter et diserte monemus ; his modis qui in usu sunt nee magnos in scientiarum doctrinis et con- templatione progressus fieri, nee illas ad amplitudinem operum deduci posse. the writings of the schoohnen, he compares them to the self-evolved web of the spider. I have elsewhere spoken more at length of this passage. [See p. 161.] NOVUM ORGANUM. 335 CXXIX. Superest ut de Finis excellentia pauca dicamiis. Ea si prius dicta fuissent, votis similia videri potuissent : sed spe jam facta, et iniquis prsejudiciis sublatis, plus fortasse pondei-is habebunt. Quod si nos omnia per- fecissemus et plane absolvissemus, nee alios in partem et consortium laborum subinde vocaremus, etiam ab hujusmodi verbis abstinuissemus, ne acciperentur in prffidicationem meriti nostri. Cum vero aliorum in- dustria acuenda sit et animi excitandi atque accen- dendi, consentaneum est ut qusedam hominibus in mentem redigamus. Primo itaque videtur inventorum nobilium introduc- tio inter actiones humanas longe primas partes tenere : id quod antiqua ssecula judicaverunt. Ea enim rerum inventoribus divinos honores tribuerunt ; iis autem qui in rebus civilibus merebantur (quales erant urbium et imperiorum conditores, legislatores, patriarum a diu- turnis malis liberatores, tyrannidum debellatores, et his similes), heroum tantum honores decreverunt. Atque certe si quis ea recte conferat, justum hoc prisci saeculi judicium reperiet. Etenim inventorum beneficia ad universum genus humanum pertinere possunt, civilia ad certas tantummodo hominum sedes : hsec etiam non ultra paucas setates durant, ilia quasi perpetuis tem- poribus. Atque status emendatio in civilibus non sine vi et perturbatione plerumque procedit : at inventa beant, et beneficium deferunt absque alicujus injuria aut tristitia. Etiam inventa quasi novse creationes sunt, et divi- norum operum imitamenta ; ut bene cecinit ille : 336 NOVUM ORGANUM. " Primum frugiferos footus mortalibus segris Dididerant quondam prajstanti nomine Athenas; Et Kecreavebunt vitam, legesque rogavunt." 1 Atque videtur notatu dignum in Solomone ; quod cum imperio, auro, magnificentia operum, satellitio, famulitio, classe insuper, et nominis claritate, ac sum- ma hominum admiratione floreret, tamen nihil horum delegerit sibi ad gloriam, sed ita pronuntiaverit : Qio- riam Dei esse, celare rem ; gloriam regis, investigare rem? Rursus (si placet) reputet quispiam, quantum inter- sit inter hominum vitam in excultissima quapiam Eu- rope provincia, et in regione aliqua Novas Indise max- ime fera et barbara : ea ^ tantura difFerre existimabit, ut merito hominem homini Deum esse, non solum prop- ter auxilium et beneficium, sed etiam per status com- parationem, recte dici possit. Atque hoc non solum, non ccelum, non corpora, sed artes prsestant. Rursus, vim et virtutem et consequentias rerum in- ventarum notare juvat : quse non in aliis manifestius occurrunt, quam in illis tribus quse antiquis incognitse, et quarum primordia, licet recentia, obscura et ingloria sunt : Artis nimirum Imprimendi, Pulveris Tormen- tarii, et Acus Nauticae. Hasc enim tria rerum faciem et statum in orbe terrarum mutaverunt : primum, in re literaria ; secundum, in re bellica ; tertium, in navi- gationibus : unde innumerse rerum mutationes sequu- t« sunt ; ut non imperium aliquod, non secta, non Stella, majorem efficaciam et quasi influxum super res humanas exercuisse videatur, quam ista mechanica exercuerunt. Prseterea non abs re fuerit, tria hominum ambitionis 1 Lucretius, vi. 1-3. 2 Prov. xxv. 2. 8 go in the original edition. NOVUM OKGAJSTUM. 337 genera et quasi gradus distinguere. Primum eorum, qui propriam potentiam in patria sua amplificare cupi- unt ; quod genus vulgare est et degeuer. Secundum eorum, qui patriae potentiam et imperium inter hu- man um genus amplificare nituntur; illud pins certe habet dignitatis, cupiditatis baud minus. Quod si quis humani generis ipsius potentiam et iaiperium in rerum universitatem instaurare et amplificare conetur, ea pro- culdubio ambitio (si modo ita vocanda sit) reliquis et sanior est et augustior. Hominis autem imperium in res, in solis artibus et scientiis ponitur. Naturae enim non imperatur, nisi parendo. Praeterea, si unius alicujus particularis inventi util- itas ita homines affecerit, ut eum qui genus humanum universum beneficio aliquo devincire potuerit homine majorem putaverint ; quanto celsins videbitur tale ali- quid invenire, per quod alia omnia expedite inveniri possint ? Et tamen (ut verum omnino dicamus) quem- admodum luci magnam habemus gratiam, quod per eam vias inire, artes exercere, legere, nos invicem dig- noscere possimus ; et nihilominus ipsa visio lucis res praestantior est et pulchrior, quam multiplex ejus usus : ita certe ipsa contemplatio rerum prout sunt, sine super- stitione aut impostura, errore aut confusione, in seipsa magis digna est, quam universus inventorum fructus.^ Postremo siquis depravationem scientiarum et artium ad malitiam et luxuriam et similia objecerit ; id nem- inem moveat. Illud enim de omnibus mundanis bonis did potest, ingenio, fortitudine, viribus, forma, divitiis, luce ipsa, et reliquis. Recuperet modo genus humanum jus suum in naturam quod ei ex dotatione divina com- 1 This is one of the passages which show how far Bacon was from what is now called a utilitarian. 338 NOVUM OKGANUM. petit, et detur ei copia : usum vero recta ratio et sana religio gubernabit. cxxx. Jam vero tempus est ut artem ipsam Interpretandi Naturam proponamus : in qua licet nos utilissima et verissima prsecepisse arbitremur, tamen necessitatem ei absolutam (ac si absque ea nil agi possit) aut etiam perfectionem non attribuimus. Etenim in ea opinione sumus ; si justam Naturae et Experientise Historiam praesto haberent homines, atque in ea sedulo versa- rentur, sibique duas res imperare possent; unam, ut receptas opiniones et notiones deponerent ; alteram, ut mentem a generalissimis et proximis ab illis ad tempus cohiberent ; fore ut etiam vi propria et gen- uina mentis, absque alia arte, in formam nostram In- terpretandi incidere possent. Est enim Interpretatio verum et naturale opus mentis, demptis iis quae ob- stant : ^ sed tamen omnia certe per nostra praecepta erunt magis in procinctu, et multo firmiora. Neque tamen illis nihil addi posse aiSrmamus : sed contra, nos, qui mentem respicimus non tan- tum in facultate propria, sed quatenus copulatur cum rebus, Artem in- veniendi cum Inventis ad- olescere posse, stat- uere debemus. 1 Compare Valerius Terminus, ch. 22. : — " That it is true that interpreta- tion is the very natural and direct intention, action, and progression of tie understanding, delivered from impediments; and that all anticipation is but a deilexion or declination by accident." Also Adv. of Learn. (2d book) ; — " For he that shall attentively observe how the mind doth gather this excellent dew of knowledge, like unto that which the poet speaketh of, Aerii mellis coslesiia dona, distilling and contriving it out of particulars nat- ural and artificial, as the flowers of the field and garden, shall find that the mind of herself by nature doth manage and act an induction much better than they describe it." — J. S. LIBEE SECUNDUS APHORISMORUM LIBEK SECUNDUS APHORISMORUM DE OTEEPEETATIONE NATUEJl SITE DE REGJsO HOMINIS. Aphoeismus I. Super datum corpus novam naturam sive novas naturas generare et superinducere, opus et intentio est humanse Potentige. Datae autera naturae For- mam, sive diiFerentiam veram, sive naturam naturan- tem,^ sive fontem emanationis (ista enim vocabula ^ This is the only passage in which I have met with the phrase natura naiurarts used as it is here. With the later schoolmen, as with Spinoza, it denotes God considered as the caii^a immanens of the universe, and there- fore, according to the latter at least, not hypostaticalh' distinct from it. (On the Pantheistic tendency occasionally perceptible among the schoolmen, see Neander's Essay on Scotus Erigena in the Berlin Memoirs.) Bacon applies it to the Form, considered as the causa immanens of the properties of the body. I regret not having been able to trace the history of this remarkable phrase. It does not occur, I think, in St. Thomas Aquinas, though I have met with it in an index to his Summa ; the passage referred to containing a quotation from St. Augustine, in which the latter speaks of " ea natura quie creavit omnes cseteras instituitque naturas." ( V. St. Aug., De Trin. xiv. 9.) Neither does it occur, so far as I am aware, where we might have expected it, in the Be Dimsione Natures of Scotus Erigena. Vossius, De Vitiis Latini Sermonis, notices its use among the schoolmen, but gives no particular reference. 342 NOVUM OKGANDM. habeinus quae ad indicationem rei proxirae accedunt) invenire, opus et intentio est humane ScientisB.^ At- que his operibus primariis subordinantur alia opera duo secundaria et inferioris notse ; priori, transforma- tio corporum concretorum de alio in aliud, intra ter- minos Possibilis ; ^ posteriori, inventio in omni genera- tione et motu latentis processus, continuati ab Efficiente manifesto et materia manifesta usque ad Formam indi- tam ; et inventio similiter latentis schematismi corpo- rum quiescentium et non in motu.^ n. Quam infceliciter se habeat scientia humana quae in usu est, etiam ex illis liquet quae vulgo asseruntur. Recte ponitur; Vere scire, esse per Oausas scire. Etiam non male constituuntur causae quatuor ; Ma- teria, Forma, Efficiens, et Finis. At ex his. Causa Finalis tantum abest ut prosit, ut etiam scientias cor- rumpat, nisi in hominis actionibus ; Formae inventio habetur pro desperata ; Efficiens vero et Materia (quales quaeruntur et recipiuntur, remotae scilicet, absque latenti processu ad Formam) res perfunctorise 1 See General Preface, § 7. p. 67. 2 The possibility of transmutation, long and strenuously denied, though certainly on no sufficient grounds, is now generally admitted. "There was a time when this fundamental doctrine of the alchemists was opposed to known analogies. It is now no longer so opposed to them, only some stages beyond their present development." — Faraday, Lectwres on Noti- Metallic Elements, p. 106. s In this aphorism Bacon combines the antithesis of corpus and natura, the concrete and the abstract, with the antithesis of power and science, and thus arrives at a quadripartite classification. To translate, as Mr. Craik has done, "natura" by " natural substance " involves the whole subject in confusion. In the last sentence continuati may be translated " continuously carried on." The word is often thus used; as in the dictum "mutatio nil aliud est quam successiva et continuata formffi adquisitio." NOVUM ORGANUM. 343 sunt et superficiales, et nihili fere ad scientiam veram et activam. Neque tamen obliti sumus nos superius notasse et correxisse errorem mentis humanse, in def- erendo Formis primas essentisB.^ Licet enim in na- tura nihil vere existat prjeter corpora individua eden- tia actus puros individuos ex lege ; in doctrinis tamen, ilia ipsa lex, ejusque inquisitio et inventio atque expli- catio, pro fundamento est tarn ad sciendum quam ad operandum. Eam autem legem, ejusque paragraphos, Formarum nomine intelligimus ; ^ praesertim cum hoc vocabulum invaluerit et familiariter occurrat. III. Qui causam alicujus naturae (veluti albedinis aut caloris) in certis tantum subjectis novit, ejus Scientia imperfecta est ; et qui effectum super certas tantum materias (inter eas quse sunt susceptibiles) inducere potest, ejus Potentia pariter imperfecta est. At qui Efficientem et Materialem causam tantummodo novit (quEe causae fluxae sunt, et nihil aliud quam vehicula et causas Formam deferentes in aliquibus),^ is ad nova inventa, in materia aUquatenus simiU et praeparata, pervenire potest, sed rerum terminos altius fixos non movet. At qui Formas novit, is naturae unitatem in materiis dissimillimis complectitur. Itaque quae ad- huc facta non sunt, qualia nee naturae vicissitudines 1 [I. ^ 51. " Formas enim commenta animi htunani sunt, nisi libeat leges illaa actiis Formas appellare."] Translate, — "We have noted and corrected as an error of the human mind the opinion that forms give ex- istence." Bacon alludes to the maxim "forma dat esse." 2 See General Preface, p. 75. The paragraphs of a law are its sections or clauses. It is difficult to attach any definite meaning to Mr. Wood's translation of paragraphos, " its parallels in each science." 8 i. e. " which are unstable causes, and merely vehicles and causes which convey the form in certain cases." 344 NOVUM OEGANUM. neque experimentales industrise neque casus ipse in actum unquam perduxissent, neque cogitationem hu- manam subitura fuissent, detegere et producere potest. Quare ex Formarum inventione sequitur Contempla- tio vera et Operatic libera. IV. Licet vi» ad potentiam atque ad scientiam huma- nam conjunctissimse sint et fere esedem, tamen propter perniciosam et inveteratam consuetudinem versandi in abstractis, tutius omnino est ordiri et excitare scientias ab iis fundamentis quse in ordine sunt ad partem ac- tivam, atque ut ilia ipsa partem contemplativam signet et determinet. Videndum itaque est, ad aliquam natu- ram super corpus datum generandam et superinducen- dam, quale quis preeceptum aut qualem quis directio- nem aut deductionem maxime optaret ; idque sermone simplici et minime abstruse. Exempli gratia ; si quis argento cupiat superinducere flavum colorem auri aut augmentum ponderis (servatis legibus materise^), aut lapidi alicui non diaphano dia- phaneitatem, aut vitro tenacitatem, aut corpori alicui non vegetabili vegetationem ; videndum (inquam) est, quale quis praaceptum aut deductionem potissimum sibi dari exoptet. Atque primo, exoptabit aliquis procul- dubio sibi monstrari aliquid hujusmodi, quod opere non frustret neque experimento fallat. Secundo, exoptabit quis aliquid sibi prsescribi, quod ipsum non astringat et coerceat ad media qusedam et modos quosdam operandi particulares. Portasse enim destituetur, nee habebit facultatem et commoditatem talia media comparandi et procurandi. Quod si sint et alia media et alii modi 1 That is, with a corresponding decrease of volume. liTOVUM OEGANUM. 345 (preeter illud prseceptum) progignendaa talis iiaturfB, ea fortasse ex .iis erunt qme sunt in operantis potestate ; a qiiibus nihilominus per angustias prsecepti excludetur, nee fructum capiet. Tertio, optabit aliquid sibi mons- trari, quod non sit seque difficile ac ilia ipsa operatic de qua inquiritur, sed propius accedat ad praxin. Itaque de prsecepto vero et perfecto operandi, pro- nuntiatum erit tale ; ut sit certiim, liberum, et dispanens sive in ordine ad actionem. Atque hoc ipsum idem est cum inventione Formse verse. Etenim Forma naturae alicujus talis est ut, ea posita, natura data infallibiliter sequatur. Itaque adest perpetuo quando natura ilia adest, atque earn universaliter affirmat, atque inest omni. Eadem Forma talis est ut, ea amota, natura data infallibiliter fugiat. Itaque abest perpetuo quando natura ilia abest, eamque perpetuo abnegat, atque inest soli. Postremo, Forma vera talis est, ut naturam da- tam ex fonte aliquo essentia3 deducat quae inest pluri- bus, et notior est natur;©^ (ut loquuntur) quam ipsa Forma. Itaque de axiomate vero et perfecto sciendi, pronuntiatum et praeceptum tale est ; ut inveniatur na- tura alia, quae sit cum natura data convertibilis, et tamen sit limitatio naturce notions, instar generis veri? Ista 1 See note on Distrih. Opeiis, p. 216. 2 Let us adopt, for distinctness of expression, the theory commonly known as Boscovich's, — a theory which forms the basis of the ordinary mathematical theories of light, of heat, and of electricity. This theory supposes all bodies to be constituted of inextended atoms or centres of force, each of which attracts or repels and is attracted or repelled by all the rest. All the phenomena of nature are thus ascribed to mechanical forces, and all the differences which can be conceived to exist between two bodies, ' — gold, say, and silver, — can only arise either from the different configu- ration of the centres offeree, or from the different law by which they act on one another. Assuming the truth of this theory, the question, why are some bod- ies transparent and others not so — in other words, what is the essential cause of transparency which is precisely what Bacon would call the form 346 NOVUM OEGANUM. autem duo pronuntiata, activum et contemplativum, res eadem sunt ; et quod in Operando utilissimum, id in Sciendo verissimum. V. At prseceptum sive axioma de transformatione cor- porum, duplicis est generis. Primum intuetur corpus, ut turmam sive conjugationem naturarum simplicium : ut in auro hsec conveniunt ; quod sit flavum ; quod sit ponderosum, ad pondus tale ; quod sit malleabile aut ductile, ad extensionem talem ; quod non fiat volatile, nee deperdat de quanto suo per ignem ; quod fluat fluore tali ; quod separetur et solvatur modis talibus ; et similiter de cseteris naturis, quae in auro concurrunt. Itaque hujusmodi axioma rem deducit ex Formis natu- rarum simplicium. Nam qui Formas et modos novit superinducendi flavi, ponderis, ductilis, fixi, fluoris, so- lutionum, et sic de reliquis, et eorum graduationes et modos, videbit et curabit ut ista conjungi possint in aliquo corpore, unde sequatur transformatio in aurum.^ of transparency, — is to be answered by saying that a certain configuration of the centres of force, combined with the existence of a certain law of force, constitutes such a system that the vibrations of the luminiferons ether pass through it. What this configuration or this law may be, is a question which the present state of mathematicat physics does not enable us to answer; but there is no reason d priori why in time to come it may not receive a complete solution. If it does, we shall then have arrived at a knowledge, on Boscovich's theory, of the form of transparency. Those who are acquainted with the recent progress of physical science know that questi«(ns of this kind, so far from being rejected as the questions of a mere dreamer, are thought to be of the highest interest and importance, and that no inconsiderable advance has already been made towards the solution of some at least among them. 1 " On pourroit trouver le moyen de contrefaire I'or en sorte qu'il satisfe- roit a toutes les ^preuves qu'on en a jusqu'ici; mais on pourroit aussi d^couvrir alors une nouvelle maniire d'essai, qui donneroit le moyen de distinguer I'or naturel de cet or fait par artifice .... nous pourrions avoir une definition plus parfaite de I'or que nous n'en avons presentement." — Leibnitz, Nemo. Ess. siir V EnUndement, c. 2. NOVUM ORGANUM. 347 Atque hoc genus operandi pertinet ad actionem prima- riam. Eadem enim est ratio generandi naturam unam aliquam simplicem, et plures ; nisi quod arctetur raagis et restringatur homo in operando, si phires requirantur, propter difficultatem tot naturas coadunandi ; quae non facile conveniunt, nisi per vias naturse tritas et ordina- rias. Utcunque tamen dicendum est, quod iste modus operandi (qui naturas intuetur simplices, licet in cor- pore concreto) procedat ex iis quae in natura sunt con- stantia et »tema et catholica, et latas prsebeat potentise humanae vias, quales (ut nunc sunt res) cogitatio hu- man a vix capere aut repraesentare possit. At secundum genus axiomatis (quod a latentis pro- cessus inventione pendet) non per naturas simplices procedit, sed per concreta corpora, quemadmodum in natura inveniuntur, cursu ordinario. Exempli gratia ; in casu ubi fit inquisitio, ex quibus initiis, et quo modo, et quo processu, aurum aut aliud quodvis metallum aut lapis generetur, a primis menstruis aut rudimentis suis usque ad mineram perfectam ; aut similiter, quo pro- cessu herbee generentur, a primis concretionibus succo- rum in terra, aut a seminibus, usque ad plantam forma- tam, cum universa ilia successione motus, et diversis et continuatis naturse nixibus ; similiter, de generatione ordinatim explicata animalium, ab initu ad partum ; et similiter de corporibus aliis. Enimvero neque ad generationes corporum tantum spectat haec inquisitio, sed etiam ad alios motus et opi- ficia naturse. Exempli gratia ; in casu ubi fit inquisitio, de universa serie et continuatis actionibus alimentandi, a prima receptione alimenti ad assimilationem perfec- tam ; aut similiter de motu voluntario in animalibus, a prima impressione imaginationis et continuatis nixibus 348 NOVUM ORGANUM. spiritus usque ad flexiones et motus artuum ; aut de explicate motu linguse et labiorum et instrumentorum reliquorum usque ad editionem vocum articulatarum. Nam hsec quoque spectant ad naturas concretas, sive coUegiatas et in fabrica ; et intuentur veluti consuetu- dines naturae particulares et speciales, non leges fun- damentales et communes, quse constituunt Formas. Veruntamen omnino fatendum est, rationem istam vi- deri expeditiorem et magis sitam in propinquo, et spem injicere magis, quam illam primariam. At pars Operativa similiter, quae huic parti Contem- plativse respondet, operationem extendit et promovet ab iis quffi ordinario in natura inveniuntur ad qusedam proxima, aut a proximis non admodum remota ; sed altiores et radicales operationes super naturam pendent utique ab axiomatibus primariis. Quinetiam ubi non datur homini facultas operandi, sed tantum sciendi, ut in ccBlestibus (neque enim ceditur homini operari in coelestia, aut ea immutare aut transformare), tamen inquisitio facti ipsius sive veritatis rei, non minus quam cognitio causarum et consensuum, ad primaria ilia et catholica axiomata de naturis simplicibus -(veluti de natura rotationis spontanese, attractionis sive virtutis magneticiB, et aliorum complurium quae magis com- munia sunt quam ipsa coelestia) refertur. Neque enim speret aliquis terminare qusestionem utrum in motu diurno revera terra aut caelum rotet, nisi naturam rotationis spontaneae prius comprehenderit. VI. Latens autem Processus, de quo loquimur, longe alia res est quam animis hominum (qualiter nunc obsiden- tur) facile possit occurrare. Neque enim intelligiraus NOVUM OKGAKUM. 349 mensuras quasdam aut signa aut scalas processus in coTporibus spectabiles ; sed plane processum continual turn, qui maxima ex parte sensum fugit. Exempli gratia ; in omni generatione et transforma- tione corporum, inquirendum quid deperdatur et evolet, quid maneat, quid accedat ; quid dilatetur, quid con- trahatur ; quid uniatur, quid separetur ; quid continue- tur, quid abscindatur ; quid impellat, quid impediat ; qtiid dominetur, quid suecumbat ; et alia complura. Neque hie rursus, hsec tantum in generatione aut transformatione corporum quserenda sunt ; sed et in omnibus aliis alterationibus et motibus similiter inqui- rendum quid antecedat, quid succedat ; quid sit incita- tius, quid remissius ; quid motum praebeat, quid regat ; et hujusmodi. Ista vero omnia scientiis (quae nunc pinguissima Minerva et prorsus inhabili contexuntur) incognita sunt et intacta. Cum enim omnis actio nat- uralis per minima transigatur, aut saltem per ilia quae sunt minora quam ut sensum feriant,' nemo se naturam regere aut vertere posse speret, nisi ilia debito modo comprehenderit et notaverit. VII. Similiter, inquisitio et inventio latentis schematismi in corporibus res nova est, non minus quam inventio latentis processus et Forma;.^ Versamur enim plane 1 i. e. Eveiy natural action depends on the ultimate particles of bodies, or at least on parts too small to strike the sense. 2 The distinction between the Latent Process and Latent Schematism in the absolute way in which it is here stated, involves an assumption which the progress of science will probably show to be unfounded; namely, that bodies apparently at rest are so molecularly. Whereas all analogy and the fact that they act on the senses by acting mechanically on certain def- erent media combine to show that we ought to consider bodies even at rest as dynamical and not as statical entities. On this view there is no 350 NOVUM ORGANUM. adhuc in atriis naturae, neque ad interiora paramus aditum. At nemo corpus datum nova natura dotare vel in novum corpus foeliciter et apposite transmutare potest, nisi corporis alterandi aut transformandi bonam habuerit notitiam. In modos enim vanos incurret, aut saltem difficiles et perversos, nee pro corporis natura in quod operatur. Itaque ad hoc etiam via plane est ape- rienda et munienda. Atque in anatomia corporum organicorum (qualia sunt hominis et animalium) opera sane recte et utiliter insumitur, et videtur res subtilis et scrutinium naturae bonum. At hoc genus anatomise spectabile est, et sensui subjectum, et in corporibus tantum organicis locum habet. Verum hoc ipsum obvium quiddam est et in promptu situm, prse anatomia vera schematism! latentis in corporibus quae habentur pro similaribus : ^ praesertim in rebus specificatis^ et earuin partibus, ut ferri, lapidis ; et partibus similaribus plantae, anima- lis ; veluti radicis, folii, floris, carnis, sanguinis, ossis, etc. At etiam in hoc genere non prorsus cessavit industria hum ana ; hoc ipsum enim innuit separatio difficulty in understanding the nature of wliat appear to be spontaneous changes, because every dynamical system carries within itself the seeds of its own decay, except in particular cases ; that is, the type of motion so alters, with greater or less rapidity, that the sensible qualities associated with it pass away. The introduction of the idea of unstable equilibrium in connexion with organic chemistry, was a step in the direction which molec- ular Physics will probably soon take. • i. c. that are thought to be of uniform structure — made up of parts similar to one another. 2 i. e. in things that have a specific character. In Bacon's time only certain things were supposed to belong to natui'al ^ecies, all others being merely elementary. A ruby has a specific character, is specificaium ; com- mon stone or rock non ita ; — they are mere modifications of the element earth, &c. A " specific virtue " is a virtue given by a- thing's specific character, transcending the qualities of the elements it consists of. [See note on Se Augm. ii. 3.] NOVUM ORGANUM. 351 corporum similarmm per distillationes et alios solu- tionum modos, ut dissimilaritas compositi per congre- gationem partium homogenearum appareat.i Quod etiam ex usu est, et facit ad id quod quaerimus ; licet ssepius res fallax sit ; quia complures naturae separa- tioni imputantur et attribuuntur, ac si prius substitis- sent in composite, quas revera ignis et calor et alii modi apertionum de novo indunt et superinducunt. Sed et haec quoque parva pars est operis ad invenien- dum Schematismum verum in composito ; qui Schema- tismus res est longe subtilior et accuratior, et ab operi- bus ignis potius confunditur quam eruitur et elucescit. Itaque facienda est corporum separatio et solutio, non per ignem certe, sed per rationem et Inductionem veram, cum experimentis auxiliaribus ; et per compara- tionem ad alia corpora, et reductionem ad naturas sim- plices et earum Formas quae in composito conveniunt et compHcantur ; et transeundum plane a Vulcano ad Minervam, si in animo sit veras corporum texturas et Schematismos (unde omnis occulta atque, ut vocant, specifica proprietas et virtus in rebus pendet; unde etiam omnis potentis alterationis et transformationis norma educitur) in lucem protrahere. Exempli gratia ; inquirendum, quid sit in omni cor- pore spiritus, quid essentiae tangibilis ; atque ille ipse spiritus, utrum sit copiosus et turgeat, an jejunus et paucus ; tenuis, aut crassior ; magis aereus, aut igneus ; acris, aut deses ; exilis, aut robustus ; in progressu, aut in regressu ; abscissus, aut continuatus ; consentiens cum extemis et ambientibus, aut dissentiens ; etc. Et similiter essentia tangibilis (quse non pauciores recipit 1 That the complex structure of the compound may be made apparent by bringing together its several homogeneous parts. 352 NOVUM OEGANUM. differentias quam spiritus) atque ejus villi et fibrse et omnimoda textura, rursus autem colloeatio spiritus per corpoream rnolem, ejusque pori, meatus, vense et cel- lulee, et rudimenta isive tentamenta corporis organici, sub eandem inquisitionem cadunt. Sed et in his quo- que, atque adeo in omni latentis sehematismi inventione, lux vera et clara ab Axiomatibus primariis immittitur, quse certe caliginem omnem et subtilitatem discutit. vni. Neque propterea res deducetur ad Atomum, qui prsesupponit Vacuum et materiam non fluxam (quorum utrumque falsum est), sed ad particulas veras, quales inveniuntur. Neque rursus est quod exhorreat quis- piam istam subtilitatem, ut inexplicabilem ; sed contra, quo magis vergit inquisitio ad naturas simplices, eo magis omnia erunt sita in piano et perspicuo ; trans- late negotio a multiplici in simplex, et ab incommen- surabili ad commensurabile, et a surdo ad computabile, et ab infinito et vago ad definitum et certum ; ut fit in dementis literarum et tonis concentuum. Optime autem cedit inquisitio naturalis, quando physicum ter- minatur in mathematico. At rursus multitudinem ant fractiones nemo reformidet. In rebus enim quse per numeros transiguntur, tarn facile quis posuerit aut cogi- taverit millenarium quam unum, aut millesimam par- tem unius quam unum integrum. IX. Ex duobus generibus axiomatum quse superius posita sunt, oritur vera divisio philosopbiffi et scientiarum ; translatis vocabulis receptis (quse ad indicationem rei proxime accedunt) ad sensum nostrum. Videlicet, ut NOVUM ORGANDM. 353 inquisitio Formarum, quae sunt (ratione certe, et sua lege ^) ffiternse et immobiles, constituat Metaphysicam ; inquisitio vero Effieieniis, et Materice, et Latentis Pro- cessus, et Latentis Sohematismi (quae omnia cursum naturae communem et ordinarium, non leges funda- mentales et aeternas respiciunt) constituat Physicam : atque his subordinentur similiter practicse duae ; Phys- icse Mechanica ; Metaphysicae (pei-purgato nomine) Magia, propter latas ejus vias et majus imperium in naturam. X. Posito itaque doctrinse scopo, pergendum ad pr«cepta ; idque ordine minime perverso aut perturbato. Atque indicia de Interpretatione Naturae complectuntur partes in genere duas ; primam de educendis aut excitandis axiomatibus ab esperientia ; secundam de deducendis aut derivandis experimentis novis ab axiomatibus. Prior autem trifariam dividitur ; in tres nempe ministrationes ; ministration em ad Sensum, ministrationem ad Memo- riam, et ministrationem ad ^lentem sive Rationem.^ 1 " In principle at least and in their essential law:" meaning that God could change them, but that this change would be above reason and a change of the law of the form, otherwise unchangeable. The phrase is a saving clause. Perhaps we should read " ratione sua et lege " — in their principle and law. 2 Compare Partis secundie Delineatio; and for an explanation of the dis- crepancy see General Preface, § 10. According to the order proposed in the Delineatio, the minisiratio a4 sensum was to contain three parts, of which the first two are not mentioned here: namely, 1st, " Quoraodo bona notio constituatur et eliciatur, ac quomodo testatio sensus, quae semper est ex analogia hominis, ad analogiam mundi reducatur et rectificetur ; " 2dly, " Quomodo ea qua; sensum effugiunt aut subtilitate totius corporis, aut partium minutiis, aut loci distantia, aut tardltate vel etiam velocitate motus, aut familiaritate objecti, aut aliis, in ordmem sensus redigantur; ac jnsuper in casu quo adduci non possunt, quid faciendum, atque quomodo huic destitutioni vel per instrumenta, vel per graduum observationem pe- ritam, vel per corporum proportionatorum ex sensibilibua ad insensibilia VOL. I. 23 354 NOVUM OEGANUM. Primo enim paranda est Historia Naturalis et Ex- perimentalis, sufRciens et bona ; quod fundamentum rei est ; neque enim fingendnm aut excogitandum, sed inveniendum, quid natura faciat ant ferat. Historia vero Naturalis et Experimentalis tam varia est et sparsa, ut intellectum confiindat et disgreget, nisi sistatur et compareat ordine idoneo. Itaque formandae sunt Tabula et Coordinationes Instantiarum, tali modo et instructione ut in eas agere possit intellectus. Id quoque licet fiat, tamen intellectus sibi permissus et sponte movens incompetens est et inhabilis ad opi- ficium axiomatum, nisi regatur et muniatur. Itaque tertio, adhibenda est Inductio legitima et vera, quas ipsa Clavis est Interpretationis. Incipiendum autem est a fine, et retro pergendum ad reliqua.-* XI. Inquisitio Formarum sic procedit; super naturam datam primo facienda est comparentia^ ad Intellectum omnium Instantiarum notarum, quse in eadem natura conveniunt, per materias licet dissimillimas. Atque hujusmodi collectio facienda est historice, absque con- indicationes, vel per alias vias ac substitutiones, sit subvenieiidum." I suppose Bacon had now determined to transfer tliese to the third minis- tration — the minisfratio ad Baiionem ; and to treat of them under the heads adminicula et 7'ectijicationvs inductionis. See infra, ^ 21. ; and observ-e that the full exposition of the Instantus supplementi, and Instant'm persecantes (both of wliich belong to the second of the two parts above mentioned) was reserved for thS section relating to the adminicula Inductionis. See §§ 42, 43. — J. S. 1 i. e. Of this, which is the last (namely the method of interpretation by induction based on exclusions), we must speak first, and then go back to the other ministrations. 2 This is properly a law tenn, and is equivalent to " appearance '^ in such phrases as " to enter an appearance," &c. It is also said to be used for the vadimonium given to secure an appearance on an appointed day. See Ducange in voc. NOVUM ORGANUM. 355 templatione prsefestina, aut subtilitate aliqua majore. Exempli gratia ; in inquisitione de Forma Calidi. InstanticB convenientes in natura Calidi. 1. Radii solis, praesertim aestate et meridie. 2. Radii solis reflexi et constipati, ut inter montes, aut per parietes, et maxime omnium in speculis com- burentibus. 3. Meteora ignita. 4. Fulmina comburentia. 5. Eructationes flammarum ex cavis montium, etc. 6. Flamma omnis. 7. Ignita solida. 8. Balnea calida naturalia. 9. Liqnida ferventia, aut calefacta. 10. Vapores et fumi ferventes, atque aer ipse, qui fortissimum et fiirentem suscipit calorem, si concluda- tur; ut in reverberatoriis.^ 11. Tempestates aliquae sudse per ipsam constituti- onem aeris, non habita ratione temporis anni. 12. Aer conclusus et subterraneus in eavernis non- nullis, praesertim hyeme. 13. Omnia vUlosa, ut lana, pelles animalium, et plu- magines, habent nonnihil teporis. 14. Corpora omnia, tam solida quam liquida et tam densa quam tenuia (qualis est ipse aer), igni ad tempus approximata. 15. Scintilla ex silice et chalybe per fortem percus- sionem. 16. Omne corpus fortiter attritum, ut lapis, lignum, pannus, etc. ; adeo ut temones et axes rotarum aliquan- 1 That 13, furnaces in which the flame is made to return on itself by im- peding its direct course. 356 IfOVUM ORGANUM. do flammam concipiant ; et mos excitandi ignis apud Indos Occidentales fuerit per attritionem. 17. Herbje virides et humidas simul conclusse et con- trusae, ut rosse, pinsse ^ in corbibus ; adeo ut foenum, si repositum ftierit madidum, ssepe concipiat flammam.^ 18. Calx viva, aqua aspersa. 19. Ferrum, cum primo dissolvitur per aquas fortes in vitro, idque absque ulla admotione ad ignem : et stannum similiter, etc., sed non adeo intense. 20. Animalia, prasertim et perpetuo per interiora ; licet in insectis calor ob parvitatem corporis non depre- hendatur ad tactum. 21. Fimus equinus, et hujusmodi exerementa anima- lium recentia. 1 Pis0e in the original edition. 2 " Tliat seeds wlien germinating, as they lie heaped in large masses, evolve a considerable degree of heat, is a fact long known from the malting of grain ; but the cause of it was incorrectly sought for in a process of fer- mentation. To Goppert { Ueber Wdrmeentwickelung in der lebenden Pfianze) is due the merit of having demonstrated that such is not the case, but that the evolution of heat is connected with the process of germination. Seeds of very different chemical composition (of different grains, of Hemp, Clover, Spergula, Brassica, &c.), made to germinate in quantities of about a pound, became heated, jit a temperature of the air of 48°— 66°, to 59°— 120° Fahr. " It was likewise shown by Goppert that full-grown plants also, such as Oats, Maize, Cyperus escidentus, Eyoscyamus, Sedum acre, &c., laid together in heaps and covered with bad conductors of heat, cause a thermometer placed among them to rise about 2° — 7° {Spergula as much as 22°) above the temperature of the air. . . . " A very great evolution of heat occurs in the blossom of the Arotdets. This is considerable even in our Arimi maculatum, and according to Dutro- chet's researches {Comptes rendm, 1839, 695.) rises to 25° — 27° above the temperature of the air. But this phenomenon is seen in a far higher degree in Cohama odora, in which plant it has been investigated by Brongniart (Nom. Ann. d. Museum, iii.). Vrolik and Vriese (Ann. des Sc. Nat., sec. ser. v. 134.), and Van Beck and Bersgma (Ohs. ihermo-elect s. Velev. de Umperat. des Fleurs d. Colocas. odor. 1838). These last observers found the maximum of heat 129°, when the temperature of the air wa4 79°." — Mohl On tile Vegetable Cell, translated by Arthur Henfrey, Lond. 1852, pp. 101. and 102. NOVUM OEGANUM. 357 22. Oleum forte sulphuris et vitrioli exequitur opera caloris, in linteo adurendo. 23. Oleum origani, et hujusmodi, exequitur opera caloris, in adurendis ossibus dentium. 24. Spiritus vini fortis et bene rectificatus exequitur opera caloris ; adeo ut, si albumen ovi in eum injiciatur, concrescat et albescat, fere in modum albuminis cocti ; et panis injectus torrefiat et incrastetur, ad modum panis tosti.^ 25. Aromata et herbas calidas, ut dracunculus, nastur- tium vetus, etc. licet ad manum non sint calida (nee Integra, nee pulveres eorum), tamen ad linguam et palatum parum masticata percipiuntur calida, et quasi adurentia. 26. Acetum forte, et omnia acida, in membro ubi non sit epidermis, ut in oculo, lingua, aut aliqua alia parte vulnerata, et cute detecta, dolorem cient, non multum discrepantem ab eo qui inducitur a calido. 27. Etiam frigora acria et intensa inducunt sensum quendam ustionis ; ^ The analog}' which Bacon here remarks, arises probably, in the second instance, from the desiccative power due to the strong affinity of alcohol for water. The French chemist Lassaigne found, I believe, that alcohol ex- tracted a red colouring matter from unboiled lobster shells ; but I am not aware that the modus operandi has in this case been explained. But by far the most remarkable case of what may be called simulated heat, is furnished by the action of carbonic acid gas on the skin. Of late years baths of this gas have been used medicinally; but M. Buussingault long since remarked the sensation of heat which it produces. He states that at Quindiu in New Granada there are sulphur works, and that at various points nearly pure carbonic acid gas escapes itom shallow excavations in the surface, contain- ing, however, a trace of hydro-sulphuric acid ; that the temperature of this issuing stream of gas is lower than the external air, but that the sensation is the same as that produced by a hot-air bath of perhaps from 40° to 45° or 48° centigrade (104° to 118° Fahr.). As this effect has not been noticed in carbonic acid gas prepared artificially, it is probable that it requires for its production the gas to be in motion ; so that the necessary conditions are not present when the hand is inserted into a jar of the gas. 358 NOVUM OEGANUM. "Nee Borese penetrabile frigus adurit."! 28. Alia. Hanc Tabulam Essentia et Prcesentice appellare con- sue vimus. XII. Secundo, facienda est comparentia ad Intellectum Instantiaram quag natura data privantur : quia Forma (ut dictum est) non minus abesse debet ubi natura abest, quam adesse ubi adest. Hoc nero infinitum asset in omnibus. Itaque subjungenda sunt negativa affirmativis, et pri- vationes inspiciendse tantum in illis subjectis quae sunt maxime cognata illis alteris in quibus natura data inest et comparet. Hanc Tabulam JJecUnationis, sive Ab- sentlce in proximo, appellare consuevimus. Instantice in proximo, qua privantur natura Calidi. Adinstantiam 1. Lunse et stellaruHi et cometarum radii primam of- . . ,. ,. , „ . . firmativam, nou mveniuntur calidi ad tactum : ^ qunietiam Instantia pri- . • n • • i -i •■ ma negaMa observari soleut acerrima ingora in plenilunus. vel subjunc- n r* • i i tiTa. At stellae fixse majores, quando sol eas subit aut iis approximatur, existimantur fervores solis augere et intendere ; ut fit cum sol sistitur in Leone, et diebus canicularibus. Ad 2»n. 2*. 2. Radii solis in media (quam vocant) re- gione aeris non calefaciunt ; cujus ratio vulgo non male redditur ; quia regie ilia nee satis appropinquat ad cor- pus solis, unde radii emanant, nee etiam ad terram, unde reflectuntur. Atque hoc liquet ex fastigiis monti- 1 Virg. Georg. I. 93. 2 M. Melloni has recently succeeded in making sensible the moon's cal- orific rays. NOVUM OEGANUM. 359 um (nisi sint prsealti), ubi nives perpetuo durant. Sed contra notatum est a nonnullis, quod in cacumine Picus de Tenariph, atque etiam in Andis Penivias, ipsa fas- tigia montium nive destituta sint ; nivibus jacentibus tantum inferius in ascensu. Atque insuper aer illis ipsis verticibus montium deprehenditur minime frigidus, sed tenuis tantum et acer ; adeo ut in Andis pungat et vulneret oculos per nimiam acrimoniam, atque etiam pungat OS ventriculi, et inducat vomitum. Atque ab antiquis notatum est, in vertice Olympi tantam fuisse aeris tenuitatem, ut necesse fuerit illis qui eo ascende- rant secum deferre spongias aceto et aqua madefactas, easque ad os et nares subinde apponere, quia aer ob tenuitatem non sufficiebat respirationi : ^ in quo vertice etiam relatum est, tantam ftiisse serenitatem et tranquil- litatem a pluviis et nivibus et ventis, ut sacrificantibus literae descriptse digito in cineribus sacrificiorum super aram Jovis, manerent in annum proximum absque ulla perturbatione.^ Atque etiam hodie ascendentes ad ver- 1 8. e. It was insufficient for the cooling of the blood, which according to Aristotle was the end of respiration. 2 Aristotle seems to be the first person who mentions this notion. See the Problems xxvi. 36.; where however he speaks of Athos and ol rocovTOi^ and not of Olj-rapus. The passages on the subject are to be found in Me- ier's Meteoroloffia vetei~urn Grtecorum ei Ramanorum (Berlin, 1832), at p. 81. Compare his edition of the Meteorologies of Aristotle, where he has given in extenso the passage in which Geminus speaks in the same manner of Mount Cyllene in Arcadia, and also a similar statement made by Philopo- nus with respect to Olympus. The whole class of stories seem (as Ideler following Lobeck remarks) to have somewhat of a mythical character. G. Bruno apparently confounded Philoponus with Alexander Aphrodisiensis, when in the Cena di Cenere he asserted that the latter mentions the sacri- fices on the top of Olympus. In the passage on the subject in which we might expect to find him doing so, namely in his Commentary on the Me- teorologies, i. c. 3., he does not specify any particular mountain. That there is no wind nor rain on Olympus is mentioned as a common opinion by St. Augustin, De Civ. Dei, xvi. 27. Compare Dante, Pwrg, xxviii. 112. 360 NOVUM OEGANUM. ticem Picus de Tenariph eo vadunt noctu et non inter- diu ; et paulp post ortum solis moneiitur et excitantur a ducibus suis ut festinent descendere, propter pericu- lum (ut videtur) a tenuitate aeris, ne solvat spiritus et suffocet.-' Ad 2sm 3ii. Reflexio radiorum solis, in regionibus prope circulos polares, admodum debilis et inefficax invenitur in calore : adeo ut Belgse, qui hybernarunt in Nova Zembla,^ curn expectarent navis suse liberationem et de- obstructionem a glaciali mole (qu£e eara obsederat) per initia mensis Julii spe sua frustrati sint, et coacti sca- phse se committere. Itaque radii solis directi videntur parum posse, etiam super terram planam ; nee reflexi etiam, nisi multiplicentur et uniantur ; quod fit cum sol magis vergit ad perpendiculum ; quia turn incidentia radiorum facit angulos acutiores, ut linea radiorum sint magis in propinquo : ubi contra in magnis obliquitati- 1 Lest the animal spirits sliould swoon and be suifocated by the tenuity of the air. 2 This of course refers to Barentz's expedition iu search of a North-East passage. He passed the winter 1596-7 at Nova Zembla. [In Barentz's first voyage, 1594, he was stopped by the ice on the 13th of July, and obliged to return. In his third voyage, 1596, his first considerable check was on the 19th of July; after which he only succeeded in coasting round the northern point of Nova Zembla till the 26th of August, where the ship stuck fast and they were forced to leave her and winter on the island, and return in their boats in the beginning of June 1597. See the letter signed by the company : " Three Voyages by the North-East, &c.," Hackluyt Society, 1853, p. 191. This letter was begun on the 1st of June : " Having till this day stayed for the time and opportunity in hope to get our ship loose, and now are clean out of hope thereof, for that it lieth shut up and enclosed in the ice," &c. : and ended on the 13th, "notwithstanding that while we were making ready to be gone, we had great wind out of the west and north-west, and yet find no alteration nor bettering in the weather, and therefore in the last extremity we left it." This narrative, written by Ger- rit de Veer, one of the party, was first pubKshed in Dutch in 1598 ; trans- lated into Latin and French the same year; into Italian in 1599; into English in 1609. See Introduction, p. cxviii. " Per initia mensis Junii," would have been more accurate. — J. S.] NOVUM OEGANUM. 361 bus solis anguli sint valde obtusi, et proinde linese radi- orum magis distantes. Sed interim notandum est, mxil- tas esse posse operationes radiorum solis, atque etiam ex natura Calidi, quae non sunt proportionate ad tactum nostrum : adeo ut respectu nostri non operentur usque ad calefactionem, sed respectu aliorum nonnullorum corporum exequantur opera Calidi. Ad 2«m 4«. Fiat hujusmodi experimentum. Accipiatur speculum^ fabricatum contra ac fit in speculis combu- rentibus, et interponatur inter manum et radios solis ; et fiat observatio, utrum minuat calorem solis, quemad- modum speculum comburens eundem auget et intendit. Manifestum est enim, quoad radios opticos, prout fab- ricatur speculum in densitate inffiquali respectu medii et laterum, ita apparere simulachra magis diffusa aut magis contracta. Itaque idem videndum in calore. Ad 2>n> 60. Fiat experimentum diligenter, utrum per specula comburentia ft)rtissima et optime fabricata radii lunse possint excipi et coUigi in aliquem vel minimum gradimi teporis. Is vero gradus teporis si fortasse nimis subtilis et debilis fiierit, ut ad tactum percipi et depre- hendi non possit, confugiendum erit ad vitra ilia quse indicant constitutionem aeris calidam aut frigidam ; ita ut radii lunse per speculum comburens incidant et ja- ciantm- in summitatem vitri hujusmodi ; atque turn notetur si fiat depressio aquae per teporem. Ad 2ii"> 6«. Practicetur etiam vitrum comburens super calidum ^ quod non sit radiosum aut luminosum ; '^ ut 1 " Speculum," used for lens. Read " specillum," the common word, il passes very easily into u ; and probably the transition was more facile in the cursive hand. 2 So in the original; qy. corpus calidum. T. S. 8 Mersenne says the greater number of the experiments mentioned in the second book of the Novum Organum had already been made, and mentions 362 NOVUM OKGANDM. ferri et Japidis calefacti sed non igniti, aut aquae ferven- tis, aut similium ; et notetur utrum fiat augmentum et intentio calidi, ut in radiis solis. Ad2«i>>7«. Practicetur etiam speculum comburens in flamma communi. Ad 2iim 8«. Cometarum (si et illos numerare inter me- teora libuerit) ^ non deprehenditur constans aut mani- festus efFectus in augendis ardoribus anni, licet siccitates ssepius inde sequi notatse sint. Quinetiam trabes et columnas lucidee et chasmata et similia apparent ssepius temporibus hybemis quam sestivis ; et maxime per in- tensissima frigora, sed conjuncta cum siccitatibus. Ful- mina tamen et coruscationes et tonitrua raro eveniunt hyeme, sed sub tempus magnorum. fervorum. At stellae (quas vocant) cadentes existimantur vulgo magis con- stare ex viscosa aliqua materia splendida et accensa, quam esse naturae igneae fortioris. Sed de hoc inquira- tur ulterius. Ad4»ra9». Sxmt qusedam coruscationes quae praebent lumen sed non urunt ; eae vero semper fiunt sine tonitru. Ad6'mio». Eructationes et eruptiones flammarum in- veniuntur non minus in regionibus frigidis quam cali- dis ; ut in Islandia et Groenlandia ; quemadmodum et arbores per regiones frigidas magis sunt quandoque inflammabiles et magis piceae ac resinosae quam per regiones calidas ; ut fit in abiete, pinu, et reliquis ; ve- particularly, as if he had himself tried it, the reflexion of all kinds of heat by a burning mirror. He also asserts that light is always accompanied by heat. De, la Veriie des Sciences (1625), p. 210. ^ 1 That there was no reason for supposing comets to be more than merely meteoric exhalations is the thesis maintained, and doubtless with great ability, by Galileo in his Saggiatare, — the true view, or at least a nearer approach to it,, having been propounded by the Jesuit Grossi. Bacon per- haps alludes to this controversy. NOVUM OEGANDM. 363 rum in quali situ et natura soli hujusmodi eruptiones fieri soleant, ut possimus Affirmativje subjuDgere Nega- tivam, non satis qusesitum est. Ad6«miia. Omnis flamma perpetuo est calida magis aut minus, neque omnino subjungitur Negativa ; et ta- men referunt ignem fatuum (quem vocant), qui etiam aliquando impingitur in parietem,^ non multum habere caloris ; fortasse instar flammse spiritus vini, quae cle- mens et lenis est. Sed adhuc lenior videtur ea flamma qua3 in nonnuUis historiis fidis et gravibus invenitur ap- paruisse circa capita et comas puerorum et virginum ; quae nullo modo comas adurebat, sed moUiter circum eas trepidabat. Atque certissimum est, circa equum in itinere sudantem noctu et suda tempestate apparuisse quandoque coruscationem quandam absque manifesto calore. Atque paucis abhinc annis, notissimum est et pro miraculo quasi habitum gremiale cujusdam puellse paulo motum aut fricatum coruscasse ; quod fortasse factum est ob alumen aut sales quibus gremiale tinctum erat paulo crassius hserentia et incrustata, et ex frica- tione fracta. Atque certissimum est saccharum omne, sive conditum (ut vocant) sive simplex, modo sit du- rius, in tenebris fractum aut cultello scalptum corus- care. Similiter aqua marina et salsa noctu interdum invenitur remis fortiter percussa coruscare. Atque etiam in tempestatibus spuma maris fortiter agitata noctu coruscat ; quam coruscationem Hispani pulmonem marlnum vocant.^ De ilia flamma autem quam anti- ^ i. e. Which sometimes even settles on a wall. 2 The phrase "pulmo marino" is as much Italian as Spanish, — except of course, that in Italian " pulmo " is replaced by " polmo," — and is merely a translation of irveifiuv ^aXaaaiog, which is used by Dioscorides, De Ma- teria Medicd, ii. 39. The lummous appearance arises apparently from ser- pent medusae, which in texture are like the substance of the lungs, from 364 NOVUM OEGANUM. qui nautee vocabant Castorem el Pollucem, et moderni Focum Sancti Ermi^ qualem calorem habeat non satis qusesitum. est. Ad7«nii2». Omne ignitum ita ut vertatur in ruborem ignemn etiam sine flamma perpetuo calidum est, neque huic Affirmativae subjungitur Negativa ; sed quod in proximo est videtur esse lignum putre, quod splendet noctu neque tamen deprehenditur calidum ; et squamae piscium putrescentes, quae etiam splendent noctu, nee inveniuntur ad tactum calidte ; neque etiam corpus cicindelffi aut muscse (quam vocant Luciolam) cali- dum ad tactum deprehenditur. Ad 8«>>i 13». De balneis calidis, in quo situ et natura soli emanare soleant non satis qusesitum est ; itaque non subjungitur Negativa. Ad9™i4«. Liquidis ferventibus subjungitur Negativa ipsius liquidi in natura sua. Nullum enim invenitur liquidum tangibile quod sit in natura sua et maneat constanter calidum, sed superinducitur ad tempus tan- tum calor, ut natura ascititia : ^ adeo ut quae potestate et operatione sunt maxime calida, ut spiritus vini, olea aromatum chymica, etiam olea vitrioli et sulpliuris, et similia, quae paulo post adurunt, ad primum tactum sint frigida. Aqua autem balneorum naturalium ex- cepta in vas aliquod et separata a fontibus suis defer- which circumstance they derive the name which Dioscorides gives them. Cf. De Aug. iv. 3. 1 " lume vivo, que a maritima gente Tem por santo em tempo de tormenta." Os Lusiadas de Camoeg, canto v. est. 18. I take this quotation from Humboldt's Kosnios, ii. p. 122. 2 E converse, calor is not a natura adscititia to solids. In modern phys- ics this distinction would be altogether without a meaning. That a hot liquid returns after a while to a cold state, was adduced as an argument for the existence of substantial forms. NOVUM OEGANUM. 365 vescit perinde ac aqua igne calefacta. At verum est corpora oleosa ad tactum paulo minus esse frigida quam aquea ; ut oleum minus quam aqua, sericum mi- nus quam linteum. Verum hoc pertinet ad Tabulam Graduum de Frigido. AdioamiS". Similiter vapori fervido subjungitur Nega- tiva naturae ipsius vaporis, qualis apud nos invenitur. Etenim exhalationes ex oleosis, licet facile inflammab- iles, tamen non inveniuntur calidte, nisi a corpore calido recenter exhalaverint. Ad io«m i6i». Similiter aeri ipsi ferventi subjungitur Neg- ativa naturae aeris ipsius. Neque enim invenitur apud nos aer calidus ; nisi fuerit ant conclusus, aut attritus, aut manifesto calefactus a sole, igne, aut aliquo alio corpore calido. Adii«mi7i. Subjungitur Negativa tempestatum frigi- darum magis quam pro ratione temporis anni, quae eveniunt apud nos flante Euro et Borea ; quemadmo- dum et contrariae tempestates eveniunt flante Austro et Zephyro. Etiam inclinatio ad pluviam (praeser- tim temporibus hyemalibus) comitatur tempestatem tepidam ; at gelu contra frigidam. Ad i2«'" i»i. Subjungitur Negativa aeris conclusi in ca- vernis tempore aestivo. At de aere concluso omnino dil- igentius inquirendum. Primo enim non absque causa in dubitationem venit qualis sit natura aeris quatenus ad calidum et frigidum in natura sua propria. Recipit enim aer calidum manifesto ex impressione ccelestium ; frigidum autem fortasse ab expiratione terrae ; et rursus in media (quam vocant) regione aeris a vaporibus frig- idis et nivibus ; ut nullum judicium fieri possit de aeris natura per aerem qui foras est et sub dio, sed verius foret judicium per aerem conclusum. Atqui opus est 366 NOVUM ORGANUM. etiam ut aer concludatur in tali vasi et materia quae nee ipsa imbuat aerem calido vel frigido ex vi propria nee facile admittat vim aeris extranei. Fiat itaque ex- perimentum per oUam figularem multiplici corio obduc- tam ad muniendam ipsam ab acre extraneo, facta mora per tres aut quatuor dies in vase bene occluso; depre- hensio autem fit post apertionem vasis vel per manum vel per vitrum graduum ordine applicatum. Ad iSiim i9i». Subest similiter dubitatio, utrum tepor in lana et pellibus et plumis et hujusmodi fiat ex quodam exili calore inhasrente, quatenus excernuntur ab ani- malibus ; aut etiam ob pinguedinem quandam et oleosi- tatem, quae sit naturae congruae cum tepore ; vel plane ob conclusionem et fractionem aeris, ut in articulo prae- cedente dictum est. Videtur enim omnis aer abscissus a eontinuitate aeris forinseci habere nonnihil teporis. Itaque fiat experimentum in fibrosis quae fiunt ex lino ; non ex lana aut plumis aut serico, quse excernuntur ab animatis. Notandum est etiam, omnes pulveres (ubi manifesto includitur aer) minus esse frigidos quam corpora integra ipsorum ; quemadmodum etiam ex- istimamus omnem spumam (utpote quse aerem contin- eat) minus esse frigidam quam liquorem ipsum. Adi4»m20". Huic non subjungitur Negativa. Nihil enim reperitur apud nos sive tangibile sive spiritale quod admotum igni non excipiat calorem. In eo ta- men differunt, quod alia excipiant calorem citius, ut aer, oleum, et aqua ; alia tardius, ut lapis et metaUa. Verum hoc pertinet ad Talulam Grraduum. Adi5"n2i<'. Huic Instantice non subjungitur Negativa alia, quam ut bene notetur non excitari scintillas ex silice et chalybe aut alia aliqua substantia dura nisi ubi excutiuntur minutiae aliquae ex ipsa substantia lapidis NOVUM 0R6ANUM. 367 vel metalli, neque aerem attritum unquam per se gen- erare scintillas, ut vulgo putant ; quin et ipsse illas scintilliB ex pondere corporis igniti magis vergunt deor- sum quam sursum, et in extinctione redeunt in quan- dara fuliginem corpoream. Adi6«m22«. Existimamus hiiic instantiae non subjungi Negativam. Nullum enim invenitur apud nos corpus tangibile quod non ex attritione manifesto calescat; adeo ut veteres somniarent non inesse ccelestibus aliam viam aut virtutem calefaciendi nisi ex attri- tione aeris per rotationem rapidam et incitatam.^ Verum in hoc genere ulterius inquirendum est utrum corpora quae eraittuntur ex machinis (qualia sunt pilse ex tormentis) non ex ipsa percussione contra- hant aliquem gradum oaloris ; adeo ut postquam de- ciderint inveniantur nonnihil calida. At aer motus magis infrigidat quam calefacit; ut in ventis et folli- bus et flatu oris contracti. Verum hujusmodi motus non est tam rapidus ut excitet calorem, et fit secun- dum totum, non per particulas ; ut minim non sit, si non generet calorem. Acii7«n>23i. Circa banc instantiam facienda est inqui- sitio diligentior. Videntur enim herbse et vegetabilia viridia et humida aliquid habere in se occulti oaloris. Ille vero calor tam tenuis est ut in singulis non per- cipiatur ad tactum, verum postquam ilia adunata sint 1 See Arist. Meteorol. i. u. 2. sub finem ; or De Coelo, II. c. 7. It seems probable that Aristotle was influenced by a wish to secure the doctrine of the eternity of the universe, which he saw would be put in peril if celestial heat were ascribed to anything akin to combustion. We now know that the generation of heat, whether by friction, combustion, or otherwise, involves a loss of vis viva, and it is difficult to avoid the conclusion that the material universe sprang, at a finite distance of time ago, out of some- thing wholly and inconceivably different from itself. Nothing is more remarkable than the way in which ontology here forces itself into physics. 368 NOVUM OEGANUM. et conclusa, ut spiritus ipsorum non expiret in aerem sed se invicem foveat, turn vero oritur calor mani- festus, et nonnunquam flamma in materia congrua. Adi8«"24i. Etiam circa banc instantiam diligentior facienda est inquisitio. Videtur enim calx viva aqua aspersa concipere calorem vel propter unionem caloris qui antea distrahebatur (ut ante dictum est de herbis conclusis), vel ob irritationem et exasperationem spiri- tus ignei ab aqua, ut fiat qiiidam conflictus et antipe- ristasis. Utra vero res sit in causa facilius apparebit si loco aquse immittatur oleum ; oleum enim seque ac aqua valebit ad unionem spiritus inclusi, sed non ad irritationem. Etiam faciendum est experimentum la- tins tarn in cineribus et calcibus diversorum corporum, quam per immissionem diversorum liquorum. Adi9«ni25a. Huic instantise subjungitur Negativa ali- orum metallorum quae sunt magis mollia et fluxa. Etenim bracteol^e auri solutse in liquorem per aquam regis nullum dant calorem ad tactum in dissolutione ; neque similiter plumbum in aqua forti ; neque etiam argentum vivum (ut memini) ; sed argentum ipsum parum excitat caloris, atque etiam cuprum (ut mem- ini), sed magis manifesto stannum, atque omnium - maxime ferrum et chalybs, quae non solum fortem excitant calorem in dissolutione, sed etiam violentam ebuUitionem.^ Itaque videtur calor fieri per conflic- tum, cum aquae fortes penetrant et fodiunt et divel- lunt partes corporis, et corpora ipsa resistunt. Ubi vero corpora facilius cedunt vix excitatur calor. Ad 2o«iii 26^1. Calori animalium nulla subjungitur Neg- ativa, nisi insectorum (ut dictum est) ob parvitatem 1 This ebullition is of course not the resuU of the heat, but arises from the disengagement of gas during the action of tlie acid on the metal. NOVUM OEGANUM. 369 corporis. Etenim in piscibus collatis ad animalia ter- restria magis notatur gradus caloris quam privatio. In vegetabilibus autem et plantis nullus percipitur gradus caloris ad factum, neque in lachiymis ipso- rum, neque in medullis recenter apertis. . At in ani- malibus magna reperitur diversitas caloris, tum in partibus ipsorum (alius est enim calor circa cor, alius in cerebro, alius circa externa), tum in accidentibus eorum, ut in exercitatione vehementi et febribus. Aa2i«ni27«. Huic instantiae vix subjungitur Negativa. Quinetiam excrementa animalium non recentia mani- feste habent calorem potentialem, ut cernitur in im- pinguatione soli. Ad 22»ni et 2»i» 28>. Liquores (sive aquse vocentur sive olea) qui habent magnam et intensam acrimoniam exequuntur opera caloris in divulsione corporum, atque adustione post aliquam moram ; sed tamen ad ipsum tactum manus non sunt calidi ab initio. Ope- rantur autem secundum analogiam''^ et poros corpo- ris cui adjunguntur. Aqua enim regis aurum solvit, argentum minime ; at contra aqua fortis argentum solvit, aurum minime ; neutrum autem solvit vitrum ; et sic de caeteris. A(i24nra29i. Fiat experimentum spiritus vini in lignis, ac etiam in butyro aut cera aut pice ; si forte per calorem suum ea aliquatenus liquefaciat. Etenim instantia 24* ostendit potestatem ejus imitativam ca- loris in incrustationibus. Itaqiie fiat similiter exper- imentum in liquefactionibus. Fiat etiam experimen- 1 This is another instance of the large sense given to the word analogia. Aqua regia is a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids. Its power of dissolving gold is ascribed by Davy to the liberation of chlorine by the mutual action of the two acids. The different result in the case of silver arises from the insolubility of chloride of silver. VOL. I. 24 370 NOVUM ORGAKUM. turn per vitram graduum sive calendare quod conca- vuni sit in summitate sua per exterius ; et immittatur in illud concavum exterius spii-itus vini bene rectifica- tus, cum operculo ut melius contiiieat calorem suum ; et notetur utrum per calorem suum faciat aquam des- cendere. Ad 25«'n so.>. Aromata, et lierbas acres ad palatum, mul- to niagis sumptse iiiterius, percipiuntur calida. Viden- dum itaque in quibus aliis materiis exequantur opera ealoris. Atque referunt nantae, cum cumuli et massse aromatum diu conclusse subito aperiuntur, periculum instare illis qui eas primo agitant et extrahunt a febri- bus et inflammationibus spiritus.^ Similiter fieri pote- rit experimeutum, utrum pulveres hujusmodi aroma- tum aut herbarum non arefaciant laridum et carnem suspcnsam super ipsos, veluti ftimus ignis. Ad26'ini3i". Acrimonia sive penetratio inest tarn frigi- dis, qualia sunt acetum et oleum vitrioli, quam calidis, qualia sunt oleum origani et similia. Itaqne similiter et in animatis cient dolorem, et in non animatis divel- lunt partes et consumunt. Neque buic iiistantise sub- jungitur Ne'gativa. Atque in animatis nullus reperi- tur dolor nisi cum quodam sensu ealoris. Ad27™32«. Communes sunt complures actiones et calidi et frigidi, licet diversa admodum ratione. Nam et nives puerorum manus videntur paulo post urere ; et frigora tuentur carnes a putrefactione, non minus quam ignis ; et calores contrabunt corpora in minus, quod faciunt et frigida. Verum hsec et similia oppor- tunius est referre ad Inquisitionem de Frigido. 1 In the Annah of Philosophy a case is mentioned in wliich the effluvia arising on the opening of a large barli-store at Guayra were sufficiently powerful to cure a bad fever. NOVUM 0R6ANUM. 371 XIII. Tertio facienda est Comparentia ad Intellectum in- stantiarum in quibus natura .de qua fit iuquisitio inest secundum itiagis et minus ; sive facta comparatione incrementi et decrementi in eodem subjecto, sive facta comparatione ad invicem in subjectis diversis. Cum enim Forma rei sit ipsissima res ; neque differat res a Forma, aliter quam difierunt apparens et existens, ant exterius et interius, aut in ordine ad horainem et in ordine ad universum ; ^ omnino sequitur ut non recipiatur aliqua natura pro vera Forma, nisi per- petuo decrescat quando natura ipsa decrescit, et simil- iter perpetuo augeatur quando natura ipsa augetur. Hanc itaque tabulam Tabulam Graduum sive Tahulam ComparativcB appellate consuevimus. Tabula Graduum sive Comparativce in Calido. Primo itaque dicemus de iis quae nullum prorsus gradum caloris liabent ad tactmn, sed videntur ha- bere potentialem tantum quendam calorem, sive dis- positionem et prseparationem ad calidum. Postea de- mum descenderaus ad ea quae sunt actu sive ad tactum calida, eorumque fortitudines et gradus. 1. In corporibus solidis et tangibilibus non inve- nitur aliquid quod in natura sua calidum sit originali- ter. Non enim lapis aliquis, non metallum, non sul- phm-, non fossile aliquod, non lignum, non aqua, non cadaver animalis, inveniuntur calida. Aquse autem 1 " Kes " is to be taken in a general sense, so as to include not only sub- stances, but also what Bacon calls naturae. It is therefore not to be trans- lated as if it were synonymous with corpus; and in fact in a subsequent passage (II. § 50.) "res" and "corpus'- are, so to speak, placed in opposi- tion to each other. " Kerum formse et Corporum schematismi." 372 NOVUM OEGANUSr. calidee in balneis videntur calefieri per accidens, sive per flammam ant ignem subterraiieum, qualis ex ^tna et montibus aliis compluribus evomitur, sive ex conflictu corporum, quemadmpdum calor fit in ferri et stanni dissolutionibus. Itaque gradus caloris in inanimatis, quatenus ad tactum humanum, nuUus est ; veruntanien ilia gradu frigoris differunt ; non enim seque frigidum est lignum ac metallum. Sed hoc pertinet ad Tahulam Grraduum in Frigido. 2. Attamen quoad potentiates calores et prsspara- tiones ad flammam, complura inveniuntur inanimata admodum disposita, ut sulphur, naphtha, petrelaeum.^ 3. Quae antea incaluerunt, ut fimus equinus ex an- imali, aut calx aut fortasse cinis aut fuligo ex igne, reliquias latentes quasdam caloris prioris retinent. Ita- que fiunt qusedam distillationes et separationes corpo- rum per sepulturam in fimo equino, atque excitatur calor in calce per aspersionem aquae ; ut jam dictum est. 4. Inter vegetabilia non invenitur aliqua planta sive pars plantse (veluti lachryma aut medulla) quae sit ad tactum humanum calida. Sed tame~n (ut superius dic- tum est) herbse virides conclusse calescunt ; atque ad interiorem tactum, veluti ad palatum aut ad stomachum aut etiam ad exteriores partes, post aliquam moram (ut in emplastris et unguentis) alia vegetabilia inveniuntur calida, alia frigida. 5. Non invenitur in partibus animalium, postquam faerint mortuse aut separatse, aliquid calidum ad tac- tum humanum. Nam neque fimus equinus ipse, nisi fuerit conclusus et sepultus, calorem retinet. Sed tamen omnis fimus habere videtur calorem potentialem, 1 The Latin form of the word is petroleum. NOVUM ORGANtJM. 373 ut in agrorum impinguatione. Et similiter, cadavera animalium hujusmodi habent latentem et potentialem calorem ; adeo ut in coemeteriis ubi quotidie fiunt sepul- turse terra calorem quendam occultum colligat, qui cadaver aliquod recenter impositum consumit longe citius quam terra pura. Atque apud orientales tradi- tur inveniri textile quoddam tenue et molle, factum ex avium plumagine, quod vi innata butyrum sol vat et liquefaciat in ipso leviter involutum. 6. Quae impinguant agros, ut fimi omnis generis, creta, arena maris, sal, et similia, dispositionem non- nuUam habent ad calidum. 7. Omnis putrefactio in se rudimenta quaedam exilis caloris habet,^ licet non hucusque ut ad tactum percip- iatur. Nam nee ea ipsa quae putrefacta solvuntur in animalcula, ut caro, caseus, ad tactum percipiuntur calida ; neque ligmim putre, quod noctu splendet, deprehenditur ad tactum calidum. Calor autem in putridis quandoque se prodit per odores tetros et fortes. 8. Primus itaque caloris gradus, ex iis quae ad tac- tum humanum percipiuntur calida, videtur esse calor animalium, qui bene magnam habet graduum latitudi- nem. Nam infimus gradus (ut in insectis) vix ad tac- tum deprenditur; summus autem gradus vix attingit ad gradum caloris radiorum solis in regionibus et tempor- ibus masime ferventibus, neque ita acris est quin tole- rari possit a manu. Et tamen referunt de Constantio,'^ aliisque nonnullis qui constitutionis et habitus corporis 1 This is true of eremacausis rather than of real putrefaction. But the distinction belongs to the recent history of chemistry. 2 The person here referred to is Constantius II., the son of Constantino the Great. The burning heat of the fever of which he died is mentioned by Ammianus Marcellinus, 1. xxi. c. 15. 374 NOVUM OEGANUM. admodum sicci fuerunt, quod acutissimis febribus cor- repti ita incaluerint ut manum admotam aliquantulum urere visi sint. 9. Animalia, ex motu et exercitatione, ex vino et epulis, ex venere, ex febribus ardentibus, et ex dolore, augentur calore. 10. Animalia in accessibus febrium intermittentium a principio frigore et horrore corripiuntur, sed paulo post majorem in niodum incalescunt ; quod etiam faciunt a principio in causonibus et febribus pestilen- tialibus. 11. Inquiratur ulterius de calore comparato in di- versis animalibus, veluti piscibus, quadrupedibus, ser- pentibus, avibus ; atqne etiam secundum species ip- sorum, ut in leone, milvio, liomine ; nam ex vulgari opinione, pisces per interiora minus calidi sunt, aves autem maxime calidse ; prassertim columbse, accipitres, strutliiones.^ 12. Inquiratur ulterius de calore comparato in eo- dem animali, secundum partes et membra ejus diversa. Nam lac, sanguis, spenna, ova, inveniuntur gradu med- ico tepida, et minus calida quam ipsa caro exterior in animali quando movetur aut agitatur. Qualis vero gradus sit caloris in cerebro, stomacho, corde, et reli- quis, similiter adhuc non est qusesitum. 13. Animalia omnia, per hyemem et tempestates frigidas, secundum exterius frigent; sed per interiora etiam magis esse calida existimantur. 14. Calor coelestium, etiam in regione calidissima at- que temporibus anni et diei calidissimis, non eum gra- dum caloris obtinet qui vel lignum aridissimum vel 1 Sti-uthio commonly means an ostrich, but it seems here to be used for a sparrow. — J. S. NOVUM OEGANUII. 375 stramen vel etiam linteum ustum incendat aut adurat, nisi per specula comburentia roboretur ; sed tamen e rebus humidis vaporem excitai-e potest. 15. Ex traditione astronomorum ponuntur stellae aliae magis, aliis minus calidse. Inter planetas enini post solem ponitur Mars calidissimus, deinde Jupiter, deinde Venus ; ^ ponuntur autem tanquam frigidi Luna et deinde omnium maxime Saturnus. Inter fixas au- tem ponitur calidissimus Sirius, deinde Cor Leonis, sive Regulus, deinde Canicula, etc. 16. Sol magis calefacit, quo magis vergit ad perpen- diculnm sive Zenith, quod etiam credendum est de aliis planetis, pro modulo suo caloris ; exempli gratia, Jovem magis apud nos calefacere cum positus sit sub Cancro aut Leone quam sub Capricorno aut Aquario. 17. Credendum est solem ipsum et planetas reliquos magis calefacere in perig^is suis, propter propinquita- tem ad terram, quam in apogaeis. Quod si eveniat ut in aliqua regions sol sit simul in perigseo et propius ad perpendiculum, necesse est ut magis calefaciat quam in regione ubi sol sit similiter in perigaeo sed magis ad ob- liquum. Adeo ut comparatio exaltationis planetarum notari debeat, pi'out ex perpendiculo aut obliquitate participet, secundum regionum varietatem. 18. Sol etiam, et similiter reliqui planetas, calefacere magis existimantur cum sint in proximo ad stellas fixas majores ; veluti cum sol ponitur in Leone, magis vici- nus fit Cordi Leonis, Caudaj Leonis, et Spicae Virginis, et Sirio, et Caniculae, quam cum ponitur in Cancro, ubi tamen magis sistitur ad perpendiculum.^ Atque 1 By some Venus was accounted cold and moist. Vide Margarita Phil. p. 627. Ptolemy, however, confirms what Bacon says of her. 2 This astrological fancy was probably suggested by a wish to explain 376 NOVUM OEGANUM. credendum est partes coeli majorem infundere calorem (licet ad tactuin minime perceptibilem) quo magis ornatse sint stellis, prsesertim majoribus. 19. Omnino calor coelestium augetur tribus modis j videlicet ex perpendiculo, ex propinquitate sive peri- gaeo, et ex conjunctione sive consortio stellarum. 20. Magnum omnino invenitur intervallum inter ea- lorem animalium ac etiam radiorum coelestium (prout ad nos deferuntur), atque flammam, licet lenissimam, atque etiam ignita omnia, atque insuper liquores, aut aerem ipsum majorem in modum ab igne calefactum. Etenim flamma spiritus vini, prsesertim rara nee consti- pata, tamen potis est stramen aut linteum ant papyrum incendere ; quod nunquam faciet calor animalis vel solis, absque speculis comburentibus. 21. Flammas autem et ignitorum plurimi sunt gra- dus in fortitudine et debilitate caloris. Verum de his nulla est facta diligens inquisitio ; ut necesse sit ista leviter transmittere. Videtur autem ex flammis ilia ex spiritu vini esse moUissima ; nisi forte ignis fatuus, aut flammse seu coruscationes ex sudoribus animalium, sint molliores. Hanc sequi opinamur flammam ex veg- etabilibus levibus et porosis, ut stramine, scirpis, et foliis arefactis, a quibus non multum diflE'erre flammam ex pilis aut plumis. Hanc sequitur foi'tasse flamma ex lignis, prsesertim iis quse non multum habent ex resina aut pice ; ita tamen ut flamma ex lignis quse parva sunt mole (qu« vulgo colligantur in fasciculos) lenior sit quam quae fit ex truncis arborum et radicibus. Id quod vulgo experiri licet in fornacibus quse ferrum ex- why July is hotter than June. In the division of the Zodiac into trigons each of which corresponds to one of the elements, Leo forms one of the corners of the fiery trigon ; and it is moreover the sun's proper sign. NOVUM OEGANUM. 377 coquunt, in quibus ignis ex fasciculis et ramis arborum non est admodum utilis. Hanc sequituv (ut arbitra- mur) flamma ex oleo et sevo et cera, ct hujusmodi oleosis et pinguibus, quae sunt sine magna acrimonia. Fortissimus autem calor reperitur in pice et resina ; at- que adhuc magis in sulphure et caphura,^ et naphtha et petrelseo et salibus (postquam materia cruda eru- perit), et in horum compositionibus, veluti pulvere tornientario, igne Graeco (quern vulgo ignem ferum vocant), et diversis ejus generibus, quae tam obsti- natum habent calorem ut ab aquis non facile extin- guantur. 22. Existimamus etiam flammam quae resultat ex nonnullis metallis imperfectis esse valde robustam et acrem. Verum de istis omnibus inquiratur ulterius. 23. Videtur autem flamma fulminum potentiorum has omnes flammas superare ; adeo ut ferrum ipsum perfectum aliquando colliquaverit in guttas, quod flam- mae illae alterae facere non possunt. 24. In ignitis autem diverei sunt etiam gradus calo- ris, de quibus etiam non facta est diligens inquisitio. Calorem maxime debilem existimamus esse ex linteo usto, quali ad flammae excitationem uti solemus ; et similiter ex ligno illo spongioso aut funiculis arefactis qui ad tormentorum accensionem adhibentur. Post hunc sequituv carbo ignitus ex lignis et anthracibus at- que etiam ex lateribus ignitis, et similibus. Ignitorum autem vehementissime calida existimamus esse metalla ignita, ut ferrum et cuprum et caetera. Verum de his etiam facienda est ulterior inquisitio. 25. Inveniuntur ex ignitis nonnulla longe calidiora quam nonnullae ex flammis. Multo enim calidius est 1 Camphor. 378 NOVUM ORGANUM. et magis adurens ferrum ignitum quam flamma spiritus vini. 26. Inveniuiitur etiam ex illis quae ignita non sunt sed tantum ab igne calefacta, sicut aquje ferventes et aer concliisus in reverberatoriis, nonnulla quae superant calore multa ex flammis ipsis et ignitis. 27. Motus ausret calorem ; ut videre est in follibus et flatu ; adeo ut duriora ex metal lis non solvantur aut liquefiant per ignem mortuum aut quietum, nisi flatu excite tur. 28. Fiat experimentum per specula comburentia, in quibns (ut memini)^ hoc fit, ut si speculum ponatur (exempli gratia) ad distantiam spithamse ab objecto combustibili, non tantopere incendat aut adurat quam si positum fuerit speculum (exempli gratia) ad dis- tantiam semi-spithamae, et gradatim et lente traliatur ad distantiam spitham^. Conns tamen et unio radi- orum eadem sunt, sed ipse motus auget operationem caloris.^ 29. Existimantur incendia ilia qute fiunt flante vento forti majores progressus facere adversus ventum quam secundum ventum ; quia scilicet flamma resilit motu perniciore, vento remittente, quam procedit vento im- pellente. 30. Flamma non emicat aut generatur, nisi detur aliquid concavi in quo flamma movere possit et ludere ; prseterquaai in flammis flatuosis pulveris tormentarii, et siinilibus, ubi compressio et incarceratio flammas auget ejus furorem. 1 Compare De, Calore et FHgore : — "And the operation of them [burn- ing-glasses] is, as I remember, first to place them," &c., which seems to prove, not only that Bacon had no burning-glass at hand, but also that he was not familiar with the use of them. — ./. iS. 2 The only explanation of this is, that the focal length of the lens lay between a span and half a span. NOVUM OEGANUM. 379 31. Incus per malleum calefit admodnm ; adeo ut si incus fuerit laminae tenuioris, existimemus iliam per fortes et continuos ictus mallei posse rubescere, ut fer- rum ignitum ; sed de hoc fiat experimentum. 32. At in ignitis quse sunt porosa, ita ut detur spatium ad exercenduni motum ignis, si coliibeatur hujusmodi motus per compressionem fortem, statini ex- tinguitur ignis ; veluti cum liuteum ustum ant filum ardens candelje aut lampadis aut etiain carbo aut pruna ardens comprimitur per pressorium aut pedis concul- cationem aut hujusmodi, statim cessant operationes ignis. 33. Approximatio ad corpus calidum auget calorem, pro gradu approximationis ; quod etiam fit in lumine ; nam quo propius coUocatur objectum ad lumen eo magis est visibile. 34. Unio calomm divei'sorum auget calorem, nisi facta sit commistio corporum. Nam focus magnus et focus parvus in eodem loco nonnihil invicem augent calorem ; at aqua tepida immissa in aquam ferventem refrigerat. 35. Mora corporis calidi auget calorem. Etenim calor perpetuo transiens et emanans commiscetur cum calore prseinexistente, adeo ut multiplicet calorem. Nam focus non asque calefacit cubiculum per moram semihorae ac si idem focus duret per horam integram. At hoc non facit lumen ; etenim lampas aut candela in aliqno loco posita non magis illuminat per moram diuturnam quam statim ab initio. 36. Irritatio per frigidum ambiens auget calorem; ut in focis videre est per gelu acre. Quod existima- mus fieri non tantum per conclusionem et contrac- tionem caloris, quae est species unionis, sed per exas- perationem; veluti cum aer aut baculum violenter 380 NOVUM OKGANUM. comprimitur aut flectitur, non ad punctum loci prioris resilit, sed nlterius in contrarium. Itaque fiat diiigens experiinentum per baculum vel simile aliquid immissum in flammam, utruin ad latera flammse non uratur citius quam in medio flammae. 37. Gradus autem in suseeptione caloris sunt com- plui'es. Atque prime omnium notandum est, quam parvus et exilis calor etiam ea corpora quae caloris minime omnium sunt susceptiva immutet tamen et nonniliil calefaciat. Nam ipse calor manus glpbu- lum plumbi aut alicujus metalli paulisper detentum nonniliil calefacit. Adeo facile et in omnibus trans- mittitur et excitatur calor, corpore nullo modo ad appareiitiam immutato. 38. Facillime omnium corporum apud nos et ex- cipit et remittit calorem aer ; quod optime cernitur in vitris calendaribus. Eorum confectio est talis : ^ ac- cipiatur vitrum ventre concavo, collo tenui et oblon- go ; resupinetur et demittatur hujusmodi vitrum ore deorsum verso, ventre sursum, in aliud vasculum vit- reum ubi sit aqua, tangendo fundum vasculi illius re- cipientis extremo ore vitri immissi, et incumbat paul- lulum vitri immissi coUum ad os vitri recipientis, ita ut stare possit ; quod ut commodius fiat, apponatur parum cerae ad os vitri recipientis ; ita tamen ut non penitus obturetur os ejus, iie ob defectum aeris suc- cedentis impediatur motus de quo jam dicetur, qui est admodum facilis et delicatus. Oportet autem ut vitrum demissum, antequam in- 1 1 am veiy much inclined to thinlt tliat Bacon heard of the vitrum cal- endare from Fludde, or a Fluotibus, as he is called in Latin, who returned from Italy in [1605], and in whose pliilosophy, built upon certain abstract notions of rarefaction and condensation, perpetual reference is made to the air-thermometer, to which he gives the same name. NOVUM OKGANUM. 381 seratur in alterum, calefiat ad ignem a parte superiori, ventre scilicet. Postquam autem fuerit vitrum illud coUocatum ut diximus, recipiet et contrahet se aer (qui dilatatus erat per calefactionem), post nioram sufficientem pro extinctione illius ascititii caloris, ad talem extensionera sive dimensionem qualis erit aeris ambientis aut communis tunc temporis quando im- mittitur vitrum, atque attrahet aquam in sursum ad hujusmodi mensuram. Debet autem appendi cliarta angusta et oblonga, et gradibus (quot libuerit) in- terstincta. Videbis autem, prout tempestas diei in- calescit aut frigescit, aerem se contrahere in angustius per frigidum et extendere se in latius per calidum ; id quod conspicietur per aquam ascendentem quando con- trahitur aer, et descendentem sive depressum quando dilatatur aer. Sensus autem aeris, quatenus ad cali- dum et frigidum, tarn subtilis est et exquisitus ut facul- tatem tactus humani maltum superet ; adeo tit solis radius aliquis, aut calor anhelitus, multo magis calor manus, super vitri summitatem positus, statim deprimat aquam manifesto.^ Attamen existimamus spiritum ani- 1 In consequence of this description of the Vitrum Calendare, the inven- tion of the Thermometer has been ascribed to Bacon; but without good reason. Fludd was the first to publish an account of the Thermometer; but Nelli says, and (admitting his authorities) truly, that Galileo's inven- tion was anterior to any publication of Fludd's. Nelli speaks of a letter preserved in the library of his family " in copia," which Castelli addressed to Cesarina in 1638. Castelli says that, more than thirty-five years before, Galileo had shown him an experiment which he describes; namely, the rise of the water into an inverted tube with a bulb at one extremity, when the open end of the tube is put into a vessel of water, and goes on, " del quale effetto il medesimo Signer Galileo si era servito per fabbricare un Istromento da esaminare i gradi del caldo e del freddo." Thus far Cas- telli ; but how long after the original experiment the instrument was made, does not appear from his statement. Nelli also refers to Viviani's Life of Galileo, wherein it is said that Galileo invented the Thermometer between 1593 and 1597. It has not, I think, been remarked that the rise of water 382 NOVUM OKGANUM. inalium magis adhtic exquisitum senaum habere calidi et frigidi, nisi quod a mole corporea impediatur et liebetetur. 39. Post aerem, existimamus corpora esse maxime sensitiva caloris ea quae a frigore recenter immutata sint et compressa, qualia sunt nix et glacies ; ea enim leni aliquo tepore solvi incipiunt et colliquari. Post ilia sequitur fjrtasse argentuni vivum. Post illud se- quuntur corpora pinguia, ut oleum, butyrum, et similia; deinde lignum ; deinde aqua ; postremo lapides et me- talla, quae non facile calefiunt, prsesertim interius. Ilia tamen calorem semel susceptum diutissime retinent ; ita ut later aut lapis aut ferrum ignltum in pelvim aquae frigidae immissum et demersum, per quartam partem horse (plus minus) retineat calorem, ita ut tangi non possit. 40. Quo minor est corporis moles, eo citius per cor- pus calidura approximatum incalescit ; id quod demon- strat omnem calorem apud nos esse corpori tangibili quodammodo adversum. 41. Calidum, quatenus ad sensum et tactum hu- manum, res vaiia est et respectiva ; adeo ut aqua tepida, si nianus frigore occupetur, sentiatur esse cal- ida ; sin maims incaluerit, frigida. under the circumstances of Galileo's original experiment had already been described in Porta's Natural Magic ; though, as is usually the case ■vrith Porta, one cannot be sure whether lie had ever actually seen it. " Possu- mus etiam solo calore aquam ascendere facere. Sit dolium supra turrim, vel ligneum, vel argillaceuuT aut sereum, quod melius erit, et canalem habeat in medio, qui descendat inferius usque ad aquam, et in eS. submersus sit, scd adglutinatus, ne respiret. Calefiat vas superius vel sole vel igne, nam aer, qui in alvo continetur, rarefit et foras prolabitur, unde aquam in bullas tumere videbimus, mox absentii soils ubi vas refrigescit, atjr condensatur, et quum non sulHciat inclusus aer vacuum replere, accersitur aqua et as- cendit supra." — Porta's Magic, book xix. chap. 4. NOVUM ORGANUM. 383 XIV. Qnam inopes simus liistoriaj quivia facile advertet, cum in tabulis superioribus, prajterquam quod loco his torise probate et instantiarum certarum nonnunquam traditiones et relationes inseramus (semper tamen ad- jecta dubiaa fidei et auctoritatis nota), sffipenumero etiam hisce verbis, fiat experimentum, vel inquiratwi ulterius, uti cogamur. XV. Atque opus et ofEcium harum trium tabularum, Comparentiam Instantiarum ad Intellectum vocaro consuevimus. Facta autem Comparentia, in opere ponenda est ipsa Inductio. Invenienda est enim supei Comparentiam omnium et singularum Instantiarum natura talis, quae cum natura data perpetuo adsit, absit, atque crescat et decrescat ; sitque (ut superius dictum est) limitatio naturae magis communis.^ Hoc si mens jam ab initio facere tentet affirmative (quod sibi per- missa semper facere solet), occurrent phantasmata et opinabilia et notionalia male tei'minata et axiomata quotidie emendanda ; nisi libeat (scholarura more) pugnare pro falsis. Ea tamen proculdubio erunt me- liora aut pi-aviora pro facultate et robore intellectus qui operatur. At omnino Deo (Formarum inditori et opifici) aut fortasse angelis et intelligentiis competit Formas per affirmationem immediate nosse, atque ab initio contemplationis.^ Sed certe supra hominem 1 That is, a particular case of a more general nature. The force of the last clause may be thus illustrated: If all bodies were more or less lu- minous accordingly as they were more or less hot, the luminous and the hot would be concomitantia, but neither would be the form of the other. [See General Preface, ^8. — T. S.] 2 It was, I apprehend, the received doctrine, that whatever knowledge 384 NOVUM ORGANUM. est; cui tantum conceditur, procedere primo per Nega- tivas, et postremo loco desinere in Affinnativas, post omnimodam exclusionem. XVI. Itaque naturae facienda est prorsus solutio et sepa- ratio, non per ignem certe, sed per mentem, tanquam ignem divinum. Est itaque Inductionis verse opus primum (quatenus ad inveniendas Formas) Rejectio give Exclusiva naturarum singularum quas non in- veniuntur in aliqua instantia ubi natura data adest, aut inveniuntur in aliqua instantia ubi natura data abest, aut inveniuntur in aliqua instantia crescere cum natura data decrescat, aut decrescere cum na- tura data crescat. Turn vero post Rejectionem et Exclusivam debitis modis factam, secundo loco (tan- quam in fundo) manebit (abeuntibus in fumum opin- ionibus volatilibus) Forma affirmativa, solida et vera et bene terminata. Atque hoc breve dictu est, sed per multas ambages ad hoc pervenitur. Nos autem nihil fortasse ex iis qase ad hoc faciunt praetermittemus. XVII. Cavendum autem est et monendum quasi perpetuo, ne, cum tantse partes Formis videantur a nobis tribui, trahantur ea quae dicimus ad Formas eas quibus hofn- inum contemplationes et cogitationes hactenus assue- vemnt. the angelic nature is capable of it attains at once. Thus it is said, " In- feriores substantive intellectivse, scilicet anim^e humanse, habent potentiam intellectivam non completam naturaliter, sed conipletur in iis successive per hoc quod accipiunt species a rebus. Potentia vero intellecliva in sub- stantiis spiiitualibus superioribus, id est in angelia, completa est per species intelligibiJes connaturales : in quantum habent species intelligibiles conna- turales ad omnia intelligenda quas naturaliter cognoscere possunt." — S. Thomas, Summa Theol. Ima, q. 46. a 2. NOVUM ORGANUM. 385 Primo enim, de Formis copulatis, quae sunt (ut diximus) naturarum simplicium conjugia ex cursu communi universi, ut leonis, aquilae, rosse, auri, et hujusmodi, impraesentiarum non loquimur.^ Tempus enim erit de iis tractandi, cum ventum fuerit ad La- tentes Processus et Latentes Schematismos, eorumque inventionem, prout reperiuntur in substantiis (quas vocant) sen naturis concretis. Riu'sus vero, non intelligantur ea quse dicimus (etiam quatenus ad naturas simplices) de Formis et ideis abstractis, aut in materia non determinatis aut male determinatis. Nos enim quum de Formis loqui- mur, nil aliud intelligimus quam leges illas et determi- nationes actus puri, quse naturam aliquam simplicem ordinant et constituunt ; ut calorem, lumen, pondus ; in omnimoda materia et subjecto susceptibili. Itaque eadem res est Forma Calidi aut Forma Luminis, et Lex Calidi sive Lex Luminis ; neque vero a rebus ipsis et parte operativa unquam nos abstrahimus aut recedimus. Quare cum dicimus (exempli gratia) in inquisitione Formse Caloris, rejice tenuitatem, aut tenu- itas non est ex Forma Caloris, idem est ac "si dicamus 'potest homo superinducere calorem in corpus densum; aut contra, potest homo aufeiTe aut arcere calorem a corpore tenui. "Quod si cuiquam videantur etiam Formte nostras habere nonnihil abstracti, quod misceant et conjungant heterogenea (videntur enim valde esse heterogenea 1 Bacon's principle that the form of any substance may be conceived as a combination of the forms which correspond to each of its qualities is well illustrated by the phrase " formse copulatae." The " forma copulata" is the " lex ex qua corpus individuum edit actus puros." Of this law each sec- tion or paragraphus is the " forma alicujus ex naturis simplicibus quae in eo corpore conjunguntur." I have already remarked on Mr. Wood's render- ing of the word "paragraphus" in § 2. VOL. 1. 25 386 NOVUM OEGANUM. calor coelestium et ignis ; rubor fixus in rosa aut similibus, et apparens in iride aut radiis opalii aut adamantis ; mors ex summersione, ex crematione, ex punctura gladii, ex apoplexia, ex atrophia ; et tamen conveniunt ista in natura calidi, ruboris, mortis), is se habere intellectum norit consuetudine et integral- itate rerum et opinionibus captum et detentum.^ Certissimum enim est ista, utcunque heterogenea et aliena, coire in Formam sive Legem eam quae ordi- nal calorem aut ruborem aut mortem ; nee emanci- pari posse potentiam humanam et liberari a naturae cursu communi, et expandi et exaltari ad efficientia nova et modes operandi novos, nisi per revelationem et inventionem hujusmodi Formarum ; et tamen post istam imionem naturae, quas est res maxime principalis, de nature divisionibus et venis, tam ordinariis quam interioribus et verioribus, suo loco postea dicetur. XVIII. Jam vero proponendum est exemplum Exclusionis sive Rejectionis naturarum, quae per Tabulas Com- parentifB reperiuntur non esse ex Forma Calidi ; illud interim monendo, non solum sufficere singulas tabulas ad Rejectionem alicujus natures, sed etiam unam- 1 The objection here anticipated has actually been made. It has been said that we cannot be sure that any quality always proceeds from the same cause. And in truth, though the axiom " like causes produce like effects," and vice versa, seems to be inseparable from the idea of causation, yet the force of the objection remains. For the reference of sensible quali- ties to outward objects involves a subjective element. The same colour, as referred to a substance as the object in which it resides, is a different thing as it is a fixed colour, or prismatic, or epipolar, &c. They agree, it may bo said, in the type of undulation ; but viewed as properties of bodies, or with reference to operations on them, they are distinct. And if we could go further into the mechanism of sensation, we should probably recede further both from concrete bodies and from practice. NOVUM OEGANUM. 387 quamque ex instantiis singularibus in illis contentis. Manifestum enim est ex iis qnse dicta sunt, omnem instantiam contradictoriam destniere opinabile de For- ma. Sed niliilominus quandoque, perspicuitatis causa et ut usus tabularum clarius demonstretur, Exclusivam duplicamus aut repetimus. Exemplum Exolusivce, sive Rejectionis Natwarum a Forma Calidi. 1. Per radios solis, rejice naturam elementarem.' 2. Per ignem communem, et maxime per ignes sub- terraneos (qui remotissimi sunt et plurimum interclu- duntur a radiis coelestibus), rejice naturam coelestem. 3. Per calefactionem omnigenum corporum (hoc est, mineralium, vegetabilium, partium exteriorum animalium, aquae, olei, aeris, et reliquorum) ex ap- proximatione sola ad ignem aut aliud corpus calidum, rejice omnem varietatem sive subtiliorem texturam corporum. 4. Per ferrum et metalla ignita, quae calefaciunt alia corpora nee tamen omnino pondere aut substantia minuuntur, rejice inditionem sive mixturam substan- tias alterius calidi. 5. Per aquam ferventem atque aerem, atque etiam per metalla et alia solida calefacta, sed non usque ad ignitionem sive ruborem, rejice lucem aut lumen. 6. Per radios lunae et aliarum stellarum (excepto sole), rejice etiam lucem et lumen. 7. Per Comparativam ferri igniti et flammae spiritus vini (ex quibus ferrum ignitum plus liabet calidi et 1 This refers to the antithesis, almost fundamental in Peripatetic physics, of the celestial and the elementary. Heat, since the sun's rays are hot, cannot depend on the elemental as contradistinguished from the celestial natnre. 388 NOVUM ORGANUM. minus lucidi, flamma autem spiritus vini plus lucidi et minus calidi), rejice etiam lucem et lumen. 8. Per aurum et alia metalla ignita, quae densissimi sunt corporis secundum totum, rejice tenuitatem. 9. Per aerem, qui invenitur ut plurimum frigidus et tamen manet tenuis, rejice etiam tenuitatem. 10. Per ferrum ignitum, quod non intumescit mole sed manet intra eandem dimensionem visibilem, rejice motum localem aut expansivum secundum totum. 11. Per dilatationem aeris in vitris calendariis et similibus, qui movetur localiter et expansive mani- festo neque tamen colligit manifestum augmentum caloris, rejice etiam motum localem aut expansivum secundum totum. 12. Per facilem tepefactionem omnium corporum, absque aliqua destructione aut alteratione notabili, rejice naturam destructivam aut inditionem violentam alicujus naturee novse. 13. Per consensum et conforinitatem operum simil- ium quae eduntur a calore et a frigore, rejice motum tarn expansivum quam contractivum secundum to- tum. 14. Per accensionem caloris ex attritions corpoi'um, rejice naturam principialem. Naturam principialem vocamus eam quiE positiva reperitur in natura, nee causatur a natura praecedente.-' 1 Bacon here anticipates not merely the essential character of the most recent theory of heat, but also the kind of evidence by which it has been established. The proof that caloric does not exist, — in other words that heat is not the manifestation of a peculiar substance diffused through na- ture, — rests mainly on experiments of friction. Mr. Joule and Professor Thomson ascribe the discovery of this proof chiefly to Sir Humphrey Davy {see Beddoes's Contributions to Physical and Medical Knowledge, p. 14.): but though Davy's experiments guard against sources of error of which Bacon takes no notice, the merit of having per- NOVUM ORGANUM. 389 Sunt et aliEB naturae : neque enim Tabulas confici- mus perfectas, seel exempla tantum. Omnes et singulse nature prsedictse non sunt ex Foi-ma Calidi. Atque ab omnibus naturis prajdictis liberatur homo in operatione super Calidum. XIX. Atque in Exclusiva jacta sunt fundamenta Induc- tionis veras ; quse tamen non perficitur donee sistatur in Affirmativa. Neque vero ipsa Exclusiva uUo modo perfecta est, neque adeo esse potest sub initiis. Est enim Exclusiva (ut plane liquet) rejectio naturarum simplicium; quod si non habeamus adhuc bonas et veras notiones naturarum simplicium, quomodo rec- tificari potest Exclusiva ? At nonnullje ex supra- dictis (veluti notio naturae elementaris, notio naturae ccelestis, notio tenuitatis) sunt notiones vagse, nee bene terminatae. Itaque nos, qui nee ignari sumus nee obliti quantum opus aggrediamur (viz. ut faciamus intellectum humanum rebus et naturee parem), nullo modo acquiescimus in his quse adhuc prsecepimus ; sed et rem in tdterius provehimus, et fortiora auxilia in usum intellectus machinamur et ministramus, quae nunc subjungemus. Et certe in Interpretatione Nar turae animus omnino taliter est praeparandns et for- mandus, ut et sustineat se in gradibus debitis cer- titudinis, et tamen cogitet (prsesertim sub initiis) ea quaead sunt multum pendere ex iis quae supersunt. ceivert the true significance of tlie production of heat hy friction belongs of right to Bacon. It is curious that in the essay in which he opposes the doctrine of caloric, Davy endeavours to introduce a new error of the same kind, and to show that light really is a natura principialis, a peculiar substance which in com- bination with oxygen properly so called constitutes oxygen gas, which he accordiugly calls phosoxygen. 390 NOVUM OKGANUM. XX. Attamen quia citius emergit Veritas ex errore quam ex confusione, utile putamus ut fiat permissio intellec- tui, post tres tabulas ComparentisB Primse (quales posui- mus) factas et pensitatas, accingendi se et tentandi opus Interpretatioi:is Nature in affirmativa ; tarn ex instan- tiis tabularum, quam ex iis quse alias occurrent. Quod genus tentamenti, Permissionem Intellectus sive Inter- pretationem Inchoatam, sive Vindemiationem Priinam appellate consuevimus. Vindemiatio Prima de Forma Galidi. Animadvertendum autem est, Formam rei inesse (ut ex iis qufe dicta sunt plane liquet) instantiis universis et singulis in quibus res ipsa inest ; aliter enim Forma non esset ; itaque nulla plane dari potest instantia contra- dictoria. Attamen longe magis conspicua invenitur Forma et evidens in aliquibus instantiis quam in aliis ; in iis videlicet, ubi minus cohibita est natura Formse et impedita et redacta in ordinem per naturas alias. Hu- jusmodi autem instantias, Eluceseentias vel Instantias Ostensivas appellare consuevimus. Pergendum itaque est ad Vindemiationem ipsam Primam de Forma Calidi. Per universas et singulas instantias, natura cujus limitatio est Calor ' videtur esse Motus. Hoc au- tem maxime ostenditur in flamma, quse perpetuo movetur ; et in liquoribus ferventibus aut bullien- tibus, qui etiam perpetuo moventur. Atque osten- ditur etiam in incitatione sive incremento caloris facto per motum ; ut in follibus, et ventis ; de quo 1 Of which heat is a particular case. NOVUM OEGANUM. 391 vide Instant. 29. Tab. 3. Atque similiter in aliis modis motus, de quibus vide Instant. 28. et 31. Tab. 3. Rursus ostenditur in extinctione io;nis et caloris per omnem fortem compressionem, quae fraenat et cessare facit motum ; de qua vide In- stant. 30. et 32. Tab. 3. Ostenditur etiam in hoc, quod omne corpus destruitur aut saltern insigniter alteratur ab omni igne et calore forti ac vehementi ; unde liquodo constat, fieri a calore tumultum et perturbationem et motum acrem in partibus inter- nis corporis, qui sensim vergit ad dissolutionem. Intelligatur hoc quod diximus de Motu (nempe, ut sit instar generis ad Calorem'), non quod calor generet motum, aut quod motus generet calorem (licet et hsec in aliquibus vera sint) ; sed quod ipsissimus Calor, sive quid ipsum Caloris, sit Motus et nihil aliud; limitatus tamen per difFerentias quas mox subjungemus, post- quam nonnullas cautiones adjecerimus ad evitandum aequivocum. Calidum ad sensum res respectiva est, et in ordine ad hominem non ad universum ; et ponitur recte ut effec- tus Caloris tantum in spiritum animalem. Quin etiam in seipso res varia est, cum idem corpus (prout sensus prsedisponitur) inducat perceptionem tarn calidl quam frigidi ; ut patet per Instant. 41. Tab. 3. Neque vero communicatio Caloris, sive natura ejus transitiva per quam corpus admotum corpori calido in- calescit, confundi debet cum Forma Calidi. Aliud enim est Calidum, aliud Calefactivum. Nam per mo- tum attritionis inducitur calor absque aliquo calido pra3- cedente, unde excluditur Calefactivum a Forma Calidi. 1 i. e. that it is as tlie genus of -which heat is a species. 392 NOVUM OilGANUM. Atque etiam ubi calidum efficitur per approximationem calidi, hoc ipsum non fit ex Forma Calidi ; sed omnino pendet a natura altiore et magis communi ; viz. ex natura assimilationis sive multiplioationis sui; de qua facienda est separatim inquisitio. At notio ignis plebeia est, et nihil valet ; composita enim est ex concursu qui fit calidi et lucidi in aliquo corpore ; ut in flamma communi, et corporibus accensis usque ad ruborem. Remoto itaque omni »quivoco, veniendum jam tan- dem est ad Differentias veras quae limitant Motum, et constituunt eum in Formam Calidi. Prima igitur Differentia ea est ; quod Calor sit motus Expansivus, per quem corpus nititur ad dil- atationem sui, et recipiendi se in majorem sphae- ram sive dimensionem quam prius occupaverat. Hsec autem Differentia maxime ostenditur in flam- ma ; ubi fumus sive halitus pinguis manifesto dilatatur et aperit se in fiammam. Ostenditur" etiam in omni liquore fervente, qui manifesto intumescit, insurgit, et emittit bullas ; atque urget processum expandendi se, donee verta- tur in corpus longe magis extensum et dilatatum quam sit ipse liquor ; viz. in vaporem aut fumum aut aerem. Ostenditur etiam in omni ligno et combustibili ; ubi fit aliquando exudatio, at semper evaporatio. Ostenditur etiam in colliquatione metallorum, quije (cum sint corporis compactissimi) non facile intumescunt et se dilatant ; sed tamen spiritus eorum, postquam fuerit in se dilatatus, et majorem adeo dilatationem concupierit, trudit plane et agit NOVUM ORGANUM. 393 partes crassiores in liquidum. Quod si etiam calor fortius intendatur, solvit et vertit multum ex iis in volatile. Ostenditur etiam in ferro aut lapidibus ; quae licet non liquefiant aut fundantur, tamen emolliun- tur. Quod etiam fit in baculis ligni; quae cale- facta paullulum in eineribus calidis ilunt flexibilia. Optime autem eernitur iste motus ina ere, qui per exiguum calorem se dilatat continuo et mani- festo ; ut per Instant. 88. Tab. 8. Ostenditur etiam in natura contraria Frigidi. Frigus enim omne corpus contrahit et cogit in angustius ; adeo ut per intensa frigora clavi exci- dant ex parietibus, sera dissiliant, vitrum etiam cale- factum et subito positum in frigido dissiliat et fran- gatur. Similiter aer per levem infrigidationem recipit se in angustius ; ut per Instant. 38. Tab. 3. Verum de his fiisius dicetur in inquisitione de Fri- gido. Neque mirum est si Calidum et Frigidum edant complures actiones communes (de quo vide In- stant. 32. Tab. 2.), cum inveniantur duae ex se- quentibus Dififerentiis (de quibus mox dicemus) quse competunt utrique naturse; licet in hac Dif- ferentia (de qua nunc loquimur) actiones sint ex diametro oppositae. Calidum enim dat motum expansivum et dilatantem, Frigidum autem dat motum contractivum et coeuntem. Secunda Differentia est modificatio prioris ; haec videlicet, quod Calor sit motus expansivus sive versus circumferentiam ; hac lege tamen, ut una feratur corpus sursum. Dubium enim non est 394 NOVCM OKGANDM. quin sint motus complures mixti. Exempli gratia ; sagitta aut spiculum simul et progredieiido rotat, et rotando progreditur. Similiter et motus Caloris simul est et expansivus et latio in sursum. Hsec vero Differentia ostenditur in forcipe, aut bacillo ferreo immisso in ignem ; quia si immit- tatur perpendiculariter tenendo manum superius, cito manum adurit ; sin ex latere aut inferius, omnino tardius. Conspicua etiam est' in distillationibus per de- scensorium ; quibus utuntur homines ad flores del- icatiores, quorum odores facile evanescunt. Nam hoc reperit industria, ut collocent ignem non subter sed supra, ut adurat minus. Neque enim flamma tantum vergit sursum, sed etiam omne calidum.^ Fiat autem experimentum hujus rei in contraria natura Frigidi : viz. utrum frigus non contrahat corpus descendendo deorsum, quemadmodum cal- idum dilatat corpus ascendendo sursum. Itaque adhibeantur duo bacilla ferrea, vel duo tubi vitrei, quoad caetera pares, et calefiant nonnihil ; et pona- tur spongia cum aqua frigida, vel nix, subter unam, et similiter super alteram. Existimamus enim ce- leriorem fore refrigerationem ad extremitates in eo bacillo ubi nix ponitur supra quam in eo ubi nix ponitur subter ; contra ac fit in calido. Tertia Differentia ea est ; ut Calor sit motus, non expansivus uniformiter secundum totum, sed expansivus per particulas minores corporis ; et simul cohibitus et repulsus et reverberatus, adeo 1 This is an instance to show that heat does not descend so rapidly as it astends through liquids, which is true. NOVUM OEGANTJM. 395 ut induat motnm alternativum et perpetuo trepi- dantem et tentantem et nitentem et ex repercus- sione irritatum ; unde furor ille ignis et caloris ortum habet. Ista vero Differentia ostenditur maxime in flam- ma et liquoribus buUientibns ; qase perpetuo trep- idant, et in parvis portionibus tument, et rursus subsidunt. Ostenditur etiam in iis corporibus quae sunt tarn dura? compagis ut calefacta aut ignita non intu- mescant aut dilatentur mole ; ut ferrum ignitum, in quo calor est acerrimus. Ostenditur etiam in hoc, quod per frigidissimas tempestates focus ardeat acerrime. Ostenditur etiam in hoc, quod cum extenditur aer in vitro calendari absque impedimento aut re- pulsione, uniforraiter scilicet et aaqualiter, non per- cipiatur calor. Etiam in ventis conclusis, licet erumpant vi maxima, tamen non percipitur calor insignis ; quia scilicet motus fit secundum totum, absque motu alternante in particulis. Atque ad hoc fiat experimentum, utrum flamma non urat acrius versus latera quam in medio flammas. Ostenditur etiam in hoc, quod omnis nstio tran- sigatur per minutos poros corporis quod uritur ; adeo ut ustio subruat et penetret et fodicet et stimulet, perinde ac si essent infinitse cuspides acus. Itaque ex hoc illud etiam fit, quod oranes aquae fortes (si proportionatse sint ad corpus in quod agunt) edant opera ignis, ex natura sua cor- rodente et pungente. Atque ista Differentia (de qua nunc dicimus) communis est cum natura frigidi ; in quo cohibe^ur 396 NOVUM OKGANUM. motus contractivus per renitentiam expandendi ; quemadmodnm in calido coliibetur motus expan- sivus per renitentiam contrahendi. Itaque sive partes corporis penetrent versus inte- rius sive penetrent versus exterius, similis est ratio ; licet impar admodum sit fortitudo ; quia non habe- mus liic apud nos in superficie terrse aliquid quod sit impense frigidum. Vide Instant. 27. Tab. 9.^ QuAETA Differentia est modificatio prioris: base scilicet, quod motus ille stimulationis aut penetra- tionis debeat esse nonnihil rapidus et minime len- tus ; atque fiat etiam per particulas, licet minutas ; tamen non ad extremam subtilitatem, sed quasi majusculas. Ostenditur hsec Differentia in comparaticne ope- rum quse edit ignis cum iis qua3 edit tempus sive £etas. iEtas enim sive tempus arefacit, consumit, subruit, et incinerat, non minus quam ignis ; vel potius longe subtilius ; sed quia motus ejusmodi est lentus admodum et per particulas valde exiles, non percipitur calor. Ostenditur etiam in comparatione dissolutionum ferri et auri. Aurum enim dissolvitur absque ca- lore excitato ; ferruiri autem cum veliementi exci- tatione caloris, licet simili fere intervallo quoad tempus. Quia scilicet in auro, ingressus aquae separationis est clemens et subtiliter insinuans, et cessio partium auri facilis ; at in ferro, ingressus est asper et cum conflictu, et partes ferri habent obstinationem majorem. Ostenditur etiam aliquatenus in gangrsenis non- ^ So in the original. NOVUM OEGANUM. 397 nullis et mortificationibus carnium ; quae non exci- tant magnum calorem aut dolorem, ob subtilitatem putrefactionis. Atque haec sit Prima J^ndemiatio, sive Interpretatio inchoata de Forma Calidi, facta per Perviissionem In- tellectus. Ex Vindemiatione auteni ista Prima, Forma sive definitio vera Caloris (ejus qui est in ordine ad univer- sum, non relativus tantummodo ad sensum) talis est, brevi verborum complexu : Calor est motus ezpansivus, cohibitus, et nitens per partes minores. Modificatur autem expansio ; ut expandendo in amhitum, nonnihil tamen inclinet versus superiora. Modificatur autem et nixus ille per partes ; ut non sit omnino segnis, sed inci- tatus et cum impetu nonnullo?- 1 The Inquisitio de forma calidi suggests these remarks : — 1st. A great part of it conduces in no way to the result. This may be said to he the natural consequence of the method of inquiry. 2nd. Heat (caloric) is confounded with the effects of chemical agencies, which are said " exequi opera caloris." 3rd. A greater source of confusion is the complete absence of any recog- nition of the principle that all bodies tend to acquire the temperature of those about them, and that the dlllerence ad tactum which makes one body feel hotter or colder than another depends not on its being hotter or colder, but on the different degree of facility which they have in communicating their own respective temperature. In consequence of this, it had always been taught that one class of bodies were in their own nature cold, another hot, and so on. All liquids were cold. Experiments with a thermometer would have shown that they were not; but these Bacon did not try,— an instance among others how far he was from rejecting all he had been taught. Of which remarks we may observe that, of the " Instantia convenientes," 13. is an instance of the third, while from 22. to the end exemplify the sec- ond;— of the "Instantise in proximo," 14—19. are to be referred to the third; from 27. to the end, to the second. 4th. Calidum and Frigidum seem to be considered distinct and not cor- relative qualities. 5th. The adoption of astrological fables about the hot and cold influence 398 NOVUM OEGANDM. Quod vero ad Operativam attinet, eadera res est. Nam designatio est talis ; Si in aliquo corpore naturali of the stars and planets [is to be remarked in the Tabtda Graduum, 15. et seqq.] Then comes the result, that the natura calidi is a. motus expansivus. This is seen [in air], " Optime eernitur in aere qui per exiguum calorem se dilatat continuo et manifesto, ut per Inst. 38. Tab. 3. : " that is, by the in- stance of a vitrum calendare, or air-thermometer. And this is beyond question a good instance. But then in the "exemplum exclusivae," § 11., we read " Per dilatationem aeris in vitvis calendariis et similibus, qui movetur localiter et expansive manifesto, neque tamen colligit manifestum augmentum caloris, rejice etiam motum localem aut expansivum secundum totum." How is this passage to be reconciled with the preceding? For if the example of the vitrum calendare proves anything, it proves a motus expansivus secundum totum; and if, on account of our having no manifest evidence that the air waxes hot when it expands, the example does not prove this, why is it adduced ? The source of this confusion I believe to be that, though Bacon saw reason to affirm expansion to be the essence of the hot, 3-et he was perplexed by examples of two kinds: (a) bodies which do not visibly expand when they are heated, e. g. red-hot iron; (;S) bodies whicli expand witliout becoming heated, e. g. compressed air when relieved fi-om pressure. For the first difficulty, it might have occurred to him that the hot iron does expand, though not enough to be perceived (except by accurate measurement) to do so ; and if he had followed the indication thus given, he might have been the discoverer of a general and most important law. The difficulty which the second class of phenomena creates ought to have prevented Bacon from assigning expansion as the forma calidi, — as being that which must always make a body hot, and without which it could not become so. For it^would be too liberal an interpretation to say that the expressions " motus cohibitus et refraenatus,' ' whereby the idea of expansion is qualified, refer to a condition essential in the case of elastic fluids, — namely that the expansion in becoming heated is due to an increased elas- ticit}', and not to any decrease of external pressure. Even had the modi- fication required by this class of cases been introduced, there still remains that of liquids whose temperature is below that of maximum density, which is altogether intractable. Of this phenomenon, however, it would be un- reasonable to expect Bacon to have known anything. But setting it aside, if it were affirmed that Bacon, after having had a glimpse of the truth sug- gested by some obvious phenomena, had then recourse, as he himself ex- presses it, to certain " diiferentiie inanes " in order to save the phenomena, I think it would be hard to dispute the truth of this censure. Nevertheless, of the matters contained in the investigation, tliere are several of considerable interest, though, as has been said, they are not con- nected with the final result. The relation between heat and mechanical action has recently become NOVUM OEGANUM. 399 potens excitare motum ad se dilatandum aut expanden- dum ; eumque motum ita reprimere et in se vertere, ut dilatatio ilia non procedat aiqualiter, sed partim ohtineat, partiin retrudatur; proculdubio generabig Calidum: non habita ratione, sive corpus illucl sit elementare (ut lo- quuntur) sive imbutum a coelestibus ; ^ sive Inminosum sive opacum ; sive tenue sive densum ; sive localiter expansuni sive intra claustra dimensionis primse conten- tum ; sive vergens ad dissolutionem sive maners in statu ; sive animal, sive vegetabile, sive minerale, sive aqua, sive oleum, sive aer, aut aliqua alia substantia qusecunque susceptiva motus prsedicti. Calidum autem ad sensum res eadem est ; sed cum analogia, qualis competit sen- sui.^ Nunc vero ad ulteriora auxilia procedendum est. the subject of some very remarkable speculations, derived from the views suggested by S. Caraot in his Mefiectitms sur la Puissance Moirlce du Feu. Two views have been propounded. In one (that of S. Carnot himself), mechanical action is regarded as convertible with the transference from body to body of caloric. The other rejects the notion of caloric {the sub- stance of heat) altogether. On this view mechanical action is convertible with tlie generation of heat; i. e. the raising of a given quantity of a given body from one given temperature to another. Both make use of the axiom "ex nihilo nihil;" and the conclusions thus obtained, especially in the sec- ond way of considering the subject, which I cannot doubt is the true one, are most remarkable, and the more interesting because they are, so to speak, the interpretation of a maxim whose truth is admitted a priori. 1 That is, whether the body derive its properties from the primaiy quali- ties of the elements, or be imbued with specific or virtual qualities through the influence of the heavenly bodies. Thus St. Thomas says; " Sicut enim virtus calefaciendi et infrigidandi est in igne et aqua consequens proprias eorum formas, et virtus, &c., actio intellectualis in homine consequens ani- mam rationalem, ita omnes virtutes et actiones mediorum corporum tran- scendentes virtutes elementorum consequuntur eorum proprias formas, et reducuntur sicut in altiora principia in virtutes corporum coelestium, et ad- huc altius in substantias separatas." — De occultis Operibus Natural. 2 The " analogia qualis competit sensui " is the " analogia hominis." This appears from the passages where the word occurs in the Distribulio Opens, p. 218., and in § 40. of this book, near the end. Thus the meaning of the passage is that " calidum ad sensum " is the same as " calidum per se," only considered subjectively. The clause " sed cum analogia," &c., ■400 NOVUM OEGANUM. XXI. Post Tabulas Comparentise Primse et Rejectionem sive Exclusivam, nee non Vindemiationem Primam factam secundum eas, pergendum est ad reliqua auxilia intellectus circa Interpretationem Naturae et Induc- tion em veram ac perfectam. In quibus proponendis, ubi opus erit tabulis, procedemus super Calidum et Frigidum ; ubi autem opus erit tantum exemplis pau- cioribus, procedemus per alia omnia ; ut nee confun- datur inquisitio, et tamen doctrina versetur minus in angusto. Dicemus itaque primo loco, de PrcBrogativis Instan- tiarum : ^ secundo, de Adminiculis Inductionis : tertio, de Rectificatione Inductionis : quarto, de Variatione In- qwisitionis fro Natura Subjecti : ^ quinto, de Prceroga- tivis Naturarum quatenus ad inquisitionem, sive de eo quod inquirendum est prius et posterius : sexto, de Ter- minis Inquisitionis, sive de synopsi omnium naturarum in universo : septimo, de Deductione ad Praxin, sive de eo quod est in ordine ad Hominem : octavo, de Parascevis ad Inquisitionem : postremo autem, de Scala Aseensoria et Desce7isoria Axiomatum. XXII. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, primo proponemus may be rendered — " but with that kind of reference to man as the per- cipient which belongs to the nature of a perception." ^ Concerning the doctrine of Praerogative Instances, see General Pre/ace^ p. 93. — J. S. 2 Compare the passage near the end of the last aphorism of this book— " Nunc vero ad adminicula et rectificationes inductionis, et deinceps ad con- creta et latentes processus, et latentes schematismos, et cetera quae apho- rismo xxi. ordine proposuimus, pergendum ; '* and see General Preface, p. 77. — J^. S. NOVUM OKGANUM. 401 Instantias Solitarias. Es autem sunt Solitarise, quae exhibent naturam de qua fit inquisitio in talibus subjec- tis qass nil habent commune cum aliis subjectis, praeter illam ipsam naturam ; aut rursus quae non exhibent naturam de qua fit inquisitio in talibus subjectis quas sunt similia per omnia cum aliis subjectis, praeterquam in ilia ipsa natura. Manif'estum enim est quod hujus- modi instantias toUant ambages, atque accelerent et roboi-ent Exclusivam ; adeo ut paucae ex illis sint in- star multarum. Exempli gratia : si fiat inquisitio de natura Coloris, Instantias Solitarias sunt prismata, gemmas chrystallinEB, quaj reddunt colores non solum in se sed exterius supra parietem, item rores, etc. Istse enim nil habent com- mune cum coloribus fixis in floribus, gemmis coloratis, metallis, lignis, etc., prseter ipsum colorem. Unde facile coUigitur, quod Color nil aliud sit quam modi- ficatio imaginis lucis ^ immissse et receptse ; in priore genere, per gradus diversos incidentiiE ; in posteriore, per texturas et schematismos varios corporis. Istae autem Instantias sunt Solitarias quatenus ad simUitu- dinem. Rursus in eadem inquisitione, venas distinctas albi et nigri in marmoribus, et variegationes colorum in floribus ejusdem speciei, sunt Instantias Solitariae. Al- bum enim et nigrum marmoris, et maculas albi et purpurei in floribus garyophylli,^ conveniunt fere in ^ Reference is made to Telesiua's sj'stem of vision. " Lux donata est facultate sese effundendi multiplicandique et aerem propria specie afSci- endi, itaque et oculos subeundi." . . . Again, " lux quse res quibus in- sunt [colores] permeat. . . ab ipsarum intingitur coloribus, et eas trans- vecta oculos subit." — De Serum Nat. vii. 31. See also other passages of the same book. Bacon uses '"imago" as equivalent to "species," the word used in the preceding quotation. 2 Caiyophyllea was a flower much cultivated in Holland in the sixteenth VOL. I. 26 402 NOVUM OEGANUM. omnibus praeter ipsum colorem. Unde facile colligi- tur, Colorem non multum rei habere cum naturis ali- cujus corporis intrinsecis, sed tantum situm esse m positura partium crassiori et quasi mechanica. Istse autem InstantisB sunt Solitarias quatenus ad discrepan- tiam. Utrunque autem genus Instantias Solitarias appellare consuevimus ; aut Ferinas,! sumpto vocab- ulo ab astronomis. XXIII. Inter PrEerogativas Instantiarum, ponemus secundo loco Instantias Migrantes. Eas sunt, in quibus natura inquisita migrat ad generationem, cum prius non ex- isteret : aut contra migrat ad corruptionem, cum prius existeret. Itaque in utraque antistrophe, instantise tales sunt semper geminas ; vel potius una instantia in motu sive transitu, producta ad periodum adversam. At hujusmodi instantise non solum accelerant et roborant Exclusivam, sed etiam compellunt Affirmativam sive Formam ipsam in angustum. Necesse est enim ut Forma rei sit quippiam quod per hujusmodi Migra- tionem indatur, aut contra per hujusmodi Migrationem tollatur et destruatur. Atque licet omnis exclusio pro- moveat Affirmativam, tamen hoc magis directe fit in subjecto eodem quam in diversis. Forma autem (ut ex omnibus quae dicta sunt manifesto liquet) prodens century; see Lemmiua, De Miraculis (1581), p. 107. (The description seems more applicable to the tulip.) The flowers meant are pinks and carnations. 1 1 believe the word which Bacon here employs is at least very much less used than another of perhaps the same origin for which he has perhaps accidentally substituted it. " Feralis," we read in the Lexicon Mathemati- cum of Vitalis (1668), which appears to give a tolerably complete vocab- ulary of astrological words, " apud astronomos dicitur planeta, quando fuerit in loco ubi nullam cum reliquis familiaritatem habet : qnod quidera maximum est detrimentum," &c. NOVUM OEGANUM. 403 se in uno ducit ad omnia. Quo autem simplicior fuerit Migratio, eo magis habenda est instantia in pretio. Prseterea Instantise Migrantes magni sunt usus ad partem operativam ; quia cum proponant For- mam copulatam cum EfEciente aut Privante, perspicue designant praxin in aliquibus ; unde facilis etiam est transitus ad proxima. Subest tamen in illis non- nihil periculi, quod indiget cautione ; hoc videlicet, ne Formam nimis retrahant ad EfScientem, et intel-* lectum perfundant vel saltern perstringant falsa opin- ione de Forma ex intuitu EfEcientis. Efficiens vero semper ponitur nil aliud esse quam vehiculum sive deferens Formse.^ Verum huic rei, per Exclusivam legitime factam, facile adhibetur remedium. Proponendum itaque est jam exemplum Instantiae Migrantis. Sit natura inquisita Candor sive Albedo : Instantia Migrans ad generationem est vitrum inte- grum et vitrum pulverizatum. Similiter, aqua simplex et aqua agitata in spumam. Vitrum enim integrum et aqua simplex diaphana sunt, non alba ; at vitrum pulverizatum et aqua in spuma, alba, non diaphana. Itaque quserendum quid acciderit ex ista Migratione vitro aut aquse. Manifestum enim est Formam Al- bedinis deferri et invehi per istam contusionem vitri et agitationem aqute. Nihil autem reperitur accessisse, prteter comminutionem partium vitri et aquse, et aeris insertionem. Neque vero parum profectum est ad in- veniendam Formam Albedinis, quod corpora duo per se diaphana, sed secundum magis et minus, (aer scili- cet et aqua, aut aer et vitrum,) simul posita per minu- 1 The causa efficiens is the vehiculum formae, inasmuch as it carries the form into the subject matter on which it acts; in other words it actuates the potential existence of the form in the subject matter. (Cf. De Aug. ill. 4.) 404 NOVUM OEGANUM. tas portiones exhibeant Albedinem, per refractionem insequalem radiorum lucis.^ Verum hac in re proponendum est etiam exemplum periculi et cautionis, de quibus diximus. Nimirum facile hie occurret intellectui ab hujusmodi Efficienti- bus depravato quod ad Formam Albedinis aer semper requiratur, aut quod Albedo generetur tantum per corpora diaphana ; quae omriino falsa sunt, et per inultas Exclusiones convicta. Quin potius apparebit (misso aere et hujusmodi} corpora omnino sequalia (secundum portiones opticas) dare diaphanum ; cor- pora vero insequalia per texturam simplicem, dare album ; corpora inasqualia secundum texturam com- positam, sed ordinatam, dare reliquos colores, prseter nigrum ; corpora vero inaequalia per texturam com- positam, sed omnino inordinatam et confusam, dare nigrum.''' Itaque de Instantia Migrante ad genera- tionem in natura inquisita Albedinis, propositum est jam exemplum. Instantia autem Migrans ad corrup- tionem in eadem natura Albedinis, est spuma dissoluta, aut nix dissoluta. Exuit enim albedinem et induit diaphanum aqua, postquam fit integrale sine aere. Neque vero illud ullo modo prsetermittendum est, quod sub Instantiis Migrantibus comprehendi debeant non tantum ill^ quae migrant ad generationem et pri- 1 Bacon would perhaps have given as another illustration of what he has here said the beautiful whiteness of frosted silver, if he had been aware that it is in reality silver foam. It appears that when silver is in a state of fusion a very large quantity of oxygen is condensed on and within its surface, the whole of which escapes at the moment of solidification. This explanation of the appearance of granulated silver is due, I believe, to Gay Lussac. 2 Compare Valerius Terminus, ch. xi. : — "It is then to be understood that absolute equality produceth transparence, inequality in simple order or proportion produceth whiteness, inequality in compound or respective order or proportion produceth other colours, and absolute or orderless in- equality produceth blackness." — /. S. NOVUM 0R6ANUM. 405 vationem, sed etiam illse quae migrant ad majorationem et minorationem ; cum illge etiam tendant ad inveni- endam Formam, ut per definitionem Formee superius factam et Tabulam Graduum manifesto liquet. Itaque papyrus, quse sicca cum fuerit alba est, at madefacta (excluso acre et recepta aqua) minus alba est et magis vergit ad diaphanum, similem habet rationem cum instantiis supradictis. XXIV. Inter Praerogativas Instantiarum, tertio loco pone- mus Instantias Ostensivas, de quibus in Vindemiatione Prima de Calido mentionem fecimus ; quas etiam Mvr cescentias, sive Instantias Idberatas et Frcedominantes, appellare consuevimus. Ese sunt, quae ostendunt na- turam inquisitam nudam et substantivam, atque etiam in exaltatione sua aut suramo gradu potentias suae ; emancipatam scilicet, et liberatam ab impedimentis, vel saltern per fortitudinem suse virtutis dominantem super ipsa, eaque supprimentem et coercentem. Cum enim omne corpus suscipiat multas naturarum Formas copulatas et in concreto, fit ut alia aliam retundat, deprimat, frangat, et liget ; unde obscurantur Formse singula. Inveniuntur autem subjecta nonnulla in qui- bus natura inquisita pr» aliis est in suo vigore, vel per absentiam impedimenti vel per prsedominantiam vir- tutis. Hujusmodi autem instantise sunt maxime osten- siva; Formse. Verum et in his ipsis instantiis adhi- benda est cautio, et cohibendus impetus intellectus. Quicquid enim ostentat Formam, eamque trudit, ut videatur occurrere intellectui, pro saspecto habendum est, et recurrendum ad Exclusivam severam et dili- gentem. 406 NOVUM OKGANUM. Exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Calidum. In- stantia Ostensiva motus expansionis, qu.se (ut supe- rius dictum est) portio est prsecipua Formse Cali- di, est vitrum calendare aeris. Etenim flamma, li- cet manifesto exhibeat expansionem, tamen propter momentaneam extinctionem non ostendit progressum expansionis. Aqua autem fervens, propter facilem transitionem aquse in vaporem et aerem, non tarn bene ostendit expansionem aquae in corpore suo. Rur- sus ferrum ignitum, et similia, tantum abest ut pro- gressum ostendant, ut contra per retusionem et frac- tionem spiritus per partes compactas et crassas (quse domant et frjenant expansionem) ipsa expansio non sit omnino conspicua ad sensum. At vitrum calendare clare ostendit expansionem in aere, et conspicuam et progredientem et durantem, neque transeuntem. Rursus, exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Pondus. Instantia Ostensiva ponderis, est argentum vivum. Omnia enim superat pondere magno intervallo, prae- ter aurum ; quod non multo gravius est.^ At prse- stantior instantia est ad indicandam Formam Ponderis argentum vivum quam aurum ; quia aurum solidum est et consistens, quod genus referri videtur ad den- sum ; at argentum vivum liquidum est et turgens spir- itu, et tamen multis partibus exuperat gravitate dia- mantem, et ea quse putantur solidissima. Ex quo ostenditur Formam Gravis sive Ponderosi dominari simpliciter in copia materise, et non in arcta com- page. 1 This mistake occurs also in the Historia Densi et RaH. According to Bacon, the density of mercury is to that of gold as thirty-nine is to forty, nearly; the real ratio being as little more than as seven to ten. The way in which his experiments were made accounts for a large part of this error. See the preface to the HistoHa Densi et Rari. NOVUM ORGANUM. 407 XXV. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum ponemus quarto loco Instantias Clandestinas, quas etiam Instantias Ore- puscuK appellare consuevimus. Ese sunt veluti op- positEB Instantiis Ostensivis. Exhibent enim naturam inquisitam in infima virtute, et tanquam in incunabu- lis et rudimentis suis ; tentantem et tanquam primo experientem, sed sub contraria natura latentem et subactam. Sunt autem hujusmodi instantise magni omnino momenti ad inveniendas Formas ; quia sicut Ostensivse ducunt facile ad differentias, ita Clandes- tinae ducunt optime ad genera ; id est, ad naturas illas communes quarum naturae inquisitae nihil aliud sunt quam limitationes. Exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Consistens, sive se determinans ; cujus contrarium est Liquidum, sive fluens. Instantiae Clandestinae sunt illae quae exhibeht gradum nonnullum debilem et infimum Consistentis in fluido ; veluti bulla aquae, quae est tanquam pellicula quffidam consistens et determinata, facta ex corpore aquae. Similiter stillicidia, quae, si adfaerit aqua quae succedat, producunt se in filum admodum tenue, ne dis- continuetur aqua ; at si non detur talis copia aquas quae succedere possit, cadit aqua in guttis rotundis, quss est figura quse optime aquam sustinet contra discontinua- tionem. At in ipso temporis articulo cum desinit filum aquae et incipit descensus in guttis, resilit ipsa aqua sur- sum ad evitandam discontinuationem. Quin in metal- lis, quae cum ftmduntur sunt liquida sed magis tenacia, recipiunt se saepe guttae liquefactse sursum, atque ita hffirent. Simile quoddam est instantia speculorum pue- rilium, quae solent facere pueruli in scirpis ex saliva, ubi 408 NOVUM OEGANDM. cernitur etiam pellicula consistens aquae. At multo melius se ostendit hoc ipsum in altero illo ludicro pue- rili, quando capiunt aquam, per saponem factam paulo tenaciorem, atque inflant earn per calamum cavum, atque inde formant aquam tanquam in castellum bulla- rum ; quae per interpositionem aeris inducit consisten- tiam eo usque ut se prqjici nonnihil patiatur absque dis- continuatione.^ Optime autem cernitur hoc in spuma et nive, quae talem induunt consistentiam ut fere secari possint; cum tamen sint corpora formata ex aere et aqua, quse utraque sunt liquida. Qua3 omnia non ob- scure innuunt Liquidum et Consistens esse notiones tantum plebeias, et ad sensum ; inesse autem revera omnibus corporibus fiigam et evitationem se discontinu- andi ; earn vero in corporibus homogeneis (qualia sunt liqnida) esse debilem et infirmam, in corporibus vero quae sunt composita ex heterogeneis, magis esse vividam et fortem ; propterea.quod admotio hetei'ogenei constrin- git corpora, at subintratio homogenei solvit et relaxat. Similiter, exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita At- tractio, sive Coitio Corporum. Instantia circa Formam ejus Ostensiva maxime insignis est magnes. Contraria autem natura Attrahenti est non Attrahens, licet in substantia simili. Veluti ferrum, quod non attrahit ferrum, quemadmodum nee plumbum plumbum, nee lignum lignum, nee aquam aqua. Instantia autem Clandestina est magnes ferro armatus, vel potius ferrum in mawnete armato. Nam ita fert natura, ut magnes armatus in distantia aliqua non trahat ferrum fortius quam magnes non armatus. Verum si admoveatur 1 Far tougher bubbles than the ordinary kind may be blown in water in which silk cocoons have been steeped. Some curious experiments on this subject are mentioned in Porter on Silh Manufactures (Lardner's Cyclop.). NOVUM ORGANUM. 409 fermm, ita at tangat ferrum in magnete armato, tunc magnes armatus longe majus pondus ferri sustinet quam magnes simplex et inermis, proptei- similitudinem sub- stantia ferri versus ferrum ; quas operatic erat omnino Clandestina et latens in ferro, antequam magnes acces- sisset.^ Itaque manifestum est Formam Coitionis esse quippiam quod in magnete sit vividum et robustum, in ferro debile et latens. Itidem notatum est sagittas par- vas ligneas absque cuspide ferrea, emissas ex sclopetis grandibus, altius penetrare in materiam ligneam (puta latera navium, ant similia), quam easdem sagittas ferro acuminatas, propter similitudinem substantias ligni ad lignum, licet hoc ante in ligno latuerit. Itidem, licet aer aerem aut aqua aquam manifesto non trahat in cor- poribus integris, tamen bulla approximata bullse facilius dissolvit bullam quam si bulla ilia altera abesset, ob ap- petitum Coitionis aquae cum aqua et aeris cum aere. Atque hujusmodi Instantise Clandestinse (quae sunt usus nobilissimi, ut dictum est) in portionibus corpo- rum parvis et subtilibus maxime se dant conspiciendas. Quia massae reram majores sequuntur Formas magis catholicas et generales ; ut suo loco dicetur. XXVI. Inter Pr»rogativas Instantiarum ponemus quinto loco Instantias Constitutivas, quas etiam Manipulares ap- pellare consuevimus. Ea3 sunt quas constituunt unam speciem naturse inquisitae tanquam Formam Minorem. Cum enim Formse legitimas (quae sunt semper con- 1 This explanation of tlie effect of arming a magnet is -wholly unsatis- factory. Before the Novum Organum was published, Galileo had shown that tiie armature acts by producing a more perfect contact. See the Bia- logi dei 'Sistemi massimi, Giorn. 3a. p. 440. I quote irom the new edition. Firenze 1842. 410 NOVUM OEGANUM. vertibiles cum naturis inquisitis) lateant in profando nee facile inveniantur, postulat res et infirmitas humani in- tellectus ut FonnEe particnlares, qnse sunt congregativae Manipulorum quorundam instantiarum (neutiquam vero omnium) in notionem aliquam communem, non negli- gantur, verum diligentius notentur. Quicquid enim unit naturam, licet modis imperfectis, ad inventionem Formarum viam sternit. Itaque instantise quse ad hoc utiles sunt non sunt contemnendae potestatis, sed ha- bent nonnullam Prserogativam. Verum in his dUigens est adhibenda cautio, ne intel- lectus humanus, postquam complures ex istis Formis particularibus adinvenerit atque inde partitiones sive divisiones naturae inquisitae confecerit, in illis omnino acquiescat, atque ad inventionem legitimam Formae Magnffi se non accingat, sed praesupponat naturam velut a radicibus esse multiplicem et divisam, atque ulteriorem naturae unionem, tanquam rem supervacuae subtilitatis et vergentem ad merum abstractum, fas- tidiat et rejiciat. Exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Memoria, sive Excitans et Adjuvans memoriam. Instantiae Constitu- tivae sunt, ordo sive distributio, quse manifesto juvat memoriam ; item Loci in memoria artificiali, qui aut possunt esse loci secundum proprium sensum, veluti janua, angulus, fenestra, et similia, aut possunt esse personse familiares et nots, aut possunt esse quidvis ad placitum (modo in ordine certo ponantur), veluti ani- malia, herbae ; etiam verba, literas, characteres, personse historicae, et csetera ; licet nonnuUa ex his magis apta sint et commoda, alia minus. Hujusmodi autem Loci memoriam insigniter juvant, eamque longe supra vires naturales exaltant. Item carmina facUius haerent et NOVUM OKGANCM. 411 discuntur memoriter quam prosa. Atque ex isto Ma- nipulo triura instantiarum, videlicet ordinis, locorum ar- tificialis mepiorise, et versuum, constituitur species una auxilli ad Memoriam. Species autem ilia Abstissio In- finiti recte vocari possit. Cum enim quis aliquid remi- nisci aut revocare in memoriam nititur, si nullam prse- notionem habeat aut perceptionem ejus quod quserit, quEerit certe et molitur et hac iliac discurrit, tanquam in infinite. Quod si certam aliquam praanotionem ha- beat, statim abscinditur infinitum, et fit discursus me- morise magis in vicino. In tribus autem illis instantiis quae superius dictse sunt, prsenotio perspicua est et certa. In prima videlicet, debet esse aliquid quod congruat cum ordine ; in secunda debet esse imago quae relatio- nem aliquam habeat sive convenientiam ad ilia loca cer- ta; in tertia, debent esse verba quae cadant in versum ; atque ita abscinditur infinitum. Alias autem instantiae dabunt banc alteram speciem ; ut quicquid deducat In- tellectuale ad feriendum Sensum (quae ratio etiam prae- cipue viget in artificial memoria) juvet Memoriam. Aliee instantias dabunt banc alteram speciem ; ut quae faciunt impressionem in affectu forti, incutientia scilicet metum, admirationem, pudorem, delectationem, juvent Memoriam. Aliae instantiae dabunt hanc alteram spe- ciem ; ut quse maxime imprimuntur a mente pura et minus praeoccupata ante vel post, veluti quae discuntur in pueritia aut quae commentamur ante somnum, etiam primae quaeque rerum vices, magis haereant in Memoria. Alias instantiae dabunt hanc alteram speciem ; ut multi- tudo circumstantiarum sive ansarum juvet Memoriam ; veluti scriptio per partes non continuatas, lectio, sive recitatio voce alta. Alise denique instantias dabunt hanc alteram speciem ; ut quae expectantur et atten- 412 SrOYUM OEGANUM. tionem excitant melius hsereant quam quse prsetervolant. Itaque si scriptura aliquod vicies perlegeris, non tarn facile illud memoriter disces quam si illud legas decies, tentando interim illud recitare, et ubi deficit memoria inspiciendo librum. Ita ut sint veluti sex Formae Mi- nores eorum quae juvant Memoriam ; videlicet abscissio infiniti ; deductio intellectualis ad sensibile ; irapressio in affectu forti ; impressio in mente pura ; multitudo ansarum ; prseexpectatio. Similiter, exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Gustus, sive Gustatio. Instantias quae sequuntur sunt Constitu- tivje : videlicet, quod qui non olfaciunt sed sensu eo a natura destituti sunt, non percipiant aut gustu distingu- ant cibum rancidum aut putridum, neque similiter allia- tum aut rosatum, aut hujusmodi. Rursus, illi qui per accidens nares habent per descensum rheumatis ob- structas, non discernunt aut percipiunt aliquid putridum aut rancidum aut aqua rosacea inspersum. Rursus, qui afficiuntur hujusmodi rheumate, si in ipso momento cum aliquid fcetidum aut odoratum habent in ore sive palato emungant fortiter, in ipso instanti manifestam perceptionem habent rancidi vel odorati. Quae instan- ti« dabunt et constituent banc speciem, vel partem potius, gustus ; ut sensus gustationis ex parte nihil aliud sit quam olfactus interior, transiens et descendens a na- rium meatibus superioribus in os et palatum. At con- tra, salsum et dulce et acre et acidum et austerum et amarum, et similia, hsec (inquam) omnia aeque sentiunt illi in quibus olfactus deest aut obturatur, ac quisquam alius ; ut manifestum sit sensum gustus esse compositum quiddam ex olfactu interioi'i et tactu quodam exquisito ; de quo nunc non est dicendi locus. Similiter, exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Com- NOVUM ORGANUM. 413 municatio Qualitatis absque Commistione Substantias. Instantia Lucis dabit vel constituet unam speciem Communicationis ; Calor vero et Magnes alteram. Communicatio enim lucis est tanquam momentanea, et statim perit, amota luce originali. At calidum , et virtus magnetica, postquam tramissa fuerint vel potius excitata in alio corpore, hsrent et manent ad tempus non parvum, amoto primo movente. Denique magna est omnino Prserogativa Instanti- arum Constitutivarum, ut qu£e plurimum faciant et ad definitiones (prtesertim particulares), et ad divis- iones sive partitiones naturarum ; de quo non male dixit Plato, Quod habendus sit tanquam pro Deo, qui definire et divider e bene sciat.^ xxvii. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum ponemus sexto loco Instantias Conformes, sive Proportionatas ; quas etiam Parallelas, sive Similitudines Physicas, appellare con- suevimus. Eae vero sunt, quae ostendunt similitudi- nes et conjugationes rerum, non in Formis Minoribus (quod faciunt Instantise Constitutivae) sed plane in concreto. Itaque sunt tanquam primi et infimi gradus ad unionem Naturje. Neque constituunt ali- quod axioma statim ab initio, sed indicant et obser- vant tantum quendam consensum corporum. Atta- 1 Bacon perhaps refers to the passage in the Philebus, in which the reso- lution of articulate sounds into their elements is referred to dre Tif i?edf eire aal &eloi aviJpuirof. Compare Jamblichus (apud StobiEum, ^ 81.): Srff TjV TJf (if u2.i!9u( b Karadei^ac rr/v SmXsktlk^v koI naramjiiliag rol; av^punoii. [Mr. Kitchin, in his edition of the Novum Organum (Oxford, 1855), wWcli I did not see till this -was in type, refers to the Phcedrus, 266. a., — ToiiTov dr/ iyaye airof re IpaarrK rCru Siaipeaeav fcal mtvayayuv .... idv re nvtl u.7Aov k. t. 1. tovtov Siimo Karoma&e fier' ixviov dare ■Seolo, — which is undoubtedly the passage alluded to. — .A. S.] 414 NOVUM OEGANUM. men licet non multum promoveant ad inveniendas Formas, nihilominus magna cum utilitate revelant partium universi fabricara, et in membris ejus exer- cent veluti anatomiam quandam ; atque proinde veluti manu-ducunt interdum ad axiomata sublimia et nobilia, prsesertim ilia quse ad mundi configurationem perti- nent, potius quam ad naturas et Formas simplices. Exempli gratia ; Instantise Conformes sunt quse sequuntur : speculum, et oculus ; et similiter fabrica auris, et loca reddentia echo. Ex qua conformitate, prseter ipsam observationem similitudinis, quse ad mul- ta utilis est, proclive est insuper colligere et formare illud axioma ; videlicet, organa sensuum et corpora quse pariunt reflexiones ad sensus esse similis naturae. Rm-sus ex hoc ipso admonitus^ intellectus non segre insurgit ad axioma quoddam altius et nobilius; Hoc nimirum ; nihil interesse inter consensus sive sympa- thias corporum sensu praBditorum, et inanimatorum sine sensu, nisi quod in illis accedat spiritus animalis ad corpus ita dispositum, in his autem absit. Adeo ut quot sint consensus in corporibus inanimatis, tot possint esse sensus in animalibus, si essent perfora- tiones in corpore animato ad discursum spiritus ani-. malis in membrum rite dispositum, tanquara in or- ganum idoneum. Et rursus, quot sint sensus in animalibus, tot sint proculdubio motus in corpore in- animate ubi spiritus animalis abfuerit; licet necesse sit multo plures esse motus in corporibus inanimatis quam sensus in animatis, propter paucitatem organo- rum sensus. Atque hujus rei ostendit se exemplum valde manifestum in doloribus. Etenim quum sint plura genera doloris in animalibus et tanquara varii illius characteres (veluti alius est dolor ustionis, alius KOVUM ORGANUM. 415 frigoris intensi, alius punctur;e, alius compressionis, alius extensionis, et similium), certissimum est omnia ilia, quoad motum, inesse corporibus inanimatis ; vel- uti ligno aut lapidi, cum uritur, aut per gelu constrin- gitur, aut pungitur, aut scinditur, aut llectitur, aut tunditur, et sic de aliis; licet non subintrent sensus, propter absentiam spiritus animalis. Item Instantiffi Conformes (quod mirum fortasse dictu) sunt radices et rami plantarum. Omne enim vegetabile intumescit, et extrudit partes in circum- ferentiam, tam sursum quam deorsum. Neque alia est differentia radicum et ramorum, quam quod radix includatur in terra, et rami exponantur aeri et soli.^ Si quis enim accipiat ramum tenerum et vegetum arboris, atque ilium reflectat in aliquam teiTje par- ticulam, Hcet non cohoireat ipsi solo, gignit statim non ramum, sed radicem. Atque vice versa, si terra ponatur superius, atque ita obstruatur lapide aut aliqua dura substantia ut planta cohibeatur nee possit frondescere sursum, edet ramos in aerem de- orsum. Item InstantisB Conformes sunt gummi arborum, et pleraque gemmae rupium. Utraque enim nil aliud sunt quam exudationes et percolationes succorum ; in primo genere scilicet, succorum ex arboribus ; in se- cundo, ex saxis ; unde gignitur claritudo et splendor in utrisque, per percolationem nimirum tenuem et accuratam. Nam inde fit etiam, quod pili animalium non sint tam pulchri et tam vividi coloris quam avium 1 In many plants part of the stem grdws underground, while in others part at least of the root is above the surface. The true distinction has relation to the functions of the two organs. There is nothing in the root analogous (except under special circumstances) to buds or nodes, and consequently no true ramification. 416 NOVUM ORGANUM. plumas complures; quia succi non tain delicate perco- lantur per cutem quam per calamum. Item Instantise Conformes sunt scrotum in animali- bus masculis, et matrix in femellis. Adeo ut nobilis ilia fabrica per quam sexus difFerunt, (quatenus ad animalia terrestria) nil aliud videatur esse, quam se- cundum exterius et interius ; ^ vi scilicet majore caloris genitalia in sexu masculo protrudente in exterius, ubi in femellis nimis debilis est calor quam ut hoc facere possit ; unde accidit quod contineantur inte- rius. Item Instantise Conformes sunt pinnse piscium, et pedes quadrupedum, aut pedes et alse volucrum ; qui- bus addidit Aristoteles quatuor volumina in motu ser- pentum.^ Adeo ut in fabrica universi motus viven- tium plerumque videatur expediri per quaterniones artuum sive flexionum. Item dentes in animalibus terrestribus, et rostra in avibus, sunt Instantise Conformes ; unde manifestum est, in omnibus animalibus perfectis, fluere duram quandam substantiam versus os. Item non absurda est Similitude et Conformitis ilia, ut homo sit tanquam planta inversa. Nam radix nervorum et facultatum animaliura est caput ; partes autem seminales sunt infimas, non computatis extrem- itatibus tibiarum et brachiorum. At in planta, radix 1 This remark seems to have been suggested by a similar passage in Telesius, De Rerum Naiura, vi. 18.: — "Masculo .... niagnus datus est calor, qui et membrum genitale foras propellat et sanguiuem multum beneque omnem compactum coniiciat, &c. Foeminse autem . . . langiiens inditus est calor, qui neque genitale vas foras propellere nee h semine spiri- tum educere queat." The doctrine however of this passage was first taught by Galen, from whom Telesius derived it. See Galen, De Urn Pftrlium, xiv. 6. 2 De Anim. Incessu, i. 7. NOVUM OEGANUM. 417 (quae instar capitis est) regulariter infimo loco col- locatur; semina autem supremo.^ Denique illud omnino prsecipiendum est et saepius monendum ; tit diligentia hominum in inquisitione et congerie Naturalis Historise deniceps mutetur plane, et vertatur in contrarium ejus quod nunc in usu est. Magna enim hucusque atque adeo curiosa fuit homi- num industria in notanda rerum varietate atque ex- plicandis accuartis animalium, herbarum, et fossilium difFerentiis ; quanim plerseque magis sunt lusus naturae quam seriae alicujus utilitatis versus scientias. Faciunt certe hujusmodi res ad delectationem, atque etiam quandoque ad praxin ; verum ad introspiciendam na- turam parum aut nihil. Itaque convertenda plane est opera ad inquirendas et notandas rerum similitu- dines et analoga, tarn in integralibus quam partibus. lUse enim sunt quae naturam uniunt, et constituere scientias incipiunt.^ Verum in his omnino est adhibenda cautio gravis et severa ; ut accipiantur pro Instantiis Conformibus 1 On the other hand, one is tempted to trace an analogy between the flower in plants and the skull in man and vertebrate animals in general: each occurring at the end of the axis of development, and each consisting of four segments — whorls or vertebra;. But by far the most remarkable analogy between plants and animals relates to the mode of development of their tissues, which, there is reason to believe, were all primarily formed from cells. The evidence in favour of this proposition is perhaps not yet quite complete. ' It is curious that, after it had been established in the case of plants, Schleiden conceived that in this unity of original structure he had found a character peculiar to vegetable life, so that the analogy between plants and animals seemed to be impaired by the discovery. 2 " Natura infinita est, sed qui symbola animadverterit omnia intelliget, licet non omnino," are the words of a great poet, who perhaps also is en- titled to he called a gi-eat philosopher. They form the motto of one of the happiest illustrations of what Bacon meant by instantia conformis, —the Parthenogenesis of Professor Owen. VOL. I. 27 418 NOVUM OEGANUM. et Proportionatis, illae quas denotant Similitudines (ut ab initio diximus) Physicas ; id est, reales et substan- tiales et immersas in natura, non fortuitas et ad spe- ciem ; miilto minus superstitiosas aut curiosas, quales naturalis magias scriptores (homines levissimi, et in rebus tani seriis quales nunc agimus vix nominandi) ubique ostentant ; magna cum vanitate et desipientia, inanes similitudines et sympathias rerum describentes atque etiam quandoque afSngentes. Verum his missis, etiam in ipsa configuratione mundi in majoribus non sunt negligendse Instantise Conformes ; veluti Africa, et regie Peruviana cum continente se porrigente usque ad Fretum Magellan- icum. Utraque enim regie habet similes istlimos et similia promontoria, quod non temere accidit.^ Item Novus et Vetus Orbis ; in eo quod utrique orbes versus septentriones lati sunt et exporrecti, ver- sus austrum autem angusti et acuminati. Item Instantise Conformes nobilissimse sunt frigora intensa in media (quam vocant) aeris regione, et ignes acerrimi qui sa;pe reperiuntur erumpentes ex locis sub- terraneis ; quiB du£e res sunt ultimitates et extrema ; naturae scilicet Frigidi versus ambitum coeli, et naturae Calidi versus viscera terras ; per antiperistasin, sive re- jectionem nature contrariae. Postremo autem in axiomatibus scientiarum notatu digna est Conformitas Instantiarum. Veluti tropus rhetoricae, qui dicitur Praeter Expectatum, conformis 1 A. von Humboldt has pointed out the conformity of the opposite shores of the Atlantic — the approximate correspondence between the projections on each side and the recesses on the other. But Bacon apparently com- pares not the opposite but the corresponding coasts of Africa and America. C. Concepcion would correspond to C. Negro; but the parallelism is not very clo.se. NOVUM OEGANUM. 419 est tropo musicse, qui vocatur Declinatio Cadentise. Si- militer, postulatum mathematicum, ut qum eidem tertio mqualia sunt etiam inter se dnt cequalia, conforme est cum fabrica syllogismi in logica, qui unit ea qu£e con- veniunt in medio.^ Denique multum utilis est in quamplurimis sagacitas qutedam in conquirendis et in- dagandis Conformitatibus et Similitudinibus Physicis. xxvm. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus septimo loco Instantias Monodioas ;^ quas etiam Irregular es sive Heteroclitas (sumpto vocabulo a grammaticis) appellare consuevimus. Eae sunt, quae ostendunt corpora in con- creto, quEB videntur esse extravagantia et quasi abrupta in natura, et minime convenire cum aliis rebus ejusdem generis. Etenim Instantise Conformes sunt similes al- terius, at Instantiae Monodicae sunt sui similes. Usus vero Instantiarum Monodicarum est talis qualis est Instantiarum Clandestinarum : viz. ad evehendam et uniendam naturam ad invenienda genera sive com- munes naturas, limitandas postea per differentias veras. Neque enim desistendum ab inquisitione donee proprie- tates et qualitates, quae inveniuntur in hujusmodi rebus quse possunt censeri pro miraculis naturse, reducantur 1 The importance of the parallel here suggested was never understood imtil the present time, because the language of mathematics and of logic has hitherto not been such as to permit the relation between them to be rec- ognised. Mr. Boole's Lams of Thought contain the first development of ideas of which the germ is to be found in Bacon and Leibnitz ; to the latter of whom the fundamental principle that in logic a2= a was known (v. Leib- nitz, Philos. Works, by Erdmann, 1840, p. 130). It is not too much to say- that Mr. Boole's treatment of the subject is worthy of these great names. Other calculuses of inference (using the word in its widest sense), besides the mathematical and the logical, yet perhaps remain to be developed ; but this is a subject on which it is impossible here to enter. 2 Monadicas. See note 3. p. 253. — J. S. 420 NOVUM OKGANUM. et comprehendantur sub aliqua Forma sive Lege certa ; ut irregularitas sive singularitas omnis reperiatur pen- dere ab aliqua Forma Communi ; miraculum vero illud sit tandem solummodo in difFerentiis accuratis et gradu et concursu raro, et non in ipsa specie ; ubi nunc con- templationes hominum non procedant ultra quam ut ponant hujusmodi res pro secretis et magnalibus natu- rae, et tanquam incausabilibus, et pro exceptionibus regularum generalium. Exempla Instantiaram Monodicarum sunt, sol et luna, inter astra ; magnes, inter lapides,; argentum vivum, inter metalla ; elephasl inter quadrupedes ; sen- sus veneris, inter genera tactus ; odor venaticus in canibus, inter genera olfactus. Etiam S litera apud grammaticos, babetur pro Monodica; ob facilem com- positionem quam sustinet cum consonantibus, aliquando duplicibus, aliquando triplicibus ; quod nulla alia litera facit. Plurimi autem faciendse sunt hujusmodi instan- tiai ; quia acuunt et vivificant inquisitionem, et meden- tur intellectui depravato a consuetudine et ab iis quas fiunt plerunque. XXIX. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco oc- tavo Instantias Deviantes ; errores scilicet naturae, et vaga, ac monstra : ubi natura declinat et deflectit a cursu ordinario. Diiferunt enim Errores naturae ab Instantiis Monodicis in hoc ; quod Monodicae sint mi- racula specierum, at Errores sint miracula individuo- rum. Similis autem fere sunt usus ; quia rectificant intellectum adversus consueta, et revelant Formas Communes. Neque enim in his etiam desistendum ab inquisitione donee inveniatur causa hujusmodi de- clinatlonis. Veruntamen causa ilia non exurgit ad NOVUM ORGANUM. 421 Formam aliqnam proprie, sed tantum ad latentem processum ad Formam. Qui enim vias naturse noverit, is deviationes etiam facilius observabit. At rursus, qui deviationes noverit, is accuratius vias describet.^ Atque in illo difFerunt etiam ab Instantiis Monodicis, quod multo magis instruant praxin et operativam. Nam novas species generare arduura admodum foret ; at species notas variare, et inde rara multa ac inusitata producere, minus arduum. Facilis autem transitus est a miraculis naturae ad miracula artis. Si enim depre- hendatur semel natura in variatione sua, ejusque ratio manifesta fuerit, expeditum erit eo deducere naturam per artem quo per casum aberraverit. Neque solum eo, sed et aliorsum ; cum errores ex una parte monstrent et aperiant viam ad errores et deflexiones undequaque. Hie vero exemplis non est opus, propter eorundem co- piam. Facienda enim est congeries sive historia natu- ralis particularis omnium monstrorum et partuum natu- rae prodigiosorum ; oranis denique novitatis et raritatis et inconsueti in natura. Hoc vero faciendum est cum severissimo delectu, ut constet fides. Maxime autem habenda sunt pro suspectis quae pendent quomodocun- que a religione, ut prodigia Livii : nee minus, quae inveniuntur in scriptoribus magiae naturalis, aut etiam alchymise, et hujusmodi hominibus ; qui tanquam proci sunt et amatores fabularum. Sed depromenda sunt ilia ex gravi et fida historia, et auditionibus certis. XXX. Inter Praerogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco nono Jngtantias Limitaneas ; quas etiam Participia vocare consuevimus. Eae vero sunt, quae exhibent species 1 See Owen, On the Natwe of Umhs, p. 64. 422 NOVUM ORGANUM. corporum tales, quse videntur esse compositse ex specie- bus duabus, vel Rudimenta inter speciem unam et alte- ram. Hae vero Instantise inter Instantias Monodicas sive Heteroclitas recte numerari possunt : sunt enim in universitate rerum rarse et extraordinarije. Sed tamen ob dignitatem seorsim tractandse et ponenda sunt ; optime enim indicant compositionem et fabricam rerum, et innuunt causas numeri et qualitatis specierum ordinariarum in universe, et deducunt intellectum ab eo quod est, ad id quod esse potest. Harum exempla sunt, muscus, inter putredinem et plantam ; cometse nonnulli, inter stellas et meteora ignita ; pisces volantes, inter aves et pisces ; vespertil- liones, inter aves et quadrupedes ; etiam *' Simia quam similis turpissima bestia nobis; " ^ et partus animalium biformes et commisti ex speciebus diversis, et similia. XXXI. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum ponemus decimo loco Instantias Potestatis, sive Fascium (sumpto voca- bulo ab insignibus imperii), quas etiam Ingenia, sive Manus Hominis appellare consuevimus. Ese sunt opera maxime nobilia et perfecta, et tanquam ultima in una- quaque arte. Cum enim hoc agatur praecipue ut na- tura pareat rebus et commodis humanis ; consentaneum est prorsus, ut opera quae jampridem in potestate homi- nis fuerunt (quasi provincise antea opcupatffi et subac- tse) notentur et numerentur ; prffisertim ea quae sunt maxime enucleata et perfecta ; propterea quod ab istis proclivior et magis in propinquo sit transitus ad nova et hactenus non inventa. Si quis enim ab horum contem- 1 Ennius, quoted by Cicero. NOVUM ORGANUM. 428 platione attenta propositum acriter et strenue urgere velit, fiet certe ut aut prodncat ilia paulo longius, aut deflectat ilia ad aliquid quod finitimum est, aut etiam applicet et transferat ilia ad usum aliquem nobiliorem. Neque hie finis. Verum quemadmodum ab operibus natui'iB rai'is et inconsuetis erigitur intellectus et ele- vatur ad inquirendas et inveniendas Formas quae etiam Dlorum sunt capaces, ita etiam in operibus artis egregiis et admirandis hoc usu-venit ; idque multo magis ; quia modus efficiendi et operandi hujusmodi miracula artis manifestus ut plurimum est, cum plerunque in mira- culis natursB sit magis obscurus. Attamen in his ipsis cautio est adhibenda vel maxime, ne deprimant scilicet intellectum et eum quasi humo affigant. Periculum enim est, ne per hujusmodi opera artis, quae videntur velut summitates quadam et fastigia in- dustriae humanae, reddatur intellectus attonitus et liga- tus et quasi maleficiatus quoad ilia, ita ut cum aliis con- suescere non possit, sed cogitet nihil ejus generis fieri posse nisi eadem via qua ilia efiecta sunt, accedente tantummodo diligentia majore et praeparatione magis accurata. Contra illud ponendum est pro certo : vias et modos efficiendi res et opera quae adhuc reperta sunt et notata, res esse plerunque pauperculas; atque omnem poten- tiam majorem pendere et ordine derivari a fontibus Formarum, quarum nulla adhuc inventa est. Itaque (ut alibi diximus) ^ qui de machinis et arie- tibus, quales erant apud veteres, cogitasset, licet hoc fecisset obnixe atque aetatem in eo consumpsisset, nun- quam tamen incidisset in inventum tormentorum igneo- rum operantium per pulverem pyrium. Neque rursus, 1 1. <) 109. 424 NOVUM OKGANUM. qui in lanificiis et serico vegetabili observationem suam et meditationern collocasset, unquam per ea reperisset naturam vermis aut serici bombjcini. Quocirca omnia inventa quaa censeri possunt magis nobilia (si animum advertas) in lucem prodiere nullo modo per pusillas enucleationes et extensiones artium, sed omnino per casum. Nihil autem repraesentat ^ aut anticipat casum (cujus mos est ut tantum per longa ssecula operetur) prseter inventionem Formarum. Exempla autem hujusmodi instantiarum particularia nihil opus est adducere, propter copiam eorundem. Nam hoc omnino agendum ; ut visitentur et penitus introspi- ciantur omnes artes mechanicse, atque hberales etiam (quatenus ad opera), atque inde facienda est congeries sive historia particularis, tanquam magnahum et operum magistraUum et maxime perfectorum in unaquaque ip- sarum, una cum modis efFectionis sive operationis. Neque tamen astringimus dihgentiam, qu£e adhiben- da est in hujusmodi collecta, ad ea qnse censentur pro magisteriis et arcanis alicujus artis tantum,- atque mo- vent admirationem. Admiratio enim proles est rari- tatis ; siquidem rara, licet in genere sint ex vulgatis naturis, tamen admirationem pariunt. At contra, quae revera admirationi esse debent prop- ter discrepantiam quae inest illis in specie collatis ad alias species, tamen si in usu familiari praesto sint levi- ter notantur. Debent autem notari Monodica artis, non minus quam Monodica natura3 ; de quibus antea diximus.^ Atque quemadmodum in Monodicis naturse posuimus solem, lunam, magnetem, et similia, quae re vulgatissima sunt sed natura tamen fere singulari : idem et de Monodicis artis faciendum est. 1 See note, p. 317. 2 11. ^ 28. NOVUM ORGANUM. 426 Exempli gratia ; Instantia Monodica artis est papy- rus ; res admodum vulgata. At si diligenter animum advertas, materise artificiales aut plane textiles sunt per fila directa et transversa ; qualia sunt pannus sericus, aut laneus, et linteus, et Inijusmodi ; aut coagmentan- tur ex succis concretis ; qualia sunt later, aut argilla figularis, aut vitrum, aut esmalta, aut porcellana, et similia ; quae si bene uniantur splendent, sin minus, indurantur carte, sed non splendent. Attamen omnia talia, quae fiunt ex succis concretis, sunt fragilia, nee ullo mode haerentia et tenacia. At contra, papyrus est corpus tenax, quod scindi et lacerari possit ; ita ut imi- tetur et fere ^muletur pellem sive membranam alicujus animalis, aut folium alicujus vegetabilis, et hujusmodi opificia naturae. Nam neque iragilis est, ut vitrum ; neque textilis, ut pannus ; sed habet fibras certe, non fila distincta, omiiino ad modum materiarum naturali- um ; ut inter artificiales materias vix inveniatur simile aliquod, sed sit plane Monodicum.' Atque prasfei-enda sane sunt in artificialibus ea qute maxima accedunt ad imitationam naturae, aut a contrario earn potanter regunt et invertunt. Rursus, inter Ingenia et Manus Hominis, non pror- sus contemnenda sunt praestigiae at jocularia. Non- nulla enim ex istis, licat sint usu levia et ludicra, tamen informatione valida esse possunt. " Postremo, naqua omnino omittenda sunt superstitiosa, et (prout vocabulum sensu vulgari accipitur) magica. Licet enim hujusmodi res sint in immensum obrutae grandi mole mendaciorum et fabularum, tamen inspi- ciendum paulisper si forte subsit et lateat in aliquibus 1 It is curious that Bacon should not have remarked that all the qualities here mentioned belong to felt as well as to paper. 426 NOVUM OKGANUM. earum aliqua operatic naturalis ; ut in fascino, et forti- ficatione imaginationis, et consensu rerum ad distans, et transmissione impressionum a spiritu ad spiritum non minus quam a corpora ad corpus, et similibus. XXXII. Ex iis quae ante dicta sunt, patet quod quinque ilia instantiarum genera de quibus diximus (viz. Instan- tiarum Conformium, Instantiarum Monodicarum, In- stantiarum Deviantium, Instantiarum Limitanearum, Instantiarum Potestatis) non debeant reservari donee inquiratur natura aliqua certa (quemadmodum instan- tias reliquse, quas primo loco proposuimus, nee non plurimje ex iis qua3 sequentur, reservari debent) ; sad statim jam ab initio facienda est earum colleetio, tan- quam historia quaedam particularis ; eo quod digerant ea quas ingrediuntur intellectum, et corrigant pravam complexionem intellectus ipsius, quem omnino neeesse est imbui et infici et demum perverti ae distorqueri ab incursibus quotidianis et consuetis. Itaque adhibendse sunt, ese instantiaj tanquam prs3- parativum aliquod, ad rectificandum et expurgandum intellectum. Quiequid enim abdueit intellectum a consuetis asquat et complanat aream ejus ad recipien- dum lumen siccum et purum notionum verarum. Quin etiam hujusmodi instantise sternunt et prsestru- unt viam ad operativam ; ut suo loco dicemus, quando de Deductionibus ad Praxin sermo erit. xxxm. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum ponemus loco un- decimo Instantias Comitatus, atque Hostiles; quas etiam Instantias Propositionum Fixaram appellare consuevi- NOVUM OEGANUM. 427 mus. Ese sunt instantiEB, quae exhibent aliquod corpus sive concretum tale, in quo natura inquisita perpetuo sequatur tanquam comes quidam individuus ; aut con- tra, in quo natura inquisita perpetuo fugiat atque ex comitatu excludatur, ut hostis et inimicus. Nam ex hujusmodi instantiis formantur propositiones certse et universales, aut affirmativiB aut negativse ; in quibus subjectum erit tale corpus in concreto, prsedicatum vero natura ipsa inquisita. Etenim propositiones particu- lares omnino fixx non sunt, ubi scilicet natura inquisita reperitur in aliquo concreto fluxa et mobilis, viz. acce- dens sive acquisita, aut rursus recedens sive deposita. Quocirca particulares propositiones non habent Prae- rogativam aliquam majorem, nisi tantum in casu Mi- grationis, de quo antea dictum est. Et nihilominus, etiam particulares illae propositiones comparatse et col- latae cum universalibvis multum juvant ; ut suo loco dicetur. Neque tamen, etiam in viniversalibus istis propositionibus exactam aut absolutam affirmationem vel abnegationem requirimus. Sufficit enim ad id quod agitur etiamsi exceptionem nonnullam singularem aut raram patiantur. Usus autem Instantiarum Comitatus est ad an- gustiandam Affirmativam Formas. Quemadmodum enim in Instantiis Migrantibus angustiatur Affirma- tiva Foi-mse ; viz. ut necessario poni debeat Forma rei esse aliquid quod per actum ilium Migrationis inditur aut destruitur; ita etiam in Instantiis Comitatus angus- tiatur Affirmativa Format ; ut necessario poni debeat Forma rei esse aliquid quod talem concretionem cor- poris subingrediatur, aut contra ab eadem abhorreat ; ut qui bene norit constitutionem aut sehematismum hujusmodi corporis non longe abfuerit ab extrahenda in lucem Forma naturae inquisitae. 428 NOVUM OEGANTJM. Exempli gratia; sit natura inquisita Calidum. In- stantia Comitatus est flamma. Etenim in aqua, aere, lapide, metallo, et aliis quamplurimis, calor est mobilis, et accedere potest et recedere ; at omnis flamma est calida, ita ut calor in concretione flammse perpetuo se- quatur. At Instantia Hostilis Calidi nulla reperitur apud nos. Nam de visceribus terras nihil constat ad sensum ; sed eorum corporum quae nobis nota sunt nulla prorsus est concretio quae non est susceptibilis caloris. At rursus, sit natura inquisita Consistens. Instantia Hostilis est aer. Etenim metallum potest fluere, potest consistere ; similiter vitrum ; etiam aqua potest con- sistere, cum conglaciatur : at impossibile est ut aer unquam consistat, aut exuat fluorera. Verum de instantiis hujusmodi Propositi onum Fixa- rum supersunt duo monita, quae utilia sunt ad id quod agitur. Primum, ut si deftierit plane universalis Af- firmativa aut Negativa, illud ipsum diligenter notetur tanquam non-ens ; sicut fecimus de Calido, ubi univer- salis Negativa (quatenus ad entia quae ad nostram no- titiam pervenerint) in rerum natura deest. Similiter, si natura inquisita sit Sternum aut Incorruptibile, deest Affirmativa universalis hie apud nos. Neque enim praedicari potest Sternum aut Incorruptibile de aliquo corpore eorum quaa infra coelestia sunt, aut su- pra interiora terras. Alteram monitum est, ut proposi- tionibus universalibus, tam affirmativis quam negativis, de aliquo concrete, subjungantur simul ea concreta quse proxime videntur accedere ad id quod est ex non-en- tibus ; ut in calore, flammse mollissimae et minimum adurentes ; in incorruptibili, aurum, quod proxime accedit. Omnia enim ista indicant terminos naturae inter ens et non-ens ; et faciunt ad circumscriptiones NOVUM OEGANDM. 429 Formarum, ne gliscant et vagentur extra conditiones materise. XXXIV. Inter Prsrogativas Instantianim, ponemus loco duo- decimo ipsas illas Instantias Subjunctivas, de quibus in superiori aphorismo diximus ; quas etiam Instantias Ultimitatis sive Termini appellare consuevimus. Neque enim hujusmodi instantise utiles sunt tantum, quatenus subjunguntur propositionibus fixis; verum etiam per se, et in proprietate sua. Indicant enim non obscure veras sectiones naturae, et mensuras rerum, et illud Quousque natura quid faciat et ferat, et deinde transitus naturae ad aliud. Talia sunt, aurum, in pondere ; ferrum, in duritie ; cete, in quantitate animalium ; canis, in odore ; inflammatio pulveris pyrii, in expansione celeri ; et alia id genus. Nee minus exhibenda sunt ea quae sunt ulti- ma gradu infimo, quam quae supremo ; ut spiritus vini, in pondere ; ^ sericum, in mollitie ; vermiculi cutis, in quantitate animalium ; et csetera. XXXV. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco deci- mo tertio Instantias Foederis sive Unionis. Eae sunt, qu£e confundunt et adunant naturas quae existimantur esse heterogeneae, et pro talibus notantur et signantnr per divisiones receptas. At Instantiae Foederis ostendunt operationes et ef- fectus quae deputantur alicui ex illis heterogeneis ut propria, competere etiam aliis ex heterogeneis ; ut con- vincatur ista heterogenia (quae in opinione est) vera 1 Although precise directions for making ether were given by Valerius Cordus in 1544, yet it is said to have remained unnoticed until it was re- discovered in the eighteenth century. Bacon's want of acquaintance with it, implied in this and other passages, is therefore not surprising. 430 NOVUM ORGANUM. non esse aut essentialis, sed nil aliud esse quam mo- dificatio naturse communis. Optimi itaque sunt usus ad elevandum et evehendum intellectum a difFerentiis ad genera; et ad tollendum larvas et simulachra re- rum, prout occurrunt et prodeunt personatse in sub- stantiis concretis. Exempli gratia : sit natura inquisita Calidum. Om- nino videtur esse divisio solennis et authentica quod sint tria genera caloris ; viz. calor coelestium, calor animalium, et calor ignis ; quodque isti calores (prse- sertim unus ex illis comparatus ad reliquos duos) sint ipsa essentia et specie, sire natura specifica, difi'erentes et plane heterogenei ; quandoquidem calor coelestium et animalium generet et foveat, at calor ignis contra corrumpat et destruat. Est itaque Instantia Fcederis experimentum illud satis vulgatum, cum recipitur ra- mus aliquis vitis intra domum ubi sit focus assiduus, ex quo maturescunt uvse etiam mense integro citius quam foras ; ita ut maturatio fructus etiam pendentis super arborem fieri possit scilicet ab igne, cum hoc ipsum videatur esse opus proprium solis.^ Itaque ab 1 The regular use of artificial heat in green-houses and conservatories was not known in Bacon's time. In the Maison Champetre, an encyclo- pedia of gardening and agriculture published in 1607, nothing is said of itj nor is there anything on the subject in the writings of Porta, though in his Nat Mag. he has spoken of various modes of accelerating the growth of fruits and flowers. In the Syha Sylvarum (412.), however, Bacon speaks of housing hot-country plants to save them, and, in the Essay on Gardens^ of stoving myrtles. The idea of what are now called green-houses wag introduced into England from Holland about the time of the Revolution. The orangery at Heidelberg, formed, I believe, about the middle of the seventeenth century, is said to be the earliest conservatory on record. It is related that Albertus Magnus, entertaining the emperor at Cologne during the winter, selected for the place of entertainment the garden of his monastery. Everything was covered with snow, and the guests were much inclined to be discontented; but when the feast began, the snow cleared awaj' ; the trees put forth, first leaves, then blossoms, then fruit ; and the NOVUM ORGANUM. 431 hoc initio facile insurgit intellectus, repndiata hetero- genia essentiali, ad inquirendum quse sint differentiae illse quae revera reperiuntur inter calorem solis et ignis, ex quibus fit ut eoruin opera tiones sint tam dissimiles, utcunque illi ipsi participant ex natura coram uni. Quae differentiae reperientur quatuor ; viz. primo quod calor solis respectu caloris ignis sit gradu longe clementior et lenior ; secundo, quod sit (prassertim lit defertur ad nos per aerem) qualitate multo humi- dior ; tertio (quod caput rei est) quod sit summe inae- qualis, atque accedens et auctus, et deinceps recedens et diminutus; id quod maxime confert ad generationem corpovum. Recte enim asseruit Aristoteles ^ causam principalem generationum et corruptionum quse fiunt hie apud nos in superficie terras, esse viam obliquam solis per zodiacum ; unde calor solis, partim per vicis- situdines*diei et noctis, partim per successiones aestatis et hyemis, evadit miris modis inaequalis. Neque tamen desinit ille vir id quod ab eo recte inventum fuit sta- tim corrumpere et depravare. Nam ut arbiter scilicet naturte (quod illi in more est) valde magisti-aliter as- signat causam generationis accessui solis, causam au- tem corruptionis recessui ; cum utraque res (accessus videlicet solis et recessus) non respective, sed quasi indifferenter, praebeat causam tam generationi quam cor- ruptioni; quandoquidem inaequalitas caloris generationi et corruptioni r'erum, aequalitas conservationi tantum, climate became that of summer. This glorious summer, which had thus abruptly succeeded to the winter of their discontent, lasted only till the conclusion of the feast, when everything resumed its former aspect. It would be a fanciful explanation, and I know not whether it has ever been suggested, to say that Albertus Magnus really entertained the emperor in a conservatory, and only led his guests through the garden. See, for the story, Grimm's Deutsche Sagen. 1 Meteorologia, i. 14. 432 NOVUM OEGANUM. ministret. Est et quarta differentia inter calorem solis et ignis, magni prorsus momenti ; viz. quod sol ope- rationes suas insinuet per longa temporis spatia, ubi operationes ignis (urgente hominum impatientia) per breviora intervalla ad exitum perducantur. Quod si quis id sedulo agat, ut calorem ignis attemperet et reducat ad gradum moderatiorem et leniorem (quod inultis modis facile fit), deinde etiam inspergat et ad- misceat nonnullam humiditatem, maxime autem si imitetur calorem solis in insequalitate, postremo si moram patienter toleret (non certe eam quae sit pro- portionata operibus solis, sed largiorem quam homines adhibere solent in operibus ignis), is facile missam faciet heterogeniam illam caloris, et vel tentabit vel exaequabit vel in aliquibus vincet opera solis, per calo- rem ignis. Similis Instantia Foederis est resuscitatio papilionum ex frigore stupentium et tanquam emortu- arum, per exiguum teporem ignis ; ut facile cemas non magis negatum esse igni vivificare animantia quam maturare vegetabilia. Etiam inventum illud celebre Fracastorii de sartagine acriter calefacta, qua circun- dant medici capita apoplecticorum desperatorum,-^ ex- pandit manifeste spiritus animales ab humoribus et obstructionibus cerebri compressos et quasi extinctos, illosque ad motum excitat, non aliter quam ignis ope- ratur in aquam aut aerem, et tamen per consequens vivificat. Etiam ova aliquando excluduntur per ca- lorem ignis, id quod prorsus imitatur calorem anima- 1 It is mentioned in the life of Fracastorius, tliat when dying of apoplexy, and speechless, he made signs for the application of acucurbita (or cupping- vessel) to his head, remembering the remarkable cure which he had effected in the case of a nun at Verona. It is scarcely necessary to remark that " dry cupping," as it is called, acts simply by partially removing the press- lu-e Of the atmosphere: the heat applied to the vessel has no other effect than that of rarefj'ing the air it contains. NOVUM ORGANUM. 433 lem ; et complura ejusmodi ; ut nemo dubitare possit quin calor ignis in multis subjectis modificari possit ad imaginem caloris coelestium et animalium.^ Similiter sint natiu-a3 inquisitse Motus et Quies. Videtur esse divisio solennis atque ex intima philoso- phia, quod corpora naturalia vel rotent, vel ferantur recta, vel stent sive quiescant. Aut enim est motus sine termino, aut static in termino, aut latio ad ter- minum. At motus ille perennis rotationis videtur esse coelestium proprius ; statio sive quies videtur com- petere globo ipsi terree ; at corpora castera (gravia qusB vocant et levia, extra loca scilicet connaturalitatis suae sita) feruntur recta ad massas sive congregationes simi- lium ; levia sursum, versus ambitum coeli ; gravia de- orsum, versus ten-am. Atque ista pulchra dictu sunt. At Instantia Foederis est cometa aliquis humilior ; qui cum sit longe infra coelum, tamen rotat. Atque commentum Aristotelis^ de alligatione sive sequaci- tate cometse ad astrum aliquod jampridem explosum est ; non tantum quia ratio ejus non est probabilis, sed propter experientiam manifestam discursus et irregu- laris motus eometarum per varia loca coeli. At rursus alia Instantia Foederis circa hoc subjec- tum est motus aeris ; qui intra tropicos (ubi circuit rotationis sunt majores) videtur et ipse rotare ab ori- ente in occidentem. Et alia rursus instantia foret fluxus et refluxus maris, si modo aquae ipsae deprehendantur ferri motu rota- tionis (licet tardo et evanido) ab orients in occiden- 1 Bacon's rejection of the essential heterogeneity of the three species of heat is apparently talten from Telesius, De Serum Nat. vi. 20. Telesius remaAs, as Bacon does, that eggs may be hatched, and insects apparently dead restored to life, by means of artificial heat. 2 Meteorol. i. 4. VOL. I. 28 434 NOVUM OEGANUM. tern ; ita tamen ut bis in die repercutiantur. Itaque, si hsec ita se habeant, manifestum est motum istum rotationis non terminari in coelestibus, sed communi- cai'i aeri et aquae. Etiam ista proprietas levium, nimiram ut ferantur sursum, vacillat nonnihil. Atque in hoc sumi potest pro Instantia Foederis bulla aquae. Si enim aer fuerit subter aquam, ascendit rapide versus superficiem aquae, per motum ilium plagas (quam vocat Democritus) per quam aqua descendens percutit et attollit aererti sur- sum ; non autem per contentionem aut nixum aeris ipsius. Atqui ubi ad superficiem ipsam aquae ventum fuerit, tum coliibetur aer ab ulteriore ascensu, per levem resistentiam quam reperit in aqua, non statim tolerante se discontinuari : ita ut exilis admodum sit appetitus aeris ad superiora. Similiter sit natura inquisita Pondus. Est plane divisio recepta, ut densa et solida ferantur versus cen- trum terrae, rara autem et tenuia versus ambitum coeli; tanquam ad loca sua propria. Atque loca quod at- tinet, (licet in scholis hujusmodi res valeant) plane inepta et puerilis cogitatio est, locum aliquid posse. Itaque nugantur philosophi cum dicant quod, si per- forata esset terra, corpora gravia se sisterent quando ventum esset ad centrum. Esset enim certe virtu- osum plane et efficax genus nihili, aut puncti niathe- matici, quod aut alia afficeret, aut rursus quod alia appeterent :, corpus enim non nisi a corpore patitur. Verum iste appetitus ascendendi et descendendi aut est in schematismo corporis quod movetur, aut in sympathia sive consensu cum alio corpore. Quod si inveniatur aliquod corpus densum et solidum, quod nihilominus non feratur ad terram, confunditur hujus- NOVUM OEGANUM. 435 modi divisio. At si recipiatur opinio Gilberti, quod magnetica vis terrse ad alliciendum gravia non ex- tendatur ultra orbem virtutis sua3 (qua operatur sem- per ad distantiam certam, et non ultra) ,i liocque per aliquam Instantiam verificetur, ea demum erit Instan- tia Foederis circa hoc subjectum. Neque tamen oc- currit imprsesentiarum aliqua instantia super hoc certa et manifesta. Proxime videntur accedere cataractse coeh, qu£e in navigationibus per Oceanum Atlanticum versus Indias utrasque ssepe conspiciuntur. Tanta enim videtur esse vis et moles aquarum quas per hujusmodi cataractas subito eflfunditur, ut videatur collectio aqua- rum fuisse ante facta, atque in his locis hsesisse et man- sisse ; et postea potius per causam violentam dejecta et detrusa esse, quam naturali motu gravitatis cecidisse ; adeo ut conjici possit, corpoream molem densam atque compactam in magna distantia a terra fore pensilem tanquam terram ipsam, nee casuram nisi dejiciatur. Verum de hoc nil certi affirmamus. Interim in hoc et in multis aliis facile apparebit, quam inopes simuS 1 In Gilbert's philosophy, the earth's magnetic action is not distinguished from gravity. Thus he says : " Partes vero primariorum globorum integris alligatie sunt, in illos naturali desiderio incnmbunt Noli autem est ap- petitus aut inclinatio ad locum, aut spatium, aut terrainum ; sed ad corpus, ad fontem, ad matrera, ad principium ubi uniuntur, conservantur, et a periculia vagx partes revocatae quiescunt omnes. Ita tellus aliicit magnetica omnia, turn alia omnia in quibus vis magnetica primaria desiit materiaj ratione ; qusa inclinatio in terrenis gravitas dicitur." — De Mundo, ii, c. 3. Again, that the magnetic action of the earth or of a magnet is confined to a definite orb ap- pears from a variety of passages. See De Magnete, ii. c. 7., and the definitions prefixed to this ivork. Gilbert distinguished between the " orb of virtue," which includes the whole space through which any magnetic action extends, and the " orb of coition," which is " totum illud spatium per quod mini- mum magneticum per magnetem movetur." He asserts that the orb of the magnetic virtue extends to the moon, and ascribes the moon's in- equalities to the effects it produces (De Mundo, ii. c. 19.). In the preced- ing chapter he remarks, " Luna magnetice alligatur terrse, quia facies ejus semper versus terram." 436 NOVUM OEGANUM. historise naturalis ; cum loco instantiarum certarum non- minquam suppositiones afferre pro exemplis cogamur. Similiter sit natura inquisita Discursus Ingenii. Vi- detur omnino divisio vera, rationis humanse et solertias brutorum. Attamen sunt nonniillse instantise actionum quse eduntur a brutis, per quas videntur etiam bruta quasi sjUogizare ; ut memorise proditum est de corvo, qui per magnas siccitates fere enectus siti conspexit aquam in trunco cavo arboris ; atque cum non daretur ei intrare propter angustias, non cessavit jacere multos lapillos, per quos surgeret et ascenderet aqua ut bibere posset ; quod postea cessit in proverbium. Similiter sit natura inquisita Visibile. Videtur om- nino esse divisio vera et certa, lucis, quae est visibile originale et primam copiam facit visui, et coloris, qui est visibile secundarium et sine luce non cernitur, ita ut videatur nil aliud esse quam imago aut raodificatio lucis.' Attamen ex utraque parte circa hoc videntur esse Instantias Foederis ; scilicet, nix in magna quanti- tate, et flamma sulphuris ; in quarum altera videtur esse color primulutn lucens, in altera lux vergens ad colorem. XXXVI. Inter Prasrogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco de- cimo quarto Instantias Crucis ; translate vocabulo a Crilcibus, quae erectae in biviis indicant et signant via- rum separationes. Has etiam Instantias Deeisorias et Judieiales, et in casibus nonnullis Instantias Oraculi et Mandati, appellare consuevimus. Earum ratio talis 1 The doctrine of this passage seems to be taken from Telesius, De Re- rum Natura, vii. c. 31. : — " Sensus ipse prirao illam [lucem] et per se visi- lem coloi-es siquidem visiles, at secundo a luce loco et lucis omnino opera visiles declarat." NOVUM OEGANUM. 437 est. Cum in inquisitione natursB alicujus intellectus ponitui" tanquam in sequilibrio, ut incertus sit utri naturarum e duabus, vel quandoque pluribus, causa natursE inquisitse attribui aut assignSri debeat, propter complurium naturarum concursum frequentem et or- dinarium, Instanti^ Crucis ostendunt consortium unius ex naturis (quoad naturam inquisitam) fidum et indis- solubile, alterius autem varium et separabile ; unde terminatur qusestio, et recipitur natura ilia prior pro causa, missa altera et repudiata. Itaque hujusmodi in- stantiae sunt maximae lucis, et quasi magnte auctori- tatis ; ita ut curriculum interpretationis quandoque in illas desinat, et per illas perficiatur. Interdum autem Instantiai Crucis illse occurrunt et inveniuntur inter jampridem notatas ; at ut plurimum novae sunt, et de industria atque ex composito qusesitae et applicataj, et diliaentia sedula et acri tandem erutae.^ Exempli gratia ; sit natura inquisita Fluxus et Re- fluxus Maris, ille bis repetitus in die atque sexhorarius in accessibus et recessibus singulis, cum differentia non- nulla quae coincidit in motum lunse. Bivium circa banc naturam tale est. Necesse prorsus est ut iste motus efficiatur, vel ab aquarum progressu et regressu, in modum aquag in pelvi agitatae, quae quando latus unum pelvis alluit de- serit alterum ; vel a sublatione et subsidentia aquarum e profundo, in modum aquae ebullientis et rursus sub- sidentis. Utri vero causae fluxus et refluxus ille assig- nari debeat, oritur dubitatio. Quod si recipiatur prior assertio, necesse est ut cum sit fluxus in mari ex una 1 These are instances of tlie experiments spoken of in the Distributia^ Operis, "quie ad intentionem ejus quod qtiseritur periti et secundum ar- tem excogitata et apposita sunt." (p. 218.) — /. 8. 488 NOVUM ORGANUM. parte fiat sub idem tempus alicubi in mari refluxus ex alia. Itaque ad hoc reducitur inquisitio. Atqui obser-- vavit Acosta, cum aliis nonnullis (diligenti facta inqui- sitione), quod ad» litora Floridas et ad litora adversa Hispanije et Africse, fiant fluxus maris ad eadem tem- pora, et refluxus itidem ad eadem tempora ; non contra, quod cum fluxus fit ad littora Floridse, fiat refluxus ad littora Hispanise et Africse.^ Attamen adhuc diligen- tius attendenti, non per hoc evincitur motus attollens, et abnegatur motus in progressu. Fieri enim potest, quod sit motus aquarum in progressu, et nihilominus inundet adversa littora ejusdem alvei simul ; si aquas scilicet illffi contrudantur et compellantur aliunde, quemadmodum fit in fluviis, qui fluunt et refluunt ad utrumque littus horis iisdem, cum tamen iste motus liquido sit motus in progressu, nempe aquarum ingre- dientium ostia fluminum ex mari. Itaque simili modo fieri potest, ut aquse venientes magna mole ab Oceano Orientali Indico compellantur et trudantur in alveunj Maris Atlantic!, et propterea inundent utrumque latus simul. Quserendum itaque est, an sit alius alveus per quern aquse possint iisdem temporibus minui et refluere. Atque prsesto est Mare Australe, Mari Atlantico neu- tiquam minus, sed potius magis latum et extensum, quod ad hoc sufficere possit. Itaque jam tandem perventum est ad Instantiam Crucis circa hoc subjectum. Ea talis est : si pro certo inveniatur, quod cum fit fluxus ad littora adversa tam Floridse quam Hispanise in Mari Atlantico, fiat simul 1 Compare the De Fluxu et Rejiuxu Maris. I have uot been able to find this statement in Acosta, ■who spealts of the synchronism of the tides on the opposite sides of South America, as sliown by the meeting of the tidai waves in the Straits of Magellan, (iii. 14.) NOVUM OKGANUM. 439 fluxus ad littora Peruviae et juxta dorsum Chinfe in Man Australi ; turn certe per hanc Instantiam Deciso- riam abjudicanda est assertio quod fluxus et refluxus maris, de quo inquiritur, fiat per motum progressivum ; neque enim relinquitur aliud mare aut locus, ubi possit ad eadem tempora fieri regressus aut refluxus. Com- modissime autem lioc sciri possit, si inquiratur ab inco- lis Panamse et Lim* (ubi uterque Oceanus, Atlanticus et Australis, per parvum Isthmum separantur), utrum ad contrarias Isthmi partes fiat simul fluxus et refluxus maris, an e contra. Verum hiBc decisio sive abjudi- catio certa videtur, posito quod terra stet immobilis. Quod si terra rotet, fieri fortasse potest ut ex inssquali rotatione (quatenus ad celeritatem sive incitationem) terras et aquarum maris, sequatur compulsio violenta aquarum in cumulum sursum, quae sit fluxus ; et relax- atio earundem (postquam amplius cumulari non susti- nuerint) in deorsum, quae sit refluxus. Verum de hoc facienda est inquisitio separatim. Attamen etiam hoc supposito illud aeque manet fixum, quod necesse sit fieri alicubi refluxum maris ad eadem tempora quibus fiunt fluxus in aHis partibus. Similiter, sit natura inquisita posterior ille motus ex duobus quos supposuimus, videlicet motus maris se at- tollens et rursus subsidens ; si forte ita accident ut (diligenti facto examine) rejiciatur motus alter, de quo diximus, progressivus. Turn vero erit trivium circa hanc naturam tale. Necesse est ut motus iste, per quern aquae in fluxibus et refluxibus se attollunt et rur- sus relabuntur, absque aliqua accessione aquarum alia- rum quae advolvuntur, fiat per unum ex his tribus modis ; vel quod ista aquarum copia emanet ex interi- oribus terrae et rursus in ilia se recipiat ; vel quod non 440 NOVUM OEGANUM. sit aliqua amplior moles aquaram, sed quod easdem aquEe (non aucto quanto suo) extendantur sive rare- iiant, ita ut majorem locum et dimensiohem occupent, et rursus se contrahant ; vel quod nee copia accedat major nee extensio amplior, sed eaadem aqu« (prout sunt tam eopia quam densitate aut raritate) per vim aliquam magneticam desuper eas attrahentem et evo- cantem, et per eonsensum, se attollant et deinde se remittant. Itaque reducatur (si placet) jam inquisitio (missis duobus illis motibus prioribus) ad hunc ulti- mum ; et inquiratur si fiat aliqua talis sublatio per eon- sensum sive vim magneticam. Atqui primo manifestum est universas aquas, prout ponuntur in fossa sive cavo maris, non posse simul attoUi, quia defuerit quod sue- eedat in fundo ; adeo ut si foret in aquis aliquis hujus- modi appetitus se attoUendi, ille ipse tamen a nexu rerum, sive (ut vulgo loquuntur) ne detur vacuum, fractus foret et cohibitus. Relinquitur, ut attollantur aquae ex aliqua parte, et per hoc minuantur et eedant ex alia. Enimvero rursus neeessario sequetur ut vis ilia magnetica, cum super totum operari non possit, circa medium operetur intensissime ; ita ut aquas in medio attollat, illse vero sublatse latera per successio- nem deserant et destituant. Itaque jam tandem perventum est ad Instantiam Cru- cis circa hoc subjectuni. Ea talis est : si inveniatur quod in refluxibus maris aquarum superficies in mari sit arcuata magis et rotunda, attoUentibus se scilicet aquis in medio maris et deficientibus circa latera, quse sunt litora ; et in fluxibus eadera superficies sit magis plana et sequa, redeuntibus scilicet aquis ad priorem suam positionem ; turn certe per banc Instantiam Deei- soriam potest reeipi sublatio per vim magneticam, aliter NOVUM ORGANDM. 441 prorsus abjudicanda est. Hoc vero in fretis per lineas nauticas non difficile est experiri ; i videlicet utrum in refluxibus versus medium maris, mare non sit magis altum sive profundum quam in fluxibus. Notandum autem est, si hoc ita sit, fieri (contra ac creditur) ut attollant se aquae in refluxibus, demittant se tantum in fluxibus, ita ut littora vestiant et inundent. Similiter, sit natura inquisita Motus Rotationis sponta- neus ; et speciatim, utrum Motus Diurnus, per quem sol et stell* ad conspectum nostrum oriuntur et occidunt, sit motus rotationis verus in coelestibus, aut motus appa- rens in coelestibus, verus in terra. Poterit esse In- stantia Crucis super hoc subjectem talis. Si inveniatur motas aliquis in oceano ab oriente in occidentem, licet admodum languidus et enervatus ; si idem motus re- periatur paulo incitatior in aere, praesertim intra tropi- cos, ubi propter majores circulos est magis pereeptibilis ; si idem motus reperiatur in humilioribus cometis, jam factus vivus et validus ; si idem motus reperiatur in planetis, ita tamen dispensatus et graduatus ut quo pro- pius absit a terra sit tardior, quo longius celerior, atque in coelo demum stellato sit velocissimus ; tum certe recipi debet motus diurnus pro vero in coelis, et abne- gandus est motus terras ; quia manifestum erit, motum ab oriente in occidentem esse plane cosmicum et ex consensu universi, qui in summitatibus cceli maxime rapidus gradatim labascat, et tandem desinat et exstin- guatur in immobili, videlicet terra.^ ' It is scarcely necessary to remark that wherever soundings are possible, tidal phenomena are derivative, and give no direct information as to the form the ocean would assume if the hypothesis of the equilibrium theory represented the reality. 2 Nothing shows better than an instance of this kind, the impossibility of reducing philosophical reasoning to a uniform method of exclusion. 442 NOVUM OKGANUM. Similiter, sit natura inquisita Motus Rotationis ille alter apud astronomos decantatus, renitens et contra- rius Motui Diurno, videlicet ab oecidente in orientem ; quem veteres astronomi attribuunt planetis, etiam coelo stellato ; at Coperziicus et ejus sectatores terrse quoque ; et quseratur utruni inveniatur in rerum natura aliquis talis motus, an potius res conficta sit et supposita, ad compendia et commoditates calculationum, et ad pul- chrum illud, scilicet de expediendis motibus coelestibus per circulos perfectos. Neutiquam enim evincitur iste motus esse in supernis verus et realis, nee per defectum restitutionis planetse in motu diurno ad idem punctum coeli stellati, nee per diversam politatem zodiaci, habito respectu ad polos mundi ; quae duo nobis hunc motum pepererunt. Primum enim phsenomenon per antever- sionem et derelictionem optime salvatur ; secundum per lineas spirales ; adeo ut inasqualitas restitutionis et deelinatio ad tropicos possint esse potius modifieationes motus uniei illius diurni, quam motus renitentes aut circa diversos polos. Et certissimum est, si paulisper pro plebeiis nos geramus (missis astronomorum et scho- Ise commentis, quibus illud in more est ut sensui in multis immerito vim faciant, et obscuriora malint), ta- lem esse motum istum ad sensum, qualem diximus ; cujus imaginem per fila ferrea (veluti in maehina) ali- quando reprsesentari fecimus.' How could the analogical argument in the text be stated in accordance with what Bacon seems to recognise as the only true form of induction, — that, namely, which proceeds by exclusion ? The argument depends on a wholly non-logical element, the conviction of the unitj' and harmony of nature. 1 This passage does the author little credit. He does not seem to have perceived that the resolution of the apparent motion into other simpler mo- tions was an essentially necessary step before the phenomena could be grouped together in any general law. The transition from the apparent NOVUM OEGANUM. 448 Verum Instantia Crucis super hoc subjectum poterit esse talis. Si inveniatur in aliqua historia fide digna, fuisse cometam aliquem vel sublimiorem vel humiliorem qui non rotaverit cum consensu manifesto (licet admo- dum irregulariter) Motus Diurni, sed potius rotaverit in contrarium cceli, turn certe hucusque judicandum est posse esse in natura aliquem talem motum. Sin nihil hujusmodi inveniatur, habendus est pro suspecto, et ad alias Instantias Crucis circa hoc confugiendum. Similiter, sit natiu'a inquisita, Pondus sive Grave. Bivium circa hanc naturam tale est. Necesse est ut gravia et ponderosa vel tendant ex natura sua ad cen- trum terrse, per proprium schematismum ; vel ut a mas- sa corporea ipsius terrse, tanquam a congregatione cor- porum connaturalium, attrahantur et rapiantur, et ad earn per consensum ferantur. At posterius hoc si in causa sit, sequitur ut quo propius gravia appropinquant ad terram, eo fortius et majore cum impetu ferantur ad earn ; quo longius ab ea absint, debilius et tardius (ut fit in attractionibus magneticis) ; idque fieri intra spati- um certum ; adeo ut si elongata ftierint a terra tali di- stantia ut virtus terrae in ea agere non possit, pensilia mansura sint, ut et ipsa terra, nee omnino decasura. Itaque talis circa hanc rem poterit esse Instantia Crucis. Sumatur horologium ex iis quse moventur per pondera plumbea, et aliud ex iis quae moventur per com- pressionem laminas ferrese; atque vere probentur, ne alterum altero velocius sit aut tardius ; deinde ponatur ■ motion to the real motions could never have been made unless the former had been resolved in the manner which Bacon here condemns. From the con- cluding remark no astronomer would have dissented, " talem esse motum ad sensum, qualem diximus." About this there can be no question; but the whole passage shows how little Bacon understood the scope and the value of the astronomy of his own time. 444 NOVUM OKGANUM. horologiuoi illad movens per pondera super fastigium alicujus teinpli altissimi, altero illo infra detento ; et notetur diligenter si horologium in alto situm tardius moveatur quam solebat, propter diminutam virtutem ponderum. Idem fiat experimentum in profimdis mi- nerarum alte sub terra depressarum, utrum horologium hujusmodi non moveatur velocius quam solebat, prop- ter auctam virtutem ponderum. Quod si inveniatur virtus ponderum minui in sublimi, aggravari in subter- raneis, recipiatur pro causa ponderis attractio a massa corporea terrse.^ Similiter, sit natura inquisita Verticitas Acus Ferrer, tactse magnate. Circa banc naturam tale erit bivium. Necesse est ut tactus magnetis vel ex se indat ferro ver- ticitatem ad septentriones et austrum ; vel ut excitet ferrum tantummodo et habilitet, motus autem ipse in- datur ex prsesentia terrse; ut Gilbertus opinatur, et tanto conatu probare nititur. Itaque hue spectant ea quse ille perspicaci industria conquisivit. Nimirum quod clavus ferreus, qui diu duravit in situ versus septentri- 1 Nothing can be more ingenious than the instantia crucis here proposed. A series of observations were made by Dr. Whewell and Mr. Airy to de- termine the effect on the time of vibration of a pendulum, produced by car- rying it to tlie bottom of a mine ; but, probably from the effect of local attractions, the results were scarcely as satisfactory as might have been expected. In the autumn of 1854, Mr. Airy instituted similar experiments in the Harton Colliery. Thej' appear likely to afford more satisfactory re- sults than the older series made at Dolcoath. Voltaire cites the passage in the text in support of his remark that " le plus grand service, peut-etre, que F. Bacon ait rendu a la philosophic a iti de devincr I'attraction." But in reality the notion of attraction in one form or other (e. g. the attraction of the sea by the moon) sprang up in the infancy of physical speculation; and it cannot be aflBrmed that Bacon's ideas on the subject were as clear as those of his predecessor William Gilbert. (See note on Z>e ^mi;. ii. 13.) By an eiTOr similar to Voltaire's, some of Dante's commentators have claimed for him the credit of being the first to indicate the true cause of the tides. The passage on which this claim is founded is in the ParadisOj xvi. 82. NOVUM ORGANDM. 445 ones et austrum, colligat mora diutina verticitatem, ab- sque tactu magnetis; ac si terra ipsa, quas ob distan- tiam debiliter operatur (namque superficies aut extima incrustatio terrse virtutis magneticae, ut ille vult, expers est), per moram tamen longam magnetis tactum supple- ret, et ferrum exciret, deinde excitum conformaret et verteret. Rursus, quod ferrum ignitum et candens, si in exstinctione sua exporrigatur inter septentriones et au- strum, colligat quoque verticitatem absque tactu mag- netis ; ac si partes ferri in motu positae per ignitionem, et postea se recipientes, in ipso articulo extinctionis suae magis essent susceptivse et quasi sensitivse virtutis ma- nantis a terra quam alias, et inde fierent tanquam ex- citse. Verum hsec, licet bene observata, tamen non evincunt prorsus quod ille asserit.^ Instantia Crucis autem circa hoc subjectum jioterit esse talis. Capiatur terrella ^ ex magnete, et notentur poll ejus ; et ponantur poll terrelliE versus orientem et occasum, non versus septentriones et austrum, atque ita jaceant ; deinde superponatur acus ferrea intacta, et permittatur ita manere ad dies sex aut septem. Acus vero (nam de hoc non dubitatur) dum manet super magnetem, relictis polls mundi, se vertet ad polos mag- netis ; itaque quamdiu ita manet, vertitur scilicet ad orientem et occidentem mundi. Quod si inveniatur acus ilia, remota a magnete et posita super versorium, statim se applicare ad septentriones et austrum, vel 1 See, for these two remarks, the twelfth chapter of the third book of Gilbert's treatise Z>e Magnete. It is illustrated by a curious woodcut, rep- resenting the smith forging a bar of iron, and holding it, as he does so, in the plane of the meridian. 2 Terrella is a word used by Gilbert to denote a spherical magnet. One of the fundamental ideas of his philosophy was that the earth was a great magnet; and a magnet of the same form was therefore called a little earth, or terrella. See, for instance, his treatise De Magnete, ii. cc. 7 & 8. 446 NOVUM ORGANUM. etiain paulatim se eo recipere, turn recipienda est pro causa, prsesentia terrse ; sin aut vertatur (ut prius) in orientem et occidentem, aut perdat verticitatem, ha- benda est ilia causa pro suspecta, et ulterius inquiren- dum est. Similiter, sit natura inquisita Corporea Substantia Lunse; an sit tenuis, flammea, sive aerea, ut plurimi ex priscis philosophis opinati sunt ; an solida et densa, ut Gilbertus et multi moderni, cum nonnullis ex anti- quis, tenent.i Rationes posterioris istius opinionis fun- dantur in hoc maxime, quod luna radios soils reflectat ; neque videtur fieri reflexio lucis nisi a soHdis. Itaque Instantise Crucis circa hoc subjectum ese esse poterint (si raodo aliquae sint) qua3 demonstrent reflex- ionem a corpore tenui, qualis est flamma, mode sit cras- sitiei sufficientis. Certe causa crepnsculi, inter alias, est reflexio radiorum soils a superiore parte aeris. Etiani quandoque reflecti videmus radios soils temporibus ves- pertinis serenis a fimbriis nubium roscidarum, non mi- nori splendore, sed potius illustriori et magis glorioso, quam qui redditur a corpore lunse ; ^ neque tamen con- stat eas nubes coaluisse in corpus densum aquie. Etiani videmus aerem tenebrosum pone fenestras noctu reflec- tere lucem candelse, non minus quam corpus densum. Tentandum etiam foret experimentum immissionis radi- orum solis per foramen super flammam aliquam subfii- scam et cseruleam. Sane radii aperti soils, incidentes in flammas obscuriores, videntur eas quasi mortificare, ut conspiciantur magis instar fumi albi quam flammse. Atque hsec imprsesentiarum occurrunt, quse sint ex na- 1 See Gilbert's Da Mundo, &c., ii. c. 13 e,t sq(i. 2 The comparison of the brightness of the moon in the daytime with that of a cloud was ingeniously applied by Bouguei* to determine the ratio of the moon's light to the sun's. NOVUM ORGANUM. 447 tura Instantiarum Crucis circa hanc rem ; et meliora fortasse reperiri possunt. Sed notandum semper est, reflexionem a flamma non esse expectandam, nisi a flamma alicujus profunditatis ; nam a]iter vergit ad diaphanum. Hoc autem pro certo ponendum, lucem semper in corpore sequali aut excipi et transmitti aut resilire. Similiter, sit natura inquisita Motus Missilium, ve- luti spiculorum, sagittarum, globulorum, per aerem. Hunc motum Schola (more suo) valde negligenter expedit; satis habens, si eum nomine motus violenti a natural! (quem vocant) distinguat; et quod ad primam percussionem sive impulsionem attinet, per illud, (c[uod duo corpora non possint esse in uno loco, ne fiat penetratio dimenswnum,') sibi satisfaciat ; et de processu continuato istius motus nihil curet. At circa hanc naturam bivium est tale : aut iste motus fit ab aere vehente et pone corpus emissum se colli- gente, instar fluvii erga scapham aut venti erga pa- leas ; aut a partibus ipsius corporis non sustinentibus irapressionem, sed ad eandem laxandam per succes- sionem se promoventibus. Atque priorem ilium re- cipit Fracastorius, et fere omnes qui de hoc motu paulo subtilius inquisivemnt ; ' neque dubium est, 1 See Fracastorius, De Sympaihia et Aiitipathid, u. 4. The notion that the air concurred in producing the continued motion of projectiles is found in the Tinueus, p. 80. Plato has been speaking of res- piration, of which his theory is, that the expiration of air through the nos- trils and mouth pushes the contiguous external air from its place, which disturbs that near it, and so on until a circle is formed, wherebv, by anti- peristasis, air is forced in through the flesh to fill up the cavity of the chest — a circulation of air through the body, in short. On the same principle he would have explained a variety of other phenomena — the action of cupping instruments, swallowing, the motion of projectiles, &c. &c. All these, however, after suggesting the explanation, he leaves unexplained. But Plutarch, Quasi. Platon. x. (p. 177. of Keiske's Plutarch) developes a 448 NOVUM ORGAN UM. quin sint aeris partes in hac re nonnullas ; sed alter motus proculdubio verus est, ut ex infinitis constat experimentis. Sed inter casteras, poterit esse circa hoc subjectum Instantia Crucis talis ; quod lamina, aut filum ferri paulo contumacius, vel etiam calamus sive penna in medio divisa, adducta et curvata inter pollicem et digitum, exiliant. Manifestum enim est, hoc non posse imputari aeri se pone corpus colligenti, quia fons motus est in medio laminae vel calami, non in extremis. Similiter sit natura inquisita motus ille rapidus et potens Expansionis Pulveris Pyrii in flammam ; unde tantee moles subvertuntur, tanta pondera emittuntur, quanta in cuniculis majoribus et bombardis videmus. Bivium circa banc naturam tale est. Aut excitatur iste motus a mero corporis appetitu se dilatandi, post- quam fuerit inflammatum ; aut ab appetitu mixto spiri- tus crudi, qui rapide fugit ignem, et ex eo circumfuso, tanquam ex carcere, violenter erumpit. Schola autem et vulgaris opinio tantum versatur circa priorem ilium appetitum. Putant enim homines se pulchre philoso- phari, si asserant flammam ex forma dementi necessi- tate quadam donari locum ampliorem occupandi quam idem corpus expleverat cum subiret formam pulveris, atque inde sequi motum istum. Interim minime ad- vertunt, licet hoc verum sit, posito quod flamma gene- retur, tamen posse impediri flammse generationem a tanta mole quae illam comprimere et suffocare queat ; similar explanation in each case. I transcribe what he says of projectiles: — TH di fiinToifieva lilipri rdv aepa axK^i' /^stu ■K'Xriy^g iKTzeaovTa, nal 6itaT7}aiv. 6 ds 'Trepcl)^Eo)V dntao), rCi 6vaw exetv aei tt^v kp-rjiiovfdvTiv X^tpav SiuKEiv KoX avairXripovv, avvewerai Tu a(pie/iEvij, TrjV Kivrjaiv avvc- ■jTLTaxvvov. But this explanation is not Plato's, but Plutarch's; though it is probably what Plato would himself have said. NOVUM ORGANUM. 449 ut non deducatur res ad istam necessitatem de qua loquuntur. Nam quod necesse sit fieri expansionem, atque inde sequi emissionem aut remotionem corporis quod obstat, si generetur flamtna, recte putant. Sed ista necessitas plane evitatur, si moles ilia solida flam- mam supprimat antequam generetur. Atque videmus flammam, pr^sertim in prima generatione, mollem esse et lenem, et requirere cavum in quo experiri et ludere possit. Itaque tanta violentia huic rei per se assignari non potest. Sed illud verum ; generationem hujusmodi flammarum flatulentarum, et veluti ven- torum igneorum, fieri ex conflictu duorum corpomm, eorumque naturae inter se plane contrariae ; alterius admodum inflammabilis, quae natura viget in sul- phure; alterius flammam exhorrentis, qualis est spi- ritus crudus qui est in nitro ; adeo ut fiat conflictus mirabilis, inflammante se sulphure quantum potest (nam tertium corpus, nimirum carbo salicis, nil aliud fere praestat quam ut ilia duo corpora incorporet et commode uniat), et erumpente spiritu nitri quantum potest, et una se dilatante (nam hoc faciunt et aer, et omnia cruda, et aqua, ut a calore dilatentur), et per istam fugam et eruptionem interim flammam sulphuris, tanquam foUibus occultis, undequaque exufflante. Poterant^ autem esse Instantiae Crucis circa hoc sub- jectum duorum generum. Alterum eorum corporum quae maxima sunt inflammabilia, qualia sunt sulphur, caphura, naphtha, et hujusmodi, cum eorum misturis ; quae citius et facilius concipiunt flammam quam pulvis pyrius, si non impediantur ; ex quo liquet appetitum inflammandi per se efFectum ilium stupendum non ope- rari. Alterum eorum quae flammam fugiunt et exhor- 1 So in tlie original. VOL. I. 29 450 NOVUM OEGANDM. ' rent, qualia sunt sales omnes. Videmus enim, si jaci- antur in ignem, spiritum aqueum erumpere cum fragore antequam flamma concipiatur ; quod etiam leniter fit in foliis paulo contumacioribus, parte aquea erumpente an- tequam oleosa concipiat flammam. Sed maxima cerni- tur hoc in argento vivo, quod non male dicitur aqua mineralis.^ Hoc enim, absque inflammatione, per erup- tionem et expansionem simplicem vires pulveris pyrii fere adsequat ; quod etiam admixtum pulveri pyrio ejus vires multiplicare dicitur. Similiter sit natura inquisita, Transitoria Natura Flammse, et extinctio ejus momentanea. Non enim videtur natura flammea hie apud nos figi et consistere, sed singulis quasi momentis generari, et statim extin- gui. Manifestum enim est, in flammis quae hie conti- nuantur et durant, istam durationem non esse ejusdem flammse in individuo, sed fieri per successionem novse flammse seriatim generatse, minim e autem manere ean- dem flammam numero ; id quod facile perspicitur ex hoc, quod, substracto alimento sive fomite flammse, flamma statim pereat. Bivium autem circa hanc na- turam tale est. Momentanea ista natura aut fit re- mittente se causa quae earn primo genuit, ut in lumine, sonis, et motibus (quos vocant) violentis ; aut quod flamma in natura sua possit hie apud nos manere, sed a contrariis naturis circumfusis vim patiatur et destruatur. Itaque poterit esse circa hoc subjectum Instantia Crucis talis. Videmus flammas in incendiis majoribus, quam alte in sursum ascendant. Quanto enim basis flammse est latior, tanto vertex sublimior. Itaque vide- 1 It is well known that the expansive force of the vapour of mercury at high temperatures is enormous. NOVUM ORGANUM. 451 to principium extinctionis fieri circa latera, ubi ab acre flamma compriniitur et male habetur. At meditullia flammse, quae aer non contingit sed alia flamma undi- que circumdat, eadem numero manent, neque extin- guuntur donee paulatim angustientur ab aere per latera circumfuso. Itaque omnis flamma pyramidalis est basi circa fomitem largior, vertice autem (inimicante aere, nee suppeditante fomite) acutior. At fiimus, angustior circa basin, ascendendo dilatatur, et fit tanquam pyramis inversa ; quia scilicet aer fumum reeipit, flammam (ne- que enim quispiam somniet aerem esse flammam accen- sam, cum sint corpora plane heterogenea) comprimit. Accuratior autem poterit esse Instantia Crucis ad banc rem accommodata, si res forte manifestari possit per flam mas bicolores. Capiatur igitur situla parva ex metallo, et in ea figatur parva candela cerea accensa ; ponatur situla in patera, et circumfundatur spiritus vini in modica quantitate, quae ad labra situlae non attingat ; turn accende spiritum vini. At spiritus ille vini exhi- bebit flammam magis scilicet cseraleam, lychnus can- delaj autem magis flavam. Notetur itaque utrum flamma lychni (quam facile est per colorem a flamma spiritus vini distinguere, neque enim flammse, ut li- quores, statim commiscentur) maneat pyramidalis, an potius magis tendat ad formam globosam, cum nihil inveniatur quod eam destruat aut comprimat.^ At hoc posterius si fiat, manere flammam eandem numero, quamdiu intra aliam flammam concludatur nee vim inimicam aeri's experiatur, pro certo ponendum est. Atque de Instantiis Crucis base dicta sint. Lon- giores autem in lis tractandis ad hunc finem fuimus, I This experiment is mentioned as actually tried in Syl Syharvm, 3L [See note on the passage. — J- S.] 452 NOVUM ORGANUM. ut homines paulatim discant et assuefiant de natura judicare per Instantias Crucis et experimenta lucifera, et non per rationes probabiles. XXXVII. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco de- cimo quinto Instantias Divortii ; quse indicant separa- tiones naturarum earum quas ut plurimum occurrunt. Diff'erunt autem ab Instantiis quae subjunguntur In- stantiis Comitatus ; quia illse indicant separationes naturae alicujus ab aliquo concrete cum quo ilia famili- ariter consuescit, hse vero separationes naturse alicujus ab altera natura. DifFerunt etiam ab Instantiis Crucis ; quia nihil determinant, sed monent tantum de separa- bilitate unius naturse ab altera. Usus autem earum est ad prodendas falsas Formas, et dissipandas leves con tempi ationes ex rebus obviis orientes ; adeo ut ve- luti plumbum et pondera intellectui addant. Exempli gratia : sint naturse inquisitse quatuor na- turse illse, quas Contubemales vult esse Telesius,-^ et tanquam ex eadem camera ; viz. Calidum, Lucidum, Tenue, Mobile sive promptum ad motum. At plurimse inveniuntur Instantise Divortii inter ipsas. Aer enim tenuis est et habilis ad motum, non calidus aut lucidus ; 1 The fundamental idea of Telesius's philosophy is, that heat and cold are the great constituent principles of the universe, and that the antithesis between them corresponds to that which he recognises between the sun and the earth : — " Omnino calidus, tenuis, candidus, mobilisque est Sol ; Terra contra frigida, crassa, immobilis, teuebricosaque .... unum Sol in terram emittens calorem ejus naturamfacultatesqueet conditiones ex ea detnrbat omnes, suasque ei indit; et eodem ferme modo quo Sol terram, etiam calor quivis, vel qui e commotis contritisque enascitur re^)us, quffi corripit exu- peratque immutare videtur; frigus scilicet ex iis, ejusque facultates condi- tionesque omnes, crassitiem, obscuritatem, immobilitatem, deturbare, et se ipsum iis, propriasque facultates conditionesque omnes, tenuitatem, albe- dinem et mobilitatem, indere videtur." — De Rerum Natura, i. o. 1. NOVUM ORGANUM. 453 luna lucida, absque calore ; aqua fervens calida, absque lumine ; motus acus ferrese super versorium pernix et agilis, et tamen in corpore frigido, denso, opaco ; et complura id genus. Similiter sint naturaa inquisitK Natura Corporea et Actio Naturalis. Videtur enim non inveniri actio naturalis, nisi subsistens in aliquo corpore. Attamen possit fortasse esse circa banc rem Instantia nonnulla Divortii. Ea est actio magnetica, per quam ferrum. fertur ad magnetem, gravia ad globum terrse. Addi etiam possint alias nonnuUae operationes ad distans. Actio siquidem hujusmodi et in tempore fit, per mo- menta non in puncto temporis, et in loco, per gradus et spatia. Est itaque aliquod momentum temporis, et ali- quod intervallum loci, in quibus ista vii"tus sive actio hseret in medio inter duo ilia corpora quae motum cient. Reducitur itaque contemplatio ad boc ; utrum ilia cor- pora quse sunt termini motus disponant vel alterent corpora media, ut per successionem et tactum verum labatur virtus a termino ad terminum, et interim sub- sistat in corpore medio ; an borum nibil sit, pr«ter cor- pora et virtutem et spatia ? Atque in radiis opticis et sonis et calore et aliis nonnullis operantibus ad distans, probabile est media corpora disponi et alterari ; eo ma- gis, quod requiratur medium qualificatum ad deferen- dam operationem talem. At magnetica ilia sive coitiva virtus admittit media tanquam adiapbora, nee impeditur virtus in omnigeno medio. Quod si nil rei babeat vir- tus ilia aut actio cum corpore medio, sequitur quod sit virtus aut actio naturalis ad tempus nonnullum et in loco nonnullo subsistens sine corpore ; cum neque subsistat in corporibus terminantibus, nee in mediis. Quare actio magnetica poterit esse Instantia Divortii 4$4 NOVUM OEGANUM. circa naturam corpoream et actionem naturalem. Cui hoc adjici potest tanquam corollarium aut lucrum non prsBtermittendum : viz. quod etiam secundum sensum philosophanti sumi possit probatio^ quod sint entia et substantise separatse et incorporese. Si enim virtus et actio naturalis, emanans a corpore, subsistere possit ali- quo tempore et aliquo loco omnino sine corpore ; prope est ut possit etiara emanare in origine sua a substantia incoi'porea. Videtur enim non minus requiri natura corporea ad actionem naturalem sustentandam et deve- hendam, quam ad excitandam aut generandam. XXXVIII. Sequuntur quinque ordines instantiarum, quas uno vocabulo generali Instantias Lampadis sive Informa- tionis PHmce appellare consuevimus. Ese sunt quiE auxiliantur sensui. Cum enim omnis Interpretatio Naturae incipiat a sensu, atque a sensuum perceptioni- bus recta, constanti, et munita via ducat ad percep- tiones intellectus, quse sunt notiones verae et axiomata, necesse est ut quanto magis copiosse et exact;© fuerint reprsesentationes sive prsebitiones ipsius sensus, tanto omnia cedant facilius et felicius. Harum autem quinque Instantiarum Lampadis, pri- ma3 roborant, ampliant, et rectificant actiones sensus immediatas : secundse deducunt non-sensibile ad sensi- bile ; ^ tertise indicant processus continuatos sive series earum rerum et motuum quse (ut plui'imum) non no- tantur nisi in exitu aut periodis ; quartse aliquid sub- stituunt sensui in meris destitutionibus ; quintte excitant 1 i. K. a proof furnished by merely human philosophy. 2 i. c. make manifest things which are not directly perceptible, by raeana of others which are. NOVUM OEGANUM. 455 attentionem sensus et advertentiam, atque una limitant subtilitatem reram. De his autem singulis jam dicen- dum est. XXXIX. Inter Praerogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco deci- mo sexto Imtantias Januce sive Portce : eo enim nomine eas appellamus quae juvant actiones sensus inmiediatas. Inter sensus autem manifestum est partes primas tenere Visum, quoad informationem ; quare huic sensui prte- cipue auxilia conquirenda. Auxilia autem triplicia esse posse videntur ; vel ut percipiat non visa ; vel ut ma- jore intervallo ; vel ut exactius et distinctius. Primi generis sunt (missis bis-oculis et hujusmodi, qu» valent tantum ad corrigendam et levandam in- firmitatem visus non bene dispositi, atque ideo nihil amplius informant) ea quae nuper inventa sunt perspi- cilla ; qua3 latentes et invisibiles corporum minutias, et oceultos schematismos et motus (aucta insigniter speci- erum magnitudine) demonstrant ; quoram vi, in pulice, musca, vermiculis, accurata corporis figura et linea- menta, necnon colores et motus prius non conspicui, non sine admiratione cernuntur. Quin^tiam aiunt ^ lineam rectam calamo vel penecillo descriptam, per hu- jusmodi perspicilla insequalem admodum et tortuosam cerni ; quia scilicet nee motus manus, licet per regu- 1am adjutse, nee impressio atramenti aut coloris revera aequalia existant ; licet illae inaequalitates tam minutae sint ut sine adjumento hujusmodi perspicillorum con- spici nequeant. Etiam superstitiosam quandam ob- servationem in hac re (ut fit in rebus novis et miris) 1 Compare Aph. xiii. ^ 28. " Specula comburentia, in quibus (ut memini) hoc fit," &c. It would appear from the passage in the text that Bacon had not even seen one of the newly invented microscopes. — J. S. 456 NOVUM ORGANDM. addiderunt homines : viz. quod hujusmodi perspicilla opera naturae illustrent, artis dehonestent. Illud vero nihil ahud est quam quod texturse naturales multo sub- tiliores sint quam artificiosse.^ Perspicillum enim illud ad minuta tantum valet : quale perspicillum si vidisset Demoeritus, exiluisset forte, et modum videndi atomum (quem ille invisibilem omnino affirmavit) inventum fuisse putasset.^ Verum incompetentia hujusmodi per- spicillorum, prseterquam ad minutias tantum (neque ad ipsas quoque, si fuerint in corpore majusculo), usum rei destruit. Si enim inventum extendi posset ad corpora majora, aut corporum majonim minutias, adeo ut tex- tura panni lintei conspici posset tanquam rete, atque hoc modo minutise latentes et insequalitates gemmarum, liquorum, urinarum, sanguinis, vulnerum, et multarum aliarum rerum, cerni possent, magna3 proculdubio ex eo invento commoditates capi possent. Secundi generis sunt ilia altera perspicilla quae me- morabili conatu adinvenit Galilseus ; quorum ope, tan- quam per scaphas aut naviculas, aperiri et exerceri pos- sint propiora cum coelestibus commercia. Hinc enim constat, galaxiam esse nodum sive coacervationem stel- larum parvanim, plane numeratarum et distinctarum ; de qua re apud antiquos tantum suspicio fuit. Hinc demonstrari videtur, quod spatia orbium (quos vocant) ^ Leibnitz goes as far as to sa^^, " La matifere arrang^e par une sagesse divine doit etre essentiellement organ is^e partout; . . , il y a maciiine dans les parties de la macliine naturelle a Tinfini." — Sur le Principe de Vie, p. 431. of Evdmann's edition. 2 Demoeritus maintained that the atom was wholly incognisable by the senses. Thus Sextus Empiricus mentions him along with Plato as having held the doctrine /iova tu vot/tu uA)?i9^ dvai ; the reason in the case of Demoeritus being that his atoms, which alone he recognised as realities, possessed irdarK alcrSijT^g noiOTTjTo^ Ipjjfiov ^iiaiv. — Sext. Em. Advert. Logicos, ii. § 6. NOVUM ORGANUM. 457 planetarum non sint plane vacua aliis stellis, sed quod coelum incipiat stellescere antequam ad ccelum ipsum stellatum ventum sit ; licet stellis minoribus quam ut sine perspicillis istis conspici possint. Hinc choreas illas stellarum parvarum circa planetam Jovis (unde conjici possit esse in motibus stellarum plura centra) intueri licet. Hinc insqualitates luminosi et opaci in luna distinctius cernuntur et locantur ; adeo ut fieri possit quffidam seleno-graphia. Hinc maculae in sole, et id genus : omnia certe inventa nobilia, quatenus fides hujusmodi demonstrationibus tuto adhiberi possit.^ Quae nobis ob hoc maxime suspectse sunt, quod in istis paucis sistatur experimentum, neque alia complura in- vestigatu aeque digna eadem ratione inventa sint.^ 1 Galileo often mentions the attempt -which many of the Peripaticians made to set aside all arguments founded on his discoveries with the tele- scope, by saying that they were mere optical delusions. J. C. La Giilla, in his dissertation De, Phwnominis in Orbe Lunce, has a section entitled " De Telescopii Veritate," in which, though an Aristotelian, he has nevertheless admitted that this objection is untenable. 2 Compare this with the passage in the Descripiio Globi Intelkciualis (c. V.) where Bacon speaks of Galileo's invention and discoveries (the first- fruits of which had just been announced) in a strain of more sanguine ex- pectation : — " Atque hoc inceptum et fine et aggressu nobile quoddam et humano genere dignum esse existimamus: eo magis quod hujusmodi hom- ines et ausu laudandi sint et fide; quod ingenue et perspicue proposuerunt, quomodo singula illis constiterint Superest tantum constantia, cum mag- na judicii severitate, ut et instrumenta mutent, et testium numerum auge- ant, et singula et ssepe experiantur, et varie ; denique ut et sibi ipsi objiciant et aliis patefaciant quid in contrarium objici possit, et tenuissimum quemque scrupulum non spernant; ne forte illis eveniat, quod Democriti et aniculse suae evenit circa ficus mellitas, ut vetula esset philosopho prudentior, et magnffi et admirabilis speculationis causs subesset error quispiam tenuis et ridiculus." From this passage, written eight years before, we may learn (I think) why it was that Bacon had now begun to doubt how far these observations could be trusted. Believing, as he did, that all the received theories of the heavens were full of eiTor, as soon as he heard that by means of the telescope men could really see so much further into the heav- ens than before, he was prepared to hear of a great number of new and unexpected phenomena ; and his only fear was that the observers, instead 458 NOVUM ORGANUM. Tertii aeneris sunt bacilla ilia ad terras mensurandas, astrolabia, et similia ; quse sen sum videndi non am- pliant, sed rectificant et dirigunt. Quod si sint alls instantise qua reliquos sensus juvent in ipsorum ac- tionibus immediatis et individuis, tamen si ejusmodi sint quae informationi ipsi nihil addant plus quam jam habetur, ad id quod nunc agitur non faciunt. Itaque earura mentionem non fecimus. XL. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco de- cimo septimo Instantias Citanies, sumpto vocabulo a foris civilibus, quia citant ea ut compareant quae prius non comparuerunt ; quas etiam Instantias Evoeantes appellare consuevimus. Ese deducunt non-sei.sibile ad sensibile.- Sensum autem fugiunt res, vel propter distantiam objecti locati ; vel propter interceptionem sensus per corpora media ; vel quia objectum non est habile ad impressionem in sensu faciendam ; vel quia deficit quantum in objecto pro feriendo sensu ; vel quia tem- pus non est proportionatum ad actuandum sensum ; vel quia objecti percussio non toleratur a sensu ; vel quia objectum ante implevit et possedit sensum, ut novo motui non sit locus. Atque hsec prsecipue ad visum pertinent, et deinde ad tactum. Nam hi duo sensus sunt informativi ad largum, atque de commu- of following out their observations patiently and carefully, would begin to form new theories. But now that nine years had passed since the discovery of Jupiter's satellites, the spots in the sun, &c., and no new discovery of importance had been announced, he wondered how it could be that men seeing so much further should be able to see so little more than they did, and began to suspect that it was owing to some defect either in the instru- inent or in the methods of observation. — J. S. NOVUM OEGANUM. 459 nibus objectis ; nbi reliqui tres non informent fere nisi immediate et de propriis objectis. In primo genere non fit deductio ad sensibile, nisi rei qujE cemi non possit propter distantiam adjiciatur aut substituatur alia res quae sensum magis e longinquo provocare et ferire possit : veluti in significatione re- rum per ignes, campanas, et similia. In secundo genere fit deductio, cum ea quse interius propter interpositionem corporum latent, nee commode aperiri possunt, per ea quae sunt in superficie, aut ab interioribus eifiuunt, perducuntur ad sensum : ut status humanorum corporum per pulsus, et urinas, et similia. At tertii et quarti generis deductiones ad plurima spectant, atque undique in rerum inquisitione sunt con- quirendse. Hujus rei exempla sunt. Patet quod aer, et spiritus, et hujusmodi res quae sunt toto corpore te- nues et subtiles, nee cerni nee tangi possint. Quare in inquisitione circa hujusmodi corpora deductionibus om- nino est opus. Sit itaque natura inquisita Actio et Motus Spiritus qui includitur in corporibus tangibilibus. Omne enim tangibile apud nos continet spiritum invisibilem et in- tactilem, eique obducitur atque eum quasi vestit. Hinc fons triplex potens ille et mirabilis processus spiritus in corpore tangibili. Spiritus enim in re tangibili, emissus, corpora contrahit et desiccat ; detentus, cor- pora intenerat et colliquat ; nee prorsus emissus nee prorsus detentus, informat, membrificat, assimilat, ege- rit, organizat, et similia. Atque hsec omnia deducuntur ad sensibile per effectus conspicuos. Etenim in omni corpore tangibili inanimate, spiritusi inclusus primo multiplicat se, et tanquam depascit partes tangibiles eas quae sunt maxime ad hoc faciles et prae- 460 NOVUM ORGANUM. paratje, easque digerit et conficit et vertit in "spiritum, et deinde una evolant. Atque hsec confectio et mul- tiplicatio spiritus deducitur ad sensum per diminu- tionem ponderis. In omni enim dessicatione, aliquid defluit de quanto ; neque id ipsum ex spiritu tantum prseinexistente, sad ox corpore quod prius fuit tangi- bile et noviter versum est : spiritus enim non ponderat. Egressus autem sive emissio spiritus deducitur ad sen- sibile in rubigine metallorum, et aliis putrefactionibus ejus generis quae sistunt se antequam pervenerint ad rudimenta vitse ; nam illa^ ad tertium genus processus pertinent. Etenim in corporibus magis compactis spiri- tus non invenit pores et meatus per quos evolet; itaque cogitur partes ipsas tangibiles protrudere et ante se agere, ita ut illas simul exeant ; atque inde fit rubigo, et similia. At contractio partium tangibilium, post- quam aliquid de spiritu fuerit emissum (unde sequitur ilia desiccatio), deducitur ad sensibile turn per ipsam duritiem rei auctam, turn multo magis per scissuras, angustiationes, corrugationes, et complicationes cor- porum, quae inde sequuntur. Etenim partes ligni de- siliunt et angustiantur ; pelles corrugantur ; neque id solum, sed (si subita fiierit emissio spiritus per calorem ignis) tantum properant ad contractionem ut se com- plicent et convolvant. At contra, ubi spiritus detinetur, et tamen dilatatur et excitatur per calorem aut ejus analoga (id quod fit in corporibus magis solidis aut tenacibus), turn vero cor- pora emolliuntur, ut fernim candens ; fluunt, ut metalla ; liquefiunt, ut gummi, cera, et similia. Itaque contrarise illse operationes caloris (ut ex eo alia durescant, alia li- quescant) facile conciliantur ; quia in illis spiritus emitti- 1 " lUae " in the original edition, which must be wrong. NOVUM ORGANUM. 461 tur, in his agitatur et detinetur : quorum posterius est actio propria caloris et spiritus ; prius, actio partium tangibilium tantum per occasionem spiritus emissi. Ast ubi spiritus nee detinetur prorsus nee prorsus emittitur, sed tantum inter claustra sua tentat et ex- peritur, atque nacta est partes tangibiles obedientes et sequaces in promptu, ita ut quo spiritus agit ens simul sequantur ; turn vero sequitur efFormatio in corpus organicum, et membrificatio, et reliquEe actiones vita- les, tam in vegetabilibus ' quam in animalibus. Atque hsec maxime deducuntur ad sensum per notationes dili- gentes primorum incoeptuum et rudimentorum sive tentamentorum vitse in animalculis ex putrefactione natis : ut in ovis formicarum, vermibus, muscis, ranis post imbrem, etc. Requiritur autem ad vivificationem et lenitas caloris et lentor corpoi'is ; ut spiritus nee per festinationem erumpat, nee per contumaciam par- tium coerceatur ; quin potius ad cerse modum illas plicare et eiBngere possit. Rursus, differentia ilia spiritus, maxime nobilis et ad plurima pertinens, (viz. spiritus abscissi, ramosi simpliciter, ramosi simul et cellulati ; ex quibus prior est spiritus omnium corporum inanimatorum, secun- dus vegetabilium, tertius animalium), per plurimas in- stantias deductorias tanquam sub oculos ponitur. Similiter patet, quod subtiliores texturse et schematis- mi rerura (licet toto corpore visibilium aut tangibilium) nee cernantur nee tangantur. Quare in his quoque per deductionem procedit informatio. At differentia sche- matismorum maxime radicalis et primaria sumitur ex copia vel paucitate materias quae subit idem spatium sive dimensum. Reliqui enim schematismi (qui refe- runtur ad dissimilaritates partium quae in eodem cor- 462 NOVUM ORGANUM.' pore continentur, et collocationes ac posituras earun- dem) prse illo altero sunt secundarii. Sit itaque natura inquisita Expansio sive Coitio Ma- terise in corporibus respective : viz. quantum materiae impleat quantum dimensum in singulis. Etenim nil ve- rius in natura quam propositio ilia gemella, ex niJdlo nihil fieri, neque quiequam in nihilwm redic/i; verum quan- tum ipsum materias sive summani totalem constare, nee augeri aut minui.^ Nee illud minus verum, ex quanta illo materice sub iisdem spatiis sive dimensionibus, pro diversitate corporum, plus et minus contineri ; ut in aqua plus, in acre minus; adeo ut si quis asserat aliquod eontentum aquse in par eontentum aeris verti posse, idem sit ae si dieat aliquid posse redigi in nihilum ; eontra, si quis asserat aliquod eontentum aeris in par eontentum aquse verti posse, idem sit ac si dieat ali- quid posse fieri ex nihilo. Atque ex eopia ista et pau- citate materiae notiones illse Densi et Rari, quae varie et promiscue accipiuntur, proprie abstrahuntur. As- sumenda est et assertio ilia tertia, etiam satis eerta : quod hoc de quo loquimur plus et minus materiae in corpore hoe vel illo ad caleulos (facta collatione) et proportiones exactas aut exactis propinquas reduci possit. Veluti si quis dieat inesse in dato contento auri talem coacervationem materia, ut opus habeat spiritus vini, ad tale quantum materiae asquandum, spa- tio vicies et semel majore quam implet aurum, non erraverit. Coacervatio autem materiae et rationes ejus dedu- ciintur ad sensibile per pondus. Pondus enim respon- 1 It is wortli remarking that Bacon here asserts as absolutely certain a maxim which is assuredly no result of experience. The same doctrine is as distinctly, though not so emphatically, asserted by Telesius, i. c. 5. NOVUM ORGANUM. 463 det copi« materiae, quoad partes rei tangibilis ; spiri- tus autem, et ejus quantum ex materia, non venit in computationem per pondus ; levat enim pondus potius quam gravat. At nos hujus rei tabulam fecimus sa- tis accuratam ; in qua pondera et spatia singulonim metallorum, lapidum prtecipuorum, lignorum, liquo- rum, oleorum, et plurimorum aliorum corporam tarn naturalium quam artificialium, excepimus;^ rem poly- chrestam, tam ad lucem informationis quam ad nor- mam operationis ; et quse multas res revelet om- nino prajter expectatum. Neque illud pro minimo habendum est, quod demonstret omnem varietatem quae in corporibus tangibilibus nobis notis versatur (in- telligimus autem corpora bene unita, nee plane spon- giosa et cava et magna ex parte acre impleta) non ultra rationes partium 21 excedere : tam finita scilicet est natura, aut saltern ilia pars ejus cujus usus ad nos maxime pertinet. Etiam dibgentiae nostrse esse putavimus, experiri si forte capi possint rationes corporum non-tangibilium sive pneumaticorum, respectu corporum tangibilium. Id quod tali molitione aggressi sumus. Phialam vitream accepimus, quae unciam fortasse unam capere possit ; parvitate vasis usi, ut minori cum calore posset fieri evaporatio sequens. Hanc phialam spiritu vini im- plevimus fere ad collum ; eligentes spiritum vini, quod per tabulam priorem eum esse ex corporibus tangibUi- bus (quae bene unita, nee cava sunt) rarissimum, et minimum continens materiae sub suo dimenso, obser- varimus. Deinde pondus aquae cum phiala ipsa ex- 1 For a full account of the methods of determining specific gravities em- ployed respectively by Porta, Ghetaldo, and Bacon, see preface to Histona Densi et RaH. — J. S. 464 NOVUM ORGANUM. acte notavimus. Postea Tesicam accepimus, quae circa duas pintas contineret. Ex ea aerem omnem, quoad fieri potuit, expressimus eo usque ut vesicae ambo la- tera essent contigua : etiam prius vesicam oleo oblevi- mus cum fricatione leni, quo vesica esset clausior : ejus, si qua erat, porositate oleo obturata. Hanc vesicam circa os phialse, ore phialse intra os vesicae recepto, fortiter ligavimus ; filo parum cerato, ut melius ad- haeresceret et arctius ligaret. Turn demum phialam supra carbones ardentes in foculo coUocavimus. At paulo post vapor sive aura spiritus vini, per calorem dilatati et in pneumaticum versi, vesicam paulatim suf- flavit, eamque universam veli instar undequaque ex- tendit. Id postquam factum fuit, continuo vitrum ab igne removimus, et super tapetem posuimus ne frigore disrumperetur ; statim quoque in summitate vesicae foramen fecimus, ne vapor cessante calore in liquo- rem restitutus resideret, et rationes confunderet. Turn vero vesicam ipsam sustulimus, et rursus pondus ex- cepimus spiritus vini qui remanebat. Inde quantum consumptum fuisset in vaporem seu pneumaticum com- putavimus ; et facta coUatione quantum locum sive spatium illud corpus implesset quando esset spiritus vini in phiala, et rursus quantum spatium impleverit postquam factum fuisset pneumaticum in vesica, ra- tiones subduximus ; ex quibus manifesto liquebat, cor- pus istud ita versum et mutatum expansionem centuplo majorem quam antea habuisset acquisivisse. Similiter sit natura inquisita Calor aut Frigus ; ejus nempe gradus, ut a sensu non percipiantur ob debilita- tem. Haec deducuntur ad sensum per vitrum calen- dare, quale superius descripsimus. Calor enim et frigus, ipsa non percipiuntur ad tactum ; at calor aerem expan- NOVUM ORGANUM. 465 dit, frigus contrahit. Neque rursus ilia expansio et con- tractio aeris percipitur ad visum ; at aer ille expansus aquam deprimit, contractus attollit ; ac turn demum fit deductio ad visum, non ante, aut alias. Similiter sit natura inquisita Mistura Corporum ; viz. quid habeant ex aqueo, quid ex oleoso, quid ex spiritu, quid ex cinere et salibus, et hujusmodi; vel etiam (in particulari) quid habeat lac butyri, quid coaguli, quid seri, et hujusmodi. Hsec deducuntur ad sensum per ar- tificiosas et peritas separationes, quatenus ad tangibilia. At natui-a spiritus in ipsis, licet immediate non perci- piatur, tamen deprehenditur per varios motus et nixus corporum tangibilium in ipso actu et processu separa- tionis su« ; atque etiam per acrimonias, corrosiones, et diversos colores, odores, et sapores eorundem corporum post separationem. Atque in hac parte, per distilla- tiones atque artificiosas separationes, strenue sane ab hominibus elaboratum est ; sed non multo foelicius quam in caeteris experimentis, quae adhuc in usu sunt : modis nimirum prorsus palpatoriis, et viis csecis, et ma- gis operose quam intelligenter ; et (quod pessimum est) nulla cum imitatione aut semulatione naturae, sed cum destructione (per calores vehementes aut virtutes nimis validas) omnis subtilioris schematismi, in quo occultae rerum virtutes et consensus prsecipue sitae sunt. Ne- que illud etiam, quod alias monuimus, hominibus in mentem aut observationem venire solet in hujusmodi separationibus : hoc est, plurimas qualitates, in corpo- rum vexationibus tam per ignem quam alios modos, indi ab ipso igne iisque corporibus quae ad separationem adhibentur, quae in composito prius non fiierunt ; unde mirae fallaciae. Neque enim scilicet vapor universus, qui ex aqua emittitur per ignem, vapor aut aer antea VOL. I. 30 466 NOVUM ORGANUM. fuit in corpore aquaa ; sed factus est maxima ex parte per dilatationem aquee ex calore ignis. Similiter in genere omnes exquisite probationes corporum sive naturalium sive artificialium, per quas vera dignoscuntur ab adulterinis, meliora a vilioribus, hue referri debent : deducunt enim non-sensibile ad sensible. Sunt itaque diligenti cura undique conqui- rendffi. Quintum vero genus latitantiae quod attinet, mani- festnm est actionem sensus transigi in motu, motum in tempore. Si igitur motus alicujus corporis sit vel tarn tardus vel tarn velox ut non sit proportionatus ad mo- menta in quibus transigitur actio sensus, objectum om- nino non percipitur ; ut in motu indicis horologii, et rursus in motu pilse sclopeti. Atque motus qui ob tar- ditatem non percipitur, facile et ordinario deducitur ad sensum per summas motus ; qui vero ob velocitatem, adhuc non bene mensurari consuevit ; sed tamen pos- tulat inquisitio naturaa ut hoc fiat in aliquibus. Sextum autem genus, ubi impeditur sensus propter nobilitatem objecti, recipit deductionem, vel per elon- gationem majorem objecti a sensu ; vel per hebetatio- nem objecti per interpositionem medii talis, quod ob- jectum debilitet, non annihilet ; vel per admissionem et exceptionem objecti reflexi, ubi percussio directa sit nimis fortis ; ut soils in pelvi aquffi. Septimum autem genus latitantise, ubi sensus ita one- ratur objecto ut novse admissioni non sit locus, non ha- bet fere locum nisi in olfactu et odoribus ; nee ad id quod agitur multum pertinet. Quare de deductionibus non-sensibilis ad sensibile, hsec dicta sint.^ 1 An excellent instance of the " deductio nonsensibilis ad sensibile " [in the second kind] occui's in the experiments recently made by Messrs. Hop- NOVUM ORGANUM. 467 Quandoque tamen deductio fit non ad sensutn homi- nis, sed ad sensum alicujus alterius auimalis cujus sen- sus in aliquibus humanum excellet : ut nonnullorum odoram, ad sensum canis ; lucis, quae in aere non ex- trinsecus illuminato latenter existit, ad sensum felis, noctuas, et hujusmodi animalium quse cernunt noctu. Recta enim notavit Telesius, etiam in aere ipso inesse lucem quandam originalem, licet exilem et tenuem, et - maxima ex parte oculis hominum aut plurimorum ani- malium non inservientem ; quia ilia animalia, ad quo- rum sensum hujusmodi lux est proportionata, cernant noctu ; id quod vel sine luce fieri, vel per lucem inter- nam, minus credibile est. Atque illud utique notandum est, de destitutionibus sensuum eorumque remediis hie nos tractare. Nam fallaciae sensuum ad proprias inquisitiones de sensu et sensibili remittendfe sunt ; excepta ilia magna fallacia sensuum, nimirum quod constituant lineas rerum ^ ex analogia hominis, et non ex analogia universi ; quse non corrigitur nisi per rationem et pliilosophiam uni- versalem. XLI. Inter Praerogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco deci- mo octavo Instantias Vice, quas etiam Instantias Itine- kins and Joule for determining the melting-point of substances subjected to great pressure. The substance acted on is enclosed in a tube out of reach and sight. But a bit of magnetized steel has previously been introduced into it, and is supported by it as long as it remains solid. A magnetic needle is placed beside the apparatus, a certain amount of deviation being, of course, produced by the steel within the tube. The moment the temper- ature reaches the melting-point, the steel sinks; and its doing so is indi- cated by the motion of the needle. 1 This phrase may, I think, be rendered " trace the outlines of outward objects." I have already remarked on the meaning of " ex analogic." [See note on IHstributio Operis^ p. 218. — J. S.\ 468 NOVUM ORGANUM. rantes et Instantias Ariiculatas appellare consuevimus. Ese sunt quae indicant naturae motus gradatim continu- atos. Hoc autem genus instantiarum potius fiigit ob- servationem quam sensum. Mira enim est hominum circa hanc rem indiligentia. Contemplantur siquidem naturam tantummodo desultorie et per periodos, et postquam corpora fuerint absoluta ac completa, et non in operatione sua. Quod si artificis alicujus ingenia et industriam explorare et contemplari quis cuperet, is non tantum materias rudes artis atque deinde opera perfecta conspicere desideraret, sed potius prsesens esse cum artifex operatur et opus suum promovet. Atque simile quiddam circa naturam faciendum est. Exempli gratia; si quis de vegetatione plantarum inquirat, ei inspiciendum est ab ipsa satione seminis alicujus (id quod per extractionem, quasi singulis diebus, seminum quae per biduum, triduum, quatriduum, et sic deinceps, in terra manserunt, eorumque diligentem intuitum, fa- cile fieri potest), quomodo et quando semen intumes- cere et turgere incipiat et veluti spiritu impleri ; deinde quomodo corticulam rumpere et emittere fibras, cum latione nohnulla sui interim sursum, nisi terra fuerit admodum contumax; quomodo etiam emittat fibras, partim radicales deorsum, partim cauliculares sursum, aliquando serpendo per latera, si ex ea parte inveniat terram apertam et magis facilem ; et complura id ge- nus. Similiter facere oportet circa exclusionem ovo- rum ; ubi facile conspici dabitur processus viyificandi et organizandi, et quid et quae partes fiant ex vitello, quid ex albumine ovi, et alia. Similis est ratio circa animalia ex putrefactione.' Nam circa animalia per- 1 The epithet perfecta is generally given to those animak which cannot result from putrefaction. Csesalpinus, in the Qumstiones Peripai. v. 1., NOVUM OEGANUM. 469 fecta et terrestria, per exectiones foetuum ex utero, minus humanum esset ista inquirere ; nisi forte per oc- casiones abortuum, et venationum, et similium. Om- nino igitur vigilia qu^dam ser-sanda est circa naturam, ut quffi melius se conspiciendam prssbeat noctu quam interdiu. Ist£e enim contemplationes tanquam noc- tumse censeri ])ossint, ob lucernse parvitatem et per- petuationem. Quin et in inanimatis idem tentandum est ; id quod nos fecimus in inquirendis aperturis liquorum per ig- nem.i Alius enim est modus aperturte in aqua, alius in vino, alius in aceto, alius in omphacio ; ^ longe alius in lacte, et oleo, et ceteris. Id quod facile cernere erat per ebullitionem super ignem lenem, et in vase vitreo, ubi omnia cerni perspicue possint. Verum hsec brevius perstringimus, fusius et exactius de iis sermones habituri cum ad inventionem Latentis rerum Processus ventum erit. Semper enim memoria tenendum est, nos hoc loco non res ipsas tractare, sed exempla tan- tum adducere. maintains that all animals may result from putrefaction, and that this was the doctrine of Aristotle. The same opinion had, I believe, been advanced by Averrnis. That mice may be produced by equivocal generation is as- serted, as a matter not admitting of dispute, by Cardan, De Rerum Varie- tate. Caesalpinus refers to the same instance, but less confidently than Cardan. It is worth remarking that Aristotle, though he speaks of the great fecundity of mice, and even of their being impregnated by licking salt, does not mention the possibility of their being produced by putrefac- tion. (De Bist. Animal, vi. 37. Problem, x. 64.) Paracelsus, Dejlermn Generatione, afHrms that all animals produced from putrefaction are more or less venomous. Telesius'a opinion is that the more perfect animals can- not result from putrefaction, because the conditions of temperature neces- sary to their production cannot be fulfilled except by means of animal heat. 1 " Apertura " means the same thing as " expansio." 2 Wine made of sour grapes. (P/mi/, xi v. 18. and elsewhere.) It is prob- ably to be rendered verjuice, as it is by Lemmius. 470 NOVUM OEGANUM. XLII. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco de- cimo nono Instantias Swpplementi, sive Substitutionis ; quas etiam Instantias Perfugii appellare consuevimus. Ese sunt, quae supplent informationem ubi sensus plane destituitur ; atque idcirco ad eas eonfugimus cum in- stantias proprias haberi non possint. Dupliciter autem fit substitutio ; aut per Graduationem, aut per Analo- ga. Exempli gratia ; non invenitur medium quod in- hibeat prorsus operationem magnetis in niovendo fer- rum ; non aurum interpositum, non argentum, non lapis, non vitrum, lignum, aqua, oleum, pannus aut corpora fibrosa, aer, flamma, et csetera. Attamen per probationem exactam fortasse inveniri possit aliquod medium quod hebetet virtutem ipsius plus quam ali- quod aliud, comparative et in aliquo gradu ; veluti quod non traliat magnes ferrum per tantam crassitiem auri quam per par spatium aeris ; aut per tan turn ar- gentum ignitum quam per frigidum ; et sic de simili- bus. Nam de his nos experimentum non fecimus ; sed sufficit tamen ut proponantur loco exempli. Similiter non invenitur hie apud nos corpus quod non suscipiat calidutn igni approximatum. Attamen longe citius suscipit calorem aer quam lapis. Atque talis est sub- stitutio quae fit per Gradus. Substitutio autem per Analoga, utilis sane, sed minus certa^est ; atque idcirco cum judicio quodam adhiben- da. Ea fit cum deducitur non-sensibile ad sensum, non per operationes sensibiles ipsius corporis insensi- bilis, sed per contemplationem corporis alicujus cognati sensibilis.i Exempli gratia ; si inquiratur de Mistura 1 Du Boi3 Raymond's Researches in Animal Electricity give a good ex- NOVUM ORGANUM. 471 Spirituum, qui sunt corpora non-vigibilia, videtur esse cognatio quajdam inter corpora et fomites sive alimenta sua. Fomes autem flamniEe videtur esse oleum et pin- guia ; aeris,' aqua et aquea : flammffi enim multiplicant se super halitus olei, aer super vapores aquse. Viden- dum itaque de mistura aquse et olei, quas se manifestat ad sensum ; quandoquidem mistura aeris et flammei generis fugiat sensum. At oleum et aqua inter se per compositionem aut agitationem imperfecte admodum miscentur; eadem in herbis, et sanguine, et partibus animalium, accurate et delicate miscentur. Itaque simile quiddam fieri possit circa misturam flammei et aerei generis in spiritalibus ; quas per confusionem simplicem non bene sustinent misturam, eadem tamen in spiritibus plantarum et animalium misceri videntur ; prassertim cum omnis spiritus animatus depascat hu- mida utraque, aquea et pinguia, tanquam fomites suos. Similiter si non de perfectioribus misturis spiritalium, sed de compositione tantum inquiratur ; nempe, utrum facile inter se incorporentur, an potius (exempli gratia) sint aliqui venti et exhalationes, aut alia corpora spiri- talia, quae non miscentur cum aere communi, sed tan- tum liffirent et natant in eo, in globulis et guttis, et potius franguntur ac comminuuntur ab aere quam in ipsum recipiuntur et incorporantur ; hoc in aere com- muni et aliis spiritalibus, ob subtilitatem corporum, percipi ad sensum non potest ; attamen imago qusedam hujus rei, quatenus fiat, concipi possit in liquoribus ar- genti vivi, olei, aquae ; atque etiam in aere, et fractions ejus, quando dissipatur et ascendit in parvis portiun- ample of this. He constructed what may be called an electrical model of a muscle, and succeeded in obtaining an illustration not only of his funda- mental result, namely that any transverse section is negative with respect to any longitudinal one, but also of the more complicated relations between two different portions of the same section. 472 NOVUM OEGANUM. culis per aquara ; atque etiam in fumis crassioribus ; denique in pulvere excitato et hffirente in aere ; in qui- bus omnibus non fit incorporatio. Atque reprsesentatio prsedicta in hoc subjecto non mala est, si illud prime diligenter inquisitum fuerit, utrum possit esse talis he- terogenia inter spiritalia qualis invenitur inter liquida ; nam turn demum hsec simulacra per Analogiam non incommode substituentur. Atque de Instantiis istis Supplementi, quod diximus informationem ab iis hauriendam esse, quando desint instantise proprise, loco Perfugii ; nihilominus intelligi volumus, quod illse etiam magni sint usus etiam cum proprise instantise adsint; ad roborandam scilicet infor- mationem una cum propriis. Verum de his exactius dicemus quando ad Adminioula Jnductionis tractanda sermo ordine dilabetur. XLIII. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco vi- cesimo Instantias Persecantes ; quas etiam Instantias VelUcantes appellare consuevimus, sed diversa ratione. Vellicantes enim eas appellamus, quia vellicant intel- lectum ; Persecantes, quia persecant naturam ; unde etiam illas quandoque Instantias Democriti nominamus. Ese sunt, quae de admirabili et exquisita subtilitate na- turae intellectum siibmonent, ut excitetur et expergisca- tur ad attentionem et observationem et inquisitionem debitam. Exempli gratia; quod parum guttulse atra- menti ad tot literas vel lineas extendatur ; quod ar- gentum, exterius tantum inauratum, ad tantam lon- gitudinem fili inaurati continuetur ; ^ quod pusillus 1 Dr. Woolaston's method for obtaining wires of extreme fineness was per- haps suggested by the circumstance mentioned in the text. He enclosed NOVUM 0E6ANUM. 473 vermicTilus, qualis in cute invenitur, habeat in se spiri- tum simul et figuram dissimilarem partium ; quod pa- rum croci etiam dolium aquEE colore inficiat ; quod pa- rum zibethi ^ aut aromatis longe majus contentum aeris odore ; quod exiguo suffitu tanta excitetur nubes fumi ; quod sonorum tam accuratse differentiae, quales sint voces articulattis, per aerem undequaque vehantur, at- que per foramina et poros etiam ligni et aquae (licet admodum extenuatae) penetrent, quin etiam repercu- tiantur, idque tam distincte et velociter ; quod lux et color, etiam tan to ambitu et tam perniciter, per corpora solida vitri, aqaas, et cum tanta et tam exquisita varie- tate imaginum permeent, etiam refringantur et reflec- tantur ; quod magnes per corpora omnigena, etiam maxime compacta, operetur. Sed (quod magis mirum est) quod in his omnibus, in medio adiaphoro (quale est aer) unius actio aliam non magnopere impediat ; nempe quod eodem tempore per spatia aeris devehantur et visi- bUium tot imagines, et vocis articulatse tot percussiones, et tot odores specificati, ut viol», rosae ; etiam calor et frigus et virtutes magneticse ; omnia (inquam) simul, uno alterum non impediente, ac si singula haberent vias et meatus suos proprios separatos, neque unum in alte- rum impingeret aut incurreret. Solemus tamen utiliter hujusmodi Instantiis Perse- can tibus subjungere instantias, quas Metas Fersecationis appellare consuevimus ; veluti quod in iis qaas diximus, una actio in di verso gen ere aliam non perturbet aut im- pediat, cum tamen in eodem genere una aliam domet et extinguat: veluti, lux solis, lucem eicindelae ; sonitus bombardfe, vocem ; fortior odor, delicatiorem ; inten- a gold wire in a cylinder of silver, drew them out together, and then dis- solved away the silver by means of warm nitrous acid. 1 Civet. 474 NOVUM ORGANDM. sior calor, remissiorem ; lamina ferri interposita inter magnetem et aliud ferruin, operationem magnetis. Ve- rum de his quoque inter Adminicula Inductionis erit proprius dicendi locus. xiiv. Atque de instantiis qua juvant sensum, jam dictum est ; quiE prsecipui usus sunt ad partem Informativam. Informatio enim incipit a sensu. At universum ne- gotium desinit in Opera ; atque quemadmodum illud principium, ita hoc finis rei est. Sequentur itaque in- stantise prsecipui usus ad partem Operativam. Ese genere duse sunt, numero septem ; quas universas, ge- nerali nomine, Instantias Practicas appellare consuevi- mus. Operativse autem partis, vitia duo ; totidemque dignitates instantiarum in genere. Aut enim fallit ope- ratio, aut onerat nimis. Fallit operatio maxime (prae- sertim post diligentem. naturarum inquisitionem) prop- ter male determinatas et mensuratas corporum vires et actiones. Vires autem et actiones, corporum circum- scribuntur et mensurantur, aut per spatia loci, aut per momenta temporis, aut per unionem quanti, aut per prsedominantiam virtutis ; quse quatuor nisi fuerint probe et diligenter pensitata, erunt fortasse scientiae speculatione quidem pulchra3, sed opere inactivse. In- stantias vero quatuor itidem quae hue referuntur, uno nomine Instantias Mathematicas vocamus, et Instantias Mensurce. Onerosa autem fit praxis, vel propter misturam re- rmn inutilium, vel propter multiplicationem instrumen- torum, vel propter molem materise et corporum quae ad aliquod opus requiri contigerint. Itaque ese instantias in pretio esse debent, quae aut dirigunt operativam ad NOVUM OEGANUM. 475 ea quae maxime hominum intersunt ; aut quje parcunt instrumentis ; aut qu^ parcunt materijE sive supellectili. Eas autem tres instantias qu£e hue pertinent, uiio no- mine Instantias Propitias sive Benevolas vocamus. Ita- que de liis septem instantiis jam sigillatim dicemus ; atque cum iis partem illam de Praerogativis sive Dio-- nitatibus Instantiarum claudemus. XLV. Inter Prasrogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco vice- simo primo Instantias Virgce, sive Radii; quas etiam Instantias Perlationis, vel de Non Ultra appellare con- suevimus. Virtutes enim rerum et motus operantur et expediuntur per spatia non indefinita aut fortuita, sed finita et certa ; quae ut in singulis naturis inquisitis te- neantur et notentur plm-imum interest Practicae, non solum ad hoc, ut non fallat, sed etiam ut magis sit aucta et potens. Etenim interdum datur virtutes pro- ducere, et distantias tanquam retrahere in propius ; ut in perspecillis. Atque plurimae virtutes operantur et afficiunt tantum per tactum manifestum ; ut fit in percussione corporum, uhi alterum non summovet alteram, nisi impellens im- pulsum tangat. Etiam medicinae quae exterius appli- cantur, ut unguenta, emplastra, non exercent vires suas nisi per tactum corporis. Denique objecta sensuum tactus et gustus non feriunt nisi contigua organis. Sunt et aliae virtutes quae operantur ad distantiam, verum valde exiguam, quarum paucae adhuc notatae sunt, cum tamen plures sint quam homines suspicen- tur ; ut (capiendo exempla ex vulgatis) cum succinum ^ aut gagates ^ trahunt paleas ; bullae approximatae sol- 1 Amber. 2 Jet 476 NOVUM ORGANDM. vunt bulks ; medicinse nonmxllse purgativse eliciunt humores ex alto,i et hujusmodi. At virtus ilia mag- netica per quam ferrum et magnes, vel magnetes in- vicem, coeunt, operatur intra orbem virtutis certum, sed parvum ; ubi contra, si sit aliqua virtus magnetica emanans ab ipsa terra (paulo nimirum interiore) super acum ferream, quatenus ad verticitatem, operatic fiat ad distantiam magnam. Rursus, si sit aliqua vis magnetica quae operetur per consensum inter globum terrse et ponderosa, aut inter globum lunEe et aquas maris (quae maxime credibilis videtur in fluxibus et refluxibus semi-menstruis"'*), aut inter coelum stellatum et planetas, per -quam evocentur et attollantur ad sua apogasa ; hsec omnia operantur ad distantias admodum longinquas. Inveniuntur et quas- dam inflammationes sive conceptiones flammas, quae fiunt ad distantias bene magnas, in aliquibus materiis ; ut re- ferunt de naphtha Babylonica.^ Galores etiam insinuant se per distantias amplas, quod etiam faciunt frigora ; adeo lit habitantibus circa Canadam moles sive massae 1 Bacon here speaks in accordance with the medical theor}' in which the brain is the origin and seat of the rheum, which descends from thence and produces disease in other organs — a theory preserved in the word cataixh. Certain purgatives were supposed to draw the rheum down. 2 It is worth remarlting that Galileo speaks contemptuously of the notion that the moon exerts any influence on the tides. His strong wish to ex- plain everything mechanically led him in this instance wrong, as a simi- lar wish has led many others. It arose, not unnaturally, from a reaction against the unsatisfactory explanations which the schoolmen were in the habit of deducing from the specific or occult properties of bodies. Even Leibnitz, in his controversy with Clarke, shows a tendency towards an ex- clusive preference of a mechanical system of physics, though in other parts of his writings he had spoken favourably of the doctrine of attraction, and though his whole philosophy ought, one would think, to have made him indifferent to the point in dispute. In a system of pre-established harmiony, action by contact is as merely apparent as action at a distance. 8 Strabo, xvi. p. 742. Pliny, ii. § 109. NOVUM OEGANUM. 477 glaciales, quae abrumpuntur et natant per oceanum sep- tentrionalem et deferuntur per Atlanticum versus illas oras, percipiantur et incutiant frigora e longiiiquo. Odores quoque (licet in his videatur semper esse quse- dain emissio corporea) operantur ad distantias notabiles ; ut evenire solet navigantibus juxta litora Floridae, aut etiam nonimlla Hispanias, ubi sunt sylvse totse ex ar- boribus limonum, arantiorum,^ et hujusmodi plantarum odoratarum, aut frutices rorismarini, majoranse, et simi- lium.^ Postremo radiationes lucis et impressiones sono- rum operantur scilicet ad distantias spatiosas. Verum htec omnia, utcunque operentur ad distantias parvas sive magnas, operantur certe ad finitas et naturae notas,* ut sit quiddam Non Ultra; idque pro rationibus, aut molis sen quanti corporum ; aut vigoris et debili- tatis virtutum ; aut favoribus et impedimentis medio- rum ; quae omnia in computationem venire et notari debent. Quinetiam mensurse inotuum violentorum (quos vocant), ut missilium, tormentorura, rotarum, et similium, cum hse quoque manifesto suos habeant limites certos, notandae sunt. Inveniuntur etiam quidam motus et virtutes contra- rise illis quse operantur per tactum et non ad distans ; quae operantur scilicet ad distans et non ad tactum ; et rarsus, quae operantur remissius ad distantiam mino- rem et fortius ad distantiam majorem. Etenim visio non bene transigitur ad tactum, sed indiget medio et distantia. Licet meminerim me audisse ex relatione cujusdam fide digni, quod ipse in curandis oculorum 1 [So in the original edition.] Qy. aurantiorum ? 2 To the same purpose Milton, Paradise Lost, iv. 99. : — As when to them who sail Beyond the Cape of Hope, &c. s i. c. fixed in the nature of things. 478 NOVUM ORGANUM. suorum cataractis (erat autem cura talis, ut immittere- tur festuca qusedani parva argentea intra primam oculi tunicam, quae pelliculam illam cataractse removeret et truderet in angulum oculi) clarissime vidisset festucam illam supra ipsatn puiiillam moventem. Quod utcun- que verum esse possit, manifestum est majora corpora non bene aut distincte cerni nisi in cuspide coni,'^ coeuntibus radiis objecti ad nonnullam distantiam. Quin etiam in senibus oculus melius cernit remoto ob- jecto paulo longius, quam propius. In missilibus autem certum est percussionem non fieri tam fortem ad distan- tiam nimis parvam, quam paulo post. Hsec itaque et similia in mensuris motuum quoad distantias notanda sunt. Est et aliud genus mensurse localis motuum, quod non prsetermittendum est. lUud vero pertinet ad motus non progressives, sed spbaericos ; boo est, ad expansionem corporum in majorem spharam, aut con- tractionem in minorem. Inquirendum enim est inter mensuras istas motuum, quantam compressionem aut extensionem corpora (pro natura ipsorum) facile et libenter patiantur, et ad quem terminum reluctari in- cipiant, adeo ut ad extremum Non Ultra ferant ; ut cum vesica inflata comprimitur, sustinet ilia compres- sionem nonnullam aeris, sed si major fuerit, non patitur aer, sed rumpitur vesica. At nos hoc ipsum subtiliore experimento magis ex- acte probavimus. Accepimus enim campanulam ex metallo, leviorem scilicet et tenuiorem, quali ad excipi- endum salem utimur ; eamque in pelvim aquse immisi- mus, ita ut deportaret secum aerem qui continebatur in concavo usque ad fundum pelvis. Locaveramus autem 1 That is, the eye being at the apex of the visual cone. NOVUM ORGANDM. 479 prius globulum in fundo pelvis, super quem campanula imponenda esset. Quare illud eveniebat, ut si globulus ille esset minusculus (pro ratione concavi), reciperet se aer in locum minorem, et contruderetur solum, non extruderetur. Quod si grandioris esset magnitudinis quam ut aer libenter cederet, turn aer majoris pressurae impatiens campanulam ex aliqua parte elevabat, et in bullis ascendebat. Etiam ad probandum qualem extensionem (non mi- nus quam compressionem) pateretur aer, tale quippiam practicavimus. Ovum vitreum accepimus, cum parvo foramine in uno extremo ovi. Aerem per foramen ex- uctione forti attraximus, et statim digito foramen illud obturavimus, et ovum in aquam immersimus, et dein digitum removimus. Aer vero tensura ilia per exuc- tionem facta tortus et magis quam pro natura sua dila- tatus, ideoque se_ recipere et contrahere nitens (ita ut si ovum illud in aquam non fuisset immersum, aerem ipsum traxisset cum sibilo), aquam traxit ad tale quan- tum quale sufficere posset ad hoc, ut aer antiquam re- cuperaret sphaeram sive dimensionem.^ Atque certum est corpora tenuiora (quale est aer) pati contractionem nonnullam notabilem, ut dictum est ; at corpora tangibilia (quale est aqua) multo Eegrius et ad minus spatium patiuntur compressionem. Qualem autem patiatur, tali experimento inquisivimus. Fieri fecimus globum ex plumbo cavum, qui duas circiter pintas vinarias contineret ; eumque satis per 1 This explanation is wholly unsatisfactorj'. The principle upon which the true explanation depends, namely the pressure of the atmosphere, was, it seems tolerably certain, first suggested by Torricelli. If the experiment were performed in vacuo, no water would enter the egg, unless the egg were plunged to a considerable depth into the water, or unless the vacuum within it were more perfect than could be produced in the manner de- scribed. 480 NOVUM OEGANUM. latera crassum, ut majorem vim sustineret. In ilium aquam immisimus, per forameil alicubi factum ; atque foramen illud, postquam globus aqua impletus fuisset, plumbo liquefacto obturavimus, ut globus deveniret plane consolidatus. Dein globum forti malleo ad duo latera adversa complanavimus ; ex quo necesse fuit ' aquam in minus contrahi, cum sphsera figurarum sit capacissima. Deinde, cum malleatio non amplius suffi- ceret, segrius se recipiente aqua, molendino ^ seu torcu- lari usi sumus ; ut tandem aqua, impatiens pressurse ulterioris, per solida plumbi (instar roris delicati) ex- stillaret. Postea, quantum spatii per eam compres- sionem imminutum foret computavimus ; atque tan- tam compressionem passam esse aquam (sed violentia magna subactam) intelleximus.^ 1 Molendinum is properly a Low Latin word for a mill-house ; here used for a press. 2 This is perhaps the most remarkable of Bacon's experiments ; and it is singular that it was so little spoken of by subsequent writers. Nearly fifty years after the publication of the Novum. Organum^ an account of a similar experiment was published by Megalotti, who was secretary of the Accade- mia del Cimento at Florence; and it has since been familiarly known as the Florentine experiment. I quote his account of it. " Facemmo lavorar di getto una grande ma sottil palla d' argento, e qu'ella ripiena d' acqna raffreddata col ghiaccio serramo con saldissime vite. Di poi cominciammo a martellarla ieggiermente per ogni verso, onde ammaccato 1' argento (il quale per la sua crudezza non comporta d' assottigliarsi e distendersi (jome farebbe 1' oro raffinato, o il piombo. o altro metallo piu dolce) veniva a ri- strignersi, e scemare la sua interna capacita, senza che 1' acqua patisse una minima compressione, poichfe ad ogni colpo si videa trasudare per tutti i pori del metallo a guisa d' argento vivo il quale da alcana pelle premuto minutamente sprizzasse." — Saggi di naturali Esperienzefaiie nelV Accade- mia del Cimento, p. 204. Firenze, 1667. The writer goes on to remark that the absolute inoompressibility of water is not proved by this experiment, but merely that it is not to be compressed in the manner described. But the experiment is on other grounds inconclusive. It is to be remarked that Leibnitz, Nouveaux Essais, in mentioning the Florentine experiment, says that the globe was of gold (p. 229. Erdmann), whereas the Florentine academicians expressly say why they preferred sil- ver to either gold or lead. NOVUM ORGANUM. 481 At solidiora, sicca, aut magis compacta, qualia sunt lapides et Hgna, nee non metalla, multo adhuc mino- rem compressionem aut extensioneni, et fere imper- ceptibilem ferunt; sed vel fractione, vel progressione, vel aliis pertentationibus se liberant ; ut in curvatio- nibus ligni aut metalli, horologiis moventibus per com- plicationem lamina?, missilibus, malleatlonibus, et in- numeris aliis motibus apparet. Atque ha'c omnia cum mensuris suis in indagatione naturae notanda et exploranda sunt, aut in certitudine sua, aut per aesti- mativas, aut per comparativas, prout dabitur copia. XLVI. Inter Praerogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco vi- cesimo secundo Instantias Curnculi, quas etiam In- stantias ad Aquam appellare consuevimus ; sumpto vocabulo a clepsydris apud antiques, in quas infunde- batur aqua, loco arense. Ese mensurant naturam per momenta temporis, quemadmodum Instantice Virgce per gradus spatii. Omnis enim motus sive actio na- turalis transigitur in tempore ; alius velocius, alius tardius, sed utcunque momentis certis et naturae notis. Etiam illse actiones quae subito videntur operari, et in ictu oculi (ut loquimur), deprehenduntur recipere majus et minus quoad tempus. Primo itaque videmus restitutiones corporum coele- stium fieri per tempera numerata ; etiam fluxus et re- fluxus maris. Latio autem gravium versus terram et levium versus ambitum cceli, fit per certa momenta, pro ratione corporis quod fertur, et medii.^ At velifi- 1 Galileo had shown, before the year 1592, that the resistance of the air being set aside, all bodies fall with equal velocity. He left Pisa in that year in consequence of the disputes which were occasioned by this refuta- tion of the Aristotelian doctrine, that the velocity is as the weight. VOL. I. 31 482 NOVUM OEGANUM. cationes navium, motus animalium, perlatioiies missi- lium, omnes fiunt itidem per tempora (quantum ad summas) uumerabilia. Calorem vero quod attinet, videmus pueros per hyemem manus in flamma ]a\"are, nee tamen uri ; et joculatores vasa plena vino vel aqua, per motus agiles et sequales, vertere deorsum et sursum recuperare, non eflfuso liquors ; et multa hujusmodi. Nee minus ipsse compressiones et dilata- tiones et eruptiones coi-porum fiunt, alise velocius, alise tardius, pro natura corporis et motus, sed per momenta certa. Quinetiam in explosions plurium bombardarum simul, quae exaudiuntur quandoque ad distantiam tri- ginta milliarium, percipitur sonus prius ab iis qui props absunt a loco ubi fit sonitus, quam ab iis qui longe. At in visu (cujus actio est pernicissima) liquet etiam requiri ad sum actuandum momenta certa temporis ; idque probatur ex iis quse propter motus velocitatem iion cernuntur ; ut ex lations pilse ex sclopsto. Velo- eior enim est prater volatio pilse quam imprsssio spe- cisi ejus qnas deferri poterat ad visum.^ Atque hoc, cum similibus, nobis quandoque dubi- tationem peperit plane monstrosam ; videlicet, utrum cceli ssreni et stellati facies ad idem tempus cerna- tur quando vere existit, an potius aliquanto post; et utrum non sit (quatenus ad visum coelestium) non minus tempus verum et tempus visum, quam locus verus et locus visus, qui notatur ab astronomis in parallaxibus.2 Adeo incredibils nobis vidsbatur, spe- cies sive radios corporum ccBlestium per tam immensa spatia milliarium subito deferri posse ad visum ; ssd i i. e. the ball flies past in less time than the image conveyed to the sight Requires to make an impression. 2 i, e. which is taken account of in the correction for pai'allaxes. NOVUM ORGANUM. 483 potius debere eas in tempore aliquo notabili delabi. Verum ilia dubitatio (quoad majus- aliquod interval- lum temporis inter tempus verum et visum) postea plane evanuit ; reputantlbus nobis jacturam illam in- finitam et diminutionem quanti, quatenus ad apparen- tiam, inter corpus stellar verum et speciem visam, quae causatur a distantia ; atque simul notantibus ad quantam distantiam (sexaginta scilicet ad minimum milliariorum) corpora, eaque tantum albicantia, subito hie apud nos cernantur ; cum dubium non sit lucem ccelestium, non tantum albedinis vividum colorem, verum etiam omnis flammse (quae apud nos nota est) lucem, quoad vigorem radiationis, multis parti- bus excedere. Etiam immensa ilia velocitas in ipso corpore, quae cernitur in motu diurno (qu£e etiam viros graves ita obstupefecit ut mallent credere mo- tum terrse), facit motum ilium ejaculationis radiorum ab ipsis (licet celeritate, ut diximus, mirabilem) magis credibilem. Maxime vero omnium nos movit, quod si interponeretur intervallum temporis aliquod nota- bile inter veritatem et visum, foret ut species per nubes interim orientes et similes medii perturbation es interciperentur ssepenumero, et confiinderentur.^ At- que de mensuris temporum simplicibus baec dicta sint. 1 1 do not know how to understand this passage without attributing to Bacon a confusion of ideas which seems hardly credible. For surely the verv thing which he supposes would happen if there were a perceptible inte'rval between the Veritas and the visus, that is to say, between the time when a star (for instance) is at a given point and the time when we see it there, — in other words, if the image took any time in coming to the eye, — this very thing does actually happen as often as the star is hidden by a cloud or dimmed by a vapour : the species, to use his own word, are mtercepted or confused. If, indeed, the force of the rays were diminished, - and this 1 suppose would be one consequence of diminished velocity, - the thing would happen more frequently, because there would be more obstructions which they could not overcome: they would be intercepted or confused by 484 NOVUM OEGANUM. Verum non solum quserenda est mensura motuum et actionum simpliciter, sed multo magis comparative : id enim eximii est usus, et ad plurima spectat. Atque videmus flammam alicujus tormenti ignei citius cerni, quam sonitus audiatur ; licet necesse sit pilam prius aerem percutere, quam flamma quse pone erat exire potuerit ; fieri hoc autem propter velociorem trans- actionem motus lucis, quam soni. , Videmus etiam species visibiles a visu citius excipi quam ditnitti ; unde fit quod nervi fidium, digito impulsi, dupli- centur aut triplicentur quoad speciem, quia species nova recipitur, antequam prior demittatur; ex quo etiam fit, ut annuli rotati videantur globosi, et fax ardens, noctu velociter portata, conspiciatur caudata.' Etiam ex hoc fundamento insequalitatis motuum quoad velocitatem, excogitavit Galil^us causam fluxus et refluxus maris ; rotante terra velocius, aquis tardius ; ideoque accumulantibus se aquis in sursum,'et deindc per vices se remittentibus in deorsum, ut dernonstratur in vase aquae incitatius movents.^ Sed hoc commentus media which they now pass through. But the force being the same, and the stream continuous, the iiine of passage could make no difference in this respect. In another respect, namely the facility of observation, it would make a very great difference ; and it is remarked hy Brinkley that, if the velocity of light had been much less than it is, astronomj' would have been all but an impossible science. But that is another matter. — J. S. 1 Of the phenomena which he here enumerates Bacon undoubtedly gives the right explanation, though in the case of vibrating strings his explana- tion is not altogether complete. The distinct or quasi-distinct images to which he refers correspond to limiting positions of the vibrating string. 2 This account of Galileo's theory of the tides is inaccurate. In this theory the tides are caused by the varying velocity of different points of the earth's surface, arising fl'om the composition of the earth's two motions, namely that about its axis, and that in its orbit. Bacon does not seem to have perceived that both these motions are essential to the explanation. That the earth's being in motion might be the cause of the tides, had been suggested before the time of Galileo by Csesalpinus in the Qucesiiones Pe- ripateticce, iii. 5. It is odd that Patritius, in giving an account of all the NOVUM ORGANUM. 485 est concesso non concessibili (qviod terra nempe move- atur), ac etiam non bene informatus de oceani motu sexhorario. At exemplum hujus rei de qua agitur, videlicet de comparativis mensuris motuum, neque solum rei Ipsius, sed et usus insignis ejus (de quo paulo ante loquuti sumus), eminet in cuniculis subterraneis, in quibus collocatur pulvis pyrius ; ubi immense moles terras, aedificiorum, et similium, subvertuntur, et in altum jaciun.tur, a pusilla quantitate pulveris pyrii. Cujus causa pro certo ilia est, quod motus dilatationis pul- veris, qui impellit, multis partibus sit pernicior, quam motus gravitatis per quern fieri possit aliqua resistentia; adeo ut primus motus perfunctus sit, antequam motus adversus inceperit ; ut in principiis nullitas qusedam sit resistentiae. Hinc etiam fit, quod in omni missili, ictus, non tam robustus quam acutus et celer, ad per- lationem potissimum valeat. Neque etiam fieri potu- isset, ut parva quantitas spiritus animalis in animalibus, prffisertim in tam vastis corporibus qualia sunt balsense aut elephanti, tantam molem corpoream flecteret et regeret, nisi propter velocitatem motus spiritus, et hebetudinem corporese molis, quatenus ad expedien- dam suam resistentiam. Denique, hoc unum ex prsecipuis fundamentis est experimentorum magicorum, de quibus mox diccmus ; ubi scilicet parva moles materise longe majorem su- perat et in ordinem redigit : hoc, inquam, si fieri theories which had in his time been devised to explain the cause of the tides (see his Pancosmia, I. 28.), does not mention Csesalpinus's, though it was published some years before his own work. Galileo perhaps alludes to Cffisalpinus in his letter to Cardinal Orsino, dated 8th January, 1616. See, for remarks on CiDsalpinus's doctrine, the Probhmata ^furinn of Cas- mann, publislied in 1596. Casmann's own theory is that of expansion. 486 NOVUM ORGANUM. possit anteversio motuum per velocitatem umus, ante- quam alter se expediat. P9stremo, hoc ipsum Prius et Posterius in omni actione naturali notari debet ; veluti quod in infusione rhabarbari eliciatur purgativa vis prius, astrietiva post; simile quiddam etiam in infusione violarum in acetum experti sumus ; ubi primo excipitur suavis et delicatus floris odor; post, pars floris magis terrea, quse odorem confiindit. Itaque si infundantur violse per diem inte- grum, odor multo languidius excipitur ; quod si. infun- dantur per partem quartam horse tantum, et extrahan- tur ; et (quia paucus est spiritus odoratus qui subsistit in viola) infundantur post singulas quartas horje violse novse et recentes ad sexies ; turn demum nobilitatur in- fusio, ita ut licet non manserint violiB, utcunque reno- vatse, plus quam ad sesquihoram, tamen permanserit odor gratissimus, et viola ipsa non inferior, ad annum integrum. Notandum tamen est, quod non se colligat odor ad vires suas plenas, nisi post mensem ab infu- sione. In distillationibus vero aromatum macerato- rum in spiritu vini patet quod surgat primo phlegma aqueum et inutile, deinde aqua plus habens ex spiritu vini, deinde post aqua plus habens ex aromate. Atque hujus generis quamplurima inveniuntur in distillationi- bus notatu digna. Verum hsec sufficiant ad exempla. XLVII. Inter Prajrogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco vice- simo tertio Instantias Quanti, quas etiam Doses Naturie (sumpto vocabulo a Medicinis) vocare consuevimus. Ese sunt quse mensurant virtutes per Quanta corporum, et indicant quid Quantum Corporis faciat ad Modum Virtutis. Ac primo sunt quasdam virtutes quie non NOVUM ORGANUM. 487 subsistimt nisi in Quanto Cosmico, hoc est, tali Quanto quod habeat consensum cum configuratioiie et fabrica universi. Terra enim stat ; partes ejus cadunt. Aquas in maribus fluunt et refluunt ; in fluviis minime, nisi per ingressum maris. Deinde etiam omnes fere vir- tutes particulares secundum niultura aut parvuui cor- poris operantur. Aqua largiE non facile corrumpun- tur; exiguse cito. Mustum et cervisia maturescunt longe citius, et fiunt potabilia, in utribus parvis, quam in doliis magnis. Si herba ponatur in majore portions liquons, fit infusio, magis quam imbibitio ; ^ si in mi- nore, fit imbibitio, magis quam infusio. Aliud igitur erga corpus humanum est balneum, aliud levis irrora- tio. Etiam parvi rores in aere nunquam cadunt, sed dissipantur et cum aere incorporantur. Et videre est in anhelitu super gemmas, parum illud humoris, quasi nubeculam vento dissipatam, continue solvi. Etiam frustum ejusdem magnetis non trahit tantum ferri, quantum magnes integer. Sunt etiam virtutes in qui- bus parvitas Quanti magis potest ; ut in penetrationi- bus, stylus acutus citius penetrat, quam obtusus ; ada- mas punctuatus sculpit in vitro ; et similia. Verum non hie morandum est in indefinitis, sed etiam de rationibus Quanti corporis erga modum vir- tutis inquirendum. Proclive enim foret credere, quod rationes Quanti rationes virtutis ada;quarent ; ut si pila plumbea unius unciae caderet in tali tempore, pila unciarum duarum deberet cadere duplo celerius, quod falsissimum est. Nee esedem rationes in omni genere virtutum valent, sed longe diversje. Itaque has men- surse ex rebus ipsis petendje sunt, et non ex verisimili- tudine aut conjecturis. 1 Absorption. 488 NOVUM OEGANUM. Denique in omni inquisitione naturaB Quantum cor- poi-is requiratur ad aliquod effectum, tanquatn dosis, notandum ; et cautiones de Nimis et Parwm asper- genda3. XLVIII. Inter Praerogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco vice- simo quarto Instantias IjucUb; quas etiam Instantias PrcedominanticB appellare consuevimus. Ese indicant prffidominantiam et cessionem virtutuin ad invicem ; et quae ex ■ illis sit fortior et vincat, quae infirmior et succumbat. Sunt eniin motus et nixus corporum com- positi, decompositi, et complicati, non minus quam cor- pora ipsa. Proponemus igitur primum species pr£e- cipuas motuum sive virtutum aetivarum ; ut magis perspicua sit ipsarum comparatio in robore, et exinde demonstratio atque designatio Instantiarum LuctJE et Praedominantias. Motus Primus sit Motus AntitypicB ^ materiae, quae inest in singulis portionibus ejus ; per quern plane an- niliilari non vult : ita ut nullum incendium, nullum pondus aut depressio, nulla violentia, nulla denique aetas aut diuturnitas teraporis possit redigere aliquam vel mini- mam portionem materias in niliilum ; quin ilia et sit ali- quid, et loci aliquid occupet, et se (in qualicunque neces- sitate ponatur) vel formam mutando vel locum liberet, vel (si non detur copia) ut est subsistat ; neque unquam res eo deveniat, ut aut nihil sit, aut nullibi. Quern Mo- tum Schola (quae semper fere et denominat et definit res potius per efFectus et incommoda quam per causas interiores) vel denotat per illud axioma, quod Dm cor- pora non possint esse in una loco ; vel vocat motum JVe fiat penetratio dimensionum. Neque liujus motus ex- ^ This term was first used by Aristotle. JTOVUM OEGANDM. 489 empla proponi consentaneum est : inest enim omiii corpori. Sit Motus Secundus, Motus (quern appellamus) Nexus; per quem corpora non patiuntur se ulla ex parte sui dirimi a contactu alterius corporis, ut qua3 mutuo nexu et contactu gaudeant. Quein motum Schola vocat Motum JVe detur vacuum : veluti cum aqua attrahitur sursum exuetione, aut per fistulas ; caro per ventosas; aut cum aqua sistitur nee effluit in hjdriis perforatis, nisi os hydriiB ad immittendum aerem aperiatur ; et innnmera id genus. Sit Motus Tertius, Motus (quem apj)ellamus) lAher- tatis ; per quem corpora se liberare nituntur a pres- sura aut teusura praeter-naturali, et restituere se in di- mensum corpori suo conveniens. Cujus motus etiam innumera sunt exempla : veluti (quatenus ad libera- tionem a pressura) aquae in natando, aeris in volando ; aquae in remigando, aeris in undulationibus ventorum ; laminae in horolosiis. Nee ineleganter se ostendit motus aeris compressi in sclopettis ludicris puerorum, cum alnum aut simile quiddam excavant, et infarciunt frusto alicujus radicis succulentse, vel similium, ad utrosque fines; deinde per embolum^ trudunt radi- cem vel hujusmodi farcimentum in foramen alterum ; unde emittitur et ejicitur radix cum sonitu ad foramen alterum, idque antequam tangatur a radice aut farci- mento citimo, aut embolo. Quatenus vero ad libera- tionem a tensura, ostendit se hie motus in aere post ex- uctionem in ovis vitreis remanente ; in chordis, in corio, et panno ; resilientibus post tensuras suas, nisi tensurs illse per moram invaluerint, etc. Atque hunc motum Schola sub nomine Motus ex Forma Elementi innuit : l'E|U/3oXof, anything introduced [a ramrod?]. 490 NOVUM ORGANUM. satis quidem inscite, cum hie motus non tantum ad aerem, aquam, aut flammam pertineat, sed ad omnem diversitatem consistentiEe ; ut ligni, ferri, plumbi, panni, membranse, etc., in quibus singula corpora suae habent dimensionis modulum, et ab eo segre ad spatium ali- quod notabile abripiuntur. Venim quia Motus iste Libertatis omnium est maxims obvius, et ad infinita spectans, consultum fuerit eum bene et perspicue dis- tinguere. Quidam enim valde negligenter confundunt hunc motum cum gemino illo motu Antitypim et Nexus; liberationem scilicet a pressura, cum motu Antitypiae ; a tensura, cum motu Nexus ; ac si ideo cederent aut se dilatarent corpora compressa, ne sequeretur pene- tratio dimensionum ; ideo resilirent et contraherent se corpora tensa, ne sequeretur vacuum. Atqui si aer compressus se vellet recipere in densitatem aquse, aut lignum in densitatem lapidis, nil opus foret penetra- tione dimensionum ; et nihilominus longe major posset esse compressio illorum, quam ilia ullo modo patiuntur. Eodeni modo si aqua se dilatare vellet in raritatem aeris, aut lapis in raritatem ligni, non opus foret vacuo ; et ta- men longe major posset fieri extensio eorum, quam ilia ullo modo patiuntur. Itaque non reducitur res ad penetrationem dimensionum et vacuum, nisi in ultimi- tatibus condensationis et rarefactionis ; cum tamen isti motus longe citra eas sistant et versentur, neque aliud sint quam desideria corporum conservandi se in con- sistentiis suis (sive, si malint, in formis suis), nee ab iis recedendi subito, nisi per modos suaves ac per con- sensum alterentur. At longe magis necessarium est (quia multa secum trahit), ut intimetur hominibus, motum violentum (quem nos Mechanicum, Democri- tus, qui in motibus suis primis expediendis etiam infra NOVUM ORGANUM. 491 mediocres philosophos ponendus est, motum Plagce vocavit) nil aliud esse quani Motum Libertatis, scili- cet a compressione ad relaxationem. Etenim in omiii sive siinplici protrusione sive volatu per aerem, non fit summotio aut latio localis, anteqiiam partes corporis, praeter-natnraliter patiantur et comprinaantur ab im- pellente. Turn vero partibus aliis alias per succes- sionem trudentibus, fertur totum ; nee solum progre- diendo, 'sed etiam rotando simul ; ut etiam hoc modo partes se liberare, aut magis ex aequo tolerare possint. Atque de hoc Motu hactenus. Sit Motus Quartus, motus cui nomen dedimus Motus Hyles : qui motus antistrophus est quodammodo Motui, de quo diximus, Libertatis. Etenim in Motu Liber- tatis, corpora novum dimensum sive novam sphasram sive novam dilatationem aut contractionem (haec enim verborum varietas idem innuit) exhorrent, respuunt, fugiunt, et resilire ac veterem consistentiam recupe- rare totis viribxis eontendunt. At contra in hoc Motu Hyles, corpora novam sphseram sive dimensum ap- petunt ; atque ad illud libenter et propere, et quando- que valentissimo nixu (ut in pulvere pyrio) aspirant. Instrumenta autem hujus motus, non sola certe, sed potentissima, aut saltem frequentissima, sunt calor et frigus. Exempli gratia : aer, si per tensuram (velut per exuctionem in ovis vitreis) dilatetur, magno labo- ret desiderio seipsum restituendi. At admoto calore, 6 contra appetit dilatari, et concupiscit' novam sphse- ram, et transit et migrat in illam libenter tanquain in novam formam (ut loquuntur) ; nee post dilatationem nonnullam de reditu curat, nisi per admotionem frigidi ad eam invitetur ; quse non reditus est, sed transmu- 1 Concupiscetj in the original. — J. 8. 492 NOVUM ORGANUM. tatio repetita. Eodem modo et aqua, si per compres- sionem arctetiir, recalcitrat ; et vult fieri qualis fuit, scilicet latior. At si interveniat frigns intensum et continuatum, mutat se sponte sua et libenter in con- » densationem glaciei ; atque si plane continuetur frigus, nee a teporibus interrumpatur (ut fit in speluncis et cavernis paulo profundioribus), vertitur in ciy- stallum ^ aut materiam similem, nee unquam resti- tuitur. Sit Motus Quintus, Motus Continuationis. Intelli- gimus autem non continuationis simplicis et primarise, cum corpora aliquo altero (nam ille est Motus Nexus); sed continuationis sui, in corpore certo. Certissimum enim est, quod corpora omnia solutionem continuitatis exliorreant ; alia magis, alia minus, sed omnia aliqua- tenus. Nam ut in corporibus duris (veluti clialybis, vitri) reluctatio contra discontinuationem est maxime robusta et valida, ita etiam in liquoribus, ubi cessare aut languere saltern videtur motus ejusmodi, tamen non prorsus reperitur privatio ejus ; sed plane inest ipsis in gradu tanquam infimo, et prodit se in experi- mentis plurimis ; sicut in bullis, in rotunditate gutta- rum, in filis tenuioribus stillicidiorum, et in sequacitate corporum glutinosorum, et ejusmodi. Sed maxime omnium se ostendit appetitus iste, si discontinuatio tentetur usque ad fractiones minores. Nam in mor- tariis, post contusionem ad certum gradum, non am- ^ Pliny, xxxvii. 9. Also Seneca, Natural Questions. Though this ac- count of the origin of crystals is of course erroneous, yet there is a class of crystals which have been shown to occupy the volume which their water of crystallisation would in the state of ice; so that their other-con- stituents may in some sort be said to take up no space. This curious analogj' with ice was proved by Playfair and Joule in a very considera- ble number of cases. See Fhil. Mag. Dec. 1845. NOVUM OEGANUM. 493 plius operatur pistillum ; aqua non subintrat rimas minores ; quin et ipse aer, non obstante subtilitate corporis ipsius, poros vasoruni paulo solidiorum non pertransit subito, nee nisi per diuturnani insinua- tionem. Sit Motus Sextus, motus quem nominamus Motum ad Lucrum, sive Motum Indigentice. Is est, per quem corpora, quando versantur inter plane heterogenea et quasi inimica, si forte nanciscantur copiam aut commo- ditatem evitandi ilia heterogenea et se applicandi ad magis cognata, (licet ilia ipsa cognata talia fuerint quae non habeant arctum consensum cum ipsis) tamen sta- tim ea amplectuntur, et tanquam potiora malunt ; et lucri loco (unde vocabulum sumpsimus) hoc ponere videntur, tanquam talium corporum indiga. Exempli gratia : aurum, aut aliud metallum foliatum non delec- tatur aere circumfuso. Itaque si corpus aliquod tan- gibile et crassum nanciscatur (ut digitum, papyrum, quidvis aliud), adhseret statim, nee facile divellitur. Etiam papyrus, aut pannus, et hujusmodi, non bene se habent cum aere qui inseritur et commistus est in ipsorum poris. Itaque aquam aut liquorem libenter imbibunt, et aerem exterminant. Etiam saccharum, aut spongia infusa in aquam aut vinum, licet pars ip- sorum emineat et longe attollatur supra vinum aut aquam, tamen aquam aut vinum paulatim et per gra- dus attrahunt in sursum. Unde optimus canon sumitur aperturse et solutionum corporum. Missis enim corrosivis et aquis fortibus, quae viam sibi aperiunt, si possit inveniri corpus propor- tionatum et magis consentiens et amicum corpori alicui solido quam illud cum quo tanquam per neces- sitatem commiscetur, statim se aperit et relaxat cor- 494 NOVUM ORGANUM. pus, et illud alteram intro recipit, priore excluso aut summoto. Neque operatur ant potest iste Motus ad Lucrum solummodo ad tactum. Nam electrica ope- ratic (de qua Gilbertus et alii post eum tantas ex- citarunt fabulas) non alia est quam corporis per frica- tionem levem excitati appetitus ; qui aerem non bene tolerat, sed aliud tangibile mavult, si reperiatur in propinquo. Sit Motus Septimus, Motus (quem appellamus) Con- gregationis Majoris ; per quem corpora feruntur ad massas connaturalium suorum : gravia, ad globum ter- rse ; levia, ad ambitum coeli. Hunc Schola nomine Motus Naturalis insignivit : levi contemplatione, quia scilicet nil spectabile erat ab extra quod eum motum cieret ; (itaque rebus ipsis innatum atque insitum puta- vit) ; aut forte quia non cessat. Nee mirum : semper enim prsesto sunt ccelum et terra ; cum e contra causae et origines plurimorum ex reliquis motibus interdum absint, interdum adsint. Itaque hunc, quia non inter- mittit sed cseteris intermittentibus statim occurrit, per- petuum et proprium ; reliquos ascititios posuit. Est autem iste motus revera satis infirmus et hebes, tan- quam is qui (nisi sit moles corporis major) cseteris mo- tibus, quamdiu operantur, cedat et succumbat. Atque cum hie motus hominum cogitationes ita impleverit ut fere reliquos motus occultaverit, tamen parum est quod homines de eo sciunt, sed in multis eirea ilium errori- bus versantur. Sit Motus Oetavus, Motus Congregationis Minoris ; per quem partes homogenese in corpore aliquo separant se ab heterogeneis, et eoeunt inter sese ; per quem etiam corpora integra ex similitudine substantiae se amplectuntur et fovent, et quandoque ad distantiam NOVUM ORGANUM. 495 aliquam congregantur, attrahuntur, et coiiA-eniunt : veluti cum in lacte fios lactis post moram aliquam su- pernatat ; in vino fasces et tai-tanim subsidunt. Neque enim haec fiunt per motum gi-avitatis et levitatis tan- tum, ut aliaj partes summitatem petant, alise ad imum vergant ; sed multo magis per desiderium homogene- orum inter se coeundi et se uniendi. Differt autem iste motus a Motu Indigentia?, in duobus. Uno, quod in Motu Indigentiae sit stimulus major naturse malignse et contrariae ; at in hoc motu (si modo impedimenta et vincula absint) uniuntur partes per amicitiam, licet absit natura aliena qu£e litera moveat : altero, quod arc- tior sit unio, et tanquam inajore cum delectu. In illo enim, modo evitetur corpus inimicum, corpora etiam non admodum cognata concurrunt ; at in hoc coeunt substantia, germana plane similitudine devinctse, et conflantur tanquam in unum. Atque hie motus om- nibus corporibus compositis inest ; et se facile conspi- ciendum in singulis daret, nisi ligaretur et frasnaretur per alios corporum appetitus et necessitates, quae istam coitionem disturbant. Ligatur autem motus iste plerumque tribus modis : torpore corporum ; fraeno corporis dominantis ; et motu extemo. Ad torporem corpoi-um quod attinet ; certum est inesse corporibus tangibilibus pigritiam quandam secundum magis et minus, et exhorrentiam motus lo- calis ; ut, nisi excitentur, malint statu suo (prout sunt) esse contenta quam in melius se expedire. Discutitur autem iste torpor triplici aaxilio : aut per calorem, aut per virtutem alicujus cognati corporis eminen- tem, aut per motum vividum et potentem. Atque primo quoad auxilium caloris ; hinc fit, quod calor pronuntietur esse illud quod separet Heterogenea, con- 496 NOVUM OEGANUM. greget Homogenea. Quam definitionem Peripatetico- rum merito derisit Gilbertus ; dicens earn esse perinde ac si quis diceret ac definiret hominem illud esse quod serat triticum et plantet vineas : esse enim definitionem tantum per effectus, eosque par ticul ares .^ Sed adhuc magis culpanda est ilia definitio ; quia etiam eifectus illi (quales quales sunt) non sunt ex proprietate caloris, sed tantum per accidens ^ (idem enim facit frigus, ut postea dicemus), nempe ex desiderio partium liomoge- nearum coeundi ; adjuvante tantum calore ad discu- tiendum torporem, qui torpor desiderium illud antea ligaverat. Quoad vero au^cilium virtutis inditse a cor- pora cognato ; illud mirabiliter elucescit in magnete armato, qui excitat in ferro virtutem detinendi ferrum per similitudiuem substantise, diseusso torpore ferri per virtutem magnetis. Quoad vero auxilium motus ; con- spicitur illud in sagittis ligneis, cuspide etiam lignea ; quse altius penetrant in alia ligna quam si fuissent ar- matiE ferro, per similitudinem substantias, diseusso tor- 1 For the definition we may refer to the Margarita Phihsophice^ xi. 3. It is founded on a passage in the Be Gen. et Con-, ii. 2. Gilbert's censure on it is to be found in his posthumous worlt Be Mundo nosiro sublunari Phi- losophia nova, which was published by Gruter in 1651, long after the death of Bacon. It seems however, as Gruter remarlts, that the work, which he suggests may have been written before the treatise Be Magnete, published- in 1600, had been read in manuscript by " viri magni et famse celeberri- rase." " Illi perspicace in Physicis praBsertim ingenio haud pceuitendse in evolvendo operge testimonium dederunt, quod integrum excussisse censean- tur, et aliqua a vulgaribus opinionibus abhorrentia calculo suo comprobata hinc sparsim citent; " in which I do not doubt that Gruter refers to Bacon. Bacon's quotation seems to have been made from imperfect memorj'', as the words of the original are : — " quid illud ostendit aut quse ilia diflferentia ab etfectu tantum in quibusdam corporibus, congregaiis homogenea et dis~ gregans heterogenea ? ac si diceres hominem animal esse carduos et sentes evelleus, et fruges serens, cum istud sit agricolse studium." — Be Mundo, &c., i. c. 26. 2 i. e. they arise indirectly. NOVUM OEGANUM. 497 pore ligni per motum celerem : de quibus duobus experimentis etiam in aphorismo de Instantiis Clan- destinis diximus. Ligatio vero Motus Congregationis Minoris, quae fit per frffinum corporis dominantis, conspicitur in solu- tione sanguinis et urinarum per frigus. Quamdiu enim repleta fuerint corpora ilia spiritu agili, qui sin- gulas eorum partes cujuscunque generis ipse ut domi- nus totius ordinat et cohibet, tamdiu non coeunt homo- genea •' propter fraenum ; sed postquam ille spiritus evaporaverit, aut suflFocatus fiierit per frigus, turn so- lutse partes a frjeno coeunt secundum desiderium suum naturale. Atque ideo fit, ut omnia corpora qu« con- tinent spiritum acrem (ut sales, et hujusmodi) durent et non solvantur, ob fraenum permanens et durabile spiritus dominantis et imperiosi. Ligatio vero Motus Congregationis Minoris, quae fit per motum externum, maxime conspicitur in agitationi- bus corporum per quas arcetur putrefactio. Omnis enim putrefactio fundatur in congregatione homoge- neorum ; unde paulatim fit corruptio prioris (quam vocant) formae, et generatio novae. Nam putrefacti- onem, quae sternit viam ad generationem novfe formae, prsecedit solutio veteris ; quae est ipsa coitio ad homo- geniam. Ea vero si non impedita fuerit, fit solutio simplex ; sin occurrant varia quae obstant, sequuntur putrefactiones quae sunt rudimenta generationis novae. Quod si (id quod nunc agitur) fiat agitatio frequens per motum externum, turn vero motus iste coitionis (qui est delicatus et mollis et indiget quiete ab exter- nis) disturbatur et cessat ; ut fieri videmus in innurae- 1 [" Heterogenea " in the original edition] ; clearly a wrong reading : the sense requires "homogenea." VOL. I. 32 498 NOVUM OEGANUM. ris ; veluti cum quotidiana agitatio aut profluentia aquae arceat putrefactionem ; venti arceant pestilentiam aeris ; grana in granariis versa et agitata maneant pura ; om- nia denique agitata exterius non facile putrefiant in- terius. Superest ut non omittatur coitio ilia partium corpo- rum, unde fit prsecipue induratio et desiccatio. Post- quam enim spiritus, avit humidum in spiritum versum, evolaverit in aliquo corpora porosiore (ut in ligno, osse, membrana, et hujusmodi), turn partes crassiores majore nixu contraliuntur et coeunt, unde sequitur induratio aut desiccatio : quod existimamus fieri, non tam ob Motum Nexus, ne detur vacuum, quam per motum istum amicitise et unionis. Ad coitionem vero ad distans quod attinet, ea infre- quens est et rara ; et tamen in pluribus inest quam qui- bus observatur. Hujus simulacra sunt, cum bulla sol- vat bullam ; medicamenta ex similitudine substantise trabant humores ; cliorda in diversis fidibus ad uniso- num moveat chordam ; et hujusmodi. Etiam in spiri- tibus animalium hunc motum vigere existimamus, sed plane incognitum. At eminet certe in magnete, et ferro excito. Cum autem de motibus magnetis loqui- mur, distinguendi plane sunt. Quatuor enim virtutes sive operationes sunt in magnete, quae non confundi, sed separari debent; licet admiratio hominum et stupor eas commiscuerit. Una, coitionis magnetis ad magnetem, vel ferri ad magnetem, vel ferri exciti ad ferrum. Se- cunda, verticitatis ejus ad septentriones et austrum, at- que simul declinationis ejus. Tertia, penetrationis ejus per aurum, vitrum, lapidem, omnia. Quarta, commu- nicationis virtutis ejus de lapide in ferrum, et de ferro in ferrum, absque communicatione substantia. Verum NOVUM ORGANUM. 499 hoc loco de prima virtute ejus tantum loquimur, videli- cet coitionis. Insignis etiam est motus coitionis argenti vivi et auri ; adeo ut aurum alliciat argentum vivum, licet confectum in unguenta ; atque operarii inter vapo- res argenti vivi soleant tenere in ore frustum auri, ad colligendas emissiones argenti vivi, alias crania et ossa eorum invasuras ; -unde etiam frustum illud paulo post albescit. Atque de Motu Congregationis Minoris hjEC dicta sint. Sit Motus Nonus, Motus Magneticus ; qui licet sit ex genere Motus Congregationis Minoris, tamen si ope- retur ad distantias magnas et super massas rerum mag- nas, inquisitionem merotur separatam ; priesertim si nee incipiat a tactu, quemadraodum plurimi, nee per- ducat actionem ad tactum, quemadmodum omnes mo- tus congregativi ; sed corpora tantum elevet, aut ea intumescere facial, nee quicquam ultra. Nam si luna attollat aquas, aut turgescere aut intumescere faciat humida ; aut coelum stellatum attrahat planetas versus sua apogsea ; aut sol alliget astra Veneris et Mercurii, ne longius absint a corpore ejus quam ad distantiam certam ; videntur lii motus nee sub Congregations Majore nee sub Congregatione Minore bene collocari ; sed esse tanquam congregativa media et imperfecta, ideoque speciem debere constituere propriam. Sit Motus Decimus, Motus Fagce ; motus scilicet Motui Congregationis Minoris contrarius ; per quem corpora ex antipathia fugiunt et fugant inimica, seque ab illis separant, aut cum illis miscere se recusant. Quamvis enim videri possit in aliquibus hie motus esse motus tantum per accidens aut per consequens, respectu Motus Congregationis Minoris, quia nequeunt coire ho- mogenea nisi heterogeneis exclusis et remotis; tamen 500 NOVUM ORGANUM. poncndus est motus istc per se, et in speciem constitu- endus, quia in multis apjietitiis Fugae cernitur magis principalis quam appetitns Coitionis. Eminet auteni hie inotus insigniter in exci-etionibus animalium ; noc minus etiam in sensuum nonnullorum odiosis objectis, prajcipue in olfactu et gustu. Odor enim footidus ita rojicitur ab olfactu, ut etiam inducat in OS stomachi motum expulsionis per consensum ; sapor amarus et horridus ita rejicitnr a palato aut gutture, ut inducat per consensum cajiitis conquassationem et lior- rorem. Veruntamcn etiam in aliis locum liabet iste motus. Conspicitur cnim in antipevistasibus nonnul- lis ; ut in aeris media regione, cujus frigora videntur esse rejectiones naturaa frigidaj ex confiniis cdilcstium ; quemadmodum etiam videntur magni illi fervores et inflammationes, qu;v inveniuntur in locis subterraneis, esse rejectiones naturae calida' ab intcrioribus terriP. Calor enim et frigus, si fiierint in quanto minore, se invicem perimunt ; sin fuerint in massis majovibus et tanquam justis exei-citibus, tum vero per conflictum se locis invicem summovent et ejiciunt. Etiam tradunt cinamomum et odorifera, sita juxta latrinas et loca foetida, diutius odorem retinere ; quia recusant exire et commisccri cum foetidis. Certe argentum vivum, quod alias se reuniret in corpus integrum, prohibetur per sa- livam hominis, aut axungiam porci, aut terebinthinam, et hujusmodi, ne partes ejus coeant ; propter malum consensum quem habent cum hujusmodi corporibus ; a quibus undique circumfusis se retrahunt ; adeo ut fortior sit earum Fuga ab istis interjacentibus qnam desiderium uniendi se cum partibus sui similibns ; id quod vocant mortificationem argenti vivi. Etiam quod oleum cum aqua non misceatur, non tantum in NOVUM ORGANUM. 501 causa est differentia levitatis, sed malus ipsorum con- sensus : ut videre est in spiritu vini, qui cum levior sit oleo, tamen se bene miscet cum aqua. At maxime omnium insignis est Motus Fugse in nitro, et liujusmodi corporibus crudis, quae flammam exhorrent ; ut in pul- vere pyrio, argento vivo, necnon in auro. Fuga vero ferri ab altero polo magnetis a Gilberto bene notatur non esse Fuga propria, sed conformitas, et coitio ad si- tum magis accommodatum.^ Sit jNIotus Undecimus, ^Nlotus Assimilationis, sive Multiplicationis sui, sive etiam Grenerationis Simplicis. Generationem autem Simplicem dicimus non corporum integralium, ut in plantis, aut animalibus ; sed corpo- rum similarium.- Nempe per hunc motum corpora si- malaria vertunt corpora alia aiEnia, aut saltern bene dis- posita et pr»parata, in substantiam et naturam suam ; ut flamma, quEe super balitus et oleosa multiplicat se, et generat novam flammam ; aer, qui super aquam et aquea multiplicat se, et generat novum aerem ; spiritus vegetabilis et animalis, qui super tenuiores partes tam aquei quam oleosi in alimentis suis mul- tiplicat se, et generat novum spiritum ; partes solidse plantarum et animalium, veluti folium, flos, caro, os, et sic de cseteris, quae singulae ex succis alimentorum as- similant et generant substantiam successivam et epiu- siam. Neque enim quenquam cum Paracelso delirare juvet, qui (distillationibus suis scilicet occsecatus) nu- tritionem per separationem tantum fieri voluit ; quod- 1 " Ita coitio magnetica actus est magnetis et fem, non actio nnius, utri- usque ivTiAexEca non epyov, avvevn^x^ui et conactus potius quam sympa- thia; antipathia nulla est propria magnetica. Nam fuga et declinatio ter- minorum, sive conversio totius, utriusque actus est ad unitatem, a conactu et avvm/TeMx^ui amborum." — Gilbert, De JIagnete, ii. c. 4. 2 !. e. bodies of uniform texture. 502 NOVUM OEGANUM. que in pane vel cibo lateat oculus, nasus, cerebrum, jecur ; ^ in succo terrse radix, folium, flos. Etenim sicut faber ex rudi massa lapidis vel ligni, per separa- tionem et rejectionem superflui educit folium, florem, oculum, nasum, manum, pedem, et similia ; ita archce- um ilium fabrum internum ex alimento per separatio- nem et rejectionem educere singula membra et partes asserit ille. Verum missis nugis, certissimum est partes singulas, tam similares quam organicas, in vegetabilibus et animalibus, succos alimentorum suorum fere com- munes, aut non multum diversos, prime attrahere cum nonnullo delectu, deinde assimilare, et vertere in na- turam suam. Neque Assimilatio ista, aut Generatio Simplex, fit solum in corporibus animatis, verum et inanimata ex liac re participant ; veluti de flamma et 1 1 have not been able to find any passage in Paracelsus which altogether ^ corresponds to this remarlt ; and in his Modus Phavmacandl the process of digestion is described "without reference to the Archeus ; nor is it said that each member " latet in pane vel cibo." "Hoc scimus, quod cujusque menibri iiutrimentum latitet in pane, came, et in aliis similiter." " Quot vero modis et quibus, necnon qua ratione membris corporis nutrimentum dividatur, nos ignoramus; hoc tantiim scimus, rem ita se habere ut dixi- mus." — De Mod. Pharm. v. p. 233. (I use the edition of 1603). Bacon has, however, correctly stated the general doctrine that alimenta- tion is by separation ; and again Paracelsus affirms that "offlcium vero Ar- chei est in microcosmo puruni ab impuro separare." — De Morbis Tarta- reis, iii. 195. The truth is that Paracelsus's views are so often repeated and varied in the course of his writings, that it is difficult to know how far his opinions are represented by any particular passage. It is well to remark that, to a certain extent, the theory hei-e so decidedly condemned has, by the recent progress of organic chemistry, been shown to be true. Nothing seems better established than that the nitrogenised components of animal bodies are derived from the corresponding elements of their food. With respect to fat, it is, I believe, a prevailing opinion at present, that animals have the power of converting into it the starch or sugar of their food; and the production of butyric acid by fermentation, has been regarded as at least an illustration of the transformation. One of the highest authorities on such a subject, however, I mean M. Boussingault, was, at least a few years ago, of a different opinion. He regarded animal fat as the representative of the fatty matters contained in the food. NOVUM ORGANUM. 503 aere dictum est. Quinetiam spiritus emortuus,^ qui in omni tangibili animato continetur, id perpetuo agit, ut partes crassiores digerat et vertat in spiritum, qui de- inde exeat; unde fit diminutio ponderis et exsiccatio, ut alibi diximus. Neque etiam respuenda est in As- similatione accretio ilia, quam vulgo ab alimentatione distinguunt ; veluti cum lutum inter lapillos concrescit, et vertitur in materiam lapideam ; squammse circa dentes vertuntur in substantiam non minus duram quam sunt dentes ipsi, etc. Sumus enim in ea opini- one, inesse corporibus omnibus desiderium assimilandi, non minus quam coeundi ad homogenea ; verum ligatur ista virtus, sicut et ilia, licet non iisdem modis. Sed modos illos, necnon solutionem ab iisdem, omni diligen- tia inquirere oportet, quia pertinent ad senectutis refo- cillationem. Postremo videtur notatu dignum, quod in novem illis motibus, de quibus diximus, corpora tantum naturae suae conservationem appetere videntur ; in hoc decimo autem propagationem.^ Sit Motus Duodecimus, Motus Uxcitationis ; qui mo- tus videtur esse ex genere Assimilationis, atque eo no- mine quandoque a nobis promiscue vocatur. Est enim motus diffusivus, et communicativus, et transitivus, et multiplicativus, sicut et ille ; atque effectu (ut pluri- 1 By " spiritus emortuus " Bacon understands that which in the Bisiorla Vita et Mortis he has called " spiritus mortualis." The fourth of his Ca- nones Mobiles, in the Histoiia, &c. is this : — "In omnibus animatis duo sunt genera spirituum, spiritus mortuales quales insunt inanimatis, et su- peradditua spiritus vitalis." The former are such as " insunt in came, osse, membranS., et cseteris separatis et mortuis." I do not think there is any distinct trace of this doctrine of a spiritus mortualis in Paracelsus. In his tract De Viriius Membroi'itm^ i. c. 1., he describes the functions of tht spiritus vitiB in relation to the different organs, without referring to any in- dwelling non-vital spirit (vol. iii. p. 1. of his Philosophy). 2 The first "motus" which Bacon mentions does not relate to concrete bodies ("corpora"), but to matter in general. The "Motus Assimilatio- nis " is therefore the tenth of those which relate to "corpora," though it is the eleventh in the general arrangement. 504 NOVUM OEGANUM. mum) consentiunt, licet efficiendi modo et subjecto dif- ferant. Motus enim Assimilationis procedit tanquam cum imperio et potestate ; jubet enim et cogit assiraila- tam in assimilantem verti et mutari. At Motus Excita- tionis procedit tanquam arte et insinuatione et furtim ; et invitat tantum, et disponit excitatum ad naturam excitantis. Etiam Motus Assimilationis multiplicat et transformat corpora et substantias ; veluti, plus fit flam- mee, plus aeris, plus spiritus, plus carnis. At in Motu Excitationis, multiplicantur et transeunt virtutes tan- tum ; et plus iit calidi, plus magnetici, plus putridi. Eminet autem iste motus prsecipue in calido et frigido. Neque enim calor diffundit se in calefaciendo per com- municationem primi caloris ; sed tantum per Excita- tionem partium corporis ad motum ilium qui est Forma Calidi ; de quo in Vindemiatione Prima de Natura Calidi diximus. Itaque longe tardius et difficUius ex- citatur calor in lapide aut metallo quam in aere, ob in- habilitatem et impromptitudinem corporum illorum ad motum ilium ; ita ut verisimile sit posse esse interius versus viscera terras materias qua3 calefieri prorsus re- spuant ; quia ob condensation em majorem spiritu illo destituuntur a quo Motus iste Excitationis plerunque incipit. Similiter magnes induit ferrum nova partium dispositione et motu conformi ; ipse autem nihil ex vir- tute perdit. Similiter fermentum panis, et flos cervi- sise, et coagulum lactis, et nonnulla ex venenis, excitant et invitant motum in massa farinaria, aut cervisia, aut caseo, aut corpore humane, successivum et continua- tum ; non tam ex vi excitantis quam ex prsedispositione et facili cessione excitati.-^ 1 The theory here proposed is nearly equivalent to the most recent views on the same subject, as the following passage will sufficiently show. — It is obvious that both statements, however much of truth they may involve, KOVUM ORGANUM. 505 Sit Motus Decimus Tertius, Motus Impressionis ; qui Motus^ est etiam ex genere Motus Assimilationis, estque ex diiFusivis motibus subtilissimus. Nobis autem visum est eum in speciem propriam constituere, propter differentiam insignem quam habet erga priores duos. Motus enim Assimilationis simplex corpora ipsa trans- format ; ita ut si tollas primum movens nihil intersit ad ea quae sequuntur. Neque enim prima accensio in flammam, aut prima versio in aerem, aliquid facit ad flammam aut aerem in generatione succedentem. Si- militer, Motus Excitationis omnino manet, remoto pri- me movente, ad tempora bene diuturna ; ut in corpora calefacto, remoto primo calore ; in ferro excito, remoto magnete ; in massa farinaria, remoto fermento. At Motus Impressionis, licet sit diffiisivus, et transitivus, tamen perpetuo pendere videtur ex primo movente ; adeo ut sublato aut cessante illo statim deficiat et pere- at ; itaque etiam momento, aut saltern exiguo tempore, transigitur. Quare Motus illos Assimilationis et Ex- citationis, Motus Grenerationis Jovis, quia generatio ma- net, hunc autem motum Motum Grenerationis Satumi, are indefinite and unaatisfactoiy. It is not said whether the new proper- ties engendered depend upon new types of motion or new arrangements though the latter is probably Liebig's opinion. " All the phenomena of fermentation, when taken together, estabHsh the correctness of the principle long since recognised b}' Laplace and Berthol- let, namely, that an atom or nwlecule, put in motion hy any power whatever^ may communicate its own motion to another atom in contact with it. " This is a dynamical law of the most general application, manifested eveiywhere when the resistance or force opposing the motion, such as the vital principle, the force of affinity, electricity, cohesion, &c., is not suf- ficiently powerful to arrest the motion imparted* " This law has only recently been recognised as a cause of the altera- tions in forms and properties which occur in our chemical combinations ; and its establishment is the greatest and most enduring acquisition which chemical science has derived from the study of fermentation." — Liebig's Letters on Chemistry^ p. 209. 506 NOVUM ORGANUM. quia natus statim devoratur et absorbetur, appellare consuevimus. Manifestat se vero hie motus in tribus ; in lucis radiis ; sonorum percussionibus ; et magneticis, quatenus ad communicationem.^ Etenim amota luce, statim pereunt colores et reliquse imagines ejus ; amota percussione prima et quassatione corporis inde facta, paulo post perit sonus. Licet enim soni etiam in medio per ventos tanquam per undas agitentur ; tamen dili- gentius notandum est quod sonus non tam diu durat quam fit resonatio.^ Etenim impulsa campana, sonus ad bene magnum tempus continuari videtur; unde quis facile in errorem labatur, si existimet toto illo tempore sonum tanquam natare et hserere in acre ; quod falsis- simum est. Etenim ilia resonatio non est idem sonus numero, sed renovatur. Hoc autem manifestatur ex sedatione sive cohibitione corporis percussi. Si enim sistatur et detineatur campana fortiter et fiat immobilis, statim perit sonus nee resonat amplius ; ut in ehordis, si post primam pereussionem tangatur chorda, vel di- gito ut in lyra, vel ealamo ut in espinetis, statim desinit resonatio. Magneto autem remoto statim ferrum deei- dit. Luna autem a mari non potest removeri ; nee terra a ponderoso dum eadit. Itaque de illis nullum fieri potest experimentum ; sed ratio eadem est. Sit Motus Deeimus Quartus, Motus Configurationis, aut Situs ; per quem corpora appetere videntur, non coitionem aut separationem aliquam, sed situm, et col- locationem, et configurationem cum aliis. Est autem iste motus valde abstrusus, nee bene inquisitus. Atque in quibusdam videtur quasi ineausabilis ; licet revera (ut existiraamus) non ita sit. Etenim si quseratur cur 1 i. e. as regards the communication of influence. 2 i. e. the original sound does not last all the time the resonance goes on. NOVUM OEGANUM. 507 potius coBlum volvatur ab oriente in occidentem quam ab occidente in orientem ; aut cur vertatur circa polos positos juxta Ursas potius quam circa Orionem, aut ex aha aliqua parte coeli ; videtur ista quEestio tan quam quffidam extasis, cum ista potius ab experientia, et ut positiva^ recipi debeant. At in natura profecto sunt quffidam ultima et incausabilia ; verum hoc ex illis non esse videtur. Etenim hoc fieri existimamus ex qua- dam harmonia et consensu mundi, qui adhuc non venit in observationem.2 Quod si recipiatur motus tei-rse ab occidente in orientem, eaedem manent quaestiones. Nam et ipsa super aliquos polos movetur. Atque cur tan- dem debeant isti poli collocari magis ubi sunt quam alibi ? ^ Item verticitas, et directio, et declinatio mag- netis ad hunc motum referuntur. Etiam inveniuntur in corporibus tam naturalibus quam artificialibus, prae- sertim consistentibus et non fluidis, collatio quasdam et positura partium, et tanquam villi et fibrse, quas dili- genter investigandae smit; utpote sine quarum inven- tione corpora ilia commode tractari aut regi non pos- sunt. At circulationes illas in liquidis, per quas ilia dmn pressa sint, antequam se liberare possunt, se in- vicem relevant, ut compressionem illam ex sequo tole- rant, Motui Libertatis verius assignamus. 1 i. e. as merely positive facts. 2 The most striking instance of this kind of harmonj is the circumstance that ail the movements of the solar system are in the same general direc- tion, viz., from west to east. Laplace has attempted to calculate the proba- bility that this uniformity is the result of a common cause determining the direction of their movements ; but these numerical estimations of the prob- ability of the truth of any induction are, on several accounts, altogether unsatisfactory. 8 This passage shows that Bacon was not aware that the poles are not fixed (collocati) anywhere; in other words, that he was not acquainted with the precession of the equinoxes ; — an additional proof how little of his attention had been given to mathematical physics. 508 NOVUM ORGANUM. Sit Motus Decimus Quintus, Motns Pertransitionis, sive Motus secundum MeatuH ; per quem virtutes cor- porum magis aut minus impediuntur aut provehuntur a mediis ipsorum, pro natura corjjorum et virtutum operantium, atque etiam inedii. Aliud enim medium luci convenit, aliud sono, aliud calori et frigori, aliud virtutibus magneticis, necnon aliis nonnullis respec- tive. Sit ]\Iotus Decimus Sextus, Motus Regius (ita enim eum appellamu.s) sive Politicm; per quem partes in cor- pore aliquo prsedominantes et imperantes reliquas partes fraenant, domant, subigunt, ordinant, et cogunt eas adunari, separari, consistere, moveri, coUocari, non ex desideriis suis, sed prout in ordine sit et conducat ad bene esse partis illius imperantis ; adeo ut sit quasi Regimen et Politla qu«;dam, quam exercet pars regens in partes subditas. Eminet autem hie motixs prsecipue in spiritibus animalium, qui motus omnes partium re- liquarum, quamdiu ipse in vigore est, contemperat. Invenitur autem in aliis corjjoribas in gi'adu quodam inferiore ; quemadmodum dictum est de sanguine et urinis, qua non solvuntur donee spiritus, qui partes earum commiscebat et cohibebat, emissus fuerit aut suffocatus. Neque iste motas omnino spiritibus pro- prius est, licet in plerisque corporibus spiritus dominen- tur ob motum celerem et penetrationem. Veruntamen in corporibus magis condensatis, nee spiritu vivido et vigente (qualis inest argento vivo et vitriolo) repletis, domiiiantur potius partes crassiores ; adeo ut nisi frae- num et jugum hoc arte aliqua excutiatur, de nova ali- qua hujusmodi corporum transformatione minime spe- randum sit. Xeque vero quispiam nos oblitos esse existimet ejas quod nunc agitur ; quia cum ista series NOVUM ORGANUJt. 509 et distribiitio inotuiun ad nil aliud spectet, qnam ut illorum Prajdominantia per Instantias Luct;\? melius inquiratiir, jam intov motus ipsos Pr;vdoiniiianti:r men- tionem faciamus. Non enim in descriptione ^Motus istius Regii, do Pr.'odominantia motuuni aut virtutum tractamus, sed do Privdominantia partlum in corpori- bus. TLvc enim oa est Piv-edoniinantia, qua? speciem istam motus peculiarem constituit. Sit j\Iotus Decimus Septimus, I\ lotus JRotationis Spo)itani-us ; per quern corpora motu gaudeiitia, et bene coUocata, natura sua fruuntur, atque seipsa se- quuntur, non aliud, et tanquam proprios petunt am- plexus. Etenim videntur corpora aut movere sine termino ; aut plane quioscoro ; aut ferri ad terminum, ubi pro natura sua aut rotent aut quiescant. Atque qu.-B bene collocata sunt, si motu gaudeant, mo\'ent per circulum : motu scilicot ;vterno, et infinito. Quaj bene collocata sunt, et motum exhorrent, prorsus quiescunt. Qua^ non bene collocata sunt, movent in linea recta (tanquam tramite brovissimo) ad consortia suorum connaturalium.^ Recipit autem Motus iste Rotationis 1 This prtssiiijt? is wholly in m-cordance with the Peripatetic system of physics. But the modifications which Bacon goes on to enumerate, to which, as he conceives, the eteruiil circnlar motions of the heavenly bodies may he subject, an' sufficient to destroy the whole a priori arc^uinent in fiivour of such a system of astronomy !is that which we find in the twelfth hook of the Mftaphysics. It has not been sutBciently observed that the Ptolemaic system is no less at variance witli the Peripatetic philosophy than the heliooentrical. The attempts of Turrianus and Fracastorius to construct what may be ctilled an orthodox ^y^tem of astronomy — that is one in which all the motions should take place in circles of which the earth is the centre — was sus^irested chiefly, as we learn from the ffomocenlrica of the latter, by the wish to reconcih' astronomy and philosophy. It had no scieutilic value, since it left all the phenomena of variations of parallax and apparent diameter unexplained, or. at ;iny rate, gave an explanation of them which no astronomer would accept. It was nevertheless favoui^ ably received by the systematic Peripaticians. Sec. for instance, Fla- 610 KOVUM OEGANUM. difFerentias novem. Primam, centri sui, circa quod corpora movent ; secundam, polorum suorum, supra quos movent ; tertiam, circumferentise sive ambitus sui, prout distant a centre ; quartam, incitationis suae, prout celerius aut tardius rotant; quintam, consequu- tionis motus sui, veluti ab orients in occidentem, aut ab occidente in orientem ; sextam, declinationis a cir- culo perfecto per spiras longius aut propius distantes a centre suo ; septimam, declinationis a circulo perfecto per spiras longius aut propius distantes a polis suis ; octavam, distantiaa propioris aut longioris spirarum sua- rum ad invicem ; nonam et ultimam, variationis ipso- rum polorum, si sint mobiles ; quae ipsa ad rotationem non pertinet, nisi fiat circulariter.-^ Atque iste motus communi et inveterata opinione habetur pro proprio ccelestium. Attamen gravis de illo motu lis est inter nonnollos tarn ex antiquis quam modernis, qui Rotatio- nem terrse attribuerunt. At multo fortasse justior mo- vetur controversia (si modo res non sit omnino extra controversiam), an motus videlicet iste (concesso quod terra stet) coeli finibus contineatur, an potius descen- dat, et communicetur aeri et aquis. Motum autem Rotationis in missilibus, ut in spiculis, sagittis, pilis sclopetorum, et similibus, omnino ad Motum Liber- tatis rejicimus. Sit Motus Decimus Octavus, Motus Trepidationis, cui (ut ab astronomis intelligitur) non multum fidei minius, De prima Philosoph. Paraph, p. 119. (I quote the Basle edition of 1557.) 1 1 believe the sense is that unless we restrict ourselves to circular mo- tion, that is, unless we reject the sixth and seventh species of variation, it will not be necessary for us to suppose the poles themselves to be movable : in other words, that the phenomena of which we could by this hypothesis give an account may be adequately represented without it by means of spirals. NOVUM OEGANUM. 511 adhibemus.i Nobis autem corporum naturalium appe- titus ubique serio perscrutantibus occurrit iste motus ; et constitui debere videtur in speciem. Est autem hie motus veluti feternae cujusdam captivitatis. Videlicet ubi corpora non omnino pro natura sua bene locata, et tamen nou prorsus male se habentia, perpetuo trepi- dant, et irrequiete se agant, nee statu suo contenta, nee iilterius ausa progredi. Talis invenitiu- motus in corde et pulsibus animalium ; et necesse est ut sit in omni- bus coTporibus, quaa statu ancipiti ita degunt inter com- moda et incommoda, ut distracta liberare se tentent, et denuo repulsam patiantur, et tamen perpetuo experi- antur. Sit Motus Decimus Nonus et postremus, motus ille cui vix nomen motus competit, et tamen est plane mo- tus. Quem motum, Motum Decubitus, sive Motum ExJwrrentioe 3Iotas, vocare licet. Per Imnc motum terra stat mole sua, moventibus se extremis suis in me- dium ; non ad centrum imaginativum, sed ad unionem. Per hunc etiam appetitum omnia majorem in modum condensata motum exhorrent, atque illis pro omni appe- titu est non moveri ; et licet infinitis modis vellicentur 1 The name of trepidation was given by the Alphonsine astronomers to a motion hy which they imagined the starry heaven to be affected, and in virtue of which its equinoxes described small circles of nine degrees radius about those of the ninth or next superior orb. To account for this motion they introduced a tenth orb. The phenomenon, however, thus accounted for was altogether imaginary, although it is true that the length of the tropical year, by supposed variations of which the idea of trepidation was , suggested, is not rigorously constant. It may be questioned whether Ba- con*s hesitation to accept the astronomical motion of trepidation had anj' better foundation than his doubts whether the proper motions of the plan- etary orbs were anything more than "res conflctae et supposita;." The question of the existence or non-existence of trepidation could only be de- cided by a person conversant with the details of the received system of astronomy. 512 NOVUM 0E6ANUM. et provocentur ad motum, tamen naturam suam (quoad possunt) tuentur. Qaod si ad motum compellantur, tamen hoc agere semper videntur ut quietem et statum suum recuperent, neque amplius moveant. Atque circa hoc certe se agilia prsebent, et satis perniciter et rapide (ut pertsesa et impatientia omnis morse) contendunt. Hujus autem appetitus imago ex parte tantum cerni potest ; quia hie apud nos, ex subactione et concoctione coelestium/ omne tangibile non tantum non condensa- tum est ad ultimitatem, sed etiam cum spiritu nonnuUo miscetur. Proposuimus itaque jam species sive elementa sim- phcia motuum, appetituum, et virtutum activarum, quae sunt in natura maxime cathohca. Neque parum scien- tise naturahs sub iUis adumbratum est. Non nega- mus tamen et alias species fortasse addi posse, atque istas ipsas divisiones secundum veriores rerum venas transferri, denique in minorem numerum posse redigi. Neque tamen hoc de divisionibus aliquibus abstractis intelhgimus : veluti si quis dicat corpora appetere vel conservationem, vel exaltationem, vel propagationem, vel fruitionem naturse suae ; aut si quis dicat motus rerum tendere ad conservationem et bonum, vel uni- versi, ut Antitypiam et Nexum ; vel universitatum magnarum, ut Motus Congregationis Majoris, Rota- tionis, et Exhorrentise Motus ; vel formarum specia- lium, ut reliquos. Licet enim hajc vera sint, tamen nisi terminentur in materia et fabrica secundum veras lineas, speculativa sunt, et minus utilia. Interim suffi- cient et boni erunt usus ad pensitandas Prsedominan- tias virtutum et exquirendas Instantias Luctse ; id quod nunc agitur. 1 In illustration of this phrase, see note 1. p. 399. NOVUM OEGANDM. 513 Etenim ex his quos proposuimus motibus alii prorsus sunt invincibiles ; alii aliis sunt fortiores, et illos ligant, frsenant, disponunt ; alii aliis longius jaculantur ; alii alios tempore et celeritate prtevertunt; alii alios fovent, roborant, ampliant, accelerant. Motus Antitypiae omnino est adamantinus et invin- cibilis. Utrum vero Motus Nexus sit invincibilis adhuc liaeremus. Neque enim pro certo affirmaverimus utrum detur Vacuum, sive coacervatum sive permistum.^ At de illo nobis constat, rationem illam, propter quam introductum est Vacuum a Leucippo et Deniocrito (videlicet quod absque eo non possent eadem corpora complecti et implere majora et minora spatia), falsam esse. Est enim plane plica materice complicantis et replicantis se per spatia, inter certos fines, absque inter- positione Vacui ; neque est in aere ex vacuo bis millies (tantum enim esse oportet) plus quam in auro.^ Id 1 "Vacuum permistum," Kevdv uxo>ptGTOVj is vacuum diffused through the interstices of any portion of matter. By " vacuum coacervatum," Kevbv KEX(*iptofih>ov, is meant clear empty space. See, for this distinction, Aristotle, Phys. iv. 7. Hero of Alexandria, whom Bacon mentions more than once, approves of those who admit the former kind of vacuum and reject the latter. See the Introduction to his Spiriialia. [It is perhaps worth observing that in the fable entitled " Cupido sive Atomns (Z'e Sap. Vet. xvii.), where the theory of a vacuum is mentioned, this distinction was not introduced till Bacon revised the work in his later years. The passage which stands thus in the original edition (1609) — "Quisquis autem atomum ponit et vacuum, necessario virtutem atomi ad distans introducit " — is altered, in the edition published by Rawley after Bacon's death, to " Quisquis autem atomum asserit atque vacuum (licet istud vacuum intermistum ponat, non segregatum) necessario," &c. — J. S.] 2 " Ex vacuo bis millies " is to be rendered " two thousand times as much of vacuity." Bacon (vid. supra, ii. iO.) thought spirit of wine a hundred times denser than its own vapour, and gold twenty-one times denser than spirit of wine. In the Hisioria Bensi et Mart, he remarks that air is at least a hundred-fold rarer than water; and from the table there given it appears that the specific density of gold is to that of water as 1000 to 56, neariy. Hence he must have estimated the density of gold at VOL. I. 33 514 NOVUM OKGANDM. quod ex potentissimis corporum pneumaticorum virtuti- bus (quag aliter tanquam pulveres minuti natarent in vacuo), et miiltis aliis deinonstrationibus, nobis satis liquet. Reliqui vero Motus regunt et reguntur invi- cem, pro rationibus vigoris, quanti, inc:itationis, ejacu- lationis, necnon turn auxiliorum turn impedimentorum quae occurrunt. Exempli gratia : magnes armatus nonnullus detinet et suspendit ferrum, ad sexagecuplum pondus ipsius ; eo usque dominatur Motus Congregationis Minoris super Motum Congregationis Majoris ; quod si majus fuerit pondus, succumbit. Vectis tanti roboris subleva- bit tantum pondus ; eo usque dominatur Motus Liber- tatis super Motum Congregationis Majoris ; sin majus fuerit pondus, succumbit. Corium tensum ad tensu- ram talem non rumpitur ; eo usque dominatur Motus Continuationis super Motum Tensurse ; quod si ulterior fuerit tensura, rumpitur corium, et succumbit Motus Continuationis. Aqua per rimam perforationis talis effluit ; eo usque dominatur Motus Congregationis Ma- joris super Motum Continuationis ; quod si minor fuerit rima, succumbit, et vincit Motus Continuationis. In pulvere sulphuris solius immissi^ in sclopetum cum pila, et admoto igne, non emittitur pila ; in eo Motus 1900-fold that of air. Now, if we take the same weight of air and of gold, it is clear that, neglecting the space occupied by the solid matter, supposed equally dense, of each, the ratio of their densities is the same as that of tlie "vacua permista " which they respectively contain, and that if we take the solid matter into account the " ex vacuo" in tlic case of air must bear a larger ratio than that of the densities to the " ex vacuo " of gold; so that we may take it in round numbers to be as two thousand to one, as in the text. The passage is important as showing that Bacon, notwithstanding his frequent mention of Democritus, did not adopt the atomic philosophy, though he did not absolutely reject the physical part of it. 1 [So in the original edition.] The true reading seems to be " immisso." KOVUM ORGANUM. 515 Congregationis Majoris vineit Motum Hyles. At in pnlvL-ro pyrio immisso vineit ]\I(.tus Hyles in sulphure, aJjutus Motibus Hyles ot Fugai in nitro. Et sic de Cffitoi-is. Etenim Instantire Luct;i3 (qua3 indicant Pra3- dominantiam Virtutura, et secundum quas rationes et calculos praedominentur et succumbant) acri et scdula diiigvntia undiciuo sunt conqxiirenda'. Etiam modi et rationes ipsius snccumbentia- motuum diligentor sunt introspicioiula'. Nempo, an omnino ces- sent, vel potius usque nitantur, sed ligentur. Etenim in corporibus hie ajnid nos, nulla vera est quies, nee in integris nee in partibus ; sed tantum secundum appa- rentiam. Quies autem ista apparens causatur ant per Equilibrium, aut per absolutam PriBdominantiam Mo- tuum. Per iEquiiibriuni, ut in bilancibus, qu;v stant si icqua sint pondera. Per Prajdominantiam, ut in hy- di'iis perforatis, ubi quiescit aqua, et detinetur a decasu, per Praedominantiam Motus Nexus. Notandum tamen est (ut diximus) quatenus nitantur motus illi succum- bentes. Etenim si quis per lactam detineatur extensus in terra, brachiis et tibiis vinctis, aut aliter detentis ; atque ille tamen totis viribus resurgere nitatur ; non est minor nixus, licet non proficiat. Hujus autem rei con- ditio (scilicet utrum per Prredominantiam motus suc- cumbens quasi anniliiletur, an potius continuetur nixus, licet non conspiciatur), qujB latet in conflictibus, ap- parebit fortasse in concurrentiis. Exempli gratia ; fiat experimentum in sclopetis, utrum sclopetus, pro tanto spatio quo emittat pilam in linea directa, sive (ut vulgo loquuntur) in puncto bianco, debiliorem edat percus- sionem ejaeulando in supra, ubi iMotus Ictus est sim- plex, quam desuper, ubi Motus Gravitatis concurrit cum Ictu. 616 NOVUM OEGANUM. Etiam canones Prsedominantiarum qui occurrunt coUigendi sunt. Veluti, quod quo communius est bo- num quod appetitur, eo Motus est fortior : ut Motus Nexus, qui respicit communionem universi, fortior est Motu Gravitatis, qui respicit communionem densorum. Etiam quod appetitus qui sunt boni privati, non prse- vale'nt plerunque contra appetitus boni magis publici, nisi in parvis quantis. Quse utinam obtinerent in civilibus. XLIX. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarura ponemus loco vi- cesimo quinto Instantias Innuentes ; eas scilicet, quse commoda hominum innuunt aut designant. Etenim ipsum Posse et ipsum Scire naturam humanam am- plificant, non beant. Itaque decerpenda sunt ex uni- versitate rerum ea quse ad usus vitse maxime faciunt. Verum de iis erit magis proprius dicendi locus, cum Deductiones ad Praxim tractabimus. Quinetiam in ipso opere Interpretationis circa singula subjecta, locum semper Ohartce llumance, sive Ohartce Optor tivce, assignamus. Etenim et quserere et optare non inepte, pars scientise est. , Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum ponemus loco vi- cesimo sexto Instantias Polychrestas. Ese sunt, quse pertinent ad varia et ssepius occurrunt ; ideoque operse et novis probationibus baud parum parcunt. Atque de instrumentis ipsis atque ingeniationibus proprius erit dicendi locus, cum Deductiones ad Praxim et Experimentandi Modos tractabimus. Quinetiam quse adhuc cognita sunt et in usum venerunt, in Historiis Particularibus singularum artium describentur. In NOVUM ORGANUM. 517 prffisenti autem subjungemus qusedam catholica circa ea pro exemplis tantum Polychresti. Operatur igitur homo super corpora naturalia (prse- ter ipsam admotionem et amotionem corporum simpli- cem) septem priBcipue modis : iiempe, vel per exclu- sionem eorum qusae impediunt et disturbant; vel per compressiones, extensiones, agitationes, et hujusmodi ; vel per calorein et frigus ; vel per moram in loco convenienti ; vel per fraenum et regimen motus ; vel per consensus speciales ; vel per alternationem tem- pestivam et debitam, atque seriem et successionem borum omnium ; aut saltem nonnullorum ex illis. Ad primum igitur quod attinet ; aer communis qui undique prssto est et se ingerit, atque radii coele- stium, multum turbant. Quse itaque ad illorum ex- clusionem faciunt, merito haberi possint pro Poly- chrestis. Hue igitur pertineiit materies et crassities vasorum, in quibus corpora ad operationem prseparata reponuntur. Similiter, modi accurati obturationis va- sorum, per consolidationem et lutum sapientice, ut lo- quuntur chymici. Etiam clausura per liquores in extimis, utilissima res est; ut cum inftmdunt oleum super vinum aut succos herbai-um, quod expandendo se in summitate instar operculi, optime ea conservat illaesa ab aere. Neque pulveres res msdse sunt ; qui, licet contineant aerem permistum, tamen vim aeris coacervati et circumfasi arcent; ut fit in conserva- tione uvarum et fructuum intra arenam, et fariiiam. Etiam cera, mel, pix, et hujusmodi tenacia, recte obducuntur ad clausuram perfectiorem, et ad summo- vendum aerem et ccelestia. Etiam nos experimentura quandoque fecimus, ponendo vas, necnon ahqua alia corpora, intra argentum vivum, quod omnium longe 518 NOVUM OEGANUM. densissimum est ex iis quae circumfundi possunt. Qum- etiam specus et caverniB subterranese niagni usus sunt ad prohibendum insolationem et aerera istum apertum pr£edatorium ; qualibus utnntur Geruiani Septentrio- nales pro granariis. Necnon repositio corporum in fundo aquarum ad hoc spectat, ut memini me quip- piam audisse de utribus vini demissis in profundum puteum, ad infrigidationem scilicet ; sed casu et per neglectum ac oblivionem ibidem remanentibus per multos annos, et deinde extractis ; unde vinum fac- tum est non solum non vapidum aut emortuum, sed multo magis nobile ad gnstum, per commixtioiiem par- tium suarum (ut videtur) magis exquisitam. Quod si postulet res ut corpora demittantur ad fundum aquarum, veluti intra fluvios aut mare, neque tamen aquas tangant, nee in vasibus obturatis concludantur, sed aere tantum circumdentur ; bonus est usus vasis illius quod adhibitum est nonnunquam ad operandum subter aquis super navigia demersa, ut urinatores diu- tius manere possint sub aquis, et per vices ad tempus respirare. Illud hujusmodi erat. Conficiebatur doli- um ex metallo concavum, quod demittebatur aquabi- liter ad superficiem aqua), atque sic deportabat totum aerem qui continebatur in dolio secum in fundum ma- ris. Stabat autem super pedes tres (instar tripodis), qui longitudinis erant aliquanto minoris statura homi- nis ; ita ut urinator posset cum anhelitus deficeret, immittere caput in cavum dolii, et respirare, et de- inde opus continuare. Atque audivimus inventam esse jam machinam aliquam naviculse aut scaphte, qu£e homines subter aquis vehere possit ad spatia non- nulla.^ Verum sub tali vase, quale modo diximus, 1 According to Beckmann, the first distinct mention of the diving-bell NOVUM ORGANUM. 519 corpora quasvis facile suspendi possint; cujiis causa hoc experimentum adduximus. Est et alius usus diligentis et perfects clausuras corporum: nempe, non solum ut proliibeatur aditus aeris per exterius (de quo jam dictum est), verum etiam ut cohibeatur exitus spiritus corporis, super quod fit operatio per interius. Necesse est enim ut operanti circa corpora naturalia constet de summis suis : viz. quod nihil expirarit aut effluxerit. Fiunt enim pro- fundae alterationes in corporibus, quando, natura pro- hibente annihilationem, ars prohibeat etiam deperdi- tionem aut evolationem alicujus partis. Atque hac de re invaluit opinio falsa (qute si vera esset, de ista conservatione summse certas absque diminutione esset fere desperandum) : viz. spiritus corporum, et aerem majori gradu caloris attenuatum, nuUis vasorum clau- stris posse contineri, quin per poros vasorum subtili- ores evolent. Atque in hanc opinionem adducti sunt homines per vulgata ilia experimenta, poculi inversi super aquam cum candela aut charta inflammata, ex quo fit ut aqua sursum attrahatur ; atque similiter ventosarnm, quae super flammam calefactae trahunt carnes. Existimant enim in utroque experimento aerem attenuatum emitti, et inde quantum ipsius mi- nui, ideoque aquam aut carnes per Nexum succedere. Quod falsissimum est. Aer enim non quanta dimi- nuitur, sed spatio contrahitur ; neque incipit motus iste successionis aquae, antequam fiat extinctio flammae aut refrigeratio aeris ; adeo ut medici, quo fortius at- trahant ventosEe, ponant spongias frigidas^ aqua ma- at least in modern times, is to be found in Fainsius, as quoted by Schott. Fainsius gives an account of some Greeks who exiiibited a diving-bell at Toledo, before Charles the Fifth and his court, in 1538. 1 The right reading is doubtless "frigida; " but tlie sense is obvious. 520 NOVUM OEGANUM. defactas super ventosas. Itaque non est cur homines multum sibi metuant de facili exitu aeris aut spiri- tuum. Licet enim verum sit etiam solidissima cor- pora habere suos poros, tamen segre patitur aer -aut spiritus commiuutionem sui ad tantam subtilitateni ; quemadmodum et aqua exire recusat per rimam mi- nusculam. De secundo vero modo ex septera prsedictis illud imprimis notandum est, valere certe compressiones et hujusmodi violentias ad mo turn localem, atque alia id genus, potentissime ; ut in machinis et missiUbus ; etiam ad destructionem corporis organici, atque earum virtutum quse consistunt plane in motu. Omnis enim vita, immo etiam omnis flamma et ignitio destruitur per compressiones ; ut et omnis machina corrumpitur et confunditur per easdem. Etiam ad destructionem virtutum quse consistunt in posituris, et dissimilaritate partium paulo crassiore ; ut in coloribus (neque enim idem color floris integri et contusi, neque succini in- tegri et pulverizati) ; etiam in saporibus (neque enim idem sapor pyri immaturi, et ejusdem compressi ac subacti ; nam manifesto dulcedinem majorem conci- pit). Verum ad transformationes et alteration es no- biliores corporum similarium non multum valent istse violentise ; quia corpora per eas non ■ acquirunt consis- tentiam aliquam novam constantem et quiescentem, sed transitoriam, et nitentem semper ad restitutionem et libera tionem sui. Attamen non abs re foret hujus rei facere experimenta aliqua diligentiora ; ad hoc scilicet, utnim condensatio corporis bene similaris (qualia sunt aer, aqua, oleum, et hujusmodi), aut rarefactio similiter per violentiam indita, possint fieri constantes et fixae et quasi mutate in naturam. Id quod primo experi- NOVUM OEGANUM. 521 endum per moram simplicem ; deinde per auxilia et consensus. Atque illud nobis in promptu fuisset (si modo in men tern venisset), cum aquam (de qua alibi) per malleationes et pressoria condensavimus, antequam erumperet. Debueramus enim splL-Bram complanatam per aliquot dies sibi permisisse, et turn demum aquam extraxisse ; ut fieret experimentum, utrum statim im- pletura fuisset talem dimensionem, qualem habebat ante condensationem. Quod si non fecisset aut sta- tim, aut certe paulo post, constans videlicet facta vi- deri potuisset ista condensatio; sin minus, apparuisset factam fuisse restitutionem, et compressionem fuisse transitoriam. Etiam simile quiddam faciendum erat circa extensionem aeris in ovis vitreis. Etenim de- buerat fieri, post exuctionem fortem, subita et firma obturatio ; deinde debuerant ova ilia nianere ita ob- turata per nonnuUos dies ; et tum demum experien- dum fuisset, utrum aperto foramine attractus fuisset aer cum sibilo, aut etiam attracta fuisset tanta quan- titas aquae post immersionem, quanta fuisset ab initio, si nulla adhibita fuisset mora. Probabile enim, aut saltem dignum probatione est, hsec fieri potuisse et posse ; propterea quod in corporibus paulo magis dis- similaribus similia efiiciat mora temporis. Etenim baculum per compressionem curvatum post aliquod tempus non resilit ; neque id imputandum est alicui deperditioni ex quanto ligni per moram ; nam idem fiet in lamina ferri (si augeatur mora), quae non est expirabilis. Quod si non succedat experimentum per moram simplicem, tamen non deserendum est nego- tium, sed auxilia alia adhibenda. Non enim parum lucri fit, si per violentias indi possint corporibus na- turse fixiE et constantes. Hac enim ratione aer possit 522 NOVUM OEGANUM. verti in aquam per condensationes, et complura alia id genus. Dominus enim est homo motuum violentorum, magis quam cseterorura. At tertius ex septem modis, refertur ad magnum illud organum, tam naturae quam artis, quoad ope- randum; videlicet calidum et frigidum. Atque in hac parte claudicat plane potentia humana, tanquam ex uno pede. Habemus enim calorem ignis, qui ca- loi-ibus solis (prout ad nos deferuntur) et caloribus animalium quasi infinitis partibus potentior est et in- tensior. At deest frigus, nisi quale per tempestates hyemales, aut per cavernas, aut per circundationes nivis et glaciei, haberi potest : quod in comparatione sequari potest cum calore fortasse solis meridiano in regione aliqua ex torridis, aucto insuper per reverbe- rationes montium et parietum : nam hujusmodi utique tam calores quam frigora ab animalibus ad tempus exiguum tolerari possunt. NihUi autem sunt fere prse calore fornacis ardentis, aut alicujus frigoris quod huic gradui respondeat. Itaque omnia hie apud nos vergunt ad rarefaction em, et desiccationem, et consumptionem : nihil fere ad condensationem et intenerationem, nisi per misturas et modos quasi spu- rios. Quare Instantise Frigoris omni diligentia sunt conquirendse ; quales videntur inveniri in expositione corporum super turres quando gelat acriter; in ca- vernis subterraneis ; circundationibus nivis et glaciei in locis profnndioribus, et ad hoc excavatis ; demissione corporum in puteos ; sepulturis corporum in argento vivo et metallis ; immersione corporum in aquis, quae vertunt ligna in lapides ; defossione corporum in terra (qualis fertur apud Chinenses esse confectio porcel- lanse, ubi massse ad hoc factse dicuntur manere intra NOVUM ORGANUM. 523 terram jier quadraginta aut quinquaginta annos, et transmitti ad haeredes, tanquam minerse quaedam arti- ficial es) ; et luijusmodi. Quinetiam quEe interveniunt in natura condensationes, factas per frigora, similiter sunt invest igandae ; ut, causis eorum cognitis, trans- ferri possint in artes. Quales cernuntur in exuda- tione inarmoris et lapidum ; in rorationibus super vitra per interius fenestraruin, sub auroram, post gelu noc- tis ; in originibus et collectionibus vaporum in aquas sub terra, unde ssepe scaturiunt fontes; et quascun- que sunt hujus generis. Inveniuntur autein, praeter ilia quae sunt frigida ad tactum, qufedam alia potestate frigida, quae etiam con- densant ; veruntamen operari videntur super corpora animalium tantum, et vix ultra. Hujus generis se ostendunt multa in medicinis et emplastris. Alia au- tem condensant carnes et partes tangibiles ; qualia sunt medicamenta astringentia, atque etiam inspissan- tia ; alia condensant spiritus ; id quod maxime cer- nitur in soporiferis. Duplex autem est modus con- densationis spirituum, per medicamenta soporifera, sive provocantia somnum : alter per sedationem niotus ; alter per fugam spirituum. Etenim viola, rosa sicca, lactuca, et hujusmodi benedicta sive benigna, per va- porcs suos amicos et moderate refrigerantes, invitant spiritus ut se uniant, et ipsorum acrem et inquietum motum compescunt. Etiam aqua rosacea, apposita ad nares in deliquiis animse, spiritus resolutos et nimium relaxatos se recipere facit, et tanquam alit. At opiata et eorum affinia spiritus plane fugant, ex qualitate sua maligna et inimica. Itaque si applicentur parti ex- teriori, statim aufugiunt spiritus ab ilia parte, nee amplius libenter influunt: sin sumantur interius, va- 624 NOVUM ORGANUM. pores eorum, ascendentes ad caput, spiritus in ven- triculis cerebri contentos undequaque ftigant ; cumque se retrahant spiritus neque in aliam partem efFugere possint, per consequens coeunt et condensantur ; et quandoque plane extinguuntur et suiFocantur ; licet rursus eadem opiata moderate sumpta, per accidens secundarium (videlicet condensationem illani quae a coitione succedit), confortent spiritus, eosque reddant magis robustos, et retundant eorum inutiles et incen- sivos^ motus, ex quo ad curas morborum, et vitae prolongationem baud parum conferant. Etiam prseparationes corporum ad excipiendum Fri- gus non sunt omittendse ; veluti quod aqua parum tepida facilius conglacietur quam omnino frigida, et hujusmodi. Prseterea, quia natura Frigus tarn parce suppeditat, faciendum est quemadmodum pharmacopolas solent; qui quando simplex aliquod haberi non possit, ca- piunt succedaneum ejus, et quid pro quo, ut vocant; veluti lignum aloes pro xylobalsamo,^ cassiam pro cinamomo. Simili modo diligenter circumspicien- dum est, si quae sint succedanea frigoris ; videlicet quibus modis fieri possint condensationes in corpori- bus, aliter quam per frigus, quod illas efficit ut opus suum proprium. Illaa autem condensationes videntur intra quaternum numerum (quantum adhuc liquet) contineri. Quarum prima videtur fieri per contru- sionem simplicem ; quas parum potest ad densitatem constantem (resiliunt enim corpora) sed nihilominus forte res auxiliaris esse queat. Secunda fit per con- 1 Exciting. 2 Xylobalsamum is tlie technical name of tlie twigs of the tree which yields the balm of Gilead. NOVUM ORGANUM. 525 tractionem partium crassiorum in corpore aliquo, post evolationem aut exitum partium tenuiorum, ut fit in indurationibus per ignem, et repetitis extinctionibus metallorum, et similibus. Tertia fit per coitionem partium homogenearum, (jiur sunt niaxime solidas in corpore aliquo, atque antea fuerant distracta3, et cum minus solidis commist;v : vcluti in restitutione mer- curii sublimati, qui in pulvero longe majus occupat spatium quam mercui'ius simplex, et similiter in omni repurgatione metallorum a scoriis suis. Quarta fit per consensus, admovendo quae ex vi corporum occulta condensant ; qui consensus adhuc raro se ostendunt ; quod mirum iiiinime est, quoniam antequam inventio succedat Formarum et Scliematismorum, de inqui- sitione consensuum ^ non multum sjjcrandum est. Certe quoad corpora animalium, dubium non est quin sint complures modicinre, tam interius quam ex- terius sumptaa, quae condensant tanquam per consen- sum, ut paulo ante diximus. Sed in inanimatis rara est hujusmodi operatic. Percrebuit sane, tam seriptis quam fama, narratio de arbore in una ex insulis sive Terceris sivc Canariis (neque enim bene memini), quffi perpetuo stillat ; adeo ut inhabitantibus nonnul- 1am commoditatem aquse praebeat.^ Paracelsus au- tem ait, herbam vocatam Rorem Solis meridie et fei> vente sole rore impleri, cum alias herbae undique sint 1 Consensus is equivalent to m/ind&eLa. 2 Tliis wonderful tree is described in Jonston's DendrograpUa, published at Frankfort in 1669. Sc^e book the tenth, u. 4. One of the authorities he refers to is Cardan (I)c variet. rerum), from whom not improbably Bacon derived the story. The tree is said to be found in the island of Ferro- Cardan, with more than usual caution, remarks, at the close of the account he gives of it: "Sed postquam hoc tot s.riptores affirmant, fieri potest ut tale aliquid contingat, sed modus nondum perspectus e3t."-i»e ra-um varift. vi. c. 22. Compare Oviedo in Ramusio, iii. 71. »• 526 NOVUM OEGANUM. siccae.^ At nos utramque narrationem fabulosam esse existimamus. Omnino autem illse instantiEe nobilissimi forent usus, et introspectione dignissimse, si essent verae. Etiam rores illos mellitos, et instar mannse, qui super foliis quercus inveniuntur mense Maio, non existima- mus fieri et densari a consensu aliquo, sive a proprie- tate folii quercus ; sed cum super aliis foliis pariter cadant, contineri scilicet et durare in foliis quercus quia sunt bene unita, nee spongiosa, ut plurima ex aliis. Calorem vero quod attinet, copia et potestas nirai- rum homini abunde adest; observatio autem et iri- quisitio deficit in nonnullis, iisque maxime necessa- riis, utcunque spagyrici se venditent. Etenim caloris intensioris opificia exquiruntur et conspiciuntur ; re- missioris vero, quae maxime in vias naturse incidunt, non tentantur, ideoque latent. Itaque videmus per vulcanos istos qui in pretio sunt, spiritus corporum magnopere exaltari, ut in aquis fortibus, et nonnullis aliis olesis chymicis ; partes tangibiles indurari, et emisso volatili, aliquando figi ; partes homogeneas separari; etiam corpora heterogenea grosso modo in- corporari et commisceri ; maxime autem compages corporum compositorum et subtiliores schematismos destrui et confundi. Debuerant autem opificia calo- ris lenioris tentari et exquiri ; unde subtiliores mi- sturae et scbematismi ordinatl gigni possint et educi, ad exemplum naturae et imitationem operum solis ; quemadmodum in aphorismo de Instantiis Foederis quaedam adumbravimus. Opificia enim naturae trans- ^ I have not been able to find this in Paracelsus. It seems, however, to accord with his theory of dew, — namely, that it is an exudation from the sun and stars ; the suppression of which would lead to the formation of ad- ditional suns. NOVUM ORGANUM. 527 iguntur per longe minores portiones, et posituras magis exquisitas et varias, quam opificia ignis, prout nunc adhibetur. Turn vero videatur homo revera auctus potestate, si per calores et potentias artificiales opera naturae possint specie reprassentari, virtute perfici, copia variari ; quibus addere oportet accelerationem temporis. Nam rubigo ferri longo tempore procedit, at versio in crocum ]\Iartis subito ; et similiter de aerugine et cerussa ; christallum longo tempore con- ficitur, vitrum subito conflatur ; lapides longo tem- pore concrescunt, lateres subito coquuntur,' etc. In- terim (quod nunc agitur) omnes diversitates caloris cum eifectibus suis respective diligenter et industrie undique sunt colligendte et exquirendae : coelestium, per radios suos directos, reflexos, refractos, et unitos in speculis comburentibus ; fulguris, flammae, ignis carbonum ; ignis ex diversis materiis ; ignis aperti, conclusi, angustiati et inundantis, denique per diver- sas fabricas fornacium qualificati ; ignis fiatu exciti, quieti et non exciti ; ignis ad majorem aut minorem distantiam remoti ; ignis per varia media permeantis : calorum humidorum, ut balnei Mariai,^ fimi, caloris animalium per exterius, caloris animalium per inte- rius, foeni conclusi : calorum aridorum, cineris, calcis, arenae tepidae ; denique calorum cujusvis generis cum gradibus eorum. 1 This is properly "balneum maris;" that is, a mode of communicating heat to any substance by putting it into a vessel which is placed in another containing water. The latter being put on the fire, the former and its con- tents become gradually and moderately heated. The reason of the name is obvious. From " balneum maris " the French made by a kind of trans- lation (the final s not being sounded) " bain marie; " and the form in the text is, I think, merely a retranslation of the French phrase, the meaning of the second word being mistaken. Balneum Marise is however, I believe, a common phrase with old writers on chemistry. 628 NOVUM OEGANUM. Prsecipue vero tentanda est inquisitio et inventio efFectuum et opificiorum caloris accedentis et receden- tis graduatim, et ordinatim, et periodice, et per debita spatia et moras. Ista enim insequalitas ordinata revera filia coeli ^ est, et generationis mater ; neque a calore aut vehementi, aut prsecipiti, aut subsultorio, aliquid magni expectandum est. Etenim et in vegetabilibus hoc manifestissimum est ; atque etiam in uteris anima- lium magna est caloris inaequalitas, ex motu, somno, alimentationibus et passionibus fcemellarum quae uterum gestant ; denique in ipsis matricibus terrte, iis nimirum in quibus metalla et fossilia efformantur, locum habet et viget ista inasqualitas. Quo magis notanda est insci- tia aliquorum alcbymistarum ex reformatis,^ qui per calores asquabiles lampadum et bujusmodi, perpetuo uno tenore ardentium, se voti compotes fore existima- runt. Atque de opificiis et efFectibus caloris hsec dicta sint. Neque vero tempestivum est ilia penitus scrutari antequam Rerum Formee et Corporum Schematism! ulterius investigati fuerint, et in lucem prodierint. Tum enim quasrenda et adoperanda et aptanda sunt instrumenta, quando de exemplaribus constiterit. Quartus modus operandi est per moram, quse certe et promus et condus naturae est, et qusedam dispen- satrix. Moram appellamus, cum corpus aliquod sibi permittitur ad tempus notabile, munitum interim et defensum ab aliqua vi externa. Tum enim motus in- testini se produnt et perficiunt, cum motus extranei et adventitii cessant. Opera autum aatatis sunt longe subtiliora quam ignis. Neque enim possit fieri talis 1 L e. of the heavens, physically ; because of the varying warmth of the seasons. 2 ». e. of the reformed school. NOVUM ORGANUM. 529 clarificatio vini per ignem, qualis fit per moram; ne- que etiam incinerationes per ignem tarn sunt exquisitse, quam resolutiones et consumptiones per ssecula. In- corporationes etiam, et mistiones subit^ et prsecipitat^e per Ignem, longe inferiores sunt illis, qua fiunt per moram. At dissimilares et varii schematism!, quos corpora per moras tentant (quales sunt putredines), per Ignem aut calorem vehementiorem destruuntur. Illud interim non abs re fuerit notare ; motus corpo- rum penitus conclusonim habere nonnihil ex violento. Incarceratio enim ilia impedit motus spontaneos cor- poris. Itaque mora in vase aperto plus facit ad sepa- rationes ; in vase penitus clauso ad commistiones ; in vase nonnihil clauso, sed subintrante aere, ad putrefac- tiones; utcunque de opificiis et effectibus morse undi- que sunt diligenter conquirendas instantisi. At regimen motus (quod est quintus ex modis ope- randi) non parum valet. Regimen autem motus vo- camus, cum corpus aliud occuri-ens corporis alterius motum spontaneum impedit, repellit, admittit, dirlgit. Hoc vero plerunque in figuris et situ vasorum con- sistit. Etenim conus erectus juvat ad condensatio- nem vaporum in alembicis ; at conus inversus juvat ad defaecationem sacchari in vasis resupinatis. Ali- quando autem sinuatio requiritur,' et angustiatio, et dilatatio per vices, et hujusmodi. Etiam omnis perco- latio hue spectat ; scilicet cum corpus occurrens, uni parti corporis alterius viam aperit, alteri obstruit. Ne- que semper percolatio aut aliud regimen motus fit per extra ; sed etiam per corpus in corpore : ut cum lapilli immittuntur in aquas ad colligendam limositatem ipsa- rum ; syrupi clarificantur cum albuminibus ovorum, ut 1 As in a still. 530 NOVUM ORGANUM. crassiores partes adliisrescant, et postea separari possmt. Etiam huic regimini motus satis leviter et inscite at- ti-ibuit Telesius figuras animalium, ob rivulos scilicet et loculos matiicis.^ Debuerat autem notare similem efformationem in testis ovorum, ubi noii sunt i-ug* aut insequalitas. At verum est regimen motus eflPorma- tiones perficere in modulis et proplastids.^ Operationes vero per consensus aut fugas (qui sestus modus est) latent ssepenumero in profiindo. Ist« enim (quas vocant) proprietates occultie, et specificse, et sympathias, et antipathiae, sunt magna ex parte cor- ruptelse pHlosopliias. Neque de consensibus rerum in- veniendis multum sperandum est, ante inventionem Formarum et scliematismorum simplicium. Consen- sus enim nil aliud est quam symmeti-ia Formarum et Scliematismorum ad invicem. Atqui majores et magis catholici rerum consensus non prorsus obscuri sunt. Itaqua ab iis ordiendum. Eorum prima et summa divei-sitas ea est ; \it qufedam corpora eopia et raritate materiEe admodum discrepenfc, schematismis consentiant : alia contra copia et raritate materiae consentiant, schematismis discrepent. Nam 1 Telesius's doctrine of the formation of the embryo is essentially the same as Galen's, namely that a system of arteries &c. must be first of all formed in the gerio, and that these, by applying themselves to correspond- ing parts on the surface of the matrix, determine the channels through which nourishment is supplied, and therefore (mediately) the development of the different membera of the fatus. But it does not seem that he would have admitted that the smoothness of the shells of eggs was an objection to his theory. At any rate, he illustrates it by reference to the appeal^ auces presented by an egg opened during incubation. De rerum jwftird, vi. c. i. and 40. 2 The proper word for what we call a model is "proplasma," which is used in a Latin form by Pliny. I have not seen any authority for such an adjective as " proplasticus." What Bacon means is not exactly a model, but a mould for casting. NOVUM OEGANUM. 531 non male notatum est a chymicis, in principiorum suo- rum triade, sulphur et mercurium ^ quasi per universi- tatem rerum permeare. (Nam de sale inepta ratio est, sed introducta ut possit comprehendere corpora terrea, sicca, et fixa.) At certe in illis duobus videtur con- sensus quidam naturae ex maxime catholicis conspici. Etenim consentiunt sulphur ; oleum, et exhalatio pin- guis ; flamma ; et fortasse corpus stellse. Ex altera parte consentiunt mercurius ; aqua et vapores aquei ; aer ; et foi-tasse aether purus et interstellaris. Attamen istae quaterniones geminae, sive magnse rerum tribus (utraque intra ordines suos) copia materise atque den- sitate immensum differunt, sed schematismo valde con- veniunt ; ut in plurimis se produnt. At contra metalla diversa copia et densitate multum convenitmt (prse- sertim respectu vegetabilium, etc.), sed schematismo multifariam differunt ; et similiter vegetabilia et ani- malia diversa schematismis quasi infinitis variantur, sed intra copiam materise sive densitatem paucorum gra- dfuium continentur. Sequitur consensus maxime post priorem catholicus, videlicet corporum principalium et fomitum suorum ; videlicet menstruorum,^ et alimentorum. Itaque ex- 1 This triad is tlie fandamental point of Paracelsus's chemical and medi- cal philosophy. See his works throughout, and particularly the tract De tribus prims essentiis, contained in the third book of his philosophical works. „ . . . . - a By "menstrua" are meant the suhstances out of which any species ot mineral is generated, or, in other words, the causa materialis of its exist- ence. See, on the generation of metals and other minerals, the fourth and fifth books of Agricola's work De ortu et caims fossilium. He gives an account of the opinions of Aristotle, Theophrastus, &c. In modern chem- istry the word menstruum is nearly equivalent to solvent. By the school of Paracelsus the word is used so vaguely that it is difficult to determine what idea they attached to it, or how they derived their sense of the word from its original signification. When the word is used as in the text, the 532 NOVUM OEGANDM. quirendum, sub quibus climatibus, et in qua tellure, et ad quam profunditatem metalla singula generentur ; et similiter de gemmis, sive ex rupibus, sive inter mineras natis ; in qua gleba terrte, arbores singulae, et frutices, et herbse potissimum proveniant, et tanquam gaudeant ; et insimul quse impinguationes, sive per stercorationes cujuscunque generis, sive per cretam, arenam maris, cineres, etc., maxime juvent ; et quse sint ex his pro varietate glebarum magis aptse et auxiliares. Etiam insitio et inoeulatio arborum et plantarum, earumque ratio, quae scilicet plantas super quas fcelicius inseran- tur, etc., multum pendet de consensu. In qua parte non injucundum foret experimentum quod noviter au- divimus esse tentatum, de insitione arborum sylves- trium (qdse hucusque in arboribus hortensibus fieri consuevit), unde folia et glandes majorem in modum amplificantur, et arbores fiunt magis umbrosse. Simi- liter, alimenta animalium respective notanda sunt in genere, et cum negativis. Neque enim carnivora sus- tinent herbis nutriri ; unde etiam Ordo Folitanorum (licet voluntas humana plus possit quam animantium cseterorum super corpus suum), post experientiam factam (ut aiunt), tanquam ab humana natura non tolerabilis, fere evanuit.^ ' Etiam materia diverse metaphor seems to be taken from the Aristotelian theory of generation, in which Kard, ttjv npuTijv iiXyv kanv jj TCn> KaTafiT/viuv (fwuig. 1 Bacon doubtless refers to the austerities of the order of Feiiillans. Jean de la Barrifere, after holding the Cistercian abbej' of Feiiillans in commen- dam for eleven years, renounced the world in 1573, and in the course of a few years introduced a most austere rule of life into the abbey of which he was the head. His monks knelt on the floor during their refections, and some of them were in the habit of drinking out of skulls. They abstained from eggs, fish, butter, oil, and even salt, and confined themselves to pottage made of herbs boiled in water, and bread so coarse and black that beasts refused to eat of it. After a while they gave up wine also. Clement VIII. perrqitted the society to draw up constitutions for the establishment of their NOVUM ORGANUM. 533 putrefactionum, unde animalcula generantur, notandse sunt. Atque consensus corporum principalium crga subor- dinata sua (tales enim ii possint eenseri quos notavi- mus) satis in aperto sunt. Quibus addi possunt sen- suum consensus erga objecta sua. Qui consensus cum manifestissimi sint ; bene notati et acriter excussi, etiam aliis consensibus qui latent magnam prsebere possint lucem. At interiores corporum consensus et fugse, sive ami- citise et lites (tsedet enim nos fere vocabulorum sym- pathise et antipathiae, propter superstitiones et inania), aut falso ascriptse, aut fabulis conspersaB, aut per neg- lectum rarsE admodum sunt. Etenim si quis asserat inter vineam et brassicam esse dissidium, quia juxta sata minus Isete proveniunt, praesto ratio est : ^ quod utraque planta succulenta sit et deprasdatrix, unde al- rule. By these the excessive rigour of their way of life was checked, which was done in obedience to the Pope, and in consequence of the deaths ot fonrteen monks in a single week at Feiiillans. These constitutions were ratified in 1595. Assuming, of which there seems no doubt, that the Foli- tani of Bacon.are the Feiiillans, I may remark that the latinised form of Feiiillans used is Fuliensis, as an adjective; the proper style of the society being " Congregatio Cistertiomonastica B. Marise Fuliensis." I have not seen the work of Jlorotius to which Helyot, from whom the preceding ac- count is taken, refers; but in that of C. Henrique, also mentioned by He- lyot, I do not find any authority for Folitani. It is probable that Bacon's chief information on the subject was gathered orally during his residence in France, before the Feiiillans had ceased from their first love. The expres- sion "ordo . . . fere evanuit" must be taken to mean that the severe rule that they had at first was given up. See Helyot, Hist, des Ordres Monastir ques, iv""= partie, c. 38. Spondanus, An. 1586, iv. For some particulars of the early history of the Abbey of Feiiillans, and especially for the will of Jean de la Barriere, see Voyage Litteraire de deux Benediclins, ii. p. 16. 1 On account apparently of this enmity between the vine and the cabbage, the latter was thought to prevent intoxication. See Lemmius, De occuUis naturce miraeulis, ii. 17. On the subject of similar enmities, see the same •work, iv. 10. ; or Cardan's treatise, Be rerum varietale, and particularly the Theatrum sympatketicum. 534 NOVUM OEGANUM. tera alteram defraudat. Si quis asserat esse consensum et amicitiam inter segetes et cyaneum, aut papaver sylvestre, quia herbse illse fere non proveniunt nisi in arvis cultis : debuit is potius asserere dissidium esse inter ea, quia papaver et cyaneus emittuntur et cre- antur ex tali succo terras qualem segetes reliquerint et repudiaverint ; adeo ut satio segetum terram prse- paret ad eorum proventum. Atque hujusmodi falsa- rum ascriptionum magnus est numerus. Quoad fa- bulas vero, illae omnino sunt exterminandae. Restat tenuis certe copia eorum consensuum, qui certo probati sunt experimento ; quales sunt magnetis et ferri, atque auri et argenti vivi, et similium. At in experimentis chymicis circa metalla inveniuntur et alii nonnulli ob- servatione digni. Maxima vero frequentia eorum (ut in tanta paucitate) invenitur in medicinis nonnuUis, quje ex proprietatibus suis occultis (quas vocant) et specificis, respiciunt aut membra, aut humores, aut morbos, aut quandoque naturas individuas. Neque omittendi sunt consensus inter motus et afFectus lunse et passiones corporum inferiorum, prout ex experimentis agriculturae, nauticaB, et medicinse, aut alias cum de- lectu severe et sincero colligi et recipi possint. Verum instantise universae consensuum secretiorum quo magis sunt infrequentes, eo majori cum diligentia sunt inqui- rendae, per traditiones, et narrationes fidas et probas ; modo hoc fiat absque uUa levitate, aut credulitate, sed fide anxia et quasi dubitabunda. Restat consensus corporum modo operandi tanquam inartificialis, sed usu polychrestus, qui nullo modo omittendus est, sed sedula observatione investigandus. Is est coitio sive unio cor- porum, proclivis aut difficilis, per compositionem, sive appositionem simplicem. Etenim corpora nonnuUa fa^ NOVUM ORGANUM. 535 cile et libenter commiscentur et incorporantur, alia autem sBgre et perverse : veluti pulveres melius in- corporantur cum aquis ; calces et cineres, cum oleis ; et sic de similibus. Neque tantum sunt colligendae instantiiB propensionis aut aversionis corporum erga misturam, sed etiam collocationis partium, et distri- butionis, et digestionis, postquam commista sint ; deni- que et prsedominantioe post misturam transactam. Superest ultimo loco ex modis septem operandi, Sep- timus et postremus ; operatio scilicet per alternationem et vicissitudines priorum sex ; de quo antequam in sin- gulos illos paulo altius fiierit inquisitum, tempestivum non foret exempla proponere. Series autem sive ca- tena hujusmodi alternationis, prout ad singula effecta accommodari possit, res est et cognitu maxime difBcilis, et ad opera maxime valida. Summa autem detlnet et occupat homines impatientia hujusmodi tam inquisiti- onis, quam praxeos ; cum tamen sit instar fili laby- rinthi, quoad opera majora. Atque hjBc sufEciant ad exemplum Polychresti. LI. Inter Prserogativas Instantiarum, ponemus loco vi- cesimo septimo atque ultimo Tnstantias Magieas. Hoc nomine iUas appellamus, in quibus materia aut efficiens tenuis aut parva est, pro magnitudine operis et efFectus qui sequitur ; adeo ut etiamsi fuerint vulgares, tamen sint instar miraculi ; ali^ primo intuitu, alias etiam attentius contemplanti. Has vero natura ex sese sub- ministrat parce ; quid vero factura sit sinu excusso, et post inventionem Formarum, et Processuum, et Sche- matismorum, foturis temporibus apparebit. At ista effecta Magica (quantum adhuc conjicimus) fiunt tri- 536 NOVUM ORGANUM. bus modis : aut per multiplicationem sui, ut in igne, et venenis, quae vocant specifica ; necnon in motibus, qui transeunt et fortificantur de rota in rotam ; aut per excitationem sive invitationem in altero, ut in magnete, qui excit acus innumeras, virtute nullatenus deperdita aut diminuta ; aut in fermento, et hujusmodi ; aut per anteversionem motus, ut dictum est de pulvere pyrio, et bombardis, et cuniculis : quorum priores duo modi indagationem consensuum requirunt ; tertius, mensurae motuum. Utrum vero sit aliquis modus mutandi cor- pora per minima (ut vocant), et transponendi subtili- ores materia schematismos (id quod ad omnimodas cor- porum transformationes pertinet, ut ars brevi tempore illud faeere possit, quod natura per multas ambages molitur), de eo nulla hactenus nobis constant indicia. Quemadmodum autem in solidis et veris aspiramus ad ultima et summa ; ita vana et tumida perpetuo odimus, et quantum in nobis est profligamus. LII. Atque de Dignitatibus sive Prserogativis Instantia- rum haac dicta sint. Illud vero monendum, nos in hoc nostro Organo tractare logicam, non philosophiam. Sed cum logica nostra doceat intellectum et erudiat ad hoc, ut non tenuibus mentis quasi claviculis rerum abstracta captet et prenset (ut logica vulgaris), sed naturam revera persecet, et corporum virtutes et actus, eorumque leges in materia determinatas inveniat ; ita ut non solum ex natura mentis, sed ex natura rerum quoque hsec scientia emanet ; mirum non est, si ubique naturalibus contemplationibus et experimentis, ad ex- empla artis nostrse, conspersa fuerit et illustrata. Sunt autem (ut ex iis quae dicta sunt patet) PraerogativBe NOVUM OEGANUM. 537 Intantiarum mimero 27 ; nominibus, Instantise Soli- tarise : Instantise Migrantes : Instantiae Ostensivse : InstantisB ClandestinsB : Instantise Constitutivse : In- stantiae Conformes : Instantiae Monodicse : Instantiae Deviantes : Instantia Liniitaneae : Instantiae Potestatis : InstantifE Comitatus et Hostiles : Instantiae Subjnnc- tivse : Instantiae Foederis : Instantiae Crucis : Instantiae Divortii : Instantia? Januse : Instantiae Citantes : In- stantiae Viae: Instantiae Supplement! : Instantiae Per- secantes: Instantiae Virgae: Instantiae Curriculi: Doses Naturffl : Instantiae Luctae : Instantia Innuentes : In- stantiae Polychrestae : Instantiae Magicae. Usus autem harum instantiarum, in quo instantias vulgares excel- lunt, versatur in genere aut circa partem informativam ; aut circa operativam ; aut circa utramque. .Atque, quoad informativam, juvant illae aut sensum, aut intel- lectum. Sensum, ut quinque Instantias Lampadis : Intellectum, aut accelerando Exclusivam Formae, ut Solitariae ; aut angustiando et propius indicando AfBr- mativam Formse, ut Migrantes, Ostensivae, Comitatus, cum Subjunctivis ; aut erigendo intellectum, et ducen- do ad genera et naturas communes ; idque aut imme- diate, ut Clandestinae, Monodicae, Foederis ; aut gradu proximo, ut Constitutivse ; aut gradu infimo, ut Con- formes; aut rectificando Intellectum a consuetis, ut Deviantes ; aut ducendo ad Formam Magnam, sive Fabricam Universi,i ^^ Limitanese; aut cavendo de Formis et causis falsis, ut Crucis et Divortii. Quod vero ad Operativam attinet ; illaj practicam aut desig- nant; aut mensurant; aut sublevant. Designant aut ostendendo a quibus incipiendum, ne actum agamus, ut Instantiee Potestatis; aut ad quid aspirandum, si 1 That is, the constitution (or cosmos) of the universe. 638 NOVUM OEGANUM. detur facultas, ut Innuentes : mensurant quataor illse Mathematicse : sublevant Polychrestse et Magicse. Rursus ex istis instantiis 27, nonnuUanim (ut supe- rius diximus de aliquibus) facienda est collectio jam ab initio, nee expectanda particnlaris inquisitio naturarum. Cujus generis sunt Instantise Conformes, Monodicae, Deviantes, Limitanese, Potestatis, Januse, Innuentes, Polychrestse, Magics. Hse enim aut auxiliantur et medentur intellectui et sensui, aut instruunt praxin in genere. Reliquse turn demum conquirendse sunt, cum conficiemus Tabulas Comparentise ad opus Interpretis circa aliquam naturam particularem. Sunt enim in- stantiae Praerogativis istis insignitae et donatae animse instar, inter vulgares instantias comparentiae ; et ut ab initio diximus, pauc^ illarum sunt vice multarum ; quocirca cum Tabulas conficimus, illse omni studio sunt investigandse, et in Tabulas referendae. Erit etiam eanim mentio necessaria in iis quae sequuntur. Praeponendus itaque erat earum tractatus. Nunc vero ad adminicula et rectificationes Inductionis, et deinceps ad concretaj et Latentes Processus, et Latentes Sche- matismos, et reliqua quae Apborismo 21. ordine propo- suimus, pergendum ; ut tandem (tanquam curatores probi et fideles) tradamus hominibus fortunas suas emancipato intellectu, et facto tanquam majore ; unde necesse est sequi emendationem status hominis, et am- pliation em potestatis ejus super naturam. Homo enim per lapsum et de statu innocentise decidit, et de regno in creaturas. Utraque autem res etiam in hac vita nonnulla ex parte reparari potest ; prior per religio- nem et fidem, posterior per artes et scientias. Neque enim per maledictionem facta est creatura prorsus et ad extremum rebellis. Sed in virtute illius diploma- NOVUM 0K6ANUM. 539 tis,i In sudore vultus comedes panem tuwm, per labores varios (non per disputationes certe, aut per otiosas ce- remonias magicas) tandem et aliqua ex parte ad panem homini priEbendum, id est, ad usus vitae humanse subigitur. 1 " Diploma" may be rendered "charter." Finis Libri Secundi Novi Organi. END OP vol/. I.