N OV U M O RG A N U M

T RU E SU G GE STIO N S F O R T H E INTE RPRETA TIO N

O F N A T U RE

PRE F A C E

TH E Y who h a v e p r es um ed to dogm a tiz e ou n a ture as ,

on s om e we ll inv estig a t e d su b j e ct e ith er f ro m s elf c onc eit

,
-

or a r r og a nc e ,
a n d in t he p r o f e ss or i a l styl e h a v e i n fl ict ed
,

t he g r ea t est inj u r y o n phil os o phy a n d l ea r ning F or th ey

.

h a v e t e nd e d to stifl e a n d int err upt in q ui ry e x a ctly in pro

p or tion a s th ey h a v e p r e v a il ed in br inging o th ers t o th eir
Opi ni on : a n d th ei r o wn a ctivity h a s n ot c o unt er b a l a nc ed
t he mi s chi e f th ey h a v e o cc a si o n e d b y c or r upting a n d d e

st roying th a t of o th e rs T h ey a g a i n w ho h a v e e nt e re d up on
.

a c o nt r a r y c o u rs e a n d as s ert e d th a t n othing w h a t e v e r ca n
,

b e kn own wh e th e r th e y h a v e f a ll e n int o thi s opini o n f r om

,

th ei r h a t re d of th e a nci ent s ophists or fro m th e h es it a ti o n

,

o f th e i r mind s ,
or f ro m a n e xub er a nc e o f l ea r ning have
,

c er t a i nl y a dduc e d r ea s ons for it which a r e b y n o m ea ns

c ont em pti b l e T h ey h a v e n ot h o w e v er d eriv e d th eir
.
, ,

o pini o n f r o m tr u e s o ur c e s a n d, hu rr i e d on b y th e ir z ea l
,

a n d s o m e a fl ec t a t i o n h a v e c ert a inl y exc e ed e d d u e m od era

,

ti o n B ut t he m
. or e a n ci e nt G r ee ks
( wh os e w riting s h a v e

p er i s h e d) h eld a m or e p r ud ent m ea n b e tw ee n t he arro

, ,

g a nc e o f d ogm a tism a n d t he d esp a i r o f sc ep ticism ; a n d

,

though too fr e q u e ntl y int ermingling compl a ints a n d i n d i g

( )
5
n a ti o n a t the difli c u l ty of inqui ry a n d the ob sc urity of ,

thi ngs a n d ch a m p ing a s it w ere th e b it h a v e still per

, , , ,

s ist e d i n p ressing th e i r p oint a n d purs uing th e ir inter ,

cou rs e with n a tu r e ; thin k ing a s it s eems th a t the b ett er , ,

m ethod wa s n ot t o di s put e up on t h e v ery p oint of th e pos

s i b i l i ty o f a nything b e ing k n own b ut to p ut it t o t h e t est ,

of exp er i e nc e Y e t th ey th e ms elv es by only e mpl oying

.
,

t h e p o w er of t he und er st a n di ng h a v e not a d o pt ed a fix e d ,

r ul e b ut h a v e l a id th e i r wh o l e s t r e s s up o n int e n s e m e dit a
,

tion a n d a c ontinu a l ex ercis e a n d p erp e tu a l a git a ti on of

,

th e mind .

O u r m e th o d th ough di ffi cul t in its o p era ti on is ea sil y

, ,

e xpl a in e d It c on s ists in d et ermining t h e d eg rees of c er

.

t a inty whil e we a s it w er e rest ore th e s e ns es to th ei r

, , ,

f orm er r a n k b ut g e n e ra lly rej ect th a t o p era tion of t he

,

mind which f ollows cl os e up o n t he s e ns es a n d op e n a n d ,

e st a b li s h a n e w a n d c er t a in c o u rs e f or t he mind f r o m the

fi rst a ctu a l p erc epti o n s of t he s en s e s th ems elv es Thi s no .

,

d ou b t wa s t he vi e w t a k e n b y thos e who h a v e a ssign e d so

,

much t o l ogic ; sh o wing cl ea r ly th er eb y th a t th ey s o ught

s om e s upp ort f o r t he mind a n d sus p e ct ed its n a tu r a l a n d ,

sp ont a n eo us m od e of a cti o n B ut this i s n ow e m pl oy e d .

t oo l a t e a s a re m e d y w h e n a ll is cl ea rly lost a n d a ft e r t he
, ,

mind b y the d a ily h a b it a n d in t ercou rs e of lif e ha s c om e

, ,

p r ep os s ess e d with c orr upt e d d oct rin es a n d fill e d wi th the ,

v a in e s t id ol s The a r t of l ogic th er ef or e b eing ( a s we h a ve

.

‘
m e nti o n e d ) t oo l a t e a p r ec a uti o n a n d in n o w a y r em edy
, ,

B eca u e it w as idle to d ra w a l ogic l conclu s i n f omfa l e p rinciple e or

s a o r s s, rr

be ing p pag te d much by f ls p mi es w hich l gic d

ro a as a e t p te nd tore s ,
o oes n o re

e x min
a e, by ill egiti m te i nf e nc H nce
as a Bac n ay s fu rth e o me
re e . e , as o s r n, n

be ing si l y l d to conf o nd l giti m te inf nce w ith t uth were confi med
ea e u e a ere r , r

i n th ei r erro by th e v ery s u b tilty of th eir g eniu s — E d

rs .
 7

ing the m a tt er has te n d ed m ore to con fi r m err ors th a n to

, ,

discl ose tr uth O ur onl y rema ining h o pe a n d sa lv a ti o n is

.

t o b egin t h e wh ol e l a b or of th e mind a g a i n ; n o t l ea ving

it to i ts elf b ut di r ecting it p er p etu a lly fro m t he v e ry fi rst

, ,

a n d a t ta i n i n g o u r e n d a s it w e re by m e ch a ni ca l ai d if
~
.

m en for insta nc e ha d a tte m p t e d m ech a n ica l l a bors wit h

, ,

th ei r h a nds a lon e a n d witho ut t he pow er a n d ai d of i n s tr u

,

m ents a s th ey h a v e n ot h esit a t ed to c a rr y o n t he l ab ors

,

o f th e i r und e rs ta nding with t h e un a id e d efi or ts o f th e ir

mind th e y w o uld h a v e b ee n ab l e to m ov e a n d o v er c ome

,

b ut littl e th o ugh th ey h a d e x e r t ed th e ir utm ost a n d u nit ed

,

p o w e r s A n d ju s t t o p a u s e a whil e on thi s c o mp a ris on

.
,

a n d l oo k into it a s a mi rr or ; l et us as k if a n y o b e lis k of
,

a r em a r ka b l e siz e w e re p er ch a nc e r e q ui re d to b e m o v ed ,

f or t h e pu rp os e of g ra cing a t r iumph or a n y simil a r pa g

ean t ,
a n d m e n w er e t o a tt e mpt it with th ei r b a r e h a nds ,

w o uld n o t a n y s ob er s p ect a t or a v o w it to b e a n a c t of t he
gr ea t es t m a dn e ss " A nd if th ey sh o uld inc r ea s e th e n um
b er of w or km e n a n d im a gin e th a t th ey c o uld thus s ucc eed
, ,

w o uld he n ot thin k s o still m or e "B ut if th ey ch os e to m a ke

a s e l e cti o n a n d t o r em o v e t h e w ea k a n d o nl y e m pl oy the
, ,

st ro ng a n d vig or o us t hi n ki ng b y this m ea ns a t a n y r a te
, , ,

t o a chi e v e th e i r obj ect w o uld h e n o t s a y th a t th ey w e re

,

mor e fon dly d er a ng e d " N a y if n ot c o nte nt with this th ey

, ,

w ere to d e ter min e on c o nsulting t he a thl e tic a rt an d w er e ,

t o giv e or d ers f or a ll t o a pp ea r with th ei r h a nds a rm s a n d , ,

muscl e s r egul a rl y o il e d a n d p re p a r e d w o uld h e n ot excl a im

,

th a t th ey w ere t a k ing p a ins t o r a v e b y m e th o d a n d d esign "

'

Y e t m e n ar e hu rr i e d o n wi t h t he s a m e s e nse l ess e n er gy a n d
u s e l ess c o m b in a tion in i nt e ll e ctu a l m a tt e rs a s l o ng as th ey
,

e xp ec t g r ea t r e s ults e ith er f r o m t h e num b e r a n d a g re em e nt ,

o r th e e xc ell e nc e a n d a cut en e ss of th eir wit s ; or e v e n

8 P RE F A C E
s trengt hen their minds with l ogi c which may b e c on ,

s i d e r e d a s a n a th l e tic p r e p a r a ti o n b ut ye t d o n ot d es i s t
,

( if we rightl y consid er the m a tt er) f rom a pp ly ing th e i r o wn

u nde rst a ndings m er e l y with a ll this z ea l a n d eff ort Whil e .

nothi ng is more cl ea r th a n th a t in e v ery g rea t w or k ex e

,

out e d by t h e h a nd of ma n with o ut m a chines or i m p l em e nts ,

i t i s imp ossi b l e for th e str ength of individu a ls to b e i n

c r ea s e d or for th a t o f t he multitud e to c o m b ine
, .

H a ving p r e mis e d so much we l ay d o wn t wo p oint s o n

,

which we w o uld a dm o nish m a n k ind l es t th ey sh o uld f a il ,

t o s e e or to o b s er v e t h e m .The fi r st o f th es e i s th a t i t is ,

ou r g oo d f or tun e a s we c o nsid e r it r t h e s a k e of ex ti n
( ) f o ,

g u i s h i n
g a n d re m o ving cont ra dicti o n a n d i rr it a ti on of mind ,

to l ea v e th e h on or a n d r ev er enc e d u e t o t h e a nci e nts u n

t ouch ed a n d undi m inish e d so th a t we c a n p e rf or m ou r
,

int end ed wor k a n d y e t e nj oy t he b e n efit of o u r r esp ectf ul

,

m od e ra tion F or if we sh o uld p rofes s t o off er som ething

.

b e tt e r th a n t he a nci e nt s a n d y et s h o uld pu rs u e t h e s a me
,

c ou rs e a s th ey h a v e d o n e w e c o uld n e v er by a n y a r tific e
, , ,

c o nt r iv e t o a v oid t he imput a ti on of h a vi ng e ng a g ed in a
c ont es t or riv a l ry a s t o o u r res p ectiv e wits exc e ll e nc es , ,

o r t a l e nts ; which ,
th o ugh n eith er i n a d m issi b l e n or n e w (for
why s h ould we n o t b l a m e a n d point o u t a nyt h ing th a t is
i m p er f ectly di s c ov e red or l a id down by th e m of ou r o wn ,

r ight a r ight c omm o n t o

, y e t h o w e v er j ust a n d a ll o w

a bl e w o uld p e r h a p s b e sc a r c e ly a n e qu a l m a tch o n a cc o u n t
, ,

of th e di s p rop or ti on of o u r s tr ength B ut s inc e o u r p r es ent

.

p l a n l ea d s up t o Op e n a n e nti r e ly d i ff er ent c o ur s e t o t he
u nd ers ta nding a n d o n e un a tt e m pt e d a n d unkn o wn t o th e m
, ,

t h e c a s e i s a lt e r e d .T h er e i s a n e n d to p a rty z ea l a n d we ,

o nly t a k e up o n o u rs e lv es t h e ch a ra ct er o f a guid e whic h ,

r equi re s a m o d e r a t e sh a r e of a uth or ity a n d g ood f or tun e ,

 ra th er th a n t a l ents a n d exc ell enc e The first a d monition .

r el a t es t o p ers o ns t h e n ext t o things

, .

W e m a k e n o a tt empt t o distur b t he syst em of phil osop h y

th a t n ow p re va ils or a n y oth e r which m ay or will e xi s t
, ,
'

e ith er m or e c orr e ct or m or e c ompl e t e F or we d e n y n ot .

th a t t he r ec e i v e d syst em Of phil os ophy a n d oth er s of a ,

simil a r n a tur e e nc o u ra g e discussi on e m b e llish h ar a ngu es

, , ,

a re e mpl oy e d a n d a r e o f s er vic e in t h e duti e s of th e

, p ro

f essor a n d t he a ff a i rs Of civil lif e

, N a y w e Op e nl y e xp r e s s
.
,

a n d d e cl a r e th a t t h e phil os op h y w e O ff e r will n o t b e v e r y

u s eful i n such r es p ects It is n o t ob vi o u s n or to b e u nd e r

.
,

st ood i n a c u rs ory vi e w n or d oe s it fl a tt er t he min d i n i ts

,

pr ec onc eiv e d n oti o ns n or will it d esc e nd t o th e l e v el of the

,

g e n era lity Of m a n k ind unl es s by its a dv a nt a g e s a n d e ff ects .

Le t th er e e xist th e n ( a n d m a y it b e of a dv a nt a g e to
b oth ) t wo s ou r c es a n d t wo dist ri b u ti ons of l ear ning a n d
, , ,

i n lik e m a nn er tw o tr ib es a n d a s it w ere ki nd r e d fa mili es

,

o f c o nt empl a t or s o r phil os o ph e rs w ith o ut a n y h o stility o r

,

a li e n a ti o n b e tw e e n th e m ; b ut r a th e r a lli e d a n d unit e d by

m utu a l as sist a nc e Le t th er e b e in sh or t o n e m e th o d
.

of cultiv a ting th e s ci e nc es a n d a n oth er of disc o v ering

,

th e m A nd a s for th os e who p r efe r a n d m or e rea dily r e

.

c e i v e t he f or m er o n a cc o unt Of th e i r h a s t e or f r om m o tiv e s
,

a r i s ing f ro m th e i r o r din ar y lif e o r b e c a u s e th ey a r e un a bl e

,

f ro m w ea kn ess of mind to c om p r e h e nd a n d em b r a c e t h e
o th e r which mu s t n e c e s s a rily b e t h e c a s e with by f a r t h e
(
g rea t er numb er) l et u s w i sh th a t th ey m a y p r osp er a s th e y
,

d esi r e in th ei r und er t a k ing ; a n d a tta in w h a t th ey p ur su e .

B ut if a n y individu a l d es i r e a n d is a n xi o us n ot m er ely t o
,

a d h e r e t o a n d m a k e u s e of p re s e n t disc o v e r i es b u t t o p e n e
, ,

t ra t e still f ur th er a n d n o t to o v er com e hi s a dv ers a r i es i n

,

dis p ut es b ut n a tu r e by l a b or not in sh or t t o giv e el ega nt

, ,
10 P RE F A C E

an d speciou s opinions b ut to k n ow to a c er ta in ty a n d d e m
,

o n s t ra ti o n l e t him a s a t r u e son of sci e n ce ( if such b e h i s

, ,

wi s h ) j oin with u s ; th a t w h e n he ha s l e ft t he a ntech a mb e rs

,

of n a tu r e t rodd e n by t h e multitud e a n e nt r a nc e ma y a t l a s t
,

b e disc o v er e d t o her inn e r a p ar t me nts A nd in or d er to b e

.

b ette r und e rs t ood a n d t o r end er ou r m ea ning m or e f a mili ar

,

b y a s signing d e ter min a t e n a m es we h a v e a ccu s t om e d ou r

,

s elv e s to c a ll the o n e m eth od th e a nticip a ti o n Of th e mind ,

a n d th e o th e r th e int erp r e t a ti o n O f n a tu r e .

W e h a v e still o n e r e qu est l e ft W e h a v e a t l e a st re
.

flec te d a n d t a k e n p a ins in o r d e r to r e nd er o u r p ro p ositi o ns

n o t o nly t r u e b ut o f e a sy a n d f a m ili a r a cc es s to m en s ’
,

mind s h o w e v er wond er ful ly p re p os s es s e d a n d l imit ed

, .

Y e t it i s b ut j u s t th a t we sh o uld Obt a in t hi s f a vo r f rom

m a nkind (es p e ci a lly i n so g rea t a r es t o ra ti o n o f l ea r ning
a n d t h e s ci e nc e s ) th a t wh os oe v er ma y b e d e s i ro us O f f or m
,

ing a n y d et er m i n a ti o n u p on a n Opi ni on of thi s o u r w or k

e ith e r f r o m h i s o wn p er c e p ti o ns or t h e c r o wd o f a u t hor i
,

ti es O r t he f or ms of d e m o n s tr a ti on s h e will n ot exp ect t o

, ,

b e a bl e t o d o s o in a cu rs or y m a nn er a n d w hil e a tt e nding ,

t o oth e r m a tt e rs ; but in o r d er t o h a v e a th oro ugh kn o wl e dg e

o f th e subj e ct will him s e lf by d e g re es a tt e mpt t h e c o u r s e

,

which w e d es c rib e a n d m a int a in ; will b e a ccu s t om e d to t h e

subtilty of things which is m a nif es t e d b y e xp e ri e nc e ; a n d
W i ll c or r ect t h e d e p r a v e d a n d d e epl y r oot e d h a bits of his
mind by a s ea son a bl e a n d as it w er e j us t h es it a ti o n :
, , ,

a n d th e n ,fi n a lly (if he will ) u s e hi s j udgm ent wh en he

,

h a s b e gun to b e m a st er o f hims elf .

 O N THE INTE RPRE TA TIO N O F NA TU RE A ND THE
E M PIRE OF MAN

I . mi nist er a n d int erp r e t er of n a tu r e d oe s

MAN, as th e ,

a n d und erst a n d s a s much a s his Ob s er v a ti o ns o n t h e or d e r

of n a tu r e e ith e r with r e g ar d t o things o r t h e mind p e r mit

, ,

him a n d n eith er kno ws n or i s c a p a bl e o f m or e

, .

II Th e un a s sist e d h a nd a n d t he und ers t a nding l eft to

.

it s elf p oss es s but littl e p ow er E ff e cts a r e p roduc e d by t he .

m ea n s of i n s t r u m e n ts a n d h elps which t h e und er st a nding ,

re qui r es n o l es s th a n t he h a nd ; a n d a s instr um e nts e ith er

p r om ot e o r r egul a t e t h e m oti on of t he h a nd s o th os e th a t ,

a r e a ppli e d t o th e mind p r ompt o r p r o t e ct t h e und ers t a ndi n g .

III "n o wl e dg e a n d hum a n p o w er a re syn o ny m o u s s inc e

.
,

t h e ign or a nc e of t h e c a u s e f r u s t r a t e s t h e e ff ect ; f or n a tu r e is

o nly subdu e d by s ubmissi o n a n d th a t which i n c on t e m u

]
,

p l a t i v e phil o s op hy c or r e sp o nds with t h e c a us e in p r a ctic a l

sci e nc e b e c om es t he r ul e .

I V M a n whil e o p e ra ting c a n onl y a ppl y o r withdra w

.

n a tu r a l b odi es ; n a tur e int er n a lly p er f orm s t he r est .

V T hos e who b ec om e p r a ctic a lly v ers e d in n a tu re a r e

.
,

t h e m e ch a nic t he m a th e m a tici a n ,
th e physici a n th e a l , ,

‘
ch e mist a n d t he m a g i ci a n but a ll ( a s m a tt ers n o w st a nd)
, ,

with f a int efforts a n d m ea g r e succ ess .

B con u s s th te m in i ts nci ent en

a e e d mea n
r e wh k n wing
a s se , a n s on o, o

th e ccult p
o ti f b di i b l t t tl th ig nt by d w i ng t f ra ou o
pe r e o ro o a r s o es , s a e s e e n ora

th m w nd ful d unf seen ch ng s Se th 85 th ph i m f thi s book

e o er an ore a e . e e a or s o ,

a d t h e 6 th ca p b
n k i ii of th e De A gme ti s Sci enti u m where h pea k s
. oo . u n ar ,
e s

more clear ly— E d .

12 NO V U M OR G A NUM

V I It would b e m a dn ess a n d inconsiste ncy t o supp os e

.

th a t things which h a v e n ev er y e t b ee n p erfo r m e d c a n b e

rf O r me d with o ut e mploy ing s om e hi th er to un tr i e d m ea n s
p e .

V II Th e c rea ti o ns O f t he mind a n d h a nd a pp ea r v e ry
.

n um er ou s if we j udg e b y b ook s a n d m a n ufa ctu re s ; but a l l

,

th a t v a ri e ty c o nsi s t s Of a n e xc essiv e r efin e m e nt a n d o f d e ,

d u c t i o n s f r o m a fe w w e ll kn o wn m a tt er s— n ot of a n u m ber
”
f
o a x i om s .

E v e n t he e fifec ts a l re a dy di s c o v ere d a r e d u e t o
V III .

ch a nc e a n d e xp erim e nt ra th e r th a n t o t he s ci e nc es ; f or ou r
p r ese nt sci e nc es a r e n o thing m or e th a n p e culi a r a r ra ng e
m e n ts of m a tt er s a l re a dy di s c o v ere d a n d n ot m e th od s f or ,

di s c o v e ry o r pl a n s for n e w Op era ti o n s .

IX Th e s ol e c a u s e a n d roo t Of a l m o s t e v ery d e fect in

.

t h e s ci e nc e s i s thi s th a t whil e we f a l s e ly a d mi r e a n d e xt ol ,

t h e p o w e r s o f t h e hum a n mind we d o n ot s ea r ch f or its ,

r ea l h e lp s .

X Th e s ubtilty Of n a tu re i s fa r b e y o nd th a t o f s e nse
.

o r of t he und ers t a nding : s o th a t t he s p e ci o u s m e dit a ti o ns ,

sp ec u l a ti o n s a n d th e or i es of m a nkind a re but a kind of

,

in sa nity o nly th ere i s n o o n e to s ta nd by a n d ob s er ve it

, .

XI A s t h e p r es ent s ci e nc es a r e u s el es s for t h e di s c ov er y
.

o f e ff e ct s s o t he p r es e nt s y s t e m o f l ogic i s u s e l es s f o r t he
8
,

di s c o v ery of t he s ci e nc es .

9
By thi t s p k O f gen l p inci pl es
er m univ e
a xi o ma ta , B c nh
a o e re s ea s era r , or r

s l l w
a aI th 19 th ph i m h
s . n mpl y th t m t e xp s a y p p iti n a or s e e o s e er o e res n ro os o

coll ct d f m f ct by induc ti n d thu fi tt d t b me th t tm g p mt

e e ro a s o , an s e o ec o e s ar -
o

f d ductiv n ing In th l t d m ig u n e f th t m B c n
“
o e e r ea s o . e as an ore r oro s se s o e er ,
a o

h ld th y f m xpe i nc S Wh w ll Ph l phy of th Inductive ’

“
e e ar ose ro e r e e . ee e e s i os o e

Sci nc v l i p 7 4 ; d M ill
”
L gic v l 1 p 3 1 1 ; d t h J un e ’ ”

“
e es , o . . . an s o , o . . . an e

Q u t l y ”
1 84
ar e r 1 f t h,
m d n ph f th di cu i — Ed
,
or e o er ase o e s s s on .

Ba con h e e tt i b utes to th A i t t li n l g c th
3 r n u c n q u ences
a r e r s o e a o i e e r ro eo s o se

which p ung t
s f it
r bu Th d m n t tiv e f m it xhi b its w h th
ou o s a se . e e o s ra or s e , e er

v e b lly m th em tica lly xp e ed

r a or nca y t th upp t v i fica ti n
a e r ss ,
a re e e s sa r o e s or , er o ,
 N O V UM O R GA N UM

XI I The p res e nt syst e m of l ogic r a th er a ssists in c on

.

fi r ming a n d re nd er ing i nv e t era te t he e rror s f o und ed on

vulg a r n otions th a n in s ea r ching a ft er t r uth a n d is th ere ,

fore m or e hu r tful th a n us e ful .

The syll ogism is n ot a pp li e d t o t he p r incipl es of

es a n d i s of n o a v a il in int er m e di a te a xi o ms
‘as
, ,

an d e xten s i n f i nducti on a d w h en the p ropos iti on s th ey emb ce are f unded

o o ,
n ra o

n
o a ccu
an t a d cl o b e v tion of f ct th e conclu i n s to which th y
ra e n se o s r a a s, s o e

l d
ea v en in m l ci nce may b g ded a ce t in th f ct wre t d o t
, e or a s e , e re ar s r a as e a s s e u

of n t by di ct xp i m nt In ph y ic uch f m
a u re re b lutel y q ui d
e er e . s s s or s a re a so re re

to g n eli th e ult f xp i nc
er a ze d t c nn ct i nt med t
e r s xi om w ith
s o e er e e, an o o e er ia e a s

l w s ti ll m e g n l
a s i fii i tly tt t d by th f ct th t
or e e ra ci nce
, as s su c en a es e e a , a no s e

s mc B c n d y h c d t b exp i m nt l by th e me me th od f induc
e a o
’
s a as ea se o e er e a re o

ti n d th t ll b com ex ct nly f as th ey i b ve xpe i nc

o , an a a e d e a o so ar r se a o e r e e, an

c nn ect th i i l t d ph n men w ith g

o e r l l w by th p incipl
so a e f d d c e o a e n era a s e r es o e u

ti ve ning S f th n
r ea so th f m f m b ing u s l e s th t th y e
. O a r, e , a re ese or s ro e e s , a e ar

ab solut l y nti l t th e dv nc m nt O f th ci nc
e e s se a d in o c
o be a a e e e s e es , an n a se ca n

look d o e d t i ment l xc pt w h n Ob t ud d in the pl c f di ct xp i

n as e r a ,
e e e r e a e o re e er

m nt e empl y d as a m a n s of d ducing c onclu i on

,
or o e b ut n tu f om i m e e s s a o a re r

agi y h y p th s
n ar d b t ct c nc pti n s
o Thi h d b n unf tun t l y the
e es a n a s ra o e o . s a ee or a e

p ctic f the G eek s F m th pi d d v l pm nt g m t y c ived in th i r

ra e o r . ro e ra e e o e eo e r re e e

b an d th y i ma gi n ed th s m m th d w uld l d to ults q u lly b i lli nt i n

s, e e a e e o o ea re s e a r a

n tu l ci nce a d n atching up om b t ct p i ncipl w hich th y ca efull y

a ra s e ,
n s s e a s ra r e, e r

rem v d fo e m th t t f xp e i m nt i m gi d th y could
ro e es n t f om it ll
o e r e , a ne e re a s o ou r a

th e l w a d exte n l pp
s an nc f th univ Thr ch l tics w i m
a a ea ra es o e e rse . e s o as e re

pell d al ng th
e m p th
o t nl y by p c d nt b ut by p f
e sa e i on Th l gy
a ,
no o re e e ,
ro ess . eo o

w as t h nl y ci nc w hich c iv d f om th m con i t nt d v l pm nt d
e o s e e re e e r e a s s e e e o e , an

th d p i
e g unds w hich it ted p v nted th m f m mpl y ing y
r on
'

ro on r es re e e ro e o an

oth m th d in th pu u i t f n tu l p h n m n
er e o Thu f m f dem n t
e rs o a ra e o e a . s, or s o o s ra

ti n i th m lv ccu a t
o ,
n e d f m m nt u v lu in th i p op
se es a ph e r e, a n o o e o s a e e r r er s er ,

be ca m c nf und ed w ith f bl
e o d l d m
o into th i de th ey w e e xpl ing a e, an e en e a r e or

t uth wh n th y w
r nl y a ccu t l y d ducing e
e e f m e re o O e p i ci ple ra e e rr or ro e rr or . n r n

ev er so s lightly d fl cte d li ke f l q u ntity in equ ti n c ould b fii i t

e , a a se a an e a o , e su c en

to inf ct t h w h l
e i of c oncl u i n f w hich it w th b ; d th ugh
e o e s er e s s o s o as e a se an o

th phil
e ph might u b q u ntl y d educe th u sa nd c n cutiv mf
oso er s es se e a o o se e e r en c

wi th th ut m t a ccu c ye p ci i n h e w uld nl y ucc d in d w i ng t

os ra or re s o ,
o o s ee ra ou

ve y m th dic ll y nin hund d d nin ty nin e s — E d

r e o a e re an e -
e r ror .

It w uld pp f m thi
4
o d th e tw p ceding ph i m tha t Ba con
a ea r ro s an o re a or s s,

f ll i nt th
e o Of d n y ng th utility f th y ll gi m in t h v y pa t of
e e rror e i e o e s o s e er r

i n ductiv e ci nc whe e it is ess nti a ll y eq u i ed

s e e Logic li ke ma th ma tics is
r e r r .
, e ,
14 N OVU M OR G A N UM

b eing v ery un eq u al to the su b ti l ty o f n at ure I t f o rc es .

a ss ent th ere f or e a n d not things

, , .

XIV The syll ogism consis ts o f propos iti ons ; pro posi
.

ti o ns Of w ord s ; w o rd s a re t h e signs o f n o ti on s I f th e re .
,

t he n o ti o ns ( which f or m t he b as is o f t he wh ol e) b e

a n d c a r el es s l y a bst ra ct e d f ro m thing s th e re is n o ,

in t he sup ers t r uctu r e O ur o nly h op e then is in .

, ,

g en u i n e inducti o n .

XV W e h a v e n o s o und n o ti o ns e ith er in l ogic or phys

.

i c s ; sub st a nc e , q u a lity a cti o n p a ssi o n a n d e xist e nc e a re , , ,

n o t cl e a r n o tio n s ; much l e s s w e i ght l e vity d e n s ity t e nu , , ,

ity m oi s tu re d ry n es s g en er a tio n c orr upti on a ttra cti o n

, , , , , ,

pu l y f m l p c
re a d mu t
or ath c ff l d ing t th b uildi g b em
ro es s , a n s , as e s a o o e n , e ~

pl y d t
o e n g f ct in th t uctu f ci enc
o a rr a e a d s t t f m y p e s r re o a s e, an no o or an or

t n O f i t g und w k
io s t uppl y th m t i l f w hich th y t m i to
ro or , or o s e a er a s o e s s e s

b e c mp d Th w d y ll gi m li k m t th py ch l gi cal te m h s
o os e . e or s o s ,
e os o er s o o r s, a

no fix d igin l igni fi c ti n b ut i m t m mpl y d as it w by the

e or o r a s a o , s so e i es e o e , as

G k t dn t gn l
ree s, o n i ng d t th e t p int t th e f mal
e o e e era r ea so ,
an a o rs o o ou or

m th d O f d duc ng
e o p ticul inf nc f m tw
e i am re g n l p p i
ar ar e re e ro o or o e e ra ro os

ti n B c n d
o s . t c n fi n t h t m wi thin th
a o oes n o b und i f xp od fi e e er e o a r es o e re ss e

n it b ut l v
i on , t inf th t h t ok it in th l tt
ea es u s n f m h i cu tom
o er a e o e a er s e se , ro s s

o f ci t ng th t m w ith t h w ngling O f th ch l Th ch l tic it

a s so a i e er e ra s e s oo s . e s o as s,

i t
s b u d th d ductiv yll gi m by mpl y ing t in i t n k d k le t n
ru e , a se e e e s o s , e o i s a e , s e o

l i k f m d c nf unding it W th th w h l b d th f l gica l theo y ; b t

e or , an o o i e o e re a o o r u

th i e r e r rors t t b vi it d A i t tl e w h o n v
a re no d m d of pl y ing
o e s e on r s o , e er r ea e a

w ith f m l y ll gi m or d l
a t f ll mi t k th d c nding f th c nd
s o s s, a n ,
eas o a ,
s oo e es e or e as e

ing i f inf nc In
s e r es o m ind w f a cc d w ith t h S t g y it
e re e . who ou r e are o or e a r e,

p p und
ro o f w s, int p t h im tw m d O f inv ti g ting t uth
as ar as e ca n er re ,
o o es es a r

th e on e by which w c nd f m p ticul d ingu la fa cts t g n

e as e l la ws ro ar a r an s r o e era

a d n xi m a d th o th by w h ch w d cend f m univ l p p iti n to

s , an e o er i e es ro ersa ro o s o s

th indivi du l c
e w hich th y vi tu ll y includ
a a se s L gic th f e mu t eq u lly e r a e . o , e re or , s a

vindic t th f m l pu ity f t h y nth ti c ill ti n by w hich it c nd t the

a e e or a r o e s e a o as e s o

wh l th
o e , as n ly tic p c by w hich it d c nd t the p ts The d ductive
e a a ro ess es e s o ar . e

an d inductiv e y ll ogi m f q u l igni fi ca nce in b uil di g

s s p y b d y of
a re o e a s n u an o

t uth
r d wh ve
, an t i ct l gic to ith p c e s mi t k s e ha lf of i ts
oe r res r s o e er ro s , s a e on -

p vi nc f th wh l ; d if h c t up n h i
ro e or e o e wi ll p alyze hi s me th
an e a s o s e rr or, ar

ods an d s t i k e the n ob les t p

,
r t O f s ci ence wi th s t i lity — E d ar er .
'
.
 NOV UM OR GA N UM

re p u ls i o n e le ment m a tt er form a n d the li ke T he y a re

, , , , .

a ll fa nta stic a l a n d il l d efi n ed -
.

XVI The n oti o n s of l ess a b stra ct n a ture s a s ma n d og

.
, , ,

d o ve a n d t he imm e di a te p erc e pti o ns of se n se as h ea t c old

, , , ,

white bl a c k do not d ec eiv e us m a t eri a ll y yet e v e n th e se

, , ,

a r e som e ti m e s con f u s ed b y t he muta b ility O f m a tt er a n d

t h e inte r mixture o f things A ll the r est whi ch m e n h a ve

.

hi th ert o e mpl oy e d ar e e r ror s a n d imp ro p er l y a b stracte d ,

a n d d e duc e d f r o m things .

X V I I T h er e i s t he s a m e d eg ree of lic en ti o u s n ess a n d

.

e rr o r in f o rming a xi oms as i n a b st r a cting n o ti o n s a n d th a t ,

in th e fi rst p r incipl es which d e p e nd on c om m on inducti on ;

,

stil l m or e is thi s th e c as e in a xi oms a n d inf er i or p r op os i

ti o ns d er iv e d f ro m syll ogi sm s .

XV III The p res e nt di s c o v e ri e s in sci e nc e a r e such as

.

l i e i mm edi a t ely b e n ea th t h e s u r f a c e Of c omm o n n o tion s It .

is n ec ess a ry h ow e v er t o p e n e tr a t e t he m or e s ec r e t a n d re
, ,

m ot e p a rts of n a tu re in or d er to a b s t ra ct b oth n oti o n s a n d

,

a xi oms f r om things b y a mor e c er t a in a n d gu ar d e d m e th od .

XIX Th er e a re a n d c a n exi s t b ut t wo w a ys of inv es ti

.

g a ting a n d di s c ov er ing t ruth The o n e hu r r i es on ra pidly .

f ro m t he s e n s es a n d p a r ticul ar s t o t h e m ost g e n era l a xi oms ,

a n d f ro m th e m as p r incipl es a n d th e i r su p
, p os ed i n di s pu t
a bl e t r uth d er iv e s a n d disc o v e rs t h e int e r m e di a t e a xi oms
,
.

T his is t he wa y n o w in u se The o th er c o nst r ucts i ts a xi oms

.

f r om th e s en s es a n d p a rticul a r s by a sc e nding conti nu a lly ,

a n d g ra du a lly till it fin a lly a rriv es a t t he m ost g e n era l

,

a xi o m s which i s th e t r u e but un a tt e mpt e d wa y

,
.

XX Th e und e rsta nding wh e n l e ft to its e lf p r oc ee ds by

.

t he s a m e wa y a s t h a t which it w o uld h a v e a d o pt e d und e r

th e guid a nc e of l ogic n a m e ly t he fi rs t ; f or th e mind i s f o nd

, ,

of star ting Off to g e n er a liti es th a t it m ay a v oid l a bor a n d , ,

16 N O VU M OR GA N UM

a fter dw elli ng a l ittl e on a su b j ect is fa tigued by ex p erim ent .

B ut th ose e vils a re a ugm ented by l ogic for t he s a k e Of the ,

ost e nta ti o n Of di s pute .

XX I The und erst a nding w h e n l eft to its elf in a ma n Of

.
,

a st ea d y p a ti ent a n d r efl ecting disp ositi o n (es p eci a l ly wh e n

, ,

unimp e d ed by r ec eiv ed d oct rin es) m a k es s om e a tt empt i n ,

t h e r ight wa y but with littl e eff ect s inc e t he un d e rs ta nding

, , ,

undi re ct ed a n d un a s s i s t e d i s un e qu a l to a n d unfit f or t he ,

ta s k of v a nqui s hing t h e Ob s c u rity o f thing s .

XX II E a ch o f th es e t wo w a y s b egin s f ro m t h e s e nses
.

a n d p a r ticul a r s a n d e nds in t h e g r ea t e s t g e n e r a l i ti es
,
B ut .

th ey a r e i m m ea su ra bly diff e rent ; for t he o n e m er ely t o uch es

cu rs or ily th e limits o f exp e rim e nt a n d p ar ticul a rs w hil e t he ,

o th e r r un s d uly a n d r e gul a r ly th r o ug h t h e m — t h e o n e f r o m

t he v e ry o ut s et l a y s d own s om e a b s t ra ct a n d us e l es s g e n era l

iti es t he oth er g ra d u a lly r i s es to th os e pr 1n c rpl es w

g ‘
‘

hi c h a r e
h M g

“
,

re a lly t h e m o s t c om m o n i n n a tu r e .

XXIII T h e re is n o sm a ll diff er enc e b etw ee n t he id ols

.

o f t h e h um a n mind a n d t he id ea s o f t h e D ivin e mind — th a t

i s to s a y b e t we e n c e r t a in idl e d og m a s a n d t h e r e a l st a mp
,

a n d imp r e s si on of c r ea t e d Obj ects a s th ey a re f o und in ,

n a tu re .

XXI V A xi oms d e t er min ed up on in a rgum e nt c a n n ev er

.

a ssist i n th e disc o v er y o f n e w e ff e ct s ; f or t h e s u b tilty o f

n a tu r e i s v as tly s up eri or to th a t of a rgum e nt B ut a xi om s .

p rop er ly a n d r egul a rly a b s t ra ct e d f r om p ar tic ul a rs e a s ily

5
Th e L tin
a is , ad ea Thi xp i n
q uw r ever a a un t n a tu r es noti or a . s e res s o ,

t
n a u r es ti no t m ti
or a , i f eq u ntl y mpl y d by B con th t w
na u no or , s so r e e o e a ,
a e

ma y c nclud e it t p int t
o m di tingui h i ng f tu
o o in th B c ni n ph y ic
o so e s s ea re e a o a s s .

I t p pe l y ref t th mos t vi d nt p incipl

ro r ers o d l w of n tu
e e d p ing s
e r es a n a s a re , a n s r

f m th t y te m w hich g d s th e m t i l unive
ro a s s ree nd w d w ith i t lli
ar a er a rs e as o e n e

g ene d a ct
s , ani ng a cco di g to l es e ith fa s hi on ed o cl ea l y un de s tood by
r n ru er r r r
 17

p oint out a n d d efine n e w p a rticul a rs a n d theref or e imp art ,

a ctivity to t h e sci e nc e s .

XXV Th e a xi oms n o w i n u se ar e d eriv e d f rom a s c a nty

.

h a ndful a s it w er e of e xp er i e nc e a n d a f ew p ar ticul a rs Of
, , ,

fre q u en t occu rr e nc e wh e nc e th ey a r e of much th e s a m e

,

dim e n s i ons or e xt e nt a s th ei r or igin A nd if a n y n egl ecte d .

or unkn o wn i n s t a nc e o ccu rs t h e a xi o m is s a v e d b y s om e
,

f r iv o l ou s di s tincti o n wh e n it w o ul d b e m ore c o nsi s t e nt with

,

t r uth to a m e nd it .

XXV I W e a re . s a k e Of di s tincti o n t o c al l ,

th a t hu m a n r ea s oning whic h we a pply to n a tu re t h e a ntici

p a ti ou of n a tu r e (a s b eing r a s h a n d p r em a tu r e) a n d th a t ,

which is p rop er ly d ed uc e d f rom thing s t h e int er p r et a ti on Of

n a tu r e .

XX V II A nticip a ti o ns a r e suffici ently p ow er ful in pro

.

d u c i n g un a ni m ity fo r if m en w e r e a ll t o b e c om e e v en uni
,

f ormly m a d th ey m ight a g ree t ol er a b ly w ell with e a ch

,

o th e r .

XX V III A nticip a ti ons a ga in will b e a s s e nt e d t o much

.
,

m ore rea d i th a n int er p re t a ti o n s b e c a use b eing d e duc e d

,

f r om a s a n d th es e p r incip a lly o f f a mili a r o c

,

cu rre i mm e di a t ely hit th e und ers ta nding a n d sa t

a ti o n ; whil e o n t h e c o nt r a r y int er p r e t a ti o n s
, , ,

f rom v a r i o us subj ect s a n d th es e wid el y d i s ,

e r s e d c a n n o t sudd e nl y st r i k e t h e und e rs t a nding so th a t in

p , ,

c omm o n estim a ti o n th e y m u s t a pp ear d i fli c u l t a n d disc or d

a n t a n d a l m o s t lik e t h e myst e r i e s o f f a ith
,
-
.

XXIX ; I n sci e nc es f o und e d o n Opini o n s a n d d ogm a s it ,

is r ight t o m a ke u s e o f a nticip a ti on s a n d l ogic if y ou wi s h to

f or c e a s s ent r a th e r th a n thi n g s .

XXX If a ll the c a p a citi e s Of a ll a g es sh ould unit e a n d

.

combin e a n d tr a nsmit th ei r l a b ors n o g r ea t p r og r ess will be ,

18 NO VU M OR GA N UM

m a d e i n l ea r ning by a nticip a ti ons b ec a us e t he r a dic a l errors , ,

a n d th os e which occu r in t h e fi rst p r o c e ss of t h e mind a r e ,

n o t cu r e d b y th e e xc ell e nc e of su b s equ e n t m ea ns a n d r e m e

di es .

X X XI It is in v a in to exp ect a n y g r e a t p r og ress in th e

.

sci e nc e s by t he s up er inducing or i ng ra fting n e w m a tt e rs

up o n ol d A n in s t a u ra ti o n mu s t b e m a d e f ro m t h e v ery
.

f o und a ti o n s if we d o n ot w i s h to re v ol ve f or e v er in a c i r
,

c l e m a king on ly s o m e slight a n d c o nt e mptibl e p ro g r e s s

,
.

XXXII The a nci e nt a u th or s a n d a ll o th e rs a r e l e ft in

.

undi s put e d p os s es si o n of th e i r h on or s ; f or w e e nt er int o n o

c omp a ri s on of c a p a city or t a l e nt b ut o f m ethod a n d a s s um e , ,

t h e p a r t of a guid e ra th e r th a n of a c ritic .

XXXIII To sp e a k pl a inly n o c orr ect j udgm e nt c a n b e

.
,

f or m e d e ith e r o f o u r m e th od or i ts di s c o v er i es by th os e a n
t i c i pa ti on s which a r e n o w in c o mm on u s e ; f or it is n o t to b e

r equi r e d O f us t o s ubmit o u r s e l ves t o t he j udg m e nt Of t h e

.

v e ry m e th o d we o u rs elv es a rr a ign .

XXXI V N o r i s it a n ea s y m a tt e r to d e liv e r a n d e xpl a in

.

o u r s e n tim e nt s ; f or th os e thing s which a re i n th ems e lv e s

n e w c a n y e t b e o nly und e r s t ood f r o m s om e a n a l ogy t o wh a t

is ol d .

XXX V A l e x a nd er B or gi a s aid o f t he exp e diti o n of t he

.
6

F r e nch i nt o It a ly th a t th ey c a m e with c h a lk in th ei r h a n d s
t o m a r k u p th ei r l odging s a n d n ot with w ea p o n s t o f or c e ,

th e i r p a ss a g e E v e n s o d o we wi s h o u r phil os ophy to m a k e
.

i ts wa y qui etly int o th os e minds th a t a re fit for it a n d of ,

g ood c a pa mty ; fo r we h a v e n o n ee d o f c ont e nti o n wh er e we

Thi B g i w as A l ex nd V I
6
s or ad th xp dit on ll d ed t th t in
a er .
, an e e e i a u o a

w hich C h l V III ov
a r es n th It li n p nin ul in five month s B con u
. e rr a e a a e s a . a se s

th m illu t ti n i concluding h i u vey of n t l ph i l o ophy in th sec

“
e sa e s ra o n s s r a ur a s ,
e
”—
on d book of th e De A ug me tis Ed n . .
 differ i n fi rs t p rinci p l e s a n d in our ve ry n otions a n d even , ,

in o u r for ms of d em o nst ra ti o n .

XXXV I W e h a v e but on e simpl e m e th o d of d e liv ering

.

o u r s e ntim e nts n a m e ly we must br ing m en t o p ar ticul a rs

, ,

a n d th e i r re gul a r s er i es a n d or d er a n d th e y mu s t f or a whil e ,

r e n o unc e th e i r n o ti o ns a n d b egin to for m a n a cqu a inta nc e ,

with things .

1
XXX V II O ur m e th o d a n d th a t of t h e sc eptics a g r ee
.
'

in s om e r e sp ects a t fi r st s e tting o u t but diff e r m ost wid e ly , ,

a n d a r e c om pl e t e ly o pp o s e d to e a ch o th e r i n th e i r c o nclu

s i o n ; f or th e y r o undly a s s er t th a t n othing c a n b e k n o wn ;

w e th a t b ut a sm a ll p a r t of n a tu r e c a n b e k n o wn by t h e
, ,

p res e nt m eth od ; th eir n ext st ep h ow e v er is to d estr oy t he , ,

a uth or ity of t h e s en s e s a n d un d er sta nding whil e we inv e nt ,

a n d s upply th em with a ssist a nc e .

XXX V III The id ol s a n d f a ls e n o tion s w hich h a v e a l

.

r ea dy p r eoccupi e d t h e h um a n und er sta nding a n d a r e d ee ply ,

r o o t e d i n it n ot o nly s o b e s et m e n s mind s th a t th ey b e c o m e
’
,

difficult o f a cc ess b ut e v e n w h e n a cc ess is ob t a in e d will a g a in

,

m eet a n d t ro ubl e u s in th e inst a u r a ti o n of t he sci e nc es n u ,

l es s m a nkind wh e n f or e wa r n ed gu a r d th e ms elv e s with a ll

p os s ibl e c a r e a g a in s t th em .

XXXIX F o ur s p e ci es of id ols b es et t he hum a n mind

.
,
’

7
m m qu i a c a ta leps i a m ten u rer a n t
Ra ti o co B ac on alludes to the memb ers /
.
"

of t h e l a te r a c a d e my w h o h e ld th e i n f a nt/w
,
or th e i mposs i b ility O f c omp re ,

h ending an ything H i s tra n sl a tor h owever ma kes h im refer t o the s ceptics ,

.
, ,

wh o n e ith er d ogma ti z e d a b out t h e kn own o r th e un k n ow n b ut s im pl y h eld , ,

th t as l l kn “
a a o w l dge
e w el ti v
as r a e, s pec fl éw c could n v e
n
,
iv
ma n e r a rr e at

abs lut t uth

o e r ,
an d th ere orf e c ul d o n ot w ith certa i nt y affi m d ny r or e any

8
It igu d by H ll m w ith some ppea nce f t uth th t id l i ot
s ar e a a , a ra o r ,
a o s s n

th e co ct t n l ti n f
rr e ra f m w hich th i gi l i d l i s m nif tl y de
s a o o ro e or na o a a es

riv d ; b ut th t B con u d it in th lit l n tt ch ed t it by th Gree ks

e a a se e e ra se se a a o e ,

as a s pe ci es of illu i on false p pea a nce d ot as a pec i es of di vi n ity be

s , or a r ,
an n s
20 N O VU M OR GA N UM

’
to which (for d istinction s s ak e) w e h a ve a ssign e d n a m es ,

c a lling t he fi r st I d ols of t h e T r ib e the s ec ond Id ols of th e ,

De n t h e t hi r d Id o ls Of t h e M a r k e t t he f o u r th Id o ls of t h e
, ,

T h ea t r e .

XL Th e for m a tion of n oti o ns a n d a xi oms o n t he fo un

.

d a ti o n of tr u e inducti on i s th e o nly fitting r em edy by w hich

we c a n w a r d off a n d e xp e l th es e id o l s It i s h o w ev er of .
, ,

g rea t s er vic e to p oint th em o u t ; f or t he d oct r in e of id ols

b ea rs t h e s a m e rel a tion t o t he int erp r e t a ti o n o f n a tu r e as
th a t of t he c o nfut a ti on of s ophisms d oes t o c ommon
l ogic “ .

XLI The id ols of the t rib e a re inh ere nt i n hum a n n a tu re

.

a n d t h e v e r y t r ib e or ra c e o f m a n ; f or m a n s s e ns e is f a l s e l y
’

a ss er t e d t o b e t h e st a nd a r d o f things ; o n t h e c o nt rar y a ll ,

t h e pe r c e pti o ns b oth of th e s e n s e s a n d th e mind b ea r r e f er

e nc e t o m a n a n d n o t t o t h e univ er s e a n d t h e h um a n mind ,

r es e mbl e s th os e u n e v e n mi rrors which imp a rt th e i r o wn

fore w hich ind b w d w n If H ll m b ight B con i v ed f m the

t he m o s o . a a e r , a s sa ro

odiu m f n l gy w hich h i f ign comm nta t

o an a a o e ot f w ng in de s ore e ors a r n ar ro

n ou n ci g b b u ; b ut thi
n as vice i s nd ed t th xp n e f th me
ar a ro s s ser re er a e e e s o e n

wh h v o tt ch d
a pp te m n ing t th e w d m ng w h m B wn
e a a e an o os i ea o or , a o o a re ro ,

Pl y f i d D ug ld S t w t — E d
a a r an a e ar . .

W c nn t
9
e h w th a id l s h v e l es to d w ith phi ti ca l p l gi ms
o s ee o ese o a s o so s a ra o s

th n w ith n tu l ph l ph y Th p c s of ci entifi c inducti n inv lv nly

a a ra i oso . e ro e s s o o es o

th fi t l m
e rs t f e e ning d p nt uch cl
en s o d t ngi b l
rea s o u fac e , an rese s s a ea r a n a e s r ,

as t ll w
o a lu k ing pl ac f p judice ; w hil q u ti n O f p olitics d
o no r -
e or re e es o s an

m l t which th d ductiv e m th d
or a s , o comm n l gic a B c n c ll it s
e e e o , or o o , s a o a s ,
i

pecul i l y pplica bl
ar v li bl t b s w y d
a pe v t d by th p j
e , a re e er a e o e a e or r er e e re a

dices h nu m t e e A ft m th m tic ph y ica l s ci nce i t h l

e ra e s . t m n b le
er a e a s, s e s e ea s a e a

to t h illu i n
e f f ling ; s o ch p ti n h ving been l d y te ted by xp i
s o ee ea or o a a rea s e er

m nte d b v ti n i fi t t d int i ts pl c in th e y te m w ith ll the igor

an o ser a o ,
s e o a e s s ,
a r

o f t h e g m t ica l m th d ; ff cti n
eo e r p judic c n t in ma tte of t te
e o a e o or re e an o ,
as rs as ,

hi to y
s r ligi on l ct f gm nt y pi c s d fo m y s t m f th i wn
or r e , se e ra e ar e e ,
an r a s e o e r o .

Th wh le mu t b
e d mitt d
o th t uctu f uth o it tive eas n r ed t
s e a e , or e s r re o a r a r o az o

th e g und I t i s n e dl t
ro .
y th t th id l enu m t d p nt nl y
e es s o sa a e o s e ra e rese o

a n oth e inte p ta t ion f the s ub s ta n ce Of log ica l fallacies E d -

r r re o .
 21

pr op erti es t o d i ff ere nt ob j ects f rom whic h ray s a re emitted

,

a n d di s t or t a n d di s fig u r e th e m .

XL II The id ols of th e de n a re th os e of ea ch individu a l ;

.

for e v ery b ody (in a ddition to th e err ors c ommon to t he ra c e

of m a n ) h as h i s o wn in divid u a l d en or c a v er n which int er ,

‘
c ept s a n d c orr upts t he light of n a tur e eith er fr om his own,

pe culi ar a n d s ingul a r di sp osition or fro m his ed uc a tion a n d

,

i nt erc ou rs e with o th ers or f rom hi s rea ding a n d th e a uth or

, ,

ity a cqui re d by th os e wh om h e r e v erences a n d a dmi re s or ,

fr o m th e di ff ere nt imp ress ions p r o duc ed on t he mind as it ,

h a pp ens to b e p r eoccupi e d a n d p r edisp os e d or e q u a b l e a n d ,

t ra n q uil a n d t he li k e ; so th a t t he spi rit of m a n (a ccording

,

to its s e v er a l dispositions) is v a r i a bl e c o nfus e d a n d a s it

, , ,

w er e a ctu a t ed b y ch a nc e ; a n d H era clitus sa id w ell th a t m en

s ea r ch f or k n o wl e dg e in l e ss er wo r lds a n d not i n the g r ea t er
,

or c omm o n w orld .

XL III T h er e a r e a ls o id ol s f orm e d by the reciproc a l i n

.

tercou rs e a n d soci e ty of m a n with man w hi ch we c a ll id ols ,

o f t h e m a r k e t f r om t h e comm er c e a n d as soci a ti o n of m e n
,

with ea ch o th er ; for men c o nv ers e by m ea ns of l a ngu a g e ,

b ut w or ds ar e f or m e d a t t he will of t h e g e n era lity a n d th er e ,

a r is e s f ro m a b a d a n d un a pt f or m a ti o n Of w or ds a wond er ful

o bst r ucti o n to th e mind N or c a n t he d efiniti ons a n d ex

.

p l a n a ti o ns with whic h l ea r n e d m en a re w o nt to gua rd a n d

p rot ect th ems elv es in s om e i n s ta nc es a fi or d a c ompl ete rem
e dy — w o r ds still m a ni fe stl y f or c e t he und e r st a nding th r o w ,

e v ery thi ng into con f usi o n a n d l ea d m a n ki nd into v a in a n d

,

i nnum era b l e cont rover sies a n d f a ll a ci es .

XLI V L astly th ere a re idols which h a ve cr ep t into

.
,

W The propen ity to thi s i ll u si on may be vi ewed in th s pi it of sys t m

s e r e ,

or hast y gen era li ti on which i s s ti ll on e of the chi ef obs t cles i n the p th

za ,
a a

Otf modern s ci ence —Ed . .

22 N O VUM OR G A N UM

m e n s mi n ds from the v ar i ou s d ogm a s o f p e culi ar sy st ems

’

o f phil o s op h y a n d a ls o f ro m t h e p er v er te d rul es of d e mon

,

s tr a t i o n a n d th es e w e d e n o min a t e id o l s of t he th ea t r e : for
,

we r eg a r d a ll t h e s y s t e ms of ph il os ophy hith er to re c e iv e d
o r ima gin e d a s s o m a ny pl a ys b r o ugh t out a n d p er f or m e d
, ,

c rea ting fi ctiti o us a n d th ea tric a l w orlds N or d o we spe a k .

o nly of t he p res e nt s y st e ms or of t h e p h i l os ophy a n d s ec ts ,

o f th e a nci e nts sinc e num ero us oth er pla ys of a simila r

,

n a tu re c a n b e sti ll c ompos e d a n d m a d e to a g r ee with e a c h

o th er t h e c a u s es of t he m o s t o pp o si te e rr o rs b e ing g e n e r a l l y
,

t he s a m e N or a g a in do we a llud e m ere l y t o g e n e ra l s ys
.
, ,

t em s b ut a ls o t o m a ny el e m e nt s a n d a xi o m s o f sc i e nce s
,

which h a v e b e c o m e inv e t er a t e b y t ra ditio n implicit c r e ,

d e nc e a n d n egl ect W e mu s t h ow e v er discu s s ea ch s pe

,
.
, ,

ci es of id ol s m or e fully a n d distinctly in or d er t o gua rd t he

n d e rs ta n d i n g a g a in s t th e m .

Th e h um a n und e rs ta nding fr o m i ts p e culi a r n a ,

ly supp os es a g r ea te r d e gr e e of o r d er a n d eq u a lit y
in thing s th a n it re a lly finds ; a n d a lth o ugh m a n y thing s in
n a tu re b e s u i gen er i s a n d m os t i rr egul ar will ye t inv e nt ,

p a r a ll e l s a n d c o nj ug a t es a n d r e l a ti v e s wh ere no such thing ,

is. H e nc e the ficti o n th a t a ll c el es ti a l b odi es m ov e in per ,

f ec t ci r cl es thus r ej e cting e n tir e ly spi r a l a n d s e rp e ntin e

,

"
lin es ( exc ept a s e xpl a n a to ry te r ms) H e nc e a ls o the ele

Th ugh " pl h d w h n B c n w te thi a l re dy d mon t te d hi s

o e er a , e a o ro s, a e s ra

three g t l w c nce ing th e ll iptic l p th of the pla n e t n e ith e B con

rea a s o rn e a a s, r a

n or D ca r t es ms t h v e kn w n
e s s ee nted to hi s di sc v i e O uth or
o a o or a ss e o er s. ur a

d m d th t tling t n mical nno n cements of his time to be me re theo

ee e e s ar a s ro o a u

re t c soluti n
i of th e ph n m n a of th e h
o s ve ns ot so perfec t as those d
e o e ea ,
n a

van ced by a nti q uity b ut til l dese vi n g a p i f the in g nuity dis pl yed in
,
s r ra s e or e a

thei con t iva nce B c n b li v ed a hund d u ch y tems might xis t a d

r r . a o e e re s s s e ,
n

th ug h t e i th eir xpl na tion of ph en ome na yet might all more o less

o ru n e a ,
r

d iffer ac cord ng to th e p e c nceiv d ti

, i w hic h th i r fra mers b rought to
r o e no ons e

the s ur v ey of th e h v ens H e ve n th ou g ht h e might p t i his clai m to the

ea . e u n
 NO V U M OR GA N UM

”
m ent of fi re i s int rod uc e d with i t s p eculi a r or b it t o k ee p ,

squ ar e with th os e o th er th r ee which ar e O b j e cts of o u r

s e n ses The r e l a tiv e r a r ity of t he e l em e nt s (as th ey a re
.

c a ll ed) is a r bit r a rily m a d e to v a ry i n t e nfold p r og ressi on ,

”
with m a ny o th e r d r ea m s of th e li k e n a tu re N or i s thi s .

f olly confin e d to th eori es b ut it i s t o b e met with e v e n in ,

simpl e n oti o ns .

XLV I The hum a n und erst a nding w h e n a n y p rop osi

.
,

ti o n h a s b ee n o nc e l a id d own (e ith er f ro m g e n era l a dmissi o n

a n d b eli ef or f r o m t h e pl ea su r e it a ff or d s ) f o r c e s e v e r ything
, ,

els e t o a d d f r e s h supp o r t a n d c o nfi r m a tion ; a n d a lth o ug h

m ost c og e nt a n d a b und a nt in s t a nc es m a y e xist to t h e con

t ra ry y e t eith e r do e s n ot ob s e rv e or d espis e s th e m or g e ts
, ,

rid of a n d r ej ects th em by s om e distincti o n with vi ol e nt a n d ,

inj u ri o us p rej udice ra th er th a n s a c r ific e t he a uthority of its ,

"
fi rst c o nclusi o ns It wa s w ell a n s w ere d by hi m who wa s .

n otice of p s te ty fo hi s as t on omic l ingenuity a d Pt lemy h d l b d

o ri r r a ,
n , as o a a ore

by m n f pic y cl
ea s o d cc nt ic
e d " pl w ith llip es to xpl in th e
es an e e r s, an e er e s ,
e a

l w f pl t y m tion B con th ught the my ste y would unf old it l f quite

a s o an e a r o ,
a o r se

as phil phic ll y th ugh spi l l by i nth s d pentin e lines W h t the

os o a ro ra a r an s er . a

d t i l f hi sy t m we e we e l ft t conj ct e d tha t from v y

e a s o s s e r , ar e o e ur , an a er

m g ea b ut n i v c unt of o of hi inventi n s which he h as l eft i hi s

re a e a co ne s o n

M i s c ll n y M SS
e a Ed .
-
.

19
Et l m t m i gm na e e m b i t d t m es t
en u B c n w in fi e ’

a cu or e suo n r o uc u . a o sa r

th e m re e ult of ce ta in comb in ti n of cti n an d w c n s q u ntl y l d

res a r a o a o , as o e e e

t d ny it
o e l menta y cha a cte Th nci nt ph y ici t tt ib uted o b it to
s e e r r r . e a e s s s a r an r

ea ch of th f u el ements i nto w hich the y solved the unive e a d upposed

e o r , re rs ,
n s

th i spheres to i nv lv ea ch the Th o b it of th e ea th was in th e centre

e r o e o r. e r r ,

th a t f fi e at th ci cumf nce F r B con in q ui iti n into th n tu e

o r e r e re . o a
’
s s o e a r

o f h ea t an d i ts compl te f i lu
, see th e comme nc ement of th e se cond book
e a re ,

f th e N vum Orga nu m — E d
'

‘Robert Flu dd i s th e th eo i s t all ud ed to who ha d suppo ed the g a vity

o o . .

3
r , s r

of th e th to be ten times hea vi th n w t r th t f w te te ti mes hea vi

ea r er a a e , a o a r n er

t ha n ai d tha t of ai te ti mes hea vi e t han fire —Ed

r, an r n r .

14
Di g as Th e
a m a llu s i on ccu s i th e ec nd pa t of th e A dva n ce
or . sa e o r n s o r

ment of Lear n i ng wh ere Ba con trea ts of th e i dols of th e min d

, .
24 NO VU M O R GA N U M

sh o wn in a temp l e the votiv e t a b l ets susp e nd ed b y such as

h a d e s c a p e d t he p er i l of shipw r e ck a n d wa s p re ss e d a s to
,

wh e th er he w o uld th e n re c ogniz e the p ow er o f t he g od s b y ,

a n in q ui ry B ut wh e r e a r e t h e p or t r a its o f th ose who h a v e

,

p eri s h e d in spite of th ei r v o ws " A l l superstiti on is much

t h e s a m e wh e th er it b e th a t of a st ro l ogy d re a m s o m en s
, , , ,

re t ri b utive j udgm e nt or th e li k e in all of which t he d elud e d

, ,

b eli e v e rs ob s e r v e e v e n ts wh ich a re fulfill e d but n egl ect a n d

,

p a ss o v e r th ei r f a ilu re th o ugh it b e m u ch m ore c o mm on

, .

B ut this e vil in s i nu a t es it s elf still m or e c ra ftily in phi l os o

p hy a n d t he sci e nc es in which a s e ttl e d m a xim viti a t es a n d
,

g o v e r n s e v e ry o th er ci rcu m s t a nc e th ough t h e l a tt er b e m uch

,

m ore w or thy o f c onfid e nc e B es id e s e v e n i n t h e a b s enc e

.
,

o f th a t e a g e r n e s s a n d w a nt o f th o ught ( which we h a v e m e n

t i o n e d ) it is t h e p eculi a r a n d p e r p e tu a l e r r o r o f t h e hum a n
,

und ersta nding t o b e m ore m o v e d a n d e xcit e d by a ffi rm a t i ves

th a n n eg a tiv e s wh erea s it o ught duly a n d r e gul a rly t o b e
,

i m p a r ti a l ; n a y in e s t a b li s h i n g a n y t r u e a xi o m t he n eg a tiv e
,

inst a nc e is th e m os t p o w e rful .

XL V II The hu m a n und erst a nding i s m ost e xcit ed by

.

th a t wh i ch st r i k es a n d e nt er s t he min d a t onc e a n d s u d
d e n ly a n d by which t he im a g in a ti o n i s i m m e di a t e ly fill e d
,

a n d i nfl a t e d It th e n b e gins a lm os t imp er c e ptibly to c on

.

c ei ve a n d su p p o s e th a t e v e ry thing i s simil ar t o t he f e w

o bj e cts which h a v e ta k e n p o ss e s s i o n of t h e mind whil e it ,

is v e ry sl o w a n d un fi t fo r t he t ra nsiti o n to t he rem ote a n d

h e te rog e n eo us in s ta nc es b y which a x i oms a re tr i e d as b y
fi re u nl es s t he offic e b e imp os e d up o n it b y s e v e re r egul a
,

t i on s a n d a p o w er f ul a uth or it y .

XLV III The h um a n u ndersta nding is a ctiv e a n d c a nn o t

.

ha lt o r res t b ut e v e n th o ugh w i th o ut eff e c t st i ll p re sses

, , ,

f or wa rd T h us we ca n not conc eiv e o f a n y en d or exte r na l

.
 N O VU M OR G A N UM

b o und a ry o f t h e w or ld a n d it s eems n ec ess a r ily to occu r ,

to u s th a t th er e must b e s om e thing b ey on d N or c a n we .

i m a gin e h ow e t er nity ha s fl ow e d o n d o wn t o t he p r e s e nt
d ay sinc e th e usu a lly r e c eiv e d distincti o n of a n i nfinity
, ,

a p a rt e a nt e a n d a p a r te p ost c a nn o t h old g ood ; f or it ,

would th e nc e foll o w th a t on e infinity is g rea t er th a n a n

oth er a n d a l s o th a t infinity is w a sting a w a y a n d t e nding
,

to a n e n d T h ere is th e s a m e di fli c u lt y in c o nsid ering t he

.

infinite divisi b ility of lin e s a ri s ing f rom t he w ea k n ess of ,

o u r minds which w e a k n es s int e r f er e s t o still g r e a t e r di s

,

a dv a nt a g e with t h e discov er y Of c a us e s ; for a lth ough t h e

g r ea t e st g e n e r a lit i es i n n a tu r e mu s t b e p ositiv e j u s t a s ,

t h ey a r e f o und a n d in f a ct n ot c a us a bl e y e t t h e h um a n
, ,

u nd er sta n ding inc a p a b l e of r es ting s eek s for som ething

, ,

m ore int elligi b l e T hus how e v er whil e a iming a t fu r th er

.
, ,

p rogr ess it fa lls b a c k to wh a t is a ctu a lly l es s a dv a nc e d

, ,

na m e l y fi n a l c a uses ; for th ey a r e cl ea rly m ore a l li ed to

,

m a n s own n a tur e th a n t he sy stem of th e univ er s e a n d

’
, ,

fr om this s ou r c e th ey h a v e w on d e rf ull y c orr upt e d phi l os o

p hy B ut h e would b e a n un s k ilful a n d sh a ll o w ph i loso
.

p h er who should s ee k for c a us es in t he gre a test g e n era liti es ~ ,

‘A ch
5 s o asl tic te rm
ig i fy th tw t niti es f pa t d futu d ura
,
to s n e o e er o s an re

ti on tha t s t etch
,
t both s id of the n w is thmu (ti m ) occu pi d by
r ou on es ar r o s e e

man It mu t b e remembe e d th t B con liv ed b f

. s th e d ct in e of li mits
r a a e ore o r

gave ri se to the high e ca l culu s d th e f e c ul d ha v no concep ti on of di f

r , an r e or o e

fi rm t de omh ti o s of i fi i ti e
n a on th oth e h n d h w ul d h a v e th ought
n n s: n e r a e o

the man i n sa n e wh s houl d ha v e ta l k ed to hi m a b out hu es infinite l y g ea t i

o r , n

closi ng an gles i fini te l y l ittl e ; th a t a i gh t l in

n w hich i s right l in e o l ong a s r e, a s

it is fini te by cha ngin g infinite l y little i t di rec tion becomes an i finit cu rve
, s , n e ,

and th t a curv e m y be come i finit l y less tha n anoth er curv e ; th t th

a a n e a e re a re

infini te sq ua es an d i nfi ite cu be an d i n fi i tes of i fin i tes a ll g e te th n o e

r n s, n n ,
r a r a n

a n oth e a d th e l s t b ut
r, n e f w hich i s n othi ng i compa i n w ith th l s t
a on o n r so e a .

Yet ha lf a ce ntur y fii ced from Ba con s tim su to m k thi n m ncla tu e

’
e, a e s o e r ,

which would h ve ppea ed to him th excess of f en y n ot o l y reason ble

a a r e r z ,
n a

but neces sary to g as p the h igher demons tra ti ons of ph ysi ca l s ci en ce —Ed
, r .
 an d not b e a nx i o us to disc o v er th em in s u b ordin a te

hum a n und ers t a nding r es e m b l e s n ot a d ry

e

mit s a tinctu r e of the wi ll a n d p a ss i o ns which ,

g e n e r a te th ei r o wn s y s t e m a cc or dingly ; for m a n a lw a ys b e
l i e ves m ore r e a dily th a t w h ich he p r ef er s H e th ere f ore .
, ,

r ej ects difli c u l ti es fo r w a nt o f p a ti e nc e i n inv es tig a ti o n ;

-

s ob ri ety b e c a u s e it li m it s his hop e ; t he d e pths of n a tu re

, ,

f r om s up e rstitio n ; t h e light of e xp e r im ent fr om a rrog a nce ,

a n d p r id e l e st h i s m in d s h o uld a p p ea r to b e o ccupi e d with

,

c om m o n a n d v a rying ob j e cts ; p a r a d o x e s fro m a f ea r of t he ,

o pini o n of t he vulg a r ; in sh or t h i s fe e lings imb u e a n d ,

c orr u pt h i s u nd ers t a nding in innum e ra b l e an d s om e tim e s

i m p er c e ptibl e w a y s .

L B ut by fa r t he g re a t est imp edim e nt a n d a b e rra ti o n

.

g) o f t he hum a n u nd e rs t a nding p r oc e e d s f r om t he duln ess ,

inc om p e t e nc e a n d errors o f t h e s e n ses ; sinc e wh a t ev er

,

str ik e s t h e s e nses p rep o nd er a t es o v e r e v erything h o w e v er ,

su p eri or whic h d o es n o t imm e di a t ely st ri ke th e m H e nc e

,
.

7 c o n te
fl fi i m%t yfi a§
a l s with s i h t a n d a v e r y s c a nty
4
g , ,

o r p er h a p s n o r e g ar d i s p a id t o invi s ibl e o b j ec t s Th e e ntir e .

"
o p e r a ti o n th er ef or e of s pi rits incl os ed in t a ngibl e b odi es
, ,

i s c o nc e a l e d a n d e sc a p e s u s
,
A ll th a t m ore d e lic a te ch a nge .

o f f o r m a ti o n i n t h e p art s of co a rs er s ub s t a nc e s ( vulg a r l y

1 ‘Spi n oza , in hi s l tt
d b g (Op Pos th p
e er to Ol c n id s this
en er . . . o s er

a ph or si m ba d o wro g con ce pti n of the orig i of erro

se n a n d be li e vi g i t
o n r, a n ,
n

t b fu d m n ta l was le d t rej ec t Ba c n s m th d lt g ethe S pin ’

o e n a e , o e o e o a o r . oza r

fu d t ac kn ow ledg e in ma n an y s uch thi n g as W ll an d res olv d all hi s

se o a i , e

vol i ti on i t " s a ti c ul ar s ets w hi c h he co

n o r i dered to be as fa ta lly d ete mi ed
,
ns r n

by cha i of ph y i cal cansm as an y efi ec ts i na tu e — Ed

a n s n r .

Opera tic api i t mm i n aorp n bua t a gab d b u

r r Ba con dis ti ngui hed with
o
’

a s . s

the sc hm the m an d ta n gi ble parts of bodi m h u n s uch as were v ol a tile ,

a st h m a Thesa i n con for mi ty wi th the sc hd as d c h nguaga he te m

spi m a nd he mently retums tc tm apemfims i n fli e 2d book — Ed . .
 27

c a ll e d a lt erati o n b ut in fa ct a ch a ng e of p ositi o n i n the

,

s m a ll es t p a r ticl e s ) is e qu a lly unkn o wn ; a n d y e t unl e ss t he ,

t wo m a t te rs we h a v e m e nti o n ed b e e xpl ore d a n d b r o ught

t o light n o g rea t e ff e ct c a n b e p r oduc e d in n a tu re

,
A ga in .
,

t he v ery n a tu r e of c omm o n a i r an d a ll b o di e s o f l e s s d e n ,

s i ty ( of which th e r e a r e m a ny ) i s a l mos t un k n o wn ; f or t h e

se n s es a r e w e a k a n d e r ri ng n or ca n inst r um e nts b e o f g r ea t ,

u s e in e xte n ding th e ir sph er e o r a cut e n e ss — a ll t h e b e tte r

i nt er p re t a tio ns of n a tu re a re w or k ed ou t by inst a nc e s a n d ,

fi t a n d a pt e xpe rim e nts w he re t he s e n ses o nly judge of the ,

exp e rim e nt t h e e xp erim e nt of n a ture a n d the thing its e lf

,
.

L I Th e h um a n u nd er sta nding is b y its o wn n a tu re

.
, ,

p r o n e t o a b st ra cti o n a n d s up p os es th a t which is fluctu a ting ,

—
to M
--
s ct th anabs tra ct n a tu re :
'

s i s b ett er to di se
M M m e th o d em pl oy ed by the sch oo l o f Democ ~

"
ritu s which m a d e gre at er p rog re ss in p e n e tr at ing n a tur e
,

\
t h a n t he r est It i s b es t to c on s id er m a tt er its c o nform a
“
.
,

t i o n a n d t he ch a ng es o f th a t c o nfo r m a ti o n i ts o wn a cti o n
, , ,

a n d t h e l a w of this a cti o n o r m o ti o n ; f or f or m s a re a m ere

ficti o n of th e hum a n mind unl ess you will c a ll t he l a ws of ,

‘D
5 emo r c itu
bd a disci ple f Le ucipp b n
s , of A 4 7 0 di ed 3 6 0 ;
er , a o us , or ,

a ll h i w ks
s d tr yed He is sai d t he th utho f th d ct i of
or a re es o . o
.
e a r o e o rne

a to m : h
s denied th e immortality f th s ul a nd fir t ta ught tha t the mi lky
e o e o , s

w y w
a cc s i n d by confus ed hgh t from a mul titud f tars He m y
as o a o e a e o s . a

be con id ere d s th pa re nt of exper im n ta l phil osoph y i

s a e th e p o ecuti n at e ,
n r s o

which h e w as o rd nt as to de cla re t h t he woul d p f r th e d i c v ery of o e

s a e a re e s o n

o f th c u ses f n a tu ral ph nome n a to th e pos e si on of the di ad m f Pe ia

e a o e , s s e o rs .

D m c itu impos d
e o r ths b lind credul ity of hi s c nt m porar ies and li ke
e on e o e , ,

R ge B a c n as ton i hed th m by his inve n ti ons — Ed

o r o s e
‘Th La ti n is aom pw us n th s chola sti c exp e i on to den ote ti n
, .

9
e r , a o er r ss

a cti n of th e s u bsta n ce w hic h compos es th e esse nce of th e body a pa rt f

o , m i ts ro

4
a ccid n tal qualities For an expos ition of th v ari ou k in d of m ti on s he con
e . e s s o e

9°
Th e s cholas tic s a fte r A ri s totle di ti ngui hed in
s s a s ubj ct th e ree mod es of

S omn os V ol 2 2
.
—2
 L I I S uch are t he i d ols of the t ri b e whic h aris e eith er
.
,

f rom t he unifor mity o f t he c o n s ti tuti o n of m a n s spi r it or ’

its p r ej udic es or i ts limit e d f a cul t i es or r estl es s a git a ti o n

, ,

o r f r om t h e int er f e r e nc e o f t he p a ssi o ns o r t he incomp et enc e ,

o f t h e s e n s e s or t h e m o d e of th e i r imp r e s s i o ns
, .

LIII The id ol s of th e d e n d er i ve th ei r o r igin f rom the

.

p eculi a r n a tu r e of ea ch individu a l s mind a n d b ody a n d ’

,

a l s o f r om e duc a ti o n h a bit a n d a ccid e nt ; a n d a lth o ugh th ey , ,

b e v a ri o u s a n d m a nif o ld y e t we will t rea t of s om e th a t r e ,

qui r e t h e g r ea t es t c a uti o n a n d ex er t t he gr ea t es t p ow er i n ,

t h e und e rs t a nding .

m en b e c om e a tt a ch e d to p ar ticul ar sci e nces

l a t i o n s e ith e r f r o m suppo s ing th e ms elv e s th e ,

a uth o r s a n d inv e nt or s o f th e m or f ro m h a ving b es t o w e d ,

t h e g r e a t es t p a in s up o n s uch subj e ct s a n d th u s b e c om e ,

"
m os t h a bitu a t e d t o th em If me n of thi s d e sc ripti o n a ppl y .

th e ms elv e s t o phil os ophy a n d c o nt empl a ti on s o f a univ ers a l

b ing vi t h e p w
e s: z . f culty th ac t a d th hab itud e o in th w d s
, o er or a , e ,
n e ,
r o er or

th t w h ch i s bl to e xi t w h t xis ts a ctu ll y d wh t contin u t xi t

a i a e s , a e a , an a es o e s .

B c n m n th t i s n ec
a o ea y t fix o
s tte nti n t o th t which
a e ssa r o ur a o no n a ca n

o r ught t b e b ut
o o th t w hich a ctu ally is ; ot
,
t he ight b ut
on th e
a n on r , on

f ct — E d
a
‘Th inf nce t b d w n f m thi i to u pect th t kind f vid nc e
.

9 o e
e e re o e ra ro s s s s a e

w hich i m t c n n nt t s os inclin ti n
o d t t
so a dmit a y n ot n o ou rea l a o s, an no o a n io as r

e xc pt w e b t fi m l y upo n th t k ind f d m n t ti n w hich i p culi

e ca n ase i r a o e o s ra o s e ar

t th
o u bj ect t t
e s i mp i n S m ti m th m d of p f m y be
,
no o ou r re ss o . o e es e o e roo a

c n n nt t
o so a incl n ti n o d t th
ou r u bj ct a t the sa me ti m
i a in the
o s, an o e s e e , as

c a se f P y th g
o wh n h ppli d h i be l v d nu mbe to th e luti on of
a ora s , e e a e s o e rs so

t n mic l ph n m ; in th t f D ca t wh n h e ea s n ed g m t
a s ro o a e o ena or a o es r es , e r o eo e

t ica ll y con ce ni ng th e n tu of th e
r u l S uch ex ampl ca nn t be c en u d
a re so . es o s re

with j u tic i nas m uch

s e, th m th d pu u ed we ad pte d t th d f the
as e e o s rs re a o e en o

i n q u i ry Th . m k in the te xt e re onl y ppl y to th phil o ph w ho t

ar ca n a os e so ers a

te mpt to b uil d u p a mora l o th e logi ca l y s te m by th e in s t ments f in d ucti n r o s ru o o

a l on e o wh ,
ush w ith the geomet ic l xiom an d th e d pr i ori y ll ogi sm to
r o r ,
r a a ,
s ,

the inv tiga ti n of n a tu re

es The means i n s u ch cases a re tota l ly i n a deq ua te
o .

to the obj e ct in vi e w —Ed . .

 NO VU M O R GAN U M 29

na ture th ey wrest a n d c orr u pt th em by t h eir pr ec onc eiv ed

,

f a nci e s o f whic h A r ist otl e a ffo r d s us a singl e inst a nc e who

, ,

m a d e hi s n a tu ra l phil os op hy c om pl e tell s n hm nt m m
l
W
u t a ti o u s
om th a n u s e l e s s an d d i s

The ch emists a g a in h a v e f or m
p .
, ,

p hil os op hy wi th th e m os t c o nfin e d vi e ws from a fe w ex ,

”
r i m e n ts o f t he fur n a c e G ilb er t t h a ving e mpl oy e d
p e oo .
, ,

hims e lf m ost assid u o u s ly in t he c o nsid era ti o n of th e m a gn e t ,

imm e di a te ly est a bli s h e d a syst em of phi l os op hy to c oi ncide

with his fa vori te pu rsuit .

LV Th e g re a t est a n d p er h a p s r a dic a l distincti o n be

.
, ,

tw e e n d ifi e r e n t m e n s di s p o siti ons for phil os ophy a n d t h e

’

sci e nc es i s this th a t s om e a re m or e vi g oro us a n d a ctiv e in

,

o b s er vi n g t h e di ff er e nc es of things o th er s in o b s e r ving th e i r ,

r e s e mbl a nc e s ; f or a s t e a d y a n d a cut e di s p o siti o n c a n fix its

th o ughts a n d dw e ll up o n a n d a dh er e to a p oint th rough

, ,

a ll t h e r e fin e m e nts of di ff er e nc e s but th os e th a t a re sub ,

lim e an d discu rsiv e r ec ogniz e a n d c omp a re e v e n the m ost

d e lic a te a n d g e n era l r es embl a nc e s ; ea ch of th e m r ea dil y
f a ll s int o exc ess by c a tching e ith er a t nic e di stincti ons or
,

sh a d o ws of r e s embl a nc e .

L V I S om e di s p os iti o ns e vinc e a n un b ou nd ed a dmi ra

.

t i o n o f a ntiquity o th e r s ea g e r l y e m b ra c e n o ve lty a n d b u t
, ,

fe w c a n pr e s er v e t h e ju s t m ed ium s o a s n e ith er t o t e a r up ,

99 iv d t w d th cl
Gflbe rt l f th eixt nth ce ntu y d w c u t
o ar e os e o e s ee r ,
an as o r

ph y s ici n t b th E li b th d J mes In h i w k llud d t in th t xt h e

a o o za e an a . s or a e o e e
“
c ntinu l l y
o a t th dv nt g f th xpe i m nt l v th d p i m th d
asser s e a a a es o e e r e a o er e r on e o

i ph y ic l in q u i y d ucc d d w h n h i ce n f il d in givi ng p ctical ”

“
n s a r , an s ee e e s sor a e a ra

e x mpl f th utility f h i p e c pt H i De M a gn t c nt n al l the

a e o e
”
o s r e s . s e e o ai s

f und m nt l p t f th c i nc
a e a d th ar s p f ctl y t t d th w h v
o e s e e, an e s e so er e rea e , e e a e

n thing t d d t th m t th p nt d y
o o a o e a e re s e a .

Gilb t d pt d th C p n c n y t m d v n p k f th c nt y
er a o e e o er i a s s e , an e e s o e o e o ra r

th y utt ly b u d g unding h i gu m nt
eo r as er a th v t v l citi e w hich
s r ,
ro s ar e on e as e o s

s uch a s upp i ti qui s t

os c i b t th h e v enly bod i s — E d
on re re s u o as r e o e a e .
t he j us t in n o v a tions oi th e m od e rns B ut this is v ery prej u .

di c i a l t o t h e sci e nc es a n d p hilos op h y a n d inste a d o f a c or ,

rect j udgm en t we h a v e b ut th e f a ctions of t he anci e nts a n d

m od er ns T r uth i s n ot t o b e s ou ght in t he g ood fortun e
.

o f a n y p a rticul a r c o nj unctu r e o f tim e which i s unc er t a in , ,

b ut i n t h e light of n a tu re a n d e xp er i en c e which i s e t ern a l ,

.

S uch f a cti o n s th er ef ore a re t o b e a bj u re d a n d th e und er

, , ,

sta nding m u s t n ot a llo w th em to hu rry it on t o a s s e nt .

L V II The c o nt empl a ti o n of n a t ur e a n d of b o di es in
.

th ei r in d ividu a l f orm dis t ra cts a n d w ea k en s t he und er s ta nd

ing ; b ut t he c o nt e m p l a ti o n of n a tu re a n d of b odi es in th ei r
g e n e ra l c omp ositi o n a n d f orm a ti o n st u pefi es a n d r e l a x es it .

W e h a v e a g ood insta nc e of thi s in the s ch oo l of L e ucippus

a n d D emoc ri tu s c omp a r ed with o th e rs f or th ey a ppli e d ,

th e ms elv e s s o m uch t o p a r ticul a rs a s a l m os t to n egl e ct th e

g e n er a l s t r uctu r e o f thing s whil e th e o th ers w er e s o a s,

t ou n d e d whil e g a zing o n t h e s t r uctu r e th a t th ey did n ot

p en e t ra t e th e s i m plicity of n a tu re T h es e t wo s p eci es of .

c o nt e m pl a ti o n m u s t t h eref or e b e i nt e rch a ng ed a n d ea ch
, , ,

emp l oy e d in i ts tu r n in ord er t o r e nd er t he und ers ta nding

,

a t o nc e p e n e t r a ti n g a n d c a p a ci o us a n d t o a v o id t h e i n c o n
,

v e n i e n c es w e h a v e m e nti o n e d a n d t h e id ols th a t r esult

,

f rom th e m .

L V III Let s uch th er ef ore b e o u r p rec a uti ons in c o n

.
, ,

t e mpla ti o n th a t w e m a y w a r d off a n d e xp e l t h e i d ol s o f
,

t he d e n w hich m os tly o we th e i r bi r th ei t h er t o s om e
,
p r e

d om in a nt pu rs uit o r s ec o ndly to a n e xc e ss in synth es i s

, , ,

a n d a n a ly s i s or thi r dly t o a p a rty z e a l in f a v or of c e r t a in

, , ,

a g es o r , ,fo u r thly t o t h e ext ent or n a rr ow n es s of t he s u b

,

j c e t In g en era l b e w h o c ont empl a t es n a tu re s h o uld s u s

.
,

p e e t wh a t e v er p a rticul arly t a k e s a n d fix es hi s und ersta nd

 NO VUM OR GAN UM 31

i ng , an d sh u l o d us e so mu ch the more c a uti on to p reser ve

it un pr ej udic ed
le an d .

o f t h e m a r k e t a r e the m o st tr o u b l e som e .

hich h a v e e ntwin e d th e m s elv es r o un d

t h e und er s ta nding fro m th e a ss o ci a ti ons of wor ds a n d n a m es .

F or me n im a gin e th a t th ei r rea s o n g o v ern s wo r ds , whil e m ,

f ac t w or ds rea ct up o n the und erst a nding ; a n d this h a s r en

,

d er ed phil os ophy a n d the sci e nc es so p histic a l a n d in a ctiv e .

W or ds a re g e n era lly for me d i n a p o pul a r se ns e a n d d e fin e ,

things b y th os e b r oa d lin es whic h a r e m os t obvi o us to t he

vulg a r mind ; but wh e n a m ore a c ut e und erst a nding o r
m or e dilig e nt ob ser v a ti o n is a nxi o us t o v a ry th os e l in e s ,

a nd t o a d a pt the m m ore a ccu r a t el y t o n a tu r e w o rd s o pp o se ,

it H e nc e th e grea t a n d so l e mn disput es o f l ea r n ed m en
.

o ft e n t er min at e in c o ntr o v er si e s a b o ut w or ds a n d n a m e s in ,

reg a rd t o which it w o uld b e b e tt er (imit a ti ng the c a uti o n

of m a th e m a tici a ns ) t o p r o c e e d m o re a dvi s e dly in t he fi rs t

inst a nc e a n d to b r ing such disp u t es t o a r egul a r i s su e by

,

d efiniti ons S uch d efiniti o ns h o we v er c a nn ot r e m edy th e

.
, ,

e vil in n a tu r a l a n d m a t e r i a l ob j e cts b e c a u s e th e y c on s i s t ,

”
th e ms e lv es of w or ds a n d th e s e w ords p ro duc e oth e rs ; ,

s o th a t we mu st n ec e s s a r i ly h a v e r e c o u rs e t o p a r ti c ul a r

in s t a nc e s a n d th ei r r egul ar s er i e s a n d a rra ng em e nt a s we
, ,

93
Th e L tin t xt dd
a
“
wi th ut
eb ut Ba c n i s ca c l y right i su p
a s o en d o s r e n

pos in g th t the d c nt f m c mpl x id

a es ed p p o ti n to thro f i mpl e
o e eas a n ro si o s ose o s

n tu inv lv e th n a ly t i
a re, o i s of c nti nuou s d inte mi n ble d fi i
e a s n a se r e o an r a e n

ti n F o i the g a du l d a n ly tic l c l th e i b be y nd whi ch we

o s . r n r a an a a s a e, er s a ar o

ca n t go th ere i s u mmit bo und ed by the li mited va i a ti ns f o

no , as s a r o o u r c on

ce pti s Logica l d fin iti n s to ful fil th i c ondi ti n

on . e in de d to be of a y
o , e r o s , or e n

a v il m t be g iv n in i mple t e ms th n th obj ct which i s ught to be

a , us e s r r a e e so

de fi n ed ; w thi s in the ca f pn mordi al n tion s d obj cts of se n i s i m

no , se o o an e se ,

po ibl ; th ef we are obli ged to rest M ed wi th the m re na mes of our

ss e er or e o

pe c ption s — Ed
r e .
h ave no e xist enc e (for a s som e ob j e c ts ar e from in a tte ntion
l e ft wi th o ut a n a m e s o n a m es a r e f orm e d by f a nciful i m agi
,

n a ti ons which a r e without a n ob j ect) or th ey a re th e n a mes ,

o f a ctu a l o b j e cts b ut confus e d b a dly d efin e d a n d h a s tily

, , ,

a n d i rr egul a r ly a b s t r a ct e d f r o m thing s F o r tun e th e pr i

“
.
,

m u m m obi le t h e pl a n e t a r y o r bits,
t h e el e m e nt of fi r e a n d , ,

t h e lik e ficti o n s which o we th ei r bi r th t o futil e a n d f a ls e

,

th eori e s a re ins t a nc es of the fi rs t kind A nd thi s sp eci es

,
.

o f id o l s is re mov e d with g r e a t er f a cility b ec a us e it c a n b e ,

e xt er min a t e d b y t he c o n s t a nt r e fut a ti o n o r t he d es u e tud e o f

t he th eor i es th e m s elv es Th e o th er s w hich a re c r ea t e d b y .

,

vici o us a n d un s k ilful a b s t ra cti on a r e int ric a t e a n d d e epl y ,

ro o t e d T a k e s om e w or d f o r in s t a nc e a s m oist a n d l et us
.
, , ,

e x a min e h ow f a r t h e di ff e re nt s i g n i fi c a ti o n s of thi s w or d a r e

c o n s i s t e nt It wil l b e f o und th a t t he w or d m oist i s n othi ng

.

b ut a co nfu s ed sign o f di ff er e nt a cti o n s a d m itt ed of n o set

t l e d a n d d efin ed unif or mity F or it m ea n s th a t which e a s ily .

di ff u s es its e lf o v er a n o th e r b ody ; th a t w hich i s i n d e t e rm i

n a bl e a n d c a n n ot b e b rought to a c on s i s t e ncy ; th a t which

94
nci nt uppo d th e pla n et t d c i be
Th e a e s s x ct ci cl und the
se s o es r an e a r e ro

s outh A. b v ti n inc s o d d f ct w di cl d w hich w e i f

s er a o s re a s e an a s e re s os e , re r ee

onc il b l w ith thi

a e upp iti n t h th w as m v d f m th c nt t me
s s os o ,
e ea r re o e ro e e re o so

oth erp int in th ci cl

o d t h pl n t w e upp d t v lv in m ll
r e, an e a e s ere s os e o re o e a s a er

ci cl ( picy cl ) und
r e e i m gin y p int w hich in i t tu n d c be d ci cl
e ro an a ar o ,
s r es ri a r e

of w hich t h th w as th e c nte ea r In p p t i n b v ti n licit d f h e re . ro or o as o s er a o e e re s

f ct c nt dict y t th se p
a s, o ra nt ti n th picy cl e
or o d eccent ics re res e a o s, o er e s an e r

w dd d inv lving d diti n l c nfu i n Th ugh " pl h d w pt w y ll

e re a e , o a o a o s o . o e er a s e a a a

th c mpli ca ted th i es in th p c ding centu y by th d m n t t n f h i

es e o eor e re e r , e e o s ra i o o s

th e l w which t blish d th lliptic l c u

r e a s, es a f th pl n t B c n e
e e e a o rs e o e a e s, a o r

gar d ed hi m an d Cope
n ic us i th e sa me li ght a P tolemy an d X n op h n s — E d
r n s e a e . .
 N OVU M OR G A N U M 33

y i el ds ea si l y in e v er y di r ecti o n ; th a t which is e a si l y di vid ed

a n d di s p e rs e d ; th a t w hich i s e a s ily unit e d a n d c oll e ct e d ;

th a t which e a sil y fl ows a n d is put in m oti o n ; t ha t which

e a sily a dh er es t o a n d w e ts a n o t h er b o dy ; th a t which is
,

ea s il y re d uc e d to a li q uid st a t e th o ug h p r e vi o u s ly s o lid .

W h e n th er ef ore y ou c om e to p r edic a t e o r i m p os e this

, ,

n am e ,
in o n e s e ns e fl a m e is m oist in a n o th er a i r is n ot
,

m oi s t in a n o th er fi n e p o wder is moist in a n oth er gl ass is

, ,

m oist ; so th a t it is q uit e cl ea r th a t this n otion is h a s tily a h

s tr ee t e d f ro m w a ter o nly a n d c o mm o n or di n a r y liqu ors
, ,

with o ut a n y d ue v e r ifi c a ti o n of it
. .

Th er e a re h o w e v e r diff er e nt d eg rees of dist orti o n a n d

, ,

mist a k e i n w or ds On e of t he l ea st f a ulty cl a s s es is th a t of
.

t h e n a m es o f su b st a nc e s p a r ticul a r ly o f t he l e ss a bstra ct a n d
,

m ore d e fin ed sp eci es ( th os e th e n of ch a lk a n d mud a re g ood ,

of ea rt h b a d ) ; w or ds signif y ing a cti o ns a r e m or e f a ulty a s ,

t o g en era t e to c orrupt to ch a ng e ; b ut th e m ost f a ult y a re

, ,

th os e d en oting qu a liti es (e xc ept the imm e di a te ob j ects of

s ens e) a s h ea v y light rar e d e ns e Y e t in a ll of th es e
, , , ,
.

th ere must b e som e n o ti o ns a littl e b ett er th a n oth ers in ,

p ro p orti on a s a g rea t er or l ess num b er of things c om e b e

fore th e s e n s es .

L X I Th e i dols of t h e th ea tr e ar e n ot inn a t e n or do
.
,

th ey int rod uc e t hem s el v es s e c r e tly into th e und e rst a nding ,

but th ey ar e m a ni fe stly instille d a n d ch er ish e d by t h e fic

ti ons of th eori es a n d d ep r a v ed rul es of d emonstr a ti on To .

a tt e m p t h o w e v e r or u nd er ta k e th e i r c o n f uta tion wo ul d n ot
, ,

b e c o nsiste n t wi t h our dec l a ra ti o ns F or sinc e we n eith er

.

a g re e in ou r p rinc i pl es n or ou r d e m onstra ti o ns a l l a rg um e n t ,

i s o u t of the q u es ti o n A n d i t is for t u n a t e t ha t the a nci e nts

.

a re l e ft in p oss e ssion of th e ir hon ors We d etra ct n oth ing

.

from th e m , s ee i ng our whol e d oct r in e r el a t es only to the

di re cti on must inc rea s e hi s a b e rra ti on .

Ou r m e th od of disc o v e ring t he sci e nc es is such as to l ea ve

littl e to the a cut e n es s a n d st r e ngth of wit a n d ind ee d ra th er ,

to l e v e l wit a n d in te ll e ct F o r a s in the d r a wing o f a s t ra ight

.

lin e or a cc u ra t e ci rcl e by t he h a nd much d e p ends o n its

, ,

st ea din es s a n d p r a ctic e but if a r ul er or c om p a s s b e em

,

pl oy e d th er e i s littl e o cc a si o n f or eith er ; so it is with ou r

m eth o d . A lth ough h o w e v er we e nt er int o n o individu a l
, ,

c o nf u t a ti o n s y e t a littl e must b e sa id fi rst of t h e s ects a n d

, , ,

g e n e ra l di vi s i o n s o f th es e sp eci e s of th eor i es ; s ec o ndly ,

s o m e thing fu r th e r t o s h o w th a t th er e a r e e x ter n a l s ign s o f

th ei r wea kn es s ; a n d l a s tly we mu s t c o n s id e r t he c a u s es of
, ,

s o g r e a t a m i s f o r tun e a n d s o l o ng a n d g e n er a l a un a nimity
,
-

in e rror th a t w e m ay thu s r e nd e r the a cc ess t o t ruth l ess

,

di fficult a n d th a t t he hu m a n und er s t a nding m a y t he m ore

,

r e a dily b e pu r ifi e d a n d b r o ught t o di s m i s s i ts id o l s
,
.

LXII The ido l s of the th e a t re o r of th eor i es a re n um er

.
, ,

o u s a n d m a y a n d p e r h a p s will b e s till m or e so
, , ,
F or u h .

l ess m e n s m ind s ha d b ee n n o w o ccupi e d fo r m a ny a g e s in

’

r e ligi o us a n d th e o l o gic a l c o nsid er a ti o n s a n d civil g o v e r n,

m e nt s (es p eci a ll y m o n ar chi e s ) ha d b ee n a v er s e to n ov e lti es

,

o f th a t n a tu re e v e n i n th eo ry so th a t m e n mu s t a pply to
(
th e m with s o m e ri s k a n d inj u ry to th ei r o wn for tun es a n d ,

n o t o nly with o ut rew a rd but subj ect to c o ntum e l y a n d

,

e nvy ) th er e is n o d o ubt th a t m a n y o th er s e cts of

, hi
p los o
h e rs a n d th e or i s ts w o uld h a v e b ee n int ro duc e d l ik e th o se
p ,

whi c h form erl y fl o u ri s h e d in such d iv e rsi fi e d a b und a nce

a m on g t he G r ee ks F or a s m a n y im a gin a ry th eor i e s of the
.

hea v e ns c a n b e deduc ed from t h e ph e n om e n a of the s ky so ,

 N O VUM ORGAN UM 35

i t is e v e n m ore e a sy to f o und m a ny d ogm a s u p on th e phe

n o m en a of p hil os o phy — a nd t h e pl o t of this our th e a t re
‘

res e mbl e s th os e of th e p oe tic a l wh er e t he pl o ts which are

,

inv e nt ed for the s t a ge a re m ore c o n s i s t e nt e l eg a nt a n d

, ,

p l ea s u r a b l e th a n th os e t a k e n f rom r ea l hi s tory .

In g e n er a l m en ta k e for the g ro undw or k of th e i r phi

,

l osophy eith e r t oo much f rom a f e w t o pics or t oo litt l e f r o m

,

m a ny ; in eith er c a s e th ei r p hil osophy is f o und e d on too n a r

ro w a b a s is o f e xp er im e n t a n d n a tu r a l hi s t or y a n d d e cid e s
,

o n t o o s c a nty g r o und s . F or t h e th eore tic phil os oph er s eiz es

v a ri ous c omm o n ci r cumst a nc e s by exp er im e nt with o ut r e ,

d u c i n g th e m t o c er t a inty or e x a mining a n d fr e qu e ntly c on

s i d er i n g th em a n d re li e s f or t h e res t up o n m e di t a ti o n a n d
,

t he a ctivity o f h i s wi t .

T h er e a r e oth er phil os oph ers who h a v e dilig e ntl y a n d

a ccu r a t e ly a tt e nd ed t o a f e w e xp er im e nts a n d h a v e th e nc e
,

p re sum ed t o d e duc e a n d inv e nt sy s t e ms of p hil os op hy f or m ,

i n g e v erything t o c onformit y wi th th em .

A thi r d s et f rom th ei r f a ith a n d r elig i o us v e n era ti on

, ,

i nt roduc e th eol ogy a n d t r a diti o n s; t h e a b s ur di ty of s om e

a m o ng th e m h a ving p roc ee de d so f a r as to s ee k a n d d er i ve

t he sci e nc e s f rom spi rits a n d g e nii . Th ere a r e th er ef ore ,

th r e e s o u rc es of error a n d th ree s p eci es of fa lse ph il os o ph y ,

e mpi r ic a n d sup erstiti o us

, .

ri s to tl e aff or ds t h e m ost e min e nt inst a nc e o f

h e cor r upte d n a tu ra l phil os op hy b y l o gic

th us he f or m e d t he w or ld o f ca t eg ori es a ssign ed to t he
,

h um a n so ul t h e no b l es t of s u b st a nc es a g e nus d e t er min e d
, ,
fl

f fi ei isi tfi i r a rf
'

b y w or ds of sEbb fldaryb pera tl on trea t ed o

,

i ty ( by which b odi es occ u p y a g rea t er or l e ss er sp a c e) by ,

the fri gi d di stincti o ns of a cti o n a nd p o w er a ss er t ed th a t

,

there was a peculi a r a n d prep er motion i n all b odi es an d ,

 86 NO VUM ORGAN UM

t h at i f t h ey sha red in a n y o th er m o tion i t was owing to a n ,

e xt ern a l m ov ing c a u s e a n d impos e d innum e ra b l e a r b it ra ry

,

di s tincti o ns up on t he n a tu r e of things ; b eing e v er ywh ere

m ore a nxi o u s as t o d efi niti o ns in tea ching a n d th e a ccu ra cy
o f t h e w o r ding o f his p ro p os iti o ns th a n t h e int e rn a l tr uth ,

o f thing s A nd this is b es t sh o wn b y a c omp a ris o n of h i s

.

p hil os ophy with t he o th er s of gre a t est repute a m ong t h e

G ree ks . F or t h e simil a r p ar ts o f A n a x a g ora s the a t om s ,

o f Le ucippu s a n d D e m o c r itu s t h e h ea v e n a n d e a r th o f P a r

m e nid es t he disc or d a n d c onc or d of Emp e d o cl e s t he re s o

,
“ ,

l u ti o n of b o di es int o th e c omm o n n a tu r e o f fi r e a n d th e i r ,

c o nd e ns a ti o n a cc or ding t o H era clitu s e xhibit s om e sp ri n k ,

ling oi n a tu ra l phil os o phy th e n a tu re of thing s a n d experi , ,

Tn e n t ; whil e A r ist otl e s phy s ic s a r e m e r e l ogic a l t er ms a n d

’

,
—
h e re m o de ll ed th e s ame su bj ec t i n hi s m
‘
etap hys ws und e r a
m ore imp osing titl e a n d m or e a s a rea li s t t h a n a n om i n a li s t
, .

N or i s much st r es s t o b e l a id o n hi s f r e qu e nt r e c o u r s e t o e x
L
e r i me n t in h i s b o o ks o n a nim a l s hi s p r ob l e m s a n d o th er
p , ,

t rea ti s e s ; f or he h a d a l rea dy d ecid e d with o ut h a ving p r o p ,

e r ly c o n s ult e d e xp e r i e n c e a s t he b a s is o f his d e ci s i o n s a n d

a xi o m s a n d a ft e r h a ving s o d e cid e d h e d ra g s e xp e r im e n t
, ,

a l o ng a s a c a ptiv e c o n s t r a in e d t o a cc omm o d a t e h ers e lf t o his

d e ci s i o n s : so th a t h e i s e v e n m or e t o b e b l a m e d th a n hi s
m o d e r n f oll o w ers (of th e s ch ol a stic sch ool ) w h o h a v e d e
s e r te d her a lt og e th er .

E mped cle of A gri gen t m fl u i h d 44 4 B C He w th di cipl of

o s, u , o r s e . as e s e

T l g es t h Py th go
e an n d wa ml y a d pt d th d ct in e f t n mig ti on
e a rea , an r o e e o r o ra s ra .

H e lv d th unive i to th fou o dina ry el men ts the p i ncipl of

reso e e rs e n e r r e ,
r es

wh c mpo iti n w li f
ose o s d h pp i n ess o conc d
o e re d mi ty b ut w hom
e an a ,
r or an a ,

de compos iti n b ught f th d th d vil dis c rd d h t ed H clitus

o ro or ea an e , or o an a r . era

h ld m tt e to be indi ff nt to y peculi fo m b ut as it b c me
e a r e re or an ar r , e a ra re r

m re de n
o it took th ppe a n ce f fi e i ea rth an d w te Fi re h w
se , e a ar o r , a r, a r .
,
o

ev er, he be li v ed to b th l m nt y p incipl
e e t of w hich th
e e e the were e ar r e ou e o rs

evolv ed Thi s was l so th bel i ef of Luc e ti s

. a Se e book i 7 83 etc
e r u . . , .
 N O VU M OR GA N U M 37

LXI V The empi ric sch ool p r oduc e s d ogm a s of a m or e

.

d e fo r m e d a n d m o n s tro us n a tu re th a n th e s ophis tic or th eo

re ti c s ch o o l ; n ot b e ing f o und e d in t h e light of c om m o n n o

ti o n s ( which h o w e v er p oor a n d sup er stiti o us i s e t in

, y a ,

m a n n er univ er s a l a n d of a g e n era l t e nd e ncy) b ut in t he

, ,

c o nfin e d ob scu r ity of a f e w e xp er im e nts H e nc e this spe .

ci es of p hil os ophy a pp ea rs p rob a bl e a n d a lm ost c er ta in t o ,

th os e wh o a r e d a ily p r a ctic e d in such exp eri m e nts a n d h a v e ,

thu s c or r upt e d th ei r i m a gin a ti on b ut inc r e di b l e a n d futile ,

to o t h ers W e h a v e a st ro ng in s t a nc e of thi s in t h e a lch e

.

mi s ts a n d th ei r d ogm a s ; it w o uld b e difficult to find a n oth er

in thi s a g e u n l es s p er h a ps in t h e phil osophy of G il b e r t
, .
“
W e c ould n ot h ow e v er n egl e ct t o c a uti o n oth ers a g a inst
, ,

thi s sch ool b ec a us e we a l r ea dy f or es ee a n d a ugu r th a t if

, ,

m e n b e h er ea ft er i nduc e d b y o u r e xh or t a ti ons t o a pply s e ri

o u sl y t o e xp e r i m e nt s ( bidding f a re w e ll t o th e s ophi s tic d oc

t ri n e s) th er e will th e n b e im m in e nt d a ng er f rom e m pi rics

, ,

o wing to th e p r e m a tu r e a n d f o r w a r d h a st e o f th e und er

sta nding a n d its j umping or flying to g e n e ra liti es a n d t he

,

p rincipl es of thing s W e o ught th er efor e a l r ea dy t o m ee t

.
, ,

The
c orr upti on of phil osophy by t he mixing of it
s up e rstiti o n a n d th e o l ogy i s o f a much wid er e x ,

t e nt a n d i s m os t inj u r i o u s t o it b oth a s a wh o l e a n d in p a r ts
,
.

F or t h e hum a n und ers t a nding i s n o l e s s e xp os e d to t h e i m

p res s i on s of f a ncy th a n t o th os e of vulg ar n o ti o n s The
,
.

d i s put a t i o u s a n d s o p hi s tic sch oo l e ntr a ps t he und ers t a nd

ing whil e t he f a nciful b omb a s t i c a n d a s i t w e r e p o etic a l
, , , , ,

sch ool r a th er fla tt er s it T h er e is a cl ea r e x a mpl e of this

,
.

95
It is th u th e V ulc ni ts
s a s an d N eptu ni a n s h v f a e ra me d
th i pp it e r o os e

h
t i
eo r e s in g l gy Ph en l gy
eo o . r o o is a mo d n in t nce
er s a of h t y g n e al i
as e r za

ti on — Ed .
e ve r t he su pe rsti ti o n is coa rse a n d o v e rch a rg ed b u t it is
, ,

m ore d a ng e ro us a n d re fin e d in Pla to a n d his sc h ool T his .

e vil is found a lso in s o m e bra nch es of o th e r s st e ms o f phi

y
los Ophy whe re it introduc es a b st ra ct ed forms fi n a l a n d fi rst
, ,

c a us es ,

A g a inst it we must u
osi s of e rr or i s t he g rea t est e vi l o f al l a n d wh e n folly is ,

w orshipp ed it i s a s it w e re a pl agu e s p o t upon t he u nd er

, , ,

s t a nding Y e t so m e of th e m o d er ns h a v e indulg e d this fo ll y

.

with s uch c on s umm a t e inc on s id er a t e n ess th a t th ey h a v e e n ,

.

d ea vor ed t o b uild a sy s te m o f n a tur a l phil os o p h y o n t h e fi rs t

ch a pt er o f G en e s i s t he boo k of J ob a n d o th e r p a r ts of
, ,

"
S c r iptu r e ; s e e king thu s th e d ea d a m o ng th e li ving A nd .

thi s f olly i s t he m ore to b e p r e v e nt ed a n d re st ra i n ed be ,

c a u s e n o t only f a nt as tic a l p hil os ophy b ut h e re tic a l re ligi on

,

s p r ing f r om t h e a b s u r d mixtu re o f m a tt e rs divin e a n d

hu ma n It i s th er e f o r e m os t wis e s ob er ly to r e nd er un to
.

f a ith t he thing s th a t a r e f a ith s ’

.

LX V I H a ving sp ok en of t he vici o us a uth o rity o f t he

.

s y s t e m s f o und e d e ith e r o n vulg ar n o ti o ns o r o n a f e w e x ,

e ri m e n ts o r o n s up e rstiti o n w e mu s t n o w c o n s id e r the
p , ,

f a ulty s ubj e ct s f or c o nt e mpl a ti o n es p e ci a lly in n a tu ra l p hi

,

l o s ophy Th e hum a n und er s t a nding i s p e r v e r te d by ob s e rv

.

ing t h e p o we r o f m ech a nic a l a rt s in which b o di es a r e v e ry

,

m a t e ri a lly ch a ng e d b y c om p os iti o n o r s e p a ra ti o n a n d is i n ,

d u c ed t o supp os e th a t s om e thing s imil a r ta k e s pl a c e in t he

univ ers a l n a tu r e of thing s H e nc e the ficti o n o f e l em e nts
.
,

In Sc riptu re ev eryt hing w hich conce rn s th e p a ss ing i n t t

e res s of th bod y e

is c ll d d d ; the nl y living kn owledge h v ng

a e ea o a i re a r g d t th o e et n l i terest
er a n

of the ul — Ed
so . .
an d th ei r c o op era ti o n in f orming n a tura l b o di e
-
a s
.
“A g in ,

wh e n m a n r efl ects up o n t he e nti re li berty of n a ture he m ee ts ,

with p ar ticul a r s pe ci es of things a s a n i m a ls p la nts min , , ,

e ra ls a n d is th e nc e e a sil y l e d t o im a gin e th a t th er e e xist i n

,

n a tu re c er t a in prim a ry for ms which s he s t rives to p roduce ,

a n d th a t a ll v a ri a ti o n f r o m th e m a r is e s f ro m s om e imp e di

m e nt or error which s h e is exp os e d to i n c om p l e ting her

w or k or fr om t h e c o llis i on or m e t a m or ph osis o f di ffer e n t
,

sp eci es The fi rst hyp oth e sis h a s p r oduc ed t h e d o ctr in e of

.

e l e m e nt a r y p ro p e r ti e s t h e s e c o nd th a t o f occult p r o p e r ti e s
,

a n d sp e cific p o w er s ; a n d b o th l ea d t o t r ifling c o u r s e s o f r e

flec ti on in which t h e mind a cqui e sc e s and is thu s div er t e d

, ,

f ro m m or e imp or t a nt subj e cts Bu t ph y sici a ns e x e rcis e a .

much m or e us eful l a b or in t h e c o n s id er a ti o n o f t he s ec o nd
a r y q ua liti e s of things a n d t h e o p er a ti o ns o f a tt r a cti o n r e , ,

pul s i o n a tt e nu a ti o n inspiss a ti on dil a t a ti o n a string ency

, , , , ,

s ep a ra ti on m a tu ra ti on a n d the li k e ; a n d w o uld d o stil l

, ,

m or e if th ey w o u ld n ot c or r upt th es e p rop e r o b s er v a ti on s
b y t he two sy s tem s I h a ve a llud e d to of e l em e nt ary q u a li ,

ti e s a n d sp e cific p ow ers by which th ey e ith er reduc e t he ,

s ec o nda ry t o fi rst qu a liti es a n d th ei r subtil e a n d i mmeas ,

’3 In m ch nics d th g
e l s ci nc
a c u c mp und th i ff ct
an e en e ra e es , a s es o o e r e e s , or

i
n o th w d it i g n ll y p ib l t d duc d p i "th c n qu nc f
er or s, s e e ra oss e o e e r on e o se e e o

int duci ng c mpl x g nci es int

ro o y xp i m nt by a ll wing f
e a e th ff ct o an e er e , o or e e e

o f ea ch f th impl c u s w hich ent int th i c mp iti n I n ch mi t y

o e s e a se er o e r o os o . e s r

an d ph y i l g y c nt y l w h ld s ; th e c u w hich th y emb d y g n ll y
s o o a o ra r a o a s es e o e era

uniting t f m di tinct u b t nc a d t int duc unf

o or s s n l w d com
s a es , n o ro e oresee a s an

bi nati on sTh d ductiv e m th d h

. e i s c n qu ntl y in pplic bl e
e d w e e o ere o se e a a , an e ar

f c d b c k up n xp im nt
or e a o e er e .

B c n in th t xt i h dl y c n i t nt w ith hi m elf
a o e e s h dmit in the
ar o s s e s , as e a s

se oc nd b k th d ct in t w hich m d e n di c v y p int f th cip c l

oo e o r e, o o r s o er o s, o e re ro a

t n mut ti n f th l ment W h t em d p tic fi cti n in t h th i f

ra s a o o e e e s . a se e oe o e eor e s o

Py th go a d S n c
ras a n m s th e ppe e nce of s ci nti fic fa ct in th e h nds
e a, a ssu e a a ra e a

of B aron C yn a d —E d a r .
 b y gr ea ter a n d m o re dilig ent ob serv a ti o n to th e thi rd
a n d f o u r th q u a liti es th us ter mi n a ting th ei r conte mpl a ti on
,

p rem a tu rel y N or a re th es e p o w ers ( or t he like) to b e i n

.

ves ti g a ted onl y a mo n g t h e m e dicin es for t he hum a n b od y

.
,

b ut a ls o i n a ll ch a ng es o f o th er n a tu r a l b odi es .

A g rea te r e vil a ris e s f ro m t he c ont empl a ti o n a n d i n ves

ti g a ti o n ra th e r of t h e sta ti on a ry p ri ncipl e s of thing s f ro m

which th a n o f t he a ctiv e by which thing s th e ms elv es ar e

,

c rea te d F o r t h e for m er o nly s er v e f or di s cu s s i o n th e l a t

.
,

ter f o r p r a ctic e . N or is a n y v a l u e to b e s et on th os e c om
m on diff er e nc es o f m oti on which a r e ob s er v e d in t h e r ec eiv e d
sy s t e m of n a tu ra l phil osophy a s g e n er a ti o n c orr upti o n a u g
, , ,

m e nt a ti o n diminuti o n a lt er a ti on a n d t ra nsl a ti on F or this

, , ,
.

i s th e i r m e a ning : if a b ody unc h a ng e d in o th e r r es p ects is

, ,

m ov e d f r om i ts pl a c e this is t ra n s la ti o n ; if t he pl a c e a n d
,

sp eci es b e giv e n b ut th e qu a ntity ch a n g ed it i s a lt e r a ti o n ;

, ,

b ut if fro m s uch a ch a ng e t he m a s s a n d qu a ntity of t h e

, ,

b o dy d o n o t c o ntinu e th e s a m e this i s the m o ti o n of a ug,

m ent a ti o n a n d diminuti on ; if t he ch a n g e b e c o ntinu ed s o a s

t o v a r y t h e sp e ci e s a n d sub s t a nc e a n d t ra n s fu s e th e m t o
,

o th e rs thi s i s g e n e ra ti o n a n d c orr upti o n

,
A ll this i s m er e ly
.

p o pul a r a n d b y n o m e a n s p e n et r a t es int o n a tu r e ; a n d th es e
,

a re b ut t h e m e a s u r es a n d b oun ds o f m oti o n a n d n o t diff er ,

e n t s p e ci e s of it ; th ey m e r e ly sugg e st ho w f a r a n d n o t h o w ,

o r w h en c e . F o r th e y e x hibit n e ith er t h e a ff e cti o n s of b odi es

n or t h e p r o c e s s of th e i r p ar t s but m e r e ly e s ta b li s h a d ivi
,

si o n of th a t m o ti o n w h ic h c oar s e ly e xhibit s t o t he s en s es
,

m a tt e r in i t s v a ri e d f o rm Ev e n wh e n th ey wi s h t o p oint
.

o u t s o m e thing r e l a tiv e to t h e c a u s e s o f m o ti o n a n d t o e s t a b ,

li s h a divi s i o n o f th em th ey m os t a b s u r dly intr o duc e n a t

,

u ra l a n d vi ol e nt m oti on which i s a l s o a p opul a r n oti on

, ,
 N O VU M ORGAN UM 41

c
si n e e er v y vi ol ent m otion is a ls o in f a ct n a tura l th a t is to ,

sa y the e xt er n a l effici e nt p uts n a ture i n a ction i n a d iffere n t

,

m a nn er to th a t which s he ha d previ ou sly empl oy e d .

But if n egl ecting th ese a ny on e w ere for i nsta nce to

, , , ,

o bs er v e th a t th er e is in b odi es a te nd e ncy of a dh esi o n s o as ,

n ot t o su ff er t h e unity of n a tu r e to b e c o mpl e t e l y s e pa ra ted

”
or b r ok e n a n d a va cu u m ,
to b e f or m e d or th a t th ey h a v e a ,

te nd e ncy to r etu r n to th ei r n a tu ra l dim e nsi o ns or te nsi o n s o ,

th a t if c o mp r esse d or e xt end e d within or b ey o nd it th ey

, ,

imm e di a t e ly st r iv e t o re c o v e r th em s elv e s a n d resum e th ei r ,

form er v olum e a n d exte nt ; or th a t th ey h a ve a t e nd enc y to

cong reg a t e int o m a ss es wi th s imil a r b odi e s— the d ens e f or ,

in s ta nc e t o w a r d the ci rcumfe r e nc e of t he ea rth th e thin

, ,

a n d r are t ow a r d th a t of t h e h e a v e n s Th es e a n d th e li ke .

a r e t r u e physic a l g e n e ra of m o ti o n s but t he o th er s a re ,

cl ea r l y l ogic a l a n d sch o l a stic a s a pp ea rs pl a inly f rom a ,

c omp a ris o n of t he t wo .

A n o th er c o nsid er a b l e e vil is th a t men in th ei r syst ems ,

a n d c o nt e mpl a ti o ns b est o w th e i r l a b o r u p o n th e inv e stig a

ti o n a n d discussi o n of t he p r incipl es of things a n d t he ex

t r em e limits of n a tu re a lthou gh a ll utility an d m ea ns of ,

a cti o n c o nsi s t i n th e int e rm e di a t e o bj e cts H e nc e me n .

c e a s e n o t t o a bst r a ct n a tu r e till th e y a rr iv e a t p o t e nti a l a n d

“
l ess ma tt er a n d
M ’ ' W n b ~ - h -

i n ti i éfi
a s
"
I"
”
y a

s h a pe ,
-
1 s s ec t i on ti ll ,

Galil eo h d e ce ntl y d pt d th n ti n tha t n tu b h d vac uu m

9°
a r a o e e o o a re a orre a

for an axi m tic p incipl

o a d it w r e, a n e

p cti cal p d f bm é fi tfli ty b f B c

' ' ' '

ra r o a O

t (1 643) th t thi
e er s al th t xp d b l w a d b li v d by B c n
s e rror, a a so a e resse e o ,
n e e e a o ,

conc ning th h m p thic t nd nci f b di w s d t y d — E d

er e o oeo a e e es o o es, a e s ro e .

3°
D d m t i m p t ti l m i i f m m v t m f
on ec a a er a t
o enN ly ll
a e c n or e en u u er z
’

. ea r a

the nci ent phil ph rs d m tted th exi t nce of c t in p i mitive a d

a oso e a i e s e a er a r n

sh p l
a m tt
e es s th e u b t tu m f thing w hich t h
a e r as s c ti v pg w had
s ra o s e rea e er
- v

reduc d to fi x ed p
e p ti n d resolv d i t spe
ro ci fi cr
or sn b t n ces
o Th ex
s , an e n o s a . e
W
a g ain s t t he int em p era nc e of syst ems s o f a r a s re g a r ds its ,

giving or wi thh o lding its a sse nt ; for such int e mp era nc e a p

p ea rs t o fix a n d p er p etu a t e i d ols so a s to l ea ve n o m ea n s ,

of r em oving th e m .

Th e se e xc es s es a re o f two kin ds The fi r st is s ee n in .

th os e w ho d e cid e h a stily a n d r end er the sci e nc e s positiv e ,

a n d dict a t or i a l The o th e r in th os e wh o h a v e int ro duc e d

.

sc eptici s m a n d v a gu e unb o und e d inqui ry The f or m er s u b

, .

du es t he l a tter e n e r va t es th e und ers t a nding The A ris to

,
.

t eli a n p hil os o phy a f ter d es troy i n g oth er syst ems (as t he

‘

"
O tt om a n s d o th ei r b r e th r e n ) by i ts dis p ut a ti o u s c onfuta
ti o n s d e cid e d up o n e v eryth ing a n d A r ist o tl e hims elf th e n
, ,

r a i s e s up qu es ti o n s a t will i n or d e r to s e ttl e th em ; s o th a t ,

e v e r ything sh ou ld b e c e r t a in a n d d e cid e d a m e th od n o w in ,

u s e a m o ng h i s s ucc es so rs

Th e s ch ool of Pl a t o int rod u c e d s c epticism fi r s t a s it , ,

w er e in j o k e a n d i r ony f r om th e i r di s lik e to P r ot a g oras

“
, ,

H i ppi a s a n d o th e r s w ho w e re a sh a m e d of a pp ea ring n o t
l
, ,

p i n p t nti l m tt
re s s o o e f t th t u b t nc f m ng th b i f th
a a er re e rs o a s s a e or i e as s o e

P ip t tic y t m w hich vi tu lly c nt in ed l l th f m th t it was in the

er a e s s e ,
r a o a a e or s a

p w f th ffi ci nt c u t d w t f i t — E d
o er o e e e a se o ra ou o
‘A ll u n t the hu m nity f t h S lt
. .

3
n a si o wh
o in th i lie hi to i es
a o e u a ns , o, e r ea r r s r

p nt d
a re re res e ign li ing th i cc i n t th th n by th d t uc ti n f
e as s a z e r a ess o o e ro e e es r o o

th i f mil y t m v th d ng f iv l y d th t ors f civil wan — E d

“
e r a , o re o e e a er o r a r an e e rr o .

Th t xt i
3’
e m di u m v te m BOph i t
e s m P ot goras Hippi
o et li e ru s a ru ,
r a , es, re

qu u m ”
or Th w c ll d phi t w h
. os e t t ti
ere i t q t a e so s s, o, os en a on s an u es us ca us a

ph l pha b tw
i os o (A c d P i
a/n iir . Th y h d c upted d d g d d
a . r or . . e a orr an e ra e

phil o ph y b fo S c t
so P tg
e re f A bd ( wh e ) th e mo t c l
o ra e s . ro a ora s o era n , s e e

b ted t ught th t m
ra , a i th m u f ll th i ng by which he mea nt ot
a an s e ea s re o a s, n

only th t ll w hich ca b kn wn i kn w n nl y as it el ted t o f cultie

a a n e o s o o r a o ur a s,

b ut also th a t a pa rt f om fa cul tie n othin g ca be k n own The cep tics

r our s n . s
to d o ubt n a n y su b j e ct B ut th e n e w acad e m y dog
upo .

ma ti z ed in th e i r sc e pticism a n d h e ld it as th ei r t en e t , .

A lth o ugh this m eth od b e m ore h o n es t tha n a r bit ra r y d eci

s io n r its fo ll o w e rs a ll eg e th a t t hey b y n o m ea ns c on
( f o

fo und a ll in q ui ry l i k e Py rr ho a n d hi s disc i p l e s b u t h ol d
, ,

d oct rin es which the y c a n foll o w a s p ro ba b l e th o ugh t h ey ,

c a nn o t m a inta i n th e m t o b e t r u e) yet wh e n t h e h um a n ,

mind ha s on ce d esp a i r e d of di sc o v ering t r uth e v ery thin g ,

b egins to l a nguish H e nc e me n tu r n a sid e into ple a s a nt

.

c ont r o v ers i es a n d discu s si o ns a n d int o a so rt of w a nd er ing

'

o v er subj ect s ra th e r th a n sust a in a n y r ig or o us inv estig a ti o n .

B ut a s we o b s er v e d a t fi r st we ar e n o t to d e ny th e a uth ority
,

o f t he hum a n s e ns e s a n d und e r st a nding a lth o ugh we a k b u t , ,

r a th e r t o fu r nish t h e m wi th a ssist a nc e .

L XV III W e h a ve n ow t r ea t e d of ea ch ki nd of id ols
.
,

a n d th ei r qu a liti es a ll o f whic h must b e a bj u r e d a n d r e

,

n ou n c e d wit h fi r m a n d s o l e mn r e s o luti o n a n d t h e und e r ,

st a nding m u s t b e c ompl et ely f re ed a n d cleare d of th em s o ,

th a t t he a cc ess to t he k ingd om o f m a n which is fo und ed ,

o n t h e sci e nc e s m ay r es e m b l e th a t t o t he k ingd o m of
,

h e a v e n wh e re n o a dmi s s i o n is c o nc e d e d exc e pt to child r e n

, .

LXIX V ici o us d em on s t ra tio ns a re t he munim e nts a n d

.

supp or t of id ols a n d th os e wh ich we p oss ess in l ogic m er el y

, ,

subj ect a n d ensl a ve t he w or ld t o hum a n th o ughts a n d ,

th ough ts t o w or ds B ut d e m o nstr a ti o ns a re i ii s o m e ma n
.

n e r th e m se lv e s syst e ms o f phil o s o hy a n d sci e nc e ; f o r s uch

p
a s th e y a r e a n d a cc or dingly a s th ey a re re gul a r ly or i m
,

equ ll y h ld th t kn w l dg w s p b b l nl y s i t la t d to o f culti s
a e a o e e a ro a e o a re e ur a e ,

b ut th y s toppe d th
e d di d t li k t h e
ere , a n phi t d gm ti b ut th
no , e so s , o a ze a o e un

kn wn Th w k f P t g
o . e or s w o cond mn d f th i i mpi ty d
ro a ora s e re e e or e r e , an

pu b licl y b u n d by th
r e d l s f A th e w h o ppe to h v di ch g d the
e se i e o n s, a ar a e s ar e

office of c mm o h ngmen to the hte a y b la sph eme s of thei r day — E d

on a r r r . .
e rr o n eo us for th ey fa i l a n d d ec e iv e us W e m us t supp ly
, .

d efe cts b y substituti on s a n d fa l l a ci e s by t h ei r correcti o n , .

S ec ondly n o ti o ns a re imp rop erl y a b st ra ct ed fro m th e s e n s es

— ‘
m
, ,

hfdsGd Whefl th e y ou g h
-

a n d ind et er min a t e a n d c d
' fl '

r e v er s e Thi r dly t h e ind ucti o n th a t is emp l oy e d is i m

.
,

p rop er for it d e t er m in es th e p rincipl es of sci e nc es by sim p le

,

e nu m e ra ti o n with o ut a d opting e xclusi o n s a n d r es oluti o ns

, ,

or j ust s e p a ra ti o n s o f n a tu r e L a stly The us u a l m e th od o f .

,

disc o v ery a n d p roof by fi rs t es t a b li s hing t he m ost g e n era l ,

p r op os iti o n s th e n a pplying a n d p r oving t he int er m edi a t e

,

a xi o ms a cco r ding t o th e m is th e p a re nt o f error a n d t he ,

c a l a m ity o f e v ery sci e nc e B ut we will t r ea t m ore full y .

B c n i h dl y c ect in i mpl yi g th a t th e m ti m p i mpli em

33 a o s ar orr n en u er a on e er s c

w as th nly light in w hich th nci nt l k d up n inducti n

e o th y pp e a e s oo e o o , as e a ea r

to h v a g d d it
e nly
re ard th t t h l e t i mp t nt f i t p c s
as o on e , an a e ea s or a , o s s e ie .

A r i t tl
s o xp l y n id induct on i n pe f ct di l ctic n
e e ress co s d i ers i a r e or a e se se , a n n

a ni mpe f ct h t ic l n
r e Thu i f genu (G) c nt in f u pe ci s
or r e or a se se . s a s , o a s o r s e

(A B
, c ,) th y ll
,
gi m Dw uld
,
l d to i nf e th t w hs t i t u o f sG i s o ea us er , a a s r e o ,

tr u f
e o f th f u
any B ut pe f ct inducti n w uld
on e o n th t w h t
e o r . r e o o rea so , a a

w e ca np v f B c ro p t l y w m y p pe ly ta te tru f G t he
e o A , , ,
D, se a ra e ,
e a ro r s as e o ,

w h l g nu
o e Thi i vid ntly f mal gu ment d m n t tiv
e s . s th
s e yl e a or ar as e o s ra e as e s

l gi m
o s In n c. y m tte h w v l giti m te inducti n m y cl i m w id e
e es sa r a rs , o e er, e a o a a a r

p vi nc
ro d i f f th w h l g nu w h t i
e, a n nl y pp nt i p t f the
n er o e o e e s a s o a a re n a ar o

s pe ci S uch
es . th induct v nf nc w hich c nc n the l w f n tu e
a re os e i e i er e es o er a s o a r ,

th i mm uta b ility f f m
e by w hich B c n t v to re ct h i o w y t m f
or s, a o s ro e e s ne s s e o

phil ph y Th S t gy te h w v l k ed up n
os o . me ti o m p a i mpli ri , o e e r, oo o en u er a ne er s o

ce m w ith out a y eg d t th n tu e of t h e m tte

, n to th e c mpl t n ess
r ar o e a r a r, or o e e

o f th pe ci w ith much p h n iv ca uti n B c n d gu d d hi s

e s es , as re re e s e o as a o ,
an ar e

re a d er a ga in t it as th e sou c e f innu me
s ble e
s — Ed r o ra rror s .
'
.
 N OVU M OR GA N UM 45

of th a t wh i c h we now s l ight ly t o uch u p o n wh e n we com e ,

t o la y d o wn t he tru e wa y of int er p r e ting n a tu r e a ft er h a v ,

i n g g o n e th ro ugh t h e a b o v e e xpia to ry p r oc ess a n d purific a

ti o n o f t he mind .

LXX B ut e xp eri e n ce i s b y far the b est d emonst ra ti on

.
,

p rovid ed it a dh ere to t he exp er im ent a ctu a lly m a d e for i f ,

th a t exp e rim en t b e tr a nsf erre d to o th er su b j ects a pp are ntl y

simila r unl es s with p r op er a n d m eth o dic a l c a uti o n it b e
,

com es f a ll a ci ous The p r ese nt m eth o d of e xp erim e nt i s

.

b lind a nd s tupid ; h e nc e m en w a nd e ring a n d ro a ming with

out a n y d ete rmin e d c our s e a n d c on s ulting m er e ch a nc e
, ,

a re hur r i e d a b o ut t o v a r i o us p oints a n d a dv a nc e but littl e

,

— a t o n e tim e th e y a r e h a ppy a t a n oth er th e i r a tt e nti o n is

,

di s tra ct ed a n d th ey a lw a ys find th a t th ey w a n t som ething

,

fu rth er M e n g e n era lly m a k e th ei r e xp er im e nts c a r e l ess l y

.
,

a n d a s it w e r e in sp or t m a k ing s om e littl e v a r i a ti o n in a
,

k n o wn exp er im e nt a n d th e n if th ey f a il th ey b ec om e dis
,
~

gu s t e d a n d giv e u p t he a ttem p t ; n a y if th ey s e t t o w ork

,

m or e s eri o usl y ste a dily a n d a s s i d u o usly y e t th ey w a s te

, , ,

a l l th ei r tim e o n p ro bing s o m e solita ry m a tt e r as G il b er t ,

o n t h e m a gn e t a n d t h e a lch e mi s ts o n g o ld
,
B ut such c on
.

d uct sh o w s th e i r m e th o d to b e n o l ess uns k ilful th a n m ea n ;

f or n ob o dy c a n succ e ssfull y inv es tig a t e t h e n a tu re of a n y
ob j ect b y c on s i d e ri n g th a t o b j e ct a l o n e ; t he inqui ry mu s t
‘

b e m ore g e n er a lly e xt e nd e d .

Ev e n wh e n m en build a n y sci e nc e a n d th e ory up o n e x

e r i m e n t ye t th e y a lm os t a lw a ys tu r n with p r e m a tur e a n d
p ,

h a s ty z ea l t o p r a ctic e n ot m er ely o n a cc o unt of t h e a d va n

,

ta g e a n d b en efi t t o b e d er iv e d f r om it b ut in or d er t o s eiz e
,

u p on s o m e s e cu rit y in a n e w und er t a k ing of th ei r n ot e m

‘
p l oying t he r e ma ind er of th ei r l a b or un profi t ab ly a n d by ,

ma k ing th e ms elv e s c onsp i c uo us to a c q ui r e a g r ea t er n a m e

,
46 NO VU M ORGAN UM

for their pursu i t He nc e li k e A ta la n ta they l ea v e t he

.
, ,

c o u rs e to pic k u p the gold e n a ppl e inte rru p ting the i r ,

s peed , a n d g ivi n g u t h victor y B ut in t h e t r u e c o urse

p e .

of expe rime nt a n d in e xt e nding i t to new eff e cts we sh o uld

, ,

imi ta te the Di vin e for esight a n d o rder ; for God on t he fi rst

d a y o nl y c r ea te d light a n d a ssign ed a wh ol e d a y to th a t
,

w ork without c rea ting a n y m a te ri a l sub sta nc e th ereo n In .

l i k e m a nn er we mu s t fi rs t by e v ery k ind of exp er im e nt

, ,

e licit t he disc o v e ry o f c a us e s a n d tr u e a xi o ms a n d s ee k for ,

e xp er im e nts whic h m a y a ff or d light r a th er th a n p rofi t .

A xi om s wh e n r ightl y inv e stig a t ed a n d e sta b lish e d pre

, ,

p a r e u s n o t for a limit e d but a b und a nt p ra ctic e a n d b r ing ,

in th ei r t ra in wh ol e tr oo p s of effe cts B ut we will t rea t .

h e rea ft er o f t he w a y s of exp eri en c e which a re n ot le ss ,

b es et a n d i nt er r upt e d th a n th os e o f j udgm e nt ; h a ving

sp ok e n a t p r es e nt o f c o m m o n e xp er i enc e o nly a s a b ad
sp eci es of d e m onst r a ti o n t he o r d e r of o u r subj ect n o w r e
,

qui r e s som e m enti on of th os e ext e r n a l s ign s of t he w ea k n ess

in p ra ctic e of t he r ec e iv e d s y s t em s of phil os oph y a n d c on
t e mpl a t i o n
“which we re fer r e d to a b o v e a n d o f t he c a u s es ,

o f a ci r c um s t a nc e a t fi rs t s ight s o w o nd e rful a n d inc r e dibl e .

F or t he kn o wl e dg e of th es e e xt e r n a l sign s p r ep a r e s t he wa y
fo r a s s e nt a n d t he e xpl a n a ti o n of t h e c a u s es r e m ov e s t he
,

w o nd er ; a n d th e s e t wo ci r cum s ta nc es a r e of m a t eri a l u s e
i n e xti r p a ting m ore e as ily a n d g e ntly t he id ols f ro m the
und e rs t a nding .

LXXI The s ci e nc es we p os s ess h a v e b ee n p rinc i p a lly

.

d er iv e d f r o m t h e G re e k s ; fo r t he a dditi o n o f t he Rom a n ,

A ra bic or m or e m o d e r n wr iters a r e b ut fe w a n d of s m a l l
, ,

imp or t a nc e a n d s uch as th e y a re a re f o und ed on the b a s is

, ,

S ee A x . lxi t . owa r d th e en d . Thi s s u bj ct ext nd

e e s to A x l. xxviii .
 NO VUM ORGAN UM 47

of Gr eek i n ven ti on B ut th e wi s d o m of th e G ree ks was .

p rof es s i o n a l a n d disputa ti o u s a n d thu s m os t a dv e rs e to t he ,

i nv es tig a ti o n of t r uth The n am e th ere f or e o f s oph i sts .

, , ,

which t he c o nt e mptu o us spi r it of th os e who d eem ed t he m

s el v es phil os oph er s r ej e ct e d a nd t r a n s fer re d t o t he r h e tori
,

ci an s — G or gi a s ”
P rota g ora s H ippi a s P ol n s— might w e ll s uit
, , ,

t h e wh ol e t r i b e such a s Pl a t o A r i s t otl e Z e n o Epicu r us

, , , , ,

Th eo ph ra stus a n d th ei r succ ess ors— Ch rysippus C a rn ea d es

, , ,

a n d t h e r es t Th e re wa s o nly this diff er e nc e b e tw ee n th e m

.

2 —t h e f or m e r w er e m er c e n ar y v a g a b o nds t r a v e lling a b o ut
,

t o di ffer e nt st a t es m a k ing a sh o w of th e i r wisd om a n d r e

, ,

qui r ing pay ; t he l a tter m or e dignifi ed a n d n ob l e in pos ,

s e s s i o n of fix e d h a bit a ti o ns Op e ning s ch ools a n d t e a ching , ,

phil os ophy g ra tuit o usly B oth h ow e ver (th o ugh diff e r ing .
,

in oth e r r esp ect s) w ere p rof es s or i a l a n d r educ e d e v ery s u b

, ,

j ec t t o c o nt r o v e r s y e st a blishing a n d d e f e nding c er t a in s ects

,

a n d d og m a s of phil os oph y so th a t th e i r d o ct r i n e s w er e ,

n ea r ly ( wh a t Di o ny sius n ot un a ptl y ob j ect e d t o Pl a t o) the

t a lk of idl e ol d m en t o ign or a nt y o uths B ut th e m ore .

a nci e nt G r ee k s a s E m p e d o cl e s A n a x a g or a s L e ucip p
,
u s De , , ,

m oc ri t us P ar m e nid es H era clitu s X en oph a n e s P hil ol a u s

, , , , ,

”
a n d t h e r es t ( f r I om it Pyth a g or a s as b e ing s up ers titi o u s
o
) ,

G gi f L ti m went t A th en s i 4 24
35
or as o eon H d P l
u w e o n e an o ns er

d scipl f E mp d cl wh m we h v e l dy n ticed (A ph i m
i es o e o es , wh he o a a rea o or s ere

s u t in d th th f m u s p op iti on t h t n thing xi t th t n thing ca be

s a e e re e a o r os s, a o e s s, a o n

k w n d th t it i
no , an t of th p w af m to t n mit
s ou c mmunic t int l e o er o an ra s or o a e e

li g H i
e n ce . ck n d f th e
e li e t w te
s re o th ar t f h t ic
e d
on e o ea r s ri r s on e o r e or ,
an

f
or th t a n Pl t c ll d h i l g nt di l gu
rea so , a o th t u bj ct aft h i n m
a e s e e a a o e on a s e er s a e.

Ch y ippu
35
t ic phil ph f S li in Cilici C mp t i b n in 280
r s s, a s o oso er o o a, a es r s , or ,

di ed i th l 4 3 d Oly mpi d 2 0 8 B C H w q u ll y di tingui h d f n tu l

n e a , . e as e a s s e or a ra

a bi liti d indu t y
es an ld m u ff ing d y t el p w ith ut w iting 500
s r ,
se o s er a a o a se o r

lin es H w t se v ral hund d v lu m

. e ro e f wh ich th ee hund d w
e re o es , o r re e re on

l gic l ubj cts ; but i a ll b w d l g l y f m oth rs H w v y f n d

o a s e n ,
orr o e ar e ro e . e as er o

of th w r i tes i n arg me nt w hich i s h ence ca lled by P ers iu s th h

e u p of Chry
, e ea
s i ppns . c ll d th Colu mn f th e P tico a n ame given t th S toical
He w a s a e e o or , o e

S ch l f m Z n i t f und w h ha d gi v n h i s l
oo ro e o, n s und th p tic
s o er , o e es so er e or o .

C n d b n b ut 2 1 5 di d in 13 0 H tta ch d him lf t C h y i p
ar ea es , or a o , e . e a e se o r s

d u t in d w ith ceptici m f the a c d my Th A th ni ns ’

p u s, a n l t th
s s a e ec a e s s o a e . e e a

se nt hi m w ith C i t la d D g ne mb sa d
r oto R me w h
us han t io e s as a as or o , e re e a

t ct d th tt nti n f h n w udit y by th u b tilt y f h i

ra e e a e o o ning d
i s e a or e s o s rea so , an

t h flu nc y
e d v h m nc
e f h i l ngu g
an B f G l b d C t the Cen o
e e e e o s a a e . e ore a a an a o s r,

h h e ngu d w ith g t v i ty f th ught d c piou n

a ra e rea f dicti n i p i se ar e o o an o s e ss o o n ra

o f ju tic s Th n xt d y t e. t bli h hi d ct n f th unc t int y f hu ma n

e e a , o es a s s o ri e o e er a o

k n w l dg h und t k t fut ll h i gu ment H m int in d w ith the

o e e, e e r oo o re e a s ar s . e a a e

N w A c d my th t th
e a n e t h e i m gin ti n
, d th und
a t nding f
e se ses, a a o ,
an e er s a re

q u tly d c iv
en d th e e f c n t b e inf llib l judg f t uth b ut th t
e u s, an e re ore an o a e es o r , a

f m th i mp i n p duc d
ro e th e m ind by m n
res s o s f th n
ro w i nfe e on ea s o e se s es , e r

a pp nc f t uth p b b i liti
ea ra es o N v th l r W th p ct t th c nduct
or ro a es . e er e es s , i re s e o e o

o f lif C n d h ld th t p b bl pini n
e, ar ea es u ffici nt guid
e a ro a e o o s a re a s e e .

X n ph n e G
o k phil pha f C l ph n b n in 556 th f und
es , a ree f os o er, o o o o ,
or ,
e o er o

th E l
e tic ch l which w i t f m p i ncip ll y t P m n d
ea s oo ,
W ild in h
o es s a e r a o ar e i es , is

o pini n b ut t n my h upp d th t th t w
o s a o a s ro oxtingu h d v y
, e s os e a e s a rs e re e is e e er

m ning
or d k indl d t night ; th t clip w
, an re cc n d by th t mp
e a a e ses ere o a si o e e e o

ra ry xtinct n f th
e d th t th
io w o v l un f th c nv ni nc
e su n, a n a e re e re se e ra s s or e o e e e

o f th di ff e nt c li m t f th e re th Y t thi m h ld th h i f ph l
a es o e ea r . e s an e e c a r o i oso

phy t A th n f
a v nty y e rse s or se e a .

Phil l u Py th g ea n phil ph f C t
o a s, a B C 3 74a H fi t
or p o so er o ro on a , . . e rs su

p t d th d u n l m ti n i th
or e e i th und i ts xi
r a d it
o nnu l m ti n
o o e ea r ro a s , an s a a o o

ro und t h Ci c ( A c d iv 3 9 ) h
e su n . c i b d thi pini n t t h S y
ero a . . as as r e s o o o e ra c u

san phil ph N ic t os o d li k ew i ter Pl t F m thi p g it i m t

e as , an se o a o . ro s as sa e, s os

p b bl th t C pe nicu g t th id
ro a e a f th
o y t m h ft w d t b li h d
r s o e ea o e s s e e a er ar es a s e .

B c n in the A dv nc m nt f H u m n L ning ch g Gilb t w ith t ing

a o ,
a e e o a e ar ,
ar es er re s o r

th e d ct in o f Ph l l u r b c u h v n t u d t upp t th C p nic n
es o i o a s, e a se e e re o s or e o er a

“
th y — Ed
eo r
3
.

B n i eq u ll y c n picu u f th e
a co
.

s d bu
a f n l gic l illu t
o s o s or u se a n a se o a a o a s ra

ti no The l evity as S t rt M ll v e y p p l y b serv es by wh ch s u b ta c es

s. ,
ua i r ro e r o ,
i s n
 NO VU M O R GA N U M 49

which is l ight a n d in fl a t e d a n d s in ks th a t which i s h ea vy ,

a n d s o lid N or w ere e v e n th e s e m or e a nci e nt p hil oso p h e rs

.

f ree fr om t he n a ti on a l d e f ect but inclin ed too much to t he ,

a mbiti o n a n d v a ni t y of f o r ming a s ect a n d c a ptiv a ting ,

public Opini on a n d we must d es p a i r of a n y inqui ry a ft er

,

truth wh e n it c o nd esc e nd s t o such tri fles N or mu s t we .

omit th e Opini on , or r a th er p roph ecy of a n Egy p ti a n p ri est ,

with r eg a r d t o t he Gr ee ks th a t th ey would fore v er rem a in ,

child re n with o ut a n y a ntiquity of k n o wl e dg e or kn owl edg e

,

of a ntiquity ; f or th ey c er ta inl y h a v e this i n c o mm o n with

child re n th a t th ey a re p ron e t o t a lking a n d i nc a p a bl e o f

, ,

g e n era ti o n th ei r wi s d om b eing l oqu a ci o u s a n d u n prod u c

,

tiv e of e ff e cts H e nc e t he ext er n a l sign s d e r iv ed f rom th e

.

o r igin a n d b i r thpl a c e of o u r p r es e nt phil os o phy a re n ot

fa v ora bl e .

LXXII N or a r e th os e much b ett er which c a n b e d e

.

d u c ed fro m t h e ch a r a ct er o f t h e tim e a n d a ge th a n t h e ,

fo rm er fr om th a t of th e c o unt ry a n d n a ti o n ; f or in th a t a g e
t h e k nowl e dg e b oth of tim e a n d of th e w or ld wa s c onfin e d

a n d m ea g r e which is on e of t h e w or s t ev i ls f o r th os e wh o
,

rely e nti r e ly o n e xp er i e nc e— th ey h a d n ot a thous a nd y ea r s

o f hi s t o r y w or thy o f th a t n a m e b ut m er e f a b l es a n d a nci e nt,

t ra diti o n s ; th ey w er e a cqu a i nt e d with b ut a sm a ll p or ti o n

o f t he r e gion s a n d count r i e s o f t he w or ld f or th ey indi s ,

c ri m i n a tely c a ll ed a l l n a ti o ns situ a t e d fa r to w a r d t h e n or th

Sc y thi a ns a ll th os e t o t he w es t C elts; th ey kn ew nothing

,

of A f ric a b u t t h e n ea rest p a rt of Ethi opi a or of A si a b e ,

floa t o s t eam a d th e l vity w hich i s syn on y mous wi th w thl e n ess h v e

n a r , n e or ss , a

n thi g b
o n id the na me in comm n ; d to h w h w littl v lu th i in
es e o an s o o e a e e re s

th e figu w e n d nl y ch ng th w d i n to b u oy ncy to tu n th e
re , ee o a e e mbl nce
or a ,
r se a

of Ba c on a g u m nt
’
s g in t hi ms lf— Ed
r e a a s e .
50 N O VUM ORGAN U M

o n d t he Ga ug es a nd ha d n ot e v e n h ea rd an y s u r e a n d
y ,

c l ea r t ra di ti on of t he reg io ns o f t he Ne w W o r ld B es id es
.
,

a v as t n u m ber of c lima te s a n d z on es i n whic h innumera b le

,

n a ti o n s li v e a nd br e a th e w e re p ro nounc e d b y t h e m to be
,

u ninh a b i ta b l e ; na y t he tra v el s o f De mocritus Pl a to a n d

'

, , ,

Pyth a go r a s w hic h w ere n ot e xt ensiv e b ut ra ther mer e

, ,

e xcu r s i o n s fr o m hom e w e re consid ere d a s s o m e thing va s t

, .

B ut in o u r tim e s m a n y pa r ts of the N ew W or l d a n d eve ry ,

e xt r e mity of t he O ld ,
a r e w e l l k nown a n d t he mass o f
,

e xp e r im e nts h as b e e n in fi nit e l y inc rea s e d ; w h ere f o re if e x ,

t er n a l s ign s w ere to b e t a k e n f ro m the tim e of t he n a tivity

o r p roc rea ti o n (a s in a str o l ogy ) n o thing e xt r a o r din a ry c o uld
,

b e p re dict e d of th e s e e a rl y syst e ms of phi l os o phy .

LXXIII O f a ll signs th ere i s n on e m ore c er ta in or

.

w or thy th a n th a t o f th e f r uits p r oduc e d for t he f r uits a n d

,

e ff e cts a r e t h e su r e ti e s a n d v o uch er s a s it w e re
,
f or t he ,

t r uth of phil os ophy N o w f rom t he s y s t e ms o f t he G r ee ks

.
, ,

a n d th ei r sub o r din a t e divi s i o ns in p a r ticul ar b ra nc h es of t he

s ci e nc e s du r ing so l o ng a p e r i o d sc a r c ely o n e singl e e x pe ri

,

m e nt c a n b e cull ed th a t h a s a t e nd e ncy to e l e v a te or a s s is t
m a n k ind a n d c a n b e fa i rly se t d o wn to the s p e cul a ti o ns
,

a n d d o ct rin e s o f th e i r phil o so phy C e lsu s c a ndidl y a n d

.

wi s e ly c o nf e s s es a s m uch wh e n he O b s e r v e s th at e xpe ri
,

m e nts w ere fi rs t disc o v ere d in m e dicine a n d th a t me n a ft er

,

w a rd b uilt th ei r p hil os ophic a l syst e m s up o n th e m a n d ,

s e ar ch e d for a n d a s s ign ed c a us es inst ea d of the inv e rse

,

m e t h od of dis c o ve r ing a n d d eriving e xp e rim e nts fro m phi

l o s ophy a n d t he k n o wl e dg e of c a us es ; it is n o t th e re f o re , ,

w ond erful th a t t he Egypti a ns ( who b esto w ed divinity a n d

s a c r e d h on ors on t he a uth o rs o f n ew in v e nti o ns) sh o uld
h a v e con se cr a ted m or e im a ges of b r ut es th a n of m en for ,

t he b r ut e s by th ei r n a tu r a l instinct m a d e m a n y discov e ri es ,
 N OV UM ORG A N UII 51

whi l e m en de ri ved b ut few from di sc uss io n and the con

el usi ons of r ea son .

Th e indus try o f t he a l c h e mis ts has p rod uc ed some eff ec t,

by cha nc e h o w e v er a n d ca s ua lty or from v a r ying th ei r e x
, , ,

r i men ts as m ech a nics a l so d o) a n d not f ro m a n gul r

p e ( y r e a ,

ar t or th eory t h e th e o r y th ey h a v e im a gin e d ra th er te nding

,

t o dist ur b th a n to a ssist ex pe rim e nt T hose too who h a v e .

, ,

o ccupi e d th e mse l v es wi th n a tu ra l ma gic (a s th ey te rm it )

h a v e m a d e b ut few di sc o v eri es a n d those of sm a ll impo rt , ,

an d b or d e ri ng o n imp os tu re ; for w hic h rea son in th e s a m e ,

m a nn er as we a re c a uti on e d b y r eligi on to sh o w o u r f a ith

by ou r w or ks we may v er y pr op er ly a pply t he p rinci p l e to
,

phil oso ph y a n d j udg e of it by its w orks a cc o unting th a t to

, ,

b e futil e which is unp r oducti ve a n d still m or e s o i f in s t ea d , ,

of g r a p es a n d o li v e s it yi e ld b ut t h e thistl e a n d thorn s of
,

di s put e a n d c ont e n ti on .

LXXI V O th er signs may b e s el ecte d fro m th e inc rea se

.

a n d p rogr e ss o f p ar tic ul a r s y st ems O f p hil os o p h y a n d t he

sci e nc es ; for th os e w hich a re found e d on n a tur e g row a n d

inc r ea s e whil e th os e which a re fou n d e d on opinion ch a ng e
,

a n d inc r e a se not If th ere fo re t he th e ori es we h a v e me n

.
, ,

t i on e d w er e not l ik e pl a nts to r n up b y t he r oo ts b ut g re w
, ,

i n t he wom b of n a tur e a n d w er e n o u ri s h e d b y h er th a t
, ,

which for t he l a st two th o us a nd y ea rs ha s ta k e n pl a c e w ould

n e v er h a v e h a pp e n e d n a m e ly th a t t he sci e nc es still c o n
, ,

tin n e i n th eir b ea t e n t ra ck a n d n e a rl y s ta ti o n a r y with o ut

, ,

h a ving r ec ei ve d a n y import a nt inc r ea se n a y h a vi ng o n , , ,

t he c o nt r a ry r a th e r bl oom e d u nd er t he h a nd s of t h ei r fi rs t
,

a uth or an d th e n f a d e d a w a y
,
B ut we see th a t t h e c a s e i s
.

r e v ers e d in t h e m e ch a nic a l a r ts wh i ch a r e f o und e d o n n a ,

tur e a n d t h e light o f e xp er i e nc e for th ey (a s l o ng as th e y ,

a r e p o p u l a r) s e em full o f lif e a n d unint err upt e dly th riv e a n d

,

S C E N C E V ol 22 —3 I .
52 N O VU M ORGAN UM

g ro w, be i n g at fi rst rud e th en c onvenie n t l as tl y p oli sh ed , , ,

a n d p er p e tu a ll y improv e d .

LX X V T h ere is yet a noth er sign (if such it may be

.

t er m ed b e ing ra th er a n e vid e nc e a n d o n e o f t he str ong est

, ,

n a tu re) n a m el y the a ctu a l c onf ession o f thos e v ery a u th ori

, ,

ti es w hom m en now f oll o w ; f or e v e n th ey who d ecid e on

things s o d ar ingl y y et a t tim es wh en th ey r efl ect b et a k e , , ,

th ems e lves t o c ompl a int s a b out t h e su b ti lty of n a tur e th e ,

o b s cu r ity of t h ings a n d t h e w ea kn ess o f m a n s wi t If th ey ’

.
,

w o uld m e re ly d o this th ey might p er h a ps d et er th os e wh o ,

a r e o f a timid di s p ositi o n f r om fu r th er in q ui ry but w o ul d ,

e xcit e a n d s ti m ul a t e th os e Of a m o re a ctiv e a n d c o nfid ent

tu r n t o fu r th e r a d v a nc es T h ey a re n ot h o w ev er s a ti s fi e d .
, ,

with conf ess ing s o much of th em s elv es b ut c o nsid er e v e ry ,

thing which h a s b ee n e ith e r unknown o r un a tt empt e d by

th em s e lv es or th ei r t ea ch ers a s b ey o nd t he limits of p os s i ,

b i li ty a n d th u s with m os t c onsumm a t e p rid e a n d e n vy

, , ,

c onv e rt t he d efect s of th ei r o wn di s cov eri es int o a c a lu m n y

o n n a tu r e a n d a s o u r c e of d es p a i r t o e v ery o n e e ls e H enc e .

a ros e t h e N e w A c a d e m y which o p enly p ro f es s ed s c epti

“
,

c is m a n d c o n s i gn e d m a nkin d t o e t e r n a l d a r kn e s s ; h e n c e
,

t he n o ti o n th a t f o r m s or t he t r u e d i ff e r e nc e s of thing s ( which ,

a r e i n f a ct t h e l a ws o f si m pl e a cti o n ) a r e b ey o nd m a n s
’

33 h v b f e b v d th t th e N w A ca d emy did ot p f
We a e e or kp
o s er e ,
a e n ro e s s s e

t i i m b ut t h
c s ,
ém fl ml nc mp h n ib lity f th b lut s nc f
e f ua
, or i o re e s i o e a so e es e es o

thing E v n m d n phy ici t

s . e t w nting t
o er t w ith thi ch l s s s a re no a , o a sse r s s oo

th t t h ut m t k n w l dg w
a e b t in i l tiv
os d n c o il y h t f
e e e ca n o a s re a e, a n e es s a r s or o

a b lut c t in ty It i t w ith ut
so e er a pp nc f t uth th t th ph l
. s no o an a ea ra e o r a ese i os o

ph m int in th t
era id
a d p c pti n d
a at xp th n tu
ou r f th eea s an er e o s o no e r ess e a re o

thing w hich th y p nt b ut nl y th ff ct f th p culi

s e re g n s by
res e ,
o e e e s o e e ar or a

w hich th y c nv y d t t h und t nding s th t w e th e g n

e a re o e e o e e rs a , o a er es or a s

ch ng d w hould h v di ff nt c nc pti n f th i n tu e Tha t co s ti t

a e , e s a e e re o e o s o e r a r . n u

ti on f i w hich i d k t m i lu min u to b t d wls

o a r s ar o an s o s a s an o .
 NOVU M ORGAN UM 53

re a ch a n d ca nn o t possi b ly b e di s c o v ere d ; h e nc e th os e no
,

ti o ns in t h e a ctiv e a n d o p er a tiv e b r a nch es th a t t he h ea t of ,

t h e s u n a n d of fi re a r e to ta ll y differe nt s o a s to p re v e nt m e n ,

fro m supp o s ing th a t th ey c a n elicit or for m b y m ea n s of ,

fi re a nything si mil a r to t h e o pe ra ti o n s o f n a tu re ; a n d a g a in
, ,

th a t c omp os iti o n o nl y is t he w or k of m a n a n d mixtur e of

n a tur e s o a s to p r e v e nt me n fr om exp ecting th e g e n e ra tio n
,

or tra nsf o r m a ti o n o f n a tu ra l b o di es b y a r t M en wil l th ere .

,

fore ea sily a ll o w t h em s elve s to b e p ersu a d e d b y this s ign

,

n o t t o e ng a g e t h e i r f or tun e s a n d l a b or in sp e cul a ti o ns ,

which a re n ot only d es p era te b ut a ctu a lly d e v ot e d t o d es ,

ra ti o n
pe .

L XX V I N or s ho uld we omi t t he sign aff or d e d by the

.

g rea t disse nsi o n for m er l y p r e v a l e nt a m ong phi los oph ers a n d ,

t h e v a r i e ty of sch ools which su ffi ci e ntly sh ow th a t th e wa y

,

wa s n o t w e ll p re p are d th a t l ea ds f r o m t h e s e ns es to t he
und e r sta nding since t he sa m e g r o undw or k o f phil os oph y
,

( n a m e ly t h e n a tu r e Of thing s
, ) w a s tor n a n d divid e d int o,

such wide ly d i ffer ing a n d m u ltif a r i o u s e rrors A nd a l .

th o ugh i n th es e d a y s th e di ss e nsi o ns a n d diff ere nc e s of

Opini o ns with re ga r d t o fi r st p r inciple s a n d e nti r e syst ems
a r e n e a r ly e xtinct
“ y et th er e r em a in i n nu m era bl e qu e s ti o ns
,

a n d c o nt ro v er si e s with r eg a r d t o p ar tic ul a r b ra nch es o f phi

los 0 phy S o th a t i t i s m a nif e s t th a t th er e is n o thing s u r e or

.

sound e ith er in t he sy st e ms th e ms e lve s or in t he m e th o d s O f

d e m on s tra ti o n “ .

LXXV I I W ith reg a r d t o t he su pp ositi o n tha t th e r e i s a

.

g e n era l un a nimity a s to t he phil oso ph y o f Ar i s t otl e b ec a u se ,

39
Owi ng t o the uni v ers a l pre va lence of A r i §to tel i sm.

4° I t mu t s be re me mbe r ed , th t
a w hn B c n
e a o w ro t
e, a l gebra was in i ts
a f r e e j udgm e nt a rr iving a t th e s a m e c o nc l u s i o n a ft er a n
, ,

inv e s tig a ti o n o f t h e f a ct N o w by fa r t h e g r e a te r num b er

.
,

o f th os e wh o h a v e a s s e nt e d t o t he phil os o phy o f A r i s t o tl e ,

h a v e b o u nd th em s el v es d o wn t o it f ro m p r ej udic e a n d t he
a uth o rity o f o t h e r s , s o th a t i t is r a th e r Ob s e qui o u s n e s s a n d

c o ncu rre nc e th a n un a nimity Bu t e v e n if it w e r e r ea l a n d

.

e x t e n s iv e un a nimity s o f a r f rom b eing es t e e m e d a t r u e

,

a n d s olid c o nfi r m a ti o n ,
it s h o uld e v e n l ea d to a vi ol e nt pr e .

s u m pti o n to t h e c ont ra ry F or th e r e i s n o w ors e a ugu ry in

.

i nt e ll ectu a l m a tt e r s th a n th a t d e r iv e d f r om un a nimity w ith

,

t h e e xc e pti o n o f divinity a n d p olitic s wh er e suff ra g es a r e

,

a ll o w e d t o d e cid e . F or n o thing pl ea s es t h e m ultitud e u n ,

l ess it s t rik e the i m a gin a ti on or bind d o wn t he und e rs t a nd

ing a s we h a v e o b s er v e d a b o v e with t he s h a ckl es of vulg a r
, ,

n oti ons H e nc e we ma y w e ll t ra n s f e r Ph oci o n s re m a r k ’

“
.

f r o m m or a l s to the int ell ect : Th a t m e n sh o ul d i mm edi a t el y

e xa min e wh a t error or f a ult th ey h a v e c o mmi tt e d wh e n t he
,
 N O V UM OR GAN UM 55

multitude c o nc urs with , ppl a uds T his th e n and a

i s o n e o f th e m os t unf a v ora b l e sign s A ll t he s ign s th er e .

,

f ore of t he t ru th a n d s oundn e ss of t he r e c e iv e d sy s tem s of

,

phil os ophy a n d t he sci e nc es a r e un pr o piti o u s wh eth er t a k e n ,

f ro m th e i r (Lr i i p th e i r f r uits th ei r p r o g r e ss t h e c o nf e s s i o ns
g , , ,

o f th e i r a uth or s or f r o m un a ni m i ty

“
.
,

L XX V III W e n o w c om e to the c a us es of er ror s a n d

.
,

o f such p e r s e v e r a nc e in th e m for a g es T h e s e a re s u fii .

c i e n tl y n um e ro us a n d p ow erful t o r e m o v e a l l w on d e r t ha t ,

wh a t w e n o w o ffe r sh ould h a v e so l ong b ee n c o nc ea l e d fro m ,

a n d h a v e e s c a p e d t h e n o tic e o f m a n k ind a n d t o r e nd e r it ,

m ore w or thy of a s to ni s h m e nt th a t it sh o uld e v e n n ow h a v e ,

’
e nt er e d a n y o n e s mind or b e c om e t h e su b j ec t of hi s ,

th oughts ; a n d th a t it sh o uld h a v e d o n e so we c o n s id er
'

r a th e r t he gift of f or tun e th a n of a n y e xt ra or di n a r y ta l e nt ,

a n d a s t h e o ff sp r ing of tim e r a th er th a n wi t B ut in t he .
,

fi rst pla c e t he n umb er of a ge s is re d u c e d to v e ry n a rr ow

,

limits on a p r op er c o n s id er a ti on of the m a tte r F o r o u t of

,
.

"
tw e nty fi v e c entu ri es with whic h t h e m e m ory a n d l e a r n
-
,

‘B c u
1 vulg m k up the v w h lming m j it y in uch d ci i n
e a se th e ar a e o er e a or s e s o s,

an d g en lly all w th i j udgm nt to b e sw y d by p i n o p ejudic

e ra o e r e s a e as s o r r e .

49
S d f A xi m lxi
ee en Th e s u b j ect xt n ds t A xi m xc
o o e e o o
‘If w e a d pt the ta tem nt f H d tu w h pl c th H m ic e 40 0
. .

3 s e o e ro o s, o a es
o e o er ra

y ba c k f m hi tim H m liv d b ut 9 00 y rs bef Ch i t “O a dd

ea rs ro s e, o er e a o ea ore r s . n

i g thi nu mbe t th e s ixte n c entu i es of th e Ch i ti n

n s r o w hich h d e l p ed
e r r s a era a a s

pt B c on s ti me we ge t th e twenty five c entu i s h e m nti n s The Home ic

’
u o a ,
- r e e o . r

e poch is th e fur thes t point in a nti q uity fr m w hich B c n could r c k n w ith o a o e o

a y de gree
n f cert i nty o H esi d if he were n ot cont mporar y i mmedi a te ly
a . o ,
e ,

p c d d him
re e e .

Th epoch of Gree k phi losoph y m y b e inclu de d be twe n Th l es an d Pl t

e a e a a o,

tha t i f m the 3 5 th to th 88th Oly mpi d ; th t f the Rom n b tw

s, ro e a a o a ,
e ee n

T nc an d Pl y Th m d n v luti n ‘in w hich B con i

ere e in . e e f t he
o er re o o ,
a s on o

ce ntra l fig u res took i t i from th t i m f D nt

, s d P trarch who lived
r se e e o a e an e ,

at th e comm cem nt f th f u t n th century ; d to which on accoun t of

en e o e o r ee an ,

the in v en ti on of p i ti ng d th e univ rn l prea d of li te t re whi ch has ren

, an ersa s ra u ,
F or th er e d es erts a n d w a s t e s in tim es a s in c o unt r i es
a re ,

a n d we c a n on ly r e c k o n up th r e e r e v oluti o n s a n d e p o chs of

phil os oph y 1 The G r e ek 2 The Rom a n 3 Ou r o wn

. . . . . .
,

th a t i s t he phil os ophy of the w es t er n n a ti o n s of E ur o p e

a n d s c a r c e ly t wo c e ntu r i es c a n with j u s tic e b e a ssign e d t o

e a ch .The int e r m e di a t e a g e s of th e w or ld w er e u nf or tun a t e

b oth in t h e q u a ntity a n d r ichn es s of t he sci e nc e s p ro duc ed .

N or n ee d we m e nti o n t h e A r a bs o r th e s ch ol a s tic phi l os o ,

phy which i n th os e a g es g ro und d o wn t h e sci e nc e s b y

, , ,

th e i r nu m ero u s t rea tis es m ore th a n th ey inc r ea s e d th e i r

’

,
‘
w e ight The fi r s t c a u s e th e n o f s uch i n s ignific a nt p r og
.
, ,

re ss i n t h e sci e nc e s i s r ightly r e f e rr e d t o t h e s m a ll p ro p or
,

ti o n o f tim e which ha s b e e n f a v o ra bl e th er e t o .

LXXIX A s ec o nd c a u s e O ff e rs its elf which i s c e rt a inly

.
,

o f t h e g r e a t es t i m p or t a nc e ; n a m e ly th a t i n th os e v ery a g es ,

in which m e n s wi t a n d lit er a tu r e fl o u r i s h e d c o nsid e r a bly

’
,

or e v e n m o d e r a t e ly b ut a s m a ll p a r t of th e i r indu s t r y wa s
,

b es t o w e d o n n a tu ra l phil os ophy t he g re a t m oth er o f t he ,

sci e nc es F or e v ery ar t a n d sci e nc e t or n f ro m thi s r oot

.

ma y p er h a p s b e p o li s h e d a n d p ut int o a s er vic ea bl e sh a p e
, , , ,

b ut c a n a d m it of littl e g ro wth It is w e ll k n own th a t a fte r.

,

t h e Ch r i s ti a n r eligi o n h a d b e e n a c k n owl e dg e d a n d a r r iv e d ,

a t m a tu r ity by f a r t h e b e st wit s w e r e b usi e d up o n th eol ogy

, ,

w h er e t h e high e s t r e w a r d s Off e r ed th e m s elv e s a n d e ve ry ,

sp eci es of a ss i s t a nc e w a s a bund a ntly suppli ed a n d t he s tud y ,

o f which wa s t h e p r incip a l o ccup a ti o n o f t h e w e s t e r n Eu ro

p ea n n a ti ons du r ing t he thi r d ep o ch ; t he r a th er b e c a use

de ed a sec nd des tructi on of lea ni ng i mp i bl e it i diffi cult

r o r os s , s to foresee an y

oth er e d th n the extinct i on f th e race of ma m— E d

n a o .
 N OVU M ORGA N UM 57

lit era tu re fl ou ri s h ed a b out th e v ery tim e wh e n c on tr ov er

si es c o nc er ning r eligi o n fi rst b eg a n t o bud f or th 2 In t he . .

p r ec edi n g a g es du r ing t h e s ec o nd e p och (th a t o f t he Ro

,

m a n s ) p hil os o phic a l m e dit a ti on a n d l a b or wa s chi efly o cc u

,

pi e d a n d w a s t ed in m ora l phil os ophy (t h e th eol ogy of t he

h e a th en s) : b es id es t he g rea t es t minds in th es e tim es a ppli e d
,

th ems el v es to civil aff a i r s o n a cc o unt of th e m a gnitud e of

,

t he R om a n e mpir e which requi re d the l a b or of m a ny

, .

3 The a g e du ri n g which n a tu ra l phil o s op hy a pp ea r e d

.

p r incip a lly to fl o urish a m on g t he G ree k s wa s b ut a s h ort ,

p er i od sinc e in t he m o re a n ci e nt tim es t h e s e v e n s a g e s
,

( with t he e xc e pti o n Of T h a l es ) a ppli e d th e m s elv es t o m or a l

,

phil os ophy a n d p o litics a n d a t a l a t er p eri od a fter S o c ra t e s

, ,

ha d b r ought d ow n phil o s ophy f rom h ea ven t o ear th m ora l ,

phil os ophy b e c a m e m ore pre v a l e nt a n d div er t e d m en s ,

’

a tt e nti o n f r o m n a tu ra l N a y t he v er y p e ri o d du r ing which

.
,

phy s ic a l in q ui ri e s fl o ur i s h ed wa s c orr upt e d a n d r e nd er e d

,

u s el e ss b y c ont r a dicti o ns a n d t h e a m b iti o n of n ew opini o ns

, .

S inc e th er ef ore du ring t h es e th ree ep och s n a tu ra l ph i los o

, , ,

phy h as b ee n m a t er i a lly n egl ect e d or imp ed e d it is n ot a t ,

a ll sur p r ising th a t m e n sh o uld h a v e m a d e b ut li ttl e p r og r e ss

in it s eei n g th ey w e re a t te nding to a n e nti re ly di ffer e nt

,

m a tt er .

LXXX A dd t o thi s th a t n a tu ra l p h il os oph y esp eci a ll y

.
,

o f l a t e ha s s e ld om g a in e d e xclusiv e p os s e ssi o n of a n indi

,

vidu a l f ree from a ll oth er pursuits e v e n a m ong th ose who ,

h a v e a p p li e d th ems elv es t o it unl ess th er e m a y b e a n e x

,

a m pl e or t wo of s om e mon k studyi n g in his c e ll or s o m e

n o bl em a n in his vill a “ S he has ra th e r b ee n m a d e a pa s

.
,

s ag e a n d b ridg e t o o th er p u rsuits .

Th e ll us ion
a is e vidently to Roger Ba con an d Rén é Des cartes —Ed .
08 N O VU M ORGAN UM

T h us has this gr ea t moth e r of th e sci enc es be e n d egra ded

m os t un w or thily to the sit ua ti on of a h a ndm a id a n d m ade ,

to w a it up o n m e dicin e or m a th e m a tic a l o p er a ti o n s a n d to ,

w a sh t h e imm a tu re minds o f y o uth a n d im b u e th e m with a

,

fi rst dye th a t th ey m ay a fterw a r d b e m ore r ea dy to r ec eiv e

,

a n d r e ta in a n o th er I n th e m e a ntim e l et n o on e e xp ect a n y
.
,

g r ea t p rog ress in the sci e nc es (e s p e ci a lly th e i r Op era tiv e p a rt ) ,

unl ess n a tu ra l p hil os ophy b e a ppli e d t o p a r ticul a r sci e nc es ,

a n d p a r ticul ar sci e nc e s a g a in re f er r e d b a ck to n a tu r a l phi

l os ophy . F or w a nt of this a s t r o n o my o ptic s m u s ic m a ny

, , , ,

m ech a n ic a l a r ts m e d icin e i ts elf a n d ( wh a t p er h a ps is m ore

, ,

wo nd e r ful ) m or a l a n d p olitic a l phil os ophy a n d t he l ogic a l

, ,

sci e nc es h a v e n o d epth but o nly glid e o v er th e su r fa c e a n d

,

v a ri e ty of thing s ; b ec a us e th es e sci e nc es w h e n th ey h a v e ,

b e e n o nc e p a r titi o n ed o u t a n d e s t a bli s h e d a re n o l ong er ,

n o u r i s h ed by n a tu ra l phil osophy which w o uld h a v e i m

,

p a r t e d fr es h v i g or a n d g r owth to th em fro m th e s o u r c es a n d
g e nuin e c ont empl a ti o n of m oti o n ra y s s ou nd s t extu r e a n d
, , , ,

c o nf or m a ti o n of b odi es a n d t he a flfec t i o n s a n d c a p a city Of

,

t h e und e r s t a ndi n g B ut we c a n littl e w o nd e r th a t the sc i

.

e n c e s g ro w n ot wh e n s e p a ra t e d f r o m th e i r ro o t s .

LXXXI Th er e i s a n o th er p ow e r ful a n d g r ea t c a us e Of
.

t h e littl e a dv a nc e m e nt of t he s ci e nc e s w hich i s thi s ; it is ,

imp os s ibl e to a dv a nc e p r op e rly in t he c o u r s e w h e n t he g oa l

the s ci e nc es nd o wm e nt of hu m a n lif e w ith n ew i n

i s t he e

v e n ti o n s a n d r ich e s The g re a t c r o wd of t e a ch e rs kn o w
.

n othing o f thi s b ut c o n s i s t o f dict a t ori a l hi r e ling s ; u n l ess

,

it s o h a p p e n t h a t s o m e a r ti s a n o f a n a cut e g e n i u s a n d a m ,

biti o ns O f fa m e giv e s up h i s tim e t o a n e w disc o v ery which

, ,

is g e n e ra lly a tt e nd e d with a los s o f p r op e r ty The m a j or .

o

ity s o fa r from prop osing to th ems elv e s t he a ugm e n ta tio n

,
 N O VU M O R GA N U M 59

of the m a ss of a r ts a n d sci e nc es m a k e n o oth er u se of a n i n

,

qui ry into t he m a ss a lrea dy b ef or e th em th a n is a ff ord ed by ,

t h e c o nv er s i o n Of it t o s om e u s e in th e ir l e ctu r e s or t o g a in , ,

or t o t h e a cqui r e m e nt of a n a m e a n d th e lik e B ut if o n e
, .

o u t o f t h e multitud e b e f o und w ho c ou r ts s ci e nc e f ro m r ea l
,

z e al a n d on his own a cc o unt e v e n h e will b e s ee n ra th er to

, ,

f oll o w cont empl a ti o n a n d the v ar i ety of th eor i es th a n a

, ,

s ev ere a n d st rict inv estig a ti o n of t ruth A g a in if th ere .

,

ev en b e a n unusu a lly st rict inv estig a t or o f t r uth y e t will ,

he p ro p os e t o him s elf a s t h e t es t o f t r uth t he s a ti s fa cti o n

, ,

o f his mi nd a n d und e r st a nding a s t o t he c a u s es o f thing s

,

l ong sinc e kn own a n d n ot s uch a t es t a s to l ea d t o s om e

,

n e w e a r n est o f e ff e cts a n d a n e w light i n a xi oms

,
If t h er e .
,

f ore n o o n e h a v e l a id d o wn t he r e a l e n d Of s ci enc e we c a n
, ,

n ot w o nd er th a t th er e sh o uld b e err o r in p oints su b o r din a t e

t o th a t e n d .

LXXX II B ut in li k e m a nn er a s th e e n d a n d g oa l of
.
, ,

sci e nc e is ill d efin e d so e v e n w ere t h e c a se oth erwi s e m e n

, , ,

h a v e ch os e n a n e rr o n eo u s a n d im p a s s a b l e di r e ct i o n F or it .

i s s u fli c i e n t to a st o nis h a n y r e fl e cting mind th a t no b od y ,

s h o uld h a v e c a r e d or wish e d t o o p e n a n d c o mpl e t e a wa y f or

t h e und ers ta nding s etting off f r om t he s e n ses a n d regul a r

, , ,

w e ll c o nduct e d exp er im e nt ; b ut th a t e v erything h a s b e en

-

a b a nd o n e d e ith er to th e mists of t ra dition t h e whi r l a n d c o n ,

f usi o n of a rgum e nt o r t he w a v es a n d m a z es Of ch a nc e a n d
, ,

d esult or y ill c ombi n ed exp er im ent N o w l et a n y o n e but

,
-
.
,

c on s id e r so b erly a n d dilig e ntl y t he n a tu r e of t h e p a th me n

h a v e b ee n a ccu s t om e d t o p u rsu e in th e i nv esti g a ti o n a n d

disc ov ery of a n y m a tt er a n d h e will dou b tl es s fi rst O b s er ve
,

t h e r ud e a n d i n a rtifi c i a l m a nne r o f d isc ove ry m ost f a mili a r

t o m a n k ind : which i s no ot h e r th a n this Wh e n a n y on e .

re p a res hi ms e lf for d is c ov er rst in q ui r es a n d ob t a ins

p y h e fi ,
ti on a n d m erel y tu r ns on o pin i on
, .

A n oth er p e rh a ps c a lls i n l ogic t o a ssist him i n di sc ov

, ,

e ry which b ea rs o nly a n o min a l r e l a ti o n to his pu r p os e

, .

F or t he dis c o v er i es of l ogic a r e n o t di s c o v e ri es o f p rincipl es

a n d l e a ding a xi o m s but o nly o f wh a t a pp ea r s t o a cc or d with

“
,

th em . A nd wh e n m e n b ec o m e cu r i o us a n d i m p or tun a t e ,

a n d giv e t r o u b l e in t err upting h er a b o ut her p r oo fs

, a n d t he ,

disc ov er y of p rincipl es or fi rst a xi oms s h e puts t h em o ff ,

with h er u s u a l a n s w er r e fe rr ing th em t o f a ith a n d or d er ing

, ,

th em t o s w ea r a ll egi a nc e to ea ch a rt in its ow n d e p a r t m e nt .

Th er e re m a ins but m ere e xp eri e nc e w hich wh e n it o ff ers

“
, ,

it s elf i s c a ll e d ch a nc e ; wh e n it is s o ught a ft er e xp er im e nt
, , .

B ut this k ind of e xp e ri enc e i s n o thing b ut a l oos e f a g o t ;

a n d m e r e g r o ping i n t h e d a r k a s me n a t n i ght t r y a ll m ea n s
,

o f di s c o v e ring t h e r ight r o a d whil e it w o uld b e b e tt e r a n d

,

m o re p r ud e n t e ith er to w a it for d a y or p ro c u r e a light a n d , ,

th e n p roc e ed O n th e c ontrar y t he r ea l o r d e r o f e xp e ri e nc e
.
,

b eg i n s by s etting up a light a n d th e n s h o w s t h e r o a d by it
, ,

c om m e ncing with a r e gul a t ed a n d dig es t e d n o t a m i s pl a c e d ,

and v a gu e c o u rs e o f exp erim e nt a n d th e nc e d e d uci ng ,

a xi o m s a n d f ro m th o s e a xi o m s n ew e xp e ri m e nt s : f o r n o t
,

e v e n t he Di vin e W o r d p r o c e e d e d t o Op e r a te o n t he g e n e ra l

m a s s o f thing s with o ut d u e ord er .

Le t m e n th e re f ore c ea s e t o w ond e r if t he wh o l e c o u rs e
, ,

‘F
5 ro m th e a b u se of th e ch l t c w h mi t k th e d pri or
s o as i s, o s oo
‘
t me th od the
,

deductiv y ll g m f
e s o is ,
or t he enti e p vi nce of l ogi c —Ed
r ro .

S e A pho i m xc v
e r s .
 N O VUM ORGAN UM 61

o f sci e nce b e n ot r u n w he n a l l h a v e w a n dere d from the ,

p a th ; q uitting it e ntir el y a n d d es er ting e xp e ri enc e or i n , ,

v olving th e ms elv es i n i ts m az es a n d w a nd e r ing a b out whil e , ,

a re gul ar ly c o mbin e d s y st e m w o ul d l ea d th em in a su r e t ra c k
th rough its wilds to the o p e n d ay of a xi om s .

LXX X II I The evil h ow e v er ha s b ee n w o nd erf ull y i n

.
, ,

c rea s e d by a n opi ni o n or inv e t e r a te c onc eit w hich is b oth, ,

v a ingl o ri o u s a n d p rej udici a l n a m el y th a t the di gnity of t he , ,

hum a n mind is l o w ere d b y l ong a n d f req u e nt inter c o u rse

with e xp er im e nts a n d p a r ticul a rs whic h a r e t he obj ects o f ,

s e n s e a n d c onfin e d to m a tt er ; esp eci a lly sinc e such m a tt er s

,

g e n era lly r e qui r e l a b or in in v estig a ti o n a r e m ea n su bj e cts ,

f or m e di ta ti o n h a rs h i n di s c o u r s e unp r o ductiv e in p r a ctic e

, , ,

infinit e in nu m b er a n d d e lic a t e i n th ei r su b tilty H e nc e

,
.

we h a v e s ee n t h e t r u e p a t h n o t only d e s e r t e d b ut int er ,

c e pte d a n d bl oc k e d up e xp e r i enc e b eing rej e ct e d with dis ,

gu s t a n d n ot m erely n eg l ect e d or im pr op erly a ppli e d

,
.

"
LXXXI V A g a in the r e v ere nc e f or a nti q uity a n d the
.
, ,

a uth o r it y o f m e n w ho h a v e b ee n est ee m e d g r ea t i n ph i loso

p hy a n d g e n er a l un a nimity h a v e r et a r d e d m e n f r om a d
, ,

v a n c i n g in sci e nc e a n d a l m os t e nch a nt e d th e m
,
A s to .

un a nimity we h a v e sp o k e n of it a b o v e
, .

The Opini o n w hich m en ch e ri s h of a n ti q uity is a lt og e th er

idl e a n d sc a r c ely a cc or d s with t h e t er m F or th e ol d a ge
,
.

a n d inc r e a s ing ye a r s o f t h e w or ld sh o uld in r e a lity b e c o n

s i d er e d a s a nti q uity a n d this is r a th er t h e ch a r a ct e r o f o u r

,

o wn tim e s th a n of th e l ess a dv a nc e d a g e o f t he w orl d in

th os e of t h e a nci ents ; f o r t he l a tt er with r es p e ct t o ou r ,

4"
inc ng uity to which B c n llud app s to p i ng f m c n f u d
Th e o r a o a es ea r s r ro o o n

i g tw thing w hich
n o s, t nl y di tinct b t ff ct hum n k n w l dg in
are n o o s ,
u a e a o e e

i nv p p ti n vi th xp i nc w hich t min t w ith lif wi th that

e rs e ro or o ,
z .
, e e er e e er a es e,
‘

expe i nce w hich

r e c ntu y t a n smits t n th — E d
on e e r r o a o er . .
62 NO VU M OR GA N UM

s el ves ,
e eld er with res pect to the w or ld mod
are an c i n t a n d ,

e m a n d y oun er A nd w xpect g e t r k nowle d ge

g as . e e a r a e

o f hum a n a ff a irs a n d m o re m a tur e j udgm e n t f rom a n o l d

,

m a n th a n f ro m a y o uth on a ccount of his ex perien c e a n d

, ,

t he v a riety a n d n um b e r o f t h ings he h as s een h ea rd a n d , ,

m edita t e d upon s o we h a v e rea s o n to e x p ect m u ch g rea t er

,

things of o u r o wn a ge (if it k n e w b ut its st re ngth a n d woul d

e s s a y a n d e x er t it th a n f ro m a nti q uity sinc e t he wo r ld h as
) ,

g r own old er a n d its st oc k ha s b ee n inc rea s e d a n d a c c u m u

,

l a t e d with a n infinite n um b er of exp er im e n ts a n d O b s er va

ti on s .

W e must a ls o t a k e int o ou r consi dera ti o n t ha t m a n y oh

ec ts in n a tu r e fit to th r o w l ight up o n philos o ph y h a v e b ee n
j
e xp os e d t o ou r vi e w a n d disc o v ere d by m e a ns of l o ng v o
, y
a g es a n d t r a v e l s in which ou r tim e s h a v e a b o un d ed It
,
.

w o uld ind ee d b e di s h o n or a bl e to m a n k ind if th e r e gi ons

, , ,

o f t h e m a t e r i a l gl ob e t h e ea r th t h e s e a a n d s t a r s sh o uld
, , , ,

b e so p ro digi o usly d e v e l op e d an d illu s t ra t e d in o u r a g e a n d ,

y e t t h e b o und a r i es Of t he int e ll e ctu a l gl ob e sh o u l d be c o n

fin ed t o t h e n a rr o w di s c ov eri es of t h e a nci e nts .

Wit h r e g ar d to a uth or ity it is t h e g rea t est w ea k n es s to

,

a tt ribut e infinit e c re dit t o p a rt icul a r a uth or s a n d t o r efu se ,

h i s own p rer o g a tiv e t o tim e t h e a utho r of a l l a uth ors a n d

, , ,

th er e fo re of a ll a utho rity F or t r uth is rightl y n a m e d the

,
.

d a ught er of tim e n ot of a uth ority I t i s n ot w o nd er ful

,
.
,

th er efor e if t h e b o nds of a nti q uity a u th ority a n d un a ni m

, , ,

ity h a v e s o e nch a in ed th e p o w er of ma n th a t he is un a ble

, ,

( a s i f b e witc h ed ) t o b ec om e f a mili a r with thing s th e m s elves .

LX X X V N or is it only t he a dmi ra ti o n o f a ntiquity

.
,

a uth o rity a n d un a nimit y th a t h as f or c e d m a n s i ndu s t ry ’

, ,

to r est s a tisfi ed with p r e s e nt disc ov er i e s b ut a l s o the a d , , ,

mi ra ti on o f t he eff e cts a l rea dy pl a c e d within h i s p ow er F or .

 NO VU M ORGAN UM 63

whoe ver p asse s i n revi e w t h e v a ri e ty of su b j ects a n d the ,

be a utiful a ppar a tus c o ll ect e d a n d i ntroduc e d by t he me

c h a n i c a l a r ts f or t he s e rvi ce of m a n ki nd will c er t a inl y be ,

ra th e r incl in e d t o a dmi re ou r w ea lth th a n t o p er c e iv e ou r

p ov er ty : n ot c onsid ering th a t th e ob s er v a tions of m a n a n d

op era ti o ns of n a tu r e ( which are the s o uls a n d fi r s t mov ers of
th a t v a ri ety ) a re f e w a n d n ot of d eep res ea r ch ; th e res t
,

’
must b e a ttr ibut e d m ere ly to m a n s p a ti e nc e a n d th e d eli ,

c a t e a n d w e ll re gul a t e d m o ti o n of t h e h a nd or O f i n s t r u
-

m e nts To t a k e a n insta nc e t h e m a nuf a ctu re of cloc k s is

.
,

d e lic a t e a n d a ccu r a t e a n d a pp ear s to imit a t e th e h ea v enl y

,

bo di es i n its wh ee l s a n d t he p ul s e of a nim a ls in its regul ar

,

o sc ill a ti o n y e t it o nly d e p e nds up o n on e or two a xi o ms of

,

n a tu re .

A g a in i f on e c o nsid er t he refi ne m e nt of t he li b era l a rts

, ,

or e v e n th a t e xhibit e d in th e p r e p a ra ti o n of n a tu ra l b o di e s

in m e ch a nic a l a rt s a n d t he lik e a s t h e discov e ry of the ,

h ea v e nly m o ti ons in a s tro n omy of h ar m o ny in mu s ic of

“
, ,

t h e l e tt er s of t he a lph a b e t (s till un a d o pt e d by th e C hin e s e)

in g ra mm ar ; or a g a in in m e ch a nic a l o p era ti o n s th e pro

, , ,

d u c t i o n s of B a cch us a n d C er es th a t is t he p r ep a ra ti o n o f , ,

win e a n d b eer t he m a king of b r ea d or e v e n th e luxu ri es of

, ,

t he t a b l e distill a ti o n a n d t he lik e ; if on e r e fl ect a l s o a n d

, , ,

c on s id er for how l ong a p er i od Of a g e s (for a ll t he a b o v e ex ,

c ept distill a ti on a r e a nci e nt) th es e thing s h a ve b ee n b rought

,

t o th e i r p r e s e nt st a t e o f p er f e cti o n a n d (a s we in s t a n c e d in ,

cl ock s) to how f e w ob s er v a ti on s a n d a xi o ms of n a tu r e th ey
m a y be r ef e rr e d a n d h o w e a s ily a n d a s it w e re by ob vi ous
, , ,

c h a nc e or c o nt e mpl a ti o n th ey might b e di s c ov er e d on e
, ,

48 Th e Chi n ese ch ct a ra ers res e mbl e , i n ma n y res e p ct s, th e hi gly phics

ero

of th e E gypti n b ing d pt d
a s, e a a e to re p res e nt id ea s , n o t so und s.
er ei s for s o m a ny a g es Y e t e v e n th e discov eri es we h a ve
.

m ention e d w ere m o re a nci e nt th a n phil os ophy a n d th e intel

l ectu a l a r ts ; s o th a t ( to s ay the t ru th ) w h e n c onte mpl a ti o n
a n d d o ct r i n a l sci e nc e b e g a n t h e disc o v ery of us ef u l wo r k s
,

c ea s ed.

B ut if a n y o n e tur n fr o m the m a n uf a ctor i es to li b r a r i es ,

a n d b e inclin e d t o a dmi r e t h e i m m e n s e v a r i e ty o f b o oks

o ff er e d t o o u r vi e w l et him but e x a min e a n d dilig e ntly i n

,

s p e ct t h e m a tt e r a n d c ont e nts o f th e s e b o ok s a n d his a s t o n

,

i s hm e n t will c er t a inl y ch a ng e i ts ob j ect : for wh e n he fi nds

n o e n d o f re p e titi o n s a n d ho w m uch m en do a n d sp e a k the
,

s a m e thi n g o v e r a g a in h e will p a ss f r o m a dmi ra ti o n o f this

, .

v a r i e ty to a s t o ni s h m e nt a t t he p ov e rty a n d s c a r city o f m a t
t e r which h a s hith ert o p os s es s e d a n d fill e d m e n s minds
’
, .

B ut if a n y o n e s h o uld c ond es c e nd t o consid er s uch sc i

e n c e s a s a r e d e em e d r a th er cu r i o us th a n s o u nd a n d t a k e a
,

full vi e w of t h e o p e ra ti o n s of t he a lch emi s t s or m a g i i he ,

w ill p er h a p s h es it a t e wh e th er h e o ught r a th er t o l a ugh o r

t o w e ep F o r t he a lch e mist ch er i s h es e t er n a l h op e a n d
.
,

wh e n h i s l a b or s s ucc e e d n ot a ccu s es hi s o w n m i s t a ke s
, ,

d ee ming i n h i s s e lf a ccu s a ti o n th a t h e h a s n o t p r op er l y
,
-
,

und ers t ood th e w or ds o f a rt or of his a uth or s ; up on which

h e li s t ens t o t ra diti o n a n d v a gu e whisp ers or i m a gin es th e re
,

i s s om e s l i ght u n s t e a din es s i n t h e minut e d e t a il s of his

p ra ctic e a n d th e n ha s r e c ou rse to a n e ndl es s r e p e titi on of
,

e xp er im e nt s : a n d in t h e m e a ntim e wh e n i n h i s c a s u a l e x
, ,

eri m en ts h e f a ll s u p o n s o m e thi ng i n a pp e a r a nc e n e w
p ,
or ,

o f s o m e d eg r ee o f utility h e c o n s ol es him s e lf with such a n

,

e a r n e s t a n d o s t e nt a ti o u s ly publi s h e s th e m k e ep ing up his

, ,

h op e Of t he fi n a l r es ult N or c a n it b e d e ni ed th a t t he a lch e
.
 65

mists h a ve
c
ov eri es a n d ,

with us ef u l i nv e nt i ons B ut we m ay we l .

f a bl e o f t he o l d ma n wh o b eq u ea thdd fito
,

b u r i e d in his g ar d e n p r et e nding n ot t
,

wh ere up on th ey w or k e d dilig e ntly i n digging

a n d though th ey f o und n o gold t he vint ag e w as ,

m ore a b und a nt by th ei r l a b or .

Th e f oll o w e rs of n a tu r a l m a gic wh o e xpl a i n e v erything ,

b y symp a thy a n d a ntip a thy h a v e a ssign e d fa l s e p ow er s a n d

,

m a r v ell o u s Op er a ti ons t o things b y g ra tuito u s a n d idl e c on

u r es : a n d if th e y h a v e e v e r p r o duc e d a n ff e cts th y
j e c t y e e ,

a r e r a th e r w o nd e r ful a n d n o v e l th a n o f a n
y rea l b e n efit or
utility .

In su pe rstiti o us m a gic (if w e s a y a ny thing a t a l l a b o ut

it) w e must chi efly O b s er v e th a t th ere a re o nly som e pec u l
,

i a r a n d d efinit e obj ects with w hich t he c uri ous a n d s u pe rs ti

ti ous a r ts h a v e in e v ery n a ti on a n d a g e a n d e v e n und er
, ,

e v e r y re ligi o n b e e n a bl e t o e x er ci s e a n d a m u s e th e ms e lv e s
,
.

Le t us th er e f or e p a s s th e m o v er
, ,
I n th e m e a ntim e we .

c a nn o t w o nd er th a t t he fa ls e n o tion of pl e nty sh o uld h a v e

o cc a s i o n e d w a nt .

LXXX V I T he a dmi ra ti o n O f m a n k ind with r e g a rd to

.

t h e a r ts a n d sci e nc e s which i s of it s e lf suffici e n tl y si m ple

,

a n d a lm o s t p u e r il e has b e en inc rea s e d b y t h e c ra ft a n d a r

,

ti fic es o f th ose wh o h a v e tr ea t e d t he sci e nc e s an d d eliv e r ed ,

t h e m d o wn to p oste r it y F or th e y p ro p o s e a n d p r od uc e
.

th em to o u r vi e w so f a shi o n ed a n d as it w er e m a s k ed as , ,

t o m a k e th e m p a ss for p e r f ect a n d c o mp l e te F or i f y ou .

c o nsid er th ei r m et h od a n d divisi ons th ey a pp ea r to e m ,

b ra c e a n d comp rise ev erything which c a n rel a t e to the

subj ect A nd a lth ough thi s f ra m e b e b a dly fi lle d u p a n d
.

r es em bl e a n em p ty bl a dder ye t it p re s ents to the vul ,

 Th e fi r st and an c i en t in v es tig a t ors o f t r uth were
me ist
’

w e n t on th e co nt ra ry with m or e h o n e s ty a n d s ucc es s t o
, , ,

th row a l l t he k n o wl edg e th ey wi s h ed t o g a th e r f rom c on

t empla ti on a n d to l a y up f or u s e i nt o a ph orisms or s h or t
, , ,

sc a tt e r e d s e nt e nc es u nc o nn ect e d b y a n y m eth od a n d w i th ,

o u t p r e t e nding o r p r o f e ss ing t o c o m p re h e nd a n y e nti r e a r t .

B ut a cc o rding t o t h e p r es e nt sy s t em we c a nn o t w o nd er ,

th a t m en s ee k n o thing b ey ond th a t which is h a nd e d d o w n

t o th e m a s p e r f e ct a n d a l r ea d y e xt e nd e d to its full c o m
,

pl e m e nt .

LXXX V II The a nci e nt th eor i es h a v e r ec eiv e d a ddi

.

t i on a l s upp or t a n d c r e dit f ro m t h e a b s u r dity a n d l e vity of

th os e w ho h a v e p rom o t e d t he n e w e sp eci a lly in th e a ctiv e

,

a n d p ra ctic a l p a r t o f n a tu ra l p hil os o phy F o r th e r e h a v e.

b e e n m a ny s illy a n d f a n t as tic a l f e ll o w s wh o f ro m c r edulity ,

o r i m p os tu r e h a v e l oa d e d m a n k ind with p ro mi s e s
,
a n n ou n c ,

ing a n d b oa s ting Of th e p r ol o ng a ti o n o f li fe th e r e t a rdi n g ,

o f Old a g e t h e a ll e vi a ti o n Of p a in s t he r e m e dying o f n a t
, ,

u ra l d e f e ct s t he d e c e pti o n of t he s e n s es t h e r es tra int a n d

, ,

e xcit e m e nt o f t he p a s s i o n s t he illu m i n a ti o n a n d e x a l t a ti o n
,

o f t h e int e ll e ctu a l f a culti e s t h e t r a n s mut a ti o n o f sub s t a n c e s

, ,

t he unli m it e d int e n s ity a n d multiplic a ti o n o f m o ti o n th e ,

imp r es s i o ns a n d c h a ng e s o f t he a i r th e b r ingi ng into ou r

,

p o w e r t he m a n a g e m e nt of c el es ti a l infl u e nc es t h e di vin a ,

ti on o f futu r e e v e nt s t he r ep r es e nt a ti o n of di s ta nt O b j ects
, ,

t h e r e ve l a ti o n o f hidd e n o b j e ct s a n d t h e lik e
,
O n e w o ul d .

n o t b e v e ry w ro ng in o b s e r ving with re g a r d t o s uch

p re

t e nd e rs th a t th e r e i s a s m uch di ff ere nc e in phil os op h y

, ,
°

b etw ee n th ei r ab s u r dity a n d re a l sci enc e a s th er e i s i n his ,

t o ry b e tw ee n t he e x p l oits o f C aes a r or A l ex a nd e r a n d th os e ,
of A m a dis d e G a ul an d A r thu r of B rit a in F or th os e ill us
m
.

t ri ou s g e n er a ls a re fo u nd t o e a c t u a lly p er f or m e d g r ea t er

e xpl o its th a n s uch fictiti o us h e ro e s a re e y e n p r e t e nd e d t o x

h a v e a cc om plish ed by t he m e a ns h o w e v er of r ea l a cti on
, , , ,

a n d n o t by a n y f a bul o us a n d p ort e nt o u s p o w e r Y e t it is .

n o t r ight t o suff er o u r b e li e f in t r u e hi s t or y t o b e dimin

i s h ed b ec a us e it is s o m e tim es inj u r e d a n d vi ol a t e d by
,

f a bl es I n t he m ea nti m e we c a n n ot w o nd e r th a t g r ea t
.

p r e j udic e ha s b ee n e xcit e d a g a in s t a n y n e w p r op os iti on s

e s p e ci a lly wh e n coupl e d with a n y m e nti o n of e ff e ct s t o b e
(
p ro duc e d ) by t h e conduct o f i m post or s wh o h a v e m a d e a
,

simil a r a tt em pt ; f or th ei r ext r em e a bsu r dity a n d the d i s ,

gust occ a s i o n e d by it h as e v e n to this d a y ov erp ow er e d

,

e v er y spi rit e d a tt e mpt of t he k ind .

LXXX V III W a nt of e n ergy a n d t he littl e n es s a n d

.
,

f utility of th e t a s ks th a t hum a n indu s t ry h as und er t a k e n ,

h a v e p r oduc e d much g r e a t er inj u ry t o t he sci e nc es : a n d

( m a k e it still w or s e) t ha t ve ry w a nt o f e n e r gy m a ni
'

y e t to

f es t s it self in c o nj uncti o n with a rrog a nc e a n d disd a in .

F or in t h e fi rs t pl a c e o n e e xcus e n ow f r om its r e p e ti
, , ,

ti on b ec om e f a m ili a r i s t o b e ob s e rv e d in e v ery a rt n a m e ly
, , ,

th a t i ts p rom o t er s c o nv ert t he w ea kn ess of th e a r t its elf into

a c a lumny up o n n a tu r e
—“
a n d wh a t e v e r it in th e i r h a nd s f a ils
.
-z r r a

t o e ff e ct th ey p r o n o unc e t o b e p hys i c a ll y i m p ossi b l e But "

.
,

h o w c a n th e a r t e v er b e c o n d emn e d whil e it a cts a s j udg e i n

i t s o wn c a us e " E v e n t h e p re s e nt syste m of phil os oph y ch er
“
l
-

i s h e s in i ts b osom c er t a in p ositi o ns or d ogm a s which (it ,

wi ll b e fou nd on dilige nt in q ui ry ) a re c a lcul a t ed to p ro duc e

a ful l c onvicti o n th a t n o di ffi cult c o mm a nding a n d p o w er
, ,

f ul O p er a ti on u p o n n a ture o ught to b e a nticip a t e d th ro ugh

t he m ea ns of a r t ; we inst a nc e d “ a b o v e the a ll e g e d di ff er e n t

‘S 9
ee x
A i om 7 5 .
d e n ey o f s u ch p os ition s is wilfully t o ci r cumsc ri b e m a n s ’

p ow er a n d to p ro duc e a d espa i r o f t he m ea ns of inv e nti on

,

a n d c o nt r iv a nc e which would n o t o nl y c o nf o und t h e p rom

,

i s es of h Ope but ou t t h e v er y sp ring s a n d s in e ws of indus

,

t ry a n d th r o w a s id e e v e n th e ch a nc e s of e xp e r i e nc e
,
The .

o nly o b j e ct o f s uch phil os op h e r s i s t o a cqui r e t h e r ep ut a ti o n

o f p e r f e cti o n f o r th e i r o wn a r t a n d th e y a r e a nxi o us t o O b ,

t a in t he m os t s illy a n d a b a nd o n e d r e n o wn by c a using a b e ,

li ef th a t wh a t ev e r h as n ot ye t b e e n inv e nt e d a n d und e rst oo d

c a n n e v e r b e s o h e r e a ft e r B ut if a n y o n e a t tempt t o giv e
.

hi m s elf up t o thi n g s a n d to disc o v er s om e thing n e w ; yet

,

h e will o nly p r op os e a n d d estin e f or hi s o bj e ct t h e inv e s tig a

t i o n a n d disc ov e ry o f s om e o n e inv e nti o n a n d n o thing m ore ; ,

a s t h e n a tu r e o f t h e m a g n e t t he tid es t he h ea v e nly s y s t e m, , ,

a n d t h e li k e which a pp ea r e nv e l o p e d in s o m e d e g r ee O f
,

my s t er y a n d h a v e hith er to b ee n t r e a t e d wit h b ut littl e s u c

,

c ess N o w it is t h e g rea t e s t p r oof o f w a nt of skill to i n v es

.
,

t i g a t e t h e n a tu r e of a n y o bj e ct i n it s elf a l o n e ; for th a t s a m e

n a tu r e w hich s eem s c o nc e a l e d a n d hidd e n in s o m e in s t a nc es

, ,

i s m a nif es t a n d a l m os t p a lp a b l e in o th er s a n d excit es w on d e r ,

i n t he f or m er whil e it h a r dly a ttr a cts a tt e nti o n in th e l a t

,

t er T hu s t h e n a tu r e o f consist e nc y i s s c a r c ely o b se r v e d
in w ood or st on e b ut p a s s ed o v er by th e t er m s olid with o ut
,

a n y fu r t h e r inqui r y a b o ut th e r e pul s i o n o f s e p a r a ti o n or t h e

50
Th e me th d by
o s wh ich N
c i d th ul d c mp t th b un ew ro n a rr e e r e an o ass o e o

d i
a r es o f c re a ti n i
fii i t c mm nt
o s a su th g city f th t xt Th m
c en o e on e sa a o e e . e sa e

ca u w hich gl b li
se ob u bbl h ound d th
u z es a th d th m l w w hich
e, as r e e ea r ,
an e sa e a

d w
ra t n e t i t u f c k p th m n in h
s a s o o s s b it It w by c lcul ting
r a e, ee s e oo er o r . as a a

a n d as ce t ining th
r a p incipl up n u b t nc nti l y t hi di p l th t
ese r es o s s a es e re a s s os a a

thi g
s t phil oph e was en bl ed to g v e
rea os r k y t unl c k th my t e i es
a i us a e o o e s r

of th e uni v erse —Ed .

 N OVU M OR GA N UM 69

s oluti on c o ntinuity B ut in w a t er b ubbl e s t he sa m e c ir

of .
-

c u ms ta n c e a pp ear s m a tt er of d e lic a t e a n d ing e ni o us r es ea r ch ,

f or th e y f or m th e ms e lv es int o thin p ellicl es cu r i o u s ly s h a p e d ,

int o h emisph er es so a s for a n in s t a nt to a v oid t he soluti on

,

of c o nti nuity .

I n g e n era l th os e v ery thing s which a re c onsid ere d a s

s ec r et a re m a nifest a n d c om m on in oth er Obj ects b ut will ,

n e v e r b e cl e ar ly s e e n if t he e xp e r i m e nts a n d c o nt e mpl a ti o n

of m a n b e di re ct e d to th e ms e l v e s o nly Ye t it c om m o nl y .

h a pp e n s th a t i f in t he m ech a nic a l a r ts a n y o n e b r ing o ld

, , ,

d i s c o v e r i e s t o a fin e r p oli s h or m o r e e l e g a nt h e ight o f or n a
,

m e nt or unit e a n d c o m po u n d th e m or a pply th e m m or e
, ,

rea dily to p r a ctic e or e xhibit th em o n a l es s h ea vy a n d

,

volumin o us sc a l e a n d t he li k e th ey will p a ss off a s n e w

, , .

W e c a nn ot th er e fore w o nd er th a t n o m agnific ent dis

, ,

cov e ri es ,
w or thy of m a n k ind h a v e b ee n b r ought t o light , ,

whil e m e n a r e s a tisfi e d a n d d e light e d with such s c a nty a n d

p u eril e t a s ks n ay e v e n thin k th a t th ey h a v e pu rsu e d or
, ,

a tt a in e d s o m e g rea t ob j e ct in th e i r a cc o mplishm e nt .

L X XXIX N or sh o uld we n egl e ct to ob s er v e th a t n a t

.

u ra l phil os o phy ha s in ev ery a ge met with a t ro ubl e som e

, ,

a n d difficult o pp o n e nt : I m e a n sup erstiti o n a n d a b lind a n d ,

imm od era t e z ea l for r eligi o n F or we see th a t a m o n g t he .

,

G r e e k s th os e w ho fi rst discl os e d th e n a tu r a l c a us es of
,

thund er a n d st orms to t h e ye t unt ra in e d ea rs of ma n w ere

c ond e mn ed a s guilty of impi e ty t o w a r d t he g o ds “ N or .

did s om e of the ol d fa th ers of C h risti a nity trea t th os e much

b ett er who sh o w ed b y th e m os t p ositiv e p roofs (s uch a s n o

5 ‘S ee th e Cl oud s
”
of Ar i t ph n s w h S c tes i p nted as ch
s o a e , er e o ra s re rese as

up t
in g J t
i e r ou of th e s ky , by l vmg thund
r es o t m int e i l concu i n
er s or s o a r a ss o s

an d w hi rl w ind s .
— Ed .
 E v e n in t h e p res e nt st a te o f thing s t he c o n diti o n of d i s
e u ss i o ns on n a tu ra l p hil o s oph y is re nd er ed m or e di fli c u lt
‘
a n d d a ng e r o u s b y t h e summ a r i e s a n d m e th ods o f divin es ,

w ho a ft er r e ducing divi nity in t o such or d er as th ey c o ul d

, ,

a n d b ro ught it into a sci e ntific f o r m h a v e p roc e e d e d to ,

mingl e a n undu e p ro p or t i o n of t he c o nt e nti o us a n d th or n y

phil os o phy o f A r i s t otl e with t he s u b st a nc e of r eligi o n “ .

The ficti o n s of th os e w ho h a v e n o t f ea r e d to d e duc e a n d

c onfi rm th e t r uth of th e C hr i s ti a n re ligi on by th e p rincipl es
a n d a uth or ity o f p hil oso ph e r s t e nd t o t h e s a m e e n d th o ugh

“
, ,

i n a d iffer e nt m a n n er Th ey c e l e b ra t e t he uni o n of f a ith

.

a n d th e s e n s e s a s th o ugh it w er e l e giti m a t e with g r ea t p om p ,

a n d s ol e mnity a n d g r a tify m e n s pl ea s ing mind s with a ’

,

v a ri e ty but in t he m ea nti m e c o nf o und m ost imp rop e rly

,

things divin e a n d hu m a n M or eo v e r in th e s e m ixtu r es of .

,

divinity a n d phil o s ophy th e re c eiv e d d o ct rin es o f th e l a t

t e r a r e a l o n e i nclud ed a n d a n y n o v e lty e v e n th o ugh i t , ,

“b
9
pi Ro w t h e l t t victi m f thi
es e rre b ig t y In h i y ung d ys
as a es o s o r . s o er a

h tt mpt d t int duc F n k lin l ghtning c nd ct int F nc b ut was

e a e e o ro e ra
’
s i o u or o ra e,

p cut d by th s w h liv h ught t p t ct

e rs e e o e a ud ci u l y t iving
ose es e so o ro e , a s on e a o s s r

v t th d ig f P vid nc — E d
t
o a
“W ca h dl y g e W th th t xt Th ch l tic in b u lding up a
3
er

e
e

n
es ns o

ar a
ro

re
e

i
e

e
.

e . e s o as s, i

s y t m f divinity ce t inl y h d
s e o u t th d duct v y ll gi m b c u se
,
r a a reco rs e o e e i e s o s , e a

t h inductiv w
e tot lly in pplic bl exc pt
e as v afi t y p c a W it h a e, e as a eri ca o r ro e ss .

re g d to th t chnic l f m in w hich th y m h ll d th i gu m nt whic h

ar e e a or e a rs a e e r ar e s,

i wh t
s auth im t i h i ce n u th y w d n thing t l l t A i t tl
ou r a or a s a n s s re, e o e o a a o r s o e,

th e conducti ng d pute in n k d y ll g i tic f hi n h ving igin ted nti ly

a is a e s o s as o a or a e re

“
w ith th m lv s — E d
4
e

a o
se e

a o
.

B c n c nn t b uppo e d t llud t th di vin who h v ttempte d

e s s o a e o os e es a e a

t
o s h w th t th p rog
o a f phy ic l s ci nc i con fi m t y f
e re s s o v l ti n b ut s a e e s r a or o re e a o ,

onl y to s uch as h v b ui lt up y s t m f f ith t f th

a e w fin eme nts a s e o a ou o ei r o n re

on n t d v el ti n
a u re a n P t ic i
re d E m nu l S w d n b g — E d
a o , as a r us a n a e e e or . .
 N OVU M OR GA N UM

be an imp ro v e m e nt sc a r c e ly es ca p es b a ni s hm ent a n d e x
,

t ermin a ti on .

In s h or t y ou m ay find a l l a cc es s t o a n y sp eci es of phi

,

l os ophy h ow e v er pu r e int er c e pt e d b y t he ign o r a nc e of

, ,

divi n e s S om e i n th ei r si m plicity a re a pp re h e n s iv e th a t
.

a t oo d ee p inqui r y int o n a tu re m a y p e n e t r a t e b ey o nd t h e

p rop er b o und s o f d ec or um t ra n s f er r ing a n d a b s u r dl y a pply

,

ing w h a t is s a id o f s a c re d my s t e r i es in H o ly W r it a g a in s t
th os e who pry int o divin e s ec r et s to t h e my s t e r i es of n a tu re
, ,

which a re n ot f orb idd e n by a n y p r o hibiti on O th ers with .

m or e cunning im a gin e a n d c on s id e r th a t if s ec o nd ar y c a u s es
,

b e unkn o wn e v e rything m a y m or e ea s ily b e r e f err e d t o t he

,

Divin e h a nd a n d w a nd a m a tt er a s th ey think of t h e g rea t

, , ,

e s t c o n s e q u e nc e t o r e ligi o n b ut which c a n o nly r e a lly m ea n

,

th a t G o d wish es t o b e g r a tifi e d by m ea ns of f a l s e h ood .

O th er s f ea r f ro m p a st e x a mpl e l est m oti o n a n d ch a ng e i n

, ,

phil os ophy sh ould t er mi n a t e in a n a tt a c k u p on r e ligi on .

L a stly th e re a re oth er s wh o a pp ea r a nxi ous l est th er e

,
‘
sh o uld b e s om ethi n g disc o v ere d i n t he inv estig a ti o n of
n a tu r e t o o v e rth r o w or a t l e a st s h a k e r e ligi o n p ar ticul a r ly
, , ,

a m o ng t h e unl ea r n e d .Th e l a st t wo a pp r e h e nsi o ns a pp ear

to r es e mbl e a nim a l instinct a s if m e n w ere d i ffid e n t in t h e
, ,

b otto m of th ei r minds a n d s ecret m edit a ti ons of th e st r e ngth ,

of re ligi o n a n d t h e e mpi r e o f f a ith o v er t h e s e ns e s a n d th er e ,

fore f ea r ed th a t s om e d a ng er a wa it e d th em f r om a n in q uiry
into n a tur e B ut a n y on e who p rop er l y c o nsid er s t he s u b
.

c t will find n a tu ra l phil o s oph y t o b e a ft er t he W or d of

j e ,

G od t he su re s t r em edy a g a in s t sup e rstiti on a n d t he m o s t

, ,

a pp r o v e d supp or t o f f a ith S he is th eref ore r ightly b e

.
, ,

sto w e d upo n r e ligi on a s a m os t f a ith fu l a tt e nd a nt f or t h e ,

o n e e xhi b its th e wil l a n d t h e o th e r t h e p o w er o f G od N or

“
.

was he wrong who o b s er ved ; Y e er r n o t kn ow ing t he

,
his p o w er In th e m ea nwhil e it is n ot w o nd erf ul th a t t he
.
,

p r og r ess o f n a tu ra l phil os ophy ha s b ee n r es t ra in e d s ince ,

r e ligi on whic h has s o much in fl u e nc e on m e n s mind s has ’

, ,

b ee n l ed a n d hu r ri e d to o pp os e h er th r ough t he ign o ra nce

th e imp r ud e nt z ea l of o th er s .

ai n,
in t h e h a bits a n d re gul a ti o ns of sch ools ,

a n d t h e lik e a s s e mbli es d e s tin e d f o r t h e a b o d e

,

o f l e a r n e d m e n a n d t h e i m p r o v e m e nt o f l ea r ning e v er ything ,

i s f o und t o b e op p os e d t o t he p r og re ss of t he sci e nc e s ; f or
t h e l e ctu r e s a n d e x er ci s es a r e so or d e re d th a t a nything ou t ,

o f t h e c o m m o n t ra ck c a n s c a r c e ly e nt er t h e th o ught s a n d

c o nt em pl a ti ons of t he mind If h o w e v e r o n e or two h a v e

.
, ,

p er h a p s d a re d to u s e th ei r lib er ty th ey c a n o nly i m p os e
,

t h e l a b or o n th em s e lv e s with o ut d e riving a n y a dv a nt a g e
,

f ro m th e a s s oci a ti o n o f oth ers ; a n d if th e y p ut up with thi s ,

th ey will fi n d th ei r i ndu s t ry a n d Spi r it o f n o slight d i s a d

v a nta g e to th e m i n m a king t h ei r f or tun e ; for t he pu r s uits
o f m e n i n such situ a ti o n s a r e a s it w e re ch a in e d d o wn to
, ,

t he w r iting s o f p a r ticul a r a uth ors a n d if a n y o n e d a r e to

,

dis s e nt f rom th em h e i s imm e di a t e ly a tt a ck e d a s a tu r bul e nt

a n d r e v o luti o n a ry spi r it Y e t ho w g r ea t is t he di ffe r e nc e
.

b e tw ee n civil m a tt ers a n d t he a r ts f or th e re i s n ot t he s a me
,

d a ng e r f r om n ew a ctivity a n d n e w light In civil m a tters .

e v e n a ch a ng e f o r t h e b e tt e r i s s u s p e ct e d on a cc o unt o f t he

c o m m o ti o n it occ a s i o n s for civil g o v e rn m e nt i s supp or t ed

,

b y a uth o rity un a ni m ity fa m e a n d pu b lic opi ni o n a n d n ot

, , , ,

b y d em o n s t r a t i o n In t h e a rt s a n d sci e nc es o n t he c o n
.
,

t r a ry e v e ry d e p a rt m e nt s h o uld r es o und a s in min es wit h

, , ,

n e w w o r k s a n d a d v a nc es A n d thi s i s t he ra ti o n a l th o ug h
.
,

n o t t he ac t ua l vi e w o f t he ca s e f or t h a t a dmini s t ra tion a nd
,
 N O VU M OR GA N U M 73

gov er nm e nt of sci enc e we h a v e sp ok e n of is w ont too rig or

o u s ly t o r ep r e s s i ts g ro wth .

XCI A nd e v e n sh o uld th e o dium I h a v e a ll uded t o b e

.

‘
a v oid e d y et it i s s u fii c i e n t t o r e p r e s s t he inc r e as e o f s ci en c e
,

th a t such a tte m p ts a n d indust ry p a s s un re w a r d ed ; for th e

cultiv a ti on of s ci e nc e a n d its r e w a r d b el ong n ot to t he s a m e
individu a l The a dv a nc em e nt of s ci e nc e i s th e w ork of
.

a p o w e r ful g e ni us t he p r iz e a n d r e w a r d b el o ng t o t h e vul
,

g a r or t o p rinc es w ho ( with a f ew e xc e pti o n s ) a r e sc ar c ely

,

m od er a t ely w el l inf or m ed N a y such p r og r ess i s n ot o nly

.
,

d ep riv e d of t he r e w a rd s a n d b e n e fi c en c e of individu a l s but ,

e v e n of p o p ul a r p r a i s e ; f or it i s a b ov e t h e r ea ch o f t h e

g en er a lity a n d e a sily o v er wh elm ed a n d exti n gui s h e d b y

,

t h e winds o f c om m o n Opini o n s It i s n ot w o nd e r ful th er e

.
,

f or e th a t little succ es s h a s a tt e nd e d th a t w hich h as b ee n

,

littl e h on or e d .

X C II B ut b y fa r t he g rea t es t o b s t a cl e t o th e a dv a nc e
.

m e nt of th e sci e nc es a n d t he und er t a king o f a n y n e w a t

,

t empt or d ep a r t m e nt i s t o b e f o und in m e n s d e s p a i r a n d
,

t he id ea of imp os s ibility ; f or m e n o f a p r ud e nt a n d e x a ct

tu r n of th o ught a re a lt og e t h er d i fii d e n t in m a tt ers of this

n a tu r e c o n s id e ring t he o b s cu r i ty of n a tu re t he sh ortn es s
, ,

o f lif e t h e d ec e pti o n of t h e s e ns es a n d w ea kn e s s of t h e
, ,

j udgm e nt Th ey t h ink th er efor e th a t in th e r e v oluti o ns

.
, ,

o f a g e s a n d of t h e w o r ld t h ere a r e c e r t a in fl o o ds a n d e b b s

o f t h e sci e nc e s a n d th a t th e y g ro w a n d fl o u r i s h a t o n e tim e
, ,

a n d with e r a n d f a ll off a t a n o th e r th a t wh e n th ey h a v e
,

a tt a in e d a c e r t a in d e g r ee a n d c o nditi o n th ey c a n p ro c e e d

n o fu r th e r .

If th e refo re a n y on e b eli e v e or p romi s e g rea t e r thing s

, , ,

th ey i m p ut e it t o a n u ncu rb e d a n d im m a t u re m ind a n d ,

im a gin e th a t s u ch eff or t s b egin pl ea sa ntly th e n b ec om e ,

m ust dilig entl y ex a min e wh a t g l ea m of h op e shin es upon
u s a n d in wh a t dir e cti o n it m a ni f e sts its elf s o th a t b a nish
, , ,

ing h er light er d r ea ms we ma y discuss a n d w eigh wh a t e v er

,

a pp ea rs of m ore s o und i mp or t a nc e W e m u st c onsult the

.

p r u d e nc e of or din ar y life t oo w hich is di fii d en t up o n p ri n

, ,

c i l e a n d in a ll h um a n m a tt e r s a ugu r s t h e w o r st L et u s
p , .
,

th e n sp ea k of h op e e sp eci a lly a s w e a r e n ot v a in p r omis ers

, , ,

n or a re willing t o e nf or c e o r in s n a r e m e n s judg m e nt but

’
,

w o uld r a th er l ea d th e m willingly f or w a rd A nd a lth o ugh .

we sh a l l e mpl oy t h e m os t c og e nt m e a n s of e nf or cing h op e
,

wh e n w e b r ing th e m t o p a r ticul a r s a n d e s p e ci a lly th os e

,

whic h a re dig e s t e d a n d a rra ng e d in o u r T a b l e s of I nv e nti o n

( t h e su b j e ct p a r tly o f t h e s e c o nd but p rincip a lly of t h e
,

f ou rth p a r t of t h e I n s t a u ra ti o n ) which a re i nd ee d ra th er
, , ,

t h e v er y o b j e ct of o u r h op e s th a n h 0 pe its e lf ; y e t t o p ro c ee d

m or e l e ni e ntly we mu s t t re a t of t he p r ep ara ti on o f m e n s ’

mind s of wh i ch t he m a nif es t a ti o n of h op e f or ms n o s light

,

p a r t ; f or with o ut it a ll th a t we h a v e s a id t e nds r a th er to
p r o duc e a gl oo m th a n t o e nc o u r a g e a ctivity o r quick e n t he
indu s t ry of e xp er im e nt b y c a u s ing th e m t o h a v e a w ors e
,

a n d m o r e c o nt e m ptu o u s o pini o n of things a s th e y a r e th a n

th ey n o w e nter t a in a n d t o p er c eiv e a n d f ee l m or e th or o ughly

,

th ei r unf or tun a t e c onditi o n W e mu s t th e r ef o re d i s cl os e

.
, ,

a n d p r e fix o u r r e a so n s f or n o t thinking t h e h o p e of s ucc e ss

i m p r ob a bl e a s C o lum b us b ef or e hi s w o n d er ful v oy a g e ov er
, ,

t h e A tl a ntic g a v e t he rea so n s of hi s c o nvicti o n th a t n e w

,

la nd s a n d c o ntin e nts might b e discov er e d b e s id es th os e

 NO VUM O RG AN UM 75

l dy k n o wn ; a n d t h e se rea so n s t h o ugh a t first re j ecte d

a re a , ,

w ere y et pro v ed b y s u b seq ue nt e xp eri en ce an d w ere ths , i

c a use s a n d b egin n ing s o f t he g re a te st e v e nts .

X C III Let u s be gin fro m Go d a n d s h o w th a t o ur pur

.
,

suit fro m its e xc ee di n g g ood n ess cle a rl y p roc e e d s f rom him ,

t he a uth or of g ood a n d f a th e r of light N o w in a l l divine .

,

w ork s th e s m a ll es t b eginni n g s l e a d a ss u red ly to s om e res ult

“
,

a n d t h e r e ma r k in spi r itu a l m a tt er s t h a t t h e k in g d o m of
”
G od c o m e th wi th o ut ob s er v a ti o n i s a ls o f ou nd to b e t ru e
,

i n e v e ry g r e a t w or k o f Divin e Pr o vide nc e so th a t e v e ry ,

thing glid es qui e tly o n with o ut c o nfu si on or n oi s e a n d the ,

m a t t er i s a c hi e v ed b e fo r e m e n e ith er think o r p er c e ive th at

it i s co m m e nc ed N or s h o uld we n egle ct t o m enti o n t he
“
.

p r oph ec y o f D a ni el o f the l a st d ay s o f t he w or ld M a ny
, ,
”
s h a ll ru n t o a n d f r o a n d k n o wle dg e s h a ll b e incr ea s e d
, ,

thu s pl a inly hinting a n d s ugg est ing th a t fa t e ( wh ic h is

Pr ovid e nce ) w o uld ca u se th e co m pl e te ci r cu it of t he gl o b e
n o w a cc o mpl i s h ed or a t l ea s t g o ing f or w a r d by m ea n s o f
( ,

s o ma ny dist a nt v oya g e s ) a n d t h e inc rea s e o f l ea r ning to

,

h a pp e n a t th e s a m e e po c h .

XCI V W e will n e xt give a m ost p ot e nt re as o n f or h op e

.

d e duc e d f r o m t he e rrors o f t he pa s t a n d t h e w a y s s till u n ,

a tt e mpt e d ; fo r w e ll w a s a n ill g o v er n e d s t a t e thu s r e p r o v e d

“
-
,

T ha t which i s w o r s t with r eg a r d t o th e p a s t s h o uld a pp ear

m os t co n so l a t or y f or the future ; f or if y o u ha d d o n e a ll
t ha t yo u r d uty c omm a nd e d a n d y o u r a ffa i rs pr oce ed e d n o
,

b ett er y o u c o uld n ot e v e n h op e for th ei r imp ro v em e nt ;

,

b ut s inc e th ei r pr e s e nt unh a ppy situ a ti o n is n ot o wing t o

t h e fo r c e of cir c um s t a nc e s b ut to y o u r own erro rs
, y ou h a v e ,

r eas o n t o h op e th a t b y b a ni s hing or c or re cting t h e l a tt er

55
D niel
a 4 .

S C ENCE
I V ol 2 2 — 4
.
16

f or m er if m e n ha d d ur ing t h e m a n y y ea rs th a t h a v e
. So ,

e l a p s ed a dh ere d t o th e r ight wa
, y o f di s c o v e r i n g a n d culti
v a t i n g t h e sci e nc e s with o ut b e ing a b l e t o a d va nc e it w o uld ,

b e a ss u r e dly b old a n d p r e sumpt uo u s to im a gin e it p o s s ibl e

to imp r o v e ; but if th ey h a v e mist a k e n t h e w ay a n d w a s t e d

th ei r l a b o r o n i m p ro pe r o bj ec ts it f o ll o w s th a t th e di ffi culty ,

d o es n ot a ri s e f ro m thing s th em s e l ves which a r e n ot in ou r ,

p o w e r but f r o m t h e hu m a n und e rs t a nding i ts p r a ctic e a n d

, ,

a pplic a ti o n w h ich i s s u s c e ptibl e o f r e m edy a n d c or recti o n

, .

O u r b e s t pl a n th er e f o r e i s t o e xp os e th es e e rr or s ; f or i n
, ,

p r op or ti o n a s th ey i m p e d e d t he p a s t s o d o th ey a ff or d ,

rea s o n t o h o p e for t h e futu r e A n d a lth o ugh w e h a v e .

t o uch e d up o n th em a b o v e y et we think it r ight to giv e a ,

b ri ef b a re a n d s i m pl e e num era ti on of th e m i n this pl a c e

, , .

X C V T ho s e w ho h a ve t r ea t e d of t h e sci enc es h a v e b ee n
.

”
e ith e r e mpi r ic s o r d ogm a tic a l The f o rm e r l i k e a nts o nl y .

h ea p up a n d u s e t h e i r s t or e t h e l a tt er lik e s pid e rs s pi n o u t ,

th ei r ow n web s Th e b e e a m ea n b e tw ee n b oth e xt ra ct s
.
, ,

m a tt er f r om t he fl ow e r s of t he g ar d e n a n d th e fi e ld b ut ,

w or k s a n d f a s hi o n s it by i ts ow n e ff o r ts The t r u e l a b or .

o f phil os ophy r e s e m b l e s h er s f o r it n eith er r e li es e nti re ly ,

o r p r incip a lly o n t h e p o we r s of t h e mind n or y e t l a ys up ,

i n th e m em or y t h e m a tt er a ff or d ed b y t he e xp e rim e nt s of
n a t u ra l hi s t ory a n d m ech a nic s in i ts r a w st a t e b u t ch a ng es ,

a n d w or k s it in t h e und e r st a nd i ng W e h a v e g ood rea s o n .

,

‘B c n
5
thi A ph i m p pea to h a v n te t in d f i d f t h
a o ,
in s or s , a rs e e r a e a a r i ea o e

u se f t h inductiv
o d d ductiv m th d in ci nti fi c in q ui y th ugh hi
e e an e e e o s s e r , o s

w nt f g m t ica l k n w l dg mu t h v e hind
a o eo e r d h i m f m ccu t l y d t
o e e s a e re ro a ra e e er

mining t h e p ci funct n f ch reit c t inl y l d h i m in th p t of

se io s o ea , as er a e o er ar s

th O g n n (V A ph
e r a o t und v lu th d ductiv
. d . h ca ll it the o er a e e e e, an ,
as e s ,

d gm tic m th d d t ly t much upon mpi ic m — E d

o a e o ,
an o re oo e r is . .
 NO VU M ORGAN UM 77

t h e r ef ore , to d eri v e h op e f rom a c l os er a n d p u rer a ll i a nce

of th e s e fac ulti es (th e e xp er im e nt a l a n d ra ti on a l) th a n has
e t b ee n a tte mpt e d
y .

X C V I N a tu ra l phil os o phy is n ot yet t o b e f o und n u

.

a dult er a t ed b ut i s impure a n d c o rr upt e d— b y l o gic in t he

,

”
sch o ol of A rist otl e by n a tura l th eol ogy in th a t of Pl a t o , ,

b y m a th em a tics in th e s e c o nd sch ool of Pl a to (th a t of Pr oc

“
l u s a n d o th er s ) whic h o u ght r a th er t o t er min a t e n a tu ra l
p hil os ophy t ha n to g e n e r a t e or c r ea te it W e m ay th ere .
,

f or e h op e for b ett er res ults f rom pu re a n d unmix e d n a tu ra l

,

p h il os o phy .

X C V II N o o n e h a s y et b ee n f ound p os se ss e d of s u ffi
.

ci e nt fi r mn es s a n d s ev er ity t o r es o lv e up o n a n d und er t a k e
t h e t a s k of e nti r e l y a b olishing c om m o n th eor i e s a n d n o ti o n s ,

a n d a pplying t h e mi n d a f r e s h wh e n th u s cl ea re d a n d l e v ,

c l l e d t o p a r ticul a r r e s e a r ch es ; h e nc e o u r h um a n r e a s o ni n g
,

i s a m e r e f a rra g o a n d c r ud e m a s s m a d e up of a g r ea t d e a l of
c re d u lity a n d a ccid e nt a n d t he pu eril e n o ti o ns it or igin a ll y ,

c o nt r a ct e d .

57
Th e rea d
c n ult th n t f th 2 3 d A ph i m f th f ult w hich
er ma y o s e o e o e or s or e a

B c nc n u
a o ed if h w i h t pu u th
s re s , u bj ct fu th m y e d Pl t s
an , e s o rs e e s e r e r, a r a a o
’

Ti m u w h e th t phi l ph xpl in h is y t m in d t il B c n h w
ae s, er a os o er e a s s s e e a . a o , o

ev i h dly c n i t nt in
e r, s ar p t f hi c n u f h l t l k b ut th
o s s e on e ar o s e s re , or e a so a s a o e

spi it d pp tit f in ni m t ub t nc
r an a e d th t
es o f q u ntl y a s t p e
a a e s s a es, an a so re e , o r

cl d u th e upp iti n th t h i mpl y ing m t ph — E d

e s os o a e s e o e a or .
’
.

P clu fl u i h d b ut t h b ginning f th fi fth c ntu y d w the

53
ro s o r s e a o e e o e e r ,
an as

succ f Pl tinu
es s or o P ph y y d I mbli ow ho in th tw p c ding
s, or r an a cu s, , e o re e c en

t i h d
u r es , viv d th d ct in f Pl t
a re d e il d th Ch i ti n ligi n
e o r es o a o, an a ss a e e r s a re o .

Th llu i n in th t ext mu t b e ign d t I mbl i s w h in th f u th c n

e a s o e s as s e o a cu , o, e o r e o

tu y h d pu b li h d th Py th g n th l gy f nu mb
r ,
a re s e a d nd v d to
e a ore a eo o o e rs , n e ea o re

c n t uct th w ld t of ithm etic thin k ing v y thing could b lv d by

o s r e or ou ar , e er e so e

th i d f p p ti n
e a o d g m t y
ro B c n mu s t t b und t d i t h text
or o s an eo e r . a o no e e rs oo n e

t c n u th b ut th e b u of m th m ti c d p hy ic l inv tig ti n as
“
o e s re e u se a se a e a s an s a es a o s,

in t h D A g m ti (lib iv 0
e
”
e uh e e nu m t th multi plicit y of demo
en s . . . era e s e n

st ti
ra ci nti fi c f ct d mi t f from thi s s u ce —E d
on s e a s a o , o r .
p a rticul a rs we might h o p e m uch m or e fro m such a o n e ; i n
,

which re sp ect we p romis e o u rs elv es t he f or tun e of A l ex

a n de r t h e G r e a t a n d l e t n o n e a ccus e us of v a nity till th ey
,

h a ve h ear d th e ta l e which is int e nd e d t o ch ec k v a nity ,

.

Fo r E s c hi n es sp ok e thus o f A l ex a nd er a n d h i s expl oits

W e li v e n ot t he lif e of m or ta l s b ut a re b o r n a t such a ,

”
p e ri od th a t p os t eri ty will re l a te a n d d ecl a re o u r p rodigi es ;
a s if h e c o n s id e re d t he e xpl o it s of A l e x a nd e r to b e mi ra c

u lou s

“
.

Bu t i n succ e eding b etter vi e w of thea ge s Livy t oo k a

f a ct a n d h a s m a d e s om e
s uch o b s e r v a ti o n a s thi s up o n
“
,

A l e x a nd e r : T h a t he d i d n o m ore th a n d a r e t o d es pi s e
i n s ig n i fic a n c e S o i n o u r o pini o n p os t e r ity will j udg e o f
.

us th a t we h a v e a chi e v ed n o g re a t m a tte rs b ut o nly s et

, ,

l es s a cc o unt up o n wh a t i s c o n s id ere d i m p or t a nt ; f or t h e
m ea ntim e (a s we h a v e b ef or e o bs er v e d ) o u r o nly h op e is
i n t h e r eg e n er a ti o n of t he sci e nc es b y r egul a rly r a i s ing ,

th em o n th e f o und a ti o n of exp eri e nc e a n d b uilding th e m

a n ew which I thin k n o n e c a n v e ntu r e t o a ffi r m t o h a v e
,

b ee n a l re a dy d o n e or e v e n th o ught o f .

XC V III The f o u n d a ti o n s of e xp er i e n c e (ou r s ol e re

.

s ou rc e) h a v e hith er to f a il e d c o m pl e t ely o r h a v e b ee n v ery

w ea k ; n or h a s a s t or e a n d c oll e cti o n o f p a r ticul a r f a cts ,

c a p a bl e of inf or ming t he mind or in a n y wa y s a ti s fa ct ory ,

b e e n e ith e r s o ught a ft er o r a ma s s e d O n t he c ont ra ry .

,

l ea r n e d but idl e a n d ind ol e nt m e n h a v e r e c eiv e d s om e

, ,

L ivy li b x c 1 7 w h
5’
S ee in dig i n th p b bl e ff ect f a
“
. . . .
, e re , a res s o on e ro a e o

c nt t b t w n R m d A l x nd th G t h y
o es e ee o e an N m Da ri
e am er e re a , e sa s : on c u o re

es se di xi t : q u m m li e m c p d
s se e m gm n t h te m int
u ru pu rpu ram
a s a on u a e ra en er

a tq u u um e a r t m f rtnu m pp
, o n era u ti b p wd m v i h q u m b s te m n i h i l
o a a ra us, r a er s a o ,

a liud q u m a s v ana c on te m ere i c

”
a us u e tu s de vi ci t n ,
n ru n .
 NO V UM c rea m 79

m e re re por ts of exp er i e n ce t ra di ti o ns as i t were of drea ms

, ,

as est a blis h in g o r c on fi r mi n g th ei r p hil os o phy a nd h a v e n ot ,

h esi ta te d to a ll o w th e m the w eigh t of l egitima te evi d e n ce .

8 0 t h a t a s yst e m has b e en p ur su e d in p hil os o phy with re

r d t o e x e r i e n ce res e m b l ing th a t of a k i ngd o m or s ta te
g a
p
w h ich would dir ect i ts c o uncils a n d a ffa i rs a cc o rdi ng to the
g o ss i p o f ci ty an d st re et p o liti c i a ns ins te a d of t he l e tte rs
,

a n d r e p or ts of a m bassa d or s a n d m es s e ng e r s w or t hy of c re dit
'

N ot hi n g i s rig h tly i n q ui r ed i nt o o r v er ifi ed n ot e d w eigh ed

, , , ,

or m e as u re d i n na t u r a l hi s t or y ; i nd efi nit e an d v a gu e ob s er
,
~

v a ti o n p r o duc e s f a ll a ci o u s an d unc e r ta in inf or m a ti o n I f .

thi s a pp e a r s t r a ng e o r ou r c ompl a int s om e wh a t t oo unj us t

,

b e c a us e A ri s t o tl e hi ms e lf s o distingui s h e d a m a n an d sup
( ,

po rt e d b y th e w ea lth of so gr e a t a k in g h a s c ompl e te d a n ,

a ccu r a te hi s t or y of a ni m a l s t o which o th e r s wi th g rea t er

,

dilig e nc e b u t l es s n o is e h a ve ma d e c onsid era b l e a dditi o ns ,

a n d o t h e r s a g a in h a v e c om p o s e d co pi o us h i s t or i es a n d n otic es

of pla nts ,
m e t a l s a n d f oss il s) i t wi ll ar is e fro m a w a nt of
, ,

su ffici e ntly a t te nding t o a n d c o mp r eh e n di ng o ur pres en t

o b s e r v a ti o n s ; f or a n a tu r a l hi st or y c o mpil e d o n i ts o wn
a cc o unt a n d o n e c o l l e ct e d f o r th e m ind s inf or m a ti o n a s
’
,

a f o und a ti o n f or phil o s op hy a re t wo di ff e r e nt th ings

,
Th ey .

diff e r in s ev era l r es p e ct s but p r incipa l ly in t hi s — t he for m er

,

co nt a i n s o nly t h e v a r i e ti es of n a t u ra l s pe ci es with out th e

e x p er i m e nts of m e c h a nic a l ar t s ; f or a s in o rd in a ry lif e e v e r y
’
p ers o n s di s pos iti o n a n d th e c onc ea l ed f eelings of t he mind
,

a n d pa s s i o ns a r e m os t d ra w n o u t wh e n th e y ar e distu r b e d

so t h e s e c r e t s of n a tu r e b et ra y th e m s e lv es m o r e re a dily

wh e n t or m e nt e d b y a rt th a n wh e n l e ft to t hei r o wn c o u r s e .

We must be gin t h er e fo r e t o e nte rt a in h o p e s o f n a tu ra l

, ,

phil oso phy t h e n o nly wh e n we h a v e a b e tt er c omp ila ti on

,
'

o f n a tu r a l hi s t ory i ts r e a l ba s i s a n d supp or t
,
.
80

e xp er im e n ts th ere is a v ery g rea t sc a r cit y of those whi c h

,

b es t inf or m a n d a ss ist the understa nding F or t he m ech a nic

.
,

l ittl e s olici tous a b o ut t h e inv estig a ti o n of t r uth n eithe r ,

di rects his a tte nti o n n or a ppli es his h a nd t o a n y thing th a t

,

is n ot of s er vic e t o his b usin ess Bu t our h op e of fu rth er

.

p rogr es s i n t he sci e nc es will th e n o nly b e we ll f ound ed ,

whe n n u m er ou s exp er im e nts sh a ll b e r e c eiv e d a n d c oll e cte d

i nt o n a tu r a l hi s t or y w hich th o ugh of n o u s e i n th e m s elv e s
, , ,

a s s i s t m a t er i a lly in th e di s c o v e ry o f c a u s es a n d a xi o m s ;

which e xp er im e nt s we h a v e t er m ed e nlight ening t o di s tin ,

gui s h th e m f r om th os e which a r e p r ofit a bl e T h ey p os s ess .

thi s w ond e rful p ro p e rty a n d n a tu re th a t th ey n e v er d e c e ive

,

o r f a il y ou ; f or b eing u s e d o nly to di s c o v e r th e n a tu r a l

c a u s e o f s o m e o bj e ct wh a t e ve r b e t he r es ult th ey e qu a lly
, ,

s a ti s fy y o u r a i m b y d e ciding t h e q u esti o n .

0 W e mu s t n o t o nly s ea r ch f or a n d p rocu re a g r ea t er
.
,

nu m b e r o f exp e rim ent s b ut a l s o int r oduc e a c ompl et el y

,

di ff er e nt m eth o d or d er a n d p r ogr es s o f c on t i nuing a n d

, ,

p ro m oting exp eri e nc e F or v a g u e a n d a r bi t ra ry exp er i e nc e

.

i s (a s w e h a v e ob s e r v e d ) m er e g ropi ng in t h e d ar k a n d
, ,

ra th e r a s t o ni s h es th a n in s tr uct s B ut w h e n e xp er i e nc e
.

sh a ll p r oc e e d re gul ar ly a n d unint er r upt e d l y by a d e t er

m in e d r u l e we m a y e nt er ta in b e tt e r h o p es o f t he s ci e nc es
,
.

CI Bu t a ft e r h a vi ng c oll ect e d a n d p re p a re d a n a b un
.

d a nc e a n d st o re of n a t u r a l hi s t or y a n d o f t h e e xp e ri e nc e
,

r equi re d f o r t h e o p e r a ti o ns o f t he und e rs t a nding or phi

lo s ophy s t ill t h e und er s t a ndi n g i s a s inc a p a b l e o f a cting

,

o n such m a t er i a l s o f it s e lf with t h e a i d o f m e m or y a l o n e
, ,

as an
y p e rs o n w o uld b e o f r e t a i ning a n d a chi e ving b y ,

m em or y t he c o mput a ti o n of a n a lm a n a c Y e t m edita ti o n
,
.

h a s hith er t o d o n e m ore for di s c o v ery th a n w r iting a n d no ,

 N O VUM OR G A N UM 81

exp erim e nts h a v e b e en c om m itt e d to p a p e r W e c a nn ot .

,

h o w e ver a pp ro v e of a n y m od e of di s c o v e ry with out w riting

, ,

a n d w he n tha t c om e s int o m o r e g e n e ra l us e we ma h v
'

y a e ,

f u rth er h o p es .

CII B es id es thi s th er e i s s uch a multitud e a n d h os t

.
, ,

as it w er e o f p a r ticul a r ob j e cts
,
a n d lying s o wid e ly d i s ,

er s e d a s to di s t r a ct a n d c o nfu s e t h e und e rs t a nding ; a n d

p ,

‘
we c a n th er e f o r e h o p e f or n o a dv a n ta g e f ro m i ts s k ir m i s h
, ,

ing a n d quick m o v e m e nt s a n d incu rs i o n s unl es s we put

, ,

i t s f or c e s in d u e or d er a n d a r ra y b y m e a ns of p r o p e r a n d ,

w e ll a rr a ng e d a n d a s it w er e living t a bl es of di s c ov er y o f
, , ,

th e s e m a tt ers w hich a r e t h e s ubj ect of i nv es tig a ti o n an d t h e

, ,

mind th e n a pply it s e lf to t he r e a d y p r ep ar e d a n d dig es t ed

a i d w hich s uch t a bl es a ff o r d .

OIII W h e n we h a v e thu s p r o p e r ly a n d reg ul a r ly pl a c ed

.

b e f or e t he e y es a c oll ecti o n o f p a r ticul ars we m u s t n o t i m ,

m e di a t ely p r oc ee d t o t h e inv es tig a ti o n a n d di sc o ver y of n e w

p ar tic ul a rs or e ff e ct s or a t l e as t if we d o s o mu s t n ot re s t
, , , ,

sa ti sfi e d th er e with F or th o ugh we d o n ot d e ny th a t b y
.
,

t ra n s f err ing th e exp er i m e nts f r om o n e a r t t o a n oth e r (wh e n

a l l t h e e xp er i m e nt s o f ea ch h a v e b ee n c o ll e ct e d a n d a r
r a ng e d ,
a n d h a v e b e e n a cqui r e d b y t he k n o wl e dg e an d ,

subj e ct e d to t he j udg m e nt of a s ingl e individu a l ) m a ny ,

n e w e xp e r im e nt s m a y b e di s c o v e r e d t e nding t o b en efit
s o ci e ty a n d m a nkind by wh a t w e t er m lit e ra t e e xp e r i e nc e ;
,

y e t c om p a r a tiv e ly in s ignific a nt r es ult s a r e t o b e e xp e ct e d

th e nc e whil e t he m ore imp or t a nt a r e to b e d eriv e d f r om

,

t h e n e w ligh t o f a xi o m s d e duc ed b y c e r t a in m e th o d a n d
,

r ul e fr o m t h e a b o v e p a r ticul a r s a n d p o inting o u t a n d d e ,

fining n e w p ar ticul a rs in th ei r tu r n O ur r oa d is n ot a l o ng .

p l a in but r i s e s a n d f a l ls a sc e nding t o a xi oms a n d d e sc end

, , ,

i ng to e ff e cts .
p rove a n d ma k e out th eir inte r m e dia t e a xi oms a cc ording to
t he su p p os e d u n s h a ke n t r uth o f t he for mer T his h o wev e r .
, ,

h a s a l wa y s b e en d on e to t he p re se nt ti m e f r om th e n a tu ra l
b e nt of the u nd erst a nding educ a te d t oo a n d a ccust om ed to , ,

this v ery m e th od by t he syll o gistic m o d e of d e mon s tra ti o n

, .

B ut we c a n th e n o nl y a ugu r w ell for th e sci e nc e s wh e n th e ,

a s s e nt sh a ll p r o c e e d by a t r u e sc a l e a n d s ucc e ssiv e st e ps ,

with o ut int e rr upti o n or b rea ch fr o m p ar ticu la rs to t he ,

l e s s er a xi om s th e nc e to t he int er m e di a t e ( ri s ing o n e a bo v e
,

t h e o th er ) a n d l a s tly t o t h e m o st g e n er a l
,
F o r t he l o w es t .

a xi o m s diff e r but littl e f r o m b a r e t h e high es t

a n d m os t g e n era l a s th e y a re e s t e e m e d a t p r es e nt
( ) a re ,

noti o n a l a b s t ra ct a n d o f n o r e a l w e ight The i n ter me

, ,
.

di a te a r e t r u e s olid full o f lif e a n d u p o n th em d e p e n d

, , ,

t h e bu s i n e s s a n d f o r tun e of m a nkind ; b e y o nd th es e a r e t h e

r e a lly g e n e ra l but n ot a b st r a ct a xi o ms which a re t r uly

, , ,

li mit e d by t he int e r m e di a t e .

50
t xi m
Th e l uch
o we s p ing f m i mpl xp i nc — uch in
a o s a re s as s r ro s e e er e e s as

c h mi t y th t ni m l u b t nc y i ld fi x d lt by c lcin ti n ; in mu ic
e s r , a a a s s a es e no e sa a a o s ,

th t c nc d in t mix d w i th di c d m k h m n y tc Int m di t xi
a o or s er e s or s a e ar o , e . er e a e a

om dv c
s a t p fu th b ing th
an e a s e ult f fl ct n w hich ppli d t
r e r, e e r es o re e io , , a e o our

e xp i m n t l k n w l dg d duc l w f m th m uch in pti of th fi t

er e a o e e, e es a s ro e ,
s as o cs e rs

d g e f g n
ree o lity th t th ngl f i nci d nc i q u l t th ngl f fl c
e e ra , a e a e o e e s e a o e a e o re e

ti ; d m ch nic " pl
on an in th l w f m ti n w hil h i g n l l w
e a s, e er s
’
re e a s o o o , e s e e ra a ,

t h t ll b di
a a tt ct ch th w ith f c p p ti n l t th i m
o es a ra ea d o er o r es ro or o a o e r a s s es , a n

i nv ly th q u
e rs e as f th i di t nc
e s m y b t k n a re s f th high t
o e r s a es , a e a e a s on e o e es

a xi m Y t f i thi p incipl f m b ing l y n ti n l

o s. e so ar s b t ct it h s
s r e ro e on o o a or a s ra , a

p nt d w ith k y w hich fit int th int ic t w d f th h v n

res e e us a e d s o e r a e ar s o e ea e s, an

h as l id b a t g th p ncip l m ch ni m f th univ
a re o o ur a ze B ut n tu l e ri a e a s o e e rs e . a ra

phil ph y in B c n d y h d t dv nc d b y nd int m di te xi m
os o a o
’
s a d a no a a e e o er e a a o s, an

th t m n t n l
e er b t ct i s ppl d t th g n l xi m th n cu nt
o io a or a s ra a ie o os e e e ra a o s e r re ,

no t f und d o th lid p incipl f inductiv in q ui y b ut b as d u p n d p i t

e on e so r es o e r , e o r or
’

r ea ing a d ai ry met ph y ic — E d
s on n a s s . .
 N O VUM ORGAN UM 83

We must n ot th e n a d d wings b ut ra ther l ea d a n d ,

ba ll as t to t he und ers t a nding to p r e v e nt i ts j umping

,

o r flyi ng which h a s n o t y et b e e n d on e ; but wh e n e ver

,

thi s t a k e s pl a c e w e m a y e nter ta in g rea t e r h o p es o f the

,

sci e nc es .

C V I n f o r mi n g a xi om s we m u s t i nv e nt a diff e r e nt f or m
.
,

of inducti o n f rom th a t hith ert o in u s e ; n ot only for th e

p roof a n d di s c o v er y o f p rincipl e s ( as th ey a re c a ll ed ) but ,

a l s o o f min or int er m e di a t e a n d in sh o rt e v e ry k ind of

, , , ,

a xi om s . Th e i nducti o n w hich p r oc ee d s by s i m pl e e n u m er
a ti o n is p u e r il e l e a ds to unc er t a in c o nclu s i o n s a n d i s ex
, ,

p os e d to d a ng er f rom on e c ont ra dict or y in s t a nc e d e cidi n g ,

g e n e ra ll y f r o m t oo s m a ll a n umb er o f f a cts a n d t h os e o nly ,

t he m os t o bvi o u s B ut a rea lly u s e ful inducti on for th e d i s

.

c ov er y a n d d e m o n s t ra ti o n o f t h e a r ts a n d sci e nc e s s h o uld ,

se p a ra te n a t u r e by p rop er r ej e cti o n s a n d exclu s i o n s a n d ,

th e n c o nclud e for t he a fli r m a ti v e a ft er c oll ecting a s u ffici e nt

,

numb e r of n eg a tiv es N ow thi s h a s n ot b e e n d on e n or e v e n

.
,

a tt em pt e d e xc e pt p er h a ps by P l a t o w ho c ert a inly u s e s thi s

, ,

f or m of inducti o n in s om e m ea su re to sift d efi niti ons a n d ,

ide a s B ut m uch of wh a t ha s n e v er y e t e nt er ed t he th o ughts

.

o f m a n m u s t n e c e ss a ri l y b e e mpl oy e d in o r d e r to e xhibit a ,

g oo d a n d l egit i m a t e m o d e o f i nducti o n or d e m o n s tr a ti on s o ,

a s e v e n t o r e nd er it e s s e nti a l f or u s t o b e s t o w m o r e p a in s

u p o n i t th a n h a v e hith er t o b e e n b est o w e d o n syll ogi s m s .

Th e a s s i s ta nc e o f ind ucti o n i s to s er v e u s n ot o nl y in t h e di s
co ve ry of a xi om s b ut a l so in d e fining o u r n o ti o n s
,
M uch .

ind ee d i s t o b e h op e d f r om such a n inducti o n a s ha s b ee n

d es c r ib e d .

C V I In f or ming ou r a xi om s f ro m inducti o n we must

.
,

e x a min e a n d t ry w h e th er t h e a xi o m w e d e r iv e b e o nly fitt e d

a n d c a lcul a t e d f or t h e p a r tic u la r insta nc e s f ro m which i t is

i t b e the l a tter we mu s t o b se rv e wh et h er i t c on fi rm its own
, ,

exte nt a n d g en e ral ity by g i ving sure ty as i t w ere in poi n t , ,

i n g o u t n e w p a r ticu la rs s o t ha t we m ay n e ith e r st o p a t a ct ua l
,

d i s c o v er i es n o r with a c a r el e ss g ra s p c a tc h a t sh a d o ws a n d
,

a b st ra ct f o rm s in s te a d o f su bs ta nc es o f a d et e r min a te n a
,

tu r e : a n d a s soon a s we a c t thus w e ll a uth oriz ed h op e m ay ,

.

‘
with rea s o n h e s ai d t o b ea m u po n u s .

C V II H e r e to o we m a y a ga in re pe a t wh a t we h a ve
.
, ,

s a id a b o v e c o nc e r ning t h e e xt e nding o f n a tu ra l phil o so h y

, p
a n d r e ducing p a r ticul a r sci e nc e s t o th a t o n e s o a s t o
p re ,

ve nt a n y s c hi s m or di s m e m b ering o f t he sci e nc e s ; with o ut

w h ich w e c a nn o t h op e t o a dv a nc e .

C V III S uc h are t he o b s er v a ti o ns we w o uld m a k e i n

.

or d e r t o r e m o v e d es p a i r a n d e xcit e h o p e b y b idding f a re ,

w ell t o t he e rror s o f p a s t a g e s or b y t h ei r c orre cti o n Le t

, :

u s e x a m in e wh e th e r th e r e b e o th er g ro und s f o r h o p e A nd .
,

fi rs t if m a ny us e ful di s c o v e ri es h a v e o ccu rre d t o m a nkind

,

b y ch a nc e o r o pp o r t unity with o ut i nv es tig a ti o n o r a tt e ntio n

,

o n th e i r p a r t it m u s t n e c e s s a r il y b e a c k n o wl e dg e d th a t m uch
,

m ore m a y b e b r o ught to lig ht by inv es tig a ti on a n d a tt e n ti o n ,

if it b e r egul a r a n d or d er ly n ot h a s ty a n d i nt e rr upt ed F or
,
.

a lth o ugh i t m a n o w a n d th e n h a pp e n th a t o n e f a ll s by
y
ch a nc e up o n s om e thing th a t h a d b e f ore e s c a p e d c o n s id e ra bl e
e ff or t s a n d l a b or i o u s inq u i ri e s e t und o ubt e dly t he r e v e rs e
y ,

is g e n er a lly t he c a s e W e m a y th er e fo re h o p e fo r f u rth e r
.
, , ,

’
b e tte r a n d mo re f r eq u e nt r e s ul ts fro m m a n s reas o n indus
, ,

t ry m e th od a n d a pplic a ti o n th a n f ro m c h a n c e a n d m e re
, , ,

a ni m a l insti n ct a n d t h e li k e which h a v e hith e r t o b e e n t he

, ,

s o u r c es o f inv e n ti on .

C IX W e m a y a ls o d e riv e s o m e r ea s o n fo r h op e f ro m the
.

c ir c ums ta n c e of s e v e ra l a ctu a l in v e nti on s b e ing of s uch a

 N O VU M OR GAN UM 85

na tur e th a t sc a rc el y a n y on e c ould h a v e for m e d a c onj ectur e

,

a b o ut th e m p r e vi o u s ly t o th e i r di s c o v e ry b ut w o uld ra th er ,

h a v e r idicul e d th e m a s i m p oss i b l e F or m e n a r e w o nt to .

gu es s a b o ut n e w s u bj e cts fr o m th o s e th e y a re a l r ea dy a o
ua i n t e d with a n d t h e h a s ty a n d viti a t e d f a nci es th ey h a v e
q ,

th e nc e f or m e d : th a n which th e r e c a nn ot b e a m or e f a ll a ci ou s
m od e of r ea s o ning b ec a u s e much o f th a t which i s d er iv e d
,

fr o m t he so u r c es of thing s d oes n ot flo w in th e i r u s u a l
c h an n e L

If f or in s t a nc e b ef ore t h e di s c o v er y o f c a nn o n o n e h a d
, , ,

d es c r ib e d i ts eff ect s i n t h e f oll o wi n g m a nn er : Th er e i s a n ew

i nv e nti o n by which w a lls a n d th e g r e a t es t bulw a r k s c a n b e
sh a k e n a n d o v er th ro wn f r o m a c on s id er a bl e di s t a nc e ; m en
w o uld h a v e b egun to c o nt r iv e v a r i o us m ea ns of m ultiplying
t he f o r c e of p roj e c til es a n d m a chin e s by m e a n s of we ight s

a n d wh e e l s a n d o th er m o d es o f b a tt er i ng a n d p r oj e cting
, .

B ut it i s imp r o ba bl e th a t a n y im a gin a ti o n or f a ncy w o uld

h a v e hit up o n a fi er y b l a st exp a nding a n d d e v e l o ping it s elf
,

s o sudd e nly a n d vi o l e ntly b e c a u s e n o n e w o uld h a v e s e e n a n

,

inst a nc e a t a ll r es em b ling it e xc e pt p er h a p s in e a r thqu a k e s

,

or thund e r w hich th ey w o uld h a v e imm e di a t e ly r e j ect e d a s

,

t he g rea t o p er a ti on s of n a tu r e n o t to b e imi ta t e d by m a n
,
.

S o if b e fo re th e disc o v e ry of s il k th r ea d a n y o n e ha d
, ,

o b s e r v e d T h a t a sp e ci es of th r e a d h a d b e e n di s c o v ere d fit
, ,

f or d r es s es a n d f u r nitu re f a r s u r p a ss ing t h e th r e a d of
,

w ors t e d o r fla x i n fi n e n e ss a n d a t th e sa m e tim e in t e n a c
,

i ty b ea uty a n d s oftn e ss ; m e n w o uld h a v e b egun to i m

, ,
o

a gin e s o m e thing a b o ut Chin e s e pl a nts or t h e fi n e h a i r o f ,

so m e a nim a ls or t he fe a th e rs or d own of b i r ds b ut c er t a inl y

, ,

wo uld n e v er h a v e h a d a n id ea o f i ts b e ing spun by a s m a ll

'

w or m i n s o c opi o us a ma n n er a n d r e n e w e d a nnua lly B ut

, ,
.

if a n y on e h a d v e ntur ed to sugg est t he silkw or m he w o ul d ,

 So a ga i m if b ef ore t he discov ery of t he comp a ss a n y on e ,

h a d s a id T h a t a n in s t r um e nt ha d b ee n i i n ve n te d b y which
, ,

th e q u a r t er s a n d p oints o f t he h ea v e ns c o uld b e e x a ctly

ta k en a n d distingu i s h ed m en would h a v e e nt e r ed into d i s

,

u i s i t i on s on t h e r e fin em e nt of a str o n o mic al inst r um e n ts

q ,

a n d t he lik e f r om t he e xcit e m e nt o f th e i r im a gin a ti o ns ; b ut

,

t he th o ug h t o f a nything b e ing di s c o v e re d which n ot b e ing , ,

a c e l e s ti a l b o dy b ut a m e re mi n e r a l o r m e t a llic s ub s t a nc e
, ,

s ho uld y et in i ts m o ti o n a g re e with th a t of s uch b o di es ,

w o uld h a v e a pp e a re d a b s ol u t e ly inc r edibl e Y e t w er e th es e .

f a ct s a n d t h e lik e ( unkn o wn f or s o m a ny a g es ) n o t d i s c o v
,

er e d a t l as t e ith e r by phil os o phy or r e a s o ning but by ch a nc e ,

a n d o pp or tunity ; a n d (a s we h a v e o b s e r v e d ) th e y a r e o f a ,

n a tur e m os t h e t er og e n eo u s a n d r e m ot e f r om wh a t wa s ,

hith e r t o kn o wn s o th a t n o p r e vi o u s k n o wl edg e c o uld l ea d

,

t o t h em
“
.

W e m a y th e re f ore w e ll h o pe th a t m a ny e xc ell e nt a n d
, ,
1

u s eful m a tt e rs a r e y e t t re a s u r e d up i n t he b os om o f n a tu re ,

b e a r i ng n o r e l a ti on o r a n a l ogy t o ou r a ctu a l di s c o v er i es b ut ,

o u t o f t he c o m m o n t r a ck o f o u r i m a gi n a ti o n a n d s till undis ,

c ov e re d a n d which will d o ubtl es s b e b ro ught to ligh t in t he

,

c o u rs e a n d l a p s e of y e a r s a s t h e o th e rs h a v e b e e n b e fo r e
,

th e m ; but in t h e wa y w e n o w p oint o u t th ey m a y r a pidl y ,

a n d a t o nc e b e b o th r e p r es e nt e d a n d a nticip a t e d .

CX T h e re a r e m or eo v e r s om e inv e nti o ns whi c h r e nd er

.
, ,

Thi h p h b n b und ntl y t li d in th di c v y f g vity d

s 0 e as ee a a -
ea ze e s o er o ra an

thed c mp s iti n of light m nl y by th inductiv m th d T b tt phi

e o o o ,
ai e e e o . o a e er

l ph y w ma y l
os o e tt b ut th di c v y f l ct icity g lv ni m d th ir
a so a ri e e s o er o e e r , a a s an e

mutu l c nn cti n W th
a o ch th
e o d m gn e ti s m the inv nt n
i ea o f th e a ir
er , an a , e io s o
 N O VU M OR GAN UM 87

it p ro b a b l e th a t me n m a y p a s s a n d hur ry o ver t he m o st
n o bl e disc ov er i es which li e im m e di a te ly b e f ore t h em F or .

h o we ve r t h e disc o v er y of gunp o wd e r si lk t he c omp a ss , , ,

sug a r p a pe r or th e li k e ma y a pp ea r to d e p e nd o n p ec u li ar
, , ,

p rop er ti es of t hings a n d n a tu r e p rinti n g a t l ea s t inv olv es

,

n o c o n t r iv a nc e which i s n ot cl e a r a n d a l m os t ob vi o us B ut .

f r o m w a nt of ob s er ving th a t a l th ough the a rra ng e m en t of the

typ e s of l e tt er s r equi re d m o re tr o ubl e th a n w r iting with t he
h a nd y e t th es e ty p es o n ce a rr a ng e d s e rv e for innu m er a b l e
,

i mp re ssi o n s whil e m a nu s c ript o nly a ff o rd s o n e c opy ; a n d

,

a g a in f r o m w a nt o f o b se r ving th a t in k might b e thick e n e d s o

,

a s to s ta in with o ut r unning ( which w a s n e c es s a ry s e e ing t he ,

l e tter s f a ce upw a r d a n d t h e i m p re ssi o n i s m a d e f ro m a b o v e)

, ,

t hi s m o st b e a utiful in v e nti o n ( which as s i s ts s o m a te r i a lly t he

p ro p a g a ti o n of l ea r ning ) re m a in e d u nkn own fo r s o m a ny

a g es.

Th e hu m a n mind is o fte n so a wkw a r d a n d ill re gul a t ed -

in t he c a reer of inv e nti o n th a t it i s a t fi rs t di ffid e n t a n d th e n ,

d es pi s es it s e lf F or it a pp ea rs a t fi rs t inc r e dibl e th a t a n y
.

such di s c ov e ry sh o uld b e m a d e a n d wh e n it ha s b e en m a d e
, ,

i t a pp e a r s i nc r e di b l e th a t it s h o uld so l o ng h a v e e s c a p e d

m e n s r e s e a rch A ll which a ff or d s go od re a so n for t he h o pe

’
.

th a t a v a s t m a ss o f in v e nti o n s y et r e m a i n s w hich m a y be ,

d e duc e d n ot o nly fro m th e inv estig a ti o n of n ew m o d e s of

o p er a ti o n b ut a ls o f r o m t r a n s f e rr ing c omp a r ing a n d a pply
, , ,

ing th e s e a l r e a dy kn o wn by the m e th od of wha t we h a ve

,

te r me d lite r a t e e x pe ri e nc e .

C X I N o r sh o uld we o mit a n o th e r g ro und of h o p e Le t

. . .

me n o nly c o n s id e r (i f th e y will) th e i r infinit e ex p e nditu re of

ta l e nt tim e a n d fo r tun e in m a tt ers a n d studi es of fa r i n
, , ,

fe ri o r imp or t a nc e a n d v a lu e ; a s m a ll p or ti o n o f which a p
pl i ed to sound a n d s olid l ea r ning w o uld b e su ffi ci e nt to o ver
c oll e cti on of n a tu ra l xp e r i m e nt a l hi s t ory a s we h a v e
and e

t ra c e d in o ur o w n mind a n d a s i s re a lly n e c e s s a r y
, is a ,

‘
g rea t and as it w e re r oy a l w or k r equi r ing much l a b or ,

and e xp en se .

‘
CXII In t he m ea ntim e l e t n o o n e b e a l a r m e d a t t he mul
. .

t i t u d e o f p a r tic ul a rs b ut r a th er incli n e d t o h o p e on th a t v er y
,

a cc o unt . F o r t h e p ar ticul a r p h e n om e n a of t h e a r ts a n d n a
tu r e a r e i n r e a lity but a s a h a ndful wh e n c om p ar e d wit h t he ,

fi cti o n s o f th e i m a gin a ti o n re m o v e d a n d s e p ar a t e d f rom th e

e vid e nc e o f f a ct s Th e t er min a ti o n o f o u r m e th o d i s cl e a r
.
,

a n d I h a d a l m o s t s a id n ea r a t h a nd ; t h e o th e r a d m it s o f n o

t er m i n a ti o n but o nly of infi n i te c o nfu s i o n F or m e n h a v e

,
.

hith e rt o d welt b ut littl e or ra th e r o nly slightly t ouch e d

,

up o n e xp e r i e n c e w hil e th e y h a v e w a s t e d m uch ti m e o n
,

th e ori es a n d t he ficti o n s of t he i m a gin a ti o n If w e h a d but .

a n y o n e w h o c o uld a ctu a lly a n s w er o u r in t e r r o g a ti o ns o f

n a tu re t h e i nv e nti o n o f a l l c a us e s a n d sci e nc es w o uld b e

,

t h e l a b or o f but a f e w y ea r s .

CXIII W e t hink s o m e g r ound o f hO pe i s a ff or d ed by

.

o u r o wn e x a mpl e which i s n o t m e nti o n e d f o r t h e s a k e of

,

b o a s ting but a s a u s eful r e m a r k Le t th os e w ho di s t rust

,
.

th e i r o wn p o w er s ob s er v e my s e lf o n e wh o h a v e a m o ng my ,

c ont e m p orar i e s b ee n th e m os t e ng a g e d in p u b lic bu s in es s ,

w h o a m n ot v e ry st ro ng in h ea lth ( which c a u s es a g r ea t l os s
o f ti m e a n d a m t h e fi r s t expl or e r o f thi s c o u rs e f o ll o wi ng
) , ,

t h e guid a nc e of n o n e n o r e v e n c o m m unic a ting m y t h o ughts

,

t o a singl e individu a l ; y e t h a ving o nc e fi r m ly e nt e r e d i n t he

r ight wa a n d su b mitting t h e p o w e rs o f my m ind to thing s

y , ,

I h a v e s o m e wh a t a dv a nc ed (a s I m a k e hol d to thin k ) t he
m a tte r I n o w t re a t of Th e n l et o th ers c o n s id er wh a t may
.
 N O VU M OR G A N U M 89

be h o ped f rom me n wh o e nj oy a bund a nt l ei sure f rom united ,

l a b ors a n d t he s ucc ess i o n of ag es a ft er th ese sugg es t i ons on

, ,

o ur p a r t e s p , e ci a lly i n a co u rs e w h ich i s n o t c o nfin e d li ke ,

th eori es t o i ndi vi du a l s b ut a dmits of t he b est di st ri b uti on

, ,

an d uni on of l a b or a n d e ffe ct r ticul a r ly i n c o ll e cting e x

pa ,

e ri m e n ts F or men will th e n o nl y b egin to k n o w th e i r o wn

p .

pow er wh e n ea ch pe rf o rm s a se p a r at e pa r t instea d of n u
, ,

d erta ki n g in c ro wds t h e sa m e w or k .

CXI V L a s tly tho ugh a much mor e f a int a n d unc er ta i n

.
,

bree z e of h op e w e re to spring up f rom ou r n e w c onti n e nt ,

y e t w e c o n s id e r it n e c e ss a r y to m a k e t he e xp e r im e nt if we ,

w o uld n ot sh o w a d a st a rd s pi rit F or t he r i s k a t te nding

.

w a nt of succ ess is n o t t o b e c om p a r e d with th a t of n e gl ec t

ing the a tt em pt ; the f o r m er i s a tte nd e d with t he l os s of a lit
t l e h um a n l a b or t h e l a tte r wi t h th a t of a n i m m e n se b e n e fit
, .

F o r th es e a n d o th er r ea s o ns it a pp e ars to u s t h a t th e r e is
a bund a nt g ro und t o h o p e a n d t o i nduc e n o t o n l y th os e w h o
,

a re s a ng ui n e to m a k e e xp e r im e nt but e v e n th os e w ho a re
,

c a uti o us a n d s o b er to giv e th e ir a s s e nt .

C XV S uch a re t h e g ro und s fo r b a ni s hing d e s p a i r

.
,

h i th e r t o o n e o f t he m os t p o w er ful ca u s es o f t he d el a y a n d
r e st ra int t o which t he s ci e nc e s h a v e b ee n su b j e c te d ; in t r ea t .

ing of which we h a v e a t t he sa m e tim e di s cu s s e d th e s ig ns

a n d c a us e s o f t h e gums i dl e n e s s an d i g n o ra nc e th a t h a v e
, ,

p re v a ile d ; s ee ing e speci a lly th a t the m or e r e fin e d c a u s es ,

which ar e n ot Op e n to p opul a r j udgm e nt a n d o b se rv a ti o n ,

m a y b e re f erre d t o o u r re m a r ks on the id ols o f t he hum a n

mi nd .

H e re too we sh o uld cl o se t he d emo li s hing b ra nch of our

, ,

In s ta u ra ti o n which is c o mp r i s e d i n th ree c on f u ta t
'

t he c o nfuta tio n of na t ur a l h um a n r ea so n l ef t to i

c o nf u ta ti on of of t he ories ,
f u ta ti o n f ol l ow e d such a c o urs e a s was open t o it
has ,

n a m ely t he e xp osing of t he signs of e rro r a n d the pro

, ,

d u c i n g e vid e nc e of t h e c a us es of it : f on we c o u ld a d o pt no
o th e r di ff e ring a s we d o b oth i n fi rs t p r incipl es a n d d e mon
,

s tra ti o n s f r o m o th ers .

It i s tim e f o r us th erefor e t o c om e to t he a r t it s e lf an d ,

t h e r ul e f or t h e int e r p re ta ti o n of n a tu r e : th e re i s h o w e v er , ,

still s om e thing w hich mu s t n o t b e p a s s e d o v e r F or t h e i n .

t e nt o f thi s fi rs t b o ok o f a ph or i s m s b eing t o p r e p a re t h e
mind f or u nd e rs t a nding a s w e ll a s a d mitting wh a t fo ll o ws , , ,

w e mu s t n o w a ft er h a ving cl e a n s e d p ol i s h e d a n d l e v ell e d
, , ,

i ts s u r f a c e pl a c e it in a g oo d p o s iti o n a n d a s it w e r e a
, ,

b e n e v ol e nt a s p ect t o w a r d o u r p rop os iti ons ; s ee i ng th a t pr ej

u d i c e i n n e w m a tt er s m a y b e p r o d u c e d n o t o nly by t he

s t re ngth o f p r e c o nc e i ve d n o ti o n s b ut a l s o by a f a l s e a ntici ,

p a ti o u o r e xp e ct a ti o n of t he m a tt er p r o p os e d W e sh a l l .

th er e fo re e nd e a v or t o induc e g o o d a n d c o r r ect Opini on s of

wh a t we o ff e r a l th o ugh thi s b e o nly n e c es s a r y fo r t h e m o
,

m e nt a n d a s it w er e l a id o u t a t int e res t unt i l t he m a tt er

, ,

it s elf b e w ell und e rs t oo d .

CX V I F i rs t th e n w e mu s t d es i r e m e n n ot t o s upp os e
.
, ,

t h a t we a re a m b i ti on s of f o unding a n y phil os ophic a l s ect ,

lik e t h e a nci e nt G r e e k s o r s o m e m od e r n s a s Te l es i u s Pa
“
, , ,

t r i c i us a n d S e ve r in u s
,
F or n e ith er i s t h i s o u r int e nti o n .
,

‘A B c n v y f q u ntl y cit
9
s a o er re th i e es th ese a uth ors . a s light n tice o of e r

la b m y t b un cc pt b l t th d B d T l i b n t
“
ors a no e a e a e o e rea er . er n a r i n us e es u s , or a

Oosen z a ,in 1 50 8 c b t d th A i t t l n y t m in w k ntitl d D

m ,
o a e e r s oe ia s s e a or e e e

R u m N tu jux t p p i p incipi cco ding t p in cipl f hi w

”
2a
“
er a ra a ro r a r a, 1 , a r o r es o s o n .

Th p em of th e w k nn unc
e ro hi d ign w t orh w th t th c t
a o es s es as o s o a e on s ru c

t i on f th wo ld the m gnitud
o e rd n tu
,
f th b di c nt in d in it re
a e an a re o e o es o a e , a

n t to be inv
o ti g ted by ning w hich w as d n by th nci nt b ut
es a to
r ea s o , o e e a e s, a re

be pp eh e nd ed by th e e n se
a r d c fli eot d f m th e thing th emselv es
s He s, a n t e ro s ,
 NoVU M O R GAN UM 91

n or t hin k th a t p e culi a r a b st ra ct opini o ns on n a tu r e

d o we
a n d t h e p rinc i p l e s o f thing s a re o
M r ta n ce to m e n s
’

f or tun es sinc e it w er e ea sy to re viv e m a ny a nci e nt th eo r i es

, ,

a n d t o i nt r o duc e m a ny n e w o n es ; as for in s t a nc e ma ny , ,

hyp oth es e s with re g ar d to th e h e a v e ns ca n b e f or m e d diff er ,

ing in th e m s elv e s a n d y e t su ffi ci e ntly a c co rd ing with t he ,

ph e n o m e n a .

W e be st o w not o ur l a b or on such th e or et ic a l a n d a t the ,

s a m e tim e u se l e ss t o pic s O n t he c o nt ra ry o u rd e te r mi n a
,
.
,

ti o n i s th a t o f t rying wh e the r we c a n l a y a fi r m er f o u n da ,

ti o n a n d e xt e nd to a g r ea t er dist a nc e t h e b o unda ri es of
,

h um a n p o w er a n d dignity A nd a lth o ugh h ere a n d th er e .

,

up o n s om e p a r ticul a r po ints we h o ld (in o ur own o pini o n) ,

m or e t r u e an d c e rt a in a n d I might e v e n sa y m ore a d va n , ,

t a g e ou s t e n e ts th a n th o s e in g e n er a l r e pute ( w hich we h a v e

c o ll e ct e d in t h e fifth p a r t o f ou r Inst a ura ti o n ) y et we off e r ,

h
ha d , ow e v er, n o soo n
id d wn thi p ncipl th n h d p te d f m t in er la o s ri e a e e ar ro i

p cti
ra d pu u d th d ducti v m th d h
ce , a n rs much cond mn d i hi p d
e e e e e o e so e e n s re e

ca s so raH i fi t t p was
. ass u mp ti n
s f p incipl
rs s e b it y y f an o o r e s as a r rar as a n o

th e mpi c l n ti n
e f nti q uity ; t th o ut t f hi b k h v y q ui tl y
ri a o o s o a a e se o s oo e er e

takes it f g t ed th t h t th p incipl f m ti n c old f i mm b i lity

or ran a ea 18 e r e o o o , o o ,

ma tt b ing as u m d
er e th c p e l s u b t t m i w h ch th
s e as i nc p le o r or a s ra u , n i es e or orea

an d ctiv a g nts c y
a e th i pe ti n O t f these b t ct d ill
e arr on e r o ra o s . u o a s ra an

defin d c nce pti n s T l i b uil d up y t m q uit as c ompl t ymm t ic l

e o o e e s us s a s s e e e e, s e r a ,

a nd i m gin tiv a y f th t uct u res f nti q ui ty

a e as an o e s r o a .

F ncis Pa t i i b n t Ch
ra in D l m ti
r c us, b ut 1 5 2 9 wor n th r a e rs o, a a a, a o , as a o e

ph y ici t w h up g in t A i t tl d nn unc d th d w n f w
“
s s o rose a a s r s o e, a n a o e e a o a ne

ph il ph y I n 1 59 3 pp d his N v d U v i Phil phi

oso . a
”
He
ea r e o a e ni e rs s o so a .

l y down
a s t i g f xi m in whi h ch l t c n ti
a s rn o phy ic l di c ve
a o s, c s o as i o on s , s a s o r

ies , and th olog ic l d gm e t ng l y c mmingl d d ct up n th m

a o as, a re s ra e o e ,
an ere s o e

a s y t m w hich p nt ll th g t q u f tu
s e re f th l gic l mpi ici m
rese s a e ro es e ea re s o eo o a e r s .

S v inu b n in J utl nd i 1 52 9 pu bli h d

e er s, or a tt c k A i to tl at ,
n , s e an a on r s
’
e s na

u al h i to y b t a d pted f nt i w hi ch th S t gy it ridicul d i h i w d y
r s r , u o a a s es e a r e e n s o n a .

H w e f ll w f P c l u
as a o Sw onthu i t f th fi ft nth c ntu y
er o a ra e s s, a i ss e s as o e ee e r ,

w ho i gn o d t h nci nt d ct i n f th f u l m nt f
re e a elt ulphu a nd o r e o e o r e e e s or sa s r

d m
,

me c y r ur d lli d ch mi t y
, an ed ici e w i th my tici m — Ed
a e e s r an n s s .
92 N O VU M OR GA N U M

no uni vers al or c ompl e te t heory The tim e d oes n ot ye t .

a pp ea r t o us t o b e a r r iv e d a n d we e n te r t a in n o h o p e o f o u r
. ,

lif e b ei n g p r ol o ng e d to t he c ompl e ti o n o f t he s ixth p a r t of

t h e In s t a u ra ti o n ( which i s d es tin e d f or p hil os op hy d i s c o y e red '

b y t he int er p r e ta ti on of n a t u r e) b ut a re c o nt e nt i f we pr o
,

cc a d qui e tly a n d u s ef ully i n o u r int e r m edi a t e pu rs ui t s c a t ,

t ering i n t he m e a nti m e t he s ee d s of l es s a dult er a te d t r ut h

, ,

f or p os t e r ity a n d a t l ea s t c om m e nc e t he g r ea t w o r k
, , , .

C XV IIJ A nd a s w e p re t e nd n o t to f o un d a s e ct s o d o
, ,

w e n e ith e r o ff er n o r p r o mi s e p a r ticul a r eff e cts ; whic h m a y

o cc a s i o n s o m e t o o bj e ct t o u s th a t s inc e w e s o o ft e n sp e a k
,

o f e ff e ct s a n d c o n s id e r e v e rything in i t s re l a ti o n t o th a t e n d
, ,

we o ught a l s o to giv e s o m e e a r n es t o f p rod ucing th em O ur .

c o urs e a n d m e th o d h o w e v e r ( a s we h a v e o ft e n s ai d a n d
, ,

a g a in r e p e a t ) i s such a s n o t t o d e d u c e e ff e ct s f r o m e ff e ct s
, ,

n or e xp e r i m e nt s f r o m e xp e r im e nt s ( a s t h e e m pi r ics d o b ut
) ,

in o u r c a pa city o f l egitim a t e int e rp ret e rs o f n a tu re to d e ,

duc e c a u s e s a n d a xi o m s f rom e ff e ct s a n d e x p eri m e nt s ; a n d

n e w e ff e ct s a n d e xp er i m e n t s f ro m th os e c a u s es a n d a xi o m s .

A n d a lth o ugh a n y o n e o f m o d er a t e int e llig e nc e a n d a bil

ity will o b s e r v e t h e indic a ti o n s a n d s k e tch es of m a ny n obl e
eff e ct s in ou r t a bl e s o f i nv e nti o n s ( w hich f o r m t h e f o u r th

p a r t o f t he Inst a u ra ti o n ) a n d a l s o in the e x a m pl es of pa r
,

t i c u l a r in s t a n c es cit e d in t h e s e c o nd p a r t a s we ll a s in o u r ,

o b s e r v a ti on s o n hi s t or y ( which i s t h e s u b j e ct o f t h e thi r d

p a r t) ; y e t we c a ndidly c o nf es s th a t o u r p r es e nt n a tu r a l hi s
t ory w h e th e r c o m pil e d f rom b ook s o r o u r o wn i n q ui ri es i s
, ,

n o t su ffici e ntly c o p i o u s a n d w ell a s c er t a in e d t o s a ti s fy o r ,

e v e n a s s i s t a p r o p e r i nt er p r e t a ti on
,
.

If th er ef ore th e re b e a n y o n e who i s m ore di s pos e d a n d

, ,

p r ep a r ed for m ech a nic a l a r t a n d ing e ni o u s in disc ov ering

,

eff e cts ,th a n in t he m ere m a n a g e m e nt of exp er im ent we ,

 N OVU M OR G A N U M 93

a ll o w hi m to empl oy his indu s t ry i n g a th e r in g m a ny o f t he

fr uits o f o u r hi s tor y a n d ta bl es in thi s wa y a n d a pplying ,

th em to e ffe cts r ec e iving th em a s int eres t till h e c a n obt ai n

,

t h e p r incip a l F or o u r o wn p a r t h a ving a g re a t e r obj e ct in

.
,

vi e w we c ond e m n a l l h a sty a n d p r em a tur e res t in suc h pu r

,

suits as we w o uld A tal a n ta s a ppl e (to u s e a c omm o n a llu ’

si o n of o u rs) ; for we a r e n ot childi s hly a mbi t i ous of g o ld e n

fr uit but u se a l l o u r e ff o r ts t o m a k e th e c o u rs e of a r t o u t
,

st ri p n a tu re a n d we h a s t e n n o t to r e a p m os s or t he g ree n
,

b l a d e b u t w a it for a rip e h a r v e st
, .

C XV III T h er e will be s om e with o ut d o u b t w h o on a

.
, , ,

p eru sa l of o u r hi s tor y a n d t a bl e s of in v e nti on will m ee t with ,

s om e unc ert a inty or p er h a ps f a ll a cy in t he exp e ri m e nt s , ,

th e ms e l v es a n d will th e nc e p erh a p s im a gin e th a t o u r d i s

,

c ov er i es a r e built on f a l s e f o und a ti o ns a n d p r incipl es Th er e .

is h o w e v er r ea lly n othing in thi s sinc e it must n ee ds h ap

, , ,

e n i n b egin ni ng s F or it is t h e s a m e a s i f in w r iting or
p .

p r inting o nc or t wo l e tt ers w e re w r o ngly tu r n e d or m i s

'

p l a c e d which i s n o g re a t i nc on v e ni e nc e t o th e r ea d er w ho
, ,

c a n ea s ily by his o wn ey e c orr e ct t h e e r r or ; l e t m e n in th e

s a m e wa y c o nclud e th a t m a ny e xp er im e n ts in n a tu r a l hi s ,

t or y m a y b e e rr o n e ously b e li e v e d a n d a d m itt ed which a re ,

e a s ily e xpung e d a n d r e j e ct e d a ft erw a r d by t h e di s c o v er y o f ,

c a u s es a n d a xi o m s It i s h o w e v er t r u e th a t if th es e er rors .
, , ,

in n a tu r a l hi s t ory a n d e xp e rim e nts b e c o m e gr ea t f re qu ent , ,

a n d c o ntinu e d th e y c a nn o t b e c or r e ct e d a n d a m e nd e d b y
,

B c n s pol gy i
63
a o u d d c mpl t l y n w th Ge m n a d
’
a o s so n ,
an o e e a s ers ose r a n

F nch c itic w h h v
re r fu d h i m nich in th phil s phic l p nth n
s, o a e re se a e e o o a a eo .

One G m n c mm nta to t m d t t v l h i n m ccu B c n f

er a o e r, oo o es o re ea s a e, a s es a o o

ign nc f th c lculu th ugh i hi d y W lli s h d t y t tu mbl d up n

ora e o e a s, o ,
n s a , a , a no e s e o

th l w
e f c ntinu u f cti n ; w hil C unt d M is tr
a s o o in c
o s tt ck
ra o s e o e a e, a oa r s e a a

up n hi g niu xp s h i
o s e t ni hme nt t fi nding B c n un c q u inte d
s, e re ses s as o s a a o a a

w ith di c v eri e s w hich were n ot h ea rd f ti ll a ce ntu ry afte h i s d th — E d

s o o r ea .
such o bs er v a ti o n s .

CXIX A g a in o u r hi s t or y a n d e xp erim e nts will c ont a in

.
,

much th a t i s light an d c omm o n m ea n a n d illi b era l t oo

, ,

r e fi n e d a n d m ere ly sp e cul a tiv e a n d a s it w er e o f n o u s e

, , , ,

a n d this p e r h a p s ma y div er t a n d a li en a te t he a tt e nti o n o f

m a n kind .

With r eg a rd t o wh a t is comm o n ; le t me n r e fl e ct th a t ,

th ey h a v e hith e r to b e e n us e d t o d o n othing but r e fer a n d

a d a pt t h e c a u s es o f thing s o f r a re occ u r re nc e t o t h os e o f

thing s whic h m or e f req u e n tly h a pp e n wit h out a n y inv es ti ,

t i o n o f th e c a u s e s o f t h e l a tt e r t a k ing t h e m for g r a nt ed
g a ,

a n d a d m itt e d .

H e nc e th ey d o n o t inqui re int o t he c a us es o f g ra vity

, ,

t h e r o t a ti o n o f th e h ea v e nl y b o di e s h ea t c old light h a r d
, , , ,

n es s s o ftn es s r a rity d e n si ty liquidity s olidity a nim a t i on

, , , , , , ,

in a ni m a ti o n s i m ilitud e di ff er e nc e or g a nic f or m a ti o n but

, , , ,

ta king th e m to b e s elf e vid e nt m a ni f e s t a n d a dmitt e d th ey

-
, , ,

di s put e a n d d e cid e up o n o th e r m a tt er s of l ess f requ e nt a n d

fa mili a r o ccu rre nc e .

B ut w e (w ho kn o w th a t n o j u dg m e n t c a n b e fo rm e d of
th a t which i s r a r e o r re m a r k a bl e a n d m uch l es s a nything
,

n ew b ro ug h t to light with o ut a p r e vi o u s r e gul ar e x a min a

,

ti on a n d disc o v e ry o f t he c a u s es o f th a t which i s c omm on ,

a n d t he c a us es a g a in of th os e c a u s es ) ar e n e c es sa r il y c om
p el l e d to dmit at h e m o st c om m o n o b j e cts int o o u r h ist or y .

B e s id es we h a v e o b s er ve d th a t n o thing h as b ee n s o i n j uri
,

o u s t o phil os oph y a s thi s ci r cum s ta nc e n a m e ly th a t f a m il , ,

i ar a n d f r e qu e nt o bj e cts d o n ot a r rest a n d d e t a in m e n s c on
’

t e mpl a t i o n b ut a r e c a re l es s ly a dm i tt e d a n d th e i r c a u ses
, ,

n e v er i nqui r e d a fte r ; so th a t infor m a ti o n o n unkn o wn s u b

s i s n o t m o r e o ft e n w a nt e d th a n a tt e nti o n t o th o s e which
j ec t

a r e kn o wn .

CXX With reg a r d to t he m e a nn es s or e v e n th e fi lt hi

.
,

n es s o f p ar ticul a rs f or which (a s Pliny o b s er v es) a n a p ol ogy

, ,

i s r e qui s it e s uch s ubj e cts a r e n o l e s s w or thy of a dmi s si o n

,

int o n a tu ra l hi s t ory th a n t h e m o s t m a gnific e nt a n d c os tly ;

n o r d o th ey a t a l l p o llute n a tu ra l hi s t or y f or t h e s u n e nter s ,

a li k e t h e p a l a c e a n d t h e p r ivy a n d i s n o t th ere by p ollut e d

,
.

W e n e ith er d e dic a t e n or r a i se a c a pit ol or pyr a mid t o t he

pr id e of m a n but r ea r a h o l y te m ple i n hi s mind on t he
, ,

m o d e l o f t h e univ e rs e which m o d e l th er e f ore we i mita te

,
.

F o r th a t w hich is d es er ving of e xist e nc e i s d es er ving of

kn owl ed g e t he i m a g e o f e xi s t e nc e N o w t he m ea n a n d
,
.

s pl e ndid a lik e e xi s t N a y a s t h e fin es t o d o rs a re s om e
.
,

ti m e s p ro duc e d fr o m put rid m a tt er (s uc h a s mu s k a n d

civ e t ) s o d oes v a lu a bl e light a n d infor m a ti o n e m a n a t e f r om
,

m e a n a n d s or did in s t a nc es B ut we h a v e a l r e a dy s a id to o
.

much f or s uch fa sti di o us f ee lings a r e chil di s h a n d effemi

,

nate .

CXXI The n ext p oin t re qui r es a m ore a ccu ra t e c on s i d

.

cr a ti on n a m ely th a t m a ny p ar ts of ou r hi s tor y will a pp ea r

, ,

t o t h e vulg a r o r e v e n a n y mind a ccu s t om e d to t he p r es e nt

,

s t a t e of thing s f a nt as tic a lly a n d u s e l ess ly r e fin e d

, H e nc e .
,

we h a v e in r eg a r d t o this m a tt er sa id f r o m t he fi rs t a n d m u s t ,

a g a in r e p ea t th a t we l oo k fo r e xp e r i m e
,
n ts th a t s h a ll a ff or d
light r a th e r th a n pr ofit imit a tin gth e divin e c r ea ti on which
, , ,
 I f a n y o n e t h e n im a gine such m a tters to be of no u se
, , ,

he m i ght eq u a lly supp os e light to be o f n o u s e b e c a us e it ,

i s n e ith er s olid n or m a t er i a l F or i n f a ct t h e kn o wl e dg e
.
, ,

o f s i m pl e n a tu res w h en su ffi ci e ntl y i nv es tig a te d a n d d e

,

fin e d r e s e m bl es light which th o ugh of n o g rea t u se i n

, , ,

its elf aff o rds a cc es s t o t he g en era l my s ter i es o f eff e cts a n d

, ,

wit h a p ec uli a r p o w er c o mp r e h e nds a n d d ra ws with it whol e

b a nd s a n d t r oo ps of effe ct s a n d t he s ou r c es o f t h e m os t va l
,

u a b l e a xi o m s S o a l s o t h e e l e m e nts of l e tt ers h a v e of th e m
.

s e lv es s ep a r a t e ly n o m e a ning a n d a r e of n o u s e y e t a re th ey
, , ,

a s it w e r e t h e o r i gi n a l m a tt e r in t he c o mp o s iti o n a n d p r e p a
,

r a ti o n o f s p e e ch Th e s e e d s of sub s t a nc es wh o s e effe ct i s
.
,

p o wer ful a re o f n o u s e e xc ept i n th e i r g r o wt h a n d th e sc a t

, ,

ta r e d r a y s o f l i ght it s elf a v a il n o t unl ess c oll e ct ed .

Bu t i f sp e cul a tiv e s u b tilti es gi v e o ff e nc e wh a t must we ,

s a y o f t h e s ch o l a s tic phil os o ph e rs who indulg e d in th e m to

s uc h e xc es s A nd th os e s ubtilti es w er e w a s t ed o n w or ds ,

o r a t l e a s t c o m m o n n o ti o n s ( which i s t h e s a m e thi ng
, , ) n o t ,

o n thing s or n a t ur e a n d a lik e u np rod uctiv e o f b e n efi t in

,

t h e i r o r igin a n d th e ir c o ns eq u e nc es : i n n o w a y r e s e m b ling

o u rs ,
which ar e a t pr es e nt u s e l ess b u t in th e i r c on s equ e nc es
,

o f in finit e b e n e fit Le t m e n b e a s s u re d th a t a ll s u b til e d i s
.

p u t e s a n d di s cu r s iv e e ff o r t s o f t he mind a r e l a t e a n d pr epos
t e r o u s w h e n th ey a r e int r o duc e d s ub s e qu e ntly to th e d i s
,

c o v er y o f a xi o m s a n d th a t th e i r t r u e o r a t a n y r a t e chi e f
, , , ,

op p o rtunity i s wh e n e xp er i m e nt i s t o b e w e igh e d a n d a xi o m s
,

t o be d e r iv e d f r om it T h ey o th er wi s e c a tch a n d g r a sp a t
.

n a tu r e but n e v er s eiz e or d e t a in h er : a n d we m a y w e ll
,

a pply to n a tu r e th a t which ha s b e e n s a id o f o pp or tuni ty

 N O VU M ORGAN UM 97

or f or tun e th a t s h e w ea rs a l ock in f r o nt b ut is ba ld
, ,

b e hind .

In s h or t we m ay r eply d e ci s iv e ly to th os e w h o d es pis e
,

a n y p a r t of n a tu ra l hi s t or y a s b e ing vulg a r m ea n or s u b , ,

til e a n d us el ess in its or igin in the w or d s of a p o or w om a n

“
, ,

to a h a ugh ty p r inc e w h o h a d r ej e ct e d h er p e titi o n a s n u

,

w or thy a n d b e n ea th th e dignity of his m a j es ty : Th e n

,
“
”
c ea se to r eign ; fo r it i s quit e c er t a in th a t t he e mpi re of
n a tu r e c a n n e ith er b e o b t a in e d n or a dmini s t e r e d by o n e wh o

r e fu s e s t o pa y a tt e nti o n t o such m a tt ers a s b eing p o or a n d

t o o m in u t e .

C XXII A g a in it m a y b e o bj e c t e d t o us a s b eing s ingu

.
,

l a r a n d h a rs h t ha t w e s h o uld with o n e s t ro k e a n d a s s a ult

, ,

as it w ere b a ni s h a ll a uth or iti e s a n d s ci e nc e s a n d th a t t oo

, ,

b y ou r ow n eff or ts with o ut r equi r ing the a s s i s t a nc e a n d

,

supp or t of a n y o f t h e a nci e nt s .

N ow we a re a w a r e th a t h a d we b e e n r e a dy t o a c t o th er
,

wi s e th a n s inc e re ly it wa s n o t di ffi cult t o r e f er o u r p r es e nt
,

m eth od to r em o t e a g e s p r i or t o th os e of t h e G r e ek s (s inc e
,

t h e sci e nc es in a ll p rob a b ility fl o u r i s h e d m or e i n th e i r n a t

u ra l st a t e th o ugh sil e ntly th a n wh e n th ey w e r e p a r a d e d
, ,

with t he fi fes a n d tr ump e ts o f t h e G r ee ks ) ; or e v e n (i n

p ar ts a t l ea s t) t o s om e of t he G r e e k s th e ms e lv es a n d t o
, ,

d eri v e a uth or ity a n d h on or f r om th enc e ; a s m en o f n o f a m il y

l a b or to r a is e a n d f orm n ob ility for th em s e lv es in s o m e a h
ci e nt lin e b y the h e lp of g e n ea l ogi e s T r u s ting h o w e ve r
, .
, ,

t o t h e e vid e nc e of f a cts we rej e ct e v ery kind of ficti o n a n d

,

imp os tu re ; a n d thin k it o f n o m ore c on s equ e nc e t o o u r s u b

c t wh e th er futu r e d i sc o v e ri e s w ere k n o wn t o t he a nci e nts
j e , ,

a n d se t or ro s e a cc or di ng to t he vicis s itud e s o f e v e nts a n d

'

Phi lip of LIa ced on .

a nd k n o wn to t he a nci ents or be now discov er ed f or t he
,

fi r st tim e .

W i th reg ar d to th e uni v ers a l c e nsu re w e h a v e b e stow e d ,

it is qu i t e cl ea r to a n y o n e w ho p r op e rly c o nsid ers the

,

m a t te r th a t it is b o th m or e p rob a bl e a n d m or e m od est th a n
,

a n y p a r ti a l o n e c o uld h a v e b e e n F or if t he e r r ors h a d n o t
.

b ee n r oo t ed i n t he p rim a ry n oti o n s s o m e w e ll c o nduct ed ,

d i s c o v eri es mu s t h a v e c orre ct e d o th ers th a t w ere d efici e nt .

B ut sinc e t he e r r or s w er e fund a m e nt a l a n d o f such a n a ture , ,

th a t m en may b e s a id r a th e r t o h a v e n e gl ect e d or p as s e d
ov e r thing s th a n t o h a v e f or m e d a w r o ng o r f a l s e j udgm e nt
,

o f th em it i s littl e to b e w o nd e r ed a t th a t t hey d i d n o t o b
, ,

ta in wh a t th ey n e v er a im ed a t n o r a rriv e a t a g oa l w hich
,

th e y h a d n ot d e t e rmin e d n or p er for m a co u rs e which th ey

,

ha d n e ith er e n te r e d up o n n o r a dh er e d to .

With re g a r d t o o u r p res u m pti on w e a ll ow th a t if w e w er e

,

t o a ss um e a p o w er o f d r a wmg a m ore p er f e ct s t ra ight lin e

o r ci r cl e t h a n a n y o n e e l s e by sup er i o r st e a d i n e s s o f h a nd
,

o r a cut e n e s s o f ey e it w o uld l ea d t o a c o mp a r i s o n o f t a l e nt ;
,

but if o n e m er e l y a ss e rt th a t he c a n d ra w a m o re p er fe ct lin e
o r c i rcl e with a r ul e r o r c o m p a ss es th a n a n o th e r c a n by h i s
,

un a ss i s ted ha nd or ey e h e s u r e ly c a nn o t b e s a id to b oa s t
,

o f m uch N o w thi s a ppli e s n ot o nly to o u r fi rs t o rigin a l

.

a t te mpt b ut a l so to th o s e w h o sh a ll h e r ea fte r a pply th e m

,

s e l ves to t he p u r suit F o r o u r m e th od o f di s c o v eri n g t h e

.

scie n ces m ere ly le v e l s m e n s wi ts a n d l e a v es b ut little t o

’
,

t h ei r s up eri or i ty s inc e it a chi e ves e v er y thing b y t h e m os t

,

c e r ta i n r ul es a n d d e m o n s t ra ti o n s W h en c e (a s we ha ve
.

M Pla t ’
o s Timaaus .
 N O VUM OR GA N U M 99

oft e n ob s er v e d ) ou r a tt empt is t o b e a tt r ibut ed to for t u n e

,

r a th er th a n t a l e nt a n d is t he o ff s p r ing o f tim e ra th er th a n
,

o f wit . F or a c e rt a i n so r t of ch a nc e h as n o l e s s e ff e ct up on
o ur th o ught s th a n o n o u r a ct s a n d d ee d s .

C XXII I W e m a y th e r ef o re a pply to o u rs elv es th e

.
, ,

j o k e of him who s a id th a t w a ter a n d win e d rink er s c ould

“
,

n ot thin k a lik e e sp e ci a ll y a s it hits t h e m a tt e r s o w e ll

, .

F or o th e rs b o th a nci e nts a n d m o d e r ns h a v e i n t he sci e n c es

, ,

d ra nk a c r ud e liqu or lik e w a te r e ith er fl owing of it s elf ,

f rom t he und e rst a nding or d r a wn up b y l ogic a s t he wh e e l

,

d ra ws up th e b uck e t B ut we d ri n k a n d pl e dge o th ers with

.

a liqu or m a d e o f m a ny w e ll r ip e n e d g r a p e s c oll ect ed a n d

-
,

p luc k e d f r om p a r ticul a r b ra nch es squ e ez e d in t h e p r es s , ,

a n d a t l a st cl a r ifi e d a n d f er m e nt e d in a v e ss e l It i s n ot .
,

th er efor e w ond er ful th a t we sh o uld n ot a gr ee with o th ers

, .

C XXI V A n oth er o bj e cti on will with out d o u b t b e m a d e

.
,

n a m e ly th a t we h a v e n ot o u rs e lv e s e s t a b li s h e d a c orr e ct or
, ,

t he b est g oa l or a i m of t h e sci e nc es ( th e v er y d e f e ct we
bl a m e in o th e rs) F or th ey will s a y th a t th e c ont empl a ti o n
.

of t r uth is m or e dignifi e d a n d ex a lt ed th a n a n y utilit y or

e xt e nt o f e ffe cts ; b ut th a t o u r d welling so l o ng a n d a u x

i ou sl y o n e xp er i e nc e a n d m a tt er a n d t h e fl uctu a ting s t a t e
,

o f p a r ticul a r s f a s t e ns th e mind t o e a r th o r r a th e r c a sts it

, ,

d own int o a n a bys s of c o nfusi o n a n d distu rb a nc e a n d se p ,

a r a t es a n d r em o v e s it f r o m a much m ore divin e st a t e t he ,

qui e t a n d t ra n q uillity of a b st r a ct wisd om W e willingl y .

a s s e nt to th e i r r e a s o ning a n d a r e m ost a nxi o us t o e ff e ct t he

,

v er y p o int th e y hint a t a n d re qui r e F or we a re founding .

a r e a l m o d e l o f t h e w or ld in t he und erst a nding such a s it

,

is f o und to b e n ot such as m a n s r ea s o n ha s dist or t ed

,
’
.

The sa yi ng of Ph il ocra tes w h

en he diff ere d f r omD m th n e os e es — Ed .

S C NCE
‘
V ol
IE . 22 -
5
imit a ti o ns of t he w or ld w hich h a v e b ee n f orm ed in v a ri ous
,

sy s t e ms o f phil os o phy by m en s f a nci es Let m e n l e a r n’

.

a s we h a v e s a id a b o v e t h e d i ff er e n c e th a t e xi s ts b e tw ee n
( )
t h e id ol s o f t he h um a n mind a n d t h e id ea s o f t h e divi n e

mind Th e f or m er a r e m er e a rb it ra r y a b str a cti o ns ; t he

.

l a tt er t h e t r u e m a r k s of t he C rea t or o n hi s c re a tu re s a s ,

th ey a re imp r int e d o n a n d d e fin e d in m a tt er b y t r u e a n d
, ,

e xquisit e t o uch e s T ru th th er e fore a n d utility a re h e r e

.
, , ,

p e r f e ctly id e ntic a l a n d t he e ff e cts a re of m ore v a lu e a s

,

pl edg e s o f t r uth th a n f rom t h e b en e fit th ey c on f er o n

men .

CXX V O th ers m a y o bj ect th a t we a re o nly d o ing th a t

.

which ha s a l re a dy b ee n d o n e a n d t ha t t h e a nci e nts f oll o w e d

,

th e s a m e c o ur s e a s o u r s el v e s T hey m a y im a gin e th e re
.
,

f or e th a t a ft er a ll thi s s ti r a n d e x e r ti on we s h a ll a t l a s t
, , ,

a r r iv e a t s o m e o f th os e sy s t e m s th a t p r e v a il e d a m o ng t h e

a nci e nt s : f or th a t th ey t oo wh e n c o m m e ncing th e i r m e di
, ,

t a t i on s l a id up a g rea t stor e o f in s t a nc e s a n d p a r ticul a r s

, ,

a n d dig e s t e d th e m und e r t o pic s a n d titl e s i n t h e i r c om m o n

p l a c e b o ok s a n d s o w ork e d o u t th ei r s y s t em s a n d a r ts a n d
, ,

th e n d e cid ed up on wh a t th ey di s c ov e re d a n d r el a t ed n o w ,

a n d th e n s o m e e x a mpl es t o c o n fir m a n d th r ow l i ght up o n

th ei r d o ct r in e ; but th o ught it s u p e rflu ou s a n d tr o ubl es om e

t o publi s h th ei r n o t e s mi nut es a n d c omm onpl a c e s a n d
, , ,

th er e f o re f oll o w e d t he e x a mpl e of b uild ers wh o rem o v e

t he sc a ff o lding a n d l a dd ers wh e n t h e b uilding i s fini s h e d .

N or c a n we ind ee d b eli e v e th e c a s e t o h a v e b e e n oth er wis e .

B ut t o a n y on e n o t e nti r ely f o rg e tful of o u r p r e vi o us ob ser

,

va ti o n s it will b e ea s y to a n s w e r this o bj e ction o r r a th e r

,
 N O VU M OR GAN UM 10 1

s c r upl e ; f or we a ll ow th a t t he a nci e nts ha d a p a r tic ul a r

fo r m o f inv es tig a ti o n a n d discov e ry a n d th ei r w riting s s h o w ,

it B ut it wa s o f s uch a n a tur e th a t th e y i m m e di a t ely fle w

.
,

f ro m a f e w in s t a nc es a n d p a r ticul ars (a ft e r a dding s om e

c om m o n n oti o n s a n d a fe w g e n er a lly r ec eiv e d opini on s
,

m os t in v ogu e) t o t h e m os t g e n era l c o nclu s i ons o r th e p r in

c i pl e s o f t he s ci e nc es a n d th e n by th e i r i nt e r m e di a t e p r o p o
,

s i ti o n s d e duc e d th e i r inf e r i o r c o nclu s i o n s a n d tr i e d th e m ,

by t he t e st o f th e i mm o v a bl e a n d se ttl e d t r uth of t h e fi rst ,

a n d s o c o n s t r uct e d th e i r a r t L a s tly if s om e n e w pa rti c u

.
,

l ars a n d inst a nc es w er e b ro ught f or w a r d which c o nt ra dict e d ,

th ei r d og m a s th ey e ith er with g rea t su b tilty r educ e d th e m

,

t o o n e s y st em by di s tincti o ns or e xpl a n a ti o ns of th e i r o wn
,

r ul es or g o t ri d of th e m cl um s il y a s e xc e pti o n s
,
l a b oring ,

m os t p er tin a ci ou s ly in t he m e a ntim e to a cc omm od a te the

c a us e s o f such a s w er e n o t c o nt ra dict or y to th e i r own p rin
c i l es
p . T h e i r n a tu r a l hi st o ry a n d th e i r e xp er i e nc e w ere

b oth fa r fr o m b e ing wh a t th ey ought to h a v e b een a n d ,

th ei r fl yi ng off t o g e n e r a liti es r ui n e d e v ery thing .

C XX V I A n o t her ob j ecti o n will b e m a d e a g a in s t us

.
,

tha t we p r ohibit d e ci s i ons a n d the l a y ing d o wn of c e r ta in

p r incipl e s till we arriv e re gul a r l y a t g en era liti e s b y t he
,

int e r m e di a te st ep s a n d thus k e ep th e j udg m ent in su sp e n s e

,

a n d l ea d t o unc ert a int y B ut o u r o b j ect i s n ot unc ert a inty

.

b ut fitting c er t a inty for we d erog a t e n ot from t he s e n s es

,

b ut a ssist th em a n d d espi s e n ot t he und er st a nding b u t

,

di rect it I t is b ett er to kn o w wh a t is n ec es s a ry a n d n ot
.
,

t o im a gin e we a re f ull y in p os s essi o n o f it th a n t o im a gine ,

t h a t we a r e full y i n p os s e ss i o n of it a n d ye t in r e a lit y to ,

k n o w n othing w hi ch we o ught .

C XX V II A g a in s om e m a y i a i se this q u esti on ra ther

.
,

th a n o bj ec ti o n wh eth e r we t a l k of p er fecting n a tu ra l ph i
,
'
l i k e a n d a l s o f or e x a m pl e s in civ i l lif e a n d t h e m e nt a l
, ,

op e ra ti o n s o f m e m or y c o mp o s iti o n divi s i o n j u dgm e nt a n d , , , ,

t he r es t a s w e ll a s f o r h e a t a n d c old
,
light v e g et a ti on , , ,

a n d t h e lik e B ut s inc e o u r m e th o d o f int er p r e t a ti o n a ft er

.
,

p re p a r ing a n d a r ra nging a hi s t or y d oes n o t c o nt e nt its elf ,

with e x a m ini n g t h e Op e ra ti o n s a n d di s qui s iti o ns of t h e m ind

li k e c omm o n l ogic but a l s o in s p ects t h e n a tu re of thi n g s , ,

w e s o r e g u l a t e t h e mi nd th a t it m a y b e e n a bl e d t o a pply
i ts elf in e v er y res p ect c or re ctly t o th a t n a tu re O n th a t .

a cc o unt w e d e liv e r n u m e r o u s a n d v a r i o u s p r ec ept s i n o u r

d oct ri n e of int erp r et a ti on s o t ha t th ey m a y a pply i n s om e ,

57
Th e old e r ror of pl cing
d ductiv y ll gi m in t g ni m to th
a th e e e s o s an a o s e

i nductiv f th y w
e , as t b th p t
i f e ytm e refu d t c h
no o ar s o on e s s e or re se o o ere

t g th
o e S fer f m th
. b ing y dic l pp iti n b t w n th m it
o ar ro e re e an ra a o os o e ee e ,

w uld t b di ffi cult t h w th t B c n m th d w y ll gi tic in h i n s ’

o no e o s o a a o s e o as s o s s se e

o f th t m e F er th upp . d p mi f v y B c ni n nthy m m vi
or e s re s s e re se o e er a o a e e e, z .
,

th e c kn w l dg d un if mity f th l w f n tu
a o e e t t d in the xi m
or o e a s o a re as s a e a o ,

w ha t v h
e nc ccu d w i ll ccu g in mu t b
er as o e o u m d th b i
rr e o r a a ,
s e as s e as e as s

o f v y c nclu i n w hich h e d w be f
e er o s o w d mit i t l git m c y Th e ra s ore e can a s e i a .

opp iti n th f f B c n m th d c uld di ct d g in t th ld ’

os o , e r e or e , t b o a o s e o o no e re e a a s e o

l gic f it u m d d x m pli fi d i t p incipl b ut th to th b u iv

o ,
or a ss e an e e e s r es , ra er e a s e

a pplica ti n w hich th nci nt m d f thi ci nce i tu ning i t pow t

o e a e s a e o s s e ,
n r s e rs o

th e d ev el p m nt f b t ct p incipl
o e w hich th y i m gin d t b e p gn nt
o a s ra r es e a e o re a

with th soluti n f th l t ent my t i

e o of tho univ eB c n ju tl y ov e
a s e r es e ers e . a o s r

th rew thes i de l n ot n e d ccept d f a p i ncipl io a b as i

s, an w hich w s a e o no r e as s a

n t g u a ra nteed by
o ctu l exp i m nt a d b e v ti n ; d so fa h e l id th e
a a er e n o s r a o an r a

fo nd ti on f a sound phil ph y by tu rning th e i nductive l gic to i ts proper

u a s o oso o

a ccount i th e i nte p e ta ti n of n a tu re
n r r o .
m ea s u r e to t he m eth o d of d i s c ov er ing th e q u a lit y a n d c on
diti o n of th e subj e ct m a tt e r of inv es tig a ti on .

CXX V III Let n o n e e v e n d o ubt wh eth er we a r e a nxi o us

.

t o d es t roy a n d d em oli s h th e phil os op hy a r t s a n d s ci e nc es

, , ,

wh i ch ar e n ow in u se O n th e c o nt ra ry we r ea dily ch er i s h
.
,

th ei r p r a ctic e cultiv a ti o n a n d h o n or ; for we by n o m ea ns

, ,

int erf er e to pr e v e nt t he p re va l e nt sy st e m fr om e ncour a ging

discussi o n a d o rning disc o u rs es or b eing em pl oy e d s er vic e
, ,

a bly i n t he ch a i r o f t h e p r o f e s s o r or t he p r a ctic e o f comm o n

lif e a n d b eing t a ke n in sh or t by g e n era l c o ns e nt a s c u r

, , ,

rent c oin N ay we pl a inly d ecl ar e th a t th e syst em we

.
, ,

o ff er will n ot b e v er y suit a bl e f o r s uc h pu r p os e s n ot b e i n g ,

e a s il y a d a pt e d t o vulg a r a pp r e h e nsi o ns e xc ept b y e ff e cts

,

a n d w or k s .To s h o w o u r sinc er it y in p r o f e s s ing ou r r eg a r d

a n d f ri e ndly di s p ositi on t o w a r d t h e r e c e iv e d sci e nc e s we ,

c a n r e fe r to t h e e vid e nc e o f o ur pu b l ish e d w r itings (e sp e

c i a lly o ur b o ok s o n th e A dv a n c e m e nt o f L ea r ning ) We .

will not th er ef or e e nd ea v or t o e vinc e it a n y fu r th er by

, ,

w or ds ; b ut c ont ent o u rs el v e s with st e a dil y a n d p rof es sedly

p re mi s ing th a t n o g rea t p rog ress c a n b e m a d e by t he
,

p re s e nt m e th o ds i n th e th eory or c o nt empl a ti o n of s ci e nc e ,

a n d th a t th ey c a nn o t b e m a d e t o p r oduc e a n
y v ery a b un
d a nt e ff ects .

C X X I X I t re m a ins for u s to sa y a few w or ds on t h e

.

e xc el l e nce of ou r p r op o s e d e n d I f we h a d d on e so b efore
.
,

we might h a v e a pp ea re d m e r el y t o e xp res s o u r wish e s b ut ,

n ow th a t we h a v e e xcit ed h op e a n d r e m o v e d p rej udices i t ,

will p e r h a ps h a v e g re a ter w eight H a d we p er for m e d a n d

.

c ompl e t e l y a cc o mplish ed the whol e with o ut freq u e ntly,

c a lling i n o th ers t o a s s i s t in ou r l a bors we sh o uld t hen ,

d

h a v e r efr a in e d f r om s a ying a n y m ore l es t we s ho uld b e

,

th ought t o ext ol ou r o wn d es erts S inc e h o w ev er the

.
, ,
th e i r m e m ory .

Fi rst th en th e introducti o n o f gr ea t inv en ti o ns a pp e a rs

, ,

o n e of t h e m os t di s ti n guish e d of h um a n a cti o ns a n d t h e
,

a nci e nts s o c on s id er e d it ; f or th ey a s s ign e d divin e h o n or s

t o t h e a uth or s o f i nv e nti o ns b ut onl y h ero ic h o n o rs t o th os e ,

wh o di s pl a y e d civil m er it ( s uch a s th e f o und e r s o f citi e s

a n d e m pi r e l egi s l a t or s t he d e liv er e rs o f th e i r c o unt ry
,

from l a s ting mi s f or tun es t he qu ell e rs of t y ra nt s a n d t he

, ,

lik e) A nd if a n y o n e r ightly c omp ar e th em h e will find

.
,

t h e j u d gm e nt o f a ntiquity t o b e c or re ct ; f or t h e b e n efits
‘

d er iv e d f r om i nv e nti o n s m ay e xt e nd to m a nkind i n g e n e ra l ,

b ut civil b en efits t o p a r tic ul a r sp ot s a l o n e ; t h e l a tt e r m ore ,

o v er l a s t but for a ti m e t h e f or m er f or e v e r
, C ivil r ef or m a
,
.

ti o n s eld om i s c a rr i e d on with o ut vi ol e nc e a n d c o nfu s i on ,

w hil e in v e nti o n s a r e a bl es s ing a n d a b e n efit with out

inj u ring or a fflicting a n y .

Inv e nti o n s a r e a l s o a s it w ere n ew c r ea ti on s a n d imit a

, ,

tion s of divin e w or k s a s wa s exp r es s ed b y the p oe t :

,

“
P i mu m f
r ru g if e ros f tuoe s morta li b us aeg ri s

Di d i d era n t q u nd m p
o a rae s ta n ti n om in e A th ne ae

t vit m l
”
Et r ecr ea veru n a e g e s q u e roga r u n t .

A nd i t i s w or th y of re m a r k i n S ol om o n th a t whil e h e ,

fl o u r is h e d in t he p os s essi o n of his emp i r e in w ea lth in t he , ,

“Thi
9
s i s th e op ni g fe n o th e Si xth B ook of L ucre ti u s . Ba con proba bly
td
q uo e from memor y ; the lin es a re

“
P imr as f ru g i feros f t oe u s morta li b u s aeg ri s

Di di de run t q u ndo a m praecla ro n om in e A then as

Et r ec r ea veru n t, e tc.

The tee ming corn th a t feeb l e morta ls c ra ve ,

,

Firs t a n d l ong s in ce re n own e d A th en s ga v e,

, ,

A nd ch ee re d th i lif e r e— th en ta ught to f ra me th eir la ws .

 N O VU M OR G A N UM 105

ma gnific e nc e his w or ks in his c o ur t his h ous eh old his

of , , ,

fl e e t the s pl e nd or of hi s n a m e a n d t he m os t unb o und ed

, ,

a d m i ra ti o n of m a n k ind h e still pl a c e d hi s gl ory in n o n e o f

,

th es e but d ecl a re d th a t it i s t h e gl ory of G od t o c o nc e a l

,

a thing b ut t h e gl o r y of a ki n g t o s ea r ch it o u t
,
.

A g a in l et a n y on e b ut c o n s id er th e i m m en s e d i ff er e nc e
,

b e t wee n m e n s liv es i n t h e m os t p oli s h ed c o untr i es of E u

'

rope ,
a n d in a n y wild a n d b a rb a r o u s r egi o n o f t he n e w

Indi es he will thin k it s o g r ea t th a t m a n m ay b e sa id to

, ,

b e a g o d u n t o m a n n ot o nly on a cc o unt of mutu a l a i d a n d

,

b e n e fit s b ut fro m th ei r c omp a ra tiv e s t a t es— t h e r es ult o f

,

t h e a r t s a n d n o t of t h e s oil or clim a t e
,
.

A g a in we s h o uld n otic e t he f or c e e ff ect a n d c on se

, , ,

u en c e s of in v e nti o n s which a r e n owh e re m o re c o n s i c u

q , p
o us t h a n in th os e th r ee which w er e un kn o wn t o t h e a n c i en ts ;
'

n a m e ly p r i n ting gunp owd er

, ,
a n d t h e c o m p as s F or th e s e
, .

th r ee h a v e ch a ng e d t h e a pp e a ra nc e a n d s ta t e o f t he wh ol e
w or ld : fi rst in lit era tur e th e n in w a r f ar e a n d l a s tly in
, ,

n a vig a ti o n ; a n d innum er a b l e ch a ng e s h a v e b ee n th e nc e
d er iv e d so th a t n o em pi r e s e ct or st a r a pp ea rs to h a v e
, , , ,

e x e rci s e d a g r ea t e r p ow e r a n d influ e nc e o n hu m a n a ff a i r s

th a n th es e m ech a nic a l di s c o ve ri es .

I t will p er h a p s b e a s w ell t o di s tingui s h th re e sp eci es

, ,

a n d d egre e s of a mbiti o n F i r st th a t o f m en wh o a r e a u x
.
,

i o us to e nl a r g e th e i r o wn p o w er in th e i r c o unt ry which is ,

a vulg a r a n d d e g e n e r a t e k ind ; n e xt th a t o f m e n who st r ive ,

to e nl a rg e t he p o w er a n d empi r e of th e i r c o unt ry o v er m a n

kin d which is m ore dignifi e d b ut n ot l es s c ov et o us ; b ut i f

,

o n e w er e to e nd ea v or to r e n e w a n d e nl arg e t h e p o w e r a n d

em p ir e of m a n k ind in g e n era l ov er th e u niv erse such a m b i ,

Pro v . m . 2 .
ha d s uch an e ff ect
induc e m e n t o c on s id er h i m g re a t er
as to

th a n a m a n w ho h a s thu s oblig e d t h e w h ol e r a c e h ow
, ,

much m or e e x a l te d wi ll th a t disc o v e ry b e whi c h l e a d s t o ,

t h e ea s y di s c o v ery o f e v er ything e ls e " Y e t (t o sp e a k th e

t r uth ) i n t h e s a m e m a nn er a s we a r e v e ry th a nkful for light

which e n a bl es us t o e nt er on ou r wa y t o p r a ctic e a r t s to , ,

r e a d to di s tingui s h ea ch o th er a n d y e t s igh t is m or e e xc el
, ,

l e nt a n d b ea uti ful th a n th e v a r i o us u s es of light ; s o i s t h e

c o nt em p l a ti o n of thing s a s th ey ar e f ree f ro m s up ers titi on ,

o r i m p os tu r e e r r or o r c o nfu s i o n
,
much m or e dignifi e d in ,

it s elf th a n a ll t h e a d v a nt a g e to b e d er i v e d f rom di s c o v e ri es .

L a s tly l e t n on e b e a l ar m ed a t t he o bj ecti o n of t he a r ts
,

a n d sci e n c es b e c o ming d e p r a v e d t o m a l e v ol e nt o r luxu ri o us

pu rp os es a n d t h e li k e for t h e s a m e c a n b e s a id of e v ery
,

w o r ldly g o o d ; t a l e nt c o u r a g e st re ngth b ea uty r ich es

, , , , ,

light it se lf a n d t he re s t O nly l e t m a nkind r eg a in th e i r

,
.

r ight s o v e r n a tu r e a s s ign e d t o th e m b y t h e gift o f G o d

, ,

a n d o b t a i n th a t p o w e r wh o s e e x e r ci s e will b e g o v er n e d b y
,

r ig h t r e a s o n a n d t r u e r e ligi o n .

CXXX B ut it i s ti m e for us to la y d own the a r t of

.

i nt e rp re ting n a tu re t o which we a tt ri b ut e n o a b s ol ut e n e
,

c es s i t
y ( a s if n o thing c o uld b e d o n e with o ut it ) n or
pe rfe c
ti o n a lth o ugh we thin k th a t o ur p re c ept s a re m os t u s e ful
,

a n d co rr e ct F or w e a re of o pini o n th a t if men ha d a t
.
,

th ei r c o mm a nd a pro p er hi s t ory o f n a ture a n d e xp eri en c e ,

an d w o uld a pply th ems elv es s t ea dily to it a n d c o uld ,

b ind th e ms e lv e s to t wo things : 1 to la y a sid e r ec e iv e d ,

 10 7

o pini on s a n d n oti o n s ; 2 to res t r a in th e ms e lv es till t he

, ,

p rop er s ea s on f ro m g e n e ra liz a ti o n th ey might by t he

, , ,

p r op e r a n d g e nuin e e x er ti o n of th e ir mi nd s f a ll into Ou r
,

wa y o f int er p r et a ti o n with o ut t h e a i d of a n y a r t . F or i n
te rpr e ta t i on is th e t r u e a n d n a tu ra l a c t of t h e mind wh e n,

al l o bsta cl e s a re re m o v e d : c ert a inly ,

h o w e v er e v erything
,

will b e m or e r ea d y a n d b e tt er fix e d by o ur p r e c e pts .

Ye t d o we n o t a ffi r m th a t n o a dditi o n c a n b e m a d e to
t h em ; on t he c o nt rar y c o n s id e r ing t h e mind in its c onn ec
,
~

ti on with things a n d n ot mer e ly rel a tively t o i ts o wn

,

p o w e rs we o ught to b e p e rs u a d e d th a t t h e a rt of i n ve n
,

ti on c a n b e m a d e t o gr o w with th e inv e nti ons t h ems elv es .

 A H O RIS M S
P — BO O " 11
O N THE l NTE RPRE TA TlO N O F NA T U RE , O R THE
RE IG N O F MAN

.I To G E N E R A T E a n d sup erinduc e a n e w n a tu re or n e w
n a tu re s up o n a giv e n b o dy i s the l a b or a n d a i m of hum a n
, ,

p o w er : whil e t o disc o v er the f o rm or t r u e diff ere nc e of a

‘
giv e n n a tu re or t he n a tu re t o which suc h n a tu r e i s o wi n g
’
,

o r s o u rc e f ro m w h ic h it e m a n a t e s fo r th e s e t e r m s a pp roa ch
,
j
(
n ea r es t t o a n e xpl a n a ti o n o f o u r m ea ning ) i s t h e l a b or a n d ,

di s c o v e ry of hum a n kn o wl e dg e ; a n d s ub or din a t e t o th e s e
p ri ma ry l a b or s a re tw o o th e rs o f a s e c ond a r y n a tu re a n d
i nf er i or s ta mp U nd er t he fi rs t m u s t b e r a nk e d th e t r a n s
.

f or m a ti o n o f c onc re t e b o di e s f rom o n e t o a n o th e r w hich i s ,

p os s i b l e within c er t a in li m it s ; und er t he s ec ond t h e d i s ,

c o v er
y i
,
n e v e ry s p e ci e s o f g e n e r a ti o n a n d m o ti o n o f t he ,

l a t ent a n d unint er r upt e d p r oc e s s f r o m t he m a nif e s t e ffi ci e n t

a n d m a nif e s t s u bj e ct m a tt e r up t o t h e giv e n f or m : a n d a

lik e di s c o v e ry of t he l a t en t c o nf o rm a ti o n o f b o di e s which
a r e a t r e s t in s t e a d o f b e ing in m o ti o n .

II T he unh a ppy st a t e o f m a n s a ctu a l k n o wl e dg e i s

.
’

m a n i f es te d e v e n b y th e c omm o n a ss e r ti on s o f t h e vulg a r .

I t i s r ightly l a id d o wn th a t t r u e k n o wl e dg e is th a t whic h
i s d e duc e d f r o m c a u s e s Th e divi s i o n o f f o u r c a u s es a lso
.

i s not a mi s s : m a tt er f or m t h e effi ci e nt a n d e n d o r fi n a l
, , ,

1 T6
‘
rc ivdu e or t r 0 58 “itt
of Ar s o le — S ee li b ii i M eta p
. . .
 NO VU M OR G AN UM 1 09

cause O f th es e h o we v er th e l a tt er is so far fro m b e ing

.
’
, ,

b e n efici a l th a t it e v e n c orr upts t h e sci e nc es exc e pt in t he

, ,

i nt e rc o u rs e of m a n with ma n The di s c o v e r y of f or m is .

c on s id er e d d esp era t e A s fo r t he e ffici e nt c a u s e a n d m a t ter .

( a cc o r ding t o t he p r es e nt s yst e m o f i n q ui ry a n d t h e re c e iv e d

o pini o n s c o nc e r ning th e m by which th ey a r e pl a c e d r em ot e ,

f rom a n d with o ut a n y l a t ent p r oc es s t o w a r d f orm ) th ey a r e

, ,

b ut d es ul t ory a n d sup e rfici a l a n d of sc a r c ely a n y a v a il t o ,

rea l a n d a ctiv e kn o wl e dg e N or a r e we unmindful of our .

h a ving p o int e d ou t a n d c orrect e d a b o ve t he error of t he

h u m a n m i nd in a ss igning t he fi rs t qu a liti e s of e ss e nc e to
,

f or m s F or a lth o ugh n o thing e xi s t s in n a tu r e exdep

. Ti n 1
‘
w du a l b odi es e xhibiting cl ea r individu a l e ff e cts a cc or ding
,

t o p a rticul a r l a ws y e t in e a ch b r a nch of l ea r ning th a t v e r y

, ,

l a w i ts inv est i g a ti on disc o v er y a n d d e v e l op m e nt a r e t he

, , , ,

f o und a ti o n b oth of th eory a n d p r a ctic e Thi s l a w th ere f ore .

, ,

a n d its p a r a ll el i n e a ch sci e nc e i s wh a t we und er s t a nd b y

“ £ ,
“
t h e te r m f or m a d o pting th a t w o
4

r d b ec a u s e i t ha s g ro wn
,

i nt o c o mm o n u s e a n d is of f a mili a r o ccu rr e nc e ,
.

9
Th es e di vi i n s o s are f ro m Ar i t tl
s o e s
’
Me t ph y ic
a s s, w h e re th y e a re t er me d ,

‘
i n, b woxecu e vov iv b dpxij fi j s xu n j o em
' '

1 . fi 76 .
2 .
Ti. ( ut .
3 .
MW .
4 .
7 6 0 6 évexev
a) . 7 6 dy a fidv
pho i m g, d copd p ag ph f A ph i m lxv in th fi t b k"
.

)
3
Se e A rs an se ar ra o or s . e rs oo

B c n m n th t lth ough th
a o xi t in n tu onl y i di v d li ti y t
ea s, a a ere e s a re n 1 ua es , e

a ce t in nu mb
r a f th s m y h v e c mm n p p ti es
er o d b c nt ll d by
e e a a o o ro er , an e o ro e

th em l w sa N w th ese h m g n u q u liti es w hich di t i ngui h th m

e a s . o , o o e eo s a s s e

f m th individu l l d t cl
ro o er th m und e xp es i n
a s, d some ea us o a ss e er on e r s o , an

ti m und es ingl te m Y t th es e cl
er a s nl y pu e concepti n i
e r . e as ses a re o r o s n

B c n
a o pini n d ca nn t b t k n f di tin ct u b t nce H e evid ntl y
’
s o o , an o e a e or s s s a s . e

h im b l w t th R li t wh c nclud d th t th
er e a s a o a nc e w hich unit d
e ea s s, o o e a e esse e

indivi du liti in c l w th nl y l d immut bl xi t nc in n tu

a es a as s as e o r ea an a e e s e e a r e,

in much it nt ed int th i d as f indivi du l u b t nc

as as e er di tinct d o e r i e o a s s a es as a s an

es se nti l p p ty d continu d in th mind t h m ld ty p

a ro e r , an p tt n f e e as e o ,
e or a er o

th cl s w hi l i ts indivi du l f m w e
e as , d g mg p p tu l
e n v ti n d J a or s er un er o er e a re o a o an

iti u
o is o bs cu re. A ll the idea we ha v e of a la w of n tu re
a
w hich are susc e pti b l e o f it ha s a c q ui r ed b ut a n im p erfe ct ,

p o w er B ut he who has only l e ar n e d t he effi ci e nt a n d

.

m a t er i a l c a us e ( which c a uses a re v a ri a b le a n d m er e v e hicl es

co i ts i inv i b l e qu n ce b t w n c rta in cl as
ns s n ar a f ph en men a ; b ut thi s
se e e ee e ses o o

ca nn t be th c mpl te sen tt ch d by B c n t t h t m fo m as h em
o e o e se a a e a o o e er r , e

pl y it in th fou th ph m a s conv e ti bl e wi th t h n tu e f a y bj ect ;

o s e r a ori s r e a r o n o

an d g in in th e fi t ph i s m a the
a a ,
t t o g n
rs l l w co
a or , s n a u r e n a ur a n s , r e era a or n

diti n in an y s u b t nce q u lity— t

o t t — w hich i
s a wh t v i ts or a n a ur a n a ur a a s a e er

f m i
or th t p ti cul c mb in tion f f c which i mp e c ta in
s, or a ar ar o a o or es re s s s a er

n tu e up n m tt u bj ct t i t influ nc e Thu in th e Newt ni n n se

a r o a er s e o s e . s, o a se ,

t h f m f w hit n
e or w uld b th t c mb in ti n f th
o e v n p i mitiv ys
es s o e a o a o o e se e r e ra

o f light w hich gi v i to th t c l In c mb in tion wi th thi w d d

e r se a o or. o a s or , an

a ff d ing
or till fu th e i n ight into i t me n i ng w h v t h ph
a s r r l wns s s a , e a e e rases , a

pr ocess u s ad f or m a m ,
et la ten s s c he m a ti s mu s corpor u m . NOW , t h e la ten s s che

ma ti s mus s igni fi
in t n a l t xtu est uctu c onfigu a ti n f b di e o
th e er e re, s r re , or r o o o s, r

th ult f t h
e re s p ctiv itu ti on f ll th p t s f b d y ; w hile th l t na
o e res e e s a o a e ar o a o e a e

p d f m m p int
r ocess u s a t th g
or d ti n f m v m nt w hich t k pl ce
a o s ou e ra a o o o e e s a es a

am ng t h m l cu l
o f b di
e w h n th y ith
o e c n v
a o ch ng th i fi gu
o es e e e er o s e r e or a e e r re.

H nc w m y c n id th f m f y q u lity i b d y
e e e a o s er m thing c nv tie or o an a n o a s so e o er

b l w ith th t q u lit y 2
e w h n it xi t th e q u lit y i p
a a ,
1 e nt d vi v a
. .
,
e e s s a s res e , an ce ers .

In thi n th f m f th ing difi e nl y f m i t ffi ci nt c u in b ing

s se s e, e or o a rs o ro s e e a se e

pfi e t wh
m
n en w , ppl y c“ u t th t which xi t in d f ti me The
e rea s e a a se o a e s s or e r o .

l t
a en s p d l t
r ocessu s h m ti m ar
an ub din t t f m c nc te
a ens sc e a s us e s or a e o or ,
as o re

nc Th f m i th c t d invi ib l p c
i
ex m pli fi c ti
e of i t a on s s esse e . e or er s e se re an s e ro es s

by w hich ch ng i ff ct d d inv lv th p i ncipl inc c ll d th l w f

a e s e e e , an o es e r e s e a e e a o

c ntinuity Thu th e ucc i n f v nts b tw een th pplic ti n f the

o . s, s e ss o o e e e e a a o o

m tch t th
a xpul i n f th b ull t i
o e e in t nc f l t nt p g
s o o w hich we e e s an s a e o a e ro ress

c an n o w t c w ith me d g
ra e f ccu cy It l m di ctl y f to
so e ree o a ra . a so ore re r e e rs .

th p ti by w hi ch
e o e ra f m c nditi n f b ing i induc d up n n th
on on e or or o o o e s e o a o e r.

F x m pl w h en th u f c f i n b c m u ty wh n w t i c
or e a e, e s r a e o ro e o es r s ,
or e a er s on

v t d int t m m ch ng h t k n pl ce
er e o s ea ,
sol t nt p c f om e "
e a e as a e a ,
or a e ro e s s r on

f m t n th
or o M ch nic
a o fi d m n y x mpli fi ti
er . e f th fi t l t t l
a s a or a e e ca on s o e rs a en

p ce s w e h ve d n te d d ch m i t y f th c nd Th l t
ro s a e o , h m ti c
an e s r o e se o . e a en s sc e a

m us i th t v i s i b l
s t uctu e f b di
a w hich
e m n y f th i p p ti es
s r r o o es on so a o e r ro e r

d pe nd W h en w in qui int th c n tituti n f c y t l

e . e d int th e inte
re o e o s o o r s a s, an o r

na l s tructu re f pl nt we x mi ning int th i l tent s ch ema ti m —E d ’

e o a s, ar e a o e r a s . .
 NO VUM OR GAN UM 111

c onv eyi n g form to pa rt icul a r su b st a nces) m ay perh a p s a rr ive

a t so m e n e w disco v e r i es i n m a tt er s o f a simil a r n a tu r e a n d ,

p rep ar e d for t h e pu rp os e b ut d oe s n ot sti r th e limits of

,

thing s which a re much more d e eply r o ot ed ; wh il e h e who

is a cqu a in te d with fo rms c omp re h ends t he unit y of n a tu r e
,

c an discl os e a n d b ri ng f or wa r d th eref or e ( th ough it h a s

,

n e ver ye t b ee n d o n e) things which n eith er th e vici s si tud e s

,

o f n a tu r e n or t he indu s t r y of e xp er im e nt n or ch a nc e its elf

, , ,

w ould e v er h a v e b ro ught a b out a n d which w o uld for ev e r

,

h a v e esc a p e d m a n s th o ught s ; f rom the disc o v ery of f orms

’

th eref or e r esult s g e nuin e th e or y a n d f r ee p r a ctic e

,
.

IV A lth o ugh th e r e is a m os t intim a t e c o nn ecti o n a n d

.
,

a lm ost a n id e ntity b e tw e e n t he w a ys of hum a n p ow er

a n d hum a n kn o wl edg e y e t o n a cc o unt o f t h e p er nici o u s
, ,

a n d inv e t er a t e h a bit of dw e lling up o n a b s tr a cti o n s it is

m m m
,

by fa u
p th e

sci e nc es fro m th ose f o und a ti on s which b e a r a rel a ti o n t o

th e p ra ctic a l division a n d t o l et th em m a r k ou t a n d li m it
,

t he th eor etic a l W e must c onsid er th er efore wh a t pre

.
, ,

c e pts or wh a t di r ecti o n or guid e

, a p e rs o n w o uld ,
most
d esi r e in or d e r t o g en er a te a n d sup er induc e a n y n a tu r e
,

up o n a giv e n b ody : a n d thi s n ot in a b s tr u se but in t he ,

p l a in est l a ngu a g e .

F o r in s t a nc e if a p ers o n sh o uld wish to S up erinduc e t he

,

y ell o w c ol or of gold up on silver or a n a dditi o n a l w eight ,

ob s er ving a lw a y s t h e l a ws of m a tt er or t ra nsp a r e ncy o n a n

( )
o p a qu e st o n e or t e n a city in gl a s s o r v eg e t a ti o n o n a s u b
, ,

st a nc e which i s n ot v eg e t a b l e we mu s t (I s a y) c o n s id e r wh a t
,

sp e ci e s o f p rec ept or guid e this p ers on w ould prefer A nd .

,

fi r st h e‘wi l l d o u b tl e ss b e a nxi o us to b e sh o wn s om e m e th od
,

th a t will n eith er f ai l in effect n or d e c e iv e him in the tri a l of

,
and c er t a in p a r ticul a r m eth ods of a cting ; for he will per ,

h a ps b e a t l oss a n d w i thout t he p ow er o r Oppo rtunity of

, ,

c oll e cting a n d p rocuri ng such m ea ns N o w if th ere b e oth er .

m ea n s a n d m e thods ( besid es th os e p re sc r i b ed ) of c rea ting ‘

such a n a tu re th ey will p erh a ps b e of s u ch a k ind a s a re in

,

h i s p o w er y et b y t he c o nfin e d limi ts o f t he p re c ept h e will

,

b e d e p riv e d o f rea ping a n y a dv a nt a g e f r om th em ; thi rdly ,

h e will b e a nxi o u s t o b e s h o wn s o m e thi ng n o t s o difficult

a s t he re qui re d e ff ect its elf b ut a pp r oa ching m o r e n ea r ly to
,

p ra ctic e .

W e will l a y this d o wn th er e f ore a s t h e g e nuin e a n d per

, ,
'

f ec t r u l e of p r a ctic e th a t it sh o uld b e c ert a in f r ee a n d pre

, ,

p a ra t or y o r h a vin g rel a ti o n t o p r a ctic e A nd thi s is t he

,
.

s a m e thing a s t h e di s c o v e r y of a t r u e f or m ; f or t h e f orm o f

an
y n a t u r e i s such th a t wh e n it is a s sign e d t h e p a r ticul a r
,

n a tu re infa llibly f oll o w s It i s th eref ore a lw a ys p r es e nt

.
, ,

w h e n th a t n a tu r e i s p r e s e nt a n d univ er s a lly a tt est s s uch ,

p res e nc e a n d is in h ere nt in th e wh ol e of it The s a m e

,
.

f or m i s of such a ch a ra ct er th a t if it b e r em o v e d th e pa r ,

t i c u la r n a tu re inf a lli b ly v a ni s h e s It is th e re for e a b s e nt .

, , ,

wh e n e v er th a t n a tu r e i s a bs ent a n d p er p etu a lly t estifi es s uch ,

a b s e nc e ,
a n d e xi s t s in n o o th er n a tu re L a stly t he t r u e .
,

fo rm i s s uch th a t it d e duc es th e p a r ticul a r n a tu r e f rom s om e

,

s ou r ce of es s e nc e e xisting in m a ny subj ects a n d m ore kn own ,

a s th ey t e r m it t o n a tu re th a n t h e f o rm it s e lf S uch th n
( ) , e .
, ,

i s o u r d e t er min a tion a n d r ul e with r eg a r d t o a g e nuin e a n d

p erfect th e or e tic a l a xi om th a t a n a tu re b e f o und c onv e rti b l e
,

with a giv e n n a tu r e a n d y e t such a s to limit t he m ore

,

k n o wn n a tu re i n t he m a nn er o f a r ea l g enus
,
B ut th es e .

t wo r ul e s t p ra ctic a l —a n d t hegre ti c al, a re in fact the

,
hL H r a A ‘ fl
’
 N O V UM OR GA N UZM 113

sa m e a n d t ha t which is most use ful i n pra ctice is most

,

c or re ct i n th eory .

V B ut t he r ul e or axi om for t h e tra nsf or m a tio n o f b odi es

.

is of t wo kinds Th e fi rs t reg a r d s t he b o dy a s a n a gg reg a te

.

o r c om b in a ti o n of simpl e n a tu res T hus in g o ld a re u nit ed .

,

th e f oll o wi ng ci r cumst a n c es : it is y el low h ea vy of a c er , ,

t a i n w eight m a ll ea b l e a n d ducti l e t o a c er ta in e xt e nt ; it i s
,

n ot v o l a til e l o s es p ar t o f its s ub s ta nc e by fir e
,
m elts in a ,

p ar ti cul a r m a nn er is s ep a r a t e d a n d diss olv e d by p a r ticul ar

,

m eth ods a n d so of th e o th er n a tur es ob s er v a bl e in g old

, _
.

A n a xi om th ere fo re of this kind d e duc es th e subj e ct fr om

, ,

t h e f o rm s of simpl e n a tu r es ; fo r h e wh o h a s a cqui r e d t he

f o rm s a n d m e th ods o f sup er inducing y el l own ess w e ight , ,

d uctility st a bility d e li q u esc e nc e s o luti o n a n d t h e lik e

, , , , ,

a n d th e i r d e g r ee s an d m o d e s will c o nsid er a n d c o nt riv e h o w ,

t o unit e th em in a n y b ody so as t o t ra nsf or m it int o g old

6
.
,

A nd this m e th o d of op er a ting b e l on gs to p r im a ry a c t i on ; f or
it is t h e s a m e thing to p roduc e on e or m a n y simpl e n a tu res ,

e xc e pt th a t m a n i s m o r e c o nfin e d a n d r es t r ict e d in h i s o p era

ti o n s if m a ny b e r e quir e d o n a cc o unt of t he di fficul ty of

, ,

uniting m a ny n a tu res t og e th er It mu s t h ow e v er b e oh .
, ,

s er v ed th a t thi s m e th o d of o p era ting ( which c onsid ers n a

,

tu res a s simpl e th o ugh in a c onc re t e b o dy ) s et s o u t f rom

wh a t is c o nst a nt e t er n a l a n d uni v ers a l in n a tu re a n d o p e ns
m
, , ,

such b r oa w
c a n in t he p r e s e nt st a t e of things sc a r c e l y c omp r e h e nd o r

figu re to it s e lf .

The s e c ond k in d o f a xi om (w hich d e p e nds o n th e dis

c o v e ry o f t h e l a t e n t p ro c e s s ) d oe s n o t p ro c e e d by simpl e n a

6
By c nt di c v i in l ct ic m g ti m c pp w i
t h e re e s o ind ed
er es e e r a ne s ,
o er re s , or , e ,

w i res of y m t l m y b t n f m d int m gn t ; t h e m gn eti c l w o

an e a , a e ra s or e o a e s a a ,
r

f orm, h ving b n t th t ext nt di c v re d

a ee o a e s o e .
to b e , f rom wh a t b eginnings in wh a t m a nn er a n d by wh a t , ,

p ro c es s g old or a n y m e t a l o r st o n e is g en era te d f rom t he

o r igin a l m e n s t r uum or its e l e m e nts up to t h e p er f e ct min
, ,

e ra l : o r in lik e m a n n e r b y wh a t p r oc e ss pl a nts a r e g e n er
, ,

a t e d f r o m t h e fi r s t c o nc r e ti o n o f j uic e s in t h e e a r th o r f r om
, ,

s ee d s up t o t h e p e rf ect pl a nt with t he wh ol e succ ess i ve

, ,

m o ti o n a n d v a r i e d a n d uni nt e r r upt e d eff or ts o f n a tu r e ; a n d

,

t h e s a m e inqui ry b e m a d e a s t o a r egul a r ly d ed uc e d sy s t e m

o f t h e g e n e ra ti o n of a nim a ls f r om c o iti o n t o b i r th a n d s o o n ,

o f o th e r b o di es .

N o r i s thi s s p e ci es o f inqui ry c o nfin e d to t h e m er e g e n

e r a t i o n o f b o di es but it i s a pplic a bl e t o o th e r ch a ng e s a n d
,

l a b ors o f n a tu r e F or in s t a nc e wh ere a n inqui ry i s m a d e

.
,

int o t he wh ol e s er i es a n d c o ntinu e d op e ra ti o n of t h e nut ri a

tiv e p r oc es s fr om th e fi rst r ec epti o n of t he fo o d to its c om

,

l e t e a s s imil a ti o n t o t h e r e cipi e nt ; or int o t h e v o lunt a ry

'

p
m oti o n o f a ni m a l s f r om t h e fi rs t i m p ress i o n o f t he im a gin a
,

ti o n a n d th e c o ntin u o u s eff e cts of t h e s pi r it s up t o th e

, ,

b e nding a n d m o ti o n o f th e j oints ; o r i nt o th e f ree m o ti on of

t h e t o ngu e a n d lip s a n d o th er a cc es s or i es which giv e utt e r
,

a nc e to a r ticul a t e s o unds F or a l l th es e i nv es tig a ti on s r el a t e

.

t o c on c r e t e o r a s s oci a t e d n a tu r es a r tifici a lly b ro ught t og e th er ,

a n d ta k e i nt o c o n s id era ti o n c er t a in p a rticul a r a n d sp eci a l

h a bit s o f n a tu r e a n d n o t th o s e fund a m e nt a l a n d g e n er a l
,

l a w s which c o n s titut e f orms It m u s t h ow e v e r b e pl a inly .

, ,

own ed th a t thi s m e t h od a pp ea r s m o re p r ompt a n d e a s y a n d

, ,

o f g rea t er p r om i s e th a n t h e p rim a ry on e .

7
H lla er ha s pu u d thi inv t g ti n in h i Ph y i l gy
rs e s es i a o s s o o , and ha s l ft
e

h is s uc ce s sors littl e el s to d o th n p t h i d i c v s — E d
e a re ea s s o eri e .
 NO VU M OR GAN UM 115

In li k e ma nn er the op era tiv e b r a nch which a nsw ers to ,

this c o nt empl a ti v e b ra nch e xte nd s a n d a dv a nc es its o pe ra

,

t i o n f r o m th a t which is u s u a lly o b s e r v e d in n a ture to o th er ,

subj e cts imm e di a t ely c o nn ect e d with it or n ot v ery rem o t e ,

f rom such im medi a te c on n e cti on B ut th e high er a n d r a di

.

c a l o p e ra ti o n s upo n n a ture d e p e nd e nti re l y o n t he p r im a r y

a xi o ms . B es id es e v e n wh ere ma n ha s n ot th e m ea ns of
,

a cting but o nly o f a cqui r ing k n o wl e dg e

,
a s in a st r o n om y ,

( for m a n c a nn ot a c t up o n ch a n g e o r t ra n s f orm t he h ea v e nly

, ,

b odi es) t he i nv es tig a ti o n of f a cts or t r uth a s w ell a s t h e

, ,

kn owl e dg e of c a u s e s a n d c oincid e nc es mu s t b e r eferr e d to ,

th os e p r im a ry a n d univ ers a l a xi oms th a t r e g ar d s impl e n a

tu r es ; such a s t he n a tu re of sp o nt a n e ou s r ot a ti on a ttra cti o n , ,

o r t h e m a gn e tic f or c e a n d m a ny o th er s which a r e m or e c o m
,

m on th a n th e h ea v e nly b o di es t he m s e lv es F or l e t n o on e .

h op e t o d et er min e th e q u es ti o n w h e th er t h e ea r th o r h ea v e n
re v o lv e in t h e diu r n a l m o ti o n unl es s h e h a v e fi rs t c o mp r e
,

h e nd e d t h e n a tu r e of sp o nt a n eo us r o ta ti o n .

V I B ut t he l a t e nt p roc ess of which we s p ea k i s fa r

.
,

from b eing ob vi o us to m e n s minds b e s et a s th ey n ow a re

’
, .

F or w e m e a n n ot t he m e a s u res sy m pt om s or d e g rees of a n y
, ,

p roc ess w hich c a n b e e xhibite d in t h e b odi e s th em s e lv es ,

but s imply a c o ntin u e d p ro c es s which for t he m os t p ar t

, , ,

e sc a p e s t h e o bs er v a ti o n o f t he s e n s e s .

F or in s t a nc e in a l l g e n er a ti o ns a n d tr a nsfor m a ti on s of
,

b odi es we mu s t inquir e wh a t i s i n th e a c t of b eing l os t a n d

, ,

e s c a ping wh a t r e m a in s wh a t i s b e ing a dd e d wh a t i s b e ing

, , ,

dilute d wh a t i s b eing c o nt ra ct e d wh a t i s b eing unit e d wh a t

, , ,

i s b eing s ep a r a t e d wh a t i s c o ntinu o us wh a t i s b r o k e n off

, , ,

wh a t is u r ging f or w a r d wh a t i m p ed e s wha t p r ed o m in a t e s
, , ,

wh a t i s su b s er vi ent a n d m a ny ot h er ci r cumst a nc es
,
.

N or are th e s e inqui ri es a g a in t o b e m a d e in t h e m er e
inqui r e ; wh a t p r e c e d es wh a t s ucc eeds wh a t is quic k wh a t , , ,

i s s l o w wh a t p ro duc es a n d wh a t g o v er n s m o ti o n a n d t he
, ,

l ik e A ll w h ich m a tt er s a r e unkn o wn a n d un a tt e mpt ed by

.

t h e s ci e nc es in th ei r p r e s e nt h ea vy a n d in a ctiv e st a t e
, F or .
,

si nc e e v er y n a tu ra l a c t i s b ro ught a b o ut by the sm a ll est

e ff o r t s o r a t l e a s t s uch a s a r e t o o sm a ll t o s t r i k e o ur s e n s es
e
, ,

l et n o o n e h O pe th a t h e w i ll b e a b l e t o di re ct or ch a ng e n a ~

tu re unl es s he h a v e p ro p er ly c omp re h e nd e d a n d o b s er ve d
th es e e ff o r t s .

V II In lik e m a nn e r th e inv es tig a ti o n a n d disc o v ery of

.
,

t h e l a t e nt c o nf o r m a ti o n in b odi es i s n o l es s n ew th a n t h e ,

disc o v e ry of t he l a t e nt pr oc ess a n d f or m F o r we a s y et a re l
.

d o ubtl es s o nly a dmitt e d to t he a nt ech a m b er of n a tu r e a n d ,

d o n o t p r e p a r e a n e nt ra nc e int o h er p r es e nc e r o om B ut -
.

n ob od y c a n e ndu e a giv e n b o dy with a n e w n a tu r e or t r a ns ,

f o rm it s ucc ess fully a n d a p prop r i a t e ly i nt o a n e w b ody ,

with out p oss ess ing a c om pl e te kn ow l e dg e of th e b ody s o t o

b e ch a ng e d or t r a n s f o r m e d F or h e will r u n int o v a in or .
, ,

a t l e a s t int o di fficult a n d p e r v e rs e m e th o d s ill a d a pt e d t o

, ,

t he n a tu r e of th e b ody up on which h e Op era t es A cl ea r .

p a th th er ef or e t ow a rd this o bj ect a l s o must b e th r ow n

, ,

o p e n a n d w e ll s upp or t e d
,
.

L a b or i s w ell a n d us efully b es t o w ed up o n the a n a t omy

of o r g a niz e d b odi es such a s th os e of me n a n d a n im a l s
, ,

which a pp ea rs to b e a sub til e m a tt er a n d a u s eful e x a min a ,

ti o n of n a tu r e The s p eci es o f a n a t omy h o w e v e r i s th a t o f

.
, ,

fi rs t sight o p e n t o th e s en s e s a n d t a k e s pl a c e o nly in org a n

, ,

0B c n h e e fi t se ms p gn nt w ith th i mp t nt d vel p ment f the

a o r rs e re a e or a e o o

high c lculu w hich i th e h nd f N ew t n d D e ca rte wa s to eff ect

er a s, , n a s o o an s s,

as g t v lu t on in phil sophy as hi s m th d — E d '

rea a re o i o e o . .
 NO V M U OR GA N U M 1 17

i z ed b odies It i s o b vi ou s a n d of r ea d y a cc ess wh e n c om
.
, ,

p a re d with t he r e a l a n a t om y of l a t e nt c o nf or m a ti o n in b odi es
which a re c on s id er ed si m il a r p a r ticul a r ly in sp e cific obj e cts
,

a n d th e i r p a r ts ; a s th os e of i ro n st o n e a n d t h e s i m il ar p a r ts
, ,

of pl a nt s a n d a n im a ls a s t h e r oo t t h e l e a f t h e fl o w er t h e
, , , ,

fl es h t he b l o od a n d b on es e tc Y e t hum a n indu s t ry h as
, , ,
.

n o t c ompl e t e ly n egl e ct e d this sp e ci e s o f a n a t o my ; f or w e

h a ve a n inst a nc e of it in t h e s e p ar a ti o n o f s imil a r b o di es by
di s tilla ti on a n d o th er s ol uti o ns w hich sh o ws t h e d i s s i m i
, ,

l a r i ty of t h e c o mp o und b y t h e uni o n o f t h e h om og e n eo us
p a r t s T h es e m eth o d s a re u s e ful a n d of imp or t a nc e to o u r
.
,

inqui ry a lth o ugh a tt e nd e d g e n er a lly wit h f a ll a cy : for m a ny

,

n a tu res a re a s s ign e d a n d a tt r ibut e d t o t h e s e p a ra t e b o d i es ,

a s if th ey h a d p r e vi o u s ly e xi s t e d in t he c o mp o und which , ,

in rea lity a re r ec e ntly b es to w ed a n d s up er induc e d by fi r e

,

a n d h e a t a n d th e o th e r m o d e s of s e p a r a ti o n
, B es id es it i s .
, ,

a ft er a l l b ut a s m a ll p a r t o f th e l a b o r o f di s c o v e r ing t he rea l
,

c o nfor m a ti o n i n the c om p o und which i s so su b til e a n d n ic e

, ,

t h a t it i s r a th e r c o nfu s e d a n d l o st b y t he op e r a ti o n o f t he

fi re th a n di s c o v e r e d a n d b ro ught t o light
,
.

A s e p ar a ti o n a n d s o l uti o n of b odi es t h er ef or e i s t o b e , ,

eff e ct ed n o t by fi re ind ee d b ut r a th er by r ea s o ning a n d t r u e

, ,

i nducti o n with t h e a ss ista nc e of e xp erim e nt a n d by a c om

, ,

p a r is o n with oth er b odi es a n d a re ducti o n to th os e simple

,

n a tur e s a n d th e i r f or ms which m e e t a n d a re c o mbin e d in ,

t h e c omp o und ; a n d we must a ssu r e dl y p a s s f r om V ulc a n t o

M in er v a if we wi s h t o b r ing t o light t he r e a l t extu r e a n d

,

c onf o r m a ti o n o f b o di es up o n which e v e r y o ccult a n d ( as it

,

i s som e tim es c a ll e d ) s p ecific p ro p er t y a n d v i r tu e o f things

d ep e nds a n d w h e nc e a lso e v er y r ul e of po w er ful ch a n g e a n d
,

tra nsf orm a ti o n i s d e duc e d .

For insta nc e we m ust ex a mi n e wh a t spir it is in ev e ry

,
e tc I n li k e m a nn e r mu s t we t rea t t a n gibl e e ss e nc e (which
.

a dmits o f a s m a ny di s tincti o ns a s t he Spi rit n d i ts h a irs

) a , ,

fib r es a n d v ar i ed t extu re A g a in t he situ a ti o n o f t he s pi r it
,
.
,

in t he c or p or e a l m a s s i ts p ores p a s s a g es v ein s a n d c e lls , , , , ,

a n d t h e r udim en t s or fi rs t e s s a ys o f t h e or g a nic b o dy a r e
,

subj ect t o t he s a m e e x a min a ti o n In th es e h o w e ver a s in .

, ,

o ur f o r m e r in q ui r i e s a n d th er e f or e in t h e wh o l e inv e stig a ,

ti o n of l a t e nt c o nf or m a ti on t he o nly g e nuin e a n d cl e a r light ,

which c ompl e t e ly di s p e l s a ll d a r kn es s a n d subtil e d i fii c u l

ti es is a dmitt ed by m ea n s o f t he p r im a r y a xi om s
“
.
,

V III T hi s m e th od will n ot b r ing us t o a to m s which

.
,

t a k es for g r a nt e d t he v a cuum a n d i m mut a b ility of m a tt er ,

( n e ith e r o f which hyp o th es es i s c orr ect

) b u t t o th e re a l
pa r ,

t i c l e s s u ch a s we d i s c o v er th e m t o b e N or i s th er e a n y .

By pi it B c n h pl inly mpli m te i l fluid t fi e t b g p d

9
s r ,
a o e re a i es a r a oo n o e ra s e

by th un i t d n w hich th pe t th n
e as s s e n W e m time
se se , ra er o ra es a r ea s o s . so e s

a d pt th m m d f xp i n as in th w d p i i t f nit
o e sa e o e o pi it f e re s s o , e or s s r s o re , s r s o

w in eS m uch g nc y h b n
. o e u m d by n ly ll th m d n phy i
s a e as ee as s e ea r a e o er s

ci ts s, af w f wh m l ng w ith B c n w uld l v s t g th f m th i
e o o , a o a o ,
o ea e u o a er ro e r

exp s i n th t th y b l v uch b di nd w ed w ith th nti nt p w

re s o s, a e e ie e s o es e o e se e o ers

o f p c pti ner e A n th p ci m n f hi nt im nt thi ubj ct w m y

o . s a o er s e e o s se e on s s e , e a

f t p g ph th d c mp i ti f comp und in h i e y d th
“
re e r o a a ra ra on e e o os on o o s, s ssa on ea ,

—
be ginning Th pi it which xi t i ll li ving bodi k ps ll th p rts in
e s r e s s n a es , ee a e a

d ue u bj cti n ; w h n it c p th body d c mpo

s e o e th S m il p t es a es , e e o ses , or e i ar ar s

uni te — E d .
” ’
.

1° Th th ry f th e E picue n a d oth e
eo Th ot m upposed t be rea s n rs . e a o s are s o

invi i bl una lte b l pa ticl ndu d W th ll th p p rti es f th given bod y

s e, ra e r es, e e i a e ro e o e ,

an d f mi g th t bod y by th i uni n
or n Th y mu t be ep te d f c u se
a e r o . e s s a ra , o o r ,

w hich e ith t k e v ac uu m f g nte d o introduces a tert ium q uid into the

er a s a or ra , r

comp iti on f th bod y

os o e .
 N O VUM OR G AN UM 1 19

g ro un d for a l ar m a t this r efin em e nt a s if it w er e i n expli

c a bl e f or on t he c o ntr a ry th e m or e inqui r y is dir ect e d t o
, , ,

s i m pl e n a tu r e s th e m or e will e v er ything b e pl a c e d in a
,

pl a in a n d p ers picu o u s light s inc e we t r a n s f er o u r a tt e nti o n ,

f r om t he c omplic a t ed to t he s impl e f rom t he i n c omm e n s u r ,

a bl e t o t h e c o mm e n s ur a bl e f r om su r d s t o ra ti o n a l qu a ntiti e s , ,

f rom t he ind efinit e a n d v a gu e to t h e d e finit e a n d c ert a in ; a s

wh e n w e a r r iv e a t t he e l e m e nts o f l ett ers a n d t he s i mpl e ,

t on es of c o nc or d s Th e inv es tig a t i on of n a tu r e i s b es t c o n
.

duct e d wh e n m a th em a t i cs a r e a ppli e d to physic s A g a in .

,

l et n o n e b e a l a r m ed a t v a s t nu m b e rs a n d fr a cti ons f or in ,

c alcul a ti o n it i s a s ea s y t o s e t d o wn or t o r e fl ect up o n a th o u
‘
s a nd a s a unit or the th ou sa ndth p a r t of a n int eg er a s a n
,

i nt eg er its e lf .

"
IX F r om t h e t wo kinds of a xi oms a b ov e s p ecifi e d
.
,

a r i s e th e t wo divisi o ns of phil os o phy a n d t h e sci e nc es a n d ,

we will u s e t h e c om mon l y a d opt e d t er ms which a pp roa ch

t h e n e a r es t t o o ur m ea ning i n o u r ow n s e ns e Let t h e i h
\ , .

v e s t i g a ti o n of f or m s which (in r e a s o ni ng a t l ea st a n d a ft er , ,

th ei r own l a w s ) a r e et er n a l a n d imm uta bl e c on stitut e m et a

, ,

"
p hy s ic s a n d l e t t he inv estig a ti on o f t h e e ffici e nt c a us e of
,

C mp th th f ll w i g ph i ms w ith th e l as t thr ee ch pters f th e

“
o a re e ree o o n a or s a o

thi d b k f th D A gm tis S cienti u m

r oo o e
”
e u en ar
‘B c n giv th unf tuna t te m i ts p p ign i fi ca ti on ; i m i c m
.

9 te
a o es i s or e r ro er s , n o

po iti n w ith th G k s ign ify ng ch ng

s o ,
e mut ti on M t f
ree d rss i a e or a . os o ou r rea e ,

no d ub t o w th t th b t u i n f thi w o d int t chnic l phil ph y

, are a a re a e o r s o o s r o e a oso

w as pu l y c p ici ure d i f a ld d t th n th pub li c ti n f A i t tl s

r o s , an s o no o er a e a e a o o r s o e
’

w k s by A nd nicu s f Rh d
or e f th e l
ro n ed m int w h e h nd th
o o es , on o ea r en o os a s e

m nu c ipt
a f th t phil
s r ph f ll ft th y w b ught by Sy ll f m
s o a os o er e , a er e e re ro a ro

A th n t e R m s T f u t n b k i
o o th M S S w ith
e . di tingui h i g
o o r ee oo s n ese . no s s n

ti tl A d nicu s i id t h v e p fix d th wo d
e, n ro s m M m t d n t
sa o a re e e r s f a u f a a a , o e o e

t h pl ce w hich th ey ught t h l d ith i th d f A i t tl ng ’

e a o o o e er n e or er o r s o e s a r ra e"

m nt
e i th t of tud y
, or n Th book t t fi t of th e ubj ct which e
a s . es e s rea rs os s e s ar

c mm n to m tte d m nd ; c ndl y f thing p t f m m tt l f

o o a r an i se o , o s se a ra e ro a e r, t e . o

G d an d of the s u bo di
o , t pi it w hich w upp d by the Pe ip t tics
r na e s r s, e re s os e r a e
P a ra ll e l t o th es e le t th e re b e t wo p r a ctic a l divi s i o ns ; to
,

p hy s ic s th a t of m ech a n ic s a n d t o m e t a physic s th a t o f m a gic , ,

i n t h e pu re s t s e n s e of th e t er m a s a ppli e d t o its a mpl e ,

m e a n s a n d i ts c om m a nd o v er n a tu r e
,
.

X The o bj ec t o f o u r p hil os ophy b e ing thus l a id d o wn

.
,

w e p r o c ee d t o p re c e pt s i n t he m ost cl ea r a n d r e gul a r or d er , .

Th e s igns f or t he i nt e r p r e t a ti o n o f n a tu r e c o mp re h e nd t wo
divi s i o ns ; t he fi rs t r e g a r ds t he e liciting or c r ea ting of a xi oms
f ro m e xp er im e nt the s e c on d t he d e ducing or d er iving o f
,

n e w e xp er im e nt s f r o m a xi o m s The fi rs t a dmits of th r ee .

subdi vi s i o n s int o mini s tr a ti on s 1 To t h e s en s es 2 To . . . .

t he m em ory 3 To t h e mind or r e a s o n
. . .

F or we mu s t fi r s t p r e p a r e a s a f o und a ti o n for t h e wh ol e ,

a c ompl e t e a n d a ccu ra t e n a tu r a l a n d e xp e r im e nt a l hi s t o r y .

W e m u st n o t i m a gi n e or i nv e nt but di s c o v e r t h e a ct s a n d ,

p r op e rti e s of n a tu r e .

B ut n a tu ra l a n d e xp er i m e nt a l hi s t ory i s s o v a ri e d a n d
di ff u se th a t it c o nfo und s a n d dist r a ct s t he und e rs t a nding
,

unl es s it b e fix ed a n d exhibit e d in d u e o r d er W e must .

,

t h e re f o re f or m t a bl e s a n d c o o r din a ti o n s o f in s t a nc e s up o n
,
~
,

“
"
to w atch v p ticul po ti n s f th univ
o er ar Th f ll w ar f A i t tler o o e e rse . e o o e rs o r s o

a cc pt d th whi m i l ti tl of A nd nicu
e e e d i th i u u l m nn ll w d
s ca e ro s, an n e r s a a er a o e

a w d t unit th i ng int
or o ci nc which w
e pl inly h t g n u
s o on e s e e e re a e e ro e eo s .

Th i e r w d pt d by th P ip tetic f th C h i ti n Chu ch Th
e rr or as a o e e er a s o e r s a r . e

s ch l m n dd d t th n ti n f nt l g y th ci nc f th mind pn u
oo e a e o e o o o o o o , e s e e o e , or e

m t l gy a d
a o o th t g nu f b i ng h S nc b c m xtinct w ith th ch l
,
n as a e s o e as i e e o e e e s oo s ,

m t ph y i c thu in m d n p l nc e c m t b
e a s s s y n n ym u w ith p y ch l gy
o er ar a o es o e s o o s s o o .

It w e t b wi h d th t B c n d finiti n f th t m h d be n cc pt d d
er o e s e a a o
’
s e o o e er a e a e e ,
an

m nt l ci n
e a d liv r d f m
s e f th e g
ce te t m n t iti in i t n m ncl
e e e ro on e o rea s o s ros es s o e a

t
ure , y t B c n w
e hi m ic a lly n ugh
a o in h i De A gm ti s i nclud s m th em tic
s e o s u en e a a s

in m t ph y ics — E d
e a s .
 N O VU M ORGAN U M 1 21

such pl a n a n d in such or d er th a t t he underst a nding m a y

a ,

b e e n a b l e d to a c t up o n th em .

E v e n wh e n this is d o n e t h e u nd ers t a ndi ng l e ft t o it s elf , ,

- w e”

a n d t o its o wn op e r a ti o n is inc omp e t e nt a n d u n fi t fir m n

m
,
'

s tr di recti on a n d supp or t O u r thi rd .

m ini s tr a ti on th er e f ore mu s t b e t r u e a n d l egitim a t e induc

, ,

ti on t he v ery key of int er p r e t a ti on W e mu s t b egin h ow

,
.
,

e v e r a t t h e e n d a n d g o b a c k a g a in t o t he o th e r s
, ,
.

XI Th e i nv e s tig a ti o n of f or m s p r oc eed s thu s : a n a tu r e

“
.

‘ “ m
b eing giv e n we m u s t fi r st preseflt tb tli e ifhd érslfi ri d i n g al l
' ‘

t h e kn o wn in s t a nc e s which a g r ee in t h e s a m e n a tu re a l ,

th ough t he s ubj ect m a tt e r b e c on s id er a bly div er sifi e d A nd .

t hi s c oll ecti o n mu s t b e m a d e a s a m e re hi s t ory a n d with o ut ,

a n y p re m a tu r e r efl ecti o n o r too g re a t d e g re e o f r efin e m e nt

,
.

F or inst a nc e ; t a k e th e inv es tig a ti o n o f th e f orm o f h ea t .

In s ta n ces a
g r eei n g i n the F or m f H ea t
o

1 . Th e ra ys of th e sun p a r ticul a r ly in summ er

, ,
an d at

n oo n .

2 . s a m e re fl e ct e d a n d c ond e ns ed a s b etw e e n m o un
Th e ,

t a ins or a l o ng w a lls a n d p ar ticul a rly in b ur ning mi rror s

, ,
.

3 Ignit e d m et eor s
. .

4 B u r ning lightning
. .

5 E r upti o n s of fl a m es f ro m t h e c a viti e s of m o unt a ins e tc

.
,
.

6 F l a m e of e v ery k ind
. .

7 Ignit e d s olid s
. .

8 N a tu r a l w a rm b a ths
. .

9 W a r m o r h e a t e d liquids
. .

10 W a r m v a p ors a n d s m o k e ; a n d t he a i r its e lf which

.
,

a dmit s a m o st p o w er ful a n d vi o l e nt hea t i f c onfin e d a s i n

—
,

r ev erb era ting f u rn a c es .

 12 C onfi ne d a n d subt erra n eo us a i r in s ome ca v ern s par
.
,

t i c u l a r ly in wint er .

1 3 A ll sh a ggy subst a nc es as woo l t he s kins o f a nim a ls

.
, , ,

a n d t he pl um a g e of bi r ds c o nt a i n s o m e h e a t ,
.

1 4 A ll b o di es b oth s olid a n d liq uid d e n s e a n d ra r e (as

.
, ,

t h e a i r its e lf) pl a c ed n ea r fi r e f or a n y ti m e
, .

1 5 S p a r ks a ri s ing f ro m th e vi ol e nt p er cus s i o n o f flint

.

a n d s t ee l .

1 6 A ll b odi es r u bb ed vi ol e ntly a s s t on e w ood cl o th

.
, , , ,

e tc.
,
s o th a t r udd e rs a n d a xl es of wh ee l s s o m e tim e s c a tch
, ,

fi r e a n d t h e W e st Indi a ns obt a in fi r e by a tt riti o n

, .

1 7 G r ee n a n d m oi s t v eg e t a bl e m a tt er c o nfin e d a n d
.

r ubb e d t o g eth er a s r os es p ea s i n b a s k e ts ; s o b a y if it
, , ,

b e d a m p wh en st a ck e d o ft e n c a tc h es fi re ,
.

18 Quicklim e s p rinkl e d with w a t e r

. .

1 9 I r o n wh e n fi rs t di s s o lv e d b y a cid s in a gl a s s a n d
.
, ,

with o ut a n y a pplic a ti on to fi re ; t he s a m e of tin b ut n ot s o ,

i n t e n s e ly .

2 0 A ni m a l s p a r ticul a r ly int er n a l l y ; a lth ough t he h ea t

.
,

i s n ot “ ereei va b le by t he to uch in ins e cts o n a cc o unt of ,

t he i r s m a ll s iz e .

2 1 H o r s e dung a n d t h e lik e e xc r e m e nt f ro m oth er a n i

.
,

m a l s w h e n f r es h
,
.

22 S t r o ng oi l of s ulph u r a n d of vit r i o l e xhi b it t h e o p er a

.

ti o n o f h ea t in bu r ning lin e n .

2 3 A s d oe s t h e o i l o f m a rj o r a m a n d lik e s ub s t a nc es in
.
, ,

b ur ning th e b o ny s ub s t a n c e o f t he t ee th .

2 4 S t r o ng a n d w e ll r e ctifi e d s pi r it s of w in e e xhi b it t he
.

s a m e e ff e ct s ; s o th a t wh i t e of e gg s wh e n th r o wn int o it

g row s h a r d a n d whit e a l mos t in t he s a m e m a n n er as

,
 NOVU M ORGAN UM 1 23

wh e n b oi l ed a n d b re a d b ecom e s bu r n ed a n d b rown a s i f
,

t oa s t ed .

2 5 A ro m a tic su b st a nc e s a n d w a r m pl a nts a s t h e d ra c u n
.
,

c u lu s " a r um ] ol d n a stu r tium

,
e tc which th ou gh th ey be,
.
, ,

n ot w ar m to t he touch ( wh e th er wh o l e or pulv er iz e d) y et ,

a r e disc o v e r e d by th e t o ngu e a n d p a l a t e to b e w ar m a n d

a lm os t b u r ning w h e n slig htly m a stic a t e d .

2 6 S t ro ng vin eg ar a n d a ll a cids on a n y p a r t of t he b ody

.
,

n o t cl o th e d with t h e e pid er mis a s t h e ey e t o ngu e or a n

y , , ,

w o und e d p a r t or wh er e th e ski n is r em o v e d excite a p a in

, ,

d i ffer ing but littl e f ro m th a t p ro duc e d by h e a t .

2 7 E v e n a s e v e r e a n d inte n s e c old p r o duc es a s e ns a tion

.

o f bu r ning .

”
N B pe n etr b il f i g
ec d it
or eas a e r us a ur .

28 O th e r inst a nc es
. .

W e a r e w o nt t o c a ll this a t a bl e of exist enc e a n d p r es enc e .

XII W e mu s t n ext p r es e nt t o t he und ers ta nding i h

.

sta nc es which d o n ot a dmit o f t he giv e n n a tu re for f or m (a s ,

we h a v e o b s er v e d ) o ught n o l e s s t o b e a b s e nt wh er e t he
giv e n n a tu r e is a bs e nt th a n to b e p res ent wh er e it is p re s
,

en t. If h ow e v er we w ere to e x a min e e v er y inst a nc e ou r

, , ,

l a b or w o uld b e infinit e .

N eg a tiv e s th ere f or e mu s t b e cl as s e d und er t h e a ffi r m a

, ,

t i ves a n d t h e w a nt o f t he giv e n n a tu r e must b e inqui red

,

int o m or e p a r ticul a r ly in obj ects which h a v e a v er y cl os e

c o nn e cti o n with th os e oth ers in which i t is p r es e nt a n d m a ni
f es t A n d thi s we a r e w o nt to t er m a t a bl e of d e vi a ti o n or
.

of a bs e nc e i n p ro ximity .

‘“
3
N t u e en es pl uVi ae , ra pidi ve p t nti
o e a S OHS

A cri or , ‘
a u t Bor em pen e tr a b i le f ri g u s a d u ra t .

—V r ig G
e or . g i . . 9 2, 9 3 .

SC E NC E
I V o l 22 — 6 .
 Th e ys o f t h e m oo n st a r s a n d c om e t s a r e n ot found
ra , , ,

to b e w a r m to t h e t ouch n a y the s e v er es t c old ha s b ee n , ,

o b s er v e d t o t a k e pl a c e a t th e ful l o f t h e m o o n Y e t the .

l a rg er fix e d s t a rs a re supp os e d t o inc re as e a n d r e nd er m ore

int e n s e th e h ea t o f t h e s u n a s h e a pp r oa ch es th e m wh e n , ,

t he s u n is i n t h e sign o f t h e Li o n f o r in s t a nc e a n d in t h e
“
, ,

d og d a y s
-
.

Th e r a y s o f t he s u n i n wh a t i s c a ll e d t h e m iddl e r egi o n
o f t h e a i r giv e n o h e a t to a cc o unt f or which t he c o m m o nly ,

a ss ign e d r ea s o n i s s a ti s f a ct ory ; n a m e ly th a t th a t r e gi o n i s ,

n eith e r s u ffici e ntly n e a r t o t he b ody of t he s u n wh e nc e t h e

r ays em a n a t e n or to t h e e ar th wh e nc e th e y a r e re fl e ct e d
, .

A nd t he f a ct i s m a nif es t e d by s n o w b eing p erp e tu a l o n t he

t ops o f m o u n t a in s unl ess e xt r eme ly l ofty B ut it i s oh,
.

s er v ed o n t he oth er h a nd b y s om e th a t a t th e P ea k o f
, , ,

T e n er i ff e a n d a l s o a m o ng t h e A nd es o f P er u t he t 0 ps of
, ,

t h e m ou nt a ins a re f ree f r om sn o w which o nly li e s i n t he ,

l ow er p a rt a s y ou a sc e nd B esid es t h e a i r o n t he s u mm it .
,

of th es e m o unt a in s i s f o und t o b e by n o m e a n s c o ld but ,

o nly thin a n d s h a r p ; s o much s o th a t i n t he A nd es it p ricks ,

a n d hu r t s t h e e y es f ro m i ts e xt r e m e sh a r pn e s s a n d e v e n e x ,

cit es the o rific e of t he s t o m a ch a n d p ro duc es v o m iting Th e .

a nci e nt s a l s o o b s er v e d th a t t h e r a rity o f t he a i r o n th e s u m
,

Thi n ti n w hich h p t g in d p ticul

14
s o o ,
in th 1 8th ph
e re ea s a a ,
an ar a ri z e s e a .

of thi b k i bs w d f m th
oo ,
s nci nto rro d w n d e t y i
ro wi e a e s, an e ee no sa s as se

as th i th e r o t n mic l c nj ctu
er a s ro Th ol pp ch s t q uite
a o e res . e s un a so a roa es a rs

as l g in th q u t
ar e f th
o di c w h n it l k d w n up n t h
er a r ers o eth zo a , e oo s o o e ea r

th ugh th mu ky cl ud f w int
ro e W h n th t lu min y i i L
r o s o th e h a t er . e a ar s n eo , e

of th th i c t inl y g t th n t y th p i d b ut thi i f m
e ea r s er a r ea e r a a an o er er o ,
s a r ses ro

th ccu mul ti n f h e t ft t h l tic f th m

e a a o o a son th a t th e ma xi
a er e so s e, or e sa e re a

m m h t h
f t e
ea d i s aot t w o o cl c k n t e d f
a n on — E d ’
o i s a o o
u y .
 NO VUM ORGAN UM 125

mi t of O lymp us was such th a t th os e who as cended it we re ,

o b lig e d t o c a rr y sp o ng e s m oist e n ed with vi n e g ar a n d w a ter

,

a n d t o a pply th e m n ow a n d th e n t o th e ir n o st ril s as t he a i r ,

wa s n ot d e nse e n o ugh fo r th ei r re spi r a ti on ; o n th e s ummit

of which m o unt a in it is a l s o r el a te d th e r e r e ign e d so g r e a t ,

a s ere nity a n d c a lm fr e e f r o m r a in sn o w or wind th a t the

, , , ,

l e tt er s t ra c e d up o n th e a sh es of t he s a c r i fi c es o n t he a lta r of
J upit e r by t he fing ers of th os e w ho h a d o ff er e d th e m w o ul d
, ,

r e m a in undi s tu r b e d till t h e n e xt y e a r T h os e e v e n w h o a t .
,

this d a y g o to t he t op of t he Pea k of T e n er iff e w a lk b y ,

night a n d n ot i n t h e d a ytim e a n d a r e a dvis e d a n d p res s e d ,

by th ei r guid e s as s oo n a s t h e s u n r i se s t o m a k e h a s te in
, ,

th ei r d es c e nt o n a cc o unt o f th e d a ng er (a pp a r e n tl y a r ising
,

f ro m t he r a r ity of t he a tm os ph e r e) l es t th ei r b rea thing

“
,

sh oul d b e re l a x e d a n d suffoc a ted .

Th e r e fl e cti o n o f t h e s o l a r r a y s i n t h e p ol a r r e gi o ns i s
f o und to b e w e a k a n d in e ffici e n t in p r o ducing h ea t s o th a t ,

t h e D u tch wh o winte r e d
, ‘i n
N ov a Z e m b l a a n d exp e ct e d ,

th a t th e i r v e s s el w o uld b e f re e d a b o ut t he b eginning of
J uly f r om the o b s t r ucti o n o f t h e m a s s of i c e which ha d
bl ock e d it up w e re di s a pp o int e d a n d ob lig e d to e m b a r k i n
,

th ei r b oa t H e nc e t he di r e ct ra y s o f t h e s u n a pp ea r to h a v e
.

b ut littl e p o wer e v en on th e pl a in a n d wh e n r e fl e ct e d , ,

u nl es s th e y ar e multipli e d a n d c o nd e n s e d which t a k e s pl a c e ,

wh e n th e s un te nds m or e to t he p erp endicul a r ; for th en , ,

t he in c id e nc e of t h e r a ys occu rs a t m or e a cute a ngl es so ,

t h a t t he r e fl ect ed r a ys a re n ea re r t o e a ch o th er whil e on , ,

t h e c o nt r a ry wh e n t h e sun i s in a v er y o bliqu e p os iti o n

, ,

‘B ugu
5
o pl y d by L ui XIV in p
er, em hil phic l
o e ch ocend d
s . os o a res ea r es , as e

th A nd
e t di c v
es ot h gl b u l f m f th
s o erth d pu bli h d an a cc unt
e o ar or o e e ar , an s e o

of hi pas ge wh ich v i fi th t t m nt f B ac n
s sa ,
er es e s a e e o o .
ra y s r el a ting too to the n a tu re of h ea t which a re not pro
, , , ,

p or ti o n e d to ou r touch so th a t with reg a r d to u s th ey do , , ,

n o t t en d t o p rod u c e w a r mth b ut with r eg a r d t o some , ,

o th e r b odi es h a v e th e i r d u e eff e ct in p r o ducing it

, .

Let t he f o ll o wing exp eri m e nt b e m a d e T a k e a l ens t he .

re v ers e Of a bu r ning gl a ss a n d pl a c e it b e tw ee n t he h a nd -
,

a n d t h e s ol a r ra ys a n d o b s e r v e wh e th er it di m ini s h t he h ea t
,

o f t h e s u n a s a b u r ning gl a s s inc r e a s e s it F or it is cl ea r -
.
,

w ith re g a r d to the visu a l ra ys th a t in p r o p or ti o n a s th e l e ns ,

i s mad e of un eq u a l thickn es s in th e m iddl e a n d a t its sid es ,

t h e i m a g e s a pp ea r e ith er m o r e diff u s e d or c o nt ra ct e d It .

sh o uld b e s ee n th e r e f o r e if th e s a m e b e t r u e with r eg ar d
, ,

t o h ea t .

Le t t h e exp eri m e nt b e w ell t r i e d wh e th e r t h e lun a r ra ys ,

c a n b e r e c e iv e d a n d c oll e ct e d b y t h e st ro ng e s t a n d b es t

b u r ning gl a s s es so a s t o p r o duc e e v e n t h e l ea s t d eg r ee of
-
,

”
h ea t . B ut if th a t d eg r e e b e p er h a ps s o su b til e a n d w e a k , , ,

a s n o t t o b e p e r c e iv e d o r a s c e r t a in e d by t h e t o uch we mu s t ,

h a v e r ec ou r s e t o th os e gl a s s e s which indic a t e t he w a rm or
c o ld s t a t e of t he a tm os ph e re a n d l e t t he lu n a r ra y s fa ll ,

1°
nt n i
Mo t in h i b o k g in t th t l g th t h h d ti fi d
a ar a sse r s s o a a s e a s ro o ers a e a sa s e

hi m lf by nu m u d ft p t d xp i m n t th t th lun
se e ro s an y g th d o -
re ea e e er e s, a e a r ra s a e re

t
o a f cu p duc d
o sn i bl d g ee f h t M h b c k h w v d pts
ro e a se s e e r o ea . us c en ro , o e er, a o

th O pp it
e pini n d a t th t him lf D l H i V i ll t d T ch n
os e o o , an ss e r s a se ,
e a re , e , an s ir

h u n h d t i d with th t vi w t h t ng t b u n ing gl
a se a r e in v n (Op a e e s ro es r -
a s ses ai . e ra

d Ign ) D l L nd m k
e e . e i mil c nf i n in hi A t n my (v l ii vii
a a e a es a s ar o es s o s s ro o o . . .

g B ugu w h m w h v e j u t q u t d d m n t t d th t th l ght of
o e r, o e a s o e , e o s ra e a e i

the m n w oo d g l th n th t f th
as ; it w uld c n q u ntl y
e rees es s a a o e s un o o se e

be ne y t i nv nt
c es a r gl w ith o b b ing p w
e d g
a g ter
a ss an a s or o er e rees rea

th n th e o di i l y i
a os t t y th
r xp im nt B con pe k s L— E d
n ar n u se , o r e e er e a s a O .
 NO VU M ORG AN UM 12 7

t h ro ugh the u ni
b r ng gl a s s on th e top of t his therm o m e te r -

,
"
a n d th e n n o tic e if e w a ter be d ep r e sse d by the h ea t
t h .

Le t th e bu r ning gl a s s b e t r i e d o n w a r m o bj ects which -

e m it n o lu m in o us r a y s as h e a te d b ut n ot ignit e d i ro n or ,

s to n e o r ho t w a te r o r t h e li k e ; a n d o b s er v e wh e th e r t he
, ,

h ea t b ec om e inc r e a s e d a n d c ond e n s ed a s h a pp e ns with t he ,

s ol a r ra ys .

Le t it b e t r i e d o n c omm o n fl a m e .

Th e effe ct o f c o m e ts (if we c a n r e c k o n th e m a m o ng
m e t eors i n a ugm e nting t he h ea t o f t he s ea s o n is n ot f o und
t o b e c o nst a nt o r cl ea r a lth o u gh d ro ughts h a v e g e n era l ly ,

b ee n Ob s e r v e d to f oll o w th em H o w e v e r lu m in ous lin es .

, ,

a n d pill a r s a n d Op e ning s a n d t h e lik e ,

a pp ea r m or e o ft e n , ,

in wint er th a n in s um m er a n d e s p eci a lly with t he m os t i h ,

t e ns e c old b ut j o in e d with d ro ught Lightning a n d c ow s .

,

cati o ns a n d thund er h ow e ver r a rely h a pp e n in wint er a n d

, , , ,

‘In thi th m m t m cu y w
7
s t d i l t ed by h t
er o c nt ct d by
e er, er r as no a ea or o ra e

c ldo th, as w in b ut me f i
on e n o mpl y d in t d which fill d u s e, a as s o a r e o e s ea , e

th c vit y O f t h b ul b
e a Thi b ing pl c d in inv t d p i ti n t u th t
e . s e a e an er e os o o o rs , a

i t
s y w ith th b ul b uppe m t p
o sa ,
d d wn th li q u w h n th i b
e r os ,
re s s e o e or e e a r e

c m dil t d by h t
a e u p
a e it upw d ; d w h n th h t di mini h d
ea , as o rs re s s ar an e e ea s e ,

ccup y th pl c v c t d by t h i
'

t h l iqe tou r rose o o th w i e a e a a e e a r , as e on e n o n u se

d c nd It c n q u n tly w li b l t b aff ct d by ch ng in th t mp
es e s . o se e as a e o e e e a a e e e e ra

tu by th w ight f i
r e, as d c uld ff d nl y
e e ud t nd d f ccu cyo a r, an o a or o a r e s a ar o a ra

in ci nti fi c inv tig ti n Thi th m m t w

s e es t B c n
a w o t iv
s . s er o e er as no a o
’
s o n con r

a nc i c mm nl y upp
e, a s d b ut th t f D bb l — E d
s o o s os e a o re e
‘L L nd i ndign nt th t th Ch ld n h uld h v m c ct n ti ns
. .
,

8
a a e is a a e a ea s s o a e ore orr e o o

o f th n tu e f c m t th n th m d n ph y ici t
a re o o d ch g e s B c n w ith a e o er s s s, an ar es a o

nt t ining th id th t th y w th m ff ct f v p d h t Thi
“
e er a e ea a e e re e ere e e s o a or a n ea . s

p g w ith tw th m p itiv i th D A g ( p x1 ) d th ”

“
a s sa e, o o er s ore os e, n e e u . ca . . an e

D c ipt Gl b i I nt ll ct ( p vi ) c t inl y ff d g und f th

es r . o e e ti n ;
.
”
ca . . er a a or ro or e a s se r o

b ut if B c n d h a d w ith G lil
o d w ith th f
erre , m t pi t
e erre f th a eo, a n e or e os s ri s o e

tim It i t u th t Pyth g
es . d S n ec h d
s r e t d th i b li f in th
a a ora s a n e a a a sser e e r e e e

so lidity f th b di b ut th w id d mini n w hich A i totl u b q u ntl y

o es e o e s, e e o o r s e s se e

e x ci d th w th i pini n in t th h d
er se ,
re d m d th
e r o ppos te doct in o s o e s a e, a n a e e o i r e

e v y wh p m u t — E d
er e re a ra o n .
 s o m e shini ng a n d in fla m e d visc o us su b s t a nc e ra th er th a n ,

o f vi o l e ntl y hot m a tt er ; but l e t this b e fu r th e r i nv e stig a t e d .

S om e c or usc a ti on s e mit light with out b u r ni n g b ut ar e ,

n e v er a cc o m p a ni e d by th un d er .

E r ucta ti o n s a n d e r upti o ns of fl a m e a r e t o b e fo und i n

c old cli m a t es a s w e ll a s in h ot a s i n Ic e l a nd a n d G r ee nl a nd ;
,

j us t a s t he tr e e s of c old c o unt r i es a re s o m e ti m es i nfl a m m a bl e
a n d m o r e pitchy a n d r e s in o us th a n i n w a r m a s t h e fi r pin e , , ,

a n d t he lik e B ut t he p os iti o n a n d n a tu re of t he soil wh er e

.
,

s uch e r upti o ns a re w o nt to h a pp en i s n ot y e t suffi c i e ntly ,

inv es tig a t e d to e n a b l e us to s ubj oin a n eg a tiv e insta nc e t o

t he a ffi rm a tiv e .

A ll fl a m e i s c o n s t a ntly m or e or l ess w a r m a n d this i n ,

st a nc e i s n ot a lt og e th e r n eg a tiv e ; ye t it i s s a id th a t t he igni s
f a t u u s ( a s it i s c a ll e d ) a n d which som e tim e s i s d riv e n a g a in s t
,

wa ll s h a s b u t littl e h e a t ; p er h a ps it r es em b l es th a t of spi r its

,

o f win e which i s mild a n d g e ntl e Th a t fl a m e h ow e v er

, .
, ,

a pp e a rs e t m ild e r w hich in s om e w e ll a uth e ntic a t e d a n d

y ,

s eri o us hi s tori es i s s a id t o h a v e a pp ea re d r ound t he h ea d

a n d h a i r o f boy s a n d vi rgins a n d i nst e a d of b u r ning th e i r
,

h a i r m er e l y t o h a v e pl a y e d a b o ut it A nd it i s m ost c er
,
.

t a in th a t a s or t of fl a s h with o ut a n y e vid e nt h ea t ha s s om e
, ,

tim es b een s e e n a b out a h or s e wh e n s w ea ting a t night o r in ,

”
d a mp w ea th e r It i s a l s o a w ell k n own fa ct a n d it wa s
.
,

a lm os t c o n s id er e d a s a m i r a cl e th a t a f ew y e a rs sinc e a
,

gi rl s a p r on s p a r kl e d wh e n a littl e s h a k e n o r r ubb ed which

’
,

w a s p e r h a p s o cc a s i o n e d b y t h e a lu m or s a lt s with which
, ,

‘W
9
as it a s ilk p n a ro w hich exhib it d l ct ic p k " S lk
e e e r s ar s i was then
 N O VU M OR GAN UM 1 29

t he a p ro n wa s imb u e d a n d which a ft er h a ving b e e n stuc k

, ,

t og e th er a n d inc r u s t ed r a th er s tro ngly w er e b r ok e n by the

,

f ricti o n It i s w ell kn o wn th a t a ll sug a r wh e th er c a ndi e d

.
,

o r pl a in if it b e h a r d
,
will s p ar kl e wh e n b r ok e n or scr a p ed
,

in t he d a r k In lik e m a nn er s ea a n d s a lt w a t er i s s om e ti me s
.

f o und t o shin e a t night wh e n s t r uck vi ol e ntly b y t he o a r .

Th e f oa m of t he s ea wh e n a git a t ed by t e mp es t s a ls o sp a r k l es
a t night a n d t h e S p a ni a rd s c a ll thi s a pp ea r a nc e th e s ea s
’
,

lung s It h a s n o t b ee n su ffi ci e ntly a s c ert a in ed wh a t d eg re e

.

o f h ea t a tt e nd s t h e fl a m e which t he a nci e nt s a il o r s c a ll e d

C a s t or a n d P ollux a n d t h e m od e r n s c a ll S t E rm u s fi r e
,
.
’
.

E v er y ignit e d b ody th a t i s r e d hot i s a lw a y s w a r m a l

-
,

th ough with o ut fl a m e n or i s a n y n eg a tiv e inst a nc e s u b

,

j oin e d to thi s a ffi r m a tiv e Ro tt e n w ood h o w e v e r a p

.
, ,

r oa c h es n e a r ly t o it f or it s hin e s a t night a n d
p , y et i s n ot ,

f ound to b e w a r m ; a n d t he put re fying s c a l es o f fi s h which

shin e in t he s a m e m a nn er a r e n ot w a rm t o th e t o uch n or ,

t h e b o dy o f t h e gl o ww or m o r of t h e fly c a ll e d
,

Th e s itu a ti o n a n d n a tu r e o f th e s o il of n a tu ra l w a r m
b a th s h a s n o t b e e n suffici ently inv estig a t ed a n d th er ef or e ,

a n e g a tiv e in s t a nc e i s n o t subj o in e d .

To t h e in s t a nc es o f w a r m liquid s w e m ay subj oin the

n eg a tiv e on e of t he p eculi a r n a tu re of liquid s in g e n e ra l ;
f o r n o t a n gibl e liquid i s k no wn th a t i s a t o nc e w a r m i n i ts
n a tu r e a n d c o n s t a ntly c o ntinu es w a r m ; b ut th ei r h e a t is
o nly s up e r ind uc e d a s a n a dv e ntiti o u s n a tu r e f or a li m it e d

tim e so th at th os e which a re ext r e m ely w a r m in th ei r p o w er

,

a n d e ff e ct a s sp i r its o f win e
,
ch e mic a l a r om a tic o il s t he
, ,

oi l s of vit r i o l a n d s ulph u r a n d t he lik e a n d which sp ee dily

, ,

b u r n a r e y et c old a t fi rs t to t h e to u c h a n d th e w a t er of
, ,
'

n a tu r a l b a th s p o u r e d i nt o a n y v e sse l a n d s e p a r a t e d f r om
,
t he t ouc h th a n th ose th a t a re a q u eo u s oi l for insta nc e than
,

w a t er sil k th a n lin e n ; b ut this b el o ngs to the ta b le o f de

,

g re e s o f c old .

I n li k e m a nn er we ma y subj oin a n eg a tiv e inst a nc e to

th a t of w a r m v a p or d er iv e d f ro m t he n a tu re of v a p or it s elf
, ,

a s fa r a s we a re a c q u a i nt e d with it F o r e xh a l a tions f r om
.

0i s u b s t a nc es t ho ugh e a sily infl a mma bl e a r e y e t n e v er

, ,

w a rm unl es s r ec e ntly e xh a l e d f rom s o m e w a r m su b sta nce .

The s a m e may b e s a id of th e i n s t a nc e o f a i r ; fo r we
n e v e r p er c e iv e th a t a i r i s w a r m unl e s s c o nfin e d or p r e ss e d ,

o r m a nif es tly h ea t e d b y th e s u n by fir e or s om e o th er
, ,

w a r m b ody .

A n e g a tiv e in s t a nc e is e x h ibited i n w ea th er b y its c old

n es s w ith a n ea s t or n or th wind b ey o nd wh a t t h e s ea s on
,

w ould l ea d u s to exp e ct j u s t a s t he c ont r a ry t a k es pl a ce

,

wi th th e so uth o r w est wind s A n inclin a ti o n to r a in ( es p e

.

c i a lly in wint er ) a tt e nd s w a r m w ea th e r a n d t o f r os t c o l d
,

w e a th er .

A n eg a tiv e in s t a nc e a s t o a i r c o nfin e d in c a v er n s ma y be
o b s e r v e d in s u m m e r I nd e ed we s h o uld m a k e a m ore dili
.
,

g e nt i nqui r y int o t he n a tur e o f c onfin e d a i r F o r in t h e fi rst .

pl a c e t h e qu a liti es o f a i r in i ts o wn n a tu r e with r eg a r d to
h e a t a n d c o ld m a y r e a s o n a bly b e t he s ubj ec t o f d o u bt ; for
a i r e vid e ntly d e r iv e s i ts h e a t f r o m t h e e ff e ct s o f c e l e s ti a l

b odi e s a n d p os s ibly i ts c old f rom t h e e xh a l a ti on Of t he

,

e a r th a n d i n t h e m i d r e gi o n o f a i r ( a s it i s t e rm e d ) f r o m
,

c old v a p or s a n d s n ow s o th a t n o j udg m en t c a n b e f o r m e d
,

o f t h e n a tu r e of a i r by th a t which i s o u t o f d oo r s a n d e x

p o s e d b ut a m o re c or r e ct o n e m i ght b e d er iv e d f ro m c o n
,
o

fin e d a i r It i s n ec es s a ry h o w e v e r th a t t he a i r sh o uld b e
.
, ,
incl os e d i n a v ess el of such ma t eri a ls as w o uld n ot im b ue
it with h ea t or c old of th em se lv es n or ea sil y a dmit the ,

infl u e nc e of t h e e xt er n a l a tm os ph e r e The e xp er im e nt .

sh o uld b e m a d e th er e for e with a n e a r th e n j a r c o v ere d

, , ,

with f olds of l ea th er to p r ot ect it fr om t he e xt e rn a l a i r a n d ,

t h e a i r sh o ul d b e k e pt th r e e or fo u r d a ys in this v ess el

w el l clos ed O n o p ening th e j a r th e d eg r ee of h ea t m ay
.
,

b ea sc e r t a in e d e ith er by th e h a nd o r a g ra du a t e d gl a s s tub e .

Th er e i s a si m il a r d o u b t a s to wh e th e r t h e w a r mth of
w ool s kins f ea th e rs a n d t he lik e i s d er iv e d f r om a slight
, , , ,

in h er ent h ea t sinc e th ey a re a ni m a l e xc r e ti on s o r fr o m
, ,

th e ir b eing of a c er t a i n f a t a n d o ily n a tu r e th a t a cc or ds
wi th h e a t or m ere ly f r o m th e c o nfin em e nt a n d s e p a r a ti o n
,

"
of a i r which we sp o k e of in t h e p re c e di ng p a r a g ra ph ; f or
a l l a i r a pp ea r s t o p os s e ss a c e r t a in d e g r e e of w a r mth w h e n

s ep ar a t ed f ro m th e ext e r n a l a tm o s ph er e Le t a n exp erim ent .

b e m a d e th ere f o re with fib r o us sub s t a nc es of lin e n a n d

, , ,

n o t of w ool f e a th ers or sil k w hich a r e a nim a l e xc re ti on s

, , , .

F o r it i s t o b e ob s er v e d th a t a ll p owd e r s ( wh er e a i r i s m a ni
f es tly i ncl os e d ) a r e l ess c old th a n t he subst a nc es wh e n
wh ol e j ust a s we i m a gin e f roth (whic h c ont a ins a i r) to be
,

l es s c o ld th a n t he liquid it s elf .

W e h a ve h er e n o ex a ctly n eg a tiv e in s t a nc e for we a r e ,

n o t a cqu a int e d with a n b dy t ngibl spi r itu o us which

y o a e o r

d o es n ot a dmit of h ea t w h e n exp os e d to t he fi r e T h er e i s .
,

h o w e v e r this d i ff er e nc e th a t s o m e a dmi t it m or e ra pidly

, , ,

as a i r oi l
, a n d w a t er ,o th e r s m o r e sl owly as st o n e a n d
, ,

”
m e ta l s .T his h o w e v e r b e l ong s to th e t a bl e of d egre es
, ,
.

9 ‘Thi l t i f und
s as s o to be th e r ea l reas o n i t b ing g d c nduct
, a r no e a oo o or ,

an d th f n ot all w ing th e c p
e re ore o e s a e of h t Th con fi n d i is di ng g d
ea . e e a r se a e

w h e n th e u bs ta n ces
es pl c d und
s are a e er a n e xh u t d c iv
a s e re e er .

Thi i s rron u A i in f ct
s e eo s . r, a , is f th e w o t
on e o d m t ls e th e rs ,
an e a ar

bes t con d uctors of h ea t .

 of d a r k as h .

W e a re o f o pi ni o n th a t h e re a g a in ther e is n o n e g a tiv e ;
fo r we a r e n ot a cqu a in te d with a n y ta ngi b l e b o d y which doe s
n o t b e c om e d e cid edl y w a r m by f r icti o n so th a t t h e a nci e nts
,

f e ign e d th a t th e g od s h a d n o o th er m ea ns o r po w er of c rea t
ing h ea t th a n t he fr icti o n o f ai r b y ra pi d a n d vi o l e nt r o t a
,

ti on O n thi s p oint h o w e v e r fu rth er inquir y mus t b e

.
, ,

m a d e wh e th e r b odi e s p roj ect e d by m a chin es (a s b a lls f r om

,

c a nn o n ) d o n ot d er iv e so m e d e g ree o f h ea t fro m m ee ting t he

ai r,
which re nd er s th e m s o m e wh a t w a rm w h e n th ey f a ll .

The a i r in m o ti o n r a th er c ools th a n h ea t s a s in t h e winds , ,

t h e b e ll o w s o r b rea th wh e n t he m o uth i s c o nt r a ct ed
,
The .

m o ti on h o w e v e r in such i n s t a nc es i s n o t s u ffici e ntly r a pid

, ,

t o e xcit e h ea t a n d i s a ppli e d t o a b o dy of a i r a n d n ot to
, ,

i ts c omp o n e nt p a r t s s o th a t it i s n o t s ur p r ising th a t h ea t
,

s h o uld n ot b e g e n e r a t e d .

W e mu s t m a k e a m or e dilig e nt in q ui ry int o thi s i n

st a nc e ; for h e rb s a n d g re e n a n d m oi s t v eg et a bl es a pp ear
t o p os s e s s a l a t e nt h ea t s o sm a ll h o w e v e r a s n o t to b e
, , ,

p er c eiv e d by t he t o uch i n s ingl e s p e c i m e n s but w h e n th ey ,

a r e unit e d a n d c o nfin e d s o th a t th e i r s pi r it c a n n o t e xh a l e
,

i nt o t h e a i r a n d th ey r a th er w a r m e a ch o th e r th ei r h e a t
, ,

i s a t o nc e m a nif e s t e d a n d e v e n fl a m e o cc a s i o n a lly in s uit

,

a bl e s u b s t a nc es .

H e re t oo we mu s t m a k e a m ore dilig ent in q ui ry ; for

, ,
 N O VU M ORGA N UM 1 33

quic k lime wh e n sprin k l e d with w a t er a pp ea rs to c o nc eiv e

, ,

h e a t eith er f rom its b e ing c oll ect ed int o o n e p oint (a s we

,

o bs er v e d o f h er b s wh e n c o nfin e d r f ro m t h e i r r it a ti on a n d
) o ,

e x a s p e r a ti o n o f t h e fi er y Spi r it b y w a t er which o cc a s i o ns ,

a c o nflict a n d st r uggl e The t r u e r ea s o n will m ore re a d i ly

.

b e s h o wn if Oil b e us e d inst ea d of w a t er for o i l will e qu a ll y ,

t end to c oll e ct t he c o nfin e d spi rit but n ot to i r rit a t e Th e , .

e xp erim e nt m a y b e m a d e m or e g e n er a l b oth b y using t h e ,

a s h es a n d c a lcin e d p r o duc ts o f d i ff ere nt b odi e s a n d by p o u r

ing diff er e nt liquids up on th em .

A n eg a tiv e inst a nc e may b e su b j oin ed of oth er m et a ls

w h ich a re m or e s oft a n d s ol ub l e ; f or l ea f g old diss olv e d b y
a qu a r egi a o r l ea d by a qu a f or tis a r e n o t w a r m t o t h e t o uch
, ,

whil e di ss o lvi ng n o m ore is q uic k silv e r (as fa r a s I r e m em

,

b e r) b ut s ilv er e xcit es a slight h ea t a n d s o d oe s c o pp er

, , ,

a n d tin y e t m o r e pl a inly a n d m os t o f a ll i ro n a n d st ee l
, ,

which e xcit e n ot o nly a p ow er ful h ea t but a vi ol e nt b u b ,

b ling Th e h ea t th er efor e a pp ea r s to b e occ a si on e d by

.
, ,

t h e st r uggl e which t a k e s pl a c e wh e n th e s e s tr o ng d i s s ol

v e nts p e n e tr a t e dig int o a n d t ea r a s und er t he p a r ts o f

, ,

th ose sub s ta nc es whil e t he sub s t a nc es th ems elv es r esist

,
.

W h e n h o w e v er t h e substa nc es yi eld m or e e as ily sc ar c ely

, , ,

a n y h ea t i s excit e d .

T h er e is n o n eg a tiv e insta nc e with r eg a r d to t h e h ea t of

a ni m a l s e xc e pt in in s ects (a s h a s b ee n obs er v e d ) o wing t o
, ,

th e i r s m a ll siz e ; f or in fi s h es a s c omp a re d with l a nd a n i

,

m a l s a l o w er d eg ree r a th er th a n a d e p riv a ti o n o f h ea t is
,

o b s e r v a bl e In pl a nts a n d v eg e t a bl es b o th a s t o th ei r
.
,

e xud a ti o n s a n d pith wh e n f r e shly e xp os e d th er e is n o se n ,

sibl e d eg ree of h ea t B ut in a nim als th er e i s a g r ea t diff er

.

e nc e in t h e d e g r e e b o th in p a r ticul a r p a r ts (fo r t h e h ea t
,

v a ri es n ea r t he h ea rt t he b r a in a n d t he extr emiti es) a n d in

, ,
e x er cis e a n d f e ver s .

H ere a ga in th e re is sc a rc el y a n eg a ti v e insta nc e I
, , .

might a dd th a t t he e xc rem e nts o f a nim a ls e v e n wh e n th ey ,

a r e n o l o ng er fr e sh p o ss ess e vid e ntly s om e eff e ctiv e h ea t a s

, ,

is Sh own b y th ei r e n riching th e so il .

S uch liquid s ( wh e th er oily or w a t e ry ) a s a r e in t ens ely

a c rid e xhibit t h e eff e ct s o f h ea t b y th e S ep a r a tion a n d b ur n
,

i n g o f b o di es a ft e r s om e littl e a cti o n up o n th e m y et th ey ,

a r e n o t a t fi r st w a r m t o t h e t ouch b ut th ey ac t a cc or ding to ,

th ei r a ffinity a n d t he p ores of th e sub s t a nc es t o which th ey

a r e a ppli e d ; f o r a qu a r e gi a diss o lv es g old but n o t sil v e r

o n t h e c o nt r a r y a qu a f or ti s dis s o l v e s sil v e r b ut n o t g o ld ;
,

n eith e r of th e m dis s olv es gl a s s a n d s o of t h e r es t , .

Le t s pi rit s of win e b e t ri e d o n w o od or butt er wa x or , , ,

pitch to s ee if thi s will m e lt th e m a t a ll by th ei r h ea t ; for

,

t h e tw e nty f o u r th i n s t a nc e s h ows th a t th ey p o ss es s p r o p er
-

ti es r e sem bling th os e oi h ea t i n c a u s ing inc ru s t a ti on Le t .

a n e xp e r im e nt a ls o b e m a d e with a g r a du a t e d gl a s s o r c a l e n

d ar ,
”
c o nc a v e a t t he to p by p o u r ing w ell r ec ti fi e d s pi r its of
,
-

win e int o t h e c a vity a n d c o v e ring it up in or d er th a t th ey

,

m a y th e b e tt er r e t a in th e i r h e a t th e n o bs er v e w h e th e r th ei r
,

h e a t m a k e t h e w a t er d e s c e nd .

S pic es a n d a c r id h e r b s a r e s ensibly w a r m to t h e p a l a t e ,

a n d s till m o re S O wh e n t a k e n int e r n a lly ; o n e s h o uld s e e ,

t h e r e f ore o n wh a t o th er sub s t a nc es th e y e xhibit t he e ff e c ts

,

o f h ea t . N o w s a i l o rs t e ll u s t h a t wh e n l a r g e qu a ntiti e s o f
,

spic es a re s udd e nly o p e n ed a fte r h a ving b e e n s hut up f or

,

s om e tim e th ere i s s om e d a n g er of f e v e r a n d i n fl a mm a ti o n
,

t o t h os e w h o s ti r th e m o r t a k e th e m o u t A n e xp er i m e nt .

93
S e e No 2 8 . in th e t bl
a e of th e dg
e rees of h ea t
.
 N OVU M ORGAN UM 1 35

might th er e fo re b e m a d e wh eth er such spic e s a n d h e rb s

, , ,

w h e n p rod u c e d will lik e sm ok e d ry fis h a n d m ea t h ung

, , ,

up o v er th e m .

Th ere i s a n a c rid e ff ect a n d a d eg ree of p e n et r a ti o n in

cold li q uid s s uch a s vi heg a r a n d oi l o f vit ri ol a s w ell a s
, ,

i n w a rm such a s oi l of m a rj ora m a n d t he li ke ; th ey h a v e
, ,

th eref ore a n e q u a l e ff ect in c a u s ing a nim a t e d subst a nc es to

,

sm a rt a n d s ep a r a ting a n d c onsuming in a nim a t e p ar ts

, .

T h ere i s n ot a n y n eg a tiv e inst a nc e a s to this n or d oes th ere ,

e xist a n a nim a l p a in un a cc omp a ni ed b y t h e s en s a ti on of

y
h ea t.

Th er e a r e m a ny effect s c ommon to c old a n d h ea t h o w ,

e v e r diff ere nt in th ei r p r oc e s s ; for sn o w b a lls a pp e a r t o bu r n

b oys h a n ds a ft er a littl e tim e a n d c o ld n o l ess th a n fi re

’
,

p r es er v es b o di es f ro m put r efa cti o n —b esid es b oth h e a t a n d

c old c o nt ra ct b odi es B ut it i s b ett er to r e f er th es e in s t a nc es
.

an d t h e lik e t o t h e inv e stig a ti o n o f c old .

XIII In t he thi r d pl a c e we mu s t exhibit to t h e und er

.

st a nding t h e inst a nc es in which th a t n a tu r e w hich i s t he ,

obj e ct of o u r inqui r i e s is p r e s e nt i n a g r e a t e r or l e s s d eg re e
, ,

e ith er by c o mp a r ing i ts inc r e a s e a n d d e c rea s e in t h e s a m e

O bj e ct or i ts d eg r ee in diff er e nt o bj ects ; for s inc e the f or m

,

o f a thing is its v e r y e ss e nc e a n d t h e thing o nly di ff e rs

,

fr om its f or m a s the a pp a re nt fr om t he a ctua l obj ect or th e ,

e xt e ri or f r om th e int er i or o r th a t w hich is c o n s id e r e d with

,

r e l a ti o n to m a n f r om th a t whic h is c o n s id e r e d with r e l a ti o n

t o th e univ e r s e ; i t n e c ess a rily f oll ows th a t n o n a tu r e c a n b e

c on s id er e d a r ea l fo r m which d oes n ot unifor ml y di m ini s h

a n d inc r e a s e w ith t he giv e n n a tu r e W e a re w ont t o c a ll
.

this ou r T a b l e of D eg r ees or C ompa ra tiv e I n s t a nc es

,
.
 Ta ble f
o the Deg r ees or Compa r a ti ve In s ta n ces o
f H ea t

W e will fi rst sp ea k of thos e b odi es which e xhi b it no

d eg ree of h ea t s e n s i b l e to t he t o uch b ut a pp ear r a th e r t o ,

p os s ess a p ot e nti a l h ea t or dispos iti o n a n d p rep a ra ti on for ,

it W e will th e n go o n to o th ers which a r e a ctu a lly w a r m

.
,

t o t h e t ouch a n d obs e r v e th e st re ngth a n d d eg r e e o f it

, .

1 T h er e is n o k n own s olid o r t a ngibl e b o dy which i s b y

.

i ts o w n n a tu r e or igin a lly w a r m ; f or n e ith er st o n e m e t a l , ,

sulphu r f os s il s w ood w a t er n or d ea d a nim a l c a r c a ss es a re

, , , ,

f o und w a r m Th e wa rm sp rings i n b a ths a pp ea r to b e

.

h ea t ed a ccid e nt a lly by fl a m e s ubt er ra n eo us fi r e (s uch a s , ,

is th ro wn up by E tn a a n d m a ny o th er m o unt a in s ) o r by th e ,

c o nt a ct o f c er t a in b odi es a s h ea t is exhibit e d in t he dis s ol u ,

ti o n of i ro n a n d tin The d eg r ee of h e a t th er e for e in .

, ,

i n a nim a t e Obj e ct s i s n ot s e n s ibl e t o o ur t o uch ; b ut th ey

di ff er in th e i r d eg rees of c old for w oo d a n d m e t a l a re n ot
“
,

e qu a lly c old T his h o w ev er b el ong s t o t he T a bl e o f

.
, ,

D eg r e es of C old .

2 B ut with re g ar d to p ot e nti a l h e a t a n d p r e di s p os iti o n

.

t o fl a m e we fi n d m a ny in a nim a t e sub s t a nc es w o nd er fully

,

a d a pt ed t o it a s s u lph u r n a p h th a a n d s a l tp e t r e
, , , .

3 B odi e s which h a v e p r e vi o u s ly a cqui re d h ea t a s h or s e

.
,

dung f ro m t h e a ni m a l or li m e a n d p er h a p s a s h es a n d s oot , ,

f rom fi re r et a in s om e l a t ent p or ti o n o f it H e nc e di s till a

,
.

ti o n s a n d s e pa r a ti o n s of sub s t a nc es a r e e ffe ct e d by bu rying

‘B c n h m t k
9
a n ti n c n fi n d t u lv f
o e re is a es se sa o o e o o rs e es or a n int n l p p er a ro

erty f di tinct u b t nc
o sM t l d n th n w d
s s a es . e a s a re e se r a oo . an d o ur b od c i es on

seq u ntl y c ming in t c nt ct W th m p ticl f m tt

e o o o a i ore ar es o a er w h n w to uch
e e

th m l
e ,
g te q u nt ty f h t th n in th c
os e a r ea r a i o ea a e as e of lighte s b r u

t nc — E d
s a es . .
 N OVU M ORGAN UM 1 87

th e m in hors e dung a n d h e a t i s e xcit ed in lim e by Sp ri n k

,

li ng it with w a t e r (a s h a s b e e n b e f ore ob s er ve d ) .

4 In th e v e g e t a b l e w or ld we kn o w o f n o pl a nt n or p a rt
.
,

o f a n y pl a nt (a s t h e e xud a t i o ns o r pith ) th a t i s w a r m to

m a n s to uch Y e t (a s we h a v e b e f or e Obs er v e d ) g r een

’
.

w eeds g ro w w a r m wh en c onfin e d a n d s om e v eg et a b l es a re ,

w a rm a n d oth er s c o ld to o u r int er n a l t o uch t e t h e p a l a te , . .

,

a n d sto m a ch or e v e n a ft e r a wh il e t o o u r e xte r n a l S k in (a s
,

i s s h own in pl a ste rs a n d o intm e nt s ) .

5 W e k n o w of n othing in t he v a rious p a r t s o f a nim a l s

.
,

w h e n d ea d or d e ta ch ed f ro m t h e r es t th a t i s w ar m t o t he ,

t ouch ; for h ors e dung it s elf does n ot r e t a in i ts h e a t unl es s ,

it b e c onfin e d a n d bu ri e d A ll dung h o w e v er a pp e a r s t o .
, ,

p os s es s a p ot e nti a l h ea t a s in m a n ur ing fi e ld s ; so a l s o d e a d
,

b odi e s ar e e ndu e d with thi s la te nt a n d p ot e nti a l h ea t t o s uch

a d e g r ee th a t in c e m e te r i e s w h ere p eopl e a r e int e rre d d a ily
,

t h e e a r th a cqui re s a s e c r e t h ea t which c o n s um es a n y ,

r e c e ntly d e p osi te d b o d y much s o on er th a n pur e e a r th ; a n d

th ey t e ll you th a t the p eo pl e of th e E a s t a r e a cqu a inted with

a fi n e s o ft cl o th m a d e o f t he d o wn o f bi r d s which c a n m e lt
, ,

b utter w ra pp ed g e ntly u p in it b y i ts own w a r m th .

6 M a nure s s uch as e v er y kind o f dung c h a lk s ea s a nd

.
, , ,
-
,

s a lt a n d th e lik e h a v e s om e d i s p os iti o n to w a r d h ea t
,
.

7 A ll put re fa cti o n e xhibits s om e slight d e gr e e of h e a t

.
,

th ough n o t e n o ugh to b e p er c eptibl e by th e t o uch ; for

n eith e r t he subs t a nc es which by putref a cti on a r e c onv er t ed
”
i nto a nim a lcul ae a s fl es h a n d ch ee s e
,
n or r o tt e n w ood ,

which shin e s in t h e d a r k a re w a r m t o t he to uch The h e a t

,
.
,

,
25
Thi s was th a ncient O pi i n b ut th m d m inclin to the beli f tha t
e n o ,
e o e s e e

the e in ect a re p duc d by g n

s s s ro ti n f cundit y f m ed d pos it d by
e e e ra o or e ro se s e e

t he i t i b s in bodi es
r r e th v ge f p ut f c ti n — E d
on e er o re a o .
a di s gu s ting a n d s trong sc e nt .

8 The fi r st d eg r ee of h ea t th ere f ore i n s u b st a nc e s

.
, ,

w h ich a re w a r m t o t he h um a n t ou ch a pp ea r s t o b e th a t of
a nim a l s a n d thi s a dmit s Of a g re a t v a r i e ty o f d e g r e e s f or
, ,

t h e l o w es t ( a s in in s e cts ) i s sc a r c e ly p erc e pti b l e t h e high e st ,

sc a rc e ly e qu a l s th a t of t he sun s ra y s in w a rm cli ma t es a n d
’

w e a th e r a n d is n ot S O a c ut e a s t o b e insuff e ra b l e to t he
,

h a nd It i s s a id h o w e v e r o f C o n s t a ntiu s a n d s o m e o th ers
.
, , ,

o f a v e ry d r y c o n s tituti o n a n d h a b it o f b ody th a t wh e n ,

a tt a ck e d with vi o l e nt f e v e r s th ey b ec a m e s o w a r m a s t o
,

a pp e a r a l m os t t o b u r n t h e h a nd a ppli e d t o th e m .

9 A ni m a l s b e c om e m or e w a r m by m oti o n a n d e x e r cis e
.
,

w in e a n d f e a s ti n g v e n e ry bu r ning f e v er s a n d g r i e f
, , , .

1 0 In t h e p a r o xy s m o f i nt e r m itt e nt f e v e rs t h e p a t i e nt s
.

a r e a t fi r s t s e iz e d with c o ld a n d s hi ve r ing b ut s oo n a ft e r ,

w a r d b e c o m e m or e h e a t e d t h a n a t fi rs t— i h bu r ning a n d
p es til e nti a l f e v er s th ey a r e hot f rom th e b eginning .

1 1 Le t fu r th er inq u i ry b e m a d e i nt o t h e c omp a r a tiv e

.

h e a t o f di ff ere nt a nim a l s a s fi s h es q u a d r up e d s s e rp e nts

, , , ,

bi rd s a n d a l s o o f th e di ff e re nt s peci e s a s th e l i o n th e kit e
, , , ,

or m a n ; f o r a cc o r ding t o t h e v ulg a r o pini o n fi s h es a re t h e

, ,

l ea s t w a rm int e r n a l ly a n d bi rd s t h e m o st p ar ticul a rly

, ,

d o v es h a wks a n d os t rich es
, ,
.

1 2 Le t fu r th er inq ui ry b e m a d e a s t o th e c omp a r a tiv e

.

h ea t i n diff er e nt p a rt s a n d limb s of t h e s a m e a ni m a l ; f or
milk b l o od s e ed a n d e gg s a re m o d er a t ely w a r m a n d l ess
, , , ,

h ot th a n t h e o utw a r d fl e sh o f t h e a n i m a l w h e n i n m o ti o n or
a git a t e d The d e g re e o f h e a t of t h e bra in s t o m a ch h e a r t
.
, , ,

a n d th e r es t h a s n o t y e t b ee n e qu a lly w e ll i nv es tig a t e d
,
.

1 3 A ll a nim a ls a re e xt er n a lly c old in wi nt er a n d c old

.

w ea th er but a re th o ught t o b e int er n a lly w a r m er

, .
 NO V M U ORGAN U M 1 39

14 . The
h ea t of th e h e a v e nly b odi es e v e n in t he w a rm e s t ,

cli m a t es a n d se as on s n e v er r e a ch es such a pitch a s to light

,

o r b u r n t h e d r i es t w o od or s t ra w o r e v e n tind er with o ut ,

t he a i d o f bu r ning gl a s s e s It c a n h o w e v er r a is e v a p or
-
.
, ,

fr om m o i s t su b st a nc es .

1 5 A s t ro n o m er s t e ll u s th a t s o m e sta rs a re h ott er th a n
.

o th e r s M a r s is c o nsid er e d th e w a r m e st a ft er t he S un th e n
.
,

J upit er th e n V e nus
,
The M oo n a n d a b o v e a ll S a t u r n
.
, , ,

a re c o n s id e r e d to b e c o ld A m o ng t he fix e d sta r s S i r ius
.

is th o ught t he w a r m est th e n C or L eo nis or Regulus th e n

, ,

t h e l ess er D og sta r -
.

1 6 The s u n giv e s ou t m or e h ea t as it a pp roach e s t ow a r d

.

t h e p e rp e ndicul a r o r z e nith which m a y b e supp os e d t o b e ,

t he c a s e with t h e o th er pl a n ets a cc or ding t o th e i r d e g ree ,

o f h e a t ; f or in s t a nc e th a t J upit er gi v e s o u t m or e h e a t wh e n
,

situ a t ed b en ea th C a nc er or Leo th a n w h e n he is be n ea t h
C a p r ic or n a n d A qu a r ius .

1 7 It i s t o b e supp os e d th a t t h e sun a n d o th er pl a n e ts
.

giv e m or e h e a t in p erig ee fro m th ei r a p p r oxim a ti on to t he

,

ea r th th a n wh e n i n a p o g e e
,
B ut if in a n y c o unt ry th e s u n
.

Sh ould b e bo th i n its p er igee a n d n ea rer to t he p e r p e ndicul a r

a t t h e sa m e tim e it mu s t n e c e ss a ri ly giv e o u t m o re h ea t th a n
,

in a c ount ry wh er e it is a lso in pe r ig e e but Situ a t ed m o re ,

o b li q uely ; s o th a t th e c o mp a r a tiv e a ltitud e o f t h e pl a n e ts

sh o uld b e ob s er v e d a n d th ei r a pp r oa ch to o r d eclin a ti o n
,

fr om t h e p e rp e ndicul a r in diff er e nt c o untr i es .

1 8 Th e sun a n d o th e r pl a n ets a r e th o ught a ls o t o giv e

.

ou t m or e h e a t i n p ro p or ti o n a s th e y a r e n e a rer to th e l ar g e r

fi x ed s t ars a s wh e n t he sun is in Leo he is n ear er C or

,

L eo nis C a ud a L eonis S pic a V i rgini s S i rius a n d th e l e ss er

, , , ,

Dog st a r th a n wh e n h e i s in C a nc e r wh ere h o w e v er he
-
, , , , ,

a pp r oa ch es n ea rer t o t h e p e rp e ndicul a r I t is p rob a b l e .

,
with a g rea t er n umb er of st ar s p a r ticul a rly th os e o f t he ,

fi rs t m a gnitud e .

1 9 O n t h e w hol e t h e h e a t o f t h e h ea v e nl y b odi es is
.
,

a ug m e nt e d in th r e e w a ys : 1 The a pp r o a ch t o t h e pe rpen.

d i c u l a r ; 2 P r o xi m ity o r th ei r p er ig e e ; 3 Th e c o nj uncti o n
. .

or u ni o n of s t a r s .

20 T h er e i s a v e r y c o n s id er a bl e diff er e nc e b etw ee n t h e
.

d eg r e e of h ea t i n a n i m a l s a n d e v e n in t he r a ys of t he b ea v
,

e n ly b o di es (a s th ey r e a ch u s ) a n d th e h ea t of t he m os t g e n ,

t l e fl a m e a n d e v e n of a l l ignit e d subst a nc e s n a y liquids

, , , ,

o r th e a i r it s e lf wh e n unusu a lly h ea t e d by fi re F o r t he .

fl a m e o f Spi rit of win e t h o ugh diffu s e d a n d unc oll e ct e d i s

, ,

y e t a b l e t o s e t st ra w lin e n or p a p e r o n fi re which a ni m a l
, , ,

h ea t or th a t o f t he s u n will n e v er a cc ompli s h with out a

, ,

b u r ning gl a s s -
.

2 1 T h er e a r e h ow e v e r m a ny d eg re es of s t r e ngth a n d
.
, ,

w ea kn ess i n fl a m e a n d ignit ed b odi es : but n o dilig e nt i h

qui ry ha s b e e n m a d e in thi s re s p ect a n d we m u s t th er ef ore , , ,

p a s s it h a s tily o v er O f a ll fl a m e s th a t of Spi r it s o f win e

.
,

a pp e ars t o b e t h e m os t g e ntl e e xc e pt p er h a p s t he igni s ,

f a tuus or t he fl a s h es f rom t he p ers pi ra ti o n o f a ni m a l s

,
.

A ft er thi s w e Sh o uld b e inclin e d t o pl a c e t he fl a m e of light

an d p or ou s v eg e t a b l es s uc h a s s t r a w r e e d s a n d d ri e d
, , ,

l e a v es ; f r om which t h e fl a m e o f h a i r or f e a th er s di ff e rs but
littl e T h e n p e rh a p s c om es t he fl a m e o f w ood pa r ti c u
.
, , ,

l a r ly th a t which c o nt a in s but littl e r os in o r pi tch ; th a t of

sma ll w o od h ow e v er (s uch a s i s u s u a lly ti ed up in f a g o ts)
, ,

is mild er th a n th a t of the t runk s o r r oo t s of t re es Thi s c a n .

b e‘ ea sil y t ri e d in i ro n fu r n a c es wh e r e a fi re of f a g o t s or ,

b r anch e s of t re es i s of l i ttl e s er vic e N e xt f ollows the fl a me .

 N O VUM OR G AN UM 141

of oi l t a ll ow wa x a n d t he lik e oily a n d f a t su b sta nc es

, , , ,

which a r e n ot v e ry vi o l e nt B ut a m ost p o w erful h e a t is .

f o und in pitch a n d rosin a n d a still g rea t e r in sulphur c am , ,

p h or n a phth a s a l tp e tr e a n d s a lt s (a ft er th ey h a v e di s
, , ,

ch a rg ed th ei r c r ud e m a tt e r) a n d in th ei r c omp o und s ; a s i n ,

gunp o wd er G r e ek fi re (vulg a rl y c a ll e d wild fi r e) a n d i ts

, ,

v a ri eti es which p os s ess s uch a stub b or n h e a t a s sc a r c ely t o

,

b e e xtingu i s h e d by w a t er .

22 W e c o n s id er th a t t h e fl a m e which r es ult s fr o m s om e
.

imp er f ect m e t a l s i s v er y s t ro ng a n d a ctiv e ; but o n a ll th es e

p oints fu r th er inqui r y Sh o uld b e m a d e .

2 3 Th e fl a m e of vivid lightning a pp ea r s t o e xc e e d a l l
.

t h e a b o v e S O a s s om eti m e s t o h a v e m e lt e d e v e n w ro ught
,

i r on int o d rop s which t h e oth e r fl a m es c a nn ot a cc om pli s h

,
.

2 4 I n ignit e d b o di e s th er e a r e diff e r e nt d eg re es o f h ea t
.
,

c onc er ning which a l s o a dilig e nt inqui ry h a s n ot b ee n, ,

m a d e W e c on s id er t h e f a int es t h ea t t o b e th a t o f tind er
.
,

t o uchw ood a n d d ry rop e m a tch s uch a s i s u s e d f or di s

, ,

ch a r ging c a nn o n N ext f o ll o w s th a t o f ignit ed ch a r c oa l o r

.

cind ers a n d e v e n b r ick s a n d t h e lik e ; but th e m os t v i o

, ,

l e nt i s th a t o f ignit e d m e t a l s a s i r o n c opp e r a n d t he lik e , , ,

.

F u r t he r inquir y h o w e v er mu s t b e m a d e int o thi s a l s o

, ,
.

25 S om e ignit e d b o di e s a r e f o und t o b e m uch w a rm er

.

th a n s om e fl a m es ; f o r in s t a nc e r e d hot i ro n i s much w a r m er , ,

a n d bu r n s m or e th a n t h e fl a m e o f Spi r it s of win e .

2 6 S o m e b o di e s e v e n n o t ignit e d b u t o nly h e a t e d by
.
,

t he fi r e a s b o iling w a t e r a n d th e a i r c o n fi n e d in r e v e r b er a
, ,

t or i e s s u rp a s s in h ea t m a ny fl a m e s a n d ignit ed s ub s t a nc es
“
.
,

2 7 M o t i o n inc r ea s es h e a t
. a s is s h o wn i n t h e b e ll o w s ,

“ 5
Th ec ct m u orre ea s re of th e a ctivity offlm m a e ay be o b ta in d by m ultipl y
e

n tu l f c i t qu i ts v l city thi cc unt th fl me

'

i n g i ts a ra or e n o th e s a re of e o . On s a o e a
pi pe .

28 . xp erim e nt b e m a d e with b u r ning gl a s s es ; in

Let an e -

which resp ect I h a v e ob s er v e d tha t if a gl a ss b e pl a c e d a t ,

t h e dista nc e o f t e n inch es f or inst a nc e f r o m t he c om b u s tibl e

, ,

o bj e ct it d o es n ot kindl e or bu r n it s o r ea dily a s if th e gl a ss
, ,

b e pl a c e d a t t h e di s t a nc e o f fi ve i nch e s ( for i nst a nc e) a n d b e ,

th e n g r a du a l ly a n d sl o wly withd r a wn t o t h e di s t a nc e o f t e n
inch e s The c o n e a n d f ocu s O f t he ra ys h ow e v er a re the
.
, ,

s a m e but t h e m ere m o ti o n i nc r ea s es t he e ff ect of th e h ea t

, .

2 9 C o n fla g r a ti on s which t a k e pl a c e with a high wind

.
, ,

a r e th o ught t o m a k e g r e a t er w a a g a in s t th a n with t h e w ind

y ,

b ec a u s e wh e n t he w ind sl a ck e ns th e fl a m e r ec o il s m or e ,

r a pidly th a n it a dv a nc es w h e n t h e win d i s f a v o ra bl e
"
.

3 0 F l a m e d o e s n o t bu r s t o u t or a r i s e u nl e s s it h a v e
.

s o m e h o ll o w s p a c e t o m o ve a n d e xe r t i t s e lf i n e xc e pt in t he ,

e xpl o ding fl a m e o f gunp o w d e r a n d t h e li k e wh e re t h e c o m, ,

p r es s i o n a n d c o nfin em e n t of t he fl a m e inc rea s e i ts f ury .

3 1 Th e a nvil b e c o m es s o h ot b y t h e h a mm er th a t if it
.
,

We r e a thin pl a t e it m ight p r ob a b ly g ro w r e d li k e ignit e d ,

i ro n by r e p e a t e d s t r o k es Le t t he exp e r i m ent b e t r i e d
. .

3 2 But i n ign i t e d b odi es th a t a r e p or o u s s o a s t o l e a v e

.
,

r oo m f o r t h e fi r e t o m o v e it s e lf if i t s m o ti o n b e p r e v e nt e d,

b y st r o n g c omp r e s s i o n t he fi r e i s imm e di a t e ly extingui s h e d ;

,

thu s it i s w ith tind e r o r t he b u r ning s nu ff o f a c a n dl e o r

,

l a m p o r e v e n ho t ch a rc o a l o r cind e rs ; f or wh e n th e y a re
,

s qu e e z e d by s n u fl e r s o r t h e f o o t a n d t he lik e t h e e ff e ct o f
'

, , ,

t he fi r e in s t a ntly c e a s es .

of viv d light ing m nti n d in

i n e o e No . 23 c nt in o a s so m uch vi g or, i ts v l city
e o

b ing g t th n th t i ing f
e rea e r a a ar s rom o th h t —E d
er ea .
'
.
 NO VUM ORGAN UM 143

33 . pp r oa ch t o w a r d a ho t b ody inc r ea s es h ea t in
The a

p rop o rti o n t o t h e a pp r oxi m a ti o n ; a Simil a r eff e ct t o th a t Of

light for t he n ea r er a n y o bj ect i s pl a c e d t o w a r d th e light
, ,

t h e m or e vi s ibl e it b e c o m es .

34 Th e . uni o n o f di ff e re nt h ea ts inc r ea s es h ea t unl es s

27
,

t h e s ub s t a nc es b e m ix e d ; f or a l arg e a n d sm a ll fi r e in t h e

s a m e sp ot t e nd mutu a lly t o inc rea s e ea ch o th er s h ea t b u t ’

,

luk e w a rm w a t er p o u r e d int o b oiling w a t er c o ols it .

3 5 Th e c o ntinu e d n eighb or h ood of a w a rm b ody i h

.

c r ea s es h e a t F or t h e h ea t which p er p etu a lly p a ss es a n d

.
,

e m a n a t es f r o m it b e ing mix e d with th a t whic h p r e c e d e d it

, ,

multipli es t h e wh o l e A fi r e f or in s t a nc e d oes n ot w a r m .
, ,

a r o o m in h a lf a n h o u r a s m uch a s t h e s a m e fi r e w o uld in

a n h o ur Thi s d oes n o t a pply to lig h t f or a l a m p or c a n dl e

.
,

pl a c e d i n a Sp ot giv e s n o m or e ligh t by rem a ining th ere ,

th a n it did a t fi rs t .

3 6 The i r rit a ti o n of s u rr o unding c old inc r ea s es h e a t a s

.
,

m a y b e s e e n in fi res d u ring a sh a rp f r os t W e thin k th a t .

thi s i s o wing n o t m e re ly to the c o nfin em e nt a n d c om p r e s s i on

of t he h e a t ( which f o r ms a s o r t of uni on ) but a l s o by t h e ,

e x a s p era ti o n of it a s wh e n t h e a i r or a s tic k a r e vi o l e ntly

,

c omp r e ss e d or b e nt th ey r ec oil n o t o nly t o t h e p oint th e y

, ,

fi rs t occupi ed but sti ll fu r t her b a ck Le t a n a ccu ra t e ex

,
.

er i m e n t th ere f or e b e m a d e with a stic k or s om e thi ng of

p , , ,

t h e k ind p ut int o t he fl a m e in or d e r t o s ee wh e th er it b e
, ,

n o t s o on er b ur n e d a t t h e Sid e s th a n i n t h e middl e of it .

9 “ fi
Th e uppl y f h h e t th w t h nl y a t i q u ntity f h t
res s res a , e a er as o ce r a n a o ea ,

w hich be ing di ffu d v f h upply f c l w t mu t b

se o th w h le
er a re s s o oo er a er , s e on e o

l w d
o e re .

If c nd n sa ti n w th c u f th e g ea t h t B c on c nclud the
93 o e o e re e a se o r er ea , a o es

ce nt f th
re fl m w uld be th h tt p t d vi
o e a e d oTh f ct i s e o er ar ,
an ce t er e . e a ,

n ith of th c u
e er ign d by B
e iath tu ; f
ses th fi
as s bu ns e a con
'

s e r e on e or e re r
A nd fi rst it mu s t be ob se r v ed h ow m uch a l ow g entl e h e a t
, ,

ch a ng e s a n d p a r ti a lly w a r ms e v e n t he b o di es l ea st s us c ep
ti b l e o f it F or e v e n the h ea t of t he h a nd im pa rts a littl e
.

w a rm th t o a b a ll of l ea d or o th e r m e t a l h eld a sh o rt tim e in
it ; so ea sily i s h e a t t r a n s mitt e d a n d e xcite d without a n y ,

a pp a r e nt ch a ng e i n t h e b o dy .

38 O f a ll b o di es th a t w e a r e a cq u a int e d with a i r a dmits

.
,

a n d l os e s h e a t t he m o s t r e a dily which is a dmi ra b ly s e e n in ,

w e a th er gl a ss e s wh os e c o n s t r ucti o n i s a s f oll o ws : T a k e a
-
,

gl a s s with a h o ll o w b elly a n d a thin a n d l o ng n ec k ; tu rn ,

it up s id e d own a n d pl a c e it with i ts m o uth d o wn w ar d into

,

a n o th er gl a s s v e s s e l c o nt a ining w a t er ; t he e n d o f t h e tu b e

to uching t he b ott om of th e v e ss el a n d t h e tub e it s e lf l ea n ,

ing a littl e o n t h e e dg e s o a s to b e fix e d up r ig h t In or d er
, .

t o d o thi s m o r e r ea dily l e t a littl e w a x b e a ppli e d t o th e ,

e dg e n ot h o w e ver
, ,
s o a s t o bl o ck up t h e o r ific e
,
l e s t by , ,

p r e v e nting t h e a i r f ro m e s c a ping t h e m oti on which we , ,

s h a ll p re s e ntly s p ea k o f a n d which i s v e r y g e ntl e a n d d eli

,

c a t e s h o uld b e i m p e d e d
,
.

B ef or e t h e fi rs t gl a s s b e in s e rt e d in th e oth e r i ts u pp er ,

p a r t ( th e b e lly ) s h o uld b e w a r m e d a t t he fi r e T h e n up o n .

pl a ci n g i a s w e h a v e d es c r ib e d the a i r (w hich w a s dil a t ed

t
,

b y th e h e a t ) a ft er a s u ffici e nt tim e h a s b een a ll ow e d f or it

,

t o l os e t h e a dditi o n a l t em p er a tu re will r es t or e a n d c o nt r a ct ,

1 ts el f t o t he s a m e dim e n s i o n s a s th a t o f t h e e xt er n a l o r c o m

m o n a t m o s ph e r e a t t h e m o m e nt o f imm er s i o n a n d t he w a t er ,

will b e a tt r a ct e d up wa r d i n th e tub e to a p r op or ti o n a t e e x
t e nt A l o ng n a r r o w S ll p of p a p er s h o uld b e a tt a ch e d t o
.

m ore q u ck l y nly b c u
i o e a se th ed ught ra of a ir i s mo re ra pid t h c ld d n se
, e o e

a ir p ing pidly nt
r ess ra i o th e h tdea e roo m and t
o wa r d th e chi mn y — E d e . .
 N OVU M OR GA NU M 1 45

th e tu b e di vid e d into a s m a ny d eg r ee s a s you pl e a s e Y o u

,
.

will th e n p er c eiv e a s t he w ea th er g ro ws w a r m er or c old er

, ,

th a t th e a i r c o nt r a cts it self int o a n a rr ow e r s p a c e in c old

w ea th e r a n d dil a t es in t h e wa rm which will b e e xhibit e d ,

by t he r i s ing of t he w a t er as t he a i r c ont r a ct s it se lf a n d i ts ,

d ep r es s i o n a s t he a i r dil a t es The s e n s ibility of the a i r with

.

reg a rd to h ea t or c old i s s o d elic a te a n d e xqui s it e th a t it fa r ,

e xc e e d s t he h u m a n t o uch s o th a t a r a y o f s un s hin e t h e h ea t
, ,

of t h e b r ea th a n d much m o r e th a t o f t h e h a nd pl a c e d o n
, ,

t he top of t h e tub e im m e di a t ely c a u s e s a n e vid e nt d e pr es

,

si o n of t he w a t e r W e think h ow e v er th a t t h e spi rit of

.
, ,

a nimals p os s es s es a m uch m ore d e lic a t e su s c e ptibility of

h ea t a n d c o ld o nl y th a t it i s imp e d e d a n d blunt e d by t h e
,

g ros s n es s of th ei r b odi es .

39 A ft er a i r we c onsid e r th os e b odi e s to b e m os t s e n
'

,
.

sibl e of h ea t w hich h a v e b ee n r e c e ntly ch a ng e d a n d c on

,

t r a ct e d b y c old a s sn o w a n d i c e ; for th e y b egin t o b e d i s

,

s ol ve d a n d m e lt with th e fi rst mild w e a th er N e xt p er h a ps .

, ,

f oll ows quic ks i l v er ; th e n g rea sy su b s t a nc es a s oi l b u tt er , , ,

a n d t h e lik e ; th e n w oo d ; th e n w a t er ; l a s tly st on e s a n d ,

m et a l s which d o n o t e a s ily g ro w h ot p a r ticul a rl y t o wa r d

, ,

”
th e i r c e nt re Wh e n h ea t e d h o w e v e r th ey r e t a in th e i r
.
, ,

te m p e ra tu r e for a v er y l o ng tim e ; s o th a t a b ric k or sto n e ,

or h ot i r o n pl ung e d i n a b a si n o f c old w a t e r a n d k ept th er e

, ,

99
Ba con a ppears to h ve con f und d c mb u ti b il ity a d f u ib i lity w i th s
a o e o s n s su

cepti b ili ty f h ea t ; fo th ough th m ta l w ill c ta inl y n ith e di

o r e lv e as n
e s er e r sso soo

as i ce o b utt
r b e con u med as
e r , n or n wood tha t only s h ws th t d ff
s soo as ,
o a i er

e t d eg ree
n f h ea t
s o q ui d to p du ce s imil a eff ects o d iff nt bodi ;
a re re re ro r n ere es

b ut me ta l s much more rea di ly a c q ui a d tr n s mi t th me d g re f h t n a e sa e ree o ea

tha n an y of th e a b v e s u b s ta nceso Th e pi d tra n s mi ion nd th m ge

. ra ss re ers e n

era l ly cold to the touch Th e conv e ni nc of fixing w ood n ha n dl es to v essels

. e e e

conta i n i n g hot wa te ill us tra tes th ese obse rv a ti n s

r o .
as n ot to a dmit of b eing to uch ed .

40 The l ess m a ss iv e t he b od y i s t h e m or e re a dily i t

.
,

g r o ws w ar m a t t he a ppr oa ch of a h ea t e d b ody which sh o ws ,

”
th a t h e a t w i th u s is s o m e wh a t a v ers e t o a t a ngibl e m a ss .

H e a t with r eg a r d to the hum a n s e n s es a n d t ouch is

v a ri o us a n d re l a tive so th a t lu k e w a r m w a ter a pp ea rs ho t i f
,

t he h a nd b e c o ld a n d c old if t he h a nd b e h o t
, .

XI V A ny o n e m a y rea dily s ee h o w p oo r we a re in his

.

t ory S i nc e in th e a b ov e t a bl e s b esid es o cc a s i o n a ll y in s ert

, ,

i n g tr a diti o ns a n d r e p or t i n s t e a d o f a pp ro v e d hi s t ory a n d
a uth e ntic in s t a nc e s ( a l w a ys h o we v er a dding s om e n o t e i f
, ,

th ei r c red i t or a u th or ity b e d o ubtful ) w e a r e o ft e n f or c e d to

“
,

subj o in Le t t he exp erim ent b e t ri e d— Le t fu r th e r inqu i ry

,

b e ma de .

X V W e a r e w o nt t o t er m t he o ffi c e a n d u s e o f th ese
.

th ree t a b l es t he p r es e nting a r e vi e w o f in s t a n c es t o t he
und ers t a nding ; a n d wh e n t his h a s b ee n d o n e inducti o n ,

its elf i s t o b e b r ought into a cti o n F or on a n individu a l .

r e vi e w o f a l l t h e in s t a nc e s a n a tu r e i s t o b e f o u nd s u ch a s ,
'
a lw a y s t o b e p r e s e nt a n d a b s e nt with t h e giv e n n a tu r e t o ,

inc r e a s e a n d d ec re a s e with it a n d a s w e h a v e s a id to f o r m , , ,

a m o r e c o mm o n li m it o f t h e n a tu r e If t h e mind a tt em pt .

thi s a ffi r m a tiv ely f rom t he fi r st ( which it a lw a ys will wh e n

l e ft to it s e lf) th e re will sp r ing u p ph a nt om s m e r e th eo ri es
, ,

a n d ill d e fi n e d n o ti o n s
-
with a xi o m s r e qui r ing d a ily c o r re c
,

ti o n Th e s e will d o u b tl e s s b e b e tt er o r w ors e a cc o r ding

.
, , ,

t o t h e p o w e r a n d str e ngth of t h e und e r s ta nding which

c re a t e s th e m B ut it i s o nly fo r G o d (t he b es t o w e r a n d
.

3°
A n oth er ingul
s th t uth b ng th t lid bodi es a e th bes t
a r e rro r, e r ei , a so r e

conduc t or s ; b ut f c u w h h t i d ff u d v
o o r se e re eal g m it i less
s i se o er a ar e a ss , s

in ch pa
ea rt, tha n if th t p t a l n b b ed the wh l q u t m f hea t —E d
a ar o e a sor o e an u o .
 NO VUM ORGAN UM 1 47

c rea t or o f f o rms) a n d p er h a p s for a ng els a n d int e llig e nc es

, ,

a t o nc e to rec o gniz e f or m s affi r m a ti v e ly a t t h e fi r st gl a nc e of

c o nt empl a ti o n : m a n a t l est i s un a b l e to d o s o a n d i s o nl y
, , ,

a ll o w e d t o p r oc e e d fi rs t b y n e g a tiv es a n d th e n t o c o nclud e ,

with a fli r m a ti ve s a ft er e v e ry sp e ci es of e xclusi o n
, .

X V I W e must th er e fore effe ct a co m pl e t e s oluti o n a n d

.
, ,

s ep a ra ti o n of n a tu r e ; n ot b y fi re b ut by t he mind th a t , ,

divin e fi re Th e fi rst w or k of l egiti m a t e inducti o n i n t he

.
,

di s c o v e ry o f for m s is r e j ecti o n o r t h e e xclusiv e in s t a nc es

, ,

o f i ndivid u a l n a tu r e s which a r e n o t f o und in s o m e o n e i h

,

st a nc e wh e re t he giv e n n a tu r e i s p r es e nt or a r e fo und i n ,

a n y o n e inst a nc e wh e re it is a b s e nt or a r e f o und t o i nc r eas e ,

in a n y o n e inst a nc e Where thegiv e n n a tu r e d ec rea s es or the

'

re v ers e A ft er a n e xclusi o n c orrectly eff e cte d a n affi r ma

.
,

tiv e form will re m a in a s t h e re siduu m s olid t r u e a n d w e ll , , ,

d efi n ed w hil e a l l vo l a til e opini o ns g o off in s

,

is rea di ly s a id ; but we mu s t a rriv e a t it b y a ci r cuit ous

rout e W e sh a ll p e rh a ps h o w e v e r om it n othing tha t c a n
.
, ,

fa cilit a t e o u r p r og r e s s .

X V II The fi rst a n d a lm ost p er p e tu a l p r ec a uti on a n d

.

w ar ning which we c o nsider n ec ess a ry is thi s ; th a t n o n e

sh o uld supp ose f rom t he g r ea t p a r t a ssign ed b y us to
f or m s th a t we m ea n such for ms a s the m e dit a ti o ns a n d
,

th oughts of men h a v e hit herto b ee n a ccustom e d t o In .

t he fi rst pla c e we do not a t p res e nt m ea n the conc r e te

,

f orms w hich (a s we ha ve ob s erv ed) a re i n t he comm o n

,

c o ur s e of things compound ed o f sim p l e n a tu res as th os e of ,

a li on a n e a gl e a r o s e g o ld or th e l i k e
, , ,
Th e m om e nt f or
,
.

d isc ussi n g t hese will a rr i ve when we com e to t rea t of t he

l a te nt p roc ess a n d l a tent c o nfor m a ti on a n d t he d isc o v ery of ,

th em as they e xis t i n wha t a re c a ll ed s ubsta nc es or c on c ret e ,

n a ture s .

Q C IE N C E V ol 22 — 7
.
w it h d r a w u rs e lv es f rom thi ng s a n d t h e o p er a tiv e b ra nch
o ,

o f phil o s op hy Wh e n th e re f o re we s a y (for in s t a nc e) in
.
, ,

o u r inv e s tig a ti o n o f t he f o rm o f h ea t R e j e ct r a r ity o r R a r , , ,

ity i s n ot o f t h e f or m o f h e a t it i s t h e s a m e a s if we w ere t o
,

s a y M a n c a n s up e r indu c e h e a t o n a d e n s e b o dy o r t h e r e
, ,

v e rs e M a n c a n a b s t ra c t o r w a r d o ff h ea t f r om a r a re b ody
, .

But if o u r f or m s a pp e a r t o a n y on e to b e s om e wh a t a h
s t ra c t e d
,
f r om t hei r m i n gling a n d uniting h e t er o g e n eo us
o bj e ct s ( t h e h e a t for i n s t a nc e o f t h e h e a v e nly b o di es a
, , p
p ea rs t o b e v e ry di ff e r e nt f ro m t h a t o f fi re ; th e fix e d r e d of
t h e ros e a n d t h e l i k e f r o m th a t which i s a pp a r e nt in t he
,

r a inb o w o r t h e r a di a ti o n o f Op a l o r t h e di a m o nd ;
, d eat h
by d r o wning f rom t h a t by b u r ning t h e s wo rd a p o pl xy
, , ,
e ,

o r c o n s u m pti o n ; a n d y e t th e y a ll a g r ee i n t h e c o m m o n n a

tu r e s o f h e a t r e dn es s a n d d e a th ) l e t h i m b e a s s u re d th a t
, , ,

h i s und e rs t a nding i s i n th r a ll e d by h a bit by g e n e ra l a pp ea r ,

a n c e s a n d hyp o th es es F or it i s m os t c er t a in th a t h o w e v e r
.
,

h et er og e n e o u s a n d di s tinct th ey a g ree i n t he f o r m o r l a w
,

which r egul a t es h e a t re dn ess o r d e a th ; a n d th a t hum a n

, ,

p o we r c a n n ot be e m a ncip a t e d a n d f r ee d f ro m t he c o mm o n

Thi gen eral l w f m h as been

s a or or we ll illu tra te d by Newton s di s cove y
s
’
r

of the d ecomp s i ti on of colors

o .
 N O VU M OR G AN UM 1 49

c o urs e n atu re a n d e xp a nd e d a n d e x a lte d to n e w e ffici e nts

of ,

a n d n e w m od e s o f Op era ti o n a ti o n a n d
M ,

inv e nti o n o f f or m s o f this n a tu re B ut a ft er this uni o n of .

n a t u r efiv vh i ch i s t he p r incip a l p oint w e will a ft er w a r d in , ,

i ts p r op er pl a c e t r ea t of th e divisi o ns a n d r a mific a ti ons of

,

n a tu r e wh e th er or din ary o r int e r n a l a n d m or e r ea l

, .

X V III W e mu s t now offe r a n e x a mpl e of th e e xcl us i o n

.

or r e j ecti o n of n a tu r e s f o und by t h e ta bl es of r e vi e w n ot t o ,

b e o f t h e f o rm of h ea t ; fi rst p r e mising th a t n ot only ea ch

t a b l e is su ffi ci e nt for t he rej e cti o n of a n y n a tu r e but e v e n ,

e a ch singl e in s t a nc e c o nt a in e d in th e m F or it i s cl ear f ro m .

wh a t h a s b ee n s a id th a t e v e ry c o ntr a dictory in s t a nc e d e
st roys a hyp o th e sis a s t o t he f or m S till h o w e v e r for .
, ,

t h e s a k e of cl ea r n ess a n d in or d e r to sh o w m ore pl a inly t he

,

u se of t he t a b l e s we re d o ubl e o r r e p ea t t h e e xclusiv e
,
.

A n E xa mple o
f the E xc lu s i ve Ta ble, or o
f th e Rej ecti on
o
f N a tu r es f ro m th e F or m o
f H ea t

1 . cc o unt of th e sun s ra ys r ej ect e l e m e nt a ry (o r

On a
’
,

t er r e s t ri a l ) n a tu r e .

2 O n a cc o unt o f c o mm o n fi r e a n d p a rticul a r ly s u b te r
.
,

r a n e a n fi r es ( which a r e t he m ost r e m o t e a n d s e clud e d f r o m

t h e r a ys o f t he h ea v e nl y b odi es) r ej e ct c el es ti a l n a tu r e ,
.

3 O n a cc o unt o f t h e h ea t a cqui r e d by e v e r y d es c r ipti o n

.

o f subst a nc e s (a s min er a l s v eg e t a bl e s t he e xt er n a l p a r t s of , ,

a nim a ls w a t e r o i l a i r e tc ) b y m e re a pp r oxim a ti o n t o th e
, , , ,
.

fi re or a n y w a r m b o dy re j e ct a ll v a r i e ty a n d d e lic a t e t extu re
,

of b o di e s .

”
9
I . e .
, th e c mm n lin k
o o or f or m w hich con n ec t th v i u ki nd of n tu es
s e ar o s s a r ,

such s th
a e d iffe nt hot
re or red n tu
a re s e nu m ted b v e — See A pho i m i ii
era a o r s .

p art 2 .
the h ea ting b ody .

5 O n a cc o unt of boiling w a t e r a n d a i r a n d a ls o th os e
.
,

m e ta l s a n d o th er s olid b o di es which a re h e a t ed b ut n ot to ,

igniti on or r ed h e a t r ej ect fl a m e or light

, ,
.

6 O n a cc o unt of th e r a y s o f t h e m oo n a n d o th er b ea v
.

e n ly b o di e s ( e xc e pt t h e s u n ) a g a in re j e ct fl a m e or light
,
.

.7 O n a cc o unt o f t h e c omp a r i s on b e tw een r ed h ot i ro n -

a n d t he fl a m e o f spi r it s of win e ( for t h e i r o n is m ore h o t a n d

l es s b right w hil e t he fl a m e o f spi r it s of win e 18 m or e b rig ht

,

a n d l es s h o t) a g a in r ej ect fl a m e a n d light
,
.

.8 O n a cc o unt o f g o ld a n d o th e r ignit e d m e t a ls which ,

a r e of t he g r ea t es t s p e cific d e n s ity r ej e ct r a rity ,

.

.9 O n a cc o unt o f a i r w hich i s g e n er a lly f o und t o b e c old

,

a n d y e t c o ntinu e s r a r e r ej e ct r a r i ty ,
.

”
1 0 O n a cc o u nt o f ignit e d i r o n
. which d oes n o t s well in ,

b ul k but r e t a in s t h e s a m e a pp a r e nt dim e nsi o n r ej e ct t he

, ,

a b s o l ut e e xp a n s iv e m o ti o n o f t he wh o l e .

1 1 O n a cc o unt o f t he exp a n s i o n o f t he a i r i n t he rm o me
.

t e r s a n d th e lik e w h ich i s a b s o lut e ly m ov ed a n d exp a nd e d

,

t o t h e ey e a n d y e t a cqui r es n o m a nif es t inc r e a s e o f h ea t

, ,

a g a in r e j ect a b s o lut e o r e xp a n s iv e m oti o n o f t he wh o l e .

1 2 O n a cc o unt of t h e r ea dy a pplic a ti o n o f h e a t to a l l
.

s ub s t a n c es with o ut a n y d es t r ucti o n o r r e m a r k a bl e a lt e r a

t i o n o f th em r ej ect d es t r uctiv e n a t u r e o r t he vi ol e nt c o m
,

m u n i c a t i o n o f a n y n e w n a tu r e .

1 3 O n a cc o unt o f t h e a g r e e m e nt a n d c o nf o rm ity of t he
.

e ffe ct s p r o duc e d by c o ld a n d h e a t r ej e ct b o th e xp a n s iv e a n d
,

c o nt ra c ting m oti o n a s r eg a rd s t he wh o l e .

33
Thi s is erro eo n u s — a ll meta ls e xp nd c n id
a o s era b ly w h en h ea ted .
 N O VU M OR GA N U M 151

14 . O n a ccount of th e h ea t e xci te d b y f ricti o n rej ect ,

p ri nc i p a l n a tu re b y which we m ea n th a t which e xi s ts p os i
,

t i ve ly a n d i s n ot c a u s e d by a p r e c e ding n a tu r e
, .

Th er e a r e o th er n a tu r e s t o b e r ej e ct e d ; but we a re m er el y
off eri ng ex a mpl es a n d n ot p e rf e ct t a bl e s
, .

N o n e o f t h e a b o v e n a tu r e s a re of the for m of h ea t ; a n d
ma n is fr ee d f r om th em a l l in his op er a ti o n up on h ea t .

XIX In t he exclusiv e t a bl e a r e l a id t he f o und a tion s of

.

t r u e induction which is n o t how e v er c ompl e t e d until t he

, , ,

a ffi r m a tiv e b e a tt a in e d N o r is th e excl us iv e t a b l e p erf e ct

.
,

n or c a n it b e s o a t fi rst F or it i s cl ea r ly a r ej ecti o n of s i m
.

p l e n a tu re s ; but if we h a v e n o t a s y et g oo d a n d just n oti o ns

o f simpl e n a tu r e s h o w c a n t he e xcl u siv e ta bl e b e m a d e c or

,

r e ct " S o m e o f t h e a b o v e , a s t h e n oti o n o f e l e m e nt a r y a n d

c el es ti a l n a tu re a n d r a r ity are v a gu e a n d ill d efin e d W

, ,
“ e .
,
Q

th er efor e wh o a r e n eith er ign ora nt n or for g e tful of th e g rea t

m m sm d
,
M

w
i ng a d e qu a t e t o t hings a n d n a tu re b y n o m ea n s r es t s a ti s fi e d
m
,

with wh fi fi e hith er t o e nfor c ed but pu s h t he m a tt er ,

f or th e
A nd ,

i s to b e so

p rep ar e d a n d form e d a s to r es t its e lf o n p r op er d e g r ees of

,

c er t a inty a n d y et to r em em b er (esp eci a lly a t fi rs t) th a t wh a t

,

i s p r es e nt d ep e nds much up o n wh a t r e m a in s b e hind .

XX S inc e h o w e v er t r uth e m erg es m or e r ea dily f rom

.
, ,

e r r o r t h a n c o nfusi o n we c o nsid er it us ef ul to l e a v e t h e u n
,

d e rs t a n d i n g a t lib er ty to e x er t its e lf a n d a tt empt t h e int er

re ta ti o n o f n a tu r e i n t h ffi m tiv ft h vi g
p e a r a e a e r a n c on ,

str uct ed a n d w eighe d t he th ree tab l es of p re p a ra ti o n such ,

a s we h a v e l a id th e m d o wn both f r o m t he insta nce s t h ere

,

c oll e ct e d a n d o th er s occur
,
ring e ls e wh ere W hi ch a ttempt .
 The F i r s t Vi n ta g e f
o

It mu s t b e o bs er v e d th a t th e f or m of a nything i s inh ere nt

as a pp ea rs cl ea r ly f r o m o u r p re mi s es ) in ea ch in dividu a l i n
(
st a nc e in which t he thing it s elf i s i nh er e nt or it w o uld not ,

b e a f or m N o c o nt r a dict or y in s t a nc e t her e f ore c a n b e a l

.
, ,

leg e d . Th e f o r m h o w e v er i s f o und t o b e much m or e c on

, ,

s pi c u o u s a n d e vid e nt in s o m e in s t a nc e s th a n i n o th e r s ; in

th os e ( for e x ampl e) w h er e i ts n a tu re i s l es s r es t r a in e d a n d
e m b a rr a s s e d a n d r ed uc e d to r ul e by o th er n a tu r es
,
S uch .

in s t a nc es we a r e w o nt to t er m c or u s c a ti o n s or c o n s picu o us ,

i n s t a nc es W e mu s t p roc ee d th en t o the fi rs t vint a g e o f

.
, ,

t h e f or m o f h ea t .

F r o m t he i n s t a nc e s t a k e n c oll ectiv ely a s w ell a s singly , ,

t he n a t u re wh os e li m it i s h e a t a pp e a r s t o b e m oti o n Thi s .

i s ch i e fly e xhibit e d in flam e w hip s w

h i
f
on s ta n t m o ti o n
m s m w ,

a n d i n w a r m o r b o iling liquid s w hich a re lik e wi s e in c o n ,

st a nt m oti o n It i s a l s o s h o wn in th e e xcit em e nt or inc r ea s e

.

o f h ea t by m o ti o n a s by b e ll o ws a n d d r a ught s : f o r w h ich
,

s ee In s t 2 9 Ta b
. 3 a n d by o th er s p eci es o f m oti o n a s in
,
.
, ,

In s t 2 8 a n d 31 Ta b 3 It i s a l s o s h o wn by t he extincti on
.
,
. .

o f fi r e a n d h e a t up o n a n y s t r ong p r e s s u r e which r es t r a in s ,

a n d put s a s t op t o m o ti o n ; f o r which s ee In s t 30 a n d 32 .
,

Ta b 3. .It i s fu r th er sh o wn by thi s ci r cum s t a nc e n a m ely , ,

th a t e v e ry s ub s t a nc e i s d es t r oy e d or a t l ea s t m a t e ri a lly,

ch a ng e d by s tr ong a n d p o w e rful fi r e a n d h ea t : wh enc e it is

,

cl ea r th a t tu m ult a n d c o nfu s i on a r e occ a s i o n ed by h ea t t o ,

g e th er with a V i ol e nt m o ti o n i n the i n t e r n a l p a r ts of bodi es ;

a n d thi s g r a du a lly t e nd s t o th ei r di s s oluti o n .

W h a t we h a v e s a id with r eg a r d to m otion must b e th us

 und er stoo d wh e n t a k e n a s th e g e nu s o f hea t : it must n ot
,

b e th o ught th a t h e a t g e n er a t es m oti on o r m o ti o n h ea t ,

( th o ugh in s om e r e s p e cts this b e t r u e ) b u t th a t t h e v er y ,

e ss e nc e of h e a t r t h e sub s t a nti a l s e lf o f h e a t i s m o ti o n
g “ , , “ — a O'H r m

a n d n o thin e ls e li m it e d h o w e v er b y c er t a in di ff er e nc es
M
h fi g r fi W . v fi m J
M

which we will p r es e ntly a dd af t er giving som e c a uti o ns for, ,

a v o iding a mbiguity .

S e nsibl e h e a t i s r el a ti ve a n d r eg a r d s m a n n o t univ ers e ;, ,

a n d is r ightl y h e ld t o b e m e r e ly t h e e ff e ct of h ea t on a ni m a l

spi rit It is e v e n v a ri a bl e in its e lf sinc e t he s a m e b ody (in

.
,

diff er e nt sta te s of s e ns a ti on ) excites th e f e eling o f h ea t a n d

of c o ld ; thi s is s h o wn by I n s t 41 Ta b 3 .
,
. .

N or s h o uld we c o nfo und t h e c o mmunic a ti on o f h ea t or

i ts t ra nsitiv e n a tu r e by which a b o d y g ro ws w a r m a t t h e
,

a pp r oa ch o f a h ea t e d b o dy with t h e f o r m o f h ea t ; f o r h e a t ,

i s on e thing a n d h ea ting a n o th e r H e a t c a n b e e xcit e d by .

f ricti o n w i th o ut a n y p r evious h ea ting b od y a n d th er e fo re , , ,

h ea ting i s exclud ed f r om t h e f or m of h e a t E v e n wh e n h ea t .

is excit e d b y t he a pp roa ch of a h ot b ody t his d e p e nds n ot ,

on t h e fo rm of h ea t b ut on a n oth er m or e p r of o und a n d c om
,

m on n a tu r e ; n a m e ly th a t of a s s imil a ti o n a n d multiplic a ti o n
, ,

a b o ut which a s e p ar a t e inqui ry mu s t b e m a d e .

The n oti o n o f fi re is vulg a r a n d of n o a s s i s t a nc e ; it is ,

m erel y c omp o und e d o f the c o nj uncti o n of h ea t a n d light in

an
y b o dy a s in or din a r y fl a m e a n d r ed h ot sub s t a nc e s
,
-
.

L a ying a sid e a ll a m b iguity th er efore we must l as tly c on , ,

s id er t h e t r u e diff e re nc e s w hich limit m o ti o n a n d r e nd er it

t h e f o r m of h e a t .

I Th e fi rst diff er e nc e is th a t h ea t i s a n e xp a nsive

.
,

m oti on b y which t h e b ody str iv e s t o dil a t e i ts elf a n d to

, ,

u “
Qui d ip um s ,
”
th e a 71 i v el m of Ar i s to tl e.
p ri ncip a lly s ee n in fl a m e w h er e t he s mo ke or thick v a por ,

is cl ea rly dil a te d a n d b ursts into fl a m e .

It i s a lso sh o wn in a ll b o iling li q ui d s whic h sw ell rise , , ,

a n d b o i l up to t h e sight a n d t h e p r oc es s o f e xp a nsi o n is ,

u rg e d f or wa r d till th ey a re c o n v er t e d into a much m ore

e xt e nd e d a n d dil a t e d b o d y th a n th e liquid its elf such a s ,

ste a m s m o ke or a i r
, , .

It i s a l s o sh o wn in woo d a n d c o mb usti b l es wh ere exu d a

ti o n s o m e tim es t a k es pl a c e a n d e v a p o ra ti o n a lw a y s ,
.

It i s a ls o sh o wn i n t h e m elting o f m e t a l s which b eing , ,

v er y c omp a ct d o n o t ea s ily s w e ll a n d dil a t e but y et th ei r

, ,

Spi r it wh e n dil a t e d a n d d es i ro u s of fu r th er exp a n s i o n f orc es

, ,

a n d u r g e s its thic k e r p a r t s int o di s s o luti o n a n d if t h e h ea t ,

b e pu s h e d s till fu r th er r e duc es a c o n s id era bl e p a rt of th e m

,

int o a v o l a til e st a t e .

It i s a l s o sh own in i ron or st o n es which th o ugh n ot ,

m elt e d or diss olv e d a r e h o w e v er s oft e n e d The s a m e c i r

,
.

c u m s t a n c e t a k e s pl a c e in sticks o f w oo d which b ec o m e fl exi ,

b le wh e n a littl e h ea t e d in w a r m a s h e s .

It i s m os t r ea dily obs er ve d i n a i r which in s t a ntly a n d ,

m a nif es tly e xp a nd s with a sm a ll d eg r e e of h ea t as in In s t , .

38, Ta b 3 . .

It i s a l s o sh own in t he c o nt r ary n a tu re of c o ld ; for c old

c o nt r a cts a n d n a r ro ws e v er y su b sta nc e ; s o th a t i n i n t e n s e
'

86

f ros ts n a il s fa ll ou t of t he w a ll a n d b ra ss c ra c k s a n d h ea t ed ,

gl a ss e xp os e d sudd e nl y to t h e c old c ra c k s a n d b r ea k s S o .

35
Toh w th s f t h t xt w n d
o nl y m nti n th ca f w te
e e rror o e e , e ee o e o e se o a r,

which w h n co fi n ed in c k d v
, e d e xp
n d t th ct n f f ee ing
or e as es , an ose o e a io o a r z

a tmos ph i u to w ll t d b k th o v l w hich
e re , s s re s e toufii an re a se es s e s a re n o su

cien tl y l g t cont in i t xp nd d v lu me M eg lotti n a a t s a hund ed

ar e o a s e a e o . a rr e r

o th e in t nc e
r f a s im ila ch a ct
s a — Ed
s o r ra er . .
 NO V UM ORGAN UM 1 55

th e ai r, by a slight d eg ree of c old c on tr a cts its el f a s in

, ,

In s t 38 Ta b
.
,
. be 3 M o r e will
. s a id of this in th e i nqu i ry
int o c old .

N o r is it to b e w o nd ere d a t if c o ld a n d h ea t e xhi b it m a ny
c omm o n effect s (for which s ee In s t 32 Ta b sinc e t wo .
,
.

diff er e nc es of which we sh a ll p res en tly s p ea k b el o ng t o

, ,

e a ch n a t ur e : a lth o ugh in th e p re s e nt di ff er e nc e t he e ff e cts

b e di a m e t ric a lly Opp ose d t o e a ch o th er F or h ea t o cc as i ons .

a n e xp a n s iv e a n d dil a ting m oti o n but c o ld a c o ntra cting a n d ,

c ond e nsing m o ti o n .

II The s ec o nd di fferenc e is a m od i fic a ti o n of t h e p rec e d

.

ing n a m e ly th a t h e a t i s a n e xp a nsiv e m oti o n t ending

, , ,

t ow a r d th e ext eri or b ut a t the s a me tim e b ea ring th e b ody

,

upw a r d F or th ere is n o d o u b t th a t t h er e b e m a ny c om
.

p o und m oti on s a s a n a r row or d ar t for insta nc e h a s b oth

, , ,

a ro ta t or y a n d p ro gr essiv e m o ti o n In t he s a m e wa y t he .

m oti on of h ea t is b oth e xp a n s iv e a n d t e nding up w a r d .

T h i s diff er e nc e is sh own by putting t he to ngs or p ok er

in to t he fi r e If pl a c e d p er p e n di cul a r ly with th e h a nd
.

a bove th ey s oo n b ur n it but much l ess sp ee dily if t he

, ,

ha nd h old th e m s l o ping or f ro m b el o w .

It is a ls o c o n s p i cu o u s in di s till a ti o n s per des can sa m which ,

me n a re w o nt to empl oy with d e lic a t e fl o w er s wh os e s c e nt ,

e a sily e v a p ora t e s T h ei r indu s t ry ha s d e vi s e d p l a cing th e

.

fi re a b o v e ins te a d of b e low th a t it m a y sc or ch l es s ; f or n ot
,

o nly fl a m e b u t a l l h e a t ha s a n upw a r d t e nd e nc y .

Le t a n e xp e rim e nt b e m a d e on th e c o nt ra ry n a tu re of
c old wh e th er its c o nt ra cti o n b e d o wnw a r d a s t h e e xp a n s i o n
, ,

of h ea t is upw a r d T a ke th eref ore t wo i ro n rod s or t wo

.
, ,
‘
g l a ss tub es a lik e in o th er resp ects a n d w a r m th em a littl e
, , ,

a n d pl a c e a spo ng e dipp e d i n c o ld w a t er or s o m e sn o w b e
, , ,

lo w th e one a n d a b ov e t he Oth er W e ar e of op ini o n tha t .

h ea t .

III . Th e
thi rd di ffer e nc e is this ; th a t h ea t is not a uni
f or m e xp a n s iv e m oti o n o f t he wh ol e b ut of t he sm a ll pa r ,

ti c l es o f t he b ody ; a n d thi s m o ti o n b e ing a t t h e sa m e ti m e

r es t ra i n e d r e u ls e d a n d r e fl e cte d b e c o m es a l t e r n a ting
p , ,
, per
, ,

p e t u a ll
y hu r r ying st r iving s t r uggli n g a n d i r rit a t e d by t h e
, , ,

r e p e r cus s i o n whic h is t he s o u r ce of t he vi ol e nc e of fl a m e
,

a n d h ea t .

B ut this diff er en c e is chi e fly s h own in fl a m e a n d b oiling

liquids which a lw a y s h ur ry s w e ll a n d su b sid e a g a i n in d e
, , ,

t a c h e d p a r ts .

It i s a l s o s h o wn in b odi es of s uch h a r d t extu r e a s n ot

t o s w e ll or dil a t e in bulk s uch as red h ot i r o n in w h ich ,
-
,

t he h ea t is m os t vi o l ent .

It is a l s o s h own by t he fi r es b u r ning m ost b r i s kly i n t he

c old es t w ea th er .

It i s a l so sh o wn b y this th a t wh e n t he a i r i s dil a t ed in
,

t he th er m om e t er unif or mly a n d e qu a bly with o ut a n y i m ,

p e dim e nt o r r epul s i o n t h e h ea t i s n ot p e r c e pti bl e In c on

,
.

fi n e d d r a ughts a l s o a lth ough th ey b rea k o u t v er y v i ol e ntly

, ,

n o r e m ar k a bl e h e a t i s p e rc e iv e d b e c a us e th e m o ti o n a ff ects
,

t h e wh ol e with o ut a n y a lt e r n a ting m o ti o n in th e p a r ticl es ;

,

f or which r e a so n tr y wh e th e r fla m e do n ot b u r n m or e a t t he
sid es th a n in its c e ntr e .

It i s a ls o sh o wn in thi s th a t a ll bu r ning p ro c e ed s b y ,

t he min ut e p or es o f b o di es — und er mining p e n e t ra ting , ,

pi er cing a n d p r ic k ing th em a s if with a n infinit e num b er

,

o f n ee dl e p o ints -
H e nc e a l l s tro ng a cid s (if a d a p t ed to the
.

b o d y on which th ey ac t) e xhi b it t he eff e cts of fire f rom ,

th e ir c orrodi ng an d p ung e nt n a ture .

 -
N O VU M OR GAN UM 157

Th e d i ff er ence which we n ow spe a k is common al so

of

to t h e na tu r e o f c old in which t he c o nt ra cting m otion is

,

res tra in e d by t he r esi s t a nc e of e xp a n s i on a s in h ea t t h e e x ,

a n s i v e m o ti o n i s r e s t r a in e d by t h e r e s i s t a nc e o f c o nt r a cti o n
p .

Wh e th er th ere for e t h e p a r ticl es of m a tt e r p e n e tr a t e

, ,

inw a r d or o utw a rd t he r ea s o ning i s t h e s am e th o ugh th e

, ,

p ow er b e v ery diff er e nt b ec a u s e we h a v e n othing o n ea rth

,

which i s int e n s ely c old .

I V The f o u r th diff e r e nc e i s a m o dific a ti o n o f t he pre

.

c eding n a m ely th a t thi s stimul a ting or p e n et ra ting m oti o n

, ,

sh ould be ra pi d a n d n e v er sl uggi s h an d sh ould t a k e pl a c e ,

n o t in t h e v er y m inut es t p ar ticl es but r a th e r in th o s e Of ,

s om e tol er a bl e d i m e ns i on s .

It is s h o wn by c om p a r ing t he eff e ct s of fi r e with th os e

o f tim e Tim e d r i es c on s um e s und er min e s a n d re duc es to
.
, , ,

a s h e s a s w e ll a s fi r e a n d p er h a ps t o a much fin e r d eg r e e ;
,

b ut as its m oti o n i s v er y s l ow a n d a tt a cks v e ry minute ,

p a rticl es n o h e a t is p er c eiv e d
,
.

It i s a l s o s how n in a c om p a r i s on of t h e di s s olut i o n of
i ro n a n d g o ld ; f or g ol d i s di s s o lv e d with o ut t h e excit em e nt
of a n y h ea t b ut i r o n wi th a v e h em e nt e xcit e m e nt o f it
, ,

a lth o ugh m os t in t he s a m e tim e b ec a u s e in t h e f o r m e r t h e ,

p e n e t ra ti o n o f t he s e p a ra ti n g a cid i s mild a n d g e ntly i n ,

sinu a t es it s el f a n d t he p a r ticl es o f g old yi eld ea s ily b ut

, ,

t h e p e n e t r a ti o n Of i r o n i s vi ol e n t a n d a tt e nd e d with s om e ,

st r uggl e a n d i ts p a r ticl es a r e m or e ob s tin a t e

,
.

It i s p a r ti al ly s h o wn a l s o in s o m e g a n g r e n es a n d m or ti
, ,

fi c a t i o n s o f fl es h w hich d o n o t e xcit e g r e a t h e a t o r p a in
, ,

f r om t he g entl e n a tu re of t h e putr ef a cti o n .

Le t this suffic e f o r a fi rs t vint a g e o r t he c om m e nc e m e nt ,

of t h e int er p r e t a ti o n o f t h e f or m Of h ea t by t h e lib er ty o f

t h e und er sta nding .

is br i efl y thus— H ea t is a n exp a nsiv e mo ti on r est ra in ed a n d
“
,

st ivi n g to ex er t its elf i n t he sm a ll er pa r ticles

r The e x .

n s i on is m o difi e d b y i t s te nd e ncy to ris e th o ugh e xp a nd

p a ,

i n g tow a r d t he e xt er i or ; a n d th e e ffor t is m o difi e d by its n ot

b eing s luggish but a ctiv e a n d s om ewh a t vi ol e nt , .

With r eg a r d to t he o p era tiv e d efiniti o n t he m a t ter is t he ,

same If yo u a r e a b l e to e xcit e a dil a ting or e xp a n s ive

.

m oti o n i n a n y n a tu ra l b ody a n d so t o re p r es s th a t m oti o n ,

a n d f or c e i t o n it s e lf as n o t t o a ll o w t he e xp a nsi o n t o
p ro

oecd e qu a lly b ut o nly t o b e p a r ti a lly e x e r t e d a n d p a r ti a lly

,

r e p r es se d
y o u will b e y o nd a l l d o u b t p r oduc e h ea t with o ut
, ,

a n y c o n s id e r a ti o n a s t o w h e th er t h e b ody b e o f ea r th or
(
e l e m e nt a r y a s t he y t e r m it ) o r imbu ed wit h c e l es ti a l i n
, ,

flu e n c e lumin o us o r o p a qu e r a r e o r d e ns e l o c a lly exp a nd ed

, , ,

B c n in q ui iti n into th n tu f h t a x mpl f the mod e of

35
a o
’
s s o e a re o ea ,
as n e a e o

inte p ting n tu e c nn t b l k d upon oth e w i th n

r re a r ,
mpl t f ilu e
a o e oo e r se a a s a co e e a r .

Th ugh th ex ct n tu e f thi ph en m n n i s till

o e a b cu d c nt o
a r o s o e o s an o s re an o r

v t d m tt th ci nc of th m tic w c n i t f m n y mp t nt t uths
er e a er , e s e e er o s no o s s s o a i or a r ,

d to n n O f th t uth i th much pp xi m ti n in B c n ’
an o e es e r s s e re so as an a ro a o a o s

p roc e ss Th tep by w hich thi c nce ll y dv nc d w th di cove y

. e s s s s ie r ea a a e ere e s r

o f m
a u f h t t mp tu th t b li h m nt f th l w f co
ea s re o a ea or e era re , e es a s e o e a s o n

ducti n d di ti n of th l w f pe ci fi c h t l t nt h e t d the li k
o an ra a o , e a s o s ea , a e a ,
an e.

S uch dv nc h v l d t A mpe e h y p th i th t h t c n i t in th vi b
a a es a e e o r
’
s o es s , a ea o s s s e ra

t i n f i mp nd b l fluid ; d t L pl c s th o y th t t emp t c
o s o an o era e an o a a e
’
e r , a e ra ur e on

i t in th int n l di ti n of i mi l m diu m Th h y p th
s s s e er a c nn t
ra a o a s ar e . ese o e s es a o

y t b
e d t b v n p b b l b ut t l t th y
e sa i o e e m di fi d to includ
e ro a e, a ea s e a re s o o e as e

m f t h p c ding l w w hich fi ml y ta b li h d w h B c ns ’

“
so e o e re e a s a re r es s e ,
e re a s a o

f m or t u d fi nit n f h t
,
”
or t te d in th e te xt includ
r e e l w f io o ea , as s a , es no a s o

ph n m n xpl in
e o p ce
e d i ind ee d its lf
a, e a x mpl f i llicit g
s no ro ss, a n s e an e a e o en

e ra li z a t i on .

In ll th e d e t il f hi e x mple f h t h
a a s o s a o ea e is unfor tu na te H e includ es in .

h i c ll c t i n f in t nc e t h h t t t
s o e o f o s a s, e o a s es o a roma tic pl a nt s t he c a u s tic eff e cts ,

of cid a d m n y th
s, f ct which c nn ot b
an a o er a s a e as c i bed
r to h t with ut
ea o a s tu

di n la xity in th e f the w d — E d
o s e us o or .
p
u
 N O VU M ORGANU M 1 59

or cont a in e d within t he b o unds of its first dim e n s i o ns ve rg ,

ing to diss o luti o n or r e m a ini n g fix e d a nim a l v eg e ta bl e or , , ,

min e ra l w a t er or Oil o r a i r or a n y ot h er su b st a nc e wh a t
, , , ,

e v e r susc e ptibl e of such m oti o n S en s ibl e h ea t i s t h e s a m e .

,

but c on s id e r e d r e l a tiv e ly to t h e s e n s es Le t us n o w p r oc e ed .

t o fu r th e r h e lps .

XXI A ft e r o u r t a b l es of fi r st r e vi e w o u r r ej ecti on or
.
,

e xcl u s iv e t a bl e a n d t h e fi rs t vint a g e d er iv e d f rom th e m we

, ,

mu s t a dv a nc e t o t h e r em a ining h elps of t he und ers ta nding

with r eg a r d t o t he int er p r et a ti o n of n a tu r e a n d a t r u e a n d ,

p e rf ect inducti on in o ff e r i n g which w e will t a k e t h e ex a m ,

pl es of c old a n d h ea t wh er e t a bl es a r e n ec es s a ry but wh ere ,

f e w e r i nst a n c es a r e re qui r ed we will g o th r o ugh a v a r i e ty

o f oth ers s o as n e ith e r t o c o nf o und inv e s tig a ti o n n or t o
,

n a r ro w ou r d o ct ri n e .

In t he fi rs t pl a c e th er ef or e we will t r ea t of p r er og a tiv e , ,

inst a nc es ; 2 O f t he supp or ts of inducti on ; 3 O f t h e c or

87
. .

By thi s t m B c n und ta nds g n e l ph n men a ta k n in d f om

37 er a o er s e ra e o , e or e r r

th e g t m s f indi c i min tiv f cts w hich as th y l e in n tu

r ea as o pt
s r a e a , , e i a re , a re a

to g n e t c nfu i n by th i nu mb indi ti nctn

e ra e o d c mplic ti n
s o S uch e r e r, s es s a n o a o .

cl f ph n m n
a s ses o b i ng p culi ly ugg tiv f c u ti n h qu intl y
e o e a, as e e ar s es e o a sa o ,
e a

cl unde th titl f p g tiv in qu i i

a s se s r ithe duc d by th f nci ful
e o re ro a e r es , e er se e e a

a n l gy w hich uch i n t nc b t th p g ti
a o ,
s t m in t h R m n s a es ore o e r er o a va cen u a e o a

C miti
o ju tl y con id ing t hem H rs ch l uppo t h ld k ind f
a, or s s er as e e s s es o o a o

p g tiv e dignity f m being p culi l y ugg tiv f c u ti n

re ro a ro e ar s es e o a sa o .

Tw high uth iti

o in ph y ic l ci nce (v H rs ch l N t Phil t 1 9 2 ;
a or es s a s e . e e ,
a . .
, ar .

W h w ll Phil ph y f th Inductiv S ci nc v l
e e
’
s os o p 2 43) p n unce o e e e es, o . ii . . ro o

th in t nc f littl e vice in th t s k f nducti n b ing f th m t p t

e se s a es o ser e a o i o , e or e os ar

cl d ot cc ding to th ide s w hich th y inv lv

a sse n a or t y ob vi u ci e a e o e , or o an o s r

c m tan ce in t h
u s f ct f which th y c n i t b ut cc d ng to th xtent d
e a s o e o s s ,
a or i e e an

m nn of th i influ nc up n t h in q ui y in w hich th y
a er e r mpl y d e Thu s e o e r e a re e o e .

w h v solita y in t nc
e a e m ig ti ng in t nc r ten iv in t nc cl nd tin
s a es , ra s a es , os s e s a es , a es e

i n ta nces s
s t m d cc ding t th d g i w h i h th y xhi b it
, o er e a m to or o e e ree n c e e ,
o r s ee
‘
e xhi bit th e p p ty w h n tu we w uld x min e W h v guid post
,
ro er , ose a re o e a . e a e e-

in ta nces c uci l in t nc in ta nces of th p rted d f th d oo w y f th

s ,
r a s a es , s e a roa ,
o e r a , o e

la mp according to the guida nce th ey s upply to o a dv nce W h ewell remarks

,
'
ur a .
n a tu res with r es p e ct t o inv es tig a ti o n o r of wh a t sh o uld be ,

t he fi rs t or l a s t Obj e cts of o u r r es e a rch ; 6 O f t h e limits of .

i nv es tig a ti on o r a s y n op s i s of a l l n a tu r es th a t exi s t i n t he
,

univ ers e ; 7 O f th e a pplic a ti o n to p ra ctic a l pur p os es or of

.
,

wh a t r el a t es to m a n ; 8 O f t he p re p a ra ti on s f or inv e s tig a .

ti o n ; 9 A n d l as tly of t h e a s c e nding a n d d e sc e nding sc a l e

'

.
,

"
Of a xi o m s .
8

XXII A m o ng t h e p r er og a ti v e in s ta nc es we will fi rst

.

m enti o n s olit a r y in s t a nc es S o lit a r y in s t a nc es a re th os e .

which e xhibit t he r equi r e d n a tu r e in s ubj ects th a t h a v e

n o thing in c om m o n with a n y o th er s ubj ect th a n t he n a tu r e
in qu e s ti o n o r wh i ch d o n o t e xh ibit t h e r eq ui re d n a tu re in
,

subj e c t s r es e mbling Oth e rs in e v ery r es p e ct e xc e pt th a t

Of t he n a tu re in qu es ti o n ; fo r th es e inst a nc es m a nif es tly
re m o v e p ro lixity a n d a cc e l e ra t e a n d c o nfi r m e xclu s i o n so , ,

th a t a fe w of t he m a r e Of a s m u c h a v a il a s m a ny .

F or in s t a nc e l e t t h e inqui ry b e t h e n a tu r e o f c ol or ,
.

P r i s m s c ry s t a llin e g em s w hich yi e ld c ol ors n o t o nly int er

, ,

n a lly b u t o n t h e w a ll d ew s et c a r e s olit a ry in s t a nc es ; for , ,

.
,

th t uch l mfi ti i much f th m n tu
a s a c as if h ving t t ch the
ca on s o e sa e a r e as , a o ea

art f b u i ld ng w w
o t d c b t l w ith f nc t th m unt d pl c
i , e er e o es ri e oo s re e re e o e a o an a e

of th w k w h ch th y m u t d
e or in t d f p inting t th i c n t ucti n d
i e s o, s ea o o ou e r o s r o an

u se ; if w w t inf m th pup l th t w mu t h v t l f lifting

as e e re o or e i a e s a e oo s or a

t n up t l f m mg it id w i t l f l y ng it q u
s o e ,
oo s or d t l f ov s e se , oo s or a i s a re , an oo s or

c m nting it fi mly Th m n e thu l t th d d w

e e r p t h f uit
. e ea s ar s os in e en ,
an e rea e r s

of un m th dic l ng m nt in th c nfu i n f c
e o a divi i n In dditi n
a rra e e e o s o o ros s s o . a o ,

all t h in t nc e l v n d w ith t h e
s a f c nf und ng th l w w ith th
es a re ea e e e r ror o o o i e a s e

cu
a f ph n m n
ses o d w u g d t d pt th fund m nt l
e o e a,f an e a re r e o a o e a e a e rr o r o

see ki ng th i t h univ l g n t gn l cu
e re n f ph n m n e with ut ersa a e s, or e e ra a s es o e o e a, o

a c nd ng th e g
s e du l t p f int m d t l w — E d
i ra a s e s o er e ia e a s .

Of th es e n n e ge n
38 l h ea d o mo e th n th fi s t i s p ose cuted by the
i e ra s n r a e r r

a uth or .
 N O VUM OR GAN UM 1 61

th ey h a v e nothing i n c omm on with t he fix ed co l ors i n

fl o wer s an d c ol ore d g ems m eta ls w oods etc exc ept t he , , , .
,

c ol or its e lf H e nc e we e a sily de duc e th a t c ol or is n o thing

.
'

but a m o dific a ti on of t he i mag e Of t he incid e nt a n d a bs orb e d

light occ a si o n e d in th e for m er c a s e b y t he di ff er e nt d eg r ees
,

o f incid e nc e i n t h e l a tt er b y t h e va r i o us t e xtu res a n d f or ms

“
,

of b o di e s Th es e ar e s olita ry inst a nc es a s r eg a r ds simili

.

tud e .

A g a in i n t he s a m e inqui ry the di s tinct v eins of white

,

a n d bl a ck in m a r b l e a n d t h e v ar i e g a t e d c ol or s of fl o w e r s o f
,

t h e s a m e sp eci e s ar e s olit a r y inst a nc e s ; f or th e bl a c k a n d

,

whit e of m a r bl e a n d th e sp ots of whit e a n d pu rpl e in the

,

fl ow er s Of th e st ock a g ree in e v er y r espect b ut th a t of c ol or

, .

T h e nc e we e a sily d e duc e th a t c ol or ha s n ot much t o d o with

t h e int r in s ic n a tu r e s Of a n y b ody but d e p e nds only o n t he ,

c o a rs er a n d a s it w er e m e ch a nic a l a rr a ng em e nt of the p a r t s .

Th es e a r e s olit ar y in s t a nc es as r egar ds d i fi e re n c e W e c a ll .

th e m b oth s olita r y o r wild to b orro w a w o rd f rom the ,

a s t ro n o m e r s .

XXIII In the s ec ond r a nk of p r erog a tiv e in s t a nc es we

.

will c on s id er mig ra ting insta nc es I n th es e t he r eq u i r ed .

n a tu re p a ss e s t o w ar d g e n era ti on h a ving n o p re vi o us e x i s t ,

e nc e or t o w a r d corr upti on
,
h a vi ng fi rs t e xi s t e d In ea ch ,
.

Of th es e divisi ons th er e f ore t he in s t a nc es a r e a lw a ys t wo

, ,

f o ld or ra th er it is o n e in s ta nc e fi rst in m oti on or o n i ts
, ,

p a s sa g e a n d th e n b r o ught t o t he Opp osit e c oncl u si o n

,
.

T hes e inst a nc e s n o t only h a s ten a n d c onfi r m e xclusi o n but ,

a l s o r e duc e a ffi rm a ti o n o r t h e f o r m it s e lf t o a n a r r o w c om
, ,

p a s s ; for t he f or m mu s t b e som ething c onferre d by thi s

89 T hi s v y n l y pp ch es
er ea r a roa to S i r I
. N ew t n s di sc v y of
o
’
o er the de com

posi ti o n f l ight
o by th p i sm e r .
it ; a n d a lth o ugh a ll exclusion a dv a nc es a ffi r m a ti o n y et this ,

t a k es pl a c e m or e di rectl y in t he s a m e th a n in dif f ere nt s u b

j ec t s ; b ut if t he f o r m ( a s it is q uit e cl ea r f r o m wh a t ha s
b ee n a dv a nc e d ) exhibit its elf in o n e subj e c t it l e a ds to a ll , .

The m or e s impl e t h e mig ra ti o n i s t he m ore v a lu a bl e is t h e

,

i n s t a nc e T h es e mig ra ting inst a nc es a re m oreo v er v e ry

.
, ,

u s e ful in p r a ctic e fo r sinc e th ey m a nif es t t he f or m c oupl ed

, ,

with th a t which c a u s es or d es tr oy s it th ey p oint ou t t he ,

r ig h t p r a ctic e in s o m e s u b j e ct s a n d th e nc e th e r e i s a n e a s y
,

t ra n s iti o n t o th os e with which th ey a re m os t a lli ed T h ere .

i s h o w e v er a d e g r ee of d a ng e r w hich d e m a nd s c a uti o n
, , ,

n a m e ly l e s t th ey s h o uld r ef er t he f orm t oo much t o its

,

e ffici e nt c a u s e a n d im b u e or a t l e a s t ting e t he und e rs t a nd

, , ,

ing with a f a l se n o ti o n Of th e f or m f r o m t h e a pp e a ra nc e o f
s u c h c a u s e which i s n e v e r m ore th a n a v e hicl e or c o nv e y
,

a nc e of t h e f or m T hi s ma y e a s ily b e r e m edi e d by a p ro p er
.

a pplic a ti o n Of e xc l u s i on .

Le t u s th e n giv e a n e x a mpl e of a m ig r a ting inst a nc e .

Le t whit e n e s s b e t he r e qui r e d n a tu re A n in s t a nc e which

.

p as s es t ow a r d g en e ra ti o n i s gl a s s in i ts e nti re a n d i n i ts
p owd ered st a t e or w a t er i n i ts n a tu r a l s t a t e a n d wh e n
, ,

a gi ta t e d t o f r o th ; f or gl a s s wh e n e nti r e a n d w a ter in i ts
,

n a tu r a l s t a t e a re t r a n s p a re nt a n d n ot w hit e b ut p owd e re d
, ,

gl a ss a n d t he f r oth of w a t er a re w hit e a n d n ot t ra n s p a r e nt .

W e m u s t i n qui r e th er e f or e wh a t ha s h a pp e n ed t o t h e gl a s s
, ,

o r w a t e r i n t h e c o u rs e o f thi s m ig ra ti o n ; f o r it i s m a nif e s t

th a t t h e fo rm of w hit en e s s i s c o nv ey e d a n d int rod uc e d by

t h e b r ui s ing of t he gl a s s a n d t h e a git a ti o n o f th e w a t e r ;

but n othing is f o und t o h a v e bee n int rod uc ed but a dimin

i s h i n g o f t he p a r ts of the gl a ss a n d w a t e r a n d t h e ins er ti o n
of a i r. Y et thi s is n o slight p rog r ess t o w a r d d iscov er i n g
 N O VU M ORGAN UM 1 63

t he f orm of whit e n ess n a m e ly th a t t wo b odi es in th em

, , ,

s e lv es m ore or l e s s t r a n s p a re nt (a s a i r a n d w a t er or a i r a n d
,

g la s s) wh en b ro ught int o c o nta ct in minut e porti ons ex

, ,

b ibit whit en e ss f ro m t h e un e qu a l r e fr ac ti o n of th e ra ys
o f light .

B ut h e re we must a ls o gi ve a n ex a m pl e of th e d a n g er
a n d c a uti o n o f which w e sp o k e ; f or insta nc e it will r ea dily
,

occu r t o a n und e r s t a ndi n g p er v e r t ed b y e ffici e nts th a t a i r is

,

a lw a y s n e c e s s a ry f o r p r o ducing t he f or m of whit e n es s or ,

th a t whit e n e s s is only g e n era t e d b y t ra n s p a re nt b o di es which ,

supp ositi on s a re b oth f a l s e a n d p ro v e d to b e so by m a ny

,

e xclusi o ns ; n a y it will r a th er a pp e a r ( with o ut a n y p ar ti e n

,

l a r r eg a r d t o a i r or t h e lik e) th a t a ll b odi e s which a r e e v e n

,

in s uch of th ei r p a rt s a s a ff ect t he sight e xhi b it tr a n s p ar e ncy ,

th os e which a r e un e v e n a n d of simpl e t extu re whit e n es s th os e ,

which are un e v e n a n d o f c omp o und but r e gul a r t e xtur e a ll

t h e o th e r c ol ors e xc ept b l a ck b ut th os e w h ich a r e un e v e n
,

a n d o f a c o mp o und i rr e gul a r a n d c o nfu s e d t e xtu re e xhibit

b l a ckn ess A n ex a mpl e ha s b e e n giv e n th ere for e of a n i h

.
, ,

st a nc e m ig r a ting t ow ar d g e n era ti o n in t he re qui r e d n a tu r e Of

whit e n es s A n inst a nc e mig ra ting t ow a r d c or r upti o n in the
.

s a m e n a tu re is th a t of dis s olving f roth or sn o w fo r th ey l ose

,

th ei r whit e n ess a n d a s s um e t he t ra nsp a re ncy of wa t er in its

pu r e st a t e with o ut a i r.

N or sh ould we by a n y m ea n s o mit to sta te th a t und er ,

mig ra ting in s t a nc e s we must c omp r eh e nd n ot o nly th o se

which p a ss t o wa r d g e n er a ti o n a n d d e s tr ucti o n but a l so th o se
,

which p a ss t ow ar d inc rea s e or d ec rea s e f or th ey t oo as sist

, , ,

i n t he disc o v er y of th e f orm a s is cl ea r f ro m o u r d efiniti o n

,

of a f orm a n d t he T a bl e o f D eg r ee s .He nc e p a p er which is ,

whit e wh e n dry i s l es s whit e wh e n m oi s t en e d ( fr om t h e e x

,

e lusi o n of a i r a n d a d m i s s i o h of w a t e r) a n d te nds m or e to
,
t ra n s p a r e ncy The r ea s on i s the s a m e a s i n th e a b ove i h
“
.

sta nc es .

XXI V In t he thi r d r a nk of p rerog a tive insta nc es we

.

will cl a ss c o n s picu o u s insta nc es of which w e sp ok e in ou r ,

fi r s t vint a g e o f t h e f or m of h ea t a n d which we a r e a l s o w o nt ,

to c a ll c or u s c a ti o ns or f r ee a n d p re d omi n a nt inst a nc e s
, .

T h ey a re s uch a s s h ow t h e r e qui r e d n a tu r e in i ts b a re s u b
s ta n ti a l s h a p e a n d a t i ts h e ig h t o r g re a t e s t d e g re e o f p o w e r
, ,

e m a ncip a t e d a n d f r e e f r o m a ll i m p e di m e nt s o r a t l ea s t o v e r ,

c om i ng s upp res si ng a n d r e s t r a i n i ng th e m by t h e s tr e ngth

, ,

o f i ts qu a liti es ; f o r sinc e e v e r y b o dy i s s u s c e tibl e o f m a ny

p
unit e d f o r ms o f n a tu res i n t h e c onc r e t e th e c on s equ e nc e is ,

th a t th ey m u tu a lly d e a d e n d e p res s b r ea k a n d c onfin e e a ch , , ,

o th e r a n d t h e i ndivid u a l f o rm s a r e o b s cu r e d
,
B ut th e r e a re .

s om e s ubj ects in w hic h t he r e qu i r e d n a tu re e xi s t s in its full

vig or ra t h er t ha n in o th e rs e ith e r f rom t h e a b s e n c e o f a n y ,

i m p e di m e nt or t he p r ed o m in a n c e Of i ts qu a lity S uch i h
,
.

s t a nc es a r e e m i n e ntly c o n s picu o u s B ut e v e n in th e s e c a r e .

m u s t b e t a k e n a n d t he h a s tin es s of th e und er s t a nding

,

ch e ck e d f o r w ha te v er m a k es a s h ow o f t he f o rm a n d f or c es
, ,

it f or wa rd i s to b e s u s p e ct e d a n d r e c o u rs e mu s t b e ha d t o
, ,

se v e r e a n d dilig e nt e xclu s i o n .

F o r e x a m pl e l e t h ea t b e t h e re qui r e d n a tu r e
,
The th er .

m o m e t e r i s a c o n s picu o u s in s t a nc e o f t h e e xp a n s i ve m o ti on ,

wh i c h (a s ha s b e e n Ob s e r v e d ) c o n s titut es t h e chi e f p a r t Of
t h e f o r m o f h e a t ; f o r a lth o ugh fl a m e cl e a r ly e xhibits e x pa n

si o n y e t f r om i ts b e ing e xti nguish e d e v e ry m om ent i t d oes

, ,

n o t e xhibit t he p r og r ess o f e xp a n s i o n B oiling w a t e r a g a in .

,

4° in l k ingd m di pl y ing t h m n tu in ll i t g d ti n
Th e m e ra o , as s a e sa e a re a s ra a o s,

f m th h ll
ro ep f ct in t uctu in li m t n t th e fi n m b l in
s e s so er e s r re es o e o er ar es

w hich th i n tu g du ll y d sa ppea i the g t th ea t fo in s t nces

e r a re ra a i rs , s rea re r a

of mi g ti n — E d
ra o .
 N OVU M ORGAN UM 1 65

from its r a pid conv e rsi on int o v a p or d oe s n ot so w ell exhi bit ,

t h e exp a nsi on of w a t er i n its o wn sh a p e whil e r e d hot i r o n ,

-

a n d t h e lik e a r e s o f a r f r o m sh o wing thi s p r og r ess th a t o n , ,

t h e c ont ra r y th e e xp a n s i o n it s elf i s sc ar c e ly e vid e nt t o t h e

,

s e ns es on a cc o unt of i ts spir it b eing r ep res s e d a n d w e a k en e d

,

by the c om p a ct a n d c oa rs e p a r ticl es which s ubdu e a n d r e

st ra in i t B ut t he th er m o m et er st rikingly exhibits t he e x
.

a n s i on of t he a i r a s b e ing e vid e nt a n d p r og r es s i v e d u ra bl e
p
“
,

a n d n ot t ra n s it o ry .

T a k e a n oth er e x a mpl e Let t he r equi red n a tu re b e .

W eight Quicksilv er i s a c on spicu o us i ns t a nc e of w eight ;

.

f or it i s f a r h ea vi er th a n a n y o th er sub s t a nc e exc e pt g old ,

which i s n o t much h ea vi er a n d it is a b e tt er in s t a nc e th a n ,

g old f or th e pu rp os e of indic a ting t he f or m of w e ight ; f or

g o ld i s s olid a n d c o nsi s t e nt w h ich q u a liti es must b e r ef e rre d ,

t o d e n s ity b ut quick s ilv er i s liquid a n d t ee ming with spi rit

, ,

e t much h ea vi e r th a n t h e di a m o nd a n d o th e r s u b s t a nc es
y
c on s id ere d t o b e m ost s olid ; wh e nc e it i s sh o wn th a t t he
f or m of g ra vity or w eight p r e d omin a t e s o nly in th e qu a ntity
O f m a tt er a n d n o t in t h e cl os e fitti n g of it
,
“ .

XX V In t he fo u r th r a n k of p r e r og a tiv e inst a nc es we
.

will cl a ss cl a nd estin e inst a nc es which we a r e a l s o w ont t o ,

4 ‘B c n w
a o as f ct inc b ught t light by ROm tha t
n ot a wa re of th e a s e ro o er,

d wn to f u teen f th m f om th e t h s m n l v l th th e m m t
o o r a o s r e m insar
’
ea e e e r o e er re a

fix d a t th t enth d g ee b ut th t th th m m t d cend bel w th t

e e e r , a as e er o e er es s o a

d pth th h ea t inc e s in
e e ti p p ti n t t t h d cent w hich h pp n s
r a es a ra o ro or o a e o e es , a e

w ith littl v i ti n in a ll cl ima tes

e ar a B uff n c n ide s thi a p oof of a c nt l
o . o o s r s r e ra

fire in pl n t — E d
our a e . .

49
All th di v iti f b di d pend up n two p i nci ples t th e q u ntity
e er s es o o es e o r , . e .
,
a

an d th po iti n f th
e s l m t th t nt int th ei comp iti n Th p im y
o o e e e en s a e er o r os o . e r ar

diff ence i ot th t w hich d p nd

er s n th e g
a t t lea t q u ntity f m
e e s on rea e s or s a o a

te i l el m nts b ut th t whi ch d p nd o th p siti n It w th q uick -

r a e e , a e e s n ei r o o . as e

p ce pti n f thi t uth th t m d e L i bnit y th t t c mpl te m th em tic it

er o o s r a a e z sa a o o e a a s

was n e ce ssa y to j oi n t th e a na ly si s of q u a ntit y th e an l y s i s of pos iti on — Ed

r o a .
c onspicu o us insta nc es f or th ey sh o w t he req ui re d n a tu r e in
,

its l ow e s t sta t e Of effic a cy a n d a s it w er e i ts c ra dl e a n d fi rst

,

r udim e nts m a k i ng a n e ff or t a n d a s or t of fi rs t a tt empt but

, ,

c o nc ea l ed a n d subdu e d by a c ontr a ry n a tu r e S uch i h .

st a nc es ar e h o w e v er o f g re a t imp ort a nc e i n disc ov er ing

, ,

f orms for a s th e c on s picu o u s te nd ea s ily to diff er e nc es so

, ,

d o t h e cl a nd es tin e b e st l ea d t o g e n e r a th a t i s t o th o s e c om , ,

m on n a tu re s of which t he re qui r e d n a tu res a r e only t he

limits .

A s a n e x a mpl e l e t consist e nc y or th a t which c o nfin es

, ,

its elf b e th e r equi re d n a tu r e th e o p p osit e of w hich i s a

, ,

li q uid or fl o wi n g s t a t e The cl a nd es tin e i n s t a nc es a r e such

.

a s e xhibit s o m e w ea k and l o w d eg r ee o f c o n s i s t e ncy i n

'

fl uids a s a w a t er b ubbl e which i s a s or t o f c o n s i s te nt a n d

, ,

b o u n d e d p e llicl e f orm e d o u t o f th e s ub s t a nc e Of t he w a t er .

S O e a v e s d ropping s if th ere b e e n o ugh w a t er t o f o ll o w

’
,

th e m dr a w th em s e lv es ou t i nt o a thin th r e a d n ot to b r ea k
, ,

t h e c o ntinuity o f t h e w a t er but if th e re b e n o t e n o ugh to ,

f o ll ow t he w a t e r f or m s its elf into a ro und d rop w hich i s t he

, ,

b es t f or m t o p r e v e nt a b r ea ch of c o ntinuity ; a n d a t t h e m o
m e nt t he th r e a d c ea s es a n d t he w a t er b egin s t o f a ll in d r op s
, ,

t he th r e a d Of w a t er r e c oils upw a r d t o a v oid s uch a b r e a ch .

N a y i n m e t a l s which wh e n m elt e d a re liquid b ut m ore

, ,

t e n a ci o us t he m elt ed d r ops Oft e n r ec o il a n d a r e su s p e nd e d

,
.

’
T h er e i s s o m ething s imil a r in th e inst a nc e of t h e child s l o o k
i ng gl a s s which lit t l e b oys will s om e tim es f or m of spittle
-
,

b e tw ee n r u s h es a n d wh er e the s a m e p ellicl e o f w a t e r i s o h
,

s e r v a b l e ; a n d s till m or e i n th a t o th er a mus e m e nt o f c hild re n ,

w h e n th ey t a k e s om e w a t er ren d e r e d a littl e m or e t e n a ci o us
b y s oa p a n d infl a t e it with a pip e f or ming th e w a t er int o a
, ,

s or t o f c a stl e of b ub b l es which a ssum es s uch c o nsis te ncy

, ,
 N O VUM ORGAN UM 1 67

b y th e in te rp osition of th e a i r a s to a dmit of b eing th rown ,

s om e littl e dist a nc e with o ut b u rs ting The b es t ex a mpl e is .

th a t Of f r oth a n d sn o w which ass um e s uch c on s i s t e ncy as

,

a l m os t to a d m it of b eing cut a lth ough c o m p os e d o f a i r a n d

,

w a t er b oth liquid s A ll th es e ci r cumst a nc es cl ea rly sh o w

,
.

th a t t he t erm s li q uid a n d c o n s ist e nt a re m ere l y vulg a r n o

ti on s a d a pt ed to t he s en s e a n d th a t in rea lity a ll b odi es h a v e
,

a t e nd e ncy to a v oid a b r ea ch of c o ntinuity f a int a n d w ea k ,

in b odi es c omp os ed of h om og ene o us p a rts (as i s t he c a s e with

liquid s ) b ut m or e vivid a n d p o w er ful in th os e c omp os e d o f
,

h e t e r og e n eo us p a r t s b e c a u s e th e a pp roa ch of h et er og e n e ous
,

m a tt e r bind s b o di es t og eth er whil e t h e in s inu a ti on of h om o

,

g e n eou s m a tt er l oos e n s a n d re l a x es th e m .

A g a in t o t a k e a n oth e r ex a mpl e l e t t h e r equ i r ed n a tu re

, ,

b e a tt ra cti o n or t h e c o h es i o n of b odi es Th e m os t r em a r k .

a b l e c o n s picu o u s in s t a nc e with re g a r d to its f o r m is th e m a g

n et. The c o nt ra r y n a tu r e to a ttr a cti o n i s n on a tt ra cti o n -

,

t h ough in a s imil a r s ub s t a nc e T hu s i ro n d oes n o t a tt ra ct

.

i r on l ea d l ea d w oo d w ood n or w a t er w a t er B ut t h e cl a n
, , , .

d estin e i n s t a nc e i s th a t of th e m a gn e t a r m e d with i r on or ,

r a th e r th a t o f i r o n i n th e m a gn e t s o a rm e d F or i t s n a tu re .

i s s uch th a t t h e m a gn e t wh e n a rm e d d oes n ot a tt ra ct i r o n
m or e p ow erfully a t a n y giv e n di s t a nc e th a n wh e n un ar m e d ;
but if t he i ro n b e b ro ught in c ont a ct with th e a rm ed m a gn et ,

t h e l a tt er will s ust a in a muc h g r ea t er w eight th a n t he si m pl e

m a gn e t f r om the r e s em bl a nc e o f sub s t a nc e in t he t wo por

,

ti o ns Of i ro n a qu a lity a ltog e th er cl a nd es tin e a n d h idd en in

,

th e i ro n until t he m a gn e t wa s int ro duc ed It is m a nif es t .

,

th er ef or e th a t th e for m of c o h e s i o n is s om e thing which i s

m
,

vivid a n d r obus t m Biases and

i ro n It is to b e O b se r v e d a ls o th a t sm a ll w o od e n a rr o ws
.
, ,

with out a n i ron p oint wh e n di sch ar g ed f ro m l a rg e m or ta rs

, ,
s hips t he l i k e) ,
th a n t he s a me a r ro ws pointe d with i ro n
or
,
“
owing t o th e simi la r ity of sub st a nc e though this qu a lity wa s ,

p r eviousl y l a t e nt in t he w oo d A g a in a lth ough in t he m a s s .

,

a i r d oes n ot a pp ea r t o a tt r a ct a i r n o r w a t er w a t e r e t wh en
y , ,

on e bu bb l e is b r o ugh t n e a r a n o th e r th ey a re b oth m or e ,

r e a dily di s s olv e d f r o m t h e t e nd e ncy t o c o nt a ct of th e w a t e r

,

with t he w a ter a n d the a i r with t he a i r T h es e cla u d es

,

tin e in s t a nc es (which ar e a s h a s b ee n obs er v ed o f t he m os t , ,

imp or t a nt s e rvic e) a re p rincip a lly to b e o bs er v ed i n sm a l l

p or ti o ns of b odi es for t h e l a r g er m a ss es ob s e r v e m ore u ni ,

v er s a l a n d g e n era l for ms a s will b e m e nti o n ed i n i ts p rop er

“
,

pl a c e .
6

43
Qu e ry "
44
l c u f thi ph n m n n i th tt a cti n f t h u f c w t
Th e re a a se o s e o e o s e a r o o e s r a e- a er

in th v l by th id f th b ubb l
e es se W h n t h b u bbl
e s pp ch th
es o e es . e e es a roa , e

s id n es t ch th b th t nd t i th m ll p c f w t b tw
ea re s ea o er o e o ra s e e s a s a e o a er e een

t h m d c n qu ntl y l w t i i d by ch f th n
e , an o se e id th n
es s a er s ra s e ea o e se ea re r s es a

by th xt i p t f th b u bb l
e e er or d th g t w ight f th w t
ar o i d
e e, a n e r ea e r e o e a e r ra s e

on th xt i p t pu h th b u bbl t g th
e e e r or ar s In th m m nn s h b
es e es o e er . e sa e a er a u

bl n
e th S d
ea r f v l pu h d t w d it ; t h v l d b u bb l b th
e i e o a es s e is s e o ar e e s se an e o

d w ing th w t
ra th t i b tw e th m Th l tt ph n m n n c nn t b e
a er a s e een e . e a er e o e o a o

e xpl in d B c n h yp th
a e on a o
’
s o es i s .

M d di c v i pp t b g city f B c m k
’
45
o ern t th
s o e r es a ea r o ea r ou e sa a o a on s re ar ,

an d th xp i m nt Of B n C gn d m y b e g d d
e e er e s fi t tptw d a ro a ar a re ar e as a rs s e o ar

i t full d m n t ti n
s e A ft th
o w f ct
s ra licit d by th t phil ph th
o . er e ne a s e e a os o er, e re

ca n b h t tle d u b t th t th
e l d li q u d d e if m t t f b d
o a m ly
e so i ,
i an a r or s a e o o i es a re e re

t g in p g
s a es f g du l t n iti n f m
a ro res s xt m t th th
o ra d a ra s o ro on e e re e o e o e r, a n

th t h w v t ngl y m k d th d tincti n s b tw n th m m y p p th y
a o e er s r o ar e e is o e ee e a a e ar, e

w ill ulti m t l y tu t t b a e p t d by rn udd n ou l nt lin e Of d

o e se a ra e no s e or V i o e e

m c t b ut lid int
a r a i on , ch th by i mp cepti b l g d ti n
s e B c n
o ea o er er e ra a o s . a o
’
s

s ugg ti n h w v i
es o ld
,
Py th g
o e d p h p
er , i mult n u with
s as o as a ora s , a n er a s s a eo s

th fi t d w n f phil
e rs phic
a n Th doct in f th cip ca l tra n mut
o os o reas o . e r e o e re ro s a

ti on f th e lem nt und li e l l th ph y ic l y t m f th a ncients an d w

o e e s er s a e s a s s e s o e ,
as

a d pte d by th
o E picu n w ll e th S t ic Ovid p n hi s l as t book f
rea s as e as e o s . o e s o

t h M ta m ph
e e w ith th e p oe t y f th
or u bj ct wh re he e xp res sly point
ose s r o e s e ,
e s

to th e hint of B a con
 N O VUM ORGAN UM 1 69

XXV I I n the fi fth ra n k of p rer og a tiv e ins ta nc es we will

.

cl a ss c onstitutiv e inst a nc e s which we a re w on t a lso to c a ll ,

c oll e ctiv e in s ta nc es T h ey c on stitut e a s p e ci es o r l es s e r

.

f orm a s it w e re of t he r equi r e d n a tu r e F or s inc e t he r ea l

, ,
.

f or m s (which a r e a lw a ys c o nv er tibl e with t he giv e n n a tu re)

li e a t s om e d e pth a n d a re n o t e a s ily di s c ov e r e d t h e n e c es
, ,

s i ty of t he c a s e a n d t h e infi r mity o f t h e hum a n und ers t a nd

ing requi re th a t th e p a r ticul a r f or ms which c oll e ct c er ta in ,

s om e c o m m o n
n oti on sh o uld n ot b e n egl ect ed but m os t dilig ently O h
, ,

s er v e d . F o r wh a t e v e r unit es n a tu r e e v e n imper f e c tly , ,

O pe n s th e w a y t o t he dig g W heJ o rm Th e i n .

st a nc es th er e f or e which a r e s er vic e a bl e in thi s r es p e ct

, ,

a r e o f n o m e a n p o w e r b ut e nd o w e d with s om e d eg re e of,

p rerog a tiv e .

H e re n e v e rth el es s g re a t c a r e mu s t b e t ak e n th a t a ft e r
, , ,

t h e di s c o v e ry of s e v era l o f th e s e p a r ticul a r f o r m s a n d t he ,

es t a b li s hing of c er t a in p a r titi o ns or divi s i o n s of t h e r e q u i r e d

n a tu r e d e r iv e d f r om th em t h e h u m a n und e rst a nding d o n o t ,

a t o nc e r es t s a ti s fi e d w i th o ut p r e p a r ing f or t h e inv e s tig a

,

ti o n Of t he g re a t or l ea di n g a n d t a king it f or g ra nt e d
w ,

th a t n a tu re is c omp o u n d a n d divid e d fr om i t s v er y r oot d e ,

s pi s e a n d r ej e ct a n fu r t h e r uni o n a s a p o int of s up e r fl u o us
y
r efi n em e nt a n d t e nding to m er e a b s t ra cti on
, .

F or in s t a nc e l e t t h e r equi r e d n a tu re b e m e m ory or th a t
, ,

Te n ua tu s in u a ra s

A era q u e hu m or a b it , etc .
, e tc .

Ind t d t i d mq e texi t o d
e re ro r e — xv 2 46—24 9
e un , e u re ur r o . . .

an d S en e ca in th e thi d b k f h
, N tu l Ph l
r phy qu t i v t t th e
oo o is a ra i oso ,
es . s a es

O pini n i m p ci e l ngu g tha n eithe th e nci nt b d

o n ore re s a th e mod n
a e r a e ar or er

p hi losop he — Ed r . .
 st a nces a re o rd er or distr ibuti on which m a nifestly a ssists ,

m em o ry : t opics or c ommonpl a c es in a rtifici a l m em ory ,

which m a y b e eith e r pl a c e s in th ei r lit era l s e n s e as a g a te , ,

a c o rn e r a wind o w a n d t h e lik e or f a mili a r pers o ns a n d

, , ,

m a rk s or a n y thing el s e (p ro vid e d it b e a rra ng e d in a d et er

,

min a t e o r d e r) a s a nim a ls pl a nts a n d w ords l ett e rs c h a r

, , , , ,
‘
a c t er s hist or ic a l p ers o ns a n d th e lik e o f whic h h o w e v er
, , , , ,

s o m e a r e m or e c o nv e ni e nt th a n o th er s A ll th e s e c o mm o n .

pl a c es m a t e ri a lly a s s i s t m e m ory a n d ra is e it fa r a b o v e its ,

n a tu ra l s t re ngth V er s e too i s r ec oll e ct ed a n d l e a r n e d

.
, ,

m or e e a s ily th a n p rose F ro m thi s g r o up Of th r ee i n s t a nc es

.

— O r d er t h e c om m o npl a c e s o f a r ti fi C i a l m e m or y a n d v e r s es
— i s c o n s titut e d o n e s p e c i e s Of a i d f or t he m e m or y “
, ,

which ,

m a y b e w e ll t e rm e d a s e p a ra ti o n f r om infinity F or wh e n .

a m a n s t ri ve s to r e c o ll e ct o r r e c a ll a nyt hing t o m e m o r y ,

with out a p r ec o nc e iv ed n o ti o n o r p er c epti o n o f t he obj ect

o f h i s s e a rch h e inqui r es a b o ut a n d l a b ors a n d tu r n s f r om
, , ,

p oint t o p o int a s if in v ol v e d i n infinity B ut if h e h a v e

,
.

a n y p r e c o nc e iv e d n o ti o n thi s i nfinity i s s e p a r a t e d Off ,

and ,

t h e r a ng e o f hi s m e m or y i s b r o ught within cl os e r li m its .

In t he th re e i n s t a nc es giv e n a b o v e t he p r ec onc ei v e d n oti on ,

i s cl ea r a n d d e t e r min e d In t he fi rs t it must b e s om e thing

.
,

th a t a g r e es with o rd er ; in t he s ec o nd a n im a g e which ha s ,

s om e r e l a ti o n or a g r e e m e n t with t he fix e d c o m m o npl a c e s ;

in t he thi r d w o r d s whi c h fa l l i nt o a v ers e : a n d thus i nfin i ty

,

i s d i vi d e d o ff O th e r i n s ta nc es will o ff e r a n o th e r s p e ci es
.
,

n a m ely th a t w h a t e v e r b r ing s t he i n t e ll e ct i nt o c o nt a ct w i t h
,

46
uth
Th e w a y t m f M m i T chnic m y b f und in th De
’
or s o n s s e o e or a e a a e o e

A g m ti
u ench p xv W m y d d th t n t w ith t nd ng B c n
s, a . . e ti n a a a ,
o s a i a o
’
s a ss er o

th t h int nd d hi m th d t ppl y t ligi n p litic

a e e e s d m
e l thi i s
o o a o re o , o s, an ora s , s

th nl y l ngth y illu t ti n h h s dduc d f y u bj ct o t of th d ma in

e o e s ra o e a a e o an s e u e o

of ph y ica l s ci e nc e — E d
s .
 1 71

som et hing tha t st ri ke s t he se n se (t h e p rincip a l p oint of

a r tifici al m e m o ry ) a s s ists t he m e m ory
, O th ers a g a in off er .

a n oth er sp e ci e s n a m ely wh a t e v e r e xcit es a n imp r es s i o n

, ,

b y a n y po w erful p a ss i o n as fe ar sh a me wo nd er d elight
, , , , ,

a ssists t he m e m o r y O th er insta nc es will a ffor d a n o th er

.

sp e ci es : thus th os e i m p r essions r e m a in m os t fixe d in th e

m em ory which a r e ta ke n f r om t he mind wh e n cl e a r a n d
'

l ea s t occupi e d b y p re c e ding or succ e e ding n o ti o ns s uch a s ,

t h e things we l ea r n i n childh ood or i m a gin e b e f ore sl ee p , ,

a n d t h e fi r st tim e Of a n y ci r cumst a nc e h a pp e ning O th er .

i n s t a nce s a ff or d t he foll o wi ng s p eci e s : n a m e ly th a t a mul ,

t i t u d e of ci r cum s t a nc e s or h a ndl es a s s i s t t h e m em ory such ,

as w r iting in pa ra gra ph s re a di n g a l o ud or r ecit a ti o n

, , , .

L a s tly oth er in s t a nc es a ffor d still a n o th er s p eci e s : thus

,

t h e thing s w e a nticip a t e a n d which ro u s e o u r a tt e nti o n

, ,

a r e m ore ea sily re m em b er e d th a n t r a nsi e nt e v e nts ; a s if

o u r e a d a n y w or k tw e nty ti m es o v e r y ou will n o t l e a r n
y ,

it by h e ar t so r e a dily as if you w er e t o r ea d it but t e n

tim es t rying ea ch ti m e to r ep ea t it a n d wh e n y o ur m em ory
, ,

f a il s you l oo k ing int o t he b oo k T h e r e a re th er ef or e s i x .

, ,

l e s s er f or ms a s it w e re o f thing s which a ss i s t t h e m e mo ry :
‘ , ,

n a me lyf —I t h e s ep a ra ti o n o f infi nity ; 2 t h e c o nn e cti o n of

, ,

t h e mind with t h e s e n s es ; 3 t he i m p r es s i o n in st r o ng ,

p as s i on ; 4 t h e imp re ssi o n on th e mind wh e n pu r e ; 5 th e

, ,

multitud e of h a ndl e s ; 6 a nticip a ti o n ,

.

A g a in for e x a mpl e s sa k e l e t t he r equi re d n a tu re b e

,
’
,

t a s t e or t he p ow er o f ta s ting Th e foll o wing inst a nc es a re .

c o ns titutiv e : 1 T h os e w ho d o n o t s m ell but a r e d e p r iv ed

.
,

b y n a tu r e of th a t s e n s e d o n o t p er c eiv e or di s tingui s h ra ncid

,

o r put r id f oo d by th e i r t a st e n or a r lic f r om r ose s a n d t h e

g , ,

like 2 A g a in thos e wh ose n os trils a re Ob s t r uct e d b y

. .
,
'

a ccid e nt ( such a s a cold ) d o n o t dis ti n gui s h a n y put ri d or

S c mn c s V ol 2 2 — 8
.
1 72 N O VU M ORGAN UM

ra ncid m att er fr om a nything sp ri n kl ed with r os e w a ter -

.

3 If th os e wh o suff er f ro m a c old b l o w th e ir n os es vio

.
"

l e n t ly a t t he v e ry mom e nt in which th ey h a v e a nything

f etid or p e rfum ed in th e i r m o uth or on th ei r p a l a t e th ey , ,

in s t a ntly h a v e a cl ea r p er c epti o n Of th e f e to r or p er fum e .

T h es e in s t a nc es a ff or d a n d c o nstitut e this sp eci es or divi s i o n

of t a s t e n a m e ly th a t it i s in p a r t n othing e ls e th a n a n i h
, ,

t er n a l s m e lling p as sing a n d d esc e nding th ro ugh t he upp e r

,

p a ss a g es of t he n os t ril s t o t he m o u th a n d p a l a t e B ut o n .
,

t h e o th e r h a nd th o s e wh os e p o w er of sm e lling is d efici e nt
,

o r o bst r uct e d p e rc eiv e wh a t is s a lt s w ee t pung ent a cid

, , , , ,

r o ugh a n d bitt er a n d t h e lik e a s w e ll a s a n y o n e e l s e : so

, , ,

th a t th e t a s t e i s cl ea rly s om e th ing c o m p ound e d of t he i h

t er n a l s m e lling a n d a n e xquisit e s peci es of touch which
,

w e will n ot h e r e di s cu s s .

A g a in a s a n oth e r e x a mpl e l et t h e r equi r e d n a tu re b e

, ,

t h e c ommunic a ti o n of qu a l ity with o ut int e r mixtu r e o f s u b ,

st a nc e The in s t a nc e O i light will a ff o r d or c o n stitut e o n e

.

sp eci e s o f c o mmunic a ti o n h ea t a n d the m a gn e t a n oth er ,

.

F or t he c o mmunic a ti o n o f light is m o m e nt a r y a n d i m m e
d i a t e ly a rr es t e d up on th e r e m o v a l o f t h e or igin a l ligh t .

B ut h e a t a n d t h e m a gn etic f o rc e w h e n o nc e t ra n s m itt ed
, ,

t o o r e xci t e d in a n oth e r b o d y r e m a in fix e d f or a c o n s id er ,

a bl e ti m e a ft e r t he r e m o v a l of t he s ou rc e .

In fi n e t he p rer og a tiv e o f c o nstitutiv e inst a nc es is c on

,

s i d er a b l e f or th e y m a t e r i a ll y a s s i s t t h e d e finiti o ns ( es p e ci a lly
,

i n d e t a i l ) a n d t h e divi s i o n s or p a r titi ons o f n a tu re s c o nc e r n

“
,

ing which Pl a to h a s w ell s a id H e w ho c a n p rop e r ly d efin e ,

a n d divid e i s t o b e c o n s id e r ed a

4"
c ll ctive in t nce h e e m nt e
Th e o e oth
s a s r ea ar no er th n gen e al f ct
a r a s or

l w of som d g ee f g n e lit y d
a s e e r th mselv
o e ra , an a re e es th e result of inducti on .

F o ex mpl e th e sy s tem of J u p iter or Sa tu n with i ts

r a , , r sa tel lites i s a c ol lecti v e
,
 N O VU M OR GA N U M 1 73

XXV II I n the sixth ra n k of p r eroga tiv e inst a nc es we

.

will pl a c e simila r or p rop or ti o n a t e in s t a nc e s which we a re ,

a l so wo nt t o c a ll physic a l p a r a ll e ls o r r es e mbl a nc e s Th ey ,
.

a re such a s e xhibit t h e r e s e mbl a nc e s a n d c o nn e cti o n of

thing s n ot in mi n or for m s (a s th e c on s titutiv e d o) but a t

, ,

o nc e in t h e c o nc r e t e Th ey a r e ther e fore a s it w er e th e .
, , ,

fi rst a n d l o w e s t st e ps t o wa r d the uni o n o f n a tu r e ; n or d o

th ey imm edi a t ely est a bl ish a n y a xi om b ut m er ely i ndic a te ,

a n d obs er v e a c e r t a in r e l a ti o n o f b odi es t o ea ch o th e r B ut .

in t nce
s a t ll y i t d in cu ing th dmi i n f th C p ic n
, an d ma e ri a ass s e se r e a ss o o e o ern a

s y t ems W h v e h e in mini tu
. e d di pl y d t
a vi w y t m n l
re a re , an s a e a on e e , a s s e a a

Og t th t f th pl n t
ou s o about tho f w hich f m t h ci cu m t nc of
e a e s a e s un , o ,
ro e r s a e

o urb ing inv lv d in it d unf v b ly itu t d f

e o e ing it th wi th n, an a ora s a e or see o er se a

i n d e t il w a inca p cit te d f m f mi ng a g n l id b ut by l w d
,
e are a a ro or e e ra ea , s o an

p g ro w ff t
re ss f ne e or s o r ea so .

B ut th i p ci f c ll ctive in t nc w hich B c n d
er e s a s e tes o m t o e s a e a o oes no s ee o

h v c nt mpl t d in which p ticul ph n m n

a e o e a e , p nt d in uch m ar ar e o e a a re re s e e s nu

be t nc s t m k the inducti n f th i l w m tt f cul i p c

rs a o e, a o a e o o e r a a a er o o ar ns e

ti n F x mpl th p b lic f m u m d by j t of w t p ut d t
o . or e a e, e a ra o or ass e a e a er s o e ou

of a h l i c ll ctive n t nc f th v l citi
o e s a o e d di cti n f th m ti n s
i s a e o e e o es an re o s o e o o

o f ll th e p ticl
a w hich c mp ar it n t g thes d w hich thu s l d s o os e see o e er , a n ea s u

w ith ut t ou b l e t
o c gni th l w of th e m ti n f p j ctil A g in th e
r o re o ze e a o o o a ro e e . a ,

b ea utiful fi gu s exhi b it d by nd s t ew d re gul pl t f gl s m t l e sa r e on re ar a es o as or e a

se t in vi b ti on c ll ctiv i n t nc f
ra , infinit u mb f p oint w hich
a re o e e s a es o an e n er o s

re m in t a t whil th e em ind f th pl t vi b t
a r es e d in c n q u nc r a er o e a e ra e s , a n o se e e

a fio d r in ight into th l w w hich gul t th i

us an s ng m nt d e e a re a es e r a r ra e e an s

q u en ce th ugh ut th w h l u f c Th ichly c l d l mni c tes se n

ro o e o e s r a e . e r o or e e s a e

a und th e ptic xi f c y tal xp o d t p l i d light ff d t i ki ng

ro o a s o r s s e se o o ar z e a or a s r

i n t nc e f th e
s a m k ind p inting t nc e t o th g n
o sa el m th m tic l xp e , o a o e e er a a e a a e r s

si no f th e l w which egul t s th i p oduc ti n

o a S uch c l l ct ve in st nces a s
r a e e r r o . o e i a

th l ea d to g n l l w by inducti n w hich fi it lf s pont n u ly

es e us a e e ra a an o o ers se a eo s ,

an d thu s fu ni h dva nc d pos ts in phi l phic l xpl ti n The l w s of

r s a e oso a e ora o . a

"epl which Ba c n ign ed

er , a cc unt f h i w nt f m th m ti c l t te
o or on o o s a o a e a a as ,

m y be cit d
a a c oll cti v e in t nc e
e as Th fi t i th t the pl n t m v in
e s a . e rs s, a a e s o e

elliptic l b it ha vi ng th e s f th i c mm n f cu s Th cond th t
a or s, un or e r o o o . e se ,
a

a bout thi focu s th di v t r f e ch pl n t d e c i b es qu l

s e ra s in eq u al
us ec o o a a e s r e a area

ti mes Th thi d th t th e s q u f th pe i odic ti mes of th e pl n e ts a

“
. e s r , a as a re o e r a re

th e cu be s of th i m a n di t nc f m th e r Thi s c ll ectiv i n t c op n ed
e s a e ro e su n . o e s an e e

th e wa y to th e di s cov e y of th e N w toni a n l w of gra vit t on — E d

” '
r e a a i . .
p ra ctic e a sp eci es o f a n a tomy a n d th enc e occ a s i o n a lly l ea d
,

us g e ntly o n to sublim e a n d n obl e a xi oms e sp eci a lly such ,

as r e l a t e t o t h e c on s t r ucti o n o f t he w or ld ra th er th a n t o ,

simpl e n a tu res a n d f orms .

A s a n e x a m pl e t a k e t h e f o ll o wing simil a r inst a nc es : a

,

mi rror a n d t he ey e ; t he f orm a ti o n of t he ea r a n d pl a c es ,

w hich re tu r n a n e ch o F rom such s imil ar ity besid e s oh

.
,

s er ving th e r es e mbl a nc e ( whic h is us eful for m a ny pu r

p os es ) i t is ea sy t o c oll ect a n d fo r m this a xi om Th a t
,
.

t h e or g a n s of t h e s e ns es a n d b o di es w hich p r od uc e r e flec
,

ti o n s t o th e s e n s es a r e o f a simil a r n a t u re A g a i n t h e
,
.
,

und e rs t a nding o nc e infor m e d o f thi s r is es e a s ily t o a high e r ,

a n d n o b l e r a xi om ; n a m e ly th a t t he o nly di s tincti on b etw e e n

,

s en s itiv e a n d in a nim a t e b odi es in th os e p oint s in which,

th ey a g r e e a n d symp a thiz e i s this : in t he f or m er a nim a l

, ,

spi rit is a dd e d to t h e a rra ng e m e nt of t h e b ody in t h e l a tt er ,

it i s w a nting S o th a t th ere might b e a s m a ny s e ns es i n

.

a nim a l s a s th er e a r e p oint s o f a g r e e m e nt with in a nim a t e

b odi es if t he a ni m a t ed b ody w e re p e rf ora t ed s o a s to a ll o w

, ,

t he s pi r it t o h a v e a cc es s t o t h e limb p r op er ly dis po s e d f or

a cti o n
,
a s a fit o rg a n A nd o n th e o th e r h a nd the re a r e
.
, , ,

w ith o ut d o ubt a s m a ny m oti o n s in a n i n a n i m a t e a s th e r e

,

a re s e n s e s i n t he a nim a t e d b o dy th o ugh t he a nim a l s pi r it

,

b e a b s e nt . T h e re mu s t h o w e v er b e m a ny m or e m oti o ns
, ,

i n in a nim a t e b o di es th a n s e ns es in t he a nim a t e d f ro m the ,

sm a ll numb er of o rg a ns o f s e n s e A v e ry pl a i n ex a mple .

of this i s a ff ord e d by p a in s F o r a s a ni m a l s a re li a b l e to
.
,

m a ny k inds a n d v a riou s d es c ripti on s of p a ins (s uch a s th ose

o f bu r ning o f i nt e ns e c old of p r icking s q u eezing st re tc h
, , , ,
 N OVU M OR G AN UM 1 75

ing ,
an d th e li k e)
is it most c e r ta in th a t the sa m e c i r
, so ,

c u m s tan c es a s f a r a s m o ti o n i s c o nc e r n e d h a pp e n to in a ni
, ,

m a t e b odi e s suc h a s w o od or s to n e wh e n bu r n e d f roz en

, , ,

p r ick e d cut b e nt b r ui s ed a n d t h e like ; a lth o ugh th e re b e

, , , ,

n o s e n s a ti o n o wing to th e a bs e nc e o f a nim a l spi r it

, .

A g a in w o nd e r ful as i t ma y a pp e a r t he ro o ts a n d
, ,

b ra nch es of tr ees a re simil a r inst a nc es F or e v ery v eg s .

t a bl e sw e lls a n d th ro ws o u t its c o nstitu e n t p a r ts to w a r d

t h e c i rcumf ere nc e b oth upwa r d a n d d o wnw a r d

,
A nd th e re .

i s n o di ff er e nc e b e tw ee n t he r oo t s a n d b ra nch e s e xc e pt ,

th a t t he root is b u r i e d in th e e a r th a n d t he b r a nch es a r e ,

exp ose d t o t h e a i r a n d sun F or if o n e ta k e a y o ung a n d

.

vig or o us sh oot a n d b e nd it d o wn t o a s m a ll p ort i o n of l o ose

,

e a rt h a lth o ugh it b e n o t fix e d to t h e g r o und e t will it

, y ,

imm e di a t ely p r oduc e a r oot a n d n o t a b ra nch A nd vi ce

,
.
,

ver s é if ea r th b e pl a c ed a b o v e a n d so fo r c e d d o wn with
, ,

a st o n e o r a n y h a r d s u b s t a nc e a s t o c o nfin e t h e pl a nt a n d
,

p re v e nt its b r a nching upw a rd it will th ro w o u t b r a nch es ,

int o t he a i r d ownw a rd .

Th e gum s of t re es a n d m ost r oc k g e ms a r e s imil a r i n

, ,

st a nc es ; for b oth of th em a r e exud a ti o n s a n d filt ered j uic es ,

d er iv e d in th e f or m er in s t a nc e f r o m t r ee s in t h e l a tt er f rom ,

st on es ; t he b r ightn ess a n d cl ea r n e s s of b oth a r ising f rom a

d elic a t e a n d a ccu ra t e filte ring F or n ear ly t he s a m e rea son
.
,

t h e h a i r of a nim a ls is l ess b ea utiful a n d vivid i n its c ol or

th a n t he plum a g e of mo st b i rds b e c a us e t h e j uic es a re l ess

,

d e lic a t ely filt ered th rough t he skin th a n th r o ugh th e quills .

The s c rotum of m a l es a n d m a t r ix of f e m a l es a re a l s o
simil a r inst a nc es ; so th a t t he n obl e for m a ti on which c o n s ti
t u tes t he diff er e nc e of th e s ex e s a p p ea r s t o di ff e r o nly a s

t o t he o n e b e ing int er n al a n d t he o th er ext er n a l ; a g rea t er

d eg ree o f h ea t ca using t he g e nit a ls to p rotr ud e in t h e m a le ,

w hil e th e hea t of t he fe m a l e b eing too w e a k to eff ect this ,

th ey a re r eta i n ed int er n a lly .

The fi n s of fish es a n d t he f ee t of qu a d r up e d s o r t he f ee t ,

a n d wing s of bi r d s a r e simil a r in s t a nc e s ; to which A r ist otl e

,

a dd s th e f o u r f o ld s in t h e m o ti o n of s o th a t i n

t h e f or m a ti on of t h e univ e r s e the m oti o n of a nim a ls a pp ea rs ,

t o b e c h i c fiy eff e ct e d by f o u r j o ints or b e nding s .

Th e t ee th o f l a nd a n i m a l s a n d t h e b ea ks of b i r ds a r e , ,

si m il a r in s t a nc es w h e nc e it i s cl ea r th a t i n a ll p er f ect
, ,

a nim a l s th e r e i s a d e t er min a ti o n of s om e h a r d s ubst a nc e

t ow a r d t he m o uth .

A g a in t he r es e mbl a nc e a n d c o nf or m ity of ma n to a n
,

inv e r t e d pla nt i s n ot a bsu r d F or the h ea d i s t he r oo t of .

t h e n er ves a n d a ni m a l f a culti es a n d th e s e m in a l p a r t s a r e ,

t h e l o w e s t n o t incl u d i ng t h e e xt rem iti es of th e l eg s a n d

,

a rms . B ut in t he pl a nt t he r oot (whic h r es e m b l es t he h e a d )

,

i s r egul a r ly pl a c e d in t h e l o w es t a n d t h e s ee d s in t he high
“
,

es t p a r t .

L as tly we mu s t p ar ticul a rly r ec omm e nd a n d s ugg est

, ,

t h a t m a n s p r es e nt indu s t ry in t h e inv es tig a t i on a n d c om

’

il a ti o n o f n a tu ra l hist o r y b e e nti r e ly ch a ng e d a n d di r e ct e d
p ,

t o t h e r e v er s e of t h e p res e nt syst e m F or it h a s hith e rto .

b ee n a ctiv e a n d cu r i o us in n o ting t he v a ri ety o f things a n d ,

e xpl a ining t h e a ccu r a t e di ff e r e nc e s of a nim a l s v eg e t a b l es , ,

a n d min er a l s m ost o f which a r e t h e m er e s p or t o f n a tu r e

, ,

ra th er th a n of a n y r ea l utility a s c o nc er n s t he sci e nc es .

‘I
8 thi v e y h ty ge n l i t n " D e p nt m v with f u f lds
s n ot s r as e ra za i o o s r e s o e o r o

onl y Ob se v l th e m t
r e a so f c nti p d d th in ct
o i on o e e es a n o er se s
‘S h w s t t n oth p i t f diff nc b t w n th bj ct cited in the
.

9 on o e re e ee
a a es a er e e o e s

t xt — nim l h ving th i
e a a s a ts within w h l pl nt h ve th i rs w ithout ; for
e r roo ,
i e a s a e

th i l t l n ear l y c e p nd w ith th fib
e r ac ea s orr s f th
o ts in pl nts ; so th a t
e re s o e roo a

l s see m n ouri s h ed W th in th emselves as p l nts are wi th ou t — E d

a nim a i a .
 N O VU M ORGAN UM 17 7

P urs ui ts o f this n a tu r e a r e c ert a inly a g reea b l e a n d s om e ,

tim es of p ra ctica l a dv a nt a g e but c ont ribut e littl e or n othing

,

t o t he th o ro ugh inv es tig a ti o n of n a tur e Our l a b or must .

th er efor e b e di r ect ed t ow ar d inqui r ing int o a n d ob s er ving

r es e m bl a n c e s a n d a n a l o gi e s b oth in t h e wh ol e a n d i ts p a r ts
, ,

f or th e y unit e n a tu re a n d l a y t h e f o und a ti o n of t h e sci e nc e s

, .

H ere howe v er a s e v er e a n d rig or ous c a uti o n must b e

, ,

ob s er v e d th a t we o nly c o nsid er a s simil a r a n d p r o p or ti o n a t e

,

inst a nc es th ose which (a s we fi rs t ob s er v ed ) p oint o u t

,

p hy s ic a l resem bl a nc es ; th a t is r ea l a n d su b st a nti a l r es em
,

b l a nc es d eeply f o und e d in n a tu re a n d n ot c a su a l an d
, ,

sup er fici a l much l e s s sup ers titi o us or cu r i ous ; s uch a s

,

th os e w h ich a r e c o nst a ntly put for w a rd b y t h e w rit ers on

n a tu ra l m a gic (t he m ost idl e of m en a n d who a re sc a rc e ly ,

fit t o b e n a m e d in c o nn ecti o n with such s eri o u s m a tt ers a s

we n ow t r e a t of) who w ith much v a nit y a n d f olly d esc r i b e
, , , ,

and s om etim e s t oo in vent unm ea ning res embl a nc es a n d

, ,

symp a thi es .

B ut l ea ving such t o th ems el v es simil ar i nst a nc es a re ,

n ot t o b e n e gl e ct e d in t h e g r ea t er p or ti o ns of t he w or ld s
’
,

c o nf or m a ti o n ; s uch a s A fr ic a a n d t he P er uvi a n c o ntin e nt ,

which r e a ch e s t o t he S t ra its of M a g ell a n ; b o th of which

p os s ess a simil ar isthmus a n d si m il ar c a p es a ci r cum s t a nc e ,

n o t t o b e a tt r ibut e d to m er e a ccid e nt .

A g ain t he N ew a n d O ld W or ld are b oth of th em b roa d

,

a n d e xp a nd e d t o w a r d t h e n or th a n d n arr ow a n d p o int e d
,

t ow a r d th e s o uth .

A g a in we h a v e v ery rem a r k a bl e simil ar inst a nc es in t he

,

int e n s e c old t ow a r d th e m iddl e r egi ons (a s it i s t er m ed) of

,

t h e a i r a n d t h e vi ol e nt fi r es which a r e o ft e n f o und t o bu rst

,

f r om su b terra n eou s spots th e simi la r ity c on s i s ting i n b oth

,

b eing e nds a n d ext rem es ; the extrem e of t h e n a t ur e of c old

‘
,
 1 78 N O VU M ORGAN UM -

f or insta nce, is to wa rd the b ounda ry o f h ea ven and th at of ,

th e n a ture o f hea t towa rd t he c e nt re o f t h e ea rth by a ,

s imil ar s p ecies of O pp osition o r rej e ction of the c o n tra r

y
n a tu re .

L a stl y in t he a xio ms of the sci enc es th er e is a si mi l a rity

, ,

of insta nc es w orthy of ob s er v a ti o n T hus the r h et ori c a l .

tr op e which is ca ll ed s urp ri s e i s s imila r t o th a t of m usic ,

t erm e d t h e d e clining of a c a d e nc e A g a in— t h e m a th e .

ma ti c a l p ostul a t e th a t things which a r e equ a l to t h e s a m e

,

a r e e qu a l t o o n e a n o th e r i s simil a r t o t h e f orm of t h e s l
y ,

l og i s m in l ogic which unites things a g reeing in t h e middle

“
,

t erm L a s tly a c e rt a in d e gr e e of s a g a city in c oll ectin g

.
,

a n d s ea r c h ing fo r phy s ic a l p o in ts of simil a r ity i s v er y u s e ,

”
ful in m a ny r es p e ct s .

XX V III I n t h e s e v e nth ra n k o f p r e rog a tiv e inst a nc es,

.

we will pl a c e singul a r in s t a nc es w h i ch we a r e a lso w o nt to ,

c a ll i rr egul a r o r h e t er oclit e (to b ror ro w a t e rm f rom t he

g ra m m a r i a n s ) T h ey a re such a s e xhibit b odi es in t he c on
.

B c n f ll into a o h re in g ding th yll g m

a s m thing
an e rror e re ar e s o is as so e

d is t nct f m th
i ning f culty d nl y
ro f it f m
e rea s o It i t g a . an o on e o s or s . s no en

e ra lly t u th t t h y ll gi m i nl y f m f
r e a ning by w hich w unite
e s o s s o a or o rea so e

id w hich cc d w ith th middl te m Thi g ee m nt i

eas a or t v n n e e r . s a r e s no e e e s se

ti l to a cc te y ll g m ; w h n th la ti n f th tw th ng c mpa ed to
a u ra s o is s e e re o o e o i s o r

th e thi d i f q u l ty o similit d it f c
r s on e f ll w tha t th tw o
o e a i r u e, o o u rse o o s e

th ng comp d m y b p n unc d q u l o li k to ch th
i s a re a B ut if t h
e ro o e e a ,
r e ea o er . e

l ti n be tw en th se te m xi t in diff e nt f m th en it i
re a o e e t t u th t r s e s a er or ,
s no r e a

th e tw xt m t nd i th m l ti n to ea ch th
o e re es t
s a th middl e n e sa e re a o o e r as o e

t m F in t nc if A i d ub l f B d B d u bl f 0 th n A i q u d uple
er . or s a e, s o e o ,
an o e o ,
e s a r

o f 0 B ut th n th l ti n f A to 0 i diff nt f m th t f A t B d
. e e re a o o s ere ro a o o an

of B t o 0 — Ed . .

C mp tiv n t my i full of a n l gi f thi k ind Th b t w e

5’
o a ra e a a o s a o es o s . ose e e n

n tu l d ti fi ci l p ducti n
a ra an arw ell w th y f tt nti n
a d m ti m s
ro o s a re or o a e o ,
an so e e

l d to i mp t nt di c v i
ea By b s ving
or a n l gy f thi kind b tw n
s o er es . o er an a a o o s e ee

t h pl n u d in h y d ulic ngin
e a se f p v nting th c un te cu nt f fluid
ra e es or re e e o r- rre o a ,

an d i mil c nt iv nce in t h b l d v l H vey w led to the di cov e y

a s ar o r a e oo es s e s , ar as s r

of th e ci cul ti on of th e b l oo d
r Eda .
-
.
 N O VU M OR GA N UM 1 79

cr et e , of pp a re ntly e xtr a va ga nt a n d s ep ar a te n a ture

an a ,

a g r ee ing but littl e with o th e r things o f t h e s a m e sp ec i e s .

F or whil e t h e simil a r in s t a nc e s r e s e mbl e e a ch o th er th ose

, ,

we n ow Sp ea k of a r e o nly lik e th e mse l v e s T h e i r u s e is

’

much t h e s a m e with th a t o f cl a nd estin e in s ta nc e s : th e y

b r ing o u t a n d unit e n a tu r e a n d di s c o v er g e n er a or c omm o n
,

n a tu r es which mu s t a ft er w a r d b e li m ited by rea l diff er

,

e n c es N or sh o uld we d e sist f ro m i nqui ry until t he p r op

.
,

er ti e s a n d qu a liti es o f th os e thing s which m a y b e d eem e d ,

mi ra cl es a s it w er e of n a tur e b e r educ e d t o a n d c omp re

, , , ,

h e nd e d in som e for m or c er t a in l a w ; s o th a t a ll i rr egul a r ity

,

o r s ingul a r ity m a y b e f o und t o d e p e nd o n s o m e c om m o n

f orm ; a n d th e m i ra cl e o nly c o nsi s t s in a ccu ra t e diff er e nc es ,

d eg re e a n d r a re coincid e nc e n o t in th e sp eci es its elf

, , .

M a n s m edit a ti o n p r oc ee ds n o fu r th e r a t p r es e nt th a n
’
,

j u s t to c o n s id e r things of this ki n d a s t he s e c r ets a n d v as t

'

e ff or t s o f n a tu r e with o ut a n a ssign a b l e c a us e a n d a s it
, , ,

w er e e xc e pti ons t o g e n era l r ul es

,
.

A s e x a mpl e s of singul a r i n s t a nc es we h a v e th e sun a n d ,

m oo n a m o ng the h ea v e nly b odi es ; t he m a gn e t a m o ng mi n

e r a l s ; quicksilv er a m o ng m e t a ls ; t he e l e ph a nt a m o ng qu a d

r u ped s ; t h e v e n erea l s e ns a ti on a m ong th e d ifi e r e n t kinds

o f t o uch ; t he s c e nt of sp or ting d og s a m ong th o s e of s m e ll .

The l e tt e r 8 t oo i s c o n s id er e d b y the g ra m m a ri a ns a s s u i
, ,

g en er is f r om its ea s ily u n iting with d oubl e or tr iple c on

"
,

s on a nts which n o o th e r l e tt er will T h es e in s t a nc es a r e of

, .

g re a t v a lu e b e c a us e th ey e xcit e a n d k e e p a liv e inqui ry

, ,

a n d c or r e ct a n und ers t a nding d ep ra v ed by h a bit a n d the

c omm o n c ou rs e of things .

XXI X I n t he eighth r a nk of p r er og a tiv e in s ta nc es we

.
,

wi ll pl a c e d e vi a ti ng in s t a nc es suc h a s th e e rr or s of n a tu re
, ,

or st ra ng e a n d monstr o us ob j e cts in which n a tu re d e vi a tes ,

na tu re d iff er fr om singul a r i ns ta nc es in a smuch as the la t ,

t e r a re t he mi ra cl e s of sp e ci es t h e fo r m e r of in divid ua l s , .

‘
T h e ir use i s m uch t h e s a m e for th ey r ectify t h e u nd e r ,

sta nding in opp ositi o n to h a b it a n d r e v ea l c ommo n for ms , .

F or with r e gar d to th e s e a ls o we must n o t d es i s t fr on

, ,

q ui ry till we disc er n th e c a u s e of t he d e vi a ti o n The c a us e

,
.

d oe s n o t h o w e v er i n suc h c a s es r is e to a r egul a r fo rm b ut
, , ,

o nly t o t he l a t e nt p ro c ess t o w a r d s uch a f or m fi r he who .

i s a c q u a int e d with t h e p a th s of n a tu re will m or e r e a dil y ,

o b s e r v e h e r d e vi a ti o n s ; a n d v i ce ver s é h e w h o h a s l ea r n e d
, ,

h e r d e vi a ti o n s will b e a bl e m or e a ccu ra t ely t o d e s c rib e

h e r p a th s .

T h ey diff e r a g a i n f ro m s ingul a r in s ta nc e s b y b eing ,

m u ch m o re a pt fo r p ra ctic e a n d t h e op e ra tiv e b ra nch .

F o r it w o uld b e v e ry difficul t to g e n e ra t e n e w s p eci es ,

b ut l e s s s o t o v a r y k n o wn s p eci es a n d th us p r o duc e m a ny ,

”
r a r e a n d unu s u a l r es ult s Th e p a ss a g e f r om t he m i ra cl e s
.

o f n a tu re t o th os e o f a rt is ea s y ; f o r if n a tu r e b e o nc e s eiz e d

in h er v a ri a ti o n s a n d t he c a u s e b e m a nifes t it W i ll b e e a sy
, ,

t o l ea d h e r by a rt t o suc h d e vi a ti o n a s s h e w a s a t fi r s t l ed

t o by ch a nc e ; a n d n ot o nly to th a t but o th ers sinc e d e vi a ,

ti on s o n t h e o n e sid e l e a d a n d o p e n t he wa y t o o th e rs i n
e v e r y di r e cti o n O f thi s w e d o n o t r e qui re a n y e x a m pl es
.
,

s inc e th ey ar e s o a b und a nt F o r a c om pil a ti o n o r pa r ti c u

.
,

l a r n a tu r a l hi s t or y mu s t b e m a d e o f a ll m o n s t ers a n d pr o
,

d i g i o u s bi r th s o f n a tu re ; of e v e rything i n s h or t w h i ch is , ,

n ew ,
r a re a n d un u s u a l in n a tu r e T hi s s h o uld b e d o ne .

with a r ig oro u s s el e cti o n s o a s to b e w orthy of c re dit

,
.

59 Thi i w ll i llu t t d in pl nt f the g d ne

s s e s ra e a s, or ar e r can p du ndlessro ce e

v ari ties of an y k own pec es b ut ca n ve p rod uce

e n s i ,
n e r a new s peci it elf es s .
 N O VUM ORGAN UM 1 81

Th os e a re most
susp ected which d ep en d up on sup er
to b e

s t i t i on a s t he p r o digi es of Livy
,
a n d th os e p er h a ps but , ,

littl e l es s w hi c h a r e f ound in t he w or k s of w rit er s on n a t

,

u r a l m a gic or e v e n a lch emy a n d t h e lik e ; f or such me n

, , ,

a s it w e re a r e th e v e r y suit or s a n d l o v e r s o f f a bl e s ; but ou r
,

i n s t a nc es sh o uld b e d eriv ed f r om s om e g ra v e a n d c r edi b l e

hist ory a n d f a ithful n a rr a ti o n
,
.

XXX I n t he ninth r a nk of p rer oga ti ve inst a nc es w e

.
,

will pl a c e b or d e r ing in s t a nc es w hich we a re a l so w o nt t o ,

t er m p a r ticip a nts Th ey a r e such a s exhibit th os e sp eci es

.

o f b odi e s which a pp ea r t o b e c o m p os e d o f tw o sp e ci e s or ,

t o b e t h e r udim e nts b e tw e e n t h e o n e a n d t he oth er Th ey .

m ay w e ll b e cl a ss e d with t h e singul a r or h et ero clit e i n

st a nc es ; f or in th e wh ol e syst e m of thing s th ey a r e r a r e ,

a n d e xt r a or din a r y Y e t f r o m th e i r dignity th ey mu s t b e
.
,

t re a t e d of a n d cl as s e d s e p a ra t e ly f or th ey point o u t a dm i r ,

a b ly t h e or d e r a n d c o n s tituti o n of thing s a n d sugg es t t h e ,

c a us es of t he n u m b er a n d qu a lity o f t he m or e c omm on
sp eci e s i n t h e univ er s e l ea ding t he und ersta nding f rom ,

th a t which i s t o th a t w hich i s p oss ibl e

,
.

W e h a v e e x a mpl es of th e m i n m os s which i s s om e thing ,

b etw e e n put res c e nc e a n d a in s om e c o m et s which ,

h old a pl a c e b etw ee n st a r s a n d ignit e d m e t e or s ; in flying

fi s h es b e tw e e n fi s h es a n d b i r ds ; a n d in b a ts b etw ee n bi rds
“
, ,

a n d qu a d r up ed s A g a in .
,

Si mi a qu a m s i mili s t urpi ss i ma b ti n b i
es a o s .

53
di c v i f T u n ef t h v e pl c d m s in th e cl
Th e s o er es o o rf pl nts or a a e os a ss o a .

Th fi h llud d t b l w
e s a t b f und nl y
e o t h t pic s — E d
e o a re o e o o in e ro .

Th e i h w v
54 re l pp roxi m ti n to b i d s in ith e th fly ing fi h
s, o e er , n o rea a a o r e r e s

or b t a y m e th n
, an m pp xi m te t fi h be ca u h c w im Th
or a a an a ro a s oa s se e an s . e

w ing f th fl y ing fi h
s o d b t
e e m exp n s i on s f s kin b ea ing
an a res e m
ar e re a s o ,
r no

bl nc wh a tev to tho e of b i d s — E d
a e er s r .
 XXXI In the te nth r a nk of pr er og a tiv e inst a nc es we
.
,

will pl a c e the insta nc e s of p o w er or t h e f a sc es ( to b orr o w

,

a t er m f ro m t h e insigni a o f e m pi r e which e a r e a ls o w o nt
) w ,

t o c a ll t h e wit or h a nd s o f m a n T h es e a re such w o r k s a s
.

a r e m os t n o bl e a n d p e r f e ct a n d a s it w e re t h e m a st er pi e c e s
, , ,

i n e v ery a rt F or s inc e o ur p r incip a l obj ect is t o m a k e n a

.

tu re subs e r vi e nt t o t he st a t e a n d w a nts of m a n it b ec om es ,

u s w e ll t o n o t e a n d e num e r a t e t h e w or ks which h a v e l o ng ,

S i nc e b ee n in t he p o w e r of m a n e s p eci a lly t h os e which a re

,

m os t p ol i s h e d a n d p er f ect : b e c a u s e t he p a s s a g e f r om th es e
t o n e w a n d hith e r t o u ndi s c o v ere d w o r k s i s m or e ea s y a n d ,

f ea s ibl e F o r if a n y o n e a f t er a n a tt e ntiv e c ont e mpl a ti o n

.
,

o f s uch w o r k s a s a r e e xt a nt b e w illing t o pu s h f o r w a r d
,

i n hi s d e sign with a l a c rity a n d vig or h e will und o ubt e dly ,

e ith e r a dv a nc e th e m ,
o r t ur n t h e m t o s o m e t h ing within

th e i r i m m edi a t e r ea ch o r e v e n a pply a n d t ra n s f e r th e m
,

t o s o m e m o r e n o bl e pu r p os e .

N or i s thi s a l l : f or a s t h e und e rs t a nding is e l e v a t e d a n d

r a i s e d by r a r e a n d unu s u a l w o r k s o f n a tu r e t o inv es tig a t e ,

a n d di s c o v e r t h e s which i nclud e th e m a l s o s o i s t he
M ,

s a m e e ff e ct f r e qu e ntly p ro duc e d by t h e e xc e ll e nt a n d wo n

d er f u l w o r k s of a r t ; a n d e v e n to a g r ea t er d e g re e b e c a u s e ,

t he m o d e o f e ff e cting a n d c o n s t r ucting t h e m i ra cl es o f a r t

i s g e n e r a lly pl a in whil e th a t of e ff e cting t h e mi r a cl es

,

o f n a tu r e i s m o r e o b s c u re G r ea t c a re h o w e v er m u s t b e
.
, ,

t a k e n th a t th ey d o n o t d e p re s s t h e und ers t a nding a n d

, ,

fix it a s it w e re t o e a r th
, ,
.

F or th er e i s s om e d a ng e r l es t t h e u n d e r st a nding sh o uld
,

b e a s t o nish e d a n d ch a in e d d o wn a n d a s it w er e b e witch e d
, ,

by such w or k s of a r t a s a pp ear to b e th e v ery summit a n d

,
 1 83

p inn a cl e of huma n indust ry s o a s n ot to b ecom e famili ar

,

with th e m but r a th er to supp os e th a t n othing of t he ki nd

,

c a n b e a cc o mpli s h e d unl e ss t h e sa m e m e a n s b e e m pl oy e d
, ,

with p er h a ps a littl e m ore dilig enc e a n d m or e a ccu ra te ,

p rep a r a ti on .

N ow o n t h e c o nt ra ry it m a y b e st a t e d a s a f a ct th a t
, , ,

t h e w a ys a n d m e a n s hith er t o disc o v er e d a n d ob s er v e d of ,

e ff ecting a n y m a tt er o r w o r k a r e f or t he m o st p a r t o f littl e
,

v a lu e a n d th a t a ll rea lly e fii c i e n t p ow e r d e p e nds a n d is

, ,

r ea lly to b e d e duc e d f ro m th e s o u r c e s o f f or m s n o n e ,

of which h a v e y e t b ee n disc o v e r e d .

Th u s (a s we h a v e b efo re o b s er v e d) h a d a n y o n e m edi ,

t a t e d on b a lli s tic m a chin es a n d b a tt er ing ra m s a s th e y w e re

, ,

us e d by th e a nci ents wh a t e v e r a pplic a ti o n h e might h a v e

,

e x e r te d a n d th o ugh he m ight h a v e c o n s um e d a w h o l e lif e

,

in t he pu rs uit y e t w o uld h e n e v er h a v e hit up o n t he i n

,

v e n ti o n o f fl a ming e ngin e s a cting by m e a n s o f gunp o wd er ;

,

n or w o uld a n y p e rs o n wh o h a d m a d e w ooll e n m a n u f a c to
,

r i e s a n d c ott o n t h e s ubj e ct o f h i s o b se r v a ti o n a n d r e fl e cti o n ,

h a v e e v er disc o v e re d th er eby th e n a tu r e o f t he s ilkworm

o r of s ilk .

H e nc e a l l t h e m ost n obl e di s c o v er i es h a v e (if yo u oh

s er ve) c om e to light n ot by a n y gr a du a l i m p r ov e m e nt a n d
,

e xt e nsi on of t h e a r ts but m er e ly by ch a nc e ; w hil e n o thing

,

imit a t es or a nticip a t es ch a nc e ( which is w ont to ac t a t i n

t er val s o f a g es ) but t he inv e nti o n of f or m s .
6
T h e r e i s n o n ec es sity for a dducing a n y p a r ticul a r e x a m
pl es of th es e in s ta nc es sinc e th e y a re a b und a nt Th e pl a n
,
.

t o b e pu rs u e d i s thi s : a l l t h e m e ch a nic a l a n d e v e n t he l i b
,

e r a l a r ts (a s f a r a s th e y a r e p ra ctic a l sh o uld b e vi s it e d a n d
) ,

th or oughly ex a min e d a n d th e nc e th e r e s h o uld b e f orm e d

,

a compil a ti o n or p a rtic u l ar hist ory o f th e g r e a t m a ste r

t he m o de c a rr ying th em into eff ect
of .

N or d o w e c o nfin e th e d ili ge nc e to b e us e d in such a

c ompil a ti on to t he l ea ding w ork s a n d s ec re ts o nl y of e v ery
a rt ,
a n d such a s e xcit e w o nd er ; for w o nd er is e ng e n d er e d

b y ra rity sinc e th a t w hich i s r a r e a lth o ugh it b e c om

, ,

p ound e d of o r di n a ry n a tu r es a lw a ys b eg e ts w o nd er , .

O n t he c o ntr a ry th a t w h ich i s r ea lly w o nd er ful fr om

, ,

s om e s p e cific di ffe re nc e distinguishing it f r o m o th e r s p eci e s ,

i s c a re l ess l y o bs er v ed if it b e but f a m i li a r ft Y e t t h e s ingu

'

l a r in s t a nc es o f a r t s h o uld b e o bs er v e d n o l ess th a n th o s
n a tu r e which we h a v e b e f or e sp o k e n of : a n d a s in t he l a t
,

t e r w e h a v e cl a s s e d t h e s u n t h e m oo n t h e m a gn e t a n d t h e
, , ,

lik e a l l of th e m m os t f a m ili a r t o u s b ut y et in th e i r n a ture

, ,

s ingul a r s o sh o uld we p r o c ee d with t h e s ingul a r inst a nc es

,

of a rt .

F or x a m pl e : p a p er a v e ry c o m mo n s ub s t a nc e i s a
e , ,

singul a r in s t a n c e of a r t ; for if yo u c on s id er t he s ubj ect a t

t en ti ve ly y o u will find th a t a r tifici a l subst a nc es a r e e ith er
,

w ov e n by s t r a ight a n d t r a n s vers e lin es a s s ilk w oolle n , , ,

o r lin e n cl o th a n d t h e li ke ; o r c o a gul a t e d f r om c o nc r e t e
,

j uic e s such a s b rick ea rth e nw a r e gl a ss e n a m el p or c el a i n

, , , , ,

a n d t h e lik e w h ich a dmit of a p oli s h if th ey b e c o mp a ct

, ,

but if n ot b ec om e h a r d with o ut b eing p oli s h ed ; a ll which

,

l a tt e r s ub s t a nc es a re b r ittl e a n d n ot a dh ere nt or t en a ci ous

,
.

O n t he c o ntr a r y p a p er i s a t en a ci o us s ub s t a nc e which c a n
, ,

b e cut a n d t or n s o a s to r es embl e a n d a l m ost r iv a l th e skin

,

o f a n y a ni m a l or t h e l e a f of v eg e t a bl es a n d t he lik e w o r k s
, ,

o f n a tu r e ; b e ing n e ith er b r ittl e lik e gl a s s n or w o v e n lik e ,

cl oth but h a ving fib res a n d n ot distinct th rea ds j ust a s

, ,

n a tu r a l s ubst a nc es s o th a t s c a rc ely a nything s imil a r c a n

,

b e f o un d a mong a rtifici a l su b st a nc es a n d it i s a b s olut e ly ,

 N O VUM ORG A NUM 185

singul a r A n d in a r tifici a l w or k s we should certa inly

.

f er th o se which a pp r oa ch t he n ea re s t to a n imi ta ti o n o f
tu re or o n t he o th er h a nd pow erfully g o v er n a n d c ha
, , ,

he r c o u r s e .

A ga in in th es e inst a nc es which we term t he wi t an d

,

h a nds of m a n ch a rms a n d c onj u ring sh ould n ot b e a lt o

,

g eth er d espis e d for a lth ough m ere a mu s em e nts a n d of

, ,

little u s e ye t th ey ma y a ff or d consid era bl e infor m a ti o n

, .

L astly sup er stiti o n a n d m a gic (in its c omm o n a cc epta

,

ti o n ) a r e n o t to b e e nti re ly omitt e d ; for a lth ough th ey b e

o v er wh e l m e d b y a m a ss of li e s a n d f a bl e s e t s o m e i n v es
y ,

t i g a t i on sh ould b e m a d e t o s ee if th er e b e r ea lly a n y l a te nt
,

n a tu r a l o p e r a ti o n in th em ; a s in f as cin a ti o n a n d t h e for tify ,

ing o f th e symp a thy o f di s t a nt obj e cts the ,

t r a n s mi s s i o n of imp r e ssi o n s fr o m spi r it to spi r it n o l ess th a n

f ro m b ody to b o dy a n d t he lik e , .

XXXII F r om t he f or eg oing r e ma r k s it is cl ear th a t t he

.
,

l a st fi ve sp ec i es of inst a nc es (t h e simil ar singul a r d e vi a ting , ,

a n d b or d e r ing inst a nc es a n d thos e of p o w e r) sh o uld n o t b e

,

r e s e r v e d f o r th e inv e stig a ti o n o f a n giv e n n a tu re a s th e

y ,

p rec e ding a n d m a ny of t h e succ e e ding insta nc es mu s t bu t ,

a c o ll e cti o n o f th em s h o uld b e m a d e a t o nc e in t h e st l e
y ,

o f a p a r ticul a r hi s t or y s o th a t th e y m a y a r r a ng e t h e m a tt er
,

which e nt er s th e und erst a nding a n d c orr ect its d ep r a v e d ,

h a b it f or it i s n ec ess ar ily im b u e d c orr upt ed p er v er t ed

, , ,

a n d di s t o r te d b y d a ily a n d h a bitu a l imp r ess i o ns .

T h ey a re to b e u s e d th e re f ore a s a p r ep a r a tiv e for t he

, , ,

p u r p ose of r e ctifying a n d pu r ifying th e und ers t a nding ; f or

wh a t e v er withdra w s it f rom h a bit l ev e ls a n d pl a n e s d o wn ,

its su r f a c e for th e r e c epti o n o f t he d ry a n d pu r e light of

t r u e n oti o ns .

T h es e inst a nc e s mor eover le v e l a n d p r ep a re t h e way

,
’

,
 f or t he p era tiv e b ra nch as we will mention in its p roper
o ,

p l a c e wh e n sp ea ki ng of t h e p ra ctic a l d e ductions .

X XX III I n t he e l ev enth ra n k of p re rog a tiv e inst a nces

.

w e will pl a c e a cc om p a n y ing a n d hostil e inst a nc es Th ese .

a r e such a s e xhibit a n y b ody or c o nc r e t e wh e re t he re q ui r e d ,

n a ture is c onsta ntly f o und as a n in s e p a ra b l e c omp a nion

, ,

or on t he c o nt r a r y w h e r e t h e r e q ui r e d n a tu r e is const a ntly
, ,

a v oid e d a n d e xclud e d f r o m a tt e nd a nc e a s a n e n emy

,
F ro m , .

th es e in s t a nc es m a y b e f or m e d c e rt ain a n d univ er s a l p r opo

s i t i o n s e ith e r a ffi r m a tiv e o r n e g a tiv e ; t h e subj e ct o f which
,

will b e th e c on c r et e b ody a n d t h e p redic a t e t h e r e q uir ed

,

n a tu r e F or p a r ticul a r p rop ositi o n s a r e by n o m ea n s fix ed

.
,

w h e n t h e r equi re d n a tu r e i s f o und t o fluctu a t e a n d ch a ng e

i n t he c onc ret e e ith er a pp roa ching a n d a cqui re d or r ec e d
, ,

ing a n d l a id a s id e H e nc e p a rticula r p ro p os iti o n s h a v e n o

.

g r ea t p re rog a tiv e e xc ept in t h e c a s e of mig ra ti on of which

, ,

w e h a ve s p o k e n a b ov e Y e t such p a r ticul a r p r op os iti ons

.

a r e of g r e a t u s e w h e n c omp a r e d with t h e univ er s a l a s will

, ,

b e m e ntion e d in i t s p r o p er pl a c e N or d o we r e qui r e a b s o
.

lut e a ffi r m a ti o n or n eg a ti o n e v e n in univ er s a l p rop os iti ons

, ,

f or if t h e e xc e pti o n s b e s ingul ar or ra re it i s s uffici e nt for ,

o u r pu r p o s e .

Th e u se of a cc omp a nying inst a nc es is t o n a r ro w t he

k a ffi r m a tivW e of f orm for a s it i s n a rr o w e d by t h e mig ra ting
°

in s ta nc es wh er e t he f or rrf m us t nec es saril y b e s om ething

,

c o m m unic a t e d or d estr oy e d by t he a c t of mig r a tio n s o it is ,

n a r ro w e d by a cc o mp a nying in s ta nc es wh er e t he fo rm m u s t ,

n ec es s a rily b e s om e thing which e nt ers int o t he c onc r e ti o n

o f th e b o dy or,
o n t h e c o nt rar y i s r e pugn a nt t o i t ; a n d
, ,

o n e w h o is w e ll a cqu a int e d with t he c o nstitution o r f o r m a

ti on of t he b o dy will n ot b e fa r f r om b ringing to light t he

,

f or m of t he r eq ui r e d n a t ur e .
 NO VU M OR GAN UM 1 87

F or x a mpl e : l et t he r eq ui red n a ture be h ea t Fl a me

e . .

i s a n a cc o mp a nying in s t a nc e ; fo r in w a ter ai r sto n e m e ta l , , , ,

a n d m a ny o th er su b s ta n c es h ea t is v ari a bl e a n d ca n a p
, ,

p ro a ch or r eti re ; b ut a ll fl a m e i s hot so th a t h e a t a lw a ys ,

a cc o m p a ni e s t h e c o nc r e ti o n of fl a m e W e h a v e n o h os til e .

in s t a nc e o f h ea t ; for t he s en s es a r e un a cqu a int ed with t he

int e ri or of t he ea rth a n d th er e is n o c onc re ti o n of a n y
,

k n ow n b o dy which i s n ot su s c eptibl e of h ea t .

A g a in l et s olidity b e t he r e qu i re d n a tu re A i r i s a
,
.

h os til e in s ta nc e ; for m e t a ls m a y b e liquid or s olid so ma y ,

gl as s ; e v e n w a t er m ay b ec om e s olid by c ong el a tion b ut a i r ,

c a nn o t b ec om e s o lid or l os e its fluidity .

W ith r e g a r d t o th e se insta nc es of fixe d p r o p ositi ons ,

th er e a r e t wo p oint s to b e obs er v ed which a re of imp or ,

ta nc e Fi rs t th a t if th er e b e n o univ er s a l a ffi r m a tiv e or
.
,

n e g a tiv e it b e c a re fully n o t ed a s n ot e xisting Thus in

,
.
,

h ea t we h a ve obs e r v e d th a t th e r e e xist s no univ er s a l n eg a

,

tiv e in such subst a n c es a t l ea s t a s h a v e c o m e to o ur

, , ,

kn owl e dg e A g a in i f th e r equi re d n a tu r e b e e t er nity or

.
,

inc orr uptibility we h a v e n o uni v ers a l a ffi rm a tiv e within

,

o u r s ph e re f or th e s e q u a liti e s c a nn ot b e p r e dic a t e d o f a n y
,

b odi es b e l ow t h e h ea v e n s or a b o v e t h e int e ri or o f t he e a rth

, .

S e c ondl y t o our g en era l p rop os iti o n s a s t o a n y c onc r e t e

, ,

wh e th er a ffi rm a tiv e or n eg a ti ve we s h ould subj oin th e ,

c onc re t es which a pp ea r t o a pp roa ch n eares t t o t h e n o n

e xi s tin g sub s t a nc e s ; such a s t he m ost g e ntl e o r l ea s t
b u r ning fl a m es in h ea t or g old in inc orr uptibility sinc e it
, ,

a pp r o a ch es n e ar es t to it F or th e y a ll s e r v e t o s h o w t he
.

l imit o f e xi s t e nc e a n d n on e xi s t e nc e a n d ci r cu m s c r ib e
-
,

f orm s s o th a t th ey c a nn ot w a nd er b ey ond t he c onditi o ns

,

of m a tte r .

X XXIV In th e tw elf th r a nk of p rer og a tiv e inst a nces

.
,
in s ta nc es of extre mity or limits ; for th ey a re n ot o nl y
s er vic ea b l e wh e n s u b j o in e d t o fix e d p rop os iti o ns b ut a lso ,

of th e m s elv e s a n d f r o m th e i r o wn n a tu r e T h ey indic a t e.

with s uffici e nt p r ecisi o n th e r ea l divisi ons of n a tur e a n d

“ ”
m ea s u r es of thing s a n d t he how f a r n a tu re eff ect s or
,
,

'

a ll o w s o f a nything a n d h e r p a ss a g e th e nc e to s om e thing
,

e ls e
. S uch a re g ol d in w e ight i r o n i n h a r dn ess th e wh a l e
, ,

in t h e siz e of a nim a l s t h e d og in sm ell t he fl a m e of gun

, ,

p owd er i n ra pid exp a n s i o n a n d o th er s of a lik e n a tu r e

, .

N or a r e we to p a s s o v er t h e ext r em es in d ef e ct a s w ell a s ,

in a b und a nce a s spi rits of win e in w e ight t h e t o uchston e

, ,

in s oftn es s t h e w or m s up o n t he s k in in th e siz e of a nim a ls

, ,

a n d t h e lik e .

XXXV I n t he thi r t ee nth ra n k of p rerog a tiv e inst a nc es

.

w e will pl a c e th os e of a lli a nc e or uni on T h ey a r e such a s

.

mingl e a n d unit e na tu res h ec tp b e h etegpg e n eou s a n d ,

o bs e r v e d a n d m a r k e d a s such in re c eiv e d cl a s s ific a ti o n s .

Th es e in s t a nc es s h o w th a t th e op er a ti on a n d e ff ect w h ich ,

i s c o n s i d er e d p eculi a r t o s o m e o n e of such h e t e rog e n e o us

n a tu res ,
m a y a ls o b e a t tri b ut e d to a n oth er n a tu r e s tyl e d
h e t e rog e n eo u s s o a s t o p r o v e th a t the di ff er e nc e o f t h e
,

n a t u re s i s n ot rea l n or es s e nti a l b u t a m er e m odific a ti on

,

o f a c o m m o n n a tu r e Th ey a r e v e ry s er vic e a bl e th ere
.
,

f o re i n e l e v a ting a n d c a rrying o n t h e mind f r om diff e r

, ,

e n c es t o g e n e r a a n d in r e moving th os e
,
ph a nt om s a n d
im a g es of t hings which m eet it in di s guis e in c o nc r e t e
,

su b s t a nc es .

F o r e x a mpl e : l et t he r equi r ed n a tu re b e h e a t The .

cl as s ific a ti o n of h ea t int o th r ee k ind s th a t of t he c el e sti a l

,

b odi es th a t of a nim a ls a n d th a t of fi re a pp ea rs to b e s et
, , ,
 NO VUM OR GA N UM 1 89

tled an d a d mitt ed ;
th es e k inds of h eat es pec i all y on e
an d ,

of th e m co m p a r e d with t h e o th er two are s u p p os ed to be ,

diff ere nt a n d cl earl y h e teroge n eo us i n th ei r es s e n ce a n d

,

sp e ci es or sp ecific n a tu re sinc e t he h ea t of th e h ea v e nly

, ,

b o di e s a n d of a ni ma ls g e n era t es a n d ch e ri s h e s whil e th a t ,

of fir e c orru p ts a n d d estroys W e h a v e a n in s t a nc e of .

a lli a nc e th en in a v ery c ommon experim e nt th a t of a

, , ,

vin e b ra nch a dmitt e d into a b uilding wh e re th ere is a c on .

s ta nt fi r e by which t h e g r a p e s r ip e n a wh ol e m o nth s oo n e r
,

th a n in t he a i r ; so th a t fr uit u p on the t ree c a n b e rip e n ed

b y fi r e a lth ough this a pp ea r th e p eculi a r eff ect of th e
,

sun . F r om this b eginning th ere f ore t he und erst a nding , ,

rej ects al l es s e nti a l diff er enc e a n d ea s ily a s c e nds to the ,

i nv e stig a ti o n of t he re a l diff e r e nc es b e tw ee n t he h ea t of
t h e s u n a n d th a t of fi re by which th e i r op era ti o n is ,

rend er e d d i s s imil a r a lth o ugh th ey p a r t a k e o f a comm on

, ,

w e .

T h es e di ff er e nc es will b e f ound t o be fo u r in n u m b er .

1 Th e h ea t o f th e sun is much mild er a n d g e ntl er i n d e gr ee

.

t h a n th a t of fi r e 2 It is m uch m or e m o i s t in qu a lity
. .
,

e sp e ci a lly a s it is t ra nsmitt ed to us t h r o ugh t h e a i r 3 . .

W hich i s t he chi ef p oint it is v e ry un eq u a l a dv a ncing a n d

, ,

i nc r ea s e d a t o n e tim e r e ti r ing a n d diminish e d a t a n oth er

, ,

which m a inl y c ont r i b utes t o t h e g e n era ti o n of b odi es F o r .

A r ist otl e ri ghtly a ss er te d th a t th e p r incip a l c a u s e of g e n

,

era t i on a n d c or r upti o n on th e su r f a c e of t h e e a r th wa s th e

obliqu e p a th of t he sun in t he z odi a c wh e nc e its h ea t b e ,

c om es v e r y un e qu a l p a r tly f rom the a lt e rn a ti o n of night

,

a n d d a y p a r tly f r o m t h e succ ess i o n o f su mm er a n d wint e r

, .

Y e t must he imm e di a t e ly c orr upt a n d p er v er t hi s disc o v er y ,

b y dicta ting to n a tu r e a cc ording to hi s h a bit a n d d og ma ti ,

c a lly a ssigning t h e c a u s e of g e n e ra ti o n to t he a p p r o a ch of
t he s u n , an d tha t
of cor ruption to its retrea t ; whi l e i n fac t, ,

ea c h circ ums ta n c e i n di ff ere n tl y a n d not res p ecti vely con

t ri b utes b ot h to g enera ti o n a n d co r ru p ti on ; for u n eq ual
h ea t t en ds to g e n e ra t e a n d c orru p t as eq ua b l e h ea t does
,

t o p res er v e 4 The f o u r th d i ff er e nc e b et wee n t he hea t of

. .

t he su n a n d fi re i s of g r ea t cons eq u e nc e ; n a me l y th a t the ,

su n , g r a du a l l y a n d for a l e n gth of tim e

, , i n sinu a te s i ts
e ff e cts while th ose of fire ( u rg ed b y t he imp a ti e nc e of
,

ma n ) a re b rought t o a t ermin a ti o n in a sho r te r sp a c e of

tim e B ut if a n y on e w ere to pa y a tt enti o n to t he t emp er
.

i ng of fi re a n d re ducing it to a m ore m o d era t e a n d g e ntl e

,

d eg r e e ( which may b e d on e in v a ri o us w a y s) a n d th e n w e re
,

to sp rinkl e a n d mix a d eg r ee of h umidity with it ; a n d ,

a b o v e a l l w ere t o i m it a t e t he s u n in i ts in e qu a lity ; a n d
, ,

l a s tly w ere p a ti e ntly t o su ff e r s om e d el a y (n ot s uch h o w

, ,

e v e r a s is p ro po rti o n e d t o t h e e ff e cts o f t he s u n b ut m o re
, ,

th a n m e n u s u a lly a d m it o f in th os e of fire) h e w o uld s oon

,

b a ni s h the n oti o n of a n y diff ere nc e a n d w o uld a tt empt or

, ,

e q u a l or p e r h a ps s o m e tim e s su r p a ss t he e ff e ct of t h e sun
, ,

b y t h e h ea t o f fi re A li k e inst a nc e o f a lli a nc e is th a t of
.

r e viving b utt e r fli es b e n umb e d a n d n ea r ly d ea d f r om c ol d

, ,

b y t h e g e ntl e w a rmth o f fi r e ; s o th a t fi re i s n o l ess a bl e to

r e viv e a nim a l s th a n t o r ip e n v e g e t a b l es
. W e m ay a ls o
m e n ti o n t he c e l eb ra t e d inv e nti o n of F r a c a s t orius of a pply
,

ing a pa n c o n s id er a b ly h e a t e d t o t he h ea d i n d es p er a t e c a ses
o f a p o pl e xy which cl e a r ly e xp a nd s t h e a nim a l s pi r it s wh e n
, ,

c om p r es se d a n d a l m ost extinguish ed by th e hu m ors a n d

o b s t r ucti o ns o f t h e b ra in a n d e xcit es th e m t o a cti o n a s the
, ,

fi re w o uld o p e ra t e o n w a t er or a i r a n d in t h e r es ult pro

,

duc es life Eggs a r e s o m e tim es h a tc h e d by the h e a t of fi re

.
,

a n e x a ct i m it a ti o n o f a nim a l h e a t ; a n d th e r e a r e m a ny i n

st a nc es oi t he lik e n a tu r e s o th a t n o on e c a n dou b t th a t the

,
 19 1

hea t of fire, m a ny c a s es c an b e m o di fi ed ti ll i t resemb l e

in ,

th a t o f t h e h ea v e nly b o di e s a n d of a nim a l s .

A g a in l e t t he r eq ui r e d n a tures b e m oti on a n d r est

, .

Th e re a pp ea r s t o b e a se ttl e d cl a ss ific a ti o n g ro un d e d on ,

th e d ee p es t phil os o ph y th a t n a tu r a l b o di es e ith er r e v olv e

, ,

m ov e i n a s t ra ight lin e or st a nd still a n d re st F or th er e , .

is eith er m o ti o n with o ut limit or c o ntinu a nc e within a c er ,

ta in limit or a t ra nsl a tion t o wa r d a c er t a in limit Th e et er

, .

n a l m o ti o n of r e v ol uti o n a pp ea rs p eculi a r t o t h e h ea v e nl y

b odi es r est to thi s o u r gl ob e a n d t he o th er b o di es (h ea vy

, ,

a n d light a s th e y ar e t e r m e d th a t i s to s a y pl a c e d o u t of
, , ,

th ei r n a tura l p os iti o n) a re b or n e in a stra ight lin e t o m a s s es

or a gg r e g a t es which r e s e m b l e th em t h e light t o w a r d t he ,

h ea v e n t he h ea vy t ow a r d the e a r th ; a n d a l l thi s i s v ery

,

fi n e l a ngu a g e .

B ut we h a v e a n in s t a nc e of a lli a nc e in l ow com ets which ,

r ev olv e th ough f ar b el o w t he h ea v e ns ; a n d t h e ficti o n of

,

A r i s t otl e of th e c om et b e ing fix ed t o o r n ec essa ri ly fol

, ,

l owing s om e st a r h a s b ee n l ong s inc e e xpl od ed ; n ot onl y

,

b ec a u se it i s imp r ob a bl e i n i ts elf but fr om the e vid e nt f a ct ,

of t he di s cu rs iv e a n d i rr egul a r m oti o n o f c o m e ts th r o ugh

v a ri o u s p a r t s of t he h ea v e ns “ .

A n ot h er in s t a nc e of a lli a n c e is th a t o f t he moti o n of a ir ,

which a pp ea r s t o r ev olv e from ea s t to w es t within t h e tr 0 p

ics wh er e t he ci r cl es of r ev oluti on a r e th e g rea t est
,
.

The flo w a n d e bb of the sea w ould p er h a p s b e a noth e r

i nst a nc e if t he w a t e r w er e o nc e f o und t o h a v e a m oti o n of
,

55
Sen eca und t ron ome th n B con H idicul d th e id f
wa s a so er as r a a . e r e ea o

th e m ti n f
o o y h v onl y bandi be ing
ea ie gul r a dop dict d th
es t th d y
r re a ,
n re e a e a

would com w h n th l w w hich guid d th ev luti on f th ese b di

e, e e a s w ul d
e e r o o o es o

be p ved to be id ntic l w ith th

ro ew hich c n t ll d th e moti on of th e p la n e ts
a os e o ro e s .

Th e a ntici pa ti on was rea l ize d by N wt — Ed e on .

to w es t s u b j ec t h ow e v er to a r ea cti o n t wi c e a da y If
, , , .

t h i s b e so i t i s c l ea r th a t t he m o ti o n o f revo l u ti o n i s n ot
,

c onfin e d to t he c e l e sti a l b odi es b ut i s s h ar ed a lso by a i r

, , ,

a n d w a te r .

A g a i n— th e su p p os e d p ec u l i a r di s p osition of l ight b odi es

to r ise is r a th e r sh a k e n ; a n d h ere we m a y fi n d a n in s ta nc e

o f a lli a nc e in a w a te r b ub b l e F o r if a i r b e pl a c e d un d er
.

w a te r it r i s e s ra pidly t o w a rd t he su r f ac e b y th a t st ri k ing
,

m oti o n (a s De m o c r itu s t e r ms it) with which t he d e sc ending

w a t er st r ik es th e a i r a n d ra i s e s it n o t by a n y str uggl e or ,

e ff o r t o f th e a i r it s e lf ; a n d wh e n it h a s r ea ch e d t he su r f a c e

o f t he w a t er it i s p r e v e nt e d f ro m a s c e nding a n y fu r th er by
, ,

t h e slight re sista nc e it m ee t s with in t he w a t er which d oe s ,

n o t a ll o w a n imm e di a t e s e p a ra ti o n of i ts p a r t s s o th a t t h e ,

t end e ncy of t he a i r to r i s e mu s t b e v e ry s light .

A ga in l e t th e r equi r e d n a tu re b e w eight It i s c er t a inl y

,
.

a r e c e i v e d cl a s s ific a ti o n th a t d ens e a n d s olid b odi e s a re

,

b or n e t o w a r d t he c en tr e of t he e a r th a n d r a re a n d light ,

b odi es to t he ci r cu m f ere nc e o f t he h ea v e n s a s th ei r a pp ro ,

r i a t e pl a c e s A s fa r a s r e l a t e s to pl a c e s
( th o ugh th
p . e se

thing s h a v e muc h w eight in th e sch ool s ) t h e n o ti o n o f ,

th e re b eing a n y d e t er m in a te pl a c e i s a b s u r d a n d pu e ril e .

P h i l os o ph e rs t r ifl e th e re f or e wh e n th ey t e ll y ou th a t if
, , ,

t h e ea r th w e re p e rf ora t e d h ea vy b odi e s w o uld st o p o n th e i r

,

a r r iv a l a t th e c e nt r e T his c e nt re w o u ld ind ee d b e a n e ffi
.

c a c i ou s n o thing or m a th e m a tic a l p oint c o uld it a ff e c t

, ,

b o di e s or b e s o ught b y th e m f or a b ody i s n ot a cted up o n

“
,

exc e pt b y a b o dy In fa ct this t e n d e ncy to a s c e nd a n d

.
,

55 B utB con s ow co lla ry at th e e d of the In s ta nces of Div ce

see a
’
n ro n or ,

A ph ri m xxxvii If Ba c n s rema k be a cce p ted th e cens ure wi ll fa ll upon

’
o s . o r ,
 N OVU M ORGAN UM 193

desc e nd is eith er in t h e c o nfor m a ti o n of t he m oving b ody ,

o r in i t s h ar m o ny a n d symp a thy with a n o th er b ody B ut .

if a n y d e n s e a n d s olid b ody b e fo und w hich d oes n o t how , ,

e v er t e nd t o w a r d t h e e a r th t h e cl a ss ific a ti o n i s a t a n e n d
, , .

N ow if we a ll o w o f G ilb er t s o pini on t h a t t h e m a gn e tic

’

, ,

p o w er of th e ea r th in a ttr a cting h ea vy b odi es i s n ot ex , ,

t e nd e d b ey ond t he li m it of its p ecul iar vi r tu e (which op e r

a t es a l w a y s a t a fix e d di s t a nc e a n d n o a n d this

b e p ro v ed by s om e inst a nc e s uch a n inst a nc e will b e o n e ,

o f a lli a nc e i n ou r p re s e nt s ubj e ct The n ea r e st a pp roa ch .

to it is th a t of w a t e rs p outs f requ ently s ee n b y p ers on s n a vi ,

g a ting t he A tl a ntic t o wa rd e ith er of t he Indi e s F o r t he .

forc e a n d m a ss of t h e w a t er s udd e nly effu s e d by w a t er

sp o uts a pp ears t o b e s o c onsid e r a bl e th a t t h e w a t er mu s t
, ,

h a v e b ee n c oll ect e d p r e vi o usly a n d h a v e r em a in e d fix e d ,

w h er eit w a s f or m ed until it wa s a ft er w ar d f or c e d d o wn by ,

s om e vi ol e nt c a u s e r a th er th a n m a d e to f all by t h e n a tu ra l
,

m oti o n of g r a vity : s o th a t it ma y b e c onj ectu re d th a t a

d e ns e a n d c omp a ct m a ss a t a g r ea t di s t a nc e f r om th e ea r th , ,

ma y b e susp e nd e d a s t he ear th i ts elf i s a n d w o uld n ot f a ll , ,

unl es s f orc e d d o wn W e d o n ot h ow e v er a ffi rm thi s a s .

, ,

c ert a in In th e m ea nwhil e b oth in thi s r es p ect a n d m a ny

.
,

o th er s it will rea dily b e s ee n h o w d e fici e nt we a r e in n a t

,

Ne w ton an d th e sy t em o g n e all y ece iv ed at th e p ent d y I t i s h w

s s e r r res a .
,
o

ev unju s t th e c nt f which New t n s ft n p ks i ot a p int wi th

er , ,
as e re o o o o e s ea s n o

an ctive inh re nt f ce b ut onl y the e ult f a ll th p ticul

a e or ,
d ecip c al r s o e ar a r an r ro

a tt ac ti n f th e diffe nt par ts f th e pl n t cti g upon o s pot I t i evi

r o s o re o a e a n ne . s

d nt th t if all th ese f c w e e united in thi s centre th at the s m would

e , a or e s r ,
u

b e qu l t
e ll th ir pa ti l efi c ts — E d
a o a e r a e
‘S ince N ewt n di c v y f the l w f g vit ti on we find th a t th e t
. .

5 ’
o s s o er o a o ra a ,
a

tra ctiv e f ce f the th mu t xt nd to in fini t di s ta nc B a c n h imself

or o ea r s e e an e e. o

a llud es to th e ope ti on of thi s ttra cti ve force a t g e t di stan ces i the

ra a r a n

In s tan ces of the Rod A phori sm xl v , .

 A g a in l et t he req ui r e d n a tu re b e t h e discu rs iv e p o w er
,

o f t he mind The cl a s sific a ti o n of hum a n r ea s o n a n d a n i

.

m a l in s tinct a pp ear s to b e p er f e ctly c orr ect Y e t th e r e a re .

s om e in s ta nc es o f t h e a cti o ns of b r ut es w hich s eem t o s h o w

th a t th ey t oo c a n syll ogiz e T h us it is rel a t ed th a t a
, , .
,

c ro w which ha d n e ar ly p erish e d f rom thirst in a g re a t

,

d ro ught sa w s om e w a t e r in t h e h oll ow t runk o f a tr ee but

, ,

a s it w a s t oo n a r r o w f or him t o et int o it h e c o ntinu d to

g e ,

th ro w i n p e bbl e s which m a d e th e w a ter r is e till he c o uld

,

d rin k ; a n d it a ft er w a r d b ec a m e a p rov er b .

A g a in l e t t he r equi r ed n a tu r e b e vi s i o n The c l a s s ifi
,
.

c a ti o n a pp ea rs r e a l a n d c er t a in which c onsid ers light a s th a t

,

whic h i s o r igin a lly vi s ibl e a n d c o nf ers th e p o w er o f s e eing ;

,

a n d c o l o r a s b e ing s e c o nd a r ily vi s i bl e a n d n o t c a p a bl e o f
, ,

b eing s e e n with o ut lig h t s o a s to a pp e a r a m er e i m a g e o r

,

m o dific a ti o n of light Y e t th er e a re in s t a nc es o f a lli a nc e in

.

e a ch r e s p ect ; a s in s now w h e n in g r e a t q u a n t i ti e s a n d in ,

t h e fl a m e of s u lph u r ; t h e o n e b ei ng a c o l or or igin a lly a n d

”
in it s e lf light t h e o th e r a lig h t v er ging t ow a r d c o l or
,
.

XXXV I I n t he f o u r t ee nth r a n k o f p r er og a tiv e i n

.

s ta nc e s w e will pl a c e t h e in s t a nc e s o f t h e c r oss b or r o wing

, ,

o u r m e t a ph o r f r o m t he c ros s es e re ct e d wh er e t wo roa d s

m ee t t o p oint o u t t h e di ff er e nt di re cti on s W e a r e w o nt
,
.

a l s o to c a ll th e m d e ci s iv e a n d j u dici a l in s t a nc e s and in ,

s om e c a s es in s t a nc e s o f t he ora cl e a n d of c o m m a nd Th ei r .

n a tu re i s a s f oll o w s : Wh e n in in v es tig a ting a n y n a tu r e the

u nd e rs t a nding i s a s it w er e b a l a nc ed a n d unc ert a in t o
, , ,

which of t wo or m ore n a tu re s th e c a us e of th e r e qui re d

58
Sn ow re fl ec ts light b ut i s n ot a
, uc
so r e of l ight
.
 195

n at ure sh o uld be a ssign ed on a cc o unt of the f req u ent a n d

,

u su a l c o ncurr e nce o f s e v e r a l n a tu re s t h e ins ta nc e s of t he ,

c r os s sh o w th a t t he uni on of o n e n a tu r e with th e r equ ir ed

n a tu r e is fi r m a n d indi ss o lubl e whil e th a t o f th e o th e r is
,

unstea d y a n d s ep a ra bl e ; b y which m ea ns th e qu e s ti o n is
d ecid e d a n d t h e fi r st i s r ec eiv e d as th e c a u s e whil e the
, ,

o th er is dismiss e d a n d re j e ct e d S uch inst a nc es th er ef ore

.
, ,

a ff o r d g rea t l i ght a n d a r e o f g rea t w eight s o th a t t h e c o u r s e

, ,

o f int er p r e t a ti o n s o m e tim e s t e r min a t e s a n d i s c ompl e t e d in

,

th e m S om e tim e s h o w e v er th e y a r e f ound a m o ng t he
.
, ,

in s ta nc es a l r e a dy ob s er v ed but th ey a re g e n e ra lly n ew
, ,

b e ing e xp r es sly a n d pu rp os e ly so ught f or a n d a ppli ed an d ,

b ro ught t o light o nly by a tt e nti v e a n d a ctiv e dilig e nc e .

F or e x a mpl e : l e t t he r e qui r ed n a tu re b e t he flo w a n d
e b b o f t h e s e a w hich i s r e p ea t e d twic e a d a y a t int er v a l s
, ,

o f six h o u r s b e tw ee n ea ch a dv a nc e a n d r e t r ea t with s om e ,

littl e diffe re nc e a g re e ing W i th t he m oti on of t he m oo n W e

,
.

h a v e h e re the f o ll o wing c rossw a y s

T hi s m oti o n must b e occ a si o n e d e ith er by t h e a dv a ncing
a n d t h e r e ti r ing o f t h e sea lik e w a t er sh a k e n in a b as in
, ,

w hich l ea v es o n e sid e whil e it wa s he s th e o th e r ; or by t he ri s

ing o f the sea f ro m t he b ott o m a n d i ts a g a in s ub s idi ng lik e
, ,

b oiling w a t e r B ut a d o ubt a r i s e s to which of t h es e c a u s es

.
,

w e s h ould a s s ign t h e flow a n d eb b If t he fi rs t a s se r ti o n b e

.

a d m itt e d it f o ll o ws th a t wh e n th ere i s a fl o o d oh o n e s id e
, , ,

th e r e m u s t a t t he s a m e ti m e b e a n eb b o n a n o th er a n d the ,

qu es ti o n th e re fore i s r e duc e d t o thi s N o w A c o s t a a n d .

,

s om e o th e rs a ft er a dilig e nt inqui r y h a v e o b se r v e d th a t
, ,

t h e fl oo d tid e t a k es pl a c e o n t h e c oa s t of F l o rid a a n d t he ,

Opp o site c o a s ts of S p a in a n d A f r ic a a t t he s a m e time a s , ,

d oes a l s o th e eb b ; a n d t ha t th er e i s n ot o n t he c o ntr a ry a , ,

fl ood tid e a t F l or id a wh e n th er e is a n e bb o n t he c oa s ts of
S C E N C E Vol 22 — 9 I .
n or re fut e t he n o tion of a p r og r es s iv e moti on F or t he .

m o ti o n m a y b e p r og r essiv e a n d y e t i nund a t e t he o pp osit e

,

sh ores o f a ch a nn el a t t he s a m e tim e ; a s if t he w a t ers b e

f orc e d a n d d riv e n t og e th er f r om s om e oth er qu a r t er for ,

in s t a nc e w hich t a k e s pl a c e i n r iv er s for th ey flo w a n d e b b
, ,

t ow a r d e a c h b a nk a t th e s a m e tim e y et th e i r m oti o n is ,

cl e a rly p rog r e s s iv e b eing th a t of t he w a t ers f ro m th e s ea

,

e nt e r i ng th e i r m o uth s S o it m a y h a pp e n th a t t h e w a t er s
.
,

c om ing i n a v a s t b ody f r om th e ea s t er n Indi a n O c ea n a r e

d riv e n t og e th er a n d f o rc ed int o t he ch a nn e l of t h e A tl a n
,

tic a n d th er e f ore in und a t e b oth c oa st s a t o nc e W e mu s t

,
.

i n qu i r e th er ef ore if th ere b e a n y o th er ch a nn el by w h i ch
, ,

t he w a t er s c a n a t t h e s a m e t i m e s ink a n d e b b ; a n d th e

S o uth er n O c e a n a t o nc e s u g ges t s it s elf w hi c h i s n o t l es s

,

th a n th e A tl a ntic but ra th er b r o a d er a n d m or e ext e nsiv e

,

th a n i s r equi s it e for thi s e ff e ct .

W e a t l e ngt h a r r iv e th en a t a n in s t a nc e of t he c r oss
, , ,

which i s t hi s If it b e p os itiv e ly di s c o v e re d t h at wh e n t h e
.
,

fl ood s et s in t o wa r d t he o pp os it e c o a s t s o f F l or id a a n d S p a in
in t h e A tl a n t i c th er e is a t t h e s a m e ti m e a fl ood tid e o n t he
,

c o as t s o f P e r u a n d t h e b a ck p a r t o f Chi n a i n t h e S outh e r n,

O c e a n th e n a s s u redly f ro m thi s d e ci s iv e in s t a nc e w e mu s t
, , ,

r ej e ct t h e as s e rti o n th a t t he fl o od a n d eb b of t he s ea a b o u t
, ,

w hich w e inqu i re t a k es pl a c e by p r og r e s s iv e m oti o n ; f or

,

n o o th e r s e a o r pl a c e i s l e ft wh e r e th e r e c a n b e a n e b b Bu t .

thi s m a y m os t ea sily b e l ea r n e d by inqui r ing o f t he i n b a h

,

i ta n ts o f P a n a m a a n d Li m a ( wh e r e t h e t w o o c ea n s a re s e p a
ra t e d by a n a rro w i s thmu s ) wh e th e r t h e fl o o d a n d e b b t a k es
,

pl a c e o n t h e opp os it e s id es o f t h e i s th m u s a t th e s a m e tim e ,

o r t h e r e v e rs e . T his d ecision or r ej e cti on a pp e ars cer t ain ,

 N OVUM ORGAN UM 19 7

if it b e gra nt ed th a t th e e a rth i s fix e d ; b ut i f t he ea rth

r e v o lv es ,it m a y p er ha p s h a pp en t h a t f r om t h e un equ al
,

re v o luti o n ( as r e g a r ds v e l o city o f t h e ear th a n d t he w a t er s

)
of t h e s e a th e r e m a y b e a vi ol en t f o r cing o f t he w a t ers into
,

a m a ss ,
f or ming t h e fl o o d a n d a subs e qu e nt r e l a x a ti o n of
,

th em (wh e n th e y c a n n o l ong er b ea r t h e a ccumul a ti o n ) ,

f or ming t he eb b A s e p a r a t e inquir y mus t b e m a d e int o

.

this E v e n with thi s hyp oth es i s h o w ev er i t r e m a ins

.
, ,

e qu a lly t r u e th a t th e r e mu s t b e a n eb b s o m e wh er e a t t he
, ,

s a m e tim e th a t th er e is a fl ood i n a n oth e r qu a rt er .

A g a in l et t he r e qui r e d n a tu r e b e t he la tt er o f th e t wo
,

m o ti o n s we h a v e s u pp os e d ; n a m e ly th a t o f a r i s ing a n d ,

sub s iding m o ti o n if it s h o uld h a pp e n t h a t up o n dilig e nt

,

e x a m in a ti o n th e p ro g r e ssiv e m oti o n b e r e j e ct e d W e h a ve .
,

t h e n th re e w a y s b e f or e u s w ith re g ar d t o thi s n a tu r e
, ,
The .

m o ti o n by which t h e w a t e r s r a i s e th e m s e l v e s a n d a g a in
, ,

f a ll b a ck in t he fl oo d s a n d e bb s with o ut th e a dditi o n of
, ,

a n y o th er w a t e r r o ll e d t o w a r d th e m mu s t t a k e pl a c e i n o n e
,

o f t h e th r ee f o ll o wing w a y s : E ith er t he s upply of w a t e r

e m a n a t e s f r om t he int e r i o r o f t h e e a r th a n d r e tu r n s b a c k ,

a g a in ; or th ere i s r ea lly n o g r e a t e r qu a ntity o f w a t e r b ut ,

t h e s a m e w a t e r ( with o u t a n y a ug m e nt a ti o n o f i ts qu a ntity )

i s ext e nd e d o r ra r efi e d s o a s t o oc cupy a g r ea t e r s p a c e a n d
,

d im e n s i o n a n d a g a in c o nt r acts i ts e lf ; or th e r e is n e ith er a n
,

a dditi o n a l s upply n or a n y e xt e n s i o n b ut t he s a m e w a t er s
,

( w it h re g ar d t o qu a ntit y d e n s i t y o r ra r ity ) r a i s e th e m s e l v e s
h ,

a n d f a ll f r om s y m p a thy by s om e m a gn e t ic p o w er a tt r a cting
,

a n d c a lling th e m up as it w ere f r o m a b o v e
, ,
Let u s th e n .

( p a s s ing o v e r t h e fi r st t wo m o ti o n s
) r e duc e t h e in v e s tig a

ti o n to t h e l as t a n d i nq u ire i f th er e be a n y such e l e v a ti o n
,

of t h e w a te r by s ymp a thy or a m a gn e tic f or c e ; a n d it is e v i

d ent i n t he fir st pl a c e th a t th e wh o l e m a ss of w a te r b e ing
, ,
b ott om s o th a t if th er e be a n y te nd ency o f thi s kind in t he
,

w a t e r to r a i s e it s elf y e t it w o uld b e int e rr upt e d a n d ch e c k ed

,

by th e c oh es i o n o f things or (a s t he c o m m o n e xp r es s i o n i s )
,

th a t th er e m ay b e n o v a c uu m The w a t e r th e ref ore m u s t .

, ,

r i s e on o n e s id e a n d f or th a t r ea s o n b e dimini s h ed a n d eb b
,

o n a n oth er B ut it will a g a in n ec es s a rily f oll o w th a t t he

.

m agn e tic p o w er n ot b e ing a bl e to Op er a t e o n t he wh ol e ,

o p e ra t e s m os t int e n s e ly o n t he c e nt re s o a s to r a i s e t he ,

w a t e rs th e r e which w h e n thu s ra i s e d s ucc es s i ve ly d e s er t

, , ,

a n d a b a nd o n t h e s id e s
69
.

W e a t l e ngth a rr iv e t he n a t a n i n s t a nc e of t h e c ros s
, , ,

w hich i s thi s : if it b e f o und th a t du r ing t he eb b t h e su r f a c e

o f t h e w a t e rs a t s e a i s m or e cu r v e d a n d r o und f r o m t h e ,

w a t e rs ri s ing i n t he m iddl e a n d s inking a t t h e sid es or ,

c oa s t a n d if du ring a fl ood it b e m ore e v e n a n d l e v e l

, , , ,

f r om t h e w a t e rs r e tu r ning t o th ei r f o r m er p os iti o n th e n ,

a s s u r e dly by this d e ci s iv e in s t a nc e t he r a i s ing o f th e m by

, ,

a m a gn e tic f o r c e c a n b e a d m itt e d ; i f o th e r wi s e it m u s t b e ,

e nti r e ly r ej e c t e d It i s n ot di fficult t o m a k e t h e e x pe ri
.

m e nt (by s o unding in s t ra it s ) w h e th e r t h e s e a b e d e e p er ,

t o wa r d t he m iddl e in e bb s t ha n in fl oo d s B ut it mus t b e , .

Ob s er v e d if thi s b e t h e c a s e th a t (c o nt r a ry t o c o mm o n
, ,

Opi ni o n) t he w a t ers ri s e in e bbs a n d o nly r e tu rn t o th ei r ,

f orm e r p os iti o n in fl ood s s o a s t o b a th e a n d in und a t e t h e

,

c oa s t
.

A g a in l e t t h e r e qui r e d n a tu re b e th e s p ont a n eous m oti on

,

o f r e v o l uti o n a n d p a r ticul a r ly wh e th e r t h e diu r n a l m oti o n

, , ,

b y which t he s u n a n d s t a rs a pp ear t o u s t o ris e a n d s e t b e ,

59
Ba c n s s g city here f
o
’
a a ores h dow
a s N ew ton s theo y
’
r of th e tid es .
 N O V UM OR GA N U M 1 99

a rea l m o ti o n of r e v oluti o n i n th e h ea v e nly bo di es or o nly ,

ap p ar e nt in th e m a n d r e a l i n th e e ar th Th er e ma y b e a n
, .

in s ta n c e of th e c ross o f t he f ol l owing n a t u re If th e r e b e .

d i s c o v er e d a n y m o ti o n i n t h e o c ea n fr om e a s t t o w es t
t h o ugh v er y l a nguid a n d w e a k a n d if t h e s a m e m oti o n be
,
.

di sc o v e re d ra th er m or e swift i n t he a i r (p a rticul a r ly withi n

t h e t r opics wh e r e it i s m ore pe rc e ptibl e f r o m t he ci r cl es
,

be ing g r ea t e r) If it b e disc ov ere d a l s o in t h e l o w c o m et s

.
,

a n d b e a l r e a dy qui c k a n d p o w e rfu l in th e m ; if it b e fo und

a l s o in t h e pl a n e ts but s o t e m pe red a n d re gul a t e d a s t o b e

,

sl ow er in th os e n ea r est th e ear th a n d quick er in th os e a t

,

t he g r ea t es t di s t a nc e b e ing q u ick e s t of a l l in t h e h ea v e n s
, ,

t he n t he diu r n a l m o ti on s h o u l d c e rt a inly b e c o nsid er e d as

r ea l in t h e he a v e n s a n d th a t o f t h e e a r th m ust b e r ej e ct e d ;
,

f o r it w il l b e e vid e nt th a t th e m o ti o n fr o m e a s t t o w e st i s
p a rt of th e sy s t e m o f t he w o r ld a n d univ e r s a l ; s inc e it
i s m ost r a pid in t h e h e ight o f th e h ea v e n s a n d g r a du a lly,

gr o ws w ea k er till it st op s a n d i s e xtingui s h e d i n r es t a t
,

t h e ea r th.

A g ai n l et t h e r equi re d n a ture b e th a t o th er m oti o n of

,

r e v o luti o n s o c e l e b r a t e d a m o ng as t r o n o m e r s which i s c o n
, ,

t r a r y t o th e diu r n a l n am e ly f r o m w e s t t o ea st— a n d w hi ch
, ,

t h e a nci e nt as t ro n om er s a ss ign t o t h e pl a n e t s a n d e v e n t o ,

t h e s t a rr y s ph er e b ut C op e r nic u s
,
n d his f o ll o w ers t o t h e
a

e a rth a l s o — a n d l e t it b e e x a m in e d wh e th er a n y s uch m o ti o n

b e f o und in n a tur e or it b e r a th er a ficti o n a n d hyp o th es is

,

f or a b r i dging a n d f a cilit a ting c a lcul a ti o n a n d for p ro m o ting

,

th a t fi n e n oti o n o f e ff e c t ing t he h ea v e nly m oti o n s b y p er f ect

cir cles ; fo r th er e i s n o thing whi ch p ro v es s uch a m o ti on in
’
h ea v en l y ob j e cts to b e tr ue a n d rea l e ith er in a pl a n e t s n ot
,

re t ur ning i n i ts di ur n a l m oti o n to t h e sa m e p oint of t he

s ta rry sp her e or i n th e p ol e of t h e zodi a c b ei n g diff er e n t
,
c ount ed fo r b y t h e s ph e r es o v er ta king or f a lling b e hind
e a ch o th er a n d t h e s e c o nd by s pi ra l lin es ; s o th a t th e i n
,

a ccu ra cy of t h e r e tu r n a n d d e clin a ti o n t o th e t r o pics m a

y
b e r a th e r m odific a ti o n s o f th e on e diu r n a l m o ti o n th a n c on
t r a ry m o t i o n s o r a b o ut di ff er e nt p ol e s
,
A nd it i s m ost
.

c er t a in if w e c o n s id e r o u r s e lv es for a m om e nt a s p a rt of
,

t h e vu l g a r (s etting a s id e t he ficti o n s o f a s t ro n om er s a n d t h e

s ch oo l w h o a re wo nt und es e r v e dly t o a tt a ck t he s e n s e s i n
,

m a ny r es p e ct s a n d to a ff ect ob s cu rity ) th a t t h e a pp a re nt
, ,

m oti o n i s s uch a s w e h a v e s a id a m o d el o f w hich we h a v e

,

s om e ti m es c a u s e d t o b e r e p r es e nt e d by wi res in a s or t of a
m a ch i n e .

W e m a y t a k e t he f oll o wing i n s t a nc es o f t h e c r os s u p o n
thi s s ubj ect If it b e f o und i n a n y h i s t or y w or thy o f c r e dit
.
,

th a t t h er e h a s exi s t e d a n y c om e t high or lo w which h a s

, ,

n o t r e v o lv e d i n m a n if e s t h a r m o ny ( h o w e v er i rr egul a r ly with
)
t h e di u r n a l m oti o n th e n w e m a y d e cid e s o f a r a s t o a ll o w
,

s uch a m o ti o n t o b e p oss i b l e in n a tu re B ut if n othing o f

.

t h e s o r t b e f o und it m u s t b e s u s p e ct e d a n d r ec o u rs e mu s t
, ,

b e h a d t o o th e r in s t a nc es o f t he c r os s .

A g a in l e t t he r e q u i re d n a ture b e w eight or g ra vity

, .

H ea vy a n d p o nd ero u s b o di es mu s t eith er o f th ei r o wn ,

n a tu re t e nd t o w a r d the c e nt re o f t h e e a r th by th e i r p eculi a r
,

f or m a ti o n o r mu s t b e a tt r a ct e d a n d hu rri e d by t he c or p o r ea l
,

m a s s Of t h e e a r th it s e lf a s bei n g a n a s s embl a g e of si m il ar
,

b o di es a n d b e d ra wn t o it by symp a thy But if t he l a tt er

,
.

b e t h e c a us e it f o ll ows th a t t h e n e a re r b o di es a p p roa ch t o
,

t h e e a r th t he m ore p ow e r fully a n d r a pidly th ey must b e

,

b or n e t ow a r d it a n d the fu r th er th ey a r e di s t a nt the m ore

, ,

f a intl y a n d slowly (a s i s t he c as e in m a gn etic a ttr a ctions ) ,

 NO VUM ORGAN UM 20 1

an d th a t this mus t h a pp e n within a giv e n dista nc e ; so th a t

if th ey b e s ep a r a t e d a t such a d i sta nc e fr om th e e ar th th a t
t h e p o w er o f t h e e a r th c a nn o t a c t up o n th em th ey will ,

r em a in s usp e nd e d lik e t h e e a r th a n d n o t f a ll a t a l l , .

The f o ll o wing inst a nc e o f th e c r os s m a y b e a d o pt e d

“
.

T a k e a cl ock m o v ed b y l ea d e n w e i ghts a n d a n oth er by ,

60 Th et xt f m B c n imp i n th t th
e rr or in th e th w as e a r ose ro a o
’
s r es s o a e ea r

i mm v b l It i vid nt i nc g vit ti n ct t in finit di t nc th t

o a e . s e e , s e ra a o a s a an e s a e, a no

s uch p int c uld b f und ; d v n upp ing th i mp i bl p i nt f q i li b

o o e o an e e s os e oss e o o e u

i m di c v d th b d y c uld t m int i i t p iti n in t nt b ut w uld

r a s o e re , e o o no a a n s os o an s a ,
o

b hu i d
e t th fi t m v m nt f th h v nl y b di
rr e , a e in th d i cti n f the
rs o e e o e ea e o es , e re o o

“Fly cl ck
d min nt g v t t ng p w — E d '
o a ra i a i o er . .

1
f d t in th t xt t p ndulu m cl ck w hich w
o s a re re e r re o e e ,
no e o s, e re

no t kn w n in E ngl nd till 1 66 2
o Th f m th ugh clu m y d ud in th i
a . e or er , o s an r e e r

c n t uct n t ll mb di d ound m ch nic l p incipl

o s r io , s i Th c mp i n f
e o e s e a a r es . e o a r so o

th ff ct f
e e p ing w ith th t f w ight in p ducing c t in m ti n in c
e o a s r a o a e ro er a o o s er

t in ti m
a ltitud d in mi
es on a h c ntl y b n t i d by P fes a n A y n es , as re e ee r e ro essors ir

a d W h w ll in D l
n th m in
e by m n f p endulu m w hich i nl y
e a coa e, ea s o a , s o a

w ight m v d by g vit y
e do e ch n m t b l nc m v d d gul t d ra ,
an a ro o e er a a e o e an re a e

by a p ing In h i thi ty v nth A ph i m B c n l p k f g vity

s r . s r -
se e or s , a o a so s ea s o ra

as inc p l p we cting t di t nc
an or orea d qui ing ti m f i t t n
o r, a a a s a e, a n re r e or s ra s

mi i n ;ss o c n id ti n w hich ccu d t l t p i d t L pl c in e

a o s e ra o o rre a a a er er o o a a e on

of h i m t d lic t inv tig ti n

s os e a e es a o s .

C uci l in t nc
r H ch l m k ff d th
a s a di t d cu t
es , as e rs e re ar s, a or e r ea es an se res

m n ea f li min ti g xt n u c u
s o e d d ciding b t w n th cl i m
a n e f ra eo s a ses , an e e ee e a s o

r iv l h yp th ; pe ci ll y w h n th
a o unning p ll l t ch th e in th e
eses es a e es e , r a ra e o ea o r,

e xpl n ti n f g t cl
a a o f ph n m n o t l ngth c m t b pl c d t i u
rea a ss e s o e o e a, a e o e o e a e a ss e

up n ingl f ct A cu i u x mpl i giv n by M F n l

o a s e a . d ci iv in r o s e a e s e . re s e ,
as e s e

h i m ind f th q u ti n b t w n th tw g
s o t th i
e th
es n tu f light
o e ee e o rea eor es on e a re o ,

w hich inc th ti m f N wt n d H u y gh n h v divid d phil ph

, s e e e o e o an e s, a e e os o e rs .

W h n tw v y cl n gl
e o l id er th th if th y b t p fectl y
ea a ss e s a re a on e on e o e r, e e no er

fl t b ut
a ,
b th in l m t i mp c pti b l d g
on e or o c nv x p min nt
, an a os er e e e ree , o e or ro e ,

b utiful d vi vid c l w ill b

ea an n b t w n th m ; d if th b vi w d o ors e s ee e ee e an ese e e e

th ugh
ro d gl th ei pp nc will b th t f lt n t d k d b ight
a re ass , r a e a ra e e a o a er a e ar an r

s t ip
r Th es t ip s. f m d b tw n th t w u f c in pp nt co
es e s r e a re or e e ee e o s r a es a a re n

ta ct d b ing pplic b l
, an b th th i
e pp l d to by th i
a p tive
a e on o eor es , a re a ea e e r r es ec

s upp t t ng c n fi m t y f ct ; b ut th i d ff nc in
or ers a s s ro ci cu m
o r a or a s e re s a i ere e on e r

t nc cc ding
s a e, a th th y i mpl y d t xpl in th m In th
or as on e or o er eor s e o e o e a e . e

c s f th H uy gh ni n th y th int v l b tw n th b ight t ip ught

a e o e e a e or , e er a s e ee e r s r es o

t
o a pp b lutel y b l ck w h n p i m i u d f th upp gl
ea r a so in th
a , e a r s s se or e er as s , e

oth e ha lf b ight
r T his cu i us ca se of diff e ence was t i ed
r . oon th e Op r o r r ,
as s as
mov e d b y w ei ghts be pla c ed on t he to p of a ve ry high
c hu rch a n d the oth e r b e kep t be l o w a n d let it b e we ll
, ,

O b s e r ve d if th e f or m er m o v e sl o w e r th a n it did f r om the
, ,

dimini s h ed p o w er o f th e w e ights Le t t he s a m e e xp e rim e nt .

b e m a d e a t t h e b otto m of min e s w or k e d to a consid e ra bl e

d epth in or d er to s ee wh e th e r t h e cl ock m o ve m ore quickly
,

f r om th e inc r ea s ed p o w er of th e w eights B ut if thi s p o w er .

he f o und t o diminish a t a h eight a n d to inc r e a s e i n s ub ter ,

o

ra uc o u s pl a c e s t he a tt ra cti o n o f t he c or p or ea l m a s s of t he
,

e a r th m a b e t a k e n a s t he c a u s e o f we ight
y .

A g a in l e t t he r equi re d n a tu re b e t he p ol a r ity of t he
,

stee l n e e dl e w h e n t o uch e d with t he m a gn e t W e h a v e th es e .

tw o w a ys with re g a rd t o t h i s n a tu r e— Eith e r t h e t o uch Of

t h e m a gn e t m u s t c o m m unic a t e p ol a r ity t o t h e s t e e l t o w a r d

t h e n or th a n d s o uth or e l s e i t m a y o nly e xcit e a n d p r e p a re

,

i t whil e t he a ctu a l m o ti o n i s o cc as i o n e d by t he p r es e nc e
,

Of t h e e a r th w hich G i l b er t c o n s id e r s to b e t h e c a s e a n d
, ,

e nd e a v o rs t o p r o v e with s o m uch l a b or Th e pa r ticul a rs .

h e h as inq u i r e d int o wit h s uch ing e ni o u s z e a l a m o unt t o

thi s — l A n i ro n b olt pl a c e d f or a l o ng tim e t o wa rd t h e
.

n or th a n d s o uth a cqui r es p ol a r ity f rom thi s h a bit with o ut ,

t he t o u c h o f t h e m a gn e t a s if t h e e a r th it s e lf Op e ra ting b u t
,
,

w e a kly fr o m i t s di s t a nc e (for t he s u rf a c e or o ut e r c r u s t of
t h e e a r th d oe s n o t in h i s o pini o n p os s e s s t he m a gn e ti c
, ,

p o w e r) y e t by l o ng c o n tin u e d m oti o n c o uld s u pply t he

, , ,

pl a c e o f t h e m a gn e t e x c i t e t he i r o n a n d c o nv e r t a n d ch a ng e
, ,

i t wh e n e x c it e d 2 I r o n a t a r e d o r w h i t e h e a t wh e n
. .
, ,

p ing c n q u nc f th tw th i w n t d by M F n el d th
os o se e es o e o eo r es e re o e . res , an e

lt i t t d by h i m t b d ci iv f v f th t th y w hich m k es ligh t
re s u s s a e o e e s e in a or o a eo r a

to c n s i t i t he vi b ti o
o s n of l tic m diu m — Ed
ra ns a n e as e .
 203

q u ench e d in a dir ecti o n p a ra ll e l t o th e n o rth a n d s o uth ,

a l s o a cqui r es p o l a r ity with o ut th e t o uch of t h e m a gn e t a s ,

if t he p a r t s of i ro n b eing put in m o ti on by igniti o n a n d ,

a ft e r w a r d r e c o v e ring th e m s e lv e s w e r e a t th e m o m e nt of , ,

b e ing qu e nch e d m or e su s c eptibl e a n d s e n si tiv e of t he p o w er

,

e m a n a ting f ro m t h e ea r th th a n a t o th er tim e s a n d th er e f or e
, ,

as it w e r e e xcit e d But th es e p oints th ough w ell ob s er v ed

.
, ,

d o n ot c om pl et ely p r o v e hi s a s s er ti o n .

A n in s t a nc e of t h e c ros s o n thi s p oint m ight b e a s fol

l o w s : Le t a sm a ll m a gn e tic gl o b e b e t a k e n a n d i ts p ol es ,

m a r k e d a n d pl a c e d t owa r d th e ea s t a n d w es t n ot t o w a r d
, ,

th e n o r th a n d s o uth a n d l e t it c o ntin u e thu s

,
Th e n l e t a n .

unt o uch e d n ee dl e b e pl a c ed o v er it a n d s u ff e re d to r e m a i n ,

s o fo r s i x o r s e v e n d a ys N ow t h e n ee dl e (f or thi s i s n ot
.
,

di s p ut ed ) whil e it re m a in s o v e r t he m a gn et will l ea v e t he
, ,

p ol es of t he w or ld a n d tu r n t o th os e o f t h e m a gn et a n d ,

th er e for e a s l ong a s it r em a ins i n th e a b ov e p os iti o n will

, ,

tu r n to t he eas t a n d w es t B ut if th e n eedl e wh e n r e m ov e d
.
,

f ro m t h e m a gn et a n d pl a c e d up o n a piv o t b e f o und i m m e ,

d i a t ely to tu r n t o t h e n or th a n d s o uth or e v e n by d eg re es ,

t o r e tu r n thith er th e n t h e p res e nc e o f t h e ea r th m ust b e

,

c onsid er ed a s t h e c a u s e b ut if it r e m a in s tu r n e d a s a t fi r st
, ,

t o wa r d t h e ea s t a n d w es t o r l os e i ts p ol a rity th en th a t c a u s e
, ,

mu s t b e su s p e ct e d a n d fu r th er inqui ry m a d e
,
.

A g a in l e t t h e r e q ui r e d n a tu r e b e th e c o rp or ea l sub s t a nc e
,

of th e m o o n wh e t h e r it b e r a re
,
fi e ry a n d a eri a l (a s m os t, ,

of t he a nci e n t phil os o ph e r s h a v e th o ught s olid a n d

) or ,

d e ns e ( a s G ilb er t a n d m a n y of t h e m od er ns with s o m e of
“
,

t h e a n ci e nt s h o ld ) , Th e r ea s on s for thi s l a tt er opinion

6’
B c n pl inl y f m thi pa
a o a ,
ro s ss a g w inclin d t b li v th t th m n
e, as e o e e e a e oo ,

li k e th c met was n thi g m

e o s, o n ore than l lumin t d v p
i a e Th e N wt on i n
a or . e a
st r e a k s o f m o i s t cl o ud s with a spl e nd o r n o t l e ss b ut per , ,

h a p s m ore b r ight a n d gl or i ous th a n th a t r e fl ect e d f ro m the

b o dy Of t h e m oo n a n d y e t it i s n ot cl ea r th a t th os e cl o uds
,

h a v e f o r m e d i nt o a d e n s e b o dy o f w a t er W e s ee a l s o th a t .
, ,

t h e d a r k a i r b e hind t h e wind o ws a t night r e fl e ct s t h e light

o f a c a ndl e i n t he s a m e m a nn er a s a d e n s e b o dy w o uld d o
“ .

The e xp e r im e nt s h o uld a l s o b e m a d e o f c a u s ing t h e s u n s

’

r a y s t o f a ll th ro ugh a h o l e up o n s om e d a r k a n d bluish

fl a m e Th e un c o n fin e d r a y s of t h e s u n w h e n f a ll i ng On
.
,

f a int fl a m e s d o c e r t a i nly a pp e a r t o d e a d e n t he m a n d r e nd e r
, ,

th em m o r e l i k e wh i t e s m ok e th a n fl a m e s T hes e a r e t h e .

o nly in s t a nc e s which o ccu r a t p r e se nt o f t h e n a tu r e o f th os e

o f t h e c ros s a n d b e tt e r p e r h a p s c a n b e f o und
,
B ut it m ust .

a l w a y s b e o b s e r v e d th a t r e fl e cti o n i s n ot t o b e e xp e ct e d

f r om fl a m e unl e s s it b e o f s om e d e pth for o th e r wi s e it b e

,

la w ,
h
v h ow e t nl y t bli h d i t lid ty b ut t d n it y d w ight
e r, as n o o es a s e s so i ,
i s e s an e .

A ffi ci nt p
su f f th f m i ff d d by th tt cti n f th
e roo o e d the
or er s a or e e a ra o o e se a , a n

m n m ti n
oo
’
s und th oth — E d
o ro e ea r .

R th
°3
th af cti n ; t h ky
er i eh wvre rafl t t h b lu eo ys e s or a r, o e e r, re ec s e ra

“Th p li h d u f c f th gl c u th fl cti n in thi c se nd

O f light
4
.

e o s e s r a e o e a ss a s es e re e o s a , a

n t th
o i ; d
e h t a r th bl ck u f c put b hind th wind w in th e
an a a or o er a s r a e e e o

d y ti m w ill n b l th gl
a e t efl ct d t nctly f t h m
a e e s n n m ly
a ss o re e is i or e sa e rea o ,
a e .

t h t th
a fl ct d y
e re t m x d
e d c nfu d W th th e t n sm itted f om
e ra s a re n o i e an o se i os ra r

the o th d of th w ind w
er s i e e o .
 N OV U M ORGAN U M 2 05

c om es n early t ra nsp a r ent This a t l ea st m ay b e con s id ere d

.

c ert a in th a t light i s a lw a ys e ith er r ec e iv e d a n d t ra nsmitte d

,

or r e fl e ct e d by a n e v e n s ur f a c e .

A g a in let t he r equi re d n a tur e b e t he m oti o n o f pr oj ec

,

til es (such a s d a r t s a rro ws a n d b a ll s ) th r ough t h e a i r The

, , .

sch ool in its u s u a l m a nn er t r ea ts this v er y c a re l es s ly c on

, , ,

s i d er i n g i t e n o ugh t o di s tingui s h it by t he n a m e o f vi ol ent

m oti o n f r om th a t which th ey t e rm n a tu r a l a n d a s f ar a s
, ,

r eg a r d s t h e fi rs t p e r cu s s i o n o r imp ul se sa ti s fi e s it s e lf b y its ,

a xi o m th a t t wo b o di es c a nn ot e xi s t in o n e pl a c e or th e r e
, ,

w o uld b e a p e n e t ra ti o n o f dim e n s i o n s With r eg ar d to thi s .

n a tu r e w e h a v e th es e t wo c ros s w a ys — The m oti on must

a r i s e e ith e r f ro m t h e a i r c a r rying t h e p r o j e ct e d b o dy a n d ,

c oll ecting b eh ind it lik e a s t rea m b ehind b oa t s or th e wind

, ,

b ehind str a w s ; o r f ro m t h e p a r ts of th e b ody its elf n ot s u p

p or ti ng th e imp r es s i o n b ut pu s hing th e m s e lv e s for w a rd in
,

succ essi o n t o e as e it F ra c a s t orius a n d n ea rly al l th os e

.
,

wh o h a v e e nt er e d i nt o a n y r efin e d inqui ry up o n t he s ub
a d opt t h e fi rs t N or c a n it b e d o ubt e d th a t t h e a i r
j ec ,
t .

h as s om e eff ect y et t h e o th er m oti o n i s wi th o ut d o ubt r ea l

, ,

a s i s cl e a r f r o m a v a s t n umb er o f e xp er i m e nt s A m ong .

o th er s we m a y t a k e t h i s in s t a nc e o f t h e c r oss n a m e ly th a t , ,

a t h in pl a t e or wi r e of i r o n r a th er s tiff o r e v e n a r e e d o r ,

en split in tw o wh e n d r a wn up a n d b e nt b e tw e e n t h e
p ,

fing er a n d th u m b will l ea p f or wa r d ; for it i s cl ea r th a t

,

th i s c a nn o t b e a ttr ibut e d t o t he a i r s b eing c oll e ct ed b e hind

’

t h e b o dy b e c a u s e t he s o u r c e o f mo ti o n i s in t h e c e nt r e of
,

t he pl a t e or pen a n d n o t in i ts e xt r e miti es
,
.

A g a in l e t t h e re qui r e d n a tu r e b e t h e ra pid a n d p owe r

,

f ul m o ti o n Of t h e e xpl os i o n of gunp o wd er by which s uch ,

v a s t m a ss es ar e uph e a v e d a n d s uc h w eight s disch a rg e d a s

,

we ob s er v e in l arg e min es a n d m or ta r s th e re a r e two c ross ,

e xcit e d e ith er by t he m e re eff o rt of t he body e xp a nding
it s elf w h e n infl a m ed or b y the a ssisting eff o rt of t he c r ud e
,

spi rit which e sc a p es ra pidly f rom fi re an d b u rs ts vi ol e ntly

, ,

f rom t h e su rr oun d ing fl a m e a s f r om a p r is on Th e sch ool .

,

how e v e r a n d c om m o n o pini o n o nl y c o nsid er th e fi rst e ff or t ;

,

f or me n think th a t th ey a r e g rea t phil os op h e rs wh e n th ey

a s s er t th a t fl a m e f r o m t h e f or m o f t he e l e m e nt i s e nd o w e d
, ,

with a kind Of n e c e s s it y Of occupying a g rea t er s p a c e th a n

t h e s a m e b ody h a d occupi e d wh e n in th e fo r m of p owd er ,

a n d th a t th e nc e p r o c ee ds t h e m o ti o n in q u e sti o n In t he
.

m e a ntim e th ey d o n ot O b s e r v e th a t a lth ough thi s m a y b e

,

t r u e o n t he s upp os iti o n of fl a m e b eing g e n er a t ed y et t he

, ,

g e n er a ti o n m a y b e i m p ed e d by a w eight o f s u ffici e nt f orc e

t o c o m p res s a n d s u ff o c a t e it s o th a t n o s uch n e c e ss ity e xists
,

a s th e y a s s e r t . T h ey a r e r ig h t i nd eed in i m a gining th a t
, ,

t h e e xp a n s i o n a n d t h e c o ns eq u e nt e mi s s i o n or r e m o v a l Of

t h e o pp os ing b o dy i s n ec es s a ry if fl a m e b e o nc e g e n era t e d
, ,

b ut s uc h a n e c es s ity i s a v oid e d if th e s olid Opp os ing m a ss

s upp r es s t h e fl a m e b e f o re it b e g e n e ra t e d ; a n d we in f a ct

s ee th a t fl a m e ,
e s p e ci a lly a t t h e m om e nt o f i ts g e n e r a ti o n ,

i s mild a n d g e ntl e a n d r e q ui r es a h oll o w s p a c e w h e re it

,

c a n pl a y a n d t r y i ts f or c e . Th e g re a t vi ol e nc e of t he e ff ect ,

th er ef or e c a nn ot b e a tt ribut ed t o thi s c a u s e ; but t h e t r uth

,

i s th a t t h e g e n er a ti o n of th e s e e x pl o di n g fl a m es a n d fi e ry
,

b l a s t s a ri s es f ro m t h e c o nflict o f t wo b odi e s of a d ec id e dly

o pp o s it e n a tu r e — t h e o n e v e ry i nfl a mm a bl e ,
a s i s t he s u l

p h u r t he o th e r h a ving a n a ntip a thy t o fl a m e n a m ely t he

, , ,

c r ud e s pi r it o f t he nit r e ; so th a t a n e xt r a o rdin a ry c o n flict

t a k es pl a c e w h i l e t he s ulph u r i s b ec om ing infl a m e d a s fa r
a s it c a n o r t he thi r d b o dy h e wi ll o w ch a r c o a l m er e l y
(f t
, ,

inc orp ora t es a n d c o nv e ni e ntly uni tes th e two o th ers) a n d ,

 ‘
NO VUM ORGANUM 20 7

t he s pi r it of nitre is e sca ping as fa r a ls o as it c a n a n d a t

, ,

t h e s a m e tim e e xp a nding its e lf (for a i r a n d a ll c r ud e s u b ,

st a nc es a n d w a t er a re e xp a nd e d by h ea t) f a nning t h u s
, , ,

in e v er y di r e cti o n t he fl a m e Of the s ulphu r b y i ts esc a p e

,

a n d vi o l e nc e j u s t a s if by invisibl e b e ll o w s
,
.

Two kind s of insta nc e s of t h e c ro ss might h e re b e u s e d

-
t h e o n e O f v e ry infl a mm a bl e su b s t a nc es such a s sulphur ,

a n d c a mph o r n a phth a a n d th e li k e a n d th ei r c om p o un ds
, , ,

which t a ke fir e m ore r e a d il y a n d e a sily th a n gunp o wd er if

l eft to th em s e lv es (a n d this sh o ws th a t t he e ff or t t o c a tc h
fi r e d o es n ot of it s e lf p r o duc e such a p r odigi o us e ff e ct) ; t h e
o th e r o f s ub s t a nc es w hich a v o id a n d r e p e l fl a m e suc h a s a l l ,

s alts ; f or w e s e e th a t wh e n th e y a r e c a s t int o t h e fi re t he ,

a qu eo u s s pi rit e sc a p es with a c r a ckling n o i s e b e f or e fl a m e

i s p r o duc e d whic h a l s o h a pp e n s in a l ess d e g r e e in s ti ff

,

l e a v es from th e e s c a p e o f t he a qu e ous p a r t e f or e t h e 0 i
,
d

p a r t h a s c a ught fi re This i s m ore p a r ticul ar ly o b s er v e d in

.

q uic k s ilv er which i s n ot i m p r op er ly c a ll e d m in era l w a t er

, ,

a n d w hich with o ut a n y infl a m m a ti o n n ea r ly e qu a ls the

, ,

f or c e of gunp o wd er by s i m pl e e xpl os i o n a n d e xp a n s i o n ,

a n d i s s a id wh e n m ix e d with gunp o wd er t o inc r ea s e its

, ,

f or c e
.

A g a in l e t t h e r equi r e d n a tu re b e t he t r a n s it ory n a tur e

,

o f fl a m e a n d i ts m o m e nt a n e o u s e xtincti o n ; for to us t he
n a tu r e of fl a m e d oes n ot a pp ea r t o b e fix e d or s ettl e d but ,

t o b e g e n e ra t ed f r o m m om e nt to m om e nt a n d t o b e e v er y ,

in s t a nt extingui s h e d ; it b eing cl e a r t h a t th os e fl a m e s which

c o ntinu e a n d l a s t d o n o t o we th ei r co ntinu a nc e t o th e s a m e
,

m a s s of fl a m e b ut to a c ontinu e d s ucc es s i o n of n ew fl a me
,

r egul a r ly g e n e ra t e d a n d th a t t h e s a m e id e ntic a l fl a m e d o e s
,

n o t c o ntinu e Thi s i s e a s ily s h ow

. n by rem o ving th e food
or s o u rc e of t h e fl a m e w h en it a t o nc e g oes o u t We
,
.
na tu re
T his m om e nta r y n a tu r e eith e r a ris es f r om t he c e ss a ti o n
o f t h e c a us e w h ich fi r st p r o duc e d it as in light sounds a n d , , ,

vi ol e nt m oti on s a s th ey a r e t erm e d o r fl a m e ma y b e c a p a
, ,

b l e b y i t s o wn n a tu r e of du ra ti o n b ut is subj ect e d t o s om e
, , ,

vi o l e nc e f ro m t he c o nt ra ry n a tu r es which su rround it a n d ,

i s d e s t roy e d
W e m a y th e r efor e a d o pt t he foll owing inst a nc e of the
c r os s W e s e e t o w h a t a h eight t h e fl a m es ri s e i n g rea t
.

c o n fla g r a ti o n s ; fo r a s t h e b a s e o f t h e fl a m e b e c o m e s m or e

e xt e n s iv e i ts v e r t e x i s m or e l o fty
,
It a pp ea r s th e n th a t
.
, ,

t h e c om m e nc e m ent o f th e e xti ncti o n t a k es pl a c e a t t h e

sid es wh er e t h e fl a m e i s c omp re s s e d by th e a i r a n d i s ill

, ,

a t ea s e ; b ut t h e c e nt r e o f t he fla m e w hich i s unt o uch e d by ,

t h e a i r a n d s u rr ou nd e d by fl a m e c o ntinu es t h e s a m e a n d
, ,

i s n ot e xtingui s h e d u ntil c o m p r es se d b y d eg r ee s b y t h e a i r
a tt a cking it f r o m t h e sid es A ll fl a m e th e r efor e i s py ra
.
, ,

m i d a l h a v i ng i t s ba s e n ea r t h e s ou r c e a n d i ts v er t ex
, ,

p oint e d f rom i ts b eing r esi s t e d by t h e a i r a n d n ot sup ,

pli e d f r om th e s ou r c e O n t h e c ont ra ry t he s m o k e which

.
, ,

i s n a rr o w a t th e b a s e exp a nd s in i ts a s c e nt a n d res e mbl es

, ,

a n inv e r t e d py r a mid b e c a u s e t he a i r a d m it s t h e s m o k e but

, ,

c omp r es s es t he fl a m e ; f or l e t n o o n e d r ea m th a t t he light e d
fl a m e i s a i r s inc e th ey a r e cl e a r ly h e t er og e n e ou s
,
.

Th e i n s t a nc e o f t h e c ros s will b e m o r e a ccu ra t e if t h e ,

e xp e ri m e n t can b e m a d e by fl a m es o f di ff e re nt c ol ors .

T a k e th e re f or e a s ma ll m e t a l s c o nc e a n d pl a c e a light ed
, , ,

t a p e r in it th en put it i n a b a sin a n d p o u r a s m a ll q ua n tity

, ,

o f s pi rits o f win e ro und t h e s c o nc e s o a s n o t t o rea ch its

'

e dg e a n d light t he s pi r it
,
N o w t h e fl a m e o f t he s pi rit wil l
.

b e blu e a n d th a t of t he t a p e r y e ll ow ; obs e r v e th e r e f ore

, , ,
 N OVU M ORGAN UM 209

wh eth e r the lat ter ( wh i ch c a n e asil y b e distingui sh e d f rom

t h e f orm er by i ts c o l or for fl a m e s d o n ot mix imm e di a t e ly , ,

as liquids d o) c o nti n u e pyr a mi d a l o r t e nd m or e t o a glo bu ,

l ar figu r e sinc e th er e i s n othing t o d e s t r oy or c omp res s it

, .

If t he l a tt er r esult h e ob s er v e d it mu s t b e c o n s id er e d as ,

s ettl e d th a t fl a m e c o ntinu es p ositiv e ly t he s a m e whil e i n

, ,

cl ose d within a n oth er fl a m e a n d n ot exp os e d to t he resist ,

ing f or c e of t he a i r .

Le t this su ffi c e for t h e in s t a nc e s of t he c ross W e h a ve .

dw elt t he l o ng e r up o n th e m in or d e r g r a du a lly to t e a ch a n d
a ccu s t o m m a nkind t o j udg e o f n a tu r e by th e s e i n s t a nc es a n d
“
,

e nlight e ning e xp e r i m e nts a n d n o t by p r ob a bl e r e a s o n s , .

Th in t nc w hich B c n m t c n id
65
ese s a g t di c v y
es , a o s ee s o o s er as a r ea s o er ,

a re n thing m th n d junctiv p p iti n c mb in d w ith dil mm

o ore a In is e ro os o s o e e as .

p p i ng t xpl in
ro os ff ct w c mm nc w ith th
o e anu m ti n f th dif
an e e , e o e e e e e ra o o e

fe ren t c u w hich
a m c nn ct d w ith i t p ducti n ; th n w ith th
s es see id f o e e s ro o e e a o

on e or m dil mm w li min t ch of th ph n m n ccid nt l t i ts

ore e as . e e a e ea e e o e a a e a o

comp iti n d c nclude w ith tt ib uting t h ff ct t th

os o , an o idu F i a r e e e o e re s e . or n

t nc
s a c t n ph n m n n ( ) i p duc d ith by ph n m n n (B) ph
e, a er a i e o e o a s ro e e er e o e o or e

no m en on b ut 0 c nn t b th c u f f it i f und in E F n ither
a o e e a se o a, or s o D, , , e

o f w hich c nn ct d w ith
a re Th n th t u c u f ph n m n n ( ) mu t
o e e a . e e r e a se o e o e o a s

be ph n men n (B)
e o o .

“
Th p ci f is s e ning i li bl t v l p l gi m g in t w hich
es o rea s o s a e o se era a ra o s s, a a s

B c nh
a o t gu d d h i
as no d f m t h v y f ct th t h tumb l d int
ar e s r ea e rs , ro e er a a e s e o

th m un w itt ingl y hi m lf Th t w p inc p l n

e e f l xclu i n d
se . e o r i a o es ar a se e s o s an

d f ctiv nu m ti n B c n in hi u v y f th c u w hich
e e e e er a o s . b le a o , s s r e o e a se s are a

to c ncu i p ducing th ph n m n a f th tid t k

o r n ro cc unt f the e e o e o e es , a es no a o o

pe i dic m lting f th P l i
r o e th xp n i n f w t by th l h t ;
o e o ar ce, or e e a s o o a er e so a r ea

n or d h f b tt in h i xclu i n F th tt cti n Of th pl n t d
oes e a re e er s e s o s . or e a ra o e a e s an

th p g i n d t g d m ti n c mmunic t d by th th diu n l v ’
e ro re s s o an r e ro ra e o o o a e e ea r s r a re o

l ti
u pl inl y ff ct th e s t g th
on , c a n a d h v i mult n u influ nce
a e ea o e e r, a n a e a s a eo s e

on it u f a ce
s s r .

B c n i h dl y ju s t c n i t nt i h i c n u f R mu ; th e d of
a o s ar or o s s e n s e s re o a s e n

who sedi ch t my w nl y t
o o nd ning by di l mm as d c ucia lo o re er rea s o e a, an r

in t nces m
s a c t in i th i
, ult by ducing th divi i n w hich
ore er a n e r res s, re e s o s

compo e d th i p t t tw t f c nt di ct y p p iti n Th ffirm

s e r ar s o o se s o o ra or ro os o s . e a

a tiv e o n eg t v f e w uld th n n ec ar il y h ve l d to th cce pta nce

r a i e o on o e es s a e e a

or r ej cti on
e f th e th e — E d o o r. .
th e fiftee nth of ou r p rerog a tiv e insta nc es T h ey i nd i c a t e; .

t he s e p ar a ti o n of n a tu r es o f t he m os t c omm o n o ccu rr e nc e .

T h ey di ff e r h ow e v e r f ro m th os e s ubj oin ed t o t he a c c om
, ,

p a nying i n s t a nc es ; for t h e in s t a nc es of div orc e p oint o u t

t h e s e p a r a ti o n of a p a r ticul a r n a tu r e f r o m s om e c o nc r et e

s ub s t a nc e with which it i s u s u a lly f o und in c o nj uncti on ,

whil e t h e h o s til e in s t a n c e s p oint o u t t he t ot a l s e p ar a ti o n o f

o n e n a tu re f r o m a n o th er T h ey d i fl e r a l so f rom t he i h
.
, ,

s t a nc e s o f t h e c r os s b e c a u s e th e y d e cid e n o thing but o nly

, ,

i n for m u s th a t t he o n e n a tu re i s c a p a bl e o f b eing s e p a r a t ed
f r o m t he o th e rt T h e y a r e o f u s e i n exp os ing f a l s e f orm s ,

a n d di s s ip a ti n g h a s ty th e o r i e s d e r iv e d f ro m Obvi o u s f a cts ;

s o th a t th e y a d d b a ll a s t a n d w e ight a s it w e r e
,
t o t he ,

und e rs t a nding .

F o r in s t a n c e l e t t h e a cqui r e d n a t u r es b e th os e f o u r
,

which Te le s i us t e r m s a s s oci a t es a n d o f t h e s a m e f a m ily

, ,

n a m e ly he a t light r a rity a n d m o bility o r p ro mptit u d e

, , , , ,

t o m o ti o n ; y e t m a ny in s t a nc e s o f div or c e c a n b e di s c o v e re d

b et wee n th e m A i r i s r a r e a n d e a s ily m o v e d b ut n e i th e r
.
,

h o t n o r light ; th e m o on i s light b ut n o t h o t ; b oiling w a t e r

i s w a r m but n o t lig h t ; t h e m o ti o n o f t h e n e e dl e i n th e c o m
p a s s i s s wift a n d a ctiv e a n d y e t i t s s ub s t a nc e i s c old d e n s e
, , ,

a n d Op a qu e ; a n d th e r e a r e m a ny si m il a r e x a mpl e s .

A g a in l e t t he r e qui r e d n a tu res b e c or p or e a l n a tu r e a n d
,

n a tu ra l a cti o n The l a tt e r a pp ea rs inc a p a bl e of s ub s i s ting

.

with o ut s om e b o dy y et m a y w e p er h a p s e v e n h e re find a n
, , ,

i n s t a nc e o f div o r c e a s in t he m a gn e tic m o ti o n which d ra ws

, ,

t h e i r o n t o t he m a gn e t a n d h e a vy b od i e s t o t h e gl o b e Of t he
,

e a r th ; to which we m a a d d o th e r a cti o n s which o p e ra t e a t

y
a di s t a nc e . F or such a cti o n t a k es pl a c e in ti m e by di s tinct ,

m om e nt s n ot i n a n in s t a nt ; a n d in sp a c e b y r egul a r d e
, ,
 NO VU M OR GA N U M 21 1

g re es a n d dist a nc es Th e re is th er e for e s om e on e m o m ent

, ,

of tim e a n d s o m e int e r v a l o f s p a c e i n which t h e po w e r or

,

a cti o n i s s us pe nd e d b e tw e e n t h e tw o b o di es c r ea ti ng t h e m o

ti o n O ur co n s id er a ti o n th e n is r e duc e d to thi s w he th er
.
, , ,

t h e b o di es which ar e th e e xt re m e s o f m o ti o n p r e p a r e o r a lt er

t he int e r m e di a t e b o di e s s o tha t t h e po w er a dv a nc es f r o m
,

o n e e xt r e m e t o t h e o th e r by succ es si o n a n d a ctu a l c o nt a ct ,

a n d i n t he m ea nti m e e xi s t s in so m e int er m e di a te b o dy ; o r

w h eth er th e re e xi s t s in r ea lity n othing but t he b odi e s the ,

p ow er a n d t he spa c e " In t he c a s e of th e ra y s of light

, ,

s o und s a n d h ea t a n d s om e o th e r Obj ect s which Op er a t e a t

, ,

a di s t a nc e it i s ind ee d p r ob a b l e th a t t h e int er m e di a t e
,

b odi es a re p r e p a r e d a n d a lt er e d t he m or e so b ec a us e a
,

qu a lifi e d m e dium i s r e qui r e d fo r th ei r op e ra ti on Bu t t he .

m a gn etic o r a tt ra ctiv e p o wer a d m its o f a n indiff e r e nt m e

d i u m a n d i t i s n o t i m p ed e d i n a n y
,
B ut if th a t p o w e r or
.

a cti o n is ind e p e n d e nt o f t h e int er m e di a t e b o dy it foll o ws

,

th a t it is a n a tu ra l p o w er o r a cti o n existing in a c e r t a in ti m e
a n d s p a c e with o ut a n y b od y sinc e it e xist s n e ith e r in t he
,

e xt re m e n or in t h e int e r m e di a t e b odi es H e nc e t he m ag
.

n etic a cti on ma y b e t a k e n a s a n in s ta nc e o f div or c e o f c or

or ea l n a tu r e a n d n a tu ra l a cti o n ; t o which w e m a y a d d a s
p ,

a c oro ll a r y a n d a n a dv a nt a g e n o t to b e n egl e ct e d th a t it ,

m a y b e t a k e n a s a p r oof of e s s e nc e a n d s ub s t a nc e b ein g
s e p a r a t e a n d i nc o rp or ea l e v e n by th os e who phil os ophiz e
,

a cc or ding t o t h e s e ns es . F o r if n a tu ra l p o w er a n d a cti o n
e m a n a ting f r o m a b o dy c a n e xi s t a t a n t im e a n d pl a c e
y
e nti r e ly with o ut a n
y b ody it i s n e ar ly a p roo f th a t i t c a n
,

a l so e m a n a te o r igin a lly f r o m a n inc or p or ea l s ub s t a nc e ; f or

a c or p or ea l n a tu re a pp ea r s t o b e n o l e ss n e c es s a ry fo r s u p

p or ting a n d conv eyi n g th a n for ex citing or g e n era ting n a t

,

ur a l a cti o n .
we a r e w o nt t o c a ll by t h e g e n era l t e r m of i n s ta n c eS o f t he '

‘
l a m p or of i m m e di a t e i nf or m a ti on T h e y a r e s uch a s a s sist
, .

t he s e n s e s ; f o r s inc e e v e ry int e rp re t a ti o n of n a t u r e s e t s o u t

f r om t he s e n s es a n d l ea d s by a r egul a r fix e d a n d w e ll
, ,

e s t a bl i s h e d r o a d f ro m t h e p e r c e pti o n s o f t he s e n s e s t o th os e
,

o f t h e und e r s t a nding hic t r u e n o ti o n s a n d a xi o m s

( w h ar e
) ,

it n e c ess a rily f o ll o ws t ha t i n p r op or ti o n a s t he r e p r es e nt a
,

t i ves o r m i n i s t e r i n g s o f th e s e n s es a r e m o r e a b und a n t a n d

a cc u r a t e e v e r ything e l s e m u s t b e m o r e e a s y a n d s ucc es s ful

, .

Th e fi rs t o f th es e fi ve s e t s o f in s t a n c es o f t h e l a m p ,

st re ngth e n e nl a rg e a n d c or r ect th e imm edi a t e o p e ra ti o ns

, ,

o f t h e s e n s e s ; t h e s e c o nd re d uc e to t h e s h e re o f t h e s e n s es
p
s uch m a tt e rs a s a r e b e y o nd it ; t h e t hi r d i nd i c a t e t he c o n

t i n u e d p ro c e ss o r s e ri e s o f suc h thi n g s a n d m o ti o n s a s f or ,

t he m os t p a r t a r e o nly o b s e r v e d in t h ei r t e r m in a ti o n o r i n ,

p er i od s ; t he f o u r th s u pply th e a bs olut e w a nt s o f t h e s e n s es ;
t h e fift h e xcit e t h ei r a tt e nti o n a n d ob s er v a ti on a n d a t t h e ,

s a m e t i m e li m it t h e s ubtilty o f thing s W e will n o w pr o

.

c e e d t o Sp ea k o f th e m s ingly

XXXIX I n t he sixt ee nth ra nk th en of p r e rog a tiv e

.
, ,

in s t a nc e s w e will pl a c e th e in s t a nc es of t he d oo r o r g a t e
, ,

by w hich n a m e w e d e s ign a t e s u c h a s a s s i s t th e im m e di a t e
a cti o n o f th e s e n ses It i s Obvi o u s th a t s i ght h o ld s t h e
.
,

fi rs t r a nk a m o ng t h e s e n s es with r eg a rd t o inf o rm a ti o n
, ,

f o r w hich r e a s o n w e m u s t s ee k p r incip a lly h e lp s for th a t

s en s e T h es e h elp s a pp ea r t o b e th ree f old e ith er t o en a bl e
.
,

it t o p er c eiv e obj ects n o t n a tu ra lly s e e n or t o s ee th e m f r om

,

a g r e a t er di s t a nc e o r t o s ee th e m m o re a ccu ra t e ly a n d d i s
,

t i n c t ly .

We h a ve an x a mpl e of t h e fi rs t (n ot to sp ea k of sp ec
e

t ac l es and the lik e which o nly c orr ect a n d remov e the i h

,
 N O V iIM OR G AN UM 2 13

fi rmi ty d efici e nt sight a n d th er ef ore give no fu rth er

of a ,

inform a ti o n ) in t he l a t ely inv e nt e d mic r os c op es which ex ,

bibit t h e l a t e nt a n d invi si b l e m inuti ae of s ub s t a nc es a n d ,

th ei r hidd e n f orm a ti o n a n d m oti on b y w o nd erfully i n ,

c rea s ing th e i r a pp a r e nt m agnitud e By th ei r a ss i s ta nc e we .

b e hold with a s t oni s h m ent t he a ccu ra t e f or m a n d o utlin e

o f a fle a m os s ,
a n d a nim a lcul ae a s w e ll as th ei r p r e vi o u s ly
, ,

i nvisibl e c ol or a n d m oti on It i s s a id a l s o th a t a n a p
.
, ,

a r e n tl s t ra ight lin e d r a wn with a pe n o r p e ncil i s di s

p y , ,

c o v er e d by s uch a mic r osc op e to b e v er y un e v en a n d cur v ed ,

b ec a u s e n eith er t h e m ot i o n of t h e h a nd wh e n a ss i s t e d by ,

a r ul er n or t h e i m p r ess i o n of ink o r c ol or a r e r ea lly r e gu

, ,

l a r a lth o ug h th e i r re gul a riti e s a r e s o m in ut e a s n o t t o b e

,

p er c e ptibl e with out t he a s sist a nc e of t h e m ic r os c op e M e n .

h a v e (a s i s u s u a l i n n e w a n d w o n d e r ful di s c o ve ri e s ) a dd e d
a sup e rstiti o u s r e m a r k th a t t h e mic ros c o p e sh e d s a l u s t r e
,

on t he w o r k s o f n a t u r e a n d di s h o n or o n th o s e o f a r t which
, ,

o nly m ea n s th a t t h e ti s s u e of n a tu r e is much m o r e d e lic a t e

th a n th a t of a r t F o r t he mic rosc op e is o nly of u s e f or

.

mi nut e Obj ect s a n d D em oc r itu s p e r h a p s if h e h a d s ee n

, , ,

it w o uld h a v e e xult e d in t he t ho ught of a m ea ns b eing

,

di s c o v er e d f or s ee ing his a t om which h e a ffi r m e d t o b e

,

e nti r e ly invi s ibl e B ut t h e in a d e qu a cy o f th es e m ic r o

.

s c op e s ,
f or th e O b s er v a ti on of a n y but t h e m os t minut e
b o di es a n d e v e n of th ose if p a rt s of a l a r g er b ody d es t roys
, ,

th ei r utilit y ; for if t he inv e nti on c o uld b e e xt e nd e d to

gr e a t e r b odi e s or th e mi nut e p a r ts o f g re a t er b o di e s s o
, ,

th a t a pi ec e of cl o th w o uld a pp e a r lik e a n et a n d t h e ,

l a t e nt minuti ae a n d i rre gul ar iti es o f g em s liquids u rin e , , ,

b l ood w ounds a n d m a ny oth er things c o uld b e r e nd er e d

, ,

vi s ibl e th e g r ea tes t a dv a nt a ge w oul d with out d o ubt b e

, , ,

d eriv e d .
 s ista nc e of which a n ea r er i n te r c o u rs e ma y b e o p e n ed ( as
a s

b y b oa ts or v es s els ) b etw ee n o u rs el v es a n d th e h ea v e nl y
o bj ec ts F or b y i ts a i d we a r e a ss u r e d th a t t he M ilky W ay
.

is b ut a kn ot or c o nst ell a ti on of sm a ll st a r s cl ea r ly d efin ed ,

a n d s ep a ra t e which t h e a nci e nts o nly c o nj e ctu r e d t o b e t h e

,

c a s e ; wh enc e it a pp ea r s t o b e c a p a b l e of d e m o n s t ra ti o n th a t ,

t h e sp a c es of t h e pl a n e t a r y o r bi ts (a s th ey a re t er m e d a r e
)
n o t quit e d e s titut e o f o th e r st a rs but th a t t he h e a v e n b egins ,

t o glitt er with st a r s b e f or e we a r r iv e a t t he s t a r ry sph ere ,

a lth o ugh th e y m a y b e t oo s m a ll t o b e vi s i b l e with o ut the

t el es c op e By t h e t el e s c op e a l s o we c a n b e h old t he r ev ol u
.
, ,

ti o n s o f s m a lle r s t a rs r o und J upit e r wh e nc e it ma y b e c on ,

j ec tu re d th a t t h e r e a re s e v er a l c e nt r e s o f m oti o n a m o ng t h e
s ta rs . By i ts a s s i s t a nc e a l s o th e i r regul a rity of light a n d
, ,

sh a d e o n t he m oo n s s u r f a c e i s m or e cl e ar ly o b s e r ve d a n d
’

d et e r m in e d s o a s t o a ll o w of a s or t of s el e n og r a phy
,
“ By .

t h e t e l e s c op e w e s ee t h e s p o t s in t h e s u n a n d o th er s i m il a r ,

ph e n o m e n a ; a ll o f which a re m os t n obl e di s c o v e ri es a s fa r ,

a s c r e dit c a n b e sa f e ly g i v e n t o d e m o n s t ra ti o n s o f this
n a tu re whi c h a re o n thi s a cc o unt v er y s u s pici o u s n a m ely
, , ,

th a t e xp e ri m e nt s t o p s a t t hes e fe w a n d n o thing fu rth e r h a s ,

y e t b e e n di s c o v e r e d by t h e s a m e m e th o d a m o ng o bj e cts ,

e qu a lly w o r th y o f c o n s id e r a ti o n .

W e h a v e in s t a nc es of t h e thi r d kind in m ea s u ring ro d s -

,

a s t r o l a b e s a n d t h e lik e w h ich d o n o t e nl a rg e
, ,
but c o rr e ct ,

a n d guid e t h e s ig h t If t h e re b e oth e r in s t a nc e s which a ss i s t

.

55
Pe S h fi t p int d t t h p t
re e n i er rs o e ou e s o s on th e un di k d by th
s
’
s s , an e

m k w hich th y ff d d h i m c mput d i t
ar s e a or e ,
o e s re v luti n t b p f m d
o o o e er or e in

t w nty fi v d y
e d-
m h u — Ed
e a s an so e o rs .
 N OVU M OR GA N UM 2 15

the o th er se nses in th e ir imm edi a t e a n d individu a l a cti on ,

y e t if th e y a d d n o thing fu r th er t o th e i r inf o r m a ti o n th e y

a r e n o t a pp os it e t o o u r p r e s e nt pu r p o s e a n d we h a v e th er e
,

fore s a id n othing of th e m .

XL I n t he s e v e nt e e nth r a nk of p re rog a tiv e in s t a nc es

.

we will pl a c e citing in s t a nc es (to b or r o w a t er m f r om t he

t ribun a ls ) b e c a u s e th ey cit e th os e thing s t o a pp ea r which
, ,

h a v e n o t y e t a pp ea r ed W e a r e w o nt a ls o t o c a ll th em i n
.

v ok i n g in s t a nc e s a n d th e i r p r op e r ty i s th a t of r e duci n g t o
,

t h e s ph er e of t h e s e ns e s o bj e ct s which d o n ot i mm e di a t e ly

f a ll within it .

O bj e ct s es c a p e t he s e n s es e ith er f r om th ei r di s t a nc e or ,

t h e int er v e nti o n of o th er b odi es or b e c a u s e th ey a r e n o t

,

c a lcul a t e d t o m a ke a n imp re ss i o n up o n th e s e n s es or b e ,

c a u se th ey a r e n ot in s uffici e nt qu a ntity to st rik e t he s e n s es ,

or b e c a u s e th er e is n ot s uffici e nt ti m e f o r th e i r a cting up o n

t h e s e n s es or b e c a u s e t h e imp r es si on i s t oo vi o l e nt or
, ,

b ec a us e t he s en s es a r e p r evi o u s ly fill e d a n d p oss ess e d by

t h e obj ect s o a s t o l ea v e n o r oom f or a n y n e w m o ti o n
, .

T h e s e r em a r k s a pply p r incip a lly to sight a n d n e xt to ,

t o uch which t wo s e n se s a c t ext e n s iv e ly i n giving inf or m a

,

ti o n a n d th a t t o o up o n g e n er a l o bj e ct s whil e t he r e m a ining
, ,

t h r e e inf or m us o nly a s it w e re by th ei r imm e di a t e a cti on

, , ,

a n d a s to s p ecific o bj ect s .

Th e re c a n b e n o r educti o n t o t he sph er e of t h e s ens es

in t he fi rs t c a s e unl ess in th e pl a c e of the o b j ect which
, ,

c a nn ot b e p er c eiv e d o n a cc ount of t h e di sta nc e th e r e b e ,

a dd e d o r s ub s titut e d s om e o th e r o bj e ct which c a n e xcit e

,

a n d s t r ik e th e s e n s e f ro m a g r e a t e r di s t a nc e a s in t h e c om
,

m u n i c a ti o n of int el lig e nc e by fi res b ell s a n d th e lik e

, ,
.

In the s eco nd c as e w e e ffe ct thi s r educti on by re nd e ring

th ose thing s which a r e c onc eal ed b y th e inter positi o n of
t o t he s e ns es b y m ea ns o f that w hich li e s a t t he sur f a ce ,

or p ro c ee ds f ro m t he inte ri or ; thus t h e sta te of t h e b od y

i s j udg e d o f by t he puls e u r in e e tc , , .

Th e thi r d a n d f o u rth c a s e s a ppl y to m a ny su b j ects a n d ,

th e r e ducti o n t o t h e sph e r e of t he s e ns es mu s t b e obt a in ed

fr om e v er y qu a r t er i n t h e in v es tig a ti o n of thing s Th e re .

a r e m a ny e x a m pl es . It is obvi o us th a t a i r a n d s pir it a n d , ,

t he lik e wh os e wh ol e subst a nc e is e xt re m e ly r a r e a n d d e li
,

c a t e c a n n eith er b e s e e n n or t o uch e d— a re ducti o n t here

, ,

f or e t o t h e s e n s es b e c o m es n e c es s a ry in e v ery inv es tig a ti o n

,

r e l a ting t o such b o di es .

Le t t h e r e qui r e d n a tu r e th er e f ore b e t he a cti on a n d

, ,

m o ti o n of t he s pi r i t i n cl os e d in t a ngibl e b o di es ; f or e v er y
t a ngibl e b ody w ith which we a r e a cq u a int e d c ont a in s a n
invi s ibl e a n d int a n gibl e s pi r it o v e r whic h it i s d r a wn a n d
, ,

which it s ee ms to cl o th e Thi s s pi r it b eing e mitte d f r o m

.

a t a ngibl e s ub s t a nc e l ea v es t h e b o dy c o nt r a ct e d a n d d ry ;
,

wh e n r e t a in e d it s oft e n s a n d m e lt s it ; wh e n n eit h er wh oll y

,

e m itt e d n or r e t a in e d it m od el s it e nd o w s it with l i m bs
, , ,

a s s i m il a t e s m a nif e s ts o r g a niz es it a n d t he lik e

, , ,
A ll th es e .

p oi nts a r e r e duc e d t o t he s ph e r e o f t he s e n s es by m a nifest

e ff ec t s .

F or i n e v ery t a ngi b l e a n d in a nim a t e b ody t h e incl os e d

s pi r it a t fi r s t i nc re as es a n d a s it w ere f e e d s o n t h e t a ngibl e
,

p a r t s whi c h a r e m o s t Op e n a n d p re p a red fo r it ; a n d w h e n
i t h as dig e s t e d a n d m odifi e d t h e m a n d tu r n e d t h e m int o ,

Spi rit it e s c a p e s w ith th em T hi s f or m a ti o n a n d inc rea s e

,
.

of spi r it i s r e nd e r e d s e n s ibl e b y t h e di m in uti o n o f w e ight ;

f o r in e v e ry d e s icc a ti o n s om e thing i s l os t in qu a ntity n ot ,

o nly o f t h e spi r it p r e vi o u s ly e xi s ting in t h e b o dy b u t of ,

t h e b ody itself which was p r e vi ously ta ngi b l e a n d has

, ,
 OR G AN UM 2 17
'

N OVU M

b ee n c e ntly ch a ng ed f or t he spi rit its elf h as no w eight

re , .

Th e d ep a r tu r e or e mi ss i o n of spi r it is r e nd er e d s e nsi b l e i n
t h e r us t of m e ta ls a n d o th er putr e f a cti o n s of a lik e n a tu r e
, ,

which s t0 p b ef or e th ey a rr i ve a t t he r udim e nts o f lif e which ,

b el ong to th e thi r d s p e ci e s o f p r oc e ss In c omp a ct b odi es .

67

t he spi r it d oes n ot find p ore s a n d p a ss a g es f or its e sc a p e ,

a n d i s th er e f o re oblig e d t o fo r c e o u t a n d d r iv e b e f o r e it , ,

t he t a ngibl e p a r t s a l s o which c o n s e qu e ntly p r o t r ud e wh e nc e

, ,

a r i s e s r u s t a n d t h e lik e Th e c o nt r a cti o n of t h e t a ngibl e

.

p a r ts o cc a s i o n ed by t h e e mi ss i o n of p a r t o f t he s pi rit
,

( wh e nc e a r i s e s d e s icc a ti o n
) i s r e nd e r e d s e n s ibl e by t h e i n ,

c rea se d h a r dn e ss of t h e s u bs t a nc e a n d s till m or e b y t h e ,

fi ss u res c ontr a cti o n s sh riv elling a n d f old s o f th e b o di es

, , ,

thu s p r oduc e d F or t he p a r ts of w oo d s plit a n d c o ntr a ct

.
,

skin s b e c om e sh r iv e lle d a n d n ot only th a t b u t if the , , ,

spi rit b e e m itted sudd e nly by th e h ea t o f t he fi re b e ,

c om e so h a stily c o nt ra cte d a s to twi s t a n d r oll th em

s elv es up .

O n t he c ont ra ry wh e n t he s pi r it i s r et ai n ed a n d y e t e x
, ,

a n d e d a n d e xcit e d by h e a t or th e lik e ( which h a pp en s in

p
s olid a n d t e n a ci o u s b o di e s ) th e n t h e b odi es a re s ofte n ed , ,

a s i n h o t i r o n ; o r flo w a s in m e t a ls ; o r m e lt a s in gum s , , ,

w a x a n d th e lik e
,
Th e c o ntra r y e ff ect s of h ea t th e re f o re
.
,

( h a r d e ning s o m e s ub s t a nc es a n d m e lti n g o t h e r s ) a r e e a sil y

“
,

r e c o ncil e d b e c a u s e th e s pi rit i s e mitt e d i n t he f orm er a n d

, ,

uti
6" R
w w ll k n w n t b e
s s ch mica l c mbin ti n f xy g n with
no e o o a e o a o o o e

th m t l
e d th m t l w h n u t y c q ui
e a ,
an edditi n l w ight H i th y
e a e r s a re s a o a e . s eor

as t th o g n ti n f ni m l i d duc d f m th
e e e ra o o n u n ti n f the
a a s, s e e ro e e rr o eo s o o o

po ib ility f S p nt n u g n ti n ( it w t m d) Se the n ext p

ss o o a eo s e era o as as er e . e a ra

g aph b ut
“
one

“
r .

L imu t hic d it t h c t c
3 li q ci t
s u u res c , e ae u er a u es

U o eod mq —V i g E cl viii
n e ue r . . .
of h ea t an d the spirit t he for m er t ha t of the ta n gi b le pa rts
,
v

th e ms e lv es af ter th e Spi r it s em i ssion

,
’
.

B ut w h e n t he spi rit i s n eith e r e nti rel y re ta ined nor

e mit te d b ut o nly s t r iv e s a n d ex ercis es itse lf within its
, ,

l imits a n d m eets with t a ngi b l e p a r ts w hich o b ey a n d

, ,

r ea dily f oll o w it wh er e v e r it l e a ds th e m th e n f o ll o ws the ,

f or m a ti o n o f a n or g a nic b ody a n d of lim bs a n d the o th er

, ,

vit a l a cti o ns of v e g e t a b l es a n d a nim a l s T h es e a re re nd er ed

.

s e n s ibl e chi efly by dilig e nt o b s er v a ti o n o f t h e fi r st begin

n i n g s a n d r udi m e nt s or e ff e cts o f lif e in a nim a lc ul ae sp r un
, g
f r om p ut r ef a cti on a s i n t h e e gg s of a nts w or m s m osse s
, , , ,

f r og s a ft er ra in e tc B oth a mild h ea t a n d a pli a nt s u b

,
.

st a nc e h o w e v e r a r e n ec e s s a ry fo r t h e p ro ducti o n o f life ,
, ,

i n o r d e r th a t t h e Spi r it m a y n e ith er h as tily e s c a p e n o r b e ,

re s t r a in e d by t he o b s tin a c y o f t h e p a r t s s o a s n o t t o b e a bl e
,

t o b e n d a n d m o d el th e m lik e w a x .

A g a in t h e di ff e r e nc e o f s pi r it which i s i m p or t a nt a n d
,

of e ff e c t i n m a ny p o int s ( as unc o n n e ct e d Spi r i t b r a nching ,

spi r it b ra nching a n d c e llul a r sp i r it t h e fi rs t o f w hich i s

, ,

th a t of a ll in a ni m a t e s ub s t a nc e s t he s ec ond o f v eg e t a bl es
, ,

a n d t h e thi r d o f a ni m a l s ) i s pl a c e d a s it w e r e b e f o r e the
, , ,

e y e s by m a ny r e ducing in s t a nc es .

A g a in it i s cl ea r th a t th e m ore r e fin ed ti s s u e a n d c o n
,

f or m a ti o n o f thing s (th o ug h fo r ming t h e wh ol e b ody of

vi s ibl e o r t a ngibl e o bj e c t s ) a re n e ith e r vi s ibl e n o r t a ngibl e .

O u r i nf or m a t i o n th e r e f o r e m u s t h e r e a l s o b e d e r iv e d f r o m
, ,

r e ducti o n t o t h e s ph e r e of t h e s e n s e s B ut t he m os t ra dic a l
.

a n d p r im a r y di ff e re nc e o f f o r m a ti o n d e p e nd s o n t he a bun

d a nc e o r sc a r city o f m a t t e r w ithin t h e s a m e Sp a c e o r d i m e n
si ons . F or t h e o th e r f o r m a ti o n s whic h r eg a r d t h e d i s s i m i
l a ri ty of t h e p a rt s c o nt a in e d in the s a m e b o d y a n d th e ir ,
 NO VUM ORGAN UM 2 19

c o ll oc a ti on an d pos iti o n ,
a re s ec o nda ry in co mp a ri s on with
th e f or m er .

Let t he qui r e d n a tu re th e n b e the e xp a nsi o n or coh e

re '

r e n e e of m a tt e r in d i ff ere nt bodi es o r t he qu a ntity o f m a tt er ,

r el a tiv e t o t h e dim e n s i o n s o f e a ch F or t he r e i s n o thing in .

n a tu re m o re t r u e th a n th e twof old p rop o siti on — th a t n othing

p ro c ee ds f ro m n othing a n d th a t n othing i s re duc e d to n oth
ing b ut th a t th e qu a ntum or s u m t ota l o f m a tter is c on
, , ,

st a nt a n d is n eith er inc r ea s ed n or di m ini s h e d N or i s it

, .

l es s t r u e th a t ou t of this giv e n qu a ntity of m a tt er th ere

, ,

i s a g r ea t er or l ess qu a ntity c o nt a in e d wi t h in t he s a m e ,

sp a c e or dim ensi o ns a cc or ding t o t h e di ff e r e nc e of b odi es ;

as ,
f or i n s t a nc e w a t er cont a ins m or e th a n a i r
, 8 0 th a t i f .

a n y on e w e r e t o a s s er t th a t a giv e n c o nt e nt of w a t er c a n

b e ch a ng e d int o a n e qu a l c o nt e nt o f a i r it is t he s a m e a s ,

if h e w e re to a s s er t th a t s om ething c a n b e r educ ed into

n othing O n th e c o nt ra ry if a n y o n e w e r e to a ss er t th a t
.
,

a giv e n c o nt e nt of a i r c a n b e ch a ng e d int o a n equ a l c ont e nt

of w a t e r it is t h e s a m e a s if h e w er e t o a ss er t th a t s o m e
,

thing c a n p r oc ee d f rom n o thing F r o m thi s a b und a nc e or .

sc a r city of m a tt er a r e p r op e r ly d er iv e d t h e n oti o ns of
d e n s ity a n d r a r ity which a re ta k e n in v a r i o us a n d pro
,

m i s c u ou s s e n s es .

T his thi r d a s s erti o n m a y b e c o nsid ere d a s b eing a lso

suffici e ntly c e r ta in ; n a m ely th a t th e g r ea t er or l ess qu a n ,

tity of m a tt er i n this o r t h a t b o dy ma y by c omp a r i s o n b e , , ,

r e duc e d t o c a lcul a ti o n a n d e x a ct o r n e a r ly e x a ct p r op o r ,
, ,

ti on Thu s if on e sh ould sa y th a t th e re i s s uch a n a c c u mu

.
,

l a ti o n of m a tt e r in a giv e n q u a n i ty of g o ld th a t it w o uld ,

r e qui r e tw e nty o n e ti m e s t h e q u a nti y in di m e n s i o n o f s pi r

t
-

i ts of win e t o m a k e up t h e s a m e qu a ntity of m a tt er it
, ,

w o uld n ot b e fa r f r om t he t ruth .

S OIE N C E Vol 22 .
- 10
2 20

Th e ccumul a ti o n of m a tt er h ow e v er a n d its rel a tive

a , ,

qu a ntity are r e nd ere d s e n s i b l e by w e ight ; f or w e ight is

,

p r o p or ti on a t e to th e q u a ntity of m a tter a s r eg a rds t h e p a rts ,

’

of a t a ngibl e su b st a nc e b ut Spi r it a n d its qu a ntity of m a t

,

t er a r e n o t t o b e c om put e d b y w e ight whic h s pi rit ra th e r ,

dimini s h es th a n a ugm e nts .

W e h a v e m a d e a t ol er a bly a ccu ra t e t a b l e o f w e ight in ,

which w e h a v e s e l e ct e d t h e w e ight s a n d Siz e of a ll t he

m e t a ls th e p r incip a l m in era ls st on es li q uids o il s a n d
, , , , ,

m a ny o th er n a tu r a l a n d a r tifici a l b o di es : a v er y us eful pro

c e e d i n g b oth a s r e g a r d s th e o r y a n d p r a ctic e a n d whic h is ,

c a p a b l e of r e v ea ling m a ny un exp ect e d r es ult s N o r i s this .

o f littl e c o n s e qu e nc e th a t it s er v e s t o d e m o n s t r a t e th a t t h e
,

wh o l e r a ng e of th e v a r i e ty of t a ngibl e b o di es with which

w e a r e a cqu a int e d (we m ea n t ol e r a bly cl os e a n d n o t ,

sp ongy h oll o w b odi es w hic h a r e for a c o n s id e ra bl e p a r t

, ,

fill e d with a i r) d o es n o t exc eed t h e r a ti o o f o n e t o t we nty

,

on e . S o li m it e d is n a tu re or a t l e a s t th a t p a r t of it to
,

which we a r e m os t h a bitu a t e d .

W e h a v e a l s o th ought it d es er ving o u r indu s t ry t o try ,

if we c o uld a rr iv e a t th e r a ti o of int a ngibl e o r pn e u m a tic

b odi es to t a ngibl e b odi e s which w e a tt em pt e d by t he fol
,

l o wing c o nt riv a n c e W e t oo k a vi a l c a p a bl e o f c ont a ining

.

a b o ut a n o unc e u s m g a sm a ll v e ss e l in o rd e r to e ff e ct t he
,

sub s equ ent e v a p ora ti o n with l es s h e a t W e fill e d thi s vi a l .

,

a l m o s t t o t h e n e ck ,
with Spi rit s o f win e s e l ec ting it a s t he ,

t a ngibl e b o dy w hich by o u r t a bl e w a s t he r a r es t a n d c on
, , ,

t a i n ed a l e s s qu a ntity o f m a tt e r in a giv e n s p a c e th a n a ll

o t h er t a ngibl e b o di es which a re c o m p a ct a n d n o t h o ll o w .

T h e n we n ot e d e x a ctly t he w eight o f t he liquid a n d vi a l .

W e n ext t oo k a bl a dd er c o nt a i n ing a b o ut t wo pi nts a n d

, ,

s q u ee z e d a ll the a i r ou t of it as c om p l e tel y a s p ossi b l e a n d

, ,
 N O VU M ORGAN UM 221

u ntil th e Sid es of t he bl a dd e r m e t W e fi rst h o w e v er .

, ,

r ubb e d t he bl a dd e r g e ntly with o i l so as to m a k e it a i r ,

tight by cl os ing i ts p or es with t he oi l W e ti e d t he b l a d

,
.

d er tightly r o u nd t he m outh of t he vi a l which we h a d i h ,

s er te d in it a n d with a pi e c e o f w a x e d th r e a d t o m a k e it
,

fit b ett e r a n d m ore tightly a n d th e n pl a c e d the vi a l on

,

som e h ot c oa ls in a b r a zi er Th e v a p or or s tea m of th e.

Spi rit dil a t e d a n d b ec om e a erif or m b y t h e h ea t g r a du a lly

,
’

sw ell e d o u t t he bl a dd e r a n d s t r e tc h e d it in e v ery di r e cti on

,

lik e a s a il A S s oo n a s th a t was a cc ompli s h e d we re m ov e d

.
,

t h e vi a l f ro m t h e fi re a n d pl a c e d it o n a c a rp e t th a t it ,

might n ot b e c r a ck e d by t he c o ld ; w e a lso p ri c k e d t he
bl a dd er imm e di a te ly th a t t h e ste a m might n ot r e tu r n t o a
,

liquid st a t e by t he c es s a ti o n of h ea t a n d c o nf o und t h e pro ,

p or ti ons W e th e n r em o v ed t he b l a dd er a n d a g a in t ook
.
,

t he w eight of t h e s pi r it
which r e m a in e d ; a n d s o c a lcul a t e d

t he qu a ntity which h a d b ee n c o nv e r t e d int o v a p or or a n ,

a er if o r m sh a p e a n d th e n e x a min e d h o w m uch Sp a c e h a d
’

b ee n occupi ed b y th e b o dy in i ts f or m of Spi rits of win e in

t h e vi a l a n d h o w much on th e oth er h a nd h a d b ee n occ u
, , ,
‘
pi e d by it in i ts a er ifo rm Sh a p e in t h e bl a dd e r a n d s u b ,

t r a ct e d the r e sult s ; f r om w hich it was cl e a r th a t t he

b ody thu s c o nv er t e d a n d ch a ng e d a cqui r e d a n e xp a n s i o n
, ,

o f o n e hund r e d tim e s b e y o nd its f o r m e r b ulk .

A g a in l e t t he r equi r e d n a tu r e b e b ea t o r c old o f suc h

, ,

a d eg r e e a s n o t t o b e s e nsibl e f r o m i ts w e a kn es s T h ey are .

r e nd ere d s e nsibl e b y t h e th e r m o m e t e r a s we d es c r ib e d it ,

f or t h e c o ld a n d h ea t a r e n ot a ctu a ll y p er c e iv e d
by t he to uch b ut h ea t e xp a nd s a n d c old c o nt ra cts t he a i r
,
.

N or a g a in is th a t e xp a n s i o n or c o ntr a ction of t h e a i r in
, ,

‘S T bl
9
ee a e of Dg
e rees , No 3 8 . .
re ducti o n to Sight .

A g a in l e t th e requi r ed n a tu re b e th e mixt ure of b odi es ;

,

n a m ely how m uch a qu e o u s o l e a gin o us or spi ritu ous a s hy

, , ,

or s a lt p a r ts th ey c o nt a i n ; or a s a p a r ticul a r e x a mpl e h o w
, ,

muc h b utt er ch ees e a n d wh ey th er e i s i n m ilk a n d t h e

, , ,

lik e T hes e thin g s a re r e nd er e d s e n s ibl e by a r tifici a l a n d

.

Skilful s e p a ra ti o n s in t a ngibl e su b s t a nc es ; a n d t h e n a tu r e
o f t h e Spi rit in th e m th o ugh n o t i m m e di a t e ly p e r c e ptibl e
, ,

i s n e v e rt h e l e s s d i s c o v e r ed by t h e v a r i o u s m oti on s a n d
e ff or t s o f b odi e s A nd ind eed i n t h i s b ra nch m e n h a v e
.
, ,

l a b or e d h a rd in di s till a ti on s a n d a rtifici a l s e p ar a ti on s but ,

w i t h litt le m ore s u c c es s th a n in th e i r o th e r e xp er i m e nts

n o w in u s e ; t h e i r m e th od s b e ing m e r e gu es s e s a n d blind

a tt em pt s a n d m o r e indu s t r i o u s t ha n int e llig e nt ; a n d wh a t

,

is w o r s t of a ll wit ho u t a n y i m it a ti o n o r r i va l ry o f n a tu re
, ,

but r a t her b y vi o l e n t h e a ts a n d t o o e n e rg e tic a g e nt s t o t h e ,

d es t r ucti o n of a n y d e lic a t e c o nf o rm a ti on i n which p r i nci ,

p a lly c on s i s t t he hid d e n vi r tu es a n d s y m p a thi es N o r d o .

m e n i n th es e s e p a r a t i o n s e v e r a tt e nd t o or o b s e r v e wh a t w e
h a v e b ef o re p oint e d ou t ; n a m ely th a t i n a tt a cking b odi es ,

by fi r e o r o th er m e th o d s m a ny qu a liti es a re s up er ind uc ed
, ,

by t h e fi r e it se lf a n d t he o th e r b odi es u s e d t o eff ect t he

,

S ep a ra ti o n which w er e n ot o rigin a lly in t he c om p o und

,
.

H e nc e a ri s e m os t extr a or di n a ry f a l la ci es ; f o r t he m a s s o f
v a p or w hich i s e m itt e d f r o m w a t e r by fi r e f or in s t a nc e did , ,

n o t e xi s t a s v a p o r o r a i r in t he w a t e r b ut i s ch i e fly c r ea t e d ,

b y t he exp a n s i o n o f t he wa t er by t he h e a t of t he fi r e .

S o in g e n e r a l a ll d e lic a t e e xp e r i m e nts o n n a tu r a l or
, ,

a r tifici a l b odi e s by which t he g e nuin e a re distingui s h ed

,

f rom t he a dult era t ed a n d t he b e tter fr om the m or e c om

,
 N O V UM OR GA N U M 223

men , Sh ould b e re fe rre d to this divi s i o n ; for th ey b ring th a t

w hich is n o t th e ob j e ct o f the se ns es within t h ei r sph ere .

Th ey a re th erefor e t o b e e v er ywh er e dilig e ntly so ught a ft er .

W ith re ga r d t o t he fifth c a u s e o f o bj e cts e sc a ping o u r

s ens es it is cl ea r th a t t he a cti o n of t he s e ns e t a k e s pla c e b y
,

moti o n a n d th is m oti on i s tim e If th er efor e t he m oti o n

,
.
, ,

of a n
y b o d y b e e ith e r s o sl o w o r s o swift a s n o t t o b e
p ro ~

p or ti o n e d to the n e c e ss ar y m om e ntum which op era t es on t h e

s e ns e s t he obj ect i s n ot p er c e iv e d a t a l l ; a s i n t he m oti on of
,

t he h o u r h a nd a n d th a t a g a in of a musk e t b a ll
, , ,
-
The mo .

tion which is imp erc e ptibl e by t he s e ns es f rom its s l own ess ,

is r ea dily a n d u s u a lly r e nd er e d s e n s ibl e by t he a ccumul a

t i o n o f m oti o n ; th a t which is imp er c eptibl e f r o m i ts v e lc e

ity h as n ot a s ye t b ee n w e ll m ea s u re d ; it i s n e c ess a ry ho w
, ,

e v er th a t thi s sh o uld b e d o n e in s o m e c a s e s wit h a vi e w t o

, ,

a p r o p er inv es tig a ti o n o f n a tu r e .

The s ixth c a s e wh er e t he s e ns e i s imp e d e d b y t he p ow er

,

of t h e o bj e ct a dmits of a r e ducti o n t o t h e s e n s ibl e sph e r e

, ,

e ith e r by r em o ving th e o bj e ct t o a g re a t e r di s t a nc e o r by ,

d ea d e ning its eff ects by t he int er p os iti o n of a m e dium ,

which m a y w ea k e n a n d n o t d es t roy th e o bj e ct ; or by t he
a d m i ss i o n of i ts r e fl e cti o n wh e r e t he di r e ct imp r e ss ion is to o

st rong a s th a t of t h e su n in a b a s in of w a t er
,
. .

The s ev e nth c a s e w h er e th e s e n s es a r e so o v erc h a rg e d

,

with t he obj ect a s to l ea v e n o fu rth er room sc ar c ely occu rs ,

e xc e pt in t he sm e ll o r t a st e a n d is n o t of much c o ns e q u e nc e
,

a s r eg ar d s o u r p r e s e nt su b j e ct Le t w h a t we h a v e sa id
.
,

th e r ef or e su ffic e wi th reg a r d t o t he red ucti on to th e se n s i

,

b le s ph ere o f ob j e ct s n ot n a tur a ll y within its c omp a ss .

S om etim es h o w e v er this r e ducti on is n ot e xt en d ed to

, ,

th e se ns e s of m a n b u t to th os e of Som e o th er a nim al wh os e
, ,

s e n s e s i n s o m e p oints exc eed th o s e of m a n ; as ( with re g a r d

, ,
to s o m e sc e n ts ) to th a t of t he d og a n d with reg a r d to light ,

e xi s ting imp e r c e pti b ly in t he a i r wh e n n o t illumi n a t e d f ro m ,

a n y e xt ra n e o u s s o u r c e to t he s e ns e of t he c a t t h e o wl a n d , , ,

o th e r a nim a ls which s ee b y nigh t F or Tel es i u s h a s w ell .

o b s er v e d th a t th e r e a pp e a r s t o b e a n o rigin a l p or ti o n o f
,

"
light e v e n in th e a i r its elf a lth ough but slight a n d m ea g re ,
o
,

a n d o f n o u se f or t h e m o s t p a r t t o t h e ey e s o f m e n a n d ,

th os e o f t he g e n er a lity of a nim a l s ; b e c a u s e th os e a ni m a ls
t o w h ose s e n s e s thi s light i s p r op or ti o n e d c a n s e e b y night ,

w hi c h d o es n o t i n a l l p r ob a bility p ro c eed f rom th ei r s ee

, ,

ing eith er wi t h out light o r b y a n y int e r n a l light .

H e r e t o o w e w o uld obs e rv e th a t we a t p r es ent di s cuss

, , ,

o nly t h e w a nt s o f t h e s e n s e s a n d th e i r r e m e di e s ; f o r th ei r ,

d e c e pti o n s m u s t b e re f e rr e d t o t he inqui ri es a pp r o p ri a t ed
t o t h e s e n s es a n d s e n s i b l e o bj ect s ; e x c e pt th a t imp or t a nt
,

d e c e pti o n which m a k es th e m d efin e o bj e ct s in th e i r re l a

,

ti o n t o m a n a n d n o t in t h ei r r el a ti o n t o th e univ e rs e a n d
, ,

which i s o nly c orr ecte d by univ ers a l r e a s oning a n d phi

l os o h
p y
“ .

XLI In th e e ight ee nth r a nk of p r e rog a tiv e in s t a nc e s we

.

will cl a ss th e in s t a nc es o f t he roa d w hich we a r e a l s o w o nt ,

t o c a ll itin e r a nt a n d j oint e d i n s t a n c es T h ey a r e s uch a s .

indic a t e t he gr a du a lly c ontinu e d m o ti o n s o f n a tu re This .

"
0
R i c c a ti , d n ph ici t d c v
and a ll m p ti n f lig h t in
mo er y s s s, is o er so e or o o

e v e y b d y which m t c n fi m th p g in G n th t ign t thi a a ss s

r s ee s o o r e a s sa e e e si s o s
o ,

s u b t c p i ity c ti — E d
s an e r or in r ea on .

A in t nc sf thi k ind w hich th e p g

s a es o f c nc sinc th tw o ,
ro re ss o s ie e s e e

o f B c n ff d
a ow m y cit th
a or i pu mp
s, d th b
e m t af m n f ting
e e a r- an e a ro e er , or a i es

t h w ight
e e d l ticit y f i an th me asu m nt f th v l city f li ght by
o a r: e eas re e o e e o o ,

m n s f t h e occult ti n f J upit t llit d th e b ti n f th fi x d ’

ea o a o o er s sa e es an a e rra o o e e

t
s a rs : th xp i m nt in el ect icity d g lv ni m d in t h g t p t
e e er e s r an a a s ,
an e rea e r ar

o f pn u m tic ch emi try

e a I n ll th c e s ci entifi c f cts
s .
e licite d w hich
a e se as s a a re ,

se n coul d n eve h a ve evea l ed t

se
— Edr r o na . .
 N O VU M ORGA NUM 225

sp eci es of insta nc es e sc a p es ra th er ou r obs er v a tion th a n our

s ens es ; for m en a re w o nd erfully ind ol e nt up on thi s subj ec t ,

c ons ulting n a t u r e in a d es ult ory m a nn er a n d a t p er i o dic ,

inte rv a l s wh en b odi e s h a v e b ee n r egul a rly fini s h e d a n d

,

c om pl e t ed a n d n ot d u ring he r w or k B ut if a n y o n e w ere
,
.

d e s i r o u s o f e x a m ining a n d c o nt e mpl a ting th e t a l e nt s a n d

indu s tr y of a n a r ti fic er h e w ould n ot m er ely wis h to see
,

t he r ud e m a t e r i a l s o f h i s a r t a n d th e n h i s w or k w h e n fi n
,

i s h e d but r a th er t o b e p r es e nt whil e h e i s a t l a b o r a n d
, ,

p roc ee ding with his w or k S om e thing o f t h e s a m e kind

.

Sh o uld b e d o n e with r e g a r d to n a tu r e F or in s t a nc e if a n y
.
,

o n e inv e stig a t e t h e v e g e t a ti o n o f pl a nt s h e Sh o uld ob s er v e

,

f rom th e fi rs t so wing o f a n y s ee d (w h ich c a n e a s ily b e do n e ,

b y pulling up e v e r y d a y s eeds which h a v e b ee n tw o th r e e , ,

or f o u r d a ys in t h e g r o und a n d e x a mining th e m dilig e ntly

, ) ,

h o w a n d wh e n t h e s ee d b egins t o sw ell a n d b rea k a n d b e ,

fill e d a s it w ere with spi r it ; th e n h o w it b e gin s t o burs t

, ,

t h e b a r k a n d pu s h o u t fib re s r a i s ing it s elf a littl e a t th e

,

s am e tim e unl es s t h e g r o und b e v e ry stiff ; th e n h o w it

,

push es o u t th es e fib res s o m e d o w nw a r d f or r oot s o th ers

, ,

upw a r d f o r t h e st em s om e ti m es a l s o c ree ping l a t e r a lly if

, ,

it find th e e arth op e n a n d m o re yi e lding on on e s id e a n d ,

t he lik e The s a m e Sh o uld b e d o n e i n o b se r ving t h e h a tch

.

ing of e gg s wh ere we m a y ea s il y s ee t h e p r oc ess of a nim a

,

ti on a n d or g a niz a ti o n a n d wh a t p a r t s a re f o r m e d o f t he
,

y olk a n d wh a t of th e wh i t e of t h e e gg a n d th e lik e Th e
, ,
.

s a m e m a y b e s a id of t he inqui ry int o t h e f or m a ti o n o f a n i
m a l s f rom p ut r ef a cti o n ; fo r it w o uld n ot b e so h u m a n e t o
i nqu i r e i nt o p er f e ct a n d t e rr e s t r i a l a ni m a ls by cutting t h e,

f oetu s f r o m the w om b ; but o pp ortuniti e s m ay p er h a ps b e

off e r e d of a b or ti o n s a nim a ls kill e d i ii h u n ting a n d th e lik e
, ,
.

N a tu r e th er ef or e mu s t a s
, e w a tch e d a s b e ing ,
2 6
2
NO VUM ORGAN U M
m ore ea sil y o b serv e d by n ight th a n by da y : for con te mpl a "
tions of t hi s kind ma y b e consid ere d as ca rri ed on by
night f ro m t he minute n ess a n d p erp e tua l b u r ni ng of o ur
,

w a tch light -
.

Th e s a m e must b e a tt empt e d with in a nim a t e o bj e cts ,

w hich we h a v e o u r s e lv e s done by in q ui ri ng int o th e o p e n

ing of liquids b y fi re F or t h e m o d e in which w a te r e x .

p a nds i s di ff er e nt f ro m th a t o b s er v e d in win e vin eg ar or , ,

v erj uic e a n d v er y di ff er e nt a g a in from th a t o b s er ve d i n

, , ,

milk a n d o i l a n d t he lik e ; a n d this wa s e a s ily s ee n by boil

,

ing th em with s l o w h e a t i n a gl a s s v es s e l th ro ugh which , ,

t h e wh ol e m a y b e cl e a r ly p e rc e iv e d But we m e re ly m e n .

ti o n thi s inte nding t o t r ea t of it m o re a t l a rg e a n d m ore

,

cl ose ly wh e n w e c om e t o t he disc o v er y of t he l a t e nt p roc es s ;

f o r it s h o uld a lw a y s b e r e m e mb e re d th a t w e d o n ot h er e
"
t r e a t of thing s th em s elv e s but m ere ly p rop os e e x a mpl e s , .

XLII I n t he nin e t ee nth r a n k o f p r er og a tiv e in s t a nc e s

.

we will cl a s s s u ppl em e nt a r y o r s ub s titutiv e in s t a nc es which ,

we a r e a l s o w ont to c a ll inst a nc e s of r e fug e Th ey a re s uch .

a s s upply info r m a ti o n wh e r e t he s e n s es a r e e nti re ly d e fi ,

ci ent a n d w e th e r e f o r e h a v e r e c o u r s e t o th em wh e n a pp ro
,

r i a t e in s t a n c es c a nn o t b e o bt a in e d Thi s s ub s tituti o n is
p .

79
itin nt in t nc
Th e w ll f nti n t nc
e ra c in w hich
s a es , as e as ro er i s a e s , a re a s es

w n b l d t t c th g n l l w f c ntinu ty w hich m to p v d
“
e a re e a e o ra e e e e ra a o o i s ee s er a e

a ll n tu a d w h ch hre , b n ptl y mb di d in th nt n
an in tu as ee a e o e e se e ce, a ra n on

a git p ltu m ”
er sa Th pu uit f thi l w int ph n m n w h
. it ppl c
e rs o s a o e o e a e re s a i a

ti n i t t fi t S ight b vi u h
o s no a p n d min f ph y c l di c v y d
rs o o s, as o e e a e o si a s o er ,
an

l d
e t p c iv
us o inti m t c nn cti n b tw n f ct w hich t fi t m d
er e e an a e o e o e ee a s a rs s ee e

h til t ch th
os e F
o ea x mpl t h t n p ncy f g ld l f which p
o er . or e a e, e ra s a re o o -
ea , er

mit s b lui h g n light t p th ugh it

a s -
f n ti in t nc b tw
re e o ass ro ,
is a ro er s a e e ee n

t n p nt d p q u b di by xhi b iting b d y f th gl g n lly

ra s a re an o a e o es , e a o o e ass e e ra

re g d d th m t p q u in n tu
ar e e till p d f m light d g ee
os o a e a re , as s os se s se o so e s e r

o f t n pra ncy It thu p v th t th q u lity f p city i

s a re . t c nt y s ro es a e a o o a s no a o ra r

or nt g ni ti c q u lity t th t f t n p ncy b ut nl y i t ext me l w t

a a o s a o a o ra s a re , o s re o es

d g ee
e r .
tw ofold e ither by a pp r oxim a ti o n or b y a n a logy F or i n
,
.

st a nc e th ere i s n o k n own m e dium which e nti r ely p re v e nts

,

t h e eff ect of t he m a gn e t in a tt r a cting ir o n— n eith er g old ,

n or silv e r n or st o n e
,
n or gl a ss w oo d w a t er oi l cl oth
, , , , , ,

or fib ro u s b o di e s a i r fl a m e o r t h e lik e
, ,
Y et b y a ccu r a t e
,
.

exp e r i m e nt a m e dium m a y p er h a p s b e f o und w hich w o u ld

,

d ea d e n its e ff ect m or e th a n a n oth er c omp ar a tiv ely a n d in

,

d eg r ee ; a s f or in s t a nc e t h e m a gn e t w o uld n ot p er h a ps
, ,

a tt ra ct i r o n th r o ugh t h e s a m e thickn e s s o f g o ld a s of a i r ,

o r th e s a m e qu a ntity of ignit e d a s of c o ld Silv e r a n d s o o n ; ,

f or we h a v e n ot o ur s elv e s m a d e t h e e xp er im ent but it will ,

suffi c e a s a n e x am pl e A g a in th er e is n o kn o wn b ody
.
,

which is n ot s u s c e ptibl e o f h e a t wh e n b ro u ght n ear t he ,

fi r e ; y et a i r b e c o m e s w a rm much s oo n er th a n st o n e T h ese .

a r e e x a mpl e s of substituti o n by a pp ro xi m a ti o n .

S ub s tituti o n b y a n a l ogy is u s eful but l e ss su r e a n d , ,

th er e f or e to b e a d opt ed with s o m e j udg m e nt It s e rv es t o .

r educ e th a t which i s n ot t h e obj e ct o f t he s e n s es t o th ei r

Sph e r e n ot by t h e p e rc e ptibl e op e ra ti o ns o f t h e i m perc e p

,

tib l e b ody but by t he c on s id era ti o n of s om e Simil a r per

,

c e pt i b l e b o dy F or in s t a nc e l et t h e subj e ct for i nqui r y b e

.
,

t h e mixtu r e of s pi r its which a r e invi s ibl e b odi es

,
Th e re .

a pp e ars t o b e s o m e re l a ti o n b e tw e e n b o di es a n d th e i r s o u r c e s

o r supp or t .N ow t h e s o u r c e o f fl a m e s eem s t o b e oi l a n d
,

f a t ; th a t o f a i r w a t er a n d w a t er y subst a nc es ; f or fl a m e
, .
,

inc r ea s es o v er t h e exh a l a ti o n o f oi l a n d a i r o v e r th a t o f ,

w a t e r On e must th er ef or e c o n s id er th e mixtu r e of oi l a n d
.

wa t er which is m a nif est to t he s e n s es s inc e th a t of a i r a n d

, ,

fl a m e in g e n era l e s c a p es t h e s ens es But oi l a n d w a t er m i x .

v ery imp erf ectly by c omp ositi o n or sti rring whil e th ey a r e ,

e x a ctly a n d nic e ly mix e d in h e r b s bl o od a n d t h e p a r t s o f , ,

a nim a ls . S om ething simil a r t h er ef or e m a y t a k e pl a c e i n

, ,
b ea r ing mixt ur e v ery w e ll by simpl e c ollisi o n whil e they ,

a pp ea r h o w e v er to b e w e ll mix ed in t h e spirits o f p l a nts

, ,

a n d a nim a l s .

A g a in if t he in q ui r y d o n ot re l a te to pe rf ect m ixtu r es of
,

Spi rits b ut m e re ly t o th ei r c om positi on a s wh eth er th ey

, ,

e a s ily i nc or p o ra te with e a ch o th e r o r th e r e b e r a th e r a s a n
, (
e x a m pl e) c er ta in wind s a n d e xh a l a ti o n s o r o th er spi ritu a l
,

b odi e s w hich do n o t mix with c o mm o n ai r b ut o nly a dh e re

, ,

t o a n d fl oa t in it in g l obul e s a n d d ro ps a n d a r e ra th er ,

b ro k e n a n d p o und e d b y t h e a i r th a n re c ei v e d int o a n d
, ,

inc or p or a t e d with it ; thi s c a n n o t b e p er c eiv e d i n c o mm o n

a i r a n d o th e r a er if or m s ubst a nc es o n a cc o unt o f t he r a r it y
'

, ,

of th e b o di e s b ut a n im a g e a s it w e r e o f this p ro c e s s m a
, , , y
b e c o nc e iv e d in such l i quids a s quick s ilv er o i l w a t er a n d , , ,

eve n a i r wh e n b ro k e n a n d diss ip a t e d it a sc e nds i n sm a ll

,

p or ti on s th r o ugh w a t er a n d a l s o in t he thick er kinds of

,

sm o k e ; l a s tly i n du s t r a i s e d a n d r em a ining in t h e a i r in
, , ,

a l l o f which th e r e is n o inc orp or a ti o n : a n d t h e a b o v e repr e

s e n ta t i on in thi s r es p e ct i s n o t a b a d o n e if it b e fi r s t dili
,

g e nt l y inv es tig a t e d w h eth e r th er e c a n b e such a di ff e re nce

,

o f n a tu r e b e tw e e n Spi r itu o u s s ubst a nc e s a s b e t w ee n liquids

, ,

f or th en th e s e i m a g es might c o nv e ni e ntly b e s ub s titut e d b y

a n a l ogy .

A n d a lth ough w e h a v e o b s er v e d of th es e suppl e m e nt a ry

in s t a nc es th a t inf or m a ti o n i s to b e d e r iv ed f r om t h e m w h e n
, ,

a pp r o pr i a t e in s t a nc e s a r e w a nting by wa y o f r e fug e y e t w e
, ,

w o uld h a v e it und e r s t ood th a t th e y a r e a l s o o f g re a t u se

, ,

wh e n t he a pp r op ri a t e in s t a nc e s a r e a t h a nd in or d e r t o c on ,

fi r m t h e inf or m a ti o n a ff o r d e d b y th em ; o f which w e will

Sp ea k m or e a t l e ngth wh e n o u r subj ect l ea ds us in d u e
, ,

c o u rs e to t he supp o r t o f i nducti on
,
.
 N O VU M OR G AN U M

XLIII I n th e tw enti eth r a n k of p re roga t i v e inst a nc e s

.

we will pl a c e l a ncing in s t a nc e s which w e a re a l s o w o nt

,

( b u t f o r a d i ff e re nt re a s o n to c a ll twitch i ng in s t a nc es
) We .

a d o pt th e l a tt e r n a m e b e c a u s e th ey twitch t h e und e rs t a nd
,

ing a n d t he f or m er b ec a u s e th e y pi e rc e n a tu r e wh e nc e we
, ,

”
s tyl e th em occ as i o n a ll y t he in s t a nc es o f D em o c r itus .

Th e v a r e such a s w a r n t h e und e rst a nding o f t h e a d m i r

a b l e a n d e xqui s it e subtilty of n a tu r e s o th a t it b e c o m e s
,

rous e d a n d a w a k e n e d t o a tte nti o n ob s er v a ti o n a n d p re p e r

, ,

i nqui ry ; a s f or i ns t a nc e th a t a li t tl e d r op of in k s h o uld
, ,

b e d ra wn o u t i nt o s o m a ny l e tt e r s ; th a t s ilv er m e r e ly gilt
on i ts s u r f a c e s h o uld b e st r e tch e d t o such a l e ngth o f gilt

wi r e ; th a t a littl e w or m such as y o u ma y find o n th e s kin

, ,

sh o uld p os sess b oth a Spi rit a n d a v a r i e d c o nf or m a ti o n o f

i ts p a r t s ; th a t a littl e s a ff ro n sh o uld imb u e a wh ol e tub
o f w a t er with its c ol or ; th a t a littl e mu s k or a r o m a s h o uld

i mbu e a m uch g r e a t er e xt e n t o f a i r with i ts p er fu m e ; th a t

a cl o ud of sm o ke Sh o uld b e r a i s e d by a littl e inc e n s e ; th a t

s uch a ccu ra t e diff e r e nc es o f s o und s a s a r ticul a t e w ords

sh o uld b e c o nv ey e d in a l l di r e cti o n s th ro ugh the a i r a n d ,

e v e n p e n e t ra t e th e p o re s o f w oo d a n d w a t e r ( th o ugh th ey

b e c om e much w ea k e n e d) th a t th ey Sh o uld b e m or eo v er
, , ,

re fl e ct e d a n d th a t with such di s tinctn e s s a n d v e l o city ; th a t

,

light a n d c ol or sh o uld fo r such a n e xte nt a n d s o r a pidl y

p a ss th ro ugh s o lid b od i es such a s gl a s s a n d w a t er wi th
, ,

so g rea t a n d so e x q uisite a v a ri e ty of im a g e s a n d sh o uld ,

b e re f ra cte d a n d re fl ec ted ; tha t t h e m a gn e t sh o uld a tt r a c t

thr o ugh e v ery desc ripti on o f bo dy e v e n t he m o s t c omp a ct ;
,

b u t ( wh a t is still m ore w o nd er f ul ) th a t i n a ll th e s e c as es t h e
a ction of o n e s h o ul d n ot im p e d e th a t o f a n o th e r in a c o mm o n

it A ll u din g to hi th s eor y t
of a o ms .
t he a i r, a t s a m e tim e s o m a ny im ag es of visi b l e ob j ec ts
th e , ,

s o m a n y impul s e s o f a r ticul a t i on so m a ny d i ff er e nt per

,

f um es a s of t he vi ol e t ros e et c b esid es c old a n d h ea t

, , ,
.
, ,

a n d m a gn e tic a tt ra cti o ns ; a l l o f them I s a y a t onc e with , , ,

out a n y im p e dim e nt fr om ea ch oth er a s if ea ch h a d its p a ths ,

‘
a n d p e culi a r p a ss a g e s e t a pa rt fo r it with o ut inf r inging ,

a g a in s t o r m e e ting e a ch o th e r .

To th es e l a ncing inst a nc es h o w e ve r w e a r e w o nt n ot , , ,

wi th out s om e a dv a nt a g e t o a d d th os e w hich we c a ll the

,

limits of such inst a nc e s T hus i n the c a s es we h a v e .

,

p oint e d o u t o n e a cti o n do es n ot di s tu r b or imp ed e a n

,

o t h e r o f a di ff e r e nt n a tu r e y e t th os e o f a simil a r n a tu re
,

subd u e a n d e xtingui s h e a ch o th er ; a s th e light of t he s u n

d oe s th a t o f t h e c a ndle t he s o und o f a c a n n o n th a t of the
,

v o ic e a str ong p e rfum e a m or e d e lic a te o n e a p o wer ful h ea t

, ,

a m or e g e ntl e o n e a pl a t e of i r o n b etw e e n t he m a gn e t a n d
,

o th er i r on t h e e ff e ct of t h e m a gn e t B ut th e p ro p e r pl a c e.

for m e nti o ning th e s e will b e a l s o a m ong t h e s upp o rt s of

i nducti o n .

XLI V W e h a v e n ow Sp ok e n of t he i n s t a nc es which
.

a s s i s t t h e s e n s e s a n d which a r e p r incip a lly o f s e r vic e a s

,

r e g a r d s i n f or m a ti o n ; f or inf o r m a ti o n b e gins f ro m t h e s e n s es .

Bu t ou r wh o l e l a b or t er min a t e s i n p ra ctice a n d as t he ,

for m e r is th e b eginning s o is t he l a tt er t h e e n d of o u r
,

S ubj e ct .Th e f oll o wi ng in s t a nc e s th er e f or e will b e th ose , ,

which a r e chi e fl y u s e ful in p r a cti c e T h ey a re c omp re .

h e nd e d in t wo cl as s e s a n d a r e s e v e n i n nu m b e r
, W e c a ll .

t h e m a ll b y t he g e n er a l n a m e of p ra cti c a l in s t a nc es Now .

th er e a re t wo d ef e cts in p r a ctice a n d a s m a ny divi s i ons of ,

imp ort a nt insta nc es Pr a ctic e i s e ith er d ec e ptiv e or t oo

.

l a b or i o u s I t i s g e n era lly d ec e ptiv e ( es p eci a lly a fter a dili

.
 231

g e nt e xa min a ti o n of n a tu re s) o n a cco unt of t he p ow er a n d

,

a cti o ns o f b o d i es b e ing ill d efin e d a n d d e t er min e d Now .

the p o w e rs a n d a cti o ns of b o di e s a re d efin e d a n d d e t er min ed

e ith e r by sp a c e o r by tim e or by t h e qu a nti ty a t a gi v e n

,

p eri od o r by th e p r e d omin a nc e of e n er gy ; a n d if th es e f ou r
,

ci r cumsta nc es b e not w ell a n d dilig e ntl y c o n s id ere d t he ,

s ci e nc e s ma y ind ee d b e b ea utiful in th eory b ut a r e of n o ,

e ff e ct i n p ra ctic e W e c a ll the f o u r inst a nc e s r eferr e d to

.

t his cl a s s m a th e m a tic a l in s ta nc e s a n d insta nc e s of m ea su r e

, .

P ra ctic e is l a b ori o u s e ith er f ro m t he multitud e of i n s tr u

m ents or t h e b ul k of m a tt er a n d su b s ta nc es r e qui sit e for
,

a n y giv e n w or k . Th ose in s t a nc e s th er e for e a re v a lu a b l e

, , ,

which e ith e r di re ct p ra ctic e to th a t w hich is of m ost c ou s e

u en c e t o m a n k ind or l ess e n t he num be r o f i nst r um e nts
q ,

or o f m a tt e r to b e w or k e d up o n W e a ssign to t h e th ree
.

i n s t a nc es r el a ting to this cl a s s t h e c omm o n n a m e of pro

,

p iti o us or b e n e v ol e nt inst a nc es W e will n ow s e p a ra t el y

.

di scuss th e s e s e v e n insta nc e s a n d c o nclud e with th em th a t

,

p a r t of ou r w or k w hich re l a te s to t he p re rog a tiv e or illus

t ri o n s in s t a nc e s
.

XLV In the tw e nty fi rs t ra n k of p reroga tiv e insta nc es

.
-

we will p l a c e t he in s t a nc es of th e rod or rul e which we a re ,

a ls o w o nt to c a ll t he inst a nc e s o f c o m pl e ti o n o r n on u ltr d .

F or the p ow ers a n d moti o ns o f b odi e s d o n o t ac t a n d t a k e

e ff e ct th r o ugh ind efinite a n d a ccid e nt a l but th ro ugh l imit ed ,

a n d c er t a in sp a c e s ; a n d it is of g rea t imp o r ta nc e to p r a ctice

t h a t th es e sh ould b e u nd er s t oo d a n d n o t ed in e v e ry n a t u re
which is inv es tig a t ed n ot o nly to p r e v e nt d ec e pti on b ut
, ,

t o r e nd er p r a ctic e m o re e xt e n s iv e a n d effi ci e n t F o r it i s .

s om etim e s p o ss ibl e to e xt e nd th e s e p ow e r s a n d b ri n g the ,

di s ta nc e as i t w ere n ea re r as in t he e x a mp l e of t e lesc o p es
, , ,
.

M a n y p ow ers ac t a n d ta k e eff e ct o nl y by a ctu a l to u ch as ,

the th er unl ess th e imp e lling t ouch th e imp ell e d b ody
o , .

E xt er n a l a pplic a ti ons i n m e dicin e a s oin t m e nt a n d pl a st e rs , ,

d o n ot ex e r cis e t h ei r e ffic a c y e xc e pt wh e n in c o nta ct with

t he b ody L a s tly t he ob j ects o f t ouch a n d t a st e o nly st r i ke
.
,

th os e s en s e s wh e n in c ont a ct with th ei r org a n s .

O th e r p o w ers a c t a t a di s ta nc e th o ugh it b e v e ry sm a ll , ,

o f whi c h but f e w h av e a s y e t b ee n n o t e d a lth o ugh th e r e ,

b e m o re th a n m en s u s p e ct ; thi s h a pp e n s ( to t a k e e v er yd a y
in s t a nc e s ) wh e n a m b er or j et a tt ra ct s st ra ws b u b bl es d i s ,

s olv e b ub b l es s o m e pu rg a tiv e m e d i cin e s d ra w h um or s f ro m

,

a b ov e a n d t h e li k e
,
Th e m a gn e tic p o w er b y which i ron .

an d t h e m a gn e t or t w o m a gn e t s a r e a tt r a ct e d t og et h er
, , ,

a ct s withi n a d e finit e a n d n a r r o w s ph e r e but if th e re b e ,

a n y m a gn e tic p ow e r e m a n a ting f r o m t h e e a r th a littl e b el o w

i ts s u r f a c e a n d a ff e cting t h e n eedl e i n i ts p ol a r ity it must

, ,

a c t a t a g r e a t di s t a nc e .

A g a in if th er e b e a n y m a gn e tic f orc e which a cts b y s y m

,

p a thy b e t we e n the gl ob e of t he e a r th a n d h ea vy b odi es or ,

b e tw e e n th a t o f t he m oo n a n d th e w a te rs o f t h e s e a (a s s eems
m os t p r ob a bl e f ro m t he p a r tic ul a r fl ood s a n d e bb s which
occu r t wic e in t h e m o nth o r b e tw e e n t h e st a rr y sph ere a n d
) ,

t h e pl a n e t s by which th ey a r e s umm o n e d a n d r a i s ed t o
,

th ei r a p og e es th es e must a l l op e ra t e a t v ery g rea t d i s

,
'

"
t a nc e s .

b ve th pp xi m ti n to N ew to s th eo y The same n ti n re
O s er e a ro a o n
’
r . o o

pea t d t ll m
e s i cl l y in th e ninth m ti on N w to n be li ved th t the
or e ea r o . e e a

pl n ts might
a e con pi as to d e ng the rth nnu l v luti on a d t
so s re ra e ea
’
s a a re o ,
n o

el nga te th
o lin of th p id
e d llip i th t th
e th de c ri be s in i t
e a s es an e s s a e ea r s s an

nu l
a voluti n round the s
re o I n th uppo iti o th t al l t h pl n e ts m t
un . e s s n a e a ee

on the sa m s t a ight lin e V nu

e r d M cu y ide of th e s
,
e d th e s an er r on on e s un , an

ea th moon M a rs J u p i te a d Sa tu n
r , ,
th,
id di m t ic ll y ppos ite ; the n
r n r on e s e a e r a o

Sa tur n wo l d a ttrac t J u p iter J upi te M ar M s th e moo w hich mus t i n i ts

u , r s, ar n,
 N O VU M OR G AN UM 2 33

A g a in som e c on flag ra ti on s a n d the kin d ling of fl a m e s

,

ta k e pl a c e a t v ery c on s id e ra bl e dista nces with p a rticular

sub s ta nc es a s th ey rep or t of t h e n a phth a of B a byl o n
, .

H e a t t oo insinu a tes its e lf a t wid e di s t a nc es a s d o es a lso

, , ,

c old so th a t t h e m a s s es of i c e which a r e b r ok e n off a n d

,

fl oa t up on t h e N or th er n O c ea n a n d a re b or n e th r ough the ,

A tl a ntic to the c oa st of C a n a d a b ec om e p er c eptibl e by ,

th e inh a b ita n ts a n d st rik e th e m with c o l d f r om a dista nc e

, .

P e rfum e s a ls o (th o ugh h ere th e re a pp ea r s to b e a lw a ys s om e ,

c or p or ea l emissi on ) a c t at r em a r k a bl e dist a nc es a s is experi ,

c h oe d b y p er s ons s a iling by t he coa s t of Fl ori d a or p a rts ,

of S p a in wh er e th er e a r e wh o l e w o o d s o f l em o ns o ra ng es
, , ,

a n d o th er o d or if er o us pl a nts o r r o s e m a r y a n d m a r j or a m ,

bush es a n d t h e lik e L a stly t h e ra ys of light a n d t he i m

,
.
,

p ressi ons of s o und ac t a t e xte nsi v e dist a nc es .

Y et a l l th es e p ow ers wh e th e r a cting a t a sm a ll or g rea t ,

dista nc e c er t a inl y a ct within d efinit e d ist a nc e s which a re

, ,

w ell a sc er t a in e d b y n a tu re so th a t th ere is a limit d e p end ,

ing eith er o n th e m a ss or q u a ntity of the b o di e s the vig or ,

or f a intn e ss of th e p ow e r s o r t he fa v or a b l e o r i m p e ding n a ,

tu r e o f th e m e dium a ll of which sh o uld b e t a k e n into ,

t u n tt a ct th e th i p p ti n t th e f ce with w hich it w d wn t
r a r ea r n ro or o o or as ra ou

of i ts b it Th or ult f thi c mbi ned cti n

. e r es pl n t w ul d l ngate
o s o a o on ou r a e o e o

i ts ecl iptic b it an d fa d w it fr m the u ce f h t as to p duc e an

or ,
so r ra o so r o ea ,
ro

int n ity f c ld d t ctiv t ni m l lif B ut thi s m v m nt w ou ld imme

e s o o es ru e o a a e . o e e

di t ly c
a e e w ith th e pl n e t
ea s y concu enc w hich p oduced it d th e earth
a ar rr e r , an ,

l k
i c mp sed p ing b und l m t a n ar t th
e a o re s s r as he h d b n
,
o a os s e o e s un S a ee

d w n f m it th rea cti n f th h ea t n i ts u fa ce be ing a bout as int n s

ra ro , e o o e o s r e se a

th c ld ca use d by th e fi t rem v l was s v ere

e o Th e th until i t ga in d i ts
rs o a e . ea r ,
e

r gul
e t a ck w ul d thu lt n t l y vi b te b tw en ea ch id f i t b it
ar r , o s a er a e ra e e s e o s or ,

w ith ucce ive cha nge in i t at m ph

s ss p ropo ti on l to th q u of the
s s os e re , r a e s a re

v i ti n of i ts di t ce f m th In 6 plac is B ac n g ni more ’
ar a o s an ro e s un . n e o s e us

con picu u s tha n in th ese p t d gu

s o t t uth H w uld h ve been a re ea e e s ses a r . e o a

st rong C p rn i ca n had t Gil b t d f nd d th sy t m — E d

o e ,
no er e e e e s e . .
t he lik e s inc e th ey a r e a ls o m a nif es tly confined to c e rta i n
,

l imit s .

S o m e m oti ons a n d vi r tu es a r e t o b e f o und of a di r ectly

c ont ra ry n a tu r e to th es e w hich a c t in c o nt a ct b ut n ot a t a ,

dist a nc e ; n a m ely s uch a s o p era t e a t a di s t a nc e a n d n o t in

,

c ont a ct a n d a g a i n a c t with l es s f or c e a t a l e s s di s t a nc e a n d
, ,

t he r e v ers e S ight f or inst a nc e i s n ot ea s ily eff ectiv e i n

.
, ,

c ont a ct b ut r equi r es a m e dium a n d di s t a nc e ; a lth o ugh I

,

r e m e m b e r h a ving h ea r d f r om a p ers on d es er ving of c re dit ,

th a t in b eing cu re d of a c a t a ra ct (which was d on e by p ut

ting a s ma ll Silv er n eedl e within t h e fi rs t c oa t of t he ey e to ,

r e m o v e t h e thin p e llicl e of th e c a t a r a ct a n d f or c e it int o a ,

c or n er of t he e y e) he h a d distinctly s ee n t h e n ee dl e m oving
,

a c r os s t h e p upil S till th o ugh thi s m a y b e t r u e i t i s cl ea r

.
, ,

th a t l a rg e b odi es c a nn ot b e s e en w e ll o r di s tinctly unl e s s a t ,

t h e v er t e x o f a c o n e wh er e th e r a ys f r om th e o bj e ct m ee t
,

a t s o m e di s t a nc e f r om t h e e y e I n ol d p er s o n s t h e ey e s ees .

b e tt e r if t he o bj e ct b e m o v e d a littl e f ur th er a n d n o t n ea re r ,
.

A g a i n it is c e r t a i n th a t i n p r oj e ctil es t he imp a ct i s n ot so
,

vi ol ent a t t oo Sh or t a di s t a nc e a s a littl e a ft er wa r d S uch .

’6

a re t h e o bs er v a ti o ns to b e m a d e on t h e m e a s u r e o f m o ti ons

a s r eg a r ds di s t a nc e .

T h er e is a n oth er m ea s u r e of m o ti o n in sp a c e which mu s t

‘Thi i s ot t u e xc pt w h en th p j ctil c q ui e g t v el ocity

5
s n r e e e ro e e a r s rea er

a t e v e y s ucc
r iv in ta nt f i ts c u
ess e w hich i n v
s th c oxc pt w ith o rs e , s e er e as e e e

fa lling bod i B c n pp
es . to h v
a o bee n l d int th pini n f m b rv
a e a rs a e e o e o o ro o se

i n g tha t gun s h t pi e ce m n y bj cts t

o s di t nc f m which th ey boun d
r a o e a a s a e ro re

w h n b ught w ithin
e ro c e ta in p x i mi ty f c nta ct Thi s pp ent i c i t
a r ro o o . a ar n on s s

e nc y , h wv o i es f m the i ta nce f th p ts f th e obje ct w hich

e er, ar s ro re s s o e ar o ,

v elocity c omb in ed with f orce i s n ece y to ov come — Ed s sa r er . .

 NO V UM OR GAN UM 2 35

n ot be p a ss ed ov er n ot r el a ting to p rog r essiv e b ut sph eric a l

,

m oti o n— th a t i s t he e xp a n s i o n of b o di es int o a g rea te r or

, ,

th e i r c o nt ra cti o n int o a l ess e r s ph ere F or i n ou r m e a su re .

o f thi s m o ti o n w e mu s t inqui r e wh a t d e g r e e o f c o mp r e ss i o n

o r e xt e n s i o n b o di e s e a s ily a n d r e a d ily a d m it o f a cc or d ,

ing to t hei r n a tu r e a n d a t wh a t p oint th ey b egin t o r esist

,

it so a s a t l a s t t o b ea r it n o fu r th er— a s wh en a n infl a t e d
,

b l a dd er is c om p re s se d it a ll ows a c er t a in c om p r es s i o n of
,

t he a i r but if thi s b e inc re a se d t h e a i r d o es n ot s u ff er

, ,

i t a n d t h e bl a dd er is b u r st
,
.

W e h a v e p r ov e d thi s b y a more d e lic a t e exp er im e nt .

W e t ook a m e ta l b ell of a ligh t a n d thin s or t s uch a s is

, ,

us e d for s a lt c ell a rs a n d imm e rs e d it in a b a s in of wa te r

-
, ,

s o a s to c a r r y t h e a i r c o nt a in e d in its i nt eri or d o wn with it

t o t h e b o tto m of t h e b a sin W e h a d fi rst h o we v er pl a c e d

.
, ,

a sm a ll gl ob e a t t h e b o tt om of t h e b a s in o v e r which we ,

p l a c e d th e b e ll . The result wa s th a t if t he gl ob e w er e ,

sm a ll c om p a r e d with t he int er i or o f t h e b e ll t he a i r w ould ,

c ont ra ct its elf a n d b e c o mp re ss ed with out b eing f or c e d o u t

, ,

but if it w ere too l a r g e for t he a i r r ea dily t o yi eld t o it ,

th e l a tt er b ec a m e imp a ti e nt of t h e p re ssu re r a is e d t he b e ll ,

p a r tl y up a n d a sc e nd e d in bubbl es
,
.

To p ro v e a l so t h e e xt e n s i o n (a s w e ll a s t he c omp r es
, ,

si o n ) w hich a i r a dmits of we a d o pt e d the foll owing m eth od

,

-
W e t oo k a gl a ss egg with a sm a ll h ol e a t on e e n d ; we
,

d re w ou t the a i r by viol e nt sucti o n a t this h ol e a n d th e n ,

cl os e d th e h ol e with the fi ng er imm er s ed t he e gg in w a t er , ,

a n d th e n r e m o v e d t he fing e r The a i r b e ing c o nst ra in e d by

.

t h e e ff o r t m a d e in sucti o n a n d dil a t ed b e yon d i ts n a tu ra l

,

st a te a n d th eref ore st riving t o re c o v er a n d c ont ra ct its e lf

,

o th a t if th e eg a d n ot b ee n i mm e r s e d in w a t er it w o uld
( s g h ,

h a v e d ra wn in th e a i r with a hi s sing sound) n ow d re w i n ,

 It is w ell a s c er t a in e d th a t ra re b odi es (s uch a s a i r) a dmit
o f c o n s id e r a bl e c on t ra cti o n a s has b ee n b e f o re o b s e r v ed
, ;
but t a ngi b l e b odi e s (s uch a s w a t er) a dmit o f it much l ess
r ea dily ,
a n d t o a l es s e xt e nt W e inv es tig a t e d t h e l a tt er
.

p oint by th e f oll owing e xp erim e nt :

W e h a d a l e a d e n gl o b e m a d e c a p a bl e o f c on t aining ,

a b o ut t wo pints W i n e m e a su r e a n d o f t o l e r a bl e thickn es s
, , ,

s o a s t o s upp or t c o n s id e r a bl e p r e ss u r e W e p o u r e d w a t er .

int o it th ro ugh a n a p er tu re w hich we a ft er w a rd cl os e d with

\
,

m el te d Tea d a s s oo n a s t he gl ob e w a s fill e d with w a t er so

, ,

th a t th e wh ol e b ec a m e p e r fe ctly s ol i d W e n ext fl a tt e n e d .

t h e t wo o pp os it e s id es wi th a h ea vy h a m m e r which n ec es ,

s a r i l y c a u s e d t h e w a t er to o ccupy a l e s s Sp a c e si nc e t he ,

sph e re i s t he s olid of g r ea t es t c ont e nt ; a n d w h e n h a m m er

ing f a il e d f ro m t h e r e s i s ta nc e o f t he w a t e r we m a de u s e o f ,

a mill o r p r es s till a t l a s t t h e w a t er r efu s ing t o su b mit

, ,

t o a g r ea t er p r essu re e xud e d lik e a fi n e d e w th r o ugh th e

,

s olid l ea d W e th e n c omput e d t he e xt e nt t o which t h e

.

o rigin a l s p a c e h a d b e e n r e duc e d a n d c o nclud e d th a t w a t er

,

a dmitt e d s uch a d e g re e o f c o mp r e ss i o n wh e n c o n s t ra in e d

b y g r ea t vi o l e nc e .

Th e m or e s olid d ry o r c om p a ct b odi es s uch a s s t o n es

, , ,

wo od a n d m e t a l s a d m it of much l es s a n d ind ee d sc ar c ely

, ,

a n y p e r c e ptibl e c omp r e s s i o n o r exp a n s i o n b ut e s c a p e by ,

b r e a king Slipping f or w a r d o r oth e r eff ort s ; a s a pp ea rs in

, ,

b e nding w oo d o r st e e l fo r w a tch s p rings in p r oj ectil e s

,
-
, ,

h a m m er ing a n d m a ny o th er m oti ons a l l of which t og eth e r , ,

76
Thi p
s ge h w th t t h p u f th xt n l tm ph
as s a s o s a e re s s re o e e er a a os e re , w hi ch
forces th e wa te into th e egg was t in B con s tim und e s tood — E d
r ,
no a
’
e r .
 NO U M V OR GAN UM 2 37

with th ei r degr ees a re to b e obs er v e d a n d ex a m i n ed in t he

,

inv es tig a ti o n of n a tu r e eith er t o a c ert a inty or b y esti , ,

m a ti o n or c omp a ris o n a s o pp or tunity p er mits

, , .

XL V I In t h e tw e nty s ec ond r a nk o f p r er oga tiv e i n

.
-

st a nc es we will pl a c e t h e inst a nc es of th e c o u r s e which ,

we a r e a ls o we n t t o c a ll w a t er i nst a nc es b or r owing o ur ,

exp re ssi o n f r o m t h e w a t e r h o u r gl a s s es e mploy e d by t he -

a nci e nt s inst ea d o f th os e with s a nd Th ey a re s uch a s .

m ea s u re n a tu r e by t he m om en ts of tim e a s t he l a s t i h ,

s t a nc e s d o by t he d e g r ees of sp a c e F or a ll m o ti on or n a t .

u r a l a cti on t a k e s pl a c e i n tim e m or e or l ess r a pidly but , ,

still i n d e t e r min e d m om e nts w e ll a sc er t a in e d by n a tur e .

E v e n th o s e a cti o n s which a pp e a r to t a k e e ff e ct s udd e nly ,

a n d in t h e twinkling o f a n e e
y ( as we exp r ess it) a r e ,

fo und t o a d m it of g r ea t er or l es s r a pidi ty .

In t he fi rs t pl a c e th e n we s ee th a t t h e r e tu r n of t h e
, ,

h ea v e nly b o di es to th e s a m e pl a c e t a k es pl a c e i n r egul a r
tim es a s d oe s t he fl ood a n d eb b o f th e s ea The d esc e nt
, .

o f h ea vy b odi es t o w a r d t h e ea r th a n d t h e a sc e nt o f light ,

b odi es t o w a rd t he h ea v e nly Sph e re t a k e pl a c e in d efi nit e ,

"
tim es a cc or ding t o t he n a tu re of t he b o dy a n d of t h e
, ,

m e dium th ro ugh which it m o v e s The s a iling o f ship s .

,

t h e m o tions of a nim a l s t h e t r a nsmissi o n of p r oj e ctil e s a ll , ,

We h v
a e l
d y ll ud d in n ote p efi xed to th m ph i m f th
a rea a e , a r e sa e a or s o e

fi t b k t N wt n e
rs oo , o f th
e b lut ligh tn
o
’
s f b di s
rr or o In p k ing e a so e ess o o e . s ea

a g in f th v l til
a o e pi i tu l u b t nc (A ph X] b
o a e or s w hich h
r ap s s a es . . . e su

p d w ith th e Pl toni s t a d some of t he choolm en to ente into the c mp i

ose a s n s r o os

ti n f v y b d y h c i b t th m a p w f l ning th e w eight f the

o o e er o , e as r es o e o er o esse o

m t i l coa ti ng i w hich h s upp es th em incl ed

a er a n I t would pp
e f m os os . a ear ro

th p g
es e a s sa d t h e t xt tha t B con h d
e s an idea of th e l tiv d n ity f
e a a no re a e e s o

bodi d t h c p b ility w hich

es , a n e me h v to di mini h th
a a p c fi c g vity f so a e s e s e i ra o

th e h vi ea u b t nc by th e di l ti n of th i p ts ; if he h d th ve i s
er s s a es a o e r ar or a ,
e re r e

i
n w hich A i t tl indulged in t ti ng f th oul bout th ppe t ncy f
r s o e r ea o e s , a e a e o

b di s t fly to kin dred u b t nce — fl m

o e o d pi it to the ky
s s a d soli d s a e an s r s ,
an

opa q u e s u b s ta nces to the ear th mu s t h ve viti te d hi s mind — E d , a a . .

th ei r h a nds in t he fla m e without b e ing bu r n ed ; a n d c on
j u r e rs b y q uic k a n d regul a r m ov e m ents o v e r tu rn v ess e ls
, ,

fill ed with wi n e or w a t er a n d r epl a c e th e m with o ut s p illing

,

t h e li q uid with s e v era l simil a r i n s t a nces

, The c omp r e s .

si o n exp a nsi o n a n d er upti o n o f s e v era l b odi es ta k e pla c e

, ,

m ore or l e ss ra pidly a c c or ding to t he n a tu r e of t he bod y

,

a n d its m o ti o n but still in d efinit e m om e nts

, .

In th e e xpl osi o n o f s e v era l c a nn on a t o nce ( which a re

s om etim es h ea r d a t t he dista nc e of t h i rty mil es) t h e s o und ,

of th o s e n ea res t to t h e s p o t i s h ea r d b e f ore t h a t o f t he m os t

dista nt E v e n i n sight ( wh os e a cti on is m ost ra pid ) it i s

.
,

cl ea r th a t a d e finit e ti m e is n ec es sa ry f or its e x e r ti o n ,

w hich i s p ro v e d b y c er t a in o bj ect s b eing invi s ibl e fr o m

t he vel ocity o f th ei r m o ti o n s uch as a mu s k e t b a ll ; ,
for -

t h e flight of t h e b a ll i s t o o swift t o a ll o w a n imp r es s i o n

o f i ts figu r e t o b e c o nv e y e d t o t h e s ight .

This l a s t ins ta nc e a n d o th ers o f a li k e n a tu r e h a v e

, ,

s om e ti m es e xcite d in u s a m o st m a r v ell o u s d o ubt n o l es s ,

th a n wh e th er t h e im a g e o f t he s ky a n d st a r s is p er c e iv e d
a s a t t he a ctu a l m o m e nt o f i ts e xi s t e nc e or r a th e r a littl e ,

a ft er a n d wh e th er th er e i s n o t
, ( with re g a r d to t h e vi s ibl e
a pp ea ra nc e o f t he h ea v e nly b odi e s a t r u e a n d a pp a re nt
)
tim e a s w ell a s a t r u e a n d a pp a r e nt pl a c e which is ob
, ,

s e rv e d b y a s t r o n o m er s in p a r a ll a x e s It a pp ea r e d so i n .

c re dibl e to u s th a t t h e ima g es o r ra di a ti on s of h ea v e nly

,

b od i es c o uld s udd e nly b e con v e y e d th r ough s u ch imm e n se

s p a c es t o t he Sight a n d it s ee m ed th a t th ey o ught ra th e r
“
,

to b e t ra nsmitte d i n a d e finit e tim e Th a t d o u b t h o w e ve r .

,

“m
8
Ro er, a Da n i h s as tron m w the fi t t d mon t te by c nn cti ng
o e r, as rs o e s ra ,
o e

th e i g
rr e u lar iti e s of the ec l p ses of J upit e s sa tellite s with th ei d is ta nc es fr m
i r
’
r o
 N O V UM OR GA N UM 2 39

(as fa r a s re g a r ds
g re a t diff e r e nc e b e tw e e n t he t r u e a n d
any

a pp ar e nt ti m e ) wa s sub s e qu e ntly c ompl e t e ly s e t a t r e st

, ,

wh e n we c on s id er e d th e infinit e l os s a n d dimin u ti o n of
Siz e a s r eg ar ds t he r ea l a n d a pp ar e nt m a gnitud e o f a s t ar ,

occ a s i o n e d by i t s di s t a nc e a n d a t t h e s a m e tim e o b s e r v e d
,

a t h o w g r e a t a dist a nc e (a t l e a s t s ixty mil e s ) b odi es which

a re m e r e ly whit e c a n b e sudd e nl y s ee n b y us F o r th ere .

i s n o d o ubt th a t t he light of th e h e a ve n l v b odi e s n o t o nl y

,
'

fa r s u r p a s s e s t h e vivid a pp ea r a nc e o f ii hi te but e v en th e ,

light of a n y fl a m e ( with which we a r e a c q u a int e d ) in t he

vig or o f i ts r a di a ti on The imm e n s e v el ocity o f th e b odi es
.

th e ms el v e s which i s p er c e iv e d in th e i r diu r n a l m oti o n a n d

, ,

h a s so a s t o ni s h e d thinking me n th a t t h ey h a v e b e e n m o re ,

r ea dy to b eli e v e in t he m oti on of the e a r th r e nd er s th e ,

m oti on of ra di a ti o n f ro m th e m (m a r v e ll o u s a s it i s i n its
ra pidity ) m or e w o r thy o f b e li e f T h a t w h ich h a s w e igh ed.

m os t with us h o w e v er i s th a t if th er e w e re a n y c on s id e r
, , ,

a bl e int er v a l o f tim e b e tw ee n th e r ea lity a n d t he a pp e a r

a nc e t h e im a g e s w o uld o ft e n b e int e rr upt e d a n d c o nfu s e d

,

b y cl o ud s f or m e d in t he m ea ntim e a n d s i m i l ar di s tu rb ,

a n c es of t h e m edium Let this su ffic e with r eg a r d t o t he

.

Simpl e m ea s u res of tim e .

It is n ot m erely t he a b s ol ut e but still m or e the r el a tiv e ,

m eas ur e of m oti ons a n d a cti ons which must b e inqui re d

i nt o for this l a tt er is of gr ea t u s e a n d a pplic a ti on W e
,
.

p er c eiv e th a t th e fl a m e of fi rea rms is s ee n s oon er th a n t he

s o und is h ear d a lth o ugh th e b a ll must h a v e st r uc k th e a i r
,

b e f or e t he fl a m e w hich wa s b ehind it c o uld e sc a p e : t he

, ,

r e as o n o f which i s th a t light m ov es with g r ea t er v el ocity

,

th e th th n c ity f tim f th p p ga ti on of light Th id

ea r ,
e e ess o e or e ro a . e ea oc cu d rre

to D m inic C
o ini well as B con b ut both ll wed the d i c v y
ass as a , a o s o er to s lip t ou

of th i h nd s — E d
e r a .
c ei ved by sight with g rea t er r a pidity th a n th ey a re dis
th e

mi ss e d a n d for this rea s on a vi olin str ing t o uch ed wi th t he

, ,

fing er a pp ea rs d o ubl e o r t ripl e b ec a us e t he n ew im a g e i s ,

r e c e i v e d b e f o r e t h e f o r m e r o n e is dismi s s ed H e nc e a ls o .
, ,

r i ngs wh e n Spinning a pp e a r gl ob ul a r a n d a light e d t orch , ,

b or n e ra pidly a l ong a t night a pp ea r s to h a v e a t a il U pon , .

t h e p r incipl e of t he in equ a lity of m o ti o n a ls o G a lil eo a t , ,

t empt e d a n e xpl a n a ti o n of t he fl oo d a n d ebb of the sea ,

supp osing t he ea r t h t o m o v e r a pidly a n d t he w a t er Sl o wly , ,

b y which m e a ns t h e wa t er a fte r a ccumul a ting w o uld a t , ,

int er va ls f a ll b a ck a s is Sh own i n a v es s e l o f w a t er m a d e
,

t o m o v e ra pidly H e h a s h o w e v er im a gin e d this o n d a ta

.
, ,

which c a nn o t b e g ra nt e d ( n a m ely th e e a r th s m oti o n) a n d ,

’

b es id es d oes n ot s a ti s f a ct or ily a cc ount for t he tid e t a king

,

pl a c e e v ery S i x h o u r s .

A n e x a mp le of o u r p r es ent p oint (th e r el a tiv e m ea s u r e

o f m o ti o n a n d a t t h e s a m e tim e of i ts r e m a r k a bl e u s e o f
) , , ,

w hich we h a v e Sp ok e n is c o n s picu o us i n min es fill ed with

,

gunp owd er wh e r e im m e n s e w eig hts of e a rth b uildings

, , ,

a n d the li ke a re o v er th r o wn a n d p r os t r a t e d by a s m a l l
,

qu a ntity o f p o wd e r ; t h e r e a s o n o f which is d e cid edly this ,

th a t t he m o ti o n of t he e xp a n s i o n of t h e gunp o wd er i s much
mo re ra pid th a n t ha t o f g ra vity w hich w ould r esi s t it so ,
79
,

th a t t he f or m er h a s t e r min a t e d b ef ore th e l a tt er ha s c om
m en c ed .H e nc e a l so in mi s s il es a s t ro ng bl ow will n ot
, , ,

c a rr y t he m s o fa r a s a s h a r p a n d r a p i d o n e N or c o uld a .

sm a ll p or ti o n of a nim a l s pi r it in a nim a l s esp e ci a lly i n suc h ,

79 uth in the text c nf und in e tn which i

Th e a or imple indiff ence
o o s r e ss , s a s er

of b di
o to a c ti n w ith g vi ty w hich i
es o ,
f c cting al w y s in p po tion
ra , s a or e a a ro r

t th ei d n s ity
o r e H f ll int the s m e
. e fu th e
a — Ed
s o a e rr or r r on . .
 NO V M U OR GAN UM 2 41

v a st b odi es a s thos e of t he wh a l e a n d el eph a nt h a v e e v er ,

b e nt or di r ect e d such a m a ss of b ody w er e it n o t o wing to ,

t h e v e l ocity of t h e f or m e r a n d t he s l o wn es s of th e l a tt er in
,

r es i s ting its m o ti o n .

In s h or t this p oint i s o n e of t h e p rincip a l f o und a ti ons

,

of t he m a gic e xp e ri m e nt s (of which we sh a ll p re se ntly

Sp ea k ) wh er e a s m a ll m a ss of m a tt er o v er c om es a n d r egu
,

l a t es a much l a rg er if th ere but b e a n a nticip a ti o n of

,

m o ti o n by t he v e l o city of on e b ef or e t he o th er is pr e
,

p ar e d t o a c t .

F in a lly t h e p oint of th e fi rs t a n d l a s t s h ould b e o h

,

s er v e d i n a ll n a tu r a l a cti o ns Thu s in a n in fu s i on of r h u
.
,

b a r b t he p u rg a tiv e p r op er ty i s fi rs t e xt ra ct ed a n d th e n t h e ,

a s t r ing e nt ; we h a v e e xp er i e nc e d s o m ething o f t he s a m e
kind i n s t eep ing vi ol ets i n vin eg a r which fi r s t ext ra ct s th e ,

sw ee t a n d d elic a t e o d or of the fl o w e r a n d th en t h e m ore ,

e a r thy p a r t which distu r b s t h e p er fum e ; s o th a t if th e v i o

,

l e ts b e st ee p e d a wh o l e d a y a much f a int er p e r fum e is ,

e xt r a ct e d th a n if th e y w e r e s t e e p e d for a q u a rt e r o f a n h o u r

o nly ,
a n d th e n t a k e n o u t ; a n d Sinc e th e o d or if e r o u s Spi r it

i n t he vi ol e t i s n ot a bund a nt let o th er a n d f r es h vi o l e ts b e
,

st eep e d in t h e vin e g a r e v ery qu ar t er of a n h ou r as m a ny a s ,

six ti m e s wh e n t he infusi o n b ec om es so st re ngth e n e d th a t

, ,

a lth o ugh t h e vi o l e ts h a v e n ot a lt og e th er r em a in e d th e r e f or

m ore th a n on e h ou r a n d a h a lf th ere re m a ins a m ost pl e a s ,

i n g p er fum e n ot inf er i or t o t he fl ow er its e lf for a wh ol e

, ,

y ea r. It must b e obs er v e d h o w e v er th a t t he p er fu me, ,

d oe s n ot a cqui re its full stre ngth till a b out a m o nth a ft er

t h e i nfu s i o n I n t h e di s till a ti o n of a rom a tic pl a nts m a c e r
.

a t e d in s pi r its of win e it i s w e ll kn o w n th a t a n a qu e o us
,

a n d u s e l es s phl e gm r is e s fi r st th e n w a t er c o nta ining m o re

,

of th e spi rit a n d l a stly w a ter cont a ining m or e of the

, , ,
of n o tic e a r e to b e m a d e in distill a ti ons B ut l et th ese
“
.
,

suffi c e a s e x a mpl es .

5° xpe i ment of th l t tw o classe f in ta nces e con s id d ly

Th e e r s e as s o s ar e re on

in el ti n t p ctic e d B con d e t so much m nti n th i in fi nitel y

r a o
‘

o ra , an a o s no as e o e r

g t i mp t nc in the th eo etica l p t f inducti n Th e i mp t nt la w of

r ea e r or a e r ar o o . or a

g vit ti n in ph y ic l t n my c uld n ev e h v be n d em n t t d b ut by
ra a o s a as ro o o r a e e o s ra e

s uch b v ti n d xp i m nt
o ser a oign ed a ccu t g met ic l m u es
s an e er e s as as s ra e eo r a ea s r

to t he q u ntiti es com p a d It w n ec y t d te m in w ith p ci s i on th e

are . as essa r o e r e re

d mi di m t of th e th th v l ocity f f lling b dies t i ts u f c th d i

e -
a e er e ar , e e o a o a s r a e, e s

t nc f th m n d th p d w ith w hich he d c i b h e b it be f e
a e o e oo ,
an e s ee S es r es r or , or

th el ti n c uld b di c v d b t w n th f ce w hich d w s ton e to the

re a o o e s o e re e ee e or ra s a

g ound d th t wh ch t in th e m n in h ph
r an a i re a s oo er s e re .

In m n y c s t h a ult f nu mb f p ticul f ct
a se t h c ll e ctiv e
e re s o a er o ar ar a s , or e o

i t nc i ing t f th m ca nl y b di c v d by g om t y w hich far

ns a es r s ou o e ,
n o e s o e re e e r , so

b ec m n c o esy to c mpl t th e w k f inducti n F in t nc in t he

e es sa r o ee or o o . or s a e,

c f O ptic
a se o w h n light p f m
s, t n p nt m diu m t n th e it
e a s ses ro on e ra s a re e o a o r,

i f ct d d t h ngl w hich t h y f incid nc m k w ith t h up

s r e ra e ,
an e a e e ra o e e a es .
e s er

h i e ss w hich b und t h tw m di d t m in
o th t w hich th f ct d y
s e o e a e er es a e r e ra e ra

m k a w ith t h
es m p fi i N w e ll xp i m nt ca
sa d f
e in this
su er c es . o ,
a e er e n o or u s

ca s i t d t min f
e s, o y p t cule er ngl f incid nc t h c
e p nding
or an ar i ar a e o e e e or re s o

a ngl f f cti n B ut w ith p ct t th g n l ul w hich in v y p

e o re ra o . res e o e e e ra r e e er os

s ib l c e d duc
e as f th e e ngl f m th th es on e o xp s t h c n t nt se a es ro e o er, or e r es e s e o s a

an d inv i bl l ti n w hich u b i t b tw n th m xp i m nt giv e

ar a e re a o di ect s s s s e ee e , e er e s no r

inf m ti n G m t y m u t c n q u ntl y b c ll d in w hich w h n c

or a o . eo e r s , o se e , e a e , , e a on

t nt th ugh un k n w n l t n u b i t b tw n tw ngl
s a o o t w v i b lere a i o s s s s e ee o a es , or o ar a

q u l ti f y k ind d w h n i nd finit numb f v lu f th q u nti

a i es o an , an e an e e er o a es o ose a

ti ign d fu ni h inf lli bl m n f di c v ing th t un k n wn la

es a r e a s s e ,
r s es a e ea s o s o er a o re

ti n ith ccu t l y by pp xi m ti n In thi w y it h b n f und

o e er a ra e or a ro a o . s a as ee o ,

w h n th tw m di
e e m in t h e sa m t h e c o in es f th e b v m nti n ed
o e a re a e, s o a o e- e o

a ngl h v e a con t nt ti to e ch the Henc wh n th r l ti n of the

es a s a ra o a o r. e, e e e a o s

s i mpl l m nt f ph n m n e di c v d t ff d g n l ul w h ch
e e e e s o e o e a ar s o ere o a or a e e ra r e i

w ill ppl y to a y c nc t c
a th e d educti v m th d m u t b
n o ppli d a d th
re e a se , e e o s e a e , n e

l m nt y p incipl m d th ugh i t g ncy t a cc unt f th l w f th i

e e e ar r es a e ro s a e o o or e a s o e r

m ore c mpl x c mb in t n Th fl cti n d f ct n f light by th in

o e o a io s . e re e o an r e ra io o e ra

f ll ing f m cl ud pp it t th
a ro a w th ught ven b f N w t n s
o o os e o e su n as o ,
e e ore e o
’

d y t c nt in t h f m f th e
a , o o inb w
a Thi phil ph t n f m d p ob
e or o ra o . s oso er ra s or e a r

a b l conj ct i nt
e c t in f ct w h en h deduc d f m th k n w n l w of
e u re o a er a a e e ro e o a s

re fl cti n d f cti n th b dth f th c l d a ch th di m te f the

e o an r e ra o e rea o e o or e r , e a e r o

ci cl f w hich it i
r e o p t d th l ti n f the l tt t th pl ce f the
s a ar , an e re a o o a er o e a o

S p ct te d the s
a or a n D u b t w t nc ilenced wh n th e ca me t of
un . o as a o e s e er ou

h is c lculu c mb i ti n f th m l w s of th e s i mple el ements of op tics

a s a o na o o e sa e a

an s w ing t th e ph en omen a in n tu e — E d
er o a r .
 N O V UM ORGAN UM 243

XL VII I n the tw e nty thi r d r a n k of p rer og a tiv e i n

.
-

st a nc es w e will pl a c e in s t a nc es of qu a ntity which we ar e ,

a l s o w o nt to c a ll t h e d os e s o f n a tu r e b or r o wing a w o r d
(
f r om m e dicin e) T h ey a r e s uch a s m ea s u re t he p o wer s by
.

t h e q u a ntity o f b o di es a n d p oint o u t t h e e ff e ct o f t he qu a n
,

tity i n t he d eg r e e o f p ow e r A nd i n th e fi r st pl a c e s om e
.
,

p ow e rs o nly s u b sist in th e u niv e rs a l qu a ntity or s uch as ,

b ea rs a r e l a ti o n t o t he c o n fi rm a ti o n a n d f a b r ic of t he uni
v ers e T hus th e e a r t h i s fix e d i ts p a r ts f a ll The w a t ers
.
,
.

not i n {he r iv ers exc ept by t he

-
h

in th e s e a ,

a dmi s s i o n o f t h e s ea Th e n a g a in a lm os t a ll p a r ticul a r
.
, ,

p o w e rs a c t a cc or ding to t h e g r ea t e r or l ess qu a ntity of the

b o dy L a r g e m a s s es of w a t er a r e n o t e a s ily re nd er e d f o ul
.
,

sm a ll a re N e w win e a n d b ee r b ec o m e r ip e a n d d r in k a bl e
.

i n s ma ll skins much m or e rea dily th a n in l a r g e c a s ks If a .

h e rb b e pl a c e d i n a c o nsid er a bl e qu a ntity of liquid infu s i on ,

ta k es pl a c e r a th er th a n i m p regn a ti on ; if i n l es s t he r e v e rs e ,
.

A b a th th er e f o r e a n d a light sp r in kling p r oduc e di ff ere nt

‘

, , ,

e ff e cts o n th e hu m a n b ody Lig h t d e w a g a in n e v er f a lls

.
, , ,

b ut i s di ss i p a t ed a n d inc orpora t ed w i th t he a i r ; thu s we s ee

th a t in b r ea thing on g ems t he Slight qu a ntity of m o i s tur e
, ,

like a sm a ll cl o ud i n t he a i r i s i m m e di a t ely di s s olv ed ,

.

A g ain a pi ec e of the s a m e m a gn e t d o es n o t a ttra ct s o much

,

i ro n a s t h e wh ol e m a gn e t did T h e re a re s om e p ow ers .

Wh er e th e s m a lln es s of t he q u a ntity is of m ore a v a il ; a s in

b o r i n g a s h a rp p o int pi er c e s m ore r e a dily th a n a blunt on e ;
,

t he di a m o nd w h e n p oint e d m a k es a n imp r es s i o n o n gl as s
‘

, , ,

a n d t h e lik e
‘
.

H ere , too we mu s t n ot r est cont ent ed with a v a gu e

,
.

r e s ult ,
b ut in q ui r e int o t he ex a ct p r o p o rt i on of q u a ntit y

re qui s it e f or a p a r ticul a r e x e rt i o n of p ow er ; f or o n e w o uld

b e a pt to sup p os e th a t t he p ow er b ea rs a n ex a ct p ro po rti on
S ei n n c n Vol 22 — 1 1.
inst a nc e w o uld fa ll in a gi ve n tim e o n e o f t wo o unces
, ,

o ught t o f a ll twic e a s r a pidly W hich i s m ost e rr on eou s

, .

N o r d o es t he s a m e r a tio p re v a il in e v e ry kind o f p ow e r ,

th ei r di ff ere nc e b e ing c o n s id er a b l e The m ea s u r e t her e.

,

f or e mu s t b e d e t er m i n e d b y e xp er im e nt a n d n ot b y p r ob a
, ,

b i l i ty or c o nj ectu r e .

L a s tly w e mu s t in a l l o ur inv es tig a ti o ns of n a tu r e o b

,

s e r v e wh a t qu a ntity o r d os e o f t h e b o d y i s r e qui s it e f o r a
, ,

giv e n e ff e ct a n d m u s t a t t he s a m e tim e b e gu a rd e d a g a in s t
,

e s ti m a ting it a t t oo much o r t o o littl e .

XL V III In th e t we nty f o u r th r a n k o f p r er og a ti v e i h
.
-

st a nc es we will pl a c e w res tling in s t a nc es which w e a re a l s o ,

w o nt to c a ll in s ta nc es o f p r e d om in a nc e T h ey a re s uch a s .

p oint o u t t h e p r e d om in a nc e a n d s u b m i s si o n o f p ow e rs c o m
p a r e d wi t h ea ch o th er a n d which o f th e m i s t he m o re e n e r
,

g e tic a n d sup er i or or m o re w e a k a n d inf e ri o r F o r th e

, .

m o ti on s a n d e ff ect s of b o di es a re c om po und ed d ec om ,

p os e d a n d c ombin ed n o l ess th a n t he b odi es th e m s elv e s

, , .

W e will ex hibit th er ef o r e th e p r incip a l kind s o f m oti o n s

, ,

o r a ctiv e p o we r s i n or d e r th a t th e i r c o mp a ra tiv e s tr e ngth

, ,

a n d th e nc e a d e m o n s t ra ti o n a n d d efiniti o n o f t he in s t a nc es

i n qu es ti on m a y b e r e nd er e d m or e cl ea r
,
.

Le t t he fi rst m o ti on b e th a t o f t h e r es i s ta nc e o f m a tt er ,

which e xi s ts in e v e ry p a r tic l e a n d c o m pl e t ely p r e v en t s i ts

,

a nnihil a ti o n ; s o th a t n o c o n fla g r a t i o n w e ight p res s u re v i o

, , ,

l e nc e or l e ngth o f ti m e c a n r e duc e e v e n t he s m a ll est por

,

ti o n of m a tt er t o n othing or p re ve nt it f r om b e ing s om e
,

thi ng a n d o ccupying s om e Sp a c e a n d d eli v e r ing i ts el f

, ,

( wh a t e v e r st ra its it b e put t o) by c h a nging its f orm o r

,

pl a c e or if th a t b e imp os s ibl e rem a ining a s it is ; n or c a n

, , ,

it e v er h a pp e n th a t it should eith er b e nothing or nowh ere .

 N O VUM OR GAN UM 2 45

T his m otion i s des ign a t e d b y t he sch ools ( which g en era ll y

n a m e a n d d efin e e v e rything by i ts e ffe cts a n d i n c on v e n
i e n c es r a th e r th a n b y i ts inh er e nt c a u se ) by t he a xi om th a t ,

t wo b odi es c a n n o t exi s t in t h e s a m e pl a c e or th e y c a ll it a ,

m oti on to p r e v e nt t he p en e tr a ti o n of dim e n s i o n s It i s u se .

l ess to giv e ex a mpl es of this mo ti o n sinc e it exi s ts in ,

e v e ry b o dy .

Le t t he s ec o nd m oti o n b e th a t which we t er m th e m o ti o n
o f c o nn e cti o n b y w hich b odi e s d o n o t a ll o w th e m s e lv es t o
,

b e s e p a ra t ed a t a n y p oint f r om t h e c o nt a ct o f a n o th e r b o dy ,

d elight i ng a s it w er e in t h e mutu a l c o nn e cti on a n d c o nt a ct

, , .

T hi s i s c a ll e d by t h e sc h ool s a m oti o n to p r e v e nt a v a cuum .

It t a k es pl a c e wh e n w a t er i s d ra wn up by sucti o n o r a
syr i n g e th e fl es h by cupping or wh e n t he w a t er r em a ins
, ,

with o ut es c a ping fro m p er for a t e d j a rs u nl es s th e m o uth b e ,

o pe n e d t o a dmit t h e a i r a n d innu m e ra b l e in s t a nc e s o f a lik e

,

n a tu r e
.

Le t t h e thi r d b e th a t which w e t er m t h e m o ti o n of lib

e rt y by which b o di e s s t r iv e t o d e liv e r th e ms e lv e s f r o m a n y
,

unn a t u ra l p r es su r e or t e n s i o n a n d to r es t or e th em s elv es t o
,

t h e dim e n s i o n s s uit e d t o t h e i r m a s s ; a n d of which a l s o , ,

th e re a r e innum e ra bl e e x a m pl es T hus we h a v e ex a m pl e s
.
,

o f th e i r e s c a ping f r o m p r e ss u re i n t h e w a t e r i n s wi mm ing
, ,

i n th e a i r in flying i n t he w a t er a g a in in ro wi n g a n d in t he
, ,

a i r in t h e undul a ti o n o f t h e wind s and i n s p ring s of

,

w a tc h e s A n e x a ct in s t a nce o f t he m oti o n of c om p re s s e d
.

a i r i s s ee n in child r e n s p opguns which th ey m a k e by

’
,

sc oop i ng ou t e ld e r b r a nch es o r s om e s uch m a tte r a n d

-
,

f o rcing in a pi ec e o f s om e p ulpy ro o t or the lik e a t e a c h ,

e n d ; th e n th e y f or c e t he r o o t o r o th er pe ll e t with a ra m r od

t o t h e o ppos ite en d f ro m which th e l o w e r p e ll e t is e mitt ed

,

a n d p ro j ec t e d wi th a re p or t a n d th a t b e f or e it is to uch e d
,
h a v e ex a mpl es of th ei r esc a p e f rom t en si o n i n t he m oti on ,

o f t h e a i r th a t r e m a ins i n gl a s s e gg s a ft er sucti on in st rings , ,

l ea th er a n d cl oth which r ec oil a ft er t ension unl ess it b e

, , ,

long c ontin u ed Th e sch ools d efin e this b y th e t er m of

.

m oti o n f ro m t he f or m of th e e l em e nt ; inj udici ously en ough ,

Sinc e thi s m o ti o n i s t o b e f o und n ot o nly in a i r w a t er or , ,

fi re but i n e v er y sp e ci es o f s olid a s wo od i r o n l ead cl oth

, , , , , ,

p a r chm e nt etc ea ch o f which ha s its o wn p r op e r Siz e a n d

,
.
, ,

i s with d i ffi culty st r e tch e d to a n y o th e r S inc e h ow e v e r

.
, ,

t hi s m o ti on o f lib e r ty i s th e m os t o b vi o u s of a ll a n d to b e ,

s ee n i n a n i n finit e numb er o f c a s es it will b e a s w e ll to d i s

,

t i n g u i s h it c orr ectly a n d cl ea r ly ; f or s om e m os t c a r el es sly

c onf o und thi s with th e t wo o th ers o f r es i s t a nc e a n d c o nn ec

ti o n ; n a m ely t h e f r ee d om f rom p r es s u r e with t he f or m e r
, ,

a n d th a t f r o m t e n s i o n with t h e l a tt e r a s if b odi e s wh e n c om
,

p r es s e d y i e ld e d o r e xp a nd e d to p r e v e nt a p ene tra ti o n of
di m e nsi on s a n d wh e n st r e tch ed r e b ou nd e d a n d c ontr a ct ed
,

th e m s e lv es t o p rev e nt a v a c uu m Bu t if t h e a i r w h e n
.
,

c omp r es se d c o uld b e b rought t o t h e d e n s ity o f w a t er or

, ,

w oo d t o th a t of s to n e t her e w o uld b e n o n e e d of a n y p e n e
,

t ra t i on o f d i m en s i on s a n d y e t t he c omp r e s s i o n w o uld be
,

much g r e a t er th a n th ey a ctu a lly a dmit of S o if wa t er .

c ould b e e xp a nd e d till it b ec a m e a s r a re a s a i r or st on e as ,

r a r e a s w oo d th er e w o uld b e n o n ee d of a v a cuum a n d y e t
, ,

t h e e xp a n s i o n w o uld b e much g rea t e r th a n th ey a ctu a ll y

a dmit of .

W e d o n o t t h e re f ore a rr iv e a t a p e n e t ra ti o n o f d i m e n
, ,

si ons or a va cuum b e fore t h e e xt re m es of c o nd e ns a ti on

and ra r e f a cti o n whil e t he m oti on we sp ea k of s tops
,

a n d e x er t s i ts e lf much within th e m a n d is n o thing m ore

,

th a n a d esi re of b odi es t o p r es er v e th e i r spe cific d e nsity (or ,

 N O VUM OR GAN UM 2 47

if it p re f e rr e d th e i r f orm ) a n d n o t t o d es er t th em s u d
be , ,

d e n ly b u t o nl y t o ch a n g e by d e g rees a n d o f th e i r o wn
, ,

a cc o r d It i s h o w e v er much m or e n ec es sar y to inti m a te

.
, ,

t o m a nkind ( b ec a us e m a ny o th er p o int s d e p e nd up o n thi s ) ,

th a t t he v i o l e nt m o ti o n wh i ch we c a ll m e ch a nic a l a n d ,

D em oc ritus ( wh o in expl a ining his p rim a r y m o ti ons is

, ,

t o b e ra nk e d e v e n b e l ow t he middling cl a s s of ph i loso

p h e rs
) t e r m e d t h e m o ti o n o f a b l o w is n o thing e l s e th a n ,

this m oti o n of lib er ty n a m e ly a t e nd e ncy t o r el a x a ti o n

, ,

f r om c omp r es s i on F or in a ll simpl e impul s i o n or flight

.

th ro ugh th e a i r t he b ody is n o t di s pl a c ed or m ov e d in
,

Sp a c e until i ts p a r t s a r e pl a c e d i n a n unn a tu ra l st a t e a n d
, ,

co m p res s e d b y t h e i m p e lling f or c e Wh e n th a t t a k es .

pl a c e t he di ff er e n t p a r ts u rging th e o th er in succ es
,

si o n th e wh ol e i s m ov e d a n d th a t with a r ot a to ry a s
, ,

w ell a s p ro g re ss iv e m o ti o n in or d er th a t t he p ar ts m a y
, ,

by this m ea ns a l s o s e t th e ms elv es a t li b er ty or m or e
, ,

r ea dil y su b m it Le t this suffi c e f or th e m o ti o n in

.

quest i on .

Let t he f o u r th b e th a t which w e t e rm t h e m o ti o n of ma t
t e r a n d which i s o pp os ed t o t h e l a s t ; for in t h e m oti o n of
,

li b e rty b odi es a bh or re j ect a n d a void a n e w s iz e or vol

, , ,

u m e o r a n y n e w e xp a n s i o n o r c o nt r a cti o n ( fo r th es e d i ff e r
,

e n t t e r ms h a v e th e s a m e m ea ning ) a n d st r iv e with a l l th ei r , ,

p o w e r to r e b o und a n d res um e th ei r f o rm e r d e n s ity ; on t he

,

c ont ra ry i n th e m oti o n o f m a tt e r th e y a r e a nxi o us to a c

, ,

qui re a n e w v olu m e or dim e n s i o n a n d a tt empt it willingly ,

a n d r a pidly a n d oc c as i o n a lly b y a m os t vig or o u s eff or t as

, ,

in t he ex a m pl e o f gunp owd er The m os t p o w e r ful o r a t .

,

l ea s t m os t f requ e nt th o ugh n ot t he o nly in s t r um e nts of

,

thi s m oti on a re h ea t a n d c old F or in s t a nc e t he a i r if

, .
, ,

e xp a nd e d by t e nsi o n ( as by suction in t he gl a ss eg g) st r ug ,
i nt o a n ew f or m ( a s it i s t e rm e d ) ; n or a fter a c e rt ain d eg ree
o f e xp a n s i o n i s it a nxi o u s t o r e tu r n unl es s it b e i nvit e d to ,

d o s o b y t h e a pplic a ti o n of c o l d which i s n ot i nd ee d a r e ,

tu r n but a f re s h c h a ng e S o a l s o w a t er wh e n c o nfi n ed b y
,
.
,

c o mp r e s s i o n r es i s t s a n d wi s h es to b e c o m e a s it wa s b ef or e
, , ,

n a m ely m ore e xp a nd ed ; b ut if th e re h a pp e n a n i nt e ns e
,

a n d c o ntinu e d c o ld it ch a ng e s it s e lf r e a dily a n d of i ts o wn
, ,

a cc or d int o t h e c o nd e n s e d s t a t e o f i c e ; a n d if t he c o ld b e
,

l o ng c ontin u e d wi th o ut a n y int er ve ning w a rmth ( a s i n

,

g ro tt oes a n d d e e p c a v es) i t i s ch a ng e d i nt o c ry s t a l or simi

,

l a r m a tt er a n d n e ver r es um es i ts f or m
,
.

Le t t he fifth b e th a t which we t e r m t h e mo ti o n of c on
t i n u i ty W e d o n o t u n d e rs t a nd by thi s simpl e a n d p rim a ry
.

c o ntinuity with a n y o th er b ody (for th a t i s t he m oti o n o f

c on n ecti o n ) b ut t h e c o ntinuity of a p a r ticul a r body i n
,

it s elf ; f or it i s m os t c ert a i n th a t a ll b odi es a bho r a s olu

ti o n o f c ontin uity s om e m or e a n d s om e l es s but a ll pa r
, ,

t i a l ly In h a r d b odi es (s uch a s st e el a n d gl a s s ) t he r esi s t

.

a nc e t o a n i nt er r u pti o n o f c o nti n uity i s m os t p o w e r ful a n d

e ffic a ci o u s w hil e a lt h o ugh in l i quids it a pp ea r s t o b e f a int

,
'

a n d l a nguid e t it i s n ot a l t o g et h e r n ull but e xi s ts in t h e

y , ,

l o w es t d eg r ee a n d s h o w s it s elf in m a ny e xp e ri m ents such

, ,

a s b u b bl e s t h e r o und f or m o f d ro p s t h e thi n th rea d s whic h

, ,

d r ip f r om roofs th e c o h e s i o n of gluti n o us s ub s ta nc es a n d
, ,

t he lik e It i s m os t c o nspicu o us h o w e v e r if a n a tte m pt

.
, ,

b e m a d e t o p u s h thi s s e p a r a ti o n t o s till s m a ll e r p a r ticl es .

Thus i n m or t a rs t h e p es tl e p roduc es n o e ff e ct a ft er a c er
, ,

t a in d e g ree of c ontu s i on w a t e r d oes n ot p en e tr a t e sm a ll

,

fiss u res a n d the a i r its elf n otwithst a nding i ts su b tilty

, , ,
 2 49

d oe s p e n e tr a t e t he p ores o f s olid v ess els a t onc e but

n ot ,

o nly by l o ng c o ntinu ed in s in u a ti on
-
.

Le t t he s ixth b e th a t which w e t e r m t h e m o ti on o f a cqui

s iti o u o r t he m oti o n o f n e e d It i s th a t by which b o di es 81
.
,

pl a c e d a m ong ot h ers o f a h e t er oge n eo u s a n d a s it w er e , ,

h ostil e n a tu re if th ey m eet with t he m ea n s o r o ppo r tunity

,

o f a v o iding th em a n d u niting th e m s e lv es with o th e rs of

,

a m o r e a n a l o g o u s n a tu re e v e n wh e n th es e l a tt e r ar e n ot
‘

cl os ely a lli e d t o th em im m e di a t ely s eiz e a n d a s it w ere , , ,

s e l ect th em a n d a pp ea r t o c o n s id e r it a s s om e thing a cqui red

,

( wh e nc e we d e r iv e t h e n a m e
) a n d t o h a v e n e e d o f th es e ,

l a tt er b o di es F or i n s t a nc e g o ld or a n y o th er m e t a l in
.
, ,

l e a f d o es n ot lik e t h e n eighb or h ood of a i r ; if th er e fore

, , ,

th ey m e et with a n y t a ngibl e a n d thick s ub s ta nc e (s uch a s

t h e fing e r p a pe r o r t h e lik e) th ey i mm e di a t e ly a dh e r e t o
, , ,
v

it a n d a r e n ot ea s ily t o r n f r o m it P a per t oo a n d cl o th
,
.
, , ,

a n d the lik e d o n o t a g re e with t h e a i r whic h i s i n h e r e nt

, ,

a n d mix e d i n th ei r p or e s T h ey r e a dily th er e f ore i m bib e

.
, ,

w a t e r or o th e r liquid s a n d g e t ri d of t he a i r S ug a r or a
,
.
,

sp ong e dipp e d i n w a t er o r win e a n d th o ugh p ar t of it b e

, ,

o u t o f th e w a t e r o r win e a n d a t s o m e h e ight a b o v e it will , ,

”
y e t g r a du a lly a b s or b t h e m .

H e nc e a n e xc e ll e nt r ul e i s d er iv e d f or t he Op e ning
a n d di s s o l uti o n o f b o di e s ; for ( n o t t o m e nti o n c or r o s iv e

a n d str o ng w a t ers which f orc e th e i r wa y) if a b ody c a n

,

b e f o und whic h is m or e a d a pt e d s uit e d a n d fr i e ndly t o , ,

a g iv e n s o lid th a n th a t wi th w hich it i s b y s om e n e c ess ity

,

u nit e d t h e giv e n s olid imm edi a t e ly op e ns a n d di s so lv es

,

‘A f
3
s thi m ti n ult f m tt ti n d pul i n it i l y
a r as s o o r es s ro a rac o an re s o ,
s on a

s i mpl c n q u nc f th l t t w — E d
e o se e e o e as o .

Th tw c lved int th p p t y f th c pi ll y tu bes

'
89
ese w o a s es a re n o r es o o e ro er o e a ar

an d p nt nl y n th f tu f th la w f tt ct n — E d
res e o a o er ea re o e o a ra io . .
2 50

l a tt er .
“N
o r is t he e ff e ct or p o w er o f this m o ti o n c o nfin ed

t o c o nt a ct f or t h e e l e ct r ic e n e r gy (o f w hich G il b e rt a n d
,

o th e rs a ft e r h i m h a v e t o ld s o m a ny f a b l es ) is o nly t he
e n er gy e xcit e d i n a b ody by g e ntl e f ricti o n a n d which ,

d oe s n ot e n du re t h e a i r but p ref ers s om e t a ngibl e s u b s t a nc e

,

if th ere b e a n y a t h a nd .

Le t t he s e ve nth b e th a t which w e t e rm t h e m o ti o n o f
g re a t er c ong reg a ti o n by w hich bo di es a r e b or n e t o w a rd
,

m a s s es o f a s i m il a r n a tu r e f or in s t a nc e h ea vy b odi e s t owa rd
, ,

t he ea r th light t o th e sph e r e o f h e a v e n
,
The s ch o o ls t er me d .

this n a tu r a l m o ti o n by a sup e r fici a l c onsid e ra ti o n o f it b e

,
.
,

c a u s e p r oduc ed by n o e xt er n a l vi s ibl e a g e n t which m a d e ,

th e m c o n s id er it inn a t e in th e s ub s t a nc es ; o r p e rh a ps
b ec a u s e it d oes n o t c ea s e which i s litt le t o b e w o nd e re d ,

at ,
s i n c e h ea v e n a n d e ar th ar e a l wa y s p r e s e nt whil e t he ,

c a u s e s a n d s o u r c e s o f m a ny o th er m o ti o ns a re s o m e tim es
a b s e nt a n d s o m e tim es p r e s e nt Th ey th eref or e c a ll ed this
.

p erp e tu a l a n d p rop e r b ec a u s e it i s n e ver int er r upt e d but

, ,

i n s t a ntly t a k es pl a c e wh e n t h e o th er s a re int err upt e d a n d ,

th ey c a ll ed t he o t he rs a d s cititi o u s The for m er h ow e ve r .

, ,

i s i n r ea lity w e a k a n d s l o w s inc e it yi e ld s a n d i s inf er i o r

, ,

t o t h e oth er s a s l o ng a s th e y a c t unl es s t h e m a s s of t h e ,

b ody b e g r ea t ; a n d a lth o ugh this m o ti o n h a v e s o fill e d

m e n s mind s a s a l m ost t o h a v e o bsc u r e d a ll oth er s ye t
’

, ,

t h ey kno w but littl e a b o ut it a n d c om mit m a ny e rr ors i n ,

i ts e s ti m a te .

Let t he e ighth b e t h a t which we t er m t h e m o ti o n of

l es s e r c ong r eg a ti on by whic h t he h om o g e n eo u s p a r ts i n
,

33
Th is is one of th e mos t u sef l p ctica l
u ra me th ds in ch mi try
o e s at th e
pres e nt d y a .
 NO V UM O R GA N UM 25 1

an y b ody s e p ara te th em s elv e s fro m t he h e t er og e n eo us a n d

u n it e t og e th er a n d wh ol e b o di es of a s imil ar s ub s ta nc e
,

c oa l es c e a n d te nd t o w a r d e a ch o th e r a n d a re s om e ti m e s
,

c on gr e g a t ed a tt ra ct e d a n d m e et f ro m s o m e di s ta nc e ; thus
, , ,

i n milk t h e c r e a m r i s es a ft e r a c er t a in ti m e a n d in win e t he ,

d r egs a n d ta r t a r s ink ; which eff e cts a re n ot to b e a tt ri b ut e d

t o g ra vity a n d l e vity o nly so as t o a cc o unt f o r t he r i s ing
,

of s o m e p a r ts a n d t h e s inking o f o th e r s but m uch m o r e to ,

t h e d es i re of t h e h om og e n eo us b o di es t o m ee t a n d unit e .

T his m oti on diff ers f ro m th a t o f n ee d in t wo p oints : l s t ,

b ec a us e t he l a tt er i s t he s ti m ul us o f a m a lign a nt a n d c on
tr a ry n a tu r e w hi l e i n thi s of which w e t re a t (if th er e b e n o
,

imp e dim e nt or r est r a int ) t he p a rts a r e unit ed by th ei r

,

a ffinity ,
a l t h o ugh th er e b e n o f or e ign n a tur e t o c r e a t e a

st r uggl e ; 2 d ly b e c a u s e th e uni o n i s cl os e r a n d m o re
,

s e l ect F or i n t he oth er m oti on b od i es which h a v e n o

.
,

g r ea t a ffinity unit e if th ey c a n b ut a v oid t he h os til e b o dy

, ,

while in thi s sub s t a nc es w hich are c onn e ct ed b y a d e cid e d

,

k ind r e d r es embl a nc e c om e t og e th e r a n d a r e m o ld e d into

on e. It i s a m oti o n e xi s ting i n a ll c om p o und b o di es a n d ,

w o uld b e r ea dily s e e n in ea ch if it w ere n ot c o nfi n e d a n d

,

ch eck e d by t he o th er aff ecti o ns a n d n ec es siti es o f b odi e s

which di s tu rb t he uni on .

T his m oti o n is us ua lly c on fin e d in th e th ree fo ll owing

m a nn er s : by t he torp or of th e b odi es ; b y t he p ow er of th e
p re d omina ting b ody ; by e xt e r n a l m oti on With re ga r d to .

t he fi rs t it i s c e r ta i n th a t th er e i s m o re or l e ss sl uggi s hn e ss
,

in ta ngi b l e b o di es a n d a n a b h orr e nc e of loc om o ti on ; so th a t

,

unl e ss excit e d t h ey p ref er r e m a ining c ont e nte d with th e ir

a ctu a l sta t e t o pl a cing th e ms e lv es in a b e tte r p os iti o n
,
.

T h er e a r e th r ee m e a n s of br ea king th r ough this sluggish

n e ss— h e a t ; t h e a ctiv e p ow e r o f a simil a r b o dy ; vivid a n d
p o w e r ful moti on With r eg a r d to t he first hea t is on this
.
, ,
n

a cc o unt d e fin e d a s th at which s e p a ra t e s h e t er og e n eo u s a n d
, ,

d ra w s t og e th e r h om og e n eo us s ub s ta nc es ; a d efi niti on "of
t h e P er ip a t e tic s whi ch i s j u s tly r idicul e d by G il b e r t w ho ,

s a ys it i s a s if on e w er e t o d efin e m a n to b e th a t which
s o ws wh e a t a n d pl a nt s vin ey a r ds ; b e ing o nly a d e finiti o n

d e duc e d f ro m e ff e cts a n d t h os e but p a rti a l B ut it i s sti ll

, .

m or e t o b e bl a m ed b ec a u s e th os e e ffe ct s s uch a s th ey a re
, , ,

a r e n o t a p eculi a r p r o p e r ty o f h ea t but a m e r e a ccid e nt for

, (
c o ld a s we sh a ll a ft e r w a r d s h o w d oe s t he s a m e) a r i s i n g
, , ,

f r om t he d es i re of t h e h o m o g e n eo u s p a r ts t o unit e ; t he
h e a t th e n a s s i s ts th e m in b r ea king th r o ugh t h a t sluggish
n es s wh i ch b e f o re r es t ra in e d t h e i r d e s i r e With re g a rd to .

t h e a s s i s t a nc e d e riv e d f r om t he p o w e r o f a s i m il a r b o dy i t ,

is m o s t c o n s picu o u s i n t he m a gn e t w h e n a r m e d with st eel ,

f or it e xcit es i n t h e s t e el a p o we r o f a dh er ing t o st e e l a s a ,

h om og e n e o u s sub s t a nc e th e p o w er o f t he m a gn e t b r e a k i ng
,

th r o ugh t he s l uggi s hn ess of t he s t ee l With r eg a r d to t he .

a s s i s t a nc e o f m o ti o n ,
it i s s e e n in w ood e n a r ro ws or p oin t s ,

w hich p e n e t r a t e mor e d e eply into w oo d th a n if th ey w ere

t i pp e d with i ro n f ro m t he si m il a r ity o f th e sub s t a nc e t he
, ,

swiftn es s o f th e m oti o n b re a king th ro ugh t he s luggi s hn es s

o f t h e w oo d ; of whic h t wo l a s t e xp e ri m e nt s we h a v e s p o k e n

a b o v e i n t h e a ph or i s m o n cl a nd e s tin e in s t a nc es .

Th e c o nfin em e nt of t h e m oti o n of l es s e r c ong r e g a ti o n ,

which a ri s es f rom t he p o w er of t he p re d om in a nt b ody i s ,

sh o wn in t h e d e c o m p os iti o n o f bl oo d a n d u r in e by c old :
F or a s l o ng a s th es e s u b s t a nc e s a r e fill e d with th e a cti ve
spi rit w hich re gul a t es a n d r es t ra in s ea ch o f th ei r c omp o n e nt
,

p a rts as t he p red omin a nt r ul er of t he whol e t he sev era l

, ,

‘S
3 ee A ph ori sm xxv .
 N OV U M OR GA N UM 253

diff eren t parts do n o t c o ll ect th e ms elv es s ep a ra tely on a c

c ount of t he ch e ck ; b ut as s oo n a s th a t spi r it h as e va po

ra t ed or has b ee n ch o k e d by t he c ol d th e n the d ec o mp os e d
, ,

p ar ts unite a cc or ding to th e ir n a tu r a l d es i r e H e nc e it
, .

ha p p ens th a t a l l b odi es which c o nt a i n a s h a r p spi rit (a s

,

sa lts a n d the li k e) l a st without d ec om p ositi o n owing

, ,

t o t h e p e rm a n e nt a n d du ra bl e p ow er of t he p re d omi n a ting
i
a n d impe r i o us spi r t .

Th e c o nfin e m en t o f t h e m o ti o n o f l esse r c ong r eg a ti on ,

whic h a ris es f ro m e xt e rn a l m o ti on is v ery e vid e nt in th a t ,

a git a ti o n of bodi e s which p r e s er v e s th e m f r om put r e f a cti o n .

F o r a l l put re f a cti o n d e p e nds o n t he c o ng reg a ti o n of the

h o m og e ne o us p ar t s wh e nc e by d eg r ees th e re e n s u e s a
, , ,

c o rr upti o n of t he fi r st f or m (a s it i s c a ll e d ) a n d th e g en ,

c r a ti o n o f a n oth e r F or t h e d ec omp ositi o n of t h e or igin a l

.

fo rm w hic h i s it se lf t h e uni o n o f t he h om og e n eo us p a rt s
, ,

p r ec e d es the put ref a cti o n which p r ep a r es t he wa y for t h e

,

g en e ra ti on of a n oth er T his d e c omp os iti on if n ot int er

.
,

r u pt ed i s s impl e ; b ut i f th e re b e v a r i o us o b st a cl es put r e
, ,

f a cti o n s e nsu e which a re t he r udim ents of a n e w g e n er a

,

t i on
. B ut if ( to c o m e t o o ur p r es e nt p oint) a f requ e nt
a gita ti o n b e e xcite d by e xt er n a l m o ti o n th e m o ti o n t o w a r d ,

uni o n ( which i s d elic a t e a n d ge ntl e a n d req ui r es to b e f r ee

,

f rom a ll e xt er n a l in fl u e nc e) i s di s tur b ed a n d c ea s es ; which ,

we p er c e ive to b e th e c a s e in in num e ra b l e in s t a nc e s T hus .

,

t he d a ily a git a ti o n or fl o wing of w a t er p r e v e nts put r e f a cti o n ;

wind s p re v e nt th e a i r from b eing p es til e nt ; c or n tu r n e d

a b o ut a n d sh a k e n in g ra n a r i e s c o nti nu e s cl ea n : in s h o r t ,

ev e rything which i s e xt er n a l ly a gita t e d will with difficulty

rot i nt er n a lly .

W e mu s t n o t o m it t ha t u ni o n o f th e p a r ts of b odi es
which is t h e p rincip a l c a us e of indura ti o n a n d d es icc a ti o n .
spirit ha s e sc a p ed f rom a p o ro us b ody (such a s wood
, ,

b o n e p a r chm ent a n d t he li k e) t he thic ker p a r ts a re dra wn

, , ,

t og e th e r a n d united with a g re a te r eff ort a n d ind u ra tion

, ,

o r d es icc a tion is the con s eq u e nc e ; a n d thi s we a tt ribu t e n ot

so much t o t he m o tion of c onn e cti o n ( in or d er t o p rev e nt a

v a cuu m) as t o this m o tion of f rien dshi p a n d uni on
, .

U ni o n f rom a di s ta nc e i s r a re a n d yet is t o b e me t wit h

,

in m or e inst a nces t ha n a re gen era lly o b s er v e d We per .

c e i v e it w h e n o n e b u b b l e diss ol v e s a n o th er wh en m e di ,

cin es a tt ra ct hum ors from a simil a rity of su b sta nc e wh en ,

on e st r ing m o v e s a n o th e r in unis o n with it o n di ff e r e n t

in s t rum e nt s a n d t h e l i k e W e a re of op inion th a t this

,
.

m o ti o n i s v e ry p re v a l e nt a l so i n a nim a l spi rit s but are ,

qu i t e ign ora nt of t he f a ct I t is h ow e v er c on s picu o us i n

.
, ,

t h e m a gn e t a n d m a gn etiz e d i ro n
,
W hil e Spe a k ing o f t he
.

m oti o n s of th e m a gn e t we mus t pla inly disting ui s h th em

, ,

f or th ere a r e f o u r distinct p o w e rs o r e ff ect s o f t h e m a gn et

whic h sh o uld n ot b e c o nfo und e d a lth o ugh t he w o nd er a n d ,

a s t o ni s h m e nt of m a n k i nd h a s cl a s s e d th e m t og e th e r 1 The . .

a tt ra cti o n o f t h e m a gn e t t o t h e m a gn e t o r of i ro n t o t he ,

m a gn e t o r of m a gn etiz e d i ro n to i r on 2 Its p ol a rity

,
. .

t o wa r d t h e n or th a n d s o uth a n d its v a ri a ti o n 3 I ts p e n e
,
. .

t ra ti o n th r o ugh g old gl a s s st o n e a n d a ll oth er s u b st a nc es

, , , .

4 Th e c o mm unic a ti o n o f p o w er f r om th e min e ra l to i ro n
.
,

a n d f r om i r o n to i ro n with o ut a n y c o mmunic a ti o n of t h e
,

sub s ta nc es H e re h o w e v er we o nly s pe a k o f the fi r s t

.
, , .

T h er e i s a l s o a s ingul a r m oti o n o f a tt ra cti o n b e tw ee n q uic k

s i lv er a n d g old s o th a t t he g old a tt ra cts q uic k s ilv er ev e n
,

wh e n m a d e u se o f i n oint m e nt ; a n d th ose wh o w ork s u r

r o und e d by t h e v a p ors o f q uic k s ilv er a re w o nt t o hold a ,

p i ec e of gold in th e i r m o uth s t o c oll e ct the e xh a l a tio ns

, ,
 N O VUM OR G AN U M 255

w hich w o uld oth e r wis e a tt a ck th e i r h ea ds a n d b on es a n d ,

”
t his pi e c e so o n g r o ws whit e Le t thi s suffic e f or t he m o
.

ti o n o f l ess er c ongr eg a ti o n .

Le t t he ninth b e th e m a gn e tic m oti o n whic h a lth o ugh , ,

o f t h e n a tu r e O f th a t l a st m e n ti o n e d y et wh e n Op e r a ting , ,

a t g r ea t dist a nc e s a n d o n gr e a t m a ss e s d e s e r v e s a s e p a r a t e
, ,

inq ui ry e s p eci a lly if it n eith er b egin i n c o nt a ct a s m os t

, ,

m oti ons of c o ng r eg a ti o n d o n or en d b y b ringing the s u b ,

st a nc e s into c o nt a ct a s all d o b ut o nly ra i s e th em a n d

, , ,

m a k e th e m sw e ll with o ut a n y fu rth er eff e ct F or if t he .

m oon ra is e t he w a t ers or c a us e m oi s t s u b s t a nc e s t o sw ell

, ,

o r if t he st a rr y s p h ere a tt ra ct t h e pl a n e ts t o w a r d th ei r

a p og e es or t h e s u n confin e th e pl a n e ts M e r cu r y a n d V e nus
,

t o within a c er t a in dist a nc e Of his th es e moti o ns do

n o t a pp e a r c a p a bl e of b eing cl a ss e d und er e ith er o f th os e

Of c o ng rega tion b ut to b e a s it w er e int er m edi a t ely a n d

, , ,

imp er f ectl y c on g r eg a ti v e a n d thus t o f or m a di s tinct s p eci es

,
.

Let t h e t e nth m o ti o n b e th a t of a v oid a nc e or th a t which ,

is Opp o s e d t o th e m o ti o n of l e s s er c o ng re g a ti on b y which ,

b o di es with a ki nd Of a ntip a thy a v oid a n d di s p e rs e a n d

, , ,

s ep a ra t e th e m s e lv es f rom or r e fus e t o unite th em s elve s

,

with oth ers of a h o stil e n a tu r e F o r a lth o u gh thi s m a y .

s om e tim e s a pp e ar t o b e a n a ccid e nt a l m o ti on n ec es s a rily ,

a tt e nd a nt u p o n th a t of t h e l e s s e r c o ng r e g a ti o n b e c a u s e the ,

h om og e n eo u s p a r ts c a nn o t unit e u nl e s s t he h e t erog e n eo us ,

b e fi rs t re m o v e d a n d e xclud e d y e t it i s still t o b e cl a s s e d ,

”
s ep ar a t ely a n d consid ere d a s a di s tinct sp eci e s b ec a us e
, , ,

35
Qu ery "
bs ve thi s a pp oxim tion to N wton s th y
O er e
’ '

‘Th o diff nc w hich

r a eor .

3 se er e g n ra t d by the m
es a d
a re pective dis
e e e a s s es n res

ta nc of bodi
es e onl y diff e
es a rnc f qu n tity d t p ci fi c ; c n q u ntly
re es o a ,
an no s e o se e

th ose thr ee classe are only o e — E d

s n . .
m a r k e d th a n th a t O f un io n .

It is v e ry c o nspicu o u s in the e xcr em e nts o f a nim a ls ,

n or l ess ,p er h a p s in Obj ects o di o us to p a r ticula r se ns es

, ,

e sp eci a l l y t h e sm ell a n d ta st e ; f or a f e tid sm ell is r ej e ct e d

b y t he n os e s o a s to p r oduc e a s y mp a th e tic m otion O f ex

,

p ul s i o n a t the m o uth Of the st om a ch ; a b itt er a n d ro ugh

t a s t e is rej ect e d by t he p a l a te o r throa t so a s to p r o duc e
,

a s ymp a th e tic c o ncus s i o n a n d shiv er ing Of t h e h ea d T his .

m oti o n is vi s i b l e a l so in o th e r c a s e s T hus it i s Obs erv e d

.

in s om e k inds O f a ntip eri s t a si s a s in t he middl e re gi o n of

,

t h e a i r t h e c old of w hich a p p ear s to b e o cc a si o n e d b y t he

,

r ej ecti o n o f c o ld f r om t h e re gi o ns of th e h ea v e nl y b o di e s ;

a n d a l s o in t h e h e a t a n d c o mb u sti o n O b s er v e d i n s u b t e r

r a n e a n s p o ts which a pp e ar to b e owing to t he rej ecti on o f

,

h e a t f ro m t h e c e nt re o f t he ea r th F or h e a t a n d c old wh e n
.
,

in sm a ll q u a ntiti es m utu a lly d est roy e a ch o th er whil e i n

, ,

l a rg e r q u a ntiti es lik e a r mi es e q u a ll y m a tch e d th e y r e m o v e

, ,

a n d ej e ct e a ch o th er in Op e n c o nflict I t i s s a id a l s o th a t
.
,

cin n a m on a n d oth e r p e rfu m es r e ta in th ei r Od or l o ng e r wh e n

pl a c e d n e a r p rivi es a n d f o ul pl a c e s b e c a u s e th ey will n o t
,

unit e a n d m i x w ith stinks It is w e ll kn o wn th a t q uick

.

s ilv er which w o uld o th e r wi s e r e unit e int o a c ompl et e m a s s

, ,

’
i s p r e v ent e d f ro m s o d o ing b y m a n s spittl e p or k l a r d t u r, ,

p e ntin e a n d t h e lik e f rom th e littl e a fli n i ty Of i ts p a r t s wit h

,

th os e s u b s t a nc es s o th a t wh e n su r ro und e d by th em it d r a ws
,

it s elf b a ck a n d i ts a v oid a nc e Of th es e i nt er v e ning ob s t a cl es

,

i s g rea t er th a n i ts d e si re Of r e uniti n g it s elf t o its h om og e

n e o n s p ar ts ; which i s wh a t th ey t er m t he mor ti fic a ti on Of
quic k s ilv er A g a in t h e diff e r e nc e in w eight Of Oil a n d
.
,

w a t er i s n o t t he o nly r e as o n for th ei r re fu s ing to mix but ,

it i s a ls o owing t o t he littl e a ffinity Of t he two ; for spi rits

 NOVU M OR GAN UM 25 7

of wine w hi ch a re li ght er th a n O il mix very w el l wit h

, ,

w a t er A v ery r e m a r k a bl e in s t a nc e of th e m oti o n in q ues

.

ti o n is s ee n in nitre a n d c r ud e b odi es of a lik e n a tu re

, ,

which a bh or fl a m e a s m a y b e Obs er v ed in gunp o wd er

, ,

q uic k s ilv e r a n d g old The a vo id a nc e O f on e p ol e of t he

.

m agn et b y i r o n is n ot (a s G ilb er t h as w ell O b s er v e d ) ,

st rictly s p ea king a n a v oid a nc e b ut a co nfor mity or at

, , ,

t ra cti o n t o a m or e c o n v e ni e nt situ a ti o n .

Le t th e e l e v e nth m o ti o n b e th a t o f a ssimil a ti on or s e lf ,

multiplic a ti o n or simpl e g e n er a ti on b y which l a tt er t e r m

, ,

we d o n ot m ea n t h e simpl e g e n era ti o n of int eg r a l b o di e s ,

such a s pl a nt s or a nim a ls b ut Of h o mog e n eo u s b odi es

, .

By this moti on h om og e n eou s b odi es c o nv er t th os e which

a re a lli e d to th e m o r a t l ea st w e ll disp o s e d a n d p r ep ar ed
, ,

into th ei r o wn sub s t a nc e a n d n a tur e Thus fl a m e multi .

pli es it s e lf ov er v a p or s a n d Oil y sub s t a nc e s a n d g e n e ra te s

fr esh fl a m e ; th e a i r o v er w a t e r a n d w a t er y sub s t a n ces mul
ti pl i e s its e lf a n d g e n e ra t es f res h a i r ; t h e v eg e ta bl e a n d a n i

m al spi r it o v e r t he thi n p a r ticl e s Of a w a t ery or ol ea gin o us

,

spir it c o n ta in ed in i ts f ood multipli e s its e lf a n d g e n era t es

,

fres h spi rit ; th e s o lid p ar ts of pl a nts a n d a nim a ls a s t he ,

l ea f fl ow er t he fl es h b o n e a n d t he lik e ea ch o f th e m
, , , ,

a s s imil a t e s om e p a r t Of t h e j uic es c o nt a i n e d in th e i r f oo d ,

a n d g e n era t e a succ e s s iv e a n d d a ily sub s t a nc e F o r le t .

n on e r a v e with P a r a c e ls us w ho ( blind e d by hi s di s till a

,

ti o n s ) w o ul d h a v e it th a t nut riti o n t a k es pl a c e b y m er e
,

s e p a r a ti o n a n d th a t t he e e n ose b r a in a n d liv e r l i e c on
, y , ,

c e a l e d in b r e a d a n d m e a t th e r oo t l ea f a n d fl o w er in t he
, , ,

j uic e Of t he e a r th ; a s s er ting th a t j u s t a s t he a rti s t b r ings

o u t a l e a f fl o w e r e ye n os e
, ,
h a nd fo o t a n d t he lik e fr om
, , , ,

‘
a r ud e m a s s of st o n e or w ood by th e s e p a ra ti o n a n d r ej e c

ti on of wh a t i s sup er fl uo us ; so t h e g re a t a rt i s t within us
g e n eo us a s o rg a n i c fi rst Of a ll a ttra ct th os e j uic es c o nta i n ed
,

i n th e ir f ood which a r e n ea r l y c ommon or a t l ea s t n o t v er y

, ,

diff e ren t a n d th e n a s s imil a t e a n d c o nv ert th em int o th ei r

,

o w n n a t u re N o r d oe s this a ssimil a ti on o r s impl e g e n er a

.
,

ti on t a k e pl a c e in a nim a t e d b o di e s o nly b ut t he i n ahi m a te

, ,

a l so p a r ticip a t e in t h e s a m e p r op e r ty a s we h a v e O b s e r v e d
(
of fl a m e a n d a i r a n d th a t l a nguid s p i r it w hich i s c o nta in e d
) , ,

i n ev ery t a ngibl e a ni m a te d s u b s t a nc e i s p er p etu a lly w ork ,

ing up o n t he c oa rs er p a r ts a n d c o n v e r ting th e m i nt o spi rit

, ,

which a fte r w a r d i s e xh a l ed wh e nc e e n s u es a di m in uti o n of

,

weight a n d a d es icc a ti o n of w hich we h a v e s p o k e n e l s e

“
,

wh er e .

N o r s h o ul d we i n sp ea king Of a s s imil a ti o n n e gl ec t
, ,

to m e nti on t h e a cc r eti o n which i s u s u a lly di s tingui s h e d

f ro m a lim ent a n d which is Ob s er v ed wh e n m u d g row s int o

,

a m a s s b e tw e e n st o n es a n d i s c o n v er t e d int o a s t o ny s u b
,

sta nc e a n d t he s c a ly sub s t a nc e r ound t h e t eeth is c onv er t e d

,

int o o n e n o l es s h a r d th a n t he t ee t h th e m s e lv e s ; for we a r e
Of O p ini on th a t th er e e xi s t s in a ll b odi e s a d es i re Of a s sim
i l a t i o n a s w e ll a s Of unit i ng with h om og e n eo us m a s s es
, .

E a ch o f th es e p o w e rs ho we v er is c onfin e d a lth o ugh i n

, , ,

diff er e nt m a n n e r s a n d s ho uld b e dilig e ntly in v es tig a t e d

, ,

b e c a u s e th ey a r e c on n e ct e d with t he re viv a l Of Old a g e .

L a s tly it i s w orthy O f Ob s e r v a ti o n th a t in th e nin e

, ,

p rec eding m o ti o n s b odi es a pp ear to a i m a t t he m e re

,

p res er v a tio n Of th e i r n a tu re whil e in t h i s th ey a tt empt ,

i ts p r o p a g a ti o n .

‘S
8
ee th e citing in t nce s a s, A pho i r s m xl .
 NO VU M OR G A N U M 259

Le t th e tw elfth m o ti on b e th a t Of e xcitem e nt w hi ch ,

a pp ea r s t o b e a sp e ci es of th e l a st a n d is s o m e tim es m en ,

t i on ed b y us und e r th a t n a m e It i s lik e th a t a diff u

.
, ,

siv e co mmunic a tiv e t ra nsitiv e a n d multiplying m o ti o n ;

, ,

a n d th ey a g re e r e m a r k a bly in th e i r e ff e ct a lth o ugh th e y ,

diff er in th ei r m od e Of a cti on a n d in th e i r subj ect m a tt e r

, .

The f or m er p ro c ee ds imp eri o usly a n d with a uth ority ; it

or d ers a n d c o mp e ls t h e a s s imil a t e d t o b e c o nv e r t ed a n d

ch a ng ed int o t he a s s imil a ting b o dy Th e l a tte r proc ee ds .

b y ar t in sin u a tio n a n d st ea lth inviti n g a n d di s pos ing th e

, ,

e xcit e d t o w a r d t h e n a tu r e O f t h e e xciting b o dy Th e for .

me r b oth m ultipl i es a n d t ra nsf o r ms b odi es a n d sub s ta nc e s ;

thus a g re a t er q u a ntity of fl a m e a i r s pi rit a n d fl es h is , ,

f orm e d ; but in th e l a tt e r th e p o wers only a re multipli e d

,

a n d ch a ng e d a n d h ea t
,
th e m a gn e tic p o w er a n d pu t r e f ac
, ,

ti on in t h e a b o v e inst a nc es a r e inc r ea s ed H e a t d o es n ot
, ,
.

diff us e it s elf wh e n h ea ting oth er bo di e s by a n y co m m u n i c a

ti on Of t h e o rigin a l h ea t b ut o nly b y exciting th e p ar ts Of
,

t h e h e a t e d b o dy to th a t m o ti on which i s t he f or m o f h e a t ,

a n d Of whic h w e s p o k e in t he fi rs t vi n t a g e Of th e n a tu re
'

o f h ea t H ea t th e re fore i s e xc it ed m uch l es s r a pidly a n d

.
, ,

r e a d i ly in s t on e o r m e t a l th a n i n a i r o n a cc o u n t Of th e i n
,

a ptitud e a n d s luggi s hn e s s of th o s e b o di e s in a cqui ring th a t

m oti on s o th a t it i s p ro b a b l e th a t th ere m a y b e s om e s ub
, ,

st a nc es t ow a r d t he c entr e Of the ea r th quit e i nc a p a bl e Of

, ,

b eing h e a t ed o n a cc o unt o f th ei r d e ns ity w h ich m a y d e

, ,

p r iv e th em Of t he s pi rit b y w hich t he m o ti o n o f excit em e nt

is usu a lly c om m enc ed Th us a l s o t he m a g n e t c r e a t es in t he
.

i ron a n e w di s p os iti o n of i ts p a rt s a n d a c onf orm a b l e m o

,

ti o n with o ut l os ing a n y of its vi r tu e

, S O t he l ea v e n o f.

b rea d y eas t r e nn e t a n d s o me p ois on s ex c it e a n d invite

, , ,

succ es s iv e a n d c ontinu ed m oti o n i n d o ugh b ee r ch ee s e or , ,

 Le t t he thi r te e nth m otion be th a t of imp re ssi o n w hich ,

i s a l s o a sp e ci e s O f m o ti on Of a ssimi l a ti o n a n d t he m os t ,

s u b til e Of diffu s iv e m o ti o ns W e h a v e thought it right

.
,

h o w e v e r t o c on s id e r it as a distinct s p eci es o n a c c o u nt Of
, ,

i ts r e m a r k a bl e di ff er e nc e f ro m th e l as t tw o ; f or t he s im pl e
mo ti o n o f a s s imil a ti o n t ra nsf or ms t h e b odi e s th e ms elv es so ,

th a t if y o u r em o v e t h e fi rst a g e nt y ou dimini s h n o t t he
,

e ff e ct Of th os e which succ ee d ; thus n e ith er t h e fi r st light

,

ing o f fl a m e n or t he fi rst c o nv e rs i o n i nt o a i r a re of a n y
, ,

i mp or t a nc e t o th e fl a me or a i r n e xt g e n er a t ed S O a lso
.
, ,

t h e m o ti o n Of e xcit e m e nt s till c o ntinu es f or a c o n s id e r a bl e

ti m e a ft e r th e r e m o v a l Of t h e fi rs t a g e nt a s in a h ea t e d
,

b ody o n t he r em o v a l Of t he or igin a l h ea t i n t he e xcit ed ,

ir o n o n t he r e m o v a l Of t h e m a gn e t a n d in t he d ough on
,

th e r em o v a l of t he l e a v e n B ut t he m o ti on Of i m p ress i o n
.
,

a lth o ugh diffu s iv e a n d t r a n s itiv e a pp e a rs

,
n e v er th e l ess t o
, ,

d e p e nd o n t he fi rs t a g e nt s o th a t up on th e r em o v a l of t he
,

l a tt er t he f o r m e r i mm e di a t ely f a il s a n d p er i s h es ; f o r w hich
rea s on a ls o it t a k e s eff e ct in a m om e nt or a t l e a s t a v e ry
,

s h or t s p a c e Of ti m e . W e a re w o nt to c a ll t h e t wo f orm er
m o ti on s t he m oti on s o f t he g e n er a ti o n of J upit e r b e c a u s e ,

wh e n b or n th ey c o ntinu e t o e xi s t ; a n d t he l a tt e r t he m o ,

ti o n o f t h e g e n e r a ti o n Of S a tu r n b e c a u s e it i s i m m e di a te ly
,

de v ou r e d a n d a b s o r b e d . It ma y b e se e n in th r e e in s t a nc es :
1 in t h e r a y s Of light ; 2 in t he p e rcu s s i o n s Of s o und s ; 3
, , ,

in m a gn e tic a tt ra cti on s a s r eg a r d s c om mun i c a ti o n F or o n .

,

t he re m ov a l of light c ol ors a n d a l l i ts o th er i m a g es d i s a p
,

p e ar a s O n t he c es s a ti o n o f t h e fi rs t p er cu s s i o n a n d t he
,

vi b ra ti o n Of t h e b od y ; s o u nd so o n f a ils a n d a lth ough

,
 N O VU M OR GAN U M 2 61

s ounds a re a git a te d b y the wind li ke w a v es y et it i s , ,

to b e Ob s er v e d th a t t he s a m e s o und d oes n ot l ast d u ring

,

t h e wh ol e ti m e Of t h e r e v erb e ra ti o n T hus wh e n a hell .

,

i s s t r uck t he s o und a pp ea rs t o b e conti n u e d f o r a c on s i d

,

c r a bl e tim e a n d o n e migh t ea s ily b e l ed int o t h e mis t a k e

,

Of supp os ing it to floa t a n d r e m a in in th e a i r during t he

wh ol e tim e which is most e rr on e o us
,
“ F or th e r ev erb era .

ti o n i s n ot on e id e ntic a l s o und but t he re p etiti on of so unds , ,

whic h is m a d e m a nif est by st opping a n d c onfining the s o n o

ro u s b ody ; th us if a hell he stopp e d a n d h e ld tightl y s o
, ,

a s t o b e i mmo v a bl e th e s o und f a il s a n d th ere is n o fu r th er

, ,

r ev er b er a ti o n a n d if a m u s ic a l str ing b e to uch ed a fte r th e

,

fi rst vib r a tion e ith er with th e fing er ( as in t he h a rp ) or a

, ,

q uill ( a s in t h e h a r psich or d
) t h e s o und imm e di a t e l y c e as e s , .

I f t h e m a n e t b e r e m ov e d t h e i ron f a ll s The m oo n ho w .
,

ev er c a n n ot bM
,
”
or t h e e ar th f r om a

hea vy f a lling b ody a n d we c a n th er e fo re m a k e n o e xperi, , ,

ment up on th e m ; b u t th e c a s e is t h e s a m e .

Let t h e f o u r t ee nth m oti on b e th a t c o nfigu ra ti on o r po i

siti o u by which b odi es a pp e a r t o d esi r e a p eculi a r s i tu a

,
o

ti on c o ll oc a ti o n a n d c o nfigu ra ti o n with oth ers ra th e r th a n

, , ,

u ni o n o r s e p a r a ti o n T hi s i s a v e ry a b s t r u s e n ot i o n a n d '

.
,

has n o t b ee n w el l inv e stig a t e d ; a n d i n s o m e in s ta nc e s , ,

a pp ea rs to o ccu r a l m o st with o ut a n y c a us e a lth o ugh we ,

89 Ar i t tl
d oct in th t und ta k pl c w h en b dies trik e the a
s o
’
e s r e, a so es a e o s i r,

whi ch th mod n ci nc f c u tic h c mpl t l y t b li h d w j cted

“
e er s e e o a o s s as o e e es a s e ,
as re e

by Bac on i n a t ti up n th me u bj ct Th c lli i n o th u ting of

ai r,h s y
“ e a s,
rea

w hich th y w ill h v e to b t h e ca u
se

f s und n ith
e
o

de ws
e sa

a
s

e
e :

se o
e o

o
s o

,
r

e
r

er
s

no

th e f m o th
or l t nt p c
n r f eund b ut i s te m f ign nc
a e d of
ro es s o so , a r o ora e an

su p fici al cont mpla ti on

er
”
T g et o t f th difficult y h be t k hi m lf to
e . o u o e , e oo se

his th y of pi it a s pe ci es f phen men w hich h c n t ntl y int od uces

eor s r s, o o a e o s a r

to give hi ms lf th i f xpl ining things h c uld ot

e e a r o ders ta nd would
e a e o n un , or

not admi t u pon t he h y poth esi s of hi s ppon en ts —Ed o .

if it b e a s k e d why t he h ea v e ns rev olv e f rom ea st to w e s t,
,

ra th e r th a n f ro m w es t t o ea st or why th ey tu r n on p o les
,

si tu a te n e a r t he B ea rs r a th er th a n r o und O rion or a n y
,

o th e r p a r t o f t h e h ea v e n s uch a q u esti o n a pp e a r s t o b e
,

u n rea s o n a b l e sinc e th es e p h e n o m e n a sh o ul d b e re c eiv ed a s

,

d e te rm i n a t e a n d th e Obj e cts of o u r e xp eri e nc e T h er e a r e .

,

in d ee d s om e u l tim a t e a n d s e lf existing ph e n om e n a
,
-

tu re bu t th os e w h i ch we h a v e j u s t m e nti o n e d a re n ot to
,

b e r ef e rr e d t o th a t c l ass : for we a tt r i b ut e th em t o a c e r
ta in h a rm o ny a n d cons e nt o f th e univ er s e w hich ha s n ot ,

e t b ee n p r op e r ly Obs e r ve d B ut if t h e m ti n f the
y . o o o

e a r th fr o m w e st t o ea st b e a ll o w e d t h e s a m e que s ti o n m a
, y
b e put for it mu s t a ls o r e v o lv e r o u nd c er t a in p o l e s a n d
, ,

w hy sh o uld th ey b e pl a c e d wh e r e th ey a r e r a th er th a n ,

e l s e wh er e " Th e p o l a rity a n d v a r i a ti o n Of t h e n ee dl e come

und er o u r p r es e nt h ea d T h er e i s a l s o Ob s er v ed in b o th
.

n a tu r a l a n d a r tifici a l b odi e s esp e ci a lly s o lid s r a th er th a n

,

fluid s a p ar ticul a r c oll oc a ti o n a n d p os iti on of p a r t s r es em

, ,

bling h a i rs o r fib r es w hich sh ould b e d i lig e ntly inv esti

,

g a t ed sinc e with out a di s c ov e ry o f th em b odi es c a nn ot be

, , ,

c o nv e ni e ntly c o nt roll e d or w ro ught up o n The e ddi es Oh .

s e rv a bl e in liquid s b y w h ich wh e n c omp re s s ed th ey suc

, ,

c e ss i v e ly r a i s e di ff er e nt p a r t s Of th ei r m a s s b e f ore th e y c a n

e sc ap e ,
so a s t o e qu a liz e t h e p r e s s u r e i s m or e c or r e ctl y
,

a s s ign e d to t h e m o ti o n o f li b e r ty .

Le t t he fiftee nt h m o ti o n b e th a t Of t r a nsmi s si o n or of
p a ss a g e by w hich t he p ow ers of b odi es a r e m ore or l ess
,

im p ed ed or a dv a nc e d b y th e m e dium a cc or ding to the ,

n a tu re Of the b odi es a n d th ei r eff ectiv e p o w ers a n d a ls o ,

a cc or di ng to th a t Of th e m e dium F or on e me dium i s.

a d a p t e d to light a n o th er to so u nd
,
a n o th e r t o h e a t a n d
,
 N OVU M U R G AN UM 2 63

co ld ,
n oth e r t o m agn e tic a cti on a n d so o n with r eg a r d
a ,

t o t he o th er a cti o n s .

Le t t h e sixt ee nth b e th a t which we t er m t h e r oy a l or

p oli tic a l m oti o n by which t he p re d omi n a nt a n d g ov er ning
,

p a r ts Of a n y b ody ch e ck subdu e r e duc e a n d r egul a t e t he

, , ,

o th ers a n d f or c e th e m t o unit e s ep a ra t e st a nd still m o v e

, , , , ,

o r as s u m e a c er t a i n p os iti on n ot f ro m a n y inclin a ti o n of
,

th ei r o wn but a cc or ding to a c e r t a in or d er a n d a s b est

, ,

suits the c o nv e ni e nc e Of t he g o v er ning p ar t so th a t th er e ,

i s a s or t O f d omini o n a n d civil g o v e r nm e nt e x e r ci s e d by
'

t h e r uling p a r t o v er i ts subj ects The m o ti on i s v er y c on

.

S pi c u o u s in t h e spi r its of a nim a ls w h er e a s l o ng as it i s in

, ,

f orc e it te mp er s a l l th e m o ti o ns Of t h e oth er p a r ts It is
,
.

f ound in a l ess d eg r ee in o th er b odi es a s we h a v e Ob s e rv e d ,

i n bl oo d a n d u r in e which a r e n ot d e c o m pos ed until t he

,

Spi rit which mix e d a n d r e ta in e d th ei r p a r ts ; h a s b e en

,

emitt e d or e xtinguish e d N o r i s thi s m oti o n p e culi a r t o

.

spi ri ts o nly a lth o ugh in mos t b odi es t he spi rit pre d o mi

,

n a t es o wing t o i ts ra pid m o ti on a n d p e n et r a ti o n ; f or t he
,

g r os s er p ar ts p red omin a t e i n d e n s er b odi e s which a re n ot ,

fill e d wit h a quick a n d a ctiv e s pi r it ( s uch a s e xists in

quick s ilv er or vitr i ol ) so th a t unl e ss thi s ch eck or y ok e b e
,

th rown Off by s om e c ont riv a nc e th er e is no h op e O f a n y ,

t ra n s f or m a ti o n Of such b o di es A n d l e t n ot a n y on e sup
.
~

p os e th a t we h a v e f org ott e n o u r s ubj ect b ec a us e we s p ea k ,

of pred omin a nc e i n thi s cl a ssific a ti o n of m oti ons which i s ,

,

ma d e e ntir ely with t h e vi e w Of a s sisting t he inv estiga ti o n

of w r es tling in s ta nc es or in s ta nc es Of p re d o min a nc e F or
, .

W e d o n ot n ow t rea t Of t h e g e n e ra l p r e d omin a nc e Of m o tions

or p ow e rs b ut o f th a t Of p a r t s i n wh o le b odi e s which c on
, ,

st i t ut e s t h e p ar ticul a r s p e ci e s h e re c o n s id er e d .

Let th e s e v ent ee nth m o ti on be the s p onta n eous m oti o n

a nd pl a c e d in a fa v o ra bl e sit u a ti o n e nj oy th ei r pe culi a r
,

n a tu r e , pu rsuing th ems elv es a n d n o thing el s e a n d s ee k s

,

i n g a s it w e r e t o e mb ra c e t h e mse l ves F or b odi es s eem

'

, ,
.

e ith e r t o m ov e with o ut a n
y limit o r t o t e nd tow a r d a limit
, ,

a rr iv e d a t which th ey e it her re v ol ve a cc or di ng t o th ei r
p e culi a r n a tu re or r e s t T h os e w hich a re f a v or a b ly situ
,
.

a t e d a n d h a v e a t e nd e n c y t o m o ti o n m o v e i n a ci r cl e wi t h
, ,

a n e t e r n a l a n d unlimit e d m o ti on ; th os e w hich a r e f a v or

a b ly situ a t e d a n d a bh o r m o ti o n r e s t Th os e which a re
,
.

n o t f a v o ra bly situ a t e d m o ve i n a st r a ight lin e a s th e i r

(
sh ort es t p a th ) i n or d er t o unit e with o th e rs Of a c o ng e ni a l
,

n a tu re . Thi s m oti o n Of r e v o luti on a dmit s Of nin e diff er

e n c es : 1 w ith r eg ar d t o t h e c e nt re a b o ut which t h e b o di e s
,

m o v e ; 2 th e p ol e s r o und which th ey m o v e ; 3 t he ci rcum

, ,

f er enc e or or bit r el a tiv ely t o i ts di s t a nc e f r om t h e c e nt r e ;

4 t h e v el o city or g r e a t e r o r l es s sp e e d with w hich th ey
, ,

r e v o lv e ; 5 th e di r e cti o n o f t h e m o ti o n a s f r o m e a s t t o
,

w es t or t he re v e rs e ; 6 th e d e vi a ti o n f ro m a p erf ect ci rcl e

, , ,

b y s pi ra l lin e s a t a g r ea t e r o r l es s di s t a nc e f r o m t he c e nt r e ;
7 t he d e vi a ti o n f r o m t he ci r cl e by spi r a l lin es a t a g re a te r
, ,

o r l es s di s t a nc e f rom t h e p ol e s ; 8 t h e g r e a t er or l e s s d i s
,

t a nc e Of th es e Spi r a ls fro m e a ch o th er ; 9 a n d l a s tly the , ,

v a r i a ti o n O f t he p ol es if th ey b e m o va bl e ; which h o w ev e r , ,

o nly a ff e ct s r e v o l uti o n w h e n ci r cul ar Th e m o ti o n in q u es

.

ti o n i s a cc or ding to c o m m o n a n d l o n g r ec eiv ed Opini o n

,
-

c o n s id e r e d t o b e th a t Of t h e h e a v e nl y b o di e s T h er e e x .

i s ts h o w e v er with r e g a rd t o thi s a c on s id era b l e d i S pu te

, , ,

b et w ee n s om e Of t h e a nci e nt s a s well a s m od em s wh o h a v e ,

a tt r i b ut e d a m oti o n Of r e v ol uti o n t o t h e e a rth A muc h .

m or e r e a s on a b l e c on t ro v er sy p er h a ps e xi s ts ( if it b e not a
, ,

m a tter b ey ond dis put e) wh e th er t he m oti o n in q u es ti o n (on

,
 N O VU M OR GA N U M 2 65

’
t he hypothes is o f t he ear th s b eing fix ed ) is con fi n ed to the
h ea v e ns or ra th er d e sc en d s a n d is c ommunic a t e d to the a i r
The ro ta ti o n of missil e s a s i n d a r ts m
,

a n d w a t er . u s k et , ,

ba l ls a n d t h e lik e we re f er e nti r ely t o t he m oti on o f lib er ty

, ,
.

"
Le t t h e e ight ee nth moti o n b e th a t o f t repid a ti o n
o
to ,

which ( in t he s e n s e a ssign e d to it by a s t ron om er s) we d o

n o t giv e much c r e d i t ; but in o u r s e r i o u s a n d g e n e ra l s e a r ch

a ft er th e t e nd e nci es Of n a tu r a l b o di es this m o ti on occu rs , ,

a n d a pp e a rs w o r thy Of f or mi n g a di s tinct sp e ci es It i s t he .

m o ti o n Of a n ( a s it w er e) e t e r n a l c a ptivity ; wh e n b od i es ,

f o r i n s t a nc e b e ing pl a c ed n o t a lt og e th e r a cc or ding t o th e i r
,

n a tu r e a n d, y e t n o t e x a ctly ill c o n s t a ntly t r e m bl e a n d a r e , ,

r e stl e s s n ot c o nt e nt e d with th e i r p os iti o n a n d et n ot d a r

, y ,

ing t o a dv a nc e S uch i s th e m o ti o n Of the h e a r t a n d pul s e

.

o f a nim a l s a n d it mu s t n e c es s a r ily o ccu r in a l l b o di e s which

,

a r e Situ a t e d in a m ea n st a t e b et we e n c o nv e ni e nc es a n d ,

inc o n v e ni e nc es ; S O th a t b ei ng r em o v e d f rom th e i r p rop er

p os iti o n th ey s t r iv e t o es c a p e a r e r epuls e d a n d a g a in
, , ,

c o ntinu e to m a k e t he a tt em pt .

Le t t h e nin e t e e nth a n d l as t m o ti o n b e o n e w hich c a n

s c a r c e ly b e t e r m e d a m o ti o n a n d e t is o n e ; a n d which we
y ,

m a y c a ll t h e m o ti o n Of r e p o s e or Of a bh o rr e nc e Of m o ti o n
.

, .

It i s by thi s m o ti o n th a t t h e e a r th s t a nd s by i ts o wn w eight ,

whil e i ts e xt r e m es m o v e t ow a r d th e m iddl e n o t to a n i m ,

a g i n a r y c e nt re b u t in o r d e r t o unit e
,
It is o wing t o the .

s am e t e nd e ncy th a t a ll b o di e s Of c o nsid e r a bl e d e n s ity

,

a bh o r m o ti o n a n d th e i r
, o nly t e nd e ncy i s n o t t o m o v e ,

w hich n a tu r e th ey p res e r v e a lth o ugh e xcit e d a n d u rg e d ,

9° Th e mo ti no t pid ti n B n c ll it w tt i b ut d by th nci nt
of re a o , as a co a s , as a r e e a e

t n
a s ro o me r s to th eight ph '

e l tiv t th p c i f th quin xes

s e res , re a e o e re ess on o e e o .

G l il
a eo wa s th e fi t t Ob v thi kind f lun m ti n — EJ
rs o se r e s o ar o o . .
2 66 N O VUM OR GA NUM

to m ov e yet d o t h ey a l w a ys a p pea r a n xi ous to reco ver

,

t h ei r for me r st a t e a n d t o cea s e f ro m moti o n in whi c h re

, ,

s pe ct th ey ce rt a inl y a pp ea r a ctiv e a n d a tt e mp t i t wi th s u m ,

c i e nt swi ftn e ss a n d r a pidit y as if fa tigu e d , a n d i m a ti e n t

p ,

O f d el a y W e can onl y h a v e a p a rti a l re p resenta tion of

.

thi s t e nd e ncy b e c a us e with us e v e ry t a ngi b l e s ub st a nc e i s

,

n o t o nl y n o t c o nd e ns e d to t he u tm os t b ut e v e n s o m e s pi ri t ,

is a dd ed o wing to t he a cti o n a n d c oncocting influ e nc e Of

,

t he h ea v e nl y b odi e s .

W e h a v e n ow th erefore e xhi b it ed t he sp eci es o r s i m

, , ,

l e el em e nts o f t he m o ti o n s t e nd e nci es a n d a ctiv e p o w ers

p , , ,

which a r e m os t uni v er s a l in n a tu r e ; a n d n o sm a ll po r tion

Of n a tu r a l s ci enc e h a s b ee n thu s s k etch e d o u t W e do n o t .
,

h ow e v er d e ny th a t o th e r in s ta nc e s c a n p e r h a p s be a dd e d
, ,

a n d o u r d i vi s i o n s ch a ng e d a cc or ding t o s om e m ore n a tu ra l

o r d e r Of t h ing s a n d a l so r e duc e d t o a l e ss n u m b e r ; in which

,

r es p e ct we d o n ot a llu d e t o a n a b s t ra ct cl a s s ific a ti on i f
y a s ,

o n e w e re t o s a
y th a t b o di e s d e si r e t h e pre se r v a ti o n e x a l
, ,
o

t a ti on p ro p a g a ti o n o r f r uiti o n o f th ei r n a tu r e ; or th a t
, , ,

m o ti o n te nd s t o t h e p r e s er v a ti o n a n d b e n e fit e ith er Of t h e
univ e rs e (a s in t he c a s e Of th os e Of resi s t a nc e a n d c on n ec o

ti o n ) o r Of ext e n s iv e wh ol es a s in t he c a s e Of th os e O f t he
, ,

g re a t er c ong r e g a ti on r e v o luti on a n d a b h orre nc e Of m oti on

, , ,

or o f p a r ticul a r f o r m s a s in t h e c a s e O f t h e o th er s
,
For .

a lth o ugh s uch r e m ar k s b e j u s t e t unl e s s th ey t e r min a te

y , ,

in m a t te r a n d c o n s t r ucti on a cc or ding t o t r u e d e finiti on s

, ,

th ey a r e s p e cul a tiv e a n d Of littl e u se In t he m ea nti me

,
.
,

o u r cl a s s ific a ti o n will s uffic e a n d b e Of m uch u s e in t he,

c o nsid er a ti on o f t h e p r e d o m in a nc e Of p o w e rs a n d e xa mi n ,

ing t h e wr e s tling in s t a nc es which c o nstitute o u r p res ent

subj ect .
 N O VUM OR GAN UM 267

F or of motions h ere l a id d o wn some a re q uite i h

the ,

vinci b l e s om e m ore p ow er ful th a n o th ers which th ey c on

, ,

fi n e ch ec k a n d m o dify ; o th er s e xte nd to a g rea te r di s t a nc e

, , ,

o th er s a r e m or e imm e di a t e a n d Swift o th ers st re ngth e n , ,

inc r eas e a n d a cc el e ra t e t he res t

,
.

Th e m o ti o n o f re sist a nc e is m o st a d a m a ntin e a n d i n vi n
ci b l e W e a re y e t in d o u b t wh e th er such b e t h e n a tu re of
.

th a t Of c o nn e cti o n ; fo r we ca n n o t with c e r t a i nty d e t er mine

w he th er th er e b e a v a cuum e ith er e xt ensiv e or int e r mixe d
,

with m a tt er O f o n e thi n g h o w e v er we a r e s a ti s fi e d th a t
.
, , ,

t h e re a s o n a ssign e d b y L e ucippu s a n d D e m oc r itu s f or the

int ro ducti o n o f a v a cuum ( n a m e l y th a t th e s a m e b odi e s

,

c ould n o t o th e r wi s e c omp r e h e nd a n d fill g r ea t er a n d l ess

,

sp a c es) i s f a l s e F or th er e is cl ea r l y a f olding of m a tte r

.
,

b y which it w r a p s a n d unwr a ps its e lf i n Sp a c e within c er

t a in li m its with o ut the int er v e nti o n Of a v a c uu m N or is
, .

t h e re t wo t h o u s a nd ti m es m or e o f v a cuum in a i r th a n in

g old a s th er e sh o uld b e o n thi s hyp o th e s is ; a fa ct d e m o n

,

s t r a t ed b y t h e v e r y p o w e r ful e n er gi es o f fl uids which w o uld

(
o th e r w i se fl oa t lik e fi n e du s t i n va cu o) a n d m a ny o th er ,

p r oo fs T.h e o th er m o ti o n s di r e ct a n d a r e di r e ct e d by e a ch
,

o th er a cc or ding
, t o th e i r st r e ngt h qu a ntity e xci te m e nt
, , ,

e mi s s i on or t h e a s s i s t a nc e o r i m p e di m e nt s t h e y m ee t with
, .

F o r in s t a nc e ; s om e a r m e d m a gn e t s h o ld a n d supp ort
i ro n of s ixty tim es th ei r o wn w eight ; s o fa r d oes t he m o
ti o n Of l es s er c o ng r eg a ti o n p r e d omin a t e o v er th a t Of the
g re a t er ; b ut if t he w eight b e inc r e a s ed it y i elds A l e v er , .

Of a c er t a in s t ren gth will ra i s e a giv en w eight a n d S O f ar ,

t h e m o ti o n Of li b er ty p r ed omin a t es o v e r th a t o f t h e g re a t e r

c o n g reg a ti on but if t h e w eight b e g rea t e r t he f orm er

, ,

m ot i on yi e lds A pi ec e of l e a th e r st r e tch e d t o a c er t a in
.

p oint d oes n ot b r ea k a n d so fa r the m oti o n Of c o ntin uity

,

S C E N C E V l 29 — 1 2 I o .
g rea t er , l ea th er brea k s a n d t he m otion Of c o ntin uity
t he ,

y i eld s . A c e r t a in q u a ntity of w a t er fl o w s th rough a chink ,

a n d S O f a r t he m o ti o n Of g re a t er c o ng re g a tion p r e d o min a t e s

o v e r th a t o f c o ntinuit y b ut if t h e chin k b e sm a ll er it y i el d s
, .

I f a mu s k e t b e ch a rg e d with b a l l a n d p o wd er ed sulphu r
a l on e
,
a n d fi re b e a ppli e d th e b a ll i s n ot disch a r g e d
,
in ,

which c a s e t he m oti o n Of gr ea t er c ong re g a ti on o v er c om es

th a t Of m a tt er ; b ut wh e n gunp owd er is u s ed t he m oti o n Of ,

m a tt er i n t h e s ulph u r p r e d omi n a t es b eing a s si s t e d b y th a t

,

m oti o n a n d t he m oti o n Of a v o id a nc e i n t he nit r e ; a n d s o

,

Of th e r es t F o r w r e s tling inst a nc es (whic h Sh ow th e pre

.

d omin a nc e Of p o w e rs a n d in wh a t m a nn er a n d p rop or ti o n
,

th ey p re d om i n a t e a n d yi e ld ) mu s t b e s e arch e d f or with
a ctiv e a n d indu s t r i o u s d i lig e nc e .

Th e m e th o d s a n d n a tu r e o f thi s yi e lding must a l s o b e

dilig e ntly ex a m i n e d a s fo r i n s t a nc e w h e th er t he m ot i o n s
, ,

c om pl et e ly c e a s e or e x e r t th e m s e lv e s b ut a r e c on s t r a in e d
, , .

F o r i n t h e b o di e s with which we a r e a cqu a int e d th ere i s n o ,

r e a l b u t a n a p pa r e nt r e s t e ith e r i n t h e wh ol e o r in p a r t s
, .

T hi s a pp a r e nt r e s t i s o c c as i on e d e ith er b y e quilib r ium or ,

t h e a b s ol ut e p r e d o mi n a nc e Of m o ti o n s By equilib ri um .
,

a s i n t h e s c a l e s Of t he b a l a nc e w hi c h r e s t if t h e w e ight s
,

b e e qu a l By p r ed o min a nc e a s i n p er f or a t ed j a rs in which
.
, ,

t he w a t er r e s ts a n d i s p r e v e nt e d f ro m f a lling b y t h e pre
,
~

d omin a n c e o f th e m o ti o n Of c o nn e cti o n It i s h o w e v e r t o .
, ,

b e o b s e r v e d ( a s w e h a v e s a id b e f o r e) h o w f a r t he yi e ldi n g ,

m oti o n s ex e r t t he m se lv es F or if a m a n b e h e ld st re tch e d
.

o u t o n t h e g r o u n d a g a in s t h i s will with a r ms a n d l eg s ,

b ound d o wn or o th er wi s e c o nfin ed a n d y e t st r iv e with a ll

, ,

h i s p ow e r t o g et up t h e s t ruggl e i s n o t t he l ess a lth o ug h

, ,

in e ff ectu a l The r ea l st a t e Of t he c a s e ( n a m e ly wh eth er

.
,
 NO VU M OR GAN U M 2 69
'

t he y i elding m oti o n b e a s it wer e a nnihil a ted b y t he pre

, ,

d omin a nc e or t he r e b e ra th e r a c o ntinu ed a lth ough a n i h

, ,

vi sibl e e ff o rt) will p er h a p s a pp ea r in th e c oncur re nc e O f

, ,

m oti o n s a lth o ugh it es c a p e o u r n otic e in th e i r c o nflict

, .

F or inst a nc e : l et a n e xp e rim e nt b e m a d e with m u s k e ts ;

wh e th e r a mu s k e t b a ll a t its utm os t r a ng e in a st ra ight
-

lin e o r (a s it i s c o mm only c a ll ed ) p oint bl a nk s tr ik e with

,
-

l es s for c e wh e n p roj ect e d upw a r d wh er e t he m oti on Of the ,

bl ow i s s impl e th a n wh en p ro j ect e d d o wnwa r d wh er e

, ,

t he m o ti o n of g r a vity c o ncu rs with t h e bl o w .

Th e r ul es of s uch i n st a n c es o f p r ed omin a nc e as occur

Sh ould b e c o ll ect e d : such a s t h e fo llo wing ; t he m or e ge n
e ra l t h e d es i r e d a dv a nt a g e is t h e s t r ong e r will b e t h e m o
,
o

ti o n ; t h e m oti o n of c onn e cti on for i n s ta nc e which r el a te s , ,

t o t h e i nt er c o u r s e Of t h e p a r ts o f t h e univ e r s e is m o r e ,

p ow er ful th a n th a t Of g r a vity which r e l a t e s t o t h e int er ,

c o u rs e o f d e n s e b o di es o nly A g a in the d es i re o f a p r iv a te
.
,

g ood d o es n o t in g e n e ra l p r e v a il a g a in s t th a t Of a public
on e ,
e xc e pt wh e r e t h e qu a ntiti e s a r e sm a ll W o u ld th a t .

such w ere t he c a s e in civil m a tt ers "

XLIX I n t he twe n ty fi ft h r a n k o f p rer og a tiv e in s t a nc e s
.
-

we will pl a c e s ugg es ting in s t a nc e s ; s uc h a s s ugg es t o r p oint ,

out th a t which i s a dv a nt a g eo u s t o m a nkind ; f or b a re p ow er

,

and kn o wl e dg e in th em s e lv es e x a lt r a th e r th a n e n rich
hum a n n a tu r e W e m ust th e re fo re s e l ect f rom t he ge n
.
, ,

e ra l s tor e su c h things a s a r e m os t u s e ful t o m a nkind We .

Sh a ll h a v e a b e tt er o pp o r tun i ty O f di s cu ss ing th es e wh e n
we t re a t of t h e a pplic a ti o n to p ra ctic e ; b es id es in t h e w o r k ,

of int er p r e t a ti o n w e l e a v e r oo m o n e v e ry s ubj e ct for t he

, , ,

hum a n o r Opt a tiv e ch a r t ; for it i s a p a rt Of s ci e n c e to m a ke

j udici o us inqui r i e s a n d wi s h e s .

L In t h e twe nty Sixth r a nk O f p rer og a tiv e in s ta nc e s we

.
-
will pl a ce the genera lly us eful inst a nc es T hey a re suc h .

a s r el a t e t o v a r ious p oints a n d f r eq u e ntly occu r

,
s pa ring ,

by th a t m ea ns con s id era bl e la bo r a n d n e w t ri a ls The .

p r op er pl a c e for t rea ting o f in s tr uments a n d c o ntriv a nc es

, ,

will b e th a t in which we Sp ea k of t he a pplic a ti on t o pra ctic e ,

a n d t he m e th o d s o f e xp e r im e nt A ll t h a t ha s hith ert o b ee n
.

a sc e r ta in ed a n d m a d e u s e of wil l b e d es c r ib e d i n t h e
, , p a r

t i c u l a r hi s t or y Of ea ch a r t A t p r es e nt we w i ll subj oin a
.
,

f e w g e n e r a l e x a m pl es o f t h e inst a nc es in qu es ti o n .

M a n a ct s th e n up o n n a tu ra l b o di es ( b es id es m e r ely
, ,

b ri nging th e m t og e th e r o r r e m o vi ng th e m ) by s e ve n p rin
c i pa l m eth od s : 1 by t h e e xcl u s i o n o f a ll th a t i m p e d es a n d
,

d i s tu r bs ; 2 by c omp re s s i o n e xt e n s i o n a git a ti on a n d t h e
, , , ,

lik e ; 3 by he a t a n d c old ; 4 by d et e nt i o n in a s ui t a bl e
, ,

pl a c e ; 5 by ch e cking o r di re cting m o ti o n ; 6 by p e culi a r

, ,

h a r m o ni es ; 7 b y a s e as o n a bl e a n d p ro p e r a lt e rn a ti o n s e ri es
, , ,

a n d s ucc es s i o n Of a ll th ese o r a t l e a s t o f s o m e of th e m
, , ,
.

.1 W ith r eg a r d t o t h e fi r s t— c om m o n a i r w h i ch i s a i ,

w a y s a t h a nd a n d f orc es i ts a d m i s s i on a s a l so t he ra y s Of
, ,

t h e h e a v e nly b odi e s c r e a t e much di s tu r b a nc e

,
W h a t eve r .
,

th er ef o r e t e nd s t o e xclud e th em m a y w e ll b e c on s id e r e d a s
,

g e n era lly u s e ful Th e s ubst a nc e a n d thickn es s Of v es se ls

.

in which b o d i es a r e pl a c e d wh e n p rep a r e d for Op era ti ons

m a y b e r e f e rre d to thi s h e a d S O a l s o m a y t h e a ccu r a t e
.

m e th od s o f cl os ing v ess el s by c on s o lid a ti o n o r t h e lu tu m ,

s a i en ti ae a s t he ch e m i s t s c a ll it Th e e xclu s i on Of a i r by
p , .

m ea n s Of liquid s a t t h e e xt re m ity i s a l s o v e ry u s e ful a s ,

wh en th ey p o u r O i l on win e or t he j uic e s o f h er b s which

, ,

b y s p r ea ding its e lf up o n t he t o p lik e a c o v e r p res er ves ,

th em unin j u r ed f rom t h e a i r P o w d e rs a l s o a r e s e r vic e

.
, ,

a bl e fo r a lth o ugh th e y c o nt a in a i r m ix e d up i n th e m
, ye t ,

th ey w a r d Off t h e pow er o f t he m a s s Of ci r cu m a m bi e nt a i r ,
 N O VUM ORGAN U M 2 71

whic h is s een in t h e pr eserva ti on of g ra pes a n d oth er fr uits

i n sa nd o r fl o u r W a x h on ey p itch a n d other resi n o us
.
, , ,

b odi es a re w e ll use d in o rd er to m a k e t he e xcl u sion m ore

,

pe rf ect a n d t o re m o v e th e a i r a n d c el es ti a l infl u e nc e We
, .

h a v e s om e tim e s m a d e a n e xp erim e nt b y pl a cing a v e s s e l or

o th e r b o di es in quic k s ilv e r t h e m ost d e ns e o f a l l su b st a nc es
,

c a p a b l e of b e ing p o u r e d r o und oth e rs G ro tt oe s a n d s u b ter

.

r a uc o us c a v e s a r e O f g r e a t u s e in k eeping O ff t he e ff e cts O f

t he s u n a n d t h e p r e d a t ory a cti o n of a i r a n d in t h e n or th
, ,

of G e r m a ny a re us e d fo r g ra n a r i es The d e p ositi ng Of .

b o di e s a t t h e b ott om Of w a t er m a y b e a ls o m e nti oned h ere ;

a n d I re m e m b er h a ving h e a r d Of s o m e b ottl e s of win e b e ing

l et d own int o a d e e p w ell in or d e r t o c oo l th e m b ut l e ft ,

th er e by ch a nc e c ar e l es s n es s a n d fo rg e tfuln e ss fo r s e v e ra l
, ,

y e a rs a n d th en t a k e n o u t ; b y w hich m ea n s t h e win e n ot
,

o nly e s c a p e d b e c o ming fla t o r d e a d b ut w as much m or e ,

e xc e ll e nt in fl a v or a r ising (a s it a pp e a r s ) fr o m a m or e c o m
,

p l e t e mixtu r e O f its p a rts B ut if t h e c a s e r e qui r e th a t

.

"

b odi es Sh o u ld b e sunk to th e b o tt o m Of w a t er a s in r iv er s ,

o r t he s ea a n d y e t sh o uld n o t t o uch t he wa t e r n o r b e i n
, ,

cl os e d i n s ea l ed v e ss e ls b ut s u r ro u n d ed o n ly by a i r it
, ,

w o uld b e r ight t o u se th a t v es s e l w hich h a s b ee n s o m e

t im e s e mpl oy e d und er w a t er a b ov e ships th a t h a v e sun k ,

i n or d e r t o e n a b l e t h e div ers t o r em a in b el o w a n d b rea the

o cc a s i o n a lly b y tu r n s I t wa s of t h e f o ll owing n a tu r e : A
.

h oll ow tub Of m et a l wa s f or m e d a n d sunk so a s to h a v e its ,

b ott om p a ra ll e l with t he su rfa c e Of t he w a t er ; it thus c a rri ed

d own with it to t he b o tt om of t he se a a ll t he a i r c o nta in ed
in t he tub It s too d up o n th ree fee t (lik e a t rip od ) b e ing
.
,

of r a th e r l e ss h e ight th a n a m a n so th a t wh e n t h e div e r
, ,

wa s in w a nt o f b re a th he c o uld put hi s h e a d in to t he
,

h oll ow Of th e tu b b rea th e a n d th e n c ontinu e his wor k

, ,
.
 in v e nt ed c a p a b le of c a r ry i ng me n s om e dist a nc e under
,

w a t e r A n y b od i es howe v er c an e a sily b e su s pe nd ed
.
, ,

u nd e r som e such v ess e l a s we h a v e m e ntion e d which ha s

,

o cc a si o n e d ou r r e m a r ks upon t he ex p er im e nt .

A n oth e r a dv a nta g e of th e c a r eful a n d h er m e tic a l cl os ing

of b odi e s i s thi s — n ot o nl y t h e a dmi ss i o n O f e xt er n a l a i r is

p re v e nt e d ( of which we h a v e t r ea t e d ) b ut t h e spi rit Of ,

b odi es a l s o is p r e v e nt e d fro m m a king i ts es c a p e which ,

i s a n int er n a l Op er a ti o n F o r a n y o n e Op e r a ting o n n a tu ra l
.

b o di es mu s t b e c er t a in a s t o th ei r qu a ntity a n d th a t n oth ,

ing h a s ev a p ora t e d or es c a p ed sinc e p ro f o und a lt era ti ons

,
,

t a k e pl a c e in b odi es wh e n a r t p re v e nts t h e l os s or es c a pe
,

Of a n y p or ti o n wh i l e n a tu r e p r e v e nt s th e i r a nnihil a ti o n
, .

With r eg a r d to t h i s ci rcu m s t a nc e a f a l s e i d ea ha s p r e v a il e d ,

( w h ic h if t r u e w o uld m a k e u s d e s p a i r o f p r e s er ving qu a n

tity with o ut di m inuti on ) n a m ely th a t t he Spi rit Of b odi es , , ,

a n d a i r w h e n r a r e fi e d by a g r ea t d e g r e e o f h ea t c a nn o t b e ,

s o k e pt in by b e ing incl o s e d i n a n y v es s e l a s n ot t o es c a p e

b y th e sm a ll p o re s M e n a r e l e d in t o this id e a by t he c o m
.

m o n e xp e ri m e nt s o f a c u p inv e r t e d o v er w a t er with a c a ndl e ,

o r pi e c e Of lig ht e d p a p er in it by which t h e w a t e r is d r a wn ,

u p a n d o f th os e cup s which
,
wh e n h ea t ed d ra w up the , ,

fl e s h F or th e y thi nk th a t in e a ch exp e rim ent t he ra re fi ed

.

a i r e s c a p es a n d th a t i ts qu a ntity i s th e r e f o r e di m ini s h ed
, ,

by which m ea n s t h e w a t er o r fl es h r i s e s by t he m o ti o n o f
c on n ecti o n T hi s i s h o w e v e r m os t inc or r e ct F or t h e a i r
.
, ,
.

i s n ot dimini s h e d in qu a ntity but c o nt r a ct ed in d i m en ,

si on s n or d oes thi s m o ti o n
,
Of t he ri s ing o f th e w a t e r

9’ P t Of th i i xp nd d d
ar e a r s e a e an c p
es a d p t i c n u m d by th
es , a n ar s o s e

fl a me . Wh n c nd n ed th e ef
e by
o e s ,
r ore , th c ld pplic ti n it c a nn ot off er s uf
e o a a o ,
~
 NO VUM OR GA N U M 2 73

b egin till t h e fl a m e i s extinguish ed or t h e a i r c ool ed so , ,

th a t phy s ici a ns pl a c e c old sp ong es m oi s t en e d with w a t er , ,

o n th e cups in or d er t o inc re a s e th e i r a tt ra cti on Th er e is

,
.
,

th ere fo r e n o r ea s on why m e n s h o uld fe a r much f rom t h e

,

r ea dy e s c a p e Of a i r : for a lth o ugh it b e t r u e th a t t h e m os t

s olid b o di e s h a v e th e i r p or es y e t n e ith e r ai r
,
n or s pi r it , ,

r e a dily su ff ers it s elf to b e r a r efi e d to such a n e xt re m e d e

g ree ; j u s t a s w a t er will n ot es c a p e b y a s m a ll chink .

2 With r eg a r d to t h e s e c o nd Of t h e s e v e n a b o v e
.

m e nti o n e d m eth od s we mu s t e s p e ci a lly Obs er v e th a t c om

, ,

p r es s i on a n d s i m il ar vi ol e nc e h a v e a m ost p o w er ful e ff e ct
e ith e r in p r o ducing l oc o m o ti o n a n d o th er m o ti o n s of th e
,

s a m e n a tu re a s ma y b e O b s er v e d in e ngin es a n d p roj ectil es

, ,

o r in d e s t r oying t h e o r g a nic b o dy a n d th os e qu a liti e s w hich

, ,

c on s i s t e nti r ely in m o ti o n (f o r a ll lif e a n d e v ery d es c ripti o n ,

Of fl a m e a n d igniti o n a r e d es t roy e d by c ompr es si on whic h ,

a l s o inj u re s a n d d e r a ng e s e v er y m a chin e ; or in d es t r oying

)
th os e qu a liti es which c onsi s t in p os iti o n a n d a c oa rs e di ff er
e nc e of p a r t s a s i n c ol o r s ; for t h e c o l or Of a fl o w e r wh e n
, ~

w h ol e d i ff er s f r om th a t it p r e s e nts wh e n b r u i s e d a n d th e
, ,

s a m e m a y b e Ob s er v e d of w h o l e a n d p o wd e r e d a mb e r ; or
in ta st es for t he t a s t e Of a p ea r b ef ore it i s r ip e a n d Of t he
, ,

sa m e p ear wh e n br ui se d a n d s oft e n e d is diff er ent s inc e , ,

it b ec om es p er c e ptibly m or e sw eet But such vi o l enc e is of .

littl e a v a il in the m or e n obl e t r a nsfor m a ti on s a n d ch a nges

O f h om og e n eo us b o di es f or th ey d o n o t by such m ea n s
, , ,

a cqui r e a n c o n s t a ntly a n d p e rm a n e ntly n ew s t a te but o ne

y ,

th a t is tra n s it ory a n d a lw a ys st r uggling t o r e tu r n t o its

,

f orm e r h a bit a n d free d om It w o uld n o t h o w e v e r b e us e

.
, ,

i t nce to th e xte
fi c i en t r es s a e rna l tmos ph e e
a r to p v nt th li quid o fl esh f om
re e e r r

being f c d i t the g l
or e n o a s s.
to t his ; wh eth er for insta nc e t he cond e ns a ti o n Of a per
, ,

f ec tly h o m og e n eo u s b o dy ( such a s a i r w a t er O i l a n d the , , ,

lik e) o r th ei r ra r ef a cti on w h en e ff e ct ed by vi ol enc e c a n

, ,

b e c om e p erm a n e nt fix e d a n d as it w ere s o ch a ng ed as
, , , , ,

t o b ec om e a n a tu re T his m ight a t fi rs t b e t r i e d by Simpl e

.

pe rs e v e ra nc e a n d th e n by m e a n s o f h elp s a n d h a rm oni es
, .

I t m ight r ea dily h a v e b ee n a tt e m pte d (if we ha d b ut th ough t

Of it ) w h e n we c o nd e n s e d w a t er (as wa s m e nti on e d a b o v e)
, ,

by h a mm e ring a n d c omp res s i on u ntil it bu rs t o u t F o r we ,

.

o ught t o h a v e l e ft t h e fl a tt e n e d gl o b e unt o uch e d f or s o m e

d a ys a n d th e n t o h a v e d ra wn Off t h e w a t e r in or d er to
, ,

t r y wh e th e r it w o uld h a v e imm e di a t e ly o ccupi e d t he s a m e

dim e n s i on s a s it did b e f or e t he c o nd e n s a ti o n If it ha d n ot .

d on e s o e ith er im m e di a t e ly o r s oo n a ft er w a rd th e c oud en
, , ,

s a ti o n w o uld h a v e a pp e a r e d t o h a v e b e e n re n d e re d c o n s t a nt ;

if n o t i t w ou ld h a v e a pp e a r e d th a t a r es tituti o n t oo k pl a c e
,

a n d th a t t h e c o nd e n sa ti o n h a d b e e n t r a n s it or y S o m ething .

o f t h e s a m e kind mig h t h a v e b e e n t r i e d with t h e gl as s e gg s ;

t h e e gg s h o uld h a v e b e e n s e a l e d up s udd e nly a n d fi r mly ,

a ft er a c o mpl e t e e x h a u s ti o n Of t he a i r a n d s h o uld h a v e b ee n,

a l l o w e d t o r e m a in s o f or s o m e d a y s a n d it m ight th e n h a v e
,

b ee n t ri e d wh e th er o n Op e ning t he a p e rtu re t he a i r w o ul d
, ,

b e d r a wn in with a hi ss ing n Oi s e or wh e th er a s m uch w a t er ,

w o uld b e d r a wn int o it wh e n imm er s e d a s w o uld h a v e b e e n ,

d ra wn i nt o it a t fi rs t if it h a d n ot c o nti nu e d s e al e d F or
,
.

it i s p ro b a bl e (o r a t l eas t w or th m a king th e e xp e ri m e nt)

, ,

th a t thi s might h a v e h a pp e n ed o r might h a ppe n b ec a us e , ,

p ers ev e ra nc e h a s a s imila r e ff ect up o n b odi es which a re a

littl e l e s s h om og e n eo u s A s tick b e nt t og e th e r f or s ome
.

ti m e d oe s n o t r eb o und which is n ot o wing to a n y l os s Of

,

q u a n tity i n t he w oo d du r ing th e tim e f or the sa m e woul d ,

 N O V UM ORGAN UM 2 75

ccu r (a ft er a l a rg er tim e) in a pl a t e O f st ee l which d oes

’

o ,

n ot e v a p o ra t e If t h e e x p er i m e nt of s i m pl e p e rs e v era nc e
.

sh o uld f a il th e m a tte r s h o uld n ot b e giv e n up but o th er

, ,

m e a n s Sh o uld b e e mpl oy e d F or it w o uld b e n o s m a ll a d .

v a nt a g e i f b odi es c o uld b e e ndu e d with fix e d a n d c o n s t a nt

,

n a tu r es by vi ol e nc e A i r c o uld th e n b e c o nv er t e d i nt o.

w a t er by c o n d e n s a ti o n with o th e r s i m il a r e ff e ct s ; for m a n
,

i s m or e t h e m a s t e r of vi o l e nt m oti o n s th a n Of a n y o th er
m ea n s .

3 The thi r d o f ou r s e v e n m eth o d s i s r e f erre d t o th a t

.

a t p ra ctic a l e ngin e Of n a tu r e w ll Of t c old

g re a s e a s a r , ,

a n d h ea t H er e m a n s p owe r limps a s it w e r e with o n e ’

.
, , ,

l eg . F o r we p os s es s t h e h ea t Of fi r e which i s infinit ely ,

m or e p o w er fu l a n d int e n s e th a n t ha t of t he s un (a s it
"
r ea ch e s u s ) a n d th a t o f a ni m a ls B ut we w a nt c old ex
, .
,

c ept s uch a s w e c a n ob t a in i n wint er in c a v e rn s o r by , ,

sur r o unding obj e ct s with sn o w a n d i c e whi c h p er h a p s , , ,

m a y b e c o m p a r e d i n d e g r ee with t h e n oo ntid e h ea t o f t he
s u n in t r o pic a l c o un t r i e s i nc re a s e d by th e r e fl ecti o n of ,

m o unt a in s a n d w a ll s F or thi s d e g r e e of h e a t a n d c o ld
.

c a n b e b or n e f or a Sh o r t p er i o d o nly by a ni m a l s e t it
y ,

is n othing c om p a re d with t he h ea t of a bu r ning fu rn a c e ,

”
o r t h e c or re s p o nding d e g r ee o f c old E v er y thing with us .

h as a t e nd e nc y t o b ec om e r a r e fi e d d ry a n d w a s t e d a n d n o th , ,

99
H t ea b t ct d by v y impl proc s till the d g ee f
ca n n ow be a s ra e a er s e es , e r o

cold b f lm t y re q ui e d inten ity — E d

e o a os an r s .
'
.

”
It i i mpo i ble to c mp e d g ee f h t with d g
3
s ss o f cold W th ut
ar a e r o ea a e r ee o ,
i o

th e u mpti n f me b it y te t t w hich th d g
as s o o so ar to b e f d
ra r s , o e e rees a re re e rre .

In th n xt nt nce Ba c n ppears to h v tak n th p w f nim l l f to

e e se e o a a e e e o er o a a i e

suppo t h t o cold as the tes t a d th n th c mp i n

r ea r onl y be be t w n
, n e e o a r so ca n ee

th d g
e ef h t or o f c ld th t w ill p duc d th
re e o ea o a ro e ea .

Th mu t b
e ze ro b it a y w hich divid es eq ua lly a certai n d eg ee of heat
s e ar r r r

f m c t in d g
ro a f col d — Ed
er a e ree o .
as it w ere spu ri o us m e th ods Inst a nc es Of c old th er efor e
, .
, ,

sh o uld b e se a rch e d for m os t dilig e ntly such a s m a y be ,

fo und b y e xp osing b odi es u p on b uilding s in a h a r d fro s t ,

in su b te rr a n eo u s c a v er ns by su rr o unding b odi es wi th sn o w
,

a n d i c e in d e e p pl a c es e xc a v a t e d f o r th a t pu r p os e b y l e t ,

ting b odi e s d o wn int o w ell s by bu r ying b odi es in q uic k

,

s ilv e r a n d m e t a l s by i m m e rs ing th e m in st re a m s which

,

p e t rify w o o d by bu r ying t h e m in t he e a r th ( which th e

,

Chin es e a r e r e p o rt e d t o d o with th e i r chin a m a ss es of ,

w hich m a d e fo r t h a t p u r p os e a r e s a id t o r e m a in in t he
, ,

g ro und for f or ty or fifty y ea rs a n d to b e t ra n s m itte d to

,

th e i r h e i rs a s a so r t Of a r tifici a l m in e) a n d t he li k e The .

c ond e n s a ti o n s w hich t a k e pl a c e in n a tu re by m e a n s o f c old

, ,

Sh o uld a l so b e in v es tig a t e d th a t by l e a r ning th ei r c a u s es

, ,

th e y m a y b e int ro duc e d int o t he a r ts ; s uch a s a r e Ob s er ve d

in t he e xu d a ti o n Of m a r bl e a n d s t o n e s in th e d e w up o n t he
,

p a n es Of gl a s s in a r o om t ow a r d m or ning a ft er a f ros t y
night in t he f o rm a ti o n a n d t h e g a th e ring Of v a p ors und er
,

t h e e a r th int o w a t e r w h e n c e s p r ing f o un t a in s a n d t h e lik e

, .

B es id es t h e s ub s t a nc es which a r e c o ld t o t h e t o uch ,

th er e a r e o t h e rs which h a v e a l s o th e e ff ect o f c old a n d ,

c o nd e n s e ; th ey a pp ea r h ow e v er to a c t o nly up o n the
, ,

b odi e s Of a nim a l s a n d sc a r c e ly a n y fu rth er O f th es e w e

,
.

h a v e m a ny in s ta nc es in m e dicin e s a n d pl a s t e r s S o me
,
.

c o nd e n s e t he fl e s h a n d ta ngibl e p ar ts such a s a s tr ing ent

,

a n d in s pi s s a ting m e dicin es o t h ers t he s pi rits s uch as

, ,

s o po r i fi c s
. T h er e a re t wo m o d es Of c o nd e n s ing t he spir its ,

b y s opor ifi c s o r p ro v oc a tiv es t o slee p ; t h e o n e b y c a l m ing

t h e m oti o n t he o th er by exp elling t he s p
,
i rit The vi ol et .
,

d r i e d ros es l ettuc es a n d oth er b e nign o r mild r em e di es b y

, , ,

th ei r fr i e ndly a n d g e ntly c ooling v a p ors invit e th e s pi rits ,

 N OVU M ORGAN UM 277

to unite a n d rest ra in th ei r vi o lent a n d pertur b ed m oti on

,
.

Ros e w a t er for inst a nc e a p p li e d to t he n ost rils in f a inting

-
, ,

fi ts c a us es t he res olv ed a n d re l a xe d Spi rits t o r ec ov e r th e m

,

sel v es a n d a s it w er e ch e ri s h es th em B ut o pi a t es a n d
, , , .
,

th e lik e b a ni s h t h e Spi r it s by th e i r m a lign a nt a n d h os til e

,

q u a lity If th ey b e a ppli ed th e ref ore e xte rn a lly t he

.
, , ,

Spi r its imm e di a t ely q uit t h e p a r t a n d n o l ong er r ea dily

flow int o it ; but if th ey b e t a k e n int e r n a lly th e i r v a p or , ,

m o unting t o the h e a d ex pel s in a ll di r ecti o ns t he s pi rits

, , ,

c on t a in e d in t he v e nt r icl es of t he b r a in a n d Sinc e th ese ,

Spi rits r e t re a t b ut c a nn ot esc a p e th ey c o n s equ e ntly m ee t

, ,

a n d a r e c o nd e ns e d a n d a re s om e ti m e s c o mpl e t e ly e x ti n
,

u i s h ed a n d su ff oc a t e d ; a lth o ugh th e s a m e Opi a t e s wh en

g ,

ta k e n in m od era ti o n by a s ec o nd a ry a ccid e nt ( the c oud e n

,

s a ti o n which s ucc e ed s th ei r uni on ) st re ngth e n t h e spi rits , ,

re nd e r th em m ore r ob u s t a n d ch e ck th ei r u s e l e s s a n d i n ,

fla mm a tory m o ti o n b y which m ea ns th e y c on t r ibut e n ot a

,

littl e t o th e cu re Of di s ea s es a n d t he p r ol o ng a ti o n Of lif e , .

The p rep a ra ti ons Of b o di e s a l s o f or t he r ec epti o n of c old , ,

sh ould n ot b e omitt ed such a s th a t wa t er a littl e w a rm e d i s

,

m or e e asil y f roz e n th a n th a t which i s qui t e c old a n d t he ,

lik e .

M oreo v er si nc e n a tu r e suppli e s c old so s p a r ingly we

, , ,

mu s t ac t lik e t he a p oth ec a ri es who wh e n th ey c a nn o t , ,

Obt a i n a n y s impl e ing re di e nt t a k e a s ucc e d a n e u m o r q u i d , ,

u o a s th ey t e r m it s uch a s a l o es fo r xyl o b a l s a mum

p qro , , ,

c a ss i a fo r cinn a m o n In th e s a m e m a nn e r we sh o uld loo k

.

dilig e ntly a b o u t u s to a s c er t a in wh e th e r th ere m ay b e a n y

,

substitut es f or c old th a t i s to s a y in wh a t o th e r m a nn e r
, ,

cond e ns a ti o n c a n b e e ff e cte d which i s t h e p e culi a r Op era ,

ti o n of c old S uch c o nd e n s ati o n s a pp ea r hith e r t o to b e of

.

f ou r kinds o nl y 1 By si m pl e c omp r ess ion which i s Of lit

. .
,
ela sticity Of su b sta nc e s but ma y sti ll how e v er b e of so me
, , ,

a ssis ta n c e 2 B y t he c o nt ra cti o n Of t he c oa rs er a ft er the

. .
,

esc a p e or d e pa r tu re of t he fin er p ar ts o f a giv e n b od y ; a s is
ex e mplifi ed in indu ra ti on by fire a n d the r epea t ed h ea ting ,

a n d e xtingui s hing Of m e t a l s a n d th e li k e 3 B y th e
, . .

c oh es i o n Of t h e m ost s o lid h om og e n e ou s p a rts Of a giv en

b ody which w e re p re vi o usly s e p a r at e d a n d mix e d with
, ,

o th e r s l e ss s o l i d a s in t h e re tu r n Of su b li m a t e d m e r cu r y to
,

i ts Simpl e st a t e i n which it o ccupi es much l es s sp a c e th a n

,

it did i n p o wd er a n d t he s a m e m a y b e obs er ve d o f t he
,

cl ea nsing o f a ll m eta ls f ro m th e i r d ros s 4 By h a r m ony . .

,

o r t h e a pplic a ti o n Of s u b s t a nc es w hich c o nd e n s e b y s o m e

l a t e nt p o w e r T h es e h a r m o ni es a r e a s y et b ut r a r e ly Oh
.

s e r v ed a t which w e c a nn ot b e s u r p r i s e d s i nc e th e r e is littl e
, ,

t o h O pe f or f r o m th e i r inv es tig a ti o n un l es s t h e di s c o v e ry Of
,

f o r m s a n d c onfi rm a ti o n b e a tt a i n e d With r e g a rd t o a n i .

m a l b odi es it i s n o t to b e qu es ti on e d th a t th e r e a r e m a ny
,

int e r n a l a n d e xt e r n a l m e dicin es which c on d e ns e by h a r

m o ny a s we h a v e b e f ore Ob s er v e d b ut thi s a cti o n i s r a re
, ,

i n in a ni m a t e b odi es W r itt e n a cc ount s a s w ell a s re p or t

.
, ,

h a v e c er t a inly sp ok e n Of a t r e e in o n e o f t h e T erc e ra o r
C a n ar y I s l a nd s (for I do n o t e x a ctly r e c oll ect which ) th a t
d r i ps p er p e tu a lly S O a s to s upply t h e inh a b ita nt s in some
, ,

d eg r e e with w a t e r ; a n d P a r a c e l s u s s a ys th a t t h e h er b c a ll e d
,

r os s oli s i s fill e d w ith d e w a t n o o n w hil e t he s u n g i v e s o ut

,

its g rea t es t h e a t a n d a l l o th er h er b s a r ound it a r e d ry W e

,
.

t r ea t b o th th e s e a cc o unts a s f a bl es ; th ey w ould h o w e v er i f , ,

t ru e b e Of t he m o st imp or t a nt s e r vi c e a n d m os t w or thy Of
, ,

e x a min a ti o n A s to th e h o n ey d e w r ese mbling m a nn a

.
-
, ,

which is f ound in M a y o n t h e l e a v es of t h e o a k we a re of ,

Opini o n th a t it is n ot cond e n s e d b y a n y h a r m o ny or p e cu l i
 NO VUM ORGAN UM 2 79

ar i ty Of t he oa k l ea f b ut th a t whil e it fa lls eq u a lly upon

,

ot her l ea v e s it is re ta in ed a n d c ontinu e s o n th ose O f t he

o a k b ec a use th e i r te xtu r e is cl o se r a n d n ot so po r o us as

“
, ,

th a t Of m ost of t he o th er l ea v es .

With r e g a rd t o h e a t m a n p oss ess es a b und a nt m e a ns a n d

,

po w er ; b ut hi s O b s er v a ti o n a n d inqui r y a re d e f e ctiv e in
s om e r es pe cts a n d thos e of th e g r ea t es t i m p or ta nc e n ot
, ,

W i th s t a n ding th e boa s ting o f qu a ck s F or t h e e ff ects of .

int e n s e h e a t a r e e x a min e d a n d Obs er v e d whil e th os e of a ,

m o re g e ntl e d eg re e Of h ea t b e ing of t h e m ost f r equ ent oc

,

cu rre nc e in t he p a th s of n a tu re a re on th a t v er y a cc o unt , , ,

l ea s t kn own W e s ee th eref ore th e fu r n a c es which a re

.
, , ,

most e st ee m e d e mpl oy ed in i nc r ea s i ng t he spi r its of b o di es

,

t o a g r e a t e xt e nt a s in t h e st r o ng a cids a n d s om e ch em ic al
, ,

Oil s ; w hil e the t a ng i bl e p a rt s a r e h a r d e n e d a n d wh e n t he , ,

v o l a t il e p a r t h as e s c a p e d b e c o m e s om etim es fix ed ; the
,

h o m og e n e o us p ar ts a r e s e p a ra t e d a n d t h e h e t er og e n eous ,

inc orp ora t e d a n d a ggl o m er a t ed i n a c oa rs e lu m p ; a n d (w ha t

is chi e fly w or thy Of r em a r k ) t h e j uncti o n of c om po und
b odi es a n d t he m o re d e lic a t e c on f or ma ti on s a re d es t r oy e d
,

a n d c o nf o und e d B ut t he o p er a ti o n Of a l ess vi o l e nt h ea t
.

Sh o uld b e t r i e d a n d inv estig a t ed b y which m ore d e lic a t e ,

mixtur e s a n d regul ar c onf or m a ti on s m a y b e p r oduc ed a n d

e licit e d a cc or ding to t he e x a mpl e of n a tu re a n d in i m it a
, ,

ti o n Of th e e ff e ct of t h e s u n which we h a v e a llud e d to i n
,

t h e a ph or i s m o n t h e in s t a nc es of a lli a nc e F or t he w or k s .

o f n a tur e a r e c a r r i e d o n in much sm a ll e r p or ti o ns a n d in
,

m ore d e lic a t e a n d v a r i e d p os iti o ns th a n th os e Of fi r e a s we ,

n ow e mpl o y it B ut m a n w ill th en a pp ea r t o h a v e r ea lly

.

a ug m e nt e d h i s p o w er wh e n t h e w o r k s of n a tur e ca n be
, ,

94 It m y Ofte n b
a e o b rved on
se l v
th e ea es of the li me an d o the t eesr r .
 imita t ed i n s p e ci es p er f ect e d in pow er a n d v a ri ed i n qu a n
, ,

tity ; t o which should b e a dd e d th e a cc el era ti o n in point of

tim e R u s t f or inst a nc e is t h e re sult of a l o ng p r oc ess
.
, , ,

b ut c r ocus m a r ti s is O b t a in e d imm e di a t e ly ; a n d t he s a m e
m a y b e O b s er v ed Of n a tu ra l v er dig ri s a n d c er us e C ry s t a l .

i s f or m e d Sl ow ly whil e gl a s s is b l o wn imm e di a t e l y : st o n es
,

inc r e a s e s l ow l y whil e b r ic k s a r e b a k e d i m m edi a t ely e tc

, , .

I n t h e m ea nti m e (with r eg a rd to o u r p r es e nt subj e ct) e v ery

diff er e nt s p eci es Of h ea t s h o uld with i ts p eculi a r e ff ect s b e , ,

dil i g e ntly c oll e ct e d a n d i nqui r ed int o ; th a t Of the h e a v e nly

b odi es wh e th er th ei r ra y s b e di rect r efl e ct ed or ref r a ct ed
, , , ,

o r c o nd e n s e d by a bu r ni ng gl a ss ; th a t o f lightning fl a m e
-

, ,

a n d ignit e d ch a r c oa l ; th a t o f fi re Of diff ere nt m a t eri a l s ,

e ith e r op e n o r c o nfi n e d s t r a it e n e d or o ve r fl o wing
,
qua li ,

fi e d by t he di ff er e nt f orm s of th e fu r n a c es e xcit e d by t he ,

b e ll ow s o r qui e s c e nt r e mo v e d t o a g re a t er o r l es s di s t a nc e
, , ,

o r p a s s ing th r o u gh diff e r e n t m e di a ; m oi s t h ea t s such a s ,

th e ba ln eu m M a r i ne a n d t he dunghill ; t he e xt e r n a l a n d i n
,

t er n a l h e a t o f a nim a ls ; d ry h ea t s s uch a s t he h ea t Of a s h es , ,

li m e w a r m s a nd ; in Sh or t t h e n a tu r e o f e ve ry kind o f h ea t
, , ,

a n d i t s d e g r e es .

W e s h o uld h o w e v er p a r ticul a rly a tt e nd t o t he i nv es ti

, ,

a t i n a n d d i sc o v er y Of t h e eff e ct s a n d o p e r a ti o ns o f h e a t
g o ,

wh e n m a d e t o a pp r oa ch a n d r e ti r e by d eg r ees r egul a rly , ,

p er i o dic a lly a n d by p ro p e r i nt er v a l s Of s p a c e a n d ti m e
,
.

F o r th i s s y s t e m a tic a l in e qu a lity i s in t ruth t h e d a ug h t e r o f

h e a v e n a n d m oth er o f g e n e ra ti o n n o r c a n a n y g re a t res ult ,

b e e xp e ct e d f r o m a v e h e m e nt p r e ci pit a t e or d es ult or y h ea t
, ,
.

F o r thi s i s n o t o nly m os t e vid e nt i n v e g e t a b l e s but in t he ,

w o m b s Of a nim a l s a l s o th ere a ri s es a g re a t in e qu a lity of

‘
h ea t f r o m t he m oti on Sl e e p f o od a n d p a s s i on s o f t he
, , , ,

f e m a l e Th e s a m e in eq u a lity p r e v a ils in th os e s u bt erra ne

.
 N O VUM ORGAN UM 2 81

ou s b eds wher e meta l s a n d fossils are pe rp etu a ll y fo rmi ng ,

which re nd e rs yet m or e r em a r k a b le the i gn o ra nce of some

of the r ef or m ed a lch emi s ts wh o im a gin ed th ey c o uld a tt a i n
,

t h e ir O b j ect by th e equ a bl e h ea t of l am p s or t h e li k e b u r n , ,

i n g unif or mly . Let thi s suffic e c o nc er ning t h e Op era ti on

a n d e ff ec ts Of h ea t ; n or is it tim e f or us t o in ve sti g a t e th e m

th oro ughly b e fo re t h e f or ms a n d c o nf or m a ti ons Of b o di es

h a v e b ee n fu r th e r ex a min e d a n d b ro ught to light W h en .

we h a v e d e t er min e d up o n ou r m od els we m a y s ee k a ppl y , , ,

a n d a r r a ng e o u r in s t r um e nt s .

4 Th e f o u r th m od e Of a cti o n is b y continu a nc e t he v ery

.
,

st e w a r d a n d a l m on e r a s it wer e of n a tu r e W e a pply the

, ,
.

te rm c o ntin u a nc e to t h e a b a nd o n m e nt O f a body t o its elf for

a n o bs e r v a bl e tim e gu a r d e d a n d p ro t e ct e d in t h e m ean whil e
,

f rom a ll e xt er n a l f orc e F o r t h e int er n a l m o ti o n t hen c om

.

me n c es t o b e tra y a n d e x e r t its e lf wh e n t h e e xt er n a l a n d
a dv e ntiti o u s i s r e m o v e d The efi e c ts Of tim e h o w e v er a re
.
, ,

f ar m ore d e lic a t e th a n th os e Of fi r e Win e for inst a nc e .

, ,

c a nn o t b e cla r ifi e d by fi r e a s it is by c o ntinu a nc e N or a re .

t h e a sh es p r o duc e d by c o mbu s ti o n S O fi n e as t h e p a r ticl es

dis so lv ed or w a st e d by the l a ps e O f a g es The inc orp ora .

ti ons a n d mixtur es which a re h u rr i e d by fir e a r e v ery

, ,

inf e ri or t o th os e Obt a in e d by c o ntinu a nc e ; a n d t h e v a ri o us

c o nf or m a ti o ns a ssum e d by b o di es l e ft t o th e ms e l v e s s uch ,

a s m o uldi n e s s e tc
,
a r e put a s to p to by fi r e o r a s t r o ng
.
,

h ea t It is n ot in t h e m ea ntim e unimp or t a nt to r e m a r k
.
, ,

th a t t h ere i s a c er t a in d eg r ee Of vi ol e nc e in t h e m oti o n of
b odi es e nti rely c o nfin e d ; f or t h e c o nfin em e nt i m p e d es t he
p r o pe r m o ti o n Of t he b ody C o nti n u a nc e in a n o p e n v es
.

se l th e r e f or e i s u s e ful f o r se p a ra ti o n s a n d i n o n e h e rm e t
, , ,

i c a l ly se a l e d f o r mixt u r es th at in a v ess e l p a rtly cl o se d b ut

, ,

a dm itting th e a i r fo r pu tr ef a cti o n
,
B ut i n s t a nc es of the
.
282 N OVU M ORG A N UM

Op era tion a n d eff ect o f c o n tinu a nce m ust b e coll ect e d dili
g ently fr om e v ery qu a rt er .

5 Th e di re ction of m oti on ( which is t he fifth m eth od

.

Of a cti on ) is Of n o sm a ll u se W e a d o pt thi s t erm wh e n .

,

sp e a king Of a b ody which m eeting with a n oth e r eith er , ,

a r r e s t s r e p e l s a ll o ws
, ,
o r di r e cts its o r igin a l m o ti o n
,
This .

is th e c a s e p rincip a lly in th e figur e a n d p ositi o n O f v e s s e ls .

A n up right c on e f or in s t a nc e p rom ot es t he cond en s a ti o n

, ,

of v a p o r in a l em bic s but wh e n re v e rs ed a s i n inv er te d

, ,

v e ss el s it a s sis t s t he r e fining Of s ug a r S o m e tim es a cu rv e d

,
.

f or m or o n e a lt er n a t e ly c o nt ra ct e d a n d dil a t e d i s r equi r e d
, ,
.

S t r a in e rs m a y b e ra ng e d und e r thi s h e a d w h e re th e o pp ose d ,

b ody Op en s a wa y f or o n e p o r ti o n Of a n o th e r sub s t a nc e a n d
i m p e d es th e r es t N or i s t hi s p roc es s or a n y o t he r di rect i on
.

o f m ot i o n c a rr i e d o n e xt e r n a lly o nly but s o m e ti m e s by o n e ,

b ody within a n o th e r T hu s p e b bl es a re th ro wn int o w a t e r

.
,

t o c o ll ec t t he m uddy p a r ticl e s a n d s y r up s a r e r e fin e d by,

t h e whit e of a n e gg w h ich gl u es th e g r os s er p a r ticl e s to

,

g e th er s o a s to f a cilit a t e th ei r r em o v a l Te les i u s ind eed .

, ,

r a s hly a n d ign or a ntly e n o ugh a tt rib ut e s t he f or m a ti on o f

a n i m a l s t o thi s c a u s e by m e a n s o f t h e ch a nn e l s a n d f o ld s
,

o f t he w o m b . H e o u ght t o h a v e Ob s e r v e d a s i m il a r f or m a
ti on Of th e y o ung in e gg s which h a v e n o w r inkl es o r i n
e q u a liti es . O n e m a y Ob s er v e a r ea l r es ult o f th i s di r e cti o n
o f m o ti on in c a s ting a n d m o d e lling .

6 T h e e ff e ct s p r o duc e d by h a r m ony a n d a v e r s i o n ( which

.

i s th e s ixth m e th o d ) a r e f req u e ntly bu ri e d i n o b s cu rity ; f o r

th es e o ccult a n d s p e c ific p rop e r ti es (a s th ey a re t e r m ed ) t he ,

s ymp a thi es a n d a ntip a thi es a r e fo r t h e m os t p a rt but a

,

c or r upti o n Of phil o s ophy N or c a n we f or m a n y g rea t

.

e xp e ct a ti o n Of t h e disc o v e r y o f t he h a rm o ny which e xi s ts

b etw e e n n a tu r a l Obj ects b ef ore th a t of th ei r f orms a n d

,
 N O VU M ORGAN UM 283

simpl e c onform a ti o ns for it is n othi ng m or e than the sym

,

m etr y be twe e n th es e f orm s a n d c o nf orm a ti o ns .

The g r ea t er a n d m o re univ er s a l s pe ci es of har mo n y a re

n ot h o w e v er so wh o lly O b scu r e a n d wi t h th e m th ere f o re
'

, , , , ,

w e must c omm e nc e Th e fi r st a n d p r incip a l di s tincti o n b e

.

tw ee n th em i s this ; th a t s om e b o di es di ff er consid era bly in

t he a b und a nc e a n d ra r it y Of th e i r s u b s t a nc e b ut c orresp o n d ,

in th ei r c onf o rm a ti o n ; o th ers o n th e c o nt rary c orr esp ond i n

, ,

t he f or m er a n d di ff e r in t h e l a tt er T hus th e c h emi s ts h a ve .

w ell Obs er v e d th a t in th ei r t r i a l O f fi rst pr incipl es sulphur

,

a n d m er c u r y a s it w e r e p e r v a d e t h e univ er se ; th e i r r e a s o n
, ,

ing a b out s a lt h ow e v er i s a b su r d a n d m ere ly int rod uce d

, , ,

t o c omp r is e e ar thy d ry fix e d bo di e s In t h e oth er t wo .

,

i nd e ed on e Of t he m ost univ e rs a l sp e ci es of n a tura l h ar

,

m o ny m a nif es ts its elf T hus th er e i s a c or res p o nd enc e b e

.

tw ee n s ulphu r Oil g rea sy exh a l a ti o n s fl a m e a n d p er h a ps

, , , , , ,

t h e s ub s t a nc e O f th e st a r s O n t h e o th e r h a nd th ere is a
.
,

lik e c orres p o nd e nc e b e twe e n m er cu ry w a t er a qu eo us v a p or , , ,

ai r,
an d p e r h a ps pu r e int er s id er e a l e th er Y et d o th es e
, ,
-
.

t wo qu a t er ni o ns or g r ea t n a t u r a l t r ib es (ea ch within its o wn

,

l imit s ) di ff e r i m m e n s e ly in qu a ntity a n d d e n s ity of s u b

,

s t a nc e ,whil e t h ey g e n era lly a g re e in co nf or m a ti o n as i s ,

m a nif es t in m a ny inst a nc es O n th e o th er h a nd t he m eta ls

.
,

a g r e e in s uch qu a ntity a n d d e nsity e s p eci a ll y wh e n c o m

(
p a re d with v eg et ab l e s b ut diff er in m a n y r es p ects i n
,

co nfor m a tio n A ni m a l s a n d v eg e t a b l e s in li k e m a nn er
.
, ,

v a r y in th e i r a lm os t infinit e m o d es O f c onf or m a ti o n b u t ,

ra ng e within v ery l i mit e d d eg re es of qu a ntity a n d d e ns ity

of s ub s t a nc e .

Th e n ext m os t g e n era l c o r res p o nd ence is th a t b etw een

'

i ndividu a l b odi es a n d t h os e which s u pply th e m by wa y of

me nstru um or suppor t Inqui ry th e ref or e must be m a d e
.
, ,
g e n era ted a n d the sa m e of g e ms wh e th er p rod uc ed in roc k s
, ,

or mines a ls o a s to the soil in which p a r ticula r trees sh r ubs

, , ,

a n d h e r b s m ostl y g ro w a n d a s it w er e d elight ; a n d a s t o
, , ,

t h e b es t sp e ci e s O f m a n u re wh e th er d ung ch a l k s ea s a nd
, , , ,

or a s h e s e tc
,
a n d th e i r diff e re nt p ro p r i e ty a n d a dv a nt a g e
.
,

a cc o r ding t o t h e v a r i e ty Of s oil s S O a ls o th e g ra fting a n d

.

s etting Of t re es a n d pl a nt s (a s reg a r d s t he r ea din es s Of g ra ft

ing on e p a r ticul a r sp e ci es o n a n o th er) d ep e nds v e ry much
up o n h a r m ony a n d it w o uld b e a mu s ing t o t ry a n e x per i
,

m e nt I h a v e l a t e l y h ea r d o f in g ra fting f o r est t re es (g a rd e n
,

tr e e s a l on e h a ving hith er t o b e e n a d opt e d ) by which m ea n s ,

t h e l ea ve s a n d f r uit a r e e nl a r g e d a n d t h e t r ee s p r o duc e
,

m ore Sh a d e Th e s p ecific f ood of a ni m a l s a g a in sh o uld be

.

Obs e r v ed a s w ell a s th a t w hich c a n n o t b e u s e d Thu s t h e

,
.

c ar niv oro u s c a nn o t b e fe d o n h er b s for w hich r ea s on th e ,

or d er o f f eu ill e t a n s t he e x per im e nt h a ving b ee n m a d e

, ,

h a s n e a r ly v a ni s h e d ; h um a n n a tu re b e ing inc a p a bl e Of
supp or ting th ei r regim e n a lth o ugh t he h u m a n will h as
,

m or e p o w er o v e r t h e b odily f ra m e th a n th a t o f o th er
a ni m a l s
. Th e diff e r e nt ki nd s Of p ut r e f a cti o n f r om which
a ni m a l s a r e g e n er a t e d Sh o ul d b e n o t e d .

The h a r m ony Of p ri ncip a l b o di es with th o s e s u b ordin a t e

t o th e m (s uch ind ee d m ay b e d e em e d th os e w e h a v e a llud e d

t o a b o v e ) a r e s uffici e ntly m a nif e s t to w hich m a y b e a dd e d

,

th os e th a t e x is t b et we e n diff e r e nt b o di es a n d th ei r obj ect s ,

a n d Sinc e th e s e l a tt e r a r e m o r e a pp a r e nt th ey m a y th r o w
, ,

g r ea t light w h e n w e ll Ob s er v e d a n d dilig e ntly ex a m in ed

up on th os e wh i ch a r e m ore l a t ent .

Th e m ore i nt er n a l h a r m o ny a n d a v e rsi o n or f ri e ndshi p ,

a n d e n m ity (fo r sup e r s t i ti o n a n d f o lly h a v e r e nd ere d the

terms of symp a th y a n d a ntip a thy a lm ost disgusting ) h a ve ,

 NO VU M OR G AN UM 2 85

b ee n eith er f a ls ely a ssign ed or mixe d wi th fa b l e or m ost

, ,

r a r e ly di s c o v e r e d f r o m n egl e ct F or if o n e w ere t o a ll eg e
.

th a t th ere i s a n enmity b e twe e n t he vin e a n d t he c a bb a g e ,

b e c a use th ey will n ot c om e u p w e ll wh e n s own t og eth er ,

th ere is a suffici e nt r ea s o n for it in t h e s uccul ent a n d a h

s orb ent n a tu r e Of ea ch pl a nt S O th a t t he o n e d efr a ud s t he
,

o th e r . A g a in i f on e w er e t o s ay th a t th er e i s a h a r m o n y
,

a n d f r i e nd s hip b e t wee n t h e c or n a n d t h e c or n flo wer o r t he -

,

wild p oppy b e c a u s e t he l a tt e r s e ld om g ro w a nywh er e but

,

in culti v a t e d soils h e o ug h t ra th er t o s a y th er e is a n e nmit y

, ,

be tw e e n th em for t he p opp y a n d t he c or n fl o w er a re pro

,
-

d u c e d a n d c r ea t e d by th os e j uic e s which t h e c or n h a s l eft

a n d re j e ct e d S O th a t t h e s o wing O f t he c o r n p r e p a re s t h e
,

g round for th ei r p roducti o n A n d th ere a re a v a s t nu m b er

.

of Simila r f a ls e a s s erti ons A s for fa b l es th ey mu s t b e

.
,

to ta lly e xt e r min a te d Th ere rem a ins th e n but a sc a nt y

.
, ,

suppl y of s uch sp eci es Of h a r m o ny a s ha s b o r n e t h e t es t

Of e xp er im e nt such a s th a t b e t we e n t h e m a gn e t a n d i r o n
, ,

g old a n d q uic k s ilv er a n d t he li k e In ch emic al e xpe ri

,
.

m e nts on m et a l s h o w e ve r th ere a r e s om e oth e rs w orthy Of

, ,

n o tic e b ut t h e g r ea t e st a bun d a nc e ( w h er e t h e wh o l e a re so
,

f e w in nu m b er s ) i s di s c o v e re d in c e r t a in m e dic i n e s which , ,

f ro m th ei r o ccult a n d sp ecific q u a liti es (a s th ey a r e te rm ed ) ,

a ff e ct p a r ticul a r lim b s h um ors di s ea ses or c o nstituti ons

, , , .

N or sh o uld we omit the h a r m o n y b e tw e e n t h e m o ti o n a n d

p h e n o m e n a O f the m oo n a n d th e i r e ff e cts on l ow er b odi e s
, ,

which m a y b e b ro ught tog e th er by a n a ccu r a t e a n d h on es t

s e l ec ti o n f ro m t he e xp e rim e n ts o f a g r icultu re n a viga ti on , ,

a n d m e dicin e or O f o th er sci e nc e s
, By as much as th ese .

e n e ra l i nsta nces h o w e v er O f m or e l a te n t h ar m o n y a re
g , , ,

ra re with S O much th e m ore dilige nc e a re t h ey to be i n

,

u ired a ft e r , t hroug h tra diti o n an d f a ith ful a n d h o n es t

q ,
io u s a n d as it w e re h es it a ting d eg re e Of re li a nce There
, , .

"

r e m a ins o n e s p eci es O f h a r mon y whi c h th o u h s i mp l e i n

g ,

its mod e Of a cti on i s yet m ost v a lu a bl e in its us e a n d mus t

, ,

by n o m ea ns b e o mitt ed but ra th er diligentl y inv estig a t ed

, .

I t is t he r ea d y or d ifficult c oiti o n or uni o n of b odi es in c om

p ositi o n or s impl e j uxt a p os iti o n F or s o m e b odi es r ea dily
,
.

a n d willingly mix a n d a r e inc or po r a t e d o th e r s ta r dily a n d

, ,

p er v ers e l y ; th us p o wd e r s mix b es t with w a t er c h a lk a n d ,

a s h e s with Oil s a n d t h e li k e
,
N or a r e th es e in s t a nc es of
.

r e a din ess a n d a v e r s i o n t o mixtu r e to b e a l o n e c oll ect ed ,

b ut oth ers a ls o of t he c oll o c a ti o n d ist r i b uti o n a n d dig es

, , , ,

ti o n Of t he p a rt s wh e n mingl e d a n d t he p re d omin a nc e a ft er
,

t he mixtu re i s c ompl e t e .

7 L a s tly th ere r e m a in s t h e s e v e nth a n d l a st Of the

.
, ,

s e v e n m od es Of a cti o n ; n a m e ly th a t by t he a lte rn a ti on
, ,

a n d int e rch a ng e o f t h e o th er s i x ; b ut o f this it will n o t ,

b e t h e ri ght tim e t o O ff er a n y e x a m pl es until s o m e d eep er ,

i nv es tig a ti o n s h a ll h a v e t a k e n pl a c e of e a ch Of t h e oth ers .

The s er i es o r ch a in Of thi s a lt er n a ti o n i n its m o d e Of a pp i i

, ,

c a ti o n to s ep a ra t e e ff e ct s i s n o l es s p ow e rful in its o p e ra ti on
,

th a n difficult t o b e t ra c e d B ut m en a re p os s e ss ed with the

.

m os t ext r em e imp a ti e nc e b oth o f suc h inqui r i es a n d th eir

, ,

p r a ctic a l a pplic a ti on a lth o ugh it b e t he cl e w of th e l a by

,

ri n th i n a ll g r e a te r w o r k s T hu s fa r o f t he g e n e ra lly us efu l
.

in s t a nc es .

LI The tw e nty s e v e nth a n d l a st pl a c e w e will a ssig n

.
-

t o t he m a gic a l in s t a nc es a t e r m which we a pply t o th ose

,

wh e re t he m a tte r or e ffici e nt a g e nt i s sc a nt y or sm a ll i n ,

c ompa ri so n with t he g ra nd e u r of t he w or k or e ff ect pro

d u c e d ; so th a t ev e n wh e n c omm o n th ey a p p e a r mi r a cul o us ,

so m e a t fi rs t sight oth e r s e v e n u po n more a tte ntiv e obs er

,
 N O VU M ORGAN UM 2 87

v a ti on N a tu re h o w e v er Of h ers el f suppli es th es e but

.
, , ,

sp ar ingly Wh a t S he will d o w h e n h er wh ol e s t ore is

.

th r o wn o p e n a n d a fte r t he di s c o v ery Of f orm s p roc e s s es

, , ,

a n d c o nf or m a ti o n will a pp e a r h er e a ft e r A s f a r a s we c a n
,
.

e t c o nj e ctu r e th e s e m a gic efi ec t s a r e p ro duc e d in t h r ee

y ,

w a ys e ith er by s e lf multiplic a ti on a s in fi r e a n d th e
,
-
, ,

p ois o ns t er m e d sp ecific a n d t h e m o ti o n s t r a n s f err e d a n d

,

m ultipli e d f ro m w h eel to wh ee l ; or by the e xcit e m e nt or , ,

as it w e re invit a ti o n of a n o th e r sub s t a nc e a s in t h e m a gn e t
, , ,

which e xcit e s inn u m er a b l e n e e dl es with o ut l os ing or di m in

i s hi n g i ts p o w er ; a n d a g a in in l e a v e n a n d t h e lik e ; or by ,

t he e xc e s s o f r a pidity Of o n e s p e ci es o f m o ti o n o v er a n o th e r ,

as h a s b ee n Ob s e r v e d in th e c a s e o f gunp o wd er c a nn on , ,

a n d m in es Th e two f or m er r e qui r e a n i nv es tig a ti o n Of

.

h a r m o ni e s t he l a tt er of a m e a s u r e of m o ti on
,
Wh eth er .

th e re b e a n y m o d e Of ch a nging b od i e s per m i n i m a (a s i t
is t er m e d ) a n d t ra nsf err i ng the d elic a t e c o nfor m a ti o ns
,

O f m a tt er which i s Of imp or t a nc e in a ll t r a n s f or m a ti o n s
,

of b o di es s o a s t o e n a b l e a r t t o eff e ct in a Sh or t ti m e th a t
, , ,

which n a tur e w or k s ou t by div ers e xp e di e nts is a p oint Of ,

which we h a v e a s y et n o indic a ti o n B ut a s we a s pi re .
,

t o t h e e xt re m es t a n d high est re s ul ts i n th a t which i s s o lid

a n d t r u e S O d o we e v e r d e t e s t a n d a s f a r a s i n us li e s
, , , ,

e xp e l a l l th a t is em pty a n d v a in .

to resp e cti ve dignity Of

p
"m
re
‘

gfi af f ai in this
’

r og a t i ve s o f in s t a nc e s B ut m .

ou r org a n we t r e a t Of l ogic a n d n o t o f p hil os o ph y

, ,
S e eing .
,

h o w e v er th a t ou r l o gic inst r ucts a n d infor ms the und er

,

st a nding in or d er th a t it ma y n ot with t he sm a ll h ook s a s

, , ,

it w ere Of t he mind c a tch a t a n d g ra s p m e re a b s t ra cti o ns

, , , ,

b u t ra th e r a ctu a lly p e n e t r a t e n a tu re a n d di s c o v er t he p rop ,

erti es a n d e ff ec ts of b odi es a n d t h e d e t e r m in a t e l a ws O f
,
th e i r bs ta nc e (so th a t this s ci e nc e o f o urs sprin gs from
su

t h e n a tu re of thing s as w e ll as f r om th a t O f th e mind ) ; it
,

i s n o t to b e wond ere d a t i f it h a v e b een con ti nua ll y i hter

,

s per s ed a n d illus t ra te d with n a tu ra l O b s er va tio n s a n d e x~

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, ,

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,
.
,

th ey a s s i s t e ith e r t he s e n s es o r t h e und e rs t a nding ; t he sen s es,

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e ith e r by e xp e diting t he excl us iv e m o d e o f a rr iving a t the

f or m a s in s ol i ta ry insta nc es o r b y c o nfining a n d m ore

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c o nspicu o us a cc omp a nying a n d s u bj unctiv e in s t a nc es ; or

, ,

b y e l e v a ting t he und e rst a nding a n d l e a ding it t o g e n e ral ,

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, ,

c la nd e stin e a n d s ingul a r in s t a nc e s a n d th os e o f a lli a nce ; or ,

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t h e Simil a r i n st a nc es ; or b y c o rre cting t he und erst a nding

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,

the g ra nd for m or fa b ri c of th e u n iv erse, as i n the bord e ri ng

 N O VU M ORGAN UM 289

i nst a nc e s ; by gu a r ding it f rom f a ls e f orms a n d c a us es ,

or

a s in th os e O f t h e c r os s a n d o f di v o r c e With r eg a r d to .

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t he in s t a nc e s of p ow er ; o r by inducing us t o a spi r e to th a t

which m ay b e p oss i b l e a s in t he s ugg es ting in s ta nc es ; t he

,

f o u r m a th em a tic a l in s t a nc e s m ea su re it Th e g en er a lly u s e .

ful a n d t he m a gic a l e l e v a t e it .

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-
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b e c oll ect e d im m e di a t e ly with o ut w a iting for a p a r ti c ul a r

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a n d s e ns e s o r f ur ni s h o u r g e n er a l p r a ctic e
,
The r e m a ind e r .

a re t o b e c o ll e ct e d w h e n we fini s h o u r s yn o ptic a l t a bl e s fo r

t h e w or k Of t h e int er p r e t er up o n a n y p a r tic ul a r n a t u r e ;
,

for th es e in s t a nc es h o n ore d a n d gi ft e d with such pr er og a

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t i ves a re lik e th e So ul a mid t h e vulg ar c r o wd of in s t a nc es

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i n th e i r or d er in t h e tw e nty fi r s t a ph ori s m in or d e r th a t -
, ,

" ik e go od a n d f a it h ful gu a rdi a ns we m a y yi e ld up th ei r ,

f or tun e to m a nki n d up on t h e e m a ncip a tion a n d m a j or it y

F or c re a ti o n did n o t b ec om e e nti r ely a n d utt e rly r e b e lli o us
b y the cu r s e b u t i n c o n se qu e nc e Of t h e Di vin e d ec r ee in
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t he s w ea t of thy b ro w s h a lt th o u e a t b r ea d S h e is c om
,

e l l e d by u r l a b or s n o t a s s u r e dly by o ur di s p ut e s or
p o
(
m a gic a l c er e m o ni e s) a t l e n gth to a ff or d m a n k ind in s ome
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his b rea d th a t is t o s ay t o sup p ly m a n s d a ily w a nts

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.

E N D or NO VUM O R GA N U H
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