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PHILOSOPHICAL WRITINGS OF LORD BACON. 375 
In order to clear the way for this inquiry, I shall begin with 
a few remarks-on a late estimate of Bacon’s Philosophy, evi- 
dently intended, not merely to depreciate, but to vilify it ; in- 
somuch, that it stands remarkably at variance with almost all 
that has been hitherto published on that subject. The esti- 
mate alluded to is the more worthy of notice, that it has ob- 
tained a place in a Literary Journal of great respectability, and 
which is supposed by many to speak the sentiments of the 
' English Universities in matters of philosophy. 
It is pretty well known, I presume, that Bacon’s writings have 
been recently commented upon by two of our most eminent 
philosophers ; by the one, in reference to their connection with 
the Philosophy of the Mind *; and by the other, in reference 
to their more apparent object, the explaining the method by 
which to extend our knowledge of the Material World +. 
Both of them represent Bacon as the first who clearly and fully 
pointed out the legitimate rules and ends of philosophical in- 
quiry ; 
mentioned. ‘¢ Si Bacon a eu tant de part aux découvertes qui se sont faites 
aprés lui dans Jes sciences, qu’on nous montre donc un seul fait, un seul résul- 
tat de son invention, qui soit de quelque utilité aujourd’hui: ou, si ses prin- 
cipes généraux sont tellement feconds, qwils aient pu, comme on l’assure, lui faire 
pressentir un grand nombre de decouvertes modernes, il est présumable qu’on 
n’ a pas encore épuisé tout ce que contient son Livre; et dans ce cas, ceux qui 
disent que nous lui devons tant de choses, devraient essayer d’en tirer d’avance 
quelques-unes des découvertes dont la methode de Gatitez nous enrichit tous 
les jours.”—Biog. Universelle, in loc. cit. 
* See Mr Srewart’s Dissertation on the Progress of Metaphysical, Ethical, and 
Political Philosophy, prefixed to the Supplement to the Encyclopedia Britannica. 
+ See Professor Prayratr’s Dissertation on the Progress of Mathematical tee 
Physical Science, prefixed to the same work. 
