388 ON THE SCOPE AND INFLUENCE OF THE 
tivated, and by assurances that it only required to be cultivated’ 
with attention to his rules, in order to yield an endless increase: 
of knowledge and of inventions. “ Let it be believed,” says he, 
and appeal thereof made to time, with renunciation, never= 
theless, to all the vain and abusing promises of the Alchy- 
mists, and such like credulous and fantastical sects, that the 
new found world of land was not greater addition to the old; 
than there remaineth at this day a world of Inventions and’ 
Sciences unknown, having respect to. those that are known, 
with this difference, that the ancient regions of knowledge 
will seem as barbarous compared to the new, as the new re- 
gions of people seem barbarous compared to many of the 
“ old *.” It is in these confident anticipations of the future 
triumphs of science, so often repeated as encouragements to its. 
faithful prosecution, that we more particularly perceive the 
grandeur and reach of his views. His predictions of improve- 
ment were not the vague or casual surmises of a happy enthu- 
siasm; they were evidently grounded upon an enlightened 
conviction, that the business of philosophy had. hitherto beer 
mistaken, and that her labours would prosper, when they: 
should be employed with. constancy and. skill upon their legi~ 
timate objects. 
Is it not unreasonable to doubt the utility of a system of 
logical instructions, in which the true art of discovery was, 
for the first time, explained? These instructions were of 
fered at a period in every respect opportune: There was a 
growing disposition to revolt against the Schools, and: a wise 
leader was wanted to raise the true standard of reform, and to 
give a salutary direction to the pursuits of those who should 
emancipate themselves from their authority. The improve- 
ment 
ee 
* Of the Interpretation of Nature, Chap. ii—Works, vol. i. p. 376. 4to edit. 
= 
