88 NOVUM ORGANUM 



come every difficulty. And we have thought right to add 

 this observation, because we candidly own that such a 

 collection of natural and experimental history as we have 

 traced in our own mind, and as is really necessary, is a 

 great and as it were royal work, requiring much labor 

 and expense. 



CXII. In the meantime let no one be alarmed at the mul 

 titude of particulars, but rather inclined to hope on that very 

 account. For the particular phenomena of the arts and na 

 ture are in reality but as a handful, when compared with the 

 fictions of the imagination removed and separated from the 

 evidence of facts. The termination of our method is clear, 

 and I had almost said near at hand ; the other admits of no 

 termination, but only of infinite confusion. For men have 

 hitherto dwelt but little, or rather only slightly touched 

 upon experience, while they have wasted much time on 

 theories and the fictions of the imagination. If we had but 

 any one who could actually answer our interrogations of 

 nature, the invention of all causes and sciences would be 

 the labor of but a few years. 



CXIII. We think some ground of hope is afforded by 

 our own example, which is not mentioned for the sake of 

 boasting, but as a useful remark. Let those who distrust 

 their own powers observe myself, one who have among my 

 contemporaries been the most engaged in public business, 

 who am not very strong in health (which causes a great loss 

 of time), and am the first explorer of this course, following 

 the guidance of none, nor even communicating my thoughts 

 to a single individual; yet having once firmly entered in the 

 right way, and submitting the powers of my mind to things, 

 I have somewhat advanced (as I make bold to think) the 

 matter 1 now treat of. Then let others consider what may 



