136 OF THE ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING, [X. 2. 
merchants, divines, and in every of these better seen than 
in their profession; and no doubt upon this ground, that 
they find that mediocrity and excellency in their art 
maketh no difference in profit or reputation towards their 
fortune; for the weakness of patients, and sweetness 
of life, and nature of hope, maketh men depend upon 
physicians with all their defects. But nevertheless these 
things which we have spoken of are courses begotten 
between a little occasion, and a great deal of sloth and 
default; for if we will excite and awake our observation, 
we shall see in familiar instances what a predominant 
faculty the subtilty of spirit hath over the variety of 
matter or form. Nothing more variable than faces and 
countenances: yet men can bear in memory the infinite 
distinctions of them ; nay, a painter with a few shells of 
colours, and the benefit of his eye, and habit of his 
imagination, can imitate them all that ever have been, 
are, or may be, if they were brought before him. No- 
thing more variable than voices; yet men can likewise 
discern them personally: nay, you shall have a Juffon 
or pantomimus, will express as many as he pleaseth. 
Nothing more variable than the differing sounds of words; 
yet men have found the way to reduce them to a few 
simple letters. So that it is not the insufficiency or in- 
capacity of man’s mind, but it is the remote standing or 
placing thereof, that breedeth these mazes and incom- 
prehensions. For as the sense afar off is full of mistaking, 
but is exact at hand, so is it of the understanding: the 
remedy whereof is, not to quicken or strengthen the 
organ, but to go nearer to the object; and therefore there 
is no doubt but if the physicians will learn and use the 
true approaches and avenues of nature, they may assume 
as much as the poet saith: 
ae 
