50 XOVUM OKGANUM. 



the parent of error and the calamity of every science. But 

 we will treat more fully of that which we now slightly touch 

 upon, when we come to lay down the true way of inter 

 preting nature, after having gone through the above ex 

 piatory process and purification of the mind. 



70. But experience is by far the best demonstration, 

 provided it adhere to the experiment actually made ; for if 

 that experiment be transferred to other subjects apparently 

 similar, unless with proper and methodical caution, it be 

 comes fallacious. The present method of experiment is 

 blind and stupid. Hence men wandering and roaming 

 without any determined course, and consulting mere chance, 

 are hurried about to various points and advance but little ; 

 at one time they are happy, at another their attention is 

 distracted, and they always find that they want something 

 furtheiv Men generally make their experiments carelessly, 

 and as it were in sport, making some little variation in a 

 known experiment, and then if they fail, they become dis 

 gusted and give up the attempt : nay, if they set to work 

 more seriously, steadily, and assiduously, yet they waste 

 all their time on probing some solitary matter ; as Gilbert 

 on the magnet, and the alchymists on gold. But such 

 conduct shows their method to be no less unskilful than 

 mean. For nobody can successfully investigate the nature 

 of any object by considering that object alone, the inquiry 

 must be more generally extended. 



Even when men build any science and theory upon ex 

 periment, yet they almost always turn with premature and 

 hasty zeal to practice, not merely on account of the advan 

 tage and benefit to be derived from it, but in order to seize 

 upon some security in a new undertaking of their not em 

 ploying the remninder of their labour unprofitably; and 

 by making themselves conspicuous, to acquire a greater 

 name for their pursuit. Hence, like Atalanta, they leave 

 the course to pick up the golden apple, interrupting their 

 speed, and giving up the victory. But in the true course 

 of experiment, and in extending it to new effects, we should 

 imitate the divine foresight and order. For God, on the 

 first day, only created light, and assigned a whole day 

 to that work, without creating any material substance 

 thereon. In like manner, we must first, by every kind of 

 experiment, elicit the discovery of causes and true axioms, 

 and seek for experiments which may afford light rather 

 than profit. Axioms, when rightly investigated and estab 

 lished, prepare us not for a limited but abundant practice, 



