140 NOVUM ORGAN UM. 



ful works of art : and even to a greater degree, because, the 

 mode of effecting and constructing the miracles of art is 

 generally plain ; whilst that of effecting the miracles of 

 nature is more obscure. Great care, however, must be taken, 

 that they do not depress the understanding, and fix it as it 

 were to earth. 



For there is some danger, lest the understanding should 

 be astonished and chained down, and as it were bewitched, 

 by such works of art, as appear to be the very summit and 

 pinnacle of human industry, so as not to become familiar 

 with them, but rather to suppose, that nothing of the kind 

 can be accomplished, unless the same means be employed, 

 with perhaps a little more diligence, and more accurate 

 preparation. 



Now, on the contrary, it may be stated as a fact, that the 

 ways and means hitherto discovered and observed, of effect 

 ing any matter or work, are for the most part of little value, 

 and that all really efficient power depends, and is really to 

 be deduced from the sources of forms, none of which have 

 yet been discovered. 



Thus (as we have before observed), had any one medi 

 tated on balistic machines, and battering rams, as they were 

 used by the ancients, whatever application he might have 

 exerted, and though he might have consumed a whole lite 

 in the pursuit, yet would he never have hit upon the inven 

 tion of flaming engines, acting by means of gunpowder : 

 nor would any person, who had made woollen manufactories 

 and cotton the subject of his observation and reflection, 

 have ever discovered thereby the nature of the silk-worm 

 or of silk. 



Hence all the most noble discoveries have (if you observe) 

 come to light, not by any gradual improvement and exten 

 sion of the arts, but merely by chance ; whilst nothing imi 

 tates or anticipates chance (which is wont to act at intervals 

 of ages) but the invention of forms. 



There is no necessity for adducing any particular examples 

 of these instances, since they are abundant. The plan to 

 be pursued is this ; all the mechanical, and even the liberal 

 arts, (as far as they are practical) should be visited and 

 thoroughly examined, and thence there should be formed a 

 compilation or particular history, of the great masterpieces, 

 or most finished works in each, as well as of the mode of 

 carrying them into effect. 



Nor do we confine the diligence to be used in such a 

 compilation to the leading works and secrets only of every 



