NOVUM ORGANUM. 197 



For in the bodies with which we are acquainted, there is 

 no real but an apparent rest, either in the whole or in parts. 

 This apparent rest is occasioned either by equilibrium or 

 the absolute predominance of motions. By equilibrium, as 

 in the scales of the balance, which rest if the weights be 

 equal. By predominance, as in perforated jars, in which 

 the water rests, and is prevented from falling by the pre 

 dominance of the motion of connexion. It is, however, to 

 be observed (as we have said before), how far the yielding 

 motions exert themselves. For if a man be held stretched 

 out on the ground against his will, with arms and legs 

 bound down, or otherwise confined, and yet strive with all 

 his power to get up, the struggle is not the less although 

 ineffectual. The real state of the case (namely, whether 

 the yielding motion be, as it were, annihilated by the pre 

 dominance, or there be rather a continued although an in 

 visible effort) will perhaps appear in the concurrence of 

 motions, although it escape our notice in their conflict. 

 For instance ; let an experiment be made with muskets ; 

 whether a musket-ball, at its utmost range in a straight 

 line, or (as it is commonly called) point blank, strike with 

 less force when projected upwards, where the motion of the 

 blow is simple, than when projected downwards, where the 

 motion of gravity concurs with the blow. 



The rules of such instances of predominance as occur 

 should be collected: such as the following; the more 

 general the desired advantage is, the stronger will be the 

 motion ; the motion of connexion, for instance, which relates 

 to the intercourse of the parts of the universe, is more 

 powerful than that of gravity, which relates to the inter 

 course of dense bodies only. Again, the desire of a private 

 good does not in general prevail against that of a public 

 one, except where the quantities are small. Would that 

 such were the case in civil matters ! 



49. In the twenty-fifth rank of prerogative instances 

 we will place Suggesting instances; such as suggest or 

 point out that which is advantageous to mankind ; for bare 

 power and knowledge in themselves exalt rather than enrich 

 human nature. We must, therefore, select from the general 

 store such things as are most useful to mankind. We shall 

 have a better opportunity of discussing these when we treat 

 of the application to practice ; besides, in the work of inter 

 pretation, we leave room, on every subject, for the human 

 or optative chart; for it is a part of science to make judi 

 cious inquiries and wishes. 



