THE RULE OF THIS PRESENT HISTORY. 



THOUGH we have set down towards the end of that part of 

 our Organon which is come forth precepts concerning the 

 Natural and Experimental History, yet we have thought 

 good to set down more exactly and briefly the form and 

 rule of this history which we now take in hand. To the 

 titles comprehended in the catalogue, which belong to the 

 concretes, we have added the titles of the abstract natures ; 

 of which, as of a reserved history, we made mention in the 

 same place. These are the various figurations of the matter, 

 or forms of the first class ; simple motions, sums of motions, 

 measures of motions, and some other things : of these we 

 have made a new alphabet, and placed it at the end of this 

 volume. We have taken titles (being no way able to take 

 them all) not according to order, but by choice; those, 

 namely, the inquisition of which either for use was most of 

 weight, or for abundance of experiments most convenient, 

 or for the obscurity of the thing most difficult and noble, or 

 by reason of the discrepancy of titles among themselves, 

 most open to examples. In each title, after a kind of an 

 entrance or preface, we presently propound certain particu 

 lar topics or articles of inquisition, as well to give light to 

 the present inquisition, as to encourage a future. For we 

 are master of questions, but not of things ; yet we do not 

 in the history precisely observe the order of questions, 

 lest that which is for an aid and assistance should prove 

 a hinderance. 



The histories and experiments always hold the first place ; 

 and if they set forth any enumeration and series of parti 

 cular things, they are made up in tables, or if otherwise, 

 they are taken up severally. 



Seeing that histories and experiments do oftentimes fail 

 us, especially those which give light, and instances of the 

 cross, by which the understanding may be informed of the 

 true causes of things, we give precepts of new experiments, 

 as far as we can see them fitting in our mind, for that as is to 

 be inquired ; and these precepts are designed like histories. 



