240 RULE OF THIS PRESENT HISTORY. 



For what other means is left to us, who are the first that 

 come into this way ? We unfold and make plain the man 

 ner of some experiments that are more quaint and subtile, 

 that there may be no error, and that we may stir up others 

 to find out better and more exact ways. We interweave 

 monitions and cautions of the fallacies of things, and of 

 such errors and scruples as may be found in the inquiry, 

 that all fancies, and as it were apparitions, may be frighted 

 away, as by an exorcism or spell. 



We join thereunto our observations upon history and 

 experiments, that the interpretation of the nature may be 

 the readier. 



We interpose some comments, or as it were rudiments of 

 the interpretations of causes, sparingly, and rather suppos 

 ing what may be, than positively defining what is. 



We prescribe and set down rules, but movable ones, and 

 as it were inchoated axioms which offer themselves unto us 

 as we inquire, not as we decisorily pronounce, for they are 

 profitable though not altogether true. 



Never forgetting the profit of mankind (though the light 

 be more worthy than those things which be shown by it), 

 we offer to man s attention and practice certain essays of 

 practice, knowing that men s stupidity is such, and so un 

 happy, that sometimes they see not and pass over things 

 which lie just in their way. 



We set down works and things impossible, or at least 

 which are not yet found out, as they fall under each title; 

 and withal those which are already found out, and are in 

 men s power ; and we add to those impossible, and not yet 

 found out things, such as are next to them, and have most 

 affinity with them, that we may stir up and withal encou 

 rage human industry. 



It appears by the aforesaid things that this present his 

 tory doth not only supply the place of the third part of the 

 instauration, but also is a not despicable preparation to the 

 fourth, by reason of the titles out of the alphabet and 

 topics, and to the sixth, by reason of the larger observations, 

 commentations, and rules. 



