INTERPRETATION OF NATURE. 43 



lunatic, must be subdued by art and contrivance, and are 

 aggravated by violence and opposition. We must, there 

 fore, use prudence, and humour them (as far as we can 

 with simplicity and candour), that contradictions may be 

 extinguished before they are inflamed. For this object he 

 is preparing a work on nature, which may destroy errors 

 with the least harshness, and enter the senses of mankind 

 without violence ; which would be easier from his not 

 bearing himself as a leader, but bringing and scattering- 

 light from nature herself, so that there may be no future 

 need of a leader. But as time meanwhile glides away, and 

 he has been more engaged in business than he wished ; it 

 seems a long work ; especially when he considers the un 

 certainty of life, and pants to lay up something in safety. 

 It therefore seemed to him that something simpler might 

 be proposed which, though not uttered to the many, might 

 perchance at least be sufficient to preserve so salutary a 

 matter from abortion. And after considering the matter, 

 and weighing it long and attentively, it seemed to him the 

 best way that tables of invention, or formulae of just inqui 

 sition, that is, a mass of particulars, arranged for the work 

 of the understanding, should be offered in some subjects, 

 by way of an exemplar and almost visible description of 

 the work. For nothing can be found to place in a clearer 

 light the right road or the wanderings of error; or show 

 more plainly that what is offered is but words : nor which 

 would be more carefully avoided by the man who either 

 mistrusted his scheme, or desired it to be caught at and 

 celebrated above its deserts. But, if it is not allowed him 

 to complete his designs, as there are nevertheless human 

 minds of a strong and lofty character, it may be that, even 

 without more assistance, taking the hint from what is 

 offered, they may be able to look for and master the rest of 

 themselves. For he is almost of opinion (as some one said) 

 that this will be enough for the wise, though even more 

 would not be for the dull. But he saw that it would be 

 too abrupt to begin his teaching with the tables themselves ; 

 and therefore that he should say something suitable by way 

 of preface, which he thinks he has now done, and that all 

 which has been hitherto said leads only thither. Lastly, 

 he saw that, if any good be found in what has been or shall 

 be said, it should be dedicated as the fat of the sacrifice to 

 God, and to men in God s similitude, who procure the good 

 of mankind by true affection and benevolence. 



G. W. 



