cclxxxviii 



LIFE OF BACON. 



TABLE IV. 



Exclusions ^ r * Exclusions, is of a more complicated nature. Bacon 

 assumes that the quality of any nature can be ascertained 

 by its being always present when the sought nature is 

 present: is always absent when the sought nature is 

 absent : increases always with its increase, and decreases 

 with its decrease. 



Upon this principle his table of exclusions is formed, by 

 excluding, 1st, such particular natures as are not found in 

 any instances where the given nature is present; or 2nd, 

 such as are found in any instances where that nature is 

 absent; and 3rd, such as are found to increase in any 

 instance when the given nature decreases; or 4th, to 

 decrease when that nature increases. Thus, 



The object of this exclusion is to make a perfect resolu 

 tion and separation of nature, not by fire but by the mind, 

 which is, as it were, the divine fire : that, after this rejection 

 and exclusion is duly made, the affirmative, solid, true, 

 and well defined form will remain as the result of the 

 operation, whilst the volatile opinions go off in fume. 



