CCCcliv LIFE OF BACON. 



to dissipate illusions, by holding firm to the works of 

 God and to the sense, which is God s lamp, Lucerna Dei, 

 spiraculum hominis&quot; (a) 



Imagma- jji s imagination was fruitful and vivid; but he under 

 stood its laws, and governed it with absolute sway. He 

 used it as a philosopher. It never had precedence in his 

 mind but followed in the train of his reason. With her 

 hues, her forms, and the spirit of her forms, he clothed 

 the nakedness of austere truth, (b) 



Under- He was careful in improving the excellencies, and in 



diminishing the defects of his understanding, whether 

 from inability at particular times to acquire knowledge or 

 inability to acquire particular sorts of knowledge, (c) 



Temporary As to temporary inability, his golden rules were, &quot; 1st, 



inability. pix goo( ^ obliterate bad timeg&amp;gt; ^ 2n dly, hi studies what- 



(a) Sylva, Cent. x. vol. iv. 



(b*) See text, p. 134, and note RRR, and the Excursion. 



(c) That understanding is in a sound state for the acquisition of know 

 ledge which is capable at any time to acquire any sort of knowledge. The 

 defects of the understanding are, therefore, disabilities, 



Disinclination. 



fl. Disinclir 



fl. As to time, from -I 2. Fatigue. 

 j L3. Interruption. 



12. As to particular knowledge. 



(d) There is a kind of culture of the mind which is built upon this 

 ground, that the minds of all mortals are at some times in a more perfect 

 state : at other times in a more depraved state. The objects, therefore, of 

 this culture are, the fixation of good times and the obliteration of bad times, 

 that the good seasons may be cherished, and the evil crossed and expunged 

 out of the calendar. Bacon. 



The mind is brought to any thing with more sweetness and happiness, 

 if that whereunto we pretend be not first in the intention, but &quot; tanquam 

 aliud agenda.&quot; If a favourable gale spring up, hoist the sail. 



Be surrounded by different instruments of knowledge, that you may 

 gratify your immediate desire. &quot; Dr. Johnson advised me to-day,&quot; says 

 Boswell, &quot; to have as many books about me as I could, that I might read 

 upon any subject upon which I had a desire for instruction at the time. 

 What you read then/ said he, you will remember; but if you have not 



