ADVANCEMENT OF LEARNING 263 



noted, that the general custom is, for men to raise as it were 

 a formal and solemn art from a few axioms and observations 

 upon any subject, swelling it out with their own witty in 

 ventions, illustrating it by examples, and binding the whole 

 up into method. But that other way of delivery by aphor 

 isms has numerous advantages over the methodical. And 

 first, it gives us a proof of the author s abilities, and shows 

 whether he has entered deep into his subject or not. 

 Aphorisms are ridiculous things, unless wrought from the 

 central parts of the sciences; and here all illustration, ex 

 cursion, variety of examples, deduction, connection, and 

 particular description, is cut off, so that nothing besides 

 an ample stock of observations is left for the matter of 

 aphorisms. And, therefore, no person is equal to the form 

 ing of aphorisms, nor would ever think of them, if he did 

 not find himself copiously and solidly instructed for writing 

 upon a subject. But in methods so great a power have 

 order, connection, and choice 



&quot;Tantum series juncturaque pollet; 



Tantum de medio sumptis accedit honoris&quot; 4 



that methodical productions sometimes make a show of I 

 know not what specious art, which, if they were taken 

 to pieces, separated, and undressed, would fall back again 

 almost to nothing. Secondly, a methodical delivery has the 

 power of enforcing belief and consent, but directs not much 

 to practical indications, as carrying with it a kind of demon 

 stration in circle, where the parts mutually enlighten each 

 other, and so gratifies the imagination the more; but as 

 actions lie scattered in common life, scattered instructions 

 suit them the best. Lastly, as aphorisms exhibit only cer 

 tain scraps ,and fragments of the sciences, they carry with 

 them an invitation to others for adding and lending their 

 assistance, whereas methods dress up the sciences into 

 bodies, and make men imagine they have them complete. 

 There is a further difference of method, and that too 



4 Hor. Art. Poet. 242. 



