LIB. I. 113115. 109 



CXIV. 



Postremo, etiamsi multo infirmior et obscurior aura 

 spei ab ista nova continente spiraverit ; tamen omnino 

 experiendum esse (nisi velimus animi esse plane ab- 

 jecti) statuimus. Non enim res pari periculo non ten- 

 tatur, et non succedit 45 ; cum in illo, ingentis boni ; in 

 hoc, exiguae humanse operse jactura vertatur. Verum 

 ex dictis, atque etiam ex non dictis, visum est nobis, 

 spei abunde subesse, non tantum homini strenuo ad 

 experiendum, sed etiam prudenti et sobrio ad cre- 

 dendum. 



cxv. 



Atque de desperatione tollenda, quae inter causas po- 

 tentissimas ad progressum scientiarum remorandum et 

 inhibendum fuit, jam dictum est : atque simul sermo 

 de signis et causis errorum, et inertiae, et ignorantise, 

 qusc invaluit, absolutus est; praesertim cum subtlliores 

 causse, et quae in judicium populare aut observationem 

 non incurrant, ad ea, quse de idolis animi humani dicta 

 sunt, referri debeant. 



Atque hie simul pars destruens 46 Instaurationis no- 

 narrowing tendency on the minds 45 This is the principle applied 

 of those who are engaged on it a by Bp. Butler in the Analogy, to 

 tendency met to a certain extent in the chances in favour of Christian- 

 cities by the greater facilities for ity being true. If we neglect it, we 

 mental cultivation and social inter- run the risk of losing a great, an 

 course : but still helping, on that immeasurable good, without any 

 development of quick but one-sided gain. If we embrace it, we do but 

 knowledge, which we must regard run the little risk (and is the risk 

 with fear. A man who is accustomed not in itself a good?) of a short 

 to one narrow sphere of work must watchfulness, and of some self-de- 

 gradually become incapable of ge- nial, and if it be true, how the gain 

 neral and broader views. He who outweighs the toil ! A low argu- 

 has to point needles all his life, is ment ; but one having weight with 

 not unlikely to have a sharp but some minds. 



partial view of things. This evil cor- 46 &quot;Pars destruens&quot; the nega- 

 responds to that referred to above tive part : in which Bacon still suc- 

 (I. 88), where Bacon speaks of the ceeds in introducing much that is 

 error of considering one subject quite constructive as e. g. 1. 103- 

 absolutely by itself. 106. 



