228 ADVASCEMfcST OP MCAfcKlSa. [oOOlv VI. 



induction ; but for that anticipated and hasty knowledge we 

 have at present it is not easy for the possessor to say by 

 what isoad he came at it. Yet in a greater or less degree 

 any one might review his knowledge, trace back the steps of 

 his own thoughts, consent afresh, and thus transplant his 

 knowledge into the mind of another as it grew up in his 

 own. For it is in arts as in trees, if a tree were to be used, 

 no matter for the root, but if it were to be transplanted, it 

 is a surer way to take the root than the slips. So the trans 

 plantation now practised of the sciences makes a great show, 

 as it were, of branches, that without the roots may be fit 

 indeed for the builder, but not for the planter. He who 

 would promote the growth of the sciences should be less 

 solicitous about the trunk or body of them, and bend his care 

 to preserve the roots, and draw them out with some little 

 earth about them. Of this kind of transplantation there 

 is some resemblance in the method of mathematicians ; b but 

 in general we do not see that it is either used or inquired 

 after; we therefore place it among the deficiencies, under 

 the name of the traditive lamp, or a method for posterity. 



There is another difference of method, bearing some rela 

 tion to the former intention, though in reality almost op 

 posite to it both of them have this in common, that they 

 separate the vulgar audience from the select; but herein they 

 are opposite, that the former introduces a more open and the 

 other a more secret way of instruction than the common; 

 hence let them be distinguished, by terming the former plain 

 or open, and the latter the learned or concealed method, thus 

 transferring to the manner of delivery the difference made 

 use of by the ancients, especially in publishing their books 

 This concealed or enigmatical method was itself also em 

 ployed by the ancients with prudence and judgment, but is 

 of late dishonoured by many, who use it as a false light to 

 set oft their counterfeit wares. The design of it seems to 



b To this purpose see Wolfius s &quot;Brevis Commentatio de Methodo 

 Mathematica,&quot; prefixed to his &quot;Elements Matheseos Universae;&quot; aa 

 also his &quot;Logics and Metaphysics.&quot; Shaw. 



c Perhaps M. Tschirnhaus s &quot; Medicina Mentis, sive Tentamen 

 genuinoe Logicae, in qua disseritur de Methodo detegendi incognitas 

 Veritates,&quot; may pave the way for supplying this desideratum ; proceed 

 ing ai it does upon a mathematical and algebraical foundation, to rais 

 method of discovering unknown truths. Shaw. 



