8 PREFACE 



had not the learned physician been impressed with the idea 

 that he could improve Bacon by relieving his work of some 

 of its choicest passages, and entirely altering the arrange 

 ment. In the present version, our task has been principally 

 to rectify Shaw s mistakes, by restoring the author s own 

 arrangement, and supplying the omitted portions. Such of 

 Shaw s notes as were deemed of value have been retained, 

 and others added where the text seemed to require illustra 

 tion. Due care also has been taken to point out the sources 

 whence Bacon drew his extraordinary stores of learning, 

 by furnishing authorities for the quotations and allusions 

 in the text, so that the reader may view at a glance the 

 principal authors whom Bacon loved to consult, and whose 

 agency contributed to the formation of his colossal powers. 

 The version of the &quot;Novum Organum&quot; contained in 

 this set is that by Wood, which is the best extant. The 

 present edition of this immortal work has been enriched 

 with an ample commentary, in which the remarks of the 

 two Playfairs, Sir John Herschel, and the German and 

 French editors, have been diligently consulted, that noth 

 ing may be wanting to render it as perfect as possible. 



J. D. 



