THE NEW SCIENCE 3 



in the new scientific methods under Fabricius at Padua and filled 

 with an enthusiasm for discovery, he returned to England to apply 

 with clear-sightedness and commonsense the new principles to 

 physiological research. The result was that he startled the learned 

 world and stimulated intellectual curiosity with his discovery of 

 the circulation of the blood. 7 . 



These are the elements underlying the new science of the seven 

 teenth century in England in so far as they can be concretely de 

 fined. ' ' The period had arrived when that experimental philosophy 

 to wiiich Bacon had held the torch, and which had already made 

 considerable progress, especially in Italy, was finally established 

 on the ruins of arbitrary figments and partial inductions". 8 But, 

 while the mind can easily grasp these tangible elements, the use 

 of scientific apparatus in solving philosophical problems, the in 

 ductive method of investigation, and the reduction of philosophical 

 ideas to mathematical formulae there still remains a subtle and 

 powerful force. The new science was more penetrating than the 

 above definition indicates; it was an attitude of mind, it was a 

 declaration of intellectual independence. "Nullius in ~Verba is not 

 only the motto of the Royal Society, but a received Principle among 

 all the Philosophers of the present Age." 9 Not only are new dis 

 coveries to be made, new investigations to be carried on, but the 

 old beliefs are to be re-examined. Aristotle and Descartes are to 

 be of exactly the same authority so far as mere assertion is con 

 cerned. 10 No authority is to be convincing because it is ancient; 

 no conclusion is to be scouted because it is new. 11 



This interest in scientific research crystallized into definitely 

 organized societies. The Society of Antiquaries was formed at 

 London in 1572 and continued into the seventeenth century until 

 dissolved by James I. A Eoyal Academy was attempted as early 

 as 1616-17, in which it was planned to devote some attention to 

 science. Sir Francis Kynaston renewed the attempt in 1635. 12 



7 Announced 1616 ; published 1628. 



8 Hallam, Henry, Introduction to the Lit. of Eur. vol. IV, p. 518. Of. also, Becker, 

 B. H., Scientific London, p. 1. 



9 Wotton, William, Reflections, p. 251. 

 10 Wotton, William, Reflections, p. 364. 



11 Ibid. 



12 Elton, Oliver, The Augustan Ages, p. 383. 



