42 BACON 



men selected to fill them be learned and gifted. But it is idle to 

 expect that the ablest scholars will employ their whole energy 

 and time in such functions unless the reward be answerable to 

 that competency which may be expected from the practice of a 

 profession. The sciences will only flourish on the condition of 

 David's military law that those who remain with the baggage 

 shall have equal part with those who descend to the fight, other- 

 wise the baggage will be neglected. Lecturers being in like 

 manner guardians of the literary stores whence those who are 

 engaged in active service draw, it is but just that their labors 

 should be equally recompensed, otherwise the reward of the 

 fathers of the sciences not being sufficiently ample, the verse 

 will be realized 



" Et patrum invalidi referent jejunia nati." Virgil.* 



The next deficiency we shall notice is, the want of philosoph- 

 ical instruments, in crying up which we are aided by the alchem- 

 ists, who call upon men to sell their books, and to build furnaces, 

 rejecting Minerva and the Muses as barren virgins, and relying 

 upon Vulcan. To study natural philosophy, physic, and many 

 other sciences to advantage, books are not the only essentials 

 other instruments are required ; nor has the munificence of men 

 been altogether wanting in their provisions. For spheres, 

 globes, astrolabes, maps, and the like, have been provided for 

 the elucidation of astronomy and cosmography; and many 

 schools of medicine are provided with gardens for the growth 

 of simples, and supplied with dead bodies for dissection. But 

 these concern only a few things. In general, however, there will 

 be no inroad made into the secrets of nature unless experi- 

 ments, be they of Vulcan or Daedalus, furnace, engine, or any 

 other kind, are allowed for ; and therefore as the secretaries and 

 spies of princes and states bring in bills for intelligence, so you 

 must allow the spies and intelligences of nature to bring in their 

 bills, or else you will be ignorant of many things worthy to be 

 known. And if Alexander placed so large a treasure at Aris- 

 totle's command, for the support of hunters, fowlers, fishers, 

 and the like, in much more need do they stand of this benefi- 

 cence who unfold the labyrinths of nature. 



Another defect I discover is the neglect in vice-chancellors, 

 heads of houses, princes, inspectors, and others, of proper super- 

 vision or diligent inquiry into the course of studies, with a view 



