44 BACON 



though scattered over several sovereignties and territories, yet 

 enter into a kind of contract, fraternity, and correspondence 

 with one another, and are associated under common provincials 

 and generals. And, surely, as nature creates brotherhood in 

 families, and trades contract brotherhood in communities, and 

 the anointment of God establishes a brotherhood in kings and 

 bishops, in like manner there should spring up a fraternity in 

 learning and illumination, relating to that paternity which is 

 attributed to God, who is called the Father of lights. 



Lastly, I may lament that no fit men have been engaged to 

 forward those sciences which yet remain in an unfinished state. 

 To supply this want it may be of service to perform, as it were, 

 a lustrum of the sciences, and take account of what have been 

 prosecuted and what omitted. For the idea of abundance is one 

 of the causes of dearth ; and the multitude of books produces 

 a deceitful impression of superfluity. This, however, is not to 

 be remedied by destroying the books already written, but by 

 making more good ones, which, like the serpent of Moses, may 

 devour the serpents of the enchanters/ The removal of the 

 defects I have enumerated, except the last, are indeed opera 

 basilica, towards which the endeavors of one man can be but 

 as an image on a cross-road, which points out the way, but can- 

 not tread it. But as the survey of the sciences which we have 

 proposed lies within the power of a private individual, it is my 

 intention to make the circuit of knowledge, noticing what parts 

 lie waste and uncultivated, and abandoned by the industry of 

 man, with a view to engage, by a faithful mapping out of the 

 deserted tracts, the energies of public and private persons in 

 their improvement. My attention, however, is alone confined 

 to the discovery, not to the correction of errors. For it is one 

 thing to point out what land lies uncultivated, and another thing 

 to improve imperfect husbandry. 



In completing this design, I am ignorant neither of the great- 

 ness of the work nor my own incapacity. My hope, however, 

 is, that, if the extreme love of my subject carry me too far, I 

 may at least obtain the excuse of affection. It is not granted to 

 man to love and be wise : " amare et sapere." On such topics 

 opinion is free, and that liberty of judgment which I exercise 

 myself lies equally at the disposition of all. And I for my part 

 shall be as glad to receive correction from others as I am ready 

 to point out defects myself. It is the common duty of human- 



