3 o 4 BACON 



ing those parts of it which we find either not constantly inhabi- 

 ed or not sufficiently cultivated. And if through the course of 

 the work we should anywhere seem to depart from the opinion 

 of the ancients, we would have it remembered that this is not 

 done for the sake of novelty, or striking into different paths 

 from them, but with a desire of improving ; for we could neither 

 act consistently with ourselves nor the design, without resolv- 

 ing to add all we could to the inventions of others, at the same 

 time wishing that our own discoveries may be exceeded by those 

 of posterity. And how fairly we have dealt in this matter may 

 appear from hence, that our opinions are everywhere proposed 

 naked and undefended, without endeavoring to bribe the liberty 

 of others by confutations ; for where the things advanced prove 

 just, we hope that if any scruple or objection arise in the first 

 reading, an answer will of itself be made in the second. And 

 wherever we have erred, we are certain to have done no violence 

 to the truth by litigious arguments, the effect whereof is the 

 procuring authority to error, and detracting from what is well 

 invented ; for error receives honor and truth a repulse from con- 

 tention. 



And here I cannot but reflect how appositely that answer 

 of Themistocles may be applied to myself which he made to 

 the deputy of a small village haranguing upon great things, 

 " Friend, thy words require a city." For so it may be said of 

 my views, that they require an age, perhaps a whole age, to 

 prove, and numerous ages to execute. But as the greatest 

 things are owing to their beginnings, it will be enough for me 

 to have sown for posterity, and the honor of the Immortal 

 Being, whom I humbly entreat, through his Son, our Saviour, 

 favorably to accept these, and the like sacrifices of the human 

 understanding, seasoned with religion, and offered up to his 

 glory ! 



THE COAST OF THE NEW INTELLECTUAL WORLD ; 



or, a Recapitulation of the Deficiencies of Knowledge, Pointed 

 out in the Preceding Work, to be Supplied by Posterity 



The History of Monsters ; or irregular productions of nature, 

 in all the three kingdomsvegetable, animal, and mineral. 



The History of Arts; or nature formed and wrought by 

 human industry. 



