3I4 BACON 



here to, and make use of present discoveries, but to penetrate 

 still further, and not to overcome his adversaries in disputes, but 

 nature by labor, not in short to give elegant and specious opin- 

 ions, but to know to a certainty and demonstration, let him, 

 as a true son of science (if such be his wish), join with us; 

 that when he has left the antechambers of nature trodden by 

 the multitude, an entrance may at last be discovered to her 

 inner apartments. And in order to be better understood, and 

 to render our meaning more familiar by assigning determinate 

 names, we have accustomed ourselves to call the one method 

 the anticipation of the mind, and the other the interpretation of 

 nature. 



We have still one request left. We have at least reflected 

 and taken pains, in order to render our propositions not only 

 true, but of easy and familiar access to men's minds, however 

 wonderfully prepossessed and limited. Yet it is but just that 

 we should obtain this favor from mankind (especially in so 

 great a restoration of learning and the sciences), that whosoever 

 may be desirous of forming any determination upon an opinion 

 of this our work either from his own perceptions, or the crowd 

 of authorities, or the forms of demonstrations, he will not expect 

 to be able to do so in a cursory manner, and whilst attending 

 to other matters ; but in order to have a thorough knowledge of 

 the subject, will himself, by degrees, attempt the course which 

 we describe and maintain ; will be accustomed to the subtilty 

 of things which is manifested by experience ; and will correct 

 the depraved and deeply-rooted habits of his mind by a season- 

 able, and, as it were, just hesitation : and then, finally (if he will), 

 use his judgment when he has begun to be master of himself. 



