140 HISTORY OF SCIENCE. 



a weight but by a spring. Experiments, which in principle are iden- 

 tical with those proposed by Bacon, have since been carried out by 

 means of pendulums with conclusive results. 



Among the " practical instances " we may especially cite the In- 

 stances of Admeasurement (instantice mensura), subdivided into several 

 classes, such as the instantice. radii , instances of the measuring-rod, 

 indicating measurements of spaces ; instanticz curriculi, instances of 

 the course referring to measurement of time ; instantics. qtianti, relating 

 to measurement of quantity. Now, in practical science this is the kind 

 of experiment most largely adopted and most convincing in its results. 

 In fact, sciences have become exact in proportion as their phenomena 

 have admitted of being expressed in quantitative relations. Hence it 

 has come to pass that in modern science the essential data are precise 

 measurements of time, space, pressures, etc. 



Some of the general reflections with which the ^Novum Orgamim" 

 closes are among the finest sayings of the great Lord Chancellor. He 

 declares that, among all human actions, noble inventions and the dis- 

 covery of truth hold the most exalted place. Scientific inventions, he 

 observes, " benefit mankind to the end of time j while the advantages 

 conferred by warriors and statesmen may last in many cases but for 

 a few ages, and may sometimes derive their origin from tumults and 

 the most terrible desolations of war." The advancement of science 

 he pronounces to be an object of ambition nobler by far than private 

 aggrandizement or even patriotism itself. " The first is vulgar and 

 degenerate ; the second, that is, the ambition of those who endeavour 

 to raise their own country in the scale of nations, is more noble, but 

 has not less of cupidity. But if any one should labour to restore and 

 enlarge the power and dominion of the whole race of man over the 

 universe of things, this kind of ambition if we may so call it is with- 

 out doubt more wise and dignified than the rest. Now, this power of 

 man over things is entirely founded on arts and sciences." These pas- 

 sages exhibit the great characteristic of the Baconian philosophy, which 

 distinguished it from all the philosophies that preceded it, namely, its 

 practical aim " works for the benefit of human life" 



In examples of the various prerogatives of instances we may observe 

 sqme passages which show that Bacon held some views that appear 

 to anticipate in a remarkable manner more than one famous discovery 

 of his successors, and which certainly show much clearness of percep- 

 tion. Thus, in speaking of the forces acting between bodies at a dis- 

 tance from each other, he says, " It is to be inquired whether there 

 be any magnetic force which acts mutually between the globe and 

 heavy bodies, or between the moon and the sea, or between the starry 

 heaven and the planets, by which they are called and raised to their 

 apogee." Here we seem to have an anticipation of Newton's grand 

 idea of gravitation ; and in another passage we have a speculation 

 upon the subsequently proved fact of light requiring time to traverse 



