I oo The Advancement of Learning 



is principal and intended. And as for the Mixed Mathe- 

 matics, I may only make this prediction, that there cannot 

 fail to be more kinds of them, as nature grows further dis- 

 closed. Thus much of Natural Science, or the part of 

 nature speculative. 

 3. For Natural Prudence, or the part operative of Natural 

 Philosophy, we will divide it into three parts, experimental, 

 philosophical, and magical ; which three parts active have 

 a correspondence and analogy with the three parts specula- 

 tive, natural history, physique, and metaphysique : for 

 many operations have been invented, sometimes by a casual 

 incidence and occurrence, sometimes by a purposed experi- 

 ment : and of those which have been found by an intentional 

 experiment, some have been found out by varying or extend- 

 ing the same experiments, some by transferring and com- 

 pounding divers experiments the one into the other, which 

 kind of invention an empiric may manage. 



Again, by the knowledge of physical causes there cannot 

 fail to follow many indications and designations of new 

 particulars, if men in their speculation will keep one eye 

 upon use and practice. But these are but coastings along 

 the shore, Premendo littus iniquum : ^ for it seenieth to me 

 there can hardly be discovered any radical or fundamental 

 alterations and innovations in nature, either by the fortune 

 and essays of experiments, or by the hght and direction of 

 physical causes. If therefore we have reported Meta- 

 physique deficient, it must follow that we do the Hke of 

 natural Magic, which hath relation thereunto. For as for 

 the Natural Magic whereof now there is mention in books, 

 containing certain credulous and superstitious conceits and 

 observations of sympathies and antipathies, and hidden 

 properties, and some frivolous experiments, strange rather 

 by disguisement than in themselves ; it is as far differing in 

 truth of nature from such a knowledge as we require, as the 

 story of King Arthur of Britain, or Hugh of Bordeaux,di£fers 

 from Caesar's Commentaries in truth of story. For it is 

 manifest that Caesar did greater things de vero than those 

 imaginary heroes were feigned to do; but he did them not 

 in that fabulous manner. Of this kind of learning the fable 

 of Ixion 2 was a figure, who designed to enjoy Juno, the 

 goddess of power; and instead of her had copulation with 



» Hor. Od£s, ii. x. 3. • Pind. Pyth. ii. 21. 



