The Second Book i 27 



cavilations, are very sufficient to certify and report truth 

 though not always immediately, yet by comparison, by help 

 of instrument, and by producing and urging such things 

 as are too subtile for the sense to some effect comprehensible 

 by the sense, and other Uke assistance. But they ought to 

 have charged the deceit upon the weakness of the intellec- 

 tual powers, and upon the manner of collecting and con- 

 cluding upon the reports of the senses. This I speak, not to 

 disable the mind of man, but to stir it up to seek help : for 

 no man, be he never so cunning or practised, can make a 

 straight Une or perfect circle by steadiness of hand, which 

 may be easily done by help of a ruler or compass. 



5. This part of invention, concerning the invention of 

 sciences, I purpose, if God give me leave, hereafter to 

 propound, having digested it into two parts; whereof the 

 one I term experientia literata, and the other interpretatio 

 naturcB : the former being but a degree and rudiment of the 

 latter. But I will not dwell too long, nor speak too great 

 upon a promise.^ 



6. The invention of speech or argument is not properly an 

 invention, for to invent is to discover that we know not, and 

 not to recover or resummon that which we already know: 

 and the use of this invention is no other but out of the 

 knowledge whereof our mind is already possessed to draw 

 forth or call before us that which may be pertinent to the 

 purpose which we take into our consideration. So as to speak 

 truly, it is no invention, but a remembrance or suggestion, 

 with an application ; which is the cause why the schools do 

 place it after judgment, as subsequent and not precedent. 

 Nevertheless, because we do account it a chase as well of 

 deer in an inclosed park as in a forest at large, and that it 

 hath already obtained the name, let it be called invention : 

 so as it be perceived and discerned, that the scope and end 

 of this invention is readiness and present use of our know- 

 ledge, and not addition or amplification thereof. 



7. To procure this ready use of knowledge there are two 

 courses, Preparation and Suggestion. The former of these 

 seemeth scarcely a part of knowledge, consisting rather of 



* In the Latin, Bacon explains his experientia literata, which treats 

 of methods of experiment; Venatio Panis he also styles it. Cf. 

 Nov. Org. i. loi. The Interpretatio Natures is the subject-matter 

 of the Nov. Org. 



