1 40 The Advancement of Learning 



7. In the enumeration of these private and retired arts, it 

 may be thought I seek to make a great muster-roll of 

 sciences, naming them for show and ostentation, and to 

 little other purpose. But let those which are skilful in 

 them judge whether I bring them in only for appearance, 

 or whether in that which I speak of them, though in few 

 marks, there be not some seed of proficience. And this 

 must be remembered, that as there be many of great 

 account in their countries and provinces, which, when they 

 come up to the seat of the estate, are but of mean rank 

 and scarcely regarded ; so these arts, being here placed with 

 the principal and supreme sciences, seem petty things ; yet 

 to such as have chosen them to spend their labours and 

 studies in them, they seem great matters. 

 XVII. I. For the Method of Tradition, I see it hath moved a 

 controversy in our time.^ But as in civil business, if there 

 be a meeting, and men fall at words, there is commonly an 

 end of the matter for that time, and no proceeding at all ; 

 so in learning, where there is much controversy, there is 

 many times little inquiry. For this part of knowledge 

 of Method seemeth to me so weakly inquired as I shall 

 report it deficient. 



2. Method hath been placed, and that not amiss, in Logic, 

 as a part of Judgment \'^ for as the doctrine of Syllogisms 

 comprehendeth the rules of Judgment upon that which 

 is invented, so the doctrine of Method containeth the rules 

 of Judgment upon that which is to be delivered; for 

 Judgment precedeth DeUvery, as it foUoweth Invention. 

 Neither is the Method or the nature of the tradition material 

 only to the use of knowledge, but likewise to the progression 

 of knowledge: for since the labour and life of one man 

 cannot attain to perfection of knowledge, the wisdom of the 

 tradition is that which inspireth the fehcity of continuance 

 and proceeding. And therefore the most real diversity 

 of method, is of Method referred to use, and Method 

 referred to progression: whereof the one may be termed 

 Magistral, and the other of Probation. 



* Between Ramus, whose method was one of perpetual dicho- 

 tomies, and others. 



• Not so in the usual text-books — Sanderson, iii. 30, 31, and 

 Aldrich, ch. vi., place it under Discourse; and it is defined as 

 " Ratio ita disponendi partes alicujus disciplinae vel tractationis, ut 

 facillime a nobis integra discatur." 



