ROGER BACON. 75 



the germs of cerebral physiology. He studied in a special 

 manner, besides zoology and botany, both physics and 

 mineralogy adding, now and then, his own observations 

 to those on record before his time. His mineralogy proves 

 the accuracy of his observations: on the question of aerolites, 

 he gave the different theories still held only fifty or sixty 

 years ago. He explained the origin of thermal springs as 

 a modern observer would have done. It is notorious that 

 Francis Bacon cannot show credentials like these, light as 

 they may seem to us when weighed by the standard of 

 modern knowledge. 



It is, however, when we come to 



Roger Bacon (1214 1292) and his work that the in- 

 ference is forced upon us that Francis drew all his inspiration 

 for his own labours from his namesake, for all the sound 

 notions found in the Novum Organum, De Augmentis, etc., 

 can be traced back to Roger's. The parallelism as to plan 

 and ideas is a revelation full of surprises. 



The two Bacons take the same direction and have the 

 same goal in view ; but the earlier Bacon, it strikes one 

 upon the most superficial examination, is the original 

 thinker, unites theory and practice, seriously labours towards 

 the great object, whereas the Elizabethan Bacon stands in 

 the light of a borrower content to theorise, shamming prac- 

 tice some would say, and working to a great extent from 

 ostentation. 



The parallelism between them presents three very striking 

 points. First, we have errors which both men shared alike ; 

 second, we have errors which Roger discarded, but which 

 were persisted in by Francis ; lastly, we have sound notions 

 shared in common by both. 



I. Taking first the errors the two Bacons cherished, we 

 find that (a) Roger believes in the transmutation of metals 

 and the making of gold ; so does Francis both taking their 

 notions chiefly from the Byzantine alchemist Psellus (Xlth 

 century), (b) Roger believes in the means of prolonging life; 

 so does Francis both endorsing one of the most delusive 

 hopes of the alchemists. (<:) Roger thinks his method 

 capable of equalising men's minds, and making science easily 



