498 NOVUM OROANUM. [BOOK n. 



effectiiinj the miracles of nature is more oLscure. Great care, 

 liowever, must be taken, that they do not depress the under- 

 standinn^, and fix it, as it vrere, to earth. 



Por there is some danji^er, lest the understanding should bo 

 astonished and chained down, and as it were bewitched, by sucli 

 works of art, as appear to be the very summit and pinnacle of 

 human industry, so as not to become familiar with tliem, but 

 rather to suppose tliat nothing of the kind can be accomplislied, 

 unless the same means be employed, with perhaps a little more 

 diligence, and more accurate preparation. 



Now, on the contrary, it may be stated as a fact, that the ways 

 and means hitherto discovered and observed, of effecting any 

 matter or work, are for the most part of little value, and that all 

 really efficient power depends, and is really to be deduced from 

 the sources of forms, none of which have yet been discovered. 



Thus (as we have before observed), had any one meditated on 

 balistic machines, and battering rams, as they were used by tlie 

 ancients, whatever application he might have exerted, and though 

 he might have consumed a whole life in the pursuit, yet would 

 he never have hit upon the invention of flaming engines, acting 

 by means of gunpowder; nor would any person, who had made 

 M oollen manufactories and cotton the subject of his observation 

 and reflection, have ever discovered thereby the nature of the 

 silkworm or of silk. 



Hence all the most noble discoveries have (if you observe) 

 come to light, not by any gradual improvement and extension of 

 ihe arts, but merely by chance; Avhilst nothing imitates or anti- 

 pates chance (which is wont to act at intervals of ages) but the 

 invention of forms. 



There is no necessity for adducing any particular examples of 

 these instances, since they are abundant. The plan to be pursued ' 

 i^this: all the mechanical, and even the liberal arts (as far as 

 I hey arc practical), should be visited and thoroughly examined, 

 and thence there should be formed a compilation or particular 

 history of the great masterpieces, or most finished works in each, 

 :.s well as of the mode of carrying them into effect. 



Nor do we confine the diligence to be used in such a compila- 

 llon to the leading works and secrets only of every art, and such 

 as excite wonder ; for wonder is engendered by rarity, since that 

 \\ hicli is rare, although it be compounded of ordinary natures, 

 always begets wonder. 



On the contrary, that which is really wonderful, from some 

 specific difference distinguishing it from other species, is carelessly 

 observed, if it be but familiar. Yet the singular instances of art 

 KJiould be observed no less than those of nature, which we have 

 l»efore spoken of: and as in the latter we have classed the sun, 

 the mooD, the magnet, »ud tuc like, all pf them mogt familiar to 



