INTRODUCTION. xix 



bered that the instniment in his own hands was at any rate not more 

 successful than in those of Aristotle. By the skilful use of scientific 

 method to discover new tmths is a noble achievement ; but far noblen 

 is it to discover the rn^^yj^jjjgj£^ by which alone such achievementa^c: 

 are made possible ; and to have done this is Aristotle's glory. Thar 

 the method as left by him was not perfect, that there were flaws which 

 the fuller experience of after-ages detected, and gradually remedied, 

 may be allowed. Seldom, if ever, does a great invention come fuU^ 

 armed from the brain of its first_auti)or. Weak points there invariably 

 are, which trial alone will reveal. ^ To detect and strengthen these is 

 to confer a benefit on mankind ; but is a service which can never be 

 put on a par with that rendered by the original conception. "MnvenO 

 tions," to quote from a treatise ^ already once cited, " are either the | 

 fin al shap ings of what has been partly elaborated by others, or they are J 

 original discoveries, and but roughly shaped. The latter are the mosH 

 important. The first step, according to the proverb, is the grand thing 

 and the most^ifficu lt ; for first^ beginnings are as small and incon- 

 spi cuous as they are potent. When they are once accomplished, the 

 remainder is easily added or developed." 



' Arist. on Fallacies. Poste's transl., p. 95. 



