NOVUM ORGANUAf. 271 



ful that among the Egyptians, who paid divine honours and celebrated 

 sacred rites in favour of inventors, there were more images of brute 

 beasts than of men ; because brute beasts, by their natural instincts, 

 have originated many discoveries, while men, from their discoveries 

 and conclusions of reason, have produced few or none. 



The industry of the chemists, indeed, has brought to light some few 

 things ; but these have come as it were accidentally and by the way, or 

 by some variation of experiments (as is the case with the mechanists), 

 not from any art or theory, for their contrivances rather confuse ex 

 periments than assist them. The discoveries also of those who have 

 practised natural magic, as they call it, are found to be few, and those 

 worthless and rathe/ akin to imposture. Wherefore the rule, which 

 in Religion bids us show our faith by our works, may with great pro 

 priety be transferred to Philosophy ; viz. that it should be judged by 

 its fruits, and be pronounced empty if it be barren ; and the more so 

 if, in place of fruits of grape and olive, it produce the thistles and 

 thorns of disputations and contentions. 



Ixxiv. Signs are also to be drawn from the increase and progress of 

 Philosophies and Sciences. For what is founded on Nature grows 

 and increases, while what is founded on opinion varies, but docs not 

 increase. And so, if these doctrines had not clearly been like plants 

 pulled up by the roots, but had adhered to the womb of Nature, and 

 been nourished by her, that would never had occurred which we see 

 has been going on now for two thousand years ; namely, that the 

 Sciences stand still and remain in nearly the same state; and have 

 never gained any increase worth mentioning, but have rather thriven 

 most under their first author, and thenceforth declined : whereas in 

 the Mechanical Arts, which are founded on Nature and the light of 

 Experience, we see the contrary come to pass ; for they (as long as 

 they please) are continually growing and increasing, as if filled with a 

 kind of life, being at first rude, then convenient, afterwards refined, 

 and always on the advance. 



Ixxv. Again, there is another Sign to be gathered; (if, indeed, it 

 has a right to the title of sign, when it should properly be called testi 

 mony, and that of all testimonies the most valid), we refer to the 

 peculiar confession of the Authorities whom men now-a-days follow. 

 For even they who dogmatize with so great confidence on things do 

 yet, when they return to themselves, betake themselves to complaints 

 concerning the subtlety of Nature, the obscurity of things, and the 

 infirmity of human wit. Now, if they simply did this, they might per 

 haps deter the more timid from further inquiry, and yet quicken and 

 incite others of a more active and confident disposition to a further 

 advance. But these men are not satisfied with making confession for 

 themselves, but they set down whatever is unknown or unattained by 

 themselves or their masters as beyond the limits of possibility; and, 

 as if on the authority of their art, declare that it is impossible to be 

 known or done, most presumptuously and invidiously turning the im 

 perfection of their own discoveries into a libel on Nature herself, and 

 the despair of every one else. Hence the School of the New 



