NOVUM ORGANUAf. 279 



In superstitious Magic, on the other hand (if indeed we need speak 

 about that), we must especially observe, that it is only subjects of a 

 fixed and definite kind that the curious and superstitious arts, in all 

 nations and ages, and even religions, have either worked or played. 

 We may therefore dismiss them. In the mean time we cannot wonder 

 if a notion of plenty should have caused want. 



Ixxxvi. And the wonder of mankind as regard Doctrines and Arts, of 

 itself sufficiently simple, and almost childish, has been increased by the 

 craft and artifices of those who have treated of Sciences and handed 

 them down. For they set them forth in their ambition and affectation, 

 and bring them to the view of mankind so fashioned and masked, as 

 if they were in every respect perfect, and carried through to their end. 

 For if you consider their method and divisions, they appear to 

 embrace and include all things which can fall within the subject. 

 And though these limbs are badly filled, and like empty bladders, still 

 they present to the vulgar understanding the form and plan of a per 

 fect Science. 



But the first and most ancient seekers of truth, with greater honesty 

 and good fortune, were wont to throw that knowledge which they 

 meant to cull from the contemplation of things, and to lay by for use, 

 into Aphorisms, or short scattered sentences, without methodical con 

 nection ; nor did they pretend to profess to embrace universal Art. 

 But as things are now managed, it is very little to be wondered, that 

 men do not search further into these matters, since they are handed 

 down as perfect, and long since completed. 



Ixxxvii. Moreover, the ancient systems have received much 

 additional consideration and credit from the vanity and levity of 

 those who have set forth new ones, especially in the active and opera 

 tive parts of Natural Philosophy. For there have not been wanting 

 vain talking and fantastical men, who, half credulous and half im 

 postors, have loaded mankind with promises, promising and pro 

 claiming prolongation of life, postponement of old age, alleviation of 

 pain, repairing of natural defects, deception of the senses, the con 

 trolling and the compelling of the affections, illumination and exalta 

 tion of the intellectual powers, transmutation of substances, the 

 strengthening and multiplication of motions of will, impressions and 

 alterations of the air, the drawing down and procuring celestial 

 influences, divinations of future events, the bringing near what is dis 

 tant, the revealing what is hidden, and very many other things. But 

 one would not be far wrong in passing some such judgment as this on 

 those liberal men, viz., that in the teachings of Philosophy, there is as 

 great a difference between their vanities and true Arts, as there is in 

 history between the exploits of Julius Cassar or Alexander the Great, 

 and those of Amadis de Gaul, or Arthur of Britain. For those very 

 famous generals are found to have performed greater exploits in 

 reality than these shadowy heroes have done even in fiction, but by 

 means and ways of action not at all fabulous or monstrous. Yet it is 

 not fair to impugn the credit of a true relation because it has some 

 times been injured and wronged by fables. In the mean time it is by 



