342 NOVUM ORGANUM. 



pieces and mysteries of each Art, and which create wonder. For 

 wonder is the offspring of rarity ; since what is rare, though in kind 

 it be common enough, begets wonder. 



While, on the contrary, things really deserving admiration, on 

 account of the difference which exists between them and other species, 

 yet, if they happen to be in familiar use, are observed but carelessly. 

 Now, the Singular Instances of Art ought to be observed no less than 

 those of Nature, of which we have before spoken. And just as we 

 place the sun, the moon, the magnet, and the like (things of most 

 common occurrence, yet of a Nature almost singular), among the 

 Singular Instances of Nature ; the same should be done with the 

 Singular Instances of Art. 



E.g., Paper, although a very common thing, is a Singular Instance 

 of Art. But if you consider it carefully, you will find that artificial 

 materials are either entirely woven with woof and warp ; such as silk, 

 wool, flax, linen, and the like ; or else they are congealed from 

 concrete juices ; as brick, earthenware, glass, enamel, porcelain, and 

 the like ; which, if well combined, are bright ; if not, they are hard, 

 indeed, but not bright. But all such things as are made from con 

 crete juices are brittle, and nowise coherent or tenacious. On the 

 contrary, paper is a tenacious substance, which may be cut and torn ; 

 so that it imitates, and almost rivals the skin or membrane of an 

 animal, or the leaf of a vegetable, and such like productions of Nature. 

 For it is neither brittle like glass, nor woven like cloth, but fibrous and 

 without any distinct threads, just like natural materials ; so that 

 among artificial materials there can scarcely be found anything 

 similar, but it is quite singular. And certainly among artificial works 

 those are to be preferred which approach most nearly to the imitation 

 of Nature, or, on the contrary, effectually control and change her 

 direction. 



Again, among Instances of the Wit and Hand of Man, we must not 

 utterly despise sleight of hand and juggling tricks. For some of these, 

 though in practice they be trifling and laughable, may yet be valuable 

 in suggesting information. 



Lastly, matters of superstition and magic (in the common accepta 

 tion of the word) must not be altogether omitted. For though things 

 of this kind are buried under an enormous heap of falsehood and 

 fable ; still we must look into them a little, in case there should be 

 hidden below some of them some natural operation ; as in fascination, 

 the strengthening of the imagination, the sympathy of things at a 

 distance, the transmission of impressions from spirit to spirit, no less 

 than from body to body, and the like. 



xxxii. From what has been already said, it is clear that these five 

 kinds of Instances of which we have spoken (viz. the Conformable, 

 Singular, Deviating, and Limiting Instances, and tJie Instances of 

 Power) ought not to be reserved until some certain Nature be under 

 inquiry (as should be the case with those other Instances which we set 

 forth first, and also with many of those to follow) ; but a collection of 

 them should be at once commenced, as a sort of particular Natural 



