WISDOM OF THE ANCIENTS. 429 



no wonder that art gets not the victory over nature, nor, according to 

 the condition of the contest, brings her under subjection ; but, on the 

 contrary, remains subject to her, as a wife to a husband.* 



V.-THE FABLE OF ERICTHONIUS. 



EXPLAINED OF THE IMPROPER USE OF FORCE IN NATURAL 

 PHILOSOPHY. 



THE poets feign that Vulcan attempted the chastity of Minerva, 

 and impatient of refusal, had recourse to force ; the consequence of 

 which was the birth of Ericthonius, whose body from the middle up 

 wards was comely and well-proportioned, but his thighs and legs 

 small, shrunk, and deformed, like an eel. Conscious of this defect, he 

 became the inventor of chariots, so as to show the graceful, but con 

 ceal the deformed part of his body. 



EXPLANATION. This strange fable seems to carry this meaning. 

 Art is here represented under the person of Vulcan, by reason of the 

 various uses it makes of fire ; and nature under the person of Minerva, 

 by reason of the industry employed in her works. Art, therefore, 

 whenever i*. offers violence to nature, in order to conquer, subdue, and 

 bcn:l her to its purpose, by tortures and force of all kinds, seldom 

 obtains the end proposed ; yet upon great struggle and application, 

 there proceed certain imperfect births, or lame abortive works, specious 

 in appearance, but weak and unstable in use ; which arc, nevertheless, 

 with great pomp and deceitful appearances, triumphantly carried 

 about, and shown by impostors. A. procedure very familiar, and re 

 markable in chemical productions, and new mechanical inventions ; 

 especially when the inventors rather hug their errors than improve 

 upon them, and go on struggling with nature, not courting her. 



* The author, in all his physical works, proceeds upon this foundation, that it is 

 pos: &quot; If, and practicable, for art to obtain the victory over nature ; that is, for 

 nun -o industry and power to procure, by the means of proper knowledge, such 

 thirr* as *rc necessary to render life as happy and commodious as its mortal stale 

 will allow. 1 or instance. M.at it is possible to lengthen the present period of human 

 life ; bring the winds under command ; and every way extend and enlarge the 

 d&quot;ii i-. .on or tiri iTC of tnar. over till works of nature ; and let no one fearfully 

 apprehend that there is danger in thus endeavouring to take the reins of govern* 

 mcnt out of nature s hands, and putting them into the weak hands of men, for the 

 distinction between men and nature is imaginary, and only made to help the tinder- 

 standing : man himself being necessarily subject to the laws of nature ; though 

 within the compass of these laws he has a very extensive power that will aU.iy* be 

 commensurate to knowledge. 



