"Men's labour should be turned to the investigation and observation of the analogies of things as well in wholes as in parts. For these it is that detect unity foundation for the sciences. and lay a Novum Organum, Bk. II., xxvii. INTRODUCTION. 928 B128 obi THE following passages from Bacon and Shakespeare have been brought together with three objects, distinct, but harmonious. First, there being no concordance or harmony to the authentic works of Bacon, we desire, by degrees, to supply that deficiency by means of handbooks so cheap as to be within the reach of all students, and so arranged and subdivided that any particular subject treated of by Bacon may be studied independently of the rest. We would continue these booklets in an unremitting stream, until the much-needed, complete harmony between the works of the philosopher and of the poet be put into the hands of every reader in a simple and portable form. Secondly, we desire to help the advancement of learning by sparing the pens and the valuable time of many who now have to grope and hunt for things long ago noted and written down. Bacon cautions men against wasting time in Actum Agere, doing again the deed done; but from want of co-operation amongst workers, his wise advice is daily neglected, and the same particulars painfully sought for by those whose minds are fully capable of proceeding from of proceeding from "particulars to generalities," and of doing work needed, and of permanent value. Lastly, these passages are collated in the hope that they may aid in ending the apparently rotating and 159 |