existence had to be dealt with, not according to his own fancies, but
according to the conditions imposed on it; and it was one of man's first
duties to arrange for his stay on earth according to the real laws which
he could find out if he only sought for them. Doubtless it was one of
Bacon's highest hopes that from the growth of true knowledge would
follow in surprising ways the relief of man's estate; this, as an end,
runs through all his yearning after a fuller and surer method of
interpreting nature. The desire to be a great benefactor, the spirit of
sympathy and pity for mankind, reign through this portion of his
work--pity for confidence so greatly abused by the teachers of man, pity
for ignorance which might be dispelled, pity for pain and misery which
might be relieved. In the quaint but beautiful picture of courtesy,
kindness, and wisdom, which he imagines in the _New Atlantis_, the
representative of true philosophy, the "Father of Solomon's House," is
introduced as one who "had an aspect as if he pitied men." But unless it
is utilitarianism to be keenly alive to the needs and pains of life, and
to be eager and busy to lighten and assuage them, Bacon's philosophy was
not utilitarian. It may deserve many reproaches, but not this one. Such
a passage as the following--in which are combined the highest motives
and graces and passions of the soul, love of truth, humility of mind,
purity of purpose, reverence for God, sympathy for man, compassion for
the sorrows of the world and longing to heal them, depth of conviction
and faith--fairly represents the spirit which runs through his works.
After urging the mistaken use of imagination and authority in science,
he goes on--
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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