_husks_ and _shells_ of that principal science, all the kernel being forced out and expulsed with the torture and press of the method. But, at the same time, he gives us to understand, that these same shells and husks may be found in another place, with the kernels and _nuts_ in them, and that he has not taken so much pains to let us see in so many places, what new forms of delivery the new philosophy will require, merely for the sake of letting us see, at the same time, that when it came to _practice_, he himself stood by the old ones, and contented himself with barren abstractions, and generalities, the husks and shells of sciences, instead of aiming at particulars, and availing himself of these '_particular methods of tradition_.' He takes also this occasion to recommend a method which was found extremely serviceable at that time; namely, the method of teaching by aphorism, 'without any _show_ of an art or method; not merely because it tries the author, since aphorisms being made out of the _pith_ and _heart_ of sciences, _no man can write them who is not sound and grounded_,' who has not a system with its trunk and root, though he makes no show of it, but buries it and shows you here and there the points on the surface that are apt to look as if they had some underlying connection--not only because it tries the author, _but because they point to action_; for particulars being dispersed, do best agree with dispersed directions; and, moreover, aphorisms representing a BROKEN KNOWLEDGE, invite men _to inquire farther_, whereas methods, _carrying the show of a total_, do secure men as _if they were at farthest_, and it is the _advancement_ of learning that he is proposing. He suggests again, distinctly here, the rule he so often claims he has himself put in practice, elsewhere, that the use of CONFUTATION in the delivery of science, ought to be very sparing; and to serve to remove strong _preoccupations_ and _prejudgments_, and not to minister and excite disputations and doubts. For he says in another place, 'As Alexander Borgia was wont to say of the expedition of the French for Naples, that they came with _chalk_ in their hands, _to mark up their lodgings_, and not with _weapons to fight_, so _I_ like better that entry of truth which cometh peaceably, with chalk to mark up those minds, which are capable to lodge and harbour it, than that which cometh with pugnacity and contention.'