ces, which reach their climax in the epithets
"puppy" and "plague."

I venture to think that if Francis Bacon, instead of spending his time
in fabricating fine phrases about the advancement of learning, in order
to play, with due pomp, the part which he assigned to himself of
"trumpeter" of science, had put himself under Harvey's instructions, and
had applied his quick wit to discover and methodize the logical process
which underlaid the work of that consummate investigator, he would have
employed his time to better purpose, and, at any rate, would not have
deserved the just but sharp judgment which follows: "that his [Bacon's]
method is impracticable cannot I think be denied, if we reflect, not
only that it has never produced any result, but also that the process by
which scientific truths have been established cannot be so presented as
even to appear to be in accordance with it." I quote from one of Mr.
Ellis' contributions to the great work of Bacon's most learned,
competent, and impartial biographer, Mr. Spedding.

Few of Harvey's sayings are recorded, but Aubrey tells us that someone
having enlarged upon the merits of the Baconian philosophy in his
presence, "Yes," said Harvey, "he writes philosophy like a chancellor."
On which pithy reply diverse persons will put diverse interpretations.
The illumination of experience may possibly tempt a modern follower of
Harvey to expound the dark saying thus: "So this servile courtier, this
intriguing politician, this unscrupulous lawyer, this witty master of
phrases proposes to teach me my business in the intervals of his. I have
borne with Riolan; let me also be patient with him." At any rate, I have
no better reading to offer.

In the latter half of the sixteenth and the beginning of the seventeenth
centuries the future of physical science was safe enough in the hands
of Gilbert, Galileo, Harvey, Descartes, and the noble army of
investigators who flocked to their standard and followed up the advance
of their leaders. I do not believe that their wonderfully rapid progress
would have been one whit retarded if the _Novum Organon_ had never seen
the light; while, if Harvey's little _Exercise_ had been lost,
physiology would have stood still until another Harvey was born into the
world.

THE "DEFENESTRATION" AT PRAGUE

THE THIRTY YEARS' WAR

A.D. 1618

SAMUEL R. GARDINER CHARLES F. HORNE

As the last great struggle between the contending sects of