k only of the purely scientific
aspect of the _Novum Organon_. _The Essays_ and _The Advancement of
Learning_ are masterly productions; and as a literary man he takes high
rank.

The over-praise which, in the British Isles, has been lavished upon his
scientific importance is being followed abroad by what may be an
unnecessary amount of detraction. This is always the worst of setting up
a man on too high a pinnacle; some one has to undertake the ungrateful
task of pulling him down again. Justus von Liebig addressed himself to
this task with some vigour in his _Reden und Abhandlung_ (Leipzig,
1874), where he quotes from Bacon a number of suggestions for absurd
experimentation.[13]

The next paragraph I read, not because I endorse it, but because it is
always well to hear both sides of a question. You have probably been
long accustomed to read over-estimates of Bacon's importance, and
extravagant laudation of his writings as making an epoch in science;
hear what Draper says on the opposite side:--[14]

"The more closely we examine the writings of Lord Bacon, the more
unworthy does he seem to have been of the great reputation which
has been awarded to him. The popular delusion to which he owes so
much originated at a time when the history of science was unknown.
They who first brought him into notice knew nothing of the old
school of Alexandria. This boasted founder of a new philosophy
could not comprehend, and would not accept, the greatest of all
scientific doctrines when it was plainly set before his eyes.

"It has been represented that the invention of the true method of
physical science was an amusement of Bacon's hours of relaxation
from the more laborious studies of law, and duties of a Court.

"His chief admirers have been persons of a literary turn, who have
an idea that scientific discoveries are accomplished by a
mechanico-mental operation. Bacon never produced any great
practical result himself, no great physicist has ever made any use
of his method. He has had the same to do with the development of
modern science that the inventor of the orrery has had to do with
the discovery of the mechanism of the world. Of all the important
physical discoveries, there is not one which shows that its author
made it by the Baconian instrument.

"Newton never seems to have been aware that he was under any
obliga