Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

AND HIS SECRET SOCIETY. 233
that by which Paracelsus was to have it that nutrition is
caused only by separation, and that in bread and meat lie- eye,
nose, brain, liver, and in the moisture of the ground root, leaf,
and flower." 1 Neither does he share the " idle notion of Paracelsus
that there are parts and correspondences between man's
body and all the species of stars, plants, and minerals; misapplying
the emblem of man as a microcosm or epitome of the
world in support of this fancy of theirs." 2
Bacon differed on many points from Paracelsus, and, as we
see, did not wish to be supposed a disciple of his; yet he studied
very closely all that he had to say, and quoted him by name as
if to lead others to the consideration of his works, from which
he drew so much, although, perhaps, not of the kind, or after
the fashion, which the alchemist philosopher might have desired
and expected. The notion which is prominent in the writings
of Paracelsus concerning the " Vital Spirits of Nature" fell in
perfectly with Bacon's own ideas, and this poetical and beautiful
fancy pervades his writings to such a degree as to be inseparable
from them. The method in which he handles the subject
is
also so peculiar as to form another touchstone by which the
authorship of certain works may be tested, since the thought of
any two men, forming the same fanciful theories, and deriving
from them the same subtle thoughts and conclusions, is too
improbable to be seriously entertained.
In the preface to the History of Life and Death, the editor
says:
" The idea on which Bacon's idea of longevity is founded,
namely, that the principle of life resides in a subtle fluid or
spirit, which permeates the tangible parts of the organisation of
plants and animals, seems to be coeval with the first origin of
speculative physiology. Bacon was one of those by whom this
idea was extended from organised to inorganised bodies. In all
substances, according to him, resides a portion of spirit which
manifests itself only in its operations, being altogether intangible
and without weight. This doctrine appeared to be to him
of most certain truth, but he has nowhere stated the grounds of
his conviction, nor even indicated the kind of evidence by which
. . j- : I
1 Jnov. Org. i. 48. 2 De Aug. iv. 2,