Francis Bacon and his secret society - Grand Lodge of Colorado

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20 FBANCIS BACON
clue pursued in this argument leads to the same point; how all
lines converge to the centre.
In attempting this, all effort at a pleasing composition in our
book has had to be renounced, for it is better to be understood
than 'applauded; and frequent repetitious are needful in order
to spare the reader from puzzling and from the worry of perpetual
foot-notes or references. He may often be disappointed
at the slight and sketchy treatment which very interesting and
important matters have received. But since the present object
it to rouse inquiry, rather than to clinch any argument, or to
silence objectors, it seems the wisest plan first to state and suggest,
not stopping at every turn in order to prove each statement.
This appears to be especially desirable since it is notorious that,
in such matters as are here brought forward, judgment will and
must be delivered according to each man's light and knowledge.
Those who know most will understand most, inquire most, and
be the most interested and sympathetic. But we cannot " go
beyond Aristotle in the light of Aristotle.
And surely our sympathies should rather be with those " who
seek to make doubtful things certain" than with those others
" who labor to make certain things doubtful." If so, let us beware
of forming opinions positive and stereotyped upon matters
of which we have but little knowledge, and which are only now
beginningto be duly weighed and sifted. It is in vain to assume
a knowledge if we have it not; and judgments delivered under
the wig of Folly are sure to be soon reversed. Bacon underwent
such mock trials in his own life-time, and he has told us how
lightly he regarded them. "We decline," he says, "to be
judged by a tribunal which is itself upon its trial."
To the end that this investigation may be the more easily and
swiftly performed, we append a few notes, but for brevity's sake
(and to avoid the deterring appearance of erudition which, to
some minds, is produced by an array of quotations and references)
these have been curtailed to a minimum. They will not
satisfy the real lover of truth, but such a one will pursue the
subject for himself, and dig to the very roots of matters which
can be here merely noted or pointed out.