The sun., 1904-08-21

pulse to independent philosophical thinking
did not come TO him until some time sftel
Bacon's death In 1926 II Is true, Of course
that Bacon and Hobbies concurred In re-
jecting the old scholasticism. and were
both profoundly impressed by the early
stages OF the modern scientific movement
In other respects, however, they present
a striking contrast. Bacon's paramount
aim was to extend the physical sciences
by systematizing experimental methods.
Hobbies. on the other hand, though Incl
dentally he notices one OF Bacon's expert
ments, has nothing but scorn for expert
mental work In physics, and the word in
duction, which occurs only three or four
times in all his writings, is never used by
him with the faintest reminiscence Of the
importance assigned to 1t by the author
of the -Novum Organum.' Hobbies never
mentions Bacon as he mentions Calico,
Kepler, Harvey and others among the lights
of the century. His own philosophical
method is essentially deductive and dog
matte. while, as to his political theories,
they have in Bacon no exact counterpart.
There was even a contrast in style. which
was expressed by contemporary as fol-
lows: Bacon is short, abusive and abounds
In metaphors: Hobbies, round, close, sparing
OF similitudes, but ever extraordinarily
decent in them
II.
The death Of the second Earl Of Devon
shire in 1928 had serious effects for Hobbies.
The Earl had spent his revenues too lavishly,
and his widow. although she remained on
friendly terms with the secretary, felt
constrained to make retrenchments,
which involved his retirement from
his old situation. Accordingly, at the
age Of 40, he accepted the position Of
Clinton. Of an old Nottinghamshire family.
II, in the course Of this tour, he was led to
observe the centralized State which Rich
elieu was building up In France, or the
constitution Of Venice. he made
no record OF such observations. Two in
however, which he relates had i'm
portant effects upon his later speculations. 1t
was at Paris that, for the first time, he began
to look into Euclid, and straightway fell in
love with geometry and the process OF de-
ductive reasoning. The second incident
was equally fruitful. At gathering Of
learned men, one OF them asked, What Is
sense? and Hobbies, being thus led to
consider the nature OF the senses, came to
the conclusion that. If all things were at
rest, or all moved alike, there could be no
difference Of things, and consequently. no
sense. He inferred that the cause OF all
things must be sought in the difference Of
their movements. This, again, threw him
back upon geometry, and led him to what
he took to be his best discovery. Hence
forth what leisure Hobbies could find seems
TO have been employed in attempts at the
elaboration OF definite system Of philoso-
ply.
In 1881 he was recalled from the Continent
10 train the young Earl Of Devonshire. now
thirteen years old. In the course OF the
next seven years Hobbies took his young
pupil over rhetoric. logic, astronomy and
the principles OF law. Apparently their
life was spent during the first three years
IN Derbyshire, but they went abroad in
1884, and remained until 1887. During this,
mis- third sojourn on the Continent, Hobbies
Milton visited not long afterward; and, on
his way homeward, spent some eight months
n daily intercourse with the members Of q |
scientific circle in Paris, which had for q |
,entre the cell Of Father Mersenne, the most |
rusted and ardent friend OF Descartes. |
Hobbies himself relates that from this time |
,e, too, was numbered among philosophers;
md there seems to be no doubt that he now
conceived the plan of the philosophical
work which was to require twenty or more
,ears in execution. When one recalls how
,oung Pascal was when he died. 1t Is note
worthy that Hobbies should have been about
fifty years OF age when he first undertook
,riginal work in philosophy
The performance Of the task which
iobbes set himself was broken in upon by
he political events that happened in Eng
and after his return in 1887, and became
omplicated with other labors. Hamp-
en's .ship-money" case soon came up,
nd it was followed successively by the
riot over Lauds prayer book,
" the formation in Scotland Of the Solemn
,eague and Covenant. and, finally in the
pring Of 1910, by prospect Of war which
Charles l. once more, after eleven
ears OF personal rule, to call Parliament.
through his pupil, Lord Devonshire, who
ecame OF age in 1898, Hobbies became init
late with the group Of loyalists commem-
rated by Clarendon. Falkland Is said to
ave been "his great friend and admirer";
nd. besides Clarendon himself Chen, OF
curse. Edward Hyde), one who afterward
ave Hobbies substantial proof Of his regard
as Sidney Godolphin. One Of the visitors
, Falkland's house, Chillingworth, who
epresented a rationalizing movement
ithin the Anglican Church and was sus-
ected Of 1Socinianism," was commended
y Hobbies for a very great wit. But, my
3D." he added, -he ia like some lusty
ghters that will give damnable back blow
ow and then on their own party" Hobbies
that he. too, had something to say
q political and other questions. and. when
harles I. convoked what was to be known
the Short Parliament, he thought the time
ad come to speak out. His desire was to
Ter a contribution to the pending discus ,
on OF fundamental political principles. He
ropoeed, as Herbert Spencer was to do two ,
,nturies later, to begin by laying down
le first principles Of scientific inquiry; J
len to apply them to what We should now ;
III psychology, setting forth the laws Of !
imam nature; and, finally. to found upon ;