The New Atlantis
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Sir Francis Bacon >> The New Atlantis
THE NEW ATLANTIS
BY SIR FRANCIS BACON
INTRODUCTORY NOTE
Bacon's literary executor, Dr. Rowley, published "The New Atlantis" in
1627, the year after the author's death. It seems to have been
written about 1623, during that period of literary activity which
followed Bacon's political fall. None of Bacon's writings gives in
short apace so vivid a picture of his tastes and aspirations as this
fragment of the plan of an ideal commonwealth. The generosity and
enlightenment, the dignity and splendor, the piety and public spirit,
of the inhabitants of Bensalem represent the ideal qualities which
Bacon the statesman desired rather than hoped to see characteristic of
his own country; and in Solomon's House we have Bacon the scientist
indulging without restriction his prophetic vision of the future of
human knowledge. No reader acquainted in any degree with the
processes and results of modern scientific inquiry can fail to be
struck by the numerous approximations made by Bacon's imagination to
the actual achievements of modern times. The plan and organization of
his great college lay down the main lines of the modern research
university; and both in pure and applied science he anticipates a
strikingly large number of recent inventions and discoveries. In
still another way is "The New Atlantis" typical of Bacon's attitude.
In spite of the enthusiastic and broad-minded schemes he laid down for
the pursuit of truth, Bacon always had an eye to utility. The
advancement of science which he sought was conceived by him as a means
to a practical end the increase of man's control over nature, and the
comfort and convenience of humanity. For pure metaphysics, or any
form of abstract thinking that yielded no "fruit," he had little
interest; and this leaning to the useful is shown in the practical
applications of the discoveries made by the scholars of Solomon's
House. Nor does the interest of the work stop here. It contains much,
both in its political and in its scientific ideals, that we have as
yet by no means achieved, but which contain valuable elements of
suggestion and stimulus for the future.
THE NEW ATLANTIS
We sailed from Peru, (where we had continued for the space of one
whole year) for China and Japan, by the South Sea; taking with us
victuals for twelve months; and had good winds from the east, though
soft and weak, for five months space, and more. But the wind came
about, and settled in the west for many days, so as we could make
little or no way, and were sometime in purpose to turn back. But then
again there arose strong and great winds from the south, with a point
east, which carried us up (for all that we could do) towards the north;
by which time our victuals failed us, though we had made good spare
of them. So that finding ourselves, in the midst of the greatest
wilderness of waters in the world, without victuals, we gave ourselves
for lost men and prepared for death. Yet we did lift up our hearts
and voices to God above, who showeth his wonders in the deep,
beseeching him of his mercy, that as in the beginning he discovered
the face of the deep, and brought forth dry land, so he would not
discover land to us, that we might not perish.
And it came to pass that the next day about evening we saw within a
kenning before us, towards the north, as it were thick clouds, which
did put us in some hope of land; knowing how that part of the South
Sea was utterly unknown; and might have islands, or continents, that
hitherto were not come to light. Wherefore we bent our course thither,
where we saw the appearance of land, all that night; and in the
dawning of the next day, we might plainly discern that it was a land;
flat to our sight, and full of boscage; which made it show the more
dark. And after an hour and a half's sailing, we entered into a good
haven, being the port of a fair city; not great indeed, but well built,
and that gave a pleasant view from the sea: and we thinking every
minute long, till we were on land, came close to the shore, and
offered to land. But straightways we saw divers of the people, with
bastons in their hands (as it were) forbidding us to land; yet without
any cries of fierceness, but only as warning us off, by signs that
they made. Whereupon being not a little discomforted, we were
advising with ourselves, what we should do.
During which time, there made forth to us a small boat, with about
eight persons in it; whereof one of them had in his hand a tipstaff of
a yellow cane, tipped at both ends with blue, who came aboard our ship,
without any show of distrust at all. And when he saw one of our
number, present himself somewhat before the rest, he drew forth a
little scroll of parchment (somewhat yellower than our parchment, and
shining like the leaves of writing tables, but otherwise soft and
flexible,) and delivered it to our foremost man. In which scroll were
written in ancient Hebrew, and in ancient Greek, and in good Latin of
the school, and in Spanish, these words: Land ye not, none of you; and
provide to be gone from this coast, within sixteen days, except you
have further time given you. Meanwhile, if you want fresh water or
victuals, or help for your sick, or that your ship needeth repairs,
write down your wants, and you shall have that, which belongeth to
mercy. This scroll was signed with a stamp of cherubim: wings, not
spread, but hanging downwards; and by them a cross. This being
delivered, the officer returned, and left only a servant with us to
receive our answer.
Consulting hereupon amongst ourselves, we were much perplexed. The
denial of landing and hasty warning us away troubled us much; on the
other side, to find that the people had languages, and were so full of
humanity, did comfort us not a little. And above all, the sign of the
cross to that instrument was to us a great rejoicing, and as it were a
certain presage of good. Our answer was in the Spanish tongue; that
for our ship, it was well; for we had rather met with calms and
contrary winds than any tempests. For our sick, they were many, and
in very ill case; so that if they were not permitted to land, they ran
danger of their lives. Our other wants we set down in particular;
adding, That we had some little store of merchandise, which if it
pleased them to deal for, it might supply our wants, without being
chargeable unto them. We offered some reward in pistolets unto the
servant, and a piece of crimson velvet to be presented to the officer;
but the servant tools them not, nor would scarce look upon them; and
so left us, and went back in another little boat, which was sent for
him.
About three hours after we had dispatched our answer, there came
towards us a person (as it seemed) of place. He had on him a gown
with wide sleeves, of a kind oŁ water chamolet, of an excellent azure
colour, fair more glossy than ours; his under apparel was green; and
so was his hat, being in the form of a turban, daintily made, and not
so huge as the Turkish turbans; and the locks of his hair came down
below the brims of it. A reverend man was he to behold. He came in a
boat, gilt in some part of it, with four persons more only in that
boat; and was followed by another boat, wherein were some twenty.
When he was come within a flightshot of our ship, signs were made to
us, that we should send forth some to meet him upon the water; which
we presently did in our ship-boat, sending the principal man amongst
us save one, and four of our number with him.
When we were come within six yards of their boat, they called to us to
stay, and not to approach farther; which we did. And thereupon the
man, whom I before described, stood up, and with a loud voice, in
Spanish, asked, "Are ye Christians?" We answered, "We were;" fearing
the less, because of the cross we had seen in the subscription. At
which answer the said person lifted up his right hand towards Heaven,
and drew it softly to his mouth (which is the gesture they use, when
they thank God;) and then said : "If ye will swear (all of you) by the
merits of the Saviour, that ye are no pirates, nor have shed blood,
lawfully, nor unlawfully within forty days past, you may have licence
to come on land." We said, "We were all ready to take that oath."
Whereupon one of those that were with him, being (as it seemed) a
notary, made an entry of this act. Which done, another of the
attendants of the great person which was with him in the same boat,
after his Lord had spoken a little to him, said aloud: "My Lord would
have you know, that it is not of pride, or greatness, that he cometh
not aboard your ship; but for that in your answer you declare that you
have many sick amongst you, he was warned by the Conservator of Health
of the city that he should keep a distance." We bowed ourselves
towards him, and answered, "We were his humble servants; and accounted
for great honour, and singular humanity towards us, that which was
already done; but hoped well, that the nature of the sickness of our
men was not infectious." So he returned; and a while after came the
Notary to us aboard our ship; holding in his hand a fruit of that
country, like an orange, but of color between orange-tawney and
scarlet; which cast a most excellent odour. He used it (as it
seemeth) for a preservative against infection. He gave us our oath;
"By the name of Jesus, and his merits:" and after told us, that the
next day, by six of the Clock, in the Morning, we should be sent to,
and brought to the Strangers' House, (so he called it,) where we
should be accommodated of things, both for our whole, and for our sick.
So he left us; and when we offered him some pistolets, he smiling
said, "He must not be twice paid for one labour:" meaning (as I take
it) that he had salary sufficient of the State for his service. For
(as I after learned) they call an officer that taketh rewards, twice
paid.
The next morning early, there came to us the same officer that came to
us at first with his cane, and told us, "He came to conduct us to the
Strangers' House; and that he had prevented the hour, because we might
have the whole day before us, for our business. For," said he, "if
you will follow my advice, there shall first go with me some few of
you, and see the place, and how it may be made convenient for you; and
then you may send for your sick, and the rest of your number, which ye
will bring on land." We thanked him, and said, "That this care, which
he took of desolate strangers, God would reward." And so six of us
went on land with him: and when we were on land, he went before us,
and turned to us, and said, "He was but our servant, and our guide."
He led us through three fair streets; and all the way we went, there
were gathered some people on both sides, standing in a row; but in so
civil a fashion, as if it had been, not to wonder at us, but to
welcome us: and divers of them, as we passed by them, put their arms a
little abroad; which is their gesture, when they did bid any welcome.
The Strangers' House is a fair and spacious house, built of brick, of
somewhat a bluer colour than our brick; and with handsome windows,
some of glass, some of a kind of cambric oiled. He brought us first
into a fair parlour above stairs, and then asked us, "What number of
persons we were? And how many sick?" We answered, "We were in all,
(sick and whole,) one and fifty persons, whereof our sick were
seventeen." He desired us to have patience a little, and to stay till
he came back to us; which was about an hour after; and then he led us
to see the chambers which were provided for us, being in number
nineteen: they having cast it (as it seemeth) that four of those
chambers, which were better than the rest, might receive four of the
principal men of our company; and lodge them alone by themselves; and
the other fifteen chambers were to lodge us two and two together. The
chambers were handsome and cheerful chambers, and furnished civilly."
Then he led us to a long gallery, like a dorture, where he showed us
all along the one side (for the other side was but wall and window),
seventeen cells, very neat ones, having partitions of cedar wood.
Which gallery and cells, being in all forty, (many more than we needed,
) were instituted as an infirmary for sick persons. And he told us
withal, that as any of our sick waxed well, he might be removed from
his cell, to a chamber; for which purpose there were set forth ten
spare chambers, besides the number we spake of before. This done, he
brought us back to the parlour, and lifting up his cane a little, (as
they do when they give any charge or command) said to us, "Ye are to
know, that the custom of the land requireth, that after this day and
to-morrow, (which we give you for removing of your people from your
ship,) you are to keep within doors for three days. But let it not
trouble you, nor do not think yourselves restrained, but rather left
to your rest and ease. You shall want nothing, and there are six of
our people appointed to attend you, for any business you may have
abroad." We gave him thanks, with all affection and respect, and said,
"God surely is manifested in this land." We offered him also twenty
pistolets; but he smiled, and only said; "What? twice paid! " And so
he left us.
Soon after our dinner was served in; which was right good viands, both
for bread and treat: better than any collegiate diet, that I have
known in Europe. We had also drink of three sorts, all wholesome and
good; wine of the grape; a drink of grain, such as is with us our ale,
but more clear: And a kind of cider made of a fruit of that country; a
wonderful pleasing and refreshing drink. Besides, there were brought
in to us, great store of those scarlet oranges, for our sick; which
(they said) were an assured remedy for sickness taken at sea. There
was given us also, a box of small gray, or whitish pills, which they
wished our sick should take, one of the pills, every night before
sleep; which (they said) would hasten their recovery.
The next day, after that our trouble of carriage and removing of our
men and goods out of our ship, was somewhat settled and quiet, I
thought good to call our company together; and when they were
assembled, said unto them; "My dear friends, let us know ourselves,
and how it standeth with us. We are men cast on land, as Jonas was,
out of the whale's belly, when we were as buried in the deep: and now
we are on land, we are but between death and life; for we are beyond,
both the old world, and the new; and whether ever we shall see Europe,
God only knoweth. It is a kind of miracle bath brought us hither: and
it must be little less, that shall bring us hence. Therefore in
regard of our deliverance past, and our danger present, and to come,
let us look up to God, and every man reform his own ways. Besides we
are come here amongst a Christian people, full of piety and humanity:
let us not bring that confusion of face upon ourselves, as to show our
vices, or unworthiness before them. Yet there is more. For they have
by commandment, (though in form of courtesy) cloistered us within
these wall, for three days: who knoweth, whether it be not, to take
some taste of our manners and conditions?" and if they find them bad,
to banish us straightways; if good, to give us further time. For
these men that they have given us for attendance, may withal have an
eye upon us. Therefore for God's love, and as we love the weal of our
souls and bodies, let us so behave ourselves, as we may be at peace
with God, and may find grace in the eyes of this people." Our company
with one voice thanked me for my good admonition, and promised me to
live soberly and civilly, and without giving any the least occasion of
offence. So we spent our three days joyfully, and without care, in
expectation what would be done with us, when they were expired.
During which time, we had every hour joy of the amendment of our sick;
who thought themselves cast into some divine pool of healing; they
mended so kindly, and so fast.
The morrow after our three days were past, there came to us a new man,
that we had not seen before, clothed in blue as the former was, save
that his turban was white, with a small red cross on the top. He had
also a tippet of fine linen. At his coming in, he did bend to us a
little, and put his arms abroad. We of our parts saluted him in a
very lowly and submissive manner; as looking that from him, we should
receive sentence of life, or death: he desired to speak with some few
of us: whereupon six of us only staid, and the rest avoided the room.
He said, "I am by office governor of this House of Strangers, and by
vocation I am a Christian priest: and therefore am come to you to
offer you my service, both as strangers and chiefly as Christians.
Some things I may tell you, which I think you will not be unwilling to
hear. The State hath given you license to stay on land, for the space
of six weeks; and let it not trouble you, if your occasions ask
further time, for the law in this point is not precise; and I do not
doubt, but my self shall be able, to obtain for you such further time,
as may be convenient. Ye shall also understand, that the Strangers'
House is at this time rich, and much aforehand; for it hath laid up
revenue these thirty-seven years; for so long it is since any stranger
arrived in this part: and therefore take ye no care; the State will
defray you all the time you stay; neither shall you stay one day the
less for that. As for any merchandise ye have brought, ye shall be
well used, and have your return, either in merchandise, or in gold and
silver: for to us it is all one. And if you have any other request to
make, hide it not. For ye shall find we will not make your
countenance to fall by the answer ye shall receive. Only this I must
tell you, that none of you must go above a karan," (that is with them
a mile and an half) "from the walls of the city, without especial
leave."
We answered, after we had looked awhile one upon another, admiring
this gracious and parent-like usage; "That we could not tell what to
say: for we wanted words to express our thanks; and his noble free
offers left us nothing to ask. It seemed to us, that we had before us
a picture of our salvation in Heaven; for we that were a while since
in the jaws of death, were now brought into a place, where we found
nothing but consolations. For the commandment laid upon us, we would
not fail to obey it, though it was impossible but our hearts should be
enflamed to tread further upon this happy and holy ground." We added;
"That our tongues should first cleave to the roofs of our mouths, ere
we should forget, either his reverend person, or this whole nation, in
our prayers." We also most humbly besought him, to accept of us as
his true servants; by as just a right as ever men on earth were
bounden; laying and presenting, both our persons, and all we had, at
his feet. He said; "He was a priest, and looked for a priest's reward;
which was our brotherly love, and the good of our souls and bodies."
So he went from us, not without tears of tenderness in his eyes; and
left us also confused with joy and kindness, saying amongst ourselves;
"That we were come into a land of angels, which did appear to us daily,
and prevent us with comforts, which we thought not of, much less
expected."
The next day about ten of the clock, the Governor came to us again,
and after salutations, said familiarly; "That he was come to visit us;"
and called for a chair, and sat him down: and we, being some ten of
us, (the rest were of the meaner sort, or else gone abroad,) sat down
with him, And when we were set, he began thus: " We of this island of
Bensalem," (for so they call it in their language,) "have this; that
by means of our solitary situation; and of the laws of secrecy, which
we have for our travellers, and our rare admission of strangers; we
know well most part of the habitable world, and are ourselves unknown.
Therefore because he that knoweth least is fittest to ask questions,
it is more reason, for the entertainment of the time, that ye ask me
questions, than that I ask you."
We answered; "That we humbly thanked him that he would give us leave
so to do: and that we conceived by the taste we had already, that
there was no worldly thing on earth, more worthy to be known than the
state of that happy land. But above all," (we said,) "since that we
were met from the several ends of the world, and hoped assuredly that
we should meet one day in the kingdom of Heaven, (for that we were
both parts Christians,) we desired to know, (in respect that land was
so remote, and so divided by vast and unknown seas, from the land
where our Saviour walked on earth,) who was the apostle of that nation,
and how it was converted to the faith?" It appeared in his face that
he took great contentment in this our question: he said; "Ye knit my
heart to you, by asking this question in the first place; for it
sheweth that you first seek the kingdom o f heaven; and I shall gladly,
and briefly, satisfy your demand.
"About twenty years after the ascension of our Saviour, it came to
pass, that there was seen by the people of Renfusa, (a city upon the
eastern coast of our island,) within night, (the night was cloudy, and
calm,) as it might be some mile into the sea, a great pillar of light;
not sharp, but in form of a column, or cylinder, rising from the sea a
great way up towards heaven; and on the top of it was seen a large
cross of light, more bright and resplendent than the body of the
pillar. Upon which so strange a spectacle, the people of the city
gathered apace together upon the sands, to wonder; and so after put
themselves into a number of small boats, to go nearer to this
marvellous sight. But when the boats were come within (about) sixty
yards of the pillar, they found themselves all bound, and could go no
further; yet so as they might move to go about, but might not approach
nearer: so as the boats stood all as in a theatre, beholding this
light as an heavenly sign. It so fell out, that there was in one of
the boats one of the wise men, of the society of Salomon's House;
which house, or college (my good brethren) is the very eye of this
kingdom; who having awhile attentively and devoutly viewed and
contemplated this pillar and cross, fell down upon his face; and then
raised himself upon his knees, and lifting up his hands to heaven,
made his prayers in this manner.
"`LORD God of heaven and earth, thou hast vouchsafed of thy grace to
those of our order, to know thy works of Creation, and the secrets of
them: and to discern (as far as appertaineth to the generations o f
men) between divine miracles, works of nature, works of art, and
impostures and illusions of all sorts. I do here acknowledge and
testify before this people, that the thing which we now see before our
eyes is thy Finger and a true Miracle. And forasmuch as we learn in
our books that thou never workest miracles, but to d divine and
excellent end, (for the laws o f nature are thine own laws, and thou
exceedest them not but upon great cause,) we most humbly beseech thee
to prosper this great sign, and to give us the interpretation and use
of it in mercy; which thou dost in some part secretly promise by
sending it unto us.'
"When he had made his prayer, he presently found the boat he was in,
moveable and unbound; whereas all the rest remained still fast; and
taking that for an assurance of leave to approach, he caused the boat
to be softly and with silence rowed towards the pillar. But ere he
came near it, the pillar and cross of light brake up, and cast itself
abroad, as it were, into a firmament of many stars; which also
vanished soon after, and there was nothing left to be seen, but a
small ark, or chest of cedar, dry, and not wet at all with water,
though it swam. And in the fore-end of it, which was towards him,
grew a small green branch of palm; and when the wise man had taken it,
with all reverence, into his boat, it opened of itself, and there were
found in it a Book and a Letter; both written in fine parchment, and
wrapped in sindons of linen. The Book contained all the canonical
books of the Old and New Testament, according as you have them; (for
we know well what the churches with you receive); and the Apocalypse
itself, and some other books of the New Testament, which were not at
that time written, were nevertheless in the Book. And for the Letter,
it was in these words:
"`I, Bartholomew, a servant of the Highest, and Apostle of Jesus
Christ, was warned by an angel that appeareth to me, in a vision of
glory, that I should commit this ark to the floods of the sea.
Therefore I do testify and declare unto that people where God shall
ordain this ark to come to land, that in the same day is come unto
them salvation and peace and good-will, from the Father, and from the
Lord Jesus.'
"There was also in both these writings, as well the Book, as the
Letter, wrought a great miracle, conform to that of the Apostles, in
the original Gift of Tongues. For there being at that time in this
land Hebrews, Persians, and Indians, besides the natives, every one
read upon the Book, and Letter, as if they had been written in his own
language. And thus was this land saved from infidelity (as the
remainder of the old world was from water) by an ark, through the
apostolical and miraculous evangelism of Saint Bartholomew." And here
he paused, and a messenger came, and called him from us. So this was
all that passed in that conference.