Francis Bacon Research Trust

The Great Instauration, Part I

The Advancement and Proficience of Learning

Engraved title-page to the first English translation of Francis Bacon’s De Augmentis Scientiarum, entitled Of the Advancement and Proficience of Learning or the Partitions of Sciences. The book was published in 1640, being printed in Oxford by Leon. Lichfield, Printer to the University, for Rob. Young and Ed. Forrest. The engraving was made by William Marshall. The translation was done by the Rev. Doctor Gilbert Wats, and the book was dedicated to King Charles I and his son, who later became King Charles II.

This illustration is based on a cabalistic ‘tree of life’ structure and portrays the essential design and working of Francis Bacon’s Great Instauration.

The main features consist of unique representations of the twin Pillars of Hercules, beyond which the ship Argo can be seen sailing. A Latin motto associated with this is written beneath the ship, ‘Multi pertransibunt & augebitur Scientia’, meaning ‘Many shall pass through and learning shall be increased’. This motto is based on Daniel 12 and is used by Bacon’s Inn of Court, Gray’s Inn. The search for the golden fleece is an allegory from the classical myths describing the search for knowledge, true knowledge, which is illumination and which is the purpose of Bacon’s Great Instauration.

The right-hand pillar is the sun pillar, associated with Wisdom, whilst the left-hand pillar is the moon pillar, associated with Strength or Intelligence. Following tradition, the Wisdom pillar is in the light whilst the Intelligence pillar is in the shade. Each pillar is a composite construction, composed of a plinth surmounted by a square column or pedestal, itself supporting a pyramid set on three small spheres. Each pedestal has a base, shaft and capital, with the base being composed of three books stacked on each other. The six books in total are labelled I to VI, referring to the six working parts of the Great Instauration. Books I-III belong to the right-hand Wisdom pillar, and Books IV-VI belong to the left-hand Intelligence pillar. Books I-III, referring to Parts I-III of the Great Instauration, are all represented by books published in Latin under Bacon’s own name of ‘Bacon’. They are thus ‘in the light’. Books IV-VI, referring to Parts IV-VI of the Great Instauration, are more hidden or ‘in the shadow’, Part IV being the Shakespeare folio of plays, published in English under the pseudonym of ‘Shakespeare’. Bacon’s examples of Parts V and VI are even further concealed. From the hints that Bacon left it is possible to conclude that he did provide examples for every part of the Great Instauration, and it is highly likely that his examples of Parts V and VI are masked under his Apollonian pseudonyms of Apollo/Fra. Rosi Crosse and Apollo/Solomon, referring to his Rosicrucian philosophy or speculations and Freemasonic wisdom and charity. Part VII, the crowning achievement of the Great Instauration, is signified by the handshake that unites the pillars and their globes.

The pillars are surmounted by globes, relating to the Freemasonic tradition concerning the Great Pillars of Solomon’s Temple, Jachin and Boaz. The globe surmounting Jachin, the Wisdom pillar, is that of the ‘Mundus Visibilis’, the Visible World associated with the sun and day, whilst the globe surmounting Boaz, the pillar of Strength or Intelligence, is that of the ‘Mundus Intellectualis’, the Intellectual World associated with the moon and night. Two hands issuing out of these two worlds clasp each other in a Freemasonic handshake, denoting what the motto above says: ‘Ratione et Experientia Foederantur’, meaning ‘Reason and Experience have been confederated/allied together’. To join thought with action in a friendly union is Bacon’s aim, his philosophy (thought) being entirely practical (action) and useful. The Freemasonic symbolism illustrates that this usefulness is intended to be charity, the purpose to which all Freemasons are dedicated, beyond any politics, sect or religion, for ‘free’ means ‘love’ (from the Sanskrit pri, ‘to love’). Action and Experience is associated with the Wisdom pillar, and thought or reason with the Intelligence pillar. The pillars further declare this with their labels, ‘Scientiæ’ (‘Sciences’) on the right-hand pillar and ‘Philosophiæ’ (‘Philosophies’) on the left-hand pillar. The reference to the two universities of Oxford and Cambridge also have their meaning, as does everything else.

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