‘When I was in another state, I wrote nothing on philosophy.’ ‘Men used to wonder before I became a friar that I lived owing to such excessive labour[1321].’
‘When I was in another state, I wrote nothing on philosophy.’ ‘Men used to wonder before I became a friar that I lived owing to such excessive labour[1321].’
He began his studies on positive science before 1250[1322], and had by 1267 spent more than 2,000librae[1323]
‘on secret books and various experiments and languages and instruments and tables.’
‘on secret books and various experiments and languages and instruments and tables.’
It is not necessary to assume that this sum was expended before he joined the Franciscan Order; he could, and undoubtedly did, obtain money by begging to carry on his experiments[1324]. Roger left Oxford for Paris some time before 1245; he states that he had seen Alexander of Hales with his own eyes[1325], and he heard William of Auvergnedispute on theIntellectus Agensbefore the whole University: William died in 1248[1326]. Roger was in France in 1250 when he saw the chief of the Pastoureaux, and remarked that
‘he carried in his hand something as though it were sacred, as a man carries relics[1327].’
‘he carried in his hand something as though it were sacred, as a man carries relics[1327].’
He is said by Rous to have been made D.D. of Paris and to have been incorporated as D.D. at Oxford[1328]. When he returned to Oxford is unknown; probably soon after 1250. He must have lectured at this time; he won some fame, as he says himself[1329], but without doubt made many enemies. About the year 1257 or 1258—when Adam Marsh could no longer protect his great pupil—Roger was exiled from England and kept under strict supervision in Paris for ten years[1330]. In 1263 he wrote an astronomical treatise calledComputus Naturalium[1331]. Soon after this, a clerk named Raymund of Laon mentioned Bacon’s name to the Cardinal Bishop of Sabina and roused the latter’s interest in his discoveries[1332]. Bacon sent a letter in reply to the Cardinal’s communication: this has not been preserved. In 1265 the Cardinal became Pope Clement IV. On 22nd of June 1266, Clement wrote requesting Roger to send him a fair copy of the work which Raymond had mentioned, setting forth the remedies he proposed, ‘circa illa, quae nuper occasione tanti discriminis intimasti;’ the friar was to do this, in spite of any constitution of his Order to the contrary, secretly and without delay[1333]. The Pope’s supposition that the work was already written was erroneous;
‘for,’ writes Roger[1334], ‘whilst I was in a different state of life, I had written nothing on science; nor in my present condition had I ever been required to do so by my superiors; nay, a strict prohibition has been passed to the contrary, under penalty of forfeiture of the book, and manydays’ fasting on bread and water, if any book written by us (i.e. the Franciscans) should be communicated to strangers[1335].’
‘for,’ writes Roger[1334], ‘whilst I was in a different state of life, I had written nothing on science; nor in my present condition had I ever been required to do so by my superiors; nay, a strict prohibition has been passed to the contrary, under penalty of forfeiture of the book, and manydays’ fasting on bread and water, if any book written by us (i.e. the Franciscans) should be communicated to strangers[1335].’
However, although the book was not yet written, and notwithstanding endless difficulties, want of money, want of mathematical and other instruments and tables, the restrictions of the Rule, jealousy of his superiors and brethren who, he says,
‘kept me on bread and water, suffering no one to have access to me, fearful lest my writings should be divulged to any other than the Pope and themselves[1336]’—
‘kept me on bread and water, suffering no one to have access to me, fearful lest my writings should be divulged to any other than the Pope and themselves[1336]’—
the Opus Majus, the Opus Minus, and the Opus Tertium, were sent to the Pope within fifteen or eighteen months after the arrival of the papal mandate[1337]. ‘Such a feat’ says Brewer, ‘is unparalleled in the annals of literature.’ The Pope probably used his influence in behalf of Roger, as the latter seems to have returned to England about this time and to have been freed from annoyance[1338]. The works sent to Clement he regarded merely as handbooks; at the same time that he was writing them, he was engaged on a larger work which was to embrace the whole range of sciences as then understood[1339]. He was working at this in 1271[1340]. His attacks on all classes, including his own Order, became even more violent than hitherto. In 1277 and 1278 synods were held at Paris and Oxford to condemn erroneous doctrines. The repressive movement extended to the Franciscans; in 1278, Jerome of Ascoli, the Minister General, held a Chapter at Paris, and among other friars Roger Bacon was condemned ‘propter quasdam novitates[1341].’ He is believed to have remained in prison for fourteen years. Jerome of Ascoli, who became Pope Nicholas IV in 1288, died in 1292. Raymond Gaufredi, a man of liberal views, was elected General in 1289, and released many friars who had been imprisoned for their opinions by his predecessors. In 1292 he held a General Chapter at Paris, and it is probable that among the friars here set free was Roger Bacon[1342].It is certain that the last work of Roger’s of which we have any notice was written in 1292[1343]. The date usually assigned for his death (1294) is a pure conjecture[1344]. John Rous says that he was buried among the Friars Minors at Oxford[1345].
Such then is the chronological outline of his life, as far as it can be ascertained. A list of his works will be more useful than a short account of his character or philosophy.
Roger Bacon’s Workswere neglected and regarded with a pious horror in the Middle Ages[1346]. The result is that many of those which have survived at all have reached us in a fragmentary state. ‘It is easier,’ said Leland, ‘to collect the leaves of the Sibyl than the titles of the works written by Roger Bacon.’ The difficulty has to a considerable extent been removed by Mr. Brewer’s valuable preface to theOpera Inedita, and by the labours of M. Charles. The following account of Roger Bacon’s works is based chiefly on these two writers. Some additions have been made and some rearrangement attempted.
Miscellaneous works, lectures, &c., probably early:—
Computus naturalium, an astronomical treatise, is the earliest work of Bacon’s to which a date can be assigned; it was writtenA. D.1263-4.Inc.‘Omnia tempus habent.’
MSS. British Museum: Royal 7 F viii. fol. 99-191 (sec. xiii).Oxford: University College, 48.Douai 691, § 2.Summary printed by Charles,Roger Bacon, pp. 355-8.
MSS. British Museum: Royal 7 F viii. fol. 99-191 (sec. xiii).
Oxford: University College, 48.Douai 691, § 2.
Oxford: University College, 48.
Douai 691, § 2.
Summary printed by Charles,Roger Bacon, pp. 355-8.
De termino Paschali, an earlier work, to which Bacon refers in theComputus naturalium; (Charles, p. 78).
Questions on Aristotle’s physics.
MS. Amiens 406, f. 1-25; cf. MS. Bodl. Digby 150, fol. 42 (sec. xiii), ‘Summa Baconis.’
MS. Amiens 406, f. 1-25; cf. MS. Bodl. Digby 150, fol. 42 (sec. xiii), ‘Summa Baconis.’
Quaestiones super librum physicorum a magistro dicto Bacon.
MS. Amiens 406, fol. 26-73.
MS. Amiens 406, fol. 26-73.
De vegetabilibus(gloss on this work then attributed to Aristotle).
MS. Amiens 406 (intercalated in the preceding work).
MS. Amiens 406 (intercalated in the preceding work).
In Aristotelis Metaphysica.
MS. Amiens 406, fol. 74.
MS. Amiens 406, fol. 74.
Tractatus ad declaranda quaedam obscure dicta in libro Secreti Secretorum Aristotelis.Inc.‘Propter multa in hoc libro contenta qui liber dicitur Secretum Secretorum Aristotelis sive liber de regimine principum.’
MS. Bodl.: Tanner 116, fol. 1 (sec. xiii exeuntis); the same MS. fol. 16, contains Aristotle’s supposititiousSecretum Secretorum‘cum glossa interlineari et notis Rogeri Bacon.’
MS. Bodl.: Tanner 116, fol. 1 (sec. xiii exeuntis); the same MS. fol. 16, contains Aristotle’s supposititiousSecretum Secretorum‘cum glossa interlineari et notis Rogeri Bacon.’
Questiones naturales mathematice astronomice, &c. ‘Expliciunt reprobationes Rogeri Baconis.’
MS. Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 16089, f. 93 (sec. xiii-xiv).
MS. Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 16089, f. 93 (sec. xiii-xiv).
Bacon in Meteora.Inc.‘Cum ad noticiam impressionum habendam.’
MS. Bodleian: Digby 190, fol. 38 (sec. xiv ineuntis).
MS. Bodleian: Digby 190, fol. 38 (sec. xiv ineuntis).
Processus fratris Rogeri Bacon ... de invencione cogitacionis(astrological fragment).Inc.‘Notandum quod in omni judicio quatuor sunt inquirenda, scil. natura planetae.’
MS. Bodl.: Digby 72, fol. 49 b, 50 (sec. xiv-xv).
MS. Bodl.: Digby 72, fol. 49 b, 50 (sec. xiv-xv).
De somno et vigilia.
MSS. Bodl.: Digby 190, f. 77:Inc.‘De somno et vigilia pertractantes, Perypateticorum sentenciam potissime sequemur.’Cambridge:—Publ. Library Ii, vi. 5, fol. 85 b-88 (sec. xiii).Inc.‘Sompnus ergo et vigilia describuntur multis modis.’
MSS. Bodl.: Digby 190, f. 77:Inc.‘De somno et vigilia pertractantes, Perypateticorum sentenciam potissime sequemur.’
Cambridge:—Publ. Library Ii, vi. 5, fol. 85 b-88 (sec. xiii).Inc.‘Sompnus ergo et vigilia describuntur multis modis.’
Cambridge:—Publ. Library Ii, vi. 5, fol. 85 b-88 (sec. xiii).Inc.‘Sompnus ergo et vigilia describuntur multis modis.’
Logic:—
Summulae Dialectices, an elementary treatise on logic, characterised by Charles, who expresses a doubt as to its authenticity, as very dry, unimportant, and intended for lecturing purposes.Inc.‘Introductio est brevis et apta demonstratio.’ ‘Expliciunt sumule magistri Roberti (sic) Baccun.’
MS. Bodl.: Digby 205, f. 48 (sec. xiv).
MS. Bodl.: Digby 205, f. 48 (sec. xiv).
Syncategoremata.Inc.‘Partium orationis quaedam sunt declinabiles.’
MS. Bodl.: Digby 204, fol. 88 (sec. xiv).
MS. Bodl.: Digby 204, fol. 88 (sec. xiv).
Summa de sophismatibus et distinctionibus.Inc.‘Potest queri de difficultatibus accidentibus.’
MS. Bodl.: Digby 67, fol. 117 (sec. xiii); fragment.
MS. Bodl.: Digby 67, fol. 117 (sec. xiii); fragment.
Tractatus de signis logicalibus.Inc.‘Signum est in predicamento relationis.’
MS. Bodl.: Digby 55, fol. 228 (sec. xiii).
MS. Bodl.: Digby 55, fol. 228 (sec. xiii).
Opus Majus, writtenA. D.1266-1267; 7 parts.Inc.‘Sapientiae perfecta consideratio consistit in duobus.’
MSS. of the whole work: Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 235 (sec. xv and xiv).Dublin:—Trinity Coll. 81 (= 221); a transcript of this is in Trinity Coll. Cambridge.Paris:—Bibl. Mazarine 3488 (sec. xviii).Rome:—Vatican 4086 (Montfaucon’s Catal. p. 114), ‘Rogerii Baconi causae universales in septem partes distinctae’; probably theOpus Majus.Parts I-VI edited by Jebb, 1733: reprinted at Venice 1750.
MSS. of the whole work: Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 235 (sec. xv and xiv).
Dublin:—Trinity Coll. 81 (= 221); a transcript of this is in Trinity Coll. Cambridge.Paris:—Bibl. Mazarine 3488 (sec. xviii).Rome:—Vatican 4086 (Montfaucon’s Catal. p. 114), ‘Rogerii Baconi causae universales in septem partes distinctae’; probably theOpus Majus.
Dublin:—Trinity Coll. 81 (= 221); a transcript of this is in Trinity Coll. Cambridge.
Paris:—Bibl. Mazarine 3488 (sec. xviii).
Rome:—Vatican 4086 (Montfaucon’s Catal. p. 114), ‘Rogerii Baconi causae universales in septem partes distinctae’; probably theOpus Majus.
Parts I-VI edited by Jebb, 1733: reprinted at Venice 1750.
The parts often occur separately.
I.On the four causes of human ignorance: authority, custom, popular opinion, and the pride of supposed knowledge.
MS. Brit. Museum: Cott. Jul. F vii. fol. 186.
MS. Brit. Museum: Cott. Jul. F vii. fol. 186.
II.On the causes of perfect wisdom in Holy Scripture, or,On the dignity of philosophy.
III.On the usefulness of grammar.
This part, Charles points out (p. 62), is not perfect in Jebb’s edition: seeOpus Tertium, cap. XXVI, XXVII.
This part, Charles points out (p. 62), is not perfect in Jebb’s edition: seeOpus Tertium, cap. XXVI, XXVII.
IV.On the usefulness of mathematics.
MSS. London:—British Museum: Cotton, Tib. C. V. (sec. xiv); Julius D. V. ‘De utilitate scientiarum’; Julius F vii. fol. 178 (sec. xv), ‘Declaratio effectus verae mathematicae.’ And fol. 180, ‘De moribus hominum secundum complexiones et constellationes.’Royal 7 F vii, p. 1 (sec. xiii), ‘Pars quarta compendii studii theologiae’; pp. 82-125, ‘Descriptiones locorum’; pp. 133-140, ‘De utilitate astronomiae,’ or ‘Tractatus de corporibus coelestibus.’Sloane 2629, f. 17, ‘De utilitate astronomiae.’Also Lambeth Palace Library 200 (sec. xv), ‘De arte mathematica.’Oxford:—Bodl. E Musaeo 155, p. 185 (sec. xv ineuntis), ‘Pars quarta in qua ostendit potestatem mathematicae in scientiis et rebus et occupationibus hujus mundi.’ Univ. Coll. 49 (sec. xvii).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7455 A (sec. xv), ‘De utilitatibus scientiae mathematicae verae.’Cf. Bodl.: Digby 218, f. 98 (sec. xiii-xiv).Printed, except the last two chapters, by Combach, Frankfurt 1614, under the title: ‘Specula Mathematica in quibus de specierum multiplicatione ... agitur,’ &c.
MSS. London:—British Museum: Cotton, Tib. C. V. (sec. xiv); Julius D. V. ‘De utilitate scientiarum’; Julius F vii. fol. 178 (sec. xv), ‘Declaratio effectus verae mathematicae.’ And fol. 180, ‘De moribus hominum secundum complexiones et constellationes.’
Royal 7 F vii, p. 1 (sec. xiii), ‘Pars quarta compendii studii theologiae’; pp. 82-125, ‘Descriptiones locorum’; pp. 133-140, ‘De utilitate astronomiae,’ or ‘Tractatus de corporibus coelestibus.’Sloane 2629, f. 17, ‘De utilitate astronomiae.’Also Lambeth Palace Library 200 (sec. xv), ‘De arte mathematica.’
Royal 7 F vii, p. 1 (sec. xiii), ‘Pars quarta compendii studii theologiae’; pp. 82-125, ‘Descriptiones locorum’; pp. 133-140, ‘De utilitate astronomiae,’ or ‘Tractatus de corporibus coelestibus.’
Sloane 2629, f. 17, ‘De utilitate astronomiae.’
Also Lambeth Palace Library 200 (sec. xv), ‘De arte mathematica.’
Oxford:—Bodl. E Musaeo 155, p. 185 (sec. xv ineuntis), ‘Pars quarta in qua ostendit potestatem mathematicae in scientiis et rebus et occupationibus hujus mundi.’ Univ. Coll. 49 (sec. xvii).
Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7455 A (sec. xv), ‘De utilitatibus scientiae mathematicae verae.’
Cf. Bodl.: Digby 218, f. 98 (sec. xiii-xiv).
Printed, except the last two chapters, by Combach, Frankfurt 1614, under the title: ‘Specula Mathematica in quibus de specierum multiplicatione ... agitur,’ &c.
V.Perspective and Optics.
MSS. London:—Brit. Mus.: Royal 7 F vii. p. 125 (sec. xiii), ‘De visu et speculis’; 7 F viii. f. 47 (sec. xiii), ‘Perspectiva quedam singularis,’ ‘Perspectiva R. Bacon, liber secundus.’ Sloane 2156, f. 1 (A. D.1428), and 2542 (sec. xv): Addit. 8786, f. 84, ‘Incipit tractatus de modis videndi.’Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 77 (sec. xiv) and 91 (sec. xvi).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598, f. 57 (sec. xv).Venice:—St. Mark, Classis XI, Cod. 10 (sec. xiv).Rome:—Vatican (Cod. Lat.) 828, f. 49 (A. D.1349).Printed by Combach, Frankfurt 1614, under the title, ‘Rogerii Baconis Angli ... Perspectiva.’
MSS. London:—Brit. Mus.: Royal 7 F vii. p. 125 (sec. xiii), ‘De visu et speculis’; 7 F viii. f. 47 (sec. xiii), ‘Perspectiva quedam singularis,’ ‘Perspectiva R. Bacon, liber secundus.’ Sloane 2156, f. 1 (A. D.1428), and 2542 (sec. xv): Addit. 8786, f. 84, ‘Incipit tractatus de modis videndi.’
Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 77 (sec. xiv) and 91 (sec. xvi).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598, f. 57 (sec. xv).Venice:—St. Mark, Classis XI, Cod. 10 (sec. xiv).Rome:—Vatican (Cod. Lat.) 828, f. 49 (A. D.1349).
Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 77 (sec. xiv) and 91 (sec. xvi).
Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598, f. 57 (sec. xv).
Venice:—St. Mark, Classis XI, Cod. 10 (sec. xiv).
Rome:—Vatican (Cod. Lat.) 828, f. 49 (A. D.1349).
Printed by Combach, Frankfurt 1614, under the title, ‘Rogerii Baconis Angli ... Perspectiva.’
VI.Experimental Science.
MSS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 2629 (sec. xvi), extracts.Oxford:—Bodl.: Digby 235, p. 389; Canon. Misc. 334, fol. 53, ‘Alius tractatus ejusdem Fratris Rogeri extractus de sexta parte compendii studii theologiae.’ Univ. Coll. 49.
MSS. Brit. Mus.: Sloane 2629 (sec. xvi), extracts.
Oxford:—Bodl.: Digby 235, p. 389; Canon. Misc. 334, fol. 53, ‘Alius tractatus ejusdem Fratris Rogeri extractus de sexta parte compendii studii theologiae.’ Univ. Coll. 49.
Oxford:—Bodl.: Digby 235, p. 389; Canon. Misc. 334, fol. 53, ‘Alius tractatus ejusdem Fratris Rogeri extractus de sexta parte compendii studii theologiae.’ Univ. Coll. 49.
VII.Moral Philosophy.Inc.‘Manifestavi in precedentibus quod cognitio linguarum.’
MSS. Brit. Mus.: Royal 8 F ii. f. 167-179 (sec. xv), three parts out of six.Bodl.: Digby 235, p. 421[1347].Omitted in Jebb’s edition: extracts printed by Charles, pp. 339-348. Printed at Dublin 1860 (?)[1348].
MSS. Brit. Mus.: Royal 8 F ii. f. 167-179 (sec. xv), three parts out of six.
Bodl.: Digby 235, p. 421[1347].
Bodl.: Digby 235, p. 421[1347].
Omitted in Jebb’s edition: extracts printed by Charles, pp. 339-348. Printed at Dublin 1860 (?)[1348].
Opus Minus, written in 1266-7, was mainly an abstract of theOpus Majuswith some additions on the state of scholasticism, on alchemy practical and speculative, and on astronomy. Charles gives the following description of it. It consisted of 6 parts:
i. Introduction or dedicatory letter; ii. Practical alchemy; iii. Explanation of theOpus Majus; the order of the sciences inverted, i.e. they were arranged according to their dignity, moral philosophy first; iv. Treatise on the seven sins of Theology; v. Speculative alchemy, or,De rerum generationibus(see below); vi.De Coelestibus.
Of this work only the fragment edited by Brewer (Opera Ined.311-390) from MS. Bodl. Digby 218, has been discovered. This includes a few pages of Part ii., all of iii., most of iv., and part of v. Wood quotes a passage from theOpus Minuswhich does not occur in this fragment (Opera Ined.xciv. n. 1). From this it has been assumed that he had access to a MS. of theOpus Minusnow lost; but the passage is quoted by Leland, and probably copied from him by Wood. It may perhaps occur in some other work of Bacon’s; thus the passage quoted inOp. Ined.pp. xcvii-xcviii, from which Brewer argues that ‘Wood must have seen some other copy of theOpus Minusnot now discoverable,’ occurs in Brewer’s edition of theOpus Tert.pp. 272-3.
Part of the blank on p. 375 is to be filled up from theOpus Majus, Pars VI, Exemplum II, where the passage ‘Est autem—curabit et’ occurs, word for word. How much of theOpus Majuswas here inserted is doubtful; probably to the end ofExemplum II. Thus MS. Bodl. Canonic. Miscell. 334, f. 53, begins with the words, ‘Corpora vero Adae et Evae,’Opus Minus, p. 373, and leaves off with the words, ‘et alibi multis modis,’ which occur at the end ofOpus Majus, Pars VI, Exemp. II.
The last part of theOpus Minusis wholly wanting in Brewer’s edition. The subject of this part may be gathered from Bacon’s words inOpus Tert., cap. xxvi (p. 96):
‘Nunc igitur tangam aliquas radices circa haec quas diligentius exposui in Secundo Opere, ubi de coelestibus egi’: and (p. 99) ‘Sed in Opere Minore ubi de coelestibus tractavi, exposui magis ista.’
‘Nunc igitur tangam aliquas radices circa haec quas diligentius exposui in Secundo Opere, ubi de coelestibus egi’: and (p. 99) ‘Sed in Opere Minore ubi de coelestibus tractavi, exposui magis ista.’
In Digby MS. 76, fol. 36 seq. (sec. xiii) is a treatise on this subject, forming part of thePhysicsin the greatCompendium Philosophiae(see below). It is not improbable, that, before being incorporated in this larger work, it formed part of theOpus Minussent to the Pope; on fol. 42 are the words:
‘et est nunc temporis scilicet anno domini 1266.’
‘et est nunc temporis scilicet anno domini 1266.’
Opus Tertium, written in 1267 (seeOpera Ined.p. 277), 75 chapters.
MSS. London:—Brit. Mus: Cotton Tiberius C. V. (sec. xiv); also Lambeth Palace Library, 200 (chapters 1-45).Oxford:—Bodl. E Musaeo 155 (sec. xv ineuntis); and Univ. Coll. 49 (A. D.1617).Cambridge:—Trinity College, MS. Gale (transcript of the Cotton MS.).Douai, 691 (sec. xvii), wanting chapters 38-52: this MS. has been described by Victor Cousin,Journal des Savantsfor 1848 (5 articles).Printed in Bacon’sOpera Inedita(Rolls Series), pp. 3-310.
MSS. London:—Brit. Mus: Cotton Tiberius C. V. (sec. xiv); also Lambeth Palace Library, 200 (chapters 1-45).
Oxford:—Bodl. E Musaeo 155 (sec. xv ineuntis); and Univ. Coll. 49 (A. D.1617).Cambridge:—Trinity College, MS. Gale (transcript of the Cotton MS.).Douai, 691 (sec. xvii), wanting chapters 38-52: this MS. has been described by Victor Cousin,Journal des Savantsfor 1848 (5 articles).
Oxford:—Bodl. E Musaeo 155 (sec. xv ineuntis); and Univ. Coll. 49 (A. D.1617).
Cambridge:—Trinity College, MS. Gale (transcript of the Cotton MS.).
Douai, 691 (sec. xvii), wanting chapters 38-52: this MS. has been described by Victor Cousin,Journal des Savantsfor 1848 (5 articles).
Printed in Bacon’sOpera Inedita(Rolls Series), pp. 3-310.
Charles has been misled by a passage in the work called ‘Communia Naturalium’ into thinking that this latter formed part of theOpus Tertium; Charles,R. Bacon, pp. 65, 83-4; his description ofOpus Tertiumis consequently erroneous. The passage is from the Mazarine MS. of theCommunia Naturalium(i.e. No. 3576), fol. 85:
‘Quod est improbatum in secunda parte primi operis, deinde in hoc tertio opere explanavi hoc et solvi objectiones.’
‘Quod est improbatum in secunda parte primi operis, deinde in hoc tertio opere explanavi hoc et solvi objectiones.’
These words refer to Bacon’s doctrine that theintellectus agensis not part of the soul, but God and angels. This is insisted on in theOpus Tertium, cap. xxiii, and it is not likely that Bacon would do more than refer to it again casually in the course of the same work. The relation of theOpus Tertiumto theCommun. Nat.is probably as follows: the latter was written or begun first. Bacon repeatedly mentions that he was, while writing his threeOperafor the Pope, engaged on a larger work,Scriptum Principale, which he did not send to Clement[1349]. Much of this larger work naturally found its way, probably in a summarised form, into theOpus Tertiumas we know it, the treatise actually sent to the Pope.
Tractatus de multiplicatione specierum, or,De generatione specierum et multiplicatione et corruptione earum, is inserted by Jebb in theOpus Majus, pp. 358-445, between Part v and Part vi. The subject is however discussed in Part iv, which is often quoted or referred to in Part v. In theDe multiplicatione, &c. (p. 368), are the words:
Ut tactum est in communibus naturalium.
Ut tactum est in communibus naturalium.
Again (p. 358):
Recolendum est igitur quod in tertia parte hujus operis tactum est, quod essentia, substantia, natura, potestas, potentia, virtus, vis, significant eandem rem, sed differunt sola comparatione.
Recolendum est igitur quod in tertia parte hujus operis tactum est, quod essentia, substantia, natura, potestas, potentia, virtus, vis, significant eandem rem, sed differunt sola comparatione.
There is nothing about this in the third part of theOpus Majus; but it is found in theCommunia Naturalium. The treatiseDe multiplicatione specierumwas therefore part of a work of which theCommunia Naturaliumformed the third part. This large work was according to Jebb, theOpus Minus; according to Charles, theOpus Tertium[1350]; according to Brewer, the encyclopaedicCompendiumPhilosophiae.Brewer is no doubt right; theDe multiplicationewas intended as a sub-section of the great treatise on Physics.
How then did the treatise come to be regarded as part of theOpus Majus, and to be inserted in the MSS. of that work? There can be little doubt that it was, in its original form, the treatise on rays sent to the Pope with theOpus Majus, but as a separate work (Opera Ined.pp. 227, 230). The references to theCommunia Naturaliumare not inconsistent with this hypothesis: (1) the treatise on rays does not seem to have been written specially for the Pope, and consequently references to works which he could not know were not unnatural; (2) Bacon had already begun the encyclopaedic work, but found it impossible to get it finished or send it to the Pope (Opera Inedita, pp. 60, 315).
Inc.‘Primum igitur capitulum circa influentiam agentis habet tres veritates.’
MSS. London:—Brit. Mus.: Royal 7 F viii. f. 13;inc.‘Postquam habitum,’ &c. Addit. 8786, fol. 20 b:inc.‘Postquam habitum est de principiis rerum naturalium’: Sloane 2156, f. 40 (A. D.1428);inc.‘Postquam,’ &c.Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 235, p. 305 (inserted in theOpus Majus).Dublin:—Trinity Coll. 81 (in theOpus Majus).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598 (sec. xv):inc.‘Postquam,’ &c.Bruges, 490 (sec. xiii), calledPhilosophia Baconis.Printed in Jebb.
MSS. London:—Brit. Mus.: Royal 7 F viii. f. 13;inc.‘Postquam habitum,’ &c. Addit. 8786, fol. 20 b:inc.‘Postquam habitum est de principiis rerum naturalium’: Sloane 2156, f. 40 (A. D.1428);inc.‘Postquam,’ &c.
Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 235, p. 305 (inserted in theOpus Majus).Dublin:—Trinity Coll. 81 (in theOpus Majus).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598 (sec. xv):inc.‘Postquam,’ &c.Bruges, 490 (sec. xiii), calledPhilosophia Baconis.
Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 235, p. 305 (inserted in theOpus Majus).
Dublin:—Trinity Coll. 81 (in theOpus Majus).
Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598 (sec. xv):inc.‘Postquam,’ &c.
Bruges, 490 (sec. xiii), calledPhilosophia Baconis.
Printed in Jebb.
De speculis(on burning mirrors).Inc.‘Ex concavis speculis ad solem positis ignis accenditur.’
MS. Oxford:—Bodl. Ashmole, 440 (sec. xvi); cf. Digby 71.Printed at Frankfurt 1614, in Combach’sSpecula Mathematica, p. 168.
MS. Oxford:—Bodl. Ashmole, 440 (sec. xvi); cf. Digby 71.
Printed at Frankfurt 1614, in Combach’sSpecula Mathematica, p. 168.
Speculi Abnukefi compositio secundum Rogerium Bacon.Inc.‘Quia universorum quos de speculis ad datam distanciam.’
MS. Bodl.: Canonic. Misc. 408, fol. 48.Cf. Brit. Mus. Cott. Vesp. A ii. f. 140.
MS. Bodl.: Canonic. Misc. 408, fol. 48.
Cf. Brit. Mus. Cott. Vesp. A ii. f. 140.
Compendium Philosophiae, an encyclopaedic work, which if completed would have formed a kind of revised and enlarged edition of theOpus Majus,Opus Minus, andOpus Tertium. In theCommunia Naturalium, cap. i. (MS. Bodl. Digby 70) Bacon gives a sketch of his plan. The work was to consist of four volumes, and to treat of six branches of knowledge, viz., vol. i. Grammar and Logic; vol. ii. Mathematics; vol. iii. Physics; vol. iv. Metaphysics and Morals. ThisCompendiumseems to have been known also asLiber sex scientiarum. The latter title is found in the collection printed at Frankfurt in 1603[1351]in MSS. Bodl. Canonic. Misc. No. 334, fol. 49 b;ibid., No. 480, fol. 33; and E Musaeo 155, p. 689. In each of these MSS. the same passage is quoted, as follows:
Dicta fratris Rogerii Bacon in libro sex scienciarum in 3ogradu sapiencie, ubi loquitur de bono corporis et de bono fortune et de bono et honestate morum. (Inc.) In debito regimine corporis et prolongatione vite ad ultimos terminos naturales ... miranda potestas astronomie alkimie et perspective et scienciarum experimentalium. Sciendum igitur est pro bono corporis quod homo fuit immortalis naturaliter ... (Expl.) ut fiant sublimes operaciones et utilissime in hoc mundo, etc.
Dicta fratris Rogerii Bacon in libro sex scienciarum in 3ogradu sapiencie, ubi loquitur de bono corporis et de bono fortune et de bono et honestate morum. (Inc.) In debito regimine corporis et prolongatione vite ad ultimos terminos naturales ... miranda potestas astronomie alkimie et perspective et scienciarum experimentalium. Sciendum igitur est pro bono corporis quod homo fuit immortalis naturaliter ... (Expl.) ut fiant sublimes operaciones et utilissime in hoc mundo, etc.
Charles identifies theLiber sex scientiarumwith theOpus Minus; but this passage does not occur in the extant portion of theOpus Minuswhich deals with the same subject and expresses the same ideas (Opera Ined., p. 370seq.). It seems probable therefore that this passage is an extract from the section on Alchemy in vol. iii. of theCompendium Philosophiae.
Vol. I.Grammar and Logic.A portion of this has been edited by Brewer,Opera Ined., pp. 393-519, under the titleCompendium Studii Philosophiae. It was written in 1271, and contains an introduction on the value of knowledge and the impediments to it, and the beginning of a treatise on grammar.
MS. Cott. Tiberius C. V. (sec. xiv).
MS. Cott. Tiberius C. V. (sec. xiv).
Two other treatises on grammar by Roger Bacon are extant, and probably formed part of theComp. Phil.[1352]:
(1)Inc.‘Primus hic liber voluminis grammatici circa linguas alias a Latino.... Manifestata laude et declarata utilitate cognitionis grammatice’ (chiefly on Greek grammar).
MSS. Brit. Museum: Cotton Jul. F viii. f. 175 (sec. xv), a fragment.Oxford:—Corpus Christi Coll. 148 (sec. xv); Univ. Coll. 47 (sec. xvii).Douai, 691 § 1 (sec. xvii), copied from Univ. Coll. MS. 47.
MSS. Brit. Museum: Cotton Jul. F viii. f. 175 (sec. xv), a fragment.
Oxford:—Corpus Christi Coll. 148 (sec. xv); Univ. Coll. 47 (sec. xvii).Douai, 691 § 1 (sec. xvii), copied from Univ. Coll. MS. 47.
Oxford:—Corpus Christi Coll. 148 (sec. xv); Univ. Coll. 47 (sec. xvii).
Douai, 691 § 1 (sec. xvii), copied from Univ. Coll. MS. 47.
(2)Inc.‘Oratio grammatica autem fit mediante verbo.’ ‘Explicit summa de grammatica magistri Rogeri Bacon.’
MS. Cambridge:—Peterhouse, 1, 9, 5, James 3 (sec. xiv).
MS. Cambridge:—Peterhouse, 1, 9, 5, James 3 (sec. xiv).
Vol. II.Mathematics; 6 books:
i.Communia mathematicae, ii-vi. Special branches of mathematics.
Liber i.Inc.‘Hic incipit volumen verae mathematicae habens sex libros. Primus est de communibus mathematicae, et habet tres partes principales.’
MSS. British Museum: Sloane 2156, f. 74-97 (sec. xv), ending in the second part of the first book.Bodl.: Digby 76, fol. 48 (sec. xiii), containing the remainder of the first book (?).Inc.‘Mathematica utitur tantum parte.’
MSS. British Museum: Sloane 2156, f. 74-97 (sec. xv), ending in the second part of the first book.
Bodl.: Digby 76, fol. 48 (sec. xiii), containing the remainder of the first book (?).Inc.‘Mathematica utitur tantum parte.’
Bodl.: Digby 76, fol. 48 (sec. xiii), containing the remainder of the first book (?).Inc.‘Mathematica utitur tantum parte.’
Libri ii-vi. An extant fragment of a commentary on Euclid by Bacon may have belonged to this part; inDe Coelestibus(Comp. Phil.vol. iii.) he often refers to his commentary on the Elements of Euclid (Charles, p. 85).
MS. Digby 76, f. 77-8 (sec. xiii).
MS. Digby 76, f. 77-8 (sec. xiii).
A treatise,De laudibus mathematicae, expressing the same ideas as Part iv. of theOpus Majus, may have been intended as an introduction to this volume.
MS. Royal 7 F vii. fol. 141-152: cf. Digby 218, f. 98.
MS. Royal 7 F vii. fol. 141-152: cf. Digby 218, f. 98.
Vol. III.Physics.First came general physics (1 book), then particular sciences (3 books).
Liber i.Communia Naturalium, divided into 4 parts.
MSS. Brit. Mus.: Royal 7 F vii. f. 84 (sec. xiii),Liber Naturalium. ‘Hoc est volumen naturalis philosophiae in quo traditur scientia rerum naturalium, secundum potestatem octo scientiarum naturalium quae enumerantur in secundo capitulo; et habet hoc volumen quatuor libros principales, Primum scilicetDe communibus ad omnia naturalia; secundumDe Coelestibus; tertiumDe Elementis, mixtis, inanimatis; quartumDe vegetabilibus et generabilibus.’ (This MS. ends at the third part of the first book).Bodl.: Digby 70 (sec. xiv).Communia Naturalium.Inc.‘Postquam tradidi grammaticam’ [Desinit ad init. cap. vii].Cf. Digby 190, f. 29 (sec. xiv ineuntis).De principiis naturae; beginning illegible.Paris:—Bibl. Mazarine 3576; olim 1271, f. 1-90 (sec. xiv). ‘Incipit liber primus Communium naturalium Fratris Rogeri Bacon, habens quatuor partes principales, quarum prima habet distinctiones quatuor. Prima distinctio est de communibus ad omnia naturalia et habet capitula quatuor. Capitulum primum de ordine scientiae naturalis ad alias. (Inc.) Postquam tradidi grammaticam secundum linguas diversas.’Extracts printed by Charles, pp. 369-391.
MSS. Brit. Mus.: Royal 7 F vii. f. 84 (sec. xiii),Liber Naturalium. ‘Hoc est volumen naturalis philosophiae in quo traditur scientia rerum naturalium, secundum potestatem octo scientiarum naturalium quae enumerantur in secundo capitulo; et habet hoc volumen quatuor libros principales, Primum scilicetDe communibus ad omnia naturalia; secundumDe Coelestibus; tertiumDe Elementis, mixtis, inanimatis; quartumDe vegetabilibus et generabilibus.’ (This MS. ends at the third part of the first book).
Bodl.: Digby 70 (sec. xiv).Communia Naturalium.Inc.‘Postquam tradidi grammaticam’ [Desinit ad init. cap. vii].Cf. Digby 190, f. 29 (sec. xiv ineuntis).De principiis naturae; beginning illegible.Paris:—Bibl. Mazarine 3576; olim 1271, f. 1-90 (sec. xiv). ‘Incipit liber primus Communium naturalium Fratris Rogeri Bacon, habens quatuor partes principales, quarum prima habet distinctiones quatuor. Prima distinctio est de communibus ad omnia naturalia et habet capitula quatuor. Capitulum primum de ordine scientiae naturalis ad alias. (Inc.) Postquam tradidi grammaticam secundum linguas diversas.’
Bodl.: Digby 70 (sec. xiv).Communia Naturalium.Inc.‘Postquam tradidi grammaticam’ [Desinit ad init. cap. vii].
Cf. Digby 190, f. 29 (sec. xiv ineuntis).De principiis naturae; beginning illegible.
Paris:—Bibl. Mazarine 3576; olim 1271, f. 1-90 (sec. xiv). ‘Incipit liber primus Communium naturalium Fratris Rogeri Bacon, habens quatuor partes principales, quarum prima habet distinctiones quatuor. Prima distinctio est de communibus ad omnia naturalia et habet capitula quatuor. Capitulum primum de ordine scientiae naturalis ad alias. (Inc.) Postquam tradidi grammaticam secundum linguas diversas.’
Extracts printed by Charles, pp. 369-391.
Libri ii, iii, iv. The special natural sciences, according to the Royal MS. just quoted, were treated in three books. They wereseven[1353]in number, as Bacon enumerates them in the second chapter of the first part of theCommunia Naturalium.
‘Praeter scientiam communem naturalibus, sunt septem speciales, videlicet perspectiva, astronomia judiciaria et operativa, scientia ponderum de gravibus et levibus, alkimia, agricultura, medicina, scientia experimentalis.’
‘Praeter scientiam communem naturalibus, sunt septem speciales, videlicet perspectiva, astronomia judiciaria et operativa, scientia ponderum de gravibus et levibus, alkimia, agricultura, medicina, scientia experimentalis.’
Liber ii. (1)OpticsorPerspective(a version of theDe multiplicatione specierum).Inc.‘Ostensum quippe in principio hujus Compendii Philosophiae.’
MSS. Brit. Mus: Royal 7 F vii. p. 221 (sec. xiii), fragment, called ‘Quinta pars Compendii theologiae’; and Addit. 8786, fol. 2 (fragment).[Cf. Bodl. Digby 183, fol. 49 (sec. xiv)?]See the references underTract. de multiplicatione specierum.
MSS. Brit. Mus: Royal 7 F vii. p. 221 (sec. xiii), fragment, called ‘Quinta pars Compendii theologiae’; and Addit. 8786, fol. 2 (fragment).
[Cf. Bodl. Digby 183, fol. 49 (sec. xiv)?]
See the references underTract. de multiplicatione specierum.
See the references underTract. de multiplicatione specierum.
(2)Astronomy, or,De coelo et mundo.
MSS. Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 76, f. 1 (sec. xiii),Compendium Philosophiae.Inc.‘Prima igitur veritas circa corpora mundi est quod non est unum corpus continuum et unius nature.’Ibid.fol. 36,De corporibus coelestibus, sc. de zodiaco, sole, etc.Inc.‘Habito de corporibus mundi prout mundum absolute constituunt’ (cf.Opus Minus). Cf. Ashmole 393 I, f. 44 (sec. xv), ‘Veritates de magnitudine ... planetarum. Tractatus extractus de libris celi et mundi,’ etc. Also, Univ. Coll. 49, De corporibus coelestibus.Paris:—Mazarine 3576,De coelestibus(five chapters).Inc.‘Prima igitur veritas.’
MSS. Oxford:—Bodl. Digby 76, f. 1 (sec. xiii),Compendium Philosophiae.Inc.‘Prima igitur veritas circa corpora mundi est quod non est unum corpus continuum et unius nature.’Ibid.fol. 36,De corporibus coelestibus, sc. de zodiaco, sole, etc.Inc.‘Habito de corporibus mundi prout mundum absolute constituunt’ (cf.Opus Minus). Cf. Ashmole 393 I, f. 44 (sec. xv), ‘Veritates de magnitudine ... planetarum. Tractatus extractus de libris celi et mundi,’ etc. Also, Univ. Coll. 49, De corporibus coelestibus.
Paris:—Mazarine 3576,De coelestibus(five chapters).Inc.‘Prima igitur veritas.’
Paris:—Mazarine 3576,De coelestibus(five chapters).Inc.‘Prima igitur veritas.’
(3)Gravity,Scientia ponderum de gravibus et levibus.
Cf.Tractatus trium verborum.
Cf.Tractatus trium verborum.
Liber iii. (4)Alchemy, or,De elementis[1354].
Liber iv.De vegetabilibus et generabilibus[1355].
(5)Agriculture.
See note in Brewer,Opera Ined.p. li.
See note in Brewer,Opera Ined.p. li.
(6)Medicine.
(7)Experimental Science.
Vol. IV.Metaphysics and Morals.
Inc.‘Quoniam intencio principalis est innuere nobis vicia studii theologici que contracta sunt ex curiositate philosophie.’
MSS. Bodl.: Digby 190, fol. 86 b (sec. xiii-xiv). ‘Methaphisica fratris Rogeri ordinis Fratrum Minorum, de viciis contractis in studio theologie’ (25 lines).Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7440 (sec. xiv), fol. 38-40, fol. 25-32. ‘Incipit metaphysica Rogeri Baconis de ordine praedicatorum’ (fragment).
MSS. Bodl.: Digby 190, fol. 86 b (sec. xiii-xiv). ‘Methaphisica fratris Rogeri ordinis Fratrum Minorum, de viciis contractis in studio theologie’ (25 lines).
Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7440 (sec. xiv), fol. 38-40, fol. 25-32. ‘Incipit metaphysica Rogeri Baconis de ordine praedicatorum’ (fragment).
Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 7440 (sec. xiv), fol. 38-40, fol. 25-32. ‘Incipit metaphysica Rogeri Baconis de ordine praedicatorum’ (fragment).
It is, however, probable that these MS. fragments ought to be referred to Bacon’s last work, theCompendium Studii Theologiae, rather than to theCompendium Philosophiae.
Compendium studii theologiae, Bacon’s last work, bears the date 1292 (‘usque ad hunc annum Domini 1292’). Extracts from it are printed by Charles, pp. 410-416. This work consisted of six parts or more.
Part i.On the causes of error.
Part ii.Logic and grammar in reference to theology.
These two parts are extant (though not complete) in MS. British Museum, Royal F vii. pp. 153-161: there is a long gap between pp. 154 and 155.
These two parts are extant (though not complete) in MS. British Museum, Royal F vii. pp. 153-161: there is a long gap between pp. 154 and 155.
According to this MS. the work consisted of two parts:
‘Incipit compendium studii theologiae et per consequens philosophiae ut potest et debet servire theologicae facultati, et habet duas partes principales; prima liberali communicatione sapientiae investigat omnes causas errorum, et modos errandi in hoc studio.... Secunda pars descendit ad veritates stabiliendas et ad errores cum diligentia exterminandos.’
‘Incipit compendium studii theologiae et per consequens philosophiae ut potest et debet servire theologicae facultati, et habet duas partes principales; prima liberali communicatione sapientiae investigat omnes causas errorum, et modos errandi in hoc studio.... Secunda pars descendit ad veritates stabiliendas et ad errores cum diligentia exterminandos.’
Part v. is preserved in Royal MS. 7 F. viii. f. 2 (sec. xiii) (almost complete); it is a treatise onoptics.
Incipit: ‘Acto prologo istius quintae partis hujus voluminis quam voco compendium studii theologiae, in quo quidem comprehendo in summa intentionem totius operis, extra partem ejus signans omnia impedimenta totius studii et remedia, nunc accedo ad tractatum exponens ea quae necessaria sunt theologiae de perspectiva et de visu.’
Incipit: ‘Acto prologo istius quintae partis hujus voluminis quam voco compendium studii theologiae, in quo quidem comprehendo in summa intentionem totius operis, extra partem ejus signans omnia impedimenta totius studii et remedia, nunc accedo ad tractatum exponens ea quae necessaria sunt theologiae de perspectiva et de visu.’
Part vi. is mentioned in Part v.: it is to be a treatise, ‘De multiplicatione Specierum.’
In Part iv. also the words ‘in partibus sequentibus’ occur.
Alchemywas treated in theOpus Minusand in theCompendium Philosophiae. Bacon divides it into (1) Speculative alchemy, ‘the science of the generation of things from elements’; (2) Practical alchemy, ‘which teaches us how to make noble metals and colours,’ &c., and the art of prolonging life (Opus Tertium, cap. xii). Wood mentions a treatise of Bacon’sDe rerum generationibus, of which hehad seen two copies varying much. These may have been the versions in theOpus Minus[1356]and theCompendium Philosophiae[1357]. A number of works on alchemy and medicine ascribed to Bacon have been preserved, some of them are undoubtedly genuine, others apocryphal.
Epistolae fratris Rogerii Baconis de secretis operibus artis et naturae et de nullitate magiae[or,De mirabili potestate artis et naturae].
The work consists of a letter or collection of letters in ten or eleven chapters, the last five of which Charles considers doubtful, addressed perhaps to William of Auvergne (who died in 1248), or to John of London, whom Charles identifies with John of Basingstoke (d. 1252).
Inc. cap.1. ‘Vestrae petitioni respondeo diligenter. Nam licet.’
MS. Brit. Mus: Sloane 2156, p. 117.Printed at Paris 1542; at Oxford 1594; Hamburg 1613; in Zetzner’sTheatrum Chemicum, 1659; and by Brewer inRog. Bacon Opera Inedita, App. I.
MS. Brit. Mus: Sloane 2156, p. 117.
Printed at Paris 1542; at Oxford 1594; Hamburg 1613; in Zetzner’sTheatrum Chemicum, 1659; and by Brewer inRog. Bacon Opera Inedita, App. I.
The three following treatises were printed at Frankfurt in 1603, under the title,Sanioris medicinae magistri D. Rogeri Baconis angli de arte chymiae scripta, &c., and elsewhere.
Summary of Avicenna’sDe anima.Inc.‘In illius nomine qui major est.’
MS. Bodl: Ashmole 1467 (sec. xvi). [Cf. Charles,R. Bacon, p. 59;Opera Ined.p. 39.]
MS. Bodl: Ashmole 1467 (sec. xvi). [Cf. Charles,R. Bacon, p. 59;Opera Ined.p. 39.]
Breve Breviarium, or,De naturis metallorum in ratione alkimica et artificiali transformatione, or,Coelestis alchymia, or,De naturis metallorum et ipsorum transmutatione.
Divided into two parts, speculative and practical alchemy; the work contains no doubt some of the ideas incorporated in theOpus Minusand theComp. Philosophiae. The date is uncertain.
Inc.‘Breve breviarium breviter abbreviatum.’
MSS. Brit. Mus: Sloane 276, f. 4 (sec. xv-xvi).Bodl.: Digby 119, fol. 64 (sec. xiv); and Bodl. E Musaeo 155, p. 513.Paris:—Bibl. Nat. new Latin collection, No. 1153. (Abbey of St. Germain).
MSS. Brit. Mus: Sloane 276, f. 4 (sec. xv-xvi).
Bodl.: Digby 119, fol. 64 (sec. xiv); and Bodl. E Musaeo 155, p. 513.Paris:—Bibl. Nat. new Latin collection, No. 1153. (Abbey of St. Germain).
Bodl.: Digby 119, fol. 64 (sec. xiv); and Bodl. E Musaeo 155, p. 513.
Paris:—Bibl. Nat. new Latin collection, No. 1153. (Abbey of St. Germain).
Tractatus trium verborum, or,Epistolae tres ad Johannem Parisiensem; namely:
i. ‘De separatione ignis ab oleo,’ or, ‘De modo projectionis’; ii. ‘De modo miscendi’; iii. ‘De ponderibus.’Inc.‘Cum ego Rogerus rogatus a pluribus.’
MSS. British Museum: Cotton Julius D. V.; Harleian 3528, f. 174; Sloane 1754, ‘Mendacium primum, secundum, et tertium.’Oxford:—Bodl: Digby 119, f. 82 (sec. xiv ineuntis); Ashmole 1448, pp. 1-25 (sec. xv); Corpus Christi Coll. 125, f. 84b; University Coll. 49.
MSS. British Museum: Cotton Julius D. V.; Harleian 3528, f. 174; Sloane 1754, ‘Mendacium primum, secundum, et tertium.’
Oxford:—Bodl: Digby 119, f. 82 (sec. xiv ineuntis); Ashmole 1448, pp. 1-25 (sec. xv); Corpus Christi Coll. 125, f. 84b; University Coll. 49.
Oxford:—Bodl: Digby 119, f. 82 (sec. xiv ineuntis); Ashmole 1448, pp. 1-25 (sec. xv); Corpus Christi Coll. 125, f. 84b; University Coll. 49.
Fragment on alchemy, without title.
MS. Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598, f. 138 (sec. xv), ‘Explicit de subjecto transmutationis secundum Rogerum Bachonis.’ It perhaps occurs in one of his larger works.
MS. Paris:—Bibl. Nat. 2598, f. 138 (sec. xv), ‘Explicit de subjecto transmutationis secundum Rogerum Bachonis.’ It perhaps occurs in one of his larger works.
Libellus Rogerii Baconi ... de retardandis senectutis accidentibus et de sensibus conservandis(11 chapters). This work is assigned by Charles to the year 1276.Inc. prol.‘Domine mundi ex nobilissima stirpe originem assumpsistis.’Inc. cap.1. (De causis senectutis). ‘Senescente mundo senescunt homines.’
MSS. Brit. Museum: Sloane 2320, fol. 56.Bodl.: E Musaeo 155, pp. 591-637 (sec. xiv-xv); Canonic. Misc. 334, fol. 1 (sec. xv); and 480, fol. 1 (sec. xv).Printed at Oxford in 1596 (and in English, London 1683).
MSS. Brit. Museum: Sloane 2320, fol. 56.
Bodl.: E Musaeo 155, pp. 591-637 (sec. xiv-xv); Canonic. Misc. 334, fol. 1 (sec. xv); and 480, fol. 1 (sec. xv).
Bodl.: E Musaeo 155, pp. 591-637 (sec. xiv-xv); Canonic. Misc. 334, fol. 1 (sec. xv); and 480, fol. 1 (sec. xv).
Printed at Oxford in 1596 (and in English, London 1683).
Antidotarius, a second part of this work.Inc.‘Post completum universalis sciencie medicacionis tractatum.’
MSS. Bodl.: Canonic. Miscell. 334 (fol. 21bto 25), and 480 (fol. 16); E Musaeo 155, p. 645. Cf. MS. Canon. Misc. 480, fol. 38b-47, below.
MSS. Bodl.: Canonic. Miscell. 334 (fol. 21bto 25), and 480 (fol. 16); E Musaeo 155, p. 645. Cf. MS. Canon. Misc. 480, fol. 38b-47, below.
Liber Bacon de sermone rei admirabilis, sive de retardatione senectutis.Inc.‘Intendo componere sermonem rei admirabilis domino meo fratri E, cujus vitam deus prolonget.’
MSS. Bodl.: E Musaeo 155, pp. 655-666; Digby 183, fol. 45 (sec. xiv exeuntis); Canonic. Miscell. 334, fol. 25-31.
MSS. Bodl.: E Musaeo 155, pp. 655-666; Digby 183, fol. 45 (sec. xiv exeuntis); Canonic. Miscell. 334, fol. 25-31.
De universali regimine senum et seniorum.Inc.‘Summa regiminis senum universalis est hoc ut dicit Avicenna.’