Salomon's House (or Solomon's House) is a fictional institution in Sir Francis Bacon's utopian work New Atlantis, published in English in 1777, years after Bacon's death. In this work, Bacon portrays a vision of the future of human discovery and knowledge. Salomon's House is credited with being the standard upon which 17th century scientific academies, including the French Académie des Sciences and the English Royal Society, are based.[1]
It is speculated that Bacon was inspired by contemporary men of science Cornelis Drebbel and Salomon de Caus, as well as author and courtier Sir Thomas Chaloner.
According to the "Note on the Texts" in the revised critical edition, the original 1627 edition published by Bacon's literary executor William Rawley has "King Solamona" and "Salomon's House", while the 1658 and 1670 editions (long after Bacon's death) have "King Salomona" and "Solomon's House." The idea inspired followers like Samuel Hartlib and Robert Boyle and led to the Royal Society of 1660.
A Father of Salomon's House explains the founding of Salomon's House by King Solamona:
"Ye shall understand (my dear friends) that amongst the excellent acts of that king, one above all hath the pre-eminence. It was the erection and institution of an Order or Society, which we call "Salomon's House"; the noblest foundation (as we think) that ever was upon the earth; and the lanthorn of this kingdom. It is dedicated to the study of the Works and Creatures of God. Some think it beareth the founder's name a little corrupted, as if it should be Solamona's House. But the records write it as it is spoken. So as I take it to be denominate of the King of the Hebrews, which is famous with you, and no stranger to us."[2]Exposition on Salomon's House is divided into four major sections: purpose, structures and equipment, roles, and ordinances and rites.
The purpose of Salomon's House, or "end of [the] foundation," is as stated: "The End of our Foundation is the knowledge of Causes, and secret motions of things; and the enlarging of the bounds of Human Empire, to the effecting of all things possible."
Salomon's House in Bensalem includes the following structures and materials in order as presented in the text:[3]
| Caves | CoagulationInduration Refrigeration Conservation of bodies Imitation of natural mines Production of artificial metals Curing disease Prolongation of life via hermitage | Laboratories | ||
| Burials | CementsComposts Soils | Laboratories | ||
| Towers | InsolationRefrigeration Conservation Observation of meteorological phenomenon (wind, rain, snow, hail) Observation of astrological phenomenon | Observatories | ||
| Lakes (Salt and Fresh water) | FishFowl | Burying bodies | Laboratories | |
| Pools | Salt waterFresh water | Desalination of salt water (salt to fresh)Salination of water (fresh to salt) | Laboratories | |
| Islands and Bays | Marine atmosphere | Observatories | ||
| Streams and Cataracts | Production of energy for movementPowering of engines for wind turbines | Laboratories | ||
| Wells and Fountains | Water of Paradise | Imitation of natural springsProduction of minerals (vitriol, sulphur, steel, lead, brass, nitre, etc.) Infusion (Water of Paradise) Prolongation of life | Laboratories | |
| Houses | Imitation of meteorological phenomenonDemonstration of meteorological phenomenon (snow, hail, rain, artificial rain of bodies, thunder, lightning) | Observatories | ||
| Chambers of Health | Good quality air | Curing of diseasesPreservation of health | Sanatoriums | |
| Baths | Curing of diseasesRestoration of bodies Strengthening of bodies (sinews, vital parts, juice and substance of the body) | Sanatoriums | ||
| Orchards and Gardens | GroundSoil Trees (wild and fruit) Herbs Berries Flowers | Production of drinksGrafting Inoculation Manipulation of plant growth (out of season growth) Manipulation of fruit (taste, smell, color, size, shape) Creation of medicinal plants Creation of new plants | Experimental Forests | |
| Vineyards | Experimental Forests | |||
| Parks and Enclosures | BeastsBirds | DissectionsTesting Prolongation of life Resuscitation Poison testing Medicine testing Manipulation of features (size, fertility, color, shape, habits) Creation of new animals Cross breeding | Zoological Reserves | |
| SerpentsWorms (silk worms) Flies (bees) Fish | Manipulation of featuresBreeding | Zoological Reserves | ||
| Pools | Fish | DissectionsTesting Prolongation of life Resuscitation Poison testing Medicine testing Manipulation of features (size, fertility, color, shape, habits) Creation of new animals Cross breeding | Zoological Reserves | |
| Brewhouses | WinesJuice of fruits, grains, roots Mixtures of honey, sugar, manna Decocted dried fruits Tree sap Cane pulp Drinks with herbs, roots, spices Drinks that serve the purpose of both food and hydration Thin drinks Nourishing water Strengthening drink | Production of drinksAging of drinks (up to 40 years) | Experimental Breweries | |
| Bakehouses | Breads of grains, roots, kernelsBreads with meat, fish Leavenings Seasonings Strengthening bread | Production of breads | Experimental Kitchens | |
| Kitchens | Tenderized meatStrengthening meat | Production of meats | Experimental Kitchens | |
| Dispensatories | PlantsLiving creatures Simples Drugs Medicine ingredients Heating equipment Percolating equipment Strainers | Aging of medicineFermentation of medicine Distillation Separation | Clinics | |
| Factories | PapersLinen Silks Tissues Feather work Dyes Patterns | Production of manufactured goods | ||
| Furnaces | Fierce and quick heatStrong and constant heat Soft and mild heat Blown, quiet heat Dry, moist heat Heat which imitates the sun | Creation of various types of heat | ||
| Perspective-houses | GlassesSpectacles | Demonstration of lights and radiationsProduction of light Manipulation of perspective Magnification of objects Creation of light effects (rainbows, halos, reflections, refractions) | Observatories/Laboratories | |
| Precious stonesCrystals Glass Metals Fossils Minerals Lodestones Rare stones (natural and artificial) | ||||
| Sound-houses | HarmoniesInstruments of music Hearing aids Echoes Equipment to convey sound (trunks, pipes, lines) | Demonstration of the generation of all sounds and all soundsImitation of all sounds and letters | Observatories/Laboratories | |
| Perfume-houses | Confiture-house | Practice of tasteImitation of tastes Practice of smell Multiplication of smells Imitation of smells Production of sweet-meats Production of wines, broths, sallets | Observatories/Laboratories | |
| Engine-houses | Weapons exceeding cannons and basilisksInstruments of war Gunpowder Fireworks Submersible ships and boats Swimming supporters Clocks Perpetual motion machines | Production of engines and instruments of motionCreation of deadlier weaponry Imitation of birds, flying Imitation of motions of living creatures | Observatories/Laboratories | |
| Mathematical-house | GeometryAstronomy | |||
| Houses of Deceits | JugglingFalse apparitions Impostures Illusions | Observatories/Laboratories |
Roles of members of Salomon's House are listed in order of appearance in the text below:
| Father of Salomon's House | |||
| Merchants of Light | 12 | Travel to foreign countriesProcure books, abstracts, patterns of experiments | |
| Depredators | 3 | Collect experiments from books | |
| Mystery-men | 3 | Collect experiments of mechanical artsCollect experiments of liberal sciences Collect practices not in arts | |
| Pioneers/Miners | 3 | Execute new experiments | |
| Compilers | 3 | Create titles and tables based on collected data | |
| Dowry-men/Benefactors | 3 | Extrapolate experimental data | |
| Lamps | 3 | Direct new experiments based on data | |
| Inoculators | 3 | Execute and report second round of experiments | |
| Interpreters of Nature | 3 | Interpret new experimental dataCreate laws and axioms | |
| NovicesApprentices Servants Attendants | Serve titled members |
The ordinances and rites followed by the members of Salomon's House are described below:
First Gallery includes the patterns and samples of notable inventions.
Second Gallery holds statues of notable inventors. Notably, the only inventor mentioned by name is Columbus, who is credited with discovering the West Indies. The other inventors are listed as the inventor of their invention. Statues in this gallery are made of various materials including but not limited to brass, marble, cedar, silver, and gold.
Daily hymns and services include praising God as well as requesting His aid.
Members of the Salomon's house travel throughout the kingdom and perform three major actions. Firstly, they publish new inventions. Secondly, they divine natural disasters. Thirdly, they counsel the populace.