other Commerce is intercepted. Whence we may guess, what may be expected from the peaceful Part of our King's Reign, when his very Wars are managed without Injury to the Arts of Civil Knowledge.
Visits of Foreigners.But not to wander any farther in Particulars, it may perhaps in general be lately computed, that there has been as large a Communication of Foreign Arts, and Inventions to the Royal Society, within this small Compass of Time, as ever before did pass over the English Channel, since the very first Transportation of Arts into our Island. And that this Benefit will still increase by the Length of Time is indubitable, from the Reception which has been given to the Scholars, Nobility, Embassadors, and Foreign Princes. who of late Years have travell'd hither, to behold a Country, which had been the Stage of so famous a War, and so miraculous a Peace. All these have still visited the Royal Society, as one of the first and noblest Fruits of our Restoration. From hence they have return'd Home, with a free Engagement of their Assistance; the Men of Learning assuring it of a Contribution of their Labours, and the Statesmen and Princes of their Authority and Endeavours, in satisfying all philosophical Queries, with which they have been plentifully furnished.
It would be a useless Pomp to reckon up a Catalogue of their Names; especially seeing they are already recorded with Gratitude, in a more lasting Monument, the Register of the Society. Only it will not, I think, be amiss, if I mention the Visit of one Prince, because it may afford us a profitable Observation, When the Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburgh was introduced into their weekly Assembly, and had subscribed his Name to their Statutes; there was accord-ing
