Benefit of human Life, by the Advancement of Real Knowledge.
Perhaps this Task, which I have propos'd to myself, will incur the Censure of many judicious Men, who may think it an over-hasty and presumptuous Attempt; and may object to me, that the History of an Assembly which begins with so great Expectations, ought not to have been made publick so soon; till we could have produced very many considerable Experiments, which they had try'd, and so have given undeniable Proofs of the Usefulness of their Undertaking.
In answer to this, I can plead for my self, that what I am here to say, will be far from preventing the Labours of others in adorning so worthy a Subject; and is premis'd upon no other account, than as the noblest Buildings are first wont to be represented in a few Shadows or small Models; which are not intended to be equal to the chief Structure it self, but only to shew in little, by what Materials, with what Charge, and by how many Hands, that is afterwards to be rais'd. Although, therefore, I come to the Performance of this Work, with much less Deliberation, and Ability, than the Weightiness of it requires; yet I trust, that the Greatness of the Design it self, on which I am to speak, and the Zeal which I have for the Honour of our Nation, which have been the chief Reasons that have mov'd me to this Confidence of Writing, will serve to make something for my Excuse. For what greater matter can any Man desire, about which to employ his Thoughts, than the Beginnings of an Illustrious Company, which has already laid such excellent Foundations of so much Good to Mankind?
