the Royal Society.
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they are most capable, because of the Strength of their Memories, and the perfection of their Senses.
Sect. V. The Use of Experiments to a practical Life.The first Years of men being thus freed from any Apprehensions of Mischief by new Experiments: I will now proceed more boldly to bring them in amidst the Throngs, and Crowds of humane Business; and to declare to all Professions, and practical Lives, that they can receive no ill impressions from them, but that they will be the most beneficial and proper Studies, for their Preparation and Direction. And to this Purpose, I will treat of their usefulness, both in respect of Mens public Practice, and the private Government of their own Minds.
Experiments free from the faults of other sorts of Learning.As to the first, it has been an old Complaint, that has been long manag'd by Men of Business, against many sorts of Knowledge, that our Thoughts are thereby infected with such Conceptions as make them more unfit for Action, than they would have been, if they were wholly left to the force of their own Nature. The common Accusations against Learning are such as these; That it inclines men to be unsettled, and contentious; That it takes up more of their Time, than Men of Business ought to bestow; That it makes them Romantic, and subject to frame more perfect Images of Things, than the Things themselves will bear; That it renders them overweening, unchangeable, and obstinate; That thereby Men become averse from a practical Course, and unable to bear the Difficulties of Action; That it employs them about Things, which are no where in use in the World; and, That it draws them to neglect and contemn their own present Times, by doting on the past. But now I will maintain, that in every one of these Dangers Experimental Know-T t 2
ledge
