Whether there be any ground of hope from Experiments, towards this Work?
And whether if such Arts shall hereby happen to multiply, they will not ruin those Trades that are already settled.
If in these Particulars I shall answer my Readers Doubts, I trust it will be granted me, that it is not a vain or impossible Design, to endeavour the increase of Mechanic Contrivances; that the Enterprize is proper for a mixt Assembly; that the Course which they observe towards it will be effectual; and that the increase of such Operations will be inoffensive to others of the same kind, that have been formerly discover'd.
Before I examine these several Heads apart, perhaps it will not be an impertinent Labour, to take one general Survey of the principal Degrees and Occasions, by which the several Manufactures have risen, which beautify the face of the Earth, and have brought forth so much Pleasure and Plenty amongst Men.
The first of all human Race, when they were dispers'd into several Lands, were at first sustain'd by the Fruits of the Earth, which fell to their Share. These at first they cherish'd, and us'd, not by any Rules of Art, but by that natural Sagacity, which teaches all Men to endeavour their own Preservation. For the peaceable Enjoyment of these, they combin'd into Families, and little Leagues, which were the Beginnings of Civil Government. But finding that all Places did not bring forth all Things for Cloathing, Food, and Defence, they either violently seiz'd on what their Neighbours possess'd, or else they fairly agreed on a mutual Exchange of the Productions of their Soils. This Traffick was at first made in Kind;
