observed to be most sprightly, that are the stolen Fruits of an unlawful Bed; so in the Generations of the Brains, those are often the most vigorous and witty, which Men beget on other Arts, and not on their own.
§. XXXII.
Mechanics best improvable by Expements.This came seasonably in, to stop the undeserv'd Clamours, which perhaps in this humorous Age, some Tradesmen may raise against the Royal Society, for entring within the Compass of their Territories. Wherefore I proceed to my third Particular, which I have aim'd at in the two former, that the surest Increase remaining to be made in Manual Arts, is to be perform'd by the conduct of Experimental Philosophy. This will appear undeniable when we shall have found, that all other Causes of such Inventions are defective; and that for this very Reason, because the Trials of Art, have been so little united with the plain Labours of Mens Hands.
I have already given this Account of the former Arts that we use, that the greatest Part of them has been produc'd, either by Luxury, or Chance, or Necessity; all which must be confess'd to be mean and ignoble Causes of the Rational Mechanics.
The first of these has been, that Vanity and Intemperance of Life, which the delights of Peace, and greatness of Empire have always introduc'd. This has been the Original of very many extravagant Inventions of Pleasure; to whose Promotion, it is not requisite that we should give any help, seeing they are already too excessive. And indeed, if we consider the vast Number of the Arts of Luxury, compar'd to the sound, and the substantial ones of use; we shall find that the Wit of Men has been as much defective in