the one, as redundant in the other. It has been the constant Errors of Mens Labours in all Ages, that they have still directed them to improve those of Pleasure, more than those of Profit. How many, and how extravagant, have been the Ornaments about Coaches? And how few Inventions, about new Frames for Coaches, of about Carts, and Ploughs? What prodigious Expence has been thrown away, about the Fashions of Cloaths? But how little endeavours have there been to invent new Materials for Cloathing, or to perfect those we have? The Furniture and Magnificence of Houses, is risen to a wonderful Beauty within our Memory: But few or none have throughly studied the well-ordering of Timber, the hardning of Stone, the improvement of Mortar, and the making of better Bricks. The like may be shewn in all the rest: wherein the solid Inventions are wont to be overwhelmed by Gawdiness and Superfluity; which Vanity has been caus'd by this, that the Artists have chiefly been guided by the Fancies of the Rich, or the Young, or of vain Humorists, and not by the Rules and Judgments of Men of Knowledge.
The second occasion that has given help to the Increase of Mechanics has been Chance: For in all Ages, by some casual Accidents, those Things have been reveal'd, which either Men did not think of, or else sought for in vain. But of this the Benevolence is irregular, and most uncertain: This indeed can scarce be styl'd the Work of a Man. The Hart deserves as much praise of Invention, for lighting on the Herb, that cures it; as the Man who blindly stumbles on any profitable Work, without Foresight or Consideration.
The last that I shall alledge is Necessity. This has given rise to many great Enterprizes; and like the
