Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/429

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the Royal Society.
403

multiply upon us every Age; or if we reflect on the Cures themselves, and how little the Invention of new ones has hitherto been regarded.

But as I was entring on this Subject, I perceiv'd that I might safely omit it, seeing it is already better perform'd by Mr. Boyle, in his Book of the Usefulness of Experimental Philosophy. I will therefore withdraw my Pen from this matter, which this noble Gentleman has manag'd in the best and most powerful Way, by using not only the Force of Reason, but the Conviction of particular Instances.

§.XXXIV. Experiments a proper Study for the Gentlemen of our Nation.And now with so good an Omen as this Gentleman's Example, who has not disdain'd to adorn the Honour of his Family with the Studies of Nature; I will go on to recommend them to the Gentry and Nobility of our Nation. And I am the more encourag'd to make this Address, because I behold that what I would advise is already in good measure accomplish'd; so that I shall not only have an Occasion to exhort them to proceed, but to commend them also, for their present Zeal towards these Endeavours.

In this indeed I have much reason to applaud the generous Breeding which has been given to the Experimental Knowledge of this Age and Country, above the base and contemptible Education of the Opinions of all former Sects: for now Philosophy being admitted into our Exchange, our Church, our Palaces, and our Court, has begun to keep the best Company, and refine its Fashion and Appearance, and to become the Employment of the Rich, and the Great, instead of being the Subject of their Scorn: Whereas it was of old for the most part only the Study of the Sullen and the Poor, who thought it the gravest Part of
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Science,