Science, to contemn the use of Mankind, and to differ in Habit and Manners from all others, whom they slighted as Madmen and Fools. From this arrogant Sordidness of such Principles, there could not be expected any Magnificent Works, but only ill-natur'd and contentious Doctrines. Whatever the Poets say of the Moral Wisdom, that it thrives best in Poverty; it is certain the Natural cannot: for in such mean and narrow Conditions, Men perhaps may learn to despise the World, but never to know it.
Now then, I will proceed not so much to exhort, as to confirm the Gentlemen of our Nation, in the prosecution of this Art, to which their Purses and their generous Labours are most necessary. And for their incouragement in this way, I will briefly lay before them the Privileges they have for such Inquiries, above all the Gentry of our Neighbour Nations, and above all the Nobility of former Ages in this Kingdom.
One principal Help that they enjoy, for the promoting of these Studies of Peace, is the present Constitution of the Interest of our Government. The chief Design of the Antient English was the Glory of spreading their Victories on the Continent: but this was a magnanimous Mistake: for by their very Conquests, if they had maintain'd them, this Island had been ruin'd, and had only become a Province to a greater Empire. But now it is rightly understood, that the English Greatness will never be supported or increased in this Age by any other Wars but those at Sea: and for these the Service of the Multitude is fitter than of Gentlemen. This we have beheld practis'd these last twenty Years, wherein our Naval Strength has more than trebled itself: for though some few Gen-
