large smooth Champagn, over which they may see much farther, but where there is nothing to delay, and stop, and divert the Sight.
But the other ill Effect, of which I shall take notice, is, that it commonly inclines such Men, who think themselves already resolved, and immoveable in their Opinions, to be more imperious, and impatient of Contradiction, than becomes the Calmness, and unpassionate Evenness of the true philosophical Spirit. It makes them prone to undervalue other Mens Labours, and to neglect the real Advantage, that may be gotten by their Assistance; lest they should seem to darken their own Glory. This is a Temper of Mind of all others the most pernicious; to which I may chiefly attribute the Slowness of the Increase of Knowledge amongst Men. For what great Things can be expected, if Mens Understandings shall be as it were always in the warlike State of Nature, one against another? If every one be jealous of another's Inventions, and still ready to put a Stop to his Conquests? Will there not be the same wild Condition in Learning, which had been amongst Men, if they had always been dispers'd, still preying upon and spoiling their Neighbours? If that had still continued, no Cities had been built, no Trades found out, no Civility taught: For all these noble Productions came from Men's joining in Compacts, and entring into Society. It is an usual saying, that where the natural Philosopher ends, the Physician must begin: And I will also add,, that the natural Philosopher is to begin, where the moral ends. It is requisite, that he who goes about such an Undertaking, should first know himself, should be well practis'd in all the modest, humble, friendly Virtues; should be willing
