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The HISTORY of
so fair a Probability of gaining very much, by a frequent Contention and Encounter with other Sects: It cannot be indangered by this Assembly; which proceeds no farther, than to an unprejudiced Mixture with them.
Of all Countries.By their naturalizing Men of all Countries, they have laid the Beginnings of many great Advantages for the future. For by this Means, they will be able, to settle a constant Intelligence, throughout all civil Nations, and make the Royal Society the general Bank and Free-port of the World: A Policy, which whether it would hold good in the Trade of England, I know not; but sure it will in the Philosophy. We are to overcome the Mysteries of all the Works of Nature; and not only to prosecute such as are confin'd to one Kingdom, or beat upon one Shore: We should then refuse to lift all the Aids, that will come in, how remote soever. If I could fetch my Materials whence I pleas'd, to fashion the Idea of a perfect Philosopher; he should not be all of one Clime, but have the different Excellencies of several Countries. First, he should have the Industry, Activity, and inquisitive Humor of the Dutch, French, Scotch, and English, in laying the ground Work, the Heap of Experiments: And then he should have added the cold, and circumspect, and wary Disposition of the Italians and Spaniards, in meditating upon them, before he fully brings them into Speculation. All this is scarce ever to be found in one single Man; seldom in the same Countrymen: It must then be supplied, as well as it may, by a publick Council, wherein the various Dispositions of all these Nations may be blended together. To this purpose, the Royal Society has made no Scruple to receive all inquisitiveStrangers
