Page:Philosophical Transactions - Volume 009.djvu/170

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The Seventh ſhews the Unfitneſs, Obſcurity and Defectiveneſs of almoſt all Phyſiological Hypotheſes hitherto received, and recommends ſuch, as are clearly and diſtinctly understood; and agree with the Principles of Human Knowledge, and with Observations and Experiments. Compare with this Diſcourse that of the Noble Mr. Boyle, concerning the Excellency and Grounds of the Mechanical Philoſophy, lately made publick.

The Eighth represents the Tyranny of Cuſtom, eſpecially if it obtains from our Infancy; which is of that Power, that it maketh Men too often conclude, that what is not Cuſtom, is not Reaſon: Alledging withal, the variety and ſtrangeneſs of the Cuſtoms of ſeveral Nations and Countries; and lastly ſhewing, that as Cuſtom doth paſs into Nature, ſo Nature may be changed again by Cuſtom.

The Ninth declares, How much Nature may be improv'd and advanc'd by Art, Culture, Care and good Education; and how much impaired and degraded by the want thereof: As alſo, what an excellent Prerogative it is, to have Originally a good Nature, it being far more eaſy to breed and guard Vertues in ſuch that are endow'd with it, than where either Nature or Cuſtom of Evil muſt be firſt expelled.

In the Tenth, the Author exhorts to the ſtudy and cultivating of his Mother Tongue, which is the Daniſh, ſo as to couch and publiſh therein whatever is curious and uſeful, whereby to poliſh, inſtruct and benefit all Sorts and Conditions of Men in the whole Nation, and ſo to take them off from Idleneſs, and free them from Poverty, by giving them the occaſion and advantage of Reading, and entertaining themſelves in their own Tongue, with what is both divertiſing and advantageous in all kind of Knowledge, Recreations, Practiſes, Trades and Occupations.

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