286 on the study of natural history . -^^ig- 2 7. 



That though they were acquainted with the attrac- 

 tive power and polarity of iron, and the magnet or 

 loadstone, yet they knew not of its application to 

 the purposes of geography or navigation. 



That though they were almost perfect in sculp- 

 ture and engraving, they never thought of printing 

 by types or coper plates ; and though pofsefsed of 

 magnifying ge.as and christals for their theatres, 

 they never thought of combining these convex 

 gems, and cbiistals, to form a common ope- 

 ra glafs ; all which must evidently be imputed 

 to the want of that turn for observation and experi- 

 ment, for which Europe is chiefly indebted to the 

 two gieat Bacons of England, who stand among 

 the philo ophers of (he world like the two great 

 gan.s at Guildhall among the common council men 

 of London ! 



As water descending through an inclined tube, or 

 a tube bent in any manner, will spout up through 

 a perpendicular apperture, nearly to the same 

 height with the level oi' the water in the vefsel or 

 reservoir from whence the tube comes, so the ancient 

 Romans applied this principle to jet d'eaus in their 

 gardens, but not to the more useful purpose of 

 bringing water in pipes from the fountain head. 



This was accomplifhed afterwards by mere plod- 

 ding mechanics, and not by the students of Plato^ 

 Aristotle, or Archimedes. 



'Wo be continued. 



difscrtator here insinuates. But he has probably not thought it worth 

 while to stop to mark the exceptions. Edit. 



