whole of human learning, established on their proper foun 

 dation. And although, at the first attempt, this may appear 

 to be infinite, and above the strength of a mere mortal, yet 

 will it, in the execution, be found to be more sound and 

 judicious than the course which has hitherto been pursued. 

 For this method admits at least of some termination, whilst 

 in the present mode of treating the sciences, there is a sort 

 of whirl, and perpetual hurry round a circle. Nor has he 

 forgotten to observe that he stands alone in this experiment, 

 and that it is too bold and astonishing to obtain credit. 

 Nevertheless he thought it not right to desert either the 

 cause or himself, by not exploring and entering upon the 

 only way, which is pervious to the human mind. For it 

 is better to commence a matter which may admit of some 

 termination, than to be involved in perpetual exertion and 

 anxiety about that which is interminable. And, indeed, 

 the ways of contemplation nearly resemble those celebrated 

 ways of action ; the one of which steep and rugged at its 

 commencement terminates in a plain, the other at the first 

 view smooth and easy leads only to bye-roads and preci 

 pices. Uncertain, however, whether these reflections would 

 ever hereafter suggest themselves to another, and particu 

 larly having observed, that he has never yet met with any 

 person disposed to apply his mind to similar meditations, 

 he determined to publish whatsoever he had first time to 

 conclude. Nor is this the haste of ambition, but of his 

 anxiety, that if the common lot of mankind should befall 

 him, some sketch and determination of the matter his 

 mind had embraced might be extant, as well as an earnest 

 of his will being honourably bent upon promoting the ad 

 vantage of mankind. He assuredly looked upon any other 

 ambition as beneath the matter he had undertaken ; for 

 that which is here treated of is either nothing, or it is so 

 great that he ought to be satisfied with its own worth, and 

 seek no other return. 



