xcii TO THE READER 



Hygrostatics, divers Engines , Powers and Automata, with in- 

 numerable more luciferous particulars, subservient to human 

 life, of which Dr. Glanvil has given an ample and ingenious 

 dccompt in his learned Essay : And since in the Posthumous 

 Works of Dr. Hooke, lately publish'd by the most obliging 

 Mr. Waller, already mention'd. 



This is (Deader} what they have done ; and they are but 

 part of the {Materials which the Society have hitherto amassed, 

 and prepared for this great and Illustrious Work; not to pass 

 over an infinity of solitary, and loose Experiments subsidiary 

 to it, gathered at no small Pains and Cost : For so have they 

 hitherto born the burden and Heat of the day alone; Sapping 

 and ^Mining to lay the Foundation deep, and raise a Super- 

 structure to be one day perfected, by the joint Endeavours of 

 those who shall in a kinder Age have little else to do, but 

 the putting and cementing of the Parts together, which to collect 

 and fit, have cost them so much Solicitude and Care. Solo- 

 mon indeed built the glorious Temple; but 'twas David 

 provided the {Materials: Did Men in those days insolently 

 ask, What he had done, in all the time of that tedious prepar- 

 ation ? I beseech you what Obligation has the ^ Society to 

 render an cAccompt of their Proceedings to any who are not 

 of the 'Body, and that carry on the Work at their own expence 

 amidst so many Contradictions ? It is an Evil Spirit, and an 

 Evil vfge, which having sadly debauch 1 d the {Minds of Men ; 

 seeks with Industry to blast and undermine all ^Attempts and 

 Endeavours that signifie to the Illustration of Truth, the 

 discovery of Impostors, and shake their sandy Founda- 

 tions. 



Those who come (says the noble Verulam] to enquire after 

 Knowledge, with a mind to scorn, shall be sure to find matter 

 for their Humor ; but none for their Instruction : Would {Men 

 bring light of Invention, and not fire-brands of Contradiction, 

 would infinitely increase. But these are the San- 



