TO THE READER xcvii 



Country, should be otherwise affected ; and rather strive to 

 encourage, and promote Endeavours tending to so generous a 

 Design, than decry it ; especially, when it costs them nothing 

 but their (Civility to so many obliging Tenons, though they 

 should hitherto have entertain'd them but with some in- 

 nocent Diversions. To conclude, we envy none their Dues ; 

 nay we gratefully acknowledge any Light which we receive 

 either from Home, or from Abroad : We celebrate and record 

 their Barnes amongst our benefactors ; recommend them to 

 the Publique ; and what we thus freely give, we hope as 

 freely to receive. 



Thus have I endeavour 'd to Vindicate the Royal Society 

 from some Aspersions and Incroachments it hitherto has suffer'd; 

 and shew'd under what Weights and Pressure this Palm does 

 still emerge : And if for all this I fall short of my Attempt, I 

 shall yet have this satisfaction, That tho I derive no Qlory 

 from my own Abilities (sensible of my great Defects] I shall 

 yet deserve their pardon for my Zeal to its Prosperity. 



Epictetus, tsSt. 



5 7rapa<7Kevaou avroOcv, ^C. 



Wouldst thou be a Philosopher ; Prepare thy self for Scoffs : 

 What, you are setting up for a Virtuoso now ? Why so 

 proud I pray ? Well, be not thou proud for all this ; But 

 so persist in what seems best and laudable ; as if God himself 

 had plac'd thee there ; and remember, that so long as thou 

 remain st in that State and Resolution, thy Reproachers will in 

 time admire thee : But if once through Inconstancy thou give 

 out and flinch, SnrXovv TrpooAr}^ KaraylAwra, Thou deservest to 

 be doubly laugh d at. 



Lord Verulam, Instaur. Scient. 



Some Men (like Lucian in Religion} seek by their Wit, to 



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