160 DISSERTATION SECOND. [parti. 



given a most interesting sketch of the form of a society, di- 

 rected to scientifick improvement. In Germany, the Acade- 

 mia Naturae Curiosorum dates its commencement from 

 1632, and the historian of that institution ascribes the spirit 

 which produced it to the writingsof the philosopher just nam- 

 ed. These examples, and a feeling thai the union and co- 

 operation of numbers was necessary to the progress of expe- 

 rimental philosophy, operated still more extensively. The 

 Royal Academy of Sciences at Paris was founded in 1666, 

 in the reign of Louis the Fourteenth, and during the admin- 

 istration of Colbert. The Institute of Bologna in Italy be- 

 longs nearly to the same period; but almost all the other 

 philosophical associations, of which there are now so many, 

 had their beginning in the eighteenth century. 



Frequent communication of ideas, and a regular method 

 of keeping up such communication, are evidently essential 

 to works in which great labour and industry are to be em- 

 ployed, and to which much time must necessarily be devot- 

 ed ; when the philosopher must not always sit quietly in 



tolcraverit, tamen in capessenda fortuna industriam banc et mag- 

 nanimitatem sibi non levi impedimento fore experietur. Studia 

 enim hominura in ejusmodi locis, in quorund.im auctorura scripta, 

 veluti in carcerts, conclusn sunt; a quihus si quis dissentiat, C0n- 

 tinuo ut homo turbidus et rerum novarum cupidus corri;;ilur. 

 In artibus autcm ct scientiis tanquam in metalli-fodinis omnia novis 

 opcribus el ultcrioribus progressibus circumstrepere debeM." — Nov. 

 Org. lib. i. cap. 90. 



It would be gratifying to be able to observe, that the universi- 

 ties of Europe had contributed to the renovation of science. 

 The fact is otherwise ; — they were often the fastnesses from 

 which prejudice and errour were latest of being expelled. They 

 joined in persecuting the reformers of science. It has been seen, 

 that the masters of the university of Paris were angry with Ga- 

 lileo for the experiments on the descent of bodies. Even the 

 university of Oxford brought on itself the indelible disgrace of 

 persecuting, in Friar Bacon, the first man who appears to have 

 had a distinct view r of the means by which the knowledge of the 

 Jaws of nature must be acquired. 



