"And since we are assured that the all wise 

 Creator has observed the most exact propor- 

 tions of number, weight, and measure, in 

 the make of all things ; the most likely way, 

 therefore, to get any insight into the nature 

 of those parts of the creation, which come 

 within our observation, must in all reason 

 be to number, weight, and measure. And 

 we have much encouragement to pursue 

 this method of searching into the nature of 

 things, from the great success that has 

 attended any attempts of this kind." 



STEPHEN HALES (1726). 



