of Mathematical Learning. 



fclf, in the dry and crabbed Queftions of Alge- 

 bra. 



But without running counter to the common 

 Notions, and recurring to Advantages which may 

 feera too far fetch'd and refin'd, it may fairly be 

 own'd, that the Mathematicks and Natural Philo- 

 fbphy have (bme things which are only fubfervi- 

 enc to Curiofity ; and fo have thofe Sciences 

 which are moft generally acknowledge to be ufe- 

 ful, as Hiftory, &c. 



.Hiftory doth not in every Part of it fupply us 

 with Examples of Vertue and Rules for our Be- 

 haviour. For befides thefe, therein you have a 

 View of the perpetual Revolutions of Human Af- 

 fairs, of the Beginning and Fall of Empires, of 

 Mariners, Cuftoms, and Opinions which conti- 

 nually fucceed one another; and in a word, of all 

 that rapid, tho' inlenfible, Motion that carries all 

 before it, and inceffantly alters the Face of the 

 Earth. 



Had we a mind to oppofe Curiofity to Curiofity, 

 we fliou d find that inftead of the Motion, which 

 agitates Nations, and gives birth to, and deftroys 

 States ; Natural Philofophy confiders that Great 

 and Univerfal Motion, which hath put the whole 

 Frame of Nature in Order, and fufpended the 

 (Cceleftial Bodies in feveral Spheres, and which 

 illuminates and extinguishes fome Stars ; and by 

 following always unalterable Laws, diverfifies its 

 effects ad infinitum, -flf the furprifing difference 

 of Manners and Opinions of Mankind is fo en- 

 tertaining ; there is too a great deal of Pleafure 

 to ftudy the prodigious diverfity of the Structure 

 of the different Species of Animals, with refe- 

 rence to their different Functions, to the EIe» 

 ments they live in, to the Climates they inhabit, 



and 



