4^ 



TO THE READER. 



indeed lift up its head, such as may stand the shock of time, and render 

 a soUd account of the pheenomena and effects of nature, the aspectable 

 works of God, and their combinations ; so as, by causes and effects, 

 certain and useful consequences may be deduced : Therefore they do not 

 fill their papers with transcripts out of rhapsodies, mountebanks, and 

 compilers of receipts and secrets, to the loss of oil and labour ; but, as it 

 were, eviscerating nature, disclosing the resorts and springs of motion, 

 have collected innumerable experiments, histories and discourses, and 

 brought in specimens for the improvement of Astronomy, Geography, 

 Navigation, Optics ; all the parts of Agriculture, the Garden, and the 

 Forest ; Anatomy of Plants and Animals ; Mines and Ores ; Measures 

 and Equations of Time by accurate Pendulums and other Motions ; 

 Hydro and Hygro-Statics, divers Engines, Powers, and Automata ; with 

 innumerable more luciferous particulars subservient to human life ; of 

 which Dr. Glanvil has given an ample and ingenious account in his 

 learned essay, and since in the posthumous works of Dr. Hooke, lately 

 published by the most obhging Mr. Waller, already mentioned. 



This is, reader, 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 borne the burden and heat of the day alone ; 

 sapping and mining to lay the foundation deep, and raise a superstructure, 

 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. Solomon indeed built the glorious Temple, but it was David 

 provided the materials. Did men in those days insolently ask. What had 

 he done in all the time of that tedious preparation ? I beseech you, what 

 obhgation has the Royal Society to render an account of their proceedings 

 to any who are not of the body, especially when they carry on the work 

 at thek own expense amidst so many contradictions ? It is an evil spirit, 

 and an evil age, which, having sadly debauched the minds of men, seeks 

 mth industry to blast and undermine all attempts and endeavours that 

 signify to the illustration of truth, the discovery of imposture, and its 

 sandy foundation. 



