xvi The P R E FAC E. 
But 1$ we can never hope to be fur- 
nifhtd with a fufficient Number of 
thefe, to let us into a thorough knowr 
ledge of the great and intricate 
Scheme of Nature, fo it would be 
but dry Work to be ever laying 
Foundations, but never attempting 
to build on them. We muft be 
content in this our infant State of 
Knowledge, while we know in part 
only, to imitate Children, who for 
want of better Skill and Abilities, 
and of more proper Materials, a- 
irmfe themfelves with flight Build- 
ings. The farther Advances we make 
in the Knowledge of Nature, the 
more probable and the nearer to Truth 
will our Conjectures approach : fb 
that fucceeding Generations, who 
fhall have the Benefit and Advantage 
both of their own Obfervations, and 
thofe of preceding Generations, may 
then 
