and a Natural Hiflory of Animals , j 
therein, they have both credited and encouraged. We 
muft not therefore think the meaneft of the Creation vile 
or ufelefs, fince that in them in lively Charafters (if we 
can but read) we may find the knowledge of a Deity 
and our ftlves. What often our inconfiderate Ignorance 
difregards and thinks but defpicable, were there a juft 
ftrutiny made, it could not but excite our greateft admi- 
ration, and extort a Confeffion of its admirable contri- 
vance and workmanship. In every Animal there is a 
world of wonders ; each is a Microcofme or a world 
in it ftlf : And that great Conquerour of the world, 
who wept that there was but one for his ambitious Rage 
to fpoil, at length more nobly had his defires in theft, and 
with greater Glory hath eterniz’d his Name, when after 
he had ravag’d the Air, Sea and Land, at laft committed 
to Art (lotle to write the Hiftoryof his Trophies. The 
wifeft of Kings and Men may be thought to have gained 
great part of his knowledge from them. Nor ever was 
there an Age ft ignorant and Brutifh, but in ftme mea- 
fure or other hath endeavoured to bequeath to Fofterity 
their Learning herein. Ours that hath ft widely exten- 
ded the Pomceria or former Boundaries of all good Learn- 
ing, and with vaft labour hath at laft pulled down thoft 
Herculean Pillars, that too narrowly confined its Em- 
pire ; having vindicated its juft Liberties from the Tyran- 
ny of ufurping Authorities, and the Credulous fiavery 
to ftme Great Names, does daily bring in its ftores 
for the rearing anew and more Lifting ftrufiture of 
Natural Hiftory. For impartially viewing the Build- 
ings of the old, and finding in ft many Places its founda- 
tions ft weak and infirm, although many of its Materials 
may ftrve again, yet it has been thought more advifeable 
to pull it down and begin a new, than to repair the Ru- 
ines of ft decrepit an Edifice. Info great a work many 
hands are daily imployed, ftme in battering down and re- 
moving the Rubbifh, others in endeavouring to lay a 
good foundation; ftme dig for new ftone, others labour 
in poliihing it ; others in inventing newjmdjmre_i^m£^- 
