The history of the Royal Society of London, for the Improving of Natural Knowledge / By Tho. Sprat.

  • Thomas Sprat
Date:
1702
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The history of the Royal Society of London, for the Improving of Natural Knowledge / By Tho. Sprat. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    out) for the Benefit of humane life, by the Ad¬ vancement of Real Knowledge. Perhaps this Task, which I have propos’d to my Ifelf, will incurr the Cenfure of many Judicious Men, who may think it an over-hafly, and prefumptuous Attempt: and may object to me, that the Hijlory of an Aflembly which begins with fo great expe¬ ctations, ought not to have been made publique fo foon ; till We could have produced very many confiderable Experiments, which they had try’d, and fo have given undeniable Proofs, of the ule- fulnels of their undertaking. In anfwer to this, I can plead for my felf, that what I am here to fay, will be far from preventing the labours of others in adorning fo worthy a Sub¬ ject : and is premis’d upon no other account, then as the noblelt Buildings are firll wont to be repre- fented in a few Shadows, or fmall Models : which are not intended to be equal to the Chief Stru¬ cture it felf, but onely to fliew in little, by what Materials, with what Charge, and by how many. Hands, that is afterwards to be rais’d. Although therefore, I come to the performance of this work, with much left deliberation, and ability, then the weightinefi of it requires: yet, I trull, that the Greatnefi of the Defign it felf, on which I am to (peak, and the zeal which I have for the Honour of our Nation, which have been the chief reafons, that have mov’d me to this confidence of writing, will lerve to make lomething for my Excufe, For what greater matter can any man defire, about which to employ his thoughts, then the Beginnings of an II- lujlrious Company, which has already laid fuch ex¬ cellent Foundations of fo much good to Mankind > ' ‘ ' Or,
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