Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/107

Rh Men, separated from one another; or else by joining them into Committees, (if we may use that Word in a philosophical Sense, and so in some Measure purge it from the ill Sound which it formerly had.) By this Union of Eyes and Hands there do these Advantages arise. Thereby there will be a full Comprehension of the Object in all its Appearances; and so there will be a mutual Communication of the Light of one Science to another; whereas single Labours can be but as a Prospect taken upon one side. And also by this fixing of several Men's Thoughts upon one Thing, there will be an excellent Cure for that Defect, which is almost unavoidable in great Inventors. It is the Custom of such earnest and powerful Minds, to do wonderful Things in the Beginning; but shortly after, to be overborn by the Multitude and Weight of their own Thoughts; then to yield, and cool by little and little; and at last grow weary, and even to loath that, upon which they were at first the most eager. This is the wonted Constitution of great Wits; such tender things are those exalted Actions of the Mind; and so hard it is, for those Imaginations, that can run swift and mighty Races, to be able to travel a long and a constant Journey. The Effects of this Infirmity have been so remarkable, that we have certainly lost very many Inventions, after they have been in part fashion'd, by the meer languishing and negligence of their Authors. For this, the best Provision must be, to join many Men together; for it cannot be imagin'd, that they should be all so violent and fiery; and so by this mingling of Tempers, the impetuous Men not having the whole Burthen on them, may have Leisure for Intervals to recruit their first Heat; and the more judicious, who are not so soon possess'd with such Raptures, may carry Rh