Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/113

Rh by multiplying Varities of extraordinary Events and surprising Circumstances, makes that seem dull and tasteless. And, to say no more, the very Delight which it raises, is nothing so solid; but, as the Satisfaction of Fancy, it affects us a little in the beginning, but soon wearies and surfeits: Whereas a just History of Nature, like the Pleasure of Reason, would not be, perhaps, so quick and violent, but of far longer Continuance in its Contentment.

Their Matter being thus collected, has been brought before their weekly Meetings, to undergo a just and a full Examination. In them their principal Endeavours have been, that they might enjoy the Benefits of a mix'd Assembly, which are Largeness of Observation, and Diversity of Judgments, without the Mischiefs that usually accompany it; such as Confusion, Unsteadiness, and the little Animosities of divided Parties. That they have avoided these Dangers for the time past, there can be no better Proof than their constant Practice; wherein they have perpetually preserved a singular Sobriety of debating, Slowness of consenting, and Moderation of dissenting. Nor have they been only free from Faction, but from the very Causes and Beginnings of it. It was in vain for any Man amongst them, to strive to prefer himself before another; or to seek for any great Glory from the Subtilty of his Wit; feeing it was the inartificial Process of the Experiment, and not the Acuteness of any Commentary upon it, which they have had in Veneration. There was no Room left, for any to attempt to heat their own, or other's Minds, beyond a due Temper; where they were not allowed to expatiate, or amplify, or connect specious Arguments together. Rh