Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/427

 an hindrance to each others Gain, that still the Tradesmen of most populous Towns are wealthier than those who profess the same Crafts in Country Mercats.

In England it has of late been a universal Murmur, that Trade decays; but the contrary is evident, from the perpetual Advancement of the Customs. Whence then arises the Complaint? From hence, that Traders have multiplied above the proportionable Increase of Trades: By this Means all the old Ways of Gain are over-stock'd, which would soon be prevented by a constant Addition of new.

The want of a right apprehending this, has always made the English averse from admitting of new Inventions, and shorter Ways of Labour, and from naturallizing new People: both which are the fatal Mistakes that have made the Hollanders exceed us in Riches and Trafic: they receive all Projects and all People, and have few or no Poor: We have kept them out and suppress'd them, for the Sake of the Poor, whom we thereby do certainly make the poorer.

And here there is suggested to me a just Occasion of lamenting the ill Treatment which has been most commonly given to Inventors, not only here in England, but in all Ages and Countries. Nor do they only meet with rough Usage from those that envy their Honour; but even from the Artificers themselves, for whose Sakes they labour: while those that add some small Matters to things begun, are usually enrich'd thereby; the Discoverers themselves have seldom found any other Entertainment than Contempt and Impoverishment. The Effects of their Industry are wont to be decry'd while they live: the Fruits of their Studies are frequently alienated from their Children; Rh