Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/439

 To this Address which I have made to our Nobility and Gentry, I will add, as an Appendix, another Benefit of Experiments, which perhaps it will scarce become me to name amidst so many Matters of greater Weight; and that is, that their Discoveries will be very serviceable to the Wits and Writers of this, and all future Ages. But this I am provok'd to mention by the Consideration of the present Genius of the English Nation; wherein the Study of Wit, and Humour of Writing prevails so much; that there are very few Conditions, or Degrees, or Ages of Men who are free from its Infection. I will therefore declare to all those whom this Spirit has possess'd, that there is in the Works of Nature 'an inexhaustible Treasure of Fancy and Invention, which will be reveal'd proportionably to the increase of their Knowledge.

To this purpose I must premise, that it is requir'd in the best, and most delightful Wit; that it be founded on such Images which are generally known, and are able to bring a strong and a sensible Impression on the Mind. The several Subjects from which it has been rais'd in all times, are the Fables and Religions of the Antients, the civil Histories of all Countries, the Customs of Nations, the Bible, the Sciences and Manners of Men, the several Arts of their Hands, and the Works of Nature. In all these, where there may be a resemblance of one thing to another, as there may be in all, there is a sufficient Foundation for Wit. This in all its kinds has its Increases, Heights, and Decays, as well as all other human Things: Let us then examine what Parts of it are already exhausted, and what remain new and untouch'd, and are still likely to be farther advanced.