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 the Antients in natural Knowledge, did also strengthen their Fancies: Those few Things which they knew, they used so much, and applied so often, that they even almost wore them away by their using. The Sweetness of Flowers, and Fruits, and Herbs, they had quite devour'd; they had tir'd out the Sun, and Moon, and Stars with their Similitudes, more than they fancy them to be wearied by their daily Journey round the Heavens.

It is now therefore seasonable for natural Knowledge to come forth, and to give us the Understanding of new Virtues and Vitalities of Things, which may relieve their Fellow-Creatures, that have long born the Burden alone, and have long been vex'd by the Imaginations of Poets. This charitable Assistance Experiments will soon bestow. The Companions which these may afford, will be intellibleintelligible [sic] to all, because they proceed from Things that enter into all Mens Senses. These will make the most vigorous impressions on Mens Fancies, because they do even touch their Eyes, and are nearest to their Nature. Of these the Variety will be infinite, for the Particulars are so from whence they may be deduced: These may be always new and unsullied, seeing there is such a vast Number of Natural and Mechanical Things, not yet fully known or improved, and by Consequence not yet sufficiently applied.

The use of Experiments to this Purpose is evident, by the wonderful Advantage that my Lord Bacon receiv'd from them. This excellent Writer was abundantly recompenc'd for his noble Labours in that Philosophy, by a vast Treasure of admirable Imaginations which it afforded him, wherewith to express and adorn his Thoughts about other Matters. But I Rh