Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/87

Rh Strangers of all Countries into its Number And this they have constantly done, with such peculiar Respect, that they have not obliged them to the Charge of Contributions; they have always taken Care, that some of their Members should assist them in interpreting all that pass'd, in their publick Assemblies; and they have freely open'd their Registers to them; thereby inviting them to communicate foreign Rarities, by imparting their own Discoveries. This has been often acknowledged by many learned Men, who have travel'd hither; who have been introduc'd to their Meetings, and have admir'd the Decency, the Gravity, the Plainness, and the Calmness of their Debates. This they have publish'd to the World; and this has rous'd all our Neighbours to fix their Eyes upon England. From hence they expect the great Improvements of Knowledge will flow; and though, perhaps, they send their Youth into other Parts to learn Fashion, and Breeding; yet their Men come hither for nobler Ends, to be instructed in the Masculine, and the solid Arts of Life; which is a Matter of as much greater Reputation, as it is more honourable to teach Philosophers, than Children.

By their Admission of Men of all Professions, these two Benefits arise: The one, that every Art, and every Way of Life already establish'd, may be secure of receiving no Damage by their Counsels. A Thing which all new Inventions ought carefully to consult. It is in vain to declare against the Profit of the most, in any Change that we would make. We must not always deal with the violent Current of popular Passions, as they do with the furious Eager in the Severn; where the safest Way is to set the Head of the Boat directly against its Force. But here Men must Rh