Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/94

 and we find many noble Rarities to be every Day given in not only by the Hands of learned and profiled Philosophers; but from the Shops of Mechanicks; from the Voyages of Merchants; from the Ploughs of Husbandmen; from the Sports, the Fishponds, the Parks, the Gardens of Gentlemen; the Doubt therefore will only touch future Ages. And even for them too, we may securely promise, that they will not, for a long Time, be barren of a Race of inquisitive Minds, when the Way is now so plainly trac'd out before them; when they should have tasted of these first Fruits, and have been excited by this Example. There was scarce ever yet, any the meanest Sect, or the most contemptible Opinion, that was utterly extinguish'd in its Cradle. Whether they deserv'd to live, or not, they all had their Course; some longer, some shorter, according as they could combine with the Interests or Affections of the Countries where they began. What Reason then have we to bode ill alone to this Institution, which is now so earnestly embraced; and which, the older it grows, cannot but still appear more inoffensive? If we only required perfect Philosophers to manage this Employment, it were another Case. For then I grant it were improbable, that threescore, or an hundred such should meet in one Time. But here it is far otherwise; if we cannot have a sufficient Choice of those that are skill'd in all Divine and Human Things (which was the ancient Definition of a Philosopher) it suffices, if many of them be plain, diligent, and laborious Observers: such, who though they bring not much Knowledge, yet bring their Hand, and their Eyes uncorrupted: such as have not their Brains infected by false Images, and can honestly assist in the examining and registering Rh