Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/139

 Numbers 6, 8, 9, 12 together, the Sum is 35, which multiply'd by 6 makes 210, the Number of Days from the Conception to the Birth; which is just Seven Months, allowing 30 Days to a Month. A like Proportion must be observed in the larger Period of Nine Months, only 10 the Sum of 1, 2, 3, 4 added together, must be added to 35, which makes 45; that multiply'd by 6 gives 270, or Nine Times 30, the Number of Days in larger Births.'

If these fine Notions are compar'd with Dr. Harveys upon the same Subject, no doubt but we shall all be Converts to Sir William Temples Opinion, and make a vast Difference between the poor Observations of these later Ages, and the sublime Flights of the Ancients.

Now tho' abstracted Mathematical Theories, which cannot be relished by one that has not a tolerable Skill in Mathematicks before, might, perhaps, prudently be concealed from the Vulgar, by the Pythagorean School; and in their Stead, such grave Jargon as this imposed upon them; yet even that shews how little Knowledge of Nature they could pretend to. Men that aim at Glory, will omit no probable Methods to gain it, that lie in their Way; and solid Discove-