Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/155

 Things from the Grecians, which one would think might have been had nearer home, if they had been of the Original Growth of the Country. The most considerable Propositions in Euclid's Elements were attributed to the Greeks; and we have nothing confessedly Egyptian, to oppose to the Writings of Archimedes, Apollonius Pergæus, or Diophantus: Whereas, had there been any Thing considerable, it would most certainly have been produced, or, at least, hinted at, by some of those very learned Egyptians, or rather later Greeks born in Egypt; whose Writings that treat of the Extent of the Egyptian Knowledge, are still extant.

Having now examined the History and Geometry of the Egyptians, it will be much easier to go through their Pretences, or rather the Pretences of their Advocates, to Superiority in other Parts of Learning. The Egyptians seem to have verified the Proverb, That he that has but one Eye, is a Prince among those that have none. This was Glory enough; for it is always very honourable to be the First, where the Strife is concerning Things which are worth contending for.