Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/186

 thematicks as will but just serve an Almanack-maker, will do their Business. F.  says in a Letter Printed some Years since in the Philosophical Transactions, That the Honours which were paid him in the Emperour's Court, were in a great Measure owing to his teaching the Emperour to find the Time of the Night by the fixed Stars and an Astrolable: This shews that the Chineses were very meanly skilled in these things; and it is probable, that those who are ignorant of such ordinary Matters, seldom carry their Speculations to a much greater Height.

Martinius and Trigautius, who lived long in China, were able fully to inform the World of the Extent of the Chinese Knowledge; and the Pains which Martinius has taken to write the History, and to state the Geography of that mighty Empire, is a sufficient Indication of his great Willingness to advance its Reputation in Europe. The Chineses are allowed to be a sagacious and industrious People, and their Skill in many mechanical Arts shew them to be so; so that if they had ever applied themselves to Learning in good earnest, and that for near so long a Time, as their History pretends to, there is no Question but we should have heard much more of their Progress. Errata