Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/312

 we know not; if he had but little, it must be owned that his Book is one of the greatest Instances of Industry and Sagacity that perhaps has ever been given. But since, the Question is not so much, whether that is an excellent Book, as whether it is perfect, it ought to be compared with Mr. Willoughbys Histories of Fishes and Birds, and Mr. Rays Synopsis of Quadrupeds, as the perfectest Modern Books upon these Matters; and then it will be easie to make a Judgment. I shall not make it my self, because no Man can mistake, that compares them, though never so negligently, together. I name only Aristotle, because he is, to us at least, an original Author: He had examined very many things himself, and though he took a great deal upon trust, yet that could not be avoided, since he had so little, that we know of, from more remote Antiquity, and it was too vast a Work for any one single Man to go through with by himself. Ælian and Pliny seem only to have copied, and, with Submission be it spoken, their Writings are Rhapsodies of Stories and Relations partly true, and partly fabulous, which themselves had not Skill enough to separate one from the other, rather than Natural Histories; from which Accusation, even Aristotle