Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/357

 Arguments of a Man's Industry, and Willingness to drudge; but seem to signifie little to denominate him a great Genius, or one who was able to do great Things of himself. The Objection is specious enough, and the Indiscretions of many Modern Commentators have given but too much Colour for it; which has, in our Nation especially, been riveted in Men's Minds, more, perhaps, than in any other learned Nation in Europe: Tho in Enquiries into the remotest Antiquities of the oldest Nations, perhaps no People have done near so much as some learned English-Men. But this Objection lies chiefly against the Men, not the Knowledge, the Extent whereof it is only my Business to enquire into; and yet, even there too, it is without Ground; for, whoever will be at the pains to reflect upon the vast Extent of the various Knowledge which such Men as those I named before had treasured together, which they were able to produce to such excellent Purposes in their Writings, must confess that their Genius's were little, if at all, inferiour to their Memories; those among them especially, who have busied themselves in restoring corrupted Places of Ancient Authors. There are Thousands of Corrections and Censures upon Authors to be