Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/36

 great deal more; one, for whose Sence and Judgment, all that know him have so very particular a Regard, that I resolved at last, rather to hazard my own Reputation, than to deny his Request; especially, since I hoped that it might, perhaps, give some Body else an Opportunity to compleat that, of which this Treatise is a very imperfect Essay.

I hope I need make no Apology, that a great Part of this Discourse may seem too Polemical for a Writing of this kind: But that could not be avoided, because the Argument it self has been so much debated. The ablest Men of the two opposite Parties are, Sir William Temple, and Monsieur Perrault: They are too great Men, and their Writings are too well known, and too much valued, to be over-looked. They cloath their Thoughts in so engaging a Dress, that a Man is tempted to receive all they say,