Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/396



His seems to me to be the present State of Learning, as it may be compared with what it was in Former Ages: Whether Knowledge will improve in the next Age, proportionably, as it has done in this, is a Question not easily decided. It depends upon a great many Circumstances; which singly, will be ineffectual, and, which no Man can now be assured, will ever meet. There seems Reason indeed, to fear, that it may decay, both because ancient Learning is too much studied in Modern Books, and taken upon trust by Modern Writers, who are not enough acquainted with Antiquity to correct their own mistakes; and because Natural and Mathematical Knowledge, wherein chiefly the Moderns are to be studied as Originals, begin to be neglected by the Generality of those who would set up for Scholars. For the Humour of the Age,