Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/398

 new one will succeed, that may equal them. Their Writings, however, will be preserved, and as our Age has raised a nobler Monument to the Memory of Archimedes and Diophantus, of Hippocrates and Aristotle, of Herophilus and Galen, by improving of their Inventions, than had been raised for a Thousand Years before; so some future Age, though, perhaps, not the next, and in a Country, now possibly little thought of, may do that which our great Men would be glad to see done; that is to say, they may raise real Knowledge, upon the Foundations laid in this our Age, to the utmost possible Perfection, to which it can be brought by mortal Men in this imperfect State.

But this is what one would gladly hope should be reserved for his own Posterity, and his own Country; how it may be reserved is obvious: It must be by joining Ancient and Modern Learning together, and by studying each as Originals, in those things wherein they severally do most excel; by that means few Mistakes will be committed, the World will soon see what remains unfinish'd, and Men will furnish them-