Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/42

 express his Satisfaction that he has done it. This is not only visible in particular Persons, but in the several Ages of Mankind, which are only Communities of particular Persons, living at the same time, as often as their Humours, or their Interests, lead them to pursue the same Methods. This Emulation equally shews it self, whatsoever the Subject be, about which it is employed; whether it be about Matters of Trade, or War, or Learning, it is all one: One Nation will strive to out-do another, and so will one Age too, when several Nations agree in the pursuit of the same Design; only the Jealousie is not so great in the Contest for Learning, as it is in that for Riches and Power; because these are Things which every several People strive to ingross all to themselves, so that it is impossible for bordering Nations to suffer with any Patience that their Neighbours should grow as great as they in either of them, to their own prejudice; though they will all agree in raising the Credit of the Age they live in upon that Account, that being the only Thing wherein their Interests do perfectly unite.

If this Way of Reasoning will bold, it may be asked how it comes to pass, that the Learned Men of the last Age did not