Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/45

 Second Part of his Miscellanea, has printed an Essay upon this very Subject. Had Monsieur de Fontenelle's Discourse passed unquestioned, it would have been very strange, since there never was a new Notion started in the World, but some were found, who did as eagerly contradict it.

The Opinion which Sir William Temple appears for, is received by so great a Number of Learned Men, that those who oppose it ought to bring much more than a positive Affirmation; otherwise, they cannot expect that the World should give Judgment in their Favour. The Question now to be asked, has formerly been enquired into by few, besides those who have chiefly valued Oratory, Poesie, and all that which the French call the Belles Lettres; that is to say, all those Arts of Eloquence, wherein the Ancients are generally agreed to have been very excellent. So that Monsieur de Fontenelle took the wrong Course to have his Paradox be believed; for he asserts all, and proves little; he makes no Induction of Particulars, and rarely enters into the Merits of the Cause: He declares that he thinks Love of Ease to be the reigning Principle amongst Mankind; for which Reason perhaps he was loath to put himself to