Page:Reflections upon ancient and modern learning (IA b3032449x).pdf/56

 ẓAges, which preceded Socrates and Plato, these Matters were carried to a great Perfection; for as the Necessity of any Thing is greater, so it will be more and more generally studied: And as the Subject of our Enquiries is nearer to us, or easier to be comprehended in it self; so it will be more throughly examined, and what is to be known will be more perfectly understood. Both these concurr here: Necessity of conversing with each other put Men upon making numerous Observations upon the Tempers of Mankind: And their own Nature being the Thing enquired after, all Men could make their Experiments at home; which, in Consort with those made with and by other People, enabled them to make certain Conclusions of Eternal Truth, since Mankind varies little, if any thing, any farther than as Customs alter it, from one Age to another. Since therefore this Necessity always lasts, and that all the Observations requisite to compleat this noble Science, as it takes in the Art of Governing Kingdoms, Families, and Men's private Persons, cannot be made by one or two Generations, there is a plain Reason why some Nations, which wanted Opportunities of diffused Conversation, were more barbarous than the rest; and also,