Knowledge. By the one I am taught, that you can forgive the most
presumptuous Offendors: And by the other, that you will not
esteem the least work of Nature, or Art, unworthy your
Observation. Amidst the many felicities that have accompani'd
your Majesties happy Restauration and Government, it is none of
the least considerable that Philosophy and Experimental Learning
have prosper'd under your Royal Patronage. And as the calm
prosperity of your Reign has given us the leisure to follow these
Studies of quiet and retirement, so it is just, that the Fruits of them
should, by way of acknowledgement, be return'd to your Majesty.
There are, Sir, several other of your Subjects, of your Royal
Society, now busie about Nobler matters: The Improvement of
Manufactures and Agriculture, the Increase of Commerce, the
Advantage of Navigation: In all which they are assisted by your
Majesties Incouragement and Example. Amidst all those greater
Designs, I here presume to bring in that which is more
proportionable to the smalness of my Abilities, and to offer some
of the least of all visible things, to that Mighty King, that has
establisht an Empire over the best of all Invisible things of this
World, the Minds of Men.
Your Majesties most humble
and most obedient
Subject and
Servant,
fter my Address to our Great Founder and Patron, I could not but
think my self oblig'd, in consideration of those many Ingagements
