The Epistle
vantage. Logarithms were an Invention of excellent Arts and usefulness; And yet it was a considerable time, before the Leaned Men in other parts, did so farr take notice of them, as to bring them into use. The Art of Shorthand, is in its kind an Ingenuous device, and of considerable usefullness, applicable to any Language, much wondered at by Travailers, that have seen the experience of it in England: And yet though it be above Three-score years, since it was first Invented, 'tis not to this day (for ought I can learn) brought into common practice in any other Nation. And there is reason enough to expect the like Fate for the design here proposed.
The only expedient I can think of against it, is, That it be sent abroad into the World, with the reputation of having bin considered and approved of, by such a Society as this; which may provoke at least, the Learned part of the World, to take notice of it, and to give it such encouragement, as it shall appear to deserve.
And if upon such an amendment and recommendation by this Society, the design here proposed, should happen to come into common use, It would requite the Honour you bestow upon it, with abundant Interest. The being Instrumental in any such discovery as does tend to the Universal good of Mankind, being sufficient not only to make the Authors of it famous, but also the Times and Places wherein they live.
He that knows how to estimate, that judgment inflicted on Mankind in the Curse of the Confusion, with all the unhappy consequences of it, may thereby judge, what great advantage and benefit there will be, in a remedy against it. Men are content to bestow much time and pains in the Study of Languages, in order to their more easy conversing with those of other Nations. 'Tis
