(410)
I hope, our Ingenious Correspondents have examin'd all circumstances of their communicated Relations, with all the care and diligence necessary to be used in such Collections; not taking up old Fame, or flying Reports, upon too easie trust; nor straining for other Kinds of Wonders, than the most wise Author of Nature hath allowed, but attending closely to the strict measures of Natural Truth, and to the useful Contrivances of Art. For some evidence whereof, I refer the Reader to the particulars indicated in the Tables annexed to the Tract of February, lately past.
And because well advised Histories of Natural Productions, and of Artificial Contrivances, are necessary to beget sound knowledge, and to excite profitable Inventions, some have furnisht us with accurate Instructions, under the modest Title of Inquiries and Proposals: And further Disquisitions are by the hands of many Accomplisht Persons severally, and often with joynt endeavours in a manner universally prosecuted.
Neither have we discouraged or refused the Essays of some famous Philosophers, learned Philologers and Antiquaries; whose Disquisitions, Readings, and Reasonings, have extended farther than their Experiences; since by such bold Excursions and Sallies many valuable Truths may be started out of their recesses. Architects do require some variety and store of Materials for the further satisfaction of their Judgment in the Choice: And the Sculptor must pare off somewhat of his richest Marbles, Onixes, Diamonds, &c, before he can perfect the Portraicture. Such liberty an exact Philosopher must claim in his Extracts from Men of much Learning.
In Medicinals we have now and then occasionally inquired after some rarities, medical applications and experiences; what the uses and performances are by Phlebotomy, Frictions, Simples or Compounds not ordinary, by Diet or Chymical Operations in some of the remotest parts of the World, particularly in the famous China.See N. 3. p. 44. Damps.
N. 8. p. 133. Poysonous springs or waters
N. 8. p. 133. Swarms of Insects. Ibid. p. 138. Strange Constitutions of Bodies. Neither have we altogether omitted to commemorate those obvious reliefs, which the Divine Bounty has offered freely and in common, for distressed Mortals, by Springs, Baths, Medicated Earths, &c. And we have had a
