Their Expence.Of the Stock, upon which their Expence has been hitherto defrayed, I can say nothing that is very magnificent; seeing they have relied upon no more than some small Admission-money, and weekly Contributions amongst themselves. Such a Revenue as this can make no great Sound, nor amount to any vast Sum. But yet I shall say this for it, that it was the only way which could have been begun, with a Security of Success, in that Condition of Things. The publick Faith of experimental Philosophy, was not then strong enough, to move Men and Women of all Conditions, to bring in their Bracelets and Jewels, towards the carrying of it on. Such Affections as those may be raised by a misguided Zeal; but seldom, or never, by calm and unpassionate Reason. It was therefore well ordained, that the first Benevolence should come from the Experimenters themselves. If they had speedily at first called for mighty Treasures; and said aloud, that their Enterprize required the Exchequer of a Kingdom; they would only have been contemn'd as vain Projectors. So ready is Mankind to suspect all new Undertakings to be Cheats, and Chimæras; especially, when they seem chargeable; that it may be, many excellent Things have been lost by that Jealousy. Of this we have a fatal Instance amongst our selves. For it was this fear of being circumvented, that made one of our wisest Kings delay Columbus too long, when he came with the Promise of a new World; whereas a little more Confidence in his Art, and a small Charge in furnishing out some few Ships, would have yearly brought all the Silver of the West-Indies to London, which now arrives at Sevil.
This Suspicion, which is so natural to Men's Breasts,could
