Page:Petty 1660 Reflections.djvu/17

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well known, that all the Geometrical Surveys that ever passed through his hand, have since been done over again by the conduct of others. And the charge of what hee did (being many thousand pounds) became as meerly thrown away.

3. I thought, that besides the ordinary reward agreed mee, I should have received monumental thanks; not considering, that too great merit is more often paid with Envie, than with condign Rewards.

4. I thought by attempting new difficulties to have stretcht my own capacity and intellect, the which (like Leather on a Last) is not only formed and fashioned, but much extended by such Employments.

5. I hoped hereby to enlarge my Trade of Experiments from Bodies to Mindes, from the motions of the one, to the manners of the other, thereby to have understood passions as well as fermentations, and consequently to have been as pleasant a Companion to my ingenious friends, as if such an intermission from Physicks had never been: For you see, Sir, how by this means, I have gotten the occasion of practising upon my own Morals, that is,