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3. Whether there be any ground of hope from Experiments towards this Work?
4. Whether, if such Arts shall hereby happen to multiply, they are likely to prejudice those Trades, that are already setled?
In these Particulars our Author doth so answer his Readers doubts, that it will easily he granted him, That it is not in vain or impossible Design, to endeavour the increase of Mechanick contrivances; that the enterprise is proper for a Mixt Assembly of Experienced Naturalists and Mathematicians; that the Course which the Royal Society observes towards it, will be effectual; and the Increase of such Operations, inoffensive to others of the same kind, that have been formerly discovered.
Hence he proceeds to shew, That these Experiments are a proper study for the Gentlemen of this Nation, in which he finds them already well engaged: As also, that they will be beneficial to our Wits and Writers, who, if truly worthy men, will find in the works of Nature an inexhaustible Treasure for Fancy and Invention, which will be disclosed proportionably to the increase of their knowledge: Further, that they are advantageous to the Interest of the Nation, by enlarging the Trade and Power thereof.
Upon which and several other accounts (not possible to be contracted here) our Historian concludes his Discourse, with giving us a Catalogue of those, which at this present compose the Royal Society, amounting to near two hundred; whereof the Kings Majesty is Founder and Patron. Among the Fellows are three of the Greatest Princes of Europe, his Royal Highness the Duke of York his Highness Prince Rupert, Count Palatine of the Rhine; and his Highness Ferdinand Albert, Duke of Brunswick and Lunenburg: then, the two Archbishops of England, and four Bishops; of Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, English and Scotch, twenty nine; of Knights, thirty five; of Doctors and Batchellors of Divinity, fourteen; of Doctors and Candidates of Physick, twenty one; of Esquires, and other Gentlemen, and Merchants, sixty four; of Strangers, sixteen.
After the Enumeration of which, he recommends this Undertaking to the English Nation; to the bravest people, the most generous Design, which at once regards the discovering of New secrets and the Purifying and Repairing all the profitable things of Antiquity: and here he represents, that if now this Enterprise should chance to fail for want of Patronage and Revenue, the World would not only be frustrated of
