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be only known from its Operations. Whoever therefore will fudy Mathematics in this view, will become not only by Mathematics a more expert Logician, and by Logic a more rational Mathematician, but a wifer Philofopher, and an acuter Reafoner, in all the poffible fubjects either of fcience or deliberation.

But when Mathematics, instead of being applied to this excellent purpose, are used not to exemplify Logic, but to fupply its place; no wonder if Logic pafs into contempt, and if Mathematics, instead of furthering Science, become in fact an obftacle. For when men, knowing nothing of that Reasoning which is univerfal, come to attach themselves for years to a fingle Species, a fpecies wholly involved in Lines and Numbers only; they grow infenfibly to believe thefe laft as infeparable from all ReaJoning, as the poor Indians thought

every horfeman to be infeparable from bis borse.

And thus we fee the ufe, nay the neceffity of enlarging our literary views, left even Knowlege itself fhould obftruct its own growth, and perform in fome measure the part of ignorance and barbarity.

Such then is the Apology made by the Author of this Treatife, for the multiplicity of antient quotations, with which he has filled his Book. If he can excite in his readers a proper Spirit of curiofity; if he can help in the leaft degree to enlarge the bounds of Science; to revive the decaying tafte of antient Literature; to leffen. the bigotted contempt of every thing not modern; and to affert to Authors of every age their just portion of efteem; if he can in the leaft degree contribute to thefe ends, he hopes it may be allowed, that he has done a

Service

fervice to mankind. Should this fervice be a reafon for his Work to furvive, he has confeft already, 'twould be no unpleafing event. Should the contrary happen, he must acquiefce in its fate, and let it peaceably depart to thofe defined regions, where the productions of modern Wit are every day departing,

-in vicum vendentem tus et odores.

THE

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