And in the Practice of Physick, are not the present Professors
infinitely obliged to the Discoveries and Recipes of _Aristotle_,
_Galen_, &c? How much the World is oblig'd to the Declamations of
_Tully_, _Cicero_, for Oratory; to the famous Writings of _Milton_ for
the Foundation of Divine Poetry; Poetry in general is improv'd from
the Writings of _Chaucer_, _Spencer_, and others; Dramatick
Entertainments perfected by _Shakespear_; our Language and Poetry
refin'd by _Dryden_; the Passions rais'd by _Otway_; the Inclination
mov'd by _Cowley_; and the World diverted by _Hudibras_, (not to
mention the Perfections of Mr. _Addison_, and several others of this
Age) I leave to the Determination of every impartial Reader.

'Tis by Writing that Arts and Sciences are Cultivated, Navigation and
Commerce (by which alone Wealth is attain'd) to the most distant parts
of the World Improv'd, Geography Compleated, the Languages, Customs
and Manners of Foreign Nations known; and there is scarce any one
Mechanick calling of Note or Signification, but Treatises have been
written upon, to transmit the valuable Observations of Ingenious
Artificers to the latest Posterity.

There might be innumerable Instances given of the Advantages of
Writings in all Cases, but I shall satisfy my self with the
particulars already advanc'd, and proceed to such Objections, as I am
apprehensive may be made relating to the Writings last mentioned.
First, it may be Objected that the numerous Writings tend more to
confound the Reader, than to inform him; to this I answer, that it is
impossible there can be many Writings produced, but there must be some
valuable Informations communicated, easy to be Collected by a
judicious Reader; tho' there may be a great deal superfluous, and
notwithstanding it is a considerable Charge to purchase a useful