TERRA, See.

T

u A j 1 C o Ik , d Up ° n by command from your Lordship, and the Councilwho direct the progrefs of the Royal Society , to entertain this Illustrious

Afsembly with something which, being either deduced from, or leadingto, Philosophical Experiment, may be of real use, and suitable to thedesign of its institution.

_ 1 am hi § hI y sensible as of the honour which is done me, so of the greatdisadvantages I lie under for want of abilities to carry me through anundertaking of this importance, and before such acute and learnedjudges; but I hope my obedience to your commands will cover thosedefects for which I can make no other apology.

There are few here, I presume, who know not upon how innocent andhumble a fubject I have long since diverted my thoughts; and therefore

I hope they will not be displeased, or think it unworthy of their patienceif from their more sublime and noble speculations (and which do oftencarry them to converse among the brighter Orbs and heavenly bodies)they descend a while, and fix their eyes upon the Earth , which I makethe present argument of my discourse. I had once indeed pitched upona subject of somewhat a more brisk and lively nature ; for what is therein nature so sluggish and dull as Earth ? What more spiritual and activethan Vegetation, and what the Earth produces ? But this, as a provincebecoming a more steady hand and penetrating wit than mine to cultivate(unlefs where it transitorily comes in my way to speak of Salts and Fer­ ments ) I leave to those of this learned Society, who have already o-; vensuch admirable Efsays of what they will be more able to accomplishthat useful and curious theme ; and therefore I be°- leave that I " U ^° n

Volume II. & 0 C ° n '

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