P.
There are men who say there are insensible extensions. There are others who say the wall is not white, the fire is not hot, &c. We Irishmen cannot attain to these truths.
The mathematicians think there are insensible lines. About these they harangue: these cut in a point at all angles: these are divisible ad infinitum. We Irishmen can conceive no such lines.
The mathematicians talk of wt they call a point. This, they say, is not altogether nothing, nor is it downright something. Now we Irishmen are apt to think something[272] & nothing are next neighbours.
Engagements to P.[273] on account of ye Treatise that grew up under his eye; on account also of his approving my [pg 092] harangue. Glorious for P. to be the protector of usefull tho' newly discover'd truths.
How could I venture thoughts into the world before I knew they would be of use to the world? and how could I know that till I had try'd how they suited other men's ideas?
I publish not this so much for anything else as to know whether other men have the same ideas as we Irishmen. This is my end, & not to be inform'd as to my own particular.
My speculations have the same effect as visiting foreign countries: in the end I return where I was before, but my heart at ease, and enjoying life with new satisfaction.
Passing through all the sciences, though false for the most part, yet it gives us the better insight and greater knowledge of the truth.