And on this Occasion, it will be convenient to intimate to the Reader;
First, That the Theories and Discourses here collected, have already past the Censure of the Learned World: Who have acknowleg'd them the most satisfactory Accounts of Nature's Proceedings, wherein some of her greatest Depths are fathom'd, and a Foundation laid for Posterity to build an infinite Superstructure.
Secondly, That they are related (Verbatim) just as they were delivered in, or read before the Royal Society: For it has been the Opinion of the most Judicious among those Honourable Members, that it is impossible so to abridge them, (which are but Abridgments themselves) as not to render them obscure and unintelligible.
A Translation of Part of Monsieur Fontenelle's Preface to the Memoirs of the Royal Academy at Paris, in the Year 1699. treating of the Usefulness of Mathematical Learning.
BUT to what purpose should People become fond of the Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy. Of what use are the Transactions of the Academy? These are common Questions, which most do not barely propose as Questions; and it will not be improper to clear them.
People very readily call useless, what they do not understand. It is a sort of Revenge; and as the Mathematicks and Natural Philosophy are known but by few, they are generally look'd upon as useless. The reason of this is; because they are crabbed and not easily learnt.
We have a Moon to light us in the Night; What is it to us, say they, whether Jupiter hath four? Why so many laborious Observations, so many tedious Calculations to know exactly their Course? They'll not afford us the more Light for it; and Nature, which hath plac'd these little Planets without the reach of our Eyes, doth not seem to have made them for us. According to this plausible Argument they ought not to have been observ'd with a Telescope, nor study'd. But it is certain, that we had been considerable Loosers by it: For those who have some insight into the Principles of Geography and Navigation know, that since these four Moons about Jupiter have been discover'd, they have been more useful to those Sciences than our own Moon; and that they serve, and shall more and more serve to make new Sea-Charts, infinitely more exact than the Old; and are likely to save the Lives of a vast many Seamen. Did we reap no other advantage from Astronomy than this from these Satellites of Jupiter, that wou'd be sufficient to justifie those prodigious Calculations, those assiduous and nice Observations, this great number of elaborate Instruments, and this Noble Edifice built only for this Science. However the greatest part of Mankind know nothing of these Satellites of Jupiter, unless perhaps by hear-say, and that too confusedly; or else they are ignorant of what Affinity they have with Navigation, or of the great Improvements which have been lately made in it.
This is the Fate of Sciences, which are study'd and improv'd by few. Most People are not sensible of their Progress, and especially when made in some mean Callings. But what doth it signifie, that we can now more easily direct the Course of Rivers, cut out Canals, and settle new Navigations; because our Method of taking the Level and making Sluces is infinitely better than heretofore? Some Masons and Seamen have thereby found their Business easier, but they themselves were not sensible of the Skill of the Geometrician who directed them. They were mov'd, as the Body by a Soul, it doth not know. Others are yet less sensible of the Genius that presided over the Undertaking; and the World is the better for its succeeding well, but not altogether free from Ingratitude.
Anatomy, which is some time since so carefully study'd, can't become more exact, but Chyrurgical Operations must also be more sure. Surgeons know this; but those who receive the Benefit of their Art know nothing of it. And indeed how should they? They would be oblig'd to compare Old with Modern Surgery; and this wou'd take too much Time, and go against the Grain: So that since the Operation hath succeeded well, they do not think it material to know whether it had succeeded as well in another Century.
It is strange that so many things are before our Eyes, and that we do not see them. Your Handycraft Shops are full of ingenious Works; but yet we hardly mind them: And very useful and well contriv'd Instruments and Experiments want Spectators, who wou'd be wonderfully pleas'd, wou'd they take the pains to admire them.