Another collection of philosophical conferences of the French virtuosi upon questions of all sorts for the improving of natural knowledg made in the assembly of the Beaux Esprits at Paris by the most ingenious persons of that nation / render'd into English by G. Havers, Gent. & J. Davies ..., Gent.

PREFACE.

THe good Reception a Volume of the like Conferences appears to have found last year by the spee∣dy distribution of the Copies, hath given encouragement to the Version and Publication of this; wherein I assure my self the Readers will not find them∣selves worse entertain'd at the second Course then they were at the first; the Questions here being proportio∣nably more Philosophical, and chosen from such Subjects as are most inquir'd into at this day by the Curious of our own Nation, who undoubtedly will find some con∣tentment (if not satisfaction) in reading what the Virtuosi of our Neighbour-Nation have discours'd touching those Matters. I have often heard it spoken to the Com∣mendation of an Eminent Peer in the last Reign, That for an hour or two together he made the most agreeable Conversation in the World; but if, upon parting, any one of the Company happened to reflect upon what he had heard, he could not remember the least particu∣lar passage, saving that he had spent such a portion of Time very deliciously. 'Twas a happy Faculty for the Man; for he did his business by it, and partly ow'd his Promotion to this Talent. I shall pronounce no other∣wise upon him but thus, That perhaps (as Tully said in almost a like case) he was a better Gallant than a Wise Man should be: At least, this way of consuming Time, argued a great Disease in Mens Minds, when they could be contented to feed upon Air, and were so squeamish as not to be able to bear the wholsom Diet of solid Dis∣course. 'Tis too apparent that the same Humor is still

predominant in these our days, wherein Gaming makes the whole Converse amongst the Gentry, who, like rapa∣cious Animals, meet together but to prey upon one ano∣ther, whilst old Stories, or News, and (for want of mat∣ter so innocent) Detractions, Derisions, and Abuses are the only things that furnish talk to the Plebeians. Thus we live, and yet pretend to be Reasonable Creatures; whilst true and solid Reason is almost as obscurely discernable in our Commerce, as Sense and Motion are in Sponges and Oisters. But 'tis hop'd the better practice of some Excellent Persons amongst our selves, may contribute much to the Reformation of this; and to help it for∣ward, it cannot but do some good (by exciting us to emulation) to see what been already done by some Gentlemen of France, to whose excellent Wits the World is beholden for these Conferences.