Experiments and observations

Abstract

"...but in this i would by no means be underftood to be making an apology for what i have done. i am far from confiderina: the bufinefs of philofophy as a thing that is cenforeable, or requiring any apology. on the contrary, though i do not confider thefe iludies as the firil in rank and value, i think their importance is generally much under-rated $ and i •'earneítly wiíh that more attention was given to them by thofe who have ability, leifure, and the neceffary means for profecuting them. for it muff be acknowledged that in thefe iludies mere genius can do nothing without the aid of wealth. indeed, fpeculatlon, without experiment, has always beên the bane of true philofophy."