dly knowing of the _European_ World,
celebrating their _Institution_ and _Proceedings_: Witness, the daily
Submissions and solemn _Appeals_ of the most learned _Strangers_ to its
_Suffrages_, as to the most able, candid and impartial _Judges_:
Witness, the _Letters_, and _Correspondencies_ from most parts of the
_habitable Earth_, _East_, and _West Indies_, and almost from _Pole to
Pole_; besides what they have receiv'd from the very Mouths of divers
_Professors_, _Publique Ministers_, great _Travellers_, _Noblemen_, and
Persons of highest Quality; who have not only frequented the _Assembly_,
but desir'd to be _Incorporated_ and _ascrib'd_ into their _Number_; so
little has his _Majesty_, or the _Kingdom_ been diminish'd in their
Reputation, by the _Royal Society_, to the reproach of our sordid
_Adversaries_: Never had the _Republique_ of _Letters_ so learned and
universal a _Correspondence_ as has been procur'd and promoted by this
_Society_ alone; as not only the casual _Transactions_ of several Years
(filled with _Instances_ of the most curious and useful _Observations_)
make appear; but (as I said) the many _Nuncupatory Epistles_ to be seen
in the Fronts of so many _learned Volumes_: There it is you will find
CHARLES the II. plac'd among the _Heroes_ and _Demi-Gods_, for his
_Patrociny_ and _Protection_: There you will see the numerous
_Congratulations_ of the most learned _Foreigners_, celebrating the
Happiness of their _Institution_; and that whilst other _Nations_ are
still _benighted_ under the dusky _Cloud_, such a refulgent Beam should
give day to this _blessed Isle_: And certainly, it is not to be supposed
that _all_ these _Learned Persons_, of so many, and divers _Interests_,
as well as _Countries_, should _speak_, and _write_ thus out of
_Flattery_, much less of _Ignorance_; being Men of the most refin'd
_Universal Knowledge_, as well as _Ingenuity_: But I should never _end_,
were I to pursue this fruitful _Topic_. I have but one word more to add,
to conciliate the _Favour_ and Esteem of our own _Universities_, to an
_Assembly_ of _Gentlemen_, who _from them_ acknowledge to have derived
all their _Abilities_ for these laudable Undertakings; and what above
all is most _shining_ in them of most _Christian_, _Moral_, and
otherwise conspicuous, as from the _Source_ and _Fountain_, to which on
all occasions, they are not only ready to pay the _Tribute_ and
_Obsequiousness_ of _humble Servants_, but of _Sons_, and