It is the same thing with Natural Philosophy as with Geometry. The Anatomy of Animals seems insignificant; and it only concerns us to know that of Human Body. But yet some Parts of it, which are of so nice, or so confus'd a Make, that they are invisible, are sensible and manifest in the Body of an Animal. Hence it is, that Monsters themselves are not to be neglected. The Mechanism conceal'd in a particular Kind or in a common Make, is unfolded in another kind, or in an extraordinary Make; and one wou'd be almost apt to say, that Nature by multiplying and varying so much her Works, can't sometimes forbear betraying her Secrets. All that the Antients knew of the Load-stone, was, that it attracts Iron. But whether they did not value a Curiosity, which promis'd them nothing; or that their Genius did not lead them to make Experiments, they have not examin'd this Stone as carefully as they might. One Experiment taught them, that it turns of its self towards the Poles of the World, and did put into their Hands the inestimable Treasure of the Mariners Compass. They might easily have made this Discovery important, and yet they did not do it; and if they had spent a little more time upon a Curiosity which seem'd useless to them, the Latent use of it had soon appear'd.
Let us always make a Collection of Mathematical and Physical Truths; happen what it will we can't hazard much by it. It is certain, that they shall be drawn from Springs, whence a great many useful ones have already been drawn. We have reason to presume, that we shall draw from thence, some that shall shine as soon as they are discover'd, and convince us of their Usefulness. Other Truths shall stay some time till a piercing Meditation, or some happy Accident discovers their Use. Some Truths being consider'd by themselves shall be barren, till they are consider'd with reference to one another. Lastly, let the worse come to the worse, some shall be eternally useless.
I mean useless with reference to sensible and gross Uses; for otherwise they shall not be so. An Object upon which alone you cast your Eyes is