People may think that the Sciences do not begin to exert themselves, either because they cou'd be but imperfect among the Ancients; or because we have almost lost the Footsteps of them during the gloomy Darkness of Barbarity; or because a better method hath been taken about 100 Years ago. Was the Progress Historically examin'd, they have already made in so short a time, notwithstanding the strong, but false Prejudices they had long to encounter with, even sometimes the foreign Obstacles they have met with from Authority and Power; the want of Zeal for Sciences so remote from common use, those few who apply'd themselves to this Work, and the weak Motives which engag'd them in it; a Man would wonder at the Greatness and Rapidity of the Progress of the Sciences, and even we might observe some new ones to start out of nothing, and perhaps be tempted to have too great hopes of future Improvements.
The greater reason we have of future Success, the greater we have to look upon the Sciences as in their Cradles, at least Natural Philosophy. And therefore the Academy is only now employ'd to make an ample Provision of Observations, and Facts well attested, which may one day be the foundation of a System. For before the Systematical Natural Philosophy can raise solid Edifices; Experimental Natural Philosophy must be in a condition to supply it with good Materials.
None but Societies, of those too countenanc'd and encourag'd by the Prince, can successfully make and prepare this Collection of Materials. All the Learning, Care, Life and Wealth of one Private Man can never answer this Design. There are too many different Experiments to be made, which are to be too much vary'd, and a long time prosecuted with the same Temper and Mind. The Cause of the least Effect is so wrap'd up, that unless you very carefully open all the various Foldings, you cannot come at it.