The other reason that
has determined me to commit to writing these specimens of philosophy is,
that I am becoming daily more and more alive to the delay which my design
of self-instruction suffers, for want of the infinity of experiments I
require, and which it is impossible for me to make without the assistance
of others: and, without flattering myself so much as to expect the public
to take a large share in my interests, I am yet unwilling to be found so
far wanting in the duty I owe to myself, as to give occasion to those who
shall survive me to make it matter of reproach against me some day, that I
might have left them many things in a much more perfect state than I have
done, had I not too much neglected to make them aware of the ways in which
they could have promoted the accomplishment of my designs.
And I thought that it was easy for me to select some matters which should
neither be obnoxious to much controversy, nor should compel me to expound
more of my principles than I desired, and which should yet be sufficient
clearly to exhibit what I can or cannot accomplish in the sciences.
Whether or not I have succeeded in this it is not for me to say; and I do
not wish to forestall the judgments of others by speaking myself of my
writings; but it will gratify me if they be examined, and, to afford the
greater inducement to this I request all who may have any objections to
make to them, to take the trouble of forwarding these to my publisher, who
will give me notice of them, that I may endeavor to subjoin at the same
time my reply; and in this way readers seeing both at once will more easily
determine where the truth lies; for I do not engage in any case to make
prolix replies, but only with perfect frankness to avow my errors if I am
convinced of them, or if I cannot perceive them, simply to state what I
think is required for defense of the matters I have written, adding
thereto no explication of any new matte that it may not be necessary to
pass without end from one thing to another.
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