And in the Practice of Physick, are not the present Professors infinitely obliged to the Discoveries and Recipes of _Aristotle_, _Galen_, &c? How much the World is oblig'd to the Declamations of _Tully_, _Cicero_, for Oratory; to the famous Writings of _Milton_ for the Foundation of Divine Poetry; Poetry in general is improv'd from the Writings of _Chaucer_, _Spencer_, and others; Dramatick Entertainments perfected by _Shakespear_; our Language and Poetry refin'd by _Dryden_; the Passions rais'd by _Otway_; the Inclination mov'd by _Cowley_; and the World diverted by _Hudibras_, (not to mention the Perfections of Mr. _Addison_, and several others of this Age) I leave to the Determination of every impartial Reader.
'Tis by Writing that Arts and Sciences are Cultivated, Navigation and Commerce (by which alone Wealth is attain'd) to the most distant parts of the World Improv'd, Geography Compleated, the Languages, Customs and Manners of Foreign Nations known; and there is scarce any one Mechanick calling of Note or Signification, but Treatises have been written upon, to transmit the valuable Observations of Ingenious Artificers to the latest Posterity.
There might be innumerable Instances given of the Advantages of Writings in all Cases, but I shall satisfy my self with the particulars already advanc'd, and proceed to such Objections, as I am apprehensive may be made relating to the Writings last mentioned. First, it may be Objected that the numerous Writings tend more to confound the Reader, than to inform him; to this I answer, that it is impossible there can be many Writings produced, but there must be some valuable Informations communicated, easy to be Collected by a judicious Reader; tho' there may be a great deal superfluous, and notwithstanding it is a considerable Charge to purchase a useful Library, (the greatest Grievance) yet we had better be at that Expence, than to have no Books publish'd, and consequently no Discoveries; the same Reason may be given where Books in the Law, Physick, &c. are imperfect in some Part, and tend to the misleading Persons; for of two Evils the old Maxim is, always chuse the least. The only Objection that I do not take upon me to Defend, is, that against Lewd and obscene Poetry in general; (for sometimes the very great Wit may make it excuseable) which in my Opinion will admit of but a slender Apology in its Defence.