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The HISTORY of

of State: For which Service their Way of Life is most convenient, by the Generality of their Converse, the Privileges and Freedom of their Dispatches, and the usual Resort of the most knowing and inquisitive Men to their Company.

From our Soldiers.Our greatest Captains and Commanders have inroll'd their Names in this Number, and have regarded these Studies: which are not, as other Parts of Learning, to be call'd the Studies of the Gown; for they do as well become the Profession of a Soldier, or any other Way of Life. Nor have our most renown'd Generals neglected the Opportunities of philosophical Inquiries, even in the midst of their greatest Enterprises, on which the Fate of Kingdoms has depended. They have been furnish'd with Instruments and Directions by the Royal Society, and amidst the Tumult of Wars, and Government of Fleets, they have found Leisure to make some Trials of Experiments: which Works as much excell that of Declaiming, which some of the Roman Generals us'd in their Camps, as it is better to do, than to talk well.

From our Churchmen.Of our Churchmen the greatest and the most Reverend, by their Care and Passion, and Endeavours in advancing this Institution; have taken off the unjust Scandal from Natural Knowledge, that it is an Enemy to Divinity. By the perpetual Patronage and Assistance they have afforded the Royal Society, they have confuted the false Opinions of those Men, who believe that Philosophers must needs be irreligious: they have shewn, that in our Veneration of God's almighty Power, we ought to imitate the manner of our Respect to earthly Kings. For as the greater their Dominion is,
the