We may, therefore, conclude, that there is no subject, in which we must proceed with more
caution, than in tracing the history of the arts and sciences; lest we assign causes which never
existed, and reduce what is merely contingent to stable and universal principles. Those who
cultivate the sciences in any state, are always few in number: The passion, which governs them,
limited: Their taste and judgment delicate and easily perverted: And their application disturbed
with the smallest accident. Chance, therefore, or secret and unknown causes, must have a great
influence on the rise and progress of all the refined arts.
We may, therefore, conclude, that there is no subject, in which we must proceed with morecaution, than in tracing the history of the arts and sciences; lest we assign causes which neverexisted, and reduce what is merely contingent to stable and universal principles. Those whocultivate the sciences in any state, are always few in number: The passion, which governs them,limited: Their taste and judgment delicate and easily perverted: And their application disturbedwith the smallest accident. Chance, therefore, or secret and unknown causes, must have a greatinfluence on the rise and progress of all the refined arts.
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