Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours | Page 4

of the Abstrusest as well as the
Gentilest Subjects of Natural Philosophy, the _Experimentall History
of Colours_; which though the Noble Author be pleased to think but
Begun, yet I must take leave to say, that I think it so well begun, that
the work is more than half dispatcht. Concerning which I cannot but
give this advertisement to the Reader, that I have heard the Author
express himself, that it would not surprise him, if it should happen to be
objected, that some of these Experiments have been already published,
partly by Chymists, and partly by two or three very fresh Writers upon
other Subjects. And though the number of these Experiments be but
very small, and though they be none of the considerablest, yet it may
on this occasion be further represented, that it is easie for our Author to
name several men, (of whose number I can truly name my self) who
remember either their having seen him make, or their having read, his
Accounts of the Experiments delivered in the following Tract several
years since, and long before the publication of the Books, wherein they
are mentioned. Nay in divers passages (where he could do it without
any great inconvenience) he hath struck out Experiments, which he had
tryed many years ago, because he since found them divulged by
persons from whom he had not the least hint of them; which yet is not
touched, with design to reflect upon any Ingenious Man, as if he were a
Plagiary: For, though our Generous Author were not reserved enough
in showing his Experiments to those that expressed a Curiosity to see

them (amongst whom a very Learned Man hath been pleased publickly
to acknowledge it several years ago[2]; yet the same thing may be well
enough lighted on by persons that know nothing of one another. And
especially Chymical Laboratories may many times afford the same
_Phænomenon_ about Colours to several persons at the same or
differing times. And as for the few _Phænomena_ mentioned in the
same Chymical writers, as well as in the following Treatise, our Author
hath given an account, why he did not decline rejecting them, in the
Anotations upon the 47th Experiment of the third part. Not here to
mention, what he elsewhere saith, to shew what use may be Justifiably
made of Experiments not of his own devising by a writer of Natural
History, if, what he employes of others mens, be well examined or
verified by himself.
[2] He that desires more instances of this kind and matter, that
according to this doctrine may much help the Theory of colours, and
particularly the force both of Sulphureous and volatile, is likewise of
Alcalizate and Acid Salts, and in what particulars, Colours likely
depend not in the causation from any Salt at all, may beg his
information from M. Boyle who hath some while since honoured me
with the sight of his papers concerning this subject, containing many
excellent experiments, made by him for the Elucidation of this doctrine,
&c Dr. R. Sharrock in his ingenious and usefull History of the
Propagation and Improvement of Vegetables, published in the yeare
1660.
In the mean time, this Treatise is such, that there needs no other
invitation to peruse it, but that tis composed by one of the Deepest &
Most indefatigable searchers of Nature, which, I think the World, as far
as I know it, affords. For mine own part, I feel a Secret Joy within me,
to see such beginings upon such Themes, it being demonstratively true,
Mota facilius moveri, which causeth me to entertain strong hopes, that
this Illustrious Virtuoso and Restless Inquirer into Nature's Secrets will
not stop here, but go on and prosper in the Disquisition or the other
principal Colours, _Green, Red_, and Yellow. The Reasoning faculty
set once afloat, will be carried on, and that with ease, especially, when
the productions thereof meet, as they do here, with so greedy an

Entertainment at home and abroad. I am confident, that the ROYAL
SOCIETY, lately constituted by his MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY
for improving Natural knowledge, will Judge it their interest to exhort
our Author to the prosecution of this Argument, considering, how much
it is their design and business to accumulate a good stock of such
accurate Observations and Experiments, as may afford them and their
Offpring genuine Matter to raise a Masculine Philosophy upon,
whereby the Mind of Man may be enobled with the Knowledge of solid
Truths, and the Life of Man benefited with ampler accommodations,
than it hath been hitherto.
Our Great Author, one of the Pillars of that Illustrious Corporation, is
constantly furnishing large _Symbola_'s to this work, and is now falln,
as you see, upon so comprehensive and important a theme, as will, if