_MADAM,_
You are pleased to honor me so far, that you do not onely spend some
time in the perusing of my Book called _Philosophical Opinions_, but
take it so much into your consideration, as to examine every opinion
of mine which dissents from the common way of the Schools, marking
those places which seem somewhat obscure, and desiring my explanation
of them; All which, I do not onely acknowledg as a great favour, but
as an infallible testimony of your true and unfeigned friendship; and
I cannot chuse but publish it to all the world; both for the honour
of your self, as to let every body know the part of so true a friend,
who is so much concerned for the honour and benefit of my poor Works;
as also for the good of my mentioned Book, which by this means will be
rendred more intelligible; for I must confess that my Philosophical
Opinions are not so plain and perspicuous as to be perfectly understood
at the first reading, which I am sorry for. And there be two chief
reasons why they are so: First, Because they are new, and never vented
before; for the have their original meerly from my own conceptions, and
are not taken out of other Philosophers. Next, because I being a Woman,
and not bred up to Scholarship, did want names and terms of Art, and
therefore being not versed in the Writings of other Philosophers, but
what I knew by hearing, I could not form my named Book so methodically,
and express my opinions so artificially and clearly, as I might have
done, had I been studious in the reading of Philosophical Books, or
bred a Scholar; for then I might have dressed them with a fine coloured
Covering of Logick and Geometry, and set them out in a handsome array;
by which I might have also cover'd my ignorance, like as Stage-Players
do cover their mean persons or degrees with fine Cloathes. But, as I
said, I being void of Learning and Art, did put them forth according to
my own conceptions, and as I did understand them myself; but since I
have hitherto by the reading of those famous and learned _Authors_ you
sent me, attained to the knowledg of some artificial Terms, I shall not
spare any labour and pains to make my opinions so intelligible, that
every one, who without partiality, spleen, or malice, doth read them,
may also easily understand them: And thus I shall likewise endeavour to
give such answers to your scruples, objections, or questions, as may
explain those passages which seem obscure, and satisfie your desire. In
the first place, and in general, you desire to know, _Whether any truth
may be had in Natural Philosophy_: for since all this study is grounded
upon probability, and he that thinks he has the most probable reasons
for his opinion, may be as far off from truth, as he who is thought to
have the least; nay, what seems most probable to day, may seem least
probable to morrow, especially if an ingenious opposer, bring rational
arguments against it: Therefore you think it is but vain for any one
to trouble his brain with searching and enquiring after such things
wherein neither truth nor certainty can be had. To which, I answer:
That the undoubted truth in Natural Philosophy, is, in my opinion, like
the Philosopher's Stone in Chymistry, which has been sought for by many
learned and ingenious Persons, and will be sought as long as the Art
of Chymistry doth last; but although they cannot find the Philosophers
Stone, yet by the help of this Art they have found out many rare things
both for use and knowledg. The like in Natural Philosophy, although
Natural Philosophers cannot find out the absolute truth of Nature,
or Natures ground-works, or the hidden causes of natural effects;
nevertheless they have found out many necessary and profitable Arts and
Sciences, to benefit the life of man; for without Natural Philosophy
we should have lived in dark ignorance, not knowing the motions of
the Heavens, the cause of the Eclipses, the influences of the Stars,
the use of Numbers, Measures, and Weights, the vertues and effects
of Vegetables and Minerals, the Art of Architecture, Navigation, and
the like: Indeed all Arts and Sciences do adscribe their original to
the study of Natural Philosophy; and those men are both unwise and
ungrateful, that will refuse rich gifts because they cannot be masters
of all Wealth; and they are fools, that will not take remedies when
they are sick, because Medicines can onely recover them from death for
a time, but not make them live for ever. But to conclude, Probability
is next to truth, and the search of a hidden cause finds out visible
effects; and this truth do natural Philosophers find, that there are
more fools, then wise men, which fools will never attain to the honour
of being Natural Philosophers. And thus leaving them, I rest,
Madam,
_Your Ladiships_
_humble and faithful Servant._