The Hartlib Papers

Title:Remonstrance On William Petty'S Design For Advancement Of Learning
Dating:undated
Ref:53/36/1A-2B
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[scribal hand E:]
A Remonstrance of the feasibility of the Designes
described by W. P. in his Advices to Mr. Samuel Hartlib, concerning the Advancement of Learning and Arts
      Vast summes are indeed requisite to the achievement and perfection of the Workes designed by W.P. in his Advices concerning the Advancement of Learning, and not only vast summes but answerable proportions of time and labour also. But to beginn, and (as hee himself expresseth it) to set those Designes on floate, Neither the summes, time nor labour necessary thereunto doe exceede mediocrity, there beeing only wanting vnto them a propitious and wise Authority to make the other and more masculine parent of these conceptions.
1.   As for the Office of Addresse, when it is once begun, when the world beeing sensible of its benefit, shall fly unto it for Accommodation, and Authority shall secure the first Labourers in it, from the disturbance of Intruders, In Reason and Experience the honest gaines arising from it, will sufficiently support and continue it. Wherefore the hire <right margin, H: or sequestration> of two Convenient houses in London, entertainements for the Master of Addresses, and wages for foure Registers for one yeare (all which will scarce exceede 500 lb) [letter deleted] would perhaps bring the businesse to such a growth, as that afterwards Meanes and Vndertakers to Institute other offices (according to the patterne of those in London) in all other great Townes of the Kingdome, would not long bee wanting.
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As for surveying the state of Learning, winnowing and sifting the same, it is a worke that may bee carried on in what proportion of dispatch the Vndertakers thereof please, wherefore when there are Men found out able to appoint what Bookes shall bee collected, and to give directions for doing the same, a bare maintenance for 3. or 4. able Gatherers for a yeare or two, will procure a faire Essay and Experiment of that businesse likewise, especially if any Mecenates shall before hand legally oblige themselves, to beare the Charges of publishing the said Collections and to gratifie the Collectors with the profit arising from them.
   As for the Ergastula Literaria it is said, that a Corporation lately ordained for the provision of the poore are going in hand to establish them, and that there are large donations allready made for that purpose: Wherefore for this Designe, there needs but an Education of fit Educators, and the Invention of such proper Employments for little children and Impotents of all Kindes, whereby each may earne his owne subsistence without wasting the maine stock of Endowments.
   The very Instauration of the Gymnasium Mechanicum, as it is set downe by W.P. will indeed bee a worke [catchword: of]
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of 2. or 3. thousand pounds charge per annum. Wherefore if instead of that noble Foundation in the meane time the state would appoint the Tradesmen of London to make each of them a Masterpeece in their respective Arts, allowing them 6. moneths time to prepare themselves thereunto, would conferre upon them of each profession that exceedeth the rest, the Title of beeing the Chiefe <right margin, H: or Parlament Gunsmith, Clockmaker etc.> Workman would give him leave to hang out some signe, which may notifie him to the world so to bee, allow him some small Priviledge or Immunity from Excise or such like taxe or Impost and in consideration thereof would oblige all those chief Workmen to grow together into one Society and Corporation for the Advancement of Arts and Manufactures, and to meete at certain times to consult thereupon, as also to enforme by word and deede such as should bee thought fit and able to couch and compile the History of the said Trades, I doe not as yet conceive what expence is requisite thereunto besides the hire of a Convenient Place, whereat to meete and conferre as aforesaid.
     For the Nosocomium Academicum, wee are of the same opinion with W.P. that a Reformation and new moulding of one of the larger and richer of the old Hospitalls by the helpe and Industry of such Ministers, as hee
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hath described, would satisfie this Designe.
     For the History of Trades (in case the aforesaid Corporation of prime Artificers were setlet) I suppose that there might bee found Men to undertake and continue it, if the charge of graving Figures, Transcribing, Printing, and Translating the first yeares worke were defrayed by Benefactors, and the profit by the said Bookes allowed the Compiler; the charge whereof would not exceed 800 lb.
     Lastly the Collections of Reall Historicall and Experimentall Learning aforementioned, will bee in Effect an History of Nature; or would at least yeeld much of the Materialls requisite thereunto.
     Wherefore if Men cordially willing to vndertake and able to mannage these Designes were in readinesse and the State ready to assist them with their Countenance and Authority lesse then 2000 lb would begin them and make them strong enough to beare up themselves even till their arrivall to perfection.