The Hartlib Papers

Of the French Conferences there are already 4 Volumes extant and they are yet weekly continued with great approbation. So writes vnto vs of late a great and very judicious Schollar at Paris. If they finde no relish here j suppose the fault is is in the vnpleasant Translation or in the corrupted or (too much pleasing) palates of Men. As for the Variety and Solidity of the matters and Notions contained in them according to the ordinary straine of Philosophy j am almost confident there are no Encyclopaedias in any Nation yet divulged that can be compared with them, as j make no doubt it would more fully appeare to your owne judgment if your ey's had perused<surveyed> them all. I have special Reason to wish that this Manner at least of searching and discussing of Truths were truly observed by our Academians, who performe all their Exercises for the most part by a formality of wrangling and disputing. But more of this in due time. The adjoined Latin Papers are a taste of a french Magnetical Philosophy which are communicated amongst friends to increase and improoue the stocke of those drawing Experiments.