 would, for Example, praise the Beauty of a Woman, or any other
Animal, they describe it by Rhombs, Circles, Parallelograms, Ellipses, and other
Geometrical Terms; or else by Words of Art drawn from Musick, needless here to
repeat. I observed in the King's Kitchen all Sorts of Mathematical and Musical
Instruments, after the Figures of which they cut up the Joynts that were served
to his Majesty's Table.
    Their Houses are very ill built, the Walls bevil, without one right Angle in
any Apartment; and this Defect ariseth from the Contempt they bear for practical
Geometry; which they despise as vulgar and mechanick, those Instructions they
give being too refined for the Intellectuals of their Workmen; which occasions
perpetual Mistakes. And although they are dextrous enough upon a Piece of Paper
in the Management of the Rule, the Pencil, and the Divider, yet in the common
Actions and Behaviour of Life, I have not seen a more clumsy, awkward, and
unhandy People, nor so slow and perplexed in their Conceptions upon all other
Subjects, except those of Mathematicks and Musick. They are very bad Reasoners,
and vehemently given to Opposition, unless when they happen to be of the right
Opinion, which is seldom their Case. Imagination, Fancy, and Invention, they are
wholly Strangers to, nor have any Words in their Language by which those Ideas
can be expressed; the whole Compass of their Thoughts and Mind, being shut up
within the two forementioned Sciences.
    Most of them, and especially those who deal in the Astronomical Part, have
great Faith in judicial Astrology, although they are ashamed to own it
publickly. But, what I chiefly admired, and thought altogether unaccountable,
was the strong Disposition I observed in them towards News and Politicks;
perpetually enquiring into publick Affairs, giving their Judgments in Matters of
State; and passionately disputing every Inch of a Party Opinion. I have indeed
observed the same Disposition among most of the Mathematicians I have known in
Europe; although I could never discover the least Analogy between the two
Sciences; unless those People suppose, that because the smallest Circle hath as
many Degrees as the largest, therefore the Regulation and Management of the
World require no more Abilities than the handling and turning of a Globe. But, I
rather take this Quality to spring from a very common Infirmity of human Nature,
inclining us to be more curious and conceited in Matters where we have least
Concern, and for which we are least adapted either by Study or Nature.
    These People are under continual Disquietudes, never enjoying a Minute's
Peace of Mind
