William Smellie

Biographical details

William Smellie,  Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition (1771)

“ It is well if a man be capable of comprehending the principles and relations of the different parts of science, when laid before him in one uninterrupted chain. But where is the man who can learn the principles of any science from a Dictionary compiled upon the plan hitherto adopted? We will, however, venture to affirm, that any man of ordinary parts, may, if he chuses, learn the principles of Agriculture, of Astronomy, of Botany, of Chemistry, &c. ”
Source: Wikisource

William Smellie,  Encyclopædia Britannica, First Edition (1771)

“ All these imaginary reigns are in the manner of the Tao-sse, who have darkened the origin of the Chinese monarchy by their fables and mythology. The ten Ki or periods are of their inventing; they gave them between two and three millions of years duration. But before these ten periods, they place three dyna, viz. the dyna of Thiene-hoang-chi, that of Ti-hoang-chi, and finally, that of Gine hoang-chi. If we attend to the signification of these names, they must be interpreted thus: the Sovereign of heaven, the Sovereign of earth, the Sovereign of men. ”
Source: Wikisource

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