The Ingenious Mr. Charles Gildon (who writ the Hiftory of the Athenian Society) thought it proper to relate the firft Occafion of the Question-Project; and I fhall do the fame by the Athenian_Sport: Little Wheels fet great ones a-going, and fmall Occafions have fometimes produc'd great and furprizing Projects. The Author of the Belgick Commonwealth tells us, That Printing (which has made fuch a Noise in the World) was a Project first invented by one Laurence Fans, when he walk'd abroad for his Recreation. --The Question Project (of which there were Three Editions under the Title of Athenian Mercury, and Three under Athenian Oracle) ow'd its Kife and Fame to the Injury S did me.- -And the Athenian Sport fprings from that vile Partiality the World difcovers to fuch as are Rich and Fortunate, and the ill Treatment it gives to others; which being my own Cafe, it put me on writing a Paradox proving- -No Man is Honeft, or Chafte, but he that is Rich and fhewing this ftrange Thefis to my Athenian Brethren, they were fo partial to that and me, as to perfuade me to write A Syftem of Paradoxes Iand this was the Rife and fole Occafion of this Athenian Sport (or Paradoxical Project) which 'tis hop'd will univerfally pleafe. For our Athenian Oracle only fatisfy'd the Doubts and Scruples of Learned Men -our Athenian Spy only pleas'd the Batchelor and Virgin with a Directory in Love-Matters: But Athenian Sport will amuse, instruct, and divert every Body. I might proceed in a larger account of this merry Project, but I won't tire my Readers with more Preface, as believing 'twill give a much clearer Light into the meaning of thefe Sheets, if I a 3 begin begin my Athenian Sport with A Paradox in praise of a Paradox; or the Pleafure and Benefit of reading Subjects that feem strange and contrary to the common Opinion. PHILARET, A Dember of Athens. PRÓ PROEMIUM. 'TIS strange how fome Mens Tempers fute, THE CONTENTS OF THE ARADOX 1. In Praise of a Paradox; or the Plea- fure and Benefit of reading Subjects 2. That no Colours are Real; but what we call Green, Red, Yellow, Blue, &c. only appear fuch to us, accord- ing as Bodies variously receive their 3. Fruition's Nothing, or rather Some- thing which destroys Love: A Para- dox proving there is no Pleasure in 4. That Phyficians kill (at least Two Hun- dred to One) more than they cure,II 5. That it is the Pleasanteft Life to be |