But though with me, who love to measure Physical things by their use, not their strangeness, or prettiness, the partiality of others prevails not to make me over value these, or look upon them in themselves as other than Trifles: Yet I confess, that ever since I did divers years ago shew some of them to a Learned Company of Virtuosi: so many persons of differing Conditions, and ev'n Sexes, have been Curious to see them, and pleas'd not to Dislike them, that I cannot Despair, but that by complying with those that urge the Publication of them, I may both gratifie and excite the Curious, and lay perhaps a Foundation whereon either others or my self may in time Superstruct a substantial theory of Colours.
"Experiments and Considerations Touching Colours (1664)"
Robert Boyle
The Plan annext to these Papers, and the Apparatus made to Superstruct upon it, would acquit me of having bent all my Contemplations on Sallets only.
"Acetaria: A Discourse of Sallets"
John Evelyn