of illustration, by experiments, or appamtus, or specimens, vet I 

 believe there is no ini,ention to exclude any branches of Literature, 

 which may relate to the progress or advancement of the physical 

 Sciences or the Arts of Life. But the great object of public instruc- 

 tion in a scientific establishment, ought, it is evident, to be, to 

 communicate that kind of information which cannot be gained from 

 books or from private instruction, and to afford instruments and 

 means otherwise not easily accessible. The effect produced by simple 

 doctrine, or history, or didactic lectures, must depend entirely 

 upon the powers of the orator ; upon the excellence of composition, 

 and the graces of delivery : but experimental subjects may impress 

 independent of eloquence. The eye is not less succeptible than the 

 ear ; and according to the maxim of Bacon, it is better to imprint 

 things on the memory than words ; and the Philosophy of Nature, 

 is purely a philosophy of visible and tangible effects. 



The courses of instruction, information, and amusement, will be 

 open to all classes of the Subscribers, and to all who may be desirous 

 of profiting by them. It is the great feature of the New Plan, that 

 it will interfere with none of the Privileges granted to the Life and 

 Annual Subscribers, but will rather enlarge them : and one of its 

 prime objects will be a more extensive diffusion of knowledge. 



But besides the diffusion of knowledge, the New Plan will also 

 embrace a design for the Promotion of Knowledge by experiments 

 and original investigations. It is proposed, that the Members of 

 the Body shall meet at least once every week for the purpose of 

 inquiry and discussion. At these meetings, any new facts that have 

 arisen in the progress of Science will be stated. Any important 

 hints for experiments pursued : and in the progress of investigation 

 those subjects will be most particularly attended to, which promise 

 to increase the perfection of Arts and Manufactures. Specimens of 

 Minerals or Soils that are produced likewise will be examined and 

 reported upon ; and from the intercourse between Patrons of Science, 

 Scientific Men, and the Promoters of Manufactures and Arts ; it is 

 conceived that much new information may be obtained, and that the 

 gratification of curiosity and amusement may be connected with the 

 progress of science. 



That the diffusion and improvement of science may not be 

 limited to those persons only who can personally attend the Institu- 

 tion, it is proposed to publish Journals at least quarterly ; which 

 shall contain notices, not only of the discoveries made in the esta- 

 blishment, or the labours carried on there ; but hkewise an account 

 of all new and important facts brought forward in any quarter of the 

 world. This part of the scheme cannot but be of great use, and 

 cannot fail to enchance the utility of the Body. It will demonstrate 

 that its objects are not private, but public ; that it is desirous of 

 enabling all to profit by those novel objects which may be deve- 

 loped ; not of applying them to selfish or vainglorous purposes, but 



