27a Society of Antiquaries. 



powers of reflection ; and that, consequently, a great variety 

 oF colours may be produced without having recourse to the 

 ■magical operations of oxygen on every occasion. We would 

 also observe, that some order shoaid be adopted in detailing 

 an account of numerous experiments on particular sub- 

 stances, such as balsams, gums, or resins. A nmliiplicity 

 of isola'ed lacts, in a confused mass, without any regard to 

 the iiiflaeace of some general law, can do liiile to facilitate 

 the progress of kno^vledge; the memory cannot retain them, 

 and wc are reduced to the necessity of operalmg, as we have 

 known some of the French chemists, with our bipok resting 

 on the apparatus. It is true, these observations are no more 

 applicable to the present author than to almost every other 

 operator; but they must be evident to all who either read, 

 write, or make experiments : and, as it should be a rule 

 never to operate bv a system, so it should also be a maxim, 

 in reporting the results, always to arrange the facts accord- 

 ing to some general analogy, drawn from just conceptions 

 of the products of our operations. The experiments of 

 JSlr. Brando, however, seem to have been well conceived, 

 and are detailed with sufficient perspicuity and accuracy ; 

 but thev are not, perhaps, so numerous as may be necessary 

 to satisfy our curiosity respecting the peculiar principles 

 of this useful medicinal drug. 



SOCIHTV OF ANTiaUARIES. 



Nov. 28. An impression of a seal belonging to Mary 

 queen of Scots, now in the museum at Paris, was exhi- 

 bited. It contained the arms of England, against which 

 Elizabeth remonstrated with so much ardour, denying 

 Mary's right to retain the English arms, and alleging, 

 from this circumstance, her ultimate views on the throne 

 of England. 'Ihe plea of Mary was. That her family con- 

 nection gave her the right to use the arms of her forefathers, 

 in which she was supported by the king of France. Several 

 illustrative observations were made by the learned secretary 

 ■who exhibited it, from which it did not appear that Mary's 

 right in this case was sufficiently established by the usage 

 ot monarchs. This subject might again exercise the pen 

 of the truly learned, highly ingenious, but too often fanci- 

 ful, Mr. Whilaker. 



Thursday, Dci.. 12, the Key. Dr. Hannlton in the chair, 

 a polished stone was shown, supposed to be used by butchers 

 before the use of knives, or the knowledge of iron. It was 

 found in Sufi"olk, and consisted of shaded grayish green 

 marble, well polished, very compact, except about an inch 



square. 



