and Proceedings of the late Preside7it of the Royal Society. 169 



tains with some of the most respected literary Characteis in Europe for the 

 Priority of Publication of more than one of the Principal discoveries of the 

 age we live in 



I consider it a3 fortunate for the Society & feel on that account no in- 

 considerable pleasure that we have it in our power to bear testimony to the 

 merits of such an Essay so deeply learned & so ably written on a subject in 

 which the Public had been told we were deficient delivered in to us at a 

 time when an unfortunate dispute among the Members had rolib'd our 

 Meetings of the assistance of some of tUem whose literary abilities we cease 

 not to respect how widely soever many of us may Differ from them in our 

 judgements of the Matters which were then in Dispute among us The Na- 

 tion wliose Eyes are ever intent on the Conduct of the Royal Society will be 

 assur'd by this very Paper that even at the time when we were most Divided 

 Mathematical Knowledge was to be Found among us & that the Society 

 at all times & under all Circumstances are ready to reward it. 



From the Appearance of our present Meeting I will venture to Foretell 

 that our dissentions are at an end that the Gentlemen from whom I have 

 had the misfortune to differ in opinion will abide by ti.e decisions of the So- 

 ciety which they have repeatedly taken, agree with me in a Determination 

 to throw a veil of Oblivion over all past animosities and unite once more in 

 sincere Efforts towards the advancement of the Society the honor & reputa- 

 tion of which we have all equaly pledg'd ourselves to support. 



But enough of dissention a word never more I sincerely hope to be 

 heard within these Walls dedicated as they are by a generous Monarch to 

 the service of Science Peace & harmony should ever be found withisn them 

 for under the influence of Peace & harmony among those who Profess to 

 cultivate it Science can only flourish. 



Let us unite once more tlien my Friends to Fulfill the wise purposes 

 of our liberal Patron & Benelactor and resume at the same time the Pru- 

 dent Conduct of our Predecessors who for more than a Century past sup- 

 ported the honor of this Society unsullied & have bequeath'd it to us pure 

 as they received it they never Fail'd to sacrafice such resentment as arose 

 among them to the good of the general Cause in which they felt themselves 

 equaly embark'd for altho' some individuals among them have heretofore 

 indulg'd their Feelings by appealing to the Public wlien they imagin'd the 

 welfare of the Body at large was in danger they never once attempted to 

 convert the Meetings instituted for the advancement of Knowledge into As- 

 semblies of debate & Controversy. 



£The President hereupon addressing Dr. Shepherd said] 

 Animated with the pleasing hope of returning peace let me now proceed 

 to the raost grateful part of the Office 1 have th5 honor to hold under favor 

 of your indulgence That of delivering to Merit the mark of regard which 

 the Society has allotted for it's reward — to you then D'' Shepherd us the 

 repi'esentative of D'' Waring I deliver this Medal requesting you to give it 

 to him on the Earliest opportunity in your power when you present him, 

 Sir with thi.s token of the ap])rol)ation of his Fellow lal)ourers encourage 

 iiim to persevere in unravelling the Clue of that difficult but justly admir'd 

 Science in the annals of which he allready holds so distinguiih'd a place 

 Assure him that the Royal Society ever an.xious to discover & reward merit 

 in whatever line it may be exerted never more fully Feel the ]>leasing Idea 

 of fulfilling well the ])urposes of their institution than when they seize an 

 opportunity to reward those who labor to extend the limits of that Science 

 which enabled our Illustrious Newton to penetrate into the deeper mysteries 

 of nature and e.\plain them to his fellow creatures in terms within the reach 

 of their limited (jomprehcnsions 



Vol. no. No. 269. Sept. 1820. Y By 



