[ iv ] 



as a Body, upon any subject, either of Nature or Art, that comes before them. 

 And therefore the thanks, which are frequently proposed from the Chair, to be 

 given to the authors of such papers as are read at their accustomed meetings, or 

 to the persons through whose hands they received them, are to be considered in 

 no other hght than as a matter of civiHty, in return for the respect shown to the 

 Society by those communications. The like also is to be said with regard to the 

 several projects, inventions, and curiosities of various kinds, which are often ex- 

 hibited to the Society ; the authors whereof, or those who exhibit them, fre- 

 quently take the liberty to report, and even to certify in the public newspapers, 

 that they have met with the highest applause and approbation. And therefore 

 it is hoped, that no regard will hereafter be paid to such reports and public 

 notices ; which in some instances have been too lightly credited, to the disho- 

 nour of the Society. 



