48 Appendix II. 



tunities of communicating their ideas, they are not very solicitous 

 to collect or arrange those they have acquired, and are still less 

 anxious about the further cultivation of their minds. But science, 

 like fire, is put in motion by collision. Where a number of such 

 men have frequent opportunities of meeting and conversing 

 together, thought begets thought, and every hint is turned to 

 advantage. A spirit of inquiry glows in every breast, each new 

 discovery relative to the natural, intellectual or moral world 

 leads to a farther investigation, and each man ardently pants to 

 distinguish himself in the interesting pursuit. 



Such have been the considerations that have led to the insti- 

 tution of the Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester. 

 Many years since a few gentlemen, inhabitants of the town, who 

 were inspired with a taste for Literature and Philosophy, formed 

 themselves into a kind of weekly club, for the purpose of conversing 

 on subjects of that nature. These meetings were continued, with 

 some interruption, for several years, and many respectable persons 

 being desirous of becoming members, our numbers were soon 

 increased so far, as to induce the founders of the society to think 

 of extending their original design. Presidents, and other officers 

 were elected, a code of laws formed, and a regular society consti- 

 tuted, and denominated The LITERARY and PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY 

 of MANCHESTER. 



It was hoped, that among a number of learned and ingenious 

 men, not only much useful and entertaining conversation might 

 arise, but that many interesting communications would be supplied. 

 Nor has the event disappointed our expectations. Many essays on 

 important subjects, such as, perhaps, would not disgrace the elder 

 Societies of Europe, have been written by our members, and read 

 at our meetings. Several gentlemen of distinguished literary repu- 

 tation, in distant parts of the kingdom, have favoured us with their 

 correspondence, and many such characters grace the list of our 

 honorary members. 



That some idea may be formed of the progress our Society has 

 made, and of the nature of our views, the following list of papers 

 which have been read before the Society since its institution in 

 February, 1781, is subjoined; and, it is hoped, may induce men of 

 knowledge to favour us with communications on any of the following 

 subjects, viz. Natural Philosophy, Theoretical and Experimental 

 Chemistry, Polite Literature, Civil Law, General Politics, Commerce 



