VOL. XLVII.] PHILOSOPHICAL TRANSACTIONS. 125 



about 1 hours high, and larger than a star of the first magnitude; the colour 

 like that of a rocket, when thrown, and in its full glory. It drew a tail of light, 

 to our view about 3^ feet long, which was broadest and brightest next the ball, 

 and grew taper in form, and languid in colour, to its termination. Its course 

 was about north-west to south-west. It moved in a direct line horizontally, and 

 its motion through the air was little swifter than the passage of a pigeon in its 

 flight. It was seen about -f of a minute. It was also seen at Bourn, which is 



stead of the former way in small numbers, of a few sheets each, the last of which was N" 496, 

 they have been ever since published in whole volumes once a-year, or else in half volumes each half 

 year; having the papers numbered in a series of articles from the beginning to the end of each vo- 

 lume. The annual advertisement, here first given, is as follows : 



Advertisement. — ^The committee appointed by the Royal Society to direct the publication of tlie 

 Philos. Trans, take this opportunity to acquaint the public, that it fully appears, as well from the 

 council books and journals of the Society, as from the repealed declarations which have been made in 

 several former Transactions, that the printing of them was always, from time to time, the single act 

 of the respective secretaries, tUl this present 47th volume. And this information was thought the 

 more necessary, not only as it has been the common opinion that they were published by the autho- 

 rity, and under the direction of the Society itself, but also because several authors, both at home and 

 abroad, have in their writings called them the Transactions of the Royal Society. Whereas in truth 

 the Society, as a body, never did interest themselves any further in their publication, than by occa- 

 sionally recommending the revival of them to some of their secretaries, when, from the particular 

 circumstances of their affairs, the Transactions had happened for any length of time to be inter- 

 mitted. And this seems principally to have been done with a view to satisfy the public, that their 

 usual meetings were then continued for the improvement of knowledge, and benefit of mankind, 

 the great ends of their first institution by the royal charters, and which they have ever since steadily 

 pursued. 



But the Society being of late years greatly enlarged, and their communications more numerous, it 

 was thought adviseable, that a committee of their members should be appointed to reconsider the 

 papers read before them, and select out of them such as they should judge most proper for publica- 

 tion in the future Transactions; which was accordingly done on the 26th of March 1752. And the 

 grounds of their choice are, and will continue to be, the importance or singularity of the subjects, 

 or the advantageous manner of treating them ; without pretending to answer for the certainty of the 

 fects, or propriety of the reasonings contained in the several papers so published, which must still rest 

 on the credit or judgment of their respective authors. 



It is likewise necessary on this occasion to remark, that it is an established rule of the Society, to 

 which they will always adhere, never to give their opinion, as a body, on any subject, either of na- 

 ture 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 (hey receive them, are to be considered in no other light than as a 

 matter of civility, 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 exhibited to the Society; the authors whereof, or those who exhibit them, frequently 

 take the liberty to report, and even to certify in the public news-papers, 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 dis- 

 honour of the Society. 



