26 Literaiy and Philosophical Society, 



breast. Every new discovery relative to the natural, 

 intellectual, or moral world, leads to a farther investigation ; 

 and each man is zealous to distinguish himself in the 

 interesting pursuit. 



' Such have been the considerations that have led to the 

 institution of the Literary and Philosophical Society of 

 Manchester, Many years since, a few gentlemen, inhabi- 

 tants 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, lor several years ; and many respectable 

 persons being desirous of becoming members, the numbers 

 were increased so far as to induce the founders of the 

 Society to think of extending their original design. Presi- 

 dents, and other officers were elected, a code of laws formed, 

 and a regular Society constituted, and denominated the 

 Literary and Philosophical Society of Manchester. 



* This Society now presents the first fruits of its institu- 

 tion to the public ; and from the assiduity of the members, 

 and the correspondence of others, there is reason to presume 

 that a volume may be regularly sent to the press every 

 second or third year. The selection of the papers has been 

 made with as much impartiality, and as strict attention to 

 their comparative merits, as could be expected in decisions 

 of so delicate a nature. Yet the committee are sensible 

 that a majority of votes, delivered by ballot, is not an infalli- 

 ble test of excellence in literary or philosophical productions. 

 This consideration, they trust, will give them a reasonable 

 claim to the candour of the reader, if there should be found 

 occasion for its exercise. And they hope that gentlemen 

 who have favoured the Society with valuable communica- 



