ii PREFACE. 



The Society feels a just pride in the protection, which Her 

 Majesty has graciously afforded it, by having become its 

 Patroness : nor less gratification in the remembrance of the 

 lamented Princess Charlotte, who had condescended to be 

 named an Honorary Member. The same place is still occupied 

 by her illustrious Consort, Prince Leopold, whose virtues 

 as well as whose knowledge make him a splendid ornament 

 to the Society. But even in foreign countries, the Society has 

 excited attention, which is strikingly proved by the circum- 

 stance, that a Sovereign Prince of Germany (His Royal 

 Highness, the Grand Duke of Saxe Weimar) has honoured 

 it with an application, to be enrolled among its Members. 



If the external state of the Society is so satisfactory, the 

 internal concerns will not appear to be less so to those, who 

 have an opportunity of observing them. They partly lie open 

 to the judgment of the publick, in the increased number of 

 written communications, of which the Transactions furnish 

 the result, in the frequent and various exhibitions of produce, 

 at the meetings, and the supply of seeds, grafts, and plants, 

 which are distributed. A connection has, for these purposes, 

 been established with almost every part of the globe, by means 

 of the Corresponding Members, which have lately been insti- 

 tuted. Their number is daily augmenting, and very essential 

 advantages may be expected from an intercourse, by which 

 not only much useful information is imparted, but the fruits 

 of the earth transferred to our soil, from the most distant 

 quarters. 



Highly is the Society indebted to the zeal, and the abilities of 



