Civ] 



of their choice are, and will continue to be, the importance and sin- 

 gularity of the subjects, or the advantageous manner of treating them ; 

 •without pretending to answer for the certainty of the facts, or pro- 

 priety 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 esta- 

 blished rule of the Society, to which they will always adhere, never to 

 give their opinion, 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 receive them, are to be considered in no other light 

 than as a matter of civility, in return for the respect shewn to the So- 

 ciety by those communications. The like also is to be said with re- 

 gard to the several projects, inventions, and curiosities of various 

 kinds, which are often exhibited to the Society; the authors Avhereof, 

 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 dishonour of 

 the Society. 



