C 80 ] 
value of the Mercator’s chart (as they call it) nor are 
they ever very eafily induced to adopt new notions 
or inventions, and thole contrary to what they are 
familiarized unto by conflant practice. 
The Critical Reviewers do indeed hint as if this pa- 
per had been heretofore communicated by Mr. Well 
to the Royal Society, and that in the following terms: 
— cc Mr. Well lays down the following very ingeni- 
“ ous proportion, which, if we do not greatly 
“ millake, we havefeen, with little variation, in the 
“ Philofophical Tranla&ions, communicated pof- 
“ fibly by the fame hand”. — In this, I believe, they 
are miftaken, for I cannot find any thing like it in 
the tranfadlions fince the date 1746, the year in which 
it is faid to be wrote. 
I am duly fenfible of the frequent monitions, and 
fincere defire of the Royal Society, that its mem- 
bers may avoid all poffible occafions of controverfy ; 
and whether this account has not a tendency there- 
unto, if it fliould, in other refpe&s, be thought 
worthy of a place in the public Tranfa&ions, is fub- 
mitted, with all due refpedl, to the determination of 
the Committee of papers. 
I have the honour to be, Sir, 
With the greatefl efteem, 
The Royal Society’s, 
Gainsford - Street, and alfo 
Southwark; Jan. 
26th, 1763. your mofl obedient, and 
faithful humble fervant, 
William Mountaine. 
XXI. An 
