[ 337 3 
XXI. New Fundamental Experiments upon the CoHifion of 
Bodies. By Mr. John Smeaton, F. R. S. in a Better to Sir 
Jofeph Banks, Bart. P. R. S. 
Read April 18, 1782. 
TO SIR JOSEPH BANKS, BART* P. R. S. 
3 I R, 
T HE fubj'efts of the inclofed tract have been the obj‘e£t of 
my confideration for many years paft ; and as they con- 
tain forne matters that have not only been varioufly reafoned 
about, but varioufly concluded upon ; if what is contained 
therein fh all appear of fuch a nature as either to eftablifh truth, 
as it appears to me ; or to prompt fome more able perfon, in 
reviewing the fubj'eft, to lhew what links in my chain of rea- 
foning thereon are defective, fo as to eftablifh the whole 
doctrine of moving bodies upon one plain confident balls, my 
end will be equally anfwered in offering them to you, to be laid 
before the Royal Society, in cafe you lhall think that the im- 
portance of the iubjeft fhall merit the fame : furthermore, 
I hope to be forgiven, if in fome parts of this paper I have 
exprelfed myfelf with more pointednefs than I might have 
done, for I declare, that it was folely owing to my earned. - 
nels that the lubj'ecl of mechanic mptions and powers fhould 
be fully and freely inveffigated, and efbablifhed upon grounds 
that fhall be uncontrovertible. 
1 have the honour to be, &c. 
Gray’s-Inn, 
April 18, 1782. 
Vol. LXXII. Y y 
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