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 au- 
thors. 
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 whereof, 
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. 
