C iv 3 
be, the importance and singularity of the subjects, or the advan- 
tageous manner of treating them, without pretending to answer 
for the certainty of the facts, or propriety 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 established 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 Avhich are frequently proposed from the Chair, to be 
given to the authors of such papers as are read at their accus- 
tomed 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 Society 
by those communications. The like also is to be said with 
regard 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. 
