[ iv ] 
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 sub- 
ject, 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 received them, are to be considered in no other light 
than as a matter of civility, in return for the respect shown to 
the Society by those communications. The like also is to be 
said with regard to the several projects, inventions, and curiosi- 
ties 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 disho- 
nour of the Society. 
