, which has been the chief _Promoter_ of
this ensuing _Work_, (and, as I stand oblig'd) to _vindicate_ that
_Assembly_, and consequently, the _Honour_ of his _Majesty_ and the
_Nation_, in a _Particular_ which concerns it, though (in appearance) a
little forreign to the present _Subject_.

I will not say that _all_ which I have written in the several
_Paragraphs_ of this _Treatise_, is _New_; but that there are very many
_New_, and _useful_ things, and _Observations_ (without insisting on the
_Methods_ only) not hitherto deliver'd by any _Author_, and so freely
communicated, I hope will sufficiently appear: It is not therefore in
behalf of any Particular which concerns _my self_, that I have been
induced to enlarge this _Preface_; but, by taking this _Occasion_, to
encounter the unsufferable _Boldness_, or _Ambition_ of some _Persons_
(as well _Strangers_, as others) _arrogating_ to themselves the being
_Inventors_ of divers _New_ and useful _Experiments_, justly
attributable to several _Members_ of the _Royal Society_.{lxxxvii:1}

So far has that _Assembly_ been from affecting _Glory_, that they seem
rather to have declin'd their due; not as asham'd of so numerous and
fair an _Off-spring_; but as abundantly satisfied, that after all the
hard measure, and virulent _Reproaches_ they had sustain'd, for
endeavouring by _united Attempts_, and at their own _Charges_, to
improve _Real Philosophy_; they had from time to time, cultivated that
_Province_ in so many _useful_ and profitable _Instances_, as are
already _published_ to the _World_, and will be easily _asserted_ to
their _Authors_ before all _equitable_ Judges.

This being the sole inducement of publishing this _Apology_; it may not
perhaps seem unseasonable to _disabuse_ some (otherwise) _well-meaning_
People, who _led away_ and _perverted_ by the _Noise_ of a few
_Ignorant_ and _Comical Buffoons_, (whose _Malevolence_, or
_Impertinencies_ intitle them to nothing that is truly _Great_ and
_Venerable_) are with an _Insolence_ suitable to their _Understanding_,
still crying out, and asking, _What have the Society done?_

Now, as nothing less than _Miracles_ (and unless _God_ should every day
_repeat_ them at the _Call_ of these _Extravagants_) will _convince_
some Persons, of the most _Rational_ and _Divine Truths_, (already so
often and extraordinarily establish'd;) so, nor will any thing
_satisfie_ these _unreasonable_ Men, but the production of the
_Philosophers