Philosophical Transactions/Volume 29/Number 338/Preface
THE
PREFACE.
THE Philofophical Tranſactions, begun to be Publiſhed by that indefatigably diligent Promoter of Learned Correſpondence, Mr Oldenburgh, the firſt who attempted any thing of this Nature) having been ſufficiently known to the Curious, and always acceptable to the Learned, when due care has been taken in the choice of the Collections ſo recommended to the inquifitive and intelligent Reader; a long Preface muſt appear wholly unneceſſary.
However, it may not be amiſs to inform the Learned and Ingenious, of ſome Particulars of the preſent Putliſher’s Deſign: Which is;
Firſt, To prefent the Publick with ſuch ſhort Tracts, as might otherwiſe be loſt a Poſterity, if printed in single Sheets or Pamphlets.
Secondly, To give the Extracts, for the moſt part, of the Material, omitting the Preambles and Concluſions, and the uſeleſs parts of ſuch Letters as Correſpondents ſhall pleaſe to honour him with, relating to the Improvement of Natural Philoſophy, Mathematicks, or Mechanicks.
Thirdly, To give an exacct account of ſuch Experiments, as having been made before the Illuſtrious Royal Society, they ſhall pleaſe to order or permit the Publication of.
Fourthly, To give, as Opportunity offers, the Abſracts or Accounts: of ſuch Books, relating to the Ends of the Royal Society's Inſtitution, at the Authors ſhall pleaſe to communicate themſelves; which ſhall be diſtinguiſhed from others: or of ſuch as are with diffculty to he procured in England, or extraordinary in their kind; upon which there shall ſometimes be added ſome Remarks.
To this Undertaking the Publiſher invites and deſires all real Lovers of Knowledge to contribute their Aſſiſtance, by communicating their Obſervations, Diſcoveries, or Inventions; which ſhall not only be faithfully and duly Publiſhed, with due Acknowledgment; but ſome Returns made them, by Informations of what ſhall be thonght acceptable to the Gentlemen, who ſhall think fit to entertain a Philoſophical Correſpondence: Who are deſired, in any Tract or Diſcourſe they ſhall ſo communicate, to omit all Perſonal Reflectſions; for if ſuch should happen to be inſerted the Publiſher shall take the liberty of leaving them out; it being his Opinion, that Diſputes on Philosophical Subjects, may be managed with the utmoſt Candor, Reſpect and Friendſhip by the Diſputants, whoſe only Aim ought to be the Search of Truth.
The Gentlemen willing to encourage this Undertaking, are deſired to direct their Letters, To be left at the Royal Society's House, in Crane-Court, in Fleetſtreet, London, for the Secretary of the ROYAL SOCIETY.