Page:History of the Royal Society.djvu/116

 the Subject; to regulate the Proceedings; to change the Inquiry from one thing to another; to admit the Members who are elected.

Besides him, they had at first a Register, who was to take Notes of all that passed; which were afterwards to be reduced into their Journals and Register Books. This Task was first perform'd by Dr. Croone. But they since thought it more necessary, to appoint two Secretaries, who are to reply to all Addresses from Abroad, and at Home; and to publish whatever shall be agreed upon by the Society. These are at present, Dr. Wilkins, and Mr. Oldenburgh, from whom I have not usurp'd this first Imploymcnt of that Kind; for it is only my Hand that goes, the Substance and Direction came from one of them.

This is all that I have to say concerning their ceremonial Part. In most other Things, they bounded themselves to no standing Orders, there being nothing more intended in such Circumstances, than Convenience and Order. If any shall imagine, they have not limited themselves to Forms enough, to keep up the Gravity, and Solemnity of such an Enterprize, they are to consider, that so much Exactness and Curiosity of Observances, does not so well befit Inquirers, as Sects of Philosophy, or Places appointed for Education, or those who submit themselves to the Severity of some religious Order. The Work which the Society proposes to itself, being not so fine, and easy, as that of Teaching is: but rather a painful digging, and toiling in Nature; it would be a great Incumbrance to them, to be streightned to many strict Punctilios; as much as it would be to an Artificer, to be loaded with many Clothes, while he is labouring in his Shop.

Rh