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 or sharp Contentions instead of Food; which when the Minds of Men required Bread, gave them only a Stone, and for a Fish a Serpent.

Whatever they have hitherto attempted, on these Principles and Incouragements, it has been carry'd on with a vigorous Spirit, and Wonderful good Fortune, from their first Constitution down to this Day. Yet I overhear the Whispers and Doubts of many, who demand, what they have done all this while? And what they have produc'd, that is answerable to these mighty Hopes, which we indeavour to make the World conceive of their Undertaking?

If those who require this Account, have themselves perform'd any worthy Things, in this Space of Time; it is fit, that we should give them Satisfaction. But they who have done nothing at all, have no reason to upbraid the Royal Society, for not having done as much as they fancy it might. To those therefore who excite it to work by their Examples, as well as Words and Reproofs, methinks it were a sufficient Answer, if I should only repeat the particulars I have already mention'd, wherein the King has set on foot a Reformation, in the Ornaments, and Advantages of our Country. For though the original Praise of all this is to be ascrib'd to the Genius of the King himself; yet it is but just, that some Honour should thence descend to this Assembly, whose Purposes are conformable to his Majesty's Performance of that Nature: Seeing all the little Scandals, that captious Humours have taken against the Royal Society, have not risen from their general Proceedings, but from a few pretended Offences of some of their private Members; it is but reason, that we should alledge in their Rh