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 try, and practis'd here, by the care, and expence of the Duke of Buckingham; whom the Author of these Papers ought to mention with all honour; both for his Skill and Zeal in advancing such Experimental Studies of which I am writing: and also because it has been by the favour of so great a Patron, that I have injoy'd the leisure, and convenience of composing this History.

As soon as they were reduc'd into a Fix'd Assembly, one of the Principal Intentions they propos'd to accomplish, was a General Collection of all the Effects of Arts, and the Common, or Monstrous Works of Nature. This they at first began by the casual Presents, which either Strangers, or any of their own Members bestow'd upon them. And in short time it has increas'd so fast, by a contribution from all Parts, and chiefly by the bounty of Mr. Colwal, that they have already drawn together into one Room, the greatest part of all the several kinds of things, that are scatter'd throughout the Universe. The Keeping, and Ranging of these into order, is committed to Mr. Hook, who had also the honour of being made the first Curator of the Royal Society by election. This Repository he has begun to reduce under its several heads, according to the exact Method of the Ranks of all the Species of Nature, which has been compos'd by Dr. Wilkins, and will shortly be publish'd in his Universal Language: A Work wherein this excellent Man has undertaken a Design, that very well fits the temper of his own Mind; for it well became him to teach a Communion of Speech amongst all Philosophers; whose chief study it has always been, to promote a general agreement, and Rh