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with their best Advantages, and in their fairest Ornaments, for all good occasions: And whatever we find excellent in old Greece, or Rome, or in more ancient Monarchies, or in any one more happy part of the World, That in due season to communicate all over the World, to as many, as have the Ingenuity to give them a hearty Entertainment.
After thus much of Preface (which the Candid Reader will interpret with the same affection, it was written) I return to my task. Where I think it not amiss,
First of all, to take notice of the late Enlargements of our Philosophical Correspondencies in both remote and neerer parts of the World; concerning which we are singularly obliged to several of the Generous and Intelligent Citizens of this Famous Metropolis of England, especially the Eminent Governours of the East-India and Turky Companies, beside those of the same City, that travelling into the West-Indies, have been very ready to receive, (and to promise good Accounts upon) such Philosophical Instructions, as were preeented to them concerning many particulars, thought worthy to be further inquired into, in our American Colonies. To which we shall add, what we have procured, for this our purpose, by our Commerce with Spain, Portugal, and Barbary; as well as by our navigations into Greenland and Iceland: And also what occasions we have before us, to enter into a consociation with Germany, Bohemia, Hungary, Transilvania, Carinthia, Tyroll, and with all the principal Cities of Italy: it appearing already by our former Papers, what interest we have, before now, establisht in France, and by the assistance of the Eminent Hevelius, in all the Countries upon the Baltick Sea, and in Poland; which is therefore related here, that we may thence take occasion to invite all Ingenious Men, and such as consider the importance of Cementing Philosophical Spirits, and of assembling together Ingenuities, Observations, Experiments and Inventions, scattered up and down in the World; that they would be pleased partly to recommend themselves, as they have occasion, these Kinds of Inquiries to their Ingenious Acquaintance, either living upon, or travelling into such places, as are concerned, partly to joyn their Symbolls and to send in their Proposals, and whatever shall occur to them worthy to desire information about, in those Coun-
