profession of physic, or indeed in any branch of learning, should so severely reproach the favourers of this lithontriptic medicine; and not rather have commended them, for submitting a secret, communicated to them without fee or reward, to the examination of some worthy physicians, eminent for integrity, ingenuity, and learning: and for endeavouring to excite the munificence of the publick in such a manner only, as to render it accessible to the true authors of an important discovery, but impervious to boasting impostors. [25] Monita & præcepta, p. 62, and _Stack_’s translation of the same, p. 69. [26] Our author’s disapprobation of this medicine and its favourers, is no less severely express in his treatise concerning the _influence of the sun and moon upon human bodies_, p. 100. [27] Monita, &c. medica, and _Stack_’s translation, p. 174 and 197. [28] Ad virum clarissimum _Ric. Mead_, M.D. Epistolæ, varias lithontripticum, _Joannæ Stephens_ exhibendi methodos indicans. Auctore _Davide Hartley_, A.M. p. 3. In enumerating the obligations the republic of letters is under to Dr. _Mead_, it would be injustice to omit taking notice, that to his generosity and public spirit, it is farther indebted for the first complete edition of the celebrated history of _Thuanus_.[29] [29] Published in seven volumes folio 1733, by _Samuel Buckley_, under the sanction of an act of parliament. To enlarge upon his literary collections, and other curiosities, would at present be useless, seeing the world will soon be apprized of their value and contents from the catalogues that are already, and are yet about to be published of them; it may therefore suffice to say, that he did not shew more assiduity and judgment in collecting them, than he did candour and generosity in permitting the use of them to all that were competent judges, or that could benefit themselves, or the public by them.