And now since I mention’d the _Society_, give me leave (Worthy Reader) as a _Member_ of that _Body_, which has been the chief _Promoter_ of this ensuing _Work_, (and, as I stand oblig’d) to _vindicate_ that _Assembly_, and consequently, the _Honour_ of his _Majesty_ and the _Nation_, in a _Particular_ which concerns it, though (in appearance) a little forreign to the present _Subject_. I will not say that _all_ which I have written in the several _Paragraphs_ of this _Treatise_, is _New_; but that there are very many _New_, and _useful_ things, and _Observations_ (without insisting on the _Methods_ only) not hitherto deliver’d by any _Author_, and so freely communicated, I hope will sufficiently appear: It is not therefore in behalf of any Particular which concerns _my self_, that I have been induced to enlarge this _Preface_; but, by taking this _Occasion_, to encounter the unsufferable _Boldness_, or _Ambition_ of some _Persons_ (as well _Strangers_, as others) _arrogating_ to themselves the being _Inventors_ of divers _New_ and useful _Experiments_, justly attributable to several _Members_ of the _Royal Society_.{lxxxvii:1} So far has that _Assembly_ been from affecting _Glory_, that they seem rather to have declin’d their due; not as asham’d of so numerous and fair an _Off-spring_; but as abundantly satisfied, that after all the hard measure, and virulent _Reproaches_ they had sustain’d, for endeavouring by _united Attempts_, and at their own _Charges_, to improve _Real Philosophy_; they had from time to time, cultivated that _Province_ in so many _useful_ and profitable _Instances_, as are already _published_ to the _World_, and will be easily _asserted_ to their _Authors_ before all _equitable_ Judges. This being the sole inducement of publishing this _Apology_; it may not perhaps seem unseasonable to _disabuse_ some (otherwise) _well-meaning_ People, who _led away_ and _perverted_ by the _Noise_ of a few _Ignorant_ and _Comical Buffoons_, (whose _Malevolence_, or _Impertinencies_ intitle them to nothing that is truly _Great_ and _Venerable_) are with an _Insolence_ suitable to their _Understanding_, still crying out, and asking, _What have the Society done?_ Now, as nothing less than _Miracles_ (and unless _God_ should every day _repeat_ them at the _Call_ of these _Extravagants_) will _convince_ some Persons, of the most _Rational_ and _Divine Truths_, (already so often and extraordinarily establish’d;) so, nor will any thing _satisfie_ these _unreasonable_ Men, but the production of the _Philosophers-stone_, and _Great-Elixir_; which yet were they _Possessors_ of, they would _consume_ upon their _Lux_ and _Vanity_.