The Society have also directed the publication in the present volume of a very interesting account by A. Stephenson, Esq. of the culture of silk in the south of France. The memoir has been for several years in the Society's possesion, and is now printed as likely to be of material service to those who are turning their attention to the growth of silk in England and the British colonies. The friends of the Society will be gratified to hear that one hundred and fifty-three new members were elected during the last session. PRESIDENT, HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE AUGUSTUS FREDERICK DUKE OF SUSSEX, K. G. &c. &c. VICE PRESIDENTS, JOHN Duke of BEDFORD, F.S.A. HUGH Duke of NORTHUMBERLAND, F.R. S. & F.S. A. CHARLES Earl of ROMNEY, F.R.S. RICHARD WILSON, Esq. F.S.A. R. J. WILMOT HORTON, Esq. M. P. Secretary, ARTHUR AIKIN, Esq. F. L.S. ADVERTISEMENT TO THE PUBLIC. THE chief object of the Society is to promote the Arts, Manufactures, and commerce of this Kingdom, by giving honorary or pecuniary Rewards, as may be best adapted to the case, for the communication to the Society, and through the Society to the public, of all such useful Inventions, Discoveries, and Improvements, (whether specified in these premiums or not), as tend to that purpose: in pursuance of this plan, the Society have already expended upwards of a Hundred Thousand Pounds, derived from voluntary subscriptions and legacies. The meetings of the Society are held every Wednesday, at seven o'clock in the evening, from the first Wednesday in November to the second Wednesday in June. The committees meet on other evenings in the week during the session, for the purpose of taking into consideration the subjects referred to them by the Society. A person desirous of becoming a member of the Society, may be proposed according to the following form, which must be signed by three members of the Society, and delivered in to the Secretary: A. B. [Trade, profession, or designation of the candidate.] proposed as a Member of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, by C. D. [Date.] E. F. G.H. Peers of the realm, or lords of parliament, are, on their being proposed, immediately ballotted for: the names of other persons proposed to become members are read by the secretary to the Society, and are then inserted in lists which are hung up in the Society's room; they are ballotted for at the second following ordinary meeting. In both cases, if two-thirds of the members then voting ballot in their favour, they are deemed perpetual members upon payment of not less than twenty guineas in one sum, or subscribing members upon payment of any sum not less than two guineas annually. Ladies are eligible as members of the Society, and alone are entitled to vote by proxy at elections, through the medium of any gentleman who is a member, on his producing a written authority for the same. Members are entitled to vote and assist in all the business of the Society and of the several committees. They have also the privilege of recommending two persons as visitors at the meetings of the Society; and, by addressing a note to the housekeeper, of introducing their friends on any week day, except Wednesday, between the hours of ten and two, to examine the various models, machines, and productions, in different branches of arts, manufactures, and commerce, for which rewards have been bestowed; also to inspect the magnificent series of moral and historical paintings, executed by the late J. Barry, Esq., which, with some valuable busts, statues, portraits, &c. decorate the public rooms of the Society. Members have the use of the Society's library, which is valuable, and annually increasing by the purchase and donation of scientific and useful books, and of engravings. Contributions from members and others, in augmentation of the library, and of the collection of maps and prints, will be thankfully received, and duly acknowledged in the annual volume of the Society's Transactions, to a copy of which every member is entitled. To persons inclined to leave a sum of money to this Society by will, the following form is offered for that purpose: ITEM. I give and bequeath to A. B. and C. D. the sum of upon condition, and to the intent that they, or one of them, do pay the same The Society desire it to be clearly understood, that as a body they are not responsible for any opinion or representation of facts contained in their volumes. And the public are requested to guard against imposition from persons advertising as having patents for articles rewarded by the Society; they are also cautioned against purchasing articles sold under the pretended sanction of the Society's name. The Society have lately published the 42d volume of their Transactions, which may be had by members, on application to to the housekeeper. Complete sets of their Transactions, or any single volume, may be purchased at the Society's house; where may be had also, An Analytical Index of the first twenty-five volumes of the Transactions to the termination of the session, June, 1807, price 18. Ditto continued to the end of the 40th volume, price 18. A catalogue of books in the Society's library, 18. A description of Mr. Barry's paintings in the great room of the Society, gratis. All communications are to be made by letter, addressed to Arthur Aikin, Esq. the secretary, at the Society of Arts, &c. Adelphi, London; and, where articles are sent by sea for the Society, the bills of lading are to be addressed to the care of William Vaughan, Esq. 70, Fenchurch-street, London, who has undertaken to receive them for the Society. |