SOME of the Principal Discoveries and Enquiries, both in Physical and Mathematical Learning, being register'd in the Voluminous Journals of the Royal Society, are amongst a multitude of less useful Matters, so Obscurely hid, that but very few inquisitive Gentlemen ever so much as heard of them.
The Design therefore of the ensuing Collection, is to digest in a convenient Method, all the most curious Philosophical and Mathematical Discoveries, as they are to be met with, which may any way tend to the Use of Life or Advancement of Arts and Sciences.
And on this Occasion, it will be convenient to intimate to the Reader;
First, That the Theories and Discourses here collected, have already past the Censure of the Learned World: Who have acknowleg'd them the most satisfactory Accounts of Nature's Proceedings, wherein some of her greatest Depths are fathom'd, and a Foundation laid for Posterity to build an infinite Superstructure.
Secondly, That they are related (Verbatim) just as they were delivered in, or read before the Royal Society: For it has been the Opinion of the most Judicious among those Honourable Members, that it is impossible so to abridge them, (which are but Abridgments themselves) as not to render them obscure and unintelligible.