9C144 V. PREFACE. A BRIEF statement of the circumstances which led to the formation of THE CAMBRIDGE PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY may not perhaps be thought an improper introduction to this first part of its Transactions. The various departments of Mathematical and Philosophical Learning have long occupied a distinguished place in the system of Education adopted in the University of Cambridge; and a successful cultivation of them has on all occasions been rewarded with the highest Academical Honours. Hence, as might naturally be expected, men, eminent for their proficiency in those branches of learning, have never been wanting in this University. Of those who have been thus trained to habits of accurate investigation, not a few have endeavoured to direct the principles of science to practical purposes;— have applied those principles in the manner in which they might be the most beneficially applied-in strengthening the foundations, and in extending the boundaries, of Physical Knowledge. 1188256 Many productions of persons thus connected with the University have, at different times, times, been received with approbation. There is, however, reason to believe that many other works deemed perhaps by the authors of them not sufficiently considerable for separate publication, but yet replete with important information - have been suffered to remain unknown; and that many observations, the result of careful inquiry, have been imperfectly recorded. Under these circumstances, it was thought that great advantages might be derived from the establishment, in the University, of a Society, the main object of which should be the advancement of Natural Philosophy. By the formation of such a Society, new facilities would be presented for the communication of knowledge and thus, many ingenious Speculations on Philosophical subjects would, in all probability, be drawn from obscurity; and, by means of the Volumes of Transactions which the Society might occasionally publish, be effectually preserved, and recommended to the attention of the world. : When, moreover, it was considered, that there are resident in the University many students, who, after completing with honour to themselves that course of reading which has been laid down for them, have both leisure and disposition for more extensive researches - it appeared highly desirable to excite, among persons so well prepared for mental exertion, a common interest in the advancement of Philosophical Knowledge. The association of men of cultivated understandings, and of similar pursuits, has a tendency to keep alive the spirit of inquiry, and to direct it to proper objects. Hopes were therefore entertained that, by the co-operation of minds thus accustomed to investigation, some services, not otherwise to be expected, might eventually be rendered to the cause of Science. Such, it was conceived, were the consequences which might reasonably be anticipated from the establishment of a Philosophical Society in the University of Cambridge; but at the same time it must be observed that the plan of the Society was not confined to those parts of Natural Philosophy, which form the more immediate objects of Academical pursuit. It was intended that the proposed Institution should embrace the studies of Chemistry, Mineralogy, Geology, Botany, Zoology, and other branches of Natural Science which have in modern times engaged so large a share of the public attention, and can be cultivated with success only by means of a continued series of experiments, and an unceasing vigilance of observation. Some of these subjects have already been partially illustrated by the application of Mathematical principles, and may perhaps be destined to acquire a still greater portion of the precision and certainty which attend the conclusions of demonstrative science:― others lay claim to regard by the practical value of the results which they present:-and of most of them, it may be justly asserted, that they afford ample scope for the exercise of the intellectual powers, in the methods of reasoning by Analysis and Induction. In other points of view, considerable advantages were anticipated from the proposed Society. Many Members of the University, although no longer resident within its precincts, have yet opportunities for observation and inquiry. From them it was confidently believed that very interesting communications would be obtained; - communications which would manifest the utility of a Philosophical Institution in the advancement of Physical Science. Great hopes were also entertained of forming such a connexion with other Societies of a similar kind as might, by means of mutual reports of experiments and observations, continually present new subjects of investigation and afford new motives for exertion. Such on the whole were the considerations which induced a few individuals in the University, well known for their zeal and activity in scientific research, to communicate to some of their Academical friends the plan of a Philosophical Institution. Their sentiments were received with so much approbation, that hopes were speedily entertained of carrying the plan into effect. For the purpose of ascertaining the general feeling which might prevail on the subject, a meeting was soon after held, which was numerously attended by Graduates of the University. At this Meeting, it was unanimously agreed, that a PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY should be formed; and at the same time, a Committee was appointed to make such arrangements as might appear necessary for the completion of the design. |