Memoirs of Agriculture, and Other Oeconomical Arts (Volume 1)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1768. Excerpt: ... ARTICLE II. An Account of all the Dijburfements fo-Premiums, Bounties, Oeconomical Expences, &c. of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, from its firjl Injlitution to the End of the Tear 1766, with the total of the Receipts by Subfcription, Legacies, &c. ARTJCL.E III. A brief Hijiory of the TranfaBions of The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, with Relation to the federal Objetts of Invention and Improvement, which they have adopted; and the refpcBive Succefs of their Proceedings. SECTION I. INTRODUCTION. THE plan of the Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, was originally formed in the yew 1753: and the firft meeting was held at London, in March 1754. The Society confifted then only of a fmall number of noblemen and gentlemen, who met privately to concert regulations and meafures for the future conduct of their defign. But the afiiduous zeal with which they applied themfelves to eftablifh and extend it; and the evident national advantages, that might accrue fro.cn fuch an inftitution; produced, foon after the plan was made public, a rapid increafe of members; and rendered the Society, in a few years, a very coniiderable body. It muft be allowed, indeed, that as to the priority of time when this Society was founded, it is not the firft of thofe which may be confidered as of the fame kind: nor has it, confequently, the claim of originality. But, for the extenfivenefs and importance portance of its views, the number and resectable character of its members, and the fuccefs of its undertakings, it has, by much, the pre-eminence over all others of a fimilar nature, which have been hitherto any where inftituted; and poffibly will maintain that pre-eminence, over any, ...