Ebook Mirabilia Descripta

The advantage of an Association of this kind, consists not merely in its system of literary co — operation, but also in its economy. The acquire ments, taste, and discrimination of a number of individuals, who feel an interest in the same pursuit, are thus brought to act in voluntary com bination, and the ordinary charges of publication are also avoided, so that the volumes produced are distributed among the Members (who can alone obtain them) at little more than the cost of printing and paper. The Society expends the whole of its funds 111 the preparation of works for the Members and since the cost of each copy varies inversely as the whole number of copies printed, it is obvious that the Members are gainers individually by the prosperity of the Society, and the consequent vigour of its operations.