CHAPTER X. Memoir of Sir J. Williamson-Norfolk Library removed to Gresham College-Rules for its preservation-Halley electedObservatory at Gresham College-Monument used for Astronomical purposes - Philosophical Collections published by Hooke His Salary increased-Sir J. Williamson resignsBoyle chosen President-His reasons for declining the Office— Wren elected-Memoir of him-Grew's Catalogue of the Society's Museum-Chelsea College sold by Wren-Admission of Fellows made more difficult-Wren retires from the Presidency-Evelyn solicited to become President-Declines-Sir John Hoskyns elected-Memoir of him-Publication of Transactions resumed--Experiments made-Present of Curiosities from China-Limited state of Knowledge of Foreign CountriesSir John Hoskyns resigns-Sir Cyril Wyche elected PresidentMemoir of him-Papin elected a Curator-His Bone-digester -Curious Account of a Supper prepared by him for the Fellows-His Steam-Engine Inventions-Croonian Lecture-Lady Sadleir's Legacy-Lister's Geological Maps-Lord Clarendon's Present of Minerals-Resignation of Sir Cyril WychePepys elected President-Sir Thomas Molyneux's Account of the Society. 1675-85. IR JOSEPH WILLIAMSON was the son of the Rev. SIR Joseph Williamson, rector of Bridekirk in Cumberland. While yet a boy he visited London, in the capacity of clerk to Mr. Richard Folson, member of parliament for Cockermouth, who sent him to Westminster School, then presided over by Dr. Busby. His assiduity and talent gained for him a recommendation from Dr. Busby to Dr. Langbaine, provost of Queen's College, Oxford, by whom he was admitted on the foundation. He took the degree of B. A. in 1653, and immediately after went to France as tutor to a nobleman. In 1657 he took the degree of M.A., and was elected a fellow of his college. After the Restoration he was appointed Secretary, successively to Sir Edward Nicholas, and Lord Arlington, Secretaries of State, and was made Keeper of the State-Paper Office in Whitehall. In 1667 he was chosen a clerk of the Council in Ordinary, and received the honour of knighthood. He was one of the plenipotentiaries at the treaty of Cologne, acting with the Earl of Sunderland and Sir Leoline Jenkins. On the 27th June, 1674, he became Secretary of State, in the room of Lord Arlington, to whom, according to the custom of the time, he paid 60007. for the office. It is a curious fact, that two of the Secretaries of State in the reign of Charles II., Sir Leoline Jenkins and the subject of this memoir, had both been tutors. The former was of humble origin. It is reported of him, that when he rose to high office, he hung in his chamber the old pair of leathern breeches in which he first rode into Oxford, a poor scholar, to remind him of his former low estate1. Sir Joseph Williamson had a considerable share in establishing the London Gazette. This was originally called the Oxford Gazette, the first number being published Nov. 7, 1665, when Charles II. and the court were at Oxford. "But when the said Court removed to London, they were intituled and called the London Gazette, the first of which that was published there, came forth on the 5th of February following, the King being then at Whitehall. Mr. Joseph Williamson procured the writing of them for himself; and thereupon employed Charles Perrot, M.A. 1 Diary of the Times of Charles II., Vol. 1. p. 306. and fellow of Oriel College in Oxon, who had a good command of his pen, to do that office under him, and so he did, though not constantly, to about 16712." Sir Joseph Williamson was one of the first victims of the fear and excitement caused by the celebrated Popish plot. He was committed to the Tower by the House of Commons on the 18th November, 1678, on a charge of granting commissions to Popish officers, but was released by the King on the same day. On the 9th February following he resigned the Secretaryship of State, and was succeeded by the Earl of Sunderland. In December, 1679, he married the Baroness Clifton, widow of Henry Lord O'Brien, sister and sole heiress to Charles Stuart, Duke of Richmond, by whom he acquired large property, and the hereditary office of High-steward of Greenwich. Upon this marriage Evelyn remarks, "Twas thought they lived not kindly after marriage, as they did before. She was much censured for marrying so meanly, being herself allied to the royal family." But Evelyn did not entertain a favourable opinion of Sir Joseph Williamson, as he calls him "Lord Arlington's creature, and ungrateful enough." It is certain that he must have possessed considerable talents for business and courtiership, to have risen from so humble a beginning to the important situation of Secretary of State. His influence, too, must have been great, otherwise he would hardly have been selected to fill the chair of the Royal Society. Although deeply occupied by public affairs, he presided at every Meeting of the Council, and generally at the ordinary Meetings, in the proceedings of which 2 Wood, Athen. Oxon., Vol. I. p. 469. he took much interest. He presented several curiosities to the Museum, and a large screw-press for stamping diplomas. He died in 1701, and left 60007., and a valuable collection of heraldic manuscripts and memoirs relating to his foreign negociations, to Queen's College, Oxford, and 50007., for the purpose of founding a Mathematical School at Rochester, for which town he had frequently sat in Parliament. In a dedicatory epistle from Oldenburg to Sir Joseph Williamson, at the commencement of the ninth volume of the Philosophical Transactions, Oldenburg says, "Your merits raised you to that eminent place you are now possess'd of; and you are full of steady inclinations to on all occasions advance the ingenuous arts." Sir Joseph presented the Society with his portrait, painted by Sir G. Kneller. It is suspended in the Meeting-room. In June, 1678, the Duke of Norfolk commenced pulling down Arundel House, which occasioned the Library presented by his Grace to the Society to be removed to Gresham College. The following Rules for its preservation and management were drawn up by the Council. "ORDERS CONCERNING THE GOVERNMENT OF THE BIBLIOTHECA NORfolciana. "1. That the long gallery in Gresham College be the place for the Library, if it may be procured. "2. That an Inscription in letters of gold be set up in some convenient place, in honour of the benefactor. "3. That there be an exact Catalogue of all the Books of the Bibliotheca Norfolciana made apart; and also of all other books which shall accrue. "4. That, for securing the Books and to hinder their being embezzled, no Book shall be lent out of the Library to any person whatsoever. "5. That such person or persons as shall desire to use any Book in the Library, shall return it into the hands of the Library-keeper, entire, and unhurt. "6. That the Library shall be surveyed once in the year, by a Committee chosen by the Council, to the number of six, any three of which to be a quorum.” Dr. Gale was requested to prepare the form of inscription mentioned in the second clause of the preceding orders; and, at the ensuing Meeting of Council, he submitted one, which was approved, and ordered to be set up on a Tablet in the gallery, where the books were placed. It is remarkable that there is no record of the inscription in the archives of the Society. According to Maitland, it was as follows: "BIBLIOTHECA NORFOLCIANA. "Excellentissimus Princeps Henricus Howard, Dux Norfolciæ, Comes Marechallus Angliæ, Comes Arundeliæ, Suriæ, Norfolciæ, et Norwici, &c. Heros, propter Familia Antiquitatem, Animi Dotes, Corporis Dignitatem, pene incomparabilis, Bibliothecam hanc instructissimam (quæ hactenus Arundeliana appellabatur) Regiæ Societati Dono dedit, et perpetuo sacram esse voluit. Huic Pro eximia erga se Liberalitate, Societas Præside Josepho Williamson, Equite Aurato, A.D. MDCLXXIX.3 On the 30th November, 1678, Edmund Halley was elected a Fellow of the Society. He had just 3 Maitland's London, p. 656. |