particular parts of learning, and was published in 1648. The leading features are: the establishment, in the first place, of a Gymnasium Mechanicum, or College of Tradesmen; where able mechanics, being elected Fellows, might reside, rent free. The labours and experiments of these mechanics, Sir W. Petty conceived, would be of great value "to active and philosophical heads, out of which to extract that interpretation of nature whereof there is so little, and that so bad, yet extant in the world." Within the Gymnasium he proposed to build a Noscomium Academicum, a Theatrum Botanicum, an Observatory, Ménagerie, &c.; in short, that an Institution or Academy should be founded, whose members "would be as careful to advance arts, as the Jesuits are to propagate their religion." He further recommended that a work should be compiled, to be entitled Vellus Aureum, sive Facultatum luciferarum descriptio magna, in which "all practised ways of subsistence, and whereby men raise their fortunes, may be at large declared. There would not then be," he adds, "so many unworthy fustian preachers in divinity; in the law so many pettyfoggers; in physic so many quacksalvers, and in country schools so many grammaticasters." It is worthy of remark, that in this scheme Sir W. Petty recommends writings to be multiplied by means of an instrument which he invented, and for which Parliament granted him a patent for seventeen years. He called it his art of double writing, and described the instrument as being of "small bulk and price, easily made, and very durable." This is the prototype of the "manifold letter-writer" of modern times, which has merely

accomplished what Sir William Petty effected in 164815

Concurrently with these contemplated plans for building philosophical institutions, another scheme was entertained to establish an institution at Vauxhall, for the advancement of science.

In a curious letter from Hartlib to Boyle, dated Amsterdam, May 18, 1649, and preserved in the archives of the Society, is the following Memorandum : "Fauxhall is to be sett apart for publick uses, by which is meant making it a place of resort for artists, mechanicks, &c., and a dépôt for models and philosophicall apparatus." It is further proposed, that "experiments and trials of profitable inventions should be carried on," which, says the writer, "will be of great use to the Commonwealth.'

Hartlib adds, that the late King (Charles I.) "designed Fauxhall for such an use."

16

In another letter to Boyle, dated May 1654, Hartlib says, "The Earl of Worcester is buying Fauxhall from Mr. Trenchard, to bestow the use of that house upon Gaspar Calehof and his son, as long as they shall live, for he intends to make it a College of Artisans. Yesterday," he adds, "I was invited by the famous Thomas Bushel to Lambeth Marsh, to see part of that foundation."

The attention of Parliament was called to the state of learning at this period, as appears from the

15 For a full account of this invention, see Ward's Lives of the Gresham Professors, p. 218.

16 Evelyn states that "Hartlib was a public-spirited and ingenious person, honest and learned, and has propagated many useful things and arts." Milton's Tractate of Education is addressed to him.

Journals of the House of Commons, which record that on the 20th July 1653. a committee was appointed "for the advancement of learning"," which consisted of eighteen members. They met in the Duchy Chamber, but did not present any Report 18.

The unsettled state of public affairs presented, as before observed, an insurmountable obstacle to the establishment of any permanent institution for philosophical purposes. "The progress of all the sciences," writes Dr. Whewell, alluding to this period, "became languid for a while; and one reason of this interruption was, the wars and troubles which prevailed over almost the whole of Europe. The baser spirits were brutalized; the better were occupied by high practical aims and struggles of their moral nature. Amid such storms the intellectual powers of man could not work with their due calmness, nor his intellectual objects shine with their proper lustre1."

17 Vol. VI. p. 288.

18 The establishment of a large public Library in St. James's Park was also thought of.

19 Hist. Ind. Sc., Vol. m. p. 327.

CHAPTER III.

The Restoration favourable to the establishment of a Philosophical Society-Burnet's Account of the Founders of the Royal Society-Bacon's Philosophy-His Instauration of the SciencesNew Atalantis-High opinion entertained of him by the eminent early Fellows of the Society-First Official Record of Royal Society-Rules and Regulations-Original Members-Design of the Society approved by Charles II.-Experiments proposedReporters of Experiments-Manner of conducting ElectionsOfficers and Servants of the Society-Meetings contemplated at the College of Physicians.

1655-60.

S the last and darkest thunder-cloud is often succeeded by calm and sunshine, so was the "fatal year 1659" followed by the "wonderful pacifick year 1660"-a year standing prominently forth in the page of English history, as that of the Restoration of the house of Stuart after a series of civil wars which extended over a period of twenty years. "Then," says Dr. Sprat, "did these gentlemen (alluding to the philosophers who had been in the habit of meeting in Gresham College), finding the hearts of their countrymen inlarg'd by their joys, and fitted for any noble proposition; and meeting with the concurrence of many worthy men, who, to their immortal honour, had follow'd the king in his banishment, Mr. Erskins, Sir Robert Moray, Sir Gilbert Talbot, &c., began now to imagine some greater thing; and to bring out experimental knowledge from the retreats in which it had long hid itself, to take its part in the triumphs of that universal jubilee. And, indeed, philosophy

did very well deserve that reward; having always been loyal in the worst of times; for though the king's enemies had gain'd all other advantages, though they had all the garrisons, and fleets, and ammunitions, and treasures, and armies, on their side, yet they could never, by all their victories, bring over the reason of men to their party'."

"The men that formed the Royal Society," says Bishop Burnet, "were Sir Robert Moray, Lord Brouncker, a profound mathematician, and Dr. Ward. Ward was a man of great search, went deep in mathematical studies, and was a very dexterous man, if not too dexterous; for his sincerity was much questioned. Many physicians and other ingenious men went into the Society for natural philosophy. But he who laboured most, at the greatest charge, and with the most success at experiments, was the Hon. Robert Boyle. He was a very devout Christian, humble, and modest almost to a fault, of a most spotless and exemplary life in all respects. The Society for philosophy grew so considerably, that they thought fit to take out a patent, which constituted them a body, by the name of the Royal Society"."

The year of the Restoration was peculiarly favourable to the establishment of a scientific society, and the study and investigation of science. During a long period, the country had been torn by political revolutions, which, after the death of Cromwell, threatened to end in complete anarchy, when the Restoration, though far from realising all that was expected, relieved

i Dr. Johnson observes: "It has been suggested that the Royal Society was instituted soon after the Restoration, to direct the attention of the people from public discontent." Works, Vol. x. p. 86. 2 Hist. Own Times, Vol. 1. p. 192.