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 proposed― Reporters 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

V

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

'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. 'Hist. Own Times, Vol. 1. p. 192.

men's minds from the pressure of political matters, and left them more at liberty for other pursuits3.

"There arose at this time," says Dr. Whewell, alluding to the period antecedent to the epoch of Newton, "a group of philosophers, who began to knock at the door where truth was to be found, although it was left for Newton to force it open. These were the founders of the Royal Society'." We can readily suppose these men adopting the language in which Cicero addresses philosophy: ad te confugimus; a te opem petimus; tibi nos, ut antea magnâ ex parte, sic nunc penitus totosque tradimus." But it must not be forgotten how much is due to Lord Bacon, who died only thirty-six years before the incorporation of the Royal Society. With a comprehensive and commanding mind, patient in inquiry, subtile in discrimination, neither affecting novelty, nor idolizing antiquity, Bacon formed, and in a great measure executed, his great work, on the Instauration of the Sciences, which being clearly connected in its main features with the Royal Society, connects itself with our inquiry. The design was divided into six capital divisions. The first proposes a general survey of human knowledge, and is executed in the admirable treatise, The Advancement of Learning. In this Lord Bacon critically examines the state of learning in its various branches at that period, observes and points out defects and errors, and then suggests proper means for supplying omissions and rectifying mistakes.

The second, and the most considerable part, is the Novum Organum, in which the author, rejecting syllogism as a mere instrument of disputation, and

Sprat's Hist., p. 58. 4 Hist. Ind. Sci. Vol. 1. p. 145.

Tusc. Disp.

putting no trust in the hypothetical systems of ancient philosophy, recommends the more slow but more satisfactory method of induction, which subjects natural objects to the test of observation and experience, and subdues nature by experiment and inquiry.

It will be seen how rigidly the early Fellows of the Royal Society followed Bacon's advice.

The third part of the work is the Sylva Sylvarum, or history of nature, which furnishes materials for a natural and experimental history, embracing all the phenomena of the universe.

The fourth part, or Scala Intellectus, sets forth the steps or gradations by which the understanding may regularly ascend in philosophical inquiries; and is evidently intended as a particular application and illustration of the author's method of philosophizing.

The fifth part, or Anticipationes Philosophic Secundæ, was designed to contain philosophical hints and suggestions; but nothing of this remains except the title and scheme.

The sixth portion was intended to exhibit the universal principles of natural knowledge deduced from experiments, in a regular and complete system; but this the author despaired of being himself able to accomplish. Having laid the foundation of a grand and noble edifice, he left the superstructure to be completed by the labours of future philosophers.

I

Indeed, he tells us, "I have done enough, if I have constructed the machine itself and the fabric, though may not have employed, or moved it." No writer seems ever to have felt more deeply than Bacon, that he properly belonged to a later and more enlightened

6

Interpretation of Nature. Works, Vol. xv. p. 105.

age; a sentiment which he has touchingly expressed in that clause of his testament where he "bequeaths his name to posterity, after some time be past over."

It is, however, in his New Atalantis that we have the plan of such an institution as the Royal Society more distinctly set forth.

Describing this imaginary establishment, he says, "The end of our foundation is the knowledge of causes, and secret motions of things; and the enlarging of the bounds of human empire, to the effecting of all things possible. The preparations and instruments are-large and deep caves for coagulations, indurations, refrigerations, and conservation of bodies,high towers for meteorological phenomena; great lakes, both salt and fresh, whereof we have use for the fish and fowl; violent streams and cataracts which serve us for many motions; artificial wells and fountains; great and spacious houses for experiments; certain chambers of health, where we qualify the air as we think good and proper, for the cure of divers diseases and preservation of health; large and various orchards and gardens; parks and inclosures of all sorts of beasts and birds; brewhouses, bakehouses, kitchens, dispensatories or shops of medicines, furnaces, perspective houses, sound houses, where we practise and demonstrate all sounds and their generation; perfume-houses, engine-houses, mathematical-houses, &c." These are called the riches of Solomon's house. The employments of the Fellows are then described: "We have twelve that sail into foreign countries, who bring in the books and patterns of experiments of all other parts. These we call merchants of light. We have three that collect the experiments which are in all books. These we call depredators. We have three