# Memoirs of Sir Isaac Newton's life/Royal Society

​at length, in the forepart of the present century, he was elected president of the Royal Society 1703. there we view him in his proper dignity. that chair which had held so many great men, his predecessors, was now filled indeed! there he sat at rest, in the intellectual center: as the great solar orb shining with its own light, & diffusing his beamy influence, thro' the whole system of arts, & sciences. to him gravitated all the lesser lights, both regular planets, & extravagant comets of erudition, both at home, & abroad. as the moon always turns the face to her principal, the earth. from him they borrowd a ray, & sip'd from his common fountain. & now was that illustrious body truly so; & at its height of glory: the prototype of these literary Societys in Europe, with the great Newton at their head, as an object almost ador'd. and that great Mecænas of the learned world, Lewis XIV of France, thought himself honor'd by inlisting Sir Isaac into the number of his beneficiarys. & our countrymen at that time could not have a greater recommendation in foreign countrys parts, nor a freer introduction to the great, & the learned, than in quality of that of a member of the Royal Society: & especially if they had a title to any degree of intimacy, with the president.witness the honors paid to Mr. Martin Folkes when he travelld into Italy, tho' after Sir Isaac's death. nor did foreigners, when in England value themselves a little, if they could pay a visit to Sir Isaac: many of whom the most considerable men in all parts of the globe, came hither for that very purpose. & thought the hazards of thir voyage overpaid, in enjoying that privelege.
for eight years I was a constant attendant there, which may be reckon'd a lucid part of one's life.
S$^r$. Isaac was gray headed when under 40; owing, perhaps, to the infinite expence of spirits from ​in 1701 he resign'd his professorship at Cambridg, & M$^r$. Whiston succeeded, by his recommendation.
never used spectacles. ​severe studys; yet he had great strength of nature, & a good constitution. tho' not tall in stature, yet strong, sinewy, & well made. thro' this, and his temperance, & mild disposition, he lived to a great age. the last time I was with him, he told me, his breakfast was commonly an infusion of orange peel in boiling water, as thea, sweetned a little; with bread & butter. he drank then more water, than formerly, vizt. morning, & night. wine he uses only, & but little, at dinner.
My great friend Thomas Earl of pembroke, & he were well acquainted: from whom I have heard, that Sir Isaac always cured a cold, by lying in bed for 2 or 3 days, which carry'd it off, by perspiration.
on the other hand, in discourse on lord pembrokes busts, statues &c. Sir Isaac would pleasantly call them, my Lords old fashion'd babys.
Sir Isaac's eyes were very full, & protuberant, which renderd him near sighted, in youth, & manhood. & was the reason of his seeing so well in age; the eye being betterd, by growing somewhat flatter: whereby the visual rays unite at a convenient distance, neither too near, nor too far off the eyes. never used spectacles. in the year 1725 I saw him cast up Mr. Treasurer Pitfields accounts of the Royal Society; being a whole sheet of paper; without pen & ink, without spectacles: an indication ​of the strength of his memory, as well as eyesight. but I have heard very extraordinary things of the strength of his memory, in arithmetical operations, & calculations by numbers, & letters, which he has done, when in bed, by night.
D$^r$. Harwood of the Commons told me, he was present once at the Royal Society, when a learned foreigner was admitted; who made (as customarily abroad) a studyed harangue in latin, to thank the Society for that honor. S$^r$. Isaac answer'd it readily in the same language, with a good grace, & fluency.
when D$^r$. Woodward quarreld with S$^r$. Hans Sloan, at a Council of the Royal Society; & was so troublesom that they were oblig'd to expell him, S$^r$. Isaac told the D$^r$. "we allow you to have natural philosophy, but turn you out for want of moral".
& this will naturally bring us to say somewhat of S$^r$. Isaac's moral character; which was eminently good, & never impeachd in any one instance. somewhat of it depends on the good state of the body & repose of the mind, & a government over passions. S$^r$. Isaac by his great prudence, & naturally a good constitution, had preserv'd his health to old age, far beyond what one could have expected in one so intirely for the better part of his life, immersd in solitude, inactivity, meditation & study: in an ​& philanthropy
forcd out of a weak mind, a false pity; ​incredible expence of mind; and that thro' a long series of years.
but his natural disposition was of a chearful turn, when not actually engag'd in thought. he could be very agreable in company, & even sometime talkative. his voice was of a deep tone, but pleasant enough, having a large chest, for one of his stature. a spirit of beneficence & philanthropy was, as it were, the basis of his composition. infinite instances might be given of the extensiveness of his charitys. not those of a little, & low kind, forcd out of a weak mind, a false pity; but what show'd the noble spirit, that gave prudently, as well as profusely.
M$^r$ Clark of Grantham says, he gave £100 bank bill into his hands, for one of the Pilkingtons, his half niece: as a portion on her marriage. Dr. Newton says, S$^r$. Isaac Maintain'd her, & her mother when they were both widows. not long before his death, he bought land of about £30 a year value & gave to John Newton, his heir at law. For Robert Newton another relation he bought land of somewhat less value. he hoped it would not be so easily spent, as money. To one Ayscough a relation by his mother, who was clark to M$^r$ Calcraft of Grantham an attorney, he gave £100 to set him up withal, & other benefactions: he was his godson. but all ​relations, who were numerous enough, largely partook of his bounty.
to the Royal Society he frequently gave money, & to all subscriptions of publick utility, literary, political, charitable, religious. he was generally present at the marriages of his relations, when conveniently he could be. He would on those occasions, lay aside gravity, be free, pleasant, & unbended. he generally made a present of £100 to the females, and set up the men to trade, & business. he showd his good sense in this, as in every other affair; seeing that matrimony, trade, & industry is the foundation, & the strength of a common weal: & ought by all methods to be incourag'd in a wise government.
S$^r$. Isaac had likewise a natural dignity, & politeness in his manner, in common life, unusual in so hard a student. I heard from captain Short, of Keal, in Lincolnshire, who was related to him, that when he, & the family visited S$^r$. Isaac at the tower, to see the coynage; he entertaind them very splendidly, & gave to each a gold medal. & this he often did to such as visited him, out of curiosity, at the tower.
M$^r$ Mason says, he gave the parish of Colsterworth a handsom sum of money toward the repairs of the church; & promised them more, when they wanted it. ​for his religion; he was a man of real piety, & strict attendance on the sabbatical duty; knowing the necessity, as well as expediency of the public profession of religion. he could not excuse himself from the weekly solemn adoration of the supreme being; both out of principle, & a regard to his influence, & example: & he was sensible, that many persons were attentive to his conduct, in that respect. surely those of all mankind are the weakest, that fancy, Society can be maintain'd, without the influence of religion. & the example of the upper part of mankind is absolutely necessary, for that good purpose; had we no further view than this present life.
but alas even in the latter end of S$^r$. Isaac's time, we began to see the deplorable consequence of the neglect of it. half philosophers, half scholars are too often apt to be tinctur'd with scepticism. but S$^r$. Isaac was an intire christian, upon fundamental principles. he knew the evidences of it were as strict demonstrations in thir way as his principia. no man in England read the Bible more carefully than he did; none study'd it more, as appears by his printed works, by many pieces he left, which are not printed; & even by the Bible, which he commonly ​this is the genuin effect of true philosophy; which disdains meager scepticism, anti-christian infidelity, & impious atheism: which excludes blind fatalism, & the hideous train of fruitless, & hopeless absurditys of that sort. ​used, thumbd over, as they call it, in an extraordinary degree, with frequency of use.
he who was so well acquainted with the laws of our material system, by which the sovereign architect governs, & preserves the whole frame; he knew that the same allgood, & allwise being did not leave the moral world without rule, & law; which law we call religion. but religion is nothing, without practise; & that practise must be public, vizt the sabbatical duty, which is the very basis of all the good we enjoy in this world, either as to the community or to private persons: as well as of the claim it gives us of a future happiness.
S$^r$. Isaac's great, & extensive mind, to which Providence had given so vast, so intimate a view of his works, must needs tast the most divine pleasure in the public acts of adoration of the omnipotent fountain of all things: especially in the service of the Church of England, which of all others most certainly, & most strongly affects, & influences a rational person, one of learning, & solid piety. this is the genuin effect of true philosophy; which disdains meager scepticism, anti-christian infidelity, & impious atheism: which excludes blind fatalism, & the hideous train of fruitless, & hopeless absurditys of that sort.
S$^r$. Isaac was sensible, that the material, & the animal world were govern'd by infallible canons, never deviating; by the great principles of gravitation, & impulse, and by that which we call instinct. but the rational world being perfectly free, must still ​some having more some fewer concomitant planets,
one by the side of another, in the boundless extent of space,
for light is the only thing that dos not diminish in proportion to its distance. ​have a law; which tho' it dos force voluntary agents, yet it presents its self to a considering eye, in so amiable a light, that it allures us; offers present, as well as future rewards: and fully acquaints us with the mischiefs of a refusal. we are left to our own will, because that only can intitle us to merit. & if we be sincere, it affords us sufficient help to conduct us rightly.
several people of heretical, & unsettled notions, particularly those of Arian principles, have taken great pains to inlist S$^r$. Isaac into their party. but that with as little justice, as the anti christians. the church of England intirely claims him as her son, in faith, & in practise.
I can not better conclude this article, than in reciting the subject of a conversation, I once had with him, toward the beginning of our acquaintance.
I proposed to him a thought I had entertain'd, how to account for that great luminous circle incompassing us, which we look upon with so much wonder, in a clear starry night, called the milky way. we all readily suppose it to be owing to the suns of separate systems there placed, one beyond another, one by the side of another, in the boundless extent of space, whose united rays cause that luminous appearance. for light is the only thing that dos not diminish in proportion to its distance. we suppose with probability enough, that every star is a sun of a separate system; some perhaps bigger, some lesser, one by the side of another, in the boundless extent of space, some further distant from ​but that those wh compose the milky way are still incomparably farther distant from us, & all the other stars within our ken.
as we discern here an infinite diversity & variation, as well as number, in every thing around us, the amazing product of his forming hand.
new acquisitions of any sort,
we are fonder of what we are in pursuit of than of what we possess: of what we intend to do, than of what we have done.
of what is within the scope of our power, or of what we fancy, may be, is undoubtedly
for by the definition, tis bringing that into being which was not in being before. therefore there was a time before it. therefore an eternal creation a parte ante is the greatest absurdity. but the continuing it a parte post is the greatest glory of the divine nature.
tis a species of ambition, & is as the salt of life. ​others, ſome nearer. that they all have this concomitant planets as our ſun. & in order to have a juſt idea of God's power, we may conceive every globe is perfectly different in its elf as to its inhabitants, & furniture, & attendants.
but still the question remains, whence the origin of the milky way: notoriouſly a great circle including the whole of the creation to us viſible? my thought concerning it is this. we mortals, ſaid I, are pleaſd with new works, new advances in our knowledg, now writing, wh is a ſort of creation, new building, new plantation, wh test, we look with pleasure on what we have already done, wh we approve of. yet we are more eager in purſuing ſomewhat further, than in ſurveying what we have already done, what we are in poſsion of; like alexander ſighing for new worlds to conquer. & this is the conſtant bout of our minds as long as our facultys will permit us.
S$^r$. Iſaac thought the notion to be very juſt, & agreable to his own experience. I continued my diſcourse. this deſire in us of new creations of any ſort in our little way, may be a divine particle deriv'd from our maker. with wiſdom is it implanted in us, for good purpoſes: that we may be active, & buſy. ​obscure notion of the reason of the odd formation of the planet Saturn. that it is as a miniature picture, or model of the το παν. for we must conceive that the plane of suns and systems of planets concomitant, which make the lacteal circle, have a vast space left between it & the several stars which we behold in a clear night. Therefore these stars which we behold in a clear night we may liken taken altogether to the globe of Saturn: the plane of those stars beyond, which appear to us like the lacteal circle, may be assimilated, taken all together, to the ring of Saturn."
most certain in the world;
incompatible with the divine nature, always will create new worlds the antients had some notion of this sort, for Democritus affirmed infinite worlds
always creates new worlds
that the fountain of his bounty may flow for ever; & all the streams of it, may not only flow, but increase eternally, both in number, & quantity.
"when we indevor to form in our minds an apt idea of God almighty we are to stretch our imagination to the utmost pitch, that we may view somewhat of the largest scope of infinite wisdom, power, & goodness, which we can possibly reach to.
& extend happiness beyond all compass & imagination. I must needs affirm, this is exactly consonant to the idea we ought to have of God. ​this same principle, seperated from all imperfection, incompatible with the divine nature, always will create new worlds the antients had some notion of this sort, for Democritus affirmed infinite worlds may give us a good notion of the agency of the supreme mind, & solve our problem. I suppose therefore, God almighty, tho' in the Mosaic cosmogony he is said to rest from all his works which he had created & made; yet this I take to be spoken only in regard to our present system. For why sh$^d$. we not think, that God always created new worlds, new systems, to multiply the infinitude of his beneficiarys, & extend happiness beyond all compass & imagination. I must needs affirm, this is exactly consonant to the idea we ought to have of God. I mean, since he thought fit to begin creation, for that creation certainly, & necessarily must commence in time, is a truth the most certain in the world;for by the definition, tis bringing that into being which was not in being before. therefore there was a time before it. therefore an eternal creation a parte ante is the greatest absurdity. but the continuing it a parte post is the greatest glory of the divine nature.
we see here, God has given a power, in all things partaking of any degree of life, to continue thir own kind, in an endless chain. it suits the notion we have of Gods goodness, that he still made new worlds, for the creatures thereof to do the like. that the fountain of his bounty may flow for ever; & all the streams of it, may not only flow, but increase eternally, both in number, & quantity.
"when we indevor to form in our minds an apt idea of God almighty we are to stretch our imagination to the utmost pitch, that we may view somewhat of the largest scope of infinite wisdom, power, & goodness, which we can possibly reach to.
"But bec$^n$ G. alm. always practises order, method, regularity in all his works; I suppose, he places these new worlds, & systems of worlds, in a certain great, & broad line; not made of single systems in breadth, but of many, like a vast meridian, or plane of worlds; not filling infinite space quaquaversum, but dividing infinite space into two great parts, one on each side, ​useful on many accounts, the starry canopy.
and this perhaps may give us some
being a very distant view of that luminous plain, like the ring of Saturn, extending all around & beyond us.
the plane of Saturns ring the same.
& thus we may be said to have before our eyes an actual view of God's infinite wisdom, power, & goodness: not a mental idea only, but real prospect; and that of the largest scope. & tis to be consider'd withal that God's infinite wisdom shines forth in highest lustre, in this particular construction of the universe. what would have been the consequence had infinite space quaquaversum been disseminated with worlds? we see every night, the inconvenience of it. The whole hemisphere would have had the appearance of that luminous gloom of the milky way. we should have lost the present sight of the beauty & the glory of the starry firmament. & therefore we may well conclude the great architect has herein truly united infinite wisdom, power, & goodness; in thus planning out the worlds; without robbing us of that most magnificent view we enjoy, and no less ​this great mundane meridian. & that this is the occasion of the appearance, which we call the milky way. being a very distant view of that luminous plain, like the ring of Saturn, extending all around & beyond us.
for this notion we have a considerable confirmation, from considering our own world, that the plane of all the circles of the primary, & of the secondary planets, is nearly in one line, the plane of Saturns ring the same. G. observes a great analogy in all his works. so that our system in that respect is but a sort of picture of the universe. & that meridional plane of our solar system may be called our milky way. & hence the milky way in the heavens is the aggregate of what we can discern of the meridional plane of the macrocosm. & thus we may be said to have before our eyes an actual view of God's infinite wisdom, power, & goodness: not a mental idea only, but real prospect; and that of the largest scope. & tis to be consider'd withal that God's infinite wisdom shines forth in highest lustre, in this particular construction of the universe. what would have been the consequence had infinite space quaquaversum been disseminated with worlds? we see every night, the inconvenience of it. The whole hemisphere would have had the appearance of that luminous gloom of the milky way. we should have lost the present sight of the beauty & the glory of the starry firmament. & therefore we may well conclude the great architect has herein truly united infinite wisdom, power, & goodness; in thus planning out the worlds; without robbing us of that most magnificent view we enjoy, and no less useful on many accounts, the starry canopy.
and this perhaps may give us some obscure notion of the reason of the odd formation of the planet Saturn. that it is as a miniature picture, or model of the το παν. for we must conceive that the plane of suns and systems of planets concomitant, which make the lacteal circle, have a vast space left between it & the several stars which we behold in a clear night. Therefore these stars which we behold in a clear night we may liken taken altogether to the globe of Saturn: the plane of those stars beyond, which appear to us like the lacteal circle, may be assimilated, taken all together, to the ring of Saturn."
S$^r$. Isaac seem'd to listen to this kind of discourse, with some approbation. & we discus'd an objection or two. as 1. whether tis not better to suppose the worlds infinitely extended quaquaversum than in a sort of plane. this would provide better for thir stability; that mutual attraction acting on all sides, hinder'd the systems from falling together. this objection is overruled, by supposing the several systems set respectively, at such distances, as that attraction from any side, sh$^d$. be infnitely small, which therefore w$^d$. operate nothing in the case. ​but as to Sir Isaac's problem proposed, whether it be more consentaneous to the nature & the glory of the deity, that he should create new worlds infinitely, in succession: or have done it all in the hexaemeron, we may leave it to be solv'd when we are in his present scituation.
I shall only propose another problem, which tho' numbers can scarce reach the solution, yet they may possibly give us some little idea of the matter. the apparent bredth of the galaxy is generally about 23 degrees; sometime it is nearly double. about 21½ equal to our obliquity of the ecliptic on Mr Senex's planispheres. quære supposing my hypothesis to be fact how far distant is it? I try'd it after a rude
the bredth of the angle, which the galaxy makes, shows its inconceivable distance, in this view: & that beyond all number.
& that to all eternity,
manner & found the interval double the diameter of the whole view of the fixt stars which we behold. thus as in pa. 57 ​a second objection is merely theological. some are inclined to think our religion not founded sufficiently on philosophy. because it supposes the globe of our earth to be the whole world. that it is unworthy, that a divine Mediation sh$^d$. be allotted to so small, so inconsiderable a portion, in comparison of the whole.
but this objection is as easily vacated by the single consideration of the nature, & the value of our souls. an immortal principle that cannot cease to be. therefore in a few words it must be asserted, to be of infinitely more value, than the whole material globe, which must perish: than the whole mundane system.
in conclusion S$^r$. Isaac intimated, that the thought was worthy of Gods power, & goodness; that it solv'd the appearance of the galaxy; if it was fact. the bredth of the angle, which the galaxy makes, shows its inconceivable distance, in this view: & that beyond all number. that it was not easy to say whether is the greater idea of G. alm. that he creates infinite worlds now, & that to all eternity, to multiply the objects of his benignity: or that he created them all at once. I mean, says he, in the hexaemeron. For I take it to be agreable to philosophy. but as to Sir Isaac's problem proposed, whether it be more consentaneous to the nature & the glory of the deity, that he should create new worlds infinitely, in succession: or have done it all in the hexaemeron, we may leave it to be solv'd when we are in his present scituation.
I shall only propose another problem, which tho' numbers can scarce reach the solution, yet they may possibly give us some little idea of the matter. the apparent bredth of the galaxy is generally about 23 degrees; sometime it is nearly double. about 21½ equal to our obliquity of the ecliptic on Mr Senex's planispheres. quære supposing my hypothesis to be fact how far distant is it? I try'd it after a rudemanner & found the interval double the diameter of the whole view of the fixt stars which we behold. thus as in pa. 57
however this discourse put me upon studying the Mosaic cosmogony seriously, which I did, when I ​he try'd his fancys, with the late Dr. Mortimer, in a closet in my house here. but I could see no reason to assent to his notions. there are ​lived in Ormon ſtreet, I write a large book upon it; convinced that it was conſontaneous to the Newtonian philoſophy.
S$^r$. Iſaac left many written tracts behind him. ſome have been publiſhed ſince his death. great numbers of papers ſtill preſerv'd, by the executors of M$^{rs}$. Wallop. ſome few people have been fanciful enough, to think, they c overthrow S$^r$. Iſaacs philoſophy, both in the mathematical, & in the optical part. M$^r$ Green of Catherin hall began early. M$^r$ Huchinſon pretended to do it from Cabaliſtic principles. a modern frenchman w$^d$ fain demonſtrate some part of S$^r$. Iſaacs optics, to be erroneous. with many more of that ſort, ſeeking to make themſelves a kind of name, by leſsening his: a conduct very diſsonant to his own. but S$^r$. Isaac, ſetting aſide, that he was a man, was too cantelous to be found tripping: his foundations are laid too deep to be ſhaken: his ſuperſtructure too compact to be overturn'd.
he himſelf was a perſon of a great deal of modeſty, in every reſpect: & always turn'd a deaf ear, to any ſort of praiſes of his juſt merit. ​singular prudence, with ​Whilst he presided in the Royal Society, he executed that office, with a singular prudence, with grace, & dignity; conscious of what was due to so noble an Institution; what was expected from his character. when any paper was read, or experiment exhibited, wherein he had any knowledg & it was very rarely otherwise; he never faild to speak to it, with a just commendation; or to point out its defects, where it might be improv'd, where any experiment might be better directed. He would give a concise history of the advances of the subject, very much to its illustration; & to the emolument of the members present.
I remember particularly, that time I officiated for D$^r$. Halley, a paper was read of the pernicious effects of rooms fresh plaisterd o'er with lime, before dry. S$^r$. Isaac told us of a terrible catastrophe of that sort, of his own knowledg. a man, his wife, child, & servant-maid, they al lay in one room, when he was a lad at Grantham, which had been newly drawn with fresh lime. & to dry it the sooner, they made a fire, & shut the doors, to prevent them catching cold, as they thought. in the morning they were every one found in the cold arms of ​whispering, talking, nor
the transactions were publishd by the secretarys, with proper care, & judgment, & were accordingly esteem'd.
that every member in time might become acquainted with the state, & revenue, & the management thereof: without keeping in members as of form, who cannot possibly attend: or recent ones, wholly strangers to their affairs. ​death. After I went to live at Grantham, I often heard speak of this tragedy. it happend in a house in westgate.
S$^r$. Isaac was very careful of giving any sort of incoragement to attempts of improvement in natural knowledg. there were no whispering, talking, nor loud laughters, if dissensions arose in any sort, he said, they tended to find out truth, but ought not to arise to any personality. the transactions were publishd by the secretarys, with proper care, & judgment, & were accordingly esteem'd. he was very sollicitous of keeping up a correspondence both at home, & abroad; & that letters should be answer'd, offers of exchange of literary news cultivated: and every thing done that tended to the order, the honor & advancement of the Society, & the harmony of the members.
he said, correspondence was the life of these Societys: never grudgd paying any necessary charge, or that might be expedient. he gave money largely, to assist deserving persons: & where it was wanted.
the Council was provided out of the older part of the Society, & such as had been most serviceable in entertaining them with written discourses, or experiments: or constant attendance. & this was done, with a reasonable rotation. that every member in time might become acquainted with the state, & revenue, & the management thereof: without keeping in members as of form, who cannot possibly attend: or recent ones, wholly strangers to their affairs. ​he regarded the choice of useful members, more than the number, so that it was a real honor. nor did any presume to ask it, without a genuine recommendation; & having given some proofs of thir abilities. they were then previously to be approved of by the Council; where thir qualifications were freely canvased: therefore less lyable to be balloted for, with partiality, or prejudice.
every thing was transacted with great attention, & solemnity, & decency. nor were any papers which seemed to border on religion, treated without proper respect. indeed his presence created a natural awe in the assembly; they appear'd truly as a venerable consessus Naturæ Consiliariorum, without any levity, or indecorum.
the very title was justly rever'd, both at home & abroad. the Government, the great Council of the nation, paid a distinguishd regard to their judgment in all matters of public utility: which sometime were refer'd, & recommended to thir examination. as particularly the instruments for time-keeping, for astronomical uses, & the publications of the Royal observatory at Greenwich: & what regarded the improvement of navigation, and other national concerns.
​D$^r$. Bentley, D$^r$. Stephen Hales, M$^r$. Hadley, M$^r$. Rand, ​ S$^r$ Andrew Fountain, M$^r$ Thomas Sadler & many more Vertuoso's, in all kinds of antient coyns. ​Dr Bentley, Dr Stephen Hales, Mr Hadley, Mr Rand,
at that time indeed England was the center of learning & curiosity. all the literary Societys the College of Physicians, the Royal Society, the Antiquarian Society, the Surgeons company, the Apothecarys were at the height of glory, & reputation. hither were imported the treasures of antiquity curiosity, & found a ready entertainment. Lord Pembroke made his immense collection of coins, Antient marbles, pictures, books. Lord Oxford, Lord Sunderland collected librarys of books and MSS not less than princely: Sir Hans Sloan, & Dr Mead purchased all that nature or art, antient or modern produc'd: Mr John Bridges, Mr Thomas Rawlinson & many other made very great librarys. Dr. Woodward began the taste of collecting fossils, shells, & all natural productions. Sir Hans Sloan made a noble foundation of the physick garden at Chelsea. The learned Heneage earl of Winchelsea, had made a very great collection of greek coyns; ​infinite were the encomiums they received from foreign countrys; in a great mesure owing to the superior capacity, & unbounded merit of so illustrious a president. nor is it to be forgotten, that at the same time S$^r$. Hans Sloan & D$^r$. Halley were secretarys; a triumvirate of the greatest names in the commonwealth of philosophy.
then were distinguishd ornaments of the Society the noble Thomas Earl of Pembroke, who had been president, S$^r$. Christopher Wren, who had been president, Dr. Keils, monsieur de Moivre, D$^r$. Cotes, D$^r$. Tancred Robinson, D$^r$. Mead, D$^r$. Friend, D$^r$. Sherard, who founded the botanic salary at Oxford, D$^r$. Woodward who founded that of natural philosophy at Cambridg, D$^r$. Flamsted, M$^r$. Roger Gale, D$^r$. Pound, M$^r$. Derham, D$^r$. Brook Taylor. D$^r$. Desaguliers, M$^r$ Graham, Dr Bentley, Dr Stephen Hales, Mr Hadley, Mr Rand, &c., a galaxy of shining genius's, each in their several branches of knowledg illuminating the whole hemisphere of arts, & sciences!
at that time indeed England was the center of learning & curiosity. all the literary Societys the College of Physicians, the Royal Society, the Antiquarian Society, the Surgeons company, the Apothecarys were at the height of glory, & reputation. hither were imported the treasures of antiquity curiosity, & found a ready entertainment. Lord Pembroke made his immense collection of coins, Antient marbles, pictures, books. Lord Oxford, Lord Sunderland collected librarys of books and MSS not less than princely: Sir Hans Sloan, & Dr Mead purchased all that nature or art, antient or modern produc'd: Mr John Bridges, Mr Thomas Rawlinson & many other made very great librarys. Dr. Woodward began the taste of collecting fossils, shells, & all natural productions. Sir Hans Sloan made a noble foundation of the physick garden at Chelsea. The learned Heneage earl of Winchelsea, had made a very great collection of greek coyns; S$^r$ Andrew Fountain, M$^r$ Thomas Sadler & many more Vertuoso's, in all kinds of antient coyns.