The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-18 00:00:00

THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

MR.. EDITOR—The ROYAL SOCIETY of GREAT
BRITAIN justly claims a high rank amongst the
several Societies founded in different counties of
Europe for the express purpose of giving coun-
tenance and encouragement to scientific pur-
suits. The names of many of the members of
this Society are names that will be ever consi-
dered as amongst the very brightest that have
ever yet graced the annals of science. Whilst
they cast a splendid lustre upon the philosophi-
cal annals of their native country, their genius
and their labours have entitled them to the ap-
plause of every civilized nation, and obtained for
them the admiration and respect of every suc-
ceeding generation.

Like many other useful institutions, the Royal
Society was little remarkable in its infancy. It
was not until about the year 1645 that several
men of science, or fond of scientific pursuits, at
that time residing in London, agreed to meet once
every week for the express purpose of discours-
ing upon matters connected with the advancement
of mathematics and of philosophy. These meet,
ings were held sometimes at the house of Dr.
Goddard in Wood-street, because he there kept
an operator to grind glasses for telescopes, and,
at other times, either in Clieapside or at
Gresham College. During the course of the
years 1648 and 1649, several of the Learned
Gentlemen who attended these meetings having
been appointed to fill places in the University of
Oxford, they, in conjunction with some of the
eminent members of that learned body, speedily
instituted a society upon a similar plan in the
city of Oxford. Many men of eminence belong-
ed to this Oxonian Society, among which were
Dr. Wallis, Dr. Wilkins, Dr. Willis, Dr. Ba-
thurst, and many others, well calculated to shed
a lustre upon the labours of the Society. They
met at first at the apartments of Dr. William
Petty, but upon the removal of that gentleman
to Ireland in 1652, the meetings were held at
first at Dr. Wilkins', and, at a subsequent period,
in the lodgings of the celebrated inventor of the
air pump, Boyle.
In the course of time, most of the gentlemen
composing this Society having fixed their residence
in London, about the year 1659, they still con-
tinued to act in concert, and met for this pur-
pose twice a week at Gresham College. As their
meetings became more generally known, they
were joined by several new associates, amongst
the most distinguished of which were, Sir Paul
Neil, William Brereton, Esq. Lord Brounker,
John Evelyn, Esq. Thomas Henshaw, Esq. Dr.
Timothy Clarke, Henry Slingsby, Esq. Dr. Gut,
William Belle, Esq. Abraham Hill, Esq. Dr. W.
Crowne. These scientific meetings, until the
troubles and disturbances which in 1659 imme-
diately followed the resignation of the Protec-
torate by Richard Cromwell, obliged them to
abandon Haerlem College, which was converted
into barracks for the soldiery.

No sooner, however, had the restoration of
Charles 11., in 1660, given peace to the country,
moreela. riu,ohliesroraupslidy
and security to individuals, than the dispersed
members once more united and revived their meet-
werefirsnt news
establishment.
m
attended than they had been at any previous
ogds -
Increase in the number of their associates, encou-
raged them not only more zealously to prosecute
the original object for which they had assembled,
but likewise to give more stability to a❑ institu-
tion of which the utility was sufficiently obvious.
Accordingly, upon the 23th of November 1660,
the principal members having assembled at the
apartments of Mr. Rooke, there unanimously
came to the resolution of constituting themselves
' into a society for the encouragement and promo-
tion of every branch of experimental philosophy.
Mr. Boyle and Dr. Wilkins, afterwards Bishop
of Chester, were the chief promoters of this in-
stitution, who, in consequence, were regarded
with justice as the founders of the new Society.
A series of regulations being now drawn up, it
was further agreed that every member should
pay the sum of one shilling weekly,the amount of
which was to be applied to defray the necessary
expences attending upon philosophical investiga.
tions. A President, a Secretary,and Registrar,were
next elected from among the Members, and an
Amanuensis, as well as an Operator, were hired
for the purpose of carrying into effect the object
of the Society. The number of members was, in
the first instance, limited to fifty-five ; but as
applications increased, and it was thought unjust
not to admit all men whose names or knowledge
could either shed a lustre upon the Society, or
tend to the accomplishment of its views, this
number was soon afterwards extended, and ad-
missions were finally left open to every candi-
date, properly recommended, each candidate
being either admitted or rejected by a ballot.
This infant Society soon attracted the notice
of Charles 11., and was also patronized by many
of the nobility. On the 15th of July, 1662, it
received a Royal Charter, by which it was con-
stituted into a Body Corporate. This patent
was, however, all that it obtained from its Royal
Patron. Though Charles was fond of the sci-
ences, and more especially of chemistry and of
mechanics, the craving appetite of his courtiers,
the expence of his mistresses, and his own
thoughtless prodigality, left him no means of
affording any other assistance to the new So-
ciety, saving his Royal patronage, and the in-
terest he ever continued to feel in the progress
' of its scientific labours.

A. P

MARRIED.
On Wednesday, June 16th, Thomas Cramer Roberts, Esq.,
of Lincoln's-inn, Barrister-at-Law, to Mary, youngest daughter
of the late C. Gowan, Esq.
At Clifton, on the 16th inst., Thomas Millie, Esq., of Han-
well Park, Middlesex, to Elizabeth, second daughter, of T. M.
Hall, Esq., of Erina, in the county of Clare.

DIED.
On Tuesday morning, aged 9 months, John, youngest child
of Lord and Lady Milton.
On the 10th inst., Mr. Fitzgerald Wintour, student of Mag-
dalene College, in the 20th year of his age.
Lately, aged 83, Mr. John Theodorick, many years post-
master of Thetford.

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