Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 1.djvu/174

 BOYLE 163 should ourselves be brought unawares to condemn, or perhaps to laugh at them; and should at least cease to wonder to find other nations think them as extravagant as we think the manners of the Dutch and Spaniards, as they are represented in our travellers' books." He also published an important work, under the title of New Experiments and Observations upon Cold; or, an experimen tal History of Cold begun : with several Pieces thereunto annexed." In August 1665, he was nominated by the king to the provostship of Eton college, which was thought the fittest employment for him in the kingdom; his excellent cha racter alone, without any solicitation, having obtained for him this noble appointment. Power or wealth, however, had for him no charms. Deeply devoted to retirement, as it afforded bim the opportunity of employing bis time in the manner most congenial to his disposition, so tempting an offer had but little effect on him, and, after matere deliberation, he declined it; a step which he took in direct opposition to the wishes of all his friends, who bad strongly advised his acceptance of so enviable a situation. He felt that the duties it would impose upon him would interfere too much with the studies he was addicted to, and with the course of life he then parsued, which was so congenial to his constitution ; and he was besides unwilling to enter into orders, which he looked upon as a necessary qualifica- tion for a situation of such importance. In 1666 he published, at the request of the Royal Society, "Hydrostatical Paradoxes made out by new Experiments, for the most part physical and easy:" being an account of some experiments he had made about two years before, at their request. He also published "The Origin of Forms and Qualities, according to the corpuscular Philosophy, illustrated by Considerations and Experi- ments," which evince consummate judgment and indefati gable perseverance in the pursuits of truth. At this time the publie attentiou was much engaged in