Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/126

 some course might be thought of to improve their meeting to a more regular way of debating things, and, according to the manner in other countries, where there were voluntary associations of men in academies for the advancement of various parts of learning, soe they might do something answerable here for the promoting of experimentall philosophy. In order to which it was agreed that this company would continue their weekly meetings on Wednesday, at 3 o'clock, of the term time, at Mr. Rooke's chamber at Gresham College; in the vacation at Mr. Ball's chamber in the Temple.'

They then proceeded to draw up a list of persons 'willing and fit to join,' fixed a subscription, and appointed officers.

On December 19, 1659, it is entered in the Journal Books that Dr. Petty and Mr. Wren were 'desired to consider the philosophy of shipping, and bring in their thoughts to the company about it;' on January 2, 1660, that Dr. Petty was 'desired to bring in diagrams of what he discoursed to the company this day; and likewise the history of the building of ships;' on January 23, that Dr. Petty was asked 'to deliver in his thoughts concerning the trade of clothing,' which he accordingly did in a paper read on November 26, 1661.

Besides reading papers, Dr. Petty, though not one of the officers, was on several occasions appointed his deputy by the President, Lord Brouncker; and he was specially entrusted, on at least one occasion, with the unwelcome duty of collecting the subscriptions, which appear too often to have been in arrear.

The King affected the company of scientific men, and was well pleased to appear as the patron of their learned inquiries. He professed a particular interest in medical chemistry and the art of navigation: the special subjects of Dr. Petty's own investigations. 'I was since my last with the King,' the Doctor wrote to John Petty; 'he seemed earnest enough to speak with