Page:Life of Sir William Petty 1623 – 1687.djvu/279

 Sam: Kingdon, one Mr. Strong, of the Excise, Mr. Dixon, of ye Customs of London, and Captn Bryden, of Dublin, who as 'tis thought does but represent Mr Trant. By good luck I never sollicitated any body in the case. I only putt in 3 severall papers of proposals, which I think did the service no harme.' ' ' Tis said the managers are to have 1,000l. per ann., without any obligation whatsoever, and I suppose they may treat how and with whom they please concerning Tangier and the ships; whereas I did in a manner undertake for the whole by demonstration, by oath, and a wager of 2,000l. But I am represented (as the Duke of Ormonde told me this day) by some to be a conjurer, by others to be notional and fancifull, near up to madness, and also a fanatick.' The appearance in London of Sir William was in fact the signal for a general alarm amongst the whole tribe of revenue farmers and contract-mongers, who hung about the Court and the public offices. Sir William was, however, made a Commissioner of the Navy, and won golden opinions from the King, who admired his varied talents, and only reproached him with excess of zeal and aiming too high: qualities never welcome at any time to that easy-going monarch. 'There is not a better Latin poet living,' says Evelyn, 'when he gives himself that diversion; nor is his excellence less in Council and prudent matters of state; but he is so exceeding nice in sifting and examining all possible contingencies, that he adventures at nothing which is not demonstration. There were not in the whole world his equal for a superintendent of manufacture and improvement of trade, or to govern a plantation. If I were a Prince, I should make him my second Counsellor at least. There is nothing difficult to him.... But he never could get favour at Court, because he outwitted all the projectors that came neare him. Having never known such another genius, I cannot but mention those particulars amongst a multitude of others which I could produce.'

Having once more failed in his efforts to reform the public services, Sir William returned to Ireland and undertook a long