1888. | NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES. 197 
Keir were invited to meet him at ‘‘ V’hétel de Pamitié sur Hands- 
worth Heath,” as Matthew Boulton styled his hospitable man- 
sion. The Society had not perfected its method of conducting 
affairs as late as 1776, for in this year Boulton wrote to Watt, 
who had settled in Birmingham: 
‘¢ Pray remember that the celebration of the third full moon 
will be on Saturday, March 3d; Darwin and Keir will both be at 
‘Soho. I then propose to submit many motions to the members 
respecting new laws and regulations, such as will tend to prevent 
the decline of a Society which, I hope, will be lasting.” 
Boulton was of a thoroughly social disposition, and the form- 
-ation of the Lunar Society was a natural outgrowth of his genial 
character. He took pleasure in gathering about him in his 
home persons of kindred tastes and pursuits, in order both to 
enjoy their friendship and to cultivate his nature by intercourse 
with minds of the highest pattern. He wasa favorite alike with 
-children and philosophers, with noble guests and simple work- 
men of Cornwall. London had not at that period absorbed to so 
great a degree the active intelligence of England, especially in 
the higher departments of science, art, and literature. The 
men of that period, though busy with their professional duties 
and domestic cares, were not so wholly engrossed in the turmoil 
of business which makes life a burden for so many in the present 
age, and found time for relaxation in convivial gatherings. In 
Liverpool, Roscoe and Currie were the centres of a social intel- 
Jectual circle; at Warrington, Aiken, Enfield, and, for a time, 
Priestley, were the leading spirits of another; at Bristol, Dr. Bed- 
‘does and Humphrey Davy of a third; and at Norwich, the Tay- 
lors and Martineaus of a fourth. In London, Sir Joseph: Banks, 
Dr. Solander, Sir Charles Blagden, Dr. George Fordyce, Drs. 
Milner and Maskelyne, Captain Cook, Sir G. Shuckburgh, Lord 
Mulgrave, John Smeaton, and Jesse Ramsden with Edgworth 
and others, met once a week at Jack’s Coffee House, and after- 
wards at Young Slaughter’s Coffee House for social converse. 
This assemblage had no distinctive name. Benjamin Franklin 
was a frequent attendant, and alludes to it in his correspond- 
ence. But the most distinguished gatherings of all were those 
of the Lunar Society at Birmingham. 
The Patriarch of the Society was Dr. Erasmus Darwin, at 
least until he removed to Derby in 1782. ‘‘ His fame as a doc- 
tor, philosopher, and poet was great throughout the Midland 
Counties. He was extremely speculative in all directions, even 
in such matters as driving wheel carriages by steam.” Being 
very busy with his medical practice at Lichfield, he was not very 
regular in his attendance at the dinners of the Society, and ex- 
cused himself for his absence by such a letter as the following: 
