ADDITIONAL DATA. 139 



others associated, have met every Friday night for 

 two or three years past, to improve themselves in nat 

 ural knowledge, and make collections of the different 

 kinds of fossils. . . . This young Junto ever since last 

 September had been fabricating a plan from that of 

 the Royal Society and the Society for Arts. Com 

 merce c and proposed taking in a considerable num 

 ber of ingenious & public-It spirited Gentlemen to aid 

 and forward their design. . . . Several of our friends 

 are disposed to favor it and with myself are ballotted 

 in; but Ed: Physick, a proprietary officer, and some 

 others of the Company are rather for a Junction and 

 puzzle their schemes. The affair stands thus, and I 

 have been warmly solicited to state it to you, to sus 

 pend, at least, your joining Gov r Penn, Smith &.c. 1 

 told them I thought there was not much danger and 

 promised to do it because it is said you are to be 

 chosen by them. Ch. Thomson is extremely zealous 

 for supporting their institution.&quot; . . . 



Franklin Papers, A. P. S., Vol. 58, Folio 



WILLIAM FRAXKLIX TO CADWALADER EVANS. 



JANUARY 2!), 1708. 



&quot; I am much obliged to you for your Account of the 

 two new Philosophical Societies; but the printed pro 

 posals to which you refer me, were not sent, owing I 

 suppose to your Hurry. I am at a Loss to know with 

 what Propriety they can talk of reviving the old So 

 ciety began by my Father ; for they are not I believe in 



