308 LIFE, TIMES, AND SCIENTIFIC LABOURS [1670. 



stayed an hour or two, laugliing at Sir W. Petty, who 

 was then about his boat ; and at Gresham College [the 

 Boyal Society] in general, which he mightily laughed 

 at, for spending time only in weighing of air, and doing 

 nothing else since they sat.&quot; 78 



Our great historian has given a masterly miniature of 

 the volatile monarch, observing : &quot; To do him justice 

 his temper was good; his manners agreeable; his 

 natural talents above mediocrity. But he was sensual, 

 frivolous, false and cold-hearted, beyond almost any 

 prince of whom history makes mention.&quot;* His neglect 

 of the Marquis of Worcester had the effect of retarding 

 the full development of the Steam Engine in this country 

 for above half a century ; and thus he, who had never 

 been known to say a foolish thing, lost the chance of 

 performing a wise one, that would have evinced the 

 existence of at least one redeeming quality in his 

 character. 



Pepys. * Macaulay s Essays. 



