THE NEW SCIENCE 5 



called away to Oxford, whither they carried the new interest, and 

 where they began a similar series of meetings. In this manner the 

 scientific enthusiasm continued through the Commonwealth. In 

 1660 the two sections were united at Gresham College, and were 

 formed into a definite organization. The number of members in 

 creased during the year to 115. The next year the attention of the 

 new King was called to it by Elias Ashmole, and the King took an 

 immediate interest in it. Dr. Johnson has suggested that his in 

 terest was not wholly scientific, but rather political. "It has been 

 suggested", he writes, "that the Eoyal Society was instituted soon 

 after the Restoration, to direct the attention from public discon 

 tent ' '. 20 From whatever motive, Charles II did grant the Society a 

 Royal Charter and the privilege of using the Royal Arms, and gave 

 it a silver mace which it possesses and uses to this day. 21 The or 

 ganization was completed August 29, 22 1662, at which time the King 

 declared himself to be the founder of the Society. In this way 

 came into being the Royal Society of London for the Promotion of 

 the Natural Sciences (Societas Eegalis Londini pro Scientia 

 Naturali Promovenda) , which has continued from that time to this, 

 growing in power and influence. The "Invisible College" had be 

 come the "Visible Church of Philosophy". 23 



Out of that tumultuous mid-century, therefore, came this new 

 interest, called the New, or Experimental Philosophy. Its followers 

 were called philosophers, or more usually, virtuosi. What was their 

 aim? In brief, it was to realize if possible the ambition of Bacon, 

 to reconstruct the natural history of the world. 2 * The broad foun 

 dation of this stupendous and profound history was to be laid 

 by means of experiments. Everything was to be examined anew, 

 and a careful record was to be kept, so that gradually but surely 

 there should arise out of the chaos of scholastic discussion this new 

 understanding ; this solid mass of truth should grow into definition. 

 These scientists were to accept nothing simply from report (nul- 

 lius in verba) ; there must be demonstration wherever possible, 



20 Johnson, Samuel, Works, vol. X, p. 36. 



21 Masson, David, Life of Milton, vol. VI, p. 395; Becker, B. H., Scientific London, 

 Chap. I. 



22 The Charter was dated April 22, 1662. 



28 Weld, C. R., History of Royal Society, p. 73. 



24 Boyle, Robert, Phil. Trans, vol. I-II, p. 186. Cf. also, Bacon's plan for Book 

 VI, Instauration of the Sciences. 



