10 RECORD OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 



A week after the preparation of the preliminary list of 

 suggested members of the proposed new Society, another meeting 

 was held (December 5), of which the following record is given in 

 the Journal-book : 



*Sir Robert Moray brought in word from the Court, that the King had 

 been acquainted with the designe of this Meeting. And he did well approve 

 of it, and would be ready to give encouragement to it. 



'It was ordered that Mr. Wren be desired to prepare against the next 

 meeting for the Pendulum Experiment. 



'That Mr. Croone be desired to looke out for some discreet person skilled 

 in short-hand writing, to be an amanuensis. 



' It was then agreed that the number be not increased, but by consent of 

 the Society who have already subscribed their names : till such time as the 

 orders for the constitution be settled. 



' That any three or more of this company (whose occasions will permit 

 them,) are desired to meete as a Committee, at 3 of the clock on Fryday, to 

 consult about such orders in reference to the constitution, as they shall think 

 fitt to offer to the whole company, and so to adjourne de die in diem." 1 



At the same meeting the following obligation was agreed to : 



' Wee whose names are underwritten, doe consent and agree that wee will 

 meet together weekely (if not hindered by necessary occasions), to consult and 

 debate concerning the promoting of experimentall learning. And that each 

 of us will allowe one shilling weekely, towards the defraying of occasionall 

 charges. Provided that if any one or more of us shall thinke fitt at any time 

 to withdrawe, he or they shall, after notice thereof given to the Company at 

 a meeting, be freed from this obligation for the future.' 



To this are attached the signatures of nearly all those persons 

 comprised in the Catalogue of names prepared at the meeting 

 on the 28th of November, as also of seventy-three others, who 

 were subsequently elected into the Society, as may be seen in 

 the Journal-book. 



together.' But he asks Boyle to join with him in attempting to put his design into 

 execution. His proposal was to purchase thirty or forty acres of land within twenty-five 

 miles of London, and if there were already no suitable dwellings, to erect buildings thereon 

 somewhat like those of the Carthusian Convent in Paris, with public rooms, laboratory, and 

 six apartments or cells for the habitation of the members of the Society. He coupled his 

 proposition with a detailed statement of the order that should be followed in the daily 

 work of the place. His visionary plan came to nothing, but next year he threw himself 

 heart and soul into the affairs of the Royal Society, in the Charter of which he was named 

 a member of the first Council. 



