46 RECORD OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 



busy spirits, as tubs and barrels are to a whale, that he may let the ship sail 

 on without disturbance, while he diverts himself with those innocent amuse- 

 ments.'* 



As we have seen, 'those busy spirits' retired of their own 

 accord from the political troubles of the time to enjoy a freer and 

 calmer air in the study of Nature. In another paper, the class of 

 men who have nothing to do is said to include ' all contemplative 

 tradesmen, titular physicians, Fellows of the Royal Society, 

 Templars that are not given to be contentious, and statesmen 

 that are out of business V 



There was sometimes a tone of singular bitterness in the 

 invective, as in a paper in the ' Tatler ' (No. 236, October 12, 1710) 

 attributed to Steele : 



* There is no study more becoming a rational creature than that of Natural 

 Philosophy ; but, as several of our modern virtuosi manage it, their speculations 

 do not so much tend to open and enlarge the mind, as to contract and fix it 

 upon trifles. This in England is in a great measure owing to the worthy elec- 

 tions that are so frequently made in our Royal Society. They seem to be in a 

 confederacy against men of polite genius, noble thought and diffusive learning ; 

 and choose into their assemblies such as have no pretence to wisdom, but want 

 of wit, or to natural knowledge, but ignorance of everything else. I have 

 made some observations in this matter so long, that when I meet with a young 

 fellow that is an humble admirer of these sciences, but more dull than the 

 rest of the company, I conclude him to be a Fellow of the Royal Society.' 



Swift, at greater length and with more laboured sarcasm, 

 caricatured the philosophers in his * Voyage to Laputa '. Pope, 

 too, assailed them, but with a lighter touch. Assembling them to 

 receive * titles and degrees ' from the Queen of Dulness, he placed 

 them in her presence among the 



More distinguished sort 



Who study Shakespeare at the Inns of Court, 

 Impale a Glow-worm, or Vertu profess, 

 Shine in the dignity of F.R.S. 2 



It does not appear that this long-continued vituperation had 

 any sensible effect in impeding the advancement of natural 

 knowledge or hindering the progress of the Royal Society. 



1 'Spectator/ March 12, 1710-11. 2 ' Dunciad/ Book iv. 567. 



