OF SAMUEL HARTLIB. 19 



nothing came of the proposal, which probably did not 

 meet with sufficient support to carry out so large a 

 design* 



His correspondence with Mr. Boyle, so far as we learn 

 from published letters, between November 16th, 1647, 

 and April 19th, 1659 (a period of 12 years), comprises 

 a large miscellany about personal matters, and eminent 

 men engaged in different pursuits, mingled with obser- 

 vations on topics which could only interest Hartlib 

 from ^their gratifying Boyle. Take, for example, such 

 subjects as pneumatic experiments, medical matters, che- 

 mical discoveries, insects, malt-drying, colours, Becker's 

 and also Kuffler's Inventions, &c. 



But while launching out into these particulars, which 

 may be considered quite extraneous, his heart was set 

 on religion, learning, and the public weal. In 1647, he 

 wrote to Mr. Boyle concerning : — " The office of com- 

 munications (which he says) is to follow very shortly, 

 God willing, especially in reference to universal learn- 

 ing." And pleasantly concludes : — " I am more than 

 resolved to- continue in this kind of folly to serve the 

 good of many." 



He was at that time endeavouring to have Mr. Petty,f 



* See Add. MSS. Brit. Mus. Ex. Leg. J. Ward, No. 6271. 



t Afterwards Dr. Petty, and later Sir WiUiam Petty. See 

 Hartlib's publication of his letter— W. P. in the list of his 

 pamphlets. 



