The first Founders of the Club 9 



1743 already alluded to. But some kind of organisation 

 would appear to have been tried before the fresh start 

 recorded in that document. In the Club's first Minute- 

 book, under date January 3rd, T-75O, 1 in the presidentship 

 of Martin Folkes, the following minute occurs : 



" At this meeting it was proposed that David Papillon Esq. [F.R.S. 

 1720] who had been an ancient member of this Club, before the 

 present Establishment (of which he was the first proposer), and Jie 

 method of standing the Ballott as a Candidate being uncertain, he 

 desired to be admitted a Member on paying the old fine and an 

 arrear of two shillings ; and in consideration of services done this 

 Society his request was complyed with, and it was resolved that 

 this election should not be a precedent for the future." 



In a subsequent minute in the same volume reference is 

 made to Phillip Miller [F.R.S. 1729] as "an ancient Member 

 of this Society" (postea, p. 46) It would seem probable 

 that some attempts had been made before October 1743 

 to organise a Club, but that these had fallen into abeyance. 



The first distinct evidence of the formation of an organised 

 company which could develop into a Club is to be found'" 

 in the document of 27th October 1743 which records the 

 result of a meeting of eight gentlemen on that day. It 

 is written on a page of now much foxed foolscap paper 

 which has been preserved by being carefully pasted into 

 the beginning of the first Minute-book of the Royal Society 

 Club. Its contents are these : 



Oct. 27th 1743. 

 Mr. Postlethwaite - 6s. 



Mr. Birch - 6s. 



Mr. Colebrooke - 6s. 



Mr. Dixon 6s. 



Mr. Watson 6s. 



Capt n Middleton 6s. 



Mr. R. Graham - 6s. 

 Mr. Burrow - - 6s. 



Paid for a month. 



^2 8s. paid to Mr. Colebrooke, Treasurer. 



A dinner to be ordered every Thursday for 6 at 1/6 per Head 

 Eating = gf certain. 



1 Minute-book No. i, p. 13. This date would be 1751 new style. 



