TRANSACTIONS. 
Some Account of the Martin Microscope, purchased for the 
Society at the Sale of the late Professor Quekett^s Effects. 
By John Williams, F.S.A., &c.. Assistant Secretary. 
(Head January 8th, 1862.) 
The Microscopical Society has recently become possessed 
of the curious microscope said to have been made for his 
Majesty King George III by the once celebrated Benjamin 
Martin. This instrument was purchased for the Society, 
with two other specimens of antique microscopes, at the sale 
of the effects of the late Professor Quekett, by whom it was 
much valued as a splendid example of an early microscope. 
For two or three weeks past it has been in my custody, and 
as I am greatly interested in everything relating to antiquity, 
whether in reference to early scientific instruments or other 
matters, I could not resist the temptation of thoroughly in- 
vestigating it : and as there appear to be many curious and 
now almost, if not entirely, forgotten contrivances for various 
purposes attached to it, I have requested permission of the 
Council to lay the result of my examination before you, in 
the hope that it may afford you not only some amusement, 
but also give you some idea of the apparatus belonging to, 
and the qualities of, that which was considered as a superla- 
tively fine instrument at the time it was constructed, about a 
century ago. 
Before I proceed to the description of this instrument, I 
will call your attention to a short biographical notice of the 
person by whom it was made. Benjamin Martin, whose 
name is upon the instrument before you, was born in the 
year 1704. I meet with no account of his parentage or of 
the place of his birth. He was one of the most eminent 
opticians and mathematicians of his day. He was the author 
of numerous valuable treatises on various branches of the 
science of his time, many of which were deservedly popular, 
and ran through several editions. In the library of the Royal 
VOL. X. c 
