476 Proceedings of the Royal Society 
Ten years later, in 1659, the accomplished and philanthropic 
Evelyn addressed to Robert Boyle a letter containing his pro- 
posal for the erection of “ a Philosophic-Mathematic College, 5 ’ which 
letter is full of Baconian inspiration. In it he says that, “ since we 
are not to hope for a Solomon’s house in this sad catalysis (or dissolu- 
tion of things), and inter los armorum strepitus , a period so uncharit- 
able and perverse, why not might some gentlemen, whose geniuses 
are greatly suitable, and who desire nothing more than to give a 
good example, preserve science, and cultivate themselves, join 
together in society, and resolve upon some orders and economy to 
he mutually observed, such as shall best become the end of their 
union 1 ?” He then offers cheerfully to devote his fortune to the 
carrying out of this scheme ; and he proceeds to say, in the Baconian 
manner : — “ I propose the purchasing of thirty or forty acres of 
land in some healthy place not above twenty-five miles from Lon- 
don, of which a good part should be tall wood, and the rest upland 
pastures or downs, sweetly irrigated. We would erect upon the 
most convenient site of this, near the wood, our building, viz., one 
handsome pavilion, containing a refectory, library, and withdrawing- 
room;” this is the first storey. The second storey was to contain 
“a fair lodging-chamber, a pallet-room ( i.e . a second-class bed- 
room), and gallery, all of which should be well and very nobly 
furnished, for any worthy person that might desire to stay any 
time, and for the reputation of the college.” There were to be six 
members of the college, each of whom was to have his cell and a 
private garden, te somewhat after the manner of the Carthusians.” 
Many details followed as to the mode of life to be pursued in this 
institution, “ the principal end ” of which was to be the “ promotion 
of experimental knowledge.” Of course, this dream of Evelyn’s was 
never carried out; it is only mentioned as showing the sort of ideas 
which the study of Bacon had engendered in men’s minds, and 
which finally resulted in the establishment of the Royal Society. 
A somewhat similar scheme was published about the same time 
when Evelyn’s letter was being written, by the poet Cowley, 
under the title of a Proposition for the Advancement of Experimental 
Philosophy. This was to be effected by the creation of a Philoso- 
phical College, with a revenue of <£4000 a year, and a staff of 64 
persons, among whom are included 20 philosophers or professors ; 
