over, if any of the company have made experiments, or have had particular information concerning any thing worthy the notice of the Society, they then make it known. At this convention, it happened that young Mr. Halley, the astronomer, made some magnetical experiments, in order for the laying down of an hypothesis to solve the variation of the needle in several parts of the world they thanked him for them, and desired him to set down his notions in writing, which I believe you will have in some of their following Transactions.

"His hypothesis runs all upon the supposition, that there are four magnetical poles in the four quarters of the earth, which he proves by observations made by himself and others in long voyages. I had a great deal of discourse with him. He asked me for you, and whether you went on in your astronomical studies; he told me that he had heard some of the R. S. say, that wood turned into stone by Lough Neagh had a magnetical virtue: this I would have you try, and let me know your success in your next. At this meeting I had the opportunity of seeing several noted men, as Mr. Evelyn, Mr. Hooke, Mr. Isaac Newton, Dr. Tyson, Dr. Slare, &c. Round the room was hung the pictures of these men: Lord Brouncker, Bishop Wilkins, Gunter the mathematician, Signor Malpigi, sent by himself from Italy, and Mr. Hobbs. Over the chimney stood their own Arms."

In another letter, Sir T. Molyneux gives some account of distinguished Fellows of the Society, whose acquaintance he had made. "Dr. Green," he says, "is a very civil, obliging person; Hooke, the most ill-natured, conceited man in the world, hated and despised by most of the Royal Society, pretending to have all other inventions, when once discovered by

their authors to the world; Dr. Tyson, a most understanding anatomist; Dr. Croone, and Dr. Slare, both extraordinary, civil, and ingenious men; the first a very exact observer of the weather, in whose study I saw several thermometers, hugroscopes, and baruscopes." Sir T. Molyneux appears to have been a keen observer; his letters are full of interesting matter, collected during his travels in England and on the Continent. But we must revert to the Society and their new President, a memoir of whom will be found in the next Chapter.

CHAPTER XI.

Memoir of Samuel Pepys-Establishment of the Dublin Philosophical Society-Their Rules-Auxiliary to Royal SocietyMr. Aston resigns the Secretaryship-New Office createdAppointment of Halley as Clerk-His Duties-Attempt to establish a Philosophical Society at Cambridge-Newton's Letter on the subject-Death of Charles II.-His indifference to the Society-Sends receipt for curing Hydrophobia-Manuscript of Principia presented to Society-Halley's Letter respecting it-Council order it to be printed-Halley undertakes its publication-Correspondence with Newton-Facsimile of Title-page-Pepys resigns-Lord Carbery chosen President- Memoir of him-Hooke proposes to deliver a weekly Lecture The Society in debt-Obliged to pay for Apartments in Gresham College-Professors let their RoomsScientific Business-Lord Carbery resigns-Lord Pembroke elected President.

SAM

1680-90.

AMUEL PEPYS was born on the 23rd February, 1631-2, of a family which, he honestly acknowledges, "had never been very considerable." His father, John Pepys, was a citizen of London, where he followed the trade of a tailor. It appears, by his Diary, that Pepys passed his early days in or near the metropolis, and was educated at St. Paul's School; he remained there till 1650, early in which year his name occurs as a sizar on the books of Trinity College, Cambridge. Before he took up his residence at that University, he had removed to Magdalen College. There is no evidence to show how long he remained at Cambridge, nor what were his academical pursuits. In October, 1655, when only twenty-three years of he married Elizabeth St. Michel, a girl

age,

of fifteen, whose father is described as having been of a good family, and whose mother was a descendant of the Cliffords of Cumberland. The young couple were kindly noticed by Sir Edward Montagu, afterwards Earl of Sandwich, who received them into his house: to this gentleman Pepys was indebted for his subsequent advancement. In 1658 he accompanied Sir Edward in his expedition to the Sound, and, on his return, became a clerk in the Exchequer. About this period he commenced his celebrated and interesting Diary. In 1660 he was appointed Clerk of the Acts of the Navy, which commenced his connexion with a great national establishment, to which his diligence and acuteness were afterwards of the highest service. It is recorded, that when the metropolis was nearly deserted on account of the Plague, the whole management of the navy devolved on him, and he remained at his post, regardless of the danger which surrounded him. In a letter to Sir W. Coventry at this period, he observes, "The sickness in general thickens round us. You, Sir, took your turn at the sword; I must not, therefore, grudge to take mine at the pestilence." During the awful Fire in London he also rendered most essential service.

The Duke of York being Lord High Admiral, Pepys was by degrees drawn into close personal connexion with him, and as he enjoyed his good opinion, had also the misfortune to experience some part of the calumnies with which the Admiral was loaded during the time of the Popish Plot. The absence of evidence did not prevent his being thrown into the Tower (May, 1679), on the charge of instigating and abetting, and he was for a time removed from the Navy Board. His liberation took place in February

following, and soon after he was fortunate in attracting the favourable notice of the King, who made him Secretary to the Admiralty. He filled this office during the remainder of Charles II.'s reign, and the whole of that of his successor.

Upon the accession of William and Mary, Pepys lost his official employments, and the electors of Harwich, unmindful of his having served them in Parliament, refused to return him to the convention. He retired consequently into private life, and was desirous of passing the remainder of his days in the enjoyment of scientific and literary society, for which his various acquirements peculiarly qualified him. But his enemies, actuated by malice, caused him to be committed to the Gatehouse in 1690, on pretence of his being affected to King James; he was soon permitted, however, on account of ill health, to return to his own house, where he resided until 1700. In that year his physicians persuaded him to retire, for the sake of change of air and repose, to the seat of his old friend and servant, William Hewer, at Clapham, where he expired, after a lingering illness, May 26, 1703.

Pepys was a very remarkable man. Of his official life it could not be said,

Initia magistratuum nostrorum meliora et firma finis inclinat; for the same zeal and energy which marked his entrance into office was conspicuous throughout the whole of his career. In fact, his skill and experience in naval affairs could not be dispensed with by Government; and for many years the whole management of the Admiralty was borne by him.

Yet, amidst all his official business, surrounded by political intrigues and court dissipation, he contrived to find time for scientific and literary pursuits.