royalty restored-第79章
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Accordingly two surgeons of great skill and learning； named Lower and King； on a certain day injected twelve ounces of sheep's blood into his veins。 After which he smoked an honest pipe in peace； drank a glass of good canary with relish； and found himself no worse in mind or body。 And in two days more fourteen ounces of sheep's blood were substituted for eight of his own without loss of virility to him。
Nor were experiments in vivisection unknown to the Royal Society； as it was called； for the 〃Philosophical Transactions〃 speak of a dog being tied through the back above the spinal artery； thereby depriving him of motion until the artery was loosened； when he recovered； and again； it is recorded that Dr。 Charleton cut the spleen out of a living dog with good success。
The weighty discourses of the learned men who constituted the society frequently delighted his majesty； though it must be confessed he sometimes laughed at them； and once sorely puzzled them by asking the following question。 〃Supposing；〃 said Charles； assuming a serious expression； and speaking in a solemn tone； 〃two pails of water were placed in two different scales and weighed alike； and that a live bream or small fish was put into one； now why should not the pail in which it was placed weigh heavier than the other？〃 Most members were troubled to find the king a fitting reply； and many strange theories were advanced by way of explaining why the pail should not be found heavier； none of them being thought satisfactory。 But at last a man sitting far down the table was heard to express an opinion； when those surrounding him laughed； hearing which the king； who had not caught his words； asked him to repeat them。 〃Why； your majesty；〃 said he boldly； 〃I do believe the pail would weigh heavier。〃 〃Odds…fish！〃 cried Charles； bursting out into laughter； 〃you are right； my honest fellow！〃 and so the merriment became general。
The Royal Society was composed of men of quality with a genius for investigation； and men of learning eager for further knowledge。 Persons of all nationalities； religions； and professions were admitted members； and it was continually enriched by the addition of curiosities； amongst which in particular were an herb which grew in the stomach of a thrush； the skin of a Moor tanned； with the beard and hair white； a clock； having movements directed by loadstone； an ostrich； whose young had been born alive； mummies； strange fish； and the hearts and livers of vipers。 Likewise was the society endowed with gifts； amongst the most notable being the valuable library of Henry Howard； afterwards Duke of Norfolk。
Fostered by this society； science received its first impulse towards the astounding progress it has since achieved。 Nay； in this reign the germs of some inventions were sown； which； subsequently springing into existence； have startled the world by their novelty； utility； and power； Monsieur Sorbiere； when in England； was shown a journal kept by Montconis； concerning the transactions of the Royal Society； in which several new devices； 〃which scarce can be believed unless seen；〃 were described。 Amongst these were an instrument for showing alterations in the weather； whether from heat； cold； wind； or rain； a method for blowing up ships； a process for purifying salt water； so that it could be drunk； and an instrument by which those ignorant of drawing could sketch and design any object。 He also states Dr。 Wallis had taught one born deaf and dumb to read。
In 1663； 〃the right honourable （and deservedly to be praised and admired） Edward Somerset； Marquis of Worcester；〃 published a quaint volume entitled 〃A Century of the Names and Scantlings of such Inventions as at present I can call to mind to have tried and perfected； which （my former notes being lost） I have； at the instance of a powerful friend； endeavoured to set down in such a way as may sufficiently instruct me to put any of them in practice。〃 Amongst these are enumerated false decks； such as in a moment should kill and take prisoners as many as should board the ship； without blowing her up； and in a quarter of an hour's time should recover their former shape without discovering the secret； a portable fortification； able to contain five hundred men； which in the space of six hours might be set up； and made cannon…proof； a dexterous tinder…box which served as a pistol； and was yet capable of lighting a fire or candle at any hour of the night without giving its possessor the trouble of stretching his hand from bed； a lock； the ways of opening which might be varied ten millions of times； but which on a stranger touching it would cause an alarm that could not be stopped； and would register what moneys had been taken from its keeping； a boat which would work against wind and tide； with various other discoveries to the number of one hundred； all arrived at from mathematical studies。
The means of propelling a boat against such disadvantages； to which the Marquis of Worcester alludes； was in all probability by steam…power。 This he described as 〃an admirable and most forcible way to drive up water by fire；〃 the secret of which he is believed to have first discovered。 ＇Before the century was concluded； Captain Savery contrived a steam…engine which was certainly the first put to practical uses。 It has been stated that he owed the knowledge of this invention to hints conveyed in Lord Worcester's little volume。＇ In the preface to his little book； the marquis states he had sacrificed from six to seven hundred thousand pounds in bringing his various inventions to perfection； after which it is satisfactory to find he derived some profit from one of them； conceived； as he says； 〃by heavenly inspiration。〃 This was a water…engine for drying marsh…lands and mines； requiring neither pump； suckers； barrels； bellows； nor external nor additional help； save that afforded from its own operations。 This engine Sorbiere describes as one of the most curious things he had a mind to see； and says one man by the help of this machine raised four large buckets full of water in an instant forty feet high； through a pipe eight inches long。 An act of parliament was passed enabling the marquis to reap the benefit and profit from this invention； subject to a tenth part which was reserved for the king and his heirs。
The Royal Society soon became one of the foremost objects of interest in the city。 Foreigners of distinction were conducted to its rooms that they might behold the visible signs of knowledge it could proudly boast； and women of culture were admitted to hear the lectures its members delivered。
Amongst these latter may be mentioned the eccentric Duchess of Newcastle； a lady who dressed her footmen in velvet coats； habited herself in antique gowns； wrote volumes of plays and poetry； desired the reputation of learning； and indulged in circumstances of pomp and state。 Having expressed her desire to be present at one of the meetings of the Royal Society； the council prepared to receive her； not； it must be admitted； without some fear her extravagance would expose them to the ridicule of the town； and place them fit the mercy of ballad… mongers。 So it happened one fair May…day； in the year 1667 a vast concourse of people had assembled to witness her arrival at Arundel House in the Strand； where the society held its meetings for some years after the burning of Gresham College。 And she in good time reaching there； surrounded by her maids of honour； gentlemen in waiting； and lackeys； was met by the president； Viscount Brouncker； having his mace carried before him； and was conducted to the great room。 When the meeting was over； various experiments were tried for her satisfaction； amongst others a piece of roasted mutton was turned into pure blood。 The while she witnessed these sights； crowds of gallants gathered round her that they might catch and retain such fine things as fell from her lips； but she only cried out her wonder and admiration at all she saw； and at the end of her visit was conducted in state to her coach by several noble lords； notable amongst whom was a vastly pretty young man； Francis Seymour； fifth Duke of Somerset。
CHAPTER XXI。
A period rich in literature。John Milton's early
