Add MS 72898

PETTY PAPERS. VOL. XLIX (ff. 138). Papers relating to scientific and educational institutions: Gresham College, the Royal Society, the Dublin Philosophical Society, philosophy, mathematics, education, etc.; 1575-1687. Most formerly Bowood Box H.

1. ff. 1-14. Papers concerning Petty's Gresham College lectureship; 1575-1651. Copies, 17th cent.

a. ff. 1-2v. Extracts from the will of Sir Thomas Gresham concerning the foundation of the lectureships, 1575. Copy. H3.

b. ff. 3-12. Tripartite agreement between the Lord Mayor of London, the Mercers' Company and the Gresham lecturers concerning the government of Gresham house, 1597. Copy. Including a label (f. 3) by James Matthews relating to this whole group, 'Papers relative to Sir W: P's Connections with the Royal Society (11)'. H2.

c. ff. 13-14. Order appointing Petty to the vacant music lectureship; 7 Feb. 1651. H4.

2. ff. 15-45v. Royal Society papers; 1673-1687, n.d. See Michael Hunter, Establishing the New Science (1989), pp. 185-222, passim. See also

ff. 50-69 below.

a. ff. 15-16v. Notes by Petty on the constitution, functions, membership and officers of the Royal Society; [1670s?]. Autograph. H5

b. ff. 17-18v. Paper by Petty concerning the causes of members of the Society falling into arrears; circa 1673-1674. Draft in the hand of James Waller, with autograph corrections. H10.

c. ff. 19-23v. Lists of fellows in arrears; 1673-1674. Consisting of a list in a clerical hand, with autograph endorsement (ff. 19-20v), of which another copy exists in the archives of the Royal Society, annotated with the names or initials of those responsible for approaching them; followed by two further lists in the hand of Henry Oldenburg, secretary of the Society (ff. 21-23v). For discussion of all the lists, see Michael Hunter, The Royal Society and its Fellows 1660-1700 (2nd ed., 1994), pp. 93-97. H9, H11, H13.

d. ff. 24-28. Copy in Oldenburg's hand (ff. 24-25v) of statutes of the Royal Society for the use of the commissioners appointed to collect arrears, ordered by the Council; 22 Dec. 1673, with a fuller copy in a clerical hand. H12, H8.

e. f. 29. Copy in Oldenburg's hand of an order of the Council that Petty and others draw up a list of 'considerable experiments' tried by the Society and their necessary apparatus; 22 Dec. 1673. H20.

f. ff. 30-31v. Nomination by Daniel Colwall as Treasurer of the Royal Society of Petty to receive the arrears of subscriptions; 5 Jan. 1674. Signed by Colwall. H6

g. f. 32. Nomination by Viscount Brouncker as President of the Royal Society of Petty as his deputy; 22 Jan. 1674. Signed by Brouncker. H7

h. f. 33. Request by James Harrington to Petty, Boyle and Sir Christopher for an answer to his offer of an experiment; circa March 1676. H21.

i. ff. 34-43v. Papers concerning a dispute between Robert Hooke and Sir John Cutler, adjudicated by Petty, concerning Hooke's Gresham lectureship; 1682-1683. See Hunter, Establishing the New Science, pp. 310-316. H15-H19.

j. ff. 44-45v. Paper by Petty headed 'Things to bee done at the Royal Society'; 1 Dec. 1687. Autograph. Concerning revenue, records, the library, etc. H14.

3. ff. 46-49v. Papers concerning the Dublin Society, or Philosophical Society of Dublin, of which Petty was the first president; 1684. Consisting of a proposed constitution of the Society (in a clerical hand, but with an address panel to Petty), and (ff. 48-49v) 'Advertisements to the Dublin Society', recommending aims and procedures, [3 Nov. 1684], apparently drafted by Petty, but in the hand of James Waller. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 88-92. For the minute and register books of the Society, see Add. 4811, 4812. For Petty and the Dublin Society, see K. T. Hoppen, The Common Scientist in the 17th Century (1970), esp. pp. 26-27, 84-87, 96, 103-104, 147-148, 202-203. H34, H35.

4. ff. 50-69. Essay on Duplicate Proportion; 1674. In the hand of James Waller, with autograph corrections. Delivered to the Royal Society on 26 Nov. 1674 and printed as The Discourse Made before the Royal Society ... Concerning the Use of Duplicate Proportion (1674); Keynes, Bibliography, No. 16. For another version of part of this, see Add. 72855, f. 69, above; see also Add. 72850, ff. 220-227, for correspondence concerning it. J9.

5. ff. 70-82v. Papers relating to mathematics; [1660s?]-1687.

a. ff. 70-71. 'Of the smallest Measure The Visible World Toutchstone of Geometry The greatest Proportionable Man'; [1660s-1670s]. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, 42-43. H73.

b. f. 72. Mathematical paper by Dr Robert Wood about squaring the circle; bef. 1685. Autograph. For Wood's letters to Petty, see Add. 72850, ff. 172-292 passim, above. H29.

c. f. 73. Notes by Petty on the invention of a lunar almanac [by Dr Robert Wood?]; [1680?]. In the hand of James Waller. H64.

d. f. 74. Paper by Petty entitled 'Witt enlarg'd', apparently prompted by Pascal's Difference entre l'esprit de Geometrie et l'esprit de Finesse; circa 1685. In the hand of James Waller. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 198-199. See also Add. 72851, ff. 150-153v, and 72853, ff. 39-40. H48.

e. ff. 75-76. Paper by Petty entitled 'Of Motion & Mechanics'; 1686. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 207-210. H58.

f. ff. 77-82v. Letter from Petty to [Edward Southwell] concerning algebra; 3 Nov. 1687. Copy. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 10-15, and Petty-Southwell Correspondence, pp. 318-322. Another copy is in Sloane MS 2903, f. 39-41. Followed (ff. 81-82v) by an algebraic statement of a problem in the letter, possibly in the hand of Charles Petty. H27, H28.

6. ff. 83-88. Papers relating to education; circa 1650s-1686. For Petty's notes concerning his childrens' education, see also Add. 72857, ff. 103v, 142-143v, 145-146v, 161.

a. f. 83. 'Exercises of sense & reason', on educational procedures up to the age of seventeen; circa 1650s. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 6-8. Vol. 1, item 53.

b. f. 84v. Syllabus of subjects for study, with a set of questions based on them; [1680s?]. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 8-9. H25.

c. ff. 85-86. A syllabus for a scientific and technical college, headed 'Methodus ad Magistratum in artib[us]'; 1686. In the hand of James Waller, with autograph endorsements concerning the staff and length of course. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 9-10. This is probably the 'Academys for Mathematics, physics and mechanicks', mentioned in 'Matters done and propounded since April 1685', Add. 72866, ff. 114-117. H26.

d. ff. 87-88. A table containing a numerical analysis (by place of birth, schooling, academic status, etc.) of students admitted to Trinity College Dublin between 1660-1681; 1683. In a clerical hand, endorsed by Petty. Discussed in Hoppen, Common Scientist, pp. 66-67. H74.

7. ff. 89-117. Papers relating to philosophy; [1660s?-1680s?].

a. ff. 89-105. Paper on Thomas Hobbes’s theory of monarchy; [1660s?]. Autograph. Latin. Printed in the original in Petty Papers, II, pp. 35-39, and in translation in an article by F. Amati and T. Aspromourgos, 'Petty contra Hobbes: a previously untranslated manuscript', Journal of the History of Ideas, 46 (1985), pp. 127-132, of which a typewritten copy is present here (ff. 93-105). H71.

b. ff. 106-113v. Paper on the 'Scale of Animalls', forming part of a larger work never completed; 1676-1677. In the hand of Thomas Dance and paginated by him '1-16'. Printed with explanatory matter in Petty Papers, II, pp. 19-34. Other copies are in McGill University Library, Osler MS 7614, and at Yale University Library, Osborn MS fb. 135. H70.

c. ff. 114-117. 'Fundamental questions', on matters of philosophy and religion; [1670s-1680s?]. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 39-42. H72.

8. ff. 118-131v. Dictionary projects; 1685-1686.

a. 118-119v. 'A Dictionary shewing What sensible Matter Thing Motion or action Every word therein doth meane & signify'; 1685. Autograph. Including a list of terms. 'Dictionary of Sense' appears in Petty's 'Privato-Publiq designes', 1685, f. 132 below. Printed in Petty Papers, I, pp. 150-151. H31.

b. ff. 120-127. 'A Dialogue between A & B'; circa 1685. Autograph. Endorsed, 'Dictionary' (f. 125v). Printed in Petty Papers, I, pp. 152-162. H32.

c. ff. 128-131v. 'The Explication of 12 Theological words'; 1686. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, I, pp. 162-166. H33.

9. ff. 132-138. Petty's lists of his schemes, projects and writings; 1685-1687. For a list of his writings to 1671, see Add. 72857, ff. 77-78v, above; several others concerning public affairs, temp. James II, are in Add. 72866 above.

a. f. 132. 'Privato-Publiq designs', also headed 'Desiderata'; June 1685. Autograph. Vol. 1, item 7.

b. ff. 133-134. 'Catalogue of Essayes'; 1685. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 263-264. Vol. 1, item 4.

c. ff. 135-136. 'Workes and Designes in hand'; 1686. Autograph. Vol. 1, item 9.

d. ff. 137-138. 'Catalogus scriptorum'; 1686. Autograph. Printed in Petty Papers, II, pp. 264-266. Vol. 1, item 11.

includes:

• ff. 1-2v Sir Thomas Gresham: Extracts rel. to the foundation of his lecturerships of Sir Thomas Gresham: 1575.
• f. 3 James Matthews, librarian to 1st Marquess of Lansdowne: Labels for Sir W. Petty's archive by James Matthews: 1780s.
• ff. 3-12 London; Hospitals, Educational and Charitable Institutions. Gresham College: Agreement rel. to government of Gresham College: 1597: Copy.
• ff. 13-14 London; Hospitals, Educational and Charitable Institutions. Gresham College: Appointment of Sir W. Petty to music lectureship: 1651.
• ff. 15-32 Royal Society: Sir William Petty, political economist: Papers of Sir W. Petty rel. to constitution, function, membership, etc., of Royal Society: 1673-1687.
• ff. 21-29 Henry Oldenburg, Secretary of the Royal Society: Papers rel. to Royal Society members in arrears: 1673-1674.
• f. 30 Daniel Colwall, treasurer of the Royal Society: Appointment of Sir W. Petty to receive arrears of subscriptions by Daniel Colwall: 1674: Signed.
• f. 32 William Brouncker, 2nd Viscount Brouncker: Nomination of Sir W. Petty as his deputy, as president of the Royal Society by William Brouncker: 1674: Signed.
• f. 33 James Harrington, political writer: Request to Sir W. Petty, R. Boyle and Sir C. Wren to demonstrate an experiment by James Harrington: [circa 1676?].
• ff. 34-43v London; Hospitals, Educational and Charitable Institutions. Gresham College: Robert Hooke, FRS: Sir John Cutler, merchant: Papers rel. to dispute between R. Hooke and Sir J. Cutler concerning Gresham lectureship: 1682-1683.
• ff. 46-49v Dublin Philosophical Society: Proposed constitution, etc., of Dublin Philosophical Society: 1684: Partly draft.
• ff. 50-69 Mathematics: Royal Society: Science and Technology: `Essay on duplicate proportion', by Sir W. Petty: 1674: Draft.
• ff. 50-82v Sir William Petty, political economist: Essays and papers rel. to mathematics by Sir William Petty: [1660s?]-1687.
• ff. 70-71 Mathematics: `Of the smallest measure . . .', by Sir W. Petty: [1660s-1670s]: Autogr.
• f. 72 Mathematics: Robert Wood, MD; FRS; mathematician: Paper on squaring the circle by Robert Wood: bef. 1685: Autogr.
• f. 73 Astronomy: Robert Wood, MD; FRS; mathematician: Almanacs: Notes by Sir W. Petty rel. to lunar almanac of Dr R. Wood: [1680?].
• f. 74 Blaise Pascal, French scientist and philosopher: `Witt enlarg'd', by Sir W. Petty in reply to Blaise Pascal: circa 1685: Partly autogr.
• ff. 75-76 Mathematics: Science and Technology: `Of Motion & Mechanics', by Sir W. Petty: 1686: Autogr.
• ff. 77-82v Edward Southwell, 1671-1730; Secretary of State for Ireland: Mathematics: `Of Algebra', by Sir W. Petty addressed to Edward Southwell: 1687: Copies.
• f. 83 Education: `Exercises of sense & reason', by Sir W. Petty: circa 1650s.
• ff. 83-88 Sir William Petty, political economist: Papers rel. to education by Sir William Petty: circa 1650s-1686.
• f. 84v Education: Syllabus by Sir W. Petty: [1680s?].
• ff. 85-86 Education: Science and Technology: Syllabus for a scientific and technical college, by Sir W. Petty: 1686.
• ff. 87-88 Dublin; Trinity College: Analysis of the students admitted 1660-1681: 1683.
• ff. 88-101v Dictionaries: Theology: Proposals by Sir W. Petty for a `dictionary of sense' in politics and theology: 1685-1686.
• ff. 89-105 Philosophy: Thomas Hobbes, philosopher: Paper by Sir W. Petty on Hobbes's theory of monarchy: [1660s?]: Lat: Autogr.
• ff. 89-117 Sir William Petty, political economist: Essays and notes rel. to matters of religion and philosophy by Sir William Petty: circa 1645-1687.
• ff. 106-113v Religion: Philosophy: Paper on the `Scale of Animals', by Sir W. Petty: 1676-1677.
• ff. 114-117 Religion: Philosophy: `Fundamental questions', by Sir W. Petty: [1670s-1680s?]: Autogr.
• ff. 132-138 Inventories: Catalogues of Libraries, etc: Sir William Petty, political economist: Lists of works and projects by Sir William Petty: 1671-1687: Partly autogr.