which have been since establish'd by their Council, which we shall have a more proper Occasion to produce hereafter. Let this only be laid in brief, to satisfy the curious.
The Place where they hitherto assembled, is Gresham College; where, by the Munificence of a Citizen, there have been Lectures for several Arts indowed so liberally, that if it were beyond Sea, it might well pass for an University. And indeed, by a rare Happiness in the Constitution (of which I know not where to find the like Example) the Professors have been from the Beginning, and chiefly of late Years, of the most learned Men of the Nation; though the Choice has been wholly in the disposal of Citizens. Here the Royal Society has one publick Room to meet in, another for a Repository to keep their Instruments, Books, Rarities, Papers, and whatever else belongs to them; making use besides, by Permission, of several of the other Lodgings, as their Occasions do require. And, when I consider the Place itself, methinks it bears some Likeness to their Design. It is now a College, but was once the Mansion-house of one of the greatest Merchants that ever was in England: And such a Philosophy they would build; which should first wholly consist of Action and Intelligence, before it be brought into Teaching and Contemplation.
Their Time is every Wednesday, after the Lecture of the Astronomy Professor; perhaps, in Memory of the first Occasions of the Rendezvouses.
Their Elections, performed by Balloting; every Member having a Vote; the Candidates being named at one Meeting, and put to the Scrutiny at another.
Their chief Officer is the President; to whom it belongs to call, and dissolve their Meetings to propose
