Sketches of Royal Society and Royal Society Club

by Sir John Barrow

Overview

First published in 1971. This volume is part of the Social History of Science series reprinted with a new index. It was initially intended as a supplementary chapter in Sir John Barrows' autobiography who was involved with the Royal Club for over forty years. These are personal observations and recollections and sections of previously published sketches of the six Presidents of the Royal Society and some other distinguished members of the Society and the Club.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780714624051
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	11/19/1971
Series:	Social History of Science, No. 9 Series
Edition description:	Revised ed.
Pages:	228
Product dimensions:	6.12(w) x 9.19(h) x (d)

Read an Excerpt

Section VIII. Mr. Alexander Dalrymple, F.R.S. Having thus given a slight account of all the Presidents of the Royal Society in my time, I shall now proceed to say something of some of my other colleagues in the Society Club. Alexander Dalrymple, who was Hydrographer to the Admiralty in the earlier years of my Secretaryship, was the son of Sir James Dalrymple, Bart., of Hailes, and of Lady Christian, daughter of the Earl of Had- dington, a very amiable and accomplished woman; and brother of the celebrated judge and historian Lord Hailes. Having left the school of Haddington before he was fourteen, and not being sent to any other, or to the University, Alexander's scholastic endowments were very limited. His eldest brother was wont to make him translate some of the Odes of Horace to keep up his Latin. But going abroad entirely his own master, before he was sixteen years of age, no progress was made in his Latin: he says, indeed, as he never found any use for it, he took no pains to keep it up. His family had interest enough with Alderman Baker, Chairman of the East India Company, to obtain for him a writership in the Company's service, which suited young Dalrymple, who had conceived a strong desire to go to the East Indies, by reading ' Menhoff's Voyages' and a novel called 'Joe Thomson.' He was for a short time placed in an academy at Enfield to be instructed inwriting and accounts, qualifications respecting which he was to be examined, and some demur was made to this part of his certificate. He was, however, appointed a writer on the Madras establishment. But here was another defect. He wanted a few months of sixteen years of age; and, when mentioned, Lady Christian stronglyobjected to her son tacitly assenting to countenance what was untrue, though it was urged that th...

Table of Contents

Section 1 The Royal Society, its Presidents, and the Royal Society Club; Section 2 Sir Joseph Banks, President of the Royal Society, and of the Royal Society Club; Section 3 William Hyde Wollaston, M.D., Acting President; Section 4 Sir Humphry Davy; Section 5 Mr. Davies Gilbert; Section 6 His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex; Section 7 The Marquis of Northampton; Section 8 Mr. Alexander Dalrymple, F.R.S; Section 9 Henry Cavendish, Esquire, F.R.S; Section 10 Mr. Smithson Tennant, F.R.S; Section 11 Dr. Thomas Young, F.R.S.*This memoir of the Life of Dr. Young is drawn up, from some short memoranda of his own writing, in the possession of a near connexion, as stated by one who had the advantage of long and intimate acquaintance with that distinguished scholar and philosopher, but who feels himself incompetent to give more than an imperfect sketch, which he trusts to see filled up hereafter by an abler hand.; Section 12 Sir Francis Chantrey, R.A., F.R.S; Section 13 Charles Hatchett, Esq.; Postsceipt;