176
The Life and Work of John Ray, and
works ; but plants were considered merely as materia medica,
and science of botany there was none. If we would gauge
aright the services of Ray to this science alone we must
compare such works as Bauhin's 'Pinax' (1623) or How's
'Phytologia' (1650) with Ray's 'History' (1686-1704) or the
second edition of his 'Synopsis' (1696).
In 1661 Ray visited the south of Scotland, returning
through Cumberland and Westmoreland, having with him
his pupil, Mr. Philip Skippon ; and in the following year,
in company with his pupil and congenial friend, whose name
will ever be associated with his own, Francis Willughby, who
was seven or eight years his junior, he visited Wales and
Cornwall, returning through the southern counties. His
diaries of his three English tours were obviously not written
by Ray with a view to publication; but they contain many
interesting notes not only on Natural History, but also on
archaeological subjects.
The writer might now well have hoped for advancement in
the Church, since his studies were becoming fashionable.
The King "was himself a fair chemist, and took a keen
interest in the problems of navigation. The Duke of
Buckingham varied his freaks of rhyming, drinking, and
fiddling, by fits of devotion to his laboratory. Poets like
Denham and Cowley, courtiers like Sir Robert Murray and
Sir Kenelm Digby, joined the scientific company," now
mainly reunited in London. Wilkins in 1662 became rector
of St. Lawrence Jewry ; John Evelyn had returned from
abroad, and settled at Sayes Court, Deptford; there was also
"that prodigious young scholar, Mr. Christopher Wren," the
nephew of the Bishop of Ely ; and when, in April, 1662, the
Royal Society received its charter of incorporation, Robert
Hooke, who had been living as his assistant with Boyle,
became its Curator of Experiments. As Mr. Green says,
"The curious glass toys called Prince Rupert's drops recall
the scientific inquiries which amused the old age of the great
cavalry-leader of the Civil War. Wits and fops crowded to
the meetings of the new Society. Statesmen like Lord
Somers felt honoured at being chosen its presidents. Its