1775 — 80 .]

THE ROYAL SOCIETY.

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without inquiring into its merits, or, indeed, knowinganything about the matter in a scientific point ofview 14 . Wilson thus found protection and support, ashe would have done against the theorem of Pytha-goras, had geometry been the subject of dispute 15 .

But the most extraordinary part of this dispute is,that George III. is stated to have taken the side ofWilson, not on scientific grounds, but from politicalmotives; and that he even had blunt conductors fixedon his palace, and actually endeavoured to make theRoyal Society rescind their resolutions in favour ofpointed conductors. His Majesty, it is declared, hadan interview with Sir John Pringle , during which heearnestly entreated him to use his influence in sup-porting Mr. Wilson. The reply of the President washighly honourable to himself and the Society whomhe represented. It was to the effect, that duty aswell as inclination would always induce him to exe-cute his Majesty’s wishes to the utmost of his power;but, “ Sire,” said he, “ I cannot reverse the laws andoperations of nature 16 .”

14 This recalls to mind the words of Quintilian , who says, “thereare persons who though they may have resolved to he strictly honestin all their actions, yet will not scruple to use every argument thatcan be of the slightest service to the cause which they have under-taken to defend.” L. xi. 1.

15 “ Thus with many,” says a writer of that period, “ theopinions of a philosopher as to the blunts, and the points, were re-garded as the index of his opinions as to the American war; andthe celebrated dispute among the “ little” and the “ big-endians ,”recorded by Lemuel Gulliver, furnished an apt representation of thefolly and the rancour which found their way into this discussion.”

16 It was shortly after this occurrence that a friend of Dr.Franklin’s wrote this epigram :

“ While you, great George , for knowledge hunt,

And sharp conductors change for blunt,

The