Charleton cut the
spleen out of a living dog with good success.
The weighty discourses of the learned men who constituted the
society frequently delighted his majesty; though it must be
confessed he sometimes laughed at them, and once sorely puzzled
them by asking the following question. "Supposing," said
Charles, assuming a serious expression, and speaking in a solemn
tone, "two pails of water were placed in two different scales and
weighed alike, and that a live bream or small fish was put into
one, now why should not the pail in which it was placed weigh
heavier than the other?" Most members were troubled to find the
king a fitting reply, and many strange theories were advanced by
way of explaining why the pail should not be found heavier, none
of them being thought satisfactory. But at last a man sitting
far down the table was heard to express an opinion, when those
surrounding him laughed; hearing which the king, who had not
caught his words, asked him to repeat them. "Why, your
majesty," said he boldly, "I do believe the pail would weigh
heavier." "Odds-fish!" cried Charles, bursting out into
laughter, "you are right, my honest fellow!" and so the
merriment became general.
The Royal Society was composed of men of quality with a genius
for investigation, and men of learning eager for further
knowledge. Persons of all nationalities, religions, and
professions were admitted members; and it was continually
enriched by the addition of curiosities, amongst which in
particular were an herb which grew in the stomach of a thrush;
the skin of a Moor tanned, with the beard and hair white; a
clock, having movements directed by loadstone; an ostrich, whose
young had been born alive; mummies; strange fish; and the hearts
and livers of vipers.
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