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The Royal Society: Science in the Making

Correspondence Explorer

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Showing 9 letters from 1712–1714

2 letters from Richard Waller; 7 letters from Cotton Mather

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Recounting astronomical and mathematical items of importance relating to Native Americans from Mather's American collection; that a bracelet of beads made of shell fish will be presented to the Society; discussing the Julian dating system with tables to find the Julian period

24 November 1712 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/28

Discussing the colours of rainbows; observations of mock suns (parhelia) in conjunction with rainbows 3 figures attached

25 November 1712 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/29

Two cases of apparitions made on 2 May 1687 and at the end of 1695

26 November 1712 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/30

Account of a rattlesnake; discussion about the serpent in religious history

27 November 1712 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/31

Discusses different types of weather in New England - the effects of thunder and lightning, an account of an earthquake in 1663, of large hail stones, of hurricanes and whirlwinds in the Caribbean; concerning ancient remains at Ammuskeag above the falls of Merimack river where Native Americans hide their provisions; concerning rocks at Taunton by Tiding river

28 November 1712 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/32

Discussing how long it would take for the population of the world to double its number, with cases of longevity

29 November 1712 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/33

Thanks him for sending his letters on 'curiosa Americana' through Dr Woodward; states that his election to the Fellowship will be deferred; in postscript requests more information about the size of the moose deer and about the meteor witnessed in the summer of 1711 On reverse, a copy of a letter to Tomaso Campailla has been crossed out

01 January 1712 Sender: Richard Waller , Richard Waller Reference number: EL/W3/79
1713

Concerning the letters which contained the observations of 'curiosa Americana'; states that he has nominated him to the Fellowship

22 July 1713 Sender: Richard Waller , Richard Waller Reference number: EL/W3/75
1714

Account of red moose and black moose Read to the Royal Society on 28 October 1714

21 June 1714 Sender: Cotton Mather , Cotton Mather Reference number: EL/M2/35