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CONTENTS
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a peerage—His prospects in Ireland improve—Southwell appointed Envoy to Brandenburg—Reaction after the Oxford Parliament—Renewed troubles—Attacks of the farmers on Sir William Petty—His troublesome position as Judge of Admiralty—Resigns it—Summoned to England to aid in the reorganisation of the Revenue—The Privy Council rejects his proposals, but abolishes the system of farming—Made a Commissioner of the Navy—Illness of his children—Founds the Royal Society of Ireland—Reorganises the Dublin College of Physicians—Extracts from the minutes of the Dublin Society—Various designs and inventions—The 'double bottom' again—Correspondence with Southwell, Aubrey, and Lady Petty—Death of Charles II 232
1685-1687.
Accession of James II.—Effect on Ireland—Sir William Petty takes a favourable view of the intentions of the King—The 'Sale and Settlement of Ireland'—Sir William Petty writes a reply—Correspondence with Southwell—Southwell's warning—Plans of Sir William Petty for meeting the situation—He again suggests a union between England and Ireland, and proposes a plan for freedom of conscience—His views on Imperial questions and on the reform of Parliament—Interviews with the King—Draws up a plan for the reform of the Irish Administration—A squib against Sir William Petty—Southwell's opinion of his plans—The King avows his real intentions—Petty recognises the danger of the situation—His correspondence with Southwell—Tyrconnel, Lord Deputy—The Declaration of Indulgence—Repeal of the Edict of Nantes 269
1687.
Attack on Kenmare—The survivors escape to England—Sir William Petty's failing health—He commences to put his affairs in order—His papers relating to the survey—His coat-of-arms—His views on the education of his children—Anne Petty—Instructions to Lady Petty—Letters to Southwell on his early life—Discussion of a paper by Pascal on the relations of the mathematical faculty to general ability—Instructions to his sons, Charles and Henry—Views on the education of Edward Southwell—The 'Principia' of Newton—Sir William Petty at once recognises the greatness of the work—Serious illness—Last dinner at the Royal Society—Account of his death—A political prophecy—Lady Petty made a peeress—Anne Petty marries John Fitzmaurice—Sir William's views on mourning for the dead and charitable bequests—His will—Monument in Romsey Church 289
