SLOANE. 555 in the Philosophical Transactions. This condition was complied with, and even exceeded by the Society of Apo thecaries, who continued to deliver the plants, which are still preserved in the archives of the Royal Society, till 1778, when the number of specimens amounting to 2550, it was discontinued. On the death of Sir Isaac Newton in 1727, he succeeded him as president of the Royal Society, to which he pre sented one hundred guineas and the bust of i t s founder Charles II., and i n the same year h e was made physician t o George II. I n 1733, however, h e resigned the pre sidency o f the College o f Physicians, and i n 1740, h e also tendered his resignation t o the Royal Society, which they reluctantly accepted. I n May 1741, h e removed his museum t o Chelsea, which manor h e had previously purchased, and whither h e himself retired. Here, how ever, a s i n London, h e received the visits o f persons o f rank, and o f British and foreign literati, and never refused admittance o r advice t o any, whether rich o r poor, who came t o consult him concerning their health. He was ex tremely courteous and obliging, and always ready t o shew and explain his curiosities t o a l l who gave him timely notice o f their visit. He kept a n open table once a week for his learned friends, particularly those o f the Royal Society. He was a great benefactor t o the poor, and governor o f almost every hospital i n London, t o each o f which, besides giving 100l. i n his life-time, h e left a con siderable legacy. On the 11th o f January, 1752, i n the ninety-second year o f his age, h e closed a life prolonged by habits o f temperance, and rendered useful b y habits o f exertion, and on the 18th o f the same month was buried a t Chelsea, i n the same vault with his lady, whom h e mar ried i n 1695, and who died i n 1724. He left behind him two daughters, one married t o George Stanley, Esq. and the other t o Lord Cadogan. Anxious t o prevent the destruction and dissipation o f his library and museum, the former containing fifty thou sand volumes, including about three hundred and fifty
