Page:Biographia Hibernica volume 2.djvu/438

434 MOLYNEUX. lying strongly to philosophy and mathematics, he spent the greatest part of his time in these inquiries, which, from the extraordinary advances newly made by the Royal Society, were then chiefly in vogue. Thus accomplished, he returned to Ireland in June 1678, and shortly after married Lucy, daughter of Sir William Domville, the king's attorney-general. Being master of an easy fortune, he continued to indulge himself in prosecuting such branches of moral and experimental philosophy, as were most congenial to his disposition; and astronomy having the greatest share, he began, about 1681, a literary correspondence with Flamstead, the king's astro nomer, which he kept up for several years. In 1683, he formed a design for erecting a Philosophical Society at Dublin, in imitation of the Royal Society at London; and by the countenance and encouragement of Sir Wil liam Petty, who accepted the office of president, they began a weekly meeting that year, when our author was appointed their first secretary. The reputation of his learning, which by means of this society became more known, recommended him, in 1684, to the notice and favour of the Duke of Ormonde, then lord-lieutenant of Ireland, by whose influence he was appointed that year, jointly with Sir William Robinson, surveyor-general of his ma jesty's buildings and works, and chief engineer. In 1685, he was chosen fellow of the Royal Society at London; and that year, for the sake of improving himself in the art of engineering, he procured an appointment from the Irish government to view the most considerable fortresses in Flanders. Accordingly, he travelled through that coun try and Holland, and some part of Germany and France; and carrying with him letters of recommendation from Flamstead to Cassini, he was introduced to him and other eminent astronomers, in the several places through which he passed. Soon after his return from abroad he printed at Dublin, in 1686, his “Sciothericum Telescopium,” containing the description of the structure and use of a telescopic