were, by his Majesties Orders, sent into several Kingdoms: Some went into Denmark, o∣thers to England; some were sent to the Isle of Cayana, and other Isles of America, Cape Verd, nay, and to the chief Ports and Coasts of the King∣dom, whilst others in the Observatory at Home, kept pace, and entertained all necessary Corre∣spondencies with them.
It was desired that an Occasion might offer of sending more Observators into several Parts of Europe, to the Isle of Foroy, where they have fix∣ed the first Meridian, the East-Indies, and chiefly into China, where it was known that Arts had flourished for these four thousand years, where there are Books upon all Subjects, and Libraries that may compare with the fairest in Europe, from which the Kings Bibliothic might be en∣riched.
This Desire grew stronger in the chief Mem∣bers of the Academy, after they had conversed with Father Philip Couplet, a Flemish Jesuit, who upon his Return from China, posted by Paris on his way to Rome, whither he was sent about the Affairs of the Mission.
The Marquis de Louvoy, Minister and Secretary of State, who besides the Affairs of War, and Oversight of the Kings Buildings, was likewise charged with the Concerns of Arts and Sciences, ordered, in his Majesties Name, the Members of the Royal Academy to draw up a Memoire of the most remarkable things they desired to be in∣formed of from China, to be given and recom∣mended to Father Couplet, who was to return thi∣ther the year following.