The Digital Ark: Early Modern Collections of Curiosities in England and Scotland, 1580-1700

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Mr. Roberts ( - fl. 1696)

In a letter dated 16 October 1696 published in the Philosophical Transactions, Edmond Halley references a “Mr. Roberts of the Society.” If he means the Royal Society, Halley must have in mind one of the Robartes’s (there is no Roberts), probably Francis Robartes (1650 - 1718). The only other Robartes who was a member at that time was Charles Bodvill Robartes (1660 - 1723), styled Viscount Bodmin from 1682 to 1685. Relevant locations: Visited Chester, Cheshire
 Relationships: Mr. Roberts was a associate or acquaintance (general) of Edmond Halley (1656-1742)
Mr. Roberts was a same person as? (uncertain) Francis Robartes (c. 1649-3 Feb 1718)

 References in Documents:
Selections from Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London (1665-1669)
VI. Part of a Letter from Mr. Halley at Chester, October 26th, 1696. giving an Account of an Animal resembling a Whelp voided per Anum, by a Male Greyhound, and of a Roman Altar found there, &c.

THEThe Account the Society had from Dr. Wallis about a Year since of a Greyhound Dog, that voided an Animal, resembling a Whelp per anum, as strange and incredible as it may seem, is yet here stedfastly believed; and the Creature was kept for some time in Spirit of Wine, having lived for some short time after it came into the World: and it was seen alive by Mr. Roberts of the Society, then in Chester. They say it exactly resembled a Greyhound-Whelp, and had on its side a large spot, in the same place as the Dog it proceeded from, had such another; and that with it was voided a whitish mucuous Matter, so that the People here will not permit me to question the truth thereof. Mr. Roberts who saw it first, can best judge what Credit this uncouth Story Merits. But this is certain, That it cost the Dog his Life, to gratifie the Curiosity of some Gentlemen here, who Dissected him, but were disappointed of their Expectations. For my own part, as I am determined nihil temere credere; so on the other hand, as I dare not pretend to limit the Powers of Nature, I suspend my Opinion, laying only before you what credible Witnesses do assert.

I this Morning got a sight of an Altar-piece, dug up here about three Years since, and took the Inscription thereof which is pretty entire, but roughly cut in the Stone of the place, which is soft and ( 317 ) moldring, nor capable of long continuance when it is exposed to the Air: It has the following Inscription.

PRO. SAL. DOMIN .... IM N N INVI CTISSIMORVM AVGG. GENIOLOCI FLAVIVS LONG—— I suppose VS there not being room for INVS TRIB. MIL. LEGXX. LONGINUS FLA VIVS DOMO SAMOSATA  V .   S.

By the Title of Domini nostri given to the Emperors, it appears, that this Inscription was of the Bas Empire, not before Dioclesian, nor yet so late as Theodorus, it being Pagan. The Stone it self is about Thirty two Inches high, Sixteen in breadth, and Nine thick; On the one end is Engraven, not very curiously, the Resemblance of a Genius, holding a Cornu Copia; on the other is a Flower-pot somewhat better performed, but a little endamaged by the softness of the Stone. The backside opposite to the Inscription, is adorned with a pretty sort of Feuillage, designed to fill up the vacant space. On the top in a pretty deep Cavity, is a full Face of a Man, almost such as they Paint the Sun or Full Moon withal, with a Cap upon his Head, of which as yet I cannot comprehend the Design; I submit it to the Disquisition of the Society; and if it be thought requisite, I will more particularly inspect and describe this Stone, which is in the Custody of one Mr. Prescot here, a great lover of Antiquity, and who has several curiosities by him, which I am promised to peruse.

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The Stone of this place, which is soft, reddish, grit, and very friable, with shining Particles intermixt, is very apt to decay with the Weather, so that all Old Buildings are very much defaced thereby, and the Walls which are Built thereof, are so frequently out of Repair, that they have Officers on purpose, whom they call Murengers, who do gradually refit them, where they are most worn out; in some places the Stone is in a manner moulded away like Sammel Bricks in a Wall, leaving the Mortar standing. In these Stones, and the Quarries from whence they came., I have diligently sought for Shells, or other Animal Substances, such as are often found in other palces, but hitherto have found no such things: But the Stone is generally intersperst with Pebbles and small Flints, which, as the stone decays, do discover themsevles within it, as if they had been lodged in the Sand, whereof the Stone consists before its Induration.