SOme years immediately before His Majesties happy Re­stauration, divers ingenious persons in Oxford used to meet at the Lodgings of that excellent Person, and zealous promoter of Learning, the late Bishop of Chester, Dr. Wilkins, then Warden of Wadham College, where they diligently conferred about Researches and Experiments in Nature, and indeed laid the first Ground and Foundation of the Royal Society. In that time, viz. in the Year 1659, Alexander Popham Esq being deprived of Hearing from his Birth, and consequently of Speaking, about the Tenth year of his Age, by the Instance of Dr. Ward, now Lord Bishop of Sarum, and the said Bishop VVilkins, and Dr. Bathurst, the Present Dean of VVells, was recommended to the care of Dr. VVilliam Holder, then Rector of Bletchington near Oxford, and brought thither to him. Who desirous to [Page]serve the Ends, and contribute something to the design of that Worthy Company before-mentioned, viz. Improve­ment of natural knowledg and publick benefit: and not doubting but that a Dumb person, Dumb only in conse­quence of being Deaf, might be capable of being instructed to apply the motions of his Tongue and other Instruments of Speech, so as to acquire a ready and distinct pronun­ciation; and knowing it (as another might have done) to be both possible and feasible, from an Example of that kind, seen and heard by His late Majesty in Spain; did by means of such Considerations and Methods as are since by him made publick, in a short time, teach the said Mr. Popham to pronounce plainly and distinctly, and with a good and graceful tone, whatsoever words were shewn him in Print or Writing, or represented to him by other several ways; or as he had occasion to ask for, or repeat such things as he had learn'd or understood.

This was publickly taken notice of, and known, not only to those eminent persons above-named; but generally in Oxford, from whence very many Students resorted to Bletchington on purpose to satisfie their curiosity, and have a particular knowledg of that which they had recei­ved by report. Amongst these, Dr. VVallis was one, with whom also Dr. Holder had discourse on that occasion di­vers times when they happened to meet in Oxford.

In March 1659/60, Mr. Popham (together with Dr. Holder) was sent for to his Relations, then at Westminster. On which occasion, many persons of all degrees, both there and in London, satisfied themselves in hearing Mr. Popham speak, and particularly Sir Charles Scarborough, M.D. Who also in his publick Lectures of Anatomy at that time, thought fit to make an express Relation of it, naming also the per­sons concerned in this experiment.

In the Summer following (Dr. Holder being upon re­moval to Ely) Mr. Popham returned home to his Friends, and began to lose what he had learn'd; and about two years after, upon the Fame that Dr. VVallis had raised con­cerning Mr. VVhalely, was placed for some time with Dr. [Page] Wallis, who in 1662, (two years after Mr. Popham had been by Dr Holder first taught to speak) had made tryal upon Mr. Whalely, who could once speak well, till he be­came Deaf about five years of Age, (as Dr. Wallis re­lates) and then by degrees through occasion of his Deaf­ness, wholly disused himself to speak.

Having some success in making Mr. Whalely pronounce words, though with a harsh ill tone; the Doctor (desirous it seems to entitle himself to this experiment) brought him to London in May 1662, and shewed this as a new wonder to the Court, and to the Royal Society, where he reaped great praise, and had it registred to perpetuate the memory of his Atchievement.

Dr. Holder saw this, and could not but wonder, and al­most pity to see a person of so good Learning, endowed with so many excellent things to make him very considera­bly reputed in the world; yet by too much greedi­ness of Fame, suffer himself to be tempted to the vanity of using such ways of begging and borrowing Reputation.

Had Dr. Holder been so ambitious, or would he have been moved on this just occasion to appear concerned to assert his own right; he could truely have let the world then know, That he is the first that is remembred ever to have succeeded in this attempt in England, or perhaps in the world, the person he undertook, being Deaf from his Birth; whereas that so noised, but later attempt of Dr. Wallis upon Mr. Whalely, was only to regain, in part, a decayed habit, upon one who could have spoke till five years old. And the Constable of Castiles Son (as is rela­ted by the Constables Secretary, Pablo Bonet) heard till two years of Age, and it is likely in that time, (considering the Climate) was forward in speaking. And Mr. Popham, when he was brought to Dr. Wallis, was one also who could have spoke well above two years before, having been taught by Dr. Holder.

The truth is, Dr. Holder then found this Essay so feasi­ble, and still thinks it so easily practicable, after that me­thod he used, and hath described in his Appendix to the Elements of Speech, that he thought it no such great [Page 7]matter of boast; and wonders that it hath not been, and is not oftner attempted, being certain not to fail upon any Dumb person that is docible (as most of them are) rightly managed. And he could wish that more attempts might be made by such ingenious persons as have leisure and opportunity, whom he assures of all readiness in himself to encourage and assist them. And as for the industry that Dr. Wallis used to celebrate the effects (as he speaks) of his skill, and assume all to himself; Dr. Holder as un­concerned, suffered it to pass, and permitted him quietly to enjoy it, satisfying himself with what he had done, more in order to publick benefit, than for Ostentation. And should have still passed it over, had not Dr. Wallis in pursu­ance of his design, given further occasion.

For it happened that about six or seven years after, on occasion of the loss of some Papers on that subject, former­ly communicated by Dr. Holder, to the late Bishop of Chester, (mentioned in his Book of the Ʋniversal Character, p.) which were lost in the Bishops study, together with all his own, in the dreadful Fire of London; Dr. Holder was importuned by the said Bishop, and divers other Members of the Society, to renew those Papers, and to describe and discover the Method he had used in bringing Mr. Popham to speak. He thereupon in the year 1669, presented to the Royal Society, an account thereof in a Treatise of the Elements of Speech, with an Appendix concerning persons Deaf and Dumb, which they thought fit to order to be Printed. Wherein he having made some slight mention of his success upon a Deaf and Dumb person, intending Mr. Popham; Dr. Wallis, who thought he had put himself in sole possession of the repute of this experiment, it should seem, was startled, and about a year after contrived to be published in the Transactions of July 18. 1670, a Letter of his to Mr. Boyle of Date March 14. 1661/2. In which he pretends (for he could not do it in earnest, the sub­ject in reference to him not being capable) to consider and debate about the Natural and Moral possibility and feasibleness of making a Dumb person speak, so to encou­rage himself to undertake it. And all this, after he had [Page 8]seen it performed two years before, and therefore to his certain knowledg, it was both naturally possible, and mo­rally feasible. And it was a mockery in him to pretend to deliberate about it, and that Honourable Gentleman was little obliged to him for being so treated.

But the Doctor had a further design in publishing it. For to this Letter he added by way of Comment, in the Pub­lishers name, but of his own penning, a more particular account and boast about Mr. Whalely, and in three or four subtle lines (which was his chief design,) hedged in what concerned Mr. Popham, describing, but (wisely) not naming him. And concluded with magnifying a small Treatise of his De Loquelâ, on confidence of which he durst undertake that difficult task. And if Dr. Holden, or any other since that, have writ upon the like subject, they are like to gain nothing upon him, for he resolves, Whether any since him have with more judgment and accurateness performed the same, he will not take upon him at all to determine. For all which the Reader is referred to the said Transactions of July, 1670.

As to the last Challenge: Whether any since him, &c. Dr. Holder submits it (so far as concerns him) to the in­telligent impartial Reader. But as to the considering Let­ter, and unseasonable boast of his success with Mr Whalely, and principally his assuming Mr. Popham's speaking solely to himself; to which the other were only subservient, and were to make a noise while this slipt in; Dr. Holder de­clared then his dissatisfaction both to the Publisher, and to Dr. Wallis himself, as being (all circumstances considered) injuriously and disingenuously dealt withal. And now af­ter several years expectation of some ingenuous satisfaction from Dr. Wallis, for that his want of Candour, in publish­ing at that time, and with that manner of contrivance, the fore-mentioned account in his Letter to Mr. Boyle, with the Comment upon it; at last he addresseth himself to the Pub­lisher, thinking it just and requisite, that this Memorial be also inserted in the Transactions, both to disabuse the Reader, and to do some right unto himself.

THis foregoing Paper, or near the same, (the Title or Preface of which was of Mr. Oldenburghs own pen­ning) was put into Mr. Oldenburghs hand, and he thought it reasonable and just to publish it in the Transactions, both to give Dr. Holder some satisfaction, and to vindicate him­self from seeming partial, having been thought to be so; but in good measure excused himself in this particular, by being so imposed upon by Dr. Wallis. But he met with difficulty in the Licensing of it. They thinking it just and necessary that Dr. Holder should be righted, but willing to have some passages softned: before which was done, Mr. Oldenburgh deceased, and so Dr. Holder remains without any possibility of being repaired by the same hand which unwittingly in­jured him.

Now whilst this affair lay before the Royal Society, and Dr. Wallis knew so much; he could not forbear to act the same part over again. For the Ingenious and Learned Dr. Robert Plot, L. L. D. designing a natural History of Oxford­shire, Dr. VVallis thrust himself in, and contrived to be abundantly praised in that work, making a great part of it a History of Dr. VVallis. He imposes upon that worthy, honest, well meaning person, who suspected no sinister de­sign, to magnifie again that small Treatise De Loquelâ, to renew the challenge, and seem to prefer it before what Bishop VVilkins, or Dr. Holder have since writ, even by the advan­tage of what Dr. VVallis did before. When-as, the truth is, Dr. Plot had never seen either Dr. VVallis, or Dr. Holder's Treatises, and could not pretend to pass any Judgment up­on them, but innocently suffered Dr. VVallis to pass it into his Book. And if we may guess at the rest by those three Paragraphs, p. 281, 282. n. 179. 180, 181. which were cer­tainly (or the greatest and material part of them) of Dr. VVallis's own penning, and all of his supervising, it may be justly thought all the rest were so too. And here Dr. VVallis is secure to gain this point, that in a Book which will come into the hands of all curious persons, Dr. VVallis's fame is spread forth to all; and but few will ever happen to know, that he imposed upon the good Doctor, and penned it him­self, as he had done before to the Publisher of the Transacti­ons; [Page]but it was the greater abute to Dr. Plot, to be re­ferred to those Transactions which Dr. VVallis knew to lye at that time under correction before the Royal Society.

THere is no man will blame any ingenious person for making himself fairly known to the world, by publishing the products of his Parts and Learning. And for those ma­ny things which Dr. VVallis has performed, and gained re­putation; Dr. Holder wisheth him much joy, and is as ready as any to give him his due praise. He thinks Dr. VVallis had enough to commend him to the world, and might have kept within the bounds of Fairness and Candor, and not have wanted due estimation.

And in this particular he esteems it very considerable what Dr. Wallis performed upon those two Deaf Gentle­men, and worthy to be known and valued, and has not been wanting to do him that right on all occasions, and would say more of it, if he should not seem to commend himself. But he thinks withal, that the Doctors manner of publishing it so often, and so many ways, and with so much boast and contrivance, was not fair in many respects; and that he had manifestly a design by all possible noise and pre­possession, to drown and suppress the Claim of any who should with more modesty own a primier Title to this ex­periment. Nor could the Doctor conceal his particular emu­lation, when he compassed to have his Treatise De Loquelâ, or, Of the formation of Sounds to be commended. Where though the Doctor could not abstain from that subject, nor could find in his heart to determine against himself; yet 'tis odds, but the impartial Reader will soon determine, VVhether the same hath not since been performed with more accuracy and judgment.

He thinks further, that Dr. VVallis merited, and had a fair repute, and needed not to be so hasty and greedy, as to use such indirect and sinister ways of anticipating and en­larging his own fame; but might have been sufficed with­out rifling his Neighbours, and adorning himself with their spoyls.

But it seems he could not help what was either in his na­ture, or else habitual to him; and hopes to bear it out with [Page]subtlety of contrivauce, speaking like truth so artificially, that his Reader is to believe more than is true, and it serves him to impose upon them whose names and credit he bor­rows to commend him; and for a reserve to himself, if he be called to account. It is true that Mr. Oldenburgh and Dr. Plot have put upon Record some great performances of Dr. Wallis, and the Reader may seem obliged to relye upon their credit. But it is not true that either of them knew or writ any thing of those matters, but what was put into their hands by Dr. Wallis. It was no unlikely or incredible thing to consider of the natural and moral possibility of making a Dumb person speak. But it was not true that Dr. Wallis under those circumstances did, or could deliberate about that possibility. It was like truth, but it was not true, what he says in the Transactions, that he did the like for another, &c. Except by doing the like, he means, ma­king another speak, who could have spoke before. But in the Nat. Hist. of Oxford-shire, he tells a more demure truth, that he taught Dumb persons; so he did, for two were his Schollars. But did either Mr. Popham or Mr. Whalely ow [...] their first speaking to him? Rather, one to his Nurse, the other to Dr. Holder. But Dr. Wallis desires and designs the world would be so kind as to be cajoled into such a belief concerning Mr. Popham; and the rather, since he has drawn in Mr. Oldenburgh and Dr. Plot (till they were better in­formed) to believe it, and prevailed with them, to say as from themselves, what he imposed upon them. The later of these survives, and 'tis not doubted hath so much inte­grity, as no longer to Father those passages which Dr. Wallis has crowded into his Book; but will do right to the Reader, and himself and Dr. Holder on all occasions.

THe Reader need not be troubled with Dr. Wallis's whole Letter to Mr. Boyle in those Philosophical Transactions of July, 18. 1670. p. 1087. N. 61. But is here presented with a touch of such passages as concern this affair.

And first, Pray Reader or Passenger, whatever you are about, leave it, and listen.

The Contents.

‘A Letter of Dr. John Wallis's to Robert Boyle Esq con­cerning the said Doctor's Essay of teaching a person Dumb and Deaf to speak, and to understand a Language; together with the success thereof, made apparent to His Majesty, the Royal Society, and the Ʋniversity of Oxford, &c.’

Title of the Letter in the same Page.

‘A Letter of Dr. John Wallis's to Robert Boyle Esq con­cerning the said Doctors-Essay of teaching a Dumb and Deaf person to speak, and to understand a Language, together with the success thereof. VVhich Letter, though written many years since, was but lately obtained to be inserted here, it be­ing esteemed very well worth to be preserved and communicated for publick use.’

THe Reader may possibly reflect upon the Doctors va­nity in penning this out-cry, but it was but part vani­ty, and part design. For now who can believe that ever any one thought of this before Dr. VVallis made this Essay upon Mr. VVhalely? and so confidently shewed and boasted it; it must be presumed that this was the first Essay. Especially considering what follows in the Letter, Page 1088— ‘I thought my self obliged to give you this brief account of that whole af­fair, that you may at once perceive as well upon what conside­rations I was induced to attempt that work, and what I did propose to my self as feasible therein, as what success hath hitherto attended that Essay.’

Ibid. ‘Now though I did not apprehend either of these impossible, [viz. to speak and to understand a language].’

P. 1090. ‘These difficulties (of which I was well aware) did not so far discourage me from that undertaking, but that I did still conceive it possible that both parts of this task might be effected.’

P. 1092. ‘To these fundamental grounds of possibility in nature, I am next to add a Consideration which made me think it morally possible, that is, not impossible to succeed in practice.’

P. 1093. ‘My next inducement to undertake it was the consideration of the person—represented to me as ingeni­ous and apprehensive—could have spoke till five years of age.’

P. 1094. ‘Having thus acquainted you with those Conside­rations which induced me to attempt it.’

Ibid. ‘Though I did believe that much more is to be effected, than is commonly thought feasible; and that it was possible for him to speak, so as to be understood.’

Postsc. p. 1098.

Ibid. ‘Nor is this the only person, on whom the said Doctor hath shewed the effect of his skill, but he hath since done the like for another (a young Gentleman of a very good Family, and a fair estate) who did from his Birth want his Hearing, [meaning Mr. Popham].’ By what hath been said before, the Reader is able to judg of the honesty of this last passage. Mr. Popham did indeed from his Birth want his Hearing, but he did not from his Birth to the time that Dr. VVallis began to teach him want his Speech; but this is contrived to make the Reader think he did.

P. 1099. ‘He commends his small Treatise De Loquelâ, On considence of which he durst undertake that difficult task.’

Ibid. ‘Whether any since him [that is, whether Bishop VVilkins, or Dr. Holder, as he explains himself in Dr. Plots Nat. Hist. Oxford-shire, p. 282.] have with more judgment and accurateness performed the same, I will not take upon me at all to determine, [very moderately exprest, but your meaning may be easily guessed].’

WIth some sort of men, simulation and dissimulation are no sins. These Considerations induced him, and his Treatise De Loquelâ, gave him confidence to dare to undertake that difficult task; but not a word of any inducement, or incou­ragement, or thought of the possibility of it, from his ha­ving seen it effected but two years before, within five Miles [Page]of him, his Reader must not know of that; and possibly Mr. Oldenburgh did not, nor Dr. Plot: but the Doctor knew it full well, when he sent that subtle Letter and Postscript to Mr. Oldenburgh, and plaid the same game over again with Dr. Plot. And in the Preface before the fourth Edition of his English-Grammar, tells the Reader that it was from hence, from his more attentive perpension of his Treatise of the Formation of sounds, [postquam attentius perpenderam, hinc, &c.] that he taught two Dumb persons [plane mutos] to speak.

NOw after all, to compound this matter; though Dr. Holder is not willing to allow Dr. VVallis to be any more than an Interloper in this experiment, and refers to the Reader to judg whether the said Doctor did deal bonâ Fide in those [...]mnous accounts published on this affair: yet, because Dr. [...]is hath shewn so much dexterity and fine contrivance in attempting to be sole Author of this effect; Dr. Holder is con­tent (if others be so), that Dr. Wallis may in lieu of it possess & enjoy that glorious Title of our ENGLISH ARCHIMEDES, Nat. Hist. Oxf. p. 287.

And further, If Dr. Wallis shall think fit to publish such-like grave Considerations about the Natural and Moral pos­sibility of contriving glasses to help the eye to see at a di­stance, and to discern small bodies at hand: or of setting in a frame, Characters so disposed and ordered under a Press, that by them a thousand Books may be wrought off in the time that two or three can be written, with many other advanta­ges: or of making a Powder, which being fired, shall have great force, and perform strange things. And if upon those Considerations, got to be published in the Transactions with Postscripts, and subtle Comments, and to be avouched in other Authors; dissembling his own knowledg of any such matters before, but encouraged thereto, on confidence of his Book of Mechanicks: If with these and other like Artifices, he can attain t [...] be thought the first inventor of Telescopes, Micros­copes, Printing, Guns and Squibs, which he may better hope to effect, since the Authors of those Inventions are dead, and will certainly be silent and quiet; Dr. Holder promiseth not to concern himself to undeceive the world, or strip the Doctor of any part of that Glory, provided he deal more fairly here­after about the Deaf and Dumb.