of good workmen of every kind, and the society of
persons eminent for their knowledge of chemistry; particularly
Mr. Watt, Mr. Keir, and Dr. Withering. These, with Mr. Boulton
and Dr. Darwin, who soon left us by removing from Lichfield to
Derby, Mr. Galton, and afterwards Mr. Johnson of Kenilworth and
myself, dined together every month, calling ourselves _the Lunar
Society_, because the time of our meeting was near the
full-moon--in order,

as he elsewhere says,

to have the benefit of its light in returning home.

Richard Lovell Edgeworth says of this distinguished coterie:

By means of Mr. Keir, I became acquainted with Dr. Small of
Birmingham, a man esteemed by all who knew him, and by all who
were admitted to his friendship beloved with no common
enthusiasm. Dr. Small formed a link which combined Mr. Boulton,
Mr. Watt, Dr. Darwin, Mr. Wedgwood, Mr. Day, and myself
together--men of very different characters, but all devoted to
literature and science. This mutual intimacy has never been
broken but by death, nor have any of the number failed to
distinguish themselves in science or literature. Some may think
that I ought with due modesty to except myself. Mr. Keir, with
his knowledge of the world and good sense; Dr. Small, with his
benevolence and profound sagacity; Wedgwood, with his increasing
industry, experimental variety, and calm investigation; Boulton,
with his mobility, quick perception, and bold adventure; Watt,
with his strong inventive faculty, undeviating steadiness, and
bold resources; Darwin, with his imagination, science, and
poetical excellence; and Day with his unwearied research after
truth, his integrity and eloquence proved altogether such a
society as few men have had the good fortune to live with; such
an assemblage of friends, as fewer still have had the happiness
to possess, and keep through life.

The society continued to exist until the beginning of the century, 1800.
Watt was the last surviving member. The last reference is Dr.
Priestley's dedication to it, in 1793, of one of his works "Experiments
on the Generation of Air from Water," in which he says:

There are few things that I more regret, in consequence of my
removal from Birmingham, than the loss of your society. It both
encouraged and enlightened me; so that what I did there of a
philosophical kin