He Opened A Matchmaking Agency In 18Th Century London [EN]: Chapter 18

18. A Secret Meeting 1

◈ Matthew Boulton’s Residence

The conversation that began in the carriage continued around the dinner table after arriving at Matthew Boulton’s house.

After the meal, James Watt and Miss Ann Macgregor excused themselves for a walk, leaving Tae-oh to share tea and conversation with Boulton.

Boulton, who had listened intently, his expression serious, made an unexpected proposal to Tae-oh.

“Mr. Sanderson, if your schedule allows, would you be interested in attending a meeting I host?”

“Pardon? A meeting?”

“It’s a gathering similar to the Intelligence Club you frequent, Mr. Sanderson.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“While the Intelligence Club values intellect, it remains a social circle largely defined by aristocracy. The ‘Lunar Society,’ which I lead, is, I dare say, a truer meritocracy of the mind.”

“Lunar… Society?”

“Indeed. We call our gathering the ‘Lunar Society.’ After our conversation today, Mr. Sanderson, I felt compelled to extend an invitation. As it happens, we’re meeting the day after tomorrow. Perhaps you would consider staying as a guest at my home for two days and attending?”

Tae-oh’s jaw nearly dropped at the mention of the ‘Lunar Society.’

Tae-oh often immersed himself in history books whenever his mind felt troubled.

He had stumbled upon the ‘Lunar Society’ in a book a few years prior and found himself captivated.

He vividly recalled poring over countless sources, intrigued by the organization’s secretive nature as he tried to learn more about it.

LUNAR SOCIETY.

This clandestine group, named ‘Lunar’ because its members met on nights when the moon was full, is noted in historical records as a forum where influential intellectuals from all walks of life in England gathered for impassioned discussions.

Unlike other clubs that maintained subtle social barriers based on status, the ‘Lunar Society’ was known for welcoming talent and expertise from all classes, fostering a free exchange of knowledge and ideas that spurred innovation and collective intelligence.

In essence, the Lunar Society was a catalyst for England’s explosive growth during the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment.

And now, Matthew Boulton, the leader of this historical society, was inviting Tae-oh to join them.

***

Two days later.

“Mr. Sanderson, are you ready? Shall we depart?”

“Ah, yes.”

Tae-oh, having enjoyed two comfortable days at Matthew Boulton’s residence, finally boarded the carriage to attend the Lunar Society meeting.

Originally, James Watt was to accompany him, but urgent business required him and Ann Macgregor to leave the previous day.

Clatter. Clatter.

Tae-oh and Boulton set off for the meeting place alone in the carriage.

In the 21st century, records of the 18th-century ‘Lunar Society’ were scarce.

Despite its members wielding considerable influence across British society, detailed accounts of their activities seemed nonexistent, perhaps because the society served no specific political or commercial purpose.

Tae-oh first learned of this veiled gathering while reading a biography of Charles Darwin, the author of ‘The Origin of Species.’

Charles Darwin’s paternal grandfather was ‘Erasmus Darwin,’ a physician and abolitionist, and his maternal grandfather was ‘Josiah Wedgwood,’ the founder of a renowned European pottery company and a fellow abolitionist.

Coincidentally, the two had become close friends through their involvement in the ‘Lunar Society.’

Their friendship led to the marriage of their children, and eventually, to the birth of their grandson, Charles Darwin.

Tae-oh always found the interconnected relationships between world-famous figures fascinating, but he never imagined he would witness such a gathering firsthand.

‘That’s right, Benjamin Franklin was also a member, wasn’t he?’

Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States.

While James Watt and Matthew Boulton were immortalized as great figures on the British 50-pound note, Benjamin Franklin graced the American 100-dollar bill.

Remarkably, three figures featured on banknotes were associated with this ‘Lunar Society’ alone.

Furthermore, world-renowned chemists, arms dealers, geologists, and other intellectuals were said to be members.

However, given the limited official information about the society, the identities of other attendees remained a mystery.

‘Who will I meet? I’m truly excited.’

Clatter. Clatter.

Tae-oh’s heart pounded with anticipation as the carriage rattled toward that secret meeting at the end of the 18th century.

◈ Soho House in Handsworth, Birmingham

The Lunar Society meeting was held at Boulton’s Soho House in Birmingham.

“Ah, Mr. Darwin, allow me to introduce Mr. Theo Sanderson from London.”

Matthew Boulton, the host of the meeting, introduced Tae-oh to the members one by one, each of whom extended a warm welcome.

In particular, the popularity of ‘The Wealth of Nations’ seemed to have preceded him; they showed even greater interest upon learning that Tae-oh was a member of Professor Adam Smith’s Intelligence Club.

But Tae-oh’s awe far surpassed their interest.

With each introduction, a small exclamation escaped Tae-oh’s lips.

Erasmus Darwin, Josiah Wedgwood, world-renowned chemists Joseph Priestley and James Keir, John Whitehurst, a pioneer in geology, and so on.

Tae-oh was so captivated by the endless procession of famous figures that he felt as though he had stepped into a movie scene.

He could hardly believe he was making eye contact, smiling, and shaking hands with individuals who had shaped history.

After the introductions, the members gathered around a long table adorned with gold-plated candlesticks and began to share stories over a carefully prepared meal.

At one point, Matthew Boulton mentioned the steam engine demonstration from a few days prior, and the story of Tae-oh’s 100,000-pound investment naturally arose.

“How could you make such a significant investment based solely on hearsay, without any prior interaction?”

The speaker was Erasmus Darwin, the future paternal grandfather of Charles Darwin, his expression one of surprise.

Erasmus Darwin was a physician and naturalist with a deep interest in biological evolution (*Natural history: A branch of science dedicated to the study of plants, animals, and minerals in their natural environments*).

Tae-oh couldn’t help but smile, reminded of his grandson Charles Darwin by the curious glint in his eyes.

“Of course, my decision wasn’t based solely on rumors. I had been following the development of steam engines for some time, and Mr. James Watt’s patent from a few years ago piqued my serious interest.”

Alexander Grantley, a man with a large wig and a particularly small mouth on a round face, shook his head at Tae-oh’s response.

“Well, I acknowledge that the pressure of steam can generate considerable energy, but I question whether the steam engine has any practical application beyond draining pumps in mines.

For Mr. Sanderson to invest such a substantial sum based on a mere patent announcement… I’m unsure whether to call it courageous or reckless…”

Tae-oh noticed his eyebrows twitching slightly.

The lips are often the most revealing when someone is displeased, but subtle cues can also be observed in the eyes and eyebrows.

Grantley’s eyes, in particular, betrayed a noticeable shift, his lower eyelids attempting to partially conceal his pupils.

‘He must be dissatisfied with and skeptical about James Watt’s steam engine. That explains his discomfort with my investment.’

It was evident from his tone and demeanor that he harbored a long-standing antipathy toward James Watt.

‘Alright. I need to take the initiative to build a strong network for the future.’

Their future was uncertain, but for Tae-oh, it was already history. He held the decisive card.

“Unlike existing steam engines, Watt’s design allows for miniaturization. Furthermore, its superior efficiency opens up countless potential applications. That’s why I decided to invest boldly.”

Grantley’s lips curled into a sneer at Tae-oh’s words. He then clasped his hands together on the table.

Clasping and raising one’s hands is a defensive and hostile gesture, akin to crossing one’s arms. Grantley was unconsciously expressing his animosity toward Tae-oh.

“That’s amusing. How can the power of steam, derived from boiling water, have such limitless applications? Why not suggest that a steam-powered carriage will emerge, allowing us to traverse the entire country, or even take to the skies? Hahaha.”

– Hahahahaha

– Puhahahaha

Laughter rippled through the room at Grantley’s mockery.

However, Tae-oh countered with a relaxed smile.

“You’ve hit upon something. While flying with a steam engine may be far off, I believe steam-powered carriages will be commercialized sooner than you think.”

“What? A steam-powered carriage?”

“Indeed. Currently, carriages connected on rails in mines are pulled or pushed by horses or mules. But in the future, a mode of transportation will be developed that connects multiple carriages and runs solely on the power of a steam engine, enabling travel across England, or even Europe. Furthermore, ships that rely on wind power will be largely replaced by steam-powered vessels, and powerful, steel-clad steamships will be developed.

In addition, factories powered by steam instead of hydropower will proliferate, and England will become the wealthiest nation in the world.”

The atmosphere in the room shifted dramatically, becoming hushed as Tae-oh’s specific predictions poured forth without hesitation.

Tae-oh spoke with unwavering confidence, as if describing events that had already transpired.

“Hahaha. Listening to Mr. Sanderson, I now understand how he could recklessly invest such a large sum without even seeing Mr. Watt’s machine. You have quite the imagination. Hahaha, it’s truly amusing. You’re a very entertaining individual. But you’re mistaken. The miniaturization of the steam engine is like…”

Grantley continued to challenge Tae-oh’s assertions, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense.

Eventually, Matthew Boulton, the host, intervened to mediate.

“Haha, at this rate, you two will be at each other’s throats. Perhaps we should table the discussion about steam engines for now.”

Boulton had invested heavily in steam engines, but he didn’t seem particularly bothered by Grantley’s disparaging remarks.

Instead, he seemed to believe that such discussions could stimulate interest in the potential of steam power.

Grantley, visibly agitated, forced a wry smile and fell silent, feigning composure at Boulton’s intervention.

Boulton, however, looked at Tae-oh with undisguised admiration.

“Mr. Sanderson is clearly no ordinary man. I am astounded by his detailed predictions regarding the future of steam engines.

You have demonstrated that your decision to invest in Boulton & Watt was based on remarkable foresight. It’s a shame Mr. James Watt couldn’t be here to participate in this discussion, haha.”

Grantley, increasingly irritated by the constant praise for Tae-oh, pouted and grumbled.

“Huh – that’s rich. Since when has ‘recklessness’ been synonymous with ‘decisiveness’?”

“Shouldn’t Mr. Grantley acknowledge Mr. Sanderson’s knowledge by now? Mr. Sanderson seems to know more about steam engines than I do, and I founded the steam engine company. I now understand why Mr. Sanderson invested in us. Don’t you think he studied incredibly hard before making that investment?”

Grantley retorted in an angry tone at Boulton’s continued praise.

“Hmm, very well. Then, shall we see if that great ‘decisiveness’ will be demonstrated at our meeting?”

He jumped up from his seat, strode to a bookshelf in the corner, and retrieved something.

It was a betting ledger.

“I heard that Mr. Sanderson made a name for himself in the Intelligence Club’s betting ledger by accurately predicting the start of the war in the North American colonies. He also profited handsomely from that bet.”

One of the Lunar Society members recalled the rumors about Theo Sanderson and shared them during the meal.

“But in truth, it was quite obvious that a conflict between North America and the British garrison was inevitable at the time.

So, how about this? How about predicting the outcome of the upcoming war between England and the North American colonies and recording our predictions in the betting ledger?”

Tae-oh nearly burst out laughing at Grantley’s proposal to bet on the future of the conflict between England and North America.