Nicholas Mercator

Memorandum : Mr. Nicholas Mercator made and presented to King Charles the 2d a clock ('twas of a foote diameter) which shewed the inequality of the sun's motion from the apparent motion, which the king did understand by his informations, and did commend it, but he never had a penny of him for it stood it not ; he sold it to Mr. Knib, a watch-maker, who did not understand it neither, who sold it to Mr. Fromantle (that made it) for 5 li. who askes now (1683) for it 200 li.