The club was probably founded in 1725, its first set of articles being set down on 10 December of that year. The exact nature of its activities is unknown as the main club volume is mostly administrative in nature and one of the club's articles bound it members to secrecy. The articles do indicate that the club was at least partly social in nature meeting in a tavern and holding its own stock of wine. They also show that members were required to assist each other in seeking 'preferments' above all other candidates and the club ran its own library to which members were expected to contribute. Membership was limited to twelve elected individuals who each took the name of a sign of the zodiac. From 1728 six further members were elected, taking the names of the six known planets. The first members were bachelors of the university, but later members included masters and a few fellows. Officers of the club were drawn from the membership on a termly rotation.