I don't know much about the 17th century, but late-19th century "peer review" was definitely way more fun than today. There were a ton of published criticism by

I don't know much about the 17th century, but late-19th century "peer review" was definitely way more fun than today. There were a ton of published criticism by peers, often with colorful language and creative ad hominem attacks. As an example, the exchanges between Heaviside and Preece are highly entertaining. > Mr. Preece is much to be congratulated upon having assisted at the experiments upon which (so he tells us) Sir W. Thomson based his theory; he should therefore have an unusually complete knowledge of it. But the theory of the eminent scientist does not resemble very closely the eminent scienticulist." (Heaviside, The Electrician, 1887, qtd in Nahin's biography) Heaviside commonly referred to Preece with names such as "the eminent scienticulist," the "unscientific speculator," and occassionally "the Nameless One."