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OF

SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

BY

SIR DAVID BREWSTER, K. H.,

A.M., D.C.L., F.R.S., VICE-PRES. R.S., EDINBURGII, AND M.R.LA,

ONE OF THE EIGHT ASSOCIATES OF THE IMPERIAL INSTITUTE OF FRANCE-HONORARY OR CORRESPONDING
MEMBER OF THE ACADEMIES OF ST. PETERSBURGU, VIENNA, BERLIN, COPENHAGEN, STOCKHOLM,

MUNICH, GÖTTINGEN, BRUSSELS, HAERLEM, ERLANGEN, CANTON DE VAUD, MODENA,
WASHINGTON, NEW YORK, BOSTON, QUEBEC, CAPE TOWN, ETC., ETC.-

CHEVALIER OF THE PRUSSIAN ORDER OF MERIT OF FREDERICK

THE GREAT, AND PRINCIPAL OF THE UNITED COLLEGES OF

ST. SALVATOR AND ST. LEONARD'S, ST. ANDREWS.

Ergo vivida vis animi pervicit, et extra

Processit longe flammantia monia mundi;

Atque omne immensum peragravit mente animoque.

LUCRETIUS, Lib. i. 1 75.

VOL. II.

EDINBURGH: THOMAS CONSTABLE AND CO.

HAMILTON, ADAMS, AND CO., LONDON.

MDCCCLV.

RATIHOR RESERVES THE RIGHT OF TRANSLATION.

EDINBURGH T. CONSTABLE, PRINTER TO HER MAJESTY.

CONTENTS OF VOLUME II.

CHAPTER XIV.

History of the Infinitesimal Calculus-Archimedes-Pappus-Napier-Ed-
ward Wright-Kepler's Treatise on Stereometry-Cavalieri's Geometria
Indivisibilium-Roberval-Toricelli-Fermat-Wallis's Arithmetica In-
finitorum-Hudde-Gregory-Slusius-Newton's Discovery of Fluxions
in 1655-General Account of the Method, and of its Applications—His
Analysis per Equationes, &c.-His Discoveries communicated to English
and Foreign Mathematicians-The Method of Fluxions and Quadratures
-Account of his other Mathematical writings-He solves the Problems
proposed by Bernoulli and Leibnitz-Leibnitz visits London, and corre-
sponds with the English Mathematicians, and with Newton through
Oldenburg-He discovers the Differential Calculus, and communicates
it to Newton-Notice of Oldenburg-Celebrated Scholium respecting
Fluxions in the Principia-Account of the changes upon it-Leibnitz's
Manuscripts in Hanover,

PAGE

1-35

CHAPTER XV.

Nicolas Facio de Duillier attacks Leibnitz-Leibnitz appeals to Newton-
He reviews Newton's "Quadrature of Curves," and accuses him of Pla-
giarism-Newton's opinion of the Review-Dr. Keill defends Newton as
the true inventor of Fluxions, and apparently retorts the charge of Pla-
giarism on Leibnitz, who complains to the Royal Society-Keill explains
his defence-The Royal Society approves of his explanation-Leibnitz
calls Keill an upstart, and begs the Royal Society to silence him-the
Society appoints a Committee to inquire into the Claims of Leibnitz and
Newton-The Committee report to the Society, who publish the result in
the "Commercium Epistolicum"-Instigated by Leibnitz, John Bernoulli
attacks the Report, and asserts, in a private Letter to Leibnitz, that he
was the first inventor of the new Calculus-Leibnitz circulates this Letter
in a Charta Volans, and gives up Bernoulli as the author of it-Keill
replies to this Letter, and attacks Bernoulli as its author, who solemnly
b

VOL. II.

227872

denies it to Newton-Leibnitz attacks Newton in a Letter to the Abbé
Conti-Newton replies to it-The Controversy excites great interest—
Leibnitz urges Bernoulli to make a public declaration in his favour—
Bernoulli sends to Leibnitz the celebrated Letter "Pro Eminente Mathe-
matico," on condition of his name being kept secret-Leibnitz and Wolf
alter this Letter improperly, and publish it in such a form that Bernoulli
is proved to be its author-Bernoulli is annoyed by the discovery, and
endeavours, by improper means, to evade the truth-The Abbé Varignon
reconciles Newton and Bernoulli-Death of Leibnitz-Newton writes a
History of the Calculus-General view of the Controversy, and of the
conduct of the parties,

PAGE

36-83

CHAPTER XVI.

Newton declines taking Orders-His Rooms in Trinity College-John
Wickins his chamber-fellow-Letter from Mr. Nicolas Wickins, his Son-
Dr. Humphrey Newton his Amanuensis from 1684-1689-His two Letters
to Conduitt-Newton's Speculations on the Theory of the Earth-James II.
attacks the rights of the Charter-House, and sends an illegal Mandamus
to the University of Cambridge-Newton one of the Delegates to resist
this encroachment on its privileges-the Vice-Chancellor deposed-the
object of the Deputation gained-Neglect of the Scottish Universities-
Newton elected Member for Cambridge to the Convention Parliament—
His habits of business-His letters to Dr. Covel-His acquaintance with
Locke-His Theological inquiries-Locke exerts himself to procure for
him some permanent appointment in King's College, the Charter-House,
and the Mint-Failure of that attempt-Newton's disappointment-In-
gratitude of his Country-Death of his Mother at Stamford-Writes an
Account of Fluxions and Fluents for Wallis-His letter to Locke on
multiplying Gold-Boyle's Recipes and Belief in Alchemy,

CHAPTER XVII.

Newton's health impaired-The Boyle Lectures by Bentley, who requests
Newton's assistance-Newton's first Letter to Bentley on the Formation
of the Sun and Planets-His second Letter-Rotation of the Planets the
result of Divine power-His third Letter-Hypothesis of Matter evenly
diffused-Letter of Bentley to Newton-Reply to it by Newton in a
fourth Letter-Opinion of Plato examined-Supposed mental Illness of
Newton ascribed to the burning of his MSS.-Referred to in the Letters
of Huygens and Leibnitz-Made public by M. Biot-Mentioned in the
Diary of Mr. De la Pryme-The story referred to disproved-Newton's
Papers burnt before 1684-Newton's Letter to Mr. Pepys-Letter of Mr
Pepys to Mr. Millington-Mr. Millington's reply-Mr. Pepys' second
Letter to Mr. Millington-Newton solves a Problem in Chances-His
Letter to Locke-Reply of Locke-Newton's Answer, explaining the
cause of his Illness-His Critical Letter to Dr. Mill-His Mind never in
a state of derangement, but fitted for the highest intellectual efforts,

84-122

123-156

CHAPTER XVIII.

Newton occupied with the Lunar Theory-His Correspondence with Flam-
steed, the Astronomer-Royal-Newton's Letters to Flamsteed, published
by Mr. Baily-Controversy which they occasioned-Flamsteed's Letter to
Newton discovered recently-Character of Flamsteed, in reference to this
Controversy of Newton, and of Halley-all of them engaged, with dif-
ferent objects, in studying the Lunar Theory-Newton applies to Flam-
steed for Observations on the Moon-and on the Refraction of the Atmos-
phere, which Flamsteed transmits to him—Analysis of their Correspond-
ence-Flamsteed's bitterness against Halley-Differences between New-
ton and Flamsteed-Flamsteed's ill health interferes with his supplying
Newton with Observations-Newton's impatience and expostulation with
Flamsteed-Justification of Flamsteed-Biot ascribes Newton's Letter to
mental Illness-Refutation of this view of the subject-Newton never
afflicted with any mental disorder, .

PAGE

157-186

CHAPTER XIX.

No mark of National Gratitude conferred upon Newton-Friendship between
him and Charles Montague, afterwards Earl of Halifax-Montague ap-
pointed Chancellor of the Exchequer in 1694-He resolves upon a Re-
coinage-His Letter nominating Newton Warden of the Mint in 1696-
Newton appointed Master of the Mint when Montague was First Lord of
the Treasury—His Report on the Coinage-Anecdote of his integrity
when offered a bribe-He obtains for Halley the Deputy-Comptrollership
of the Mint at Chester-Quarrels among the Officers there-Disturbances
in the London Mint-New misunderstanding with Flamsteed-Remark-
able Letter to him from Newton-Newton's conduct defended-The
French Academy of Sciences remodelled--Newton elected one of the
eight Foreign Associates--M. Geoffroy describes to Dr. Sloane the change
in the Academy-Newton resigns his Professorship and Fellowship at
Cambridge-Whiston appointed his Successor-Newton elected Member
for the University in 1701, and President of the Royal Society in 1703—
Queen Anne confers upon him the honour of Knighthood in 1705-Love-
letter to Lady Norris-His Letter to his niece, Miss C. Barton-Account
of Sir William and Lady Norris-Letters of Newton about standing for
the University in 1705-Letters of Halifax to Newton on that occasion--
Newton and Godolphin defeated,

187-218

CHAPTER XX.

Sir Isaac is anxious to have the Greenwich Observations published-Flam-
steed agrees, provided his expenses are paid-Prince George offers to pay
the expense of publishing them-He appoints Sir Isaac and others
Referees to manage the matter-Articles agreed upon between Flamsteed
and the Referees-Differences arise, and delays in printing-The Prince

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