An account of Sir Isaac Newton's philosophical discoveries : in four books / By Colin Maclaurin. Published from the author's manuscript papers, by Patrick Murdoch.

  • MacLaurin, Colin, 1698-1746.
Date:
1750
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An account of Sir Isaac Newton's philosophical discoveries : in four books / By Colin Maclaurin. Published from the author's manuscript papers, by Patrick Murdoch. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    tions which he had proved, he was apt rather to fufpe£fc his own expreffions to have been obfcure, than their want of genius or attention ; and therefore would refume the demonftration in fome other method, to try if, by expofing it in a different light, he could give them a better view of it. „ Befides the labours of his public profefiion, he had fre¬ quently many other employments and avocations. If an uncommon experiment was faid to have been made any where, the curious were defirous of having it repeated by Mr. Maclaurin: if an eclipfe or comet was to be ohferved, his telefcopes were always in readinefs. The ladies too would fometimes be entertained with his experiments and obfervations; and were furprized to find how eafily and familiarly he could refolve the queflions they put to him. His advice and affiftance, efpecially to the young gentle¬ men who had been his pupils, was never wanting ; nor was admittance refufed to any, except in his teaching hours, which were kept facred. His acquaintance and friendfhip was likewife courted by the ingenious of all ranks; who, by their fondnefs for his company, took up a great deal of his time, and left him not mailer of it, even in his country retirements. Notwithffanding the ne- ceffary labour and the many interruptions and avocations which he had, he continued to purfue bis own ffudies with the utmoft afliduity, reading whatever was publifhed, from which he could expert any information or improvement. But to have time for fo much lludy and writing, he was obliged to take from the ordinary hours of deep, what he bellowed on his fcholars and friends and by this, no doubt, greatly impaired his health. Sir Ifaac JNewton dying in the beginning of the year 1728, his nephew Mr. Conduitt propofed to publifh an account of his life, and delired Mr. Maclaurin s a fb dance ; who, out of gratitude to his great benefactor, chearfitllv undertook and foon finifhed the hi (lory of the progrefs which philofophy had made before Sir Ifaacs time. This was the lirlf draught of the following work ; which was immediately fent up to London, and had the approbation of fome of the bed judges. Dr. Rundle, in particular, af¬ terwards