Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Comparison Between The Ancients And Moderns In Science And Literature.
but which still maintained that the earth was at rest : and this was an . error which he never could be induced to disbelieve . At " length , the conjectures of Pythagoras were confirmed , and the true system of the universe discovered by Copernicus ; a system which has since been established upon' the firmest foundation , and the principles of Which have been explained to the world , by the immortal Sir Isaac Newtonupon the irresistible evidence of mathematical
demonstra-, tion . Every attempt that has been made to effect its subversion has uniformly proved abortive ; every objection that ingenuity could devise to weaken its stability , has been refuted by the most forcible tne trutn tne solar
arguments , JDUI inougn or system might have been proved , its theory could never have been elucidated without the aid of the principle of attraction . The discovery of this secret power of nature , by whose operation the phenomena of the celestial bodies are so rationally accounted for , and by whose agency the whole material universe appears to be pervaded , was reserved for the extensive genius of Newton ; a manwhobhis wonderful talents
, , y , acute penetration , depth of research , and astonishing exertion of intellect , has attracted-the wonder of a world , and obtained the exclusive character , of the greatest philosopher that ever existed . His fame is not , like that of many others , confined to one period of time , or within the confines of one part of the globe ; wherever the li < riit of science is perceived , its voice has been heard , and will continue to
resound through the revolving ages of the world . By the assistance of this power of gravitation we are enabled to account for phenomena , which before were either hi ghly problematical , or apparently incapable of any solution whatever . But still the motions of the celestial bodies in curves could not be explained without the further aid of some other cause . This cause was discovered to be a projectile force impressed upon them , the power of which increased in
proportion to their proximity to the sun , the centre of gravity . The solar system thus established and explained upon such rational principles , could not but command the assent and attract the admiration of every philosophic mind . Again , though every encomium and praise is due to the ancients for the invention of geometry , algebra , trigonometry , and conic sections ; though we must always hold in veneration the names of Euclid
, Archimedes , Thales , and Pythagoras , yet at the same time we must remember that the most abstruse branch of mathematical science , and from which the mostdifficultpart of astronomy derives its elucidation , ' owes its origin to modern exertion . What I allude to , is the doctrine
effluxions , which the great Newton invented for the purpose of facilitating his calculations on the curvilinear motions of the planets , and b y which he was enabled to solve problems of the most intricate nature . The globular form of the earth also was known to many of the ancient philosophers ; but whether it was a prolate or an . oblate spheroid , was to be ascertained by a modern experiment made for the purpose of deciding a controversy which this question had given rise to between Sir Isaac Newton and Cassini . But to prove " our proficiency in astronomy , we " need not have recourse to the difficult
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Comparison Between The Ancients And Moderns In Science And Literature.
but which still maintained that the earth was at rest : and this was an . error which he never could be induced to disbelieve . At " length , the conjectures of Pythagoras were confirmed , and the true system of the universe discovered by Copernicus ; a system which has since been established upon' the firmest foundation , and the principles of Which have been explained to the world , by the immortal Sir Isaac Newtonupon the irresistible evidence of mathematical
demonstra-, tion . Every attempt that has been made to effect its subversion has uniformly proved abortive ; every objection that ingenuity could devise to weaken its stability , has been refuted by the most forcible tne trutn tne solar
arguments , JDUI inougn or system might have been proved , its theory could never have been elucidated without the aid of the principle of attraction . The discovery of this secret power of nature , by whose operation the phenomena of the celestial bodies are so rationally accounted for , and by whose agency the whole material universe appears to be pervaded , was reserved for the extensive genius of Newton ; a manwhobhis wonderful talents
, , y , acute penetration , depth of research , and astonishing exertion of intellect , has attracted-the wonder of a world , and obtained the exclusive character , of the greatest philosopher that ever existed . His fame is not , like that of many others , confined to one period of time , or within the confines of one part of the globe ; wherever the li < riit of science is perceived , its voice has been heard , and will continue to
resound through the revolving ages of the world . By the assistance of this power of gravitation we are enabled to account for phenomena , which before were either hi ghly problematical , or apparently incapable of any solution whatever . But still the motions of the celestial bodies in curves could not be explained without the further aid of some other cause . This cause was discovered to be a projectile force impressed upon them , the power of which increased in
proportion to their proximity to the sun , the centre of gravity . The solar system thus established and explained upon such rational principles , could not but command the assent and attract the admiration of every philosophic mind . Again , though every encomium and praise is due to the ancients for the invention of geometry , algebra , trigonometry , and conic sections ; though we must always hold in veneration the names of Euclid
, Archimedes , Thales , and Pythagoras , yet at the same time we must remember that the most abstruse branch of mathematical science , and from which the mostdifficultpart of astronomy derives its elucidation , ' owes its origin to modern exertion . What I allude to , is the doctrine
effluxions , which the great Newton invented for the purpose of facilitating his calculations on the curvilinear motions of the planets , and b y which he was enabled to solve problems of the most intricate nature . The globular form of the earth also was known to many of the ancient philosophers ; but whether it was a prolate or an . oblate spheroid , was to be ascertained by a modern experiment made for the purpose of deciding a controversy which this question had given rise to between Sir Isaac Newton and Cassini . But to prove " our proficiency in astronomy , we " need not have recourse to the difficult