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THE LIFE

OF

SIR ISAAC NEWTON.

THE LIFE

OF

SIR ISAAC NEWTON,

CONTAINING AN

ACCOUNT OF HIS NUMEROUS

INVENTIONS AND DISCOVERIES;

AND A BRIEF

SKETCH OF THE HISTORY OF ASTRONOMY

PREVIOUS TO HIS TIME.

COMPILED FROM AUTHENTIC DOCUMENTS.

+

BY GEORGE GRANT.

AUTHOR OF "SIR WILLIAM WALLACE" "ROBERT BRUCE," "SIR
WALTER SCOTT," ETC.

DUBLIN:

PUBLISHED BY JAMES M'GLASHAN,

21, D'OLIER STREET.

MDCCCXLIX.

u. of West. Ontario. EX.

E45

'N56 61

PREFACE.

In compiling this Life of Sir Isaac Newton, there has been considerable difficulty experienced from the scantiness of materials collected by preceding biographers, both as regards the particulars of the early life and the historical details of the discoveries of one of the greatest men whom England has had the honour of having produced-a person alike distinguished for the great originality and depth of his philosophic views, and the simplicity and amiableness of his character-one whom we are perhaps called on to admire more than to imitate, yet one whose virtues and piety may well serve as an example to individuals in every sphere of life.

How frequently are the lives of men of ordinary talent recorded for our instruction. It certainly must be much more interesting to follow the most exalted genius through the incidents of common life;-to remark the steps by which he attained his lofty pre-eminence ;-to observe how he performs the functions of the social and the domestic compact;-how he exercises his lofty powers of invention and discovery ;—how he comports himself in the arena of intellectual strife ;-and in what sentiments, and with what aspirations he quits the world which he has adorned. In almost all these bearings, the life and writings of Sir Isaac Newton abound with the richest

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