TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES:
—Obvious print and punctuation errors were corrected.
—The transcriber of this project created the book coverimage using the title page of the original book. The imageis placed in the public domain.
A
VIEW
OF
Sir ISAAC NEWTON’s
PHILOSOPHY.
LONDON:
Printed by S. Palmer, 1728.
To the Noble and Right Honourable
Sir ROBERT WALPOLE.
SIR,
I Take the liberty to send youthis view of Sir Isaac Newton’sphilosophy, which, ifit were performed suitable to thedignity of the subject, mightnot be a present unworthy theacceptance of the greatest person. For his philosophy[iv]operations of nature, which for so many ageshad imployed the curiosity of mankind; thoughno one before him was furnished with thestrength of mind necessary to go any depth inthis difficult search. However, I am encouragedto hope, that this attempt, imperfect as it is, togive our countrymen in general some conceptionof the labours of a person, who shall alwaysbe the boast of this nation, may be receivedwith indulgence by one, under whoseinfluence these kingdoms enjoy so much happiness.Indeed my admiration at the surprizinginventions of this great man, carries me to conceiveof him as a person, who not only mustraise the glory of the country, which gave himbirth; but that he has even done honour to humannature, by having extended the greatestand most noble of our faculties, reason, to subjects,which, till he attempted them, appearedto be wholly beyond the reach of our limitedcapacities. And what can give us a[v]more pleasing prospect of our own condition,than to see so exalted a proof of the strengthof that faculty, whereon the conduct of ourlives, and our happiness depends; our passionsand all our motives to action being in suchmanner guided by our opinions, that wherethese are just, our whole behaviour will bepraise-worthy? But why do I presume to detainyou, Sir, with such reflections as these,who must have the fullest experience withinyour own mind, of the effects of right reason?For to what other source can be ascribed thatamiable frankness and unreserved condescensionamong your friends, or that masculine perspicuityand strength of argument, whereby you drawthe admiration of the publick, while you areengage