Biographical account of Matthew Stewart. Biographical account of James Hutton. Biographical account of John Robinson. Review of Mudge's Account of the trigonometrical survey of England. Review of Mechain et Delambre, Base du système métrique décimal. Review of Laplace, Traité de mécanique céleste. Review of Le Compte rendu par l'Institut de France. Review of Lambton's Measurement of an arch of the meridian. Review of Laplace, Essai philosophique sur les probabilitiés. Review of Baron de Zach, Attraction des montagnes. Review of Kater on the pendulum |
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accuracy accurate afford ancient angles appear arch ascertained astronomical Board of Longitude bodies calculation cause circumstances computation considerable considered deduced degree Delambre determined discoveries distance Dr Black Dr Hutton Dr Simson Dr Stewart Dunkirk earth Edinburgh effect employed England equal equator error experiments extremely fathoms force France French geometer geometry give given gravity heat inequalities instrument investigation irregularities Jupiter known Laplace latitude length less longitude mathematical mathematicians matter means measured ment mentioned meridian method mixed mathematics moon moon's motion mountain Mudge nature nearly never Newton object observations orbit pendulum perpendicular philosophers planets Porisms principle probably problem produced Punnae quantity remark repeating circle revolution Robison Royal schistus seems side spherical excess stations supposed surface theodolite theorem theory thing tion toises trigono trigonometrical survey truth University of Edinburgh vibrations whole zenith
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Page 81 - The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into the abyss of time ; and while we listened with, earnestness and admiration to the philosopher who was now unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful events, we became sensible how much farther reason may sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow.
Page 337 - ... the three angles of a triangle are together equal to two right angles, although it is not known to all.
Page 303 - ... the base, as the square of the radius to the square of the cosine of half the angle included between the two sides of the triangle.
Page 311 - ... that the mean longitude of the first satellite, minus three times that of the second, plus twice that of the third, is always equal to two right angles.
Page 127 - The boast of heraldry, the pomp of power, And all that beauty, all that wealth e'er gave, Await alike the inevitable hour — The paths of glory lead but to the grave.
Page 327 - In one of these, where the dictates of Aristotle are still listened to as infallible decrees, and where the infancy of science is mistaken for its maturity, the mathematical sciences have never flourished ; and the scholar has no means of advancing beyond the mere elements of geometry.
Page 55 - It is unreasonable, indeed, to suppose that such marks should any where exist. The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction ; he has not permitted in his works any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration.
Page 56 - The Author of nature has not given laws to the universe, which, like the institutions of men, carry in themselves the elements of their own destruction. He has not permitted, in his works, any symptom of infancy or of old age, or any sign by which we may estimate either their future or their past duration. He may put an end, as he no doubt gave a beginning, to the present system, at some determinate period; but we may safely conclude, that this great catastrophe will not be brought about by any of...
Page 460 - ... which the least mean error belongs, are accounted the best. This, however, is not the way in which the question ought to be decided. The sums of the squares of the differences between the observed and the calculated places should be added together : that...
Page 441 - ... most general rule that we are enabled to give admits of many exceptions. The violation of the order of events among the phenomena of the former class, the suspension of gravity, for example, the deviation of any of the stars from their places or their courses in the heavens, &c., — these are facts of which the improbability is so strong that no testimony can prevail against it.