Description

London, The Royal Society, 1697. 4to (22.3 x 16.2 cm). [2], 13 pp. (numbered 445-457); two engraved text illustrations. Spine with marbled paper cover. = This work is a special version of Isaac Newton's description of gravitational forces and the resulting tidal phenomena - stripped of its mathematics - published because "The desires of several honourable persons, which could not be withstood, have obliged us .for the sake of such, who being less knowing in Mathematical Matters; and therefore, not daring to adventure on the author himself, are notwithstanding, very curious to be informed of the causes of things; particularly of so general and extraordinary Phaenomena, as are those of the Tides". The English astronomer and mathematician Edmund Halley (1656-1742), who supported publication of Newton's work, cleverly referred to the late King James as being the dimwit unable to understand mathematics, although, obviously, the audience for this paper was much larger. Added: the preceding drophead title and contents leaf (pp. 441-442) of number 226 of the Philosophical Transactions, in which Halley's paper was published. Edges slightly trimmed, but otherwise in very good condition.