BY SIR DAVID BREWSTER, K.H. A.M., LL.D., D.C.L., F.R.S., AND M.R.I.A., One of the Eight Associates of the Imperial Institute of France-Officer of the Legion of Honour- Stockholm, Munich, Göttingen, Brussels, Haerlem, Erlangen, Canton de Vaud, Modena, Florence, Venice, Washington, New York, Boston, Quebec, Cape Town, etc. etc.; and Principal and Vice- SCUOLA DEGL Second Edition. BIBLIOTE VOL. I. EDINBURGH: EDMONSTON AND DOUGLAS. MDCCCLX. Ergo vivida vis animi pervicit, et extra Processit longe flammantia monia mundi; Atque omne immensum peragravit mente animoque. LUCRETIUS, Lib. i. 1. 73. TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT, K. G. CHANCELLOR OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE. SIR, IN dedicating this Work to your Royal Highness, I seek for it the protection of a name indissolubly associated with the Sciences and the Arts. An account of the Life, Writings, and Discoveries of Sir Isaac Newton might have been appropriately inscribed to the Chancellor of the University of Cambridge, the birthplace of Newton's genius, and the scene of his intellectual achievements; but that illustrious name is more honourably placed beside that of a Prince who has given such an impulse to the Arts and Sciences of England, and whose views, were they seconded by Statesmen willing to extend Education and advance Science, would raise our country to a higher rank than it now holds among the nations of Europe, in the arts of Peace and of War. It is from the trenches of Science alone that war can be successfully waged; and it is in its patronage and liberal endowment that nations will find their best and cheapest defence. That your Royal Highness may be enabled to realize those noble and patriotic views respecting the national encouragement of Science, and the consolidation of our Scientific Institutions, which you have so much at heart, and that you may long live to enjoy the reputation which you have so justly earned, is the ardent wish of, SIR, Your Royal Highness's Humble and obedient Servant, ST. LEONARD'S COLLEGE, ST. ANDREWS, May 12, 1855. DAVID BREWSTER. |