74 HISTORY of the SOCIETY. 



habits of ftudy, in a man of original genius, are ob- 

 jects of curioiity, and deferve to be remembered. Concerning 

 thofe of Dr STEWART, his writings have made it unneceflary 

 to remark, that, from his youth, he had been accuftomed to 

 the mod intenfe, and continued application. In confequence of 

 this application, added to the natural vigour of his mind, he re- 

 tained the memory of his difcoveries in a manner that will 

 hardly be believed. He rarely wrote down any of his invefti- 

 gations, till it became necefTary to do fo for the purpofe of 

 publication. When he difcovered any propofition, he would 

 put down the enunciation with great accuracy, and, on the 

 fame piece of paper, would conftrudl very neatly the figure to 

 which it referred. To thefe he trufted for recalling to his 

 mind, at any future period, the demonftration, or the analyfis, 

 however complicated it might be. Experience had taught him, 

 that he might place this confidence in himfelf without any 

 danger of difappointment j and for this fingular power, he was 

 probably more indebted to the activity of his invention, than 

 the mere tenacioufnefs of his memory. 



THOUGH he was extremely ftudious, he read few books, and 

 verified the obfervation of M. D'ALEMBERT, that, of all the 

 men of letters, Mathematicians read leaft of the writings of 

 one another. His own inveftigations occupied him fufficient- 

 ly ; and, indeed, the world would have had reafon to regret the 

 mifapplication of his talents, had he employed, in the mere ac- 

 quifition of knowledge, that time which he could dedicate to 

 works of invention. 



IT was his cuftom to fpend the fummer at a delightful re- 

 treat in Ayrfliire, where, after the academical labours of the 

 winter were ended, he found the leifure neceflary for the pro- 

 fecution of his refearches. In his way thither, he frequently 

 made a vifit to Dr Si MS ON at Glafgow, with whom he had lived 

 from his youth in the moil cordial and uninterrupted friend- 



ihip. 



