RECTOR OF 8WANSC0MBE, KENT. 153 



work. Accordingly, during the following year, the first 

 seventeen propositions were published at Canterbury, " in 

 the hope that all lovers of geometry [would] encourage the 

 work," not only " on account of the great curiosity of the 

 subject," but also " on account of the great abilities of the 

 author, who has always been esteemed the first geometer of 

 the age." It does not, however, appear that the translator's 

 hopes were realized; for although he proposes shortly to 

 complete the work in " three more such [monthly] numbers," 

 the sale did not warrant his proceeding with the translation. 

 He subsequently furnished an English version of Maclaurin's 

 " Treatise on the General Properties of Geometrical Lines" 

 for the fourth edition of that author's Algebra, London, 1779, 

 and these, together with the solution of "An Arithmetical 

 Problem," printed anonymously, complete the catalogue of 

 the published writings of this zealous and able geometer. 

 He died at Chislehurst, in Kent, on the 13th of November, 

 1779. His abilities were favorably noticed in the obituary of 

 the Gentleman's Magazine shortly after, and the following 

 tribute to his public and private worth was written by his 

 friend, the Rev. Charles Wildbore, then editor of the Gen- 

 tleman's Diary : — 



*' On the dark monntaios of .death's dreary dale, 

 My weeping muse begins her mournful tale. 

 My Lawson gone, my kindest friend no more ! 

 Who now shall wish to con my trifles o'er ? 

 Who now like him fine taste shall teach our youth ? 

 Or grace with elegance the force of Truth ? 

 In this attempt, his early lamp my friend 

 Oft trimmed— nor midnight saw his taper end. 

 But oh ! no learning stays the parting breath ; 

 Nor parts, nor arts, shield from the shafts of death. 

 Fair Science, mourn thy loss. His generous mind 

 To the free friend the brother's kindness joined. 

 And aimed to please and profit all mankind." 



