1821.] OntheCauses, Laws, and Phenomena of Heat fiasesyi^c, 273 



Article VIII. 



A Mathematical Inquiry into the Causes, Laws, and principal 

 Ph(Enomena of Heat, Gases, Gravitation, ^c. By John He- 

 rapath, Esq. 



DEAR SIR, Cranford^near Hounslow, March 21, 1821. 



The following mathematical investigation of the causes, laws, 

 and principal phenomena, of heat, gases, gravitation, &c. was 

 drawn up about 10 months since, for the purpose of being laid 

 before the public, in the Transactions of the Koyal Society. A 

 knowledge that the Royal Society had been desirous of having 

 these subjects investigated, and a behef that they would, there- 

 fore, have been pleased with this mark of my respect, and have 



. caused the subject to be sifted to the bottom, were the motives 

 which induced me to present them with the first fruits of my 

 labours. Having, however, notwithstanding the marked kind- 

 ness of the President, and another highly distinguished and 

 enlightened member of that Society, experienced from others an 

 unlooked-for, and, I might almost venture to say, an illiberal 

 opposition for upwards of nine months, I have thought it expedient 



, to withdraw this paper, together with another which I composed 

 at the suggestion of Sir H. Davy, confirming by experiment my 

 views on the more material points, in order to bring them both 

 before the public through a different channel. 



It is not my intention here to detail the discouraging and 

 extraordinary line of conduct which has been pursued in this 

 affair, because I shall have it in my power, at the end of these 

 papers, to enter fully into particulars; but I request you will 



'' have the goodness to print the communications just as they now 

 stand ; for the circumstances of the case being such that it will 



. be necessary publicly to invite the attention of the whole Royal 

 Society to this subject, I wish to make no alterations, but to give 

 those who have opposed me a fair opportunity of overturning 

 that against which they have not, in so long a period, produced 

 one vahd objection; or of justifying a conduct, which, though 

 but belonging to a part, might, possibly, in the eyes of the world, 

 from the importance of the subject, produce serious reflections 

 on the whole of a Society, so long distinguished for its candour, 



; liberality, and prompt encouragement, of scientific pursuits. 

 I have the honour to be, dear Sir, 



Your most obedient servant, 



! To Richard Phillips, Esq, JoHNHeRAPATH, 



l!^ew Series, vol. i. 



