-% the Rev. John Flamsteed, 151 



" a malicious thief," and makes use of other opprobrious epi- 

 thets which could only be palliated by a consideration of Flam- 

 steed's high state of excitement. But, I apprehend, that, at that 

 day, a much greater license of expression was allowed or taken 

 on such occasions ; for a circumstance occurred about the same 

 time, which shewed that even Newton himself could for a mo- 

 ment, in a similar manner, forget his rank and station, the occa- 

 sion of which was as follows : — In the year 1710, her Majesty 

 was pleased to appoint the President of the Royal Society, to- 

 gether with such others as the Council of the said Society should 

 think fit> to be visitors of the Royal Observatory. Flamsteed 

 calls this measure " another piece of Sir Isaac Newton's inge- 

 nuity ;" and, after the treatment he had received^ he might natu- 

 rally conclude that this also was done to annoy him. There 

 is no evidence, however, to shew that Newton had any hand in 

 it whatever ; but, in consequence of this appointment, a scene 

 occurred, the particulars of which would perhaps never have 

 been divulged, had not these manuscripts of Flamsteed, belong- 

 ing to two distinct parties, been simultaneously brought to light. 

 It appears that a meeting of the council of the Royal Society 

 was summoned for October 26, 1711, at which Flamsteed was 

 desired to attend, " to know from him if his instruments were 

 in order, and fit to carry on the necessary celestial observations.'* 

 Flamsteed attended accordingly ; and a scene ensued, which he 

 has minutely described in three or four of his MSS., and in his 

 letters to Mr Sharp without much shade of difference. It ap- 

 pears that Newton, not satisfied or pleased with the answers that 

 he received from Flamsteed, forgot himself and the duty he was 

 then performing under the Queen's warrant, " ran himself into a 

 great heat and very indecent passion, and used him so as he 

 was never used before ; called him a puppy., and many other 

 hard names, but puppy was the most innocent of them." Dr 

 Mead, who was present, joined in insulting him, till at length 

 Flamsteed, evidently disgusted at such treatment, withdrew from 

 the scene, desiringthem to restrain their passion, and telling them 

 that " it was a dishonour to the nation, her Majesty, and that 

 Society (nay to the President himself) to use him so." When 

 we consider that Newton was at that time nearly sixty-nine years 

 •of age, and that Flamsteed was upwards of sixty-five, and so 



