t 513 ] 



LXXV. Geometry and Geometers. Collected by T. S. Davies, 

 Esq., F.R.S. and F.S.A.* 



No. III. 



T^R. SIMSON might, possibly, have alluded to his intention 

 *-* of publishing the Euclid in a letter which is, unfortu- 

 nately, missing from this series, the date of which appears 

 (from the following one) to have been Feb. 5, 1753. It is 

 very probable that Dodson retained the letter, with Nourse's 

 permission, as a memorial of the aged geometer ; but I am 

 altogether ignorant as to what became of Dodson's papers, 

 and have hence no clue for tracing this letter, even if it be in 

 existence. The chief curiosity of the letter would, however, 

 in all probability turn out to be — the particular " problem " 

 which it contained ; and as the Doctor's correspondence is, I 

 believe, preserved in a tolerably complete state, this may pro- 

 bably be learnt from Dodson's enclosure through Nourse, of 

 May 29 that year. The following letter of this series is the 

 first that contains a reference to that work. Though the 

 whole of the letters are upon matters of business, there is so 

 much that is characteristic in them, that I shall give a small 

 number entire, and extracts from others. They relate, too, 

 to that publication which forms an aera in our mathematical 

 literature ; and any circumstances, however slight, attendant 

 upon the publication of the Euclid will be of interest in mathe- 

 matical history. 



"Glasgow March 1755. 



" Dear Sik, — Your last letter to me is of the date May 29, 1753 

 in answer to mine of Febry. 5th that same year, and as you delayed 

 writing near four months because, as you say, you had little to write, 

 the like apology must be made for my delaying to write near two 

 years ; but I confess my neglect is a great deal more blameable than 

 Your's, not only in respect of the far longer time, but that I ought 

 to have returned you much Sooner thanks for your kind letter, and 

 the Solution inclosed in it by the very ingenious Mr. Dodson of the 

 Questionf I had sent up, which is very well done. Pray give my 



* Communicated by the Author. 



\ Most likely the " question " was some one relating to " chances." 

 Simson was a great devotee to whist (see Trail, p. 76) ; and Dodson'sybrfc 

 lay in this direction. The problem no doubt (if such were its character) 

 originated in his " club," and involved an inquiry why he should so often 

 be a loser (as Dr. Trail reports him to have been) when he ought to have 

 been the winner. There are two or three orders in these letters for 

 " Blanchard's cards," which he bought by the dozen. In one letter (the 

 last of the series) he denominates them his " little books;" and in another 

 he complains that those last sent "were vile trash, so soft that they would 

 serve but for one or two nights, whereas those you used to send before 

 these served at least four or five times." 



