X ADVERTISEMENT. 



which I could eafily multiply, and exhibit in new 

 lights, relatively to the Ocean itfelf, if there were 

 occafion, and if health permitted. 



One Journal which, from the title it afTumes, 

 would feem deftined to inform all Europe, as well 

 as that which, from it's title, would be thought 

 referved for the ufe of the learned, have thought 

 proper to maintain a profound filence, not only 

 with regard to natural truths fo new, and fo im- 

 portant, but even with refpedt to my whole Work. 

 Others have oppofed to me, as a complete refuta- 

 tion, the authority oï Newton, who did not think 

 as I do. I refpeâ: Newton for his genius and for 

 his virtues, but I refpeâ: truth ftill much more. 

 The authority of great names ferves but too fre- 

 quently as a ftrong hold to error. It is thus that, 

 on the faith of a Maiipertiiis, and of a Condamine, 

 Europe has till now believed, that the Earth was 

 flattened at the Poles. I demonftrate, after their 

 own operations, in the explication of the plateSj at 

 the end of the firft volume, that it is lengthened 

 out at the Poles. What anfwer is it poffible to 

 give to the geometrical demonftration which I 

 produce of it ? For my own part, I am perfeâ:ly 

 convinced, that Newton himfelf would, at this day, 

 renounce fuch an erroneous opinion, though he 

 was the firft who broached it, if the truth muft be 

 told. 



The 



