we 
~* 
380 Foreign Literdture and Science. 
ed by Messrs. Andrew and John M. Duncan. Itisa reprint 
of what has been known by the name of the “ Jesuit’s edi- 
tion of the Principia,” first published at Rome by two learn- 
ed French ecclesiastics, Thomas Le Seur and Francis Jac- 
quier; and embracing their celebrated commentary. The 
objects of this commentary are, as explained by the authors 
themselves, “to throw light upon such parts of the work 
as are difficult or obscure; fully to demonstrate those truths 
which Newton has announced, but neglected the proof ; 
and to bring into clearer view some of the less obvious 
beauties that abound in the demonstrations.” 
he authors of the commentary have enriched their work 
_ with occasional treatises, taken from the writings of distin- 
guished men, on various subjects, both mathematical and 
physical; as, the tract on the Conic Sections—a concise, 
but elegant specimen of geometrical reasoning, which ap- 
pears to be the production of a professor at Geneva; and 
the well-known essays of Bernoulli, Euler and M’Claurin, 
on the motions that prevail in the waters of the globe. To 
these are added dissertations on the general principles of 
Mechanics, and the elements of the fluxionary calculus; 
together with many of the observations, experiments and 
reasonings of philosophers, both before and since the days 
of Newton. Solutions also, of ingenious and useful prob- 
lems often recur. ae 
Perhaps it is the chief fault of the work, that its authors 
have too carefully attempted to explain every point that 
seemed in the least degree obscure, and thus increased its 
bulk, without adding proportionally} to its value. The 
present edition is published in the Latin, and comprises 
four handsome octavo volumes. 
When the value of the Principia and the scarcity of for- 
mer editions are considered, this must be deemed an impor- 
tant addition to the list of new publications; and the influ- 
ence which original works of this high character always ex- 
ertupon the progress of usefil science, renders it desirable 
that, if introduced into this country, the work may meet 
with encouragement equal to its merits. 
2. Travels in America—J. M. Duncan, A. B., of the 
University. Press, Glasgow, author of “A Sabbath among 
the Tuscarora Indians,” is preparing for publication an 
