Moving Force. 137 
the entrance, but the interior of the structure 
is not very conveniently arranged for the occu- 
pations of life? 
But there is another observation of M. 
D’ Alembert, which has, on the present occa- 
sion, still stronger claims on my attention. 
He says, “mais il semble que la plipart de 
ceux qui ont traité la question de la mesure 
des forces, ayent craint de la traiter en peu de 
mots.” 
Although the censure be severe, it may be 
just, and [I shall endeavour to profit by it. 
Some repetitions, however, in discussions of 
this kind, are unavoidable. . 
In the observations which I have made, as 
well as in those which I have still to make on 
various passages in some of the best authors 
_on mechanics, I hope to escape the charge of 
being in any degree disrespectful towards 
them. Iam sensible that any remarks having 
that tendency would ill become me, and could 
be of no availin my argument. Anxious as I 
am to state distinctly the reasoning and the 
conclusions which appear to me to be ob- 
jectionable, I am not less anxious to state them 
fairly and respectfully. I am well aware of 
the disadvantages under which I labour ; the 
general prejudice against this subject being so 
strong, that a great national institution has 
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