8 Life of the Rev. John Flamsteed, 



not serve his design ; they were put into his hands, 

 February 23rd, 1705-6. Mr. Hodgson acquainted me that 

 Sir Isaac had showed him three or four pages of errata, 

 that were committed in transcribing as he supposed : and 

 a table made by Dr. Gregory for turning the revolves of 

 the screw into degrees, minutes, and seconds, wherein he 

 wisely had supposed the screw every where equal and 

 equable. I smiled at this, and promised to send them my 

 own tables for that purpose, and showed them their mis- 

 takes and that there were no material errors committed. 

 This was some small mortification to them, but they had 

 learned not to be ashamed. 



Though I had refused to handle any of the Prince's 

 money but what was to pay my proper disbursements, and 

 Sir Isaac Newton had granted, that then it was not neces- 

 sary I should sign any agreement with the referees, yet now 

 he became very positive for articles. He had said to some 

 of his confidants, " that he would hamper me with articles." 

 It had come to my ears, and, therefore, on his urging me, 

 I drew up some for the undertaker to sign, as that he 

 should print only 400 copies ; that he should have no in- 

 terest in the original, &c. But these were not to his pur- 

 pose. I would not court him. To bring about his low 

 designs, he makes articles himself, in which some things 

 of mine were inserted, and in them he covenants the under- 

 taker should print five sheets per week ; and for re-printing 

 of faulty sheets; and that I should have £125 paid me, 

 when ten sheets were printed off. These were read to me 

 once, and I was required to sign them immediately, else 

 the work was at a stand : no time would be allowed to 

 consider of them, or amend any thing I thought amiss in 

 them. I was then near £140 out of pocket : all my copy 

 was ready for the press or soon would be. If I refused, 

 the work would be broken off immediately, and the fault 

 would be thrown upon me. For, Sir Isaac Newton lived 

 in the neighbourhood of the Court. I at six miles distance. 

 He had his close friend, the Lord Halifax, to support him 

 there, with the Prince's physician. I had nothing but my 

 sincerity and God's blessing to depend upon. Trusting on 

 these alone, I signed them ; not doubting, but now the 

 press would begin. The articles are dated, November the 

 15th, in the 4th year of Queen Ann, or 1705. 



