Scientific Intelligence, Sfc. 389 



The first volume was published, and Flamsteed gave up full copies 

 of his observations for the second volume, and brought also a more 

 complete catalogue of, the stars, which was deposited in Newton's 

 hands. The whole was stopped by the death of Prince George in 

 1708. 



In 1710, Flamsteed was much annoyed by the appointment of 

 visitors of the Royal Observatory, Newton being at the head. The 

 Queen also undertook to continue the printing, which was re-com- 

 menced without Flamsteed's consent, and, as he alleged, in violation 

 of previous contracts. They proceeded to print the observations in 

 a garbled form, and also inserted lunar places from those at first given 

 to Newton under condition of secrecy, together with the catalogue of 

 the stars above-mentioned. 



Soon after this, a violent altercation occurred between Flamsteed 

 and Newton, in which (according to Flamsteed) the latter abused 

 him in terms of the most unmeasured virulence, whilst he accused 

 Newton of having broken open and printed the papers delivered to 

 him sealed up. 



Flamsteed now broke off all communication with Newton; and 

 proceeded to revise the observations, and to supply deficiencies, 

 with the determination of publishing a perfect copy at his own ex- 

 pense. This he proceeded to do, but finished only the first and a 

 second volume before his death, in 1719. His widow completed 

 that and the third volume, with the aid of Sharp and Crosthwait, his 

 former assistants, in 1725. 



The writer, in conclusion, offers some explanation of the case, 

 upon the consideration chiefly of the manifest characters of the 

 parties. He represents Newton as intensely anxious for the publica- 

 tion of the observations : Halley equally so, having other designs in 

 view at the same time : exercising an ascendancy over Newton, and 

 urging him on to practices, which, he no doubt, managed to persuade 

 him were all justifiable ; especially under the plea of the royal 

 authority of his commission. 



Flamsteed had much just cause of complaint, but grossly exagge- 

 rated it. The final outbreak of virulence and mutual abuse partook 

 of the coarseness of the age. The accusations against Newton, of a 

 breach of confidence and honesty in printing the papers intrusted to 

 him confidentially, and even breaking the seals of a deposit, are 

 examined by the writer in detail, and he finds such discordance and 

 contradiction in the evidences collected from Flamsteed's papers, as 

 to throw the greatest doubt on the accusation. 



Feb.Yd. — The President read a paper, entitled, Notes on the Indica 

 of Ctesias. The object of this communication was to investigate the 

 circumstances which had given origin to the many marvellous stories 

 related of India by that writer, and to shew that they had probably 

 been derived from the country to which they referred, being founded 

 partly upon facts, and partly upon erroneous reports, of mythological 

 legends and sculptures. The paper divided the observations of 

 Ctesias into two classes : those concerning the country and its inha- 

 bitants, and those concerning its natural history. Under the former, 

 the writer attempted to prove, that the extent, population, and cli- 



