THE 



PHILOSOPHICAL MAGAZINE 

 AND JOURNAL. 



JULY 1822. 



I. Furthe)' Observations on Dr. Reade's Papers on Refraction^ 

 By Mr. Charles Stark, R.N. 



To Dr. Tilloch. 



Sir, — jL our correspondent Dr. Reade having, in the Num- 

 ber for Marcli, favoured us with another paper ilkistrative of 

 his new System of Optics, I beg to offer a few more observa- 

 tions on that interesting subject. 



From the Doctor's former paper, it appeared that he felt 

 quite convinced of having demonstrated that no such thing 

 existed as the refraction of hght ; and that what philosophers 

 had hitherto attempted to explain by having recourse to that 

 principle, might be accounted for much more simply on the 

 principle of reflection. It appears too, from his last commu- 

 nication, that his opinions on this subject still remain un- 

 shaken, — that he feels quite convinced of having completely 

 subverted the Newtonian system of optics : besides, he tells us 

 that his opinions are daily gaining ground, and received by 

 men of the first eminence. 



In entering into any critical examination of Dr. R.'s papers, 

 I have no wish to throw a shade over the bright j^rospects 

 which he must, no doubt, be enjoying of seeing that his name 

 must stand pre-eminent in the future annals of philosophical 

 discovery; nor am I actuated by any "angry" motives, as he 

 has unfortunately been led to suj)pose ; but with every feeling 

 of respect to Dr. Reade as a gentleman and a man of science, 

 I shall here take the liberty to ]X)int out to him and his fol- 

 lowers, the absolute necessity of admitting the law of refrac- 

 tion as well as reflection into the science of optics. 



Dr. Reade, at the commencement of his last paper, again 

 Vo 60. No. 291. ,/?//?/ 1822. gives 



