Life and Character of Nathaniel Bowditch. 19 
abridged manner, in which the analytical calculations have been 
made, it has been found difficult to be understood by many per-, 
sons, who have a strong and decided taste for mathematical stud- 
ies, on account ‘of the time and labor required to insert the inter- 
mediate steps of the demonstrations, necessary to enable them. 
easily to follow the author in his reasoning. ‘'T’o remedy in some. 
measure, this defect, has been the chief object of the translator 
in the Notes.” 
It was in the year 1815, at Salem, that he began th thie is herouienn 
and finished it in two years. The Com mmer hiche 
ceeds the original in extent, kept pace with the Tr: 
whilst the oublicating was in hand, his alteration 
Were so numerous that it might almost be consider 
of the work. 
Let it not be said, in ae a of the labors of Dr. Bow- 
ditch, that this was not an original work, but merely a translation. 
Suppose that it had been so. Whatthen? Was it not still a ben- 
efaction to this country and to Great Britain, thus to bring it with- 
in the reach and compass of the American and English mind * 
It is truly said by an old writer, “So well is he worthy” of per- 
petual fame that bringeth a good work to light, as is he that first 
did make it, and ought always to be reckoned the. second father 
thereof.” But the fact is, it is more than half an original com- 
meutary and exposition, simplifying and elucidating what was be- 
fore complex and obscure, supplying omissions and deficiencies, 
fortifying the positions with new proofs and giving additional 
* The only attempts that wri been made in England to grapple with the great 
work of La Place are, 1. “ An Elementary Treatise upon Analytical Mechanics, 
being the First Book of the Mécanique Céleste of La Place; translated and eluci- 
dated with Explanatory Notes, by the Rev. John Toplis, B. D., London. 181 
8v0.—2. Hlustrations estial Mechanics of La 
chanics, by P. s. La Place ; translated from the French, and elucidated with Ex- 
planatory Notes, by Rev. Haney H. Harte, Fellow of Trinity College, Dublin. Part 
First, Book First, 1822. Book Second, 1827. Dublin.” 4to. 
highly honorable to the sex, that the best, may I not say the sady Exposition 
of La Place’s work that has appeared in England, is from the pen of a female, the 
accomplished Many Somrrvitix, wife of Dr. Somerville, of Chelsea Hoapitit, 
The Edinburgh Review said of her work, entitled “The Mechanism of the Heavy. 
ens,” eeeniaomne aie apne of the most remarkable works that female in- 
tellect ever produced, in any age or country; and with respect to the present day, 
we hazard little in saying Mrs. Somerville is the only individual of her sex ix 
the world who could have written it.” 
