THE SCIENTIFIC SPIRIT IN FRANCE. 97 



development of its resources and the gathering of its 

 riches. But the wealth lies deep down, and is only indi- 

 cated by the first labours of the early pioneers. Newton, 

 following these, unites their beginnings into a systematic 

 exploration, and sinks the main shaft which reaches the 

 lode of rich ore. He opens out the wealth of the mine 

 and marks out the work for his followers. But many 

 difficulties had to be overcome, much united effort and 

 a vast organisation of labour were required, in order to 

 develop to the full Newton's scheme, and to raise the 

 great treasure which he had reached. This was not done 

 until the end of the last century, when Laplace collected, 



Laplace's 



arranged, and condensed the work of French and English work - 

 mathematicians and observers into a picture of the uni- 

 verse. A variety of circumstances had combined to make 

 the French capital the place above all others where the 

 means and materials for the development of the great 

 work could be most easily procured. Let us glance for 

 a moment at the different factors in operation during 

 the eighteenth century which contributed to the great 

 achievement. 



Whilst Newton was labouring privately and almost 

 unassisted 1 at the greatest scientific work produced in 



were not destined to be fulfilled. length of a degree in 1635 (and 



It is neither to the technical part published in his ' Seaman's Prac- 



of his method, nor to the details of tice ' in 1637), but relying on the 



his view of the nature and progress old figure of sixty miles for a de- 



of science, that his great fame is gree of latitude (confirmed by Ed. 



justly owing. His merits are of Wright, Cambridge, 1610), was led 



another kind. They belong to the away from the right supposition, 



spirit rather than to the positive which he entertained as far back as 



precepts of his philosophy." 1665, regarding the moon's orbit, 



1 It has been stated that Newton, and had to wait for Picard's figures 



not knowing of Norwood's approxi- (ascertained about 1669, published 



mately correct determination of the in France about 1672, and in the 



VOL. I. G 



