1 50 HEROES OF INVENTION AND DISCO VER V. 



as might have secured him a very high character, if he had 

 never distinguished himself m any other branch of Uterature. 

 In all branches of the mathematics he was well versed. In 

 mechanics particularly, the learned Dr. Friend says, that a 

 greater genius had not arisen since the days of Archimedes. 

 He comprehended likewise the whole science of optics with 

 accuracy, and is very justly allowed to have understood both 

 the theory and practice of those discoveries which have 

 bestowed such high reputation on those of our own and other 

 nations who have brought them into common use. In 

 geography, also, he was admirably well skilled, as appears from 

 a variety of passages in his works, which was the reason that 

 induced the judicious Hakluyt to transcribe a large discourse 

 out of his writings into his collection of travels. 



But his skill in astronomy was even more remarkable, since 

 it appears that he not only pointed out the error which 

 occasioned the reformation in the calendar, and the distinction 

 between the old style and the new, but also offered a mucli 

 more effectual and perfect reformation than that which was 

 made in the time of Pope Gregory XIII. 



He was so thoroughly acquainted with chemistry, at a time 

 when it was scarcely known in Europe, and principally 

 cultivated among the Arabians, that Dr. Friend ascribes the 

 honour of introducing it to him, who speaks in some part or 

 other of his works of almost every operation now used in 

 chemistry. 



Three capital discoveries, or attempted discoveries, of his 

 deserve to be particularly considered. The first is the 

 invention of gunpowder, which, however confidently ascribed 

 to others, was unquestionably known to him, both as to its 

 ingredients and effects. The second is that which goes under 



