286 SIE ISAAC NEWTON. 



of fits of reflection and transmission tallies with polarization, 

 if not with undulation also. 



But the most marvellous attribute of Newton's discoveries 

 is that in which they stand out prominent among all the other 

 feats of scientific research, stamped with the peculiarity of 

 his intellectual character ; they were, their great author lived 

 before his age, anticipating in part what was long after wholly 

 accomplished ; and thus unfolding some things which at the 

 time could be but imperfectly, others not at all comprehended ; 

 and not rarely pointing out the path and affording the means 

 of treading it to the ascertainment of truths then veiled in 

 darkness. He not only enlarged the actual dominion of 

 knowledge, penetrating to regions never before explored, 

 and taking with a firm hand undisputed possession ; but he 

 showed how the bounds of the visible horizon might be yet 

 further extended, and enabled his successors to occupy what 

 he could only descry ; as the illustrious discoverer of the 

 new world made the inhabitants of the old cast their eyes 

 over lands and seas far distant from those he had traversed ; 

 lands and seas of which they could form to themselves no 

 conception, any more than they had been able to com- 

 prehend the course by which he led them on his grand 

 enterprise. In this achievement, and in the qualities which 

 alone made it possible inexhaustible fertility of resources, 

 patience unsubdued, close meditation that would suffer no 

 distraction, steady determination to pursue paths that seemed 

 all but hopeless, and unflinching courage to declare the truths 

 they led to how far soever removed from ordinary apprehen- 

 sion in these characteristics of high and original genius we 



proof of its insufficiency, or communicating his own process. Cramer has 

 done both, and his demonstration is given by Leseur and Jacquier, II. 364, 

 together with another upon Newton's principle, but supplying the defects, 

 by the able and learned commentators. The adherents, too, of the undu- 

 latory theory have always explicitly admitted the connexion between the 

 Newtonian experiments and their doctrine. See particularly Mr. Airy's 

 very able Tracts Thus, " Newton's rings have served in a great degree for 

 tlie foundation of all the theories." S. 72, (p. 311, Edit. 1831.) 



