88 



he intended they should perpetually remain; he afc 

 terwards changed the perpendicular into a circular 

 direction, that being the only course that can preserve 

 itself uniform, and make a body without ceasing 

 keep at an equal distance from its proper centre." 

 This acknowledgment of Galileo is the more re. 

 markable as it comes from an inventive genius, who 

 least of any, owes his eminence to the aid ef the 

 ancients, for it is the disposition of noble minds to 

 arrogate to themselves as little as possible any merit, 

 but what they have the utmost claim to. Thus <Jo 

 Galileo and Newton, the greatest of all modern phi- 

 losophers, set an example which will never be imita- 

 ted but by those of their own class, 



