LITTLE ing how to study light, and the apparatus was so simple 

 JOURNEYS and cheap that the " Newton experiments " were tried 



everywhere in schoolrooms. 



People always combat a new idea when first presented, 

 and so Newton found himself overwhelmed with cor- 

 respondence. Cheap arguments were fired into Cam- 

 bridge in volleys. These were backed up by quibbling 

 men Pro Bono Publico, Veritasand Old Subscriber 

 men incapable of following Newton's scientific mind. 

 In his great good-nature and patience Newton replied 

 to his opponents at length. 



His explanations were construed into proof that he 

 was not sure of his ground. One man challenged him 

 to publicly debate the matter, and we hear of his going 

 up to London, king that he was, to argue with a com- 

 moner Jt> <> 



Such terms as "pretender," "upstart," "falsifier," 

 were freely used, and poor Newton for a time was al- 

 most in despair. He had thought that the world was 

 anxious for truth ! Some of his fellow-professors now 

 touched their foreheads and shook their heads omi- 

 nously as he passed. He had gone so far beyond them 

 that their cries of " whoa ! " were unnoticed. 

 , It is here worth noting that the universal fame of Sir 

 Isaac Newton was brought about by his rancorous 

 enemies and not by his loving friends. Gentle, honest, 

 simple and direct as was his nature, he experienced 

 notoriety before he knew fame. To the world at large 

 he was a "wizard" and a "juggler' before he was 

 acknowledged a teacher of truth a man of science. 

 90 



